Day 2-Day 23

Yeah, yeah. I'm pretty bad at keeping up on daily posts and blogs, but it's something that I really want to work on. I have been busy enough that I wasn't able to sit down and write and post something every day, but I did write something down every day. Something that I happened to be grateful for that day, and something important enough that I wanted to share with all of you. So here is the list I created for the 23 days that I have done this "challenge" for my Family Foundations class. Enjoy!

1. Personal Revelation
I know I already posted about this one, but this one is a continuous thing that I am grateful for. Without this precious gift, I would not be where I am today. I am grateful that I am able to receive personalized instructions for me, in the stage of life I am today. This life can be confusing and difficult at the best of times, but personal revelation makes everything seem clearer and for a reason.

2. Family
Without them, I wouldn't have anything to base my love and goals to. They have been there every step of the way for me, but especially through these past two years of attending university. I never realized how much I loved them until I left for school, and I would be without them for months at a time. I know that they are behind me every step of the way, and I wouldn't be anywhere near where I am now without them.

3. Friends, both far and near
My friends have been one of the most important things in my life. Based off of several personality tests that were actually accurate about me, both have stated that I feel my best and feel the safest and most successful when I am with my friends. They are my little emotional boosters, my confidants, and the people I rely on to help me feel the happiest that I ever really have been. They know how to make me laugh, how to help me when I feel down, and how to just help me be the most awesome me I could be. I wouldn't be the type of person I am today without them--they are all so amazing! Whether they're on missions, at school, or working, my friends are the best people I know.

4. Education
I am SO grateful to be getting an education. It is going to be difficult to be a stay-at-home mom in the future, and I sincerely hope that my future husband will be getting an education where he will be able to land a career where I will be able to stay at home with my kids. However, I know this is increasingly hard in this society and economy today, and this is why I am getting an education. I am also sincerely glad that I am going into Elementary Education, even with how time-consuming it is, because it has given me two very important things: the possibility of a job where I can do something I love every day, and the knowledge and creative resources I would need and love to have as a mother one day. Even though going to university is expensive and takes you away from family, I am so grateful for this experience, because it is opening doors and widening my opportunities that I could have in life.

5. A warm apartment to go home to
This one I get more and more grateful for as the days go by. As the nights get colder in Rexburg, I get more and more grateful for the warm fireplace I have in my apartment that heats up my apartment. I am grateful that I have a bed to sleep on every night with warm and fluffy blankets, and that I am safe where I am. That is something that I have realized many people go without, and I am even more so grateful than I was before for these few things.

6. Food in my pantry
This is also another thing I have realized I am even more grateful for. Food is always something you are having to buy, and I am very grateful that before this school year my mom hit up the case lot sales and got me food to last through this semester and most of the next semester as well. Yay canned food. :)

7. Technology
Technology is pretty much my life system while I'm at school. It is how I turn in homework, how I call home, how I turn in projects for my job, and how I am able to talk to people all over the world. I am so grateful for technology when it is used correctly--it is seriously the biggest help I could ever ask for with getting church assignments completed, homework done, and finding awesome things all the time. (cough cough Pinterest)

8. Music
This one I will always be grateful for. Whether I am playing music or listening to music, I am so grateful that I grew up in a home where music was appreciated and taught. This has become one of the ways that I can feel the Spirit the most, where I can receive revelation, and how I am able to relax and feel my best. Music really touches my soul, and I think it does for everyone, no matter what the genre is.

9. Holidays
I am grateful for holidays because I am able to eat lots of great food, learn how to make really great food (I learned how to make a pie crust and different types of pie today!), and get together with all my family and catch up with everyone. I also get to come home and sleep in my really big comfy bed and spend time watching movies and playing games with my family, instead of worrying about finishing homework. Holidays (especially at this time of year) also focus on the Savior and the beauty of his life instead of the world and everyone in it.

10. Trials
I am grateful for trials and tribulations, because they help me appreciate the better times in life even more. They help me know that Christ and the Holy Ghost are always there for me, even if times are hard, or things seem foggy or unclear, because I know I need to step up and be better than I am, and rely on the Holy Ghost to help me get through them. These are huge building blocks to our faith and testimony, and I'm grateful for the trials we have to go through.

11. Cool weather
I am SO grateful for this one. I can't stress this one enough. I really don't like hot weather, especially with a heavy backpack hiking across campus. I'd rather be bundled up and walk through the cold, than be too hot and not able to cool down. You can always warm up, but you can't always cool down. I just hope that snow comes soon and it cools down even more!

12. Chick Flicks
I really like chick flicks, and watching them with your best friends. That's one of the most relaxing things you can do on a night with no homework. Laughing, crying, squealing with delight, and giving hope to us about finding cute guys to eventually end up with.

13. Church Publications
I really have grown more thankful for the readiness and availability of basically every church publication out there, even on my phone at any time. I have used General Conference talks, I have looked up church books, quotes, etc, and have used them for devotionals I give in class, for inspiring moments, etc.

14. Family Home Evening
I love having a set time to spend with family and friends (at school) where we are able to do activities that bring us closer to each other and to Christ.

15. Prayer
Need I say more? :)

16. Scriptures
Prayer is how we communicate with God, scriptures are how God communicates with us. I am so grateful that I have this wonderful resource in my life and am able to receive revelation on so many different things.

17. Being at home with family
Having stated being at home for holidays, and how much I love my family, I am extremely grateful that I have a wonderful family to be able to come home to, and who are happy to have me come home.

18. Being able to laugh
If you know me, you know that I have a love of laughter and being happy. Being able to laugh and smile every day is something that I love and look forward to.

19. Having the gospel in my life
I love the fact that I was born into this gospel, because I have had to realize what I stand for, what my foundations are for myself, and what I value in this life. I have been taught the basics and fundamentals, but I have been able to culture my testimony and nurture it in the truths of the gospel that I have been blessed to have my entire life.

20. The Christmas season/Holiday Season
I love this time of year, for it focuses on the life of the Savior, and helping others who are less fortunate. I love the feeling in the air, the look of scenery all around, and the music that plays. :)

21. Fuzzy Socks
I LOVE having something warm and soft on my feet, and being able to relax and wear them around the house or in fluffy boots.

22. Transportation
I love having transportation available to be able to come home and to travel to the grocery store.

23. The Holy Ghost
This last one could be the most important one. Without the Holy Ghost, I wouldn't be in the place and situation that I am today. This is also related to my first one, personal revelation. I guess I started and ended on the same note. Pretty good, huh? :)

And there you have it. The 23 days of thankfulness for my class.

Happy Thanksgiving!

Live. Love. Laugh. Grow.

Winter Classes!

Hello again! It's been such a long time, but I am ready to crank out some seriously awesome posts! So stay tuned!

As tradition, I'll be writing about the classes I've registered for for school next semester (January-April). I'm actually really excited for these classes, and I get a LOT more hands on experiences with projects and things I'm doing. Becoming an elementary school teacher is becoming a very real reality very quickly.

Just really quick, before I post my classes, I have to say this: One of my classes is preparing me to take the first huge State Certification test for being a teacher. I think I either take it this next semester, or the one after that. I also will be going through the background/FBI fingerprinting process this next semester, as well as starting to put together my final portfolio (which will take a long time to complete) for student teaching. I apply in the fall next year for Student Teaching!

Alright, enough with the speech! Let's get down to the nitty gritty!

ED 259 - Integrated Science
MWF 10:15-12:30
The main objective of this class is to gain a solid foundation on content in Biology, Physical Science, and Earth and Space Science so students can be confident in teaching these concepts in elementary school classes. Students will learn basic concepts and principles of science and hands-on applications to aid in teaching elementary school level science activities.

FDSCI 206 - The Science of Light and Sound
MWF 12:45-1:45
This course covers the physical characteristics of light and sound, the biological nature of the eyes and ears, and the sensation of vision and hearing through our brain's perceptual abilities. Students will evaluate the influence of music, movies, advertising, and video games on the human mind and behavior.

ED 344 - Idaho Comprehensive Literacy #1
MWF 3:15-4:15
This course teaches linguistic and language structure basics related to early reading skills. Teacher candidates learn strategies, to differentiate instruction, and access early skills of phonological awareness, concepts of print, the alphabetic principle, phonics, syllables, and morphology.

MATH 206 - Elementary Geometry
TTR 10:15-11:15
This class is for Secondary and Elementary Education students. Geometry with translations, networks, and coordinate geometry; permutations and combinations; probability and statistics, including its misuse; geometry as shape, transformation and measurement; Geometer's Sketchpad; Logo

FDREL261 - Introduction to Family History
TTR 11:30-12:30
Doctrine is taught through various readings and discussions. Students will develop their own personal record management program. They will use several important family history websites. Family history projects will be completed. Roughly half of the class time will be conducted in a lab setting to allow practice of skills.

ED 341 - Elementary Art Methods
TTR 12:45-1:45
This course provides K-12 pre-service teachers instructional experience in the visual arts. Emphasis is placed on the elements and principles of design, integration of the visual arts throughout the curriculum and instructional strategies aligned with the National Art Standards.

Day 1: Personal Revelation

Today, and in my life in general, I am very thankful for personal revelation.

Personal revelation is something that everyone needs, and I think it comes to all of us, even if you say you don't go looking for it. Everyone experiences it much differently than everyone else, and there is no right or wrong way to receive personal revelation.

For me, this time of my life is full of big decisions. These decisions are not something I've made on a whim, or just for the heck of it. The decisions still to come are decisions I am already keeping in the back of my mind, thinking about them, pondering about when they will happen, how it needs to happen, and what I need to do and where to place myself so that they will happen for me.

I know that I am here today at BYU-Idaho in the apartment I am in, in the major I am in, and with the friends and ward I have here, purely off of personal revelation and the help of the Savior in guiding my life. If it was up to me, I would be in a major that I wouldn't truly enjoy as much like I do with Elementary Education, I wouldn't have made the friends that I have made, and I just simply wouldn't be as happy as I am right now with life, the church, and my family and friends.

I know that Heavenly Father is guiding us in the direction that He needs us to go, and He is willing to let us know what is going on, or tell us where we need to go or who we need to be with, but oftentimes, we must be actively seeking and asking Him what He would have us do. Then we are given answers if we listen close enough, and if we follow what He asks, no matter how hard it may be, we will be blessed in ways that we couldn't even imagine. I know that following Heavenly Father and being obedient to him is extremely important, and that He will lead us to things that will strengthen and bless us, even if we don't see the positive side to things in the moment. Looking back at all that Heavenly Father has given you, told you, and seeing where you've been led will open your eyes as to what your potential holds, where you may be going in your life, or will place you in situations that will land in your lap that you couldn't have fathomed before.

I know that the gospel is true, and I know that Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ both live and give us instruction that we need through the Holy Ghost, which is a wonderful comforter and guidance in our lives. I know that the scriptures will help us receive personal revelation if we read them faithfully, and that God speaks to us the most clearly through scripture reading. "We speak to God through prayer. God speaks to us through the scriptures." I know that each individual prayer of ours is answered, even if we sometimes question as to if anyone heard it, or if it even made it through the roof. I know that the sincere desires of our hearts are seen by the Lord and He will feed our righteous desires and give us opportunities that we wouldn't otherwise have, just for having the desire of missionary work and service to others.

Find what works for you with personal revelation and ask the Lord for help and guidance in something that you may need help with. I know the Lord answers prayers and questions we have through personal revelation, and everyone is entitled to receiving personal revelation. It just depends on how close to the Lord with the amount of revelation we may receive. If we are closer to the Lord, He will give us the answers that we need, and more.

Live. Love. Laugh. Grow.

Thankful for my Blessings

Happy November to everyone!

I have so much I want to write about, and so much I actually have to write about. Yes, I have to write in my blog for my class.

For my Family Foundations class, we had to set a goal for ourselves for about 2 weeks with strengthening our testimony. This was a hard goal for me think of--everything else in the class has been easy to set a goal for: physical health, scripture study, and education. But testimony? How do you set a goal for testimony?

I finally realized that my testimony grows stronger every time I share it. Whether it's in person or in a journal type of setting, whenever you share that little seed of faith of your testimony with someone else, your testimony grows, and it can spark a testimony of faith in who you talked to. This person that can benefit can even be yourself at a later period when you reread journal entries.

So I made a goal for myself: every day until Thanksgiving I will be posting something that I am grateful for. Along with posting what I am grateful for, I will post why I am grateful for it, and attempt to tie it back to some part of my testimony. I will then share my testimony on that subject and hope that it grows, not only for me, but for you as well. Doing this is part of my grade, so bear with me. :)

I will post the first thing I am grateful for in a separate post after I write this one. I want to be able to clearly find each individual thing I am grateful for when I look back on this assignment.

Stay thankful my friends, and I'll see you in my next two blog posts. :)

Live. Love. Laugh. Grow.