We have learned so much in class since I last posted, too much to share in one post, so I think tonight I am going to share some of the reflections made by the students after watching the worldwide broadcast led by President Boyd K. Packer to celebrate and commemerate Seminary's Centennial Year.
(Note: You can watch this amazing broadcast about the seminary program over the last 100 years by visiting here.)
Reflections from the students:
1. Seminary can help you if you're willing to be here.
2. Teach other people what you learn.
3. Don't waste the years of seminary - seminary is fun!
4. Seminary is worth it.
5. Generations will be blessed because I came to seminary.
6. It is a blessing to get the opportunity to go to seminary. Embrace it.
7. I need to use seminary as a boot camp to help me survive the world.
8. I can't just stand around and wait for a chance to make the right choice, I need to step up and be a good example now.
9. I give up sleep for seminary, but it is worth it.
10. I hope that I can take what I've learned in seminary and allow it to help me be stronger.
11. Seminary can strengthen us in ways we can't really see.
12. Seminary changes people.
13. Coming to seminary is helping me follow the Lord's plan.
14. Sometimes I think "ugh" when I have to get up at 5 to go to seminary, but after seminary I know it's worth it.
15. In order to get the full effect of seminary we must actually apply what we learn in our life.
16. Attending seminary can change my morning attitude.
17. Seminary not only prepares you for the day, butfor the rest of your life.
18. Not everyone lived in a time or place where they could go to seminary. I am lucky that I have the privilege to.
19. Even when I don't feel like going to seminary, I know that if I go anyway it'll be worth it.
20. These few years of my life are very important - don't waste them up or it could affect the rest of my life.
21. With seminary in the morning, I can face the challenges of the day.
22. Don't waste what you're learning - APPLY IT!
23. The teacher learns too (Yes, Jarmo, yes I do!).
24. The sacrifice I make is waking up early in the morning but it's very worth it.
25. I need seminary.
What can I say to add to their reflections?
All I can say is that I am so grateful for the opportunity to teach an amazing group of high school students, who make that tough sacrifice of giving up sleep to come together at 5:45 am every day before school, to study and be strengthened by the gospel of Jesus Christ before they head into the challenges of the day.
These youth ROCK and I love being their teacher!