Mark E. Beecher's Education Week Address

I stumbled across this article last month and thought a reprint might prove helpful. The article (written by Lacie Hales) summarizes an Education Week speech about scripture study given by Mark E. Beecher. Brother Beecher is an Assistant Clinical Professor of Psychology in the Counseling and Career Center at BYU.

"Classes during Education Week offer a variety of topics for people to sharpen different skills.

"Mark E. Beecher is giving a series of classes to help people improve their scripture study habits.

"He said he would focus on techniques later in the week, but he wanted to spend Tuesday's class focusing on the "why" of scripture study.

"'I hope there is a deeper 'why' when we're done,' he said.

"Beecher said his classes aren't going to be as much lecture as other classes during the week because he wants participants to take responsibility for their own learning.

"He started the class with a story about a boy who dove for pearls. One pearl he found was exquisite, and after many offers, he decided it wasn't for sale. He had the pearl set into an engagement ring for the girl he loved. One day she happened into a jewelry store and was offered a trade for a very expensive diamond setting.

"Beecher stopped there and asked the audience if she should trade the ring.

"The reaction from the class was that the ring had more than monetary value because of the personal relationship it represented. Beecher said the scriptures represent a similar relationship between people and God.

"'It's not about being intellectually stimulating,' he said. 'It's about a relationship.'

"Beecher gave the class a formula for studying the scriptures and then had the class separate into groups to apply the formula.

"First, he said to find the promise contained in the scripture.

"Second, find the verb that describes how to receive what is promised.

"Last, he said to evaluate what those two things teach about scripture study.

"Beecher then asked a few people to share what they had learned from their groups. He said he didn't want to be a teacher, but a guide in the learning process.

"'That's the power of the scriptures,' he said.

"Beecher shared a quote from a leader in the LDS church that compared scripture study to an interview with Deity.

"'It's more than just study,' Beecher said. 'It's about building a relationship with God.'

"Beecher said it is important to learn to be like the Savior, not just learn about him in the scriptures."

Scripture of the Day: 1 Nephi 15:25

Year of Miracles #37

Last month I blogged about miracles in relation to stem cell treatment for those with cerebral palsy. Our family joined in fasting with my brother Jeff's family to know if this was a course of treatment they should pursue for my nine-year-old nephew Harrison. That fast Sunday Jeff shared his testimony in his ward and briefly mentioned their desire to explore stem cell treatments for Harrison.

As Jeff and his family were leaving the ward building after church a fairly new member of the ward approached them. It turned out that this new member is a doctor and is in charge of a stem cell research study at a local hospital. His study was not in relation to CP, but this ward member asked if my brother's family would allow him to search out potentially appropriate research studies that may help Harrison. He has already met with their family and it looks as though a German facility may be the best option out there now. This was truly an answer to prayer and fasting for all of us.

Hopefully this will be "to be continued" with even more miracles! I will keep you updated.

For another remarkable miracle that happened this past week, visit Amazing Becky's blog and read this.

Scripture of the Day: Luke 21:8

A Little Spring Cleaning

Today I was putting more Christmas tree stuff away and decided I was sick of the drapes in my living room. The drapes are more like sheers with lace insets. They came with the house and I have never liked them; I have just been too lazy (or too poor? why are curtains so expensive?) these past five years to replace them. But this morning I couldn't take them any longer, so down they came.

And then I could see how badly my windows needed cleaning. So I got out my handy dandy Housekeeping book from Martha Stewart (a gold mine of information, if I do say so), read quickly the best way to wash the windows --which is to use equal parts vinegar and hot water-- and set at it. Steve took the screens off for me and I did both the inside and outside. They look SO much better. I even squirted the screens off.

Next I pulled some plain white sheers out of my linen closet. (I had them hanging in my last house; I don't know why I never thought of using them before, but $0 was a great price. Especially after the overspending at Christmas). I ironed them, and now they are hanging up and I am very much enjoying the improvement. A bit on the boring side, but an improvement. Remember my goal for completing a home improvement project this year? It may well be this living room...

But in the meantime I just need to talk Steve into putting tile on the window sills. And put the Christmas tree away.

Scripture of the Day: D&C 12:2

Police Beat #22

Yay for Fridays!
(I almost forgot it was a Friday, to be honest. All of these holidays have got me a little confused as to which day of the week it really is.)

Sept. 30: A group of three student lacrosse players and two runners got into a fight at the track near Helaman Halls when one of the lacrosse players told the runners to put on a shirt. The students began yelling and then physically fighting. An officer issued citations for assault to two individuals.

Sept. 30: Female students in Helaman Halls complained about a man in a gorilla suit attempting to scare students near the Cannon Center. When police arrived, there was no sign of either the complainant or the gorilla. Students complained again early Oct. 3 about a man in a gorilla mask. The gorilla has not yet been identified.

(Comment: Maybe they could catch the gorilla by leaving a trap with bananas near the Cannon Center.)

Sept. 30: A male student was reported missing by his wife after he did not return from checking his mail. He returned roughly an hour and a half later and said that he had decided to go for a walk while he was out.

(Comment: Does the husband own a gorilla mask?)

Oct. 2: Police responded to vandalism in Wymount Terrace. Slogans such as "I like beer" and "I like Bud Light" were written with permanent marker on some of the doors, causing damage to the buildings. Police currently have no suspects.

(Comment: Don't be fooled by these hoodlums. The fact that the slogans were spelled correctly says they were written by sober, not drunk, vandals.)

Oct. 3: A resident in Wymount Terrace reported a suspicious male looking around the quad. When police arrived, the man explained he was staying with his brother. He had gone jogging and forgot where his brother lived when he returned. The officer gave the man a ride to the correct apartment.

Oct. 4: A dry ice bomb exploded near building 30 of Wyview Park late at night. Police found no suspects.

Quiet New Year's Day

New Year's Eve my three little munchkins spent the night at my MIL's house with some of their cousins. They were so excited and even packed their suitcases as though they were going on vacation. Then on New Year's Day they went straight from there to their Aunt Kim's house to spend the night AGAIN!

Needless to say the quietness was heavenly around here yesterday. I spent four hours putting a chapter together in my manuscript and then went and visited with some of my mom's relatives who were visiting from out of town. I wish I had been able to get more done, but the free time just flew by!

This morning I am heading across town to pick up the kiddos and then I will spend this afternoon putting away the holiday decorations. I think I need to go buy one of those Christmas tree storage bags, and maybe even a wreath bag too. Speaking of those, have you been to the new Container Store yet? Very fun shopping trip! I highly recommend it for your getting organized resolution this year.

Scripture of the Day: Alma 37:44

New Month, New Theme

This month's theme is the Liahona. In the Book of Mormon the prophet Nephi discovers that the Liahona works according to the faith, heed, and diligence of his family to the commandments. So scriptures this month are about faith, heed, and diligence to the commandments.

At my house I will have a large copy of this Liahona. The square at the bottom is cut out and we will be turning a disk behind the Liahona to change the "wording" (scripture) daily, kind of like how the words on the Liahona changed for Lehi and his family. Hopefully I can get this put together today--I have been very busy this past week with extended family get togethers and now I am behind in some of my prep work.

Scripture of the Day: Mark 13:33

Happy New Year

2009 has begun. I did not stay up to welcome its start--my brain does not function well during those deep hours of the night. But I was awake with its first rays of sun and (peeking out from under warm covers) wished the New Year a happy birthday.

I also pondered what my goals should be for this year. I have several I want to accomplish, but I worry it will be too hard to reach some of them. Some are standard ones I try to accomplish every year:

- Attend the temple monthly
- Live within our means

Some are stretch goals:

-Have a date night once a month
- Lose weight (these last 7 pounds are proving to be stubborn)

And some are just big ideas:

- Submit my manuscript for a second book
- Complete a home improvement project

With all these resolutions floating around in my head, I can't help but think that despite all the challenges 2008 brought, it was truly a good year. In some ways it seemed the world started falling apart, but for me personally 2008 was rewarding. I pray 2009 will be the same way, both for me and for you!

Happy New Year!