LITTLE GIRL AND BOY IN AN ADVENTUROUS WORLD: September 2011

I was going to write what I wrote in my journal 10 years ago today, but I cannot find that journal. However, I do remember that I was in much shock that day. My life changed from that fateful day, and as I look back on my life since then I realize how much I love having the Gospel in my life. How grateful I am to live in a Country where I can worship Him whenever and where ever I see fit. The images I see and the stories of that day still bring me many tears. I do not remember crying that day, but every year since I have teared up while watching footage and remembering how much I changed that day. Every person that has come into my life since then I have tried to be courteous and kind to them. I have told my closest friends what they mean to me. I am not the same person I was 10 years ago. That being said here are my accounts of that day... Across America it was a beautiful bright and sunny day! As I sit in my 9th grade Health Class taking a test as the assistant principal, Coach St. Pierre ran into our classroom and turned on the TV. As I looked up to see what was going on I remember seeing the second plane hit the south tower of the World Trade Center. As I see this happen my eyes open in shock, and my mouth dropped. I then tried to focus on my test and noticed that I could not because I wanted to see what was going on. As I went on to second hour our teacher did not believe what we were telling her, but decided towards the end of class we were telling the truth. As I went onto third hour Mr. Fiegles told us that because of the events that have just occurred we would sit in silence throughout the period. As I sit in silence wondering what is going on and looking at my classmates I remember thinking how much they all meant to me. I then went to lunch and heard different things, but I remember no one really said much about what was happening, and no one talked much at all. The school was in shock. 4th hour Biology our teacher told us as long as we did our work she would turn on the tv. As I watched the tv I realized that the pentagon had just been hit by another plane. As I sat there wanting so much to cry I held it back and realized that eventually life will go on. 5th hour we sat and listened to the radio report that a plane had gone down in a field somewhere in Pennsylvania. At the time we had no idea that several of the passengers on that plane became the heroes that we will never forget! United Flight 93 had ordinary men and women and a few hijackers on board when it took off that day. When it went down that day it had many heroes willing to give their lives so that others may live. 6th hour our teacher would not let us watch and I'm still not sure whether that was a good or bad thing, but after I was done with my work I sat in silence wondering what would happen to me now. The school had cancelled all after school practices and activities and told us to go home to our families. As my brother and I went home we got on the computer and researched for hours on what was going on to our country that we loved so much. We began to learn it was terrorism. I was forever changed.

Every year since that day I have tried to find someway to reflect on what happened. One year later I wrote a little poem that I have kept close to my heart ever since.

As I Remember

As I remember

that 11th day

of the 9th month of 2001,

I sit back and think of where I was.

I was in a classroom

taking a test when

an administrator came running in

to turn on the TV.

I looked up and as I

look up I see a

plane hit the south tower of WTC,

I see north tower is on fire,

and then I cry.

I weep.

I wonder.

I ask the questions,

Who, What, When, Why, and How

it could happen to the

United States of America?

I've grown from that small act

I've realized how he works

Darkness and Light cannot exist

together, darkness was there

as the plane hit

Light shunned it out to help people live,

to help them understand that it would be ok,

that everything was fine.

As I Remember these thoughts I cry.

I smile because I grew that day.

I became a little taller in my understanding

of the true gospel of God.

Always As I Remember!!!!!!!

I realize now that the students I teach daily do not know about this day, but they will learn about it in history books. They will read how not hundreds but thousands of Americans died by an act of Terror. They will learn how ordinary men and women became extraordinary heroes that this country will remember forever. This morning as I got up I also realized that youngest child in school during that year are now in high school. The youngest person alive is in 4th grade. The miracles of that day can be seen in our children today. When I taught in Ucon, Idaho I met a second grader that was born that day and he told me that his mother told him that he was her miracle of that day. Thinking about how life can now go on and that all the uncertainties of that day I do not have to worry about right now I am eternally grateful to my Father in Heaven for the kindness He has shown me and the paths He has led me down. That year changed my life forever.

This morning as I was watching the television ksl had interviewed a muslim woman who said that in the Q'oran they learn that if you kill one person it is as if you have killed all humanity and that is a great sin, but if you save one person it is as if you have saved all humanity. That made me think a bit about all these people who were so angry with people of the muslim religion and I think the biggest thing we need to remember is that people of all faiths died that day because of members of a group that we now know is called Al Queda. The man we soon found responsible for all those deaths we learned his name to be Osama Bin Laden. In May he was killed by a group of Navy Seals.

I know that the fight has not ended and that more sadness is to come in the future.

Scriptures to reflect on:

Mark 13:7

7 And when ye shall hear of wars and rumours of wars, be ye not troubled: for such things must needs be; but the end shall not be yet.

1 Nephi 12:21

21 And I saw them gathered together in multitudes; and I saw warsand rumors of wars among them; and in wars and rumors of wars I saw many generations pass away.

Pictures to never forget!

http://www.zimbio.com/9+11+Pentagon+Memorial

Some images I found are very disturbing, but are necessary to see. These are the pictures I felt appropriate to see.

Last, a few songs that I feel appropriate:

We must all remember to live our lives righteously and love everyone even those that hurt us in many ways. Be kind and serve our Father which is in Heaven and His Son for all eternity. Because He is the reason we live daily!

So, as I'm sitting here watching my Saints play some football I got to thinking about how 4 years ago today I was my BFF's bridesmaid! She is simply one of the greatest people I know and Jason is amazing to her as well!

I met Bonnie my second semester of my freshman year through another friend of ours, and we lived two doors down from each other and she was my visiting teacher... we ended up being so close almost nothing could separate us. That was also the semester Bonnie met Jason. He has been nothing, but amazing to her! They are truly a couple I admire. They have been married 4 years and because they are so dedicated to each other they are finishing up their schooling before starting their family. Another reason why Jason is so awesome is that he let's me talk with Bonnie on the phone for hours! I love it! We get to catch up on life in general, and she is simply the one person (besides my future husband) I always want in my life (outside of my immediate family)! Yeah, she's just the perfect best friend! I can't believe she has bee married this long and I know for the rest of their lives and eternity it will be magnificent for them! LOVE YOU BONNIE LYNN!!!!!

Last summer after my endowment!

back in freshman year... she was on the phone with her dad! :D

Jason got her this for Valentine's Day 2007

September 8, 2007 Their wedding day! :D

Cow tipping team... back in the day!

I got a piggy back ride from my BFF!

Two of the best people I met in College the greatest friends I had there... Mike Brown and Bonnie Myers (Giles) Before they were both married to other people! :D