When a chapter ends and new one begins...

As a 4 years old child I decided that when I grew up I wanted to be a Dance Teacher, a Wife and a Mother. Now after seven years of full time employment this has been my last month as the Heritage Academy Dance Teacher. Who knew I could last seven years at the same job without getting bored? There is no doubt in my mind that this is where I was to be and for multiple reasons. I have been taught by many wonderful people. There is a line from one of my favorite musicals The King and I that comes to my mind...

There's a very ancient saying

but pure and honest thought

that when you become a teacher

 by your pupils you'll be taught!

                                                                                 
      In the last 3 years I have been privileged to join a book club from its beginning through my friends and work associates of the English department. Being the amazing teachers that they are, they have had the right love, patience, example, energy, encouragement and influence for one such student as myself .
       You may not know that I have a natural talent for reading very well and with expression while thinking about anything and everything else, and then not be able to tell what I just read. Reading has also been a great way to fall asleep especially when I am not even trying. It is due to these natural talents that I never read the books that I was given in school.
       You may wonder how I ever made it through to graduation...well I often wonder the same thing. It was through the examples of my parents that after High School I set out to seek knowledge line upon line. First by reading The Book of Mormon and then a book called Drawing on the Powers of Heaven. I found books about being your best self just in time for getting married and having children. With Children came a desire to understand how each individual is a genius with a personal path to find it within. I began to love reading side by side with our children everyday. What a great time to cuddle and enjoy being together. I wanted my children to grow up knowing how intelligent they were, and thus in our home we had the "smart room".
       At Heritage I found myself being drawn to those with a thirst for reading good books and a quest for knowledge. I had not yet realized how much you could learn from reading a novel and reading a book was never something I did just for fun. It has been such a wonderful experience to be among these ladies and explore great books for enjoyment, as well as learning.

Here are some of the books I have enjoyed reading:
Pope Joan by Donna Woolfolk (first DBC book -intense read.)
The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society by Mary Ann Shaffer and Annie Barrows.
The Zookeeper's Wife by Diane Ackerman
The Help by Kathryn
These Is My Words by Nancy E. Turner. (My favorite book so far!)
Sarah's Quilt by Nancy E. Turner
The Star Garden by Nancy E. Turner
The Anatomy of Peace by The Arbinger Institute.
Leadership and Self Deception by The Arbinger Institute
The Seven Paths of the Anasazi Way by Anasazi Foundation
Holding Fast by Robert Millet
Talking With God by Robert Millet
The Emotion Code by Bradley Nelson
Up From Slavery by Booker T. Washington
Life Lessons for Mastering the Law of Attraction by Jack Canfield and Mark Victor Hansen
Feelings Buried Alive Never Die by Karol K Truman
Healing Feelings From Your Heart by Karol K. Truman

Our next adventure is Jane Eyre by Charlotte Bronte before our year retreat in September.

      On Thursday and we met at the Charleston Restaurant where we met for our first book club meeting. Upon arrival I noticed all the ladies had a gift bag and at the end of our dinner they all brought forth these very thoughtful presents. Each one had chosen one of their favorite novels to share with me as we move to Utah. My heart is so full of love and appreciation for each member. Each one of them with such strengths and individuality. Each one of them with a story of their own to tell. Each one an example of righteousness. Each one I have learned from and each one of them I consider a very dear friend. Teacher, and pupil have all learned so much about being a part of each other.

        On my desk I now have so much to see, to learn and to understand. Years of reading to make up for. Many books yet to be read. I will miss working with such amazing women, but it is comforting to know that near or far I can still be a member of our DBC. Most importantly we will always be true friends and kindred spirits.

From the depths of my heart ladies...

I Love You

THANK YOU SO MUCH!

Graduation 2011

 Michael has completed his High School at Heritage Academy and has plans

to attend Northern Arizona University in the fall.

Michael will be missed at Heritage as he has

a fan club of young ladies that were very sad to hear that he graduated this year...

We are excited for this new beginning in Michael's life.

He has so many talents to share with the world.

Congratulations Michael

on

Graduation 2011

Prom 2011

Our baby has 2 more days until graduation....

Where does the time go?

We LOVE you Michael Stephen Maughan!

BLESSINGS!

 It is the Fishfinder 150

Little Lamb

 I have a new appreciation for how gentle these little creatures are.

As we sit back stage we can hear the soft baa, when they are seperated at times when some go on stage and some stay behind the scenes the babies will call out and the mother will call back.

It touches my heart and brings new understanding to scriptures that refer to the sheep and the shepherds.

A Priceless Opportunity

I am very blessed to have the opportunity to participate in the Mesa Arizona Easter Pageant this year.

With about 450 cast members and and additional 400 crew members all involved to make this largest outdoor Easter Pageant in the world. This first week of April we are reminded of the Saviors birth over 2000 years ago. In participating in this pageant I am grateful for the insights that come into my heart and mind. My testimony of the Plan of Salvation first came in watching a musical theatre production called My Turn On Eath as I sat there with my Parents and Grandparents I understood in a very personal way what this plan meant to me. I would not have come to this understanding in any other way..

 I know the power of the Arts in portraying things of great importance to the heart. 

On our first day of practice March 25th the first new friend I met was from Southern Alberta. Doreen and her husband are here for the winter. We are in the scene called Healing and Teaching.

 I play the role of the Mother of Nain, my son has died and we are in a funeral procession as Jesus Christ sees my grief and raises my son from the dead. Doreen plays the role of a mourner with me in this scene. It is thought that this may be the first person Christ raises from the dead in his ministry.

May we all enjoy this special Easter Season

 as we reflect on the Savior Jesus Christ his life,teachings and mission here on earth.

Time with my Best Friend

Spring in the air

We make a great pair

Back for a visit from where we began

This is the place!

We saw beautiful art work at the BYU Museum.

It's a beautiful testimony in pictures that say so much more than words can.

This picture touched my heart as I was listening to a tour with an Ipad and hearing Neil A. Maxwell talk of the Saviors experience in Gethsemene for each one of us.