Life and Conference

I can't believe I haven't written a single thing about teaching or our move to Alpine or any of that wonderful stuff! Where did time go? Let me give a quick update...

This summer I took all of my senior year classes in order to be able to internship. During my finals in April (note the during part), we moved to my parent's basement apartment and the next week I started my summer classes. Five days after they ended, I started my time as a Fox Hollow employee and got ready to invite little critters back to school. The first day of school was TERRIBLE and I wanted to cry and quit. Well, I cried a lot, but I didn't quit and I'm so glad. Life is so good with my 27 wonderful first graders. We have a long way to go, but we're going to have an incredible year!

This weekend was Conference weekend for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Brian and I were able to split our weekend between our two families and even watched one session just as a couple. My pleadings and prayers were answered and soothed as I listened to the words of our prophets and apostles. There were themes of love, service, becoming as a child, and so much more that I needed to hear at this time. I think I was already on a right track, but I guess you can say that my view was changed because it was expanded to a greater eternal perspective about this life. I have so much work to do, good work to do, and now I want to do it. I also know that this life will be a progression that comes in stages. I am committed to do the best I can to be the kind of disciple Christ would have me be. I am so grateful to be a member of this true Church.

Life is good. Never forget to view this eternal probation in an eternal perspective - life gets too crazy if you do.

Things Change...

It's official!!! I'm teaching 1st grade in the fall!

For those who don't know, I was accepted as an intern earlier this semester, but there has been a big question as to what grade I will teach. For one thing, the school is splitting, the legislative period determined a lot, and teachers were switching grades like crazy. I'm so happy, though, because at first they thought I was interested in the upper grades and lately I've been more and more interested in the lower grades, so this is perfect. When my principal said that they were hoping one of us could teach in first, I just sort of raised my hand and said, "Actually, I would love to teach first grade!" When I went to do some observations at the school, I did a little observing in third, but I was mostly put in first and I loved it. I stayed open and flexible so I wouldn't get my hopes up or anything, but I was really hoping I would get first.

This is all very interesting because just a few months ago and especially in the years past I thought there was no way I wanted to teach children as young as first! It seemed difficult, routine, and a lot like day care. Something has changed, though. I am ecstatic about this year ahead of me! It might have something to do with the classes I'm taking right now - we're studying about literacy and language arts and I decided that reading and writing would be awesome to teach! I have also had experiences (especially in my recent field experience) that have shown me how much first grade students are capable of and how much I can push and challenge them to achieve. Furthermore, I've been teaching the 6- and 7-year-olds in Primary at church, and as aggravating as they can be, you can't help but love them. Talking to my good friend Kristina, who is also a first grade teacher, I have found that she has hilarious experiences that only come from working with kids that age and that the ones that are the hardest to teach are usually the ones you love most. I am so excited!

I am excited to read books all year long, believe in Santa Claus again, and to try to catch a leprachaun on St. Patrick's Day. I am excited for macaroni noodle art, sweet colored pictures of all sorts of random things, and big hugs every day. I am especially excited, though, for that spark that sometimes comes into a child's eyes, especially when they learn how to read. Things suddenly click and it's like they're in a new world. I can't believe I get to be a teacher next year. I am the luckiest girl in the world.

Passion

I am passionate about teaching. I know that now. I have always loved kids, always loved learning, but I am thriving in my studies right now. I am taking 21 credits and working 20 hours a week and planning a literature conference and presenting at the conference...but I am so happy. I think that tells me that this really is what I want to do. And that's my view right now. I haven't blogged in a while, so I thought I'd give the world an update. I'm doing much better, am very busy, but I'm happy. Life's good. Thanks to all those who make it so.

Light at the End of the Tunnel

When you go through a long tunnel, especially when it's twisty and turny, you cannot see the light at the end -- where you'll end up, what it's like, and that there's an end to being in the dark.

I am finishing up my last two finals and am almost done with my preparation for them. This semester has been like getting on a roller coaster and just holding on because I have no idea how it's going to turn and dive and rise and accelerate. Now I'm approaching the junction where I'll get off again. (Although I'll be riding it a few more times in a row, don't ya think?) I'm finally seeing the light at the end of the tunnel, and now I can see where I've been and what has happened along the way. I have really put myself into my studies this year and as a result I have learned so much. I have especially loved Ed Psych and have grown a lot in that class. I can see that my efforts bring success in school and I am motivated to keep going, even though I have a few more dark tunnels ahead of me.

December

Christmas is coming, and never has the season been more beautiful than this year. Granted, there hasn't been as much snow as I would like, but the love that I have felt this season has been phenomenal. I have been so close to Christ, so close to Brian, and so close to my family. I feel truly blessed this season and cannot wait for all that Christmas brings.

Thanksgiving

This is my favorite portrayal of Thanksgiving:



The patriarch of the family is at the head of the table, young and old are seated on both sides and looking happy, hungry, and excited. Although my family has never had the turkey laid out like this and we opt for buffet-style serving of food over laying it all out in front of us, this picture brings back the warmth I feel whenever I think of this beloved holiday.

Lately I have had a lot to be grateful for. In the past three weeks I have attended two funerals and have not been able to attend two others that I would have liked to. My View and my perspective have been changed, and for the better. I don't mean to say I was ungrateful before, but my gratitude has certainly been magnified and broadened. My appreciation of Brian and my parents, especially, has grown, and my love with it. The world is once again exciting and fascinating to me, even though the grass and leaves are brown and tree stems are barren. We have a whole universe around us, and arguably a whole universe inside us. We should always be filled with wonder. I am committed to be a better friend, a better student, and a better woman in life. I can have faith. I can have joy. I can have hope.

Although the cause of my current View was a sad one, I am so grateful that I have had this experience and for the way I have felt as a result. I plan to carry this with me through the Thanksgiving holiday ahead of me and even on through life, although I'm sure I'll need reminding.