Passion

I am sure that this was supposed to have been week 6 post, however, I already talked about how great this class has been.

I am so passionate about the the students whose lives am able to make a difference in each week that am getting prepared to make a even greater contribution to their lives by going back to school. I am also passionate about heart disease, so I wasn't sure what I wanted to do my research paper on. I picked heart disease, because I  have been truly effect by this in my family. My mother, grandmother, and auntie all passed away in the last 5 years from heart disease. So bringing awareness is extremely important. Hopefully this will make us rethink some of our choices after I present next week. 

What have I learned

I am so excited about all the tools I have gained over the course of the last few weeks. This class was a great tool for anyone who needs to learn how to write a successful paper or what a successful paper should even look like.

I thought that I knew a lot about writing since I had taken a few writing courses over my college career, boy was I wrong. I had a few words that I used in the wrong tense often. It was nice to see that I had a resource that I can use to help guide me in my journey to becoming a classroom teacher. I am glad we are also using the technology to help us as, being a blogger was not on my personal resume. I can add that to some of the other things I have learned.  Am pretty good at it I think.

This Class

When I was told that I needed to take this class I was not happy! That's a understatement, I was upset at every person who didn't share the programming requirements from the start. See am taking this class because I needed it to get into a education program at Trinity. The only way to ensure that I made it in this fall was if I took this course or pass the Tap test.

Well, I am learning that my plans will shift quickly when God plans are different. He knew that I needed to be in this class; so he slowed down the process and made me take this course. I have learned so much over just the pass few weeks. My writing was not bad, it just needed to be perfected. I work in ministry and leadership. How can I lead people if I can not honestly address them with my written communication. You are judged by others on how well you write and speak. It's was not a lot of checks and balances with my writing in the pass. I would write what needed to be said, but I never would read it over to make sure it was correct.  My choice of words has changed, and I am more comfortable with my writing. This class has truly being great!

Reading For Fun

I am not a person who can remember reading for fun ever. I was not a good reader, so I had to take a longer time when I would read. Unlike most children when I would read a book, it would be hard to remember the storyline. I can remember my mother reading to me each night. She would allow me to pick out the book, however,  I was wanted to read a book, so I would just cry instead of picking out the book. It was the same issue when I went to school, I never wanted to read in front of the class. I can remember crying during reading class and my parents had to come to school to pick me up that day.
One day when I was given a big red dog, yes- Clifford the big red dog was the best day ever! My mom had gotten me this stuffed animal from the school during a book fair. She wanted me to hold on to him while I was reading; it was the best decision she could have made. I was completely happy when ever I had The Big Red Dog!

What Motivates Me

Motivation is the key to have success in all areas to me. If you dont have motivation nine times out of ten you will not be successful. I have can tell a child all day long that education is important, however if they dont have a great reason (a motive)to want an education it means nothing.

The formula for motivation is so true in my eyes. When you can see the value of something you are more interested in experiencing it. There will be times when you get tired and want to give up. If you understand what you will gain from finishing what you have started you are more than likely to stick with it.

This can also apply to your faith. I get so sad sometimes when I dont see what I know God has promised me, but I dont give up because I understand that delay is not denial. I have to remember that it will happen at the right time. Hard work is the key to any success in my opinion. Your motivation is based off what you believe, so keep telling yourself what you want and it will happen for you.

Learning How to Adopt a Creative Mindset

As I was reading the text this week, I found myself agreeing with the part about adopting a creative mindset. When I was in high school I suffered a great lost, my mother passed away. See everyone thought that I was going to fall apart and I was not going to finish high school. My mother was killed by a drunk driver a few days before I was scheduled to take my final exams. I could remember sitting in my room, I had to stop and say to myself, Norma you are not going to let mommy down so pull it together. That's just what I ended up doing, pulling it together. I finished my junior year out with a high GPA.

Was this an easy assignment that I had been given by God? No, it was one of the hardest things I ever had to do. However I would get up each day an create a new mindset. I had to remind myself to do the best I could each day. The choices you make will have a effect on your life.

My name is Norma Johnson, am thirty (Blank) years old back in school. When I stop and look back over my life I can't believe that I am back here again. Grateful yes I  am! God allowed me to get accepted into Trinity. I start this journey about two years ago, back at South Suburban.  At the time I was not looking to attend a different college. Even though I knew it I wanted to be in the education program, I just did not know where to start.
  One day while I was on a break in between classes I ran into a representative for Trinity at South Suburban. He was gave me some information about the adult studies program here at Trinity.  I called to set up a time to meet with Sandy and here we are now two years later.  It was one of the best decisions I ever made deciding to join adult studies program at Trinity. Everything I was looking for was here. I needed to be in a classroom setting that was small and affordable. I was drawn right away when I was told about the education cohort,  it was designated just for me. I prayed and asked God to allow me to be accepted into Trinity if this was where he wanted me to attend.
I can remember my first day on campus, it was a Wednesday in July.  Everyone was in chapel, but I wondered around campus getting myself familiar with it. That September I started my courses, my first class was a college algebra. I was so scared not just because I did not like math at all, but because I needed to pass the class. Look at me now almost completely done!! I am so proud of myself.