Early Morning Seminary

I am not a morning person! In fact-- I am SOOO grateful when I do not have to wake by an alarm clock that I will always ask Jack the night before, "guess what's good about tomorrow"? And he is sure to say, "let me guess..... you don't have to wake up early"? And he's always right! Let me qualify what I mean by early: any time before 8:00 am.

There is a truth about me: I truly appreciate each and every Sunday when we have afternoon church. (No alarm clock) And, on those alternate years when we have 9:00 am church- I literally count the weeks until January when we go back to afternoon church.

I also work four days a week. However, I schedule myself for the most part. And... I NEVER schedule myself before 9:00 am. Yes.... I love to sleep in. In fact- I can count the times on one hand that I've had to wake up before 6:00 am-- and that was usually to catch an early morning flight. (Which I grumbled about)

The only person I know who appreciates a late morning as much as I do is my good friend and co- worker, Tracy. She and I get along great- partly because we totally understand one another's need for a leisurely morning.

We were at work one day last spring discussing this very thing. I had just been released from my longtime stake calling, and we were speculating about what my next calling would be. As we thought about other Relief Society callings, Sunday School callings, and the like... we both sort of mentioned that it really didn't matter what calling we had-- as long as it wasn't the dreaded "Seminary Teacher" calling. We both sort of felt the chill in our bones as we tried to contemplate what it must be like to teach at 6:20 am. Neither of us are even conscience at that morning... much less showered, dressed, and out the door. I mean... I couldn't even imagine being able to FUNCTION... much less put two thoughts together. In short, we both concluded that there were people who were "seminary teacher" people and people who were not. We were definitely in the latter category. BIG TIME!

So- you can imagine my shock and dismay when the bishop of my ward came to visit in May. After the usual pleasantries- I said, "So, Bishop, I'm sure you are here to call me as an assistant to the assistant hymnbook straightener... right?" Wrong! He was there to issue me the calling of...... Seminary Teacher! And, before I could even get scraped off the floor, he mentioned that he had a different approach to Seminary in mind for this next year. Instead of one teacher- there would be 2. A team teaching approach! Okay..... and you'll never guess who he had called as the other teacher! Hello--- Tracy!!

So- yes--- you can be sure that the words you utter are heard. And- the Lord knows EXACTLY what you need to do to stretch and grow--- and will help to to get there.

That being said... I am getting up for Seminary at 4:45-5:00 am on the mornings that I teach. And- I am surviving! To be perfectly honest... I am enjoying it. (Maybe not the early morning business- but teaching is great.) The kids are wonderful and my love and concern for them grows each day. I LOVE reading in the scriptures! They are opening up to me in a way that I've never experienced before. I'm excited to help the class become closer to Our Savior and to help them "arm" themselves for the day.

It's going to be quite an adventure for the year! I'll keep you posted! (If I can keep my eyes open)

Our Seminary Class - The best kids EVER!

Our Door... It says, "I want to leave Seminary each day in such a way that the ddversary will say, "Oh no! They're armed again!"


We are studying the Gospels in Harmony. It's a great way to study the New Testament!