Life is a Balancing Act!

Things here have been pretty exciting, as I've been preparing seminary lessons for the 9th grade class I'm starting to teach. I enjoy the youth- their energy, desire to learn, to be happy, to say it like it is... I have learned so much in just the two days I've been able to teach them. I'm grateful for Bro. Davis's insights into how I can improve. He said teaching the scriptures can be a balancing act; between spending time in the scriptures, and helping the youth be drawn into them, to see how they apply in their lives.  After my first lesson yesterday, I decided I better share a little more about me! So after showing the "spotlight poster" that I show my 3rd graders at the beginning of the year, they found they had a few things that relate to me. I had their attention then, and I wish I had the practice of keeping that "involvement" throughout the lesson. I did find some things that worked well, like using the Bible Dictionary to understand the Pauline Epistles, using the footnotes, and discussing the background so the youth can better understand the scriptures. It was also awesome to see how willing they were to share times when they have seen people who have been comforted through trials by turning to the Savior. They are wonderful youth, and it's exciting to see their love for good things. I also talked with them about General Conference coming up this weekend, and how to react to the protests that can go on downtown at this time. (See Elder Hales' talk, Oct. 2008 conference) Forgiveness and not quarreling we only touched, on because the time FLEW by! It's a 45-min. class, and by the time the devotional is done, we have lost much of the time! 

I was so grateful I got to watch a wonderful teacher teach after I finished teaching. He was so natural and open with the youth, he drew out of them things to help them read the scriptures, and he really listened well, enjoyed them, and loved them. He was actually subbing, and is an assistant to the area authority over seminaries and institutes in the area. He helped me see that relying on the Spirit for what to teach is more important... I need to keep that a balance too: being prepared as much as I can, and relying on the Spirit too!

Meanwhile, I'm realizing my own life is getting a little out of balance while I'm spending so much time preparing for these lessons! I need to take care of my health with sleep, eating right, watching my blood sugars better, and having fun and relaxing with friends too! I look forward to General Conference, time with the family, and to get my house in order! :)