Corn Maze with the James and Kim

The James have been a large and great part of my life since I moved into the ward.  Heather (the mom) is my VTing companion and I was in her primary presidency before the current one with Kim, Harvey (the dad) was in the Bishopric and is my home teacher (right now he is in Prague on a Full Bright).  They have two great kids, Hannah (11) and Isaac (13) whom they adopted.  They are my favorite 11 and 13 year old that I know - great kids. 

So there is this cool corn maze outside of Columbia (just East) that we decided to check out today.  The last time I went on a corn maze was in Lehi, UT and it was right after Cameron was born.  Donna, Suzan, Cameron and I went, paid our money, got lost for over an hour and finally retraced our steps to the beginning!  It was an adventure and I guess that is what it was meant to be. 

 

This is the cool barn next to the corn maze - the Shrycock family has done the maze since 2002 - they have been farming the land around it for the last 5 generations and now use 15 acres for the maze.

This time the maze was cut in the shape below for the coming election. 

So this is what we walked through (this is an aerial shot), there were 10 check points that asked us questions about elections, presidents and the like.  We did have a map that clearly showed the exits (note: this only helps if you know where you are the map - which looked just like the picture above).  We figured out a system and in the end got all of the check point marked (there was a drawing for a iPod and bike that the kids wanted to enter).

Here are some pictures.

Isaac, Hannah and Heather trying to decide where to go next.

Heather, Kim and Hannah

We thought that the roots of the corn was fascinating - they were above ground and none of us had ever seen that before.

There was a bridge you could use to "get your bearings" this is what we saw - not helpful in any way but pretty!

Me, Hannah, Isaac and Kim Outside of the maze.

The James Family - minus Harvey.

After the maze we had a picnic lunch and then headed home - it was a beautiful day and a fun time, I am glad that we got a chance to go before I leave.

Tonight is the Woman's broadcast and so the sisters in the ward are eating Chinese food and then heading over for the broadcast.  Later Kim is going to come over and we are going to watch Anne of Green Gables (the continuing story) - Kim had never seen or read any of it so she is now reading the books and watching the movies.  I had forgotten how good they were!  And of course we are going to work on primary program stuff because we start practicing tomorrow!

Constant Change

Today I called into work and Linda wanted to talk to me and instantly my stomach feel. Last time she wanted to talk with me she was angry because she thought that I wasn't working fast enough and had talked too much (about 10 minutes in 8 hours) the day before - you just never know with her. So I asked what was going on and she said that Patti (a professor I worked with in the summer of 2006) had asked if I could work with her for a while. Linda asked me what I thought and I said sure - just as long as I could keep working on the paper we were working on. She promised me that I would be on the paper and I said that I wanted to continue to work on it because I had spent so much time already on it, she agreed and so that will be good. This semester I should have about 3 papers go out - that is pretty good.

Other news - when I talked with Linda she said that she thought that my grant was good :) - that made my day - I was most worried about her because she reviews grants all of the time. So, regardless of what they say soon (should now on Monday) I still know that it wasn't that bad!

The Reason I am in Missouri

So, with all of my frustration with graduate school lately I had to think back to why I came here in the first place. So, I thought a little reminder in writing would be good for me and some may not know this story in detail. It all started the summer of 2005, I had a feeling I needed to go and visit my friend, Alison, in Missouri. I honestly wasn't coming here to look at the program but it did cross my mind. So I spent a week here in MO with Alison and attended classes with her, went out to eat, down to the river to eat wonderful Thai food, etc. I relaxed and had a good time. While I was here Alison talked me in to meeting with the graduate dean and 2 other professors (both of whom are on my committee). While meeting with the dean she told me that she wanted me to come in August, as a side story I had just finished up teacher certification, taken my test and gotten a job and signed the contract the day before I traveled to MO. So, naturally I said no that I had obligations back in Texas and so she said then I want to see your application for next year on my desk in October (the whole meeting from hello to I want your application was 5 minutes) I told her that I wanted to pay down my student loans before I came back to school - she told me that they would be there when I got out! Anyway, I left MO and went back to TX not convinced that is what I should do.

Skip to October 2005 - one of my hellions in my class hit me about 10 times on the back of the head and gave me a concussion and sent me into a mandatory 2 week break. I did apply for school in Oct and got an acceptance for Jan (which I didn't apply for) in Nov; I wrote back and declined Jan but said yes to August because of the terrible experience I was having teaching. It was really bad! Soon after my return Dr. Hulme and I decided that I need to have surgery so in November I had surgery and was out for 2 weeks. Long story short the school district changed my contract to being like a sub, because I had used too many sick days (even though it was approved before hand), so now I was in a terrible classroom and was being paid terribly!

Skip to Jan 9th, 2008 - I got a paycheck and called HR trying to understand my new pay (because of the above mentioned change in contract that they did not tell me or my principal about) and they told me about what was going on. I left work incredibly frustrated with the whole thing and the situation in my classroom had just continued to go south so as I prayed that night I decided to email the dean and see if she still had funding for me for Jan, the semester started Jan 17th and it was getting really close. Little did I know that the dean sleeps with her computer (she is that attached) and emailed me back that night - I think around 11pm. So on the 10th I called and talked with her and she tried to see if I was going to have funding (I couldn't move without it) for the semester.

I have never had the Lords hand in my life so much and things fall into place so incredibly perfectly as they did that week. I quit my job (which officially I did not have a contract - remember) and packed my bags and drove to MO, found a place to live and moved in within 5 days. The next day I started work and classes and the rest is just a blur.

About two months after I got here I needed my temple recommend signed by the Stake President (who is also the institute director) so I went to institute (the one and only time here in MO) and then asked him to sign my recommend, which of course he was happy to do. Well, I had been feeling pretty overwhelmed by the sudden move, a yucky neighbor and Grandma's impeding death, so I asked for a blessing as well. It was incredible and said many wonderful things but something that really stuck out in my mind was that "there will be a time that you question why you are here and why the Lord has brought you to this place, know that it is the My will and that you will be blessed" it went on to talk about finishing my PhD and in the end knowing why the Lord had sent me here to work on my PhD here in MO. I have clung to that in the yucky times of my studies, the lonely times that I yearn to be closer to home and my times of wonder of why this place? I am very grateful for that blessing, the spirit and this place I call home for the next 3 months.

Two Cups of Tea

I recently read the book "Two Cups of Tea" by Greg Mortenson. It is an excellent book that speaks directly about the situation and lack of education in Pakistan and Afghanistan. I really enjoyed reading about his work and the progress his is making in that area. I would highly recommend it, I think that it helps everyone understand that one person can make a huge difference in the world.

Last night Greg Mortenson came to MU and spoke to the community here. It was a great talk about how education can change the way people are able to live and thus changing situations all over the world. It was very inspiring talk and I felt blessed to be there. Click here to learn more about his work. He also encourages children to start Pennies for Peace programs in their community so that they can make a difference while they are young. I would encourage you all to read it.

He shared a proverb:
If you educate a boy
You educate an individual

If you educate a girl
You educate a community

I sat there and listened to this man talk about educating girls and how hard the girls push for the opportunity to get to go to school. I can't imagine walking 3 hours one way to sit in the sun for hours to be taught. Of course I highly believe in education but I am not always as grateful for they opportunities that I have before me. I feel so incredibly blessed to live in a country that is free, have "free" education for everyone here, and get to chose to go to college if I want to.

The other thing that struck me hard was the things he talked about in working in the area and creating good connections are all things that I learned in the MTC. Number 1 - build relationships of trust, 2 - find common beliefs, 3 - take the truth you have in common and build upon it, 4 - serve the community and work with them to help themselves make a better life for themselves. As Kim and I were walking out we were talking about this and about how the gospel has the answer to every question - it is truly amazing and wonderful thing.

Great Quote

I really liked this quote by President Monson.
"Too frequently, women underestimate their influence for good. Well could you follow the formula given by the Lord: 'Establish a house, even a house of prayer, a house of fasting, a house of faith, a house of learning, a house of glory, a house of order, a house of God' (D&C 88:119)."In such a house will be found happy, smiling children who have been taught, by precept and example, the truth. In a Latter-day Saint home, children are not simply tolerated, but welcomed; not commanded, but encouraged; not driven, but guided; not neglected, but loved."

I agree completely, he just makes it all sound so easy! :) But I know that the Heavenly Father will guide each parent in how to care for His precious spirit that he gave to them - I have a firm testimony of that.

I wanted to include some of those mothers who are great examples to me here.

Asia

Cyndi

Laura

Donna (I couldn't find one of Donna that I could get to- computer issues - this is of Donna and Victoria in Jan '08)

Shelly

Suzan
















Cherilyn

Marcie

My Mama

Grad School

Sometimes I get so frustrated with graduate school - I hate the politics, the lack of explanation on what is expected, the complete lack of a time line, and faculty that seem to have their own timetable completely. On Thursday I prepared to turn in my grant ( a couple of weeks early) and my advisor seem to think that was absurd. I really don't understand - why is it bad to finish the comps process in 9 months instead of 10 or 11? So, as I was talking with her I asked what was next - I know I have to write my proposal but what does that consist of,etc.? And she said "oh you will have to revise your grant it will not be good enough - everyone has to". I wanted to scream - WHY? WHY? WHY? What makes this process so special that no one can pass on their first try - it might build their confidence? As you can tell I am a bit frustrated. So, I had planned to spend a little more time with it but decided no - if they are going to give it back to me then I might as well turn it in and see what they have to complain about. So, I turned it in (by email) and now wait to see what they say. In my email I said that I wanted to get specific feedback, not it is just not good enough - because that is not helpful nor does it aide in the "learning process" that they are so convinced that this is! I am convinced that it is something else but I will not say because I am a good Mormon girl - at least I try to be! :)
So, I went to bed that night so incredibly frustrated and wanting to just leave - pack up and move home and so I complained to Heavenly Father - He was the one that told me to come to this specific place - and as I complained I felt peace that it would be alright but, I didn't sleep very well that night still frustrated and angry. When I got up on Friday and read my scriptures I read this:
" And I will ease the burdens which are put upon your shoulders, that even you cannot feel them upon your backs, even while you are in bondage; and this will I do that ye may stand as witnesses for me hereafter, and that ye may know of a surety that I, the Lord God, do visit my people in their afflictions...."the Lord did strengthen them that they could bear up their burdens with ease, and they did submit cheerfully and with patience to all the will of the Lord." ~ Mosiah 24:14-15. Yet, again the Lord hear my cries and answers so quickly - I felt so grateful and blessed. I can't image what people do without prayer and the scriptures. I can't say that I like the process of my PhD anymore but I don't feel the burden at all! It is such a blessing. I sat and thought about how they were cheerful and patient and was humbled by my impatience - I just want it done right now - I don't want to wait any longer and there is a process for everything. My friend Alison has taught me about patience and perseverance in the past two years as her committee has continually rejected what she is writing, her ideas, etc. and borne her burdens with patience. As I pondered upon the things that I was experiencing and the time that it takes to do anything here I was enlightened at little in what the Lord wants me to use the time for and that made me feel more at peace. And then that same day I was given a long list of things I need to write or prepare for my job with extension. Several journal articles and abstracts, 2 small grants, etc. all of which will look wonderful on my CV - that made things seem better.

Different thought completely - I have had this uneasy/anxious feeling lately - I think most of the Ball girls feel it from time to time - a gift passed on by our mother. I just feel like I need to prepare for something big - what is it, when is it come (date and time, please), what do I need to do, is it good, bad, fun, terrible - I just want to know. I hope that it is wonderful and happens soon because it is driving me crazy. :)

I am very grateful that all of the people I know and love in Houston are fine and that minimal damage was done to their properties - it is much easier to replace a fence than a person! The Lord blessed us all with this hurricane.

Flooding

Well, here in Missouri we have also gotten a ton of rain (like my family in TX). It has rained on and off for about 4 days and today on the way to church I was given the visual of what that does here in Columbia. There are several creeks/streams that run throughout Columbia and I have to pass over one on the way to church - so off I went and when I got that point it was a little amazing. Everything for about 2 acres surrounding the creek was under water and in some points it was more like 10 acres. There is a in-door soccer building that was half way under water and the surrounding fields were completely flooded. I knew that it couldn't go on like it had (raining cats and dogs) but wow! This summer when Missouri, Iowa and Illinois were flooding we didn't have this much flooding!
Sorry no pictures - I don't carry my camera to church with me!

Spiritual Goals

On Sunday during Fast and Testimony meeting a sister was bearing her testimony about a woman whom she knew, that was not LDS, whom shared similar spiritual goals as she did and so they have created a great bond and friendship built on those things.

I listened thinking - that is really cool and then I had this conversation with myself - "what are your spiritual goals?" I thought well to build a stronger relationship with my Savior and Heavenly Father, to pray more often and more earnestly, to read my scriptures with more intensity and then the thought came - "well how is that different from 10 years ago?" "Well - I don't know - my testimony has increased, my faith is stronger, I know more, etc., etc. But I don't know that that is enough - I set goals to read certain church books, study in a certain way and when that is done then what do I do? I don't know that I know how to set goals like that." And so it continued through the day and into the week - my mind keeps coming back to the idea and wondering what I need to be doing to achieve such goals.

So, I thought back to YW and the personal progress program, which I have used since to set goals for myself, and started to wonder what goals I need to set. So, am I the only one that is like this - that sets goals and then achieves them and then "sorta forget to set more?" I don't know if it is just laziness/ idleness or just human nature.

So, the goal for the week is to set some spiritual goals that are long term in nature - ones that will last for years and allow me to accomplish small things along the way so that I know that the work I am doing is yielding some results.

What do you guys think about this? - maybe it is just me.

Saturday

Marcie and I headed to Amish country on Saturday morning and I took a bunch of pictures of the beautiful barns and landscape that Missouri has. I will greatly miss the landscape of Missouri, the rolling hills and farms - it is truly beautiful to me.

On Saturday afternoon we had a combined RS/YW service project yesterday - it was really nice and there was a lot of service that happened in a very short period of time. We made quilts for the church (they are in great need right now), made burrito babies that go to orphanages all over the world, colored more pictures for the quilts (like the ones we did at the family reunion) and made hats for Jeffery's orphanage in the Ukraine. It was incredible to see so many people working for the good of others. I walked in where they were making the hats for Jeffery's orphanage and I was so grateful for all the sisters and girls that were working diligently to make hats for little children that they will never meet. I was very grateful for them and helping others - services is definitely sweet. It was incredibly wonderful - the speaker was amazing and the Spirit was very strong. I helped Marcie with finishing up the decorations on Friday night and helped in the quilting room, the kitchen and with serving. I was very tired when I left at 7pm - it started at 2pm. It was really wonderful. From there I headed over to a wedding reception for one of the younger woman in the ward. It was beautiful and I was glad that I drug my very tired body over there.

Apple Picking

Friday Marcie, Zebadee and I went apple picking. It was a lot of fun and we plan to make apple sauce, apple butter and dried apple pieces as well. We picked about 2 bushels of apples and in case you are wondering that is a lot of apples. It was a fabulous price - $4 a bushel so $8 to get so many apples that they nearly filled Marcie's car trunk! It was a fun time, we had Zebadee on Marcie's shoulders at one point because the big ones were so high - couldn't get a picture because I was making sure Zebie didn't come crashing down. When we make the apple sauce I will take some more pictures.

I am an Aunt Again!!!

Laura had her baby today at 8:25am.  It is a little boy names Christopher Sterling Ball.

He weighed in at 8 pounds and was 20 inches long!

Congratulations Bob, Laura, Ethan, Bethany and Thomas we are so happy to have another future Elder Ball in our presence!

I Have Finshed Writing My Grant!!!!

Well, Saturday and today have been a fun filled Labor day weekend - I have done fun things like write, rewrite, look for more articles and write some more, but I am done with my grant - until I get feedback from my wonderful friends and family. I have sent emails off with the grant attached to many people but if you didn't get it and want to read it, help me by critiquing it then please let me know and I will send it your way! This morning I was almost giddy in anticipation of the time that I didn't have to try and write it any longer. The nature of a grant being that you have to be broad and specific all at the same time and of course not just make a long line (train car effect) of wonderful studies has given me a headache the last 2 months. I hope that the changes I need to make are not too terribly difficult but that it makes sense to people - that is the hope. I am just so excited that I feel free for a little while - I am going to go take a walk before FHE but I wanted to share the good news for me and that a nice little present may appear in your email mailboxes very soon! Thanks so much for helping me!