Warning: Long Post.
Current News.
Another chaotic week in my life. Only 2 more of those left! What a relief. When I get on that plane to head to Hawaii, I am going to let out the biggest exhale, and everything will be left behind!
I did a research paper on anxiety for my psychology class, and I'm so happy to have that done. Actually I am officially done with all of my assignments now, and it's crunch time for finals. I finished up tutoring this year. It's bittersweet to see the kids go because they have grown up a little, and learned even more. I finished up my last Children's Literature assignment! What a relief that was too! I think we counted and read over 50 books this semester. Work has been picking up a little bit, and slowing down at the same time. I worked a 14 hour shift on Saturday. LONGEST DAY OF MY LIFE! Oh and I even got called a "female dog." I thought I was going to lose my job for about 15 seconds, and then my big boss for that day was like "pshh you're fine, she's the female dog." She was a crazy lady though that's for sure! It's hilarious looking back on it now though. Glad that day is over though. Steven came to church with us at the Singles Ward for the first time! I was thinking about it, and of all times for Steven to just drop in, it's the most hectic, stressful, busiest, most tiring part of the semester, and there he is. He shared a quote with me, and I found that it's from Sex and the City, but it said-
Everything you ever ever wanted comes the very second you stop looking for it.
And all I'm going to say about it is that it's so true! The end.
But I know some of you are wondering, just like the rest of everyone who asks...Steven and I are great. He took me out to breakfast which is my favorite date in the whole wide world (besides a library one, but that will come later) and it was so fun. Except that I got a salad instead of potatoes which was weird first thing in the morning if I do say so myself! But we are good. Tomorrow we are going to this new Hot Dog place with Connie! I can't wait, and then we are making these blocks for my math class with each other. One thing that I love, is that I can talk and talk and talk and talk, and he just listens, and laughs at me, or with me probably more at me, but that's alright. There's hope for you girls out there. I promise.
With the end of the year rapidly coming to an end, I'm starting to reflect a ton on everything that's happened since January. Which is a ton! I can't believe how much has happened academically, spiritually, socially, mentally, and physically. I have said this in almost every post thus far, but this semester has been the most challenging one for me, yet rewarding. Being enrolled in 20 credits- I don't suggest it when you have 2 jobs, a major church calling, and are involved in student government, and tutor at an elementary school, and the dove center. Just not a good idea. We'll see how my grades turn out at the end. The only class that I'm really worried about it math. Which is always case. Regardless, I have grown so much this semester. I have an increased appreciation for education, a passion for serving others, and an understanding of the Lord's will. Beyond that, I have made friendships that will last forever that I am ever grateful for.
Reflecting
On the past semester, and all the great things that have happened.
Remember when I was sick for two months? No exaggeration there either. I sure remember. I can honestly say, that it was the most challenging to still stay on top of everything, and yet it was a blessing. It made me realize how important it is to stay healthy, and how grateful I am for when I am healthy. It just slows you down. But I only get sick like every other year or so, and when I do it's pretty bad, and this time it was for a long period of time. But every time that I do, it's like Heavenly Father is saying, "Hey Gabbi, SLOW DOWN!" And I'm forced to take a chill pill, and find time for myself to get better, which is really hard for me sometimes. Thank goodness for pedicures, that's really all I need time for when it comes to treating myself lol. When my toes are happy, I'm happy. End of story.
Student Government. Man oh man. Where do I even begin. What a fun transition it was in being the administrative assistant. But I can say that it was the most draining. Towards the end I was burnt out to the crisp too. It's so repetitive that I get annoyed. That being said, I learned so much about dealing with people, and how the legislature works, all about higher education, and met important dignitaries throughout the semester. One person can make a difference and it was shown this past semester with all the changes that are happening this upcoming year at Dixie. I found a passion for Dixie, and that Dixie Spirit that all the alumni and ole folks talk about. Being apart of it has helped me to realize that no matter how far away from home you may be, that you can bring home to wherever you are. Everyone has something different to offer, and I think that's why I love to be involved in something that means so much to me. I have to clean out my office this next week, and I'm torn. But next year's executive council will be great, I know they will.
School. Holy Moley! 20 credits. And I think I stayed on top of it all. I never had a late assignment, and I passed CIS with the lovely help of Alayna Graham! My hardest class was Psychology, but it was the class that I learned the most in. I can honestly say that I know I'm going into to teaching, because it's where I fit. My Children's lit class was the most time consuming, and draining. I was constantly reading books, which wasn't a bad thing, it was just time consuming, and sometimes when you're so tired, it's almost not even worth reading, because you just have to re read what you already read, and you still don't understand it! I'm a slow reader to, even though I love to read, but that class was inspiring, and so optimistic on children, and the teaching aspect. I can't wait to have my own library! CIS what a pain in the but that class was. But we all have to do it. My advice if it means anything to anyone: TEST OUT OF ALL OF THE OBJECTIVES!! You can totally do it. I tested out of everything except Excel and regret not testing out. Just take all the tutorials, and practice tests, and you will pass with flying colors.
Tutoring. It's over! I'm so sad. Those kids kept me seine. They taught me a lot about patience. Those little hispanic kids are my favorite too. When they read to me, they would read in English, but sometimes their little spanish accents would come out and they would read a word with the spanish dialect. I loved it, and never corrected them on it...oops. I just thought it was the cutest thing! I had my favorites. John and Javeria. Javeria improved her scores so much throughout the year. Seeing other people succeed is by far my favorite thing. Like watching the olympics I don't care who wins, just seeing people succeed at something that they have worked so hard doing gives me goosebumps all up and down my spine. I can't help it.
Dove Center. PHEW I'm getting worn out just thinking about all of this stuff. What a great team to work with! We did so much to get Greg Mortenson hear in St. George, and we did it! It was such a great experience for me, and towards the end, I started to pray about what I was going to do afterwards to serve, and then all of these opportunities arose. I can't wait to start! It's going to be another learning and growing experience for me. I'll be headed to Washington D.C this summer thanks to Kay Ackerman, a women that I volunteered with, and will be helping out with a summer camp for girls afterwards. It's going to be great!
Institute. WOW. What a great experience this has been, and definitely paid off too. This semester we had the highest number of students enrolled than ever. Which to give other people some credit, it makes sense because the enrollment at Dixie is rising in general, but still! It's great news! It's been so fun planning activities, even though majority of the time I had to work. Some were successful, and some weren't, but I think we all learned a lot about communicating with one another, and recognizing the needs of both stakes. I can't wait for next year. It's going to be even better. I can already feel the unity we have with the new Executive council!
The Lords Will. Funny how things work out the way they are suppose to, and not when we want them to right?! This past semester has been full of good news, and bad news, but I've learned to take the bad and throw it away because it's what brings you down, and the good news brings you up, and most of the time the bad things are so little that it doesn't really matter. My path has been brightly lit thanks to the will of the Lord. I'll be on my way to becoming a teacher in the Fall. Which I couldn't be more excited, and scared about. I'm going to Hawaii which has been a goal since about October, one reason why I had two jobs. Then I'll be home for almost 2 weeks! I haven't been home in six months, and I'm going to take advantage of every minute I'm home! I'll be up at BYU Provo to do EFY counseling, which has been on my bucket list since I was 14. 7 Years later, and it's being crossed off! I'll be going to Washington D.C for a Leader conference for Women by myself, and that has worked out so smoothly, I can't even tell you how generous people around me have been to support me in going. I've never been, so I'm excited, and a little nervous. There's potential for me to help out at a 7th and 8th grade summer camp for girls as well, and be a camp teacher type thing, which I would totally love! The more and more I think about it, I should go into communications, but maybe after I get my Elem Ed. degree? Things just fall into place right as they are suppose to.
I think I covered all the basics of this past semester. But here's a few more things.
As I've been away from home for 2 years now, I see myself turning into my mother. I can say that I love it. I'm not doing it on purpose, it's just mother nature literally working!
In institute a girl shared a story, and then applied it to the following. You have a white piece of paper, and there is a black dot in the center, and then below the dot in small print it says, "See the white." Basically meaning that as we looks around us, we need to see the good in things, that one black spot doesn't cover up everything good in someone or something. I loved that thought. Made me think.
Somethings I need to get better at. Patience. Yet, I have come to my own conclusion that patience is an eternal virtue that we will always have to work on. I also need to work on my sympathy I have towards others. Sometimes I have this attitude of- get over it, or life's tough move on. I give credit to my family for that and all my coaches I ever had. If you know what the smallest violin is, you know what I'm talking about. Thankfully I have learned to just get over it, not dwell, and move on, but others don't really and so I need to be better at showing sympathy, and empathy. I find that there are always things I can be striving to be better at, but when I'm not trying to become better at something I'm lacking in, is when I become prideful. Just as the scriptures say
I bgive unto men weakness that they may be humble; and my cgrace is sufficient for all men that dhumble themselves before me; for if they humble themselves before me, and have faith in me, then will I make eweak things become strong unto them.
With that being said, Easter is on Sunday! I love this time of year. It's a great time to reflect on the life of Christ, and the atonement. I've been challenged to memorize The Living Christ, which- with how busy I am, has been quite the challenge for me. But I am almost done memorize it, and it's become such a blessing in my life. I know the Christ is my Savior, I know that he atoned for the sins, not just mine, but for the world. I know that he lived a life to set the example for us to follow. How important it is for us to try our hardest, but when we fall, we can count on him to pick us back up again. He is the light, the truth, and the way to life. I know that we can overcome all things through Christ. We have to put our faith and trust in him, and things will work out for our good as it says in Romans 8:28.
I hope that this Easter we can all have a magnified reflection on Christ's life, and emulate his example for the rest of our lives.
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