September 2013
We are trying to get back in the rut of school, but this Mom hates the routine and so I resist every year! However, we are trying to compromise somewhat. I would be a terrible home school teacher. We would never do any classwork that wasn't fun, and never science and math!
I started off the month with going to lunch with Patti Wienken. She's a friend from church and has been a real blessing the last few years while I have really struggled with some family issues that were totally devastating to me, and with Cymbre's headaches and everything involved there.
Fall dance classes have started once again for Cymbre, and since she's doing off campus PE for dance, she will be living at the studio, and we will be driving by to drop off meals again this year. We are really hoping that her headaches don't interfere with what she needs to do both at school and at the studio. She spends lots of time in class herself, but she also helps with some classes with Ms. Andee and Ms. Amy so everyone say your prayers.
We have continued finishing up with doctor appointments and Cooper went back to Dr. Bacon on her foot and was cleared to dance on it again. Thank goodness no cast this time. This is a good thing because she is teaching both at APAC and Dance Central for teachers who have to be gone. Her and Cymbre will be helping Ms. Andee with a tap trio for competition also this year.
Nate Ellis left on his mission to Brazil. He's been in my Sunday School class for the past two years, and will be a tremendous missionary. Spencer Wood also leaves for Brazil in a few days too. Jordan Jones is in France, and Rachel Taylor is in Tahiti, Austin Metcalf in Spain. It's so wonderful to see these kids who have testimonies go out to serve The Lord. They will all be successful missionaries. I look forward to following them through their moms to keep up on their missionary adventures.
Cooper is continuing with as much dance and voice lessons as she can fit into her schedule so she is prepared for school in October.
Cymbre is continuing with the physical therapy for her migraines. Some days I think it is helping, and others to me it feels like a wash. Nothing seems to help permanently. She has been given so many priesthood blessings that she will recover, and still we wait. That's the hardest part for her. Living in pain constantly is terrible....I know, I do it with my back.
Dad and Cymbre went to the Moroni's Quest meeting. That's going to be the Youth Conference this year for our Stake. It sounds fun if they can pull it off. The kids will need two costumes each. They will be camping like Nephites and Lamanites, learning songs, acting out the Book of Mormon stories and wars. Sounds like a ton of work for leaders, but hopefully it will make an impression on the kids. Don't know if Cymbre will go because of the camping issues and her allergies.
Cymbre ended up teaching turns and leaps on her own on the 23rd. It's a good experience for her, but Ms. Traci really needs to pay her if she is going to be the only teacher in the room. Doesn't seem fair to expect her to step in and get nothing for her time.
Cooper has been giving Tater private tap lessons in the home studio during the summer. She is Bella's little sister, and wanted to try to get ahead a bit for fall classes.
I went to the cannery for our ward peanut butter assignment. It began at midnight, and since I'm a night person it wasn't a big deal to stay awake until 4am. I was the quality control person which met that I opened every so many jars to test the seal. Then I kept the jars running through the labeler. Charlie Pennington was my partner, and we had the best time. He was a tremendous help when we had to pull all the jars off the conveyor and hold them because the labeler was out of order.
Cymbre got to babysit Ms. Andee's baby, Carver. He is just new, and she LOVES to snuggle him. She doesn't put him down the entire time she has him.
Tawna Wagley and I have set up a carpool for seminary. We have split the days driving, and then we just take the girls on to school after seminary. I'm not sure how this is going to work with Cymbre's headaches, but at least for now we are managing.
I went back to the Allergist, Dr. Schreiber, and he has totally changed my medications. Maybe the new ones will work better. I've been miserable, and my chest is hurting...he says I'm a mess. Thanks Doc!
As for my Sunday School lessons....
The 1st was: How Do The Commandments Help Me learn To Be More Like Heavenly Father?
In the hymn book, find me a hymn related to a commandment, or keeping the commandments. You cannot use Keep the Commandments.
They came up with Choose the Right, O My Father, How Gentle God's Commands, I Am A Child Of God, etc.
Then I had them tell me how these songs help them understand and live the commandments. They told me some personal experiences, and also some ways they have shared these hymns with friends.
Since the lesson is built around when we keep the commandments we become closer to our Heavenly and more like Him, I used this object lesson:
I had a paper clip to which I attached 18" of thread. Then I had a big magnet and some tape.
I taped the end of the thread to the podium. Then I told the class that the paper clip represents us...you know spiritual beings having our earthly experience! The magnet represents the gospel...you know the framework for helping us to be our very best selves!
I took the magnet and caught the paperclip and raised it to the full length of the thread.
Then I explained to the class that when we live close to the gospel by obedience to the commandments of God, we are supported by the gospel principles which we are living. We are supported in our efforts to become like our Heavenly Father.
Then I pulled the magnet a little higher, and the paper clip fell to the podium.
I told the class that when we stray too far we fall. We are warned in Proverbs 11:14 that "where no counsel is, the people fall." We also learn in 1 Corrinthians 10:12 that no matter who a man is, or what level in the gospel he is at, he should "take heed lest he fall." It is critical that we stay close to the gospel teachings so that we can be supported and strengthened in our journey to exaltation.
We talked about some of the consequences of not staying close to the gospel principles, and how hard it is to regain our progress if we let it slip. We decided that it is probably best to not slip in the first place. Hence, here's where to reiterate that we are spiritual beings having an earthly experience.
I finished with we must stay close to the Savior to be able to walk along the straight and narrow path in the world today. There are so many things that try to pull us away from our eternal goals. It is essential that we are worthy to listen to the Holy Ghost speak to us in order to keep us where we are wanting to go.
the 8th was: How Can I Help Others Understand My Standards?
I turned the lights off for this lesson. That get's their attention!
We started by talking about how we talk to our friends about our standards, and why we do certain things and don't do other things. We discussed how hard it is sometimes to stand up for what we know is right: Modesty, clean language, word of wisdom issues. Then I guided the conversation to we need to not be ashamed of the gospel and to be able to speak up with confidence.
Remember some of the prophets who were persecuted for speaking up? Well, chances are that you won't get stoned in today's society....maybe ridiculed a bit, but not tarred and feathered!
I brought out that in D&C 11:21 we learn that The Lord will help us know what to say if we listen.
I brought in the missionaries to help answer some questions the class had in dealing with questions their friends have asked them.
Then I finished up with the purpose of turning off the lights in the first place....the object lesson.
YEs, some of them asked why no lights, and that too plays into the object lesson.
I used a glow stick, first an unlit one. I asked the class who much light the unlit stick was providing. Was it something we wanted to gravitate towards? To seek out?
It was unanimous that it wasn't.
So I lit it up. The room suddenly had light, and we could see much better...a major point that I made clear!
Then I told them they were the glow stick in the lives of their friends. AMAZING!! Some of them had never thought of themselves as a light to their friends of the way the gospel influences our lives.
I told them that just like this glow stick in a dark room, you can stand out to your friends and strangers as someone unique. Someone who has light! You can bring a source of light to others, cause them to take notice, and maybe even seek out and join the church because of your influence.
There were looks of amazement around the room on some faces...they FINALLY GOT IT!! They need to be out there setting the example, spreading around the light of Christ....you know, being the good people!!
SO for the handout I gave them each a glow stick with this tag: You can be a source of light to others as you maintain your standards, keep the commandments, and set a good example. The Savior desires nothing less!
And then my email burst with comments from moms who had learned of what we did in class, and then had family home evening lessons around the glow stick I sent home. OOOKKK! Well, I guess the Spirit was at work today!
the 15th was: How Does Keeping The Commandments Affect My Ability To Learn The Gospel?
The point of the lesson was: Learning the gospel requires the inspiration of the Holy Ghost.
I told the story of Abraham and Isaac. How hard it must have been for Abraham as a parent to obey, and prepare to sacrifice his son. Even without telling Isaac, and dealing with the boys questions during all the preparations.
We discussed that we are always blessed for our obedience. Thank goodness, because sometime obedience comes at a real price!
I asked the class for some experiences they have had in receiving inspiration because of their obedience. They had a hard time correlating the two.
So, I talked about blessings in general, and how usually they come after we have done something right...kept a commandment, lived the word of wisdom, didn't cheat on a test, etc. Then they saw the correlation.
I told them that if we live worthy, we can receive "flashes of light, or inspiration" straight from our Heavenly Father in our everyday lives.
For the object lesson this time I used a broken flashlight.
We are trying to get back in the rut of school, but this Mom hates the routine and so I resist every year! However, we are trying to compromise somewhat. I would be a terrible home school teacher. We would never do any classwork that wasn't fun, and never science and math!
I started off the month with going to lunch with Patti Wienken. She's a friend from church and has been a real blessing the last few years while I have really struggled with some family issues that were totally devastating to me, and with Cymbre's headaches and everything involved there.
Fall dance classes have started once again for Cymbre, and since she's doing off campus PE for dance, she will be living at the studio, and we will be driving by to drop off meals again this year. We are really hoping that her headaches don't interfere with what she needs to do both at school and at the studio. She spends lots of time in class herself, but she also helps with some classes with Ms. Andee and Ms. Amy so everyone say your prayers.
We have continued finishing up with doctor appointments and Cooper went back to Dr. Bacon on her foot and was cleared to dance on it again. Thank goodness no cast this time. This is a good thing because she is teaching both at APAC and Dance Central for teachers who have to be gone. Her and Cymbre will be helping Ms. Andee with a tap trio for competition also this year.
Nate Ellis left on his mission to Brazil. He's been in my Sunday School class for the past two years, and will be a tremendous missionary. Spencer Wood also leaves for Brazil in a few days too. Jordan Jones is in France, and Rachel Taylor is in Tahiti, Austin Metcalf in Spain. It's so wonderful to see these kids who have testimonies go out to serve The Lord. They will all be successful missionaries. I look forward to following them through their moms to keep up on their missionary adventures.
Cooper is continuing with as much dance and voice lessons as she can fit into her schedule so she is prepared for school in October.
Cymbre is continuing with the physical therapy for her migraines. Some days I think it is helping, and others to me it feels like a wash. Nothing seems to help permanently. She has been given so many priesthood blessings that she will recover, and still we wait. That's the hardest part for her. Living in pain constantly is terrible....I know, I do it with my back.
Dad and Cymbre went to the Moroni's Quest meeting. That's going to be the Youth Conference this year for our Stake. It sounds fun if they can pull it off. The kids will need two costumes each. They will be camping like Nephites and Lamanites, learning songs, acting out the Book of Mormon stories and wars. Sounds like a ton of work for leaders, but hopefully it will make an impression on the kids. Don't know if Cymbre will go because of the camping issues and her allergies.
Cymbre ended up teaching turns and leaps on her own on the 23rd. It's a good experience for her, but Ms. Traci really needs to pay her if she is going to be the only teacher in the room. Doesn't seem fair to expect her to step in and get nothing for her time.
Cooper has been giving Tater private tap lessons in the home studio during the summer. She is Bella's little sister, and wanted to try to get ahead a bit for fall classes.
I went to the cannery for our ward peanut butter assignment. It began at midnight, and since I'm a night person it wasn't a big deal to stay awake until 4am. I was the quality control person which met that I opened every so many jars to test the seal. Then I kept the jars running through the labeler. Charlie Pennington was my partner, and we had the best time. He was a tremendous help when we had to pull all the jars off the conveyor and hold them because the labeler was out of order.
Cymbre got to babysit Ms. Andee's baby, Carver. He is just new, and she LOVES to snuggle him. She doesn't put him down the entire time she has him.
Tawna Wagley and I have set up a carpool for seminary. We have split the days driving, and then we just take the girls on to school after seminary. I'm not sure how this is going to work with Cymbre's headaches, but at least for now we are managing.
I went back to the Allergist, Dr. Schreiber, and he has totally changed my medications. Maybe the new ones will work better. I've been miserable, and my chest is hurting...he says I'm a mess. Thanks Doc!
As for my Sunday School lessons....
The 1st was: How Do The Commandments Help Me learn To Be More Like Heavenly Father?
In the hymn book, find me a hymn related to a commandment, or keeping the commandments. You cannot use Keep the Commandments.
They came up with Choose the Right, O My Father, How Gentle God's Commands, I Am A Child Of God, etc.
Then I had them tell me how these songs help them understand and live the commandments. They told me some personal experiences, and also some ways they have shared these hymns with friends.
Since the lesson is built around when we keep the commandments we become closer to our Heavenly and more like Him, I used this object lesson:
I had a paper clip to which I attached 18" of thread. Then I had a big magnet and some tape.
I taped the end of the thread to the podium. Then I told the class that the paper clip represents us...you know spiritual beings having our earthly experience! The magnet represents the gospel...you know the framework for helping us to be our very best selves!
I took the magnet and caught the paperclip and raised it to the full length of the thread.
Then I explained to the class that when we live close to the gospel by obedience to the commandments of God, we are supported by the gospel principles which we are living. We are supported in our efforts to become like our Heavenly Father.
Then I pulled the magnet a little higher, and the paper clip fell to the podium.
I told the class that when we stray too far we fall. We are warned in Proverbs 11:14 that "where no counsel is, the people fall." We also learn in 1 Corrinthians 10:12 that no matter who a man is, or what level in the gospel he is at, he should "take heed lest he fall." It is critical that we stay close to the gospel teachings so that we can be supported and strengthened in our journey to exaltation.
We talked about some of the consequences of not staying close to the gospel principles, and how hard it is to regain our progress if we let it slip. We decided that it is probably best to not slip in the first place. Hence, here's where to reiterate that we are spiritual beings having an earthly experience.
I finished with we must stay close to the Savior to be able to walk along the straight and narrow path in the world today. There are so many things that try to pull us away from our eternal goals. It is essential that we are worthy to listen to the Holy Ghost speak to us in order to keep us where we are wanting to go.
the 8th was: How Can I Help Others Understand My Standards?
I turned the lights off for this lesson. That get's their attention!
We started by talking about how we talk to our friends about our standards, and why we do certain things and don't do other things. We discussed how hard it is sometimes to stand up for what we know is right: Modesty, clean language, word of wisdom issues. Then I guided the conversation to we need to not be ashamed of the gospel and to be able to speak up with confidence.
Remember some of the prophets who were persecuted for speaking up? Well, chances are that you won't get stoned in today's society....maybe ridiculed a bit, but not tarred and feathered!
I brought out that in D&C 11:21 we learn that The Lord will help us know what to say if we listen.
I brought in the missionaries to help answer some questions the class had in dealing with questions their friends have asked them.
Then I finished up with the purpose of turning off the lights in the first place....the object lesson.
YEs, some of them asked why no lights, and that too plays into the object lesson.
I used a glow stick, first an unlit one. I asked the class who much light the unlit stick was providing. Was it something we wanted to gravitate towards? To seek out?
It was unanimous that it wasn't.
So I lit it up. The room suddenly had light, and we could see much better...a major point that I made clear!
Then I told them they were the glow stick in the lives of their friends. AMAZING!! Some of them had never thought of themselves as a light to their friends of the way the gospel influences our lives.
I told them that just like this glow stick in a dark room, you can stand out to your friends and strangers as someone unique. Someone who has light! You can bring a source of light to others, cause them to take notice, and maybe even seek out and join the church because of your influence.
There were looks of amazement around the room on some faces...they FINALLY GOT IT!! They need to be out there setting the example, spreading around the light of Christ....you know, being the good people!!
SO for the handout I gave them each a glow stick with this tag: You can be a source of light to others as you maintain your standards, keep the commandments, and set a good example. The Savior desires nothing less!
And then my email burst with comments from moms who had learned of what we did in class, and then had family home evening lessons around the glow stick I sent home. OOOKKK! Well, I guess the Spirit was at work today!
the 15th was: How Does Keeping The Commandments Affect My Ability To Learn The Gospel?
The point of the lesson was: Learning the gospel requires the inspiration of the Holy Ghost.
I told the story of Abraham and Isaac. How hard it must have been for Abraham as a parent to obey, and prepare to sacrifice his son. Even without telling Isaac, and dealing with the boys questions during all the preparations.
We discussed that we are always blessed for our obedience. Thank goodness, because sometime obedience comes at a real price!
I asked the class for some experiences they have had in receiving inspiration because of their obedience. They had a hard time correlating the two.
So, I talked about blessings in general, and how usually they come after we have done something right...kept a commandment, lived the word of wisdom, didn't cheat on a test, etc. Then they saw the correlation.
I told them that if we live worthy, we can receive "flashes of light, or inspiration" straight from our Heavenly Father in our everyday lives.
For the object lesson this time I used a broken flashlight.
I had Slade bring a broken flashlight with him. Then I had him stand up and tell us about his flashlight. It looked great, but didn't work. So, it was prepared to give us light, but didn't have all it's working parts.
Then I showed them my flashlight, and told them it was a brand new flashlight with fresh batteries and bulb. I tried to turn it on...nothing!
The class said, yeah right Sister Flanagan, it doesn't have batteries! So I opened the flashlight and took out the top battery...sure enough it has batteries!
I tried the light again...nope
This time they said that maybe the bulb wasn't screwed all the way in. I called up someone and had them make sure the bulb was tight. Sure enough.
Again I tried to turn it on....NOTHING AGAIN!
By now the class is laughing at me and saying that I don't know how to work a flashlight. (Remember that I have a class FULL of priests)
I asked them if that meant they thought I didn't know how to receive inspiration? They wouldn't answer that one? Guess we'll move on...
Then I tried one more time shaking the light...nothing.
I talked to them about how when we want to receive inspiration, if there is just one tiny thing that's out of place or wrong, it doesn't come. Talking to our Heavenly Father is a privilege, and receiving inspiration back from Him an even bigger one. We have to be worthy in EVERY way to receive it!
Then I opened the battery compartment, and showed them that one of the batteries had a piece of tape over the connecting end...thereby breaking the connection. So NO LIGHT!
We then talked about how we cannot receive the "flashes of light" or inspiration if we don't have every working part in order. Are we in tune? Have we read our scriptures? Are we listening? Did we ask in faith, nothing wavering?
I took the tape off, put the flashlight back together, and WHA LA!!! It worked.
Totally effective in illustrating my point! Score one for the teacher!! Well, actually score one for the Spirit that woke me up in the middle of Saturday night and TOTALLY CHANGED my lesson!
The handout was a small flashlight with this tag: Just like a working flashlight shines a beam of light, when we are keeping all the commandments, living worthily, and asking in faith, we can receive "flashes of light" directly from our Heavenly Father!"
I am living proof of that statement this week!
the 22nd was: How Can I Inspire Others To Obey The Commandments?
How have you been influenced by the example of others who were obedient to the commandments?
We learn the importance of being a good example and the power of pure testimony from the scriptures.
As teachers, we need to fast, pray, keep the commandments, and listen to the Holy Ghost in order to teach with the Spirit.
It isn't me being the teacher, it's the Spirit. I am just the vehicle the Savior uses, and the Spirit causes the testifying of truth that happens.
and finally the 29th was: What Blessings Does Heavenly Father Promise If I Obey The Commandments?
What do we get if we keep the commandments?
Tithing - windows of heaven open
Word of Wisdom - greater health
Family Home Evening - kids won't go astray
Morally clean - eternal marriage
Food storage - physical prepardness, no need to worry
I told them the story of Moses telling the people to look on the brass serpent on a stick and they would live. Many didn' t do it because they had been bitten by the serpent before. So it was a hard commandment to obey..
I also had Frank and Jacob share with the class a sections out of the For Strength Of YOuth pamphlet and share the blessing they saw in their lives from obedience to that section.
The handout was a small rubber snack glued on a stick with a tag saying: Look on the serpent and live.
Adam came up after the lesson and wanted to take home my visual aide serpent on a stick. I gave it to him.
How have you been influenced by the example of others who were obedient to the commandments?
We learn the importance of being a good example and the power of pure testimony from the scriptures.
As teachers, we need to fast, pray, keep the commandments, and listen to the Holy Ghost in order to teach with the Spirit.
It isn't me being the teacher, it's the Spirit. I am just the vehicle the Savior uses, and the Spirit causes the testifying of truth that happens.
and finally the 29th was: What Blessings Does Heavenly Father Promise If I Obey The Commandments?
What do we get if we keep the commandments?
Tithing - windows of heaven open
Word of Wisdom - greater health
Family Home Evening - kids won't go astray
Morally clean - eternal marriage
Food storage - physical prepardness, no need to worry
I told them the story of Moses telling the people to look on the brass serpent on a stick and they would live. Many didn' t do it because they had been bitten by the serpent before. So it was a hard commandment to obey..
I also had Frank and Jacob share with the class a sections out of the For Strength Of YOuth pamphlet and share the blessing they saw in their lives from obedience to that section.
The handout was a small rubber snack glued on a stick with a tag saying: Look on the serpent and live.
Adam came up after the lesson and wanted to take home my visual aide serpent on a stick. I gave it to him.
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