Okay, okay, so how did it go Saturday... ?

Every story has to have an ending, right? I mean, is it fair to leave people in the middle of things? Because the very thought of neglecting the last report is like leaving off the final note or knock, I'm here to tell you that the workshop on Saturday went well. My class was very well attended, 55 total from two presentations, which goes to show that object lesson ideas are in as high demand by others as they are by me! Ha!
I opened up by giving the example of the professor who offered chocolate cake to a "volunteer" and then threw the whole thing at him as an illustration of why, no matter how good the gospel is, we can't expect our listener to eat all of its teachings in one huge bite! (This was really done at Ricks College with Suzanne in the class! But I, personally, have never had the, whatever it takes, to actually use it.) And with this little story to help jog their memories, class members shared their favorite object lesson experiences.
Then we talked about the various "objects" on display, used a few stories from Grandma Faith (You can google her site . ...Some great ones if you have the time to look.)
They really liked the wrapped box with no bottom. I explained that the gospel is a great and wonderful gift, then I lifted the "package" to reveal a 9x9 clear pyrex with an upside-down glass in it and a pitcher of "living" water. As I poured the water on the bottom of the inverted glass my seminary students thought I hadn't noticed and proceeded to warn me, but as they calmed down I reminded them that if our hearts are not right, we will not be able to receive.
They also got a kick out of Mission Impossible. Dave e-mailed me the music and the instructions as attachments and we were able to forward a Book of Mormon version of understanding Isaiah to all who wanted it, just like we used last year for understanding the book of Revelation. (see earlier post) I can't use it this year because I have some of the same students - too bad.
The workshop was fun to do, but I'm glad it's done. I got some new ideas of my own, but, for those of you who read from my class, I'll not be a-tellin'!

Obedience, the first law of Heaven

Today in Seminary we covered 1st Nephi 1-3. Our discussion included obedience and the attitude with which we either obey or we don't. Two sets of brothers who grew up together with the same parents, similar experiences and like opportunities grew up to be so vastly different because of all-too-common choices each of us makes on a daily basis; choices like to argue or ask, to complain or consider, to judge maliciously or be just mercifully - and sometimes to disobey or obey simply because we were asked.
Simple obedience is something that must be taught from the time we are very young. If not, children get burned, run into the street, etc., so at those times the idea of obedience for obedience's sake is a gift and explanations are a luxury not affordable.
From the time I was 3 years old until I was 9 I lived with my father, my brother, Richard, and my Grandparents. My Grandma Shipp was the dearest and kindest person I ever knew. She explained many of life's important lessons to me, like how we should treat others if we want to have friends, and that when we are disciplined it is because we are loved. She believed in explanations and because of this, we learned that we could trust her when there was no time to explain. We knew she loved us enough to "tell it straight".
I am privileged to teach seminary to a group who are learning to make the best choices every day, and it is up to us to tell it straight. Fortunately their parents (guardians) also level with them, teaching correct principles. Like Nephi and Sam, their hearts are opened to truth and they are coming to seminary to strengthen testimonies along with their resolve to be their best. I know kids are kids but these really are part of a "chosen generation"; chosen because of their choices.

My Basket

There is a calm in my day today; a calm that hasn't been felt for several weeks. My handouts have been sent in for copying, colating and stapling and my basket awaits it's filling. Tomorrow is our all-day training for Seminary and Institute teachers and so in less than 24 hours I will be done with my workshop.

Honestly, I don't know why I stress so much over these things because inevitably, all those loose ends, both big and small, come together and are even tied with a nice, pretty bow. That's just how Heavenly Father works in your life. He helps you with the workable and best ideas, He knows your intentions and even leads you to know what will be okay to leave out.

Soon I will be going up to the church cupboard to pull out various items for display and to borrow a tablecloth to place beneath those items and adding them to the collection. I have completed several projects that I think will be fun and spiritually profitable. All-in-all, the basket may not be filled yet, but my heart is.

I've lost it.

...But I'm not the only one. In several conversations recently I have discovered that there are numerous people out there who are stressed from running life hard; perhaps too hard.
Today I decided to put together an object lesson for Seminary and to use in the workshop this Saturday. It involved a pan I was going to burn food onto in order to show the difficulty we can face when repenting and that ultimately, we cannot do it ourselves. No amount of elbow grease or solvents or scrubbies can make the pan like new again. It is only done through the power of the Atonement. The concept was a good one. Where I went wrong, though was in burning the pan myself.
I ended up with a stove fire that had flames rising almost past the fan hood and to the cupboards when I called 911! -I didn't check the smoke sooner because I wanted the pan to burn.
Now I am left with a pan that has burned off the food so it's no good for the illustration, a popped pool and burned finger from trying to take the pan outside, a scorch mark on the floor from dripping ash, a fan that no longer works, an unplugged stove with the top outside where the firefighters left it, and orders to call an appliance company to make sure the stove still works (I'm relatively sure it does. Nevertheless...)
So what is it that's lost? No, not my mind. It's BALANCE. Feeling pushed into running too fast in a single direction isn't a good feeling even if you pushed yourself. I wonder if I would have thought through this better had balance been around?
Probably not.

They Spoke!

Last time I had Juniors and Seniors they were silent as the dead. I was thrilled today when I heard my class having fun and visiting. I'm so glad they know what it means to "get into" what we're doing. They were also very quiet during the story, so now I know they can do both! I'm convinced more than ever that this will be a very successful year.

Anticipation

I can't sleep. Ordinarily I sleep very well, so what's up? I'm up. It's like someone turned the tap on full blast and my cup bubbleth over! My mind is going on and on with how Seminary will go in the morning... wait a minute, it IS morning. I could be upset by this little interruption in the usual pattern of zzzzzzzzzzz's, but since this happens so rarely I'm going with it (I couldn't sleep now anyway; I tried).

What pictures am I going to take of the breakfast? Will I actually remember the camara? Will I go to look at the pictures just to realize there was no memory card, or did I forget to put in the at-the-moment charging batteries? Will I say the right things? What song will be best for prelude music? Do I have enough copies of the orientation outline?, etc., etc..

What is up with this?! I am a perpetual list-writer for this very reason! And I am NOT the worrying kind, it's nothing more than I CAN HARDLY WAIT FOR SEMINARY! It's like a little kid waiting for Christmas, or their first birthday party or for the candy store to open. I am on pins and needles with the thrill of a new year!

Okay, this does seem a bit over the top, but I really am awake at 2, no, now almost 4 AM because I look forward to class at 6.

Celeste will be here around 11 and she's bringing Paige, Abbie and Mollie. With this most recent flow of adrenalin I'm sure we'll have a great time until I drop dead in bed Friday night!

All In Good Time

Another summer is beginning to come to an end. School is starting, the nights are cooling, produce is plentiful both in the garden as well as at the market and the Harvest Moon, in it's yellow-orange majesty beams down on mankind. It's a lovely scene. But in spite of the beauty, all is not necessarily well. Somehow, the trials and troubles that beset us don't always take a clue when they aren't wanted. They stay with us until their time is done.
Because a friend recently asked the age old question, "Why do bad things happen to good people?", I have given extra thought to the querry. There is the obvious, "because it makes us stronger" and, "it builds faith", but into what? To my mind, there has to be more and upon deeper reflection, I have come to this conclusion:
As we experience help from the Lord with our trials our trust increases, turning faith into knowledge. This knowledge grows into greater and greater trust, making it possible for us to completely turn our lives over to God.
So just why should we do this? Because He knows it is the only way to make our harvest complete, and besides, He never asks us to do anything for Him that He is not willing to do for us. How else can we learn to be like Him?

Strawberries, Strawberries, Strawberries!

Next to apricots, of course, strawberries are heaven's best work. Ordinarily they would be out of season by now but modern ag methods have also provided well. Sweet and red and sooooo aromatic in the store I simply HAD to bring some home. Here in my kitchen, they most often appear fresh or in smoothies or jam, but in almost every way, they are remarkable. Where apricots are just too delicate to take freezing well, and in jam they seem to loose so much flavor, strawberries are the answer.

S.T.O.M.P.

Okay, so just why would I put a picture of an old worn boot here? Well, in Seminary we are going to use one as a sort of class mascot. It will very adequately represent S.T.O.M.P., or "Students Testing Out Moroni's Promise". This particular boot was selected because, as you may have noticed, it has been actively put to work. Just what has been accomplished in the wearing is strictly up to the individual who chose to put it on, hopefully for better and not worse, but it is a choice.
In our class we are going to also make good use of a journal. In helping Dawn begin her school year I observed her class using their journals to answer questions that would help them think, just as in developing one's testimony we include 1. Reading/studying, attending class, etc. 2. Thinking/pondering and trying out the principle, and 3. Prayer with observing both thoughts and feelings.
It is my ultimate goal, or supreme desire that "no student will be left behind" when it comes to the opportunity to build his or her own testimony. How else will they survive the trenches of school, mission, marriage, and so forth? They are in my class because they want to succeed in life, not just let life happen. They are becoming the leaders who were born at this time in history to bring as many as possible with them to the feet of the Savior Himself, when He comes again. They are those who will be able to stand before Him and look into His eyes without shame, for they will have fought a good fight in the battle for souls, and won.

Not to Worry

On the very first day of my life a magical thing happened - Peter Pan was released to theaters all over the land! I have always felt a bit drawn to the idea of not growing up, at least where the heart is concerned, and so we share.
On another day, many years later, I was on my way to work at Dutcher School and running up to the minute. I was riding a bicycle with my little 6 year old, Mark, beside me on his bicycle, when he announced he had forgotten his backpack! There being absolutely no way that I could accompany him home, I reminded him of the route (all the time my heart was aching with concern for his safety). We had only practiced biking to school several times and I wasn't altogether convinced he would remember it, but he assured me he could. So I reluctanly hurried in my direction while my young son went his and I began to plead with the Lord for the welfare and protection of my child.
With tears running down my face, I suddenly felt the comfort of the Spirit as I thought of Bambi when he lost his mother to a hunter. In my mind, I saw Bambi searching and calling out, "Mother? Mother, where are you?" Then, on the top of a cliff high above him, where he could see for many miles, was his Father, who said, "Your mother can't be with you anymore", after which he assured HIS son that he would be alright and He would be there, always watching out for him. This was the very thing I needed to be able to calm my heart and put my trust in our Heavenly Father.
As each of my children have moved on and away from where I could "be there for them", I have thought of that day on the street, halfway between home and school. Growing up is a rewarding and satisfying experience, and just knowing our Father is there for us is what allows us to grow up without " growing old" . I am forever grateful.

The Grass Is Greener

It always seems that the grass is greener Somewhere Else. When you're home, you just know that you'd be having more fun there. I miss my kids, mostly, and this is understandable since I invited them to come live with me and NOT to leave for parts unknown. So, for the last almost 6 months I have been living my "dream" as much as I am able. (Really, though, this is my Plan B dream. I'd much prefer for all to live within a reasonable travel distance.)

In spite of the plan and the dream, I began to really miss being home. I missed my sweetheart, my own four walls, quiet hours to do whatever, and my ward family. So in my own mind's eye the grass at home was looking pretty good, BUT...

The lawn was ragged-looking when I got home on Sunday - thirsty, thirsty, thirsty; dry spots and underlying yellowish with tops of green remaining from a more abundant day. This is rather reflective of my life at home with regards to being gone and the resulting housekeeping and visiting teaching and the Seminary workshop I'm preparing for.

Happily, the lawn is greening back up with the addition of water, and normal life is also returning. If everything goes according to the revised plan, by this time next week I will have at least my livingroom, bathroom and kitchen spruced up, appointments for personal visits with my sisters and I will be much more ready for my workshop! And it's true, there really is no place like home.

At The Counter Again

Levi ordered 1 lb. of beef, which is weighed after cooking, and he ate it all!

Marathon's End?

I am feeling, at last, like I can consider relaxing. Coming home to stay after five and a half months of going like crazy is a very good thing. It is time to live my real life again.

We took pictures of Lawrence and Levi with their "Counter" hamburgers. And Dawn's classroom looks great! She is doing a very good job with her little first graders. It was both fun and rewarding to be able to help her get her classroom ready for school to start. I also got to see our sweet Garret as he became a little more steady with his two or three steps.
(Photos forthcoming)

Being home now means I am pushing to get ready for Seminary, and I was also asked to be a presenter for a workshop on object lessons in 2-3 weeks. This is right up my alley. I am a firm believer in the idea that if class is made as interesting as possible as often as possible, dues have been payed, which buys the right to have more serious lessons in between. Besides, anytime I can make a concept more visible I want to go for it.

I will be repeating my workshop three times and to about 85-100 other Seminary teachers total in our area. While doing this has elements of terror, I am right at home with the subject. I am very fortunate to have the last two years to draw on or I'd be in too deep. I have a tendancy to overdo when planning things like this. I was getting ready for something once not too long ago when I thought I'd pray to make sure I'd done enough. As I was finishing asking I heard laughter from beyond the veil! And the thought came to mind, "What?! Are you kidding?"

One Track Road

The highway is one lane and it goes in only one direction. I am frozen in Seminaryland. While I'm not sorry my gears are on auto, I'm missing the rest of my brain! Will there... ever..... be....... anything else.............?

Okay! Okay! I'm beginning to come back. As I made an edit to correct a bit of punctuation ön this post an ad came up on my screen that asked, "Need a brain surgeon?