Hope

As I have been studying about hope, I have learned quite a bit.  I have tried to make it "stick".  Just this past week, I found myself feeling stuck and not of worth.  Yes, yes, I know,  this is Satan speaking.  But when you are in the moment, it seems real.  It can seem true.  I truly believe that if I didn't know that I was a daughter of God, I would have just quit everything.
Okay, so let me share a few things I am dealing with.
First, I am training for a marathon.  It's my first full marathon.  I am a runner.  A distance runner.  Not that crazy sprinting stuff.  I love trail running (like hiking, only faster).  But...I am old(er).  40 if you must know.  And things don't work like they used to.  My knees especially.  (What's up with that?!?)  So with just a few weeks to go, my knee goes out.  OUT!  I can't bend it at all.  Why?  So I quit running.  But only for a week.   I then get back on the wagon.  after going to a Doc to see what I need to do.  And it seems I just need to stretch more often while running.  And rub some goop on my knee (which does not smell.  Weird!).  So, yeah, this was just a week,  but I tell you, I was having a hard time with it.  It made me feel like a failure.  Like I didn't take care of myself.  Like I didn't really pray and ask about whether I should run this thing.  Or maybe I just didn't listen or understand. 

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Through Study and ... Even More Study

President Boyd K. Packer often reminds us that “all of us—leaders, teachers, missionaries, and parents—have a lifelong challenge from the Lord to both teach and learn the doctrines of the gospel as they have been revealed to us.”As simply stated by Elder L. Tom Perry, “Every position in the Church requires an effective teacher.”

Since every member is a teacher and “teaching is the center of all that we do,”  we all have a sacred responsibility to learn some basic principles of teaching. There are many principles of teaching and learning, and it is not enough for us just to read about them. First, we need to understand these basic principles, and second, we need to be shown how they are used by successful teachers. This can be done by carefully watching able teachers in our wards and branches and reviewing the worldwide leadership training meeting on teaching and learning found on the Church Web site or in Church magazines.

 I know that as a student, I also need to take the time to prepare for a lesson.  I read the material and come with questions.  I also like to discuss somethings with other family members, get a different perspective on the subject. 
I know it can be hard to fit everything in.  We read personal, couple and family scriptures.  We say personal, couple, and family prayer.  Then we prepare the lesson we will be giving.  Now we are suppose to find time to study a lesson we are going to listen to?
It doesn't have to be that intense.  We can simply read through the material.
For Sunday School, simply read the assigned scriptures.  For Relief Society or Priesthood meeting, read the current chapter of Teachings of the Prophets.  or talks.  This can take the place of daily reading of the Book of Mormon, if time is limited. Even skimming is beneficial.

I also like to listen to the lesson.  I will turn it on my PC or small portable device and listen as I put dishes away or fold laundry.  It brings the spirit into our home, and keeps me focused.  It also helps the teacher, as someone will be in the class who has a comment or question. Pin It

Princess vs Frog (Combating Bullying)

We have been enjoying the busyness of back to school.
Though it has been quite hectic (wasn't I supposed to have some down time?) we were all settling into our routines and doing very nicely, we have hit a bump.

Miss K has experienced a friendship hiccup.
She says they are going to "break-up".  
When asked what happened, she says that her friend just told her not to talk to her anymore.
After the long weekend, we thought it would have ended.
But it didn't.

Her friend would not let her play with her, and went to play with another friend of Miss K's.
So now it's 2 against 1.
This morning we decided to talk to her about it.

I had Sir Spoil-Her-Highness tell her about a time that his friends didn't want to play with him.
He just went to the other side of the playground and played alone.
Within 10 minutes his friends apologized and wanted to play again.

He then asked Miss K
What are you? A Princess, or a Frog.
Princess of course.
How are Princesses and Frogs different?
Looks, dresses,  green large eyes and legs.
How do frogs eat?
They catch bugs with their sticky tongues.
How do Princesses eat?
They use a fork or spoon.
What does a frog do if a Frog eats a yucky tasting bug?
It's stuck to their tongue.
What does a Princess do if She eats something yucky?
I don't know.
They spit it on their fork or spoon and place it on the edge of their plate.
Now, what does this have to do with being bullied?
If someone says something mean, you can be a Frog and keep it stuck inside.
Or you can be a Princess and spit it out.  Do not internalize it.

I am hoping this will be the best way to resolve things.  I am very much against bullying.  The next step will be to go to the teacher and/or parents.  Here's hoping. Pin It

First Day of School part II

Here is the letter Misses D and E's teacher sent home.  I love it!

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Sabbath Worship

During Sacrament Meeting I try to take advantage of the quiet and read my scriptures. This hasn't really happened for 20 years. I get distracted by the people sitting next to me for some reason.
I am currently serving as ward chorustor. This has afforded me a chance to worship more fully during the Sacrament. 

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