End of Everything...Again!

School is out. Activities are winding down. Summer is upon us. THANKFULLY. Perhaps I say this too soon as I am starting four Master's classes next week, but at least there will be a few days respite! This last week of school was not my favorite, not because of the school or students but because the events concerning a former student noted in my previous post. I have been so utterly worried about things I can't control that my wife has had it confirmed that I am certifiably insane! Perhaps this is where trusting the Lord comes into play. There are things that are in His control will be worked out.

ANYWAY. This was the last day of school with my students. I have to say that the last two years I have had with students have been very, very close to heaven. The students have been wonderful. This year I had the privilege of working with two Mrs. Glovers and they were very wonderful to work with.

My class this year had a great mix of personalities. Funny, loud, outspoken, goofy, serious, shy, and just about every other mix you can think of. That was only in eighteen children. I miss them already!

I live in Orderville and teach in Kanab. I have a separation from my job. This is a good thing. It gives me a chance to really change gears and not let my two 'lives' interfere. I try to leave work at work. However I don't try to leave family at home. They are most definitely welcome at work! I love my job. I love the people I work with. I love the students I teach. I also love being able to come home and be with my family and not stress (too much) about my job. Of course there have been days.

I feel like my job is a blessing. It is not as great a blessing as my wife Jenna. Nor is it as great as my children or membership in the Church. But it has given me opportunity to serve and help others. Not just children, but those I work with. I don't know how effective my service has been for others, but I believe that it has saved me, and will continue to do so.

The Lord provides us many opportunities to be of service. Like the school year, they end. Things we feel that will go on forever, don't. Time passes. This is good. It is also sobering. We only have so much time to be an influence for good on those around us. Then that time passes. There are so many people to care for and reach out to that it can be overwhelming. But we try anyway.

I don't claim to do a very good job with my time, but with my students this year and last year I feel satisfied, happy, and confident that we did a great job. Not perfect, but great. I realize that someday I will retire. It will come sooner than I can believe, I hope I can say that I was a positive influence on some lives. Not just in learning for school, but for life.

This same concept/principle applies to my children and wife at home. Thankfully we are sealed, we will be eternal. But that doesn't mean Jenna and I have an infinite window to teach them. We don't. We need to take advantage of the time given us to teach them how to make correct decisions. If we don't someone else will teach them how to make decisions. Who will that be? I don't want to leave that up to chance.

The Lord knows that we aren't here forever. We have a set amount of time to improve our circumstances and talents (Ecclesiastes 3). We have a set amount of time to serve those around us. We need to balance this. We need to care for ourselves and our families, but while we're at it we can keep our hearts and minds open for those around us who need that extra help. I believe as we take the time to study and ponder scripture, pray, and look for opportunities to serve we will be given those opportunities. We will bless some lives along the way and we will be blessed even more in our lives.

So Much to Process

This last twenty four hours have been somewhat insane. Not just for me but for our community. It is the end of the school year, students are excited for summer. Teachers are also excited. These are good things. Life with my family at home has been wonderful. Jenna has been busy helping those around us, and I might add being so very attractive! Our children have been so much fun to play with and watch go. They have such funny personalities. We are so very blessed.

There have also been some upsetting things. There have been several families going through some severe trials and struggles.

Yesterday was a great day at school. We had a lot of fun. We worked a little, I read to them a lot, we cleaned the classroom up a bit and we even got to play. It was a great day with these students I love. I get pretty attached!

Sadly, after school I found out that the the dad of one of my favorite former students had passed away. It wasn't accidental. It was heartbreaking. My heart goes out to her, to her mother and brother. People shouldn't have to face these kinds of trials, but the decisions of others can bring us pain. Thinking of the coming weeks, months, and years, the shifting of their world and the struggles they are going to have to face is, again, heartbreaking. There is a desire to be of help, and yet helplessness because no matter what we as humans can do, it can't erase the pain completely. However, we can comfort though and reach out.

On top of that, I hear about a case of inappropriate behavior on the heads of some church leaders in our area, and I think how easy it is to fall into transgression, how important it is to be wise. While at the same time loving the individuals who have made mistakes so they can be given the second chance they need. People who make mistakes need love. My friend Bruce Rose brought this out yesterday as we were discussing things. People don't need us to judge them. They need us to love them.

In both of these situations there were things that could have been done differently. There were decisions on the parts of individuals that could have been avoided. It didn't have to be this way, but I am not going to cast a stone at any of these people who have caused pain for others. They are in enough pain themselves and need as much support as they can get to recover and, if nothing else, come to their own peace. In this life or the next, God will not abandon his children as long as their is hope. It doesn't mean he will take away consequences, but He will not abandon his children.

With all his said, I think to myself how grateful I am for the gospel I am blessed to have. It doesn't take away bad things. It doesn't solve everyone's problems immediately. But it provides peace and through the Atonement relinquishes pain. It takes time. It takes complete trust and faith in Jesus Christ. It requires us to realize that we can't do it all, that the Atonement will help and we need to ask for that help.

I always seem to have so many feelings swirling around in my heart during this time of year. I begin to realize that the end of the school year is coming. That I will miss my students.

I have realized that even though they are not my children, they are my kids and once I am invested in their growing up, I feel invested in their lives. For the rest of my life. Twenty years down the road, I may not always recognize them, but I will remember them. I hope I never forget.

There is a book by Carol Lynn Pearson titled "The Lesson". In this book it says that the real lesson we are learning all along in this life is "how much do you love?" I hope I will be able to answer that question positively before the Lord if I am asked. Loving others will bring us pain, but it will bring us joy. The joy is worth it.

The more I learn the more I am convinced that all the warnings and "thou shalts" are given because the Lord knows what things will bring us joy and what will bring us pain. It is out of love and a desire to prevent pain that God floods us with instruction and revelation. He gives us opportunities to course correct because He wants us home. Much more purely than I want my children home and safe. He wants us home and safe. I know this.

"Come unto me all ye that labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light (Matthew 11:28).
The following video helped me feel some peace this morning. It is about 5 minutes and worth a look. It is powerful and brings peace.

God may not take our pain away immediately. We may have things to learn from that pain. But He will help and over time our wounds can be made whole. All of them. That doesn't mean we won't remember and that we won't feel something, but the pain can be replaced by gratitude and God will be our friend.

The Book of Mormon

I was on the Church website today and I came across a great video about the Book of Mormon. I wanted to share it here on my blog. After I watched the first one there was another video similar, but powerful, both testify of the Book of Mormon.

I am grateful for the wisdom contained in this book. One of the greatest lessons that I have learned from the Book of Mormon, and all scripture, is that we can trust the Lord. Unreservedly. These books teach how to be and what to do, but they also teach us the God loves us. He care for us. He wants us to understand what is at stake.

I love the Book of Mormon and the Bible. I love the Doctrine and Covenants and Pearl of Great Price. The more we treasure them the more we learn to love God and know He loves us.

Here is the first:

Here is the second: