Help

Today I was working with a student who informed me that he hated our school because it was too challenging and there wasn't any help. "Even my mom says so!" he said.

I reminded him that I was willing to help him, all he had to do is ask. "That kind of stuff doesn't work for me," he replied.

Well, it got me to thinking. If there are two things I know, one is that life is challenging and that help is always available. We only have to ask. Are we too proud to formulate the words into a sentence that expresses desire for aid? Are we embarrassed that someone else may know our weaknesses? Do we think that even if we do ask, the help will not come?

Whatever the reason, I know I can get help from someone who gives the best help. He knows my needs, he knows my weaknesses, he knows my heart.

I am so grateful to Him for all he does to help me.

I wish everyone knew it like I do.

Myspace

I published this a while ago, then took it off the next day. Lately, though, I've been thinking I need to put it back, so here goes:

I have a myspace for the purpose of spying on the children of my friends. The average age of my myspace friends list is probably 17. Yeah, I am cool like that.
Anyway, I have been disturbed lately by the level of emotion these "friends" of mine show. Yes, its true that the teenaged years are hard (I would NEVER, EVER want to go there again), but the things they seem to be going through are tough. So here are some things I want my girls to know (no matter how old you are):
1. You are good enough.
2. You are good enough. Do I need to say it again? Anyone who makes you feel like you aren't isn't really on your side. Yes, we can all improve--and hopefully do. But, now-repeat with me, "I am good enough."
3. Anyone who is not building you up is tearing you down. AND anyone who is not building you up is not worth your time. You should be able to get some positive thing from those you associate with. They should support you, make you laugh, love you--and you them. Which brings me to my next thing:
4. You are not the queen of the world. I love you and think you are really neat, but you are not entitled to any special treatment just because of who you are. If you want to be treated well, then treat others well, too.
5. Life is really good. There are a lot of hard things in the world, but we are happier people if we see those hard things with perspective. Overall, life is pretty good.
6. Know who loves you. Right when you wonder, always know I do. However, there are others. I know it sometimes seems like those closest to us don't get us. OK, they probably don't, but it doesn't mean they don't love you. Your family--your parents especially--love you more than anyone else in the world. They are just perplexed by you sometimes. Deal with it--you are perplexed by them, too. These are not the people I spoke of in #3.
7. Remember that experience teaches us things. Remember when you were told to watch where you were going when you first learned to ride a bike? Remember how you turned around to see if someone was still holding on to you? Remember how you crashed? Bet you never looked around like that again, huh? Learn to trust those with the experience you lack, it will save you tons of trouble.
9. Trust yourself. You can do it.
10. Be true to yourself. Yeah, you can be true to your school, true to your family, true to your friends, but if you aren't true to yourself then really you haven't been true to anyone.
11. Do the right things. You know what they are, just do them.

I just wanted to share a few things with my friends that I have learned during my own life. I don't think I have all the answers. In fact, the older I get, the less I know. It's so sad. I can't get over it.

More Random Thoughts from the Queen of the World

Even though I have really only been teaching for four months this school year, I have been able to convince another group of students that I am the QUEEN OF THE WORLD. Also, that I am beautiful. I say this when I want their attention, "Eyes on the beautiful." It works every time.

Conference was awesome. I enjoyed all the speakers and the hope they gave to me. I don't know if anyone else noticed, but Pres. Monson again referenced blindness.

I also enjoyed spending conference with all of my grandkids but one ( and we really missed Mr. Parker and his parents!). I made neat little conference bingo cards and conference booklets and the kids actually sat quietly and worked on them for both sessions. We also had a HUGE breakfast and munchies for the rest of the day. It was fabulous.

Dang snow!

One more day until tax day. Mine have been done for months, but my kids' are giving me such headaches!!!!!!!

Why do children not listen when you tell them things. It is my experience that if they just paid attention to the QUEEN OF THE WORLD that their lives would be so much easier. I always try to refrain from that lovely phrase I heard growing up from my own Mom, "I told you so!"

My Dad still refuses to let me drive to school, even though I have a doctors note that says I can--if I want to. Maybe, he says, he will let me drive myself in May. We'll see.

I will have eye surgery in July, hopefully with enough time to get my head up for the wedding and reception. I will actually have the silicone out, then in two weeks have my cataract taken care of.

Speaking of health, I check out pretty well, except for the high cholesterol and triglycerides--whatever that is. She tells me that my good number might outweigh my bad number but that the triglycerides are an issue. I think, what can I do differently, I eat well, get to the gym-usually four times a week, I don't eat fried foods, eggs make me ill...So now I take fish oil, yum.

I hope this finds everyone well, I love you all!
Kathy

The Hiding Place

(Please indulge this rather long posting. I read this book a few days ago, and it has been on my mind so much. I wanted to share some of my thoughts--and even though I said at literacy group that I blog cuz I can have a "soap box," that is truly not what this is. I have just felt like I needed to write this for whatever reason.)

Yesterday I finished reading The Hiding Place by Corrie Ten Boom. My ward read it as part of our literacy group and met and discussed it Wednesday. One of the women (thank you JoJo-maybe you didn't know I had it) borrowed the large print edition from the library. For some reason, Sarah had it when everyone had gone home, so I decided to give it a try. Since my eye problem, one of the biggest sacrifices I have made is reading. I have really missed reading.
At the book club, we discussed the main lessons of the book. Of course I hadn't read it, so I couldn't add much. However, since reading the book, I want to share some of the the things that struck me. First and foremost, I felt it was awesome that instead of working with someone on her story-and then publishing it written by someone else, she told it in first person. After a while, I felt I could hear her voice. It made the book and her story more human to me. The humanness of how she told it made me realize that even though I have hard times, my attitude and approach to life really does make a difference.
As I read, some sentences and words jumped off the pages. They articulated perfectly some of the things I have felt personally in the last few months and years as I have grown to trust my Heavenly Father and Savior more expicitly. I guess that just proves that truth is truth no matter if you live in Idaho in 2009, upstate New York in 1820 or Holland in 1944. "I know that the experiences of our lives, when we let God use them, become the mysterious and perfect preparation for the work He will give us to do." I also liked this: "When He tells us to love our enemies He gives, along with the command, the love itself."
One of the aspects that caused me to think after our discussion, was how Miss Ten Boom was such a perfect example of forgiveness, kindness, honesty, and spirituality. However, her own words really don't show her that way. She told her story in such a humble way that I know she really struggled with things, and thought maybe that her sisters (and mother)were so much better at those things. How often do we do that? Do we look at our RS sisters and think, "She is perfect. Her kids sit quietly at church, she tells about her family home evenings, I know she reads her scriptures, attends the temple WEEKLY. . .", and even when we know the hardships and trials some of them go through think "I could never do that as well as Sister So and So." We might even look at our own sisters and wonder how they manage to always be so prayerful, faithful and righteous in this world. To me the lesson here was that instead of putting ourselves down, we should know our own strength and act on that strength.
Lastly, I loved the lesson her father taught her when she asked him about sex. He asked her to pick up the heavy luggage they were taking on a trip. She was shocked that he would ask her to do that since she was just a little girl. He then lovingly taught her a lesson we should all keep tucked in our minds. I paraphrase, "Our Father in Heaven won't ask us to carry more than we can, either. And, when He does need us to carry a heavy burden, He will give us the strength to do it."
Sometimes my testimony is made stronger in unexpected ways.
Love, Kathy

Wish List

Times are financially hard in the world, and education is not exempt. About a month ago, we had to make a list of the things we currently use that we might be able to do without. We all know we will have to make sacrifices for a while in our classrooms.
Last week at our faculty meeting, we were asked to make a "wish list" of items we'd like to have if there is a miracle and money suddenly becomes available for such purchases. OK, the real truth is up to the word "have" in the last sentence.
The next day, a BRIGHT yellow paper appears in our mailboxes. I notice that many of the teachers have taken theirs out, but I have left mine in. I just can't bring myself to write the things I really wish for. I don't think the school district can deliver--even if there is a miracle.
1-I wish that every kid came to school well rested.
2-I wish they all had good shoes and warm coats.
3-I wish the students could count on help with their homework every night from some grownup in their house.
4-I wish that parents would call and ask what they can do.
5-I wish that students would not have to worry if they will get a birthday present.
6-I wish that the kids would have a warm breakfast and a hug before they leave their houses.
7-I wish that parents would expect their kids to do well.
8-I wish that every student had a teacher who genuinely cared if they succeed or fail. Some who need it the most receive it the least.
9-I wish that students (and parents) would value what happens at school as much as they do their WII.
10-I wish that I could figure out how to reach all of the hard kids.
11-I wish that the hard kids would buy into school.
12-I wish that parents could be the moral compasses in their children's lives.
13-I wish I didn't have to defend putting all the pencils in one bin to share throughout the year.
14-I wish I could let the kids know how much they ARE loved in my class, and that I believe they can do it!
15-I wish I knew the best way to teach subtracting with regrouping so the kids get it.
16-I wish that none of my students were exposed to R rated movies or violent sports events. (Yes, I teach second grade. Yes, I have students every year who do see these things.)
17-I wish that kids could see how great reading is.
18-I wish that we could have more time for science and art.
19-I wish that I could have a little more time so we wouldn't have to feel so rushed.
20-I wish that every teacher in my building had enough white construction paper to last the year.

I love my job and I love my students. I feel so blessed to be a teacher. These are just my wishes on a star...

Love,
Kathy

Fun blog

I was blog surfing again tonight and came across this blog. I don't think its a personal blog, but its fun. I hope you enjoy.

http://mormonhusbands.blogspot.com/

You can jump straight there from the link to the right---> Its called Normal Mormon Husbands.

Yesterday it was cold and I was miserable. When I came home I thought about going to the gym, but changed my mind and got on my PJs and snuggled myself in a warm blanket. I liked it a lot. I did think I needed to improve my attitude and I looked in my emails and found this one from my grandpa:

I Drink From My Saucer

I've never made a fortune,
and I'll never make one now,
But it really doesn't matter
'cause I'm happy anyhow.

As I go along my journey
I'm reaping better than I've showed.
I'm drinking from the saucer
'Cause my cup has overflowed.

I don't have a lot of riches,
And sometimes the going's tough
But with kin and friends to love me
I think I'm rich enough.

I thank God to the blessings
That His mercy has bestowed.
I'm drinking from the saucer
'Cause my cup has overflowed.

He gives me strength and courage
When the way grows steep and rough,
I'll not ask for other blessings for
I'm already blessed enough.

May we never be too busy
To help bear another load.
Then we'll all be drinking from the saucer
When our cups have overflowed.

~(c) John Moore, 1970~

Love, Kathy