Annie's blessing

Thanks Joneses and Christensons for coming yesterday to Annie's blessing.

Swensons and mom and dad were greatly missed. :(

slacker sally.... that's me.

I want to apologize for my slackerness. On the way to California Leesa called and reminded me that July was my month to choose the goal. Well, I told myself I would do it when I had my scriptures in hand. Then I forgot. And as a side note, I thoroughly enjoyed my vacation. :) But then I got home and Leesa reminded me again. Because I had continued to forget. Sorry.
So for the last few days I've been thinking about what to put as a goal. Originally when we talked about doing scripture goals, I planned on what I would do for my month, but mom had basically the same idea as me, and I never thought about plan B.
When Leesa called to remind me again tonight, she suggested that since it is almost half way through July already, that maybe I should just do December. I hope that's ok with everyone. I'm really sorry I didn't realize my month had come.

So maybe for the month we could just do a little update on our New Years Resolutions? And then I'll do better for December. :)

Dad and Mom June Results

June Results for Dad and Mom

I actually submited this on the blog Jul 1, but for some reason it would not submit so I am having Ronda do it like last month.

Dad is slow in doing his own goal.

I choose a teacher from my high school days. I sent a letter to Mr. Cordova. We had a very shaky start but became good friends in the end. He was my English teacher my senior year. It was his first year of teaching. He kicked me out of class because -- oh well that's another story. Anyway he got me to love English all the more (English was my favorite subject). He was a good teacher and one that also taught Leesa Spanish in the ITV program when she was in high school.

When Andy died he called to support us and he may have even come to the funeral, I really don't know for sure. He called us at Christmas time for at least 5 years after that to see how we were doing. He came to my mother's funeral last August just for me. Nobody came just for me except him.

He was a good teacher and a good man and he became my friend. I had alot of good teachers through out my school years but none that have kept track of me the way Mr. Cordova did. He went that extra mile as Pres. Spencer Kimbal said to do. Thanks Dad for this wonderful goal.

cook june results

I wrote a thank you to Mrs. Morlock. She was a teacher that came over when we joined with Pettibone, so I knew her better than any of you. I just enjoyed her teaching style, other than the 10 page research papers.... I always felt comfortable with her and I felt that she cared. And it was obvious she loved her job which always makes going to class more bearable. She was always so willing to help me with whatever I didn't understand. When I took Geometry I went in at least 2-3 times a week early to have her help me with it. Then at study hall I would help all my classmates understand it, so I actually left that class with a fairly good understanding of geometry! I always sat on the garbage can next to her and she walked me through the questions I couldn't get on my own. I think she was my favorite teacher because she was so positive and friendly and personable.

Jones June Results

I cheated on the time thing too, and I took an easy route.
I picked Mrs. Morrison. Yes, I know everyone thought to do her and because of that no one did, so I did.
She was the one teacher that seemed most interested in her students lives, and not just the subject she was teaching them. Out of all the teachers I had, I spent the most time out of school hours with her. There were lots more trips the band/choir took compared to the other school subjects/teachers.
I'm grateful for the interest she took in me and wanting to be a trusted friend as well. I'm sure if I'd had troubles in my youth she would have been the one teacher I would have confided in.
She was always cheerful and positive and that is definitely one of the most important qualities in a teacher.
I remember one time the band went up to Carrington (I think) to play for some district tournament. It was winter and Mrs. Morrison was following the bus. It was not very good weather and we were all watching out the windows and saw Mrs. Morrison ALMOST go in the ditch. Later that day we were talking about it with her and she was expressing how scary that was. A certain boy in my class...said, that would have been so funny and awesome if you'd have had a car accident and gone in the ditch, hahaha. I thought she was going to start crying.
That day I realized two things. 1. Just what a punk M. A. was! and 2. That teachers are just people too who have feelings and emotions just like me. I think I was more sensitive after that for what the teachers go through. I felt more protective for Mrs. Morrison after that too. I loved accompanying all the choir songs and music festivals we had. I know I'm as good as I am today because of her encouragement to do it. I still remember the first song I did for the choir, Bye Bye Love. I did absolutely horrible. Instead of being disappointed she just grinned and handed me two more songs for the next concert.

June Results

So I too kind of cheated but different than Jill. I decided after thinking of all
the teachers I had that I would mail my letter to Judy Landenberger as my piano
teacher of many years. I imagine I gave her the hardest time as her student since
I did not want to be there every week for a lesson. I know she worked with me and
used patience in doing it. She worked hard to help me learn the hymns and primary
songs in our hymn books and didn't get mad at me if I was not prepared for lessons.
She also still to this day asks if I am using what she taught in my life now.
I 'm grateful she kept up with patience and kindness. I don't use it as much
as I should but I know it does bless my family with music at FHE at least.
Thanks Dad for the reminder to thank those who have touched us and helped us
to be who we are today.

Swenson June Results

So, I actually cheated a tiny bit on this goal. I did write my thank you letter but it wasn't actually written until July 2nd. Sorry, June was a busy month. But it is now written and in the mail. Anyway, I chose to write to Barb and Jess Smith. I think they were great teachers who devoted their lives to teaching others. They also did it with patience and a positive attitude. Hopefully the note I sent will help them realize what a great influence they have on children.

Steve, is still currently sleeping so I'm not 100% sure that he wrote a letter. He did mention to me a dental professor who had written a very nice letter of recommendation for him when he was trying to get into a residency. This past month he too was able to write a letter of recommendation for an employee who wants to get into dental school and he expressed to me how grateful he was for this specific dental professor.

Thanks Dad for the goal, it's important to remember all the people who helped make us who we are.