I LOVE TEACHING!!!

Can I just share for a minute how lucky I am to be able to teach a Book of Mormon class at the UVU Institute of Religion?! It gives me something outside of the walls of my home to focus on occasionally without requiring too much time. I have missed teaching seminary often over the last eight months, and this fills the void (well, except the comeraderie of my coworkers at AFHS--I miss you guys!). The students come because they want to, and they have more experiences and a greater confidence to share those with the rest of us. Don't get me wrong, I still like teenagers, but this is enjoyable in different ways. I always seem to get frantic and nervous the last 24 hours before teaching (I'm getting better at that now that I know I haven't forgotten everything), but as soon as I'm there I soak up every second. There is nothing I've ever experienced that is quite like teaching when the Spirit is present--I have to do a ton of background work to make sure I have every base covered, but once we are in the lesson I let the discussion go where it feels right to go. I don't know if that is very clear, but it's the best I can do! Every time class ends I feel so energized, and I'm on a spiritual high all night.

Things I'd like to work on? Definitely giving more opportunities to those who don't readily raise their hands. Reading (or scanning, on weeks with large sections) the whole block twice by Friday so I have the weekend to read outside sources and start to formulate a plan. Monday night will be a lot less crazy that way... I also want to find a better balance between being in the scriptures, analyzing what they say, and discussing how we have/can apply the principles taught. It's different in seminary (you need more searching and definitely need more attention-getters and activities).

I'm so thankful to the Lord for all of the blessings I have in my life! Being a stay-at-home mom has been worth it, but anyone who has done it knows what a sacrifice it is. This is a great way for me to feel inspired and to have my well filled each week so I can continue to love making sacrifices for my little family.