Hey to all you young women!
As the new school year approaches for all of you, I am reminded of my own thoughts and feelings as a YW anticipating a new school year.
Starting a new school year was often stressful for me. My eldest brother was Valedictorian his Senior year, which put a lot of pressure on the rest of us academically. It wasn’t that school was necessarily hard for me, but I didn’t like putting forth much effort to try to be top of my class. I was more interested in listening to music on the radio or reading the latest “Sweet Valley High” book. I was always tall for my age and was never slender until I was in college. I had braces, a broken nose, and way too much thick straight hair. I was younger than everyone else because my mom insisted on having me start Kindergarten at 4 (I think she was just ready to have the house to herself after 5 kids). I was that “Mormon girl” because there usually wasn’t another member in my grade. To add to my stress, I was usually the new girl because my dad was a commercial construction manager and the projects would only last anywhere from 6 months to 3 years.
Starting a new school year and being the new girl was also a bit exciting. I got to meet lots of people and had pen pals from all over the United States. I learned how to be courageous and introduce myself to someone instead of sitting by myself and waiting for someone to talk to me. I learned there are plenty of people out there and that like me for who I am instead of how I look. I learned how to develop my talents and balance my time a little more wisely. I learned how to study the scriptures so I would be ready when someone asked me a question about my religion. I learned to be tolerant of different opinions and appreciate the differences. I was known as “the nice girl” by the end of my Senior year because I was nice to everyone and didn’t belong to any group.
All life experiences have positive and negative aspects. Complaining about the negative aspects leads to sadness and anger. I’m not saying you should ignore the negative aspects of an experience. I’m saying you can still recognize the negative, but don’t forget to acknowledge and focus on the positive. A great example of this is found in 1 Nephi Chapter 17. Nephi’s family have been wandering the wilderness for 8 years. In verse 20, Nephi’s brothers complain that their wives have had to work hard, even when they were pregnant and having kids, and that their wives would have been better off dead before they started their journey than to suffer through trials. Back in verses 1 and 2, Nephi states the same problem that the women have had to work hard and suffer a bit while having children in the wilderness. However, instead of wishing they didn’t have to have the trials in the first place, Nephi lists all the positives that have come to the women from those trials, such as becoming strong like the men and being able to bear their journeying without murmurings. Nephi goes on in verse 3 to recognize God’s hand in providing for them and is grateful for it.
This school year will have new challenges on top of the usual ones. It will be hard to adjust to online or hybrid learning. It will be hard to meet new people when you must social distance. It will be hard to wear a mask often. That list goes on and on, so let’s think about some of the positives. Technology will allow you to continue your education from home. You may find yourself with some more free time to focus on your studies or be with your family. You can set up online face to face meetings to get to know someone better. Wearing a mask will help you and others stay healthy. What are some other positives you can add to that list?
Please remember that all of us YW women leaders have been through the struggle of school. Our experiences may have been a little different than yours, but that just means we may be able to provide a different and helpful perspective to your challenges. We can also help you see the positives in your challenges. Also seek the Lord’s help regardless of the situation. He wants to help you like he helped the women in the wilderness!
Know you are loved!
Sister Chandler
4 Ashlynn Webb
8 Annica Cuthill
15 McKenna Betts
15 Eden Merrill
20 Sister Sorensen
23 Allia Perez
29 Kylie Betts
31 Abbey Valdez
Sabey Knoop
When Sabey was little her Dad told her to throw her plate out to the Dogs… as in throw her left overs out. She took her glass plate and tossed it outside to the dogs.
Another special memory is Sabey has always been a go getter. She text me last year to see if she could be a extra in a Studio C filming. I told her yes, not thinking anything of it. She filled out all the paperwork and got called back.
Thank you Sister Knoop for sharing about your amazing daughter!
Link to Sabey’s appearance on Studio C: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5DcR1wR_LD4&feature=youtu.be
Allie Jones
We absolutely love Allie’s witty personality. There was a time where Allie was climbing up something. I told her to get down because I I didn’t want to see her get hurt. Her response was ” Then close your eyes.”
Thank you so much Sister Jones for telling us about Allie! She is incredible!
Cambree Young
Favorite school subject: History
Quarantine hobbies: painting and stitch art.
Cambree has THE BEST reactions and tells THE BEST stories. She always keeps us laughing!!!
Thank you Sister Young for sharing about Cambree! We love her!
School start dates
August 12th: ALA
August 13th: UCAS
August 19th: SFH
August 24th: UVU