Without Fear

I never post. I have a hard time finding the time! But sometimes, there is something screaming at me to post. My inspiration comes from a friend named Al Fox. She has an amazing blog that you definitely need to check out. She was in Dave's mission, and was baptized into The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. She now lives in Utah and is amazing at sharing what she believes in. There have been times where I wonder why it is so hard to share what you believe in. It has given me motivation to do the same!

I have found myself reading her blog more than others, and am amazed at her ability to post what she believes! It can be hard to do, as I am finding out as I write this post. But I want to share what I have been thinking and learning about lately. And that's it. Just thoughts that I have been having.

Today I am writing about faith. And patience. And trusting without fear. As I was reading my scriptures today in the Book of Mormon, Mosiah Chapter 23: 21-28 stood out. The question I had was having to do with trials and hardships. And finding relief during these times. In this chapter, Alma had forsaken King Noah, and had established a people who believed and followed God's commandments. They began to prosper and were doing so good, when the Lord decided to chasten them, and they were brought into bondage by the Lamanties. These scriptures deal with their trial of being in bondage to the Lamanites. However, they apply directly to our lives and our trials.

v. 21-The Lord seeth fit to chasten his people; yea, he trieth their patience and their faith.

The Lord sent us to the earth to be tried and to grow. He give us experiences when He will test our patience and faith. We are meant to be chastened. We all have to learn patience and faith. Patience can be waiting a long time to overcome a trial, or waiting for something we desire in our lives. Faith is knowing that you can overcome, receive, and looking up to a better day.

v. 22-Nevertheless, whosoever putteth his trust in him, the same shall be lifted up at the last day.

If you simply trust in the Lord, you will be lifted up-it's that simple. You WILL be lifted up and receive what you desire in His timing. When He sees it fit. So remember, you're learning patience.

v. 23- For behold, I will show unto you that they were brought into bondage, and none could deliver them but the Lord their God.

Only the Lord can lift our burdens and truly deliver us from sorrow, hardship, pain, and suffering. And because He has born our burdens. So who should we seek for comfort? Where can we spend all our efforts in seeking happiness? It is in Him. Only seek for help from Him, because in Him you will find deliverance. Put all your efforts in coming closer to Him and trust in our Savior. And as you do this, you will be delivered from your bondage-just as the people of Alma were.

v. 24- And it came to pass that he did deliver them, and he did show forth his mighty power unto them, and great were their rejoicings.

He DID. Because the people of Alma had patience and faith, and trusted only the Lord to deliver them, He did. Remember that they were a righteous people who kept His commandments and put forth effort in Him. Then, the Lord knew them and so He did- delivered them out of their trials because they trusted in Him. This makes me realize that I need to consistently strive to be one of His-one who know Him, because they serve and live their life through Him.

And then,

v. 27- Alma exhorted them that they should not be frightened but that they should remember the Lord their God and he would deliver them.(Don't lose faith and don't fear)

v. 28- Therefore they hushed their fears, and began to cry unto the Lord that he would soften the hearts of the Lamanites, that they would spare them..

Even after all of their faith, Alma had to remind them to not fear and trust in the Lord. Sometimes, we too, need reminders. We need to hear that the only way to be delivered from our trials is to trust in Him and to be patient-because He will deliver us when it is the right time. Until then, we must be patient and trust, and cast outside our fears.

Just always remember, we are here to learn, and the greatest lessons and learning come through the hardest times.

The biggest one for me is to 'hush my fears' or let go of fears. Because there is no fear in faith. So do not fear. Have patience, and trust in Him. There will a brighter day. Things will be ok. We will be happy.

"Look unto me in every thought,
doubt not, fear not"
D&C 6:36

The Savior suffered it ALL for us. So look unto Him, because in Him is peace.

Life.

In school everyday, we have a 'good news' minute where 3-4 kids share the exciting things going on in their lives.

News generally is as follows:

"Today, my mom let me change my earrings into these new butterfly ones that I've wanted to wear since i was 5."

"My brother's friend is going to this new big blow up toy place"

"My dad let me play this teenager game where you shoot people and it's not aloud for anyone but teenagers. But my dad let me play it and it's really fun..... anyone can come play with me at my house sometime."

or even better,

"Miss Maughan is coming to have a sleep over at my house tonight!"

Well.....Great! At the beginning of the year, I got a kick out of all the 'exciting' things going on in my kids' lives. Now I am simply used to hearing about how exciting it is that someone's neighbor's brother is going to New York for the summer (seriously.)

It's a fact. Kids do say the darndest things.

However, lately, good news minute has turned into a "I have good news, funny news, and some bad news" from each student.

Examples of Bad News:

"My mom told me that I maybe can come to Miss Maughan's wedding"

or

"So and so doesn't want me to come to their house after school" .......sad.

Etc.

So after hearing these types of news for over 100 days of school, I was a little shocked today by the news my students' shared with me. I can't even remember the 'good news' from today because I was so taken back by my kiddos and their bluntness in such serious matters.

Kid 1: "My Grandpa died of old age and of sickness yesterday morning. He lived in Provo."
Kid 2: "My good news is that my mom and dad gave me 40 dollars last night. And I am saving it now to give to my uncle because we found out he has cancer."
Kid 3: "My uncle just divorced my aunt and is now living in my house because she is stealing his house. It's kind of fun cause I love my uncle."
Kid 4: "Did you guys hear about the big wreck on 9th East? Well, that was my cousins. One won't stop bleeding and one's arm was ripped out of it's shoulder."
Kid 5: "The bad news is, well, look at me!" (This student had a serious injury and is casted and on crutches)
Kid 6: "Yesterday, my neighbors brand new baby stopped breathing. And guess what. She died."

I was stunned! My kids are so innocent in their ways of bringing up serious matters. It became very apparent to me how young these guys are, by their lack of understanding the seriousness of life's challenges. Definitely an eye opener as a teacher. I have a totally new perspective and vision of my students now. And you would think I would know them inside and out after all this time.

I aslo had a moment of realization of when my kids are dealing with these hard things, the only place they go is to school outside of family and their hardships. My role as a teacher has suddenly changed.

I love my job so much. Nothing has ever tested my patience as much, challenged me, and brought me to a breaking point. But, every second is worth it for those moments. Moments like today where you realize that you do have a lasting role in these kids' lives. I wouldn't rather spend my day with anyone else. Helping kids get through life is definitely enough for me- as small and unnoticed as it goes.

Happy Wednesday!

MJ

Thought for Sunday....

I love Sundays. Time to reflect and rejuvenate. I found this video and would like to experiment
'remembering' in my life. I for one definitely know that life gets so busy that sometimes we do not realize the good in what we do have. And for that reason alone I want to remember each day, and remember the good things.

Enjoy!



MJ

I can't get up....

I think my body has become part of this brown, L shaped couch. I mean, I've only been sitting here for 40 minutes, but the sensation of mental exhaustion and physical fatigue seems to be taking over. Just recapping the prior week almost does me over.

This week was Parent Teacher Conferences. An amazing thing as a teacher, but also requires 10 minute intervals to cram in all a student is doing, (I slowly became amazed at how my mouth continued to talk while my brain was drawing a blank) from 4-7:30 work day on top of the craziness of teaching.

Fridays are crazy as a teacher. Fun rewards and activities to give, kids anticipating the weekend....which means behavior becomes again, crazy. You must be on top of your game in order to survive Fridays.

Fridays after Parent Teacher Conferences....let's just say I am loving this brown couch right now.

My life has changed substantially in the past 6 months. I have a hard time even remembering the life I held 6 months ago. There are so many stories that should have been told, stories to still tell, and many more to come. Hence, why I am writing now (and also due to the fact that I am becoming a sloth here on this couch). I'm starting to appreciate my experience in teaching this year only to the stories that it gives for me to laugh about.

So as I sit here, hearing the buzz of reruns of the republican debate, (laughing at the intensity of the man speaking as spit flies from his mouth, and noticing how everyone seems to be asked to only wear things that consist of red, white, and blue,) I hope to share some of the times I needed to laugh in class and couldn't, or the times where I shouldn't have laughed and I did, and many more.

LIfe is about living. And if you don't write down what you live, it can easily be forgotten.

-MJ