Stronger Through Him

  Every once in awhile I recognize pure divine  inspiration in a way that absolutely can not be denied. This is that. My new job was supposed to reimagine the in-school suspension room at the junior high.  Also called the "Reset Room".   Only I hated the name.   It needed to reflect love.   And rising above our mistakes.   And learning new skills.   We aren't computers that can simply reboot.   I spent two months trying to come up with something. And still had nothing. Then the day of our final meeting I walked in and saw the large redhawk on the wall- our school mascot. What about a nest, I thought. And then these words clearly came into my mind.   NEEDING EXTRA SUPPORT TODAY. I presented the idea five minutes later and it was unanimously adopted. I started to make a poster of it and after a couple hours of looking at clipart and pictures, I remembered I had taken a picture of an osprey nest in Montana a few years ago. We had driven pas...

  Last week we had our 7th grade open house for the Junior High where I just started working. I was a bit nervous in a new role and place but this class of 7th graders happens to be a class I was a preschool teacher to.  So out of the hundreds of students, 34 were in my room for a year and my heart forever. It was with sheer joy that I saw those beautiful 4-year old eyes now showing their own fear and trepidation in bigger bodies with the curves of young women and the facial hair of young men.   I was greeted with hugs and high fives - my own tender mercy.  Relationships matter! Most children remembered me, a few didn't - but every parent did. And then one young lady approached with her Mom and mom's eyes found mine. She lit up with a smile and brought her daughter over.   "Gabbi"  didn't remember me.  But her mama did.  And I thought back to the extra hug this little one needed each day.  That she needed me to hold her hand BE...

 I walked into work with a smile.  Seminary was a great start to the day. Dinner was in the crockpot at home.   My work emails were almost caught up and I had a bit of a bounce to my step. It was only 7:34 and I was getting into the rhythm. Then the loud speaker came on. "Photographers are ready for picture day for all staff members right now in the auditorium." And I froze in a bit of horror. For the first time in 11 years I forgot. And today I was wearing a tee shirt, with my hair pulled back and no makeup. And lets be honest that's a truer picture of me- but NOT ON PICTURE DAY! Not for all my staff IDs and school media. 😔 I felt foolish and a bit embarassed as I lined up next to my coworkers in their professional best.  Much like I wore YESTERDAY. And suddenly it felt like it was going to be a terrible day.   A heatwave, no a/c in the truck, infusion, miss my old friends, why can't I do anything right kind  of day. And then I looked up and saw this sign...

  Feeling Close to God I was asked a great question recently.  How do you feel close to God? I've been thinking and studying about that a lot. I know what helps and hurts in my own situation but I wanted to hear from others. Because it's an intensely unique and personal experience for each person. It depends on personality, experience, emotions, current situation, and more. So I posed the question in Sunday School yesterday and again at Seminary this morning.   Here are some of the answers I received. In the quiet and stillness. In nature- specifically looking at creations He made for us. Listening to music- various kinds for various people.  At church. When I am with good friends. At seminary. At FSY, Girls Camp or other youth camps with other youth. When I pray. When I read scriptures. When I repent- I feel farther away when I have things that need cleared up. When I serve others- that closeness to my brothers and sisters makes...

  Ikigai. A Japanese term for that which gives your life purpose, meaning or worth. As  teachers headed into a new school year we were challenged by our new interim superintendent to focus on ours.   He phrased it a bit differently. The reason you get up in the morning.  Your why. I felt welcomed but disconnected at my new building and missed my people.  They sent me texts, things for my classroom, and hugs and smiles.  But I missed them. Last night was our 7th grade open house.   I stood by the wall (as a literal wall flower!) and watched, unable to answer the questions or direct anyone because I still struggle to find even my own room. And then I heard my name. "Mrs. Potter?? !! I turned and there looking up at me was one of my PreK students from 8 years ago.   She flew across the hallway and into my arms. "What are you doing here?" "I work here now." Her eyes lit up and I'm sure mirrored my own. "Then I will be okay."...

  My nephew Ryen is going into third grade.   On his first day his new teacher, Ms Harrold, handed all of the students a small tube of toothpaste a ziploc bag and paper clips.   In his words, "First we squeezed out all that toothpaste in the bag and then we had to use the paper clip and try and put it back in the tube.  It didn't work so well and that's the lesson for our words.  If we use unkind or ugly talk to people you can't take those back.  You can say sorry, but the words are already out there." Elder Thomas E McKay shared a similar sentiment in an address given nearly 100 years ago.   "Boys flying kites haul in their white winged birds, But you can't do that when you're flying words . . . Thoughts, unexpressed, may sometimes fall back dead, But God Himself can't kill them when they're said. May the Lord help us, brethren (and sisters) to carry out in our lives the thoughts expressed in those words, and follow the admonit...