So I got the neatest surprise...one of my seminary students from the 1st year that I taught back in Wichita, Kansas found me on Facebook...
I was very excited to find out how she was and she posted this comment on my wall....
"I am doing well. I have been thinking about you often. I have been thinking of what a great seminary teacher you were and how that helped me develop spiritually. I served a mission in the Provo Utah mission. I am married with a little girl, Emma. I am also a seminary teacher. It is a struggle. How did you do it? I want to know your secret. I know, follow the spirit, but these are teenagers. It is such a challenge. How is the family?"
Well, I can't even express how that made me feel to know that she served a mission is active in church, raising a family and is now teaching seminary herself! It's such a great Valentine's present I can't even express it!
I'll tell you what I told her was my secret....
1. I love(d) each student. And it wasn't even hard. It's like how you feel when you see your baby for the 1st time...its so huge you can't stand it. And I know that my students new it was true as well (some it took longer for them to know, but they knew) They new I was their biggest fan and I still am. I know some have moved on and probably never think of me...but I still celebrate their successes and accomplishments as if I was still seeing them every morning before they went to face their day at school!
2. I prayed for each one of them individually, by name, every day in my prayers. I had pictures of each student on my mirror and as I would pray I would look at their picture and ask "Heavenly Father, How can I help David today", "Heavenly Father, please help me to know how to help Kelli today", etc....until I had prayed for every student. There were some years I had 27 students in my class. But I know it made all the difference.
I have put a picture of my student, who is now the teacher! I know she is doing an amazing job and will be able to give me pointers the next time I have this calling (I can only pray I will get the chance to do seminary again).
6 comments:
I have to admit that everytime I read something from the Old Testament, or everytime something is read in church from the Old Testament, I can just hear your sweet voice behind it! I loved seminary and, have to say, you were the best out of all the different teachers I had!
Thank you Hillary! I love you very much and loved teaching you, more than you will ever know!
Such a cool story...thanks for sharing.
That is neat! And you were a FABULOUS teacher! I hope I get to teach some day! I enjoy reading your blog! Sorry I don't comment more often! I will try better! Thanks for your comments!
AShlee, I think you would be an amazing seminary teacher as well. I hope you get the chance someday too!
How neat! It seems that the blessings you reap from having that calling follow you long after you are done with the calling. What a beautiful update from your student.
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