The Spirit of the Season

December 4, 2013

Tonight I had the opportunity to help with the Riverview Stake's live nativity once again. I have helped with this event every year that I've lived here that they've held it (this being about my 4th time). In the past, I've always had the opportunity to be an entrance greeter or an exit greeter. In this role--I have always been an onlooker and have felt that the gift our Heavenly Father has given us is such a valuable gem.

Tonight--I was given the chance to play a different role. I was given the chance to be Mary, riding the donkey to Bethlehem. Now--granted--my friend Jason and I were the last ones to play the role tonight, and Lucky Harry (I'm not sure the real name of the donkey) was tired and gave up on the second round and just sat down and we didn't know what to do, but--I think the whole time I was there put into perspective for me a little deeper thought about what Mary must have felt like.

I think she must have felt so many emotions. She probably felt uncomfortable, scared, amazed, and loved all at the same time. I think she must have felt honored to be carrying the Son of God. I imagine that the 90 mile journey to Bethlehem was not an easy one--and just like the donkey wanted to give up tonight, they didn't. For Joseph to stay with her the whole time and support her must have been true love. I think they must have known real love and joy and had that understanding given to them. They needed that to raise the Savior. 

Someday, I hope to understand that love that we have from the Savior even more. I know that we are here to learn it--it is the first and greatest commandment: To love God and then others. As this holiday season continues--I hope we can keep that love in our hearts and reach out to those in need. 

My singles ward is giving a gift to the Savior this year for Christmas. Being single--I've learned that I can be really selfish sometimes and only think of myself a lot. But--I'm trying really hard this season to think of others and show love to them. Because that is what the Savior would want me to do. So--my gift to the Savior is to do something daily to try to help my brothers and sisters on this earth feel their worth and to understand that He loves them. At the same time--I hope He will help me to feel my own worth in His sight and be able to increase my capacity to love.

I hope and pray for all my friends out there to have a season filled with "Christ-like" love and Charity. For this is one of the most important things the Savior taught us.  Love.

Thankful Blogs

I need to start looking at blessings, so I'm going to try the thankful challenge on my blog/journal area. So--here goes:

Day 1: I am grateful for life. Life is so full of opportunities to learn and grow--and I think I'm doing my best to embrace opportunities that come my way. Granted, life has many trials and problems, but those things have only proved to make me stronger and better.

Recently I had the opportunity to take on a new job and I have had the opportunity to attend a program called Aspiring Principal's Academy. It was a good chance to look at things I can maybe do to further my education and have an influence on children and their learning. The older I get--the more I realize that that is what life is about--teaching others to love life as well and to love learning. Because that is why God has sent us here--to learn and to live.

So--day 1. Thankful for life and lessons. (Does that count as 2?). Hmmm..

Another Once In A Life Time (or so they say...)

Ok...so when I was a little girl--I had this ridiculous idea that it would be so much fun to sing in the Mormon Tabernacle Choir--or even play the organ for it. Well...I didn't ever develop my talent out enough to do this...but last Sunday, I had the opportunity to sing for regional conference for my area and we had the chance to sit in the choir seats at the Conference Center.

It started out as a negative experience, which I am ashamed to say, was mostly because of my own negative attitude. The practices started about 6 weeks in advance and lasted every Sunday for about 2 hours. We were forced to sing our vowels correctly and try not to sound like a juvenile choir.

This whole thing put me and several around me in a rotten mood.

I wish now looking back that I could have been a better leader and been a better example to those around me. I should have had a better attitude, even though I wasn't enjoying every moment of every practice. It was hot. We were tired. I was hungry. I wanted to be doing anything else. But--we were preparing to spread the spirit through song--which I know--is one of the most powerful ways to convey the spirit.

That morning of the practice--I tried my best to have a good attitude--which was hard because many others were still negative. But--I was able to enjoy it--and we were even on the big screen a few times. I was told by friends that we sounded great--so I am hoping that at least the angels forgave us for our bad attitudes and God blessed those who were listening with his Spirit.

It was though a great opportunity to sit in those chairs and see the multitudes of people gathered to learn. I am grateful for the learning opportunity!

The Importance of the Family

August 13, 2013

I know--I'm still single. But--I love when the opportunity comes for me to be able to go to the temple to be able to participate in sealings. Tonight, one of my friends and I were trying to catch the new video at the temple (apparently, you have to go early to get in on it...) but the session we wanted was full, so they sent us up to participate in sealings.

What I love about sealings is hearing the great blessings that are offered with this highest ordinance. The sealing power is so amazing--and hearing it from both perspectives--of a couple being sealed and then as a child being sealed--remind me of just how important this is. Tonight I was able to take my great grandma and grandpa's name through the temple to be sealed. This is my mom's mom's parents. And I couldn't help but agree with the sealer when he said that the people we were doing the work for tonight had been waiting for a while and how grateful they would be for this blessing in their lives. I am excited to be able to do more work for my family and can't wait to go back.


Ironically, tonight the Sunday School President came by to bring me the manual for Sunday too because I get to fill in this week. The lesson is called "Sealed...for Time and for All Eternity." (A theme to my life today?). The lesson focuses a lot on Eternal Marriage and the importance of it. I am grateful that it has a section on "if" this part of life hasn't come. There are times where I do struggle and I feel all alone--like God has forgotten me and I must be very undesireable. But--then I have moments where I realize that this is not true--God is very aware of me and He has a plan for me. I feel that even more now in my life more than I have ever felt it before. It is a righteous desire of my heart--to have a family and to experience the joy from it. But--I also know that I am doing a work right now that God has for me to do. I know that teaching is an important part of my life and God has given me gifts that He needs me to use to influence the learning of His children here on earth. I don't know that I've really shared that with people--and it is a special thing to me, and it brings me hope that I have a purpose in this life. I am learning to trust in Him and His timetable, and even though I count this as one of my trials in life--I have grown so much from it. I am so lucky to get to watch successful marriages all around me and see successful child rearing. I truly feel blessed. And I sure hope that those people that help me feel this way feel blessed too--because you truly have a gift. I look forward to the day when I can have it as a part of my life too.

The temples truly are an amazing part of our lives...and I am so grateful for the priesthood power and the sealing power. For some reason, God wanted me to learn about it this week. I think it was to remind me how blessed I am to have my family and to be able to be with them forever. In the eternal scheme of things, this is what matters!

Feeling Blessed...

August 6, 2013

Have you ever stopped and thought about how lucky you are to be alive and to be able to experience life? And all the feelings and emotions that go with it? And the lessons you learn? Today was one of those "stop and smell the roses" kinds of days. Life is all about the memories we create, after all.

I haven't written on my blog for a while--Brad Wilcox would be disappointed at me in not continuing my journaling. So--I better write somewhere...

Today--I had one of those great days you wish you could just pause and remember forever. It started out by me experimenting with my job. I have a new job--I work at the district office as a mentor teacher specialist. I am over 300ish provisional teachers and I get to watch these new teachers teach and give them feedback. I did my first observations today of some new teachers--and at first--I missed it. I missed interacting with the kiddos and helping them love learning. But--then as I started watching the teachers, really watching them--and seeing them have fun and enjoying what they were doing--seeing things that made them struggle a little and having great ideas pop into my head to help them--I felt at that moment--that I made the right choice. This job really can bring me joy--and I am so excited for that!

My official badge...that picture was from when I first started teaching...

Also today--I had the opportunity to listen to a missionary discussion tonight--about the restoration. These elders did sooo good! I hadn't felt the spirit so strongly in my little heart for a while. We were having my friend Jessie visit with them to learn about the church and answer questions she had. I heard some beautiful testimonies from some of my friends and learned things about them I didn't even know. It was so special ... and I hope I don't ever forget the way it felt.

I also spent some time tonight with another friend celebrating his birthday. I gave him a drawing kit and some pastels. We spent time tonight drawing and I have to say...my art work is about as good as my first graders. But--his was so good--he drew me an elephant because it is my favorite animal. Puts me to shame...

Regardless of my drawing abilities...I feel so blessed today. I truly am lucky to be alive--and to be able to experience life. I think that is one of the many lessons of life--to learn to love each day for what it is. Living in the present is surely the best thing to being a happy person and enjoying all the little moments. I sure hope I can remember that lesson tomorrow--when I get to attend my first night class I get to help teach at. Fingers crossed!

All I can say right now is I sure feel blessed.

Teacher Appreciation

May 7, 2013

Today is National Teacher Appreciation Day. Often times, parents or friends will ask me for advice on what to give their teachers. Sometimes I'll joke and say gift cards (gift cards are nice!). But--in all honesty. Even more than the gift cards, I find that there is something a little bit better.

The thing that means the most to me are the notes of appreciation that are specific about what I've done well or what things I have done to make a difference in the life of my students. This year I received three that made my heart melt, from some triplets in my class. They will definitely go in the days I need a reminder box.

When all is said and done--I won't remember the gift cards or the little knick knacks or the treats and the supplies that were bought for me. I appreciate those things--but it is the notes and the honesty of them that will make me remember that I have done something valuable.


I too am grateful for fantastic teachers in my life. I feel God has blessed me with so many of them. I have had an amazing learning experience where I asked one what the most important thing a teacher should do is. His response: "Teach the children to love learning." I have had so many that have taught me to have joy in learning and I feel like it is something that has turned me into the woman I am becoming. I hope and pray that in my career as a teacher, if nothing else, I teach my children how to learn and to love doing it.

Hiking Observation Point

April 27, 2013

This weekend was one to just get away--I'd had a hard week and my roommate Mindy decided we should take a trip away. So, we went to St. George to "get out of dodge." My friend Bo lives in St. George and decided he was going to take us hiking. 

When we got up Saturday, Mindy and I had talked about possible hikes we could do. But, we had slept in a little late for doing Angel's Landing (we wanted to do that one to do a hard, scary thing). But--it was over 80 degrees when we were moving around at 10:00 am. We decided that wasn't the best idea in the busy, hot part of the day. My friend Bo suggested we hike to Observation Point. He said, "Oh, I've done it before--it's 4 miles to the top...(meaning 8 miles round trip--did we think that through?). So we said okay.

Starting out we were energetic and full of excitement to get to the top. 

The top is the part in the middle where the white part is with the trees...

We began hiking and passed many switchbacks--some within minutes of each other. There were so many different features to this trail from slot canyons, really dry looking deserts and even some green areas. It was beautiful and breathtaking. But--tiring--very steep in some places. I remember one point where we past a woman coming down and Greg asked her if we were close. She rolled her eyes and sarcastically said, "no." At that point I think we had a rough 2 miles to go to get to the top still. But--once we finally did it--it was totally worth it. 

A future arch?

The top--we were trying to get there

My favorite wildflower--indian paintbrush

a view out the canyon from down lower on the trail

the walls were so huge!

So many different rock formations

Greg and Bo leading the way

This part was so green!

breathtaking!

so many trees in this desert area

lots of different mesas and flat areas

A view of Angel's Landing on the way up

We were getting close!

The view from the top! It was so rewarding!

Bo, Greg, Mindy and I felt very accomplished for our 4 miles--then we remembered we had 4 more to do...

The trail from above

6,508 feet above sea level--and we did it!

On the way down--we told ourselves that we deserved Oscars...a place that serves Mexican and Burgers out side of the park. And it was totally worth it. Best food ever--especially after hiking like that

Doing hard things makes you stronger--especially if it involves hiking 8 miles. Thanks Bo, Greg, and Mindy for making me stronger this weekend!

It's Been A Long Time

April 20, 2013

It has been a long time since I have blogged and I have realized that there is a pretty good chance I'll never get caught up on my life...but--I decided today that it is okay. I will just post as I can.

I am currently taking a Comprehension class as part of my reading endorsement from Brad Wilcox. He has challenged us to write in our journals regularly. SO--I decided I would write in my personal for me journal once a week and I would write on my blog once a week to see if that works. So, here goes.

Today we crossed an item off the bucket list--sorta. I still have one more dive to do to be able to be a "certified" open water scuba diver. But, today was day one. Honestly--I am a little afraid of scuba diving and there were a few moments under the water today that I did have anxiety and felt afraid of not being able to breath--then I remembered there was air in front of me. Diving is a lot of fun though and you can see some beautiful things underwater. Today we made it to about 45 feet underwater. We practiced some skills and just had fun exploring underwater. There are crazy things deep down under the crater.

But--it is a fear of mine--being underwater like that. I am amazed though that I can overcome it and feel comfortable and be able to enjoy it. That is a goal of mine this year though--is to overcome fears and look them in the face and be able to have courage to live life and have fun.

This year I also learned to ski for the second time and I feel like I have enjoyed it this time as well. One more thing off my list.

This year is full of possibility for me to overcome fears. I am grateful for people who believe in me enough to support me in my crazy antics and extremeness.

Keep posted for more craziness...

Me at the Homestead Crater, Midway, Utah