Alan and I have been Church Service Missionaries for the BYU-Idaho Pathway Program for just over one year. We were called to serve for two years. We have loved being ambassadors of Christ and ambassadors of the Pathway Program! On July 24th, 2014 we held our last gathering with our first group of students. Here is a picture of our particular class.
(Bottom row: Myrna Councilman, Sister Stott, Elder Stott, Miguel Landazuri
Middle row: Joyce Read, Melissa Bradley, Patricia Maldonado, Karen Christensen, Jenny Pratt, Liza Tyra, Kathleen Stones, Wendy Tracy, Gabriella Ordinez, Marlene Trujillo
Back row: Joel Cooke, Mark Gallup, Brian Jacobson, Donald Forshee, Jason Morris, Ray Goodale.
Missing: Araceli Monreal)
To celebrate the completion of their Pathway year, we held a culmination ceremony where approximately 65 students from three classes were recognized as having completed the program. Since it was held on July 24th (Pioneer Day), the students were fondly and rightly referred to as Pathway Pioneers because they were leading the way for others to follow.
Here are some photos of the culmination ceremony:
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Family members were invited to attend so not everyone in the audience were students.
Bro. Sather (High Council over Pathway) conducted.
President Crawley spoke to the group.
Elder & Sister Bird's class (18-30 year olds), lined up to receive their recognition certificates.
Our class (31+ age group) lined up to receive their recognition certificates (in background)
Elder & Sister Wagner's class (another 31+ age group) lined up to receive their recognition certificates.
This is a photo of the certificates I made for the students. I wrote their names in calligraphy on each one and the Stake President signed each one. I love doing that kind of thing.
Sister Wagner and her friend did an amazing job decorating the refreshment table with a Pioneer theme. We served fruits and desserts.
Elder Wagner & Elder Stott eating the refreshments.
Our Pathway Pioneers didn't have to cross the plains and start a new life in a new land, but they did have to leave their comfort zones to become students again after a long leave of absence. For that, I commend them for taking the first step to start the path or continue their path to a college degree.
In Pathway, we learn to become life-long learners. Whether we are seeking a degree or simply wanting to improve ourselves, we should never stop learning. After all, as we learn in the Doctrine & Covenants 130:18 - whatever principle of intelligence we attain unto in this life, it will rise with us in the resurrection. God expects us to gain as much knowledge as we can because this knowledge will benefit us in the eternities.
We are looking forward to starting a new school year on September 15th. We can't wait to begin this new journey with our new students. I know that their lives are about to change for the better.
