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.