Happy Friday everyone!

Oh blog, it’s been far too long…

Well, our good friend Meg dug up some photos from back in the day and since I am in ummm… ALL of them, it’s only appropriate that I do the “talking”! (Turns out I had A LOT more photos too!)

*Disclaimer: Friends, please don’t hate me. We all have regrets over past clothing choices, hair styles,  and at least for me, dabbled in the freshman 15… but the memories. The memories!*

So we’ve mentioned more than once on this blog that our college days were some of the best days of our lives. So many of the great friendships and memories I made were due in part to being involved in a program called, IWA (Institute Women’s Association).

A quick history, for you unfamiliar with the lingo:

Institute Women’s Association used to be called Lambda Delta Sigma… and was like a sorority for Institute. (And if you’re really not keyed in to the LDS lingo – Institute is a place usually associated with a college campus where you can take religion classes. At CSULB, there was an institute building basically on the campus. Each semester you could register for a religion class… like Book of Mormon, New Testament, Teachings of the Prophets, etc…)  Institute also happens to be a place for the singles to mingle! And where in fact, I first met my husband. (How about that?!)

I remember the first activity I was invited to… and I almost didn’t go. I wasn’t sure that I wanted to be a part of another extra curricular activity. Little did I know that I would become very involved with the program and how it would shape so many of the great college experiences I had.

Now might be a good time to mention Bro. Jones, our institute director. He was sweetest, kindest man… and sadly passed away in the spring of 2006. I can’t think of institute without thinking of him. He always cheered us on and encouraged us… was always willing to listen and I know genuinely loved us.

I started going to IWA my freshman year and by the beginning of my sophomore year, I was called to be the IWA president. It was a tough calling to have! We met almost weekly and had a planned activity each time we met. We centered a lot of our activities on service and fostering spiritual growth.

I spent a couple of hours delving into some of my journals from way back when, seeing if I wrote down any of the activities that we did… after weeding through pages of entries that had a lot to do with worrying about guys, money, roomie drama, and my weight… I did find some gems! (Oh, if only my future self could visit my past self – I would have a thing or two to say! Like… DON’T WORRY SO MUCH!)

Anyway…

Let’s let some of the pictures do the talking:

Sis. Wurtz! Our IWA “Mom” if you will… she was our “adult” support in the program. She was a super great lady and I appreciate all she did for us!

Meeting at a restaurant, yes please!

Sis. Wurtz hosted a sleep over at her place and fed us!

We helped clean a battered woman’s shelter… (I remember this pic was taken there, but the rest of the pictures are pretty bad. You ladies might not forgive me if I posted them)

IWA even had an official “logo”. I know each picture stood for something… Too bad I can’t remember now Charity? Service? Anyone remember?

We were in charge of an 80′s themed dance… and were the only ones to dress up.

Yep.

Note: my AWESOME boots. At the time we could not get over how hideous these boots were. I think I got them at a thrift store for a dollar or two. And NOW, you see that style of boot EVERYWHERE – maybe not in that color. Clearly I was a budding trend setter. NOT. (Check out that blonde-mop hair… no bueno!)

We had a few formals.

And we bowled. Of course.

 We were also tasked with decorating the institute for Christmas each year. (With a little help from the IMA)

And probably my favorite thing we did… Bonfires at Balboa Beach. We usually went around and shared a favorite scripture or testimony building experience. These ladies’ love of the gospel was so inspiring to me.

And while this isn’t exactly an IWA activity… it was at institute. That there is the hubs, trying to play it cool and put the moves on me. Haha.

 I am so grateful for institute and for IWA! If you have one nearby, you should go! I highly recommend it.