Saturday, August 28, 2010
Friday, August 27, 2010
Aug 2010 update
Hello again!
The month has gone by fast and furious as the saying goes. I always enjoy the end of the month because it’s full of fun things for me to do that keeps me up-to-date in my friends and families lives, however, it’s also full of more things to do and can be somewhat busier than the rest of the month. I don’t particularly care for that part of it. Hahaha
This past weekend the youth got the opportunity to travel to Chicago and do baptisms for the dead. I got to go and so did my husband who serves in the Young Men’s and my daughter, who is a Beehive. She rode with most of the other youth who went on the trip and she seemed to enjoy herself. I enjoyed talking with the other adults who rode with us, especially since it’s the rest of the YW presidency, except one of them just got released. Still, it was lots of fun. There is a beautiful spirit that can be felt only in the temple and I’m always grateful when I am able to attend. In the room where the ordinance is performed there is a very large mural of the Savior’s own baptism. I just kept staring at it for the couple of hours that we were there. It was very moving and I wish I could get a picture of it, though it would need to be much smaller of course and probably cutting off parts of the ends. It was probably about 25 feet long and 4 feet high or so. I would describe it better, but I would fail. It portrays many who might have watched the actual event and is absolutely stunning to look at.
I registered Megan, my daughter, for 7th grade yesterday. What a pain that was! Hahaha I am so glad I only have to do that once a year. She got her yearbook, ordered a t-shirt, bought a new flute book for band, signed up for cross country (that surprised me, but I was glad she did it) and we got her picture taken all while hearing about volunteering at the school, learning about fundraisers and the like. It took quite a bit of time to get through all the lines, but we made it through and now she is officially in 7th grade which makes me officially sad. I can’t believe how quickly she has grown up. She is going to be driving and dating before I know, in high school while I’m not looking and then out of the house, off to college and have a family of her own before I can turn around and catch my breath! Watching children growing up is an amazing process, but I’m trying to enjoy her all I can while I can. I want to have the same relationship with Megan that I have with my mom. We are best friends. Having one child makes it an all-or-nothing proposition. I sure hope I get it all. I’m sure those with more children still feel the same about each child, all-or-nothing that is. I am amazed at how different it is to parent one child vs. multiple children. There is no easy way. Both are difficult. Both have unique challenges.
We had Branch Conference and it was wonderful. All three members of the Stake Presidency spoke as well as Pres. Montross. I was going to include some of their comments, but sadly I took notes on my phone and the phone broke later that day. I can’t retrieve my notes until after I get the broken one replaced and due to several factors that won’t be until the beginning of September. I don’t remember things like talks for very long usually so I don’t remember what they spoke about (thus I take notes) or I would at least tell you that much. Sorry about that. Perhaps I will remember in a few weeks when I get my new phone to record some of it. I’m anxious to read again what I had written.
Our chickens are getting bigger and bigger. We finally started getting eggs from the full-grown ones. We only have four of them. The smaller ones that we bought later on are probably at least half way through the growing process. They sure eat a lot! I’m hoping they’ll start producing eggs in another couple of months. Ideally before that, but definitely by the end of October. I’ll keep you posted on that one. We have several people who want to buy eggs, but as of yet we’ve not sold any. We want to make sure that we are selling a quality product, so we have been holding off to see if there is anything that we aren’t catching up-front. We also have to decide on packaging and price etc. I would like to use plastic egg cartons that are reusable, but we have to see how that goes.
I went and took my mid-term for my math class. It went as well as it could I suppose. I did well, just short of an A, but I barely got to study for it, so I’m OK with that. Now I’m trying to stay focused and motivated long enough to finish this course and begin the next one. I have three more to go and I can’t wait to be done! I am hoping that they are going to be easier since they are supposed to focus on learning math for elementary –aged students. I’m really hoping and praying for that. I could use some easy math right about now. hahaha
Road show practices have begun. The Stake asks each Branch or Ward to put together a long skit basically. It is supposed to be 9 minutes long, be about the evolution of teenagers and somehow have kittens in it. Our is about a history class student who falls asleep dreaming of three events that happened to other teenagers and works in wearing modest clothes, including others and standing up for what we know is right. It sounds boring to describe it that way, but really is very cute. The youth are learning to triple swing, Charleston, and do the Virginia Reel as part of it. The actual Road Show will be on October 16th at the Vicksburg High School. I think the performances begin at 6pm. Each Ward or Branch will do their skit and then we will be done.
Our garden is winding down; as I’m sure most are. We got lots of ugly tomatoes, some pretty ones, onions, potatoes, huge zucchini, yellow squash, a few pumpkins and some corn. We might have gotten more, but my sweet husband decided to go big or bust and it turned out closer to bust as we could not keep up with the garden that he envisioned. I asked him to please scale it back next year, but we’ll see if he does that or not. Weeding here is much different than in AZ and the whole growing process is really much different. Things grow faster here and so you must care for it all much more frequently. It’s funny how something so universal as growing food can be so different from one place to another.
The month has gone by fast and furious as the saying goes. I always enjoy the end of the month because it’s full of fun things for me to do that keeps me up-to-date in my friends and families lives, however, it’s also full of more things to do and can be somewhat busier than the rest of the month. I don’t particularly care for that part of it. Hahaha
This past weekend the youth got the opportunity to travel to Chicago and do baptisms for the dead. I got to go and so did my husband who serves in the Young Men’s and my daughter, who is a Beehive. She rode with most of the other youth who went on the trip and she seemed to enjoy herself. I enjoyed talking with the other adults who rode with us, especially since it’s the rest of the YW presidency, except one of them just got released. Still, it was lots of fun. There is a beautiful spirit that can be felt only in the temple and I’m always grateful when I am able to attend. In the room where the ordinance is performed there is a very large mural of the Savior’s own baptism. I just kept staring at it for the couple of hours that we were there. It was very moving and I wish I could get a picture of it, though it would need to be much smaller of course and probably cutting off parts of the ends. It was probably about 25 feet long and 4 feet high or so. I would describe it better, but I would fail. It portrays many who might have watched the actual event and is absolutely stunning to look at.
I registered Megan, my daughter, for 7th grade yesterday. What a pain that was! Hahaha I am so glad I only have to do that once a year. She got her yearbook, ordered a t-shirt, bought a new flute book for band, signed up for cross country (that surprised me, but I was glad she did it) and we got her picture taken all while hearing about volunteering at the school, learning about fundraisers and the like. It took quite a bit of time to get through all the lines, but we made it through and now she is officially in 7th grade which makes me officially sad. I can’t believe how quickly she has grown up. She is going to be driving and dating before I know, in high school while I’m not looking and then out of the house, off to college and have a family of her own before I can turn around and catch my breath! Watching children growing up is an amazing process, but I’m trying to enjoy her all I can while I can. I want to have the same relationship with Megan that I have with my mom. We are best friends. Having one child makes it an all-or-nothing proposition. I sure hope I get it all. I’m sure those with more children still feel the same about each child, all-or-nothing that is. I am amazed at how different it is to parent one child vs. multiple children. There is no easy way. Both are difficult. Both have unique challenges.
We had Branch Conference and it was wonderful. All three members of the Stake Presidency spoke as well as Pres. Montross. I was going to include some of their comments, but sadly I took notes on my phone and the phone broke later that day. I can’t retrieve my notes until after I get the broken one replaced and due to several factors that won’t be until the beginning of September. I don’t remember things like talks for very long usually so I don’t remember what they spoke about (thus I take notes) or I would at least tell you that much. Sorry about that. Perhaps I will remember in a few weeks when I get my new phone to record some of it. I’m anxious to read again what I had written.
Our chickens are getting bigger and bigger. We finally started getting eggs from the full-grown ones. We only have four of them. The smaller ones that we bought later on are probably at least half way through the growing process. They sure eat a lot! I’m hoping they’ll start producing eggs in another couple of months. Ideally before that, but definitely by the end of October. I’ll keep you posted on that one. We have several people who want to buy eggs, but as of yet we’ve not sold any. We want to make sure that we are selling a quality product, so we have been holding off to see if there is anything that we aren’t catching up-front. We also have to decide on packaging and price etc. I would like to use plastic egg cartons that are reusable, but we have to see how that goes.
I went and took my mid-term for my math class. It went as well as it could I suppose. I did well, just short of an A, but I barely got to study for it, so I’m OK with that. Now I’m trying to stay focused and motivated long enough to finish this course and begin the next one. I have three more to go and I can’t wait to be done! I am hoping that they are going to be easier since they are supposed to focus on learning math for elementary –aged students. I’m really hoping and praying for that. I could use some easy math right about now. hahaha
Road show practices have begun. The Stake asks each Branch or Ward to put together a long skit basically. It is supposed to be 9 minutes long, be about the evolution of teenagers and somehow have kittens in it. Our is about a history class student who falls asleep dreaming of three events that happened to other teenagers and works in wearing modest clothes, including others and standing up for what we know is right. It sounds boring to describe it that way, but really is very cute. The youth are learning to triple swing, Charleston, and do the Virginia Reel as part of it. The actual Road Show will be on October 16th at the Vicksburg High School. I think the performances begin at 6pm. Each Ward or Branch will do their skit and then we will be done.
Our garden is winding down; as I’m sure most are. We got lots of ugly tomatoes, some pretty ones, onions, potatoes, huge zucchini, yellow squash, a few pumpkins and some corn. We might have gotten more, but my sweet husband decided to go big or bust and it turned out closer to bust as we could not keep up with the garden that he envisioned. I asked him to please scale it back next year, but we’ll see if he does that or not. Weeding here is much different than in AZ and the whole growing process is really much different. Things grow faster here and so you must care for it all much more frequently. It’s funny how something so universal as growing food can be so different from one place to another.
Monday, August 9, 2010
Lisa's degree update
For all those who have been wondering (and for those of you who haven't) I thought I'd post this update on my progression towards a degree. I am currently four classes away from my degree. I am in two classes right now, one is Intermediate Algebra and the other is a fun class I wanted to take (I needed 6 credit hours to be 1/2 time). That one is Creative Writing. I am enjoying the 2nd more than the 1st of course. hahaha
After my Algebra class I have three more math classes to take (I don't know the names of them) and then I will be finished with my AA degree. After I finish that degree I will be eligible for two things; one is to transfer to an in-state university and work towards my BA degree in Elementary Education and the other is that I will be eligible to begin substitute teaching. I need 90 credit hours for both. I am hoping to work very hard and finish all three math classes that are left during the fall semester. This might be tricky, but I think I can do it if I really work hard.
This math class I am in currently is much easier for me than the first one I took, which was purely awful. It was practically a full-time job for me to try and figure out and understand what I was doing and I barely got an A in it, which was miraculous. Thank goodness for heavily weighted finals is about all I can say on that one.
I have been thinking lately that I might change degree programs, but if I do then it will take even longer to complete a degree and I want to be done. We shall see what happens. I know that I'll still have to attend school after I start teaching (which is ironic since I'll spend all day teaching and then go to school to learn to teach), but at least I'll be working in my chosen career field.
I have heard from a credible source, though I no longer remember what source that was that I need a master's to teach, I am REALLY hoping that's not true. I am also really hoping that I'll be in high demand by the teachers after I'm eligible to teach. If so, then I can finally start working and helping to pay the bills and this is something that needs doing pretty desparately.
I guess that's pretty much it...
After my Algebra class I have three more math classes to take (I don't know the names of them) and then I will be finished with my AA degree. After I finish that degree I will be eligible for two things; one is to transfer to an in-state university and work towards my BA degree in Elementary Education and the other is that I will be eligible to begin substitute teaching. I need 90 credit hours for both. I am hoping to work very hard and finish all three math classes that are left during the fall semester. This might be tricky, but I think I can do it if I really work hard.
This math class I am in currently is much easier for me than the first one I took, which was purely awful. It was practically a full-time job for me to try and figure out and understand what I was doing and I barely got an A in it, which was miraculous. Thank goodness for heavily weighted finals is about all I can say on that one.
I have been thinking lately that I might change degree programs, but if I do then it will take even longer to complete a degree and I want to be done. We shall see what happens. I know that I'll still have to attend school after I start teaching (which is ironic since I'll spend all day teaching and then go to school to learn to teach), but at least I'll be working in my chosen career field.
I have heard from a credible source, though I no longer remember what source that was that I need a master's to teach, I am REALLY hoping that's not true. I am also really hoping that I'll be in high demand by the teachers after I'm eligible to teach. If so, then I can finally start working and helping to pay the bills and this is something that needs doing pretty desparately.
I guess that's pretty much it...
Evidence of our Heavenly Father's love
Today I just have to write about the way our Father in Heaven loves and cares for each of us. Yesterday Andrew did our Family Home Evening lesson on our Father in Heaven. He asked the question how do we even know that there is a God? I read the scripture in Alma when Alma is speaking to Korihor, an anti-Christ and Korihor asks the same question.
Alma responds, "Thou hast had signs enough; will ye tempt your God? Will ye say, Show unto me a sign, when ye have the testimony of aall these thy brethren, and also all the holy prophets? The scriptures are laid before thee, yea, and all things denote there is a God; yea, even the bearth, and call things that are upon the face of it, yea, and its dmotion, yea, and also all the eplanets which move in their regular form do witness that there is a Supreme Creator."
I then expounded a little on what that means. Each sunrise, each sunset, each plant and animal from the smallest to the largest living organism are testimony of the Living God. It saddens me to think that there are people who turn away from God because they feel that there is too much suffering in the world, yet this too means there is a God. He has given us the great gift of agency and even when we make poor choices, He loves us enough not to interfere. He loves us enough to suffer through the bad things we do to ourselves and others so that we may learn. How many people have turned towards Him as a result of true sorrow for the many sins they have committed? I would submit that all of us have to some extent or another. In His infinite mercy He also makes all things right in the end. Those who suffer innocently (meaning we have been wronged by someone else when we had no control) are blessed through the Atonement of Christ to overcome the effects of sin by another. How mighty are His ways! We cannot comprehend them, no mortal mind can.
Alma responds, "Thou hast had signs enough; will ye tempt your God? Will ye say, Show unto me a sign, when ye have the testimony of aall these thy brethren, and also all the holy prophets? The scriptures are laid before thee, yea, and all things denote there is a God; yea, even the bearth, and call things that are upon the face of it, yea, and its dmotion, yea, and also all the eplanets which move in their regular form do witness that there is a Supreme Creator."
I then expounded a little on what that means. Each sunrise, each sunset, each plant and animal from the smallest to the largest living organism are testimony of the Living God. It saddens me to think that there are people who turn away from God because they feel that there is too much suffering in the world, yet this too means there is a God. He has given us the great gift of agency and even when we make poor choices, He loves us enough not to interfere. He loves us enough to suffer through the bad things we do to ourselves and others so that we may learn. How many people have turned towards Him as a result of true sorrow for the many sins they have committed? I would submit that all of us have to some extent or another. In His infinite mercy He also makes all things right in the end. Those who suffer innocently (meaning we have been wronged by someone else when we had no control) are blessed through the Atonement of Christ to overcome the effects of sin by another. How mighty are His ways! We cannot comprehend them, no mortal mind can.
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