Help make a miracle happen

It all started when I was elected vice president of my elementary education cohort. I was more than willing to take on the role, although I was a little uncertain about working with the girl who had been elected as president.

We had our first presidency meeting and my concerns were validated. She wanted to support the members of our cohort by recognizing individuals with weekly spotlights and awards.
I didn't. That was too much work for what I imagined we'd get in return.

I wanted to keep things simple. I accepted the nomination thinking our role was mainly to act as liaison between students and faculty meaning that I would have the chance to debate an item or two. She accepted the nomination thinking that she would have a chance to love and care for each individual on a deeper level.

Don't get me wrong, I've got a lot of love for a lot of people, but I'm also a no-nonsense kind of girl. I don't like frivolity. I would rather spend my time concentrating on my school work or talking to my classmates than filling out award slips and making cute things to give away.

Without having to talk it out, we compromised. She cut back on the "things" we were going to do and I supported her in the "things" we kept.

We spent a lot of time together in those first few weeks. She called weekly meetings. Although a little annoyed, I am quite an obedient person. I attended my meetings and bit my tongue and her wild suggestions.

I don't know exactly when things changed. All I know is that this forced relationship blossomed into one of the most beautiful friendships I have ever experienced.

Jodilyn and I are closer than I normally allow myself to get to someone. She knows my deepest darkest fears (I rarely let anyone know that because I more comfortable working the confident/strong persona...I don't want anyone to think I'm insecure or incapable in any way). I can confide in her and I trust her judgment and value her advice. She shares with me her frustrations. I tell her when she's being ridiculous and that she should let it go. She tells me when to feel more rather than trying to push the experience away.

We also laugh a lot together.

When Jodilyn welcomed me in, I became a part of her family. I was a regular in her home and at her family functions.

Jodilyn has two sets of children: her own and her husband's. Although with as much love as she has, you would never know the difference. I was invited to attend birthday parties of her children. When she and her husband were sealed in the Temple, I volunteered to babysit the grandkids so that everyone else could attend. It was then that I first met her husband's children: Andrea, Toby, and Brynn and their families. My admiration for them was immediate. I've been fortunate to have subsequent interactions with them both in St. George as well as in their homes in Utah County.

Toby is a mother of four children. She is one of the most loving mothers I have ever been able to witness. She is self-sacrificing, a noble exemplar, a patient teacher, and a loving wife. She also has Multiple Sclerosis (MS).

Toby was diagnosed with MS at 21. She was a new wife and a young mother. The diagnosis didn't stop her from living. As difficult as it may have been, she is true to her family, true to her faith, and true to her life. She now has four children, her oldest just graduated from kindergarten.

Her own diagnosis hasn't been the only medical trial she has been forced to endure. Two of her children have significant health issues, her son, Chandler, has had 16 surgeries in his short life.

She says on her blog, "I had given up on those dreams [of having a healthy future and growing old with my amazing husband] and I figured I would just make the most of what time I did have."

One of the ways in which she has attempted to make the most of the time she has is to research options for treatment. She placed herself on waiting lists for surgeons in other countries who were performing procedures that were alleviating major symptoms of MS. Of course, these waiting lists are very long and the cost for the procedures are thousands of dollars (plus travel expenses).

Just recently, she received word that a surgeon in Costa Rica would be able to fit her into his schedule for Liberation treatment on June 24.

This is exciting news!

Yet it does come with a financial burden that Toby's young and growing family is not quite prepared to bear. I'm sharing this, because they need our help. Toby's siblings have set up a paypal account (and a Wells Fargo account) to collect donations. Please donate if you can and link to her blog to help spread the word.

Toby already has made a beautiful impact on this world. I can imagine the marvelous things she'll be able to do with increased energy and time here on earth.

Turn! Turn! Turn!

I woke up from a nap today to a text message from a friend that kind of caught me off guard. She expressed concern for me stating that I don't seem like my normal happy self.
This spawned an introspective look into my life. Am I okay? Am I happy?
I've experienced a lot of change recently. I moved, started two new jobs, transferred my records to a new ward, a favorite friend of mine moved away causing my circle of friends to change drastically.
I am naturally very shy. Adjusting to all this new stuff hasn't be outwardly overwhelming, but it has definitely taxed my vibrant spirit. Because of my shy nature, I appreciate control. By control I mean control of my life and the ability to predict with some surety what will happen next.
The change that has probably impacted me the most is my friendship circle changing. I miss showing up at my friend's apartment announced or unannounced. No matter the time or day, he or one of his roommates was home. I did whatever they did. We watched tv, we ran errands, we went fishing, we had homework parties. Now when I want to do something, I have to find someone to do something with. This can be very intimidating to me.
I really like my new ward, but I feel like an outsider. For the most part, I feel accepted by my ward members. The acceptance that is surprisingly hindering is that of my Bishopric, their wives, and the adult members who serve as shepherds. I am monopolized by these adults each Sunday and every time I attend a ward activity. They all come talk to me and express their appreciation to have a young person with so much maturity, leadership skills, and the desire to share talents. I appreciate the awe they express, but it keeps me from socializing with my peers. Not only does this conversation physically keep me from my peers, but I feel like it socially and even spiritually keeps me from my peers. Sometimes I feel as though I'm not allowed to just be a kid in this ward.
Probably the strangest struggle I've encountered is scoring a 200 on the PRAXIS. It should be a source of pride and joy in my ability, but I am beginning to feel like it has changed things for me as well.
When I posted my score, I mentioned a dream I had the night after taking the test. In my dream, I got my perfect score, but I also found out that my dear friend didn't pass. I wanted so desperately to rejoice, but I couldn't because I felt like it was hurting my friend who didn't fare as well.
I think this dream was a preparation for reality. I hesitated to share my score with anyone. Then I thought, well, now that's silly. I should be able to enjoy my successes. I shouldn't hide from them.
While my family wished me congratulations, I don't think they ever grasped how big of a deal this was to me. I had hoped they would want to celebrate with me somehow.
At school, I was put on the spot and even embarrassed. I walked into class where news of my score had spread. One of my classmates called me out and insisted that I had news. I awkwardly announced my results and then sat down.
I appreciated the private congratulations that I received that day. I didn't appreciate the remarks (accompanied by eye rolls) such as, "Of course YOU did well on the PRAXIS."
It was a hard test. Although I didn't dedicate hours to studying specific material with this test in mind, I have spent my whole life studying for this test. I love to learn. I have sacrificed other things to learn. I read everything around me. I study things that pique my interest throughout the day. When I'm with my friends and someone has a question that no one can answer, I go home that night and look up that answer. My friends tease me for that, but I learn a lot as a result. I ask questions and seek answers. I am not a rare genius. I don't just know things naturally. I have worked hard to learn the things I know and to retain this information. When others do as little as possible to get a grade on an assignment, I delve into the material and learn and do more than is required. Learning is something I value and enjoy.
Now in class, I feel alienated and even lonely. The friends I sat next to last year are scattered in other parts of the room. Fortunately, I get to sit by my dear friend, Sarah.
Yet, it feels as though I am not freely accepted as a peer by my classmates.
School also feels different because of a miscommunication before school started that now makes me feel intimidated and awkward around my professors.

Yes, I am happy. I am so incredibly blessed right now. I have many great opportunities in my life. I delight in my future.
I am just expending a lot of energy adjusting to all the change in my life right now.
To every thing there is a season, and a time to every purpose under heaven.
I appreciate my friend expressing concern. A load that I was unaware of has been lifted, because I took this time to sort through my feelings.

Local news interview

Eliza and I were stopped on our way out of RA training to be interviewed for a story featured on the local news. Watch College Presidents Ask to Lower Legal Drinking Age from Tuesday night's newscast.

So long, farewell, auf Wiedersehen, adieu

Today was my last day of Practicum at George Washington Academy.
Three of my classmates and I were assigned the two fifth grade classes there. Today, the four of us taught the entire day. We had to go out strong. We split the classes into groups and rotated them through spelling games. Mine was a team spelling game involving a Scrabble board and tiles.
I also taught an amazing lesson about the Underground Railroad. The students went on an adventure outside doing numerous team-building activities.
For PE, the students voted on their two favorite activities that we had done this semester, and so we played Front of the Boat/Back of the Boat and Reverse Charades.
My favorite part of the day came at the end. My Practicum class always ends their Wednesdays with Show and Tell. We decided to combine the two classes and have the college students do their own Show and Tell. Jodilyn drew an amazing picture on the white board (since her Photo Story of her artwork wouldn't play). Jana read two of her favorite poems. Ashley, who had a hard time coming up with something despite being ridiculously amazing, stood up and let the students ask her 10 questions. They wasted most of them by asking things like, "Do you want to be a teacher?" and "Do you like pickles?"
My Show and Tell was sharing my love for singing--especially karaoke. I busted out my karaoke machine and sang "That's What Friends Are For" by Dionne Warwick. I encouraged the students to sway their arms and join with me on the chorus. They loved the karaoke thing so much that they requested an encore. As a class, we sang the sappy Celine Dion hit, "My Heart Will Go On." The students took turns with the microphone while the rest busted their chops singing this song with so much passion. I wish I could post pictures or a video--but posting pictures of other people's children without their permission is CREEPY.
It was such an amazing day. I was definitely tired at day's end, but it was well worth it.
To my dyad partner and the neighboring dyad: Thanks for a rockin' Practicum experience. I had so much fun every week.
To all the fifth graders at George Washington Academy: I had such a wonderful time in your classroom. You are all amazing kids. I got tickled every Tuesday night thinking about going to your class the next day. I was sad to leave. I hope we cross paths again in the future.

The Great Race

The Great Race took place at Dixie State College last week. I participated with other Education Majors. We didn't win, but we didn't lose. We had a good time for sure.

My Classmates

These are my amazing classmates. We all graduate from Dixie State in Elementary Education next year! Woo-woo!
I love my classmates. Scratch that. I love my friends who happen to go to class with me.
It looks like a bunch of girls, but I promise we do have two boys in our cohort. Jerry missed the picture, and we tried to hide Bruce in the shadows.
I'm not going to lie, I was incredibly nervous to accept the offer to be a part of this cohort. All of my life, most of my friends have been boys. I have two sisters, but they aren't super girlie. I get uncomfortable thinking about attending Enrichment night. I didn't know if I could handle classes all day with all girls for the next two years. I am glad I was courageous enough to accept the position, because this has been so much fun. My new friends have blessed my life in so many ways. I love all of them!

Late Night Adventure

Jodilyn, my dear friend, has her kids this week. They are here for Spring Break. I surprised them last night when I showed up at their house with ice cream and cones after 10pm. Their mother, Jodilyn, surprised them by suggesting we all go on a walk to the park. We had intended to go stargazing since it was a New Moon, but we didn't realize this new park would be so well lit. Instead we spent quite a bit of time running timed trials of obstacle courses on the play equipment. It was AMAZING! We didn't leave the park until midnight.
We wandered off into the distance trying to find a dark area, but the lights of the park and the street lamps were just too bright. Hopefully, Jodilyn won't pansy-out and we really will go camping Monday night. Those kids need something to brag about when they go back to school. Sleeping under the stars would be a great story to tell. Jodi, are you tough enough for this adventure?