This is a talk/presentation I gave to the YW in our ward at their YW activity on Wednesday night. The topic was what did you major in and why...When talking to the girls I expanded on each semesters challenges and on other college courses. I tried to just talk with them, but I wrote this talk out as my guide.
Before I begin, I just want to you to know that when I speak of my career it may sound as though I’m putting down any other career. I was asked to speak about what I choose to major in and why. Yes, I’m very proud of what I do so that is what I’m going to talk about tonight and you will come to realize, it is the best choice out there! Ha! So let me begin!
Since I was a very young girl all I ever wanted to grow up and be was a mother. I was one that wrote a letter to my mom at around 7 years old telling her if she had another baby, she wouldn’t have to do anything for her I would even name her, Brittany or Breanne. We’ll my mom never did give me that gift so I was a strange little girl who loved my dolls until I was old enough to babysit. At 12 I was the ward babysitter, I would even sit with the families at church and get the babies to sleep and the mother’s would all say, how do you do that? I continued to babysit and nanny even after I was married I loved babies so much! My goal was to have 11 children, after meeting Danny he put an end to my 11, he wanted a big family too, but it had to be an even number, so it was 10 or 12 he said. Well, the number has gone down just a little to somewhere around 8. But Danny says, if you have twins at baby 8 and end up having 9 we have to have 10, because an odd number just dosen’t work.
Well, at 18 I went to college, just looking to get my MRS. degree, I just needed a husband to settle down with and have those babies with! I really never enjoyed school and really struggled at almost every subject so the thought of college seemed impossible. Well after spending a year in UT., gaining residency, I was thinking that the only thing out there that would be of any interest to me would be Elementary Ed. After meeting with a school councilor I found out about Early Childhood Education, which was only a 2 year degree, working with the young child and all the classes really interested me! So I started in that major at U.V.S.C. After a year there and 2 years in UT and no prospects in marriage I heard that if I was looking to marry I needed to be at good’ol RICKS COLLEGE! So I went there of course, because that was my real major in life! The major there had a little different name called Professional Preschool Education and there is where I really got into the program, it really was difficult in so many ways, writing lesson plans, teaching in the child labs and trying to keep 20 kids entertained during your lesson while other college students watch from the observation booths…having to take generals and tests…any major even if you think it’s going to be the an easy one has struggles. By the end of the 2 year major I was very confident with the decision I made, I loved it and I knew I could go out and teach at any preschool!
After graduating and no marriage I decided to do what the Lord had been telling me all along, I was to serve a mission. After being home from my mission for just 5 months I was married, yes, a lot of our life is on the Lord’s time and I was in denial until then.
After having children and being able to use all the wonderful resources that I learned in college I became even more grateful for my degree. I have friends who majored in all different majors, that call me asking what do I do with my tantruming 2 year old, my bored 3 year old, how can I better prepare my 4 year old for Kindergarten…When I answer their questions or ask them if they’ve taught them this, or do this with them…they just had never thought of the many different things you can do to help teach your children.
I hope that all of your biggest desires is to be a mother. I know there is nothing more important in life than being that! I have a friend who I admire greatly and hope to be like one day. I served with her in my last ward in the Young Women’s program, she has 9 children (8 sons, 1 daughter) this woman was a Valedictorian of B.Y.U. and what she was, was an amazing mother! Her children range from Doctors, Lawyers, Dentist, Musicians, all faithful members of the church, this women was not just a housewife as you can tell she used her talents, skills and knowledge in teaching her children. David O McKay said, “No other success can compensate for failure in the home.” Just try and remember that whatever you do choose to do in life not to let it take over our true purpose as a daughter of God.
There are times in life when we will be needing to use the skills we learned in college or talents that we’ve been blessed with. I feel so blessed having my degree, because right now it is what’s keeping our family a float. There are times we might start something for the purpose of our children and family, but down the road we get so involved in it that we lose sight of the reason and purpose for starting it.
Elder Russell M. Nelson said, “Our family is the focus of our greatest work and joy in this life; so will it be throughout all eternity.” I hope we will always remember our true purpose in life.
You all have your own gifts and desires that will help point you in the direction that is best for you. I hope that if you get a chance that you do take a few classes (usually offered as an elective) in Early Childhood because they will only teach you better mothering skills and ideas for teaching your children!
