Week #19

As we all know- life is a series of learning- and then being tested about knowledge gained.  

Passing tests enables us to move forward.  

You gotta get use to it because it doesn't end after high school.  :)

I seriously LOVED this week!!!  

Those of you who decided not to come to seminary due to finals, 

sorry, but- you missed out. 

Section 76 is a BIG picture of the test of life.  

I appreciate all that diligently came, 

and I sincerely hope that you felt that it was worth your time.  

I hope coming to seminary blessed you and helped your mind to think clearer.  

What I was reminded of this week is similar to what I learn when I attend the temple.

The Plan of Salvation is eternal.  There really is a BIG picture.  

We have infinite worth!  What we do here on earth really does matter. 

Learning to pass tests and overcome obstacles is necessary, 

and most importantly- is worth it.  

The atonement is our only hope, and it is the good news of the gospel of Jesus Christ.  

We can become what God wants us to become because of the atonement. 

Next week we will continue with section 76.  

I didn't want to rush this week because, after having taken the Learning Assessment, 

I am more determined than ever to help you understand this amazing doctrine.  

God is merciful.  He is kind and loving, and he understands us perfectly.  

He is all wise, all knowing, all powerful, omni-present and he wants us to become like Him. 

I KNOW that it is possible.  We have infinite potential. 

We are making progress.  We will never get there in this life, 

but we are moving in the right direction! 

Have a fun 3 day weekend!!   

Week #18

Guess what you guys--first semester assessment is done!!!

I'm very proud of everyone of you.  Thank you for being there.    

The Savior always patiently taught things that were not understood.  

Especially when it came to his doctrine.  

I love these words of the Savior, "Come now, and let us reason together."  

  

Even when we don't understand the doctrine, or maybe just the wording throws us off, 

I know that if the Savior were teaching you he would simply "reason" it out with you.  

I hope that you felt this from me this week.  I truly try to exemplify Him.  

He is my personal example of the best teaching, simply because He is the master teacher. 

I hope that nobody went away from this assessment feeling anything more than having gained a greater understanding of the doctrine of Jesus Christ and the restoration of His gospel.  

I love you guys.  Really, I do.  

More is expected of you than was of me. 

Consider yourself blessed.   

You are a great generation.  

The Lord loves you, and will use you in so many amazing ways.  

He must prepare you for this work.  

Jesus Christ is at the helm of this gospel.  

He wants his doctrine to be written within our hearts.  

Next week we will start up again with section 72.  

I don't know how much you accomplished on Friday in the class.  

I hope a LOT, because we are moving on.  

I hope you are having an amazing weekend! 

Week #17

I hope you all have a wonderful Christmas break!  

I have enjoyed our time together in 2014.  

I look forward to our time together in 2015!

Make every minute of this break count.  

I challenge you to commit yourselves to service over the break.  

Can't wait to hear the results of how it blesses you!  

I'm absolutely POSITIVE that it will.   

Thanks for hanging in there to the end of this week.  

I know it took a lot of patience.

We made it!  

Love you all!

Week #16

Hey there EXCEPTIONAL people!  

I'm not going to post much this week.  I'm too busy being exceptional!  :) 

(Really I'm just in the middle of my finals and getting ready for Christmas).

I really am trying to be exceptional- in my own way. 

I believe that every single one of us has the capacity to be exceptional.  

This week was a testimony to me that if you're looking for answers to particular 

questions or inquiries in the scriptures- they are there, all we have to do is look for them.

I found some great answers to my personal questions.  I hope you did too. 

As we get ready to start our winter break I want you to focus your thoughts on
teaching methods.  

Pay attention to ALL of your teachers.  

See what reaches you and motivates you.  

Pay attention to questions that get you thinking.  

Watch how teachers guide discussions.
What works, what doesn't?

I have to tell you- that whether you want to be a teacher or not, 

we are all meant to become teachers.   

To become great teachers you have to pay attention to teaching.

We are going to start some trial runs with teaching this week.  

Let me know if you want to be part of it this week!
I love volunteers! 

Love you guys!  See you all on Monday!

Week #15

Isn't December AWESOME!?!?!?

This week we studied sections 50-56.

I think my favorite day this week was the day that Adam, 

an amazing young man preparing to put in his mission papers, visited us.  

Wasn't his testimony awesome?  

Today we took a shot at a scripture mastery game.  

I'm not sure it helped...or was any fun...or if I'll ever want to try it again.  

But we tried it!  

I suppose anything that helps us review the scriptures we've memorized can't hurt.  

I'm SO BAD at doing the game thing.  

Maybe next time, (if we decide to have a next time), someone else could run it.  :)

I like that idea!

Below is one of the videos we watched this week.    

Have a wonderful weekend!

Week #14

This was a wonderful week of Thanksgiving!

We were blessed to have 2 of the GREATEST missionaries come and visit us on Tuesday, and today we had MY seminary teacher from when I was a sophomore in high school, my mom, and our wonderful high councilman come visit us and share such amazing testimonies.
(The power of the Joseph Smith account carries great power- never forget that!)
Remember the challenge I gave you all today.
*Share this account with your family this Thanksgiving.*
Doing so is a gift that will bless lives.
 
I feel blessed.  It was a week of bounteous blessings and miracles.

Have a wonderful Thanksgiving!

I am truly thankful for all of you!

Week #13

This week we focused on the second coming.
We finished section 45 today.
What a great topic!
I enjoyed studying it and preparing a 32 page power point to teach it.
(Yikes, perhaps a little Power Point overload?)

Thankfully, there are so many great resources that pull scriptures
from all the books of doctrine together.  That's so helpful.

I wonder if the second coming will be anything like I imagine.
There is a lot to consider when studying the second coming.

There are many questions I don't know how to answer.

For instance...
"What will doctors and attorneys do in the Millennium if there are no
legal disputes or health problems?"  GREAT QUESTION!!
"What will happen to the babies and disabled people?
Will they return to the earth still as babies or  disabled?"
You all are such great thinkers!  Seriously, you really are.

Obviously I need to study some more this weekend.
How I would love to be the kind of scripture scholar that could
 answer these cool questions easily.

One of the great things I came to understand this week is our responsibility,
as members of the restored gospel, to warn and prepare the world for the Savior's coming.
I also learned that signs of the last days are everywhere.
Remember that signs remind us that God fulfills all of his prophesies and promises.

I liked this week a lot.
I enjoyed what we were studying.
I hope you all enjoyed it as well.

The picture of the book at the top is one of the resources I used this week.
I really love this book!
It's a great book for teenagers, and teachers like me, who enjoy things taught simply,
and with some added humor.  :)  It makes learning fun and exciting.

Next week we will start section 46 and talk about Gifts of the Spirit.
Be thinking about what yours are.  I bet you are becoming aware of some of them.
I know that I am!  You guys are amazing!  I learn so much from you!

Have a wonderful weekend!