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

My Dad

I have always been grateful for the parents I was blessed to have. They are great people and have always set an example of integrity, honor, spirituality, valor, and goodness to me. Since my eye issue, my dad has gotten up every morning early to take me to school and has picked me up every single day. I could probably drive myself now, but the mornings scare me because I never know what I will encounter on the road. He comes every morning and asks me if I need a cough drop. OR, he will ask where my gloves are. When I tell him they are in a basket upstairs, he grunts and says I am just like my mom. "What a couple of ninnies!" he exclaims. His choice of music is always fun, too. Today we listened to the Sons of the Pioneers. Sometimes its Herb Albert and the Tiajuana Brass. We have also listened to Nat King Cole, The Mormon Tabernacle Choir, a few LDS CDs, Christmas tunes (that was last week--just because its good music and he likes it) and EVEN a few contemporary country stars.
He shares his political views, his ideas to fix the world, how much he detests Wal-Mart and his love and concern for his family.
My favorite part of these drives is when he talks about his life. He never did that much when I was a kid. His childhood was not what you would call golden, but he rarely mentions how hard it was. He doesn't blame anyone, but considers it his lot in life.
I just wanted to write a few of the things he has talked about on our drives, so I don't forget them.
My favorite one is how he talks about how he felt about my mom when they first met. He always says that she had a good head on her shoulders. He tells me at least once a week how smart she is, that she has so much more energy that him and that she is beautiful. He says that when he first laid eyes on her he knew "she would be a great mother to my children." It touches my heart that he was thinking about us like that, and that he thought of her in such a tender way.
He says that one of his earliest memories was when the doctor came to his house one day and he and a cousin were shooed out. Being somewhat curious, they peeked in a window trying to see what was happening. Someone saw them and ordered them away from the window. He said that when they were finally allowed back in, there was a new baby. He and his cousin COULD NOT figure out how that doctor got that baby in there without them noticing.
He said he never, ever had milk growing up. It was expensive and his dad felt it was something they could do without. They also had pancakes every single morning.
He told me he that his dad was a great gardener. His rows were always perfect, and there were never any weeds in the garden. He said he tried to pass that talent for gardening on to us, but we couldn't figure out what were plants and what were weeds.
Today he shared a time I can't remember when he amd mom were having FHE with us and they made play money and passed it out to us. They then proceeded to take some from each of us for "paying the bills." When we were done with bill paying, he said somberly, "Well, what will we do? We don't have any money left for food." He said he wishes to this day he had a picture of our faces when that realization hit us. He said he thought it might have been mean, but he then taught us about saving and only buying what you really need.
Not a day goes by that he doesn't express love and gratitude for my mom. They just celebrated their 50th wedding anniversay and I think he loves her more now than he ever has. He also mentions me and my brothers and sisters and says specific reasons why he loves us and is proud of us.
I am not going to lie and say this man is perfect. He is not. Sometimes he will say or do things that I can't believe. But I don't know if I have ever known a better man. His life is his testimony. He serves someone every single day. Last summer when he was having some health issues, the fact he couldn't go to the church and set up for a funeral was as devastating to him as the illness had been. Each Saturday night he goes to the Stake Center and cleans out the drinking fountains so they sparkle for church. "Nothing is too good for the Lord," he has told me.
He is a good man, and I owe him more than just for a few rides to school.

With love,
Kathy

Big Foot's Music

Tristen stays with us to go to church. We don't watch TV until after 5 so he is a little bored. We wanted me to teach him to play the piano, so I said I would, "in just a second."
Pretty soon he comes in with an old Primary songbook--the one with a green cover, except that its missing both covesr. He tells me this is BigFoots book. Of course I don't understand so I ask him what he means.
"Mrs. Heath told us about bigfoot. He wrote ALOT of music--I think she said 500 pages. This must be his music."
Being somewhat dense I still don't get it, until he told me, "you know BigFoot, he wrote the 5th song."

Beethoven.

Loves to all this week,
Kathy
PS, If you are in my ward, don't forget Literacy Group this Wednesday 7:00 Jana Lee Hatch's (there will be a chocolate fountain--as if the book isn't enough.)

Math word problem

In my own personal afterschool program.
Child: Help me, I can't read.
Me: OK, Mrs Hughes bought 18 oranges at the store. Over several days, her children ate 10. (Yes, apparently they have to clarify that the kids ate them slowly and not 10 all at the same time-DUH!) How many oranges does she have now?
Child: 18-8=
Me: ??? I re-read the problem.
Child: OK, 18- . . .
Me: I think you know this.
Child: It says 8.
Me: No, buddy. Think--you know she had 18. You know some went away. How many?
Child: 10
Me: OK, so write down how many they ate.
Child: 18- . . . 8
I now hold my head in my hands and shake it back and forth. He grabs my NOSE! He really did!
Me: Why do you say 8?
Child: It says "8."
Me: No, it says the kids ate 10. Write 18-10= What does it equal?
Child: I told you it was 8.


Yep, it was one of those days.