August 15, 2013

Ok, this BlogSpot is going to be the death of me.  I just finished all of my blog, something changed the size of the font, I changed it back to what I was using and then, ta dah, it was gone.  I had a lot of good comments, and poof, gone.  So the second version will be simplified and condensed.  Hum where to start.

So, time is speeding by, and I'm not sure how things can get any better, but they do.  We have spent the last 2 days, learning how to teach using the new system developed by the Seminary and Institute programs for teaching.  We used to teach using concepts, but now all scriptures will be taught, starting from verse one to the last verse in whatever scriptures that are being taught for the year.  The purpose is to teach the doctrines and principles by having the students read, guided by the teachers and actually taught by the spirit.  It is certainly fun reading the scriptures and then digging out what has been read, teach students to apply.  We have learned a lot and when a truth is found, the spirit testifies to that truth.  It's amazing how the spirit works and how we feel when that happens.  Good stuff.  Our last instructor today, had us read from D&C 31, substituting our names for Thomas' name and all I could do was cry.  Hmm, lots to think about.

Elder Scott talked at our devotional tonight and I was spellbound.  His voice was very soft, difficult to hear at times, while he spoke on prayers.  He must have an extremely close relationship with Heavenly Father, very close.  He told us that when we don't receive a confirmation about a prayer or blessing, that sometimes, we just need to act on it, going forward with faith.  Of course we know about the yes, calm, positive feelings, and the no, confusion.  I hadn't ever thought about those prayers that didn't seem to have an answer that way.  I wish that I had taken notes, so that is a lesson learned again.  We have been taking notes all day, so I don't know what I was thinking.  He promised us that we would be able to learn our languages, and that's a big promise with 4000 missionaries sitting in the auditorium.  That gives me hope.

We had a really neat moment today when we got to meet a couple that our language trainer told us about when we were taking our language lesson's.  A couple who were called to work in the mission office have close ties to us.  Elder Hamblin's cousin Nancy is married to my cousin Evan Meyers.  Sister Hamblin grew up in Rexburg.  She is Gene and Sharon Berger's daughter.  Her grandmother (Sharon's mother) is Ruth Murdock, a sister to grandpa Grover.  I was Ruth Murdock's hospice nurse when she lived with her daughter in Rigby.