Should To Kill A Mockingbird remain in school curriculums?

            Even though some may think that To Kill A Mockingbird is not as relevant to our society as some books, it should stay in the school curriculums. I feel that it should stay in the curriculums because it contrasts honor and the lack of honor and it complements history.

Throughout the book there are instances where the honor of certain characters is tested. At the trial, not only is Tom Robinson’s honor tested but also the honor of Atticus and Bob and Mayella Ewell. Bob and Mayella both testified falsely of what really happened. They brought disgrace to themselves.

However, though Atticus loses the trial he shows honor. His character is firm and he presents the facts with clarity. Atticus' moral character is revealed when he tells he son-Gem about courage and he said “It’s when you know you’re licked before you begin but you begin anyway and you see it through no matter what.” (pg. 149).

It is important that no matter what we are faced with, we have the courage to do what is right even if it seems that we will fail. No matter how many times we may fail in the eyes of men, if we do what is right and are obedient to the Lord, we are victorious.

If students study To Kill A Mockingbird at the same time that they are studying the same time period of history, their learning can be more dynamic and it can be easier to imagine what it was like for the people at that time. As they imagine what it was like, they can understand more fully and relate to the lives of the characters.

To Kill A Mockingbird should stay in school curriculums because it teaches morality and because it provides for more dynamic learning experiences. 

http://www.nytimes.com/2013/03/16/us/north-dakota-approves-bill-to-ban-abortions-after-heartbeat-is-found.html?hp&_r=0

Once a married couple makes the decision to have a baby, it should make no difference whether the baby is male or female and if it is not the gender they wanted, it is definitely not right to abort the baby. Aborting a baby because of a genetic disorder is also discussed in the article. In circumstances where a baby has a genetic disorder, for example: down syndrome or autism, the parents who chose to have the baby should take full responsibility for the baby. They should care for and love the child who they have stewardship and responsibility for. 

http://www.nytimes.com/2013/03/07/us/arkansas-adopts-restrictive-abortion-law.html?hp

In the Preamble of the U.S. Constitution it says “in Order to… promote the general Welfare, and secure the Blessings of Liberty to ourselves and our Posterity”

 There are some cases where abortion is necessary. However, the life of every individual is a gift and is precious. In the first place, it is the responsibility of those, already born, to use wisely the powers of procreation which they possess and protect the precious lives of those yet to be born.  Does “general Welfare” include the lives of those who will be born? Are “the Blessings of Liberty” only reserved to those who are born? It is our responsibility to do what we know according to the knowledge that we have.

http://www.nytimes.com/2013/03/10/us/gun-owners-arent-always-gun-lovers.html?hp

To “provide for the common defence” of the people of the United States of America is one of the proper roles of our government (Preamble). However, the government should not step beyond its boundaries and responsibilities. If the government tries to take away the right of the people to bear arms it is going against the second amendment which states: “the right of the people to keep and bear Arms, shall not be infringed” Those who do own guns, have the personal responsibility to use them wisely. The government should protect our nation from other nations but we should use our ability to choose wisely and encourage others to do the same.

 

1. 10 things I know to be true:

I know that I like chocolate, flowers, spring, rain, and sunrises!!! I know that I am a daughter of God, God lives, I am accountable for my choices, I am very blessed, and that music is powerful!

2. 10 objects that I “can’t” live without:

Air, Food, Water, my brush, my chap-stick, my pillow (ahhh), my cardigan :) (of course AHS approved-haha), Beautiful music, Pianos, Scriptures.

3. 10 things I should have learned/applied by now:

That procrastination does not bring success, to be more patient with my siblings, that I should study more for AP Music Theory, I should be more diligent, life is to be enjoyed, I should be more grateful, there are some things that shouldn’t be worried about, some things should be done at the beginning of the day, take time for the things that are the most important, and to be more self-disciplined.

4. 10 of my greatest fears:

Spiders, Getting attacked/bit by a dog or some type of animal (like a lion, tiger, or bear) :) Forest fires, Horses that are acting up, Wolves, Germs, Getting in an accident, Falling asleep while driving, Guilt, and being unfamiliar with certain things

5. 10 things, places, people, etc that help me be happy:

Nature (mountains, water-falls, flowers), Sunshine, Safety, The gospel, My family, My friends, Having a clear conscience, Knowledge of certain things, Hard work, and Order.

6. 10 places I want visit before I die:

Austria, Switzerland, France, Norway, Vermont, New York, New Hampshire, The Sacred Grove, Gettysburg, Philadelphia, and Pennsylvania.

Hi! I’m Amelia Andersen 

I have blond hair, brown eyes and a unique personality and I don’t like spiders.

I have five brothers, three sisters, and one sister-in-law: Karl and Amber, Nathaniel, Joseph, Samuel, Rachel, Gordon, and Mynoa. (My little nephew will come in April) :)

I love beauty, order, and the gospel.

I feel that life is a precious gift, that it should be used wisely, and that it should be used to serve God.

I am one who needs the love, grace, and mercy of my Savior.

I give service, smiles, and love to others.

I fear being unfamiliar with certain things, failure, and germs :P

I am one who would like to see Austria, Switzerland, and the Tetons.

I live in a little village, floating out in the clouds, kidding! Actually, I live in Mona-a small city towards the base of beautiful Mt. Nebo.

How to #2

Making Bread!!!!!

Have you ever made bread before??? Will you make bread because of this post?????

Well if you are going to make bread I hope that this will be helpful :)

Recipe:

6 ½ cups warm water (about 120-130o)
1 2/3 cups white granulated sugar
2 ½ tbs. yeast
2 ½ tbs. dough enhancer
2 ½ tbs. wheat gluten
10 cups of flour
1 cup oil
2 ½ tbs. salt
Approximately 10 cups more flour

Directions:

1. Grind about 20 cups of whole wheat into flour.

2. While the wheat is grinding, Get a medium sized pan and warm 6 ½ cups of water (till it is about
120-130 degrees F)

Tip: it is very important that you get the water warm enough because it and the sugar activate the
yeast and the activated yeast makes the bread rise (VERY important detail!!!!!!).

3. Once it is warm enough pour the water into your Bosch bread mixer

4. Next put the 1 2/3 cups sugar into the Bosch mixer

5.  Then Put Yeast into the water and let it activate (you may need to wait about 5 min. It will get bubbly etc) It is VERY important that it activates!!!

6. Put in the dough enhancer, wheat gluten, oil, and 10 cups of flour then turn the mixer onto the lowest speed and let it mix for about 15 seconds.

BTW: if you turn the mixer on before there is enough flour in it, then you might find the oil and other ingredients dripping down the sides and you probably don't want that :)

7. Add 2 1/2 tbs. Salt

8. Then add 7-10 more cups of flour. You should add the flour till the dough pulls away from the sides of the mixer (see picture)

Tip: You don't want to add too much flour because then the bread will be too dense and you don't want to add too little because then it can be too sticky while you are forming the loaves :P

9. After you add enough flour then let it mix for 5 minutes while you grease the pans

This recipe will make 6 loaves so you should grease 6 pans :) 

10. After it mix for 5 minutes then take the bowl off of the machine and dump out the contents onto a greased hard surface.

11. Form the dough into 6 proportional globs/pieces/ whatever you want to call them :D

12. Form Loaves and put them into bread pans. When you form the loaves it is important that you get the air bubbles out and you can do that by banging the dough dough on a hard surface.

13. After you get all of the loaves into pans let them rise until they are a little bit smaller than or about the size of a normal loaf (for about 60-75 minutes).

14. then put them in the oven, set the oven for 350, and let them bake for about 34 minutes.

15. When they are finished baking, take out and empty the pans one-by-one and put the loaves on racks  to cool.

Tip: You should let them cool sufficiently (so they are not warm anymore) before you put them into bags. If you bag them when they are warm then its kind of like they steam in the bag and that liquid can make the bread go bad faster.   

I hope that this is helpful!!! 

P.S. I have a bread business and for a while some of my bread wouldn't rise very well and it was kind of frustrating, but today, when I was making bread, my mother helped me figure out that the yeast needed more time to activate before I put in some of the other ingredients. This was a happy discovery for me. :) Having bread turn out well can be very satisfactory and when it doesn't turn out well-its not so satisfactory :( 

Good luck making bread! (If you do) :) 

How To #1

Cleaning a Bathroom Sink-

Wait, are you serious?

yes-that is what I am doing this "How to" on.

Okay so if you are wondering how to clean a bathroom sink-well here are the basics.

Preparation: get a bottle of dish-soap, a (not to hard-not to soft) scrubber, and a dry cloth

1. Clear objects from the counter
2. Pour a small amount of dish soap (or some type of cleaner) across the bowl and counters
3. Wet the scrubber
4. Scrub thoroughly the bowl, counters, and faucet (remember to scrub the hard-water marks off) :)
5. With the dry clothe dry the faucet then the counters and bowl




6. Put supplies away (even though you'll probably need to get them out again soon-but enjoy it while its clean) :)

http://www.stillparenting.blogspot.com/

I love this blog because its personal. This mother has posted pictures of her children and pictures of the beauties of nature. Pictures of a child looking at a book, chubby hands doing something :), children sleeping. Pictures of her son doing karate and playing the piano. I really like some of the pictures she posted of simple but amazing beauties.

http://babesinhairland.com/page/20/

This blog has posts about some very cool hair-styles. So if you are very interested in cool hair-styles-well here you go!

http://iwashyoudry.com/

Okay, I've already spent a little too much time on trying to find blogs to comment about. Well here is one. I like this one because of its title "I Wash...You Dry" This reminds me of working together in the kitchen. As family members work together to do, what may seem, menial tasks, bonds can be made, relationships built, and an environment can be created to foster a sense of love and trust between those working together.

Remember
It is important that we all remember the worth of every soul in the sight of God (D&C 18:10). When we see others as objects who are either helping us get what we want or as people who are getting in our way, we can get into an attitude of selfishness and pride. As we serve others and treat them with kindness and as we seek the help of our Father in Heaven our hearts can be filled with the pure love of Christ and we can become more like Him.

Visiting Colleges

On Tuesday the 22nd we went to BYU. On Thursday we went to UVU and Friday U of U.

At BYU I shadowed a student named Marla-Mrs. Wilson’s sister-in-law. The class I
shawdowed was SFL 100-Strengthening Marriage and Family taught by David C. Dollahite. He
taught about when is it right to break up an exclusive relationship that is not working out. He
also taught about Processes for an enduring, healthy marriage and how the closer a husband and
wife get to God, the closer they get to each other. He discussed the ratio of positive to negative
interaction in a marriage and that a 5:1 ratio best predicts a stable marriage. As compliments are
given in a marriage they should be sincere, true, positive, and specific. On the other hand, when
complaint is given in a marriage it should be specific, true, negative, and actionable. The family
is the basic unit of society and it is so important that a marriage is built on the foundation of
Jesus Christ.

Who am I? I am a daughter of God with great potential. What was I born to do? I was born to fulfill my full potential; To marry in the temple, raise a righteous family, and become who Heavenly Father wants me to be. What [can stop] me? My personal weaknesses.
Even though we have personal weaknesses we don't need to let them stop our progress. Through the atonement of Jesus Christ we can overcome our weaknesses and the things we were struggling with can become strengths (Ether 12:27). Our weaknesses can help us to come closer to our Savior and to rely on Him more.

Share What You Believe

Through blogging we can let others know about some of the things we spend our time doing. We can share insights about things we have studied and stories of how the Lord has helped us in our own lives. As we record ways the Spirit has touched and guided our lives we can touch the lives of others and come closer to the Lord. As we participate in the conversation online, We can post uplifting videos and quotes and we can share and testify of what we know to be to be true.

(Elder Andersen is serving in the Paris, France mission)

"be thou an example of the believers, in word, in conversation, in charity, in spirit, in faith, in purity."
-Timothy 4:12

"Now some of these tools-like any tool in an unpracticed or undisciplined hand-can be dangerous." (Elder M. Russell Ballard). It is so important that we reflect what we believe by living righteously. We are responsible for our actions and through our example we can bring others unto Christ or we can lead them in other paths. We should always remember who we are as children of God and that He loves us. Having the sure knowledge that you are a son or daughter of God should give you strength to do what you know is right. We have potential to become like Heavenly Father! And through our example we can help others to reach their potential as well.

Reflection :)

"And now, as the ^apreaching of the ^bword had a great tendency to^clead the people to do that which was just—yea, it had had more powerful effect upon the minds of the people than the sword, or anything else, which had happened unto them—therefore Alma thought it was expedient that they should try the virtue of the word of God."
Alma 31:5

Elder M. Russell Ballard said "the pen is mightier than the sword." As we strive to follow the Lord's commandments and follow the Spirit we can be an instrument in the Lord's hands in bringing souls unto Christ. Some of the best ways to come closer to Christ is to search, ponder, and to pray about His words and the words of His servants. ("whether by mine own voice or by the voice of my servants, it is the same." D&C 1:38) As we follow the Spirit and share appropriately the words of Christ with others and as we strive to become true followers of His words in our own lives, hearts can be softened and changed. As individuals change from the inside because of the word of Christ and govern themselves wisely, having external government is less needful.


This is my younger brother-Gordon :)

My Perfect Day

A perfect day for me would be spent with family and friends doing things that I enjoy doing. I would talk with them, create music with them (including singing) :). I would play the piano, go hiking, ride horses and spend time being out in nature. I would eat tacos, chocolate-chip cookies, and ice-cream :). I would also like to take time to be holy and do those things that are most important. One of the most important things about this perfect day is that it would be peaceful.