And just like that things are back to normal

So I'm a little late with this posting. I kind of find it funny that when I have more time to do things that I need to do I am less effective or less motivated to actually get those things done. I had a three day weekend this last weekend and really took advantage of the time to take it easy and have a great weekend. Also, this weekend was GENERAL CONFERENCE!! That just contributed to the niceness of the weekend and probably why it was a little more difficult to write a post. This week I was trying to prepare to listen to the talks from General Conference and figure out what I needed to hear. There's a lot of things that I have goals for this year but I find that unless there is something dramatically wrong in my life I don't have something specific that I'm looking for, but I did find a lot of comfort and validation for the things that I am progressively working on this year. I especially loved the first talk from Richard G. Scott about scripture study and memorizing scriptures. For the past week teaching seminary has actually become something that I've enjoyed doing. Besides how exhausted I feel I have really loved reading the old testament and preparing the lessons. I also really enjoyed memorizing the different scriptures in Chinese. I need to be better with that part of my life, and I don't say that like what people normally say that they need to be better when they really are doing fine. That is one of the goals that I have for myself this year. I feel like the very close and intimate relationship I had with the scriptures when I was young has been like I moved to a foreign country and I just check back with that good friend every now and then. The fact of the matter is though that wherever you move or wherever you are the scriptures are never too far to contact and be close with. They are so much more available in my life than they ever have been before. I've got some kind of copy of them on every single electronic device that I own and those that know me know that my electronics are never more than an arm-stretch away. I need to be a better friend and get to know the scriptures again.

Speaking of needing to get to know the scriptures I received some bad news on Monday. Everything is going back to normal because I am no longer teaching seminary in the morning. They have called a new full-time teacher to teach in the mornings so my substituting is no longer needed. Based on my reaction when I was told that I would be teaching in the morning this seems like it should be a relief but I didn't feel like that when I received the news. I am very sad that I'm not going to be with those students in the morning anymore. But I think that I still want to continue to read the Old Testament because I realize that I really don't know that book as well as the other books of scripture. Another good thing to come from this is now I can attend Institute again which I was not able to before because it would keep me up too late. All in all I think it is a good thing but I still am a little disappointed. This does free me up to any and all callings now though *gulp*. Who knows what the Lord has in store for me next.