A Year of Learning...

Wow, where has the last year gone? I feel like this past year has been a complete and total learning experience. Within the last year, I graduated college, got my first real job, moved to Utah, moved into my first 'grown-up' apartment and finished my first year of teaching. This first year of teaching has been a complete eye-opening experience. Don't get me wrong, I loved each and every one of my sweet kiddos but it was a rough year. I taught in West Jordan, Utah at a low income school in a rough area. I had lots of hispanic students, migrants, split families and low-income families. With this, I dealt with lots of very difficult situations. There were many days when I wanted so desperately to take some of my sweeties home with me because I knew how awful it was for them to go home every day after school. Of course, lots of those sweeties were also the ones I had a very difficult time loving in the beginning. They were hard, not well behaved and not well mannered. However, after I took the time to understand them and where they come from, I couldn't help but love them. I regret that it took me so long to do this. I remember one little girl specifically. We teachers went and did a home visit due to the fact that she hadn't been coming to school. As I stood in the doorway of her home, my heart couldn't help but break for this little girl. The things I saw and heard during that short visit only reminded me of what she must endure and go through each and every day. After this experience, every day she came to school was a blessing for me. Throughout this school year, I head tragic stories from 5 year olds about parents who fought and beat them, parents who were divorced, drug-addicts or even in prison. I couldn't help but develop some angry feelings for a lot of these adults who would stand by and let their children grow up that way. I have never been more grateful for the wonderful upbringing I had. I never understood how wonderful, stable and loving my household was; all because I had loving parents. I also realized that the Gospel played a huge role in allowing me to have that childhood. Had my parents not been such faithful members, who loved the Church, I would have had a completely different up-bringing. Each and every day, I am so thankful for each of my students and although, it has been hard somedays, I love them so much. I pray for them every day and know that they are being watched over by a loving Heavenly Father. I feel like this past year, my testimony has grown immensely. Especially when it comes to a testimony of families. I have never felt closer to my family. Sisters who constantly fought and bickered, have become my best friends and shoulders to lean on. I love each of my sisters for different reasons. I don't know what I would do without them. They have been such great influences on me and such amazing examples. Aside from my own mother, I have never seen more self-less love than I see in them when it comes to their own children and families. I only hope that one day, when I am privileged to have my own children, that I can be half the mothers they are. I was able to go through the temple this year with my lovely parents. All I can say about that experience is...there is nothing better than being able to stand in the temple of the Lord with a loving earthly mother and father standing beside you. I am so grateful for the choices they made in their life that allowed them to be there with me. Obviously, I don't do well with changes and being alone and this year has been full of them. However, by going through these experiences, I have learned so much about myself and grown so much. I am learning to enjoy the now and not worry so much about the future. Heavenly Father has a plan for me and if I am doing what I should be doing, things will happen when they are supposed to happen. So, for now, I am focusing on making myself a better person and making the best of the here and now. I am so grateful for the life I have been blessed with. As I watch my student's lives, I only wish I could give them some of the blessings I have. I know without a doubt that the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is the true and restored church on the Earth. I often sit in 'awe' as I think about how my Father in Heaven trusted me and had faith in me to put me on the Earth during these last days. I know that there is a living prophet on the earth to help me and I love him dearly. I know that I have been blessed with righteous, loving parents and sisters and I know without a doubt, that our family is eternal. I know without a doubt that Jesus Christ is the Christ and that he died for me so that one day I may return to my Heavenly Father. ...Like I said...I learned a lot this year... :)