Seminary Graduation.

If you follow me on Instagram you may have already seen these pictures posted on there, but wanted to share them on my blog as well, and to express my gratitude on how extremely proud I am not only for my second daughter to have graduated from early morning seminary,but to all the youth out there who have achieved this great accomplishment. 

Early Morning Seminary.

When we first met the seminary teacher of our church, and asked how many students attended early morning seminary class my jaw literally dropped! I was amazed when she mentioned that there were 20 kids attending. With Lexie that made 21. Lexie seemed a bit excited, and a bit unsure on how to take this news. She was so used  to a small group of kids back in our old congregation which was usually anywhere between six to eight kids. And now, there are 21 kids! 

A week before seminary began we had a fireside for the parents, and children for those taking seminary this year. I was really impressed with how well this fireside was put together, and how caring the seminary teacher is, and if you don't mind I'm going to boast about her for just a bit. 

Sister Dearden is one of the most kindest sisters I've ever met, and is going on her eighth year of teaching seminary to the youth, and doesn't in the least look burned out! She was so insightful with her words, and the way she expressed the love for the gospel was so sincere. She converted to the church when she was 18, and has such a deep appreciation for teaching the gospel, and getting to know the kids. All of her children are grown, and out of the house which makes her an empty nestor, but having these kids every day in her home for 45 minutes brings a smile to her face. Knowing that these kids are learning about Christ's teachings truly brightens her life, and it shows every time I see her. The bishop even mentioned how she definitely is a morning person, and I could see that she is every time we come to church. She's always jovial! 

Well, a week of seminary has passed, and so far Lexie is loving it. One thing she loves about the whole seminary set up in Sister Dearden's home is that she has chairs as their desk. It's totally set up like a class at church. She loves that set up because it prevents her from falling asleep. Her teacher before had a long table which was so easy for the kids to put their head down, and conk out! Not this set up! If they do fall asleep they will literally fall out of their chair.  

The remarks our Bishop gave that evening were one of the most inspiring remarks I've ever heard in a long time that I really needed to hear. I think we all did. His remarks were inspiring, and were focused on having a love, and commitment to The Lord in learning all about His life. His compassion that was expressed when he mentioned finding ways to get all the kids to seminary was super impressive! I saw a light in him that shined so bright because of how passionate he is to get all the kids to seminary. He really wants all the youth to attend, and emphasized how important, and beneficial attending seminary can be in their lives. He mentioned that although there will be a lot of school work, and extracurricular activities that will exhaust them, attending seminary will be something to help them deal with all they have to face in a world that teaches us what's not good!

Spencer W. Kimball said, "Of all treasures of knowledge, the most vital is the knowledge of God, his existence, powers, love, and promises."

I wholeheartedly agree, and because of seminary I get the chance to ask Lexie all about her morning, and somewhat learn with her. This year they all learning the New Testament, and believe me I have a lot to learn when it comes to that book. Because of converting at the age of 20 I didn't take seminary as a youth, and so every time one of my children takes seminary gives me the opportunity to study with them. How wonderful it is to hear your child speak so fondly of the Lord, and his gospel. Sure there are times where Lexie would like to sleep in she is extremely grateful to have seminary in her life because it does strengthen her, and helps make her days at school more tolerable, and fun. 

She loves her teacher, she loves the class, and the gospel, and I have a feeling that seminary this year will be exciting for her!

A bittersweet release.

Well, it's official. My better half was officially released as seminary teacher from our church yesterday, and it was bittersweet.

Bittersweet for many reasons.

He taught early morning seminary for four years. FOUR! In the midst of it all we had a beautiful baby boy who will be turning three in two months.  It wasn't easy for those nine months being pregnant having him interrupt my sleep during my last trimester by waking up at 4:30 in the morning every day, but who gets comfortable sleep anyway when you're eight and nine months pregnant anyway! Half the time I didn't mind.

Having this calling was easy for him because he made the choice to make it work. His job is retail sales which means that on some days he would get out of work at 10pm. During the holidays he'd get out even later. Sometimes as late as midnight! Picture having a full-time job like that and then having to wake up at 4:30 every morning with a teenager to go teach more teens! Sometimes it wasn't easy, but we made the choice as a family to make it work, and it did.

Teaching seminary has always been a dream for him, and it came true when we moved here to New Jersey. He will miss the kids, the calling itself, and is extremely grateful for having to teach all standard works (Book of Mormon, Doctrine & Covenants, The Old Testament, and New Testament.) Now it is someone else's turn to wake up early, learn, and spiritually grow from teaching the scriptures to the youth.

Knowing that he had this calling made waking up each day easier for him to deal with "life". "It was like going to Sunday school every morning instead of every Sunday. You get spiritually fed knowing that your knowledge of the scriptures continues to increase while teaching it with patience and love to the youth. " He will miss the games, the laughter, but most of all he will miss watching each kid grow spiritually. He is so thankful for the opportunity, and he will always remember this humbling chapter in his life.

"I look back at all of those years I taught the youth, and all of the trials, and blessings that occurred in between, and it was all worth it. It was worth lacking all that sleep by working late, and having a newborn who wouldn't sleep through the night for the first two months! I'd do it again in a heartbeat. I would."

~Jon

Grateful for seminary

Jon is off today, and I can tell that he needs a lot of rest! Being the seminary teacher in our church has been a blessing for Jon, as well as our family. This is his fourth year teaching it, and he LOVES it. Sometimes waking up at 4:30 in the morning isn't always easy, but eventually you get used to it. Especially on days when he has to go to work at 8:00 am. Luckily he has a couple of days off during the week where he can just go back to sleep at 7:00 am and  take an afternoon nap. I snapped this photo while napping with our son, and they are both snoring up a storm! That's how tired these two sometimes get (this rainy weather doesn't help either!) Especially since he worked until 9:30 last night.

He loves the youth and the Lord. He loves his calling and will do anything for anyone who is in need both spiritually and temporally. Being a seminary teacher is not easy. I honestly believe that this calling is not for everyone. It could be if you have the faith. It requires a lot of preparation and time. You really have to be in tune with the spirit, love the scriptures, read the scriptures, have patience, and most of all...love the youth. And I mean really love the youth. Not just your own children, but other people's children.

One thing I am most grateful for is the fact that on his days off, no matter how tired he is, he makes time for us. We always look forward to his days off, and vacation time to spend as a family.

Although he knows he won't hold this calling forever, he does not take his calling, or anything for granted. He has a deep love for the scriptures, and in teaching it to the youth. This is the one job he would love to have full time, (and get paid for) during the day if we lived in Salt Lake City. For now, no matter how tired he gets...he is holding on to this calling as long as he feels that the Lord needs him.

And so with that being written, here is a note to all of my children:

If there ever comes a time when you get called to be a seminary teacher. Don't hesitate to take the calling. It is from the Lord, and there is always a good reason why you are called to a specific calling. Always read your scriptures no matter how tired you become, and always kneel in prayer. Heavenly father is always there to heed your words.

xo-Mom