Making it all worth it...

Ok, every time I write a letter I start it out by saying how short it’s going to be. Then I have to go back and erase that statement once I finish the letter because it ended up being 5 pages long. If you’re reading this right now you’ll know I succeeded. I just wanted you to know that I do actually try to keep it brief. But then, the longer I type this “brief” disclosure, the longer my letter is getting, so really I’m just hindering myself. Onto the letter!

Teaching has been going really well. It has its ups and downs. Right after I wrote my last letter bragging about what an amazing teacher I am and how my class runs like clockwork, I got a new student who tore my ego to shreds. He is definitely one of a kind. I thought he had Asperger’s at first because he would burst out into random fits, run in circles around the room, throw things, bite things, yell at students, etc, etc. He wouldn’t listen and I was afraid my year was shot. Since then he’s really calmed down. He’s very sweet he just needs constant attention. Some days I can teach a lesson and my students listen and they participate, and they get it. Other days all they seem to want to do is hit, make fun of, laugh at, talk to, and just bother each other. I have to stop my lessons, every 2 minutes to correct their behavior. Even though it’s a rough neighborhood most of the kids are very sweet and they all have their moments. One day after school when I was walking down the street to my car I saw a dad and two boys outside their house fixing a car. I glanced at them, but didn’t recognize anyone so I kept walking. As I passed them one of the boys shouted across the street, “Hi, Ms. Cannon!” I looked over at him again, still didn’t recognize him but waved anyway. To me, that makes teaching all worth it. Even though I’ve only been teaching there 3 months, the students have noticed me in the halls and heard about me from their friends, think I’m a good teacher, and excitedly greet me on the street. It made me happy.

Our ward has also been a love/hate relationship (I hope that’s not bad to say). It’s so frustrating some times that there are so many demands of us, and so many expectations of us by the local members just because we are students. I know that may sound awful, but coming from the wards I was in before it has been a big adjustment. It’s frustrating driving around every Sunday and Wednesday and some Saturdays through these filthy neighborhoods to pick up youth who don’t seem to be getting anything out of your lessons, nor do they ever show appreciation for the hours upon hours of time you spend for them. They go right on with their habits of swearing and writing filthy notes to each other. Sundays, mostly sacrament meeting, can be very entertaining though. I think I’ve mentioned before that I’ve never fallen asleep in church here, even though I am a Powell and have been cursed to frequently sleep through meetings. I guess the curse has no power here. There is never a dull moment in church. This last week was fast Sunday. One of our young men was sitting with us and when testimony meeting started he got up and bore one of the best testimonies I’ve ever heard. It was straight from the heart. Several people were in tears and sacrament meeting went 15 minutes over because so many people felt the spirit. It’s moments like that that make it all worth it. When just one person listens to what you’re trying to tell them and you make a difference in someone’s life.

Well, I tried. I think this effort was better than most, so I will leave the disclaimer, even though it’s not I short as I would have liked.

Thanks for being my family and making me feel like I’m worth it. I love you all!

Maretta