Gratitude Day 21

1- Friendly faces. I was hoping my brother and sister-in-law would make it to my ward for church. I needed to see a friendly face in the audience. They basically drove all night to make it to church on time but how grateful I am they did that for me. I needed it more than they will ever know.

2- Validation. I felt my talk went well and the audience was listening. However, I really appreciated the comments I received afterward from ward members about their reaction to the message. I was nervous but the kind comments alleviated that fear.

3- Inspiration. The sister before me talked about trusting in the Lord. Her message resonated with me in many ways and even made me cry. When I was finished with mine, she expressed the same thoughts and emotions. We both needed to hear the other speak and only the Lord would have known how to prompt each of us to say what we did.

Gratitude Day 16

1- Making it through the day. Sometimes I wake up in the morning and wonder how am I going to survive today? But somehow, after pushing the covers aside, I find a way. Today was one of those days. I made it! Now I just need to get through tomorrow...

2- Speaking in church. I enjoy speaking in church. I just have an incredible fear because I always seem to be tested or tried with the very topic I had to prepare. I was asked to speak in church on Sunday. The topic: tithing. Hopefully I'll be okay on this one as I can't afford any other major setbacks this week.

3- Agency. This may seem like an odd one but I am realizing more and more how precious this gift is in our lives. We fought for it in the pre-existence and though we may find it burdensome in this life, especially when others' choices impact us, I am grateful for the opportunity to choose. I have a choice in life. I can choose to be depressed or happy. I can choose to be bitter or hopeful. I can choose loneliness or sociality. I can choose despair or faith. Most importantly, I can choose to follow my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ and allow His love to fill my soul and direct me in His paths. What a blessing choice is in our lives.

Gratitude Day 8

1- Temples that are open on Monday. I decided I wanted to do a session today but most temples are closed on Monday. Gratefully both the Provo temple and Salt Lake temple are open for the mornings. It was a much needed boost.

2- High School musicals. My mom called me this afternoon with free tickets to the play in their home town. The cast actually did a great job for a small school. They performed My Fair Lady and it was a great way to spend the evening.

3- Not teaching high school. Though I enjoyed teaching when I did, I was so glad I wasn't in high school anymore or teaching it. Glad I'm doing something different.

4- Grateful I didn't crash in the snow storm. Visibility was horrible and driving through deer country and the storm made for quite the experience.

AOG - Day 20

1- I am grateful for the service of others. One of my MBA friends sat and talked with me when I needed insights and perspective. This person was not someone I would have thought to seek advice from but he was just what I needed.

2- I am grateful my former students won their state champion football game! I am even more grateful that it was broadcast on TV so I could watch it. I still miss the interactions I have with my students.

3- I am grateful for relaxing nights after very long weeks. I was able to talk with my sister on the phone, watch my brother play football, talk briefly with my parents, then watch a couple of movies. It was so nice to just relax.

AOG - Day 11

1- I am grateful for warm blankets. I love cuddling up in a blanket and falling asleep on the couch. All I need now is a warm fire and Christmas music.

2- I am grateful for the five years I was a teacher. It has been so useful in many aspects of my life. I really hope I can find a job that combines education with business.

3- I am grateful we live in a technology age. It makes it easy to keep in touch with friends in Arizona, Japan, California, Ohio, Virginia, and England. So much fun!

AOG - Day 2

1- I am grateful for the compliments my RS sisters gave to me about my lesson (the topic was hope in the promised blessings of the Lord). I scrapped 3/4 of it during sacrament meeting because I felt I should share personal experiences instead of laying on scriptures and quotes about hope. The kind words of others helped me know I had followed a prompting of the Lord and made the right decision in scrapping my original lesson.

2- I am grateful for friends who let me have their parking spot when I desperately need one. Thanks again Joe!

3- I am grateful for foot massages. My left foot gets sore easily as a result from an injury two years ago and the same foot is still suffering from tendinitis (a leftover from London). Getting a foot massage today was oh so nice!

So Excited!

I've been a fan of BYU Football for as long as I can remember. I still remember my dad and brother going to the BYU vs. Miami football game and I was stuck at home watching it on TV. What an exciting game!

No matter how the seasons ends, I always look forward to another year hoping the next year is even better. Last year I watched two former students play and felt like a proud parent sitting on the sidelines. It made the games that much more exciting. What can I say...I love BYU football!

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

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.