Great and Important Things

When I learn how to move from youtube to my blog, I’ll post the video.  Meanwhile, you’ll have to fend for yourself.

An email from Brent:

The page is here:

http://www.missourionthemove.org/vision-for-the-future/connections-and-choices/

The video is here:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xXRPW-tewDc

Brent

Posted on Facebook:

Our son, Brent, in the green shirt.  YES!

Amy Hugh shared a link.  November 9.

Nice Work Brent, Executive Director.

MODOT:  Missourians share thoughts in how infrastructure should accommodate increased bike and pedestrian travel.

Comments:

Todd Graves:  It is spooky how young Brent looks!  Maybe I should get one of those bikes.

Lana Stowell Mathis:  He looks good!

RaJean Olsen:  Great project!

Sheila Morrison:  Is this your brother?

Amy Hugh:  Well, not this guy, but the one doing the talking.

Bonnie Wight Schoenberger:  Nicely done, Brent!

LaRene Christensen:  Brent is doing great and important things.  I’m quite amazed.  I forwarded this video to Kelli – she will enjoy it.  (Kelli, Brent’s classmate in school, lives in Joplin, Missouri.)

The Luckiest Kid

Posted on Amy’s Facebook page November 9, 2013.  She won’t like this.  She doesn’t like me copying her postings.  Thank heavens, she never reads my blog.

Dear Ms. Hugh,

Thank you so much for being an amazing and spectacular teacher. First off you were the best spelling teacher of all times last year and I was so sad when when I moved up into that higher class and had to leave you, secondly without you I would be getting strait F's in home room because of how great you are at everything, lastly I am just the luckiest kid in the school, no, the world to have you as my teacher.
first of all, last year in spelling, when I first met you I was a little nerves that you were going to be a strict teacher, but as soon as I got to know you I realized that you a nice and beautiful teacher. Who I new at once I would love to spend a lot of time with.
Secondly, without your guidance and wisdom I would be lost and unable to focus. But your patience and help really helped quite a bit. In school and at home.You are the most talented and most amazing teacher of all times.
Lastly, I am the luckiest kid in the whole world to have you as a teacher. I just couldn't imagine how the school year would feel like if you weren't my teacher.
THANK YOU !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Yours truly

You, Jan Hugh, Carol Murphy, KLeena Murphy Mellor and 17 others like this.

Amy Hugh First of all I've clearly been teaching 3 point sentences with details, secondly working on transitions, adjectives and adverbs, and finally it seems to be sinking in as evidenced by this sweet spontaneous email.

Christy Whetten I love this!!!

Shawnee Loris-Sawyer Love it! A teacher rarely gets praise!

Bonnie Wight Schoenberger You'll have to file this away...love it!

Shannon Ngai My first thought was "What a great 3 point sentence!" Good teaching!!

Shauna Wight Makes it all worth it.

An Attitude

Last Sunday, the Primary children presented the program in Sacrament Meeting.

Monday evening on Veterans Day,

our grandson, Karlton, invited us to his 5^th grade program at school.

Every child had a speaking part in both programs;

songs and choral readings were articulate and fervent.

The 5^th grade class told the history of our country

from Christopher Columbus to the present day.

Encompassing.  Educational.  Entertaining.

What’s the problem?

Maybe it’s just me.

In both programs, I detected a feeling of superiority.

We’re the best.

The best church, the best school, the best state, the best country.

If we’re the best, who’s the worst?

If we win, someone has to lose.

Why?

Why do we have to finish first?

To have the most?

And do whatever it takes to be the best?

Why is our culture so competitive?

Why does Utah have to be the best state?

I don’t blame the children;

it’s the script.

It concerns me what message seeps into their souls

as they practice it over and over again.

I think we should be thankful we live here

and extremely grateful for our freedoms and our country;

but I don’t think our children should feel superior.

We should just be thankful.

It’s not a contest.

There shouldn’t be a best.

I fiercely believe in patriotism and loyalty,

clothed in humility;

for we are extremely fortunate--really through no merit of our own.

We definitely should appreciate all that we have;

be acutely aware of the abundance that surrounds us

and feel authentic gratitude for these blessings.

What if we taught our children that all are good?

What if we teach them to choose to see the world as an abundant place,

with room enough for everyone

to enjoy the happiness and freedom that we enjoy;

and that our words, actions, and thoughts

can help achieve that happiness and freedom for all?

Would this awaken them to kindness and acceptance

rather than superiority and scorn?

We need everyone’s talents and gifts to keep the world wonderful.