final paper...

This has nothing to do with my post, but this is my mom and my dad and I. The two main blessings of my life....


I am not sure where to begin when talking about this class. I don’t want this to sound anything like a testimony or a thank you letter, but I regret to inform you, Sister Embree that it may turn out that way. And I apologize if it really does end up that way.
This class, as cliché as this sounds, changed my life. And especially the way I view my relationships with the people around me. Before going into this class I was, and in some ways still am very selfish. I love to do things on my own and talk more than I listen. But I have really realized that I need to talk less and listen more. I gain more when I do that. I think that the thing that really taught me this is the opportunity we had to serve in the nursing home, but I’ll write more about that later.
I loved each chapter, each one applicable to a different aspect of my life. I feel as though my blinders about life have been removed. I have learned to love people, and get to know people I wouldn’t really want to. I found that this class was powerful because it taught us in MANY different ways to look at the people around us. To learn to ask them about their lives, and love them no matter what. I loved the opportunity to do the YOU project. Not only did someone catch a real essence of me, but I was able to really watch someone who has a great potential and a love for life just like myself.
This taught me a greater love for my Savior. This is what He does, he loves each and every one of us. Taking the time to get to know each one of us personally and on a deep emotional level. We shared things in this class that connected us on a deeper level. I know that I hadn’t shared some things with people that I did in this class. There were things that I didn’t know I knew about myself till this class pushed many of my weaknesses and strengths right before me. It was tough but this is almost like what we do with our Savior. We bring our weaknesses to the table, and he helps us strengthen and grow through those types of things. I hate to demean the Savior in any way and that isn’t my intention. I just want to say that this class is highly spiritual. I felt the Lord’s hand in what we did, in the things we said and did.
I think the biggest thing is indeed that the spirit was allowed to be there in each classroom. We had times where we did laugh and joke, times when we were silly. But I remember times when emotions ran high and tears almost began to run. I know that there were times when I would be upset at something said, but because the Spirit was in that room I knew that everything was going to be ok, and that people were allowed to have their own opinions. It was a joy to hear from others.
The other thing I learned is that people are raised differently than me, and that’s ok. I discovered that different ways of being raised is how we learn and grow from each other. These types of experiences are important when we need each other. When we need to grow into a person of worth. We can’t have every experience out there, and that’s why we are on this earth together. This is simply perfect! We are blessed with the people around is to push us towards perfection. Perfection is tough, but someday we’ll make it. It’s classes like this that we can push towards our Savior and living a life that’s worth something, that’s worth showing off to your Heavenly Father.
So Sister Embree, I am not sure if this makes any sense. But I loved this class. I love the better that it brought out in me. It will be a continual progression, as we all know that life is, but that’s perfect. That’s what we’re here for. So Sister Embree, thank you for giving me the opportunity to come closer to my Father in Heaven through my education.