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The Fourth Day of Christmas

On The Fourth Day of Christmas My Father gave to me . . . 

“Four calling birds.” What are they calling for or singing to? Tradition tells us that this famous song was written to remember religious things and they portray it in the numbers, but I wonder about the items. Why calling? Why mostly birds? Was it only about meter? I don’t know the answers but will to learn. 
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The four represented the four gospels in the New Testament. The first hand witnesses of Christ’s mortal life.

The fourth constellation is Sagittarius, the archer. He is a centaur, half man and half horse, which represents the dual nature of Christ, being half god and half mortal. He is shown in the act of shooting the scorpion, the adversary. This is the task he was completing during his mortal life on earth.

The number four in numerology means mortality or earth life. The universal symbol for earth is a circle with a cross in it. The earth has four seasons, four directions and four basic elements and four states of matter. It also represents the preparatory gospel of faith, repentance, baptism and the gift of the Holy Ghost. Does that remind you of an article of faith? Which number?

The square is the fourth shape. Think about how we use this word in our language. “Are you dealing squarely with me?”, “fair and square”, “go back to square one”, etc. These all have to do with relationships with ourself and others.

Now the fourth finger is the ring finger, the family relationships. This finger represent the source of most of your eternal happiness, satisfaction and education for both here and the hereafter. You have heard it said you only take to the next life what you learn, but you also get to take your relationships. What are you doing to strengthen your relationships? Our family relationships are our great source of satisfaction and pleasure. God is also our family and if we feel like His work is burdensome and makes us weary and not uplifting then we should reevaluate, repent and reassess. This mortal life is for us to find joy and we can do this through our families.
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The first commandment given to Adam and Eve was to “multiply and replenish the earth.” This is  exemplifies the essence of the number four and the Hebrew number 4, dalet. Could the four “calling birds” be four baby birds calling for their parents?

On the fourth day of Christmas My Father gave to me 
four family members,
three great desires,
two directions…

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The Third Day of Christmas

​ On The Third Day of Christmas My Father gave to me . . .  According to tradition the “three french hens” represents the three’s in the scriptures like faith, hope and charity; or ask, seek and knock. My professor taught me this statement with the threes.    Ask and ye shall receive faith.    Seek and ye shall find hope.    Knock and it shall be opened unto Charity (Christ)

There are many sets of three within the scriptures like the three degrees of glory, another are the offerings found in the Old Testament. They are the SIN offering, BURNT offering and PEACE offering. The sin offering focused on the killing of the sacrifice and the giving up of sin. The burnt offering focused on the burning of the sacrifice and dedicating oneself completely to God. The last offering of peace focused on the giving of the sacrifice (cooked) to others and the sharing of the gospel.

​In symbology the number three represents unity (braid), the creation of the sun, moon and stars, Christ, first born (first 3D shape), The Atonement (third pillar in the Plan and third Article of Faith). The shape is the triangle. Christ is at the top of this triangle looking down, shining light onto our path back to God.

​In body language the third finger on the hand is the middle finger, the tallest of them all. This represents the desires of our hearts, our personal mission. The word ‘desire’ means “of God.” Imagine sitting down with God, before you came to earth, and learning about your mission, the desires you would have. You were excited and couldn’t wait to come and fulfill those desires. Now on earth our desires are clouded with beliefs. You ought to spend a lot more time than you ordinarily do in increasing the volume and intensity of your righteous desires. Ask to see them more clearly, seek to obtain them and knock down all the walls to receive them.

The third zodiac constellation is Scorpius, the Scorpion. With the heroes foot on his head it is the representation of evil being overcome by Christ our Judge. This reminds us that we are all in the same battle against evil together. Are you fulfilling your individual mission in not heeding the temptations of the devil?
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The third gift from God is your mission. Everyone is given an overall mission and an individual mission. Everyone has the mission to overcome Satan. Individually, you have a mission to fulfill your desires by increasing your faith and sharing your message of hope and spread the love of God everywhere and with everyone. On the third day of Christmas My Father gave to me,
​ three great desires.

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The Second Day of Christmas

On The Second Day of Christmas My Father gave to me . . . 
According to tradition the “two turtle doves” represents the two books of the bible, The Old and New Testaments of Christ. I imagine two identical doves looking at each other. One facing east and  the other facing west. Which in turn reminds me of the Old Testament looking forward to Christ and the New Testament looking back on His life, both pointing to Christ. The Testaments teaches us about Heavenly Father’s Plan and invites us to look to Christ for direction.​

​The second finger is the pointer or direction finger. It is how you show people the way. The word leader means pathfinder, one who helps others find their individual path, but you can only lead others when you know your own way. You must be converted in order to direct and lead. The second finger is two fold, becoming converted and becoming a leader or example for others.

In symbology the number two represents opposites, repentance, polarity, doorway, female, Heavenly Mother, The Fall (second article of faith), The Plan of Happiness. The shape is the  vesica pisces, two equal circles sharing a radius. The Law of Polarity states that for every question or problem there is an equal answer or solution we only need a new view to see it. The vesica pisces forms the shape of an eye inviting us to see the solution and the answers and then we can help others see theirs. You are “Shod [shoed] with the preparation of the [preparatory] gospel of peace” when you put on the Armor of God. This also deals with direction and the basic gospel principle of faith and repentance. Which way are you feet pointing?

​The pointer finger, the number two, the shape of an eye, shoes, and the scriptures all teaches us about direction and leadership. Which way are you facing? Learn a lesson from the two turtle doves and look to Christ for direction on our individual path.

On the second day of Christmas My Father gave to me two directions.

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The Twelve Days of Christmas

The Twelve Days of Christmas . . .   “I don’t like that song!” my daughter said. “Why, not?” I asked. “Because it is boring, too repetitious and silly!” I couldn’t disagree with her and then I remembered my mother-in-law telling me something about the song and Epiphany. So I decided to look it up! What I found was fascinating! The song was written for a serious religious reason.  The Twelve Days of Christmas are not the twelve days before Christmas as many people believe. They are the days between Christmas and January 6th, which is called Epiphany. This is the time in which the three wise men traveled to see the baby Jesus, arriving on Epiphany, January 6th. (http://noelnoelnoel.com/trad/12days.html)

Between 1558 – 1829 it was against the law for Catholics in England to practice their faith with severe penalties. Thus the song was created as a memory aid for children to remember important doctrines of their faith by hiding true the true meanings within the silly lyrics. The children sang it openly without the authorities knowing the real meaning.
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The “true love” of the song is not a suitor but is actually God Himself. The “me” who receives the presents represents every baptized person.(http://noelnoelnoel.com/trad/12days.html)

God giving gifts to his people. This reminded me of the symbols of numbers and wondered if the song and number symbols complimented each other. I found my next project!

My son, Matteo, will be returning from his mission on January 6th, Epiphany! In honor of him and because I love numbers I will share these findings over the next twelve days! If you like history, numbers and/or symbology you will enjoy this journey too! 🙂

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The First Day of Christmas

On The First Day of Christmas My Father gave to me . . .  Why a “partridge in a pear tree?” According to the Christmas website “A partridge in a pear tree” is the symbol for Jesus Christ. This symbol is used because a mother partridge will appear to be injured when a predator is near to lure him away from her helpless chicks, representing the sacrifice she is willing to make. (http://noelnoelnoel.com/trad/12days.html)

This was new! I had never thought of the partridge as a Christ figure. The first gift God gave us was His son, Jesus Christ. “For God so loved the world that he gave His only begotten Son.” (John 3:16) His sacrifice made it possible for us to return back to God, the perfect 1st gift. Recently I have studied the symbolism of the hand with its five fingers. The first digit is the thumb. In his talk, “Hold up your Hands,” Sterling W. Sill talked about the hand and what each digit represented. He said the thumb is the anchor man to the hand and it represents the knowledge of God’s existence. In symbology the number one represents God himself, the Creation, unity, order, omnipresence, eternity, etc. The shape is the point and the circle. The circle has three main parts, the point, circumference and radius. Each of these three parts represent the members of the Godhead. The point is God, himself, eternal, unlimited, with no beginning or end. The circumference represents the Holy Ghost, also unlimited (never ending, pi). The radius represents Christ, lighting the path (line) back to God. Just as Christ chose to be limited in mortality, to live within the bounds of birth and death, the radius has a beginning and an end.  The thumb, the number one and the first gift in the song compliment each other. We can all agree that there is a God, that he created the earth and all of its inhabitants. He loves us and has given us the gift of His Son. Let us remember Him.

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The Key Pattern of Learning

There are so many learning style and patterns out there.  And there are so many ways of using them.  As I have pondered over these many different ways of learning I would draw diagrams, pictures, write list, etc.  and nothing seemed to stick.  You see I wanted to incorporate everything I loved.  After many years of experimenting I have finally found a great solution.  I call it the Key Pattern of Learning, an LDS companion guide to all learning.
This incorporates the Come, Follow Me Curriculum, the Duty to God program, Symbology and the framework from David A. Bednar’s book, Increase in Learning.   The give and receive cycle, how to recognize and follow the spirit and the importance of celebrating your learning are important and found in this model.

Notice there are two large triangles.

• The one pointing down represents what God gives to us.
• The one pointing up represents the action we show toward Him.
• Together the two triangles create the center hexagon representing the revelation or help we receive in all areas of learning.
• Just as the hexagon touches all the triangles we learn to reflect, review and record in each area making our learning permanent.
• The six learning points on the circle creates a cycle and sets “in motion” permanent learning.

    I used pieces of these patterns for years, but as I sought for more symbolism in my teaching and compiled all these patterns of learning, it not only came alive for me but also for my family. Homeschooling was wonderful for my personal education, I gained a new love of learning so naturally I wanted that same desire to be within my children. Still, it felt like I was doing all the learning and the only one enthusiastic about the next project.  Then, I started adding symbols into our learning and my children became enthusiastic about learning! 
   This pattern helps me be a better homeschooler, it has creates an environment where the spirit speaks to each of us all at our level, it is a pattern for finding answers to all types of questions and creates order in our learning.  It brings us closer to God and to each other.  It gives us funny new memories.  For example, while we were learning about the tongue, God’s symbol for language, my younger son asked, “Do you mean when I talk to other people it is like I’m licking them?”  Our entire family burst out laughing for several minutes and it became our new family joke and a permeant learning experience.  These memories and the learning will last forever!

Do you want to know How?  Come to the Keystone Education booth at the LDS Homeschool Conference in August to receive a copy and a worksheet on how to use it.  And you can put your name into a drawing to receive a free copy of The Key Patterns of Learning, an LDS companion guide to all learning.  OR you can leave a reply below, with your name and email address and be added in early!!  🙂

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Theology Tree

Create a Christ-Centered Curriculum, 
“line upon line, here a little, there a little.”
The Theology Tree is a simple analogy of how learning with Christ at the Center can unite all subjects.

Create your own Book of Remembrance of your Learning.

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Improve Memory

How to Remember and Retain what you Read  (improve Memory, Increase in Learning)

For:

• Worker who needs to improve job knowledge
• Learners who want higher scores
• Those who are losing memory capability
  
• Anyone who wants to think smart, feel smart, and be smart
  
• WHY improve your memory and thinking?
  
• Keep you promises to yourself and others
  

Your memory is your brain’s filing system. It contains everything you have learnt. You can store an amazing amount of information.  Your brain is made up of 100 billion neurons. As you grow and develop, these neurons are ‘wired up’ to each other, and communicate through thousands of connections – synapses. Memories are formed when certain connections are strengthened.

WAYS to Improve Your Memory:

Know How to Study

1. Be Believing
   

• Believe you can do it
  
• Play as if you are
  
• Make it interesting
  
• Avoid boredom
  

1. Be Organized
   

• Set time aside
  
• Multi-tasking is learnings worst enemy
  
• 10 minute rule (I wrote a book in 10 minutes)
  
• Learning material
  
• Environments:  physical and mental spaces
  
• Laugh – enjoy learning
  
• Avoid multi-tasking
  

1. Be Directed (self-test)
   

• Don’t just “look it over”
  
• Quiz yourself on what you learned
  
• Draw it out (charts and pictures)
  
• Write in the book
  
• Link information to other learning
  
• Apply learning to your life
  

1. How to Study the Scriptures
   

• Ask questions
  
• Word meanings
  
• Sentence and Paragraph structure
• Context
  
• Connections and association (old/new; physical/spiritual)

Know How to Think
Be Active

• Use exercises to increase brain power or neuro connections thereby giving you faster more efficient brain processing (see) www.learningrx.com or http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aykuFhQIob4
• “Brain Games” book
  
• Memorize (songs, scripture, poetry, prose, etc.)
  
• Meditation (Keeps your brain busy so negative voices don’t enter)
• Sing
• Relaxation Exercises 
  
• Writing (3 ways to use your physical body to fight Satan)
  
• Warrior Chemistry (3 ways to use your physical body to fight Satan)
• Physical Exercise (3 ways to use your physical body to fight Satan)

Be Bright (brave/clear)

• Promotes memory formation and understanding
  
• Avoid multitasking (learning’s worst enemy)
  
• Think and think some more (learning’s best friend)
  
• Examine meaning, usefulness and implication
  

Be Curious 

• Ask questions:  “What’s missing?”, “What can be figured out?”
• Write down your questions, keep thinking of questions

Know How to See
Think in Pictures (engaging with the learning)

• look at the content with contrived visual meaning, look from the outside -something to be memorized
  

• look at the content with real meaning and context – like an actor, look from the inside  – something to be experienced

Think in Metaphors

• A teacher (book or seminar) has a certain logic/teaching or precept, this is represented by a vertical line.  The learner who does not have the knowledge is represented by a horizontal line.  We, together, are looking for the connection, the moment when both are edified.
  
• Logic:  2 + 2 = 4  is logic.  2 candies + 2 candies = 4 candies is how to teach a toddler.
  
• Metaphors contain all of the logic and yet conceals the whole meaning
  

Think in Symbols

• Hebrew has 8000 words and English has over 20,000
  
• They use symbolism and imagery and vision
  
• Each letter is a picture of meaning 
  
• Associate things together, old with new; physical with spiritual
  

Satan tries to get us to stop thinking and to forget!!

• increasing distractions
  
• decreasing communication
  
• decreasing desire for learning
  
• indifference
  
• decreases curiosity
  
• no longer teach symbolism
  
• no longer encourage questions
  
• decrease value of music
  

How to remember what you read

1.  Read with a purpose – ask, “What do I want to learn and remember from this ___ (reading, seminar, experience, audio, etc.)”
   
2. skim first
   
3. reading mechanics
   
4. highlight/note taking
   
5. think in pictures
   
6. rehearse as you go 
   
7. stay within attention span
   
8. rehearse soon after reading
   
9. teach what you read
   

Why Nephi wrote a Book (see 1 Ne. 6:4-5)

• Purpose – to bring his people closer to the Lord – “persuade men to come unto God.”
  
• Audience – those “not of the world” spiritual 
• Message – “things that are pleasing unto God”
  

REMEMBER it is simple it only takes more time (like long division)

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September 27th, 2014

We have been trained not to Wonder.  

We have been taught not to ask questions!  

We have poor thinking skills and it’s not that we are incapable, just not trained well!  As young children we were curious and asked many questions. When we received answers that were true but didn’t mean anything we slowly stopped asking questions.  And by the time we are 18 our ability to wonder, ask questions, be curious is gone.  Our hunger for knowledge is practically nonexistent. When our leaders ask us questions we just sit and stare or satisfy them (and ourselves) with cliches, memorized definitions, cute statements or circular definitions. These answers do not prepare for growth, nor do they edify, require thinking or bring understanding.  What can we do to rectify this problem?  

Learn a new skill:   SYMBOLOGY!

Why Symbology?

• to bring understanding!  
• It is training on the horizontal (physical) plane that connects with the vertical (spiritual).
• to increase curiosity 
• to lead you to more questions

What is symbology?  

• the study of symbols 
• learning a true principle and finding it throughout all learning
• applying real principles to your personal life
• how to think, think and think again
• simple and deep, easy and hard reasoning
• an educational skills of communication and comprehension
• improving brain development and capacity

More Creativity, More Communication, More Understanding, More Deep Thinking, More Achievement.

What symbology is NOT:  

• a specific answer, you cannot completely define a symbol
• a “catch all” answer like “because it’s in the book.”  or “to pass the test.”

“Questions are like fish hooks that answers get hooked on. Questions are what connects us what we want, who we want to be and what we don’t know we want to know.”  Tresta Neil

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Thank you!

I struggled with teaching the numbers 1 through 5 without a live audience and I’m so pleased that I did!

Thank you to Dianne who did an amazing job putting together the Not Back to School Summit. What a huge blessing to all our lives. 🙂

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