Making Connections.

       Okay usually I'm not the quickest person on the planet, and I have no problem admitting that.  Witty people blow my mind. A fair amount of remarks or comments just roll right over my head. In school it takes me a review session or two to grasp some concepts in class...However! This week in class we discussed a topic that clicked right away! Hahaha, I went to bed feeling accomplished that night....
       Developmental delay. That's where this all started. Developmental Delay as we learned in class are "a diverse group of server chronic conditions that are due to mental/ and or physical impairments." These conditions can apply in one of 5 areas, cognition , communication, adaptive behavior, social/ emotional and physical motor. What qualifies a child as being developmentally delayed is to have 1 standard deviation below average in two areas, or 2 standard deviations below average in one area. Whatever delay is prominent (whether in one area or multiple) a plan can be created and implemented from a young age!! If caught early enough an adviser/ counselor can enter the home and work with the child to aid and monitor their development. Cool huh? There's so much that can be done these days it amazes me.
        Now I tell you about my connection. I have a sweet little niece, who will turn two this year, who I think is just the most darling little thing on the planet. Since she'll be two this year, she was born back when I was in the ending months of my mission. I remember clearly opening the email containing the first picture I'd ever see of her. Something was terribly wrong and my eyes immediately filled up with tears. This sweet little girl who was going to be a perfect little blessing in our lives had some complications at birth. I distinctly remember seeing her tiny new born body hooked up to all kinds of machines with tubes wires and cords surrounding her. What had happened was during the delivery my sister's umbilical  cord burst. Small chance right? Anyway, to make a long story short, my little nice went a little longer without oxygen than she should have. Now almost two years later she's just as perfect as we could have imagined her and growing just as she should be. The connection I made was how she went from having a traumatic birth to where shes at now, came from God's graces and the help of the worker visiting my sisters home to ensure my niece was hitting the developmental milestones she should be. Perhaps I'm a geek for learning but I thought it was so cool to have learned about something that affected my family in a positive way!
       God blesses our lives in the most awesome ways. From blessing my sister and her daughter to even just helping me understand my class work! I never cease to be amazed at how involved the Lord is in the everyday little affairs of my life. GOD. IS. GOOD.

-- Julie

Can I really do this?

I like to tell myself  I can do hard things. I like to tell myself I have done hard things. This whole blog started as a report of my mission, which is surely...a hard thing (hard things...does that grammar bother anyone else? Shouldn't I be saying "difficult tasks"? Anyways...). Life is without a doubt full of hard things we must do. Some we choose to do, others we don't. My educational path is one I'm choosing, but after today's class discussion I had to ask myself "can I really do this?" Choosing to pursue a career path in special education will more often than not give me plenty of "hard things" to do. 

         Every Friday we come to class, we're to learn from fellow students about specific disabilities. Today the first lesson was presented, by three wonderful girls, about Autism. All I could say after was "Wow". Now, I like to think I've had a fair amount of experience interacting with disabled persons, but never have I encountered someone with Autism. Strange right? Especially since the numbers of Autistic persons are growing. It was reported in class today that Autism affects 1 in 68 children, 1 in 42 boys and 1 in 189 girls. After today's lesson though, I was in shock at my own lack of knowledge, and quite frankly a little uncomfortable. Small waves of panic crashed onto to me as thoughts raced through my mind. "Can I really do this? Can I really work on a daily basis with a student who has autism?" Now please don't jump to conclusions about me, I'm not saying Autism is the worst thing ever, but perhaps all this new information is just a little overwhelming. After all, in class a video was shared of two parents wrestling their autistic son to the ground in order to restrain him from his outburst. I realize this may be an extreme case, but I'm not sure I could do that. I'm less than 120 lbs! 

        Although I may have been a little freaked out today, I learned some important tactics that may help if I teach an Autistic student:

1. Get to know your student- How simple is that?! They're a student just like all your other students. 

2. Know what motivates your student- Again, they're like all other students, they have interests too. 

3. Let them be a part in decision making- No one likes to be bossed around! I certainly don't! 

4. Establish growth expectations.- Autistic students need challenges too. 

     While at first I may have been fearful of teaching such students and asking myself "can I really do this?" My overall thought was the confirmation "Yes Julie, you can". God loves all of His children. He makes us all different for a reason, and though we don't fully understand why, in time we'll come to love ALL His children as He does. This little video was shared in class today and I couldn't pass up the opportunity to share how sweet it is!

--Julie

http://www.mormonchannel.org/watch/series/mormon-messages/my-brother-hyrum

Let's begin again.

      Why is it that as people we create endings and beginnings? People hate endings, right? I guess it's more we hate the end of a good thing...? I know I do. Then I get in my head that I need to find the next best thing ASAP! I think we call those endorphins? Dopamine? Okay I admit I only took the first level anatomy an physiology class, so I'm not 100% sure what I'm talking about...but whatever those good feelings are called I want to get them back as soon as possible! However, what if we never stop? What if we have a good thing, and we just keep going with it? Will it still be so great after a week? A few months? Years? I'm a firm believer that yes, it can be. It will be, but only if we change and develop because of it. 

       To be honest I've developed most of this belief around my parents marriage. This winter they'll have been married 37 years, and if you asked either of them they'd tell you, that overall they're marriage has been a great thing. How is that so? So many people get divorced! Well if you grow and develop together in a positive manner, how could your marriage be anything but great?! So maybe my ideas of good things coming to an end is just a little romantic and far fetched...but I've got almost 37 years of evidence! 

        All this being said, what I'm trying to get at is even though my mission is over and my life has moved forward in the last year, I don't  need to stop writing! I still have good things to report on! For the next few months I've decided to use this space for a project my SPED 310 class has asked me to complete. Let's explore thoughts, ideas and opinions together! 

        For starters, the first week of school is always so HECTIC! Jumping back into the school routine seems to become more difficult with every passing year. However, while I'm trying to stay afloat with classes I was blessed to find some peace in this weeks homework. The four articles assigned to the class included The Doctrine of Inclusion by Elder M. Russell Ballard, The Moving of the Water by Boyd K. Packer, Concern for the One by Joseph B. Wirthlin and Drenched in Gratitude by David A Bednar. While each of these talks was incredible alone, what really impressed me was how well they bridged together. Such a beautiful understanding can be gained of the compassion we need to have for our neighbors (which by the way is everyone!). I'll admit even in reading these talks I felt a small call to repentance from the Spirit! But hey, we can all do a little better right? Although my mission is completed, and I'm in the next phase of my life, I'm still striving everyday to be more Christ like. I know He is my Savior, and each day I rely on Him, I take a small step in His direction!

--Julie 

Do I want the life that's up ahead? or the one I left behind?

(The Final) HELLO!

  Considering myself to be a pretty stable person, I find it completely out of my character to have any kind of mental break down. I would say the closest I get is a mini panic attack, which I would describe as a flood of anxiety washing over me and consuming my very soul...? I've found in these moments the largest bucket to bail out all this excess stress, is when I rely on Gods promised gift of the Comforter. After being hit by one of these floods this week , with the realization that my world I've built up for the past 18-months would undergo some serious changes in the coming days, I turned to that Gift. I feel that there is no faster way to invite the spirit into my life than to pray and receive a priesthood blessing. I am grateful that in the area I now serve, I have 2 sets of elders whose priesthood I can call upon. After receiving a blessing from  my District Leader I remembered a poem that had brought me comfort once before. It was sent to me in a package from the youth in my home ward, but sadly was written by an anonymous author, entitled "the mission". It begins with a new missionary boarding a plane, after a tearful goodbye to their family and friends. Now alone with their thoughts the missionary asks a question that could be applied to anyone beginning a new adventure "Do I want the life that's up ahead? or the one I left behind?" Later we read of this same missionary, who has now come to love their time of service, once again boarding a plane. With tear filled eyes, they ask "Do I want the life that's up ahead? Or the one that's left behind?" 

 What a deep sense of peace filled my heart as I read and pondered this poem. I can't help but smile as I remember how anxious and inadequate I felt while beginning my first few months as a missionary. Now, all I feel is confidence and high levels of self worth as I know My Heavenly Father is pleased with the work I've done. My mission has been spent building up sandbags walls around my testimony so when Satan comes with "His mighty winds, yea his shafts in the whirl wind, yea, when all his hail and mighty storm shall beat upon,  me it shall have no power over me" (Helaman 5:12). I have been given all the tools and preparation for the rest of my life, I am a forever strong missionary of the California Fresno Mission and I want the life that's up ahead!

Love,

Sister Julie Anne LeStarge

Can You Talk?

As my Samoan companion would say,

TALOFA!! 

This week has been  hectic! Isn't every week that way as a missionary? Well this week has been especially hectic! I can't tell you how many trips we made to and from Fresno! It's been a busy driving week...which makes this sister tired! At one point we had to pull over and take a 10 minute nap because I was falling asleep at the wheel!! Dangerous stuff. 

 We received a wonderful training for all the missionaries training and being trained. We were given some wonderful counsel by President Clark (who I absolutely love!), and even had some break off time to meet as trainers and discuss how it's been going. As we went around the "power circle" I wasn't surprised to hear some trainers express their struggles in training (remembering how much of a brat I was to my trainer long ago). When it came my turn, I looked around the room and said "Well, I'm sorry you're all having struggles ,but my trainee is great!! The only thing I can't get her to do is correct me! and that's because she thinks I'm perfect!" (which I'm still trying to show her all of my countless flaws). It was a good discovery time though with all the other trainers, I learned there are a whole lot of things  I'm doing well, and even more things I need to change in order to see that Sister Maukeni has the best opportunities grow and improve. 

  At the end of the day I was standing next to a sister who carpooled up with us, ( one I love and adore and feel is probably a lost child of my parents) and we were talking to a set of elders sitting down. While my temporary companion was talking to one elder, his companion, a new elder from mexico with a thick accent said "Sister, can you talk?"....Knowing very well that I could, I was confused by his question and said "Yes elder ,I can talk"....he goes on "Well, will...will you...will you talk to me?" Oh that poor little Elder, I had to keep in my laughter because I knew he was working on his english but it was just the funniest way to have started a conversation. He later expressed how on his first day in the mission he remembered role playing with me, and he was so amazed with how fast I could talk. He said "one day I will talk as fast as you! I can do it in spanish, but not in english"...one day elder, one day. 

The work goes on here in the CFM! I know every experience I have here is preparing me for something great the Lord has in store for me. I love my mission, but I love the Lord even more for calling me to the work!

Love,

Sister LeStarge. 

You're Stuck With Me Forever

GOOOOD MORNING!

I've gotten in the habit of saying that as I run the streets in the morning, but most times people just look at me like I'm a nut. Anyways! I had probably most sacred spiritual moment on my mission this week. I got to see the Calaways (the family I taught a year ago) get sealed! It really was the most beautiful thing in this world. I've always had a testimony of families being together forever, but witnessing that just solidified my knowledge. Having never seen a sealing before it was really neat.

     Sister Sims (my trainer) was able to fly in for it, which made it even more special for me because I stink'n love that girl!!! We along with two other couples from Dry Creek were able to attend (not even the poor sister who drove me was invited in). It was so small and so perfect. We sat and waited for the couple to come in, and they were sealed together first as husband and wife for time and all eternity!!! I balled the whole time! What a sweet thing to see those to be sealed! I consider them to be my mission parents so it was really a tender moment. Their children were then brought in and sealed to their parents. Again, another touching moment to see a family I love and hold so dear to me come together, and be sealed. When the whole family was together I sniffled and sniffed, the just sobbed! Mostly because of how wonderful it was, but partly because of their missing family member who I also love so dearly. At the end the sealer did invite them to do all they could to get their whole family to join them as a sealed family, so I found comfort in that. In the end everyone was balling and just so filled with joy and the Spirit. I'll never forget the mother embracing one of her daughters, and with tears in her eyes saying "You're stuck with me forever!" They're all stuck together forever! What a wonderful day. I'm so blessed to have been able to experience all of this!! How many missionaries get to teach a family, see them enter into the waters of baptism and then a year later witness their sealing?! Not too many!! I love this family. I love the gospel. I know that family relationships can last through all eternity with nothing to break their bond. 

Love you all! (forever!)

Love 

Sister LeStarge

Families are Forever