EFY 2009

Dear Reader,

As you should know, I was an EFY counselor this past summer, and it was one of the most amazing times of my life. Reflecting back on this summer, I learned ALOT about the gospel, about Jesus Christ, and I think most importantly about myself.

On this past Friday night, I was sitting at my apartment, bored because my plans had fallen through, when I decided that I would go on to the EFY website to find out when they were accepting applications for counselors for next summer. It said it wouldn't be accepting them until Nov. 1, 2008. I then decided that I would fill out an application to be a BC (building counselor). A building counselor is basically a counselor of the counselors. To be a building counselor, you must have already been a counselor before (which I have). Well, I filled out the application and e-mailed it in. When I applied to be a counselor last year, it took them a few days to a week, to get back to me and tell me if they wanted an interview. About two hours after I had submitted my application to be a BC, I had an email from EFY telling me that they wanted me to schedule an interview with them.

So, now, here I am, not knowing exactly what to do. I want to work EFY again this coming summer, but I'm scared of what may or may not happen if I do work EFY. When you are hired as a BC, you have to work 8 weeks during the summer. And, for those of you who don't know, Brandon comes home at the end of May, and the first week of EFY (which I would have to work) is the last week of May. So, I would basically be gone the whole summer and not see him at all when he gets back. But, on the other hand, being a BC would be an AMAZING experience. I wouldn't be working directly with the youth, but I think that I could have some AMAZING experiences that would help me, the counselors I would be working with, and the youth grow.

I scheduled an interview, for Nov. 7, 2008. And, I am still so nervous about it, and if I really want to do it or not. Also, I don't think I'm nearly qualified or adequate to do this. Everyone else is so knowledgeable of the gospel, and me, I'm just Terri, who has been a member of the church for a little over a year and three months. So, I ask you, Reader, that you will pray for me. And, pray that I may find the answer that I need. Thanks!

Love you!
Terri Ann

Substitute Teaching

So, as you may know (if you have read my blog at all), I am a substitute teacher. And, even though I've only been working for three weeks, I absolutely love it (except when I have those little stinkers!).

I'd just like to give you a preview of what a normal day when I substitute teach is like:

6:30am wake up (because my roommate hogs the bathroom, if I don't get up before her)
6:45am out of the shower and dressed
7:00am done getting dressed and done with my hair
7:30am finish eating breakfast
7:45am leave for work
8:15ish am arrive at the school I will be working at
8:30am school starts
11:15am lunch
3:30pm school is out
4:00pm I am home
4:30pm on the train to nappy town!
6:30pm make dinner
12:30am go to bed (and it all starts all over again)

I have only had one class that I didn't really like, and I think it's because they had never had a substitute before, so they didn't know how to react. But, for the most part, all of my kids are great. I really hope that some teachers will call me back to work with their kids again.

General Conference

So, this weekend, we had our church General Conference, and OMG I was so excited for it. For those of you reading this who don't know what General Conference is, let me take a few moments to explain. General Conference happens twice a year, the first weekend of October and April. It is an opportunity for the members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints to hear messages prepared for us by the Prophet and General Authorities. The General Conference is broadcasted from the Conference Center in Salt Lake City, UT. In the past year and three months that I have been a member of the church, I have never been able to go to Conference, but now that I am living out here, I was hoping that I would be able to go.

Last weekend, my roommate, Melissa, surprised me and told me that she got us both tickets to go to Sunday's afternoon session of Conference. I was ecstatic!

So, we got to go up to Salt Lake with Melissa's sister and sister's friends and we went to Conference. When we got there, we had to walk down the street past some protestors and it just made me laugh. And, I think I laughed because my roommate Melissa had told me how crazy they are, but the things that the protestors were saying, are things that I have had to deal with (from my mother) since I started "investigating" the church. So, it was just funny! Well, when we got into the Conference Center, I was totally awe struck, and so excited to be there. It was beautiful. We were there about an hour early, so we sat and talked and enjoyed the prelude music.

Conference was AMAZING! I loved being so close to the prophet and the apostles. Those men called by God, to lead us and guide us in these latter-days. Well, I am going to share some of my notes that I took about my 2 FAVORITE talks from the day.

Elder Russell M. Nelson:

• Do we want marriage of the highest quality, low quality, or do we want marriage shoplifters?
• Marriage is ONLY to be with a man AND a woman
• Temple marriage is the highest
• Celestial Marriage- keep sacred covenants
• Families can be together forever
• Man shall have one wife, be one flesh
• Marriage = commandment
• Temple marriage not only between husband and wife, but it is also a promise with God.
• No blessings will be with held from the faithful saints.
• Harmony in marriage- minimize personal demands and maximize acts of lovingness

My other favorite is by: Elder William D. Oswald:

• All of us have a life long challenge by the Lord to teach the gospel as it has been revealed to us
• Every member a teacher
• Jesus was and is the master teacher
• 3 principles of good teaching 1. call them by name 2. teach from the scriptures 3. encourage the pondering of gospel truths (pondering not only uses our heads, but also our hearts)

Well, that was my little input about Conference. I encourage everyone to read the talks, and seriously get as much as you can out of them!

EFY Provo 11C- Steadfastly (aka STUDfastly)

So, my last week of EFY, the boys wrote the girls a song. It is to the tune of Hey There Delilah, it is called Hey EFY girl. And, here it is:

Hey efy girl
you're so pretty when you're modest
I’ve got to say goodbye soon
cause this session's almost over
yes it's true
temple square can't shine as bright as you
I swear it's true

Hey there lone zebra, when the slow song starts to play
just make yourself available
and girl I won't delay
I'll make your day
The mighty hunter finds his prey
I'm on my way

Oh, won't you dance with me?
Oh, hold me steadfastly
Oh, won't you dance with me?
Oh, hold me steadfastly,hold me steadfastly...

Hey C.O.W.
It's our last night together
but just add me on Facebook
and then we'll be friends forever, B.F.F.
It'll be just like I never left,
You're the best

Hey Efy girl,
Won't you write me on my mission,
I'll be serving for the Lord,
so other guys don't you be kissing
don't close your eyes,
when you are out with other guys,
my eternal prize...

Please, don't you Dear John me!
Stand by me steadfastly,
Please, don't you Dear John me!
Stand by me steadfastly,
by me steadfastly...

(Bridge) Two years may seem pretty long,
but you'll be true and I'll be strong
I'll think of you just every other day...
And then one day when I return,
we'll reunite, our hearts will burn,
The world will never ever be the same!
You'll take my name!

Oh, celestially we’ll be,
oh, be mine eternally,
oh, celestially we’ll be,
oh, be mine eternally,
mine eternally...



http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2DJQvKWG3Gg

Becoming a Substitute Teacher

So, I got a job, yesterday. I was hired to be a substitute teacher for the Provo School District. I am very excited, and scared all at the same time! As many of you know, I am going to school to be a High School History and Math teacher. So, this job will give me tons of classroom experience, and will hopefully give me a "leg up" on others whom I will be competing for a job with, when I graduate. I start my training on Tuesday, September 9th. And then, I will be able to be called and hired for jobs after that. I am hoping that everything will go well, and that I will get lots of jobs, but honestly, we will see. Wish me luck, off I go into the real world, the world away from in-n-out burger!

Cinnamon Tree Apartments!

Last Monday I took one small step for man, one GIANT leap for Terri Ann! I moved to Provo, Utah into the Cinnamon Tree Apartments. It is very exciting for me. And, I am absolutely LOVING it! My kitchen and my place is always open, so please just give me a call or text me when you want to come over.