Stronger Through Him

 Last week at seminary one of my students answered a question and then added, “I learned that in primary from Brother Batchelder.” The Batchelders moved almost six years ago. As Elder Dallin H Oaks testified, “Gospel teaching is universal and important. Truly, “no greater responsibility can rest upon any [one of us] than to be a teacher of God’s children.” Never underestimate the significance or impact your role as “just a teacher” might be.

  Yesterday was ISSMA state finals for orchestra.   I sat on a chair next to another parent and we watched as our girls came in confidently carrying their violins. Our four girls lined up to play and the judge looked up and commented on their smiles and asked if their instruments were in tune. Ella’s had just been tuned by a director but that was in a gym full of hundred of students simultaneously playing a wide myriad of notes.  So they each played a bit to make sure.  And hers was definitely sharp.  She tuned a bit with her auto-tuner and then, with out a word, Abigail handed her instrument to Sophia and Courtney began playing while Ella handed off her violin to Courtney, who is adept at tuning by ear and with the pegs. At the same time the other mom leaned over and whispered, “Is he writing?”   Sure enough the judge was already scrawling his third line of notes and they hadn’t started playing yet.   “Is that good or bad?”  I shrugged and imagined him writing “un

  After sharing some incredibly traumatic and heartbreaking details about a family tragedy, the 13 year old in front of me said that overall he “just keeps thinking about how to make his mom’s stress less.” And so he cleaned the house for her. And offered to make dinner for his sister. And worried and prayed for her. It’s an intentional shift I want to make.   Not just “how can I help?” But “how can I make their stress a little less.”  The Apostle Paul phrased it as “lifting up the hands that hang down and  the feeble knees.” But I’m pretty sure my young friend was exactly the kind of soul Paul was hoping for.

  The loud speaker came on and our principal announced that the police canine team had arrived, all classroom doors were to be locked and students kept inside while we had a sweep for drugs.   It’s a safety measure in response to drugs being found and shared on campus this week that ended up being laced with other substances.   Fortunately the students were all physically okay in the end. And a handful are headed to expulsion hearings.   I’ve been impressed with our administration’s dedication to keeping the school a safe place for learning. But when the announcement was made,  one of my seventh grade students began shaking and sobbing. My heart dropped.  Did she have something in her locker? She quickly shook her head no. She was upset and afraid for her friend who is awaiting his hearing. With tears running down her cheeks she told me in words interrupted by halting breaths and whole body shakes. “Mrs. Potter, I begged him.  I asked and asked please don’t do this. 

  This will always be my favorite Valentine's story:  I will always remember the Valentine's Day when one sweet little boy taught me about the true joy in giving. He came from a deeply impoverished home and had joined our classroom just that week. His dad had abandoned his mom and siblings and she was struggling to provide even the most basic of necessities.   He spoke only a few words of broken English, so I didn't think he would understand how our class valentines even worked.  But I was sure he would be excited to see the treats and bright cards from his classmates and watched with eager anticipation.  When I showed him his box, his eyes lit up and he picked up the first two pieces of candy and looked at them carefully. But then he walked to the nearest classmate's box and dropped a piece in.  Back and forth he went delivering his candy to his new friends so that he could give too.  With tears in my eyes,  I gave him a hug and pulled an extra package of valentines ou

  We drove 4 hrs each way to attend a funeral last week. And over and over again we heard the same comment. “I can’t believe you made the trip.” “You drove such a long way.” “That’s so far!” But is it?  The Savior walked for hours to find those who needed him. And what if it was a sports tournament for our traveling athletes?  Or a long-awaited concert? Or a vacation?  Is that really more important than showing up in love and support for people? It’s one day.   It’s the cost of one family trip to the movies. Did we not covenant to mourn with those who mourn? To lift those who are in need of lifting?  Now there are certainly times we COULDN’T make the trip.  And phone calls, flowers, cards, and tears and prayers have had to suffice.   And I am blessed to have been able to see this act as a means of saying thank you. Thank you for feeding us.  Thank you for laughing with us. Thank you for rejoicing with us. Thank you for crying with us. Thank you fo