Off With His Head!

I do not know much about the Juvenile Court System, but I believe I witnessed first hand while on Lunch Duty why we reserve the "jury of our peers" for adults. Imagine a school playground. It is a nice, sunny day, with a light breeze carrying the sound of loud voices and laughter. The 5th grade is outside playing. On the baseball diamond there is a game of baseball going on with plastic bats and balls, surprisingly well organized. On the playground there are kids running, climbing, swinging and sliding. There are boys playing on the basketball court. There is a group of girls practicing their gymnastics. As I look around some of the shouts become more clear, "Red head!" As I locate the shout I see a girl with red hair chasing around a boy. Eventually there is a whole group of kids chasing each other, some shouting about red hair, others shouting things like, "Why did you get everyone to call her that?!" As I think about whether or not to intervene I see one of the girls run up to a different boy and say, "Whatever you do, don't say 'red head' or 'ginger' around Ashley!" Which of course means that he promptly looks over and yells, "Ginger!" and the chasing starts all over again.

As I watched this play out, I realized that this is how 5th graders socialize. I remember many similar situations on the playground when I was younger. For whatever reason, that seems to be part of our learning process on how to gain the attention of others. 

Fast forward a bit and they are lining up to go inside. I notice that one of the classes seems to be having a hard time and that one of they boys in that class is standing about 10 feet away from the line. Part of the class is yelling at him to line up so that they can go inside, the other part of the class is yelling things like, "Just leave him alone!" (Merciful, right?) They continue, "If he doesn't line up he doesn't deserve to eat, but we don't have to worry about it." (Nope, not merciful.) Then the first half starts yelling, "He needs to line up or go to skills!" The second half responds, "Just leave him, he can stay outside and not eat." By the time we get inside the kid is refusing to go into the lunch room, "I don't deserve lunch apparently, since I didn't line up I don't deserve to eat!" 

As I watched them all eat and tried to pretend that I wasn't starving, I thought about how we learn to behave socially. I thought about how it is such a long and awkward process since we start out fighting for attention in somewhat rude and inconsiderate ways. How even mercy is something that we have to learn, and if not mercy, at least finding a consequence that fits the crime. I thought about how good it is that in those situations teachers get to choose the consequence and not a jury of their peers, because apparently staying 10 feet back from the line is a crime punishable by skills without lunch. Finally I thought, "I am so glad I am not in that phase anymore!"



Note: I really have no idea what the name of the red headed girl is!

Pioneers Wearing Jeans

Please excuse my "cold brain" (different than a brain freeze) as I try to tell you my thoughts about how we can be pioneers wearing jeans...

I have always enjoyed the stories that illustrate gospel points, but are ultimately fiction. Growing up, my favorite was the story about someone looking back on his journey, like he could see his life as footprints in the sand. As he looked he noticed that there were often two sets of footprints as Jesus was walking with him. He then noticed stretches where there was only one set, and he recognized those stretches as some of the hardest times in his life. Initially he was upset that Jesus would leave him alone at those times. He was gently told, or maybe reminded, that there was only one set of footprints because Jesus was carrying him through those times, not because he had been abandoned.

I realized that this is something that we can all be prone to doing at times, thinking we were alone when we were actually being helped along our path. On Sunday we talked about the pioneers and their great faith. I was remembering another story I had heard (this time a real one) about a pioneer pulling his handcart. I believe that he kept telling himself that if he could just make it to the next boulder, or up the next hill that would be enough. He continually made his goals, but unlike the guy looking at one set of footprints in the sand, the pioneer immediately recognized that he had received help. He was sure angels had been behind his handcart pushing him along while he pulled. Sometimes I have days that are emotionally like that pioneer's where I tell myself, "If I can just make it through this next half hour, that will be enough" or "if I can just make it until I finish this task, that will be enough." I think we often end up handling more than we think we can, like that pioneer, I hope we immediately recognize the help that heaven sends us, pushing us along when we think we can go no farther. I am sure, despite the help of the angels, the pioneer finished that trek with much more strength than he started with. I think as we keep going and keep telling ourselves "I will at least make it this far" that we will find ourselves blessed with heavenly pushes and stronger muscles. Perhaps this is what enduring to the end truly looks like--setting small goals and continually stretching for them until we reach the end.

Dear Santa

I realize that I am a little late on the draw here, but this was my letter to Santa this year! (Yes, I am 26 and still faithfully write him every Christmas Eve.) Lest you wonder, I did have a good Christmas this year, though it was a very different experience for me. I had grown quite comfortable in the traditions I have been participating in for the last 20+ years, and though this past year was different, I did enjoy it! It also brought a new appreciation for magic into my life, which is what this letter talks about. Enjoy!

Dear Santa,

I know in years past our letters to you have gotten more and more snarky. Perhaps you will find this year to be a refreshing change from that (though I can't vouch for my sassy siblings...)

This year, Santa, I find myself in a house full of non-believers. I am sure you know this from your year of watching and making lists, and you probably double check the turbine engine so you don't crash as you get closer to this house each year, but somehow it still catches me off guard. Last night, at some ridiculous hour, someone asked what the plan for Christmas was and the answer was "sleeping in," and "Santa's not real, no need to rush." (Sorry Santa, I know that's unpleasant to hear.)

Anyway, I found that view super depressing and found myself singing Amy Grant's song, The Night Before Christmas, in my head: "You don't have to be a child to love the mystery...The heart of this Christmas is in you and me." Santa, this Christmas I am thankful for the magic, mystery, generosity, fun, excitement, and belief you have brought to my life. I am thankful to have spent the majority of my Christmases with believers of magic and mystery, those that keep the heart of Christmas with them.

If my gratitude for these believers isn't a good enough indicator, I should probably tell you that these people have been good this year. In fact, they are all living up to your example of generosity and kindness. I hope you have brought them good things...it's okay if you skipped out on the corvette and other such extravagant gifts though (sorry Dad and Connor). I should also tell you that even though the house I am in is full of non-believers, that they have been good this year too.

Thanks again Santa for everything you have done for this child. Merry Christmas! Travel safely with the reindeer. Tell my family hello for me!

Love,

Trisa

A Gentleman at Age 6

At school every day two of us call kids out one at a time to read with us in the hallway. Recently we got a new student which meant that we now only have 3 chairs for the hallway. Problem? Not really, I spend much of my time at school sitting on the floor, and so easily took the roll of floor-sitter. The kids all loved being able to sit on a chair and be taller than me for a few minutes that day; with the exception of one boy. He came out like all the rest and sat right down on that chair. Before I even handed him his reading folder he said, "Mrs. S, would you like to sit here?"
"No, that's alright, you can sit in the chair today."
Without another word, he got off the chair and came and sat on the floor by me. My heart melted. I am lucky to have met a six-year-old gentleman!

Childish? On Second Thought, Childlike

Me: "You're so smart!"

First Grader: "I know!"

Me: "Wow, you look so cute today!"

First Grader: "I look good every day!"

Kindergartener: "Mrs. S, guess what?"

Me: "What?"

Kindergartener: "I am the nicest girl in school!"

At first when I heard things like that I thought, "Typical childishness, I should giggle." And yet, their complete sincerity made sure that was never a reality. Instead it has led me to ponder on a difference between children and adults, and one reason why (I think) the Savior told us to be as little children. The difference is illustrated in the examples above. Children seem to be naturally aware of their talents and abilities and can declare them to the world with sincerity and humility. Contrast this with many adults (myself included): 

Adult 1: "You're so smart!"

Adult 2: (With sarcasm) "I know!" 

     OR

Adult 2: (Voice oozing the obviousness of the compliment) "I know." 

     OR

Adult 2: "Not really."/ "You're too sweet." / "If only I was as smart as you." / Changes Subject / etc.

Somewhere in our lives we seem to get confused and start to think that accepting or acknowledging that we have any talents and abilities is prideful and should not be done; or we decide that indeed, we have those talents and abilities, and that puts us on a pedestal far above the rest; or we think we don't have any skills to acknowledge.

I think that, perhaps, when Jesus told us to be as little children, this is one of the things that He meant. He meant that we can humbly and sincerely acknowledge the talents and gifts that we have--we can acknowledge these things without setting ourselves (in our own minds) on the highest of pedestals, and we can acknowledge that He has given each of us (ourselves included) gifts and talents to use on this earth. In fact, Jesus himself is the perfect example of this. There are many instances in the scriptures when Jesus testifies that He himself is the Savior of the World. There is no gift or talent or duty greater than that, and yet He was able to testify with sincerity and humility that He was indeed that person, THE son of God and Savior of the world. Never once did He declare that with sarcasm, with pride, or with a, "Stop it, it's no problem, you hardly need any saving." Instead, as children instinctively do, He stated with confidence, "I am the light and life of the world." 

My hope, for myself and each of you, is that we can give that some thought and learn to thankfully acknowledge the gifts and talents that we have been given. That if we receive compliments we can confidently accept them. That in an interview or on a resume we can humbly, but with complete sincerity, acknowledge the skills that we have been given and acquired. Each of us, as children of a Heavenly Father, has gifts and talents. May we learn to be like the Savior and like children so that we can be a happier more confident people!

Kettle Cheese, Fluffy Ducks, and Angry Alligators

I am lucky (or fluffy) to be working in first grade! 

You may ask, "Why fluffy?!"

I am so glad you asked! One of the super cute kids in that class misheard the teacher when she said she was choosing some "lucky ducks" to work with me during math. When his name was called he said, "Yeah! I get to be a fluffy duck!" I enjoyed it so much that I continued to call the kids working with me "fluffy ducks."

Another day they were learning the "le" sound. She gave them the word "kettle" and asked if anyone knew what it meant. Hands were raised and waving. When she called on a boy, he said, "Ummm, I believe it is a kind of cheese." I would have understood if he had said "a kind of popcorn," but I am just not sure where he has heard of kettle cheese.

Lastly, first graders are at an age where they want to be grown up, but are still more than willing to throw a fit when they are upset about something. Not that long ago there was a day when it came to recess time that there were some that had to stay back and finish their math. There was a handful of girls and a boy. The boy happened to finish first and as he was leaving he said, "See you later alligators!" 

One girl was super upset, "Did you hear that Mrs. S? He called us alligators! I can't believe he did that!" 

I told her, "When someone says 'See you later alligator' you say 'In a while Crocodile!' and then they leave!" 

This completely turned her mood around, for whatever reason we had round two of him leaving, but this time she said (with great excitement), "In a while alligator!" Proof that they are learning!

Two Masters and the Mildew Mystery

Which master do you serve? For the longest time I thought that there was some tally chart somewhere keeping track of which master (God or mammon) that I have served overall. Being a perfectionist, and also aware of my imperfection, that always freaked me out a little bit. I was sure that when the scriptures say that a person can't serve 2 masters that I was coming out way too much on the mammon side. Not because I was TRYING, but because I am human and therefore make a lot of mistakes. At some point the Lord decided to take pity on me, and when I read the scripture again, "You cannot serve two masters..." the Lord supplied the thought, "in any given moment." It seems like such a basic thought, and yet it relieved all of my fears about that tally chart and instead allowed me to focus on my agency. I can't serve two masters AT A TIME, but I do get to choose which master I serve with every choice that I make. I may not always make the right choice, but I can make the correct choice in my next decision! So if any of you are nervous about which master you serve, just remember that we can choose each moment who our master is.

So now you know why "Two Masters" is in the title, now onto mildew! We have lived in Cedar City for 3 months now, and in that time we had not gone to the temple. So our temple bags sat in the trunk of my car until this past Thursday. We made an adventure out of the evening. We went to dinner at Texas Roadhouse and ate WAY too much food. Then we made our way to the temple to do sealings. As I pulled out my slip I thought, "This is kind of wet" then decided I was crazy and it was just cold. After I pulled out my dress I realized that my slip very likely WAS wet because my dress, and everything else in my bag smelled strongly of mildew. I changed anyway and met my friend who smelled the mildew, it struck me then that Trav's clothes probably stank too because they were sitting right with mine in the trunk of my car. I asked him as soon as we found him...Of all the weird things, his clothes are stink free! I do not think I have ever been so distracted in the temple! I had the compulsion to apologize to everyone that rode in the elevator with us. I also felt like I needed to walk really slowly to minimize any movement of air I might be making. With every inhale I was reminded of my stench. Trav, of course, thought it was hilarious and kept on pinching his nose when no one was looking, further adding to my paranoia. Needless to say, I was relieved to change back into my other clothes.

After we left the temple we went to Trav's brother and sister in law, and it cracked me up when she was worried about her smell when I hugged her. She smelled fine, but even if she hadn't, everything smelled fresh to me after that mildew! When we got home I investigated my trunk, which was dry, but does smell like mildew. The mystery is...why!? How did my clothes get wet? How did Trav's stay dry? Why does the blanket in there not smell like mildew either? I don't know if I will ever figure that out, but unless/until we do, I think my clothes won't be spending any more quality time in my trunk!