Ways to Make Your Classroom More Autism Friendly
With school starting again I have been thinking about our kids with Autism, Sensory integration disorder, anxiety, and all types of special needs. How can teachers and schools make their classroom environment a better place to learn? This topic came up in discussion...
Crying Out to be Delivered
The kids had been climbing every rock we passed along the trail in American Fork Canyon. We paused and chatted as they scampered up and around and down the huge boulders. Along the trail was a particularly gigantic rock. The sign next to it said, "Sliding Rock." The...
Christ is the Difference
How often does something ordinary or common stand out significantly later on? That may not sound too amazing now, but I remember when the Internet was first launched to the public. It was small and incomplete. Most of the things you would search for at that...
Opposition Builds Faith
We were driving across town this morning to run an errand. I mentioned to my husband that I needed to write an article today—and yet again, I had no idea what to write about. I told him that it’s awfully hard to write articles about “Strengthening Our Faith” in times...
…Or Something Better
During the course of conversation, a friend and I once ended up discussing a book by Sheri Dew. Sister Dew was one of the members of the general Relief Society presidency several years ago. The general Relief Society presidency helps to guide local Relief Society...
Mount Tabor, River Kishon, and Sun: The Lord’s Might in Judges 4-5
During a time the children of Israel had strayed from serving the Lord, Deborah became a judge and a prophetess for the people. One day she sent for a man named Barak. Her opening statement makes it sound like Barak had already received revelation from the Lord and...
Enduring the Refiner’s Fire
A dear friend of ours passed away unexpectedly this week. She was a loving wife, mother of four children, and only fifty-eight years old. At her memorial service, her husband, a man of great faith, though grief-stricken over the loss, was gallant and full of grace. At...
The Second Mile
Suffice it to say, my life has changed dramatically since the last time I wrote an article. In the last few weeks, I moved out of home, I started school, I started 2 new jobs, and, oh yeah, I got engaged! Can’t forget that last thing! Ha! In some ways, I look...
How To Help An Autistic Child In The Classroom Part 2
This is a continuation of the article How To Help An Autistic Child In The Classroom, Part 1. And I will continue as if you had read that article as they are both imperative for every teacher to know. For anyone reading this and not familiar with autism, high...
Same Beginning and Ending, but a Different Journey
It's Friday—my first Aloha Friday as a former Hawaii resident. I woke up a little chilly in my room in the basement of my parents' house. At 8:00 am, I finally wondered what the temperature was. It was a solid 59 degrees (basically totally freezing to me). Before...
Flower Power
Several years ago, my wife and I were called to serve a Member and Leader Support mission in the Northeast. Once we got settled, we looked forward to our assignment from the mission president. After consideration and prayer, he sent us to a small town quite a few...
Bearing Fruit
All winter I contemplated the tree in my new backyard. The realtor had said it was a fruit tree, but didn’t specify what kind and I hadn’t thought to ask. In the spring, small white blossoms grew on bare branches. Then a late frost killed all the flowers and with...
Change: A Refreshing Perspective
Sometimes we struggle with change, but change is good. Change is refreshing. Change is why we were put here on earth in the first place. Change is what the Atonement of Jesus Christ is all about. Now if you are thinking this doesn’t feel entirely comfortable, I...
Am I Ready to Be Clean?
As I was giving my dog, Casper, a bath, he was sitting on his feet. Actually, everything that he could possibly hide from me was underneath him: feet, legs, tail, stomach, etc. He even had his head tucked in tight. The only thing I could reach without a fight was his...
How To Help An Autistic Child In The Classroom, Part 1
If you have come here seeking to help an autistic child in your class, I commend you. Good teachers will change the world. And I hope the tips I have here will help you. These suggestions are for younger children who aren’t self-aware yet. For anyone reading this and...
Be Still More Often
I used to practice the organ in the Old Rock church in the evening after I got home from work and while Anthony was still finishing up with work. I loved that old church. The layout and finishings were so amazing. I'd walk through the church by street light...
Women in the Kingdom: Doctrine vs Culture
In recent years, I have learned more about women's issues and paid closer attention to both the inequalities between women and men in our society, as well as spaces that have actively elevated women. I am so proud to be a Latter-day Saint woman, especially now. In...
Why I Left the Church — and Why I Came Back Again, Pt II
This is part two of Elisabeth's post "Why I Left the Church — and Why I Came Back Again." To read the first part, click here. In July of 2019, I was officially bored of being angry all of the time. It was so old. I had a whole life to live and I was exhausted...
Connect With the Past to Find Strength for the Present
When we study the lives of our ancestors, we learn lessons for our own lives.
Pondering the Wall Samuel Climbed
My friend Roxy Kimokeo sent me a wonderful gift. In the chaos of moving while still working full time, Roxy sent me her thoughts about Samuel climbing a wall which elevated my thoughts out of the never-ending to-do lists. Back in the pre-COVID days when a...