This morning we switched back to the 9 a.m. time slot for church. Much better. Of course, last year, I think I thought 12:30 sounded good. I kind of like switching every year--keeps things different.
Anyway, Kory and I teach the 11-year-old class in Primary. When we first got this calling, I thought -- "That's great!" because I used to teach 10-11 year olds about 10 years ago, and they were a delight. The class happened to be all girls at the time, and we had a blast. In the last few years, I've delighted to see them graduate from high school, go on to college, several are married now. It's been a great experience. Well, the class we have now is a different experience for me. First of all, it's smaller. Typically three to five students, only one of which is female. That's one major difference. Also -- have you seen that TV commercial about herding cats? That's a little what our class seems like sometimes. Here's where one of the major differences between Kory and I shows up. He is WAAAAY more patient than I. He'll start the lesson and one boy will make a remark to another boy, and they'll start laughing or goofing around; and Kory will patiently wait. He was continuously getting interrupted and having to get their attention all over again. It was driving me crazy. Two weeks ago, I decided I couldn't do it. I was really unable to help, because our teaching styles were so different. I understand his philosophy: he wants to keep it fun for the kids so they don't avoid coming to church. I get that. If he gets too strict with them, then class becomes something to avoid. I get that too. I just don't know how to do it that way. When I had my class of little angels, I used other methods (I guess) of keeping them motivated. Or, maybe I was just lucky.
Anyway, today I mentioned to Brother Neubert (presides over Primary) that I might not be able to continue with the class portion of Primary with that group of kids; but that Kory had said it might change today because our lone female would no longer be in class starting this week, because she was now in Young Women. Kory had said he thought that she was the cause of a lot of the craziness we were experiencing in class, but I hadn't seen that to be the case. Well, Br. Neubert said he would drop by during class time to check it all out.
So what happened today? Four boys, no girls. They were perfect. Well almost. Perfect enough. And of course, when Brother Neubert stopped in for the last 20 minutes of class, the lesson was going smoothly, the boys were participating well and actually doing what they were asked and learning. (Don'tcha just love it when the husband is right?!?) Anyway, it was funny.
Life is a lot like that. I think I know something. I hear another point of view. I think that person is off base, and then I figure out that, yes, someone was off base, but it wasn't the other person! Very interesting. I like being teachable, even though I still think I am stubborn in many ways.
We never stop learning and progressing, even when we think we're doing the same old thing over and over, we're usually getting a wee bit better at least. Progress, not perfection, is what I want to seek. There was only one truly perfect one that I know of, and I am most certainly not Him, though I can seek to progress to be more like him.
And now? It's 2:42 p.m., and Kory is napping. He thinks he is coming down with something, so he's taking an extra long sleep. We have all afternoon and evening to enjoy the day.
I hope you are enjoying yours!
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