Weekly Update

This was my week. Laying on the couch with a fever and aches. Planning to get right on that as soon as I wasn't coughing hard enough to rupture something. I hate being sick. So please pardon the typos and the ramblings -- medicine head.

I owe a HUGE thanks to Sister Weitzel for filling in for me and to Sister Pope for hanging in there. This week found the class in the first few chapters of Jacob with his admonitions to both the righteous and the wicked. The Allegory of the Olive Tree was also introduced. Friday was Par-tay and Breakfast Day. Everyone got a fabulous gift and an even more fabulous breakfast. Eggs, sausage, waffles -- it was so tasty and the first real food I'd had all week. Thanks Bishop Naillon for such a yummy Christmas send-off! (So, Bishop, maybe consider leaving something like that for Santa...)

Merry Christmas!

Love,

Sister Mann

Weekly Update

So the count is on -- only 5 days of Seminary left until Christmas break. The excitement of the season is as contagious as the flu...what a bad analogy, huh?

Monday was the finale of Crocodile Craft Day. We talked about how sin and temptation are like hungry crocs, just waiting to pounce on the innocent and unaware. And, again just like hungry crocs, they hunt with patience and cunning. However, in the end, dinner is dinner and damnation is damnation. This week we finished 2 Nephi. His words to us in the last four chapters, while written so long ago, are so insightful and so personal. Nephi teaches us about faith, repentance, baptism, and the Holy Ghost. The students did some great mini-lessons based on chapters 29, 30, and 31. In chapter 32, we looked at the triange of "tell all things" and "show all things" and "pray always." Chapter 33 is one that is, in my humble opinion, one of the most personal chapters in all of scripture. I cry every time I read it -- so read it with a big box of Kleenex standing by.

Next week, if school is delayed or cancelled, we won't have Seminary. Our Christmas party plans have been foiled for the last 2 years in a row and I'm praying it won't become 3. So you pray, too! We want to par-tay in a Seminary kind of way!

Love,

Sister Mann

Weekly Update

First of all, my apologies for not having a weekly update last week. There were only two days of class, one of those being a game day. So, really, there wasn't much to update.

The room was set up differently this week with the tables facing towards the back parking lot. There's nothing like rearranging furniture to brighten up dark mornings. Next week, we'll try it the other way.

This was a big week, chapter wise. We studied from 2 Nephi chapter 14 all the way through chapter 26 by Thursday. Whew! Friday was Crocodile Craft Day. The crocodile part will be explained next week. Anyway, the students made green croc bookmarks and googly eyes and croc trading cards. The trading cards highlighted evil crocodiles -- sins and temptations. Talk about creativity! I won't tell you what's on them, but suffice it to say I was impressed and entertained at the same time. The cards will be up in the room this week, so stop by and take a look.

Students also got their most current attendance percentages this week and make-up work was handed out. If you have questions about your student's punctuality or attendance, please don't hesitate to ask.

Only 10 days of Seminary until Christmas break!

Love,

Sister Mann

Weekly Update

Yep, it was just what I thought it would be -- five full days of fun. And guess what? The freshmen finally got their scriptures. Yes, finally. The "scripture scramble" began with the initial order in August, which was followed up by the secondary order in September. A partial order arrived in October and the rest arrived last weekend. It's a good thing scriptures teach eternal truth because it was an eternal process to get them and who wants outdated information anyway...

This week we learned about the cast of Josephs in 2 Nephi chapter 3 and Nephi's Psalm in chapter 4. The psalm's pattern of sorrow for sin to blessings to personal improvement to trust and redemption is very applicable in our own lives. Chapters 9 and 10, part of Jacob's sermon and testimony, are full of deep doctrines about the Atonement that we must heed if we seek salvation. Also -- this week was the official family split following Lehi's death. The Nephites and Lamanites have arrived.

Next week is another shorty -- just two days because it's Thanksgiving. This really is a three day holiday anyway, in my opinion. There's Thanksgiving Preparation Day, Thanksgiving Feasting Day, and Thanksgiving Recovery Day. So enjoy them all and don't forget to count your blessings!

Love,

Sister Mann

Weekly Update

This week rolled right on by! But when there are only two Seminary days, it's bound to be that way. Next week we'll be back on track for a full five days of fun.

On Monday, Sister Weitzel was our special speaker and she shared some wonderful thoughts and ideas about joy. She explained what it is, how we find it, and how we can continue to experience it. After all, we are that we might have joy. And if that involves baked goods, so be it.

Tuesday found us in a heated game of Backpack Scavenger Hunt. What these kids tote around on a regular basis is amazing! If only the pioneers had been able to have backpacks with expanding pockets it would have been a whole different journey. Gum, tape, money, ID, textbooks, paper, and the list goes on and on. In fact, on the whole list, there wasn't one item that someone did not have. Of course, there were scriptures involved in the game. Worldliness, materialism and contention must be put in perspective.

All of the students received make-up work assignments on Tuesday. Our class had a rather stunning amount of absences and tardies -- not in a good way. Those assignments should be turned back in to me by the time we dismiss for the Christmas break. If there are any questions or concerns, please don't hesitate to call me.

Love,

Sister Mann

Sleepy Don Diego is modeling the latest Seminary fad -- dozing while trying to pay attention. It's sad to say, but the time change did not help us stay awake in Seminary. These dark, cold mornings are only made for sleeping through the snooze alarm.

This was a short week because there wasn't school or Seminary on Friday due to teacher inservice and workday. Just because it was short doesn't mean it wasn't busy -- especially for Nephi and Co. They built a ship and crossed to the Promised Land, all within four days. 1 Nephi is done and 2 Nephi has been introduced. Speaking of finishing a book, when Seminary students finish reading each book of the Book of Mormon, they should put a sticker up on the reading chart. Daily reading should be tracked in their individual folders. Daily reading is part of the grade.

The October roll went in to SHQ (Seminary Headquarters) and the latest percentages should be arriving any moment. Students who need to make up absences or tardies will be notified. 80% overall attendance and 80% puncutality are required in order to pass Seminary. Absences and tardies can, and should, be made up.

Next week, there are only two days of class due to Veteran's Day and Parent-Teacher conferences. While I don't do any conferencing, if you have any questions about Seminary or Seminary policies, please ask me. If I don't have the answer you need, SHQ will for sure! So what's planned for such a short week? Monday will be a special speaker and Tuesday will be...hmm...a surprise. Monday will also be Birthday Brownie Day -- yum!

Love,

Sister Mann

Weekly Update

Did you ever wonder what the fruit of the tree in Lehi's vision was like? Lehi described it as "most sweet, above all that I ever before tasted," "white to exceed all the whiteness that I had ever seen," and it filled his soul "with exceedingly great joy." When my brothers and I were kids, we had quite the discussion about this fruit and what it must have been like. Based on what Lehi said, we decided the fruit must be Twinkies. Can you guess what "fruit" was hanging on our Seminary tree?

Monday and Tuesday were spent focused on Nephi's vision, which included the interpretation of his father's vision and so much more. Wednesday was all about the Liahona. We talked about how it provided direction based on obedience and what provides direction to us when we are obedient. These personal Liahonas, according to the students, might include parents, teachers, leaders, scriptures, General Conference and patriarchal blessings. Thursday we spent our time with a fellowshipping activity so that when we played cut-throat Halloween bingo on Friday we could still all be friends in the end.

Looking ahead, there are quite a few days off in November: Friday the 6th (teacher work day), Wednesday the 11th through Friday the 13th (Veteran's Day and parent-teacher conferences), and Wednesday the 24th through Friday the 27th (Thanksgiving break). Enjoy sleeping in!

Thanks for supporting Seminary!

Love,

Sister Mann

Weekly Update

Haven't the leaves been just lovely this week? Such beautiful colors -- red, gold, bronze, yellow and even purple. Out in nature and even in Seminary, it's been a good week for trees.

On Monday, Bishop Garrison shared with us the history of Jerusalem and the culture of Lehi's day. It's important to know why the kingdom divided, how the tribes got lost, and to understand how Lehi's family came to be in Jerusalem in the first place. Tuesday was a video lesson that reviewed some of the same information and introduced the rugged, sandy, and dangerous Arabian peninsula. It's not a place conducive to an extended family camping trip. Speaking of extended family, Ishmael's family has now joined in the fun. It's funny how Laman and Lemuel grouse about going back for the brass plates, but not a single murmur about going back for girls...hmm... This week, Lehi saw a tree and it was white with delicious fruit hanging from it's branches. Come and see the white tree in Seminary, but there's no fruit yet. That happens next week. On Friday, Sister Pope was in charge of the lesson and Sister Weitzel subbed for me as the shepherd because I was at a meeting in Bend.

Thanks for a great week in Seminary, and seriously, come see the tree. Plug it in for the full bright white experience. :o)

Love,

Sister Mann

Weekly Update

One more was added to our Seminary flock this week. Welcome Sister Pope! Tag-Team-Teaching has now officially arrived!

After four weeks of Seminary, we have just now met Nephi and his family. We learned that Lehi was a Jerusalem home-boy, prayed sincerely, had a vision, preached to his neighbors, and was determined to be obedient to the Lord. We learned that Nephi was born of goodly parents, educated, big for his age, and determined to be obedient to the Lord. We learned about murmuring and sibling relationships. We learned it's better to go and do rather than sit and stew. We learned about the value of personal histories and scriptures. We learned a lot this week!

Housekeeping is the pits, but there are a couple of things we need to 'clean up' as far as Seminary is concerned. It can be hard, but being on time is important. Please remember the start time is 6:25. Again, it can be hard, but being in class is important. Please don't sign in as present and then disappear because that's an absence. Please get class materials out of the cupboard and use them in class. The scriptures can't be learned and applied if they are not opened and read.

Cold and flu season seems to have arrived. Yuk. Would someone please donate a box or two of kleenex and a big bottle of hand sanitizer? It is better that germs should perish than a whole class should dwindle and suffer in misery.

How about another donation item? The Seminary CD player went on a walk-about last year and ended up in the library without a cord. Does anyone have a CD player the class could use? Or better yet, does anyone know where the missing cord is? That would be the ideal solution because it's just too expensive to buy all those batteries just for prelude music.

Thanks for your housekeeping help, germ-busting supplies, and early-morning music!

Love,

Sister Mann

Weekly Update

Wasn't General Conference wonderful? Wow! When it comes out in the Ensign, there will be some serious hi-lighting going on.

Speaking of hi-lighting, we spent Monday going over Conference highlights. It was so interesting to hear what touched our hearts and inspired us as individuals. We all heard the same words, but the meanings were different for each of us. However, we all were very impressed with Elder Holland's testimony of the Book of Mormon. Tuesday and Wednesday were spent in the company of Ether. As the final prophet to the Jaredites, he witnessed their utter destruction and shared his testimony of God's justice and His love. Thursday was our first Seminary Game Day of the year, and it was long overdue. Tic Tac Toe x 4 is a favorite, but really wild, game. It can get a little physical and sometimes blood is shed. No blood this time, but there probably was a concussion. Hopefully, the popsicles afterwards were just what the doctor ordered. Friday was Scripture Mastery Day, focused on the two SMs in Ether. Those who participated had the opportunity to win a piece of 'One Mann's Junk' (something from my junk drawer). The sparkly disco Christmas ornament was the first thing to go followed by the Russian stacking dolls and the big foam mushroom. 'One Mann's Junk' did become another man's treasure!

Thanks for a great week!

Love,

Sister Mann

Weekly Update

Another busy week has come and gone, leaving a tuckered-out Seminary teacher in it's wake. I'm not the only one who's tired, though. There were a few droopy eyelids in class this morning...

So what did we learn this week? On Monday, we learned all about flag words in the scriptures. You know, words like "therefore" and "yea" and "behold" that mean "sit up and pay attention to this next part." We also learned that "and it came to pass" is Nephite punctuation, not a grammatical mistake. Tuesday was Gold Plates Day. Were the plates made from real gold? How much did the plates weight? What were the binding rings like? Wednesday was More Gold Plates Day -- specifically the ones found by King Limhi's people. Yep, the Jaredite record we know as the Book of Ether. So our actual study of the Book of Mormon began in the Old Testament with the Tower of Babel and two brothers. So Thursday was all about barges and miraculous light bulbs. We had a great discussion about how the Lord touched and brought light to the stones one at a time, just like how He touches (inspires) us and brings us light (knowledge) one at a time. Friday was King Day. Why is it that the people always wanted kings? As for me, the only king I like is the burger kind...

The September attendance roll was sent it, and as soon as the statistic sheet comes back from SHQ (Seminary Headquarters) the students will know if they need to do any make-up work. Seniors will also know if they need to do any make-up work for past years in order to graduate. Make-up work this year is a little different. No more worksheets and no more workbooks. Time spent in the service of others will be the make-up work because King Benjamin taught that "when ye are in the service of your fellow beings ye are only in the service of your God" (Mosiah 2:17). But to validate the service, there is a tiny itsy-bitsy worksheet to fill out...

Thanks everyone for another good week! Enjoy General Conference!

Love,

Sister Mann

Weekly Update

Dear Students and Parents,

It was another great week in Seminary. Class has now grown to 34, so we are piled in like sardines. The room was set with small tables so it really felt crowded. Next week we'll have big tables so that everyone can be comfortable -- but not so comfy as to sleep.

This week was the 6:25 start time and it seemed to go well. I do miss that extra 5 minutes on my snooze alarm, though. Getting out at 7:15 is nice and I don't have to be at work until 8. So what do I do with my time? A little retail therapy... I'm the only one at WalMart that time of day!

We're two weeks into the Seminary year and we still haven't met Nephi who was born of goodly parents. But we have learned all about the Plan of Salvation, how the Book of Mormon was organized, and introduced all of the master scriptures. This year, the students all helped choose new key words for the scripture masteries so those are personal and more meaningful. Oh, we also had Birthday Brownies for our September "babies."

So thank you for another wonderful week of early-morning fun!

Love,
Sister Mann

Something New for a New Seminary Year

Dear Seminary students and parents,

Welcome to the St. Helens Seminary blog -- an electronic replacement to the less-than-successful old-fashioned newsletter. I hope you'll enjoy following our class as we begin our journey through the Book of Mormon.

Before I go any further, please be assured this blog won't contain any personal information about any student. No names and no photos. As much as I would love to show off the class, it's just not a safe thing to do out in web-land. Too many creepy Gadianton robbers lurking in cyberspace. So what will be included? Weekly summaries, master scriptures, policies, announcements -- the usual newsletter stuff without the paper.

This is a great class! Great big, too -- there are 31 registered students with at least 3 more potential students. This is the largest early morning seminary program in the region. In my opinion, it's also the best. So far everyone is getting along just fine.

Beginning on Monday, as a test, start time will be moved back 5 minutes to 6:25am. I know, I know...5 minutes can make all the difference. Believe me. Nearly 1/3 of the students have to leave at 7:15 and those last 5 minutes are, well, you know... In order to make the best and most out of our time together, we need to spend all our time together. So next week class will run from 6:25 to 7:15.

Since this was the first week of class, we spent a lot of time getting settled and establishing our Seminary foundation. We talked about journeys (both physical and spiritual), the power of youth, favorite BoM stories, scripture study helps, and how we can gain more sure testimonies of the gospel and of Christ. In my relatively humble opinion, it was a good week. Next week we will focus on the Plan of Salvation, BoM overview, and scripture mastery.

Thank you for all you do in support of our Seminary program -- I couldn't do it without you!

Love,

Sister Mann