{A Mormon Social Worker}

Mormon....Social Work

I have been thinking about writing a blog post about what I spend the majority of my time doing. 

Social Work is one of those careers where people react in variations of one of two ways. 

First Option: "Heidee, you are such a good person for working in a field that is so hard." or "Those who are willing to do social work have such big hearts!"

Second Option: "I can't believe that you can do that everyday, isn't it really sad?" or "I could never be a social worker, I'm glad there are people like you that are willing to do that."

Am I the only person that thinks the juxtaposition of how people view social workers is completely Bazaar? 

If you can believe it or not. These kind of opposite statements happened a lot throughout school when classmates found out that I was LDS and going into Social Work. 

Again. One of two things would be said. 

Option One: "I am so glad that there are people like you who can do this kind of work, and still stay strong in their faith."

Option two: "I'm not sure how you can handle doing this work and still stay true to your faith, there is no way that the Mormon church would allow you to truly advocate for your clients because of all of their rules."

Again with this juxtaposition!

Now. Obviously I didn't go into social work because I wanted to be praised and I also didn't go into it wanting to be condemned for my decision. 

I went into social work because it was the right thing for me. 

Again, I have been thinking a lot about writing this post. Being a Mormon Social Worker is actually pretty rare, even in the state of Utah. Most of the people that were in school with me had strong feeling towards my religion and it lead me to be quiet about those things that I truly believe in. 

So. The best way that I can think of to help myself work through all of my thoughts, was to write a post like this. 

So. 

Here we go. 

I am a Member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. 

I have been a member of this religion my entire life.
I have also lived in the state of Utah my entire life. 

I know what many of you may be thinking. I'm a sheltered, Little, Utah Mormon who doesn't know what the real world is like. 

I honestly can't say if this is true or not for many reasons, the main reason being that I only have my current life experience, and there is no way to know if I would feel any different if I was raised in a different state. 

Anyway, that was a little bit of a rant....

Many of the decisions that I have made in my life I have made with the assistance of a higher being (for me,  my Father in Heaven).

I know that where I am in my current life is attributed directly to Him. And I am forever grateful for them. 

Finding Social Work is one thing that I am eternally grateful to Him for!

Everything seemed to fall into place when I began my studies of social work and it all felt so right. 

And recognizing these feelings I attribute to my Faith and Knowledge in the Gospel. 

As I became a social worker and began to practice advocating for others, I began to recognize so many similarities between social work and the gospel that I believe in. 

I believe that in a previous life, I fought side by side with everyone that has lived on this planet for us to be able to live a life where we are able to choose for ourselves. 

One of the most basic principles of Social Work is a clients right to Self-Determination. 

I believe that I have a Savior who advocates for me. Always. He is always going to be there for me and listen to me when I am sad and comfort me when it seems like no one else does. I tell Him things that I wouldn't trust another to help me with. I am ever His client and He is ever my advocate.

I feel that I am able to do this and stay true to my faith, because my religion teaches me most everything I need to know to be a genuine social worker and advocate. They obviously don't teach me the theories or the therapeutic techniques.  But the things that can't be taught in a classroom I feel that I learned by becoming closer to Him.

This is how I am able to do my job day after day. This is how I am able to see and hear those terrible things and feel true empathy for them. I am able to help others when they are at their lowest, because I have someone who I can go to when I am at mine. And I know this person, because of my religion and how it makes me feel.

I know that not everyone will feel the same way that I do on this particular topic. And I think that is okay. Because, for me, being a Mormon Social Worker is exactly what I needed to do in my life. 

Until Next Time...

Peace & Blessings. :)

2016 Book Challenge {A Book You've Been Meaning to Read}

The Pact

Jodi Piccoult

{A Book You've Been Meaning to Read}

I finished reading this book on October 11th, so I am a little late on filling you all in on what I thought of this heartwrenching book!

Ooops. I guess I kinda already told you. 

To give a quick and spoiler free overview of this book. There are two young, late teenagers that are in love and have lived next door to each other for years. When one of them dies in a "Suicide Pact," the other is forced to prove their innocence during a court trial. 

So, in essence it is Romeo and Juliet with a bit of To Kill a Mockingbird. 

So. My thoughts on the book. Overall, I would give this book 3.5 stars. I think that it is worth the read. I wished that the ending was a little stronger and that the flow of the story worked a little more.

That being said. I did really like it and I found myself constantly reading it hoping that I could find out what happened. Maybe I am a little harsh on judging books lately. But the frequent flashbacks had me wishing that I could finish one part of the story before I was interrupted for another 30 pages. 

This story is definitely not a happy one. As you can imagine, no matter what happens in the court case, it is going to be horrendous. 

So, in summary, The Pact is worth the read, but not worth being place at the top of the shelf. 

Until Next Time...

Peace & Blessings. :)

{September Favorites}

These are a Few of my Favorite Things...

In September, anyway...

It's that time again folks. That time where I talk about things that I love, and make you all jealous in the process. September was a really good month! It was busy, jam packed, and very rewarding! :)

Favorite Book

I feel like I said this last month.... "Does it count as my favorite if it's the only book that I read?" Hahaha. But, in all actuality. If I had finished more books in the month of September, I probably would have picked this one as the favorite of the month anyway.

Siddhartha is, in my own words, a man's journey to find true peace. After going throughout many different portions of life, he realizes that Joy is not something that you find, it is something that you are. *insert chills here*

But, for real.

Since it's a favorite post, I may as well put my favorite quote, Right?

"When someone seeks," Siddhartha answered, "Then it happens all too easily that his eyes will see only the thing he is seeking, that he cannot find anything, cannot let anything in, because he is always thinking only of that thing he seeks, because he has a goal, because he is possessed by the goal. Seeking means, having a goal. But finding meals: being free, being open, having no goal. You, Venerable One, may indeed be a seeker, for, striving toward your goal, there is much you do not see which is right before your eyes."

OM! :)

Favorite Movie Watched At Home
   
Believe it or not, I have only watched one movie at my house this month. Completely crazy, right? If I wasn't reading or watching movies, what was I doing?
Just you wait, I will answer just that question.

But, Allegiant is a pretty good movie. I LOVE the Divergent series and I LOVE Shailene Woodley! I am a huge fan of book to movie adaptations. And I am also an odd ball in a sense that I will read books after I see a movie. I genuinely enjoying comparing them and it doesn't "bother" me.

Also, who wants to stare at Four all day, 'eryday. *raises hand*

Netflix Bingewatch
   
Here is one reason why I didn't read or watch very many movies. I mean, HAVE YOU WATCHED THIS SHOW!?!? It is SO great! I tried watching it with my dad, and he thought it was the craziest thing he had ever seen. This leads me to believe that those who grew up in the 90s or early thousands probably will love this show because they relate to the random things that Kimmy Says.

Like, how is it that she was able to find adult light up shoes? I definitely want some! :)

Favorite Song

This was the easiest favorite that I have ever picked.
Andrew McMahon in the Wilderness released a new single, and I am HOOKED!

I wouldn't expect anything else, but the song speaks for itself! :)    



Favorite Lip Color
   
There was a certain lip color that I grabbed a lot this month. And I love it for multiple reasons. Number 1- it makes my teeth look really white. :) Number 2- Everyone always compliments me on it. :)

This is Hypno by Ofra Cosmetics.
It was a collaboration with MannyMUA. Who is super great! :)

It's a liquid lipstick and is long wearing. I love it oh so much!

Favorite Eye Shadow Pallet
   
While we're on the subject of MannyMUA, we may as well talk about this Makeup Geek eye shadow pallet he helped create.
Creamy smooth and SUCH FUN colors! But also super wearable.

I have always wanted to purchase some makeup geek eye shadows, but they are ALWAYS sold out. So this was a perfect excuse to get some. It makes me thirsty for more eye shadows. (Heidee, stop being addicted to makeup... please!)

Favorite Nail Polish
   
I didn't pick a favorite polish as much as I picked  a favorite manicure. I seriously waited WAY too long to take this manicure off. But I was so in love with it! I did love the grey that I used, which was China Glaze- Recycle. :)

Favorite Shirt
   
I bought this shirt to wear on a very specific day. Which happened to be the day that I took my CSW exam. (Hint Hint: That is the other reason that I didn't read or watch very many movies.)

It was genuinely one of the softest t-shirt that I have every owned and it was SO comfortable! It was the perfect shirt to wear that day. And it was also a great reminder throughout the 3 hours that it took me to take the test.

Favorite Pants
   
So, I have always wanted to be a Maurices shopper. But, I mean. I'm not made of money. (Although sometimes I think I am)
My work was going to do a lip sync contest and I needed some pants that looked like an equestrian would wear (The reason will remain a secret) I found these Jeggings.

I know. Start throwing hate at me right now, because I am the first person to say that leggings are not pants. But, to be fair. These have a zipper and a button. So, I find them to be more like dress pants than leggins.
I know that I am going to need to go back to buy a bunch more. Which will make my wallet really sad... :(

Favorite Shoes
   
Sometimes, a good pair of fake tennis shoes is all a person needs.

I wore these a few times to work this month and it really helped by feet and they are just so darn cute! Also, they are from target. And anything that I buy from Target makes me happy. 

Favorite Accessory
 
I know that I have talked about my best friend before on my blog. But She truly is my favorite. Before she left on her mission, we decided that we needed something that we both would wear all the time while she was gone. We came up with these cute rings. Hers says To Infinity and mine says And Beyond. And on the inside of both it says Partners in crime.

I have fallen in love with wearing it again. Even though she isn't on her mission, she does live down in Provo and we almost never see each other. I am always happy to see a little piece of her with me wherever I am.

Favorite Activity
   
Me and Sandee decided to go to the opening Weber State Football Game. It wasn't the best game that I have ever been to, but it was fun and it reminded me how much I loved Weber. One of my best friends, Sage, is going to start school there and I almost want to go with her. I think that we will be going to a lot of events now.

Honestly, the highlight might have been when I pulled a total Heidee moment. This is a picture of Cody John. He was walking away from the stadium, minding his own business. When I went "HEY! Don't you play for the basketball team?!" He says yeah. "Can I get a picture of you?" To which he responds "Of me?" "I mean with you."
I totally embarresed this kid. And it was 100% because I wanted to get a picture with him to make an old piano student jealous. :) Hahaha

Favorite Extra Purchase

Well. During my CSW exam. I had decided that if I passed, I would buy myself every book that was on my current list. This may not seem like that many to most people. But, I recently discovered a genre of YouTube that is referred to as BookTube. So, my list has got pretty lengthy.
I haven't read any of them, but I look forward to reading ALL of them! Here they are!
   

 

Favorite Picture

   
Well. I mean. It was pretty great to be so official with my new license that I had to take a picture of my new badge that is updated and all. :)
How could it not be my favorite picture of the month?

Until Next Time...

Peace & Blessings! :)

2016 Book Challenge: {A Book You Own but Haven't Read}

Miss Peregrine's Home 

For Peculiar Children

By Ransom Riggs

I was super happy about the fact that I was able to read this book when Fall was FINALLY Here! For real though, FALLELUJAH!!!

Anyway. I had super high hopes for this books. And I don't feel that I was disappointed by the book. I had heard such mixed reviews on this book. A lot of people loved it and considered it as their favorite book! While, others hated the book. 

Now. To be fair, I am pretty easily entertained and it doesn't take a lot for me to enjoy a book. I can honestly only think of one book that I have 'Hated' and that was "The Good Earth." Part of me feels that if I were to read that book again, I wouldn't hate it. But it was a bit much for a ninth grade, teenage girl. 

Anyway, That was a bit of a tangent. 

I found the pictures in this book great and I LOVED how much they matched the story. I'm not gonna lie, I actually gasped a couple of times while reading this book. And I thought that the plot twists were fantastic!  

 Overall, I gave this book 4.5 stars. I thought that the story was well thought out, it included a small love story (Which is always great) and it kept me wanting to read more!

I don't know how "Scary" I would call this book, but I still think it is a great fall read.

Until Next Time...

Peace & Blessings! :)