Math!

I'm taking Math this semester.

It's just enough Math to make me remember why Math was not anywhere near the top or middle or lower half of my "Favorite Subjects in School" List!

It's just enough Math to help me understand why my third grader sometimes cries and cried because she can't understand how to do a problem.

It's just enough Math to remind my high school sophomore that it's not okay to make fun when others just can't understand Math in the same pre-Calc way he can.

And it's just enough Math to teach me that it totally STINKS when I get a fourth grade Math problem wrong!!

But totally ROCKS when I get it right!

Boo. Yah.

Going Back to School

25+ years ago I was a matriculated, university student.

I knew exactly what my major would be.

I knew when I was going to graduate.

I knew what I would do for the rest of my life.

Then, at the beginning of my second year, during the first week of classes, I had this feeling that I was supposed to drop all my classes, check out of school and work full time.

What?

What about my planning?  What about my scholarship?  What about my dream of getting a college degree?

I did my best to ignore the feeling and into the second week of classes my brain could not and would not comprehend a.n.y.t.h.i.n.g.  As soon as I entered a classroom, I felt as if I were entering a black hole.

Dark. Foggy. Hollow.

I couldn’t fight it any longer.  I dropped all my classes, checked out of school and moved forward with life.

Last August, my husband came home from Church and told me about a program sponsored by BYU-Idaho that would enable me to attain a college degree.

As he spoke and explained what he had learned that day, a feeling came over me that was just as distinctive and palpable as the feeling I had received 25+ years ago to end my schooling.  However, that feeling filled me with light and clarity and depth.  I was filled with the impression that I was ready to pursue my goal to receive a college degree.

I am starting my second semester with the BYU-Idaho Pathway Program.  It has been the most amazing learning experience I have ever encountered!!

Some days I wonder why I am going to school now when it is the craziest, busiest time of my life.  Five teenagers! Three elementary-aged children! and a two year old!!  And that doesn't even begin to skim the surface . . .

But just how I listened to a still, small voice 25+ years ago to stop going to school, I am listening and following that ever encouraging voice that tells me that right now is the right time to go back to school.

Family Home Evening - The Book of Mormon

My husband and I were inspired to do this lesson from THIS TALK.

Here's what we did:

Everyone was to bring to FHE their study/scripture journal, a writing utensil (if we say pencil, invariably someone asks if they can bring a pen - go figure), and a Book of Mormon.

1. Teach one Another: We read the title page of the Book of Mormon each to ourselves.  Then we shared with each other ONE phrase that popped out to us.

2. Personal Insight: I chose six paragraphs from THIS TALK which I thought could serve as a spring board for personal insight.  The instruction was to a) read the paragraph b) think about this question: "According to this paragraph, why would it be important for me to read and study the Book of Mormon?" and c) write down your thoughts in your study journal. (We did this in groups of two to help the younger children; this was the bulk of the lesson that took the most time).

3. Teach One Another: Each person shared one reason it was important for them to read and study the Book of Mormon.

4. We presented our Family Scripture Study Plan for 2014:  Each day we have an assignment to read in the Book of Mormon and write our thoughts and questions in our study journals.  We are to come prepared for Family Scripture the next day having read and ready to share the things we have written.

I have a feeling I will learn a lot from my family this year!

The Book that is Changing My Life

There is a book that has captured the attention of many members of our faith.

I have been invited by several people to read it.  "It has changed my life!"  "If you read it, you will never be the same!"  "This book will make you understand your purpose and prepare you for the Second Coming."  "It is the most amazing book you will ever read!"

Interestingly, it is not a book that has been written by a prophet.

The book is not scripture.

In fact, to my knowledge, the person who wrote the book is not the person who experienced the events first hand.

Though my feelings have been relatively neutral about the book, I have not yet read it.

However, there is a book out there that I am currently reading that is changing my life.  It is a book that, as I read from it's pages, never leaves me the same.  This same book helps me more deeply know my purpose and I prepare to one day kneel at the Savior's feet.  It is, without question, the most. amazing. book. I have ever read.

That book of which I speak is The Book of Mormon - another testament of Jesus Christ.

Concerning this record the Prophet Joseph Smith said: “I told the brethren that the Book of Mormon was the most correct of any book on earth, and the keystone of our religion, and a man would get nearer to God by abiding by its precepts, than by any other book.”

As far as I'm concerned, that's enough to capture my attention for the rest of my life!