What Matters?

Hello. I haven't written since February. That's nice isn't it? Things have been really busy and honestly, it has been kind of annoying. I love to do things and be social, but sometimes it gets to the point where I just want to have a night at home...with nothing else.
But, we don't always get what we want do we? Darn.

This is what being a Dad is all about.

Anyway. We have successfully spent all our tax money. That was fun. Really. It was really fun. But of course it didn't last. I should probably read Dave Ramsey's Money book. A lot of the ladies at Community Council were talking about it. We spent some time in St. George at a hotel. It was nice to have the kids there and just be able to relax for a few days. We paid for a lot of things that needed to be paid for, stocked up on some supplies, and got a few things we had been wanting for a while. So...that's always nice. Right?
Besides all that things have been going nuts with my job and calling. I work in the Young Men's in our ward and there is ALWAYS something to do. I don't know that I am very great at it, but I am learning and hopefully growing. Being willing is kind of tough on days that school, family, and my own interests seem to conflict. But growth happens when we sacrifice our time, talents, and energy to the betterment of those around us. I have to remember that. I know it is true.

I am proud of this guy.

At school things have been going pretty well. We are in the middle of our Core Testing. We (my team) have worked really hard to get our students ready. I mean...really, really hard. This group of kids is a very fun bunch to have. My own class has a lot of...personality. I love them. They are just really funny sometimes. At least I have seen a lot of improvement over the year. They are neat kids and I feel like I have grown pretty close to most of them. At least they put up with an ornery teacher.
In other events at school. I have been applying for the principal job at Kanab Elementary. Twice. Not too mention applying for the Kanab High School Principal job. Just because. This has been a very interesting ordeal to say the least. I know I can do the job. I want to do the job. I also know how many variable there are in this process and it can be annoying to wait for things to pan out. I think when all is said and done and the new principal is chosen, I want to know that I am in the right place in my life. A place where I can do good for others and be an influence for excellence. It is a big deal to me to be important to people. It is an even bigger deal to help people be successful. Whether that be in my classroom or in a new position I am glad to be in a profession that demands my time, patience, service, and love for those around me. I can't think of anything I would rather do now that I am here.

One has been there. One will be.

So...I am waiting, but at the same time I am learning and growing...and boy have I learned a lot. The first time the job closed, I was devastated. Everything happened so unexpectedly and I didn't know what to think. I cried a bit. I reevaluated. I transferred my application over to the high school position and got an interview. I am very grateful for that opportunity. No, I didn't get that job, that's okay. I was more grateful to have the opportunity to learn about the interview process, recognize some of the mistakes I made, receive some mentoring and re-apply for the elementary position after it re-opened. I hope that regardless of the outcome I will present myself as well as possible, I will be considered highly, and I will move forward with peace in my life that I am going in the right direction. I am kind of depending on the Lord with this one. I have enough faith in Him to know that "He will direct my paths" if I "trust in the Lord with all [my] heart; and lean not to [my] own understanding" (Proverbs 3:5-6).
In all these things that are going on lately I have my family to consider. I want and need to be able to spend time with them. My kids need me home. Jenna needs me to be useful around the house and with the kids. Besides that, I really like my family. Weird huh? I enjoy hanging out with Dallin, Allison, and Parker. They are really cute kids. I don't want them to grow up without me. In addition to that I have Jenna and we need our time too! This life is a balancing act. Finding the correct balance by staying in tune with Heavenly Father, being a productive member of a community, and being a good father and husband is pretty challenging, and I know that I don't always get that balance right. But regardless of all the things that are happening all around us, or in our own personal lives, there are really only a few things that really matter. I will boldly say that those things are our families, our faith, and our direction in life. We go where we are pointed. President Monson sums it up pretty nicely in this video I have linked.

They need time and love. 

What Matters Most? I think most things in our lives can be put into their proper place with the answer to that question.