So It's my birthday, it is a special day for me. But a year ago today I was not in a good place and made some decisions as I was trying to find myself that lead me down a path that wasn't good. I look at myself today and who I was then and am so grateful for the strength I've found, for the amazing friends that I have and constantly support me. I am grateful for my parents who even though I was acting very childish, rude and hurtful; still supported me and showed their unconditional love for me through it all. I am so grateful for the gospel of Jesus Christ in my life, and though I questioned it for awhile and needed to find my testimony...yet again, was able to find the same truths still there and a savior who is always waiting for me to come to him! I am grateful for the rainbows after the storms in my life, showing me all that I've learned in those dark times. I am also so grateful for the education I'm receiving so that I can help children build a foundation in their lives and brighten their future. I am grateful for so many more things than I can possible name. I love that even though I will continue to have rough patches on this road of life, I will be able to get through it! I can do hard things, Through Christ I Can! I am sorry I have not been the example that I should have been, but I have learned so much through the last year, especially the last two or three months and I'd never change what I've gained from it. I guess I just felt like I needed to share that.
As I sat in the temple today waiting to watch my dear mission companion get married, I felt this realization of all that transpired this year and all that I've learned and how grateful I was able to be at the temple today to share this special day with her! What an amazing knowledge to know I'm a daughter of God, to know I have a Father who loves me and I truly feel that more and more each day!
Although at times I get discouraged about the future, I remember he loves me and wants me to be happy and if this is something I have to go through to prepare myself for the future, than I can do it!
It has been a great day! I am so happy I didn't follow through with actions I planned in the spring, I am glad I had a friend whose amazing spirit helped me see what I needed to do, for a priesthood blessing and for another chance...a chance to make it to today, to my 25th birthday, a wonderful day filled with happiness and love. Steph thanks! I am so blessed to have you as my friend!
Okay so I think that's enough! Good night world!
Saturday, November 20, 2010
Friday, November 5, 2010
Happy Halloween
The perks of being an elementary school teacher, getting to dress up. To quote a professor, sometimes we just have to put on our sequins and show up. Well I just put on my straw and continued to pick it up for the rest of the day.. so much fun!
I didn't think I could love 2nd graders as much as I do!
My field experience is amazing, I have taught everyday I've been there except twice. That's a lot! Although it is a huge amount of work, it is making me feel like I really did choose the right profession and I might actually do ok in this field. I have some funny true stories that I wanted to share.
First, I work at Sam's club as a Tobacco Cashier, not my first choice but I need the money. So the afternoon after my first "official" day in field work one of the students in my rotation period saw me at the tobacco desk. I recognized him, could remember his name but smiled. Then on Monday (the beginning of red ribbon week) he walks into class, walks straight up to me so that there is maybe a ruler space between us and says in a very serious face..."do you smoke?" All I could think is great, this is the impression I want my second graders to see.
Later on that week we were to wear our favorite jersey or team t-shirt so I wore my "I bleed Purple" WSU shirt. I had finished teaching my lesson and again my rotation kids were coming in and I could here behind me as I erased the white board...'dude she bleeds purple, hey you guys she bleeds purple.' I walked back to the back where my back pack was and I hear the student say 'Miss Johnson, if you bleed purple....maybe you have cancer.' I laughed so hard! I told him I would have to get that checked!
I think the best things that have happened while I've been in the school so far is 1) I get there when my class is at lunch and if it's a nice day they sit out on the grass and as I walk up all the kids run to me and give me hugs! I love that so much! 2) Seeing one of my students receive a bike helmet as a contest winner and he was so excited, "I am so happy I think I might pop" were his exact words. Made me happy! 3) An adorable little boy in my class drawing me a picture and being among the many girls to run and give me hugs. He is so adorable and it makes me happy to know even some boys like me too, even if he is only 7.
I do have hard students that get off task or don't pay attention, but I've been applying the things I've learn from great professors and shockingly they have worked. I love ASR, it truly does work. Some thing else that works is recognizing when they are doing what they are supposed to be doing.
I got to go to the Halloween party and my kids danced and decorated cookies and colored halloween decorations, it was so fun. I am so sad that In a few weeks the semester will end and I won't be able to go to their class anymore, I don't know how I'm going to be able to say goodbye to students every year, only to get attached to another group again. But I know this is where I'm supposed to be even if it's hard. I love my students!
First, I work at Sam's club as a Tobacco Cashier, not my first choice but I need the money. So the afternoon after my first "official" day in field work one of the students in my rotation period saw me at the tobacco desk. I recognized him, could remember his name but smiled. Then on Monday (the beginning of red ribbon week) he walks into class, walks straight up to me so that there is maybe a ruler space between us and says in a very serious face..."do you smoke?" All I could think is great, this is the impression I want my second graders to see.
Later on that week we were to wear our favorite jersey or team t-shirt so I wore my "I bleed Purple" WSU shirt. I had finished teaching my lesson and again my rotation kids were coming in and I could here behind me as I erased the white board...'dude she bleeds purple, hey you guys she bleeds purple.' I walked back to the back where my back pack was and I hear the student say 'Miss Johnson, if you bleed purple....maybe you have cancer.' I laughed so hard! I told him I would have to get that checked!
I think the best things that have happened while I've been in the school so far is 1) I get there when my class is at lunch and if it's a nice day they sit out on the grass and as I walk up all the kids run to me and give me hugs! I love that so much! 2) Seeing one of my students receive a bike helmet as a contest winner and he was so excited, "I am so happy I think I might pop" were his exact words. Made me happy! 3) An adorable little boy in my class drawing me a picture and being among the many girls to run and give me hugs. He is so adorable and it makes me happy to know even some boys like me too, even if he is only 7.
I do have hard students that get off task or don't pay attention, but I've been applying the things I've learn from great professors and shockingly they have worked. I love ASR, it truly does work. Some thing else that works is recognizing when they are doing what they are supposed to be doing.
I got to go to the Halloween party and my kids danced and decorated cookies and colored halloween decorations, it was so fun. I am so sad that In a few weeks the semester will end and I won't be able to go to their class anymore, I don't know how I'm going to be able to say goodbye to students every year, only to get attached to another group again. But I know this is where I'm supposed to be even if it's hard. I love my students!
Wednesday, October 20, 2010
Field Experience
So today I start my five week field experience in an elementary school in Ogden. I am so excited. I love this part of the semester, because it's actually getting in the classroom and doing something with what I've been learning and 'hypothetically' doing in my college courses. I'm excited to get to know all the little students and see them grow! OH, I love this profession. Lets see what I think about it after my lessons :o).
I also have made head way in starting my senior synthesis service project. I am making hats, blankets, headbands, and other craft items for primary children's hospital. I was inspired to do this because I made a baby blanket for a dear professor who had her baby over the summer and a cute little hat for her other little girl. I decided that I could do that for kids at the hospital who need a little cheering up, and homemade gifts are the best...at least I like them. I'm way excited to get started and finish this project before student teaching in the spring, cause I think I'm going to busy enough with just that!!!! I will post pictures of my progress over the next couple of months.
Well gotta get to my homework cause today is going to be a busy day. :o)
I also have made head way in starting my senior synthesis service project. I am making hats, blankets, headbands, and other craft items for primary children's hospital. I was inspired to do this because I made a baby blanket for a dear professor who had her baby over the summer and a cute little hat for her other little girl. I decided that I could do that for kids at the hospital who need a little cheering up, and homemade gifts are the best...at least I like them. I'm way excited to get started and finish this project before student teaching in the spring, cause I think I'm going to busy enough with just that!!!! I will post pictures of my progress over the next couple of months.
Well gotta get to my homework cause today is going to be a busy day. :o)
Monday, October 18, 2010
Learning from others...
Inspired by President Monson. Okay a few weeks ago my church had a women's broadcast, at this broadcast President Monson got up and spoke specifically of charity, loving others and not judging. This truly hit me hard on two specific points in my life. So I've been really trying to change my attitude about people and it has helped a lot. I have found patience and brotherly kindness are much easier when I have a more loving attitude toward them. (It's so funny how that happens).
So I've been holding a grudge against someone. She didn't hurt me, but she has treated my sister poorly for many years. At first I thought it was all in my sisters head. I thought she was just insecure at a young age, but as I've been able to work in the young women's program in my home ward I've seen how wrong I was. I always looked the other way wondering why this person treated me so differently than she treated my sister. It was like she was two-faced. It got me wondering which one of these 'faces' was her true self. Was it the one that was an excellent student, friend to all, kind, and willing to do service for anyone; or was it the one who always seemed to put herself above others, because she was better than everyone else? Never wanting to be associated my sister outside of church to the point of alienation at school or out in public? Making snide comments behind her back and starting rumors that have very little truth if any? This person had always been beautiful in my eyes, both in looks and personality. As I saw this other 'face' she had she looked more and more like the "popular" girls in high school...'fake'.
This seems random to be placed in the same post as President Monson's talk but I promise I have a point (maybe not a good one, but I do have one non-the-less). What I have learned from this person is that I don't want to be perceived as fake. I want to honestly not judge people and love them for who they are, a child of god. But...but I also want to show my family how much them mean to me by defending them. In the last couple of years the way I've felt about family has changed. They are more important to me than friends who come and go throughout life (although I do have some friends that truly are family in my heart :o}).
So the true colors of this person, who has been like a little sister to me, have shown through and I'm glad that my sister is my sister. She teaches me so much about love and patience and enduring crappy circumstances. She still tries to get along with this person even though she makes it a point to make Hannah look stupid or ugly or not talented, but when other people are around, her generous, friend-to-all face comes on and she fools everyone. Well I'm not fooled anymore. And I won't stand for it anymore either, my sister is my best friend and if anyone hurts her I take it personally. I will try to follow President Monson's counsel and not judge others by loving them as God would. I will try to not gossip, because I know that it hurts others. And I will defend others, in a loving way, when they are being talked about behind their back.
So to this girl who has deliberately hurt my sister, I hope that you will have a change of heart and take Presidents counsel to heart as well. Remember that we all are children of God. And remember whose eyes you want to be beautiful in...the worlds or Gods?
You can read President Monson's talk at
http://lds.org/conference/talk/display/0,5232,23-1-1298-39,00.html
So I've been holding a grudge against someone. She didn't hurt me, but she has treated my sister poorly for many years. At first I thought it was all in my sisters head. I thought she was just insecure at a young age, but as I've been able to work in the young women's program in my home ward I've seen how wrong I was. I always looked the other way wondering why this person treated me so differently than she treated my sister. It was like she was two-faced. It got me wondering which one of these 'faces' was her true self. Was it the one that was an excellent student, friend to all, kind, and willing to do service for anyone; or was it the one who always seemed to put herself above others, because she was better than everyone else? Never wanting to be associated my sister outside of church to the point of alienation at school or out in public? Making snide comments behind her back and starting rumors that have very little truth if any? This person had always been beautiful in my eyes, both in looks and personality. As I saw this other 'face' she had she looked more and more like the "popular" girls in high school...'fake'.
This seems random to be placed in the same post as President Monson's talk but I promise I have a point (maybe not a good one, but I do have one non-the-less). What I have learned from this person is that I don't want to be perceived as fake. I want to honestly not judge people and love them for who they are, a child of god. But...but I also want to show my family how much them mean to me by defending them. In the last couple of years the way I've felt about family has changed. They are more important to me than friends who come and go throughout life (although I do have some friends that truly are family in my heart :o}).
So the true colors of this person, who has been like a little sister to me, have shown through and I'm glad that my sister is my sister. She teaches me so much about love and patience and enduring crappy circumstances. She still tries to get along with this person even though she makes it a point to make Hannah look stupid or ugly or not talented, but when other people are around, her generous, friend-to-all face comes on and she fools everyone. Well I'm not fooled anymore. And I won't stand for it anymore either, my sister is my best friend and if anyone hurts her I take it personally. I will try to follow President Monson's counsel and not judge others by loving them as God would. I will try to not gossip, because I know that it hurts others. And I will defend others, in a loving way, when they are being talked about behind their back.
So to this girl who has deliberately hurt my sister, I hope that you will have a change of heart and take Presidents counsel to heart as well. Remember that we all are children of God. And remember whose eyes you want to be beautiful in...the worlds or Gods?
You can read President Monson's talk at
http://lds.org/conference/talk/display/0,5232,23-1-1298-39,00.html
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)