broken arms, giraffes and kindred :)

I just got back from teaching Spanish this morning and have a little break before I head to work on campus and class. I have the cutest group of kids on Mon/Wed! They are so excited about learning and participating-that makes a huge difference in what they learn. We are learning about colors and their names this week and we played color bingo today-Madeline's choice since she was the first to arrive to class. The kids did really great and even my newest student, Connor, was so excited to be there! For bingo, he would yell out the shape and color with such excitement! Wow! TRIANGULO ROJO!!! It was so cute. He and one of my other students both have a broken arm-2 kids in the same class. The other little girl who has a broken arm has come up to me the last two classes and asked me how to say something in spanish. Last time it was 'broken arm' and today it was 'giraffe'.(she had a small stuffed giraffe with her in class) She enthusiastically repeats what I teach her and says 'ADIOS!' to me as she heads out the door to the playground. I am so grateful for this opportunity to do this-to be able to have this experience. I know that it is a tender mercy of the Lord that I am able to be a part of this program right now.

I was reading in the scriptures, in the Book of Mormon today. I was reading in 3 Nephi 7 about this particular group who were once righteous and had become a very wicked people. They were now dividing themselves into 'tribes' against each other according to each leader's 'families and his kindred and friends' (v.2). I was reminded in reading this chapter how Satan can pervert everything for ill-down to the sacred unit of the family. Those bonds that can be a source of strength for good to buoy us up can be twisted and used for evil as we see here. 'the people were divided one against another...they did seperate one from another...every man according to his family and his kindred and friends'...'..the regulations of the government were destroyed, because of the secret combination of the friends and kindreds of those who murdered the prophets.' We see the word 'destroyed' used in the same sentence with words so beautiful as 'friends and kindred'. There is great power in who you have around you to support you and with whom you choose to spend your time. I am so grateful for the family that Heavenly Father has blessed me to be born into who help build, not destroy. Who support, not abandon. Also for amazing friends who I am privileged to know. It makes a world of differnce.

FOREVER STRONG AND THE GUARDS OF THE TOMB OF THE UNKNOWN SOLIDER

Trina and I just returned from the premiere of a movie titled "FOREVER STRONG".

We went with our family home evening group and I was very impressed with the movie. I wasn't sure about going because it was PG-13, considering my last experience with giving PG-13's. I also couldn't find any reviews about the movie that would tell me why it was rated as such-so I was undecided. Then I heard it was sponsored by Deseret Book and they said that Sheri Dew gave her stamp of approval on the film and I felt it would be alright. So we went and it was really a great show! Very inspirational and thought provoking, two very important qualities for me in a good film. www.rugbymovie.com It had a lot of great messages, one of them being the character of the highland team rugby team. In order to be part of the team that had to not drink or do drugs, not be with women, etc. One of the players asked the coach 'how will you know if we don't do those thing?' and he said that they would tell him because of the kind of men they were. The coach also, as part of their practice time, sit down with each of the boys one by one, and talk with them-he could tell he really cared for them. I was really impressed with the players commitment to hold true to themselves and the standards asked of them. You could tell of the love the coach had for them and the comradery that existed among the team that they wanted to be their very best. The coach taught them that he wanted them to be 'forever strong' on the field, so they could be 'forever strong' off the field.

It also reminded me of a talk that was given yesterday by one of our high councilmen in our stake. He spoke of the guards at the tomb of the unknown soldier.
He spoke of what one has to do to BE a soldier at this sacred place: how they have to promise to live their lives a certain way, how long it takes them to prepare their uniform for a days work, how many steps they have to take around each side of the tomb, etc. The guards have to commit to 2 years of their life to guard the tomb, and cannot drink any alcohol on or off duty FOR THE REST OF THEIR LIVES. They cannot swear in public FOR THE REST OF THEIR LIVES and cannot disgrace the uniform {fighting} or the tomb in any way.

After TWO YEARS, the guard is given a wreath pin that is worn on their lapel signifying they served as guard of the tomb. There are only 400 presently worn. The guard must obey these rules for the rest of their lives or give up the wreath pin.

http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-vetscor/1126293/posts

24 hours a day this tomb is guarded by these guards-rain or shine.

This high councilmen (forgive me for his anonymity, his name escapes me at the moment) spoke of how when a tropical storm threatened and the soldiers were told they didn't have to guard, as the storm was threatening the area. But the soldiers said they would still perform their duty-regardless-and continued to take their turns, soaked through their uniforms in the storm as they dutifully took their turn.

I am impressed by both of these examples: of their dedication to stand true and resolute to what they know in EVERY aspect of their lives-rain or shine, on and off the field. The same thing that God asks of us and our lives-rain or shine, on and off the field-that we may be FOREVER STRONG.

Something to think about.

Hablando Espanol Y Pruebas

I started teaching my spanish classes yesterday and I am very excited for this experience. I work for a non-profit organization and we go and teach spanish at different elementary schools in the valley. It started out with one group of kids in one elementary school back in the 90's and has grown to 8 schools with 2-4 groups at each school. It is exciting to be a part of such a grass roots organization-you can just feel the growth potential and great opportunity it will be. I met both my groups and they are the cutest! I have the youngest groups which consist of Kindergarten-2nd grade, depending on the school. I need to get to bed soon so I can be up and at 'em by 5:30.

I have been feeling like I have been pushed in a little bit farther into the refiner's fire as of late, crazy to say, I am grateful. I don't care for the pain as the flames get hotter, but I am grateful for the growth and understanding that can only come through these personalized experiences. I know my Heavenly Father loves me and hears my prayers. He knows exactly what I need, tailor-made experiences to help me acheive what I am here to achieve. Unfortunately Satan is aware of that as well-but I'M NOT SCARED. :) Bring it on.

Reflecting

I just got back a bit ago from a fireside on Jesus Christ. It was an exhibit I mentioned a few days ago on here about Jesus Christ that had traveled from AZ.

REFLECTIONS OF CHRIST

(you can watch a video presentation with music of the images here at this link)

It was amazing-the photographer of the exhibit spoke aand several other gentlemen who were part of the musical aspect of the exhibit came and sang. It was beautiful. The most light BSU campus has seen in a LONG time. :) (that is where the fireside was-up on campus) I received some direction concerning some different things in my life while I was sitting there listening and was very moved in reflecting on what Jesus Christ REALLY did for each of us, what was made possible. I was grateful to be a part of it. I know that Jesus Christ died for us-even if it was for just one of us-for you-he would have suffered what He did. He loves us that much. I am so grateful for that knowledge.

Grateful

Do you ever have those days were you cannot deny that God exists and that He is mindful of you? I had one of those today. It wasn't one specific thing-but a million tiny little things-all testifying that He knows me personally and knows my heart. He knows that I needed to be reminded. I had several phone calls and messages from family and friends calling to tell me they loved me or just making sure I was okay. They had no idea of anything that was going on in my life-but God did and knew how much that would mean to me and that it would remind me that He knows me. It also reminds me how God works-through us. We ARE His hands here in mortality-if we don't act on those feelings, someone may be denied the reminder that God knows them and is aware of their needs. That reminds me of an account I heard years ago about a statue over in Europe of Jesus Christ.

Following World War II some German students volunteered to help rebuild a cathedral in England, one that had been badly damaged by the Luftwaffe bombings. As the work progressed, they weren't sure how to best restore a large statue of Jesus with arms outstretched and bearing the familiar inscription, "Come unto me."

They were able to repair all the damage to the statue except for Christ's hands which had been completely destroyed. Should they even attempt to rebuild these?

Finally, the workers reached a decision that still stands today. They decided to leave the hands off and changed the inscription to read: "Christ has no hands but ours."

(This isn't the same statue, this one is actually in Africa. But the same message)


Several different things happened today along with the phone calls that reminded me of my Heavenly Father's love for me. I am grateful beyond words for that.

Night of darkness (Alma 34:33) and today is the day

Today was a great day, although the title would have you believe otherwise. :) I worked this morning at the bookstore on campus. It was the last day for a full refund on textbooks and needless the say the lines were LONG.

Which was fine-I love to work with people and I don't take it personally when they are upset. I just experienced what I feel is the closest I EVER want to experience of what the scriptures speak of procrastination and when there is nothing that can be done-times up. I have done it numberous times in my life and know what it feels like-but being on the other end was interesting. Anyone who knows me, knows I don't say it in a judgemental way-I am just as imperfect and human. It was just sad to witness as people at the point of frustration and I was bound by certain store policies and could do nothing to help them in their predicament. A few people yelled and swore-stress levels were high. I felt bad for them, but there was only so much I could do.

I don't know what it will really be like when that 'night of darkness' comes-I don't want to know first hand what that will feel like to wait until the bitter end to resolve things in my life or take care of past wrongs-I don't want to be on my death bed, pleading for forgiveness of others or from God. I want to be at peace each day of my life-I strive for that in my imperfectness. There is a great quote that is from President Howard W. Hunter, former Prophet-at the moment I can't find it-I will have to continue to look for it. It talked about the urgency of today to take care of things-to forgive someone, forgive a debt, etc....Here is a great one by Elder Wirthlin who is one of the 12 Apostles reminding us about the urgency of today.

"Tomorrow's joy or tomorrow's despair has its roots in decisions we make today. Perhaps some people think to themselves: 'I know I need to change some things in my life. Maybe later, but not now.' Those who stand at the threshold of life always waiting for the right time to change are like the man who stands at the bank of a river waiting for the water to pass so he can cross on dry land. Today is the day of decision."
--Joseph B. Wirthlin, "Three Choices," Ensign, Nov. 2003, 78

Today is the day.

THERE IS HOPE SHINING BRIGHTLY BEFORE US

Today was a great day. I went to church and was able to renew my covenants with my Heavenly Father and reflect on my relationship with him. I appreciate that time to reflect and remember. Elder Joseph Fielding Smith calls sacrament meeting "the most sacred, the most holy of all the meetings of the Church." (Doctrines of Salvation, Bruce R McKonkie, 2:340) There is a talk given by Elder Holland where he says "...this ordinance commemorating our escape from the angel of darkness should be taken more seriously than it sometimes is. It should be powerful, reverent, reflective moment. It should encourage spiritual feelings and impressions. As such it should not be rushed. It is not something to 'get over' so that the real purpose of a sacrament meeting can be pursued. This IS the real purpose of the meeting." (General Conference October 1995, Sunday morning session) I was grateful I had the opportunity to remember and renew today.

Then my roomates Trina and Ericka and our friend Carol had dinner before we headed to a fireside by the same Elder Holland mentioned above.

He shared a great message, comparing the experience the Prophet Joseph Smith had in Liberty Jail to challenges we face in our lives. He spoke of how we will all spend time in our own Liberty Jail's-hard times in our lives. Along with that thought, he said that 'EVERY experience can become a redemptive experience IF we stay close to the Lord."

Elder Hollands Talk (available at this link in about a week for viewing and listening)

Something else Elder Holland said "The path of righteousness has always led one way or another through the Garden of Gethsemane." He spoke of the trials, but he also spoke of HOPE-how the load we are called to bear sometimes is heavy, but it would be alot heavier if it wasn't for the sacrifice of Jesus Christ which makes possible that he lightens our loads. That God has not forgotten us. He reminded us that even during the trying times we can still receive light and revelation in our lives. I am so grateful for these truths-that can give guidance and light in a mist of darkness.

A good question.....

I was reading an article written by N. Eldon Tanner from the Ensign of June 1971 where he reiterated a question he had heard before:

“If we were to be arrested for being Christians, I wonder if there would be enough evidence to convict us?”

I thought it a good question to ponder on-something to think about. Any thoughts you want to share on it-PLEASE do so!!