Grandparents are Important and Jenessa's Letter

This week my one and only granddaughter Lily turned 1. Even though my children never lived around their grandparents growing up they nevertheless consider them important in their lives. I suppose it is because we always tried to include them in our lives and showed our children how much we loved our parents. This is Jenessa's letter this week.

Dear Mom and Dad,

Oh my goodness there is NOT enough time to write to everyone here! This is crazy but awesome! I hope you got my e-mail today, please make sure to forward it on to the rest of the family and my friends!

Can I just tell you how grateful I am for your support? Without you both, I wouldn't be able to have this amazing chance of serving a mission. I'm loving every second of my learning process thus far. The Italian is coming pretty easy so far. I enjoy class and personal study so much. They are my favorite parts of the day.

My companions are just so amazing. We all have similar life experiences, and feeling about our missions. It's just another testimony that my Heavenly Father knows me and my needs so I can learn and grow on my mission and in the MTC.

I've learned so much in jsut the past week? I wish I could tell you everything, but there is just so much. I know how important the spirit is in teaching the lessons and conversion. Even the mock lessons we've given the Elders, and they've given us have made me feel the spirit so incredibly strong I can't contain it and I just start crying so hard.

I had an amazing experience at the temple today that I wanted to share with you. When I walked in, the second I walked in the doors I was overwhelmed with the memory of Grandma Miles, and after I got dressed I walked upstairs and saw Grandpa Miles. We hugged and said hi and he had to go. I went into the same session as him, and the entire time Grandma Miles was on my mind, and I was remembering how she used to hold my hands, and just how much she loved me. After the session as I sat in the Celestial room I prayed that she and Grandma Olsen would know how much I love them. Right them I was overcome with the feelings that they loved me and were so proud of my choice to serve a mission, and that they were doing the same thing on the other side. I am so grateful for my knowledge and testimony that as much as I wanted to hug them right then, that I would see them again and be able to hug them.

I loove you sooo much! Please write to me! I miss you so much.

Love,

Sorella Jenessa Miles
MTC Mailbox #162
ITA-ROM 0421
2005 N. 900 E.
Provo, Utah 84604-1793

The Perfect Substitute Teacher

It just doesn't exist. I walk into a classroom and read the notes and promptly forget something important like for instance the 10/10 rule. That means students are supposed to not go to the bathroom 10 minutes after the bell rings and 10 minutes before the dismissal bell rings. Invariable some student has a small little bladder that can't wait the 10 minutes and they are threatening me that if I don't let them go right now...3 minutes into the class period...they will go all over the floor. They complain so loudly that the whole class is worried about this particular student making it to the bathroom on time and not wetting themselves. UGH. I have had it happen with middle and high school students. The guilt overwhelms one when you are faced with the option of giving a student a 'bladder infection' or letting them run to the bathroom when they know they are supposed to go during their break. This is a school rule and it is to be followed to the letter unless there is a real emergency. I think the solution to this is to become deaf or maybe fit middle and high school students with an extra bladder they wear just for school. It is hard to stick to the rules sometimes when you want to help a poor deserving child who has to run clear across the school to get to class on time so they won't be tardy and yet knows the 10/10 rule. However, the perfect substitute always follows the rules to the letter.

Losing things has become a problem this week. I think dementia has set in early. For example the perfect substitute takes care of the equipment in the classroom. At least I try to not let the students destroy the room while I'm there. Usually 99% of the time the room is left in very decent shape. I taught science this week and the students were to draw pictures of the water cycle. They had a substitute the day before who did not make the students do quality work. I got the job of reprimanding them and telling them that the teacher wanted them to be neat and creative. The pile of papers turned in the day before was diminished by half before I was through and the students were working on 'quality' projects. At the end of the last period to my horror the top to a big bottle of glue was missing. The lost glue lid was quickly found by a kind student and one problem was solved, then I looked at the floor and found 3 caps to markers. I had to find the missing uncapped markers next. That was not the end of losing things. I went to one job this week in a building that I had never been to before. My job was to go to 6 different classrooms and teach 6 different lessons. I desperately ran to the office to get a map of the school so I wouldn't get lost. After teaching the math lesson in the first classroom I misplaced the map. Quickly I tried to remember where I was going next and where I was to pick up the kids and take them. Was it the library? Was it recess? With my sub notes in hand I went to the wrong room. Of course the perfect substitute teacher never gets lost even with the most complicated schedule. No. NO. NOOO. I was in the wrong classroom. I was supposed to be 2 doors down the hall on the left and I was 2 minutes early. Okay. So I made it to the first grade classroom just in time to take them to the assembly. I told them to put a bubble in their mouth. (They can't talk in the halls with a bubble in their mouths. It is pretty comical going down the hall with 20-30 first grade kids with puffed out cheeks and your own puffed out. Of course the teacher was laughing.) Now half way through the assembly I was supposed to change classrooms. I was to find a group of kids I had never before seen in my life and take over for the teacher then take them back to their classroom. (I didn't have a key.) So here I am with about 25 first graders and no key to get into the classroom with bubbles in their mouths tramping through the office because that was the only way to get into the building and asking the kids where to go. We were 15 minutes too early and there were no plans for me. That doesn't happen to the perfect substitute. But it gave me time to find the next classroom of 5th graders, but oh no, I went to the classroom instead of getting them at recess. Here comes the teacher with his class of 5th graders. Now I'm supposed to teach them a math game in which they have to add a group of numbers and find the missing one or two in the row. It takes me a 1/2 hour to teach them and then I have to take them to the library...where is the library? I ask the kids. Oh no...I have to go to a portable classroom. There are 5 portables on the school grounds...which one is it? I start with the first one asking directions. Go next door he says. I go to the next portable. No not here go across the way to that portable. I made it but I was late. That never happens to the perfect substitute...she is always on time even though she doesn't have enough time to run from the library to the next classroom. Whew. The kids are doing catch up work. I sit down and write a note...then I tear it up. I don't want anyone to know about my day... And last but not least I forgot my coat in the teacher's office today. What a perfect end to the week. I had left the school and 15 minutes later returned for my coat. The office was closed but here comes the associate principal in training to my rescue. The coat was retrieved and I went home. That is what a perfect substitute does...she goes home and forgets about everything that happened this week.

My Italian Missionary

Here she is the Italian missionary ready to embark on a new adventure in serving the Lord. Look at the glow of happiness in her face. She is ready to learn the I-tal-ee-an language and to have an 8 week initiation into service in the Provo MTC. Notice her orange dot on her name badge. Yes. That does mean that she is just beginning her trek down the hall to the chapel.

As we walked down the hall I peeked in the eating hall (it was lunch time) to see if I could spot our other family missionaries, Scott Miles (going to Columbia) and Braden Olsen (going to Provo Utah) but I didn't have any luck. I thought how lucky they were to be waited on in the mess hall with lots of good stuff to eat.

We left the Miles home late that morning (about 10) and did some last minute errands before going to breakfast at Villiage Inn. Jenessa had a free breakfast because she was a new missionary. We had a feast laid out before us: Omelets, orange juice, pancakes, toast, jam and jelly, and hot chocolate. So after we were full of eggs and pancakes we finished our errands and then headed up to the MTC. They had everything totally organized that morning with signs everywhere and people everywhere to show us where to go.

That morning we had to stop at the Missionary Mall to buy Jenessa a missionary bag so that she could zip up her stuff and carry it along with her as she walked the city of Rome. There she is pointing to her Rome Italy mission. She is pretty excited about the place that she is going. I can guarantee that those I-tal-ee-ans are in for a big treat when Jenessa gets there. Oh, by the way. She is now called Sorella Miles and will be called that for the next year and a half. Is she not the most beautiful sister missionary (besides her sisters Soster Miles and Hermanna Miles)?

When we drove up to the MTC Jenessa, as one of the first give ups for a long time, had to 'give up' her phone. Oh, that was really tough. She lives with her little white phone, but she was willing and ready to sacrifice her social connections for her mission experience. I had to promise her that I would do and not do certain things with her precious phone. I know that this will be one of the greatest sacrifices that she will have as she works on focusing her energies in serving the people of Italy, her companion, and being a representative of Jesus' church. I believe that this experience will help Jenessa grow in ways she never thought possible before.

Leaving the luggage before we went into the door, I thought of Jenessa's shoes. She searched all over to get just the 'right' shoes for her mission. Jenessa in the end only took 3 pair of shoes. I watched her as she packed her boxful of shoes and headed off to the shoe capital of the world...Italy. I wonder what adventures in shoes she will have. Cherie lost her shoes in the mud. Kristen patched her shoes together. Kent's shoes fell apart in the tropical heat and Jonathan bought new shoes in Germany in the middle of his mission. Shoes are important to a missionary that will walk hundreds of miles on their mission.

We met Marva and my Dad as Jenessa came out of the luggage depository. But where was Kent? I knew that Jonathan had to work and is sick with a very very bad cold. We enjoyed visiting with Jonathan and Janilee earlier in the week as we celebrated Kent's 26th birthday. By the way Kent now has his phone back so you can call him at the same number. I wondered if Kent would even make it so we took the picture here without him. There we are in front of the flags: Marva, Dad, John, me, and Jenessa.

Entering the doors of the MTC was a big step. Jenessa went in one door and we got to go in the other. I thought it was interesting that they had us go in separate doors from the beginning. Here is Jenessa going in the special new missionary door all alone. It is her last act all alone. From now on she will be with a companion 24/7. When Jonathan got off his mission that was the one thing that he commented on...he did not have anyone with him anymore. You can see the reflection in the glass of where everyone else is going.

I have pinned Cub Scout badges on my children, Boy Scout badges, and Young Women awards but I think this will probably be the last badge that I will have the opportunity of pinning on my children. Look at the happy look on Jenessa's face. She is so excited to begin her mission. Yes. I am happy too. I love to see my children grow and develop into wonderful adults. GO Jenessa! I can't wait to hear about the wonderful experiences that she will have on her mission. I hope that she will remember that missionaries are there to serve. When Kristen came home from her mission I could see the growth and change in her. She was very service oriented.

There's Kent. He was pretty sneaky and snuck up behind us when we weren't looking. SURPRISE!!! He just happened to be driving by the MTC and thought he would come in a take a look to see if he could find anyone he knew. He found us when he disguised himself as a family member who was lost. We were just sitting there minding our own business and here comes the best surprise for Jenessa. Kent-ls showed up to wish Jenessa the best on her mission. He gave Jenessa his brotherly advice, took sneaky pictures with the camera, and then disappeared into the crowd. That was the best.

Sick Middle Schoolers

This week I taught Middle School kids. In several classrooms more than 30 percent of the students were out with the flu. I sent 3 or 4 to the health room because they were feeling sick. Well, you guessed it. I got the flu too after a few days. I spent yesterday and today in bed feeling dizzy, achy, sore throat, dry cough, and feverish. Not fun. Kerry's dad is here and I am really afraid that he will get this awful stuff too.

Hair Over the Years

This blog is just for Cherie who challenged me to do my hairstyles over the years. I will begin at the beginning just for you Cherie. I would label some of these pictures beauties and some of them beasts.

When your little your don't have a choice about your hair. I don't yet have my first haircut yet and not even a full head of hair but here is the first hair style I could find. And next to it is a few months later when I had my first birthday. You can see that my hair has grown a little but still it isn't very stylish.

Here is evidence that I have had my first haircut. I am 16 months old and I am beginning to look a little bit like a blond. You can see that I have a very stylish early 1960's look with the bangs cut a little bit crooked. I think this was probably my mother's first attempt at cutting hair or I wonder maybe if she took me to a barber or something.

Curlers were a part of the agonizing process of being beautiful when I was 3. I woke up with a headache in the morning from sleeping on hard rollers in my hair, but the wonderful pretty curls were worth it in my eyes.



Here I am at 4...a real tow head...white blond all the way. And my hair is cut short and a little unmanageable.
Six years old and there isn't much of a difference between 6 and 1 except that my hair is a little longer. My bangs are still cut in the same crooked manner and I'm still a blond.

At 13 I hit that awkward, braces stage and I grew my hair long. It was the style. Just long hair. And most of the girls my age wore their hair like that. We didn't dye our hair but kept it natural. In fact the style was to stay natural then. Some people were doing the beehives of the 60's still but when I was 13 girls my age felt weird doing their hair like that. At least I did.


Seventeen was a bad hair year. Of all the horrible mistakes I have ever made with my hair I am ashamed to say that this was the worst. I didn't have the equipment and know how to do this do and it just didn't work for me. I think it was a bad haircut too. The only way to go was to wait until it grew out. And I was really happy to see that haircut go. For a long time I wouldn't get my hair cut because of that bad experience. Perms were in too and that time I got a perm.

Twelve years later and I'm 29 years old. I went along with the 80's styles and had the upswept bangs along with lots of hairspray. I had a permanent so the curl would stay in my hair, but along with that I had a difficult, bad bang cut. Who knows what would have happened if I had a decent haircut.

It is 1993 and I have a really funny fringe on top. I think it looks like I got another bad haircut. My goal is to look for the ultimate awesome stylist who will save my hair. HELLPPP!!!!
It is 2005 and I think I have hit upon a solution...the bob. It seems to work for me and is a variation of my 1993 haircut and the haircut I had when I first started out life. It seems to me that this haircut is a theme throughout my life. I still have a variation of it. It may be that I gravitate towards it and as you can see by my profile picture, I still have a bob. Oh, the glorious wonderful bob.

Thoughts Are Things

A friend sent me this poem. I thought it had a great message.

I hold it true that thoughts are things
They're endowed with bodies and breath and wings
And we send them forth to fill
The world with results, good or ill.

That which we call our secret thought
Speeds forth to fill earth's remotest spot
Leaving its blessings or its woes
Like tracks behind it as it goes.

We build our future, thought by thought
For good or ill, yet know it not.
Yet, so the universe is wrought
Thought is another name for fate:
Choose then thy destiny and wait

For love brings love and hate brings hate

I Want to Dance

Last night I dreamed I was dancing. Even though in reality I do not and can not dance, it was fun to think I could. I guess it came from watching this film of a 70 year old woman who was dancing the Salsa. And then Kristen was talking about being thrown up in the air by her 6'6" date when they were dancing and then he asked her if she was frightened. I also thought about Keith and his dancing and then iI thought of Janilee and her almost degree in dance. Wow, there are a lot of people who enjoy dancing...like Cherie who did dance competitions in high school. And then there were Celeste and Charlotte at the family reunion who had these cute fluffy dresses and danced their hearts out. Natalie also used to clog when she was little. My dream of dancing was that I was really great at doing it. I want to dance. When I was first married my dream was to take a dance class with my husband but I could never get him to do it.