Stupid Human Moment

Just about a year ago, Joshua and I had our first emergency room experience together. I've heard before that couples must go through some sort of traumatic event before they can be assured that the relationship is a solid one. I don't know if I believe it but...check. Done. And passed it with flying colors.

The story is so embarrassing to tell - it is one of the stupidest things I have ever done. So rather than give the whole story, let me express it using math.

                    
                                                                                       +

          
                                                                                =

Ew. Gross. Yes, that cactus looking thing is my finger. Seven stitches later, they had me all patched up and sent home. The worst part? This happened the last day before students came back from Christmas break. Let's just say...I felt like an idiot telling a bunch of middle schoolers that I'd blended my finger.

But, the doctors did a phenomenal job. A year later, you can hardly even see any scars! I only lost a TINY bit of feeling around the area (I can still feel with that fingertip, it's just a smidge dull), and it's like nothing ever happened. Except for the fact that I refuse to use that stupid kitchen contraption anymore. It's now Joshua's official job.

I post this because I learned two really important things from it:

a) Don't be dumb. Always unplug something before you touch any moving parts, electrical pieces etc. I don't know WHAT I was thinking (apparently...my lack of thinking was a key problem here). I'm afraid I'll be a bit of a worry wart now, but I seriously don't even stir something with a long spoon in the blender until the pitcher is off the motor. It's just a good idea.

b) Heavenly Father is good to me. I was so afraid that I'd lose that part of my finger or lose feeling in  my finger, but I didn't. Even though it was something stupid that was totally my fault, He knows me and my heart and what is important to me and helped everything to be okay. I believe humans often think, "Heavenly Father would never help this be better - I chose to do something stupid." But that is the beauty of God's love. Even when we do things that are contrary to what is best, Heavenly Father is willing to help us get through them and move to higher ground. He loves us.

Chalk One Up to Family Dinner Time: A Thought on Civility

At the beginning of October 2013, I had the opportunity to spend three days at Outdoor Lab with the sixth graders at my school. I'll be honest...the thought of 24 hour duty with a gaggle of 12 year old girls did not necessarily sound like my ideal way to spend a week, but it turned out to be awesome.

We spent the week at camp IdRaHaJe (it stands for "I'd Rather Have Jesus"). While it is a religious camp, they also host these "mountain lab" stays for schools of all types, and have thus adjusted their activities to allow the "public" sector to join in.We played outside, we hiked, we got to shoot bows and arrows and repel...but the thing I loved the most was the meals.

Go ahead. Make your snide comments. It's no secret that eating is my favorite hobby. But I'm not talking about the food, here (even though it was all made from scratch and awesome. If colleges served food that good, it would turn into the Freshman 50.)

Their mess hall is quite possibly one of the most amazing experiences I've ever had with students. All of the meals there are served family style. Literally, "Amaya, please pass the potatoes. Jacob, please pass the salt." Each table can hold eight people. One person at each table is your OTS Rep (Opportunity to Serve). They bring bowls and baskets with all the food you need. After a moment of silence, kids are expected to ask politely to "please pass" whatever they need. They serve each other. If more of any food item was needed, the OTS member gladly steps up and replenishes. We talked, got to know each other, laughed, served, and shared food.

I have never seen such happy, kind, wonderful middle school students in my life.

I asked each table that I sat with (as I tried to eat with different kids most of the time) if they did this often with their families. The answers were quite depressing: "No, we never use our table. We just sit in the living room and watch TV." "No, we just kind of eat whenever." "Sometimes, mostly for holidays and stuff."

And yet...when in this situation, the kids were happy, they cared for each other, helped each other, laughed together and smiled. It worked. They served, they cleared the tables, they helped each other out. They were civil. And kind. And full of happiness.

So often, I think that we just expect and accept poor behavior from this age group. We just think, "Ah, middle school is just a tough time." And it is, believe me, it is. And yes, kids these days do tend to be less respectful than in times past...when we let them. When we expect that of them.

However, when these students were in a place where the expectation was respect, kindness, service and love, they totally stepped up and owned it and loved it. I know I'm repeating myself here, but I have never seen these kiddos so happy before. I truly believe that these kids are capable of so much more than we give them credit for.