TRANSITION

So its been awhile since I last posted, reason being...... several things have gotten in the way; family, holidays, turkey, knee surgery, pain meds, physical therapy, graduation, and lack of inspiration.

I was reading somewhere ( sorry I can't credit the source ) and it seem to fit perfectly with the "transition" I am currently going through.

All of us are either in quiet transition, the storm of tumultuous change, or simply find within ourselves a prompting that we must seek a different, more peaceful avenue upon which to travel the rest of our lives.

Its funny how I see myself at [the point above] numerous times within my life. Yet it always seem to be the biggest or most major choice at [that] particular time.

WHY?

I was talking with my grandmother the other day and she shared some thoughts with me. Here are a few that I love.

God approved of this trial and pain. A long time ago so did I.

God always lifts us up over the rough spots.

Never forget who wore the crown of throns.

Christ is in no hurry. He's at the finish line with the scars.

Instead of wishing you were someone else,

be proud of who you are.

You never know who has been looking at you wishing they were you.

Life is like a roller coaster ride,

It has its u p S and D o w n s.

But its your choice to SCREAM or enjoy the ride.

I think the only reason why people HOLD onto memories so tight, for so l o n g is because memories are the only things that dOn'T change, even when people do.

We'll never forget you. You're totally awesome!

My days here at Columbia High are coming to a close.

Here is another gift I received from 12 of my students.

CARD

I'm going to miss you SO much! I will never forget you! Keep on dreaming (wink) ... but please please come back and teach. Please with cherries on top!! Oh and good luck with your knees!

Ms. Barnes

I will miss you and your funny farm stories and hilarious faces!

Ms. Barnes
Hope everything goes good on your graduation. You were and awesome teacher! Hope you come back because you always made us laugh and cheered us up!

Ms. Barnes

We'll miss you. Hope you will come back!

I'm going to miss you very much. I had a lot of fun, when you taught. You're very funny. Ms. Barnes you're going to be a good, (NO) a very good teacher.

Don't forget to come back and visit! Love you and I'll miss you bunches!

Hey Ms. Barnes!
I am very sad you're leaving but I hope you have fun in Utah!

Have fun getting your manicure and eating them cupcakes!

You are the bomb dawg! You will make such an amazing teacher! You will be so missed!

Well it was nice meeting you. Hope you had a blast with us! Miss you!

Hey Miss!
Well we are going to miss you! Hope you like it!

Ms. Barnes

You're the best student teacher ever! You're super pretty and sweet!

GIFT
Big stuffed teddy bear holding and AVOCADO! My favorite red velvet cupcakes and a gift card to get my nails done!

I hate saying good byes! So my thought was to just slip away without the students knowing.

Littled did I know that my students WANT to say good bye. So I am letting them... even though it takes everything in me not to cry in front of them.

Is it worth it?

Today I received this note from one of my students.

Ms. Barnes,
We would love to get you a little gift for how good of a student teacher you are. WE want to show our appreciation by giving you a red velvet cake/cupcake/little cupcakes since we got you to tell us your favorite dessert Ha! Ha! :) But we need to know what kind of frosting.... we insist on getting you an appreciation gift so there is not talking us out of it. So anyways let us know and thank you for helping us when we needed it.

Sincerely,
Hannah and Erin

Teaching as a Profession

Before I started teaching, I thought anyone could be a good teacher. I was going to touch young loves and be every one's favorite teacher. Students would come to me and share their secrets. I would prepare and deliver meaningful lessons that would change lives.

No one told me what teaching was really going to be like.

I never knew that I would spend infinite evening planning lessons that would be met with rolling eyes and groans. I never knew that in the rare case that a new lesson went off brilliantly, only to be interrupted with fire alarms, unwanted visitors or random pep assembles. I never knew how many homework assignments could be "lost" and how happy I would be for it ment less grading for me. I didn't realize that I would often feel more stress over giving a failing grade to a student than the student receiving it. I didn't know that students wouldn't always give me the respect I though all teachers deserved.

No one told me that I would be haunted at night with the stress of presentation and deliver of tomorrows lessons.

What I now know after student teaching.

I now know the satistfaction of creating a lesson that causes the light bulb to turn on for several students. I know how it feels to work in an atmosphere with other intelligent and like-minded staff who pull together and help one another. Talk about first impressions. I was thrilled to be involved with a great school district starting day one. I appreciate when a "thank you" escapes a smiling face or when a discipline strategy is caught not taught. I know I can't solve all my students' problems, but I have seen that listening to and encouraging them are gifts I can give. During my breaks, I find myself wondering how "my students" are doing.

Most of all, I did not know that I would feel so needed. Someone once told me that teaching happens in one-on-one relationships. I find myself teaching my students that they are capable and able to learn and that's why I am here.

My time here student teaching has been more varied then I have realized. No two days are the same. No two students are the same. My days have been filled with planning lessons, grading assignments, following through on discipline issues, and keeping up on individual students needs.

I forgot why I became a teacher......... because I care deeply about cultivating minds and spirits.

There aren't many people who get to witness these profound changes in people on a daily basis.

Your Worth

is going to fill a large part of your life, and the only way to be truly satisfied is to do what you believe is great work.

And the only way to do great work is to

love what you do.

If you haven't found it yet, keep looking, and don't settle.

As with all matters of the heart

you will know when you find it.

~Steve Jobs

Even if the path is a little b l u r r y, Keep Walking.

You'll FOCUS in when you know what you want.

Then the picture of your life will be crystal C L E A R .

Just don't ever give up and don't ever stop w a l k i n g.

Walk Down Memory Lane

I'm teaching two concurrent credit classes with

NNU ( Northwest Nazarene University) which are called

PIE (Professions in Education) and Early Childhood Profession

As part on the classes the students go on INTERNSHIPS

which means they help out preschool, elementary, or middle school teachers with

various task in their classrooms for about 4 hours every B day

Today I did observations.

I attended 24 different classrooms

In 7 different schools within the Nampa School District

Thoughts just flooded my mind as I walked the halls of each school
what else is new :)

Am I cut out for the High School role?

Why didn't I go into El Ed?

Why can't high schoolers be more cute and adorable?

Am I thriving off the "challenge" with teenagers?

Why do I have nightmares about subbing when the times that I have sub its been fine?

Are children more apt to learn at a younger age?

Why?

Why is it that kindergarten kiddos love the fact of going to school?

Why can't teenagers love going to school?

Why is it that the check their phones every 5 seconds?

What makes little kids so irresistible?

Why are my students shocked when I tell them I want to be a high school teacher?

What will I do if I have to teach Middle School?

Will it be more challenging?

Or would I enjoy it more?

Can't I teach little kids life skills?

Who says that making home made bread was for teenagers?

Couldn't 10 year old be just as good at making bread?

(Don't ask me how my yeast bread lab went with my Nutrition and Foods classes)

Which age group gives teachers more respect?

What kind of respect do I expect to receive from my students?

Do we even know what respect is anymore?

Why such a diverse attitude level within every single class?

Would I thrive better in a elementary setting?

Is that more of my niche?

Due to my personality?

Why can't high school be fun?

When I laugh in class it takes some of my students off guard.... why?

( those of you who know me..... can answer that question :)

Are high school teachers suppose to be mean and strict 24/7?

How often do teenagers laugh?

Do I value my education?

3 good things

So I have hesitated blogging because several things have happened within the last couple of weeks...

But today is different

This is a simple blog post....

I'm currently sitting in my room in Nampa Idaho grading my students papers. Thoughts are bouncing everywhere in my mind.

And then I hear it!

The thunderstorm outside my window
My friends music she wrote
Advice from a really good mission friend

I love RAIN!

Every time it rains I feel closer to Heaven. Odd thought I know but that is how I feel.

My friends song is called Better Out There by Kim Buno

"It leaves a choice for you to make.....be grateful that you are given opportunities to do so and that you are sensitive to recognize those situations"

How you know you are a teacher? By Jeff Foxworthy

1. You can hear 25 voices behind you and know exactly which one belongs to the child out of line.
2. You get a secret thrill out of laminating something.
3. You walk into a store and hear the words "It's Ms/Mr. ____" and know you have been spotted.
4. You have 25 people that accidentally call you Mom/Dad at one time or another.
5. You can eat a multi-course meal in under twenty-five minutes.
6. You've trained yourself to go to the bathroom at two distinct times of the day; lunch and prep period.
7. You start saving other people's trash, because most likely, you can use that toilet paper tube or plastic butter tub for something in the classroom.
8. You want to slap the next person who says "Must be nice to work 8 to 4 and have summers off."
9. You believe chocolate is a food group.
10. You can tell if it's a full moon without ever looking outside.
11. You believe that unspeakable evils will befall you if anyone says "Boy, the kids sure are mellow today."
12. You feel the urge to talk to strange children and correct their behavior when you are out in public.
13. You spend more money on school stuff than you do on your own children.
14. You can't pass the school supply aisle without getting at least five items.
15. You ask your friends if the left hand turn he just made was a "good choice or a bad choice."
16. You find true beauty in a can full of perfectly sharpened pencils.
17. You are secretly addicted to hand sanitizer.
18. You understand instantaneously why a child behaves a certain way after meeting his or her parents.

Secondary Teaching

I visited my family during Labor Day Weekend and thoroughly enjoyed myself!

As I was saying my goodbyes, my Grandpa Barnes gave me some needed counsel.
I always look forward to hear what grandpa has to say. Its also a childhood memory I have. I tell people often that my Grandpa Barnes in a man I highly respect and will admire to the ends of the earth! But the thing I am grateful for the most is he NEVER hesitates to Share his lessons of life with us, his grand kids.

My grandpa asked if my experience with student teaching was CHALLENGING. When I answered "it is" He said~ Good it means you are growing.

Ive been thinking about his question and statement.

What if I thought I wasn't ready to grow?

Couldn't there be another "challenge" for me instead of this one?

How does the Lord know I am ready to grow?

What is it that says "HEY, I'M READY TO GROW"?

Do I really NEED to grow?

What is wrong with me right now?

How much more can one person grow?

What am I growing into?

Will I be satisfied with the outcome?

What if I'm growing in the wrong direction?

Is this the growth that I see is needful for me?

Couldn't I just be complacent for a little longer?

I have never blamed the Lord for anything! I have ALWAYS prayed that I would do what He NEEDED me to do. I have committed myself to His will forever. I have held my chin high knowing confidently that I am living my life in a pleasing manner to my Heavenly Father and Elder Brother. I have 100% trust that who I am now, what I am doing now, and why I am the way I am.... is because I allow the Atonement of Jesus Christ to be engraved into my soul.

but

I feel as if I am walking blindly by faith.

I don't have a vision of what my outcome of life is.

There is light at the end of the tunnel but I can barely see it.

why the two sides?

why the opposition in my need to know?

YouTube

As I was growing up... I hated YouTube.

I saw it as a device to spread evil throughout every country, enter into every home and poison the hearts of many vulnerable individuals.
I would tell parents if I saw my little sisters on YouTube

My thoughts are still the same today.

BUT

I find myself on there more than I thought possible. Don't get me wrong.... its still an evil vice but there is good in it as well.

Mormon Messages

Church Music

Worldwide Advertising

Kid History

Clips for TEACHERS!!! ( this is why I am on here a lot!)

and more

I received this email from my dearly loved friend~

"Over the past few days I have been thinking a lot about change. I still maintain the opinion that change is a good thing. It helps you grow. It helps you progress. It helps you learn. Thank goodness I'm not the same person I was two years ago, or even nine months ago. Thank goodness for progression. Although change is undoubtedly a positive thing, it does bring with it a certain amount of uncertainty. I think it makes you stronger. For me, the future is a beautiful thing, however I have this thing called fear of the future. Maybe it's a fear of commitment. Maybe it's just that Ive never experienced it so I don't know what to expect. Whatever the case, it scares me. So today I went for a walk. I passed some deer crossing the road. They looked petrified. They stared me down, and the closer I got to them the more uneasy they became. I have never seen fear take hold of an animal so quickly before in my life. One of them wasn't even close, but the moment it saw me coming around the corner it started darting off in any direction it could think of in order to get away. I passed them, and thought to myself, "WOW, I'm so glad that I don't live in that kind of fear." I stopped so fast that I almost tripped on my own foot. I have been living with fear of the future for a few years now. But guess what, whether I like it or not, the future will forever scare me. The unknown is a frightening concept. I can try to run off in any direction to get away from it, but it's still going to come. Knowing that, wouldn't it be so much better to face it with faith rather than with fear? God has said that faith and fear cannot exist in the same place. I love God, so I choose faith. I know that God is with me, and will be forever. That is all I need to put one foot in front of the other, and follow my Savior, knowing that because of Him, "there is always hope smiling brightly before me". It's hard to sit back and let it all happen. It's hard to wait. But knowing that God knows best and that He has a plan for me, one that equals happiness, is what gets me through. So I'll hang in there; I'll be patient; I'll have faith."

I love how when something that is complex in my life, which causes me to ponder for centuries, is defined clearly by a wonderful friend who sends me a simple email. I know

I have been living by fear for sometime now

and think I always will

but at least there is hope.....

my fear motivaties me

faithful fear or fearless faith

Superman!

The number one reason why people give up so fast is because they tend to look at how far they have to go instead of how far they have gone.

I just watched..... "Waiting for Superman"
More emotions and ideas spread through my entire body than ever before........

How was my education in Grade School?
High School?

University?

What am I going to do as a teacher?

Am I up for the challenge?

Is this why I am here?

My heart goes out to all the families and individuals who struggle in this world...
I AM one OF THEM

EdUcAtIoN~

a term that is used too often and taken lightly

Dictionary definition: the act or process of imparting or acquiring general knowledge, developing the powers of reasoning and judgement, and generally of preparing oneself or others intellectually for mature life.

What am I going to do as an educator?

Whatever it TAKES to ensure that others benefit from my efforts.

that road is long and unfamiliar to me

When Heavenly Father reaches across eternity and highlights something in our lives, we should pay special attention.

For each of us HE has customized a lifetime of appropriate growth opportunities

I am at a critical point in my life where choices are more than making a decisions...
its making outcomes.
its putting them into action and running with the consequences that come from it.

Wisdom is knowing the right path to take; Integrity is taking it.

Ever Wonder...

I do have a ligther side to myself :)

Why do supermarkets make the sick walk all the way to the back of the store to get their prescriptions while healthy people can buy cigarettes at the front.

Why do people order double cheeseburgers, large fries, and a diet coke.

Why do banks leave vault doors open and then chain the pens to the counters.

Why do we leave cars worth thousands of dollars in our driveay and put our unless junk in the garage.

Why the sun lugthens our hair, but darkens our skin?

Why can't women put on mascara with their mouth closed?

Why is 'abbreviated' such a long word?

Why is it that doctors call what they do 'practice'?

Why is lemon juice made with artifical flavoring, and dishwashing liquid made with real lemons?

Why is the man who invests all your money called a broker?

Why is the time of day with the slowest traffic called rush hour?

Why isn't there mouse-flavored cat food?

Why didn't Noah swat those two mosquitoes?

Why don't sheep shrink when it rains?

Why are they called apartments when they are all stuck together?

Remain

I have picked up a book that belonged to my mother, Return by Elder Robert D Hales. I started reading it and fell in love!

One of the best Christmas gifts ever was to receive my very own copy!!!

Now with 8 months passing I have picked it up again.

"We have to understand that our hopes, dreams, and aspirations may not be fulfilled in our lives. Both our successes and our failures are the maturing moments in our life. What we learn from theses experiences shapes our perspective. there are many reasons for our not achieving all of the goals we set for ourselves. Our goals may be unrealistic and beyond our mental, physical, or emotional capabilities. Or our goals may conflict with the natural evolution of circumstances around us, such as world events, social interactions, or the choices of others that are beyond our control."

I wanted to be a professional dancer.... now I am having knee surgery Nov 29Th
I wanted to be a Interior Designer.... now I am a Professional Technical Teacher
I wanted to be a Mother.... now I am a Single, Independent, Career Woman

"There will be times in your lives when things don't go as we plan, but the Lord's plan is greater than we can even dream. When disappointments come into our lives, it is well to remember that we should learn from our experiences, both successes and failures, and be grateful for being able to move joyfully forward with faith and hope."

Real vs. Ideal

Customize to suit me

How am I going to celebrate my goals?
How do I know I've reached a goal?

I AM A TEACHER OF STUDENTS

I am posting to anchor deeper within my untapped potential

My commitment is important

Refiner and Liberty

REFINE- to bring to a finer state or form by purifying

LIBERTY- freedom from control, interface, obligations, restrictions, hampering conditions, etc.

As I have mentioned before... I've been reading over my emails from the MISSION.

There is a moment in my mission where the CLOUDS were the darkest they could possible get. A transfer in time where I would never RELIVE..... but accept the fact that it was VITAL to experience.

Can one live throught the refiners fire and liberty jail together?

or even experience them together?

I HAVE

My mission president wrote this: Persistence is the power to go on in the face of difficulty. It is the missionary who never gives up, the missionary of faith who perseveres, the ablilty to try and try again, the person who gives until it hurts and then who gives some more. It is the person who keeps getting up one more time when he gets knocked down, the person who will accept defeat, and the quality that makes good men great and great men even better.

Legacy

I have been reading through my mission journals, notes, and emails to my mission president and family.

I came across this question that I asked myself.

Is my mission legacy sure?

LEGACY

anything handed down from the past

I have been thinking..... How did I want to be remembered by the countless individual that I came in contact with for so many months.

Only to look back now... two 1/2 years later and wonder?

THIS is 100% PROOF of why I ASk myself questions and leave them unanswered.

To know ME!

to see what I wanted in life... to see if my perspective on life has changed BUT more importantly has myself changed.......... even to the slightest degree.

Do my friends and family see me as a converted soul?

Every Zone Conference... I would either speak, share my testimony or both

Without fail, I would start out with the most tender, true, statement ever!

I LOVE BEING A MISSIONARY!

I never understood what kind of impact that would have on anyone that heard me state that. To this day I still say it... but it has become more of an inward declaration.

I've been thinking of ways that we can bring our minds closer to Christs legacy... but first I think we need to know His legacy!

DAYS that change my life. How would I summerize my mission?

The Marks

I have been thinking A LOT about the AToneMENT of Christ.

I read an article from Bruce R. McConkie:
"I shall feel the nail marks in His hands and in His feet and shall wet His feet with my tears"

I remember working out in Nauvoo one summer and the Visitor Center sister spoke in church.

WHY did Christ KEEP the marks in His hands and feet after He was resurrected with a perfect body?

TO REMIND HIM OF US!

I find myself asking.... what "spiritual" marks do I have to remind me of my Savior?

My Mark of the Atonement

On my mission, my trainer and I decided that we wanted to become better acquainted with our Redeemer... so we started what was called a "Savior Journal"

In here we wrote down poems, hymns, songs, scriptures, quotes, thoughts, letters, pictures, anything that helped us know Him better.

That Journal is complete and it is one of my most cherished piece of material.

NOW I am starting a AToneMENT journal.

TWO ROADS

TWO roads diverged in a yellow wood,
And sorry I could not travel both
And be one traveler. long I stood
And looked down one as far as I could
To where it bent in the undergrowth;

Then took the other, as just as fair,
And having perhaps the better claim,
Because it was grassy and wanted wear;
Though as for that the passing there
Had worn them really about the same,

And both that morning equally lay
In leaves no step had trodden black.
Oh, I kept the first for another day!
Yet knowing how way leads on to way,
I doubted if I should ever come back.

I shall be telling this with a sigh
Somewhere ages and ages hence:
Two roads diverged in a wood, and I-
I took the one less traveled by,
And that has made all the difference.

The Road Not Taken by Robert Frost

My life is ever changing. Graduation just happened.

My whole life I have always pictured it going in this order: high school, start college, mission, marriage.

There never was an end in sight, well I guess there was but now my endings are different than the fairy tales life I dreamed myself to have.

The mission came to an end (physically).... sadly I knew that was inevitable but it has forever lived within me.

Fate brought me to this point of becoming an teacher in Professional Technical Education.

Based on certain circumstances I was led towards this road.... a road I am so glad I am traveling down. I feel that my possibilities are endless now.

THANUJA

Friends are like stars..... you can't always see them but you know that they are always there!

Today, Thanuja and I got our friendship necklaces.
I am going to miss her tremendously! We have had several wonderful moments that I will never forget.

She is a recent convert of one year!!! I remember being friends with her as she continued in her culture faith of Buddhism and then saw her as she was introduced to the gospel and prayed for the first time to a loving Heavenly Father.

She has come a long ways and I have drawn off of her spirit that she radiates!

I NEEDED HER TO BE IN THE GOSPEL!

I am a better person because of her friendship and her excitement of principles learned and exercised in the gospel.

Moroni 8:3


MUDDY BUDDIES FOR LIFE!

now I know

" over the years, the whisperings from the Lord have guided me and reassured me. they give me, from time to time, in the words of the Prophet Joseph, sudden strikes of ideas and occasionally the pure flow of intelligence.... these are inward things, often taking the form of a directing phrase. I have found that the Lord gives more instructions than explanations." ~Neal A Maxwell

Thanuja and I checked something off my list the other day..... see the sun rise and set on the same day. It was remarkable! Words wont even being to tell the thoughts and feelings that were displayed... all I can say is one will know the true meaning of life when you see the sun rise and set on the same day!

I learned something about myself that day.

I use to think I never got solid answers from the Lord with all my petitions. I never asked if I should do this or that. If this was good or that...there never was a yes or no.
I just did what I thought was good.

its how I feel afterwards which becomes my answer.

I never realized it till that night sitting on the hill by the Rexburg temple watching the sun hide behind the Rocky Mountains in the west.

what a powerful moment. that will forever be a sacred place for me... there are two other spots that are sacred to me.

A good friend of mine told me.... "its amazing that the Lord trusts us enough to let us choose and do what we think is best, but that He is also there to open our minds and help us as we work step by step so that we don't forget important things."

L i M i T s

Why is my experience here in life limited?

Limit- the final, utmost, or furthest boundary or point as to extent, amount, continuance, and/or procedure.

RESTRICTIVE WEAKNESS

LACK OF CAPACITY

INABILITY

DISADVANTAGE

Limitation is the extent of ones capacity or a constraint that stops something.

Limit marks an end to something.

random

I am not the same having seen the moon shine on the other side of the world~ m. a. radmacher

Be strong and of good courage. you are truly royal spirit daughters of Almighty God. you are princesses destined to become QUEENS. your own wondrous story has already begun. your Once Upon A Time is NOW!~ President Uchtdorf

And IMMEDIATELY Jesus s t r e t c h e d forth His hand, and caught him. ~ Matthew 14:31

adventure is worthwhile in itself

The Touch Of The Masters Hand

My grandpa barnes is famous for the many poems that he memorizes and recite..... I remember when I was little that I was going to memorize the one I heard him say often....
The Touch of the Masters Hand

twas battered and scarred, and the auctioneer
thought it scarcely worth his while

to waste much time on the old violin,

but held it up with a smile: "what am I bidden, good folks," he cried,

"A dollar, a dollar"; then, "two!" "only two?

two dollars, once; three dollars, twice;

going for three--" but no,

from the room, far back, a grey haired man

came froward and picked up the bow;

then, wiping the dust from the old violin,

and tightening the loose strings,

he played a melody pure and sweet

as a caroling angel sings.

the music ceased, and the auctioneer,

with a voice that was quiet and low,

said, "what am I bid for the old violin?"

and he held it up with the bow.

"a thousand dollars, and who'll make it two?

Two thousand! and who'll make it three?

three thousand, once, three thousand, twice

and going, and gone!" said he.

the people cheered, but some of them cried,

"we do not quite understand

what changed its worth," switch came the reply:

"the touch of the master's hand."

and many a man with life out of tune,

and battered and scarred with sin,

is auctioned cheap to the thoughtless crowd,

much like the old violin.

A "mess of pottage," a glass of wine,

a game-- and he travels on.

He's going once, and going twice,

He's going and almost gone

but the Master comes, and the foolish crowd

never can quite understand

the worth of a soul and the change that's wrought

by the touch of the Master's hand.

Myra Brooks Welch

My List

make a difference in someones life

conquer one of my fears

find a view that truly takes my breath away

kiss in the rain

learn how to play chess

visit Africa

set foot on each of the seven continents

watch the sun rise and set on the same day

buy a piece of art from a struggling artist

write my name in wet cement

create a book of quotes that inspire me

donate blood

fall in love helplessly and unconditionally

send a message in a bottle

be a member of the audience on a TV show

learn another language

have my portrait painted

find a secret garden

travel to the middle of nowhere

ride a horse and carriage

see a shooting star

leave a huge tip to a waiter

learn the constellations

have lunch with prophet

go skydiving

go to an art gallery

make an impression

live in a lighthouse

wHY

Why am I here?
this question can be asked in several different contexts.

wHy am I a FcS teacher?

No matter where you go... there you are!

What if the answers are in the box?

Am I weak to where something uncontrollable has the ability to change my attitude?

S T R E T C H and become more of who I am than who we really are.

What is in the secret sauce?

the opportunity to question your own ability is not naturally there

a juggular only controls one ball in his hand

its about stretch not change

how do we stretch? Have them see me on higher ground

we have the ability to push ourselves in the zone of uncomfortable moments all by ourselves. but no one has the ability to push ourselves past the uncomfortable zone

what is my personal responsibility?

to find the answers in the box

List the things I wasnt and knew I can become

I was asking how to get better. Why should I get better?

Why Stretch.... because I understand
commitment is to keep that stretch alive

have others believe in what I do

what am I willing to do that no one eles is going to do?

pierce the quiets of the moment

gently inviting me to grow

JOY

Sometimes our greatest source of JOY comes from the faithful use of our agency. Elder Oaks

Happiness is often the joy of hopeful struggle,

consecration of purpose and energy to some good end.

J Jesus

O Others

Y Yourself

The emotion of great deligth or happiness caused by something exceptionally good or satisfying

Its hard to know what lies ahead of us.

I need to LOOK for HIM everyday!

Strength

A strong woman works out everyday to keep her body in shape... but a woman of strength kneels in prayer to keep her soul in shape.
A strong woman isnt afraid of anything... but a woman of strength shows courage in the midst of her fear.
A strong woman wont let anyone get the best of her... but a woman of strength gives the best of her to everyone.
A strong woman make mitakes and avoids the same in the future... but a woman of strength realizes life's mitsakes can also be Gods blessings and capitalizes on them.
A strong woman walks sure footedly... but a woman of strength knows God will catch her when she falls.
A strong woman wear the look of confidence on her face... but a woman of strength wears grace.
A strong woman has faith that she is strong enough for the journey... but a woman of strength has faith that it is in the journey that she will become strong.

DIFFERENT

I love my MTC company dearly! We also had the privilege to serve together during the peek of our mission as companions for 12 weeks. CHANGE took place during this transfer.

I gained a different perspective of life through Sister Chelsey's example.

I loved this post of hers!(the link to it is here)

I want to be that change! I WILL be that change!

My teacher shared his vision today about the future of education for students and teachers. The Lords Universities are sending out more educators to work in the teaching force than any other schools. He says this is a unique way of getting LDS teachers in many schools. Because of our lifestyle we will be able to influence more students on how to live because of our belief.

Years to change the level of education!

Making strides!

Huge impact in learning around the world!

The spirit hit me so strong..... I am going to be a teacher. Not just any teacher but a teacher with a vision to be the change!

I never wanted to be a teacher. But through the course of events within my life I was lead down this road. What an important road it is.

A couple of months ago I had a intimate conversation with my mother about me and my life.... what it came down to was that all I want to do in life is serve and travel.

Without knowing it... the Lord has grant me that desire..... everyday! NOW I am gearing up for the greatest service and adventure of all

TEACHING

My grandpa is super supportive of this decision that I have made and said
"the Lord already has a place for you, because He needs you to teach"

My greatest fear is putting limitations on me.... the fear of meeting expectations

"Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate. Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure. It is our light, not our darkness that most frightens us. We ask ourselves, Who am I to be brilliant, gorgeous, talented, fabulous? Actually, who are you NOT to be? You are a child of God. Your playing small does not serve the world. There is nothing enlightened about shrinking so that other people won't feel insecure around you. We are all meant to shine, as children do. We were born to make manifest the glory of God that is within us. It's not just in some of us; it's in everyone. And as we let our own light shine, we unconsciously give other people permission to do the same. As we are liberated from our own fear, our presence automatically liberates others"

Am I

Am I living my life in a garish way without following the kindly light?

There come moments in my life where people ask me about myself. More often than not I run through the route presentation of my traditional introduction.... My name in Kimberly Barnes, I am from Rigby Idaho and I have 9 sisters. Yes that means no brothers. I'm studying to become a FCS teacher and I love to travel.

Then there are the RARE moments when certain individuals really ask WHO ARE YOU?

they may phrase the question as

HOW DO YOU SEE YOURSELF RIGHT NOW?

HOW WOULD HEAVENLY FATHER SEE YOU?

DO YOU FEEL TREASURED?

WHAT IS ONE WORD THAT WOULD DESCRIBE YOU?

HOW DO YOU LIVE THE WAY YOU DO?

WHY IS IT THAT EVERYTHING YOU DO HAS MEANING?

what makes Kim, KIM?

these are very hard questions for me to answer, especially when I'm put on the spot. I am not one to think of myself often. In fact, I hardly do. Friends would say that I put others needs before my own. This is true.

lately I have really lost sight of who I am.

My dear roommate had me read a story she wrote in high school. In the story is talks about how a girl wants to know for herself who she is AND her quest in finding the answers... I am that girl!

Ill post the link here

my quest is not over... it will never be over..... there is always one more step that has helped define me! Its a life long journey of the heart...

Its not how you fall, its how you get back up.

nick uvjici

the man who removes a mountain begins by carrying away small stones.

chinese proverb

Never underestimate your power for greatness

ones hidden potential is fulfilled over time

our differences will force us to find happiness in our own ways

Is my life empty?

FEEL

a question came from my dreams last night which I have been thinking about all day.

What does HAPPINESS feel like?
We can spout off the definition of the word. We can even say what happiness means to us individually, we can even go as far as giving examples of what would make us happy. But do we really know what it feels like?

the dictionary states: 1. to perceive or examine by touch 2. to have a sensation of something other than by sight, hearing, taste or smell

could (happiness) feel like:

stomach aching from laughter
lungs full of fresh air
warm sun rays on skin

light chill of the wind
clean wet from rain
freezing sensation from snow
light penetrating from dawn
stars dotting the midnight sky
vibrate colors of flowers
humming of bees
crunch of leaves under feet
majestic heights of mountains
long road trips
unexpected things of value

BE WHERE YOUR FEET ARE!

God wants me to be an individual with what I've got

I'm better than my circumstances

tremendous consequences come from little things

creativity comes from my emotions

LiFe

IF YOU CANNOT FIND HAPPINESS ALONG THE ROAD, YOU WILL NOT FIND IT AT THE END OF THE ROAD.

HaPpInEsS is.......?

Difficulty brings growth
Expect things to turn out
We aren't all living our PLAN A

Compelled to be Humble
Life isn't about finding yourself. Life is about creating yourself

IF we thought of life as a gift, we might not demand nearly as much from it. And if we lived more graciously, giving of ourselves more freely to our personal concerns would disappear, and life would become easier for all.

Lowell c Bennion

Life never turns out the way you thought to would or would like it to. Are we conditioned to think that way?

SIMPLE HAPPINESS

wouldnt that be a refreshing way to live and feel each day?

EDUCATION

I am currently enrolled in a 400 level class called

Reading in the Content Area

and I LOVE it!

I have been in the Madison Junior High School observing the FCS classroom for about 3 weeks....
(FCS Family Consumer Sciences)

there are 6 different units in the kitchen with at least 5 or more students in each unit.

My group consist of two girls that struggle with learn helplessness, a boy in a wheelchair, a boy with a full time aid because of mental behaviorism, and a sweet shy boy that doesn't seem to fit in to any group of friends.

I have loved being with this group of students and enjoyed learning more about them and interacting with them.

They Bring Me Much Joy!

I cant wait to be a teacher!

Today in class we talked about varies learning behaviors and something struck me hard today that I never realized before....

Brother Wilson said ...

They are scared of their comparison.

The classes where the majority of the work is based on performance level, students tend to classify themselves with handicaps because they are not like the "one student" that really is the artist or the chief.

therefore they THINK that they are incapable and FEEL that there is no need to put forth effort....

the mentality is distorted.

The students think their skills are bad.

I thought a lot about this.....

How often does this happen with Junior High or High School students?

What causes this to happen?

What can I do to prevent this?

overcome this with my students?

What are ways to deal with this in the classroom?

Am I guilty of this occurring in my education?

in life?

in society?
in my interaction with others?
in my testimony?

in my actions of what I stand for?

EFFORT

eLDER rICHARD g sCOTT

explained that GOD provides us with challlenges that are designed to help us grOW spiritually:

"Just when all seems to be going right, challenges often come in multiple doses applied simultaneously. When those trials are not consequences of your disobedience, they are evidence that the LORD feels you are prepared to grow more.

pROVERBS 3:11-12

HE therefore gives you experiences that stimulate growth, understanding, and compassion which polish you for your everlasting benefit. To get you from where you are to where HE wants you to be requires a lot of S T R E T C H I N G , and that generally entails discomfort and pain."

How often do I tend to choose the easy path?

or desire to choose?

why?

What feelings are present when I am on the easy path?

ChOoSe EfFoRt OvEr EaSe

UNSEEN WOUNDS

how could a person be wounded and not know it?

pain in one of those really hard-to-ignore sensations

its meant to be noticed and demands to be fixed

spiritual wounds arent so hard to ignore

wounds on cuch a level that are impossble to notice

What am I doing today that I've never done before?

go

"OH THE PLACES YOU WILL GO"

we did a poster for one of my classes and this was the theme from Dr. Seuss

I've been thinking about all the places I have been and what I have experienced!

Ive put my travels into a puzzle.

Analogy....

Life is like a puzzle, the Lord has all the pieces therefore he can see the bigger picture!

Our task is to go and give others our puzzle piece so they may see the bigger picture.

I always wanted a world map, so that I may stick pins on the places I have been... but

its the people that tell about my journey not the place.

Its been neat to see the picture come together as I gather the puzzle pieces from those that I associate with during my travels.

those who read this I would love to collect your puzzle piece and add it to my perspective.

this is a chance for you to read your heart

St. Augustine once said, "The world is like a book and those you do not travel read only a page."

Question

How many pages am I reading today?

LOOK!

We do not see things as they are, we see things as we are!

This was a quote on a professors email at school.

Questions~ what do I see? do I see something different everyday? how do I see myself? would I be happy with how I see myself this ever moment? am I even looking?

what am I looking for?

I had a friend ask me once..... How does Heavenly Father see you?

the thoughts that ran through my head were endless...........

Then he said ..... do you think He sees you as you are? OR does He see you as what you can be?!

POTENTIAL~ capable of being or becoming. definition from the dictionary

Questions~ what do I want to be? do I see the change taking place? am I allowing the change to happen? how much change is necessary?

when am I not changing?

will I ever reach what I am striving for?

What motivates me to be who I am?

These are a few of my favorite things!

going on walks

snowflakes

laying outside in the rain

long road trips

sunsets

early morning spring air

hooting of owls

ASL

yoga

home decor

lipgloss

baby giggles

raspberries and peaches

the smell of manure

The Beginning!

So I wanted to start this blog for random things... which is mainly me!

I am never good at blogging every single day... so I figured if I was blogging about random things that I like... instead of my uneventful life ... then maybe... just maybe I would be better at this.

The ideas you may see are the things that make me happy... so lets see where this will take us all!!!