Correction: Not a Sad Panda

This morning I taught my last class as a seminary teacher for CES. While I've know this would be my last day for more than a month now, I certainly had mixed feelings as I said goodbye to my students and informed them they would not be in my class when they return to school next week.

Ever since my own seminary experience in high school, I have desired to become a full-time seminary teacher; expounding the scriptures and influencing the lives of youth seems like the ideal career choice. Now my opportunity for reaching that goal has come to an end...but surprisingly, even for me, it is not a sad ending.

I was telling Aaron the other day that even knowing that I wouldn't be hired, if I had it to do over again, I would. The past year of putting other career options on hold hasn't been a walk in the park, but it has been 100% worth it. What an incredible blessing it's been to be in the classroom with the Lord's youth almost every day, knowing that any minute on any day, one of my trainers or the hiring officials could walk in the door to observe me.

I love those youth! And more important, I caught a glimpse of just how infinitely the Lord loves them.

In the past few weeks, Natalie and I have had lots of chances to tell our friends and family that our plans have changed. We're not sure what they are yet, but they've certainly changed. The other night, after seeing a fellow student teacher at Wal-mart, Natalie let me know that I seemed somewhat despondent whenever I told people I'm not going to be teaching anymore.

While the announcement comes with some disappointment, I know this is what's right for us right now. In all honesty, I'm excited to see what comes next. I'm planning to continue working in the PR field and take care of some pre-reqs, and then hopefully apply to some MBA programs in the coming year or so. We'll see where life takes us.

Yes, there is some trepidation married to my excitement, but no gloom. It's scary to move on and exercise faith to go in a direction I've never gone before. But for the past many months I've been blessed to experience the tender mercies of the Lord to know that He is indeed at the helm. I don't know where we'll end up living. I don't know what I'll end up doing. I don't know what it will take to get there. But I do know that my Heavenly Father loves me and has a plan for my personal happiness and that of my family. Truly, I stand all amazed at the blessings of the Lord.

So what's next? Still not sure, but bring it on!