Congratulations to our College Graduates!!

So proud of all of our graduates!! Janika Jenson graduated from Utah State University with her Master of Education in Psychology! I love what Brandon posted on social media:  

"I'm so proud of my wife Janika Jenson for graduating with her Master's degree from USU! Not only did she do an amazing job getting through this program, but she finished it up while dealing with the challenges of pregnancy as well. Now only a few more weeks until she gets a new challenge to master!" 

Jase Jensen and Ellen Jensen graduated from Dixie State University -- Jase with a Bachelor of Science degree in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, and Ellen with a Bachelor of Science degree in Communication Studies with an emphasis in organization and applied leadership.

Jared Jensen also graduated with his Associate of General Studies from Dixie State University and is continuing on with his Bachelor's degree in Business Administrations. He didn't "walk" for graduation since he is just continuing on at the same school. 

We were sad that we couldn't go to Logan to attend Janika's graduation, and then Dad got the stomach flu and wasn't able to attend Jase and Ellen's either!! So that was a total bummer! At least we were able to watch Janika's through the live stream and Dad was able to watch Jase and Ellen's through the live stream also. Thank goodness for technology!! 

This first collage of Jase and Ellen and Evan below is of photos that were taken on April 20th by Ellen's sister, Lexie. They turned out SO darling!! The second collage are just some snapshots we took right after the ceremony before heading to Cafe Sabor for lunch! 

This is a bad picture on the right (and he took it before I was smiling), but I thought it was hilarious that I happened to be wearing the exact same outfit at Jase's high school graduation back in 2016 that I was at his college graduation six years later in 2022. I guess I don't update my wardrobe very often, ha ha! 

Jase's good friend, Ky Phillips, also graduated from Dixie State University with a degree in Communication Studies. He and Jase have shared graduations from elementary school, high school, and now college!

Jase Wisdom Teeth

Jase only had two wisdom teeth and got them out after his mission (and after Janika's wedding). We had them checked before his mission, but his dentist, Dr. Utley, said that they weren't ready to come out yet and said he could get them out after his mission (unlike Janika and Janelle who needed them out when they were just 15 years old). It must have been fairly uneventful because I neglected to do a blog post about it (until now) and the only documentation I could find was an appointment on my google calendar that said "Jase wisdom teeth out" on June 27, 2018. He had them out at Dr. Utley's office. He said "They didn't really put me under that much so I wasn't even drugged when I came out. I honestly probably could have driven home." We told him to go take a nap in the studio and he just sat there lying awake for an hour and a half and then came back upstairs. We told him that was a short nap and he said that he didn't even sleep. He didn't swell up (as I remember) and recovered really quickly. I can't find any photos -- I will have to check Rick's google photos for that day and see if he has any! 

Jase's Homecoming and Father's Day!!

This morning Rick and I went with Jase to the church at 7:00 a.m. so that he could give his missionary report to the High Council. Sarah Kemp had come home the same day that Jase did and gave her report as well. They both did a great job! It was really neat to feel the spirit as they shared their experiences and testimonies. They also both gave their homecoming talks in church today and they both did awesome there too! Jase was happy that his trainer, Elder Michael Stucki, showed up to hear him speak. It was also neat to hear him share his testimony in Armenian! We invited Michael over to dinner at the house after church and we had a great meal. It was fun to hear them both share missionary stories. It is always fun to hear another perspective on what actually went on in the mission field!

It was also Father's Day today!! I feel so blessed to be married to such a wonderful man! He is an amazing husband and the best dad ever!! 

Jase's Birthday, Dicken's Festival, Janika's Release

Friday, December 2: Happy Birthday to Jase today!! I love how Janika’s mission has a Facebook page with the mission president’s wife constantly posting pictures. We can also post pictures and I usually would for my missionary’s birthday sayingm “Wish this Sister/Elder a Happy Birthday today!”  But Jase’s mission doesn’t have a FB page. I did text the one contact I have in his mission to let them know it was his birthday today (and one of his companion’s birthday today too!)  I think she already knew and said that they were coming over for dinner the night before (last night) and that she would have a cake for them.  So that is nice!

Since everyone got to bed late last night Rick had told all of the kids that they could sleep in and go late to school, but none of them wanted to – except for Jared – he was happy to miss his first class. The others didn’t want to miss any school – which means I had to get up early too. Jaiden had to leave at 6:40 a.m. to go to Student Council. I kept saying, “Now are you sure you want to go – you don’t have to!” But she wanted to. She said they were practicing in first period for her concert at the Dicken’s Festival that day. Josh wanted to go to his early morning choir practice too and Janelle didn’t want to miss any school. So much for sleeping in! Rick has prep period first period and was able to get someone to cover his second period in order to go to Janika’s release.

We went to the Stake President’s house this morning at 9:00 for Janika to get released. The spirit was really strong and it was quite a somber and emotional experience for Janika – and for us. He asked her about her mission and had her share some experiences and told her that her mission was the MTC for the rest of her life. He counseled her to continue with her scripture study (he said a lot could be done in just 15 minutes a day) and prayer (especially in the morning since most of us are in a hurry and forget morning prayers) and asked her to set an attainable goal for how many times she could attend the temple in the next 90 days. She goes back to school in 32 days and so some of that will need to be done there (if she can find a ride – she doesn’t have a car).  He said that he could tell she was a great missionary and that she carried the missionary spirit.  She cried when she was released and when he told her that she could remove her name badge and Rick and I were crying too. 

I took Janika to the Dicken’s Festival to see Jaiden’s concert.  Janika had the same choir teacher when she was Jaiden’s age and so it was fun for her to say hello. Rick met us there too and then went straight to work afterwards. We did some shopping and then I came home and took a nap!

Tonight we had a nice family dinner and then had Janika share experiences from her mission. She started going through her packed away clothes and Tori came over to help. I have a lot to do this weekend but haven’t been able to focus on anything!  Rick is going to leave at 6:30 a.m. tomorrow morning to interpret in Vegas for the day and evening. That sounds really stressful to me. Jenna has a birthday party tomorrow and I have a baptism to go to tomorrow night. Rick and I will go with Janika Sunday morning at 7:00 for her report to the High Council. Wish it weren’t so early! 

MTC!!

More details to come (hopefully!)

Jase's Setting Apart

Jase was set apart as a missionary tonight!  (I will write more about it later)

 

Jase Temple

Endowed with power from on high!

Jase met his friends to begin their Senior Temple Trip!