that Jolly Ol' Guy

I have to admit. This "Jolly Ol' Guy" has taught me so much. Every day I was so excited to go to class and see what new thing I could learn. I was so excited to see what life lesson I could learn from reading just a simple book. I remember the day he talked about his family. He told us to be patient. He said "don't get into a rush a parent". I applied that to myself now. I am always thinking of the future and what's going to happen next. I realized that I need to not be rushed and to enjoy life how it is now. I also liked the day that we learned about trust. He gave us each a rock and then asked why we took it. I didn't have an answer to that. He just had the box and like everyone else, I took the rock. The Jolly Ol' Guy said "have good judgement." I have always been taught to choose my friends wisely because they will have a great impact on me. I can attest to that and say my judgement about this class was wrong. I thought that we would just have to read a lot of books and write papers or discuss what we have read. I did not know that this class would seriously change my life. Because of Children's Lit. I now have some of the best friends and a greater love for Children's Literature and a different way of teaching it. Jolly Ol' Guy's way of teaching was much different than any other teacher. But because it was so different I learned a lot and will never forget it.

"The Jolly Ol' Guy" ...Thank you for all the life lessons you have taught me. Thank you for putting so much time into these lessons. Thank you for showing me to love Children's Literature. Thank you for allowing me to babysit your kids. Thank you for the seriousness, laughing, love, respect that you showed us.

Thank you "The Jolly Ol' Guy",

Krystal Keller

a taste of zion.

I live about a block away from a pond. My grandparents live right next to it. After I went home, I visited my grandparents. While my grandma watched Oprah, I gazed out onto the pond. Around that time, Canadian geese would stop by the pond on their migration routes. My grandpa puts out corn for them. I was watching the geese when I noticed one of them had a weird wing. I brought this to my grandfather’s attention and asked him about it. He’d noticed too. He’d been watching that bird for days. The goose couldn’t fly anymore. Once the pond froze over, the goose would die either be eaten or would starve or freeze. But he also told me that not only did the wounded goose stay by the pond, but his flock would return to him every single day. They endangered their lives so that he wouldn’t be alone. I made it my mission to help this bird.

The Sunday after my discovery, I dined at my grandparent’s house. After serving dessert (apple cake with a light caramel glaze), I eyed the wounded goose which I intended to become a savior to. I had been brainstorming of ways that I could safely and simply save this southern-flying sufferer. I had none. I also had not yet convinced anyone that this water fowl was worth their work and worry. I was alone. But I was alone with a decent-sized scoop net and a canoe. So while my parents gossiped with my grandparents I began my rescue mission.
I changed into a pair of sweatpants that were in the car. I was also fortunate that I’d worn my warmest winter coat. I plodded through the poo left by the Canadian poultry in my grandparents’ backyard until I reached their small dock which nested their sun-faded cardinal-colored canoe. My goose friend (the one who, shortly, would owe me his life) sat on an island the size of a monopoly board in the middle of the pond, frequently flip-flapping his damaged right wing at his side. As I paddled towards him, the wind seemed to whisper that same message that I carried in my heart: Today is your day, goose-friend! I am here to save you! I’m kidding, the wind didn’t say that. But I did shout it at goose-friend from about sixty feet away. Loud noises are a great way to tell animals that you are their friend. The goose then squalked at me and launched off his little island.
Geese are incredibly persistent. Particularly when they believe their life is at stake. After an hour or so of canoeing and chasing, I had him cornered. I was about two feet away from him when I lunged at him with my net. He swiftly waddled (yes, swiftly waddled) up the steep muddy thicket that was the bank. I abandoned ship. I am master of both land and sea. No goose will evade my selfless, sacrificing, and eternal love. Ever.
For some reason, goose-friend didn’t slip on the steep slope and end up knee deep in very cold pondwater and silt like I did. Despite this, I pressed forward. But goose-friend was gone. I turned around. My canoe was also about fifteen feet away from the steep shore speckled with saplings. I clutched my net. It was getting rather dark, so after patrolling the area for my friend, I walked around the pond and went back to my grandparents’ home. I sat in their garage and pondered. I had to return their canoe. Normally their neighbors had a paddleboat. But after asking them, I learned they had already put it up for the winter. I returned to the dock. My eyes scanned the pond, hoping maybe the canoe had drifted to a side of the lake and I could walk and retrieve it. Not so. The canoe had gotten stuck on the same island that my goose-friend had been perched on earlier.
As I removed my flats, jacket, and half-soaked sweatpants, I briefly considered that foxes and coyotes need to eat too and that maybe death was best for goose-friend. My toes gripped the soft wood of my grandfather’s dock as I sprinted down its length. As I was jumping into the water I realized that I hadn’t really thought the whole swimming in 36 degree water situation through. But I had made a decision. So I furiously pumped my limbs for movement and warmth and I slowly made my way to the canoe. The air felt warmer than the water. My arms were hard and numb with cold as I grabbed one of the canoe’s docking ropes and swam it back. I hauled the canoe onto the grass of my grandparents’ lawn and sprinted into their garage having grabbed my clothes from the dock.
Despite all that, I still loved my stupid goose-friend. I also was not going to use the term “wild goose chase” so lightly in the future. It’s not the Scooby-Doo chase scene that people make it out to be. People get cold and sweaters get soggy.

I also wasn’t able to get at goose-friend when his flock was around. They’d protect him. They’d hiss at me and snap and flap and birds already sort of freak me out.

The other day I was driving home after making my artifact (I still do stuff sometimes) for the final in this class when I saw that goose friend was in my grandparents front yard. His flock hadn’t returned to him yet. I remembered that I had a blanket in the trunk. I grabbed the blanket and snuck up on him from behind and cornered him on my grandparents porch. He calmed down once his head was covered. It was an absolutely surreal experience. I felt the rise and fall of his breath under my fingers. I wrapped him up and took him to a wildlife rehabilitation center that I’d looked up earlier. Everything was going to be okay. Well, ultimately goose had to be put down –but that’s not the point.

This semester I was that goose. I was wounded and felt irreparable and hopeless. But you were my flock. I can’t thank you enough. I can’t thank you enough for the honesty in which you presented yourselves. I can’t thank you enough for the laughter you put into my life. I can’t thank you enough for the lightness and joy you brought to my soul when I was broken and my heart was heavy. But more than any of that, I can’t thank you enough for being my flock. For making me feel like I belonged somewhere. Like I was a part of something strong and beautiful and true. Thank you for giving me a taste of Zion.

Ruth Kindt

Semester at a Glance slideshow...

Here is a recap of the BEST semester of our lives!!! You guys are the reason why this semester was amazing... I hope we can keep these memories in a safe place in our hearts and think of them often...
-Jenny Mumby

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Class

So to be truthfully honest at the beginning of the semester I didn't know how I felt about the class. It was an environment that I didn't know I could handle, just cause usually I am pretty quiet in my classes. Looking back now I can say that this class really helped shape me and made me more comfortable with myself and my surroundings. I learned a lot more than I have ever learned in a college class because Brother Grant tried to make it as stress free as possible. I am going to miss this class and all the people from it. This is the only class where everybody says hi to each other outside of it, which to me is refreshing.

A simple act of service...

As Kelsey and Karey have mentioned the act of service we decided to do was attend a special needs dance... This class has shown people to me in a whole new light, so i figured what a better way to serve than to serve people who in the end--end up serving us! It was a night of loving those who freely give their love, and also a night of getting know my friends in this class better. I'd encourage you to watch the joy on these young adults faces as Santa Claus entered the dance floor... It was so incredible to witness such Joy!
-Jenny Mumby

He made me cry...

what do you get when you combine a Elephant and a rhino?......hehehe.......Eliphino (hellifiknow)

What a great way to start to explain how I feel about this class. Although he who shall not be named ( not Voldemort, the other bald scary man) has made me cry several times, he has also impacted my life very much.

The chances are I might need therapy because of his harsh words and negative ways, yet it is something that I must overcome because his son Greg and I shall be wed in the spring.

I have put these photos together so you may see our impeccable attraction. In all honestly, I have really enjoyed with class. I have met some of the most amazing people and I will never forget them and our experiences together. We met on the first day of class and life has never been the same. I love you all. THank you for teaching me things that no other class could, thanks to he who shall not be named. Expect wedding invataions in the near future...with all the love I posess, except that belongs to Greg,

Katie Lynn Conant.

Transformation

I have loved reading through posts that people have written! I see my feeling echoed in each.



Last week Brother Grant admonished us to go be heros. My original book group banded together to go have some fun doing service. We put together a care package for our friend Ruth, and also chose items from the Giving Tree in the Manwaring Center. In the photo above you can see our excitement at having completed our purchases.

I feel like my life has been incredibly blessed this semester because through this class I met these wonderful people.

Just for fun, I thought I'd compare with the photo Brother Grant took of us the first day. You can tell we're a lively, friendly bunch, but I think it's obvious through position and facial expression that the bonds of love were not there yet.

Thank you, Katie, for inviting me to be in the group the first day.

Thank you, Jacque, for triple checking up on me when I was injured.

Thanks, Whitney, for pulling together our presentation.

Thanks to Krystal for always making me smile.

Thanks to Brittany for being the sane one of the group.

And thanks to Ruth, for putting up with all of us crazies.

~*Name Quiz*~

~*I thought that it was a good idea to have a name quiz. In my other classes I still do not not half of their names, but when I come to Children's Lit, I know everyone there. I think it is a good way to make new friends in college. Even though I am from Rexburg and don't know many students here; when I meet anybody from this class they always say hi, I feel very welcomed. Thank you so very much for having us interact with each other, and become a better class. *~

*~Adri Baird~*

New Ideas

Throughout the semester, I was definitely one of the ones who had a hard time opening up with people. I still don't know that I've completely let myself go in this class like Brother Grant is always encouraging us to do. I think part of this is due to strong leaders, and part of it is due to my passive nature. I feel like this happened to a lot of people in this class, but I also feel like I understand the vision as do many other who were a little more on the quiet side. This class really challenged me though, and i'm grateful for it. I enjoyed all the activities, but i feel like I've had to work much harder to see the unity in the class than anticipated. With so many different personalities, it's been difficult at times for us to come to a consensus on a lot of things, but I think that's good because it's made us appreciate being unified that much more. All of the activities, especially the ropes course, really got me out of my comfort zone and I'm really grateful for that. I really don't like putting myself out there, but there were so many people there trying to help me out and make me believe I could do it. I think the thing I've gained from this class learning to trust other people and being trusted. I've never been able to trust people very easily, and this class definitely tested me. I feel like I could trust any person in this class with anything I needed, even now that it's over.

I feel like I'm trying to put a label on just one thing that I learned, but this class was so much more than that. There are so many life lessons to be taken and taught to our children and classrooms. Everything Brother Grant did had a unified goal which is what the whole point of this blog was. Life isn't about us as individuals. It's about doing all that we can to lift others and once we do that we'll truly become Christ like. If we can just lose ourselves in our work and become one with the people around us, taking what we've learned outside this class, I think we will begin to achieve what Brother Grant has been trying to teach us all semester.

I don't want to forget to mention how important children's literature can be in the lives of kids. I've gained a much greater understanding of the power it has and what it can do for young lives. So many good lessons can be learned from books and empower children to be great.

This class has been wonderful. Though there have been times of frustration, maybe some hurt feelings, and giving up what you wanted as an individual, I think it's fair to say we came out much stronger because of these difficulties. I'm so grateful for the opportunities and learning experiences I've had as well as the great friends I've made. Thank you everyone, especially Brother Grant!

Shelby Anderson

Ropes Course

This was probably the scariest, yet funnest things I've ever done in my life! :)

The Best Decision!

I am so grateful that I decided to take this class! The first day I felt a little overwhelmed with the assignment but staying in the class was the best decision I could have made. Every single day I learned something new and left feeling completely enlightened. Every person in this class contributed to the feeling and the spirit that was undeniable. One of my favorite days was the rope course. I am so afraid of heights! It's usually not even something I want to mess with but that day I learned that nothing has to define me. With the help of Kelli and the other girls in the class I conquered my fear and left feeling so grateful that I had the opportunity to do it. Brother Grant has looked past the grades, past the expectations, past the authority that most teachers look at and taught us that loving and serving others is the most important thing we can do in this life. I've really come to realize that no matter how much you think you know someone, you will never know what has gotten them to be where they're at. Everybody has reasons for why they are the way they are. It's not our place to judge if somebody has the right to act or be a certain way. We are to love everybody and I truly love every person in this class.
Children's Literature with Brother Gran has been such a great experience and I will never forget it.
-McKenzie Romrell

Mr Golden Sun

I had heard about how much work this class was going to be and I honestly almost dropped it the second day, but I can’t tell you how thankful I am that I didn’t. I had anticipated treating it like every other class at the start. Come in, get the syllabus, get the schedule, and read over them to try to figure out what I had to do to get an “A”. But the problem was, this wasn’t like every other class at the start. Every other class doesn’t start out with a big stressful project the first day… It wasn’t even that though. After the first few classes the general feeling of the class was completely different then I had ever experienced before. Most of us knew each others names and after “Zoom” it felt like we were all so close even though we didn’t really know anybody. I’m a pretty loving person and everything, but I found it especially easy to love everybody in this class. Here’s why- while I was trying to love everyone, they were trying to love me back! The way Ol’ Kenny was bringing us all together in our activities was allowing this to happen, and it made it the best environment! I came to class everyday with love in my heart and a desire to learn with all my close friends.
I felt this love staying with me after class and I wanted to show everyone how much I loved them, even if I didn’t know them. I would start helping people with their groceries in the store parking lot, I bought a random guy a pizza at Little Caesars when he forgot money, and just something so simple as making someone smile. If that be by saying “Hello”, complimenting them, or even just talking to them when they looked alone. This semester my testimony has grown around the statement: “There are two kinds of people in this world: those who you like, and those who you don’t know well enough.” I know we can love everybody, if it be immediately or after taking the time to get to know them. I’m so grateful for this class, I’m so grateful for that Lil' fetcher Kenny, and I’m so grateful for the experience I have had this semester. Thank you.

-Gunnar Christensen

Unity

This Children's Lit class is definitely one of a kind. Taking a few minutes to reflect on all we have accomplished this semester brings my mind to one universal theme: unity. All of the experiences we've had individually have brought us together as a class and I have definitely been strengthened from everyone!

One of the first memories that comes to my mind is the Fairy Tales day. I had so much fun teaching with all the awesome girls that dressed up in princess prom dresses! Although I wasn't a part of the group activity (when everyone re-inacted a fairy tale their own way), I could see the unity in the class really start to emerge as everyone worked together. From the three little pigs to Snow White, we all had a ball watching everyone dance and run around like kids again.

Another day I really loved was the ropes course. When half of us were told we had to lift eachother up and get over that wall, we almost laughed at Brother Grant and thought he was kidding. Once we put our heads together and got started, we had a fail-proof plan that ended up being fun! McKenzie and I felt like we were in cheerleading again as we used a cheer stunt to get everyone up to the top. At the end, I felt accomplished and I actually got to know others better in addition to getting a little workout. ;)

I seriously love everyone in this class and I am so grateful to know such amazing people! Thank you also to Brother Grant for creating such an open and inviting atmosphere for all of us to learn and grow together. :)

Nicolette (GoldCoins) Goines :)

The Adventure Class

This class been the biggest adventure for me. I have really had to get outside of my box and my world to see and explore everything that you have offered us. There was never a dull moment, or a moment that I was not thinking: who can I become better and be like them? I really appreciate everyone that I have met in this class. It was a lot of fun to see everyones personalities come out and shine at different points of class or during the day. I throughly enjoyed this class, meeting new people, and exploring. I feel like I have just finished some grand exploration, and I am sad that it is over, but happy about everything that I have learned and glad that I have grow in the way that I did. Thank you everyone for a great adventure. Good luck on everyones future adventures!
Sincerely,
Ashley Jenness

The Best Class Ever

By far, this has been my favorite class this semester. I knew it was going to be from day one and we got into groups to write a book. At first, I was slightly intimidated by what was expected of us, but as the semester continued, I had more and more fun, and grew closer and closer to everyone.
I loved the jump rope because it taught us to work together--to be a team.
I loved the Zoom day, because it taught me to trust others. I had a really hard time being willing to put myself out there, because I have a hard time trusting people. In the end, I let myself go, and that was the beginning for me of becoming zion.
I loved reading Stargirl and the sudden desire I had to truly be myself--to not be afraid to help and serve those around me.
I loved learning all of your names and feeling close to you because of it.
I loved "dying" with all of you in the cave, because it truly brought us all together. It changed my life.
I loved talking about how we can overcome the "ugly duckling" in all of us and become truly beautiful.
I loved going to the Rope's Course and overcoming my fears with you (because I hate heights!)
I loved talking about how we can make history, and the importance of passing it on to others.
I loved recognizing the blessing we have of living in the world we do, with color and memories.
I loved talking about how we need to be careful who we trust, if we trust anyone, and what traditions we should keep and break.
I loved doing the lava activity, and the willingness we had to work together.
I loved talking about the importance of different types of books and what we can learn from them.
I loved talking about the importance of writing and keeping a journal.
I loved talking about family, and it's importance.
I loved throwing tennis balls at each other.
I loved being a nerd and making those funny glasses.
I loved doing the author fair and seeing all of your displays.
I loved doing the scavenger hunt, and throwing snow balls at Brother Grant.
I loved listening to all of your presentations about different children's books and what we could learn from them.
I loved doing Zoom AGAIN and beating it AGAIN!
I loved learning what true service is.
I loved talking about our favorite books.
I loved writing a book and being able to hear some of yours, and the lessons that I could learn from them.
I loved learning about being a hero, and then having the opportunity to give service to someone.
But most of all, I have loved creating friendships that I know will last for a long time. I loved feeling close to everyone. I loved that not only did we learn about children's books, we learned how we can apply them to our life and how we can become real people by serving others and being ourselves. This has really been the best class ever, and I want to thank you all for making it that way. I wish that it didn't have to end, because I don't know what I am going to do without it. I hope that I will be able to remember the lessons that I have learned from this class and not only apply them to my life, but I hope that I can help change other people's life, like this did mine.
~Jacquelyn Done

Stepping out of the comfort zone...

I have always been a shy, timid girl. Unless I know someone really well and feel super comfortable around them, I hardly ever talk. As a result I have NEVER spoken to to anyone in any of my classes unless I had no other choice. I have NEVER commented in a class unless I had no other choice, and if and when that ever happened it was basically the scariest day of my life! Not only do I suffer from severe shyness and ultimate fear of talking to people, I'm also have people-pleaseritis, which seems slightly ironic and contradictory, but it's true. For some reason I have this deep need to please everyone, especially teachers. As a result I like to know exactly what they want, exactly how they want things done, and exactly what they expect of me at all times. I want them to tell me what to do and I'll do it and then go the extra mile so as to surely please them. I've often been referred to as an over-achiever. Not only that, but I guess you could say I suffer from what we learned to be "the Ophelia Syndrome." Knowing all this you can imagine the fear that welled up inside me the first day of class when we were all sent off in groups to create a children's book without any verbal instruction, without knowing a single soul, without having a complete run down of the syllabus first, without knowing exactly what was expected of us for the next 3 months. To be completely honest, I was wondering what in the world I had gotten myself into. My fear was only broadened and worsened the second day when we were informed of the "name quiz." For my entire college career I had purposely tried to go hidden and unnoticed in class. I had tried to avoid other students that were in my classes at all costs, and now in this class I not only needed to learn everyone's name, but everyone else had to learn mine too. This was going to require talking, one of my biggest fears. Things only got worse when we learned of "student teaching days" when we would have to get up with our group and teach the whole class for the whole hour and a half! Once again...I was going to have to talk. This was going to be a rough semester I just knew it! However, a few days into the semester after pondering Brother Grant's little lecture about vision and what we wanted to get out of this class, I decided that this semester could go one of two ways. Either I could go on doing just how I was, with my barriers up, living in fear and dread of this class and end up being miserable and hating life for the next 3 months, or I could step out of my comfort zone and try to make the most of this class using it as a learning and growing experience in more than just secular knowledge that will further me in my pursuit of my degree. I knew I didn't want to be miserable, so, as hard as I knew it would be for me, I made a decision to do my best to make the most of what was ahead of me and take a leap of faith and try something new. I began by trying to make at least one friend. To my astonishment, one day I was surprisingly courageous and brave and...I TALKED TO SOMEONE! I not only talked to one person, but I talked to multiple people. I even found that I had a lot in common with them and we all became friends in no time. The class immediately became exciting and enjoyable. By taking that leap of faith and stepping out of my comfort zone, I was able to learn many valuable life lessons that I may very well have missed had I stayed in my shell and not let anyone inside. I will be forever grateful for the many, many things I learned and the great friends I gained this semester. It's been an adventurous journey and a life changing experience.

Janelle Jones

Should I stay or should I go?

So, the most amazing, but possibly toughest class for me was the day that we all suffered in the cave together. It was really hard for me to not raise my hand to say that I was needed here on earth. I come from an inactive family, I am the only active member (with the rest of them, though baptized, pretty much anti-Mormon.) I know that they could use me here on this earth. I feel that that is my number two reason for even being here (next to my future family). I know they could use my help. But, I know either way, with me here on this earth or not, one day they will believe in and live this Gospel. My family is pretty lost- most of them having drug addictions, and all of them loving alcohol. It is so hard to see my nieces and youngest sister go through so much that is totally out of their control. I know they can make it though, I did and they were on harder drugs when I was young. And so for them, I would love to be able to stay here to be an example to them. It was so amazing to me to think about what my last words would be to them. It felt good to finally let them know my deep feelings and testimony of the Gospel. I still haven't sent them the letter, I worry about how they will feel. They think I am judging them all of the time. But I know one day I will be able to tell them... You know, if I don't die in an accident tomorrow (which I almost did this semester when I hit a moose...)

I also loved reading Stargirl. She is so opposite of me that she completely captivates me! All the things that I wish I could do she does and she loves every minute of it! I love to meditate and to observe people... But to act on my thoughts and feelings... I am WAY too shy.... But I am sick of shy being an excuse... And this class has taught me that it really shouldn't.

On a side note... I have always had a love of childrens literature. Any time I see a childrens book, I have to pick it up and read it! I have been able to be with my 3 year old niece a lot this semester and she loves to be read to, and I love to read to kids, so it has been very fun! i have really loved this class and getting to know you guys!

KaraGreenBackpack

This Class

So I like classes with predictability. I like knowing what is expected of me, and how much I can slack off before my grade starts to get adversely affected. When the class started off, I felt like this was one of those classes. Then things began happening. We started jumping rope outside. There was the Zoom activity (which we totally should have won). At first, I was frustrated because I didn't understand what was expected of me. But after a little bit, I began to like this class. There are people that I didn't think I would be friends with that I now genuinely enjoy. We didn't write essays, but we had great discussions. We laughed and cried together, and it was a great bonding experience. It was the most abstract class I've ever been in, but I would be happy if all my classes were like this.

I was wrong? No way?

My entire life I have been focused on doing service projects. I feel like all my life sketch is is service. I though I knew what it meant to care for someone more than yourself.

And yet I was so very wrong. The day we discussed tuesdays with morrie and my dearest friend, Jenny Montgomery, pointed out that she felt she should choose to live and be among the ten. Not because she didn't want to die. Not because she feared or didn't understand death. She wanted to live because she had someone in her life that needed her.

I've started looking more and more at what my responsibilities are as far as my example goes in my family and in my apartment. I've started understanding what it is to care for someone more than yourself. It blows my mind the capabilities that we have to effect someone else's life.

Thank you Jenny. Thank you Brother Grant. Thank you 11:30 class. I've learned from you. I've become better because of you. I will not forget the experiences that we have had together.

Thank you for the privilege it has been to come to know all of you.

-Kara Merkley

Zen Ties

A few weeks ago I went to the Winter Wonderland special needs dance, along with Jenny Mumby, and Kelsey McGee. I had been wanting to go to something like this for awhile but every time a special needs activity was going on I was working. So i was really excited to go. It was really cool to see the children and adults dance, show us dance moves and everything. But my favorite part was when Santa came, every single one of their faces just lit up and they just got so excited, even the ones that were much older. There were a few disabled that were much older adults and seeing their faces lite up and them run up and hug Santa and want to go sit on his lap was one of the most adorable things I have ever seen. That whole experience was really rewarding for me, and I am sure it was great for them also.
Karey Waldrop

We Intertwine

With homework, tests, financial woes, and countless other personal problems to attend, I easily become a walking, talking to-do list. My pencils are running out of lead, my schedule is running out of lines, and my body is just running out. It's so easy to be consumed by my own busy-ness and withdraw into my own little world. This class helped to change my perspective. I've come to realize our interconnectedness as human beings.

Why do we not acknowlegde each other? I've noticed as I walk to class, I keep my eyes on the ground or the sky or something in the distance... anything other than the people walking all around me. Heaven forbid I make eye contact with a stranger! After reading Star Girl, I made a personal goal to LOOK at people when I pass them, to SMILE. No passing glances. No averting eyes. I wanted to pay attention to these strangers. They assuredly had worries, problems, joys, dreams just like I do. I wanted them to know that I cared. Sometimes a simple acknowledgement can convey this fully. I decided to start small. I would would smile and verbally greet at least 5 strangers a day. Out of 45 days of my experiment, I greeted 5+ strangers only 26 of these days. I didn't realize how difficult it would be. I'm still human. I still have fears. However, it did change me, and I have noticed differences in my personal desire and mindset. When my chatterbox roommate plops down on my bed and interrupts my homework for the hundredth time with some "pressing matter" or just a need to talk, I listen. When a girl in the bathroom is crying, instead of hurrying out of the awkward situation, I ask 'what's wrong?' When a restaurant worker trash bag breaks open, instead of staring in pity, I get my hands dirty, I help him clean. These are all things that I was either too afraid or too selfish to do before. I love that I am changing. That's the whole purpose of this life. I am meant to change. I cannot stay the same person I am today.

This all syncs so beautifully with the gospel. Heavenly Father's work and glory are His children. The Savior, our ultimate example, gave his whole life in the service of others. If I am to be "even as He is," I must also give of myself to service. My life should become other people. I now know why Jesus Christ possesses such a merciful, unconditional love for each of us. It is because He sacrificed for each of us personally, and because He sacrificed, He understands each of us perfectly. Or was He willing to sacrifice for each of us BECAUSE He perfectly understood each of us? I think it's a cycle. As we understand people, we will be willing to serve them, which will increase our love for them. In turn, increased service yeilds increased understanding and love. The only reason I would dislike someone is because I lack understanding.

I hope I can continue to change. I still lack perspective and patience, but I've gained vision. "By small and simple things are great things brough to pass" (Alma 37:6). We can "change the world" in the small corner of it that we are allotted. We are small, but we are not insignificant.

Nan White

Name Quiz

First, I am gonna say that I really thought that the idea to memorize everyones first and last names with spelling was kinda dumb. I didn't like the idea at all. It had nothing to do with the class, and a waste of time. BUT now, I think it was a good idea. I'm glad that we had learn everyone's names because I feel like I know people now. I may not have talked to you specifically but I knew who you were. I also felt like you all knew me because even if we didn't hang out or talk much you still knew my name and it was kinda cool.

Brittany Patton

Thank you

At first I didn't know what to do with this class. I just wanted to take it and learn how to write children's literature and get an insight to how children think. I feel that I accomplished this goal and learned more. I don't like to open up to people and yet I found myself talking freely to everyone in the class. I enjoyed going every Tuesday and Thursday. I loved how it was a stress reliever. I have met some pretty freaking awesome people in this class and I am very grateful. I can't wait to see where you all go. You all have such tender hearts and I can't thank you enough for sharing that with me.

~Stubbs

What does it matter?

My group did "Walk Two Moons" on the book project. There were 5 main messages and the one that I like the most is "what does it matter?" A teacher taught me that our relationship is one of the things that can last forever. So, we should build strong relationship with our family, friends, and other people in order to continue our good relarionship when we return to Heavenly Father. I like this class that we know each others' names at the beginning and this is the first step to help us build the relationship. I also like the project that we work together.
-Rachel Kwok

Wow I can’t believe this class is over. I can honestly say this is without a doubt the best class I have ever taken here at BYUI. I have learned so much in this class. I can’t thank Brother Grant or all of you enough. I have learned that coming to class is more than just sitting through a lecture and getting the work done just to get an A. For me, the A for once didn’t matter. Of course I wanted an A but what I got out of this class means so much more. I really felt something in this class. Every Tuesday and Thursday I would actually get excited to come to class. Recently, I went to the North Pole dance for kids with special needs. Jenny Mumby and Karey Waldrop were there too and it was such a good time. I couldn’t believe how much fun it was. The spirit there was so amazing. It was so incredible to see how well they all interacted and how happy they were. They really are like everyone else. All the kids had this spirit about them that I envied. They didn’t care what you looked like at all. They excepted everyone no matter what. I really learned from them and it made me take a look at myself. I am sometimes judgmental without even thinking. I realized that I really need to be excepting of everyone no matter what. I need to see them as Christ would. I am grateful for this Gospel and how blessed we are to go to this university. It truly is amazing. I am so thankful beyond words for this class and all I have learned. Thank you everyone and most of all, thank you Brother Grant. This is one class I will never ever forget. I love you all!
-Kelsey McGee

Zion: Because They Were Of One Class and One Jump Rope...

My favorite class had to be when we had to work as one to get everyone under the jump rope without touching it. At the beginning this was a moment of "what?!", but afterwards it made a lot of sense of the challenge that we had to face. The Lord called His people Zion because they were of one heart and one mind. We needed to work together to get everyone across. We needed to put our personal feelings aside and work together. It is so important that we listen to each other and become one in mind and in heart. As members of the church, this is our goal; we want to become Zion, the perfect world where we are of one heart and one mind. The jump rope challenge taught me a lot about Zion.

Zen Ties

Last week, my roommate needed to be taken to the emergency room due to emergency surgery. Her stomach had been hurting for a week, and she decided to go. It turned out that her gall badder needed to be removed! My roommates and I decided to stay with her for the time that she was there which was two and a half days. We took turn staying over night and staying with her until she came home. We took care of her when she returned for two days straight. This experience really taught me about the good people that are in the world. It taught me that so many people are willing to come and make sure you are alright even though most of the time you cannot stay conscious. It taught me how much good friends are worth and that even though they might get on your nerves at times, they are always there for you!

~Krisnet Hernandez

Tuesday's with Morrie

"Once you learn how to die, you learn how to live"

I was quite excited to read Tuesday's with Morrie when I saw that on our book list the beginning of this semester. But I never realized how much one book would change my life. I was sitting with my mom and Grandparents the weekend before I moved back to Rexburg. As we were casually talking with each other, my Grandpa started talking about a movie he had recently bought called "Tuesday's with Morrie" He then went and put it in and made sure that my mom and I watched every single minute of it. I fell in love with it even more and couldn't wait to start reading the book when I got to school.

Well when the week came to read the book I couldn't put it down. I found myself crying while reading it even though I knew what happened, thanks to the movie, i still cried in the book.

But then came the class discussion...

This day was what many others on the blog have called "Cave Day" we started off by talking about the book a little bit and then we went into the mine experience. A lot of tears were shed, everyone was crying, I hit my breaking point when I had to write my last letter to my family. I knew I was actually not dying, and that I was going to walk out of this classroom in just a short little while, but Brother Grant told us that if we wanted to get the most out of this experience then we should take it very seriously, so that is exactly what I did. I had ten minutes to write everything I wanted to leave my family with. As I started with my mom, it was slowly hitting me, then my dad hit me a little harder, then my siblings and my niece.I was struggling to keep myself from bawling. I knew my time was limited and so I wanted to write fast and focus more on what I was saying than the fact that I was "dying". Then Time was up a few people shared there letters and talked about what we had learned. I don't think there was a dry eye in the room.

As I walked out of that class that day I learned a lot of things, but one quote from the book kept going through my head over and over again, "Once you learn how to die, you learn how to live" In a way I had "died" and it was through that experience that I learned how to live. My dad is a fireman, I have grown up in a home where you are sure you say "I love you" to those you love because life is so unpredictable that you never know what is going to happen. That day I understood why my parents taught us that, I called my mom and my sister on my walk home and made sure that they understood that I loved them. I think one of the biggest things I learned on "Cave Day" was to learn how to die, to not fear death, but be sure to live life to the fullest, and be sure everyone in your life knows you love them. Never just assume they know, be SURE they know!

-Whitney Dial

Cave Day :)

My favorite day in Children's Literature was the day you showed the last note of the mine worker . You had us decide on who was going to live and die and for what reasons or qualifications made one more eligible above another. Above all else you made it feel real and you taught me how to feel true compassion and selflessness. I saw another as an individual just like myself, A person with life, a person with dreams, and ambitions, and personal needs. It hit me hard really feeling like this was it. It encouraged me to make more of myself and my life. It was then i knew that I've always wanted to be a mother and I want to teach the Gospel and serve a mission and to be an instrument in the Hand Of God and help change someone's life like mine has been changed months earlier from the everlasting mercy love and compassion of Jesus Christ and his willingness to atone for the sins of the world. it helped show me that as long as i have life, I must make something of it and there should be no more sitting and that i should strive to live a more selfless life such as one emulated by the Savior. I appreciate your spirituality and your willingness to bring that into class. You not only have brought the spirit into class , you have brought us together as a family how we all should be . How we should be there to lift one another's burdens and to help strengthen the weak physically emotionally and spiritually. We are all brothers and sisters and I thank you from the bottom of my heart for your willingness to bring that out in class. I think you're an teacher and I want you to know that that one day in class has forever changed me. This week as an act of service I made cookies for a girl who lives in the apartment complex next to me whose grandma passed away and best friend was in the hospital she was really appreciative and I know I was able to momentarily take her mind off things. Thank you again for the amazing semester!!:)

sincerely,
Kristen Hall

Childrens Lit VS Religion

Today we just got done talking about hero's going along with the book 'A Single Shard.' We watched some clips about what the church has done for those who cannot help themselves. The church of Christ itself is a hero to millions of people around the world, including me.
What i have come to love about this Children's Lit class is that it has taken the place of a religion class for me. I am trying to graduate on time and have already completed the religion requirements so i am not taking a religion class right now. Which is no bueno. However, because the Lord is merciful and loves me very much, He has allowed me to take my childrens lit class with a teacher that see's his class as an opportunity to teach us a more valuable lesson than you can just read in a children's book. He is teaching us about how to become better sons and daughters unto God, and how to better treat His children here upon the earth. Everytime i come to class PREPARED to feel and hear the prompting of the Spirit, i do. Thank you Brother Grant for not just meeting your teaching requirements, but for also allowing me an opportunity to come closer to my Father in heaven.
Baylei Stricker

Children's Liturature is Cool!

I love being a part of our Children's liturature class. It is great that we can feel comfortable with oneanother and share our ideas without being criticized too much. I love the ideas shared and cool ideas came up with. I hope that I can have classes in the future that are as unified as this one was. I love that service was a big topic in class. The encouragment of service is something that is of great worth. When in the service of your fellow beings you are in the service of your God. Simple acts of service that I have participated in the last few weeks include taking time to smile at everyone I come in contact on walks home, cleaning up after roommates, and taking time to talk to people I am aquainted with even though I do not know them very well. The simple act of smiling at someone or saying hi, or even having a short friendly conversation can really brighten someone's day!
-Courtney Belnap

Live Like We’re Dying…

I have been in many life threatening events the past couple of years, the most recent being last February when I was home alone during an armed robbery. As I was hiding from the danger before me I was pleading with the Lord to save me just a little bit longer for I did not feel that I was ready to leave this earth. I can testify that angels from heaven were present and were shielding me from the serious danger that was in front of me. From that point on I knew that Heavenly Father had saved me for a reason. He needed me on this earth and I try every single day to live like I am dying.

When we were sent here to earth, Heavenly Father sent us with a purpose and mission. The real question is, what are we doing NOW to ensure that our mission is fulfilled when it is our time to go? As we were discussing the mine accident I reflected on my life. Could I honestly have said that I would be ready to die right then?

Life is short and can flash before ones eyes when they are not focused. As we submit our will to the Lords and become one with him, He will help us keep focused in this life and help us understand His purpose for us. We must live every single day like we are dying, as we do this we will not be afraid of death because we will be ready when it is our time to go.

Charlotte Olsen

Stargirl

This class has been life changing in a big way for some people. For me, the change has occurred in smaller ways, and yet the change is still clearly evident. The first significant experience I had in this class was with the book Stargirl. I had read the book in middle school and again in high school, but I hadn't enjoyed it either time. This time, though, was different. Brother Grant gave us time to sit by ourselves outside and think about how we can be more like Stargirl. I used the time to think about what makes me unique, and how I can use those specific abilities and personality traits to touch the lives of those I come in contact with. It was a powerful experience for me. For the first time, I saw how children's literature could truly affect lives.

Zen Ties also changed my viewpoint. Especially during finals, it is so easy for me to get wrapped up in my own life and forget that there are people around me who are struggling. After reading Zen Ties, I thought about all the ways I could be helping other people--helping them to feel better about themselves, to get things done, to be successful in their classes, to feel loved and appreciated. That night I prayed for the ability to see who around me is in need, and to have the opportunity to help, like the children in the book did. Almost immediately, opportunities began flooding my life. In the past week, I have been able to serve so many people around me. It has truly blessed my life as I have put aside a few minutes each day to forget about my own homework and help somebody else with a problem they are having.

-Amy Cragun