"I hope they call me to....Temple Square!"

Tonight, I was on the phone with my 10 year old niece. We were talking about me going on a mission. I asked her if she would miss me and write to me while I was gone. She asked how long I would be gone for, I reminded her that girls go out for 18 months and guys 24 months. She sat there quietly for a few seconds and in a very serious tone said, "Shalene, I am going to write to President Monson and ask if you can be one of the sister missionaries at Temple Square in SLC...then you would only be 20 minutes away from my house and I could come visit you everyday!" After chuckling for a minute and telling her that in fact, Temple Square has been one of those missions I would love; especially giving tours of President Young's, the Beehive House! I told her of a story that happened when I was 13 years old, our family had gone to Temple Square and I announced that I wanted to go on a mission there. My older brother Scott was quick with his response and said that only the good-looking sisters were sent there. And unfortunately, me being the awkward, crooked teeth, acne-ridden girl that I was at the time...would be sent elsewhere. After telling Jocelyn this, she quickly responded, "Shalene, that's not true, I've seen ugly sisters there- so you CAN go there!" Can't quit laughing...out of the mouths of babes!

"Oh, the Places You'll Go!"

"You have brains in your head. You have feet in your shoes. You can steer yourself any direction you choose. You're on your own. And you know what you know. And YOU are the guy who'll decide where to go."- Dr. Seuss

            Dr. Seuss...it still amazes me that a children's author can teach such profound lessons. Along with his works and Roald Dahl's, I was thoroughly prepared for adulthood. 

I have decided to dedicate this blog posting to Dr. Seuss' work, "Oh, the Places You'll Go!" The opening page begins with the above quote. I have always loved this quote, because it is so true, I am the one and only person who decides where I go... After graduation I had no real clear idea with what I wanted to do with my life. I decided I would take my first step towards the most obvious pathway; teaching. (It makes sense, right- that is what I got my degree in!) I went into teaching hearing the expression that you either "sink or swim"...I now, however disagree, teaching is a profession where you are just trying to stay afloat! I have never worked so hard, been more exhausted (physically and mentally) or have put so much of myself into it. Many teachers say that they do "it" for the students and I agree 100%. I love my kids- sure, I have a few rowdy ones I wouldn't be too upset if they were absent...but overall, I love them. 

-I love hearing "Ms. Summers."

-I love walking into MY classroom. 

-I love that my students tease me about my crush on Zac Efron. (And give me gifts with his picture on           it!) 

-I love hearing that I am their favorite teacher or that my class is their favorite. 

-I love hearing from other students that they are excited to have me next semester, because they have heard how "cool" I am from the other kids. 

It is these simple things that get me through all the rough days and all the crap that teachers put up with.  

"I'm sorry to say so but, sadly, its' true that Bang-ups and Hang-ups can happen to you. You can get all hung up in a prickle-ly perch." 

My degree prepared me to create lessons, to adapt and modify, manage a classroom, make learning fun...but it also taught me a naive understanding of an idealistic education system. The harshest reality that I have had to face, is the fact that our education system is failing our students. I feel that it is a competition between schools. Students are simply learning to take tests. Teachers are unappreciated and slowly being replaced by computers. And students are not receiving the grades that they really did earn.  This list, unfortunately, could go on and on. BUT, although "bang-ups and hang-ups can happen..." I am trying to focus on what really matters, the students. I went into education thinking that I would be superman (or woman) and take it by storm. Reality has sat in...naivety out the window.  I have never worked harder, been stressed out more, lacked sleep, had so much pressure placed upon my shoulders, nor been reminded so much that I may not be that superwoman, but I am a teacher...and I will do all within my power to make a difference in the lives of my students.

Now, with that said...lately, I have felt that something is missing in my dull, boring life. Sure, your thinking...a husband! Yeah, that would be nice, and I will gladly welcome that opportunity when and if it comes. But I was thinking along the lines of serving an LDS mission. I have always had that deserve within my heart to serve the Lord and share the gospel with others. I have loved the opportunities that I have had in my life, thus far in sharing the gospel with friends and family, and yearn for a deeper commitment and sacrifice to share the gospel full-time. 

With prayers being answered, I know that this is the next step and pathway that I am to take in my life. All of life's blessings, challenges and directions have prepared me and led me up to this point. The plan right now is to put in my papers the beginning of March, and maybe get my call around my birthday which is the 13th. (That would be a fun birthday present!) With the news of allowing sisters to go out at 19 and the men at 18, I will probably be the old-fuddie duddie in the mission. But I don't care! I have preparing my whole life for that moment and I will serve the Lord with all of my heart! 

Life is full of paths, "some you will say, I don't choose to go there...and you may not find any you'll want to go down...You'll get mixed-up, of course as you already know." Although, I have no clear plans for my future; five, ten...even three years down the road, I do however have something to work  towards. Today, I am a teacher. And "tomorrow"I will be a missionary for the Lord.