Lord, is it I?

I think I forgot that Matthew 26 covers so much.  We actually went through it today piece by piece--the meeting of the Sanhedrin determining when to take the Savior away; the non-negotiation with Judas for 30 pieces of silver--the price you paid a man if you killed one of his slaves; the Passover; the institution of  sacrament and the New testament of Christ; a singing of a hymn (Matthew 26:30) before Gethsemane and the mount of Olives; "Could you not wait for me an hour?"; "Father if thou wilt, remove this cup from me;" the betrayal of Christ; His declaration of the need for what was about to come; the appearance before Caiphus, and the denial of Peter. As the first of four, I taught this one pretty literally.

The thing that stood out to me the most happened way before most of it.  Christ foretells his betrayal. And instead of pointing fingers at that guy who's been acting weird lately, Judas--they all ask the question, "Lord, is it I?" They were his apostles and had been learning the mysteries of Heaven at his feet for months, possibly years, and they still doubted themselves. It gives me a lot of perspective. Where am I in my relation to Christ? Am I left asking the question "Lord, is it I?" It gives you a lot to think about.

Sorry to those who normally read my blog for TV show recommendations or pop culture tidbits--it is amazing how teaching a class on scripture every morning at 6am can change your life--and the focus of said life. Oh, I'm still addicted to my TV shows (though I've had to get creative since we cancelled cable) and I still read wayy to many blogs, and never enough books; but I regularly have a 50 minute lesson on Christ running around in my brain all day. Until it is time to work on the next one. It is amazing how it makes you look at the world differently. My coworkers keep saying, "You are smiling so much! What's so funny?" Nothing is funny. I'm at work, and I am smiling. Has it been so long since I smiled? I know that cancer sucked all the energy out of me, but have I stopped smiling so much it has been an endangered species with me?

Every year at this time is my little alumni event (and in April). Yes, I know, Happy Birthday to me. But a wonderful little lady always sends this little card along. On the back it asks, "If you were arrested for being a Christian, would there be enough evidence to convict you?"  At this moment, I think the answer would be yes, but I'm not sure if all my life is so reflective.

I am working on it. Partially for when the Lord speaks about his betrayal, my heart won't automatically question, "Lord, is it I?"  But more so that when he asks "Art thou my good and faithful servant?" I can say, "Lord, it is I."

Moments to treasure

Today we said goodbye to two of my girls. They are moving tomorrow to the Midwest (Missouri), and so we had a treat (Monkeybread! Thanks, Air) and played General Conference Trivia.

My favorite moment was a little snippet at the end. Miss Mad was on her way out and said, "I love your teaching style," and then went her way. As I treasured my two little hugs from Mad and her sister Mack, I was grateful that this hard, work-heavy calling is mine. Even if just for the moment.

Monday Mornings & Seminary

Mondays are hard. After worrying a goodly portion of yesterday about how I am going to teach the first of four "last week of the Savior" lessons, I just gave it over to the Lord. They are his kids--I just crawl out of bed every morning, yelling at myself as if I were my mother--there is a lot of "First Name, Middle Name" scoldings that go on between 5 and 5:15 am. I semi-swear at my car for whining at me to put on my seat belt (just explode already!), and I half-yell at the stupid light at the corner of S. Roxboro and MLK for taking sooooo long.

And then I drag myself in--rather than arriving the 10 minutes before as I planned, it was only 5 minutes--possibly 3--the latest I've been since starting a little over a month ago. And a member of the D2 bishopric has decided to visit. Seriously? On a Monday? That is just cruel.

I say a prayer that somehow I will make it through Matthew 24 (And Joseph Smith-Matthew, which I always forget about) and have something good to say. The rest of the week, though much more intense, seems much easier somehow. And despite feeling not as prepared and knowing that the lesson is only okay, I am surprised as things come out of my mouth I didn't even remember that I knew--and other things I never prepared for. Despite everything, I am pleasantly surprised that it went well. Especially when the Brother walks up to me and says, "Thank you--that lesson was fantastic! I wish I had more time for stuff like this!"

And as I drive to work, I think about all the other people on the road, and how they don't even know that seven freshman and sophomores (and one adult man) and I had a gospel discussion on the second coming as taught by Christ this morning. No matter what I do today, I know that the accomplishment of getting through that lesson was probably the most important thing that I will do. And it was all done before the sun came up.

Mostly for A

This show has gotten so good this season. And due to my complete and utter love of the A&E Lorna Doone from a few years back, I was especially swayed by Simon--a new operative on the scene.

Seriously, we need to track me down a cute British guy to date. Maybe B's friend Gareth can hook me up. He doesn't even need to be a slightly dangerous bad boy or charming mystery man. 

The haunting music at the end of the episode is probably my favorite. Also it underscores a really sweet and really upsetting scene, so the juxtaposition is even more upsetting. Sigh. . .

Because some people have asked. . .

And it can't hurt to keep a record:

Tuesday, Sept 4 - hand out various scriptures. Talk about various things we learn from the New Testament (the nature of the Godhead, Non-judgement, the sacrament, love thy neighbor, baptism for the dead, etc.). Here are the scriptures if you are interested:

2 Timothy 3:15	Revelations 1:7
2 Timothy 3:16	John 14:26
2 Timothy 3:17	Matthew 7:2
John 17:3	Acts 10:34
Matthew 3:17	Acts 9:3-6
John 3:17	Matthew 26:28 (specifically footnote c)
Acts 17:24	Colossians 3:5-6
Hebrews 1:2	1 Thessalonians 4:16
Romans 2:16

Wednesday, Sept. 5  - books of the NT cup stacking: Took Blue and Red Solo cups, wrote the books of the NT near the lip, and we were in two groups seeing who could stack in order the fastest. And then I taught the make-up of the NT, and they had to reorganize into Gospels, history, Epistles, Revelation. we've also done backwards (Here are some more: http://pinterest.com/tkangaroo/seminary/). and we did this:  http://www.jennysmith.net/lds-activity/the-first-week-study-helps-jeopardy-mentorsminions - click on it--it takes you to a site that lets you play as a group.

Thursday, Sept. 6 - Plan of Salvation Art Project. They got together in groups of two and I gave them a poster board and a bunch of markers/crayons, paint pens, etc. Using the following terms: pre-existence, eternal life, fall, creation, atonement and the four principles and ordinances of the gospel and the following scriptures:

Abraham 3:22	Abraham 3:25
Moses 1:39	Alma 41:3-6
3 Nephi 12:48	1 Corinthians 15:35
Abraham 3:24-7	1 Corinthians 15:40-42
2 Nephi 2:22-5	Romans 8:17
2 Nephi 9:6-10	2 Nephi 9:25
Alma 42:9-15	Article of Faith 4
Helaman 14:15-17	Article of Faith 3

Friday, Sept 7 - Scripture Mastery Yoga

Monday, Sept. 10 - Between Old and New Testament. Talked History and background of the time period between, the gospel writers, and the various factions in Christ's time (Sadducees, pharisees, etc.). Added quizzes in every five to ten on the information I was teaching, and chucked candy at their heads if they could answer.

Tuesday, Sept. 11 - Matthew 1-2, Talked about background a little of those two chapters and played a memory-type game. Using face cards (8-A, matching black to black and red to red of corresponding numbers), I used masking tape on each and wrote (with a sharpie) various scriptures on them. On one black 8, I put an old testament scripture, on the other a prophecy fulfilled in Matthew. Mostly using the scriptures here under the heading:
Matthew 1:22–23. The birth and life of Jesus Christ fulfilled many promises made to ancient prophets.

Wednesday, Sept. 12 - Talked about the nature of the Godhead, and the baptism of Christ. Did a lot of journaling about what they remembered about their baptism, and ways they can try to grow closer to the Godhead (Matt 3).

Thursday, Sept 13 - Taking a clear vase filled with water, I dropped a clementine into it after asking if it will float or sink (it floats). Then I peeled it and asked again. Dropping in the peeled orange (it sinks), we talked about making a good covering to prepare us to interact with the world (Matthew 4)  We talked about why we fast and the temptations of Christ. All temptations come under three categories: appetite, vanity, or power/riches. They took turns rolling a clementine towards the front of the room. Whichever the clementine landed near (I had three "pins"), they were in one of those groups. Together they came up with ten temptations relating to whichever of the three they were in that they could come across daily in their life, i.e. appetite--too many video games, vanity--being mean to someone because you wanted to show you were cool, power/riches--trying to be in charge in a group just so you could show that you were powerful. After five minutes, we rolled again. The new groups had to come up with solutions to the 10 that could help them create a better covering. They had five more minutes. Then they had to share three of them with the group.

Friday, Sept 14 - Updated the cards (added in 2-7) with questions from the Monday's lesson, i.e. A person: Matthew And a description: An Apostle who wrote to convince the Jews. Or a group: the Sanhedrin and a description: a body of 71 Jews and a High Priest that Rome put in charge of Jewish law.  Or a country: Egypt and a description: Probably stole the ark of the covenant during their government of Israel, rotated Yoga, stacking game, and the cards (the winner of variations of the stacking game got to choose the activity next).

Monday, Sept. 24 - 8 Steps to Joy - Matthew 3-12? I think. Anyway, the beatitudes - We talked about how learning to take on those things draws us closer to Christ and helps us become better. Then I did a puzzle as described here under the heading
Matthew 5; 7:15–27 (see also Luke 6:20–36, 44–49). If we do our best to keep the commandments, the Lord can make us perfect.

Tuesday, Sept. 25 - Brought in a lamp, my phone (that is a flashlight, too), and glow in the dark sticks. Started in the dark with the Matt 5:14-16 Yoga position, and went from there. Talked about different properties of light. Spent 5 minutes writing different types after I demonstrated a few. Then we spent 5 more minutes explaining how Christ is like those different types -- writing in their journals, then sharing around the group.  Then did the old stick a card on your back with the scriptures under the topic heading:
Matthew 5:21–48 (see also Luke 6:29–36). Christ fulfilled the law of Moses and restored the gospel fulness, bringing the higher law. I wrote the old testament and new testament scriptures on post-its, stuck it on their backs, and they had to find their partner. They could ask Yes, or no questions and Identify old or new testaments, but no more. They had to find the ancient prophecy, and how Christ Fulfilled it. Finally we talked about the things the Lord taught about Prayer and how it was important. The guy from the bishopric made it through the first half--and got a post-it on his back for his trouble.

Wednesday, Sept 19 - Matt 8-9, His Miracles. Today I made them fill out the grid shown here under the topic of Matthew 8–10 (see also Mark 1:29–34; 4:35–6:11; Luke 4:38–41; 5:17–26; 7:1–9:5; 11:14). The different kinds of miracles the Lord performed show that He has power over all things. He shared this power with the Apostles. We talked about where in other books those types of miracles show up (after they identified them, and we talked about them), and we talked about miracles today--and the priesthood being the power that helps perform miracles, but that really all you need is faith. And I talked about Daddy falling off the roof when I was in fifth grade and how if it weren't for a blessing, he probably would not have made it, and he was preserved because our family needed him more at that moment.  I shared a lot about me today. It was a little more of a somber class.

Tomorrow is the calling of the apostles and Friday will be more Yoga, a rehash of cups, and I am going to peel off some of the tape on the cards, and add in more stuff we've talked about this week. And maybe revisit the scripture help jeopardy from Day 2.

I'll share more as the days progress.

On the way to work today

Sitting at a red light, counting the at least ten Priuses in the Whole Foods parking lot, I realize my Prius is in a line of four headed by a smart car at the light.

"Have I over-embraced the Hippie culture of my place of residence?" I think. Then I think of my 9-gallon tank and the 450 miles it covers.

And I shrug.

Seminary So far

B says if I was a teacher, it would be at a Montessori School. She's not wrong. 

I've come up with art projects (plan of salvation, sermon on the mount), games (a mix of party games, learning games, matching games, you name it), journaling (remembering, goals, etc), group work (team competitions, planning), and crazy intros (today it was by lamplight, flashlight, and glow-in-the-dark).  Not to mention scripture mastery yoga. 

I think the kids are responding well. I don't think you can gauge fully because most teenagers don't want to show that they care about things, but I think they like me. 

I had my first visitor today from the D2 bishopric. I felt slightly intimidated, especially since this was a crazy day for me--I was trying something new.  But, I think he enjoyed it and got something out of it, so I don't think they'll remove me right away for being my crazy self.