Sunday, August 31, 2008

Ode to friendship...

So, I kind of have an issue with keeping in touch with people - I am addicted! I love it! Now days, I have little time, but with the internet and cell phone, I seem to manage keeping in touch with everyone. So, today is kind of an "Ode to Friendship." Some of them are fellow bloggers - some are not. I have seen blogs with posts about their blog stalkers – and well - I have my own version….

First their was Lucinda. Lucinda and I grew up in the same LDS Ward in Pennsylvania. Our parents both divorced at the same time. So, when Lucinda moved down the street from me and we were instant best friends (with the necklaces to prove it!) I spent all summer with her - going home probably once a week for clean clothes. My home life was still pretty bad at the time, so being with her allowed me to avoid the drama at home. I learned a lot from her. Plus, at her house, they had family hugs with family prayers. Hugging did not happen in my house - so it took me a while to learn to hug. I love hugs now! Years later, Lucinda became my roommate – and she has been one of my dearest friends since I was 11.

Rebecca saved my life. After my parents split - I became lonely and depressed. Rebecca was someone I could talk to – and eventually led me to getting the help I needed. She was the friend for me that helped me to be my best self. She is so fun and creative! Having such great friends in the church helped me to stay active during my teenage years.

Suzie – I met Suzie when I moved to Salt Lake. She is so down to earth and just plain funny! She is a great mom. She is also the friend who got me hooked on blogging! I love that when we were both in the singles ward that we did service scavenger hunts. She has always been an example for me!

Tammy – well she is simply amazing! I met her in the 41st ward. She has cerebral palsy, and is in a wheelchair – but the chair does not hold her back. She has two adorable children – and is such a good mom! She is an advocate for equality for people with disabilities. She is a fellow blogger – and I just simply admire her loving, fun spirit!!!!

Marrian – I met Marrian in Ogden, UT. She is truly dedicated to The Gospel of Jesus Christ. When I met her – I felt like a kindred spirit- only because we are both very service oriented.

Melinda – Melinda has been my roommate for the past 6 years. She is so wonderful to be around – always positive. She also makes me laugh – because we are also so different from each other! We have had many adventures together and I am grateful to have her as a roommate!

Alicia: I met Alicia in my singles ward, just after she was diagnosed with breast cancer. She is an amazing and powerful woman! We have seen each other through the good and the bad since then. She has a degreen in nutrition - and really knows what she is talking about. She is so caring and loving to those around her!

Chiara: I just love Chiara! She is from Italy and has the BEST accent. She is just so honest - she really just tells it like it is. I appreciate that quality, and she showed that quality ALOT when we went shopping in Texas. She is very dramatic! Like - she called my house a few years ago - and my roommate answered. I was not home and my roommate did not know my whereabouts - so Chiara was ready to call out the search party for me! She is one classy woman!

Ingerlis – Ingerlis actually grew up in Pennsylvania as well. She is my mud wrestling friend who likes to try new activities! I loved our camping trips when we were roommates!

Sunday, August 24, 2008

I think I can, I think I can!!!


I loved one of the first lessons in the kindergarten. We read "The Little Engine that Could" We then compared the little engine to each of us. I loved this lesson!!! Think about it - what would we do if we really allowed ourselves to believe in what we can each acheive! In any area - once we believe - we really can achieve!!! Just keep saying " I think I can, I think I can!!! I know I can, I know I can!
Miss Drasher

Student Teaching Update

So, I have survived the first few weeks, rather well, I must say. These past few weeks have been great! I love hearing them call me Miss Drasher. I have been able to lead a few activities so far. Last week was amazing, because my sight teacher had a doctor's appointment, and let me take over the class for one afternoon. It was going really well - until the fire alarm went off. The first thing that I thought was, "oh no, one of my students pulled the fire alarm!" Then, I realized that this was their first fire drill ever! I remained calm and confident and was able to bring everyone outside. A few were really scared and shook up from the experience! Once that adventure was over - there was a problem on the playground. I can only say that after all the excitement that day - not many of the kids could focus on learning. Overall, I will not say that this was a fabulous day - but a real learning experience for me! I am sad, now, because I am now doing my next rotation in the second grade. I have just become so attached to the kindergarten! I am loving being a student teacher!
Miss Drasher

Monday, August 11, 2008

We are all meant to shine!


This is my all time favorite quote. I love how it inspires us to live up to the greatness that we each carry with us.

"Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate. Our deepest fear isthat we are powerful beyond measure. It is our light, not our darkness that most frightens us. We ask ourselves, Who am I to be brilliant, gorgeous, talented, fabulous? Actually, who are you not to be? You are a child of God. Your playing small does not serve the world. There is nothing enlightened about shrinking so that other people won't feel insecure around you. We are all meant to shine, as children do. We were born to make manifest the glory of God that is within us. It's not just in some of us; it's in everyone. And as we let our own light shine, we unconsciously give other people permission to do the same. As we are liberated from our own fear, our presence automatically liberates others." ~Nelson Mandela~
I was pondering this recently - and looking at what my thoughts have been leading me to believe. I realize that I discount my achievements by comparing myself to others.

Another pitfall I find myself in is believing that the trials that I face somehow make me less of good person. That if I were a good person, I would not have to face this trial. I am finally starting to see that maybe it is just the opposite.

Sunday, August 3, 2008

Homesick







I am not one to really get homesick. In fact, usually about half way through a trip back home, I am ready to come back. Well, I got this voice mail from my youngest niece, Brianna, last week. She wanted me to come back and see her, and she told me that she just missed me. (oh, nothing could hit the heartstrings harder!) So, this week I have been missing long Pennsylvania summers. Not just present tense, but those childhood days- when we did not have a slip and slide, and tried to create out own. Or just the green - ness of it all. (In fact, on my trip home last year, I was shocked to see SO Much green - and I lived there for 15 years!)
So, here are some of the fun in the summer pictures from my family this summer: