Thursday, April 13, 2006
Tuesday, April 11, 2006
Education is Freedom
I could have called this post a number of other things: Knowledge is Power, The Glory of God is Intelligence...what ever I call it, I have to say something about education.
I hate to admit that I got fired up from watching Oprah today--I couldn't resist the ad that said Bill & Melinda Gates wanted to come on Oprah and share their biggest cause. The show struck a nerve with me--our tiny town is Loserville with a capital L as far as public education goes (example: coming from a school where the median ACT score was 27 and I got a 30, I was shocked to learn that a 23 was GOOD here)--dropping out to become a manual laborer or a teenage mom is not unusual, and I am horrified to send my kids to school here. Fortunately I have a few years to get involved and make a plan of action. Please, please, PLEASE go to the Stand Up website and AT LEAST send the letter to your governor asking him to get behind this movement for better high schools (I have already filled out a survey here in Montana stating that I think all that extra money we made from the huge tobacco tax we passed should go to education--I want the elementary school down the street from me to open up again in the next 2 years--it closed due to budget constraints and not enough kids to fill it, but since then, over 150 houses have been built in the area and 250 more are slated for construction. That should bring in enough kids and dollars, doncha think?)
Learning to read, to comprehend what I read, to think, to put myself in the shoes of others throughout history and throughout our world today, to reason and to empathize has made me a better person and has given me the kind of life most of the world only dreams about. I don't mean that I am wealthy or pampered or living in luxury--I mean that all of my needs are met as are most of my wants; my life is generally free of genuine worry or financial stress, and full of rich and beautiful things because my husband and I have learned to think and reason and appreciate the world around us. I credit this to TWO things: our families of origin and our EDUCATION. Economics aside, the quality of the life you lead when you really LEARN HOW TO LEARN is so staggeringly better, it makes me cry to think that the majority of my fellow Americans are living hand to mouth, blind to their potential because of lack of education.
In a country where even the poorest wage earner pays something toward public education through taxes, it is nothing but shameful to see and read about the massive failings of the public school system. My knee-jerk reaction has been to home school or super-supplement my kids' education to give them what they need and deserve, but it just dawned on me that EVERY KID deserves what I am striving to give mine--even if their moms work full-time and can't be as involved, even if homeschool was never an option, even if their parents think school is a waste of time. Every American child deserves to have someone show them the value of an education, the joy of reading and finding what you're really truly good at, the peace of knowing you are equipped to provide for yourself and your family in a job that you enjoy and you're good at.
I am definitely going to get involved here. I might end up with another ulcer, but like the song says, "conquer we must when our cause it is just," and I think this is something I can get behind with my mind, heart, and spirit. The first thing I am going to do is see how I can help at Big Sisters and at Learning Partners, as well as start attending school board meetings (ho-hum). And I will continue to pray and teach my children good things at home. What are you going to do?
Sunday, April 09, 2006
Poor Heidi
Speaking of choir (UGH!), about 15 minutes before I left for choir practice, I got a call from the Stake music director. She said she has sent in the music for the conference program on April 29th, and the Stake Presidency got back to her and said they had four DIFFERENT songs they want us to sing, with 20 days' notice! So the three songs we have been practicing for SIX WEEKS are on the back burner, and we have to learn four new ones. It's a little bit annoying, and I have to admit that I'm kinda glad I won't be there that day! We WILL be singing on of the songs we have been practicing, "Come Thou Fount of Every Blessing" for Easter Sunday at our ward.
I need to go catch a nap and snuggle my poor crippled daughter...Leave a comment! Have a great week!
PS: one of my favorite professors at BYU died this week and my heart feels heavy...he was a wonderful writer, poet, thinker, person...everything sounded better read aloud in his lilting welsh accent...he seemed to know and love everything beautiful and worthwhile...
Today in church I got my (second) Young Womanhood Recognition Award. I got the first one back when I was 15, but they have changed the program, so when I became a leader in the YW organization, I started the new program. It took me three years of goal-setting, studying, and projects to finish it (kind of like an Eagle for girls). My award is a necklace with the temple spires on it like the one to the right, except mine is silver. Nicole Carter (age 16) also got her award today, after a special evening in her honor last Wednesday night. I am glad I finished the program, but like I always tell the YW, personal progress continues for life (at least it does if we're doing what we're supposed to be doing).
Thursday, April 06, 2006
You Are My Sunshine(s)
Sunday, April 02, 2006
Eventide
Last night I got a babysitter while Rich went to General Priesthood meeting and went out with my mom-in-law and some other women whose husbands were at the meeting. We went out for Mexican food (I had yummy tortilla soup) and then played Hoopla afterward. It was a lot of fun and a welcome break. I didn't feel very good all weekend, but good enough to eat food and take Tylenol for my aches and pains, so I feel grateful for that.
Today, my in-laws came for lunch again and brought Vivian Ellison (our adopted great-grandma who lives out at the ranch--we bought it from her). They brought two delicious pies for dessert (Swedish Apple and lemon) and Rich & I made a post roast with carrots and mashed potatoes, gravy, and some fresh bread. We had a really nice time together and played "Don't Eat Pete" with Addie afterward. Also between sessions, one of my former YW, Kim, who is in college now came over to visit and brought her roommate. They are on spring break from BYU-Idaho and it was so fun to Kim & meet her friend. Kim worked a lot on our house when the kids came over to do service here, so it was fun to show her the basement all finished out. She remembered scraping and sweeping the concrete floor about a million times, and now it's all SUPAH-DELUXE! I told her she could house sit while we are in Missouri in June.
There were a lot of things about conference that I wanted to remember and note here, but I'll wait until I can post actual quotes. I love Elder Hales' & Elder Holland's talks about making your way back and building your relationship with the Lord...I always love those messages because we are always on the mend in one way or another. I also loved the talks reflecting on missionary service, and how it was repeated--every good thing in my life today can be traced in one way or another to my choice to serve a mission. I got caught up in thinking about that and shed a few tears remembering my mission experience and all that it taught me. It put me on a whole new path, and even when I tried to stray, the lessons I learned there in the mission field kept me moving in the right direction and led me to the totally peaceful and blessed life I live today. The plans I had for myself pale in comparison to what God has given me since then. I have certainly learned that "he can make more of a [wo]man than any [wo]man without him ever can."
Anyway, I'm gettin' pretty rambly and I need to go love on my family some before bed time (bed time already??? Happy Daylight Saving Time!!). Have a great week, all y'all!
Thursday, March 30, 2006
ON THIS DATE IN HISTORY: 3/30/1981
Wednesday, March 29, 2006
ON THIS DATE IN HISTORY: 03/29/1925...
Marietta & Bill
My Grandpa Bill with his Grandpa Thatcher
FAMILY LETTER 07.28.19
Dear Loved Ones, We have just ...