Any LDS women with BC?

TallM

Ray-You are human:o I had the same big ideas, plans etc. I had 3 jobs I loved & when I was dx I had to stop everything & was down in bed at least 6 months. It wasn't until Sept that I could sit down & start to think about doing some work. Work is a great escape & maybe you're trying to hide behind that as I did. It's hard to say no & the only thing I know is that I had to take care if myself 1st and that's not easy.



I'm sorry your frustrated. The dx is definitely one that can turn your world upside down. You'll find your limit & learn to manage it, it may just take more time. When life seemed so good before it can be so frustrating to know that we now have to redesign our life.



All in time you may feel like telling people & maybe not & that's ok too. All you can do is do your best for you. You want to serve & help people. Well maybe it's time you help yourself & allow yourself to do less. Schedule Ray time & nothing can replace that. It doesn't mean your less of a person. It just means there is a change that needs to take place. You'll learn to manage what you can do in time. Just have patience & you'll be able to pull through. The most important thing right now is YOU. You need to heal right now & fight this battle, then you can branch out again.



It's like being a turtle. When first dx we pull into out shell & little by little we pop out until we start to crawl & move. Then we become like the turtle & hare story. The hare is faster but the turtle wins because he never gives up & ends up winning:)



There's a scripture in D&C, I believe 68:?, that says "Be of good chear & do not fear, for I the Lord am with you & will stand by you..." I know he's by you & is mindful of all your going through. We are all there for you too & will stand by you. Hang in there. I wish I can say things get better or easier but its more like it becomes more manageable as time goes & I've learned to say "whatever."



I don't know if any of that helps or makes sence with my chmo brain but in a nutshell we all have our arms around you & will pray for you. Hang in there & know that you are strong & can hit every ball that comes your way:) xxx

TallM

Joanne & other curious people:) Here's a link for one of my favorite pianist. Lang Lang. Thought you might enjoy it as well. I'm actually going to see him Tues & can't wait. 1) because I haven't gone to a performance like this in over a year. 2) he's absolutely amazing & a very nice humble guy.



YouTube- THE CHOPIN ALBUM - MY LIFE WITH CHOPIN



http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wWlJZ1ea8vQ&sns=em



Yes, I'm having a relaxing time. It's nice to hang out & do absolutely nothing if wanted:) There must be a storm on the way because it's windy & cold.

Joanne58

*BIG ANNOUNCEMENT FROM PRES. MONSON*

Affective, immediately, young  men may qualify to serve full time missions at age 18, and young women at age 19--WOW!  Just called my 18 yr-old son who's currently at BYU-Idaho to see what the discussion is like.  This is quite monumental! I know that young men have been able to serve at 18 if their parents are Mission Presidents.  I guess it's been  proven to work well enough.  We'll see.... but it's pretty exciting news from the  first session of Gen. Conference today!

TallM

Pretty exciting! My friend sent me this link if you want it in writing or to pass on. I sent it to my inactive aunt who lives in New Zealand:)



http://www.mormonnewsroom.org/article/church-lowers-age-requirement-for-missionary-service



What a great conference! Can't wait to see what's next. Enjoy everyone:)

TallM

Today is one of the first conferences I've felt like I'm not doing enough. Maybe I just see things differently now, because I'm sure I wasn't doing enough before either. I totally understand what your saying Ray, but as long as I'm doing my best I guess that the best I can do.

TallM

Sorry about the late hour for work:o you'll know what to do. A job change may be good but I see your point about not knowing about tx. Probably a smart decision to wait. The unknown is annoying. I'm such a planner & like to plan ahead for trips, work, life etc. but cancer makes things complicated & day by day.



Conference was good. Saturdays are usually my favorite but there are good things about each. Hope everyone has a good week.

TallM

OMG cold! Eww...time to scrape windows is here. Sorry you had to do that already. I hope the snow doesn't come to soon.  I'm typing on my computer & it's very akward. I usually am on my iphone or itouch. The computer slows me down although it is nice to see everything bigger.

I'm heading back to Utah & doing some CE credits online so I can renew my nursing licence with the hope that I can return to working as a nurse. The CE credits are actually interesting & somewhat fun. I hope all have a good day.

TallM

Rads is a cool area. Always needed & busy:) Just before I got sick I had the coolest job at an urgent care center. People were not sick enough to go to the hospital (if they were having chest pain etc to the ER they go:) yet just sick enough for us to take care of them. Broken arms, pebbles in the ear, stitches in the head from a wake board etc. Cool stuff. I only worked there a couple of months then had to stop. They said I can come back whenever I want & are really supportive I just don't know if I'll be able to till I'm off chemo. To many 'sickies.' That's why I'm teaching music for now.

Totally understand wanting to yet not wanting to go back to school. I too want to go on & get a BS or MS in nursing. Part of me thinks whats the point & the other says enjoy what you have. I know right now I couldn't even go to school (I really enjoy being in school:). Maybe in time I'll know what to do. Right now I'm just going to enjoy life. 

Hobbies-not a weird question:) I LOVE to ski, walk, go to the gym (spin class, yoga, zumba...), go to the movies, out with friends (lunch, movies, shop), volunteer for the GOAL foundation (they sponsor lots of sport things like x-tera, triathlons, etc) go for a drive to name a few. Now I WISH I could do even one of those things. This last year I was SO sick my parents moved in with me to my apartment, helped me get dressed, did: laundry, cooking, cleaning, EVERYTHING (they still do & I'm Lucy & grateful). It was all I could do to just go for my treatments. But now I'm doing better & I'm getting stronger. Still hard to walk very much/long. I'm working on being able to drive again too. Its been a whole year. I'll go around the block or in a parking lot & that's it for me. 

So there are LOTS of things I hope to do or go back to & in reality may not be able to go back to all of them (like skiing) but my desire to do things is coming back more & more the stronger I feel. All I did & could do for awhile was stare at the TV. I've taken up embroidery, read/listened to a lot of books & overall life is good. It does become a bit awkward when friends call & say lets go to a play/movie etc & I have to let them know I'm not able to drive & my parents will take me & do they mind if they go with me:o So I don't really like going out unless it's with good friends or family who don't mind if my parents go. My parents were there with me the whole time & there'ss no way I'm going to say to them thanks & see ya later. Because they were there for me when I needed them.    

Enough of that. I'm sure you've had an ear full, well eye full anyway:) I hope things are going ok for you. I can't imagine going through with not many knowing. But I totally understand. If I didn't "fall of the face of the earth" I might have kept quiet. 

 So what did you or do you enjoy doing? I think the cake making is cool BTW. I'm good at eating them:) 

TallM

Thanks for sharing Ray. We all have our struggles & some on here have struggled long. I'm glad you are coming to terms with whats happening in your life. I think of Alesta on bco who lives in the UK & is having such a difficult journey.



I too enjoy water growing up in So Cal. We'd go to the beach often. Now in Ut/Idaho we go boating & kayaking. Many great things to do now a days.



Conference was a great one for all & esp the missionaries this time. One of my nephews is leaving Nov 28th to serve in the Tijuana Mexico mission. He's so excited & will be a great missionary.



As uchtdorf said be happy now. We determine our happiness not the external circumstances.

Joanne58

Hello, Everyone!

I've enjoyed keeping up with your posts and getting to know you better as you share more about your interests with us.

I'm happy to hear that you're teaching music again and looking forward to your job as a nurse, TallM--sounds wonderful!  I'm cheering for you, Ray, as you think about better work opportunities and finishing school.  Big decision stuff in your life, that's for sure! And I thought about you during Conference when the choir sang the  words: "Hail to thine earliest welcome ray...." 

This is just a quick post, but I wanted you to know how much I learned from one of the talks given at Conf. last weekend. (I'll probably mention other talks later when I have more time to  write.)

Our Gen. Relief Society Pres., Sister Burton, gave such a simple yet memorable message: "First observe, then serve."  She gave wonderful examples, but I really liked the example of the 6 yr. old boy who had to choose someone in his class to do something special (not sure what it was). Surprisingly, he chose  the boy who bullied him.  His reason was that he'd observed how this boy never got chosen by any of the children, so he decided to try to make this boy happy by choosing him. What a sweet story of serving! Her talk made me want to listen closer to  the spirit so I can be ready to help anyone, especially family.  I've been lacking in that dept., taking my husband and daughter (my youngest still at home) for granted.  I've had to slow down to give just a little more listening time to them this week.  I think it's helped, especially with my 16 yr-old daughter.

I always LOVE the music from Conference.  Here's the link so  you can play any of the songs the choir or congregation sang.  2 of my favorites were: "If the Savior Stood Beside Me" and "Lord, I Would Follow Thee" from the  choir.  "The Primary Song Medley" from the Relief Society choir at the RS broadcast is really beautiful, too.  Click on any of them, or highlight them all and you can hear them one after another.  I'm SO happy the church provides this on their website so we can replay it anytime. 

http://www.lds.org/general-conference/music?lang=eng#d

Have a wonderful day, and keep a song in your heart

--Joanne 

TallM

Quick post from me too: (Besides I've been on here A LOT the last week or so:o) Thanks Joanne for the link. I LOVE your conference capsules:) It nice to read them again. And he link for the music will be great. I think we should get you pompoms too:)



Ray happy you had a positive support response from work. You deserve it. Great to have her let you know about the other job too:)



Have a good one all. I'm off to the symphony to here Lang Lang a great pianist. It's been a year since I've been able to go to a great concert! I'm so excited. :-D

Joanne58

Ray--if I must have pompoms, then they have to be purple and they need to sparkle  And about your Dr. appt.--we're back in your pocket, giving you the unconditional love and support!

TallM--how  was the  concert ?  What a wonderful time you must've had!  Hope to hear a report!

I just answered the door during one of my piano lessons and it was 2 elderely men from the Jehovah's Witness church.  They were so sweet, but I had to get back to my student so I hurriedly told them no thank you to their pamphlet (I already had one) and that we were active in our LDS faith.  I also told them how much I appreciated them going door to door, telling people of Jesus Christ, and I started to feel emotional but held back the tears since I had  to go back and finish teaching a 16 yr-old boy.  Gotta keep it together  I do feel that way, though--about missionaries of other faiths.  It's a labor of love, knocking on doors and knowing how  many negative experiences you'll have before someone really wants to listen.  I think of my son who'll serve his  mission and how much I'll appreciate anyone of any faith being kind to him and maybe offering him and his  companion a glass of water if it's a hot day, or to come in out of the cold.  

Prayers for all today, that you'll be safe, healthy and able to bear any burdens with the  help of the Lord....and your BCO sisters, of course  

TallM

(((Ray))) Waaahhhhoo! So happy for you:) That is so awesome & GREAT news. What a relief.



My mom was on tomoxifin for 5 years & then was put on another (my chemo brain has caught up with me tonight:) she is a 15 year survivor & is amazing. She was a little ill at first with tomoxifin but gradually over time she adjusted better. On the other hand my aunt was on tomoxifin & didn't tolerate it as well (she had hers after "fluid" chemo) because it made her to sick & changed her personality. She too is a 15 year survivor. Both are going strong.



Those are only a couple examples & just shows everyone is so different but are doing really well.



I'm so happy for you. Jumping up & down in my mind as I'm saving my energy Trying to sleep. Maybe now I will...or not 'cause that's great news.



The concert was AMAZING. He performed 3 Mozart sonatas & 4 Chopin ballades. The Mozart #8 was one I did on one of my recital & I relived the moment all over again (healthy, well, & the excitement of it all).



Since my diagnosis I definitely found the soft spot in my heart that makes one cry. It embarrasses me to cry in public I try not to & if it comes & tear (like when the concert, church, movies/TV). I just don't blink as often:o



This was to be a short post but I find myself writing LONG post. For that I apologize. I think it must be therapeutic to do so because I feel better after reconnecting with BCO:) Thanks Joanne for bringing me back & all on this Thread.



I'm off to try & sleep with steroids & tx today:o I have a flu shot clinic tomorrow & have been told 35 are coming in a 2 hour span:o But I enjoy poking people:) If you all lived closer I could poke you too:) Night & good morning to those who read this later.

Joanne58

I LOVE reading such good news on the board--Yes!!!!

Ray--we are all so relieved that your appt. went well and that you have a tx plan in place. Let's go, Girl!  You can do it! Do you see my purple pom-poms waving in the air?  "Give me an R!  Give me an A! Give me a Y!!! (But don't expect me to jump very high because I'm OLD! ) Your day was long and full, so  I hope you got some good rest last night and woke up with a smile 

TallM--the concert sounded fabulous, and I'm so glad you got to hear something you've performed, too.  Do you have any video of you playing the piano?  I think we'd all love to  see it!  I'm glad you're still happy about coming back to BCO, now that you're feeling better and stronger.  We  sure need you around here and enjoy your uplifting and newsy contributions.  You're doing great on the Wacky Word thread!

I'm posting a link to a BYUTV "Turning Point" video that we watched in between Conf. sessions.  It's called "Sweet Beginnings." It really fascinated me and touched my heart--how this dear woman found a way to serve her Chicago community after leaving a comfortable, well-paying job in a high-rise in Denver.  I thought about posting this on both the BCO political threads because I think it shows what we all want--more jobs created, especially for those who have the toughest time finding them--but then I decided to post  it here.  I don't know  what the  political persuasionfd or faith is of this wonderful woman, but it doesn't matter.  She cares and has given her all for this cause...and it has to do  with bees  The video takes a little while to start and has one or 2 quick pauses for BYUTV ads, but it's worth the watch.  It's 25 minutes, but it goes by fast!

http://byutv.org/watch/720d90e4-b2ae-494d-a329-d2f2ae3a83b1/turning-point-sweet-beginnings

If you get a chance to watch it (or you've seen it before), let me know what you think!

One  more day till Friday! (I LOVE Fridays!) 

Joanne58

Hey!  I just tried to click on the link I posted and it keeps giving a run-time error--dang it!  The link works fine on my computer, so just google Turning Point Sweet Beginnings and you'll find it.  Sorry!  And blessings to all and have a wonderful day!

Joanne58

It works now--I fixed it!  (Am I forgiven, Ray? )

TallM

I'm impressed you fixed it Joanne. I was about to say something like you silly computer using people. It works fine on my iPhone. Then I scrolled down & saw that you fixed it. Hehe. So just kidding.



Did my flu shot clinic today. Definitely had extra help from above as this has been a busy week of teaching in addition to the clinic. It was so nice to feel normal for a couple hours. Then when I was done kaput I go. At least I know He is there when I need Him:) Plus-students keep asking me to teach after they find out I'm back. Oi. I'm going to have to draw the line somewhere.



Enough of me:) I'm excited again for you Ray & Joanne for keeping us on the straight & narrow. WITH pompoms no doubt:)



Have a great night/day/week. I'm off to Idaho AGAIN. Probably go through Yellowstone Park AGAIN before it's all closed for car soon.

TallM

Ray I'd totally sneak away & spend time with your man! Just tell them he needs you to take care of him. I'm sure you'll think of something better. Have fun with your niece:)



TGIF:)

Joanne58

I'm in a hurry, so I'm cheating and writing: "What SHE said!" to both Ray and TallM about each other's posts.  Does that make sense?

Have a really good weekend, everyone, and I'll share a cool missionary story with you later. Love to all! 

TallM

Got it...makes sense:) Will be waiting for the story.

TallM

Travels are going well thanks:) Relaxing & enjoying the great weather:) A family of 12 (yes 12!!!) came to fish in front of our place tonight. All from Utah. I would have thought they were polygamist but there was just 1 dad. A really cute family & range in age from 16 down to the one that's due soon. Enough for 2 basketball teams & a coach for each. Boy I can't imagine having all those kids.



Walmart @ anytime may cause a temporary decrease in the IQ. And why indeed are kids there so late?!? Maybe the parents work schedule is similar to yours Ray:o Glad you survived.



One of my students sent me this cute link & I thought I'd pass it on. She said it reminded her of me having her work on technique:)



http://m.youtube.com/#/watch?v=LG2QpktmYqY&desktop_uri=/watch?v=LG2QpktmYqY



Cheers all. I'm off to try to sleep:)

firstcall

TallM - speaking of flu shot clinic, I heard in a lecture recently that for every 600 flu shots you give, you save one life.  Not bad for a days work. 

 We're winding down the last few days before I send my son on his mission to Brazil.  He leaves on Tuesday.  I plan to fly the first leg of his trip with him (to Atlanta) and see him off there.  

Oh, and I brought home 5 more immunizations to give him before he leaves.  He's needed quite a few, including typhoid and yellow fever.  

TallM

firstcall-that's pretty cool. Not sure I've saved 1 life yet but I'm going to continue so eventually I will:)



Ray-sorry you couldn't get out of the party. Well at least it will be over soon. That should make you feel good that they want you there:)



We had a mountain blue jay come for a visit today. Usually it's squirrels. He came & weighed some peanuts with his beak & carried them away to be eaten. Fun to watch.



Happy Saturday to all:)

firstcall

Ray - I think some of the immunizations are a requirement for the visa, and others are required by the missionary department, based on recommendations by the CDC. 

The immunizations were the easy part (except for yellow fever, I had a hard time finding that one)   The hard part was everything else required for his VISA.   Brazil has a lot of requirements for a missionary, far more than I had to do for any of my others going to foreign missions.  I had to get a notarized diploma for his graduation from (early morning) seminary.  I had to have notarized documents that he attended primary, and Sunday School as a child and youth.  I had to have notarized endorsements from his high school.  A police report, also notarized.  And all of the notarized documents had to be sent to the secretary of state of our state of Washington to have them validate that the notaries were valid.  It was a big production. I guess thats why we had 5 months lead time since his call.  But we got everything in quickly, and they moved his date up from Nov 27 to Oct 16, once his VISA was approved. 

He is very ready to go.  Just have to get him to shave!  I think he just wanted to drag that out as long as possible.  He speaks in church tomorrow.  Its pretty exciting, I'm really looking forward to his emails and sharing his experiences there. 

Joanne58

Hi, everyone!

Hope your Sunday was a good one, especially for Dr. First and his family.  I'm guessing you heard a wonderful talk given by a clean-shaven son, starched and pressed and ready to enter the Brazilian MTC!  Best to him and blessings to your family

I had no idea your mom had BC, TallM, but then, it's been a long  time since your family was in Anaheim.  I think you mentioned another family member, too?  We just had another woman in our ward diagnosed with BC last week.  It just seems to be cropping up everywhere!  This dear woman was someone who called me every week during chemo to make sure I was OK.  I plan on following her example, now that she'll be needing support and TLC during her tx.

OK--on to happier things--that place you go to in Idaho sounds lovely, relaxing and just what you need.  How wonderful you and your folks get to steal away and enjoy a piece of heaven  I have to make an observation about your post re the large family that was there in front of your place.  I think  you meant to say you only saw "one mom" instead of "one dad," giving  you the clue that they weren't a polyg. family

Best to you in your quest to save lives giving shots, TallM!  Start counting!

 Ray--I know you were bummed about  the family party, but I'm glad you went to that command performance anyway.  You probably made it better for the children and teens you adore.  I know I would've been really bummed if I was a member of your family and you weren't there!  Will you share your pumpkin drop cookie recipe with us?  I'm rummaging  through my cupboards, looking for something sweet just thinking about them.  

Best to you with your first lupron injection tomorrow.  Make sure I'm not in your back pocket for that one!  

I mentioned sharing a missionary story, so here it is:

My friend is getting baptized in Nov., but her 14 yr-old son is having problems with my friend's husband (his step dad).  It escalated one evening when the missionaries were due to  visit.  I guess the outbursts happen a lot and have caused much pain to the whole familyi. She called me, frantic, because she wanted a blessing for her health issues from the missionaries and  didn't want to turn them away.  The Elders (missionaries) arrived and ended up giving EVERYone in her family an individual blessing, which calmed everyone and brought the spirit into the  home.  The son, however, returned to his room, not wanting to listen to the lesson.  He was playing his guitar--heavy metal stuff.  One of  the Elders asked if he could see the boy's guitar. My friend took them upstairs, and after some pleading, the boy let the Elder see his guitar.  The Elder knew the song the boy was playing and played it really well, plus other songs the boy knew, and then  played some blues that the boy was trying to learn. The look on the boy's face changed, and his attitude towards the Elders changed, too. My friend knew in an instant that something this small yet meaningful to her son was a sign that the Lord would try to reach him with the Elder's talent. They returned downstairs, and within a few minutes, the  boy came down, too, and listened to the lesson.  He's connected with this Elder in a temporal way, but this will  allow the gospel to reach him in a spiritual way.  

 I believe that, oftimes, our missionaries go to people who need their specific personalities and talents in order for them to be  taught and understand  the  gospel and trust in "the messenger." The spirit does the teaching through our missionaries, but  the spirit also works with what we have and inspires us to use it, even heavy metal guitar playing!  How I hope my friend's family will join her  in her baptism.  Her 11 yr-old daughter wants  to be baptized, too.  It will be a joyous day if  this happens, so I'll keep you posted.  I feel SO honored to watch my friend grow stronger and be at peace with her decision of being baptized.  She's an example to me already! Even though I just met her when she hired me to teach her daughter piano lessons last year, I feel like I've known her as an LDS woman for many years.  

Elder Bednar's Conf. talk on Sunday about having a testimony and being truly converted has got me thinking.  As a Young  Women presidency, we are determined to provide as many experiences and lessons to help our YW posess a testimony and apply it in all they do and say, forever.  That's a tall order, but I think it's worth the effort.  True "conversion" is a must for a happy, spiritually healthy life.  Several of our YW bore beautiful testimonies today after the lesson in our YW meeting.  We have a good start!

Have a good week, and try to go easy on eating "Autumn Mix" candy, now that it's in season (that was a warning for people like Ray and me and  anyone else who can't stay out of it--ha! ) 

TallM

Lol Joanne indeed ment 1 mom. Hehe. In some countries it's the other way around but not for polygamy here...hehe good catch:)



Loved the missionary story. It's an amazing thing to watch a transformation take place in someone's life become so effected in a positive way. I'm also sure the YW love you & you're such a great example to them.



Ray good luck w/the lupron injection. Hope all goes well.



Have a great week everyone.

TallM

Ray-I have been traveling a lot since I've been feeling better & take lots of pictures. And my moms an artist so she has us stop all the time or I take them as we drive. I should post some when I get on my computer. BTW-you changed your picture:) It's cute. Is that your niece or you when you were younger?



Hope your shot went ok today. I think Joanne liked the chocolate too:)



Back to Utah now & back here Thurs:o It's one of the most beautiful Falls I remember but a lot of traveling.

TallM

Not much new to write. Crazy busy day (for me:) Taught a few students, my accomp class, had my flu shot, (which I hope you all get:) went to my urgent care job to ask what I needed to do to come back & they are still holding my job for me after a year! So awesome:)



One of my students wrote a paper on grieving for her university class & I asked her to send it to me. Very touching. It is nice to know that I've had a good impact on some:) I'd post it here but it would take to much room. (Sent it via e-mail to you Joanne:)



Hope all are having a great day.

TallM

My boss said I need to get the ok & a note from my Dr saying it's alright for me to go back to work. (Since I'm still on chemo I may need to wait a bit because it's an urgent care & sick people come too). Then I need to do 12 hours of training since they changed some of the computer "stuff," & then I'll talk with them about going back probably part time esp since I'm still with the university. AAAHHH it's starting to get busy:o That's a good thing though:)



Oh man. It is hard to remember to have the TB test read:o Hope your test is negative:)



Hope you found something yummy to eat. I'm sorry to hear about one of your YW:( Sad anyone has to be in the hospital esp when they are so young.



Wednesday is coming:o More fun chemo/Herceptin/LR (water). Then off to teach a couple students. Phew.



I too hope all have a good Wednesday & can find the rest they need.

raro

Hello, all,

I've been away for a bit, and I'm amazed at how this thread has picked up! It's nice to see so many new people here.

I have had a weird week. For one thing, my oncologist called to tell my my tumor markers are at zero. I was stunned. I guess the afinitor/aromasin combo is working! He did mention, jokingly, that I've exceeded the "average" lifespan of a stage IV person. Huh. It's been 3 years since my stage 4 diagnosis. I don't even want to know the average!

I've had a rough couple of years at work (teaching kids with emotional disabilities, middle school) because I've had bad administration stuff as well as truly psychopathic kids. Well, this year, lo and behold, the Lord answered my prayers, and I have some GREAT kids. Well, I'm teaching several classes, but this week they coincided...teaching westward expansion to my 6th graders...and not one mention of the LDS pioneers in the whole textbook! SO of course I had to put it into my teaching, just a little. The kids had never heard of Mormons, so I mentioned that Mitt Romney was a Mormon. The one kid looked stumped for a minute and then said, "So, he doesn't believe in God?" I said of course he did, just like any other Christian. Then he asked what the difference was. I said, well, Mormons for one not only believe in an afterlife, but also that we all lived in Heaven with God before we came here, and that our purpose for being here was to learn right from wrong and to be more like Jesus Christ. He stared at me thoughtfully for a minute and then said softly, "I had a dream like that once." We chatted a bit more, but of course as his teacher I couldn't even tell him I was LDS.

Then geography for my 8th grader. One part is cultural geography, religion. So i did a big diagram describing all the religions and how they were related (or not) and what they believed in. I mentioned Hindus and that they sort of had a trinity (Brahma, Vishnu, and Shiva) like some Christians believe. One kid asked what the trinity was, and I said that it was the idea that God the Father, Jesus Christ, and the Holy Spirit were different manifestations of the same person.

He interrupted me, and with a lot of profanity mixed in, he said, "Wait just a second! That is SO wrong! Duh! God the Father is the...hello, FATHER! And Jesus Christ is His son, and the Holy Spirit, well, I don't know where he fits in, but anyway, Jesus isn't the same as God, he is the SON of God! What idiot doesn't know THAT?!?"  And what could I say, not being allowed to preach anything?! I wanted to hug him. Out of the mouths of babes. It was good to see that there is the light of Christ in these troubled kids. Even though that same kid was suspended for tomorrow (he got kicked out of his mom's house after a fistfight with her over the weekend and is now living with his semi-homeless, unemployed dad, and he is just not able to function in public school right now and totally lost it), I can see that these kids have goodness in them.

It's funny how I always wanted a whole bunch of kids, and I was feeling badly that I had "only" three. And then I thought, who am I kidding?! I get to be "mom" to a bunch of kids every single year, and I get to go home at the end of the day before they drive me truly crazy! I have the best job in the world! I don't always feel that way (and in fact would have quit last year if I could have) but it's nice to have that feeling at all. I may not have the physical strength to be involved in the church as much as I used to. I may not be strong enough even to attend all 3 meetings on Sundays. But the Lord has given me the strength to still contribute to the building up of His kingdom, one child at a time.