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 It's a good thing scriptures teach eternal truth because it was an eternal process to get them and who wants outdated information anyway...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