Today, the Friday Forum speaker was named Brother Mills, and he talked about an experience he had as a kid. His bishop was also his wood shop teacher. One day in wood shop, Brother Mills was using an orbital sander to sand a block of wood. He was going up and down the middle over and over, staring out the window. His teacher came up behind him, stood there for a few seconds and then said, "If you focus on the edges, the middle will take care of itself." Confused at first, Brother Mills realized that because of the width of the sander, if he went around the edges first, the middle would end up being sanded too. He then realized that maybe his bishop was talking about more than just wood. In life, we often end up focusing on ourselves, the middle, and not on others, the edges.
Ezekiel 34:8 talks about the shepherds feeding themselves and not the flock. Brother Mills served as a mission president in the Fukuoka Japan mission. He showed us pictures of several missionaries just before they came on their mission and right as they were leaving. The transformation was often very apparent. Many of these missionaries entered the field having focused on themselves for much of their lives. However, during their missions they learned to focus on others and a change occurred in their hearts which was apparent in their countenances. The shepherds were not feeding themselves, but were feeding the flock.
Brother Mills' wife, who spoke before him, talked about gratitude. When we recognize our blessings and give sincere thanks to God for the many miracles in our lives, we immediately become happier. She also talked about learning to life at the potentially miserable experiences you may have.
Having gratitude, combined with service to others, will bring happiness and peace. The Spirit will be felt, a light will come into our eyes, we will live fulfilling lives. Focusing on my blessings and on serving other people is something I struggle with. And God has been trying to tell me that for awhile now. In my mind recently, it's been all about me. I've sought for recognition, admiration, and personal glory, and have been disappointed over and over. It shouldn't be about me. It shouldn't be about what I want. It shouldn't be about what I don't have. It should be about my brothers and sisters. It should be about service. It should be about my God.
This is going to be hard for me. It's so difficult for me to let go of what I want, to stop wondering what other people think about me, and to simply serve because I love. But with God, nothing is impossible. "I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me" (Philippians 4:13). "My God shall give me if I ask not amiss" (2 Nephi 4:35). So that's what I'll do; ask for God's help. Wish me luck!
Friday, March 16, 2012
Tuesday, March 13, 2012
Alone In a Crowded Room
How is it that you can have lots of friends, have a great concert followed by lots and lots of compliments, and leave feeling completely alone? I'm not sure why I feel this way. Back in Salem I was lucky to meet amazing people like Dallin Kimber, Ben Hatch, and Jared Condie. I grew close to them and felt like I was part of a group. For some reason, here at Snow I haven't really felt that. I do have friends, but I feel like they all have their own groups that I'm not really a part of. And there's really no reason to feel that way, but there it is.
Maybe there just hasn't been enough time. I had years to get to know my friends back in Salem, and I've had less than one year here. It doesn't help that I'm not the most social person (though I've definitely improved), so it can take longer for me to develop close relationships. Ah well, they'll come. And one day I'll find that wonderful woman who will be my eternal companion. I can't wait for that!
Maybe there just hasn't been enough time. I had years to get to know my friends back in Salem, and I've had less than one year here. It doesn't help that I'm not the most social person (though I've definitely improved), so it can take longer for me to develop close relationships. Ah well, they'll come. And one day I'll find that wonderful woman who will be my eternal companion. I can't wait for that!
Friday, March 2, 2012
Things I Hate About Being Mortal
Mortality is just plain frustrating sometimes. We have so many weaknesses and have to do certain natural things that I don't think any god would have to do. Here are some examples:
- Needing to sleep
- Needing to eat (I don't mind eating, but sometimes needing to can be annoying)
- Getting sick
- Going to the bathroom (There's just nothing dignified or godly about that)
- The carnal desires we have
- Making mistakes
- Forgetting
Wednesday, February 29, 2012
Good Things to Come
I love Elder Holland's talk entitled "Good Things to Come." There's been a video made that illustrates his story as he narrates it.
The future is bright. It really is! I can't wait for what's going to happen in the next few years of my life. Sometimes life gets discouraging and we wonder if things will ever look up. We make mistakes, encounter disappointments and frustrations, and we have to deal with stress, fear, and anxiety. Such is mortal life. But as Elder Uchtdorf taught, "What is now is not what forever will be." In the end, everything will be made right and eternity will be glorious, far beyond our comprehension. Look at where Elder Holland was and what was in his future. Imagine what might be, what WILL be, in yours!
The future is bright. It really is! I can't wait for what's going to happen in the next few years of my life. Sometimes life gets discouraging and we wonder if things will ever look up. We make mistakes, encounter disappointments and frustrations, and we have to deal with stress, fear, and anxiety. Such is mortal life. But as Elder Uchtdorf taught, "What is now is not what forever will be." In the end, everything will be made right and eternity will be glorious, far beyond our comprehension. Look at where Elder Holland was and what was in his future. Imagine what might be, what WILL be, in yours!
Monday, February 27, 2012
Almost There
Spring Break is next week!!! Actually, it's only 4 days away (maybe even more like 3 1/2). Woohoo!!!! I just need to survive two midterms. I'm not too worried about History, but for Music Theory I have to identify songs from way back when by listening to them, and I don't feel very prepared yet. I think I'll do okay on the writing portion. But then on Friday I'm going to Las Vegas with one of my best friends, no my VERY best friend in the entire world, Dallin Kimber. We're like twins, but he goes to BYU and I'm at Snow, so we don't see each other very much anymore. But we're going to go see BYU play in the WCC basketball tournament this weekend! We're staying with my grandparents and it's going to be a blast! I can't wait! Almost there, almost there.......
I'm almost also to a mission!! I'm very, very close to having my papers finished. I just hope everything was filled out correctly. If so, I should only have my interviews left and then I'll get my call soon after that. I'm so excited!!!
Also, if you haven't heard, my mom has a novel coming out very soon. You should go check out her blog and be part of the three week celebration she's having! Go check it out: http://notesfromthewritingchair.blogspot.com/
I'm almost also to a mission!! I'm very, very close to having my papers finished. I just hope everything was filled out correctly. If so, I should only have my interviews left and then I'll get my call soon after that. I'm so excited!!!
Also, if you haven't heard, my mom has a novel coming out very soon. You should go check out her blog and be part of the three week celebration she's having! Go check it out: http://notesfromthewritingchair.blogspot.com/
Wednesday, February 15, 2012
Valentine's Day
I meant to post this last night, but forgot. Sorry for being late.
Anyway, on the evening of February 13th, I thought to myself, "Oh, it's Valentine's Day tomorrow. Woohoo." (With much enthusiasm! Not.) It can be easy to feel lonely on Valentine's Day, even when you're determined to stay single before your mission. I wasn't exactly looking forward to Valentine's Day and doing my best to forget about it.
As I walked down the hall to my room, I noticed a small plate of cookies in front of my door. "Are those for me or my roommate," I asked myself. Then I saw my door. I stopped with a stunned smile on my face. It was covered in hearts, some of which spelled my name, and also one that said, "We love you!" I have no idea who did it, but I began to realize: I may not have a significant other, but I have friends who care about me. My spirits began to lift. It was a good start to Valentine's.
The next day I woke up still feeling uplifted by the anonymous gift. And a fantastic day ensued.
You know those people that you're kind of friends with, but aren't close to? When you see each other around campus, sometimes you say hi and sometimes you don't. It felt like all those people were saying hi to me. I even had some people that I didn't know saying hi to me, even complimenting me. I felt like I was getting smiles and compliments all day long!
Random girl giving out valentines by the bell tower: "Here comes someone with a nice smile!"
Random black guy in the badger den: "Hey man, I like your hair. I like the way it curls."
Melissa Lechner: "Who wouldn't like you?"
Those are just a few. I was on top of the world. And it wasn't anything big that got me there. It was lots of little things. So many people simply chose to smile and say hi to me, and a few even went so far as to give me a compliment. I felt so loved this Valentine's Day. I didn't have a girl, or chocolates, or flowers, or anything like that. I was simply shown that people care about me. I think Valentine's Day should be more focused on things like that. A few people influenced me and I in turn was smiling and saying hello. Who knows? Maybe I had an effect on someone. I really believe small service like this can have a chain reaction.
We can all spread a little love every day with simple acts like smiling and saying hello. We're all children of God, we're all here for the same purpose, and we all have infinite worth. Let's remember that and do what we can to lift up our brothers and sisters. I love you guys!
Anyway, on the evening of February 13th, I thought to myself, "Oh, it's Valentine's Day tomorrow. Woohoo." (With much enthusiasm! Not.) It can be easy to feel lonely on Valentine's Day, even when you're determined to stay single before your mission. I wasn't exactly looking forward to Valentine's Day and doing my best to forget about it.
As I walked down the hall to my room, I noticed a small plate of cookies in front of my door. "Are those for me or my roommate," I asked myself. Then I saw my door. I stopped with a stunned smile on my face. It was covered in hearts, some of which spelled my name, and also one that said, "We love you!" I have no idea who did it, but I began to realize: I may not have a significant other, but I have friends who care about me. My spirits began to lift. It was a good start to Valentine's.
The next day I woke up still feeling uplifted by the anonymous gift. And a fantastic day ensued.
You know those people that you're kind of friends with, but aren't close to? When you see each other around campus, sometimes you say hi and sometimes you don't. It felt like all those people were saying hi to me. I even had some people that I didn't know saying hi to me, even complimenting me. I felt like I was getting smiles and compliments all day long!
Random girl giving out valentines by the bell tower: "Here comes someone with a nice smile!"
Random black guy in the badger den: "Hey man, I like your hair. I like the way it curls."
Melissa Lechner: "Who wouldn't like you?"
Those are just a few. I was on top of the world. And it wasn't anything big that got me there. It was lots of little things. So many people simply chose to smile and say hi to me, and a few even went so far as to give me a compliment. I felt so loved this Valentine's Day. I didn't have a girl, or chocolates, or flowers, or anything like that. I was simply shown that people care about me. I think Valentine's Day should be more focused on things like that. A few people influenced me and I in turn was smiling and saying hello. Who knows? Maybe I had an effect on someone. I really believe small service like this can have a chain reaction.
We can all spread a little love every day with simple acts like smiling and saying hello. We're all children of God, we're all here for the same purpose, and we all have infinite worth. Let's remember that and do what we can to lift up our brothers and sisters. I love you guys!
Thursday, February 9, 2012
The Power of the Atonement
I have the most exciting news I've ever had to give.
I started my mission papers on Monday.
I can't believe my mission is so close! I'm so excited to go serve and share the gospel. These last few weeks have been some of the best of my life. I've read my scriptures every single morning without fail. I've prayed not only every morning and night, but throughout the day. I'm constantly checking myself and making sure I can feel the Spirit. When I encounter a disappointment, a fear, or stress of any kind I immediately turn to my God. And if He doesn't immediately help me, I keep doing my best and try to learn what I can from my experience until I once again hear His voice and feel His presence. He's always trying to teach me and help me grow. I feel the Spirit so often and so strong as I continually try to align my life with God's will. I feel His love more clearly than I've ever felt it before.
I know that the power of the atonement is very real and is very powerful. I went to the temple for the first time in over a year yesterday morning. I'm preparing to receive the Melchizedek Priesthood and am filling out my mission papers. I feel completely clean. When asked if I believe I will reach the Celestial Kingdom I can answer with a resounding, "Yes!" And it's not because of me. It's not because I'm special or better than anyone else. It's because I've allowed Christ's atonement to become a part of my everyday life. I am in tune with the Savior. "I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me" (Phillipians 4:13). Nothing is too hard for Him and nothing is too hard for me when I'm seeking His help. I love my Savior and everything He has done for me! I can't wait to dedicate two years of my life to serving Him and sharing His gospel!
I started my mission papers on Monday.
I can't believe my mission is so close! I'm so excited to go serve and share the gospel. These last few weeks have been some of the best of my life. I've read my scriptures every single morning without fail. I've prayed not only every morning and night, but throughout the day. I'm constantly checking myself and making sure I can feel the Spirit. When I encounter a disappointment, a fear, or stress of any kind I immediately turn to my God. And if He doesn't immediately help me, I keep doing my best and try to learn what I can from my experience until I once again hear His voice and feel His presence. He's always trying to teach me and help me grow. I feel the Spirit so often and so strong as I continually try to align my life with God's will. I feel His love more clearly than I've ever felt it before.
I know that the power of the atonement is very real and is very powerful. I went to the temple for the first time in over a year yesterday morning. I'm preparing to receive the Melchizedek Priesthood and am filling out my mission papers. I feel completely clean. When asked if I believe I will reach the Celestial Kingdom I can answer with a resounding, "Yes!" And it's not because of me. It's not because I'm special or better than anyone else. It's because I've allowed Christ's atonement to become a part of my everyday life. I am in tune with the Savior. "I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me" (Phillipians 4:13). Nothing is too hard for Him and nothing is too hard for me when I'm seeking His help. I love my Savior and everything He has done for me! I can't wait to dedicate two years of my life to serving Him and sharing His gospel!
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