My Next Adventure

Today I hiked to my most favorite waterfall, Bells Canyon. I was with 11 others that I didn't know at all, but it was still fun. We hiked to the upper falls, which I'd never been to before, so that was cool. The best part of it all, besides the waterfall, was using my new hiking sticks. I got some cheap ones from Seagull Books and they were amazing! This is a steep hike with lots of rocks, so it was really nice to have them. I can feel the difference it's made on my joints, especially my knees. I felt like a cheater or an old person using them, but I don't regret it for a second.



My next adventure starts on Monday. I will be training on "direct instruction," which is a method or style of teaching that many schools use. My school uses it a ton. I've been watching some videos they gave to me to watch and it is overwhelming to think about what will be expected of me. I know as a student I'd be really annoyed with direct instruction methods, but I can see how it works and why they do it. I know next week, I'll be on the student side of things, so I pray for humility and patience as I try to take in everything they are trying to teach me despite how annoyed or overwhelmed I might feel. I'm excited, nervous, and overwhelmed all at the same time. The one sure thing I know, though, is that this is the right school for me. Fortunately, I have experience teaching, even if it was preschool. Even so, the first year is always the hardest. I think the thing I am most worried about is not being a good teacher for these fifth graders who deserve a good teacher, one who knows the stuff and is experienced. I don't want to do them a disservice on account of my lack of experience. I am scared out of my mind of the first day of school when those 10 year olds (not 3-5 year olds) come into my classroom knowing a whole lot more about how things work there than I do. I have so much to learn. I have a feeling I will be doing a whole lot of overtime this month and for the coming months as I figure things out.



On a brighter note, yesterday I was set apart to work in the Salt Lake Temple!! I'll be working on Saturday nights. I am so excited to serve there every week. It's a beautiful temple with so much history, I love it!