6. Research Paper Reflection

My initial reaction to hearing that we were writing a research paper was "Oh no this is going to take awhile." Research papers in my previous experience have taken a long time and I often lost enthusiasm for the topic quickly. However, being able to relate my topic, the Great Depression, to my own family was a great way to keep me interested! Researching in the library at first was really difficult, however, by the second day I had over a dozen sources. I wish that I would have taken more time on my annotated bibliography by adding in quotes that I wanted to use into the actual document. I think this would have helped me to stay more organized in the beginning.

After gathering all of my research, I made a general outline and I began to write. I had in mind a story that I had heard from my Grandma Rogers, but I did not have access to the story until much later in my research process. This made relating my topic to my family very difficult from the beginning. After the long struggle of trying to get everything written and after acquiring some family sources, I finally felt like I was getting somewhere with my paper.

I took a draft over to a friend to have them read through it. They were definitely not the best peer reviewer. They did not add any corrections. I also tried going to the writing center. There was not a line, but they were short on consultants. When I finally did get help I did not feel like it was really worth the time that I went in. Needless to say I was frustrated. I instead emailed it to my mom who then recruited my grandma on the great adventure of editing, revising, and revamping my paper.

After many many MANY drafts I finally felt semi-satisfied, but I was still not done. My mom facetimed me one last time, technology is truly a blessing, and we read aloud my paper fixing a few oddly worded places. I was finally able to save my draft as a FINAL!!! Yay! I printed it out and I felt so much relief just to have it done. As I looked over my draft, however, I found a couple other mistakes . . . I think it just goes to show that you truly can't go over a paper too many times!

I really did love being able to research and learn about my family through this project. If I had to do it over again the biggest change that I would have made would be to get my family story FIRST! Before I even started researching! It would have been easier to find a topic to go with the story rather than a story to go with my topic. I think that talking to Sister Steadman and my Mom was by far the most helpful in writing this paper! It was good to write, but now I am just happy that it is done.

5. My Idaho Adventure October 2014

This past weekend I had the opportunity to go and visit my family! I was even able to bring two of my friends from Texas with me! The 4 hour drive was definitely worth it to see them! Both my sister and brother are almost taller than me...which is a weird feeling! It was so fun to just hold and play with my baby sister! Mollie and Savannah ( my Texas friends) were so cute with my siblings! My little sister kept running around saying "Princess Mollie! Come see this! Princess Mollie! Come sit by me!" It was so cute! Savannah helped my sister, Aspen gather a whole handful of worms to feed to our chickens. It was a trip full of adventure and so many firsts!

My first time taking a picture with the Welcome to Idaho sign!

Mollie's first time digging potatoes (we even let her dig purple ones)!

 First time Mollie and Savannah had ever been to Idaho! Savannah's first time being around so many people from one family!

 Mollie and Savannah's first time going to the Idaho Falls Temple and my first time actually walking around the whole temple :)

 First time taking friends home to meet my family! First time taking fall pictures with these two gorgeous friends of mine!

 All of these "firsts" on our trip made me think about all of the many past memories I have had and how much I am truly enjoying where I'm at in this moment. I am on a path that I hope will lead me to happiness. A path that has bumps along the way, but also a path that has beauty and adventure as well! Life is truly a journey that should not just be endured, but enjoyed! I am so lucky to be able to be on this path with my amazing family and the great examples that my friends are. I know Heavenly Father has truly put certain people along our paths so that we can help each other along. I may not know exactly what is going to be all along my path in life, but right now I just know that I'm moving forward.

4. A Great General Conference! An Analysis of Elder Klebingat's October 2014 Talk

In the October 2014 LDS General Conference, Elder Jorg Klebingat's talk titled "Approaching the Throne Of God With Confidence" used effective word choice and tone to help us feel more confident in God's presence.

Elder Klebingat gave us six points:
1. Take responsibility for your own spiritual well-being
2. Take responsibility for your own physical well-being
3. Embrace Obedience
4. Repent Quickly
5. Forgive One Another
6. Accept struggles and trials

Elder Klebingat's simplistic word choice especially in his six cues helps them to be well remembered. His points are not long, but short phrases. He wants these points to be remembered. Each of these cues are simple as are the way he portrays each of them to apply. His use of explanation and examples following each point makes them relate-able and memorable to his large audience both within the conference center and those listening my other media forms.

Elder Klebingat used a straightforward yet caring tone to deliver his message. He began by saying that "he hoped he would not offend anyone" displaying his carefulness in his choice of words. He then proceeded to give direction that could be applied to every individual who was hearing him speak. His advice was directly given. However, at the end of his talk he gave this encourage message. "DO and BE your very best!...Yours is the privilege...If you want it, to come to know for yourself, today or soon, that you pleasing God in spite of your shortcomings...Living in this manner, you can truly retain a remission of your sins." These words create a tone of hope that helps the audience want to apply his six points.

3. Charlie Chaplin's Speech Analysis Reflective Essay

There were so many things that happened to my essay this past week. I really struggled to find a speech to begin with. However, with the help of my friend, Adam, I was able to find Charlie Chaplin's speech. I struggled with where to begin. How do I start  analyzing this speech? What is this speech even talking about? I spent the beginning of my paper researching. I learned about the time period of his speech which helped me to more fully understand how powerful his speech truly was. I read through the speech about four times which for me was extremely effective. I also went through and color coded examples of several of the points that I wanted to make. I wish that I would have taken my essay to the writing center to have them review over it, but I had two of my building mates read over my rough draft. After meeting with Sister Steadman, I felt pretty good about the content of my paper, but I needed to include more details to reach the length. I sent a copy to my amazing mom after I added more information and she replied with helpful feedback. Overall, I feel like it was extremely effective for me to have several people read my paper. I was only able to do this because I organized my time which was really important! However, next time I think I will take it to the writing center as well.

2. Family Fairytale

Once upon a time, in a far away place there lived a family in a giant castle. They were all royalty and lived in a giant castle where they all constantly worked together, cleaned together, read together, ate together, and never fought or disagreed on anything. This sounds like a pretty great story doesn't it. Okay so maybe this is not exactly my family fairytale, but mine also will have a happy ending.

According to a New York Times Article, titled The Stories That Bind Us, "The [children] who know a lot about their families tend to do better when they face challenges." So what should these children know about their families? I think that knowing about where their parents grew up, what they did when they were their age, what struggles they went through, or simply knowing where they graduated from can make a big difference.

The Proclamation to the Family states that "Happiness in family life is most likely to be achieved when founded upon the teachings of the Lord Jesus Christ." Love is truly spelled T-I-M-E. We must take the time to share with our family the struggles we have overcome so that we can grow as a family.

There have been many times over the years that I have loved spending time with my family! Some of my favorites, partially because I am away from home now, are the fun family pictures we took together. Getting my whole family together to take pictures was definitely an adventure, but I will never forget the times we shared as we did. The saying "a picture is worth a thousand words" says it all.

I know that by the power of the temple that my family will be together for eternity and I am so excited because I truly love them. Family is one of Heavenly Father's greatest gifts that he gave to us and I am so happy that he did. I know as we talk the time to share our stories that our families will really be strengthened.

For the full New York Times article click here

For a brief summary of the article click here

1. Things As They Really Are: A Talk By David A. Bednar

"Elder David A. Bednar's talk entitled "Things As They Really Are" is the inspiration behind this post. We each individually have a purpose here on earth. We came here to experience "tenderness, love, kindness, happiness, sorrow, disappointment, pain, and even the challenges of physical limitation in ways that prepare us for eternity." Everyone has their own challenges and struggles, but we are not alone. As Bednar states simply "there are lessons we must learn and experiences we must have."

We have the blessing of a body that is likened to a "temple" many times throughout scripture. A temple is sacred, respected, clean, and is used for service. If our bodies are like temples shouldn't we also work to make sure that our bodies are also doing these things? Satan was not given a body and as a result does everything in his power to make us confused, unhappy, fearful, or  insecure about the beauty of our own bodies. Our body is truly a gift. We are literally Sons and Daughters of a King. As Bednar states "To those of us who know and understand the plan of salvation, any defiling of the body is rebellion and a denial of our TRUE identity as Sons and Daughters of God,"

So who are we really becoming? 

Who do we want to become?

There are many false images throughout our world, but we must stay true to who we are. True human interaction develops long lasting relationships and strengthens us. Elder Bednar counsels that "For your happiness and protection, I invite you to study more diligently the doctrine for the plan of salvation-and to prayerfully ponder."

Remember who you are, but also whose you are.

For the full talk: Click here.