It's AWESOME!!

Well here we are back to the old grind. High School and Seminary started this morning. It's is bittersweet. While the staying up late/getting up late way of life is fun and easy, we SO need some structure back in our lives. While no one is all that excited (see photo below) to get back into homework, practices and a rigorous schedule it's all for the best. Character building, as they say.

(new backpacks)

It all really hit home last night as we attended the Stake Seminary Fireside. This is the Lord's plan for these kids and it is so right (not that I've ever doubted). Here are some things that stood out to me and some notes I took during the fireside.

Anna Dickson (a good friend of Kelsi's) spoke and did a fabulous job! Speaking in public isn't one of her favorite things to do, but she always does great. She does a good job of bringing a sweet spirit into the room. And I appreciate the scripture she quoted (Ether 12:27) as her favorite scripture mastery scripture from the Book of Mormon.

And if men come unto me I will show unto them their weakness

I give unto men weakness that they may be humble,

And my grace is sufficient for all men

For if they humble themselves before me and and faith in me

Then will I make weak things become strong unto them.

This is my all time favorite scripture and it was great to see this scripture in action as Anna spoke. Public speaking may have been a weakness for her before, but her humility and preparation has made it a definite strength.

Pres. Jensen (Counselor in the Stake Presidency) made the comment that if someone were to ask what his favorite book of scripture was, his answer would be whatever book he was currently studying, because he gets so excited about what he reads. I want to be like that. I want to continually be excited about the scriptures. I realized that I occasionally get excited about the Book of Mormon, but I would really like to get excited about the other books of scripture too. Maybe I'll study the Doctrine and Covenants with the seminary students this year.

Pres. Merrell (Stake Pres.) talked about the scripture in the Doctrine and Covenants that he called the key to the universe. D&C 88:124

Cease to be idle; cease to be unclean;

cease to find fault one with another;

cease to sleep longer than is needful;

retire to thy bed early, that ye may not be weary;

arise early, that your bodies and your minds may be invigorated.

See what I mean about Seminary being the Lord's plan? It practically describes it right there in the scriptures.

Some things that Pres. Merrell pointed out in regards to this scripture is, that you should work on keeping negative thoughts and emotions at bay. He said you can't learn and be enlightened if you are harboring negativity. He also said, "Work first and play later. If you do this you'll have time for both." I need to remember this.

Hopefully my girls got some insight for their lives and this school year, but I have to say it was inspirational for me. This is a new day and a time for change. I started training today for a 1/2 marathon that I'm running in the fall. It's time to get the house in shape (I've been working hard today, but it seems crazy right now. Brad is installing a safe in the office, there is stuff displaced all over the house. It drives me up the wall. Troy has stitches that need to get removed. The yard is overgrown and needs lots of attention. Our fridge broke, so we've been dealing with spoiled food and sticky floors. It's a blow I don't need right now especially since we are trying to start eating 70% of our foods with natural water -- ie; fruits and veggies -- of course they all need to be refrigerated :(. But promise is in the air. It's time to set and reach goals. It's time to be happy!

And it makes my heart happy to hear Afton say, "I'm excited to wear my new clothes and go to Seminary." Yes! this is the way it should be!