I'm Glad I Listened

Many times in life we get strong impressions to make one decision over another. For the most part we don't understand why. But after years of church talks and class discussions, we recognize that it is better to follow these spiritual impressions than to ignore them. I know there have been many such times for me. I would choose one option over another realizing I would never know "the why". For example, after I had signed a contract to live at The Elms my junior year, I had a very strong impression to get out of the contract. I went back the next day, forfeited $25 and terminated the agreement. I ended up living with some difficult girls that year at Liberty Square but made many other great friends. I still don't know why The Elms was not a good place. Another example, I wanted to quit teaching after my third year but felt I should wait one more year before applying for graduate school. I waited. Not sure why I needed to wait, but doing so gave me the opportunity to meet many great friends but in Utah and in Phoenix. Three of my good friends Anna, Jenna, and Laura would not have been in Arizona if I had moved a year earlier. But was that the reason? Last summer I had the opportunity to accept a job in California. The administrators bascially told me they wanted to hire me but wanted to meet me in person first. No problem. Except, I felt completley anxious about it. The nagging feelings ate at me. I kept hoping that something would stop it because I couldn't figure out why this would be a bad situation. It was a job I wanted in the place I wanted to live. After talking with my bishop and praying again, I realized this was not the path for me. I was disappointed but within four days of canceling the "meet in peron" interview I had a job offer from Bingham. Now I wasn't sure why going to Utah was a good thing for me. Obviously I have figured out that this path led me to an MBA, which I am thrilled about, and some good learning opportunites. But I have wondered, would my life still have gone in the same direction? I am not sure but God knew something I didn't. Last week I discovered "the why". For those who would like the whole article, here it is http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/24204659/. Here is an excerpt:

States woo California teachers amid pink slips

SAN DIEGO - Precious Jackson has two years of teaching under her belt and two school teacher-of-the-year awards to show for it. She also has a pink slip. Now Jackson is a prime target for growing school districts across the country hoping to cherry-pick from thousands of California teachers who have been warned they could be laid off because of state budget woes.

Jackson was among a wave of teachers hired in recent years as California raised education spending to cut class sizes. Now she is at the mercy of state legislators who are negotiating more than $4 billion in education cuts proposed by Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger to combat a budget shortfall caused by the housing slump and a stagnant economy.

About 14,000 teachers have received pink slips throughout the state, according to the California Teachers Association. San Diego Unified School District, the state's second-largest, has issued the most with about 900. Notices were sent out by seniority, touching people with fresh credentials like Jackson.

I would have been one of the first teachers let go. I would be without a job and wondering where to move again. The stress would have been astronomical. Right now I am anxiety free, knowing where I am going to be next year, feeling strong job security in my future career, and am happy knowing I made the "right" decision. Following these divine impressions brings great amount of peace. Even if the choices we make bring difficulties, great amounts of confidence help us through because we know we followed our instincts. I'm glad I made the choices I did. I'm glad I listened.

Being Remembered

I am amazed at how certain conference talks touch me. These talks usually hit in a way that only someone who was deeply involved with my life could understand. One such talk was titled But if not... I am still blown away with its power. The talk that is pressing on my mind today seemed insignificant, or maybe less obvious in its message, when I first heard it. The title: Claiming the Exceeding Great and Precious Promises. The speaker: Elder Spencer J. Condie. My first impression: I don't remember. However, one morning as I was driving to work, troubled with my own life, Elder Condie's words comforted my overwhelmed heart with peace. His closing remarks were "And God remembered Rachel...And just as God remembered Rachel, God will remember you." I felt at peace, even though I had no clue how I ended back in Utah or what was coming next. And so began the journey. I felt guided to those who persuaded me to apply for the MBA program. I felt blessed as I studied the GMAT. I felt a miracle when I saw my GMAT score. Though it felt like a set-back, I felt grateful that BYU emailed me about my incomplete application--for those who don't know they wanted transcripts for schools I didn't attend. Everything worked out. I felt joy when I received an interview. I felt overwhelming love after my interview because of the miraculous coincidence which was not coincidence at all. The words "And God remembered Rachel" came into my heart. I wondered if I had used my quota of blessings for the year (yes I know it was only March). But they kept coming. I was offered a scholarship that will pay for school. And yesterday I found a place that is clean, nice, friendly, and cheap! And so I testify as Elder Condie and others have done, God will remember and bless you, just as he has done for me.

Nothing In Life Is Accomplished Without Passion

As I reflect on my final two months of teaching in the public schools I wonder what I want my students to learn. I came up with this short list after watching the Randy Pausch Lecture: Really Achieving Your Childhood Dreams (Something I highly recommend to all!).

*Try! Don't let fear stop you
*If you want it to happen, make it happen
*Do the right thing, even if its hard
*Be prepared for Option B
*Live life with a positive attitude
*Be kind to others

My Mom Taught Me

For the past ten or so years I have had roommates. Some have been a blast to live with while others have been completely inept at keeping a room or even a square foot area clean. When I went to put my dishes in the dishwasher this morning I just laughed and shook my head in annoyance. One (or maybe more) of my roommates believes that pots and pans belong on the top shelf. Now I am not talking about a small pan or there wasn't room on the bottom so the top was being filled for some semblance of efficiency. A large frying pan was placed on the top rack on top of all the bowls already there! I put the previously mentioned pan on the bottom where there was actually room and a chance of it getting clean. I think it is time to live on my own; alas two years of grad school are ahead of me and I should be economical and have roommates once again.

Here is Martha Stewart's tips for loading a dishwasher

My Aunt Kathrine's Farewell

I have many fond memories of my Aunt Kathrine and her house. Growing up our family would trade kids with the Perry family. Lucille and I would spend a few days playing with Jeremiah and Christoffer while Marie, Nathan, and Andrew went to Gunnison. As I reflect back, I wonder how we got eight of us in the linen closet to play murder in the dark, if the Japanese Maple will ever recover from us sledding over it, and how many others have found multiple uses for Stratego men. I also lived with my Aunt Kathrine for a few weeks when I first moved back to Utah. She was amazing and welcomed me with open arms. Even after I found my own place, she invited me every week for Sunday dinner. She is a great aunt, mother, example, and will be a fabulous missionary.

Rolling Right Along

A few weekends ago Annette, her roommates, and I went to a tumble gym. Trampolines, foam pits, and other gadgets existed for our enjoyment. However, we really became enthralled with this giant blowup hamster wheel contraption. We spent most of our time turning or running in this wheel. I guess that is what happens when you become older and don't trust your body to survive the trampoline flying tricks anymore.

Holi(day) Festival of Colors

Last weekend I went to the Hare Krishna Temple in Spanish Fork for the Festival of Colors. I joined up with Annette, her MBA friends, and ward friends. The story behind the festival centers around the destruction of evil. The demon who rules the world has also covered it in darkness. Krishna destroys the demon and color returns to the world. As you can see from the pictures we were doused in color and enjoyed the celebration.

Ch...Ch...Changes

Today I nervously announced my plans for next year to my department head and principal. The department head took it quite well. She even commented that she would come work for me if I opened my own school. One down, one to go. My principal announced her retirement yesterday and a few teachers submitted their resignations the week before me. When I entered her office, she just looked at me, my sealed envelope in hand, and said, "Not you too!" I feel bad but still know that this is a good decision. It was hard to hear my principal compliment me and my teaching abilities. After I left her office, I stopped in one of the VP's office and made a deal so I could continue going to sporting events for free. Hopefully this all works out!

As a side note, my students found out I was leaving. Their comments about made me cry. One student even said the difference between other teachers and me is I actually care about them and she wasn't used to that. I absolutely love these kids and it is going to be hard to have a life without them in it. Thankfully, I still have sports.