As much as I HATE the cold, with it's arrival, I've thought back on past years and the many great adventures and fun memories I've made with friends and family during this time of year. I can't help but smile and look forward to the approaching holidays. I can't wait to go home to CA to see my family. Oh how I miss them (not to mention the warm So. Cal weather) during this time of year!
I can't complain too much though. Life is actually pretty good. This blog would be way too long and boring if I recounted everything exciting I've done these past couple of months, but I can share some things I've done.
I've been incredibly busy with starting work again. It's still hard to believe that I have my own class now. I'm loving my staff and the other teachers I work with. I have a large room and most everything is the way that I want it. I still have some work to do on it, but it's been put aside to do the more pressing things, such as paperwork and lesson plans, etc. I feel like I'm finally getting the hang of it, although I feel like I'm always forgetting something and have way more things to do than I have time to do. Fortunately, I have a great assistant and classroom aide that help a lot. I'm getting better at balancing work with social and church, which is hard. I still have stressful dreams at night about the kids and being a supervisor, which aren't so cool, but even that is lessening.
I have 2 classes, each with 15 little three year-olds. The AM class is very emotional and have a harder time listening, etc than the PM class because they are a little younger. My PM class has a few that just turned four and thus they are a little more mature. Both classes have the most adorable kids. Everyday I have moments with them that remind me of why I love my job so much. I am blessed to have those kinds of moments everyday despite the craziness and stress I feel. My mom was awesome enough to donate some toys for my classroom to help me out, too. :)
My classroom theme is monkeys, specifically SUPER MONKEYS. My mom donated some stuffed monkeys that I put capes on and the kids love them. Super Sammy is our class mascot who helps the kids remember the rules. My brother donated his build-a-bear monkey named Louie. When a kid is feeling sad or crying, I give him Louie for some Loves. "Louie Loves" or "Loves from Louie." When I say that, the kids know what it means and it has worked so far to help them feel better.
Outside of work, I am still in the Relief Society presidency in my singles ward. Now that work's started again, it's been a greater challenge for me to do everything that I need to do for my calling, but I am able to do it with the Lord's help. I'm learning a lot from this calling about myself and how to make time to serve even when I'm busy and stressed. It's been good for me.
I'm sad to report that Amanda has left Utah and returned home to California. But, I'm happy to report that it's because she's decided to serve a mission for the church! I am so excited for her! Before she left she went rappelling with me and a few of my friends. I really miss having her here in UT though!
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| That's Amanda... how cool is she? |
My greatest accomplishment this summer was doing so much family history work. I found lots of information and names of people that needed temple work. I had the opportunity to ask the closest living relatives to some of the ones that needed temple work done for them and many gave me positive responses! I'm still working on getting the temple ordinances done and I still have more information to find and it's exciting. I also took the time to go up north a little ways to visit the homes and ranch that were owned by some of my ancestors on my mom's side.
Probably the most exciting thing happening currently is going to BYU Football games with friends using the passes that I intended to use with Amanda.
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| First game thunderstorm waiting for it to pass |
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| At the game against the U- Most. Frustrating. Game. Ever. |
Today was the first day of General Conference. I know that those 15 men are prophets, seers, and revelators. I know that they are in tune with what is happening in the world to day and to the Spirit to know what is needed to be said to help us. Recently the church has talked a lot more about missionary work and members playing a bigger part in that work. They had a special broadcast in June about it and my stake had a seventy come this past week to train us on it for a couple hours. The Lord is hastening His work and it's exciting! My challenge now is to figure out what my part is in all of this and conference today helped tremendously. I also thought it incredible that many of the speakers spoke on things that hit dead on the topics I know are applicable and really being discussed right now by people in and out of the church, such as women and the priesthood and depression. I love this church and I am very excited to listen to 4 more hours of conference!
