Advocate for Education

I was one of those "older" (or should I say more mature) graduates from college. It wasn't until my kids were in their teens that I went back to school to obtain my bachelor's degree. As such, I had not only a greater appreciation for my professors trying to teach the classes but also a greater appreciation for the learning process and the knowledge I was picking up in these classes. I am one of those students who absolutely loves school. With that in mind, I am back in school with some Adult Ed classes. One of the courses I am taking is computers, which absolutely fascinates me. My other class, however is Accounting and I have to say that I am struggling. I unfortunately do not operate on that side of the brain too well---math and science and accounting is indeed a science. As challenging as this course is for me though I am tenacious and I am not going to let it defeat me or my purpose. I am told that having this accounting skill will be appealing in the job market but aside from that I am determined to persevere. Thankfully we have wonderful instructors in this adult education system who are patient and supportive of their students trying to grasp everything they are teaching. I graduated from college in 2004 and have not gone back to school until this past spring in 2010. The moment I stepped back onto the campus I realized how much I missed the world of academia. I truly love learning new things and want to continue educating myself the rest of my life...no matter how difficult a course could be, like accounting.

Slipping Through My Fingers

I am a fan of the musical, Mama Mia, and enjoy the songs along with the cinema photography of the beautiful Greek island where the story takes place. One of the songs that never fails to bring tears to my eyes is, Slipping Through My Fingers. It is a song that the mother, Donna, sings to her daughter, Sophie, as they prepare for the wedding ceremony. The message of this song speaks of moments slipped by that they shared with each other and plans they had made, which never materialized. It is a powerful reminder to me to cherish moments shared with friends and family. Our 3 kids are now grown and living their own lives. I was an extremely lucky mother who had the honor and joy of being home with them during their growing up years but I realize that I let many moments "slip through my fingers" and there is no "going back" to recapture them...they are gone. It is my prayer that my kids come to this knowledge now so they can capture as much as they can with their own children. I have no regrets because I shared many happy times with my family...I could have shared more though. I try to practice this with my dear friends too. Each time we are together I love sharing laughter, wonderful talks and outings with them to tuck away in my heart and cherish. Life is comprised of moments and as they slip through our fingers we should use them wisely so we can reflect on them with joy and love.

Seasons

The weather man on our local news station announced on September 1, 2010, that this day starts the Fall season. I look out my window and smile as I see the sun shining and appreciate the summer (albeit very short this year) now ending. My husband's favorite season is the summer but unlike him every season is my favorite. Each season brings it's own variety of fruits, vegetables and holidays, to name a few. I am an eternal romantic so I embrace the "hibernating" instinct of cuddling indoors with a fire glowing in the fireplace with candles lit throughout the room. My spirit is calmed and soothed as I prepare cinnamon pumpkin bars in my kitchen. As our home is filled with the mouth-watering smell of Turkey baking in the oven I offer thanks for all of my blessings. My heart delights as I sing along to my favorite Christmas hymns. Yes, the years do pass along too quickly now but they also bring memories of joy and appreciation for each season to me.

My Books, My Friends

I saw a commercial last night for the Kindle, a wireless reading device. We are now offered this new technology of reading books on a small screen.

I am an avid fan of antiques and I enjoy being the custodian of these sentimental pieces of our past but I also love and enjoy using my microwave oven. I am a woman who lives in and appreciates both worlds--the past and the amazing inventions of the present. As much as I marvel at this new technology and way of reading on a small screen I don't think I will ever completely embrace this in lieu of physically touching my books---my friends. There is something so peaceful and calming as I sit down for my morning devotion and opening up my Bible to study the word of God. I love the tactile feel of the fine thin paper as I turn the pages in my Bible. It gives me pleasure to see the scriptures that I have marked with my red scripture pencil, which speak the messages for Susan. I thoroughly enjoy cuddling up in my favorite chair to peruse my inspiring decorating books with their colorful glossy pictures. Just like a well-loved friend my books bring comfort and feed my soul---the likes of which I don't think I'll find on a small screen. Our society is now speeding along accompanied with technological advances that affect our lives but there is something to be said about the simple pleasure of sitting down with a favorite book and visiting that friend on a more personal level by touching the pages again and again.

Chapters

One of the leisure activities I enjoy is reading. I can get really engrossed in a novel with memorable characters and a powerful story. Often times just before I fall into my REM sleep at night thoughts come to me, which on many nights I forget what they are by the next morning; however a couple nights ago the word "chapters" entered my mind. Just as chapters in a book take the reader along in the story, I related this to my life. I look back on the chapters in my life thus far and remember joy, teen-age angst, first love, true love, giving birth to our three beautiful children and raising them--each with their own chapters dove-tailing into mine. Now, as I enter a new chapter in my life I face a new set of trials but while I remember the trials of yesteryear I know that this chapter will have lessons and joy to cherish in its own unique way.

Cast Out Fear

Along our path of life we all encounter "bumps in the road" and upon reflection I have often allowed fear to visit me during those bumps in the road. I heard somewhere recently that fear is just the absence of faith so wouldn't it be prudent to cast out the fear to allow faith to grow? I had this question answered to me this morning as I studied Mark 9:23 where it reads; "Jesus said unto him, 'If thou canst believe, all things are possible to him that believeth.'" Webster's defines believe as; to have religious faith. We must not, or in other words I must not, allow fear to hinder progression in life. I must foster faith with the belief that these "bumps in the road" are teaching moments and continue on my journey with joy.

In the Tablets of my Mind

In Romans 2:15, the Apostle Paul taught that we ourselves are a record of our life. In the March 8,1865 edition of the Deseret News, President John Taylor said, "The individual tells the story himself, and bears witness against himself...That record that is written by the man himself in the tablets of his own mind, that record that cannot lie will in that day be unfolded before God and angels, and those who shall sit as judges."

This profound lesson I learned in church yesterday has caused serious soul-searching for me as I reflect on my life thus far. I pray with a fervent and humble heart that the "tablets of my mind" will show a pleasing picture before God and his angels and those who shall sit as judges. I know I fall short but with the power of the Atonement and HIS mercy I pray I can repent and try to do better each day starting now.