Stronger Through Him

  EFY....... Girls Camp...... Scout Camp..... Youth Conference.... Pioneer Trek..... Temple Trips.... Nauvoo..... Palmyra.... FSY...... We went to great efforts to put our children in many experiences that increased their likelihood of having experiences with God. And those were the organized ones. Family Home Evening.... Learning to be still and listen.... Walks in nature..... Sleeping under the stars..... Scripture study.... Praying together..... Filling our home with sacred music.... Gardens.... Family..... But what about me? What do I plan and schedule in my life that increases my likelihood of experiences with God?  President Russell M Nelson shared this beautiful contemplation, “If you are not sure you even believe in God, start there. Understand that in the absence of experiences with God, one can doubt the existence of God. So, put yourself in a position to begin having experiences with Him. … Ask Him to tell you if He is really there

 After a week of state required testing, my EL students were tired. Tired of sitting.  Tired of reading phrases and examples out of context.  Tired of staring at screens. Tired of worrying about a number they didn’t fully understand, but that would define them. So today for my class we did a quick practice exercise and then practiced our English while coloring, creating art projects, building with Lego sets and dominos or playing games.  The only caveat was they could only speak in English- not Spanish, Russian or Ukrainian.   They were delighted as they sprawled along the floor, retreated to quiet corners or buddied up.   I circulated and one group of girls caught my attention.   There were 5 of them, but one was sitting on the outside edge.  And the girls had decided to play Trouble.   With enthusiastic giggles they pressed the pop-o-matic bubble and moved their pawns around the board.   Four players- five girls.   Four spoke Spanish as their native tongue, although they came from Ve

  I work with kids who, like me, are very imperfect. One of my students has been working SO hard on setting new habits and overcoming some of his difficulties.   But yesterday he slid back a bit.  He was so frustrated and angry- especially with himself. It felt like all the hard work was for nothing. Like there was no hope. Why bother when he ends up right where he felt like he started. But I had a different view. He was mad at himself instead of blaming everyone else- parents, classmates, teachers, coaches- anyone but him.   This time he was owning it.  And it hurt, badly,  but it’s such an important step.   If he owns it, he can work on it.  So we played a game of checkers so he knew I hadn’t given up on him.  That our relationship was still intact.  I was disappointed for him, not in him.  And we reevaluated and adjusted his goals and checked in with others who help him. He apologized and made things right. And some of his freedoms were tightened up again. 

  I walked in the door after work, mentally planning what I would need to do to catch up on all I hadn’t completed this morning.  And upon entering the kitchen I was met with a shiny sink and counters that had been wiped down. A simple service.  But one my daughter knows is personal to me.   As I thought of the seminary youth gathered in and around the tent we pitched in my basement for listening to King Benjamin this week, the words from Mosiah 2:17 came to my mind.  “When ye are in the service of your fellow beings, ye are only in the service of your God.”  They were listening.  And that may be the greatest service to this teacher/momma heart there is.   Don’t wait for the big things.  And let the little things be enough. Service is love- to each other- and to our Savior.  

  “Important! 4:00.” That was the note I had put on my calendar awhile back.   And nothing else😬. Not a name or a place.  With chagrin I emailed the whole staff apologetically, hoping someone would tell me what I was missing. Nope.  But I did get multiple messages of solidarity and understanding from those who have made similar mistakes. I texted my family.  Wasn’t them.   Two days later I got a wrap up email from a county-wide organization I am a part of, recapping our zoom meeting, and listing me as not in attendance.😒 I hadn’t remembered and my attempts to help me remember simply weren’t enough. A string around a finger. A reminder on a phone.   Calendar checks. Remembering is a critical part of our human lives.  And the word remember or its variant is used 550 times in the scriptures.  Perhaps I am not alone in my need to work on better remembering.  King Benjamin taught his sons Mosiah, Helorum and Helaman and used the word remember multiple times.