Back to School

Summer days are over for me. Today was my first day of orientation as a newly admitted MSHRM student at Krannert. It would be complete lie if I said I wasn't nervous but the good news is, I had no reason to be, just as James had said. I came home with story after story about all the things we did and the really neat people I met. James was happy that I had such a good experience and that all of my reasons to be worried or nervous were dispelled. He's always really good about encouraging me and believing in me. I know that if it weren't for him pushing me through all of the second guessing and "what if's" I wouldn't be in this program. Any normal person would have been pretty annoyed or irritated by how many times I brought up the grad school vs. getting a job conversation but James was incredibly patient and always knew what to say to help me realize I'm doing the right thing and for that I am truly grateful. This program is going to be extremely challenging and difficult but I know that it will be worth it. With that being said, Boiler Up! for another 18 months!

It's so strange how embarking on this new journey really does remind me of my mission days, except for the clothes part! haha! Actually I have thoroughly been enjoying revamping my wardrobe and I cannot wait to share pictures. TJ Maxx, The Limited, and H&M have been my go-to's lately. Goodwill is on the list for sometime in the next few days. Until then, have a wonderful evening!

~sm

I love Sundays!

I absolutely adore Sundays! It's so refreshing to take a break from all the hustle and bustle of the week to pause and reflect on life and what really matters most. Attending church each week is definitely among the highlights as well. Right now I'm working in the primary teaching the 8 yr olds and they are such an exceptional group of children. Each week something is said that has me laughing for days or feeling truly humbled. Today was the latter of the two. I was talking with one of the remarkable girls in my class and I asked her, "how do you feel when you pray to our Heavenly Father?" I was not ready for her simple but profound response, "I feel humble," she said. In that moment I felt truly humbled. Here she is, only 8 years old, and she really understands her relationship with her Heavenly Father. I was truly touched by her spirit. Her answer really inspires me to reevaluate how I approach my God in prayer. 

Later in the afternoon, I went over to Em's house to have our first unofficial "comp study" that's going to take place each week. We're working on an alternative title for it and right now we've got S&E Party Time but like I said, it's a work in progress and we have a ways yet to go. haha! Anyway we read an article from this month's Ensign called "No Corrupt Communication". It was an excellent article about eliminating sarcasm and we really enjoyed pulling out our favorite parts and talking about them. The following is one of my favorite sections:

President Gordon B. Hinckley (1910–2008) identified the damage that sarcasm inflicts on our relationships:

“Everywhere is heard the snide remark, the sarcastic gibe, the cutting down of associates. Sadly, these are too often the essence of our conversation. In our homes, wives weep and children finally give up under the barrage of criticism leveled by husbands and fathers. Criticism is the forerunner of divorce, the cultivator of rebellion, sometimes a catalyst that leads to failure.

“I am asking that we look a little deeper for the good, that we still voices of insult and sarcasm, that we more generously compliment virtue and effort.”

The Apostle Paul taught similar principles to the Ephesians: “Let no corrupt communication proceed out of your mouth, but that which is good to the use of edifying, that it may minister grace unto the hearers” (Ephesians 4:29). According to this scripture, all our communication should uplift others and strengthen them in the Lord.

The full article can be found here. I am grateful for things like this that motivate me to become a better person.

I also really enjoy Sundays because it's almost like a staycation with James. I love the extra time to just talk or spend time together. Today we made eggplant parmesan together for dinner, it was lovely. 

I hope your Sunday was just as enjoyable!

~sm