14 May 2011

Shabbat shalom, Shabbat shalom. Shabbat, Shabbat, Shabbat, Shabbat Shalom.

Sabbath days are one of the best days of the week. It is hard to argue against the Spirit that is present in each of our meetings. The focus of Sacrament was “mothers” in honor of Mother’s Day. I love hearing the comparisons of mothers in Biblical times (such as Rebekah, Sarah, Eve, Mary) to the mothers of today; I love learning about their different skills, their different values. They, along with my own mother, are who I strive to be. I hope to be as good of a mother as they were to their children. Sabbath school’s main focus was on the lost sheep and the shepherd. A lot was said about how we can, ourselves, can be the shepherd and how we can bring others back into the fold of Christ. But my mind focused more on what it would feel like to be that sheep. I remembered back to when I was younger and got lost at a waterpark. I didn’t realize how scared and lost I was until I was found, until I was back in the arms of my family. The sheep might be lost and confused, but he wants to find his way back; he wants to be found. I would like to challenge everyone to look for someone who is lost, even if it happens to be you, and help him find his way back to the gospel – or even bring the gospel to him. He may not accept your help; he may turn away; but someday he will be thankful for your gesture, thankful that someone was willing to help him find true happiness.

I spent the afternoon writing letters and emails, reading, and preparing for my seminary lesson. It wasn’t anything big or exciting, but it was nice to do something calm for a little bit and find time to think outside of the classroom setting. I even had the chance to talk to my parents. We are leaving for Turkey tomorrow morning so I will not be able to communicate with them (or anyone) until we get back in a week. I am really looking forward to going to Turkey, though. It is going to be such a wonderful experience!

I taught my very first seminary lesson this evening. It was one of the scariest things that I have ever done in my life. I was so scared that I was shaking, but I did get through it and you could feel the Spirit. I taught from Doctrine and Covenants 117 and 119-122. We focused on sacrifice, tithing, faith, and trials. It was interesting to learn both from preparing for the lesson and from teaching the lesson. The insights that were given in class really opened my mind to so much. I invited the other seminary teachers to attend in addition to the student; I am so glad that they decided to come. It really helped to have them there to support me. It isn’t easy to take the responsibility of a fifteen year old girl into your life.

The rest of the evening was spent conversing with friends and preparing to leave for Turkey. It is going to be quite an adventure, and I am really looking forward to it.

For your information: There will not be any more posts until after I get home from Turkey. I will keep a detailed journal while I am gone and then will add posts from the time I am away once I get home on the 22^nd of May. Don’t miss me too badly while I am away!