I love my students

I really am lucky to teach some pretty amazing students. 

My 215 students are just so much fun. As I get more comfortable with the content, I have more and more fun teaching the class. We finished cakes before Thanksgiving and I had to get a picture of what they worked on. I sent the photo to my friend, Courtney Rich, who has a large following on her account Cake by Courtney. We make a variation of her vanilla cake with vanilla buttercream frosting. My students are enthusiastic learners and really are proud of their work, as they should be. 

Emily, Lucy, me, and Jana

BeReal time! It's social media of 2023

Last week, I finished teaching and went straight to the Provo Temple for a session. When I got to the parking lot, I saw 3 of my 215 students (Lucy, Emily, and Jana). "Are you going to the 4:00 session?" "YES." We sat together in the temple and it was really special for me. I've never had this happen. Afterward, we met outside and took a photo to document the occasion. 

I get to be an advisor for SFLSA, the School of Family Life Student Association. The board and presidency are made up of some fantastic students. Since last year, we've joked about gathering at my house and watching Hallmark Christmas movies together. Well, it happened on Friday night. 5 students were able to make it. I made a potato soup and a chicken enchilada soup and some artisan bread. We watched the cheesiest movie and I learned that it's really fun to watch movies with aspiring therapists. They talk about attachment styles and avoidant behavior. It's just as fun as trying a new restaurant with FCS professionals. I''m blessed with a good job. 

Ryan, me, Nick, Laura, Paige, and Sam

I'm also very tired. I've tried to write in my journal for a few weeks and just don't have the energy at night. this has been a semester full of hard work day after day. I'm ready for a break. 

Fake Swedes

The funniest thing happened today! I opened the box in my advent calendar and there was my mini Santa Lucia. It's our big day - Santa Lucia! Wear Swedish sweaters, listen to the funny Swedish song from "Arthur's Perfect Christmas," etc. 

I texted the kids and messaged my siblings. Mel and I wore our Swedish sweaters. Then one of my siblings told me that today is December 12. I had no idea how that happened. When I got home, I saw that I didn't open the package in the correct box of my advent calendar. I had skipped 12. Oh well, we got some great pictures of me and my girlie dressed for the occasion. 

Allie texted that we are fake Swedes. 

Earlier this week, Kamiko, Bekki, and Mel came over for our annual Christmas breakfast where we celebrate our Swedish heritage with a special food and new Christmas ornaments. I lit my advent candles. It was a great time. Mel had to get back to her ward, but Kamiko and Bekki came to my ward. I love going to church with my kiddos. 

In fact, I went to Kamiko and Bekki's ward a couple of weeks ago. I decided to visit them for church. It happened to be a week when Kamiko taught Elder's Quorum and Bekki was teaching Relief Society. She is an excellent teacher. I sat with their neighbor, Carolina, who is Guatemalan, but grew up in Sweden. WHAT? She was really nice. She and her family sat behind us in Sacrament Meeting and she said she thought it was so cute that the mother-in-law (me) was sitting next to the son-in-law (Kamiko). NOPE. Kamiko is my son. Bekki is not my daughter, even though she looks like she could be. Their ward had a linger longer with Thanksgiving food after church. We dished up plates and took them home to eat. LOL. 

Blessings for ACTE Conference

It's no secret that I haven't loved going to work conferences in the past. I don't like missing class to go to conferences and I don't love giving up weekends for conferences. When it's a local conference, I always end up having a great time connecting with friends in my field. I should love going to conferences out of town because I get to stay in nice hotels and eat good food and see new places. 

Well, it was time to go to ACTE conference in Phoenix in late November. I was not excited about it. I was happy that I got selected to present at a round table, but I still didn't want to miss 2 days of class. The TAs and Starlyn covered for me and class went well. They even played the movie "Elf" for my 110 students while they made candy. Well, the day before going to the conference, I called Kelly and told her about my puzzle. She gave me some great tips. First, try to meet new colleagues. Before a conference, I can look at the presenters and see if anyone stands out as someone I could meet and collaborate with. It was too late for that advice, but the other piece of advice was easy to apply. She said that if there wasn't a breakout session at a given time that didn't interest me, to just go back to the hotel or to the pool or something. WHAT? I didn't even know that was an option. I had a new attitude about the upcoming conference. 

When I got to the airport on Wednesday to fly to Phoenix, I saw some teacher friends from Ogden who were also going to the conference. Becky Sagers is in Debbie's ward and knows Jenny and Scott, Rebecca Haacke took my place as president of UAFCS, and Melissa Judkins is president-elect of UAFCS. They were with Tena Pate, an FCS teacher in Ogden, and 2 business teachers - Alaska and Jessica. We talked at the gate while waiting for our plane. They told me they had a rental van in Phoenix and invited me to join them on excursions. Wednesday night after we got settled, I joined them to see the Gilbert and Mesa Temples and to grab dinner. Becky had a list of places she wanted to see and food she wanted to try. The Gilbert temple is beautiful and it was so fun to walk around the grounds of the Mesa temple. Rebecca served her mission in Arizona and spent time at the visitor's center during Christmas time. It was a great evening. 

At a delicious farm to table place. Tena, Rebecca, Alaska, Jessica, Melissa, me, and Rebecca

I forgot how beautiful Christmas is in warm weather. Stunning!

Thursday, I met up with Natalie and some other FCS teachers, Becky Cox, Pepper Poulsen, Rachel Gonzalez, another Becky, and Kamiko's athletic training teacher Becky Bailey. They are also very nice women. We went to breakout sessions. I brought beef sticks and protein bars to have for lunch. Thursday night I went to Scottsdale with my Ogden girlies. The lights were so pretty. Every restaurant we tried had a long wait, so we ended up eating at PF Chang's. We went to Jeni's Ice Cream for dessert. I got to know Tena and Melissa especially well as we walked and talked. They are all so nice. 

Look at how cute Scottsdale and we were!

My TA Morgan's mom is always at ACTE conferences. I hadn't met her until this one

Friday was the last full day of the conference. There weren't a lot of sessions that interested me, so I had a long lunch midday with Natalie. We went to a breakfast place that the Ogden ladies recommended. I got a delicious veggie and pesto sandwich. Natalie had to go to some meetings, so I went to my room to work on some letters of recommendation and other items for work. I even took a nap. We were hoping for warmer weather than we got, but it just wasn't meant to be. Too cool for the pool or patio. I stayed at the Hilton, right across the street from the conference venue, so I could come and go as I wanted. It was great. I felt so blessed to have Kelly's advice and to have connected with friends. Friday night I went with Natalie and her gang to eat dinner in Gilbert at a place called Culinary Dropout. The food was delicious. It was a very big restaurant with lots of customers. I got to know those women better, too. They are a bit more intimidating than the Ogden women. They are quite involved in state and national professional organizations, which is impressive. They had awards dinners to attend, etc. which is why I had time to spend with the Ogden ladies. We are the underachievers. 

Saturday I went to a quick session about work styles. That session helped me better understand my co-workers and my work style. It was very beneficial. Natalie gave me a ride to the airport. We got delayed about 20 minutes behind a huge religious parade of Native American Catholics celebrating the Virgin Mary. 

Uneventful flight home. Got home around 6:00 pm, after stopping for groceries. I can't help but feel extremely grateful that Heavenly Father gave me individualized help for the conference. I told my Ogden friends over and over how grateful I was to be invited along with them. I had taken my swimsuit and walking clothes. I was fully prepared to spend every evening alone in my room, bored and watching TV. It turned out so great and I expect future conferences will be great. I know how to do them better. I'm grateful Natalie encouraged me to get involved in professional organizations. Knowing people makes all the difference. 

Thanksgiving 2023

Mel and I were invited to go to the Brau's for Thanksgiving dinner on Thursday. Since Michelle and I are the main cooks, I volunteered do make a lot of food. I made rolls, using Michelle's recipe, apple pie, lemon pie, cranberry sauce, and a green salad. I also took the pumpkin pie that I got from my realtor friend, Lissa Lott. 

I used my mad meal planning skills and made some food ahead of time, including making and freezing some rolls the Sunday before. I made the apple pie on Wednesday. Mel stayed at my place Wednesday night and helped me a bit Thursday. 

It's always a great time at the Brau's. Mel and I got to sit at the little kids' table with Jay and his girlfriend, Asa. They are in their 3rd, and final, year of law school. It was fascinating talking to them about law school and their interests and plans for when they graduate. 

Michelle's mom and brother were there. A sister and her two kids also came. I didn't realize it until later, but it was quite stressful for Michelle. It was a great time. They are the BEST. 

Mel wanted Thanksgiving leftovers, so we made a mini repeat of Thanksgiving dinner on Friday at my house. Mom and dad came over. I had made and frozen mashed potatoes. All I had to do was roast a turkey, make gravy, and heat up leftovers from Thursday. 

During the break, I also sewed. I made a short-sleeved blouse out of a really nice shirting that I bought in London at Joel and Sons. I was so proud of myself that I called Dawna, my colleague in clothing, to tell her how hard I was working to make it just right. I altered the pattern to make the collar and collar band narrower. I also added a band on the front instead of a facing because I knew that would look so much more polished. 

Making the shirt

Wearing the shirt I made

Overall, it was a great Thanksgiving weekend. It was hard to go back to work. We joked that the break was just a sick trick to tease us for the upcoming. Christmas break. 

Birthday and Family Get-Together

I turned 57 on Thursday. I also worked from 7:30 am until 8:30 pm. LOL.

Not the way I'd choose to spend my birthday morning, but I saw many friends, former students, etc. 

I helped with registration for FCCLA's Fall Leadership conference. I am on the state board for FCCLA, representing BYU. I helped at a fundraising table and helped a student find his group. They are cute little guys, trying to do great things. They are learning to be leaders.

I then went to the lab where we had SFLSA Lunch with Professors. I'm one of the faculty advisors for SFLSA and we have a monthly get-together for students to meet professors in a casual setting. They asked questions about graduate school, career goals, work/family balance, etc. We had a great turnout. The SFLSA presidency and board are working hard to create meaningful activities for the students. Dr. Loren Marks, Dr. Daye Son, and Dr. Nathan Leonhardt came, as did about 20 students. I got to bear my testimony of listening to promptings and tell how my mission led to graduate school and where I am at work now.  

Note from my work next door neighbor, Ashley LeBaron-Black

215 meets on Thursdays for lab, so I got to spend the afternoon with them. They made eclairs and muffins. They used a food scale to weigh ingredients and mostly made successful choux pastry. One kitchen's didn't work out. I'll try to find time for them to try again. I brought mini cupcakes for them and shared with them that I'm very easy to please...I love bakery cake and pizza. 

Melia, Kamiko, and Bekki took me to Joe Vera's for Mexican food for dinner. We had a great time. I got yummy beef and cheese enchiladas, which I enjoyed the next night for dinner. Kamiko had to remind me that I was complaining about work. He told me to talk about anything else. I'm going to work on that. After dinner, I came home to join a webinar for my calling as an education mentor. 

Mom and dad came over at 8:30 and brought me flowers and a card. Mom was able to write in the card. She usually can't write because of the hand tremor that she has. It's a special treat to have the card. 

So, it was a busy day that didn't allow for much fun me time. 

I made up for it by taking my car to the mechanic on Friday. They had my car all day, which meant that I couldn't go into work. Instead, I slept in, went on a walk with Danelle, read for work, went to lunch with Danelle, took a nap, answered emails and did more reading. After picking up my car, I went to the outlet mall to use some birthday coupons. I got a nice white shirt and some black pants that will be great for work. 

Saturday I got up and went on a run.

I cleaned some, did some weeding, called Cathy Voorhees and Maria (since we hadn't talked on my birthday), and took a short nap before showering and getting ready for a family event. 

Me, Derek, Kristen, Karen, Debbie, mom and dad

The whole gang, minus James who took the picture

Derek, Kristen and Doug, and Karen and Alan came to town to have a gathering at Debbie and Mark's house. We got bad news about a month ago that Mark has a rare pancreatic cancer. It's treatable, but not curable. He starts chemotherapy tomorrow. The prognosis isn't great, so Derek suggested we all get together. We met yesterday afternoon, got pizza, and visited. I made chocolate chip pound cake. We also had 7-layer Mexican dip and a cheese and cracker plate. Allison, James, Audrey, and Mac came, as did Haley, Todd, Luke, Hazel, and Davis. The kiddos had fun playing. Carolyn and Val were also in town. It's really sad to think that Mark won't be around for long, and that he'll be sick. I hope he's not in too much pain, but I'm not hopeful that it will be the case. I haven't heard anything good about cancer treatment. 

Debbie has a lot of support. We got them a care package of a cooler, ice packs, snacks, hard candies, and cash for takeout on hard days. All of their kids and grandkids (except Jentrie McGee who is on a mission in Louisiana) came for a reunion last week. 

Pre-birthday festivities included my annual dinner and movie with Jamie. We met in Vineyard and decided to split pizza and get ice cream then we saw "A Haunting in Venice." It's based on an Agatha Christie book. It was scary at first. We wondered if we'd be able to fall asleep that night. We had a great time. I gave her some chocolates and a scarf that I picked up in Edinburgh. She gave me the cutest haunted house quilted picture and a pumpkin candle that smells amazing. Jamie and I are lucky to have each other. She's been a great friend for many many years. 

Ashley, Emily, Mel and me

On Tuesday, Mel and I had tickets to a jazz concert on campus. It was an ensemble from Harlem that played numbers celebrating 100 years of Disney. It was soooo fun. Kamiko and Bekki were supposed to come, but Kamiko got stuck at work. So, I invited Emily Burdette and Ashley Berges, both study abroad participants and Disney girls, to join us. We had a great time. 

Looking Back at my Back-to-School Blessing for Some Guidance

I spent the morning of my 57th birthday helping with FCCLA Fall Leadership

To say the last couple of weeks at work have been difficult would be an understatement!

I guess it's that time of year where excuses and weird questions just wear on me. 

I decided to remember the blessing Kamiko gave me and think of what I can do better. I'm reminded that Heavenly Father is aware of my students and their limitations. He is also aware of me and I have the power to make change in my work life. I can make decisions to leave work at work. I can make decisions to be positive and to not wallow it what is weighing me down. Here are some examples of the crazy stuff this semester:

a student in my colleague's class who doesn't work in lab without being told exactly what to do. He says it's due to his autism. Therefore, my colleague will probably change the seating chart weekly to spread him around. 

a student who wants to complete the protein lab with a meat substitute. You can't really learn how to cook with meat without cooking with meat. 

a student who prefers to not tie her hair back in lab so scars don't show. I will suggest turtle necks or scarves. I will also make sure she's getting the emotional and psychological support she needs.

a student who forgot to take a quiz, thinking they closed in the morning, not at midnight.

a student who has received 0's on her cooking assignments because she misunderstood the instructions and didn't ask until now what she can do. 

That's just in 6 weeks. I'm probably forgetting something. 

I was reading in the New Testament, catching up from a couple of weeks of being behind and I read a few verses that were helpful as I contemplate how to work through this and not make my negative attitude a permanent part of my personality. 

Ephesians 4:29-31 cautions against anger, bitterness, evil speaking, and wrath. I think a way I can keep those things at bay is to start my day with gospel study. 

Galatians 5:22-23 talks of the fruits of the spirit, which I desire to have. It would be much better to be surrounded by joy, love, longsuffering, and gentleness, than by the above. Again, a bit of gospel study or conference in the morning should help. 

I remember that I was hopeful in August. I just want to get back to that spot. 

October General Conference 2023

President Nelson fell 2 days after his 99th birthday and is watching conference in his home. Elder Holland is also watching from home. He and his wife had Covid and his wife passed away in July. 

Saturday Morning

Elder Bednar: Pioneers and Stalwart Souls "They of the Last Wagon"

People who serve without ever being seen or acknowledged

Great things are prepared for those who wait upon God

Be stalwart

Sister Amy Wright: Spiritual Preparedness, parable of 10 virgins

Be prepared

Peace amidst a cancer diagnosis. Everything will be OK

Elder Daines: Face blindness

See God and know that He sees us

See God by learning about Him, to serve in this church is to stand in the river of God's love for his children

Elder Godoy: Taxi driver picked up Elder Godoy. Cab driver was less active member who came back to church because of their interaction. 

He felt his children would be happier in life with the influence of the Gospel

Our decisions today will impact future generations

Reshape your path, if needed, for the sake of your posterity

Be faithful

Elder Christofferson: Gathering of Israel, the most important thing happening today on the earth

Sealing powers are crucial for gathering

Divorce only breaks one link in the chain, but the chain can be repaired

All temple blessings await the faithful

READ THIS ONE FIRST!

Elder Ardern: Experiences and things he saw in Uganda - poverty and sickness

Good Samaritan "Love thy neighbor"

Compassion is an attribute of Christ

5 loaves and 2 fishes made all the difference

Do what I can do and the Lord will make up the difference

Praise for church humanitarian efforts

Bear one another's burdens, bind up the broken hearts, love thy neighbor

President Oaks: Proclamation on the Family and Plan of Happiness

We get to choose where we will dwell in the eternities

We will dwell where we are most comfortable

Salvation is an individual matter; exaltation is a family matter

Blessings of sealed relationship will be available to all who keep covenants

Saturday Afternoon

While sustaining and releasing area 70's, they instructed us to find their names on the church website. That was new and interesting.

Elder Andersen: tithing, "Prove me now, herewith..." only stated once in the scriptures

Blessings always come

Being honest in our tithes is one way we can show that we put the Lord first

Trust in the Lord and the blessings will follow

Don't compare what you have with others and be careful about wanting more. Paying tithing will help us know that we have enough.

Elder Newman: Jesus blesses the children in America and weeps. Those children grew up to build a society of love and unity that lasted decades. 

Bring our little ones to Jesus. 

The wise man dug deep to build the foundation for his house on a rock. We need to dig deep. Keep digging until we find Him. 

The spirit can bring about a mighty change

Covenants that parents make are often not carried on by their children.

Sometimes children don't believe "the traditions of their fathers." 

How can we instill in the hearts of our children the desire to make and keep sacred covenants?

Talk of Christ, rejoice in Christ, keep the voice of covenant people alive, Christ is not a Sunday only        topic

Learn from each other in parent - teacher council meetings

We are doing better than we think

Children may forget the Savior for a season, but He will never forget them. I know my parents are just, for they taught me in the nurture and admonition of the Lord. 

Elder Costa: Faith in Jesus Christ

Sometimes we feel we don't have the energy to have faith, but faith gives us the energy. 

Wake up and say a prayer and read a scripture - helps us to always remember Him.

Elder Stevenson: Spiritual gifts

constant companionship of the Holy Ghost is vital spiritual gift

recognize and follow promptings of HG

Stand in holy places - BYU is dedicated. It is a holy place

Stand with holy people

Testify of truths when I can

Listen to the Holy Spirit - sometimes we are too busy to hear the quiet impressions - find quiet places

Elder Choi: Want to be happy? Make and keep covenants

We have access go eternal power when we stay on the covenant path

When God speaks and we obey, we will always be right

When we keep the commandments, our lives are less complicated and challenges are easier to bear

Serve in the church, no matter how difficult a calling or no matter how insignificant a calling

Elder Phillips: Our divine identity and God's love for His children

Joy at being reunited with 5-year-old son who didn't get in car after stop at service station on road trip

Religion is not only about our relationship with God, but it is also about our relationship with others

Judge less; love more!

We are not and do not need to do things alone - take His yoke upon me

He is the refuge from the storms

To Gen Z and Gen Alpha, faith takes work. Prayers are answered and answers can be felt. 

Turn to God in spiritual dissonance. Pour out your heart to your Heavenly Father. Ask if He is really there and if He knows you. Ask how He feels about you and listen. 

THIS IS PERFECT FOR MY 215 STUDENTS!

Elder Rasband: Gathering of Israel

Nothing else compares to it in importance! To gather Israel, we need missionaries. 

Message is to senior missionaries who could be serving all over the world

He that soweth and he that reapeth may rejoice together

Sunday Morning

Elder Ballard: Gratitude for Joseph Smith

(He did not read a prepared talk because his eyesight is too poor. These remarks were from his heart.)

We thank the Lord for Joseph Smith and for his courage to go to the grove of trees and pray

Think of all the things we know and the understanding we have because of Joseph Smith

We know who we are, we know who God is, we know who the Savior is because of Joseph

Gratitude for those who sustained Joseph Smith in his youth

His mother believed him from the beginning

His father and his brothers and sisters sustained him in his tremendous responsibility

May we be better because of our attendance at General Conference. May we feel the power of heaven as we worship together. 

NOTE: Elder Ballard was called as an apostle when I was a BYU student. His first speaking assignment as an apostle was to a missionary prep fireside held in the then Provo Tabernacle. He is now 95 years old. 

Emily Belle Freeman: Walking the Jesus Trail "broken"

Walk with me! 

5 finger promise: i am with you, i will keep you safe, i will bring you home again, i will not leave you, i will keep my promise to you

Blessings come in God's time and in His way

Jesus will meet us where we are and how we are

Staying where we are doesn't work. We need to ascend with His help

What degree of relationship do I want with Jesus Christ? It's up to me...garments, temple and church attendance, service, kindness, love, etc. 

Elder Parrella: Take upon us the name of Jesus Christ by bearing testimony in word and deed

Use correct name of church to testify of Christ

Elder Cook: Peaceable followers of Christ face trials and tribulation

People die, people leave the covenant path, health challenges

We mourn and strive to bear one another's burdens

Bad things happen to good people - fires in Hawaii, Chile, Canada

Fear not little flock, do good. Look unto me in every thought. Doubt not. Fear not. 

Why do bad things happen to good people? Joseph Smith in Liberty Jail

Heavenly Father knows and loves us perfectly. He knows our trials perfectly. 

Come unto me and He gives us rest, strength, joy, peace, and consolation

Earth has no sorrow that heaven cannot heal

Thinking of Debbie and Mark during this talk as they navigate Mark's recent terminal cancer diagnosis. 

Elder Uchtdorf: The greatest short story every told - the Prodigal Son

The son must have felt freedom to make own choices without influence of parents and guilt

Live life on his own terms

The son who remained, worked with, and comforted the father

This story is about us

Bishop Waddell: Handcart rescue 

Go and bring in those people on the plains. 2 days after Brigham Young's call in conference, the first rescuers left 

Ephraim Hanks had a dream that he was to go rescue. He went alone and travelled quickly, passing other rescuers. He was a hero to the handcart pioneers.

Be careful of hero worship

Jesus Christ is our hero

President Eyring: the Lord speaks to us personally through the Holy Ghost

Pray and heed the Spirit's promptings to receive guidance through increasingly difficult days ahead

It won't be possible to survive spiritually without the guidance of the Holy Ghost

Letter to Elder Eyring's descendants to help them navigate the exciting days ahead

We do and say things that offend the Spirit

It is important to remember the promise each week as we partake of the sacrament - I can always have His Spirit to be with me

Feeling the Spirit is testament that the atonement is working in my life

Pray for companionship of the Holy Ghost

I must want it for the right purpose - for the Lord's purposes

The most important thing is that the Holy Ghost testifies that Jesus is the Christ

Sunday Afternoon

Elder Renlund: Search for King Tut's tomb. They almost gave up. ONE more season of excavation. Searched in the ground under their camp. The tomb was there. 

Overlooked what was literally under their feet

Looking beyond the mark = not recognizing what is right here

Despise plainness 

To receive the guidance of the Holy ghost, attend sacrament meeting and focus on the Savior during the administration of the sacrament

Seek the simple guidance from prophets and apostles - look no further

Elder Pingree: How to recognize and understand truth today

Truth is absolute and fixed, it can guide our actions and make us free, leading us to eternal life

God reveals truth through revelatory network: God, Holy Ghost, us, prophets

Doctrine (doesn't change) vs. policy (can change because it's due to circumstances and needs of church members)

Elder Cordon: Parenting lessons found in the scriptures and teachings of living prophets

Parenting requires Heavenly help

Make the gospel culture the predominant culture in our families

Home should be center of gospel learning

Teach freely. Teach early and generously

Spend meaningful time with children

Model discipleship

Set aside worldly distractions and keep the Sabbath Day holy

Invite to act - encourage children to use their agency to choose the right, to take charge of their testimony (as admonished by President Nelson)

Elder Kimo Clark: Missionary work and temple worship

Temples can heal political wounds

Bind in heaven what is bound on earth

Elder Gong: "Love is Spoken Here"

575 documented languages spoken in the church

Language of warmth and reverence - how do you know your parents love you? Warm respect in conversation with others

Language of service and sacrifice - gather at church, serve in our callings

Serving in the church helps us feel God's love and helps us love others

We can build new and meaningful relationships at church - ward activities

Language of covenant belonging - helps us get away from "I choose me." Lose your life for Christ's sake to find it. 

Elder Giraud-Carrier: Be careful of hearsay. Look for the truth. Look past the surface.

Lord sees us for who we are and ministers as needed

Try to see as the Lord sees

Labels divide us and restrict us

Labels lead to judging

The gospel of Jesus Christ is the great equalizer

If you don't walk like most people do, some people walk away from you, but I won't. I won't. ...

Love others because it is the right thing to do, not because they are doing the right thing.

President Nelson: more than 100 conference addresses standing - this one is pre-recorded as he sits

Each new day brings wonderful and challenging surprises

What have I learned in nearly a century of living?

Heavenly Father's plan for us is fabulous. 

What we do in this life really matters.

The Savior's atonement is what makes the Plan possible

Savior suffered pains, temptations, and afflictions so He can comfort us in times of need

He trembled because of pain and bled at every pore

President Nelson's injury has made him think of the Savior

"Eat, drink, and be merry, for tomorrow we die" is an absurd lie

Think celestial!

Be spiritually-minded 

Mortality is a master class in learning to choose things of greatest importance

Too many people live this life as if there is nothing else

We get to choose: where you will live, what kind of body you will have, with whom you will live

Make the celestial kingdom my eternal goal

Don't let prayers sound like a shopping list

Prayers will be answered when we are honest and open. We'll be surprised.

Obsessions become gods. Watch addictions. Seek professional and spiritual help so you can follow God's fabulous plan. 

Few things will complicate your life more quickly than violating the Law of Chastity. Immorality is one of the quickest ways to lose one's testimony. 

Come unto Christ and seek forgiveness

View trials and opposition in a new light when thinking celestial

Don't question my testimony just because someone else is questioning!

There is no end to the adversaries deception - be prepared - seek guidance from the Holy Ghost and prophets, seers, and revelators

Do the spiritual work to increase capacity to receive personal revelation

20 temples announced, including Luanda, Angola (Jenny's mission), and Roanoke, Virginia (Kristen's mission)

Jenny sent this photo shortly after the announcement

UAFCS President No More

The Board, outgoing and incoming: back row - Natalie Hancock, Shauna Young, Shelli Barnum, Hollie Evans, Laura Schiers, Troy Chilcott, Mary Lynn, Becky Sagers, Katie Justesen, front row - Melissa Judkins, Lacee Boschetto, me, Rebecca Haacke, Jessica Dredge (not pictured: Chad Gibbs, ShaeLin Nilsen, and Emalee Brown)

It's been a blessing to serve as president of UAFCS. It's also been a ton of work. I was thrown into this position when the president stepped down. I was supposed to have a year of training under her, but I didn't get that. I was told my job was to plan the conference each year, which I did. I've since learned that there is much more that I could have done as president. I could have worked on member recruitment, member retention, and better relations with nationals. I have done my best. If I had another year, I'd do more, but I am done and I'm ok with that. I do plan to write some notes and organize some notes for the future president and other board members. I will leave things better than I found them and hopefully things will continue to improve as the years move along for UAFCS. 

Friday, Mary, Troy, and I had an FCCLA meeting all day. We had worked so hard on planning the conference. I felt that things would go great. Everything was in place and it was going to be great. The only things that would go wrong would be just glitches. The speakers were lined up, food was scheduled, and we even had a great photo wall. 

After yesterday's conference, we did have a board meeting and I'm very encouraged. We already have a plan in place to recruit new members. We have a date and place for the conference so we can mention the conference at both the mid-winter UACTE conference and the June educators' conference. I think those things will help. 

I had a great board to work with. Everyone worked hard. Mary especially worked hard. Her job was to oversee the planning and execution of the conference and it was amazing. There were so many great breakout sessions. The conference theme was "Keep Thinking." Friday we had an awards dinner and learned about dipping chocolates and did a service project. It was excellent. We had yummy Greek food and had a great time chatting with friends that we only see at conferences. I had friends that won awards. Monica Milburn, who was a TA and now teaches, won an award. Jean Manuela, who I've known for decades, also won an award. Emily Burdette, my TA, won an award for outstanding FCS college student. Rebecca Haacke, who is now our UAFCS president, also earned an award. All were so deserving. Oh, and I gave some remarks as president. I woke up one day last week with thoughts on exactly what I could say and I'm pleased with what I shared. I really don't care what others thought of it. It was from my heart and what I wanted to share. 

Shelli Barnum, Monica Milburn, and me

I have loved and admired Jean Manuela for decades

So glad to know Melissa

Meet your new UAFCS president, Rebecca

Emily Burdette

I talked about how our founder, Ellen Swallow Richards, ended correspondence with the words "Keep thinking." We come from a long line of thinkers. She didn't say "Start thinking" or "get thinking" or "think better," so I shared examples of thinking that I've seen. I shared how FCS professionals think on their feet, think outside the box, and think big. I encouraged us all to keep doing what we are doing because we are great. 

BYU FCSE. Back row: I don't know this student, Maile Fisher, Natalie Hancock, Sarah Boyd, me, Emily Napierski, Grace Hadfield, Emily Burdette, Jolynn Holt. Front row: Sierra Young, Morgan Johnson, Abigail Jenson, Michaela Christensen, Nicole Lauper

Saturday we had a keynote speaker, then had breakout sessions from 10 - noon. Lunch was great and Lacee Boschetto from BYU led us in excellent discussions at our tables. Then we had more breakouts from 1-3.  I really enjoyed the sessions I went to. Laurie Hatch, who used to live in Livermore and was a YW leader at girls camp when I was a young woman, presented a session on mental health. She helped us reframe our thoughts when things don't go as planned. If anyone knows about that, it's Laurie. She got married at 17. By age 33, she had 6 boys and her husband had decided he wasn't interested in being married. Her best friend also died. That's when she started college. She has since earned her masters and has been an FCS Department Chair at a college in California. She is one of mom's heroes. 

Me and Laurie Hatch

Annie Oswald presented in the afternoon. She joined us for lunch and the discussions at lunch. She really enjoyed herself. Then she came the the pasta making class that my TAs and I taught. I reached out the the FCS students who took the pasta making class with me in Florence to see if they wanted to teach with me. With 6 helpers, we had a great time. We had 16 participants in the first session and 8 in the second session. Everyone seemed to have fun. I snuck out during the second session, leaving everyone in the able hands of my students, and enjoyed some of Annie's session on determining your destiny. She walked the participants through designing a mission statement. What I heard was excellent and we will ask her to present in our February conference. 

Discussion at lunch

I left Jordan High School in Sandy around 5:00 pm and was home by 6:00 pm. It was a great conference. We got many comments on how much people enjoyed the conference. It's a small conference with about 90 - 110 awesome attendees. 

Woo Pig Sooie - BYU vs. Arkansas 2023

Allie, Melia, me, Kamiko, and Bekki at Old Main

A year ago, the Razorbacks' football team came to Provo. So did a few of Allie's college friends. We had a blast hanging out together and going to the game. Arkansas won and it was fantastic. We promised ourselves we'd be in the stadium in Fayetteville when BYU came in 2023. 

We found tickets for only $45 each. We could have flown standby, but I didn't trust that we'd be able to get seats on flights, so I bought tickets (Merry Christmas). We got a hotel room in Bentonville. When we mentioned to people that we were going, someone told us the Bentonville Temple was being dedicated that weekend. Wow! What a time we would have. 

Arkansas, here we come!

After work on Friday, September 15, we flew to Denver, had a 2-hour layover, then flew to Tulsa. Our flight was delayed, so we got into Tulsa at 112:30 and still had a 2-hour drive to Bentonville. Bekki drove and it went quickly. We talked and were happy to be back. The hotel was clean and the beds were comfy. We got free breakfast. We got going around 11:00 am to go to Fayetteville and meet up with Allie and friends. 

We shopped in downtown Fayetteville. I got a cute water color print of the stadium that I will probably hang in my basement. I also got some fun stickers for Starlyn and Natalie. It's of Dolly Parton (wearing a hog hat) and Kenny Rogers from the 1980's. It's just perfect. Allie stayed in a hotel with Taryn and Lane. Tina and her husband and Taryn's brother and his girlfriend met up with us for the game. 

Lane, Kamiko, Bekki, Allie, Taryn, and Mel. Let the fun begin.

Lane and I have matching shirts. It's the one Lane and Taryn brought me last year. 

Downtown Fayetteville is so dang cute. There are shops with the best merch - t-shirts, buttons, stickers, banners, purses, etc. It's just perfect. I absolutely love it there. The weather was also wonderful - in the 80's. We went to a great thrift shop and spent time on campus, taking pictures. I walked over to the institute building with Mel to take a picture for her. The institute director recognized her. It's the same institute director that was there when Mel served there. It was just magical to be in Arkansas. 

The whole gang: Mel, Allie, Lane, me, Bekki, Taryn, Kamiko, Chandler and his girlfriend, Christina (Tina) and her husband.

My college roommate, Syd Hoopes Ash and her husband, Scott, and their daughter, Elizabeth, also went to the game We texted and tried to connect, but never could figure out a time to meet. Then, when we were taking pictures by Old Main on campus, the Ash family walked by. So we hung out and took some photos. Syd got all the history of U of A from Taryn and the other kids. It's so funny because last year we ran into another old roommate, Carlet. So, my kids and Allie's razorback friends have met 2 of my college roommates. Crazy. 

We went to the stadium around 5:30 for a 6:30 game. There were a lot of BYU fans there. There were 2 sections of blue shirts and a lot of blue shirts interspersed in the crowd. The stadium is ENORMOUS. It seats about 12,000 more people that the BYU stadium holds. I was so happy to be there with the kids and friends. I only wish Crystal Arel, Taryn's mom, could have been there, but she's having some health issues and had to stay back in Cabot. 

I love these smiles

The game started off great, with Arkansas scoring 2 touchdowns in the first 5 minutes. We were excited about the trajectory of the game. Well, BYU caught up and kept scoring. The game actually went back and forth, but Arkansas never caught up and didn't pass BYU. In the end, all of the drunk Arkansas fans were disappointed to lose to BYU. It was a game that BYU could be proud of. I don't think anyone expected BYU to win. Before I left, I told people on campus that I would win either way, but they would be the losers. Well, that wasn't the case. BYU won. Good for them. 

Sunday Mel and I got up and went to the nearest church for the Bentonville Temple dedication broadcast. Poor Kamiko and Bekki realized their recommends had expired. They brought church clothes and recommends, but noticed on Saturday that they were expired. We were to be seated by 9:30 and I was a nervous wreck as we hit every red light. We did make it and they actually seated people after 9:30, so it would have been ok. 

Elder Bednar came to Arkansas to dedicate the temple. In his remarks he said that he knew he'd be sent for that dedication because he's the only member of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles that speaks Arkansas, Missouri, and Oklahoma. The Bednars moved to NW Arkansas in 1980. At that time, he was called to be the stake clerk in a stake that covered much of the state. Because there weren't 12 brethren on the high council, Elder Bednar would often be asked to speak in wards. His first assignment was in the Rogers Branch, where there were about 30 people in attendance. There we sat in a chapel in Rogers. Rogers has a stake. Kamiko and Bekki were in the Rogers Stake when they lived there. In fact, we met their Stake President and he spoke very highly of them. In Elder Bednar's remarks, he suggested that the members refer to the temple as The House of The Lord. He shared a story of a man who had a priceless pearl. He wanted to keep the pearl safe and still let people see it so he had a beautiful display box made for the pearl. When people saw the pearl in the box, they were only interested in the craftsmanship of the box, not in the valuable pearl. The temple can be like this. We get more excited about the building than what goes on in the building. 

I was struck when he said that people are very excited when a temple is announced. They go see the site, they watch it be built, they visit during the open house. They are so excited to see the temple dedicated and they flock to the temple - for a while. He asked the members to keep the temple busy, even after the excitement of its newness. He said it should be so busy that Arkansas will need another temple. His remarks made me realize how lucky I am to live near many temples. I go monthly and want to keep that an important part of my life. Elder Bednar also said to not call it a small temple. He said "You can call it less large, but don't call it small." Elder Bednar was very emotional many times during the dedication and said he wouldn't apologize for being emotional. When it was over, a sweet hispanic couple that was seated by us shook our hands and thanked us for coming. I spoke to them for a bit in Spanish. I was so happy to be there with Melia. There we sat in her mission boundaries, watching the dedication of the temple. I remembered when the temple was announced in general conference. I was with Melia and she dropped to her knees in front of the TV and started crying. 

After the dedication, we got Steven's Special, that Mel had been waiting to get all weekend. It is delicious! It's Mexican rice with white queso and protein - we got steak. Mel also got the most delicious horchata. We then drove by the temple. It is so beautiful. It isn't very big. It's a cream color with the most subtle, beautiful light blue dome on the very top. We had enough time before heading back to Tulsa to meet up with Allie in Fayetteville. We went to the Fayetteville Funky Yard Sale, now rebranded as the Fayetteville Funky Flea Market. That place is so fun to explore. They have antiques, vintage clothes, and tons of artsy items. There is a lot of Razorback stuff, old and new. We also got Andy's custard in waffle cones. That stuff is amazing. 

Steven's Special is soooo delicious. Look at that! when the queso cools a bit, it sticks to the rice and becomes a clump of delicious rice and cheese. 

Then it was time to head back. We were tired. Bless Kamiko for driving the 2 hours to the airport. The flight was uneventful. Tulsa to Dallas, where I got Whataburger because there were not smoothies available. Then we flew Dallas to SLC and got in around 11:30. Kamiko had to get up at 5:30 for work, Mel and Bekki both had work. I got to sleep in a bit, but it was a long day. I had a lot of catching up to do and a lot of work to do to tie up loose ends for the UAFCS conference. Such a great time. 

It's a week later as I write this. As I drove home last night, all I could think is that we were in Arkansas a week ago, seeing where Mel spent time on her mission, seeing the thrift stores where she volunteered, seeing the institute building where she spent time, and walking campus where she walked. We saw Bekki's building on campus, drove past where Kamiko worked, and ate their favorite foods. I don't know if I'll go back. I've seen the Razorbacks play football and my kids were there, so I think I'm good. 

I do think that if I can't afford to live in Utah during my retirement, I'll think about moving to Arkansas. We love it there.