Dear America

Hi America,

It's me.  I'm middle class, midwesterner, social studies teacher, diagnosed with not one but multiple chronic issues that have no cure and will impact me the rest of my life (including insurance wise), heterosexual, interacter with a diverse community, white, female, Mormon, non gun owner, come from a long lineage of people who have put their lives on the line to protect you, and probably a plethora of other classifications that society uses to put us all in little sections....Oh and I'm not conservative/Republican or liberal/Democrat...I'm an in-betweener.

Now America, I have kept to myself pretty much this entire election process.  Just because I know that with social media comes computer confidence and not a whole lot of open minded, civil, political discussions.  And now that it is all over, I am ready for a heart to heart.

To sum it up in one word, I am conflicted.

I am conflicted because I look at the man and the horrible, awful things that have come spewing out of his mouth.  You cannot tell me that it is liberal slander because HE SAID THEM.  As a teacher that struggles every single day to get my students to see what are not racist comments, what generalizations you cannot make about people, what words are just not acceptable to say because we are decent human beings, I cringe.  No more than that.  I convulse at the thought of what POSSIBLE example he will set for the youth (And adults) of our country.  He is setting a precedence that says it is ok to act certain ways.  Words validate actions whether or not he actually never did any of those things, he still spoke a lot of crap and that has a lot of weight attached to it.

But then I hear people say that they didn't vote for the man.  They voted for the platform.  The things he said he would accomplish.  (Besides building a wall...) The things that republicans believe in, and the things that hit closer to home.

I am conflicted as I look at the numbers.  He won by 6 ELECTORAL VOTES...He barely made it in.  That should be reassuring.  It wasn't a landslide.  It was a close race.  And you should not be disheartened.  But there is a number that is disheartening. The number of people who came out to vote.  From the way media(including social media) portrayed everything you would think that EVERYONE voted....But if this article is correct only 55.6% of registered voters actually voted. That's the lowest turnout since 2004!  People talk about progression...In order for a democratic government to work, the people need to participate.

Which leads me to another concern...

This concern is not meant to offend.  But I feel like I am watching a tantrum being thrown because someone didn't get their way.

Something I repeatedly tell my students:  You are only allowed to complain if you voted.  You are only allowed to state opinions if you have the facts that back up why you believe that way. When I got on social media today and saw riots and people burning the America Flag because they didn't agree with the outcome of the Democratic process, my heart broke.  Veterans Day is on Friday.  A day that hits close to my heart.  The thought of burning that symbol of democracy and freedoms,  this land of liberty that allows you to have a voice and a say, makes me cry.  Like literally I have tears rolling down my cheeks right now as I think about it.  Why must we let this hate take hold.  Why must we take every single little thing that happens, use it as an excuse and let all hell break loose.

How many of you at those riots or burning those flags really voted?  (Like seriously, I'm not accusing, I'm curious)

My heart hurts.  I am sad.  But not because Trump is going to be our new president.  But because of the reactions of the citizens of the United States of America.  I am sad that instead of taking this opportunity to finally unite and work together as a country(regardless of who is leader) we are literally destroying it.

My heart does hurt because of the unknown.  I am so nervous as to what the next 4 years will bring.  Could be nothing.  Could be that he will have an amazing cabinet and group of advisers and pulls it off.  Could be horrible.  The unknown is always scary, especially when you have evidence of the known and it's not good.

There are students in my school who were scared to come to school today and their parents were scared to send them.  That is not the way our COMMUNITY and country should be.  This is the land of opportunity not the land of fear.

I had a sub for most of the day today because of medical reasons, which means I didn't really get to interact with any students about the election.  I've been thinking a lot about what I am going to tell the kids when it gets brought up.  It was the same thing when Obama was re-elected (Depending on the year my classes can be pretty Republican sided-especially my hunters).  I told them "he is our president, and we need to treat the title with respect.  You do not have to like him, but you do need to respect him"

Not going to lie, I struggle saying that about Trump.  Because he has only shown mere glimpses of respect for others (Example:  parts of his victory speech, and his response in one of the debates when asked to say something positive about Clinton).  And as a human being, those disrespectful comments that he made are unacceptable.  BY ANYONE.   But come January, he will be President.

So what do I tell my students?

I tell them that I trust the democratic process.  I trust our system of checks and balances that were designed and put into place.  I know it is not perfect and could use some refining.  I encourage them to be participating citizens in that process and that changes are often very slow, but they will come.

America, I hurt for you.  For us.  Please stop.  Re-evaluate yourselves and your reactions.  Don't vote shame. Stop blaming all those people that voted 3rd party and next time work your tail off to get the other 44.4% out and voting.  Don't blame.  If you are confused as to why anyone would EVER vote for Donald Trump, ask them.  Just because they voted for him doesn't immediately make them misogynists or racists (although that is a conclusion that is easily jumped to) But you should Ask them Why. Like really and truly ask them why they voted for him and not another way. But make sure you are ready with an open mind and a humble heart and be ready to accept their answers so that we can learn to understand each other and move forward.

This is not the end.  This is a growing opportunity.  Are you going to take advantage of it or keep casting stones that will just hurt and break bones?

Please America.  Don't do it for me.  But do it for you, your neighbors, the future generations, and yes, do it for Mr President.  He is going to need a whole lot of help pulling this off.

Thanks,
 A fellow citizen (we are all in this together)

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I've been thinking about what I would do if it was Hilary that was elected,  Pretty sure it would've been a similar plea...

Who Lives, Who Dies, Who Tells Your Story

Fun fact #1:
      I LOVE history. I love learning what it took to get to where the world is today.  I love learning about people's lives and seeing how raw and real it was.  I love the personal stories and seeing that life really wasn't that much different than it is today.

Fun fact #2:
      I LOVE the United States of America.  I love all the ideals that it was built on.  I love that we are young and scrappy.  I love that it gives so many freedoms that we all take for granted.  I love being an American.  I love that I am related to so many people that fought in almost every single war to protect those rights and freedoms.  I love that it is MY country and I take my responsibility for it and its future very seriously.

Fun fact #3:
      I LOVE music.  All kinds of music.  Country, oldies, pop, rap, classical, hip hop, you play it and I could probably sing along with it or fake it really really well.  I love the power that is has.  It can invite the spirit, it can calm, it can inspire, it can pump up, it has a way of expressing exactly what you are feeling but you can't really put into words, it has so much power to make you feel anything! And it can carry some powerful messages with it.

Fun fact #4:
      I LOVE musicals and have secret very very unrealistic dreams of being a Broadway star. (But you better believe I win all of the Grammys and Tonys in the shower,, in my car, in the kitchen, and while I'm cleaning)

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So it is a no brainer that when I finally decided to see what was with all the hype about Hamilton the Musical, I fell in LOVE.  It's like Lin-Manuel Miranda, genius of a man that he is, took all of the things I love and tossed them in a blender and came out with this amazing, inspired, work of art. With one heck of a cast to bring it to life (It didn't win 11 Tonys for no reason)

But it is more than just a musical to me.
      It is more than just a bunch of rap/hip-hop songs.
      It is more than just history being retold in a way that is fun and makes you want to learn more.

In a country that is intense, ugly, offensive, defensive, scary, beautiful, nit picky, argumentative, opinionated, free, ignorant, educated, hateful, loving, a country that is anything you want it to be, and during the times that we are living now, life can be overwhelming and confusing.  But I wouldn't trade living in this time for anything.  It's exciting and things are changing.

                                            

Lyric from Hamilton, and as frustrating as life can be I agree with it 110%

Even though we are really good at making it not fun...

I get on social media and I get Trump, Hillary, Bernie, gun rights, parent shaming, ISIS, human trafficking, rape, things you should do, things you should believe, why what you believe or do is wrong and you are a failure of a human being because you don't do exactly what your neighbor does,  all thrown in my face.  You dare to speak out or give your opinion and get instantly attacked and assaulted by all of these people with computer confidence telling you the many ways your opinion is wrong.  Social media is like the ongoing playground fight in the school of life.
It's not all bad.  I'm a firm believer in being able to speak your opinion and have your voice heard (I tell my students all the time that they are welcome to do that in my classroom as long as they have something to back it up and aren't just spouting off what the world is telling them to think or feel) But I don't believe in verbally assaulting and attacking someone who sees different than you, nor do I agree with lumping people in one group because of their religion, race, sexual orientation, politics, parenting choices, and any other way we decide to shame or hate our fellow men.

(For real, for real, Lin-Manuel Miranda is quickly becoming one of my new favorite people)

That being said, a lot of these things that we argue about are not small trivial matters.  Immigration, gun rights, our economy, human rights, they are all important.

 

Another Lyric, but seriously it's time to Rise Up and not just sit and whine, but DO something if you aren't happy with the way the world is going...then after all you've done and you're still unhappy, complain all you want.

Enter Hamilton.

This exceptional musical takes the romanticized idea of the founding of this country and strips it down to what it really was.  Breaking away from a country and starting your own was not an easy task for the founding fathers.  These men who were very educated and studied, had their own ideas and opinions, and some amazing women backing them up and helping them out.  And they were YOUNG.  But they all were working toward the same goal: A functional country with freedoms and rights.  Even though I'm sure at times George Washington felt more like a referee and a parent to unruly youths than the President and first leader of the United States, setting a precedent and example for all to come after him.

Its a reminder in this time of so so so many opinions and beliefs to go back to the basics.  Are we letting not as important topics distract us from the root of the issues and stop us from coming together as a nation and a country?

It shows you the reality and personal issues of the founding fathers.  They threw some serious shade at each other as they tried to accomplish what they thought was best for the United States of America.  Yes, the political arena of today is worse than the Colosseum at the peak of Gladiator season, but it was no picnic in the park in the late 1700s either.  But what do you expect from a bunch of young guys who think they've got the answer to everything.  One would just hope that after almost 250 years we'd be able to come to answers and resolutions differently  (I mean, they dueled.  DUELED---side note, can you picture Trump and Hillary having a full out duel?  Interesting...)

And it makes you question what is worth being right about and what part pride is playing in your life and what we would be different if we all strove more to be humbly passionate about things.

It makes you think and question, am I doing my part to make America the best that it can possibly be?

It shows you that you make out of your life what you put into it.  And it won't be easy or handed to you on a platter.

It quietly but powerfully shows you the strength of women and their very important part in history and the making of this country.  (Don't even get me started on how I feel about the Schuyler sisters, but basically they were awesome and legit and were stronger than all of the founding fathers put together.)  And shows that we are not to be looked over, EVER.

Hamilton gives you a glimpse of what it takes to make things happen in politics and life in general.  And puts in perspective an important and thought provoking question when it comes to how we live life.  Who tells your story?

Hamilton inspires, teaches, and will 100% get stuck in your head.

I've been bitten by the Hamilton bug, and I'm not even mad about it.

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Here's a few other things that I love and just can't stop sharing. (Yes, I recognize I have a problem)


I loved what the Obamas had to say about it during the Tonys so here's a clip, along with one of the many great songs from Hamilton.

Also this site has the lyrics to all the songs including background information on each one. Which is awesome and makes the history teaching in me happy.
http://genius.com/albums/Lin-manuel-miranda/Hamilton-original-broadway-cast-recording

My Heart and Spirit Rejoice

      It has been a few months since I've made an entry in here.  Today I was able to witness and take part in a sacred and special ceremony and I want to shout from the rooftops all about it.  So here I am,  shouting for the world to hear, from my safe and comfortable bedroom in Provo, UT :)
     
     Today the Provo City Center Temple was dedicated.  It has a pretty touching story.  It was built in the late 1800s as a tabernacle.  A meeting place.  In 2010 it burned.  This historical building was left in ashes.  Except for the outer shell.  And then it was announced that it was to be a temple.  That was pretty cool.  I like temples.  And the one in Provo that we already had was always busy.  So another one wouldn't hurt.
 
   And then I started hearing and learning the stories and the connections to history and I grew to love this building.  Here is a picture of the inside when it was a tabernacle:

There it is just a big tabernacle for meetings.  I had been there a few times and it was just a neat old building.

   As I learned more and lived my life, my understanding of this building grew.  I was starting to have a relationship with it.  I have said it before, but it really was becoming an architectural analogy to my personal spiritual growth in this life.  Here are a few videos to show more of what work went into it and all that took place on a street corner in Provo, UT.

That one has more of the history and whatnot.  This next one is just pictures.  But you get the idea.

It is amazing to me how much they were able to do to this shell.  And all of the details and connections to the tabernacle that are spread throughout this sacred building.  

   Much like this building, I have had events happen in my life that have made me feel charred, ruined, dirty, unworthy, and any other negative feelings you can probably think of.  I think it's safe to say that ALL of us have had glimpses of those feelings in our lives.  I, thankfully, didn't let those low times designate the way for the rest of my life.  I have cleaned myself, picked myself up, put myself on stilts, reinforced my foundation in my faith, and have prepared myself to be worthy and willing of God's love and the Atonement of Jesus Christ.  I have made myself new, every time I fall. 

 BECAUSE THERE IS NO LIMIT TO FORGIVENESS

  

Today was the dedicatory session for this beautiful holy place.  I filled my notebook with thoughts and impressions.  My spirit rejoiced.  So many truths were spoken.  My heart was touched.  I felt a renewal so deep that I didn't even realize that I was needing it.  

Some highlights:

• Temple attendance brings peace to lives and hope to hearts.
• "We can choose to believe.  For in belief, we discover the dawn of the light.  We will discover truth.  We will find peace..."-President Dieter F.  Uchtdorf.
• You can't fatten the hog on the day of the fair.
• Dedication ceremonies remind us to re-dedicate ourselves to living according to the Lord's will.

I love that last one.  The reminder to re-dedicate ourselves.  There was also a lot of emphasis put on the family.  Because it is in the temple and ONLY in the temple with the authority of holy priesthood that one can be sealed to their families and, if worthy, can live with them for eternity.    My heart ached.  My whole body yearns to hold those new spirits that come into this world and teach them about this wonderful Plan of Happiness, and the merciful Atonement of Jesus Christ, and this Restored Gospel on this earth to help them return to live with a loving Heavenly Father.  

Sidenote:

[I want that.

I want to be sealed for time and all eternity to an amazing man who will be my partner, my supporter, my friend, and to whom I can reciprocate all of those things.

I want to them welcome into the world some amazing spirits and have all of the joy, happiness, and drama that comes with those responsibilities.

And I will get that.  I have no doubt in my mind that I will have that.  All of it.]

Back to our regularly scheduled program.

In the meantime I will continue preparing and working on me.  I will continue cleaning up and remodeling myself.  I will continue working hard to re-dedicate myself to the Lord and His Kingdom. And striving to help those around me do the same.

At the end of the dedication we participate in the Hosanna Shout and the choir sang the Hosanna Anthem.  And then we as a congregation were able to sing part of "The Spirit of God"  One of my most favorite hymns!

My spirit rejoiced and my heart soared as I lifted my voice and joined with many others proclaiming my testimony through song.

1. The Spirit of God like a fire is burning!

The latter-day glory begins to come forth;

terThe visions and blessings of old are returning,

And angels are coming to visit the earth.

(Chorus)

We'll sing and we'll shout with the armies of heaven,

Hosanna, hosanna to God and the Lamb!

Let glory to them in the highest be given,

Henceforth and forever, Amen and amen!

2. The Lord is extending the Saints' understanding,

Restoring their judges and all as at first.

The knowledge and power of God are expanding;

The veil o'er the earth is beginning to burst.

(Chorus)

I tried to find the perfect version of this hymn, but I will have to settle with this one.

I love this gospel of Jesus Christ.  I am grateful for my faith.  I am grateful for all that I have been blessed with in my life and all that is still in store that I haven't even experiences yet.

I want to yell from the rooftops and I wish everyone could experience the peace and calm that is available to one and all, if they but ask.