Children of God

So my visiting teachers came over yesterday and we were discussing this months Ensign. We were noticing that the Church has been taking more stands on things lately...I LOVE it!!! We all pretty much know the stand on things but now they are telling us to take a stand. I was reading an article by Elder Nelson about abortion. It was an amazing article and would have all of you read it! Something he said in there made me think : 

"As Latter-day Saints, we should stand up for choice-the right choice-not simply for choice as a method." 

This is a call for us to not just sit idly by and let people have their own opinions but to stand up for what we know what is right!!! We aren't asked to get into arguments but that we should to our part to let others understand that we do have an opinion. It's not just about having the freedom of "choice" but choosing the right!!! Simply having a choice does not lead to happiness...but the right choice does. You cannot undo any action you have done...so make the right choices before having to deal with the wrong consequences. 

Also in the article it talks about people choosing to abort children who are likely to have disabilities, which of course caught my attention! He had an awesome disposition about it!!  This is what he says: "Some argue for abortion because of fear that a child may have a congenital malformation. Surely the harmful effects of certain infectious or toxic agents in the first trimester of pregnancy are real, but caution is needed in considering the termination of a pregnancy. Life has great value for all, including those born with disabilities. Furthermore, the outcome may not be as serious as postulated.

To deny life to an individual because of a possible handicap is a very serious matter. Policy consistent with that logic would dictate that those already living with such deficiencies should likewise be terminated. One more step in that tragic train of though would lead to the conclusion that those who are either infirm or inconvenient should also be eliminated. Such irreverence for life would be totally unthinkable!" 

Every person....every person....deserves life. Just as every child deserves an education!! It makes me sad to think that millions of children are being aborted due to possible malformation. If you keep in mind that every person is a child of God...it puts things into perspective. 

A Feeling of Peace Has Comeover Me

Charity as stated in True to The Faith is "the pure love of Christ...The Savior wants us to receive His love and He also wants you to share it with others. (John 14:34-35) Strive to love as [Christ] loves, with unfailing compassion, patience, and mercy. As you continue to receive the Savior's perfect love and as you demonstrate Christlike love for others, you will find that your love increases."

As I pondered this subject last week some things came together in my mind. How could I be more charitable? Sure I could do little acts of service for my roommates which I worked on and I could go out of my way to help someone...but I felt like I needed to do more. This semester has be the busiest I've ever been in my entire life. I'm not sure how I'm doing it all...but through it all I've made some pretty awesome friends and relied on a couple of old ones as well! At the beginning of the semester my friend Alli (who I've known since freshman year) told me she got the confirmation that she should go on a mission and was working on getting her papers in. (ps. they're in and she's waiting!) I had already asked Heavenly Father multiple times if this was the path I was supposed to take...especially this summer. The feeling I kept getting was that it was my choice and that either way I would be doing good. Over the summer I decided to make a decision on the subject just to ease my worried mind. I said, "I'm not going to go on a mission...and that's my decision....for now" I knew there was time to change my mind but for then it was no until I got a different feeling.

To be honest the thought of a mission scared me! I didn't think I was capable enough. So when I got here and heard that Alli was going on a mission I started plotting out how it would work if I DID go but I was still uncertain...then I met my friend Emily...she's 26 and a senior...I asked her about her mission and what she thought....through our discussions this semester I kept feeling that I was going to go I just didn't know exactly when.

My roommate and I fasted for a totally different reason than a mission last Sunday but still in the spirit of the fast I felt closer to my Father in Heaven...I was thinking about what I had read and studied about Charity...and I felt that a mission was what I needed to do if I wanted to progress spiritually. As we sang the closing hymn in Sacrament Meeting "Called to Serve" I knew right then that if I was going to do this I needed to talk to some people and get the ball rolling. I'm ready to gain better study habits, be more organized, go to the temple, and use the knowledge I have to help others! The gospel is so amazing and I want to share that with others and let them know what I have known almost my whole life. Ever since that Sacrament Meeting I haven't felt scared about serving a mission...I feel excited and ready to get going. I met with my advisor for school and he said I should put my papers in this semester because where I'm at in school is the perfect stopping point. It couldn't be more perfect. Therefore, I met with the Bishop tonight and I'm working on my papers. I can't believe it's actually happening but I'm doing it and I'm excited. The future is uncertain...and I'm not sure how everything's going to work out but I know it will because I have faith that Heavenly Father will see me through and help me to prepare accordingly. I will keep everyone updated on everything!!! I couldn't be more at peace and happy about this.

I love this gospel and I have a testimony that it is the true gospel on the earth today. Jesus Christ is at the head of this Church with Thomas S. Monson as His mouthpiece. Heavenly Father answers prayers and won't leave us in the dark....if we are patient. He loves us! I love Him and I can't wait to serve Him in every way I am capable.

Lyrics

When I listen to a song it's not just the melody or the "beat" of the song....what really grabs me are the lyrics. When people are truly thoughtful of what they put in their songs and it's not just some random thing thrown together and repeated over and over....even I could make music like that and I'm no musician. If you can make me like the words more than the song...you've done your job....I've wanted to do this for a while....here is a compilation of lyrics that I really love (with out artist and song attached so it has more meaning):

*And you make me talk, and you make me feel, and you make me show...what I'm trying to conceal....

*you're a chance taker, heartbreaker, got me WrApPeD aRoUnD yOuR fInGeR

*All you gotta do it watch me...look at what I can do with my feet...baby, feel the beat inside....

*Love is the aNsWeR for most of the questions in my heart, like why are we here, where do we go and how come it's so hard....

*I sleep when I wake and dance when I'm dreaming...I give it my all 'cause I live out loud each minute and hour of everyday.....

*If you're not getting answers....AsK bEtTeR qUeStIoNs....

*Finding you can change....learning you were wrong...

*I've searched every book I know just to find the words oh to touch your world and get some love out of you

*He's tailor made for you, with stunning golden hues, and one sweet tone to soothe your persistent BeAtInG hEaRt it's just a start!

*....others only read of the love, the love that I love.

*looking at you, holding my breath, for one in my life I'm scared to death I'm taking a chance letting you inside

*In her eyes I see the sky and all I'll ever need....in her eyes time passes by and she is with me

*We should get jerseys 'cause we make a gOoD tEaM...but yours would look better than mine 'cause you're out of my league.

*Oh say, wouldn't you like to be older and married with me? Oh say, wouldn't it be nice to know right now that we'll be someday holding hands in the end....

*You just see right through me but if you only knew me, we could be a beautiful miracle unbelievable instead of just invisible

*There's a million other girls who do it just like you. Looking as InNoCeNt as PoSsIbLe to get to who they want and they like it's easy if you do it right. Well I ReFuSe, I ReFuSe, I ReFuSe!

*...will you bring me the key to unlock this mystery of girls and their emotions, play it back in slow motion, so I may understand the complex infrastructure known as the female mind.

*Something has changed within me, something is not the same. I'm through with playing by the rules of someone else's game.

*Thou givest fever, when we KiSsEtH, fever with thy flaming youth

*I always said that I would make mistakes...I'm only human and that's my saving grace.

*Those three words are said too much....they're not enough

*I think I need a SUNRISE...I'm tired of the SUNSETS!

This is definitely not the whole list but I can't think of any others I'd like to add right now and it's getting kind of long. I will add to it for my personal records....but for these purposes my mission is accomplished. Enjoy. :)

Classes and Such

Exceptional Students:

My advisor actually teaches this class and he's really smart about this kind of stuff. I'm happy that I am actually diving into disabilities that I will deal with in Special Education. It's a very very challenging class but I have gotten a lot of stuff done because it's the beginning of the semester. I have been in a wheelchair, had vision impairments, was deaf last sunday, stuttered to a complete stranger and volunteered at a center for adults with disabilities for 6 hours. I have a test on Monday and we have to pass with an 86% to get an A if we don't pass then we take it again and we have to get an 86% again to get an A- and so on....he wants us to master the stuff so I understand why but it's SO MUCH WORK!

Physical Science:

This class is a freshman level course, I could have taken it my first semester but I held off. I'm glad I did because they switched the lab from 2 hours to 1 hour. We have an hour for lecture and then the next hour is lab. I have made some AMAZING friends in this class. I'm kind of sad because one is leaving next semester for student teaching in Arizona but I'm sure we'll stay friends. My teacher is so funny! Seriously I'm basically rolling out of my chair...it's just little things that I can imagine my mom or dad saying....it's awesome. 

Literacy 2:

I'm not sure what I'm supposed to be learning in this class...I have the sweetest teacher but I get lost on why we're learning certain things. I guess it will make sense in time. It's not my favorite class...

Child 230- Preschool Curriculum:

I actually enjoy this class. I'm learning a lot of cool things for my future career and how I can apply them. I tend to get sleepy during this class but it's not because I don't like it. I have a resource file that I have to do...basically putting together a file of stuff I can use when I start to teach. It's going to be really helpful but so much work. I've started on gathering stuff but I need to keep my eye out for more things. I'm hoping to get it done BEFORE Thanksgiving so that I can enjoy the holiday at the Hegerhorst farm.

Math 206:

I used to love math...and even enjoy it....but I just don't have a desire anymore. It's not that I don't understand it...it's the teachers! Seriously..it's hard to find good math teachers. I always get frustrated with my teachers...I get my homework done and I feel prepared for class only to get there and find out there was something I wasn't aware of due. He has the assignments on two different pages so I forget to look at the second one...I like to look at one thing to see what I need to accomplish...obviously he doesn't see it that way. He's been understanding and I am happy to say that I'm caught up and that I'm sure things are going to go better now because I wrote the other assignments onto the same sheet! WOOHOO!

Social Studies Methods:

I like S.S. and the class is pretty interesting...but it's hard to get motivated to do stuff at 7:45 in the morning. I have a couple of good friends in this class too....I love making new friends...and there are some cool projects that seem fun....I have to plan a whole unit with my project group but I think we're going about it in a good way and splitting it up evenly. 

These are my classes...and I think things are going well...but I need to go so I can get stuff done before General Conference! (which by the way I'm excited about...I love getting new information from our leaders...) Next post will be more exciting and maybe a little less informational. 

Da-UDE! The breakdown...

Okay so I talk about how crazy things are for me at school...I thought maybe I was exaggerating...I'm really not, let me break it down...

Monday:

Classes from 9-4:15 (with breaks of course, but that's spent doing homework)

Study group from 4:15-5:15 (it's for the last class of the day so we're already in there)

Work out... I MIGHT do that. (nope didn't happen...)

Shower and eat sometime

FHE is at 7 which I might add I am the FHE "Mom" now...still single...they should be calling a dad soon...who knows. We played "In Manner of the Adverb"...it was a success and so much FUN!

Then I have homework to get done before bed. (pretty much done...just getting up early tomorrow to get the rest finished.)

Tuesday:

Class from 8-9:30 

I have a break so I usually try to get some stuff done before devotional at 2pm. This week I have to go volunteer for a class for three hours! So that time will be spent from 10am-1pm. I have devotional at 2 and then another class from 3:15 until 4:15. But then I have ANOTHER study group for another class from 5-6pm. Then I have homework I'm sure...maybe I'll stay at the library after my study group.

Wednesday:

Class 7:45-4:15 (again with breaks)

I actually don't have much planned and therefore will use this time to work on my resource file for my curriculum class. (I have stuff I just need to put it together)

Thursday:

Same as tuesday minus the devotional. The Office starts that day....yes it's in my schedule. Do NOT mess with me about it. :)

Friday:

Same as wednesday. 

I plan to get my homework done friday night...nothing fun! NOTHING! I have to because....

Saturday:

10am: I have a flag football game against Relief Society B...(we're going to kick their trash)

2pm: my friend Laura Gow will have her reception....

4pm: picnic with the R.S. at the park.

7pm: RS Broadcast. WHICH I'm excited about because that means conference is coming up. :)

With all of my busy weeks thus far I have had some fun:

FHE in the Ice Caves!!

Yes that IS a wall of ice next to me! (and my favorite hoodie..)

Fun in the Apple Orchard on a Sunday Stroll

At least I'm keeping a good balance of things....so far...I might have to miss out of some stuff coming up. That's life huh??