Week #8

What a week! 

Wow.  I'm totally worn out.  

I wonder if that's how everyone is feeling.  I bet it is.   

  Between boundary changes, homecoming preparations/festivities and Be Smart firesides, it's been super busy this week.  Today, Thursday, as I was teaching class, I sat down to do a power point and could hardly get off the chair, I was that tired.  I might have been sleep/teaching. :) 

Weird!  

I'm ready for the weekend. 

Tomorrow we are going to begin our Doctrinal Assessment review.  

I read through all of the questions today and I KNOW we are going to do great!  

We've covered almost everything on the test already and we're just getting started.  

This week we talked about 3 main things.  

#1.  The importance of education.  (Something we do every year- it's part of the curriculum)

#2.  The importance of personal revelation.

#3.  The importance of missionary work. 

Personal revelation and missionary work come up a lot in the Doctrine and Covenants.  

I'm good with it because we live in a time 

when we need to be focused on both of these topics every day.  

Even though we're all worn out and ready for the weekend, 

I want everyone in my class to know that I am very proud of them.  

I have to be careful how much pride I feel, lest it become the wrong kind of pride. ;) 

When we say the Joseph Smith History I can feel my heart swell.  Wow, it's incredible.  

Please share it with your family and friends.  What we have accomplished is miraculous!  

I am proud of myself as well.  

It's a huge accomplishment, and it makes me feel good about myself for having taken this challenge.  You all should feel good about it too!  

Now it's time to share it- so others can feel the power that comes from saying it out loud.  

So....as they say, "That's a wrap!"

See ya all next week,  rested up and ready to jump into Section 30!  

Have a great weekend!!  

Week #7

Each week I'm growing to love this class more and more.  

It's such a diverse group.  

This makes it very FUN and very INTERESTING.  

I don't think anyone can debate that we have a lot of personalities to learn from.  

That's really cool!

One thing about seminary, or really any calling in the church,

is the heart's capacity to grow and expand.  

Even when things change, we once again find ourselves in love with the new 

group of people in our lives.

Let's keep that in mind this weekend when some of our wards change. 

The heart really does have a great capacity to grow and expand.  

Things always turn out just fine, in fact, they turn out awesome! 

This week we started off with a nice Conference review.  

I was thrilled that so many of you watched conference!  

What we learned in conference will continue to come up all year.  

At this point in Church History things start to take a bit of a turn.  

Many sections are shadowed by some type of religious persecution in the history. 

 Persecution is not a topic that is foreign to us. 

I thought it was appropriate to focus on dealing with persecution, as well as 

being the source of persecution.   

We may as well, there are certainly times when we are the persecutors in some way.  

This week was interesting.  

I honestly think that conference wore us out.  

I could feel the energy level was lower.  

Maybe this is because of homework, sports, or homecoming preparations- 

but I'm thinking we were all a little spiritually drained.   

Must mean we've been working really hard.  

We ended the week with section 25.  

Section 25, as you recall, was given to Emma Smith.  

Thinking about her reminded me of how much I respect and admire her.  

I think we might need some additional time on this section Monday. 

Elder Neil Anderson spoke on hearing the Prophet's story in our own voice.  

Do you remember that?

Well, that is precisely what we are doing.  

We have Joseph Smith history 1:15-19 down!!  

After some thought today I decided that we SHOULD go ahead and do verse 20!!!  

The other Freshman class has it already!  

Call it competition, or whatever you like, but we just gotta get it! 

So come prepared on Monday to get to work on that final verse.  

I know we can do it, and I am so moved by the spirit whenever we say it.  

We are doing what the Lord has asked us to do!  That makes me happy! 

FYI- I changed the name of the blog title to follow the guidelines that just came out about social media web links for church programs.  It discourages the use of personal names.
Don't worry, I will not post any pictures of our class,
and I have informed President Parker that I have this blog.

Disclosure- This blog is not an official Church-sponsored product.

If you can think of a better name for our title, please tell me!
"Seminary Insights" isn't very creative. :)

See you all on Monday! 

If anyone wants to read up on the General Guidelines here is the link.
https://www.lds.org/pages/online-resources-for-church-callings?cid=vb-internet

    

Week #6

Another great week!  

This week we had a lot of discussions and insights about The Worth of Souls.

(Section 18) 

A great highlight was hearing from the newest member of our class, Juan Pablo.  

He shared with us his amazing story of having extensive back surgery this summer.  

This surgery was probably "the great trial of his life", thus far.

He also shared with us how difficult scoliosis has been for him throughout his life.   

(We were all pretty amazed when he told us that he stood a full foot taller after his surgery! Gasp!) 

He is truly blessed to have parents who have helped him to see the love of God in his experience.  

He also reminded us that WE help others to feel of worth and feel God's love when we 

support each other and help carry their burdens.  

Having him in our class is such a great blessing.  

We were also privileged to have Sister Allie Clawson come and share some experiences about her mission to Argentina.  She told us that the process of helping others to see their worth to God helped her to see her own as well.  I loved that!

I think it's a great thing having returned missionaries, 

and those who are preparing to go, come and speak to us.  

The spirit they bring is beautifully unique.  

Both sides of the mission experience brings a sweet and tender humility.  

Yesterday we had a visitor from across town come to watch how our class runs.  

We are encouraged, as seminary teachers, to visit other classes often.  

We do so because we are constantly striving to be better at what we do.

I gotta admit, I completely forgot that she was coming.  

But I have to tell you, it was a great experience. 

However, this was not because I was incredible at teaching. 

It was because this class is filled with incredible students of the gospel.

I have come to believe that inspired learning occurs
when students come prepared to be great students AND great teachers.   

I was so proud of them! 

They paid attention, they asked questions, they knew answers, 

they bore sincere testimonies, they followed instructions....

THEY WERE AMAZING!!!

I am very happy with how our class is progressing.  

It's line upon line, precept upon precept.  

We are making great progress every day.  

I hope everyone has a wonderful conference weekend!!  

Take good notes and come prepared to share on Monday!

Week #5

I had so many Ah-Ha moments this week, which was awesome because this week we talked A LOT about personal revelation and that's exactly what I was having.  

Mosiah 2:9 says, "And these are the words which he spake and caused to be written, saying: My brethren, all ye that have assembled yourselves together, you that can hear my words which I shall speak unto you this day; for I have not commanded you to come up hither to trifle with the words which I shall speak, but that you should hearken unto me, and open your ears that ye may hear, and your hearts that ye may understand, and you minds that the mysteries of God may be unfolded to your view."  

These words totally apply to seminary.  

We don't come to seminary to play silly games, or trifle with words, otherwise why not just sleep in?  

We come to seminary to learn the awesome mysteries and mercies of God!   

This week was amazing for me, and I hope it was for all of you.  

Just thinking about revelation helped me to consistently receive revelation as I sought to 

"study it out in my mind".  

It was a great week!

Tonight we are going to have our 1st gathering at my house.  

I hope some of you will try it out and come.  

It's a test-run for all of us, but I have a feeling it's going to be fun.  

Hello, I'm fun- you're fun, it's going to be fun!  

I got tingles, really AWESOME ones, three times this week.  All today.  

First- While Isaac shared his testimony.  

That was a great devotional and I loved the personal application 

because it was one we all can relate to.

Second- When we said all three verses of the JSH we've memorized.  

Wow!!  That was powerful!!

Third- When Maddy answered the final question at the end of class regarding God's next move in a Spiritual Famine, "Send a Prophet!!"  I still get chills thinking about it!!    

I hope you are having your own Ah-Ha moments!  

Ah-Ha moments are such amazing things.  

They testify of truth.  

They connect the dots and enable us to see things from a BIG picture.  

The Lord gives us these memorable moments line upon line, precept upon precept.  

When you get them, remember them!  Write them down!  

Don't let them slip away because it was the spirit that revealed truth.  

That God lives.

That He loves us.

That He is delivering us.

That you are in the right place.  

I love you all!  

Thank you to the parents that came on Tuesday.  It was so great meeting you! 

YOU HAVE INCREDIBLE CHILDREN!  

Week #4

Hey guys!

Every year we have an annual "Parent's Day".  

This is a day where the parents come to seminary and the kids are invited to sleep in.  

I don't know who made this tradition up because it was happening before I started teaching.  

It's like Back-to-School night- except it's Back-to Seminary Morning.  :)

Even though I didn't make it up, I really like it! 

 I am with your AMAZING children EVERY SINGLE DAY before school.  

This is precisely why I come to love them like my own.  

I hear their testimonies and feel honored to tell them how great they are on a daily basis.  

It's fun to meet their awesome parents!  

Plus, it gives teachers an opportunity to share as much information as we can about how great seminary is.  Hopefully you're reading this blog right now because your kids told you that it's available for you, but if not, I can tell you about it on Tuesday.  You also may, or may not know that we have a  calendar that they are to refer to about reading and devotional assignments. 

Parent Night gives me the opportunity to tell you about our class, you the opportunity to ask questions, and all of us the opportunity to feel the spirit before starting our day. 

I hope you can come!  

I realize this might create a bit of a problem with getting kids to school while you're at seminary.  

Please do whatever you need to do that works best for your family.  

If the kids don't have a ride, one option is to bring them with you.  

They are more than welcome to come!

If both parents can't come, maybe one of you can. 

If both parents have scheduling issues, then I completely understand and I would love to meet you another time. 

This day isn't intended to stress you out, I promise.  

Your kids are the highlight of my day.  

Truly, the time I spend with them is precious to me. 

THANK YOU for all that you are personally doing to get them to seminary!

I know it's a family effort.   I also know that it's worth it.   

You have beautiful children!!!!  

I hope to see you on Tuesday, September 23 at 6:55 a.m.!

Week #3

What a great week!

Studying the life of the Prophet Joseph Smith has given me much to consider about my own life this week.   I really hope it did for everyone else as well.  

I love the Prophet.  

What a great honor it is to testify of him every day. 

I think the thing that meant the most to me this week was the process of pushing myself to memorize the first verse of our scripture mastery, JSH 1:15.  It was HARD, and we did it!  

I especially appreciate those who have really committed themselves to give all of these verses a 100% effort. They inspire me!  
This will be JSH 1:15-20.  Take a look- you'll see what I mean!

Memorizing is not easy, and sometimes the wording is tricky. 

But the more we do it, the easier it gets, I definitely have a testimony of that.    

What a powerful witness to be able to share our testimonies of the first vision with others, having this account etched in our minds, word for word.  Awesome!  Who knows how many lives, besides our own, it will bless in the future.

That's a cool thought!

Section 2 of the Doctrine and Covenants is what this life is all about.  

It's just three small verses, but it say's it all.  
This life is about the sealing of families, God's family, through priesthood power.

Next week we will begin on Monday with section 3 and will end the week on section 7.  

It's going to be a great week.  
I get excited about seminary every day.

Please take note that, Tuesday, September 23rd is "Parent Day".  This is a day where we invite our wonderful parents to come to seminary to meet the teachers, have a quick lesson, answer questions, share how things are going, and praise your children.  

The kids are invited to sleep in, but if they want to come, they are invited as well.  

I realize that it's difficult to get them to school if you're at the church, so whatever you decide to do is great.  

Update on our class:  I felt very strong that we should not split the class.  
 It's a big class but I love each and every one of them already.  

I pray for them daily.  I feel of their goodness.  I hope that everyone is ok with the decision that was made.  I am 100% committed to them.  I hope that they know this. 

I ask for the students, and parents, to pray for our class.  There is a great call upon us in these latter days.  We need heaven's help to prepare us for the work that is ours.  I know that these youth are reserved for this important time on earth.  We need to understand true doctrine if we are to share it with the world.  As President Boyd K. Packer has taught, "True doctrine, understood, changes attitudes and behavior."  
That's what we seek to understand, true doctrine.  

Have a wonderful weekend!!     

Week #2

It might seem really strange that we are in the second week of school and we aren't even into the Doctrine and Covenants yet.  Not to worry, we are headed there next week!  

Some important things need to happen when we first start seminary.

First: Especially with Freshman, it is important to explain what is expected in seminary.  

How is this different than Sunday School or any other class they've ever been in? 

That often takes a couple of days.  I wish it didn't, but sometimes it does. 

Second: We like to spend a day getting to know each other a little.  One of our priorities is to have a feeling of unity in our class.  It's important to emphasize that our time in seminary is very sacred.  

Building trust takes time, and we try to start it off right. 

Third: We always start the seminary year with a day or two focused on the Plan of Salvation.  

I love that we do this and sometimes I wish that we could spend even more time building that foundation.  But two days is probably enough since we'll be referring back to it all year.  

Fourth: Especially as we are talking about the Restoration this year it is important to spend a day focused on the Great Apostasy.  This helps us understand why the Restoration is so vitally important. 

Fifth: We are just getting going on Scripture Mastery.  With Freshman you often do things a little slower in the beginning.  I like to spend some time talking about why we memorize scriptures, methods to memorizing, and how to find the doctrines and principles found in the scriptures that have been chosen for us to memorize.  They aren't just random scriptures, they are chosen because they teach and clarify important doctrines.   

Is it starting to make sense why we haven't actually begun Section 1 yet?  I hope so. 

Plus- 40 minutes goes by insanely fast!!  

Today we did the Introduction to the Doctrine and Covenants and Monday we will start Section 1, however, then we take a break and go to the Joseph Smith History for a couple of days. 

This class is more than just learning the revelations found in the Doctrine and Covenants, it is in large part studying the history of the church as well.  

To be honest, it's been my most challenging year to teach because it stretches me to learn things that, for whatever reason, I have had a difficult time retaining.  (The History) 

But that's also the one reason I do love it. It stretches me.  

Which makes my testimony grow.   

Usually I am very organized with calendars and devotionals.  This year we have one obstacle we are currently seeking a good solution for, but it has made my usual organization a little challenging.  

Let me explain:

We have 2 teachers and almost 65 freshman.  Though I have the stage and have plenty of room to fit everyone, it is not ideal to have 38 students in a class, especially a Freshman class.  The new teaching emphasis works best in smaller classes.   Sister Topham has 28 students in a smaller class, room 107.  This creates a tight, claustrophobic feeling in her class, and that's certainly not ideal for feeling the spirit.  

We are trying to resolve this concern the best way that provides the very best learning environment for everyone.  The only solution we have been able to come to is to create an additional 3rd class and take students from both of our classes to create it.  (Obviously this would effect my class the most).  This option makes me want to cry, but I understand why this option is being carefully considered.  

I ask you to please pray for us that we will be able to have the Lord's guidance in this.  

It sounds like a small thing, but it really feels like a big deal for us.  

We love the kids and we want them to love seminary so much!  

This is the reason that I haven't made my calendar yet.  Please be patient with me while we work through this issue and I promise that we will have the answers, as well as a calendar soon.  

Part of the process of knowing what to do in this situation is observing how it's working as it is.  

We really hate to change things up after the year is underway, so hopefully our concerns will be resolved soon.  

Once we have a calendar you will find our reading assignments, scripture mastery for the week, and devotional assignments.  Until then, keep checking Instagram!   

This is The Lord's work.  I love Him and I trust Him.  I have come to rely on Him in every situation in my life and in my teaching.  I have a testimony of the Restoration of the Gospel of Jesus Christ.  

He leads His work through living prophets and apostles, as well as loving Stake Presidencies who seek heaven's guidance in our behalf, especially in regards to our seminary program.   

They sure do love the youth!

Thanks for all you do!    

Have a wonderful weekend!!