Seminary--How's that working for you?

School starts here in another couple of weeks and it's back to early-morning seminary for us.

We've gotten off easy the last few years.  #1 went to early-morning seminary her freshman year of high school.  It was at the church, but not so bad because the school put a bus stop just outside the church so all the seminary students could get to school.

The next year our stake built a seminary building across from the high school and #1 and #2 finished out their years with release-time seminary.

But now we've moved and #3 is starting high school and seminary is at the school--and it's earlier than #1's early-morning seminary.  Rumor has it that it starts at 6:10. Thankfully, she's looking forward to it. And she's a morning person.

Personally, I loved seminary. I'm probably in the minority, especially since it was early-morning seminary--and earlier than any of my kids have had to go.

But it was worth it.  I give my young women a bad time, telling them it was so much harder because we had so many more scriptures to memorize (there were 40 each year when I was in seminary--now I hear there are only 25).  I still remember most of those scriptures and I'm sure I learned much more than I ever would have learned on my own. Plus, attending a school that didn't have a large LDS population, it was nice to have that morning boost and hang out with your church friends before school.

Scripture chase was a big deal when I was in seminary.  We practiced every week and then we had a stake scripture chase competition at the end of every year. First there was the written memorization test, then an individual competition and then team competition with a team of four scripture-chasers from every ward.  An awful lot of scriptures suffered and died in the name of competition. I had to have a new Bible or Triple every year since by the time Scripture Chase was over they'd fallen apart.  Perhaps that's why we don't do it anymore.

It sure was fun, though.  Maybe it was just winning that made it more fun.  We had the winningest ward and won the team competition three of my four years and I was fortunate enough to receive some very nice scriptures as a result. Unfortunately, I'm old enough that they were the old-style ones, but I still have them.

I also remember reading a study a long time ago (and I really wanted to quote it but I can't find it) that said that seminary graduates were more likely to remain active into adulthood, serve missions and get married in the temple.  That's incentive enough for me to make sure I am up and appropriately enthusiastic about seminary for my kids.  This year won't be so hard, but when #4 starts next year, it could be a bit tougher. She's not so much a morning person.

So, how is it with seminary at your house?  Is it anticipated eagerly or looked forward to with dread?

Hip! Hip! Hooray!

It's Wordless Wednesday AND it's time for Girls' Camp!

Did I mention I love camp?

Have a great week!

Glorious Girls' Camp

Next week is Girls' Camp. I personally consider Girls' Camp to be one of the best perks of being in the Young Women's Presidency.

Yes, I am probably certifiable.  I think cold 3-minute showers, sleeping in a sleeping bag in a tent surrounded by dozens of teenage girls suffering from iPod and cell-phone withdrawal is a really good time.

I have two young women of my own who are going to camp this year, making camp even more fun. This is the first year I've gotten to go to camp with them. I got to go once with my oldest daughter and that was much too long ago.  The last time I went to camp, these two were too young to go.

Today we're off to find secret sister gifts. I'd tell you what fun things we're shopping for, but then that would spoil the surprise wouldn't it?

The only downside I can find to camp is that my best Young Women camping buddy lives in California and I live here. But I get to go to camp with some awesome leaders, so it will still be great.

How about you?  Is going to Girls' Camp something you look forward to (even secretly)? Or is the whole back-to-nature-with-teenage-girls thing just another trial to be endured in this life--will there be no tents and sleeping bags in the Celestial Kingdom (I'm pretty sure the mosquitoes will be banned--at least they won't bite)?

If you're not in Young Women's, what's the great perk of your calling?  I'm pretty foggy on much outside of Young Women's; it's where I've spent the largest portion of my adult life and I hope it always stays that way.  What do you think I'm missing out on?

The Great Chore Debate

Chores and kids, kids and chores.

Does figuring all this out take up entirely too much of our time or what? I find this a constant topic of discussion on message boards and e-mail groups.

How do you get your kids to do chores?

When should they start doing chores?

Should they get paid to do chores?

What chores should they be doing?

At my house, we use a chore chart.  Having been a mom for 24 years now, we have been through a number of different chore charts. Things change, the kids grow, the chore chart changes. It's just easier for me if everything is there on paper and I don't have to remember who is supposed to do what.

In addition to a chore chart, we have cleaning checklists, which are just the chore chart in checklist form, laminated so they can use dry-erase markers to keep track of what they've done.  We don't need or use them so much anymore since my youngest ones are teens but they're still floating around and still on my computer.

We don't pay for regular household chores.  At our house, it's the price you pay as part of the family. We do have allowances, a modest amount designed to cover basic "extras" of being a teenager.  We do also have chores that can earn our kids extra money.  Things like washing cars, mowing lawns, cleaning carpets--those kinds of chores enable the kids to earn money above and beyond the allowance.

It works mostly.  Everything doesn't always get done, but my house is clean enough for company (not including my mother-in-law, but it will never be that clean) and everyone is healthy.

How does it work at your house?

Or does it work at your house?

What's your take on the great chore debate?

Let us know in the comments below--or on Modern Molly Mormon at Facebook.

A Shining Star?

It's Wordless Wednesday and I am just not quite through with a little leftover fun from the Fourth of July.

How about you?

Oh, Beautiful for Spacious Skies

Happy Independence Day!

In my other life, I am a photographer--and going along with that, a music lover.  In my world, the most powerful combination is putting the two together.  I've been making Independence Day videos for many years to share with my friends and family.

This year, I've gotten smart and learned to share them through YouTube.

I hope you will enjoy this little tribute to my home, sweet home.

Look with your Heart

Every once in a while I need a reminder to stop and look around and recognize that my life is good.  It might not be what I thought it was going to be, but it is good.

This morning I read a blog post, that I probably can't find again (the hazard of reading so many blogs) that reminded me, that miracles--and heaven--are everywhere, if we just remember to look with our hearts as well as our eyes.

May your Sunday be one of looking with your heart and finding peace, joy and miracles all around you.