tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-47050215729975845662024-03-12T18:34:02.395-05:00A quote a day keeps depression away.Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00657079862014782474noreply@blogger.comBlogger24125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4705021572997584566.post-46290095976490814292014-03-30T17:54:00.002-05:002014-03-30T17:54:21.939-05:00Be not grieved... for God did send me before you to preserve life. (Genesis 45:5)<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
This last week has been a great one. I have learned a lot about my weaknesses, and my strengths. I have realized that I am only strong when I am humble and meek. And to top it off, today in Sunday School we talked about trials.<br />
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We talked specifically about Joesph in Egypt. And I don't think that I have really ever taken two days to think about his story, and relate it to my life. Thankfully I didn't have brothers that wanted to kill me, or an employer's wife that wanted to commit adultery, and I haven't been unjustly incarcerated (or thrown in prison at all for that matter).<br />
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No, my life has been pretty darn good. I really have no complaints at all. I have a beautiful and wonderful wife. I have a very handsome and healthy son. I have a good job, I'm healthy, and we live in a wonderful area. So you might ask yourself, "Why does the author think that he has a terrible life?"<br />
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Simply because there are times that I am selfish and only look at the negative. Not all the time, but it happens. It's usually when there is a lot of stress, or only a little bit of sleep. Which could both easily be avoided.<br />
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Looking at Joesph's life has helped me realize the following:<br />
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- Even though things were frequently terrible in his life, he still was about doing the Lord's work (Gen 39:9,12; Gen 40:8; Gen 41:16)<br />
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- He never murmured or was doubtful that the Heavens were aware of his situation. (Genesis 39:2-3 says that the LORD was with Joseph... and that the LORD made all that he did to prosper in [Joseph's] hands; See also Gen 39:21-23)<br />
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- There never really was a time that Joseph was lazy, he was constantly working (See previous verses)<br />
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- Joseph never sought for power or glory (Gen 41:33-42 - Some might take it that he was in these verses, but it is a personal belief of mine that he was simply advising Pharaoh what was needed to be done. Fortunately Pharaoh searched for someone "whom the Spirit of God is")<br />
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- 20 years after his brothers sell him to slave traders, Joseph forgives them and helps them realize that what they did was a good thing (Gen 45:7) I'm not going to lie, I don't know how I would have handled all of those things. I don't know how I would have reacted to brothers that constantly hated me, and then they find me 20 YEARS LATER!<br />
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And we know the rest of the story. He saves all that come and partake of the grain and goods.<br />
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This is such a testimony builder for me. This helps me know that Heavenly Father is constantly watching over my life as well.<br />
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I've been reading the book <i>Weakness is Not Sin</i>. And my perspective has been changed. This is what I have learned so far (First Chapter):<br />
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Whenever we start getting discouraged (about something we aren't doing well, or if we are going through something) we choose one of two ways to continue. First we can choose to give in to the depressing advice of Satan (thus leading to a darker path). Or: Second, we can pray to Heavenly Father for an added measure of Grace to get through the trial or difficulty. </h4>
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Think on this next time you get discouraged. Make the conscious effort to choose the higher and happier path. </div>
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One word of advice. When you pray for that extra measure of grace, don't lie in your prayer. If you aren't grateful for the trial you are going through, say so. If you aren't happy with yourself, say so. But after you are done having a "real talk" with Heavenly Father, make sure that you listen. So many times Heavenly Father talks to us through the Holy Ghost, but the whispering is so soft and sweet that we don't hear it. I would recommend having a piece of paper or journal next to you so that when you finally hear His comfort through the Holy Ghost you will always be able to return to that journal entry. </div>
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I have experienced this, I have prayed honestly, and I have received so much comfort. </div>
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You and I can get through anything. We can have the determination to make clear and correct choices. We can get off of a path that is disrupting our relationship with Heavenly Father. We can tell Satan to leave us alone. We can get through all things, through the power of the Atonement and Sacrifice of Jesus Christ. Through those two things we have power to overcome an obstacle or trial, no matter how long or difficult the path is. </div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00657079862014782474noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4705021572997584566.post-8630914769859448322014-02-23T17:30:00.001-06:002014-02-23T17:30:18.830-06:00"...Fathers are to preside... in love and righteousness..." ~ The Family: A Proclamation to the World<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
I'm sitting here next to my beautiful wife and my tiny son, and I was just reflecting on what it is like to be a father. If you are one, you have probably thought about what I have, and you will most likely know what I am talking about. For those that aren't fathers, let me explain. <div>
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When I married my wife I was sure that I knew what love was. I wanted her to be happy, taken care of, and safe. I feel of her love everyday, and I am so grateful to have such a companion in my life. </div>
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But when my son was born, that is when I truly started to know love. This little one cannot express his feelings. He cannot say, "I love you" (yet). He cannot explain why he is crying. He can simply cry. This can be a little frustrating at times, simply because I don't know the answer until after trying the usual things (patting his back to burp him, checking his diaper, helping my wife feed him, or just rocking him to sleep). There have been some times that when my wife and I are trying to calm him down we say, "We/I can't wait until you can talk, then you can tell us exactly what's wrong". </div>
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Being a dad has also helped put my relationship with Heavenly Father into a greater perspective. Since I was small I would always sing a song titled <i>I Am a Child of God</i>. I always <i style="font-weight: bold;">knew</i> that I was a Child of God (literally) but I never really thought about what it was like to be a Father to so many spiritual children. </div>
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There have been times where when my son is crying that I think, "How many times have I just cried and prayed to Heavenly Father for help? And how many times has he come to my aid and helped me get through my trial?"</div>
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When my son is sick. "How many times have I been physically ill and thought I wasn't going to be comfortable again? How many times has Heavenly Father sent someone to give me a Priesthood blessing? Or sent me to the correct doctor for a solution?"</div>
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When my son is happy. "How many times have I been happy and just given thanks to Heavenly Father? For all that He gives me?"</div>
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These are just a few of the lessons that I have learned from being a dad. I know that I am going to learn so much more like:</div>
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<li>Is this what Heavenly Father feels like when His children blame him for something that went wrong?</li>
<li>How can I help my child choose the right? (Notice the <i style="font-weight: bold;">help</i> part. He will never force us to make a decision)</li>
<li>How can I help my son live up to his potential that I see in him?</li>
<li>How can I lead my family in righteousness?</li>
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Along with so many other questions. How many times have we truly reflected on our relationship with our Heavenly Father?</div>
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Now, a word to those who are searching for a relationship or a stronger relationship with Heavenly Father or Almighty God:</div>
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There is nothing wrong with you. So many times when we feel like our relationship with Him is lacking it is because we might not be living the best that we can (please don't stop reading). I mention this only because I know that He is constantly reaching out to us. It is us that (figuratively) put him on hold. What ever your "hold-line" is, you can always pick up the phone and continue the connection again. </div>
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But there are two "voices" that will come when we think about re-connecting. One will be Satan. He will tell you a couple of things, "You don't need him, you've thought through everything already"; "He doesn't want to talk to you"; "You aren't clean enough to talk to him"; "You can talk all you want but He won't be listening". These are all lies!</div>
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The other "voice" will be the Holy Ghost, encouraging you the whole time to continue to pray. He will provide comfort, relief, peace, or any other feeling that you have been lacking in. It is a little different to talk out loud when you might not see someone there, but I know that there have been so many times in my life that I am so grateful I said a prayer. I'm grateful that I was able to communicate my true feelings to my Father. </div>
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I know that we are all Children of God, every single person. I know that He listens and guides us. I also know that no matter how imperfect we are in this life, that if we repent (truly repent) and keep His commandments, we will be able to live with Him once more. How wonderful will it be to get a hug from <b>Our Father</b>? Our Perfect Father. </div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00657079862014782474noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4705021572997584566.post-51189436819271405402014-02-02T21:22:00.000-06:002014-02-02T21:22:02.399-06:00Personal Potentials, Mistakes, and the Only Way to Be Better<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
"Falling is what we mortals do. But as long as we are willing to rise up again and continue on the path toward the spiritual goals God has given us, we can learn something from failure and become better and happier as a result." -- <span style="font-size: x-small;">PRESIDENT DIETER F. UCHTDORF</span><div>
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Yesterday we moved into a new apartment, and with that a new congregation for church. It's always a nervous feeling that you get when you move into a new ward (term for a congregation boundary). You never know if you will fit into the ward, or if you will have to force yourself to fit. </div>
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As I sat in the chapel with the rest of the congregation a thought came to me... "Cleave, are you living up to your full potential? Are you being 100% Christlike every second of your life?" Of course the answer is no. But there isn't any reason to beat myself up about it. No being that was ever on this Earth was perfect, except for one: Jesus Christ.</div>
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Stop and think for a moment. The Son of God came down to Earth to obtain an imperfect body. He went through many trials to be an example for every single person on the Earth. He went around serving and performing miracles, all so that people would be able to recognize Him as the Savior. </div>
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Now I am not saying that it's perfectly fine to be ok with making mistakes, it's just that we shouldn't beat ourselves up over them. How many times do we think that if we spill a bag of popcorn kernels on the floor that it's the end of the world? That we are klutzes and we aren't good for anything?! <b>(Dramatization I know)</b>. My point is there are times where we just make ourselves feel so inadequate. Where we get into a downward spiral over a small problem. At least I do. There was something else that President Uchtdorf said in his talk (<a href="http://www.lds.org/general-conference/2013/10/you-can-do-it-now?lang=eng" target="_blank">"You Can Do It Now", Oct 2013</a>):</div>
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"...our destiny is not determined by the number of times we stumble but by the number of times we rise up, dust ourselves off, and move forward."</div>
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That is so true. I have been thinking about this a lot today. Why do we waste time thinking about how we could have done something better? Doesn't the Lord say that once we are forgiven that it isn't remembered anymore? Do we really have trust in that promise? Do we truly believe Christ and his words: (Paraphrased) That <i style="font-weight: bold; text-decoration: underline;">no matter what</i> if we take the full advantage of the Atonement and do our best to follow the Savior's example, truly repenting when we make mistakes, that we will be able to return with Him and Heavenly Father again?</div>
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Please don't think that you, or anyone else is lost. Everyone has a chance to be able to feel love and confidence from above.</div>
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I am sitting here typing this with my 2.5 month old sleeping on my lap. I think of what he is going to be like in all aspects of life! There are so many things that I want to teach him, and help him with... but then I realize that because of where he is in life, I am going to have to slow down and wait for him to actually be able to say "Daddy" or "Mommy" until I can really start teaching. </div>
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But most of all if I can teach him one thing in his life, it will be that the Atonement of the Savior is the only way of really being truly happy. Because it is, being clean of mistakes and sins is the best thing that has ever happened for all mankind. </div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00657079862014782474noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4705021572997584566.post-21538984004372294272013-10-13T19:22:00.003-05:002013-10-13T19:22:53.925-05:00...that thou mayest more fully keep thyself unspotted from the world...<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
I want to put out a disclaimer for what I am about to write. I do not in any way shape or form want to write and have it taken as an "I am more Holy than thou" post. I have simply been contemplating a lot on what I am about to write about.<br />
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As most of you know my wife and I are expecting our first child and we have talked on and off about certain things that we want to teach our children. One of those is proper Sabbath day worship. We both agree on the same things and I am grateful that I have a wonderful companion in my sweetheart.<br />
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Now again this topic (and post) is very opinionated, and there hasn't been too much said on the subject as to what we can/cannot do on the Sabbath as members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.<br />
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Through modern-day revelation however the Lord has said the following (<a href="http://www.lds.org/scriptures/dc-testament/dc/59.9-10?lang=eng#11" target="_blank">D&C 59:9-10</a>):<br />
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"And that thou mayest more fully keep thyself unspotted from the world, thou shalt go to the house of prayer and offer up thy sacraments upon my holy day;<br /><br /><div>
For verily this is a day appointed unto you to rest from your labors, and to pay thy devotions unto the Most High;"</div>
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Elder L. Tom Perry gave a talk based on this scripture and said the following:</div>
<br />"As we consider the pattern of the Sabbath and the sacrament in our own lives, there appear to be three things the Lord requires of us: first, to keep ourselves unspotted from the world; second, to go to the house of prayer and offer up our sacraments; and third, to rest from our labors."<div>
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Those three things are the most important things to do on the Sabbath let me give my opinion why. </div>
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1. To keep ourselves unspotted from the world. </div>
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I don't know if anyone else feels this way but I don't really regret not watching TV or sports on Sunday. I really don't. I grew up in a home that if we wanted to watch the television on Sunday we would have to watch Inspirational Church Videos or Family Videos. That is what I did every single Sunday if I did do that. There are a lot of crazy shows out today. I am actually pretty happy that we don't have cable in our apartment, that would be such a large distraction and waste of time. </div>
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But not only are the shows getting more and more interesting, the commercials are even worse! How many ads have some type of immodest clothing on it? Can we really choose what comes out of the screen or the speakers when we turn on cable? I think that when it was revealed as "That thou mayest more fully keep thyself unspotted from the world" it was preparing families for a time that the worldly things can easily enter into the home. </div>
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2. To go to the house of prayer and offer up our sacraments. </div>
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Every Sunday members of the church partake of the sacrament to remember the Savior and His sacrifice. We believe that when we partake of the sacrament we renew our covenants that we have made with Him, or promise to keep those covenants more fully. The Savior gave that example at least twice. Once with His <a href="http://www.lds.org/scriptures/nt/matt/26.26-28?lang=eng#" target="_blank">Apostles in Jerusalem</a> (Matthew 26:26-28), and again with his disciples in the <a href="http://www.lds.org/scriptures/bofm/3-ne/18.7-12?lang=eng#6" target="_blank">Ancient Americas</a> (3 Nephi 18:7-12). </div>
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Another good (but definitely not as important) reason for going to church on the Sabbath is for the interaction that we get with other members. Although we are all different, and have had many different experiences in life we can all benefit from reading and teaching the scriptures together. Today was what we call "Fast and Testimony Meeting" where people share their testimonies (or beliefs) of the Gospel. This can help boost the faith of both the person sharing their testimony and those listening.</div>
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Church shouldn't just be another place where people "hang out". There are other activities throughout the week, but on Sunday more than any other day it should be a day of learning and reverence. </div>
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3. To rest from our labors. </div>
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There are many different interpretations of this, and some will disagree with me on this particular part as well. </div>
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I am super busy throughout the week. Honestly there are some days during the week that I see my wife at 7am when we wake up and then at 10pm when we go to bed. My weeks are pretty stressful: working full-time, school part-time, church callings to juggle, and then I have some time for "us time". Now, I'm not complaining (maybe just a little) but I tell you all of this because I know that I am stressed and am trying to do as little that I can sometimes. </div>
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Sunday is truly a day for me to serve in the church and then to go home and rest with my family. Tonight I was able to spend time with my wife and talk with her about how she is feeling. We were able to counsel with each other on a couple of subjects and then we made dinner/dessert together. When I get done with this post we'll spend more time together. It has been a very peaceful afternoon/evening. </div>
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There are somethings that need to be done. If someone is sick and needs medical attention: Go to the Doctor, and get the needed medication. If you have a flat tire and know that it would be detrimental to it to drive it around, at least get the spare on there. Some might say otherwise. I believe that those are important to take care of when it happens. I know that personally I have made a promise with Heavenly Father that I will not do homework on the Sabbath. And each person really needs to remember that how they worship is really between them and Heavenly Father. </div>
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So you might be thinking to yourself right now, "Ok Cleave you're starting to beat a dead horse here" and I don't mean to. I simply know that is so nice to be able to follow the counsel that has been given to us through Prophets and Apostles across the ages. I invite you to take time to think about how you could strengthen your relationship with Heavenly Father by keeping the Sabbath day holy. I know that I have been blessed by doing that.</div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00657079862014782474noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4705021572997584566.post-61386567737889242922013-09-08T21:16:00.002-05:002013-09-08T21:21:28.301-05:00“Whom the Lord calls, the Lord qualifies.” ~ Thomas S. Monson<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
This weekend has been great, I have been carrying a couple questions around with me as we have been going to Stake Conference and I thought I would share some of them with everyone:<br />
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1. How can I be a better husband?<br />
2. How can I be more faithful in my calling?<br />
3. How can I be a better employee?<br />
4. How can I be a better student?<br />
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The biggest counsel that I have received is to have a Christ-centered home. I was able to have multiple examples given from people's personal lives, as well as feeling that I can be better about reading the scriptures, serving my sweet wife, and preparing to be a loving father.<br />
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What does it mean to have a Christ-centered home? Does it mean that it has to be immaculately clean? That hymns are playing on the speakers 100% of the time? That only <i>Mormon Messages</i> are played on the computer? Personally, I don't think so.<br />
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I give that answer because of a meeting that we had this morning. One of the brethren from the stake presidency made a statement that we can still exercise the priesthood righteously even if our house isn't in order. As long as we are trying our best we can still feel the spirit.<br />
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Another quote that I like from President Monson is:<br />
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<b><i>"When the Lord speaks, and a man follows, that man will always be right."</i></b><br />
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That is probably the best counsel I have heard. And it is truly that simple. As long as we are doing our best to be obedient to what Heavenly Father and the Savior want us to do, repenting when necessary, we will be taken care of just fine.<br />
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That is some of the greatest news that we can ever have!</div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00657079862014782474noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4705021572997584566.post-78475829767319333982013-08-04T21:06:00.001-05:002013-08-04T21:06:06.103-05:00In the kingdom of God, greatness begins with humility and submissiveness. - Richard C. Edgley<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
I want to start with a disclaimer, I am in no way stating that I am a humble person, and what I am about to write is not a "look at me I am sooooo righteous" post. Because I'm not.<br />
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I have had a good lesson in humility this week/weekend. I have been praying to be humble and working through things as much as possible, especially when it is not the most comfortable. I have been having an issue of pride in the workplace, and I have been catching myself.<br />
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I think it's interesting how simple it is for Satan to catch us with Pride. I have a theory about why. I think we all know that Satan was prideful before we came to the earth. Hence the decision to rebel against Heavenly Father, a Supreme Being. He thought that he knew better, and wanted to show that. So he proposed a plan that was contrary to Father's plan. I don't think it was because his plan was wrong that he was cast out of Heavenly Father's presence. I think it was because he couldn't stand the idea that he was wrong. So he left, along with all of those that supported him.<br />
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That's why it is so easy for him to tempt us. All sin starts with pride. He is an expert in tossing in enough gasoline on the fire (even if it is a little bit at a time). Sooner or later he is going to toss a full 18-wheeler gas tanker on the fire.<br />
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When we give into those feelings of pride, and allow that fire to continuously burn, we are truly the only ones that end up getting majorly burnt. You know how there are different fire extinguishers for different situations?<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-9lQ6kCxeFVk/Uf8CpWMVzsI/AAAAAAAABj0/n2FwBZhDjr0/s1600/firetypes.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="187" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-9lQ6kCxeFVk/Uf8CpWMVzsI/AAAAAAAABj0/n2FwBZhDjr0/s320/firetypes.gif" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://lakeworthtx.org/" target="_blank">Lake Worth Texas Fire Department</a> </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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In his <a href="http://www.lds.org/general-conference/2003/10/the-empowerment-of-humility?lang=eng#watch=video" target="_blank">October 2003 talk</a> then Bishop Edgley gives council on how to fight pride. I'm going to refer to them as the spiritual "pride" extinguishers.<br />
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The first extinguisher is humility. Bishop Edgley said:<br />
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<i>Many of us live or work in an environment where humility is often misunderstood and considered a weakness. Not many corporations or institutions include humility as a value statement or a desired characteristic of their management. Yet as we learn about the workings of God, the power of a humble and submissive spirit becomes apparent. In the kingdom of God, greatness begins with humility and submissiveness. <u><b>These companion virtues are the first critical steps to opening the doors to the blessings of God and the power of the priesthood. It matters not who we are or how lofty our credentials appear. Humility and submissiveness to the Lord, coupled with a grateful heart, are our strength and our hope.</b></u></i><div>
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I know that it is really hard to keep our pride in check, and to maintain a good balance of respecting ourselves and recognizing our strengths and weaknesses. This could be where the submissiveness kicks in. When we are humble we aren't beating ourselves up over what is wrong, we are accepting our weaknesses, and working with Heavenly Father so that we can be better. We are accepting His will to teach us how to become strong with those weak links in our spiritual armor. I also think a big part of humility is to accept everyone else with their mistakes as well. Wether you are on a team, or a companionship, or a marriage. We all make mistakes, and that is OK. </div>
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Ok, now time for extinguisher number two: Gratitude. Again, Bishop Edgley says:</div>
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<i><u>And second, <b>in spite of the difficulties and trials of life, [faithful members] are able to maintain a sense of gratitude for God’s blessings and life’s goodness</b>. Humility and gratitude are truly the twin characteristics of happiness.</u></i><div>
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Before you read any further, take a couple of seconds to list at least 10 things that you are grateful for. Let me help you do that before you read any further. </div>
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10. (Insert a thing you are grateful for here. No seriously. Do it.)</div>
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9. (Insert a thing you are grateful for here.)</div>
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8. (Insert a thing you are grateful for here.)</div>
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7. (Insert a thing you are grateful for here.)</div>
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6. (Insert a thing you are grateful for here.)</div>
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5. (Insert a thing you are grateful for here.)</div>
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4. (Insert a thing you are grateful for here.)</div>
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3. (Insert a thing you are grateful for here.)</div>
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2. (Insert a thing you are grateful for here.)</div>
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1. Last one! (Insert a thing you are grateful for here.)</div>
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Ok so now that you have done that, did you think at all about something negative? I am very grateful for a wonderful wife that goes through that exercise with me when she realizes that I am not feeling very well. I think that is also something that I need to work on. Just thought of the phrase, "When the going gets tough, the tough get going." To me there should also be one that says, "When the going gets tough, the tough get grateful". </div>
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Honestly, taking a moment to think about what is truly important in life helps my life so much. Just now I am thinking about how peaceful my life really is. What happens at work, home, school, church, etc. one day should not define how I feel about it the next day. </div>
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Submitting our will to Heavenly Father's doesn't mean that we walk around and say, "I am so grateful for this terrible experience that I am going through." The Savior, when suffering in the garden of Gethsemane didn't say, "I thank thee for this experience." He said, <i>"if thou be willing, remove this cup from me: nevertheless not my will, but thine, be done." </i>We likewise can tell Father how we are truly feeling, but the key is to be humble. Then it will be easy to recognize and submit ourselves to Heavenly Father's will. Then when we are able to see with His eyes, we will be grateful for what he is trying to teach us. </div>
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So before you step outside, I invite you to examine your spiritual pride extinguishers. If needed make sure that you use them throughout the day. They never run out as long as you work on filling them up and maintain their pressure. </div>
</div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00657079862014782474noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4705021572997584566.post-46172055374903848672013-07-21T22:26:00.004-05:002013-07-21T22:26:40.485-05:00You may be what you will to be....<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
Today we had a high councilman come to our sacrament meeting, and at first I was taking care of some administration of the young men on my tablet, when I really got a feeling that I needed to pay more attention to what he was saying. He was talking about covenants, and covered it in a really interesting way.<br />
<br />
Instead of giving examples from the scriptures about covenants (which are important, I know) he gave examples of covenants through his life, and through the lives that he has seen first hand. He talked about the covenants we make as members of the church and as members that have callings, and also about covenants we make when we are sealed in the temple for time and all eternity.<br />
<br />
With that said let me give you some background. I have recently been feeling that I haven't been doing well at my calling at all. The summer has been a very laid back one as far as working with the Young Men has gone. The Sunday lessons that I have given don't feel like they have been full of the spirit, and the Young Men are already very sparse (just because of the demographics of the membership). Summer vacations have brought a lot of travelling for everyone else, and I just don't feel like anything is really being accomplished. There have been a couple of times where I hear a little voice in my head saying, "You must be doing something wrong. You just can't do it."<br />
<br />
But today, I was able to finally feel like I was doing something right.<br />
<br />
The speaker talked about callings, and I very much needed it. One of the biggest things that I got out of this part of the talk was this:<br />
<br />
<i>"Our fulfillment of callings isn't measured as the world measures it"</i><br />
<i><br /></i>
I have heard this multiple times in my life, but it really hit home today. Our service in the church is all about converting ourselves and then being able to help others. When I am in my funk, I am prideful and I am not focusing on the most important things. I am focusing on the tangible, not on helping the young men become spiritually aware of who they are, and the wonderful Priesthood that they bear.<br />
<br />
Our fulfillment of our callings is based on the diligence and determination that we have to do our best. That is truly what Heavenly Father wants us to do. He asks that we try to be perfect, yes. HOWEVER, He knows that we will falter and make mistakes (see last week's post).<br />
<br />
After talking on this for a while the speaker quoted <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/James_Allen_(author)" target="_blank">James Allen</a>. And this quote opened my mind, and allowed me to humble myself.<br />
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<i>"Of all the beautiful truth pertaining to the soul, none is more gladdening or fruitful of divine promise and confidence than this - that you and I are the master of thought, the molder of character, and the make and shaper of condition, environment and destiny. As a being of power, intelligence, and love, and the lord of our own thought, we hold the key to every situation, and have within ourselves the means of transforming ourselves into what we will."</i><br />
<i><br /></i>
What a beautiful thought. Too often am I quick to put myself down, and allow myself to wallow in my misery. Instead of being able to learn and move on. Our Heavenly Father has given us the minds that we have to choose what we will do. He has given us Agency to be active in how we will react to things that happen around us.<br />
<br />
One more story and I will wrap-up.<br />
<br />
On my mission (served in Guatemala) I had a wonderful mission president, and he helped me learn a crucial lesson for my life.<br />
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I was driving in the mission's ford ranger, and I added a fairly large bump on it (although it already had plenty marks of love on it). I felt particularly bad about this one and I asked to speak with him about it. He looked at me after I described what happened, and we had the following conversation (translated to English):<br />
<br />
<i>"So Elder, you ran the car into something?"</i><br />
<i><br /></i>
<i>"Yes Presidente"</i><br />
<i><br /></i>
<i>"Are you hurt?"</i><br />
<i><br /></i>
<i>"No Presidente."</i><br />
<i><br /></i>
<i>"Is anyone else hurt?"</i><br />
<i><br /></i>
<i>"No Presidente."</i><br />
<i><br /></i>
<i>"Then Elder Treanor, move on. Everything is ok. Thanks for letting me know."</i><br />
<br />
I was stunned. Here I was someone who had damaged part of the mission's vehicle and I was told just to move on and that everything was ok. I guess he saw how stunned I was because he continued:<br />
<br />
<i>"Elder, I say that everything is ok because although the car is important, it isn't as important as you or anyone else. For example, if my family was in a car accident, what would I be worried about? The van, or my family? Don't worry about the small things that don't matter, worry about what really matters and you will be much happier for the rest of your life."</i><br />
<br />
That was and is sound advice for everyone. We need to worry about what matters, what TRULY matters. If a problem is something that you can control, take it the bull by the horns and work on it until you get it in line. If the problem is something you can't control, make a decision to have patience and be calm until the situation is over. And this is something that I am still working on improving. I don't think a day will go by that I have to make a conscious decision to act on that council.<br />
<br />
To close, I have been working on quoting a poem from James Allen every time that I get down on myself. It is a very common poem to the David and Tracy Treanor family, and I think my Dad quotes it at least once a month. I never understood what it meant. But I think I am finally catching on. I think it is one of those poems that you have to read when you are ready for it. Otherwise it is just a cool saying.<br />
<br />
<div style="background-color: white; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="color: #333333; font-size: x-small;"><span class="body_bold" style="font-family: 'trebuchet ms', Arial, Helvetica, Geneva; font-weight: bold;">Will</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #333333; font-size: x-small;"><span class="body_bold" style="font-family: 'trebuchet ms', Arial, Helvetica, Geneva; font-weight: bold;">by James Allen</span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #333333; font-family: 'trebuchet ms', Arial, Helvetica, Geneva; font-size: x-small; font-weight: bold;">(from the book, "As A Man Thinketh")</span></div>
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<span style="color: #333333; font-family: 'trebuchet ms', Arial, Helvetica, Geneva; font-weight: bold;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><br /></span></span></div>
<span style="color: #333333; font-size: x-small;"><div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: 'trebuchet ms', Arial, Helvetica, Geneva; font-weight: bold;">You will be, what you "will" to be.</span></div>
<span class="body_bold" style="font-family: 'trebuchet ms', Arial, Helvetica, Geneva; font-weight: bold;"><div style="text-align: center;">
Let failure find its false content,</div>
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In that poor word "environment,"</div>
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But spirit scorns it and is free.</div>
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</span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #333333; font-family: 'trebuchet ms', Arial, Helvetica, Geneva; font-weight: bold;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">It conquers time, it masters space,</span></span></div>
<span style="color: #333333; font-size: x-small;"><div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: 'trebuchet ms', Arial, Helvetica, Geneva; font-weight: bold;">It cowls that boastful trickster "chance"</span></div>
<span class="body_bold" style="font-family: 'trebuchet ms', Arial, Helvetica, Geneva; font-weight: bold;"><div style="text-align: center;">
And bids the tyrant "circumstance"</div>
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Uncrowned, to take a servant's place.</div>
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</span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #333333; font-family: 'trebuchet ms', Arial, Helvetica, Geneva; font-weight: bold;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">The human will, that force unseen,</span></span></div>
<span style="color: #333333; font-size: x-small;"><div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: 'trebuchet ms', Arial, Helvetica, Geneva; font-weight: bold;">The offspring of a deathless soul,</span></div>
<span class="body_bold" style="font-family: 'trebuchet ms', Arial, Helvetica, Geneva; font-weight: bold;"><div style="text-align: center;">
Can work away at any goal,</div>
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Though walls of granite intervene.</div>
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<br /></div>
</span></span><br />
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</div>
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<span style="color: #333333; font-family: 'trebuchet ms', Arial, Helvetica, Geneva; font-weight: bold;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Be not impatient and delay,</span></span></div>
<span style="color: #333333; font-size: x-small;"><div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: 'trebuchet ms', Arial, Helvetica, Geneva; font-weight: bold;">But wait, as one who understands.</span></div>
<span class="body_bold" style="font-family: 'trebuchet ms', Arial, Helvetica, Geneva; font-weight: bold;"><div style="text-align: center;">
When spirit rises and commands,</div>
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The gods are ready to obey.</div>
</span></span></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00657079862014782474noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4705021572997584566.post-41545469199807508002013-07-14T13:59:00.005-05:002013-07-14T14:07:29.459-05:00Deception vs. Being Valiant<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
Today at church there was a really good lesson about deception (which takes our faith away) and being valiant in the church. There were a couple things that I got from it, and I thought I would share.<br />
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To be clear, the lesson started off by talking about who deceives and why. Of course it is because Satan wants us to be like him, at least by being miserable. I mean, think about it. Heavenly Father is perfect, therefore: His plan is perfect too! But because Satan didn't want to follow it (he used his agency) the consequence was that he could not come to earth to receive a body. That would be pretty miserable. (Not sympathizing, just being logical.)<br />
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So what does Satan make his personal goal? To make everyone else miserable as well. Because that is what really prideful, selfish, and demanding people do. So where does it all start when people sin? Yep, you got it: Pride.<br />
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Pride is dangerous and unstable. But it is something that we all have to work on bridling and guarding ourselves against. When I think of a good example of pride, I think of (wait for it....) Anakin Skywalker. I mean there he is, found in the middle of a barren planet, and is taken in and trained by some of the best Jedi Knights in the Galaxy. However as he gets older he starts to get a little power hungry. To the point that he joins the dark side, and doesn't come to his senses about his choice until he is honestly about to die. But I digress (I have always wanted to say that).<br />
<br />
This is what I found (and makes sense to me) about what happens to us if we let pride in the way.<br />
<br />
1. We let pride poison our heart/mind.<br />
2. We refuse to recognize the prophet (or other leaders/parents) as the source of revelation for the church/home.<br />
3. We become critical of leaders imperfections<br />
4. We take offense<br />
5. We rationalize disobedience<br />
6. We accept false teachings of the world to be true.<br />
<br />
The interesting thing about it, is that these above six don't have to be things like, "Oh my goodness, Tom murdered someone!" or "Can you believe so-and-so wasn't faithful?!" I hope I'm getting my point across, it doesn't have to be a huge thing to have one of the six above items happen to you. Some people have been upset over their name spelling in the mission calls, some over milk and cream.<br />
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This is when we have to remember that for ourselves, and every other person that we interact with is (drumroll please!) IMPERFECT!<br />
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In the April 2013 General Conference, Jeffery Holland (member of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles gave this wonderful talk titled <i><a href="http://www.lds.org/general-conference/2013/04/lord-i-believe?lang=eng" target="_blank">Lord I Believe</a></i>.) I will only quote a part of it for this blog, and I expect to quote more of it as time goes on.<br />
<br />
<i>So be kind regarding human frailty—your own as well as that of those who serve with you in a Church led by volunteer, mortal men and women. Except in the case of His only perfect Begotten Son, imperfect people are all God has ever had to work with. That must be terribly frustrating to Him, but He deals with it. So should we. And when you see imperfection, remember that the limitation is not in the divinity of the work. As one gifted writer has suggested, when the infinite fulness is poured forth, it is not the oil’s fault if there is some loss because finite vessels can’t quite contain it all. Those finite vessels include you and me, so be patient and kind and forgiving.</i>
Isn't that the truth?<br />
<br />
So since we've talked about what we should do if we want to be deceived, let me make a list for things that we <u style="font-weight: bold;">should</u> do to not be deceived.<br />
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<div>
1. Humble yourself (or be humbled) - (<a href="http://www.lds.org/scriptures/bofm/ether/12.27?lang=eng#26" target="_blank">Ether 12:27</a>) Notice that it says "I will show unto them their weakNESS" not "weakNESSES". </div>
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<br /></div>
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2. Know who the Lord has called to lead the church. - Quick Spanish lesson. There are two types of "know" verbs in Spanish. Saber, which is to have knowledge of; and conocer, which is to personally know and be familiar with (usually used with "knowing" a person). I would submit that if we "knew" the leaders of our ward in both of these senses it would be easier to follow them, and accept that they make mistakes just like us. </div>
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3. Study the scriptures and the doctrine. </div>
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4. Recognize that the things of God ALWAYS edify and/or inspire. </div>
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5. Apply the Lord's pattern for protection from deception. (Steps 1-4 all over again). </div>
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I really enjoyed Sunday school today, and was really grateful for the lesson! (If you couldn't tell.)</div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00657079862014782474noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4705021572997584566.post-83790724639732876722013-04-21T18:07:00.001-05:002013-04-21T18:07:23.914-05:00Phew!<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
This has been an interesting and good week. Becca and I decided that we would study <a href="https://www.lds.org/manual/preach-my-gospel-a-guide-to-missionary-service?lang=eng" target="_blank">Preach My Gospel</a> (PMG) <a href="https://www.lds.org/manual/preach-my-gospel-a-guide-to-missionary-service/how-do-i-develop-christlike-attributes?lang=eng" target="_blank">Chapter 6</a> this week.<br />
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This chapter as you all know is probably the most dangerous chapter to read. Not because of what is written down, but the effect that it has on you to pray about wanting to develop some sort of attribute of Jesus Christ. Whenever I visit my parents, and I go to get a drink from the fridge, mom has a magnet right at eye level.<br />
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Ag_m40R4iNY/UXRotiQZVYI/AAAAAAAABcM/CaTqS7LNbro/s1600/rain.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Ag_m40R4iNY/UXRotiQZVYI/AAAAAAAABcM/CaTqS7LNbro/s200/rain.jpg" width="142" /></a></div>
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And that is what happened. Haha! Work was tough, and we would both get home a little more stressed than usual. We would study PMG again, or listen/watch a conference talk, and then we would feel better. I want to clarify, it is good to pray for Christ-like attributes. And it helps people grow. Just be careful when you do it. You have been warned. </div>
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So now that I have said that, onto better things. </div>
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Life is going wonderfully! I am so incredibly blessed to have such a wonderful companion. I learn every day from her, and I am grateful that we spend the majority of our time together. </div>
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<a href="https://www.lds.org/general-conference/sessions/2013/04?lang=eng" target="_blank">General Conference</a> was great! I have been trying to revisit the talks as much as I can, to help with remembering principles that have been taught. From what I remember, there was a lot of talks based on obedience, using agency and accepting yourself for who you are. I wonder what is ahead of us in the world in the next six months. </div>
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I want to share one with everyone that I talked about today in church. It was in the Priesthood Session by <a href="https://www.lds.org/general-conference/2013/04/four-titles?lang=eng" target="_blank">President Ucthdorf</a>. I don't know what exactly it is about the way that he speaks, but for some reason I really connect with him. </div>
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He talks about four titles that all men in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints have in common. Son of Heavenly Father, Disciple of Jesus Christ, Healer of Souls, and Heir of Eternal Life. </div>
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Even though all of the titles are important, I want to talk about the first one.</div>
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<b><i><br /></i></b></div>
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<b><i>Son of Heavenly Father</i></b></div>
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Now, I am going to extend this to the Daughters of Heavenly Father as well. </div>
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I truly believe that we came from Heaven, and we lived with Heavenly Father. I believe that he knows us personally, and that he misses us. He has given each of us so many blessings in our lives and He wishes that everything could go smoothly in them. </div>
<br />However He also knows that we need to grow. So he has given us earthly bodies to keep our spiritual bodies safe. We are more than just some accident that came together by chance. We are Princes, and Princesses of a King. <br /><br />Satan will try to keep us from thinking that way. He will do everything that he can to confuse, distract, upset, and divert us from remembering who we are and the things that we can achieve. <br /><br />It's like the story of King Louis XVI. This is a description of the young king by Elaine S. Dalton of the previous Young Women's General Presidency of the church:<br /><br /><i>As a young man, he was kidnapped by evil men who had dethroned his father, the king. These men knew that if they could destroy him morally, he would not be heir to the throne. For six months they subjected him to every vile thing life had to offer, and yet he never yielded under pressure. This puzzled his captors, and after doing everything they could think of, they asked him why he had such great moral strength. His reply was simple. He said, “I cannot do what you ask, for I was born to be a king.”</i><br /><br />If we could all have that power, Satan would not be able to overcome us. Let's remember that we are all children of our Heavenly Father. Don't give up! Keep on going! <br /><br />Here is President Ucthdorf's talk from the last conference:<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00657079862014782474noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4705021572997584566.post-43758178569663462392013-02-19T07:18:00.001-06:002013-02-19T07:18:25.931-06:00The Old Man is Snoring.....<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
So.... I think it goes without really saying, but I snore. Which actually isn't all that uncommon for males. But I hate it. I hate it because my wonderful wife suffers from it. I sleep <i style="text-decoration: underline;">perfectly fine</i> which I feel terrible for.<br />
<br />
So yesterday I wake up and I want to get the problem solved! I want to be the best husband ever and make one of the ideas work. Here are a couple that I read about:<br />
<br />
Tip 1. Sleep on your side. - I already do. My issue is that I don't <u><i>stay</i></u> on my side. I have tried using a pillow in front and behind me to keep me from rolling over.<br />
<br />
Tip 2. Get a humidifier - It is already kind of humid in the room, and I really don't want to spend fifty bucks on something like that. Though I did see a really cool elephant one in the store the other day. Though I am pretty sure of the look I would get if I came home with one of those...<br />
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Tip 3. Go get a sleep test - which probably would help, but I don't think it's apnea because there isn't any wheezing or choking, it's more of just heavy breath when it's not snoring.<br />
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Tip 4. Sew a tennis ball to the back of a shirt - which I tried and I'll explain below (whole point of the post).<br />
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Tip 5. Do throat exercises (or sing) for 30 minutes a day - This is to help fight against your throat narrowing, but I've realized I don't really work in an environment where this is appropriate.<br />
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Tip 6. Sleep strips - They work, I think? They also help get rid of any blackheads that might be on your nose as well, mainly because it rips a couple of layers off your nose when you take it off.<br />
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Tip 7. White noise machines - Work for me, but not for her. Which is the whole point of trying to take care of the snoring problem.<br />
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Tips 7,8, & 9 - LOSE WEIGHT - Which if anyone really knows me, is sort of a battle. But I am trying to fight it as best as possible.<br />
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After reading all of those, I thought to myself, "Self, what can you do today that would stop your snoring?" To which I decided to sew a tennis ball to the back of my shirt.<br />
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I got one of my old church shirts, and went to work last night. Before we went to bed I put on the shirt, and it was uncomfortable to wear walking around (I was trying to get used to it as much as possible). And like the loving Quasimodo, I the loving tennis-back of Dallas Texas, was so happy that I could help my wife. I even wrote in my journal about it. We prayed and then I was off to sleep.<br />
<br />
Last night was probably the worst nights sleep that I have ever had. When I would roll over onto my back, BOOM! I was up again... So finally somehow I had managed to fall asleep when to my surprise, I would roll over. Again. And this process repeated throughout the night. But did I take the shirt off? No! I was going to be the wonderful husband, who helped his wife stay asleep throughout the night because he didn't snore.<br />
<br />
Riiiiight.<br />
<br />
Turns out because of the blasted tennis ball, I was tossing and turning all night. And even though we had the white noise app on, my wife could still hear everything (it's the thought that counts right?).<br />
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So. I am enlisting the help of anyone this reaches. Husbands be prepared because you are about to be put on blast:<br />
<br />
I am trying to find the best remedy to snoring. I don't want the "suggested" ideas, because I believe the people that write those have never used them. If they did, they are probably chuckling every time they wake up. Thinking to themselves, "I wonder what sucker had to go through tip 2, or 5".<br />
<br />
I want the tested and tried. I will do everything. Except for putting something like peanut butter on my feet. That would just be gross. But seriously, I will do anything as long as it comes from a credible source of it's success. </div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00657079862014782474noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4705021572997584566.post-63547427465283550082012-12-01T11:54:00.000-06:002012-12-01T11:54:21.654-06:00Keep moving forward<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div>
I want to tell a fun little story, and it starts in May of this year. Or does it?</div>
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I was sitting behind my friend Derek who was sitting next to a cute girl. </div>
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<i>President Taylor introduced her to the branch last month? I think her name is Rebecca? I should try to talk with her today. </i></div>
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I decided to pull the whole, "<i>strike-up-a-conversation-with-your-bud-to-really-talk-to-the-girl-next-to-him</i>" thing. And it was an epic fail. As I was talking with Derek I remember saying to her, "I don't think I've introduced myself, my name is Cleave" <i>Smooth right?</i></div>
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Nope. She just looked at me and said, "Hey." </div>
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I felt like the last guy to jump out of a diving plane on fire, only to realize that everyone else had taken all of the parachutes. </div>
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<i>"Ok,"</i> I thought, <i>"She definitely does not want to talk to you."</i></div>
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I'm not one to try to sell something to someone that isn't interested, so I just said something to the effect of, "nice to meet you" and I went on. </div>
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Fast forward to mid July. I was directing the music at church for the main meeting in the chapel, and there she was again. And she was looking at me while doing so. Something seemed different, but I tried talking myself out of it. </div>
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<i><u>Everyone</u> is looking at you dude, you're directing the music. Don't be dumb, she's not interested. </i></div>
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As the meeting went on, something said, "<i style="font-weight: bold;">Ask her on a date.</i>" </div>
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<i>What?! You remember how she shot me down before. </i></div>
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<i><br /></i></div>
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<i><b>Ask her on a date. </b></i></div>
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<i><b><br /></b></i></div>
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<i>Why? </i></div>
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<i><br /></i></div>
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(Silence)</div>
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<i><b><br /></b></i></div>
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<i>Fine, I'll think about it. If I run into her, I'll talk to her and see how things go. </i></div>
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<i><br /></i></div>
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And that was that. I was thinking about it through the meeting, and I couldn't shake the feeling/voice that I kept on hearing. </div>
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The meeting ended, and I had to go set up a class while everyone else remained for the opening exercises of the next meeting. I was almost done with setting everything up, and it came back.</div>
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<b><i>Go talk with her, and ask her on a date. </i></b></div>
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This time it was my turn to be silent and really listen, to make sure that it wasn't just <u>my</u> feelings. </div>
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<b><i>Ask her on a date. </i></b></div>
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So I went back to where everyone else was, afraid that I had missed her (earlier in the year I noticed that she would leave early from this meeting). But there she was sitting in the middle section of the chapel. As everyone was starting to leave, I started talking to a couple from the branch and she walked by me. I stopped quickly talking with them, and asked her for a moment of her time. Said goodbye to the couple, and then started talking with her. </div>
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"Are you busy this week?"</div>
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"Um, not particularly" </div>
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"I'd like to take you on a date this Friday." </div>
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<i><br /></i></div>
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<i>Please be available!</i></div>
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"What date is that?" </div>
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<i>Think quick, what is it?</i></div>
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"The twentieth."</div>
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(Silence)</div>
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"Yeah. That should work."</div>
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I then took her on a date to dinner, the Dallas Arts Museum and Italian Ice Cream afterwards. It was a lot of fun, and I learned that she prefers Becca, likes circle doorways, and is a purist with her chocolate. </div>
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From there we went on other dates, one where we went to the Temple and did separate work there. As we were driving back home she asked me an interesting question. </div>
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"Do you remember our first date?" </div>
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To which I quickly responded, "Yep, we went to the Museum a couple of weeks ago."</div>
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I could see something wasn't right. </div>
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<i><br /></i></div>
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<i>Uh oh, that wasn't it.</i> </div>
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She then described a date that we went on six years earlier, to which I had to admit that I did not have any recollection of it. I felt terrible, but so grateful that she had given me a second chance. A second chance to get to know me and who I am now. </div>
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We went on more dates, and spent even more time together. I told her that I loved her, and she said that she loved me as well. I proposed on September 20, 2012 and have been happy that I did. </div>
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The rest is history. We have spent the past couple of months getting ready for our Wedding this December. I have been realizing that I am so blessed with her in my life. We have two weeks to go until the big day, and then we have forever to spend with each other. </div>
</div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00657079862014782474noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4705021572997584566.post-40821052751249718782012-04-03T07:22:00.000-05:002013-07-21T22:33:44.861-05:00Things that matter most...<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<i> In family relationships love is really spelled t-i-m-e, time. Taking time for each other is the key for harmony at home. We talk with, rather than about, each other. We learn from each other, and we appreciate our differences as well as our commonalities</i>. - Dieter F. Uchtdorf ("<a href="http://www.lds.org/general-conference/2010/10/of-things-that-matter-most?lang=eng&query=love+time">Of Things That Matter Most</a>" October 2010)<br />
<br />
I have seen this concept exercised this weekend. What we thought was going to be a very peaceful and calm weekend (and week), has blown up in our faces as a family. Haha! My Grandma had to go to the hospital on Sunday (everything is fine now) for a Tachycardia. That is where the Heart is on overdrive. She had been up all night Saturday, and Sunday morning tracking her pulse, getting ready to go to a Carenow. Mom took her to the Hospital first thing Sunday morning. Dad is there right now, after trading spots with Mom yesterday.<br />
<br />
They have missed out on a lot of sleep (those Hospital pull-out beds only get so comfortable), but they would rather miss out on sleep than leave my Grandma alone.<br />
<br />
So, when I saw Mom yesterday her plan was that after dinner she was just going to bed, due to the fact that she just started a really early morning shift at her part-time job. I left after dinner for my Home Evening Group, thinking that everything was going to be A-OK.<br />
<br />
While I was at Home Evening, I was able to talk with a leader about relationships. I feel really good with what he told me and I realized even more so the Statement made by President Uchtdorf <a href="http://www.lds.org/church/leader/dieter-f-uchtdorf?lang=eng">(click here for a bio)</a> is very true.<br />
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I didn't get home until about 11PM (We were watching the NCAA Champion game, for all you UK fans out there congrats!), and I realized that the light in my mom's room was on. I knocked on the door asking if everything was ok, and both her and my little sister asked that I not come in.<br />
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Turns out my mom had been up all night with my sister working on a problem that she has. (Again, everything is fine :0) Just a small bump in the road). And my Mom was up until 2AM with my sister. That is love. Giving up everything that you have to help another that you "love".<br />
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I think this is partly why I am the way I am. I have seen my parents give selflessly of their time for one another, and for us as their children. I am so grateful of the examples that they have set forth for us. I think it's just been second nature to me that when I develop a friendship or a relationship, I want to spend time with that person as much as I can.<br />
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Now, on the flip side, I do know that there is a healthy separation between friends, and relationships. I saw a freaky commercial for a movie about a crazy roommate that did everything she could to be around her roommate. I DON'T want to sound like that. I know that it takes time and effort to build wonderful relationships, but I think it needs to be mutual on both sides in order for it to truly bloom.<br />
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So. Moral of the story, if you love somebody, or have strong feelings for them: let them know. Thomas S. Monson <a href="http://www.lds.org/church/leader/thomas-s-monson?lang=eng">(click here for a bio)</a> said, <i>"Often we assume that they must know how much we love them, but we should never assume. We should let them know."</i><i> </i>(Video below).<br />
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<iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.youtube.com/embed/KYhDhiojBPA?feature=player_embedded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div>
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I am grateful for the love which I have felt in my life from my dear ones. Both in family relationships and in friendships, and in relationships. Do not forget to cherish those that are near to you. </div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00657079862014782474noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4705021572997584566.post-12950038075500844112012-03-15T07:25:00.002-05:002012-03-15T07:41:58.311-05:00Time<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<i><b><u><span class="body" style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-image: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; text-align: -webkit-auto;">I must govern the clock, not be governed by it.</span><span style="font-size: 16px; text-align: -webkit-auto;"> - Golda Meir</span></u></b></i><br />
<span style="font-size: 16px; text-align: -webkit-auto;"><br /></span><br />
<div style="text-align: left;">
Let me set the stage for the video you're about to see. In a 1950s (ish) setting there is a Mechanic named Walter (Tim Robbins). One day a car pulls in to be serviced driven by a couple that is engaged to be married. But Walter falls in love with Catherine, the engaged (played by Meg Ryan). She forgets her watch at the mechanic shop, and he (having taken her address to call a cab) takes it to her home. Only to find that Albert Einstein (Walter Matthau) is her uncle. The following ensues while he waits:<br />
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<iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.youtube.com/embed/U3qhoY13AkM?feature=player_embedded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div>
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Happiness comes from mastering what we can do with our time. Not just how we endure it, nor is it about escaping the time we are provided with. Pardon the advertisement after the video. But it was too good to pass up. I think this expresses something really important. It is a personal belief of mine that time is way too important to mess things up, or not spend it wisely. While we are here on this Earth, growing and learning should be are constant and daily goal. We should enjoy all the things that happen to us, yes even the bad things, and look for the best in everything. </div>
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I was reading a talk recently about this specific subject:</div>
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"Time is never for sale; time is a commodity that cannot, try as you may, be bought at any store for any price. Yet when time is wisely used, its value is immeasurable. On any given day we are all allocated, without cost, the same number of minutes and hours to use, and we soon learn, as the familiar hymn so carefully teaches, “Time flies on wings of lightning; we cannot call it back”<span style="font-size: xx-small;"> (“Improve the Shining Moments,” Hymns, no. 226)</span>. What time we have we must use wisely. President Brigham Young said, “We are all indebted to God for the ability to use time to advantage, and he will require of us a strict account of [its] disposition” <span style="font-size: xx-small;">(Teachings of Presidents of the Church: Brigham Young [1997], 286)</span>." -- Elder Ian S. Ardern <span style="font-size: x-small;"><a href="http://www.lds.org/general-conference/2011/10/a-time-to-prepare?lang=eng">"A Time to Prepare" (October 2011 General Conference)</a></span></div>
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It is so important that we think about how we spend our time. </div>
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Joshua 24:15 defines (in a broad sense) how we should spend our days: </div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b><i>"And if it seem evil unto you to serve the Lord, choose you this day whom ye will serve; whether the gods which your fathers served that were on the other side of the flood, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land ye dwell:<u> but as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord.</u>"</i></b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">This to me defines part of why I came to earth almost 23 years ago. I came to this Earth to gain 1. A Body and 2. Experiences to help me grow Faith in the Lord and the <a href="http://mormon.org/plan-of-happiness/">Plan of Happiness</a> that He and Our Father created before we came here.</span> Life is more than just existing. It is growing, and because we are only natural, getting up after we fall down. </div>
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To quote the hymn, just like Elder Ardern, "Time flies on wings of lightning; we cannot call it back" (“Improve the Shining Moments,” Hymns, no. 226). </div>
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</div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00657079862014782474noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4705021572997584566.post-3528060216238343702012-02-27T07:33:00.003-06:002012-02-27T07:48:54.575-06:00Good People<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
"I know in my heart that man is good, that what is right will always eventually triumph, and there is purpose and worth to each and every life." ~ Ronald Reagan<br />
<br />
This is a great quote, I think as humans we are really hard on others, but mainly ourselves.<br />
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Sure life can be tough, and we make mistakes. I think there isn't one day that I haven't made at least one mistake. But that is why I am grateful for the Atonement of Jesus Christ. As I learn how to live life, and how to follow Him and Our Father, I am so grateful that even when I make mistakes there is a way for me to repent and be clean of all the past mistakes I have made.<br />
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My life has never really been hard. Honestly. Things have always fallen in place for me, even when I think they are going completely wrong. Lately I have had a huge change in how I look at life, and others. I have seen the quote above. I have seen how all people, are good people. And that "what is right will always eventually triumph".<br />
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Yesterday I was driving home from church when something amazing happened. I was listening to an old familiar song from a Seminary CD (something they give us when we are teenagers). I looked up at the sky and it was turning from bluish colors, to cream, to orange, and finally to red. It was probably the best feeling of peace that I have had in a long time. It was almost like He was saying, "You're doing the right thing. You're getting to where I need you to be at this moment."<br />
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I turned off the music and drove in silence to my house. I wanted more than anything to keep that feeling. There aren't many other words that can describe that feeling.<br />
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I invite you to drive without music one day. By yourself. Just go down the street, and travel from Point A to Point B thinking about things. Look at the beautiful that is life. Love everyone that you come in contact with. </div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00657079862014782474noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4705021572997584566.post-18471740119103526312012-02-21T00:08:00.003-06:002012-02-21T00:13:07.715-06:00Not One to Boast.<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
So.<br />
<br />
I'm taking a College Algebra course. Which is incredibly difficult because I haven't really even thought about any type of "algebra" for the last three years. Well, today a quiz was due, I started studying, and have taken a couple of breaks.<br />
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I just got done with my quiz. The system allows us to take it three times before the grade is submitted. The first time I got a 98%. I had ONE WHOLE HOUR to take it another two times. I'm not going to lie, I almost said to myself, "Self, a 98% is a really good grade. Go to bed." But I didn't, and I'll tell you why.<br />
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Yesterday I was able to go to a devotional for the Young Single Adults (YSA) of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in my region. There was a fairly old gentleman that spoke to us. He talked about how we can develop Gifts of the Spirit (or the Holy Ghost). Along with many other wonderful topics, he mentioned that the people that are known worldwide for their physical gifts (Mozart, Michael Jordan, etc.) had to have spent at least 10,000 hours doing that one thing they were famous for.<br />
<br />
When he mentioned that, I could not shake that from my mind. 10,000 HOURS?! I've been alive for about 8,206 days. So. If from birth I started playing the piano at least one hour a day, I would have been a pro.... in another 1,794 days.<br />
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Long reason why I kept on going taking my math quiz. I have learned I need to be more diligent with doing the right thing. And that was just one of many decisions I will make to be more diligent about being the best in what I do.<br />
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Anyway. I took my math quiz another time. Second time 'round, I got a 88%..... I was not happy, to say the least. I really was about to go to bed, saying to myself, "Self. You might not be able to beat that 98%. Go to bed." BUT! Did I? NO!<br />
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I had another thirty minutes to take the final quiz. I knew in the back of my mind the system would take the highest of the three scores, but that 100% was so close! So I took it again. And I got a 100%. I was quite satisfied at that moment, and wish I could have jumped for joy... But the rest of the house was asleep, and seeing how most really need the sleep... I might have just done a couple of fist pumps (Okay, okay, maybe 5 or 6, with some pointing at the screen involved, and exaggerated whispering.)<br />
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There is a really funny movie called "Galaxy Quest" (Tim Allen is the star in it). If you haven't seen it, I highly recommend it. Mainly for the humor. We meet Tim Allen as a retired actor of the popular Sci-Fi TV Sitcom "Galaxy Quest". He's abducted by aliens that believe the show is 100% true. The aliens cannot defend themselves from their enemies, and plead for Tim Allen (and the other actors of the sitcom) to help them. And they are quick to the famous line of Tim Allen's, "Never give up! Never surrender!" (No matter how much they are getting whooped).<br />
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So! To my fellow travelers in whatever "Galaxy Quest" (Hopefully that's not a copyright infringement) you might be in, <b><u>"Never Give up! Never Surrender!"</u></b> Whatever your goals are, you can reach them. It might take a couple of plateaus before you can get as high as you would like; <b><u><i>As long as you are moving in the right direction, y</i></u></b><u style="font-style: italic; font-weight: bold;">ou will get there.</u> Trust me. </div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00657079862014782474noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4705021572997584566.post-88389595184509792392012-02-01T22:11:00.003-06:002013-07-21T22:32:18.823-05:00Virtue<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<span style="color: #333333; font-family: inherit;"><span style="line-height: 18px;"></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;">"The true test of a mans character is what he does when no one is watching." - John Wooden</span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: inherit;">So true.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Isn't is James 3:4 "Behold also the ships, which though they be so great, and are driven of fierce winds, yet are they turned about with a very small helm, whithersoever the governor listeth."</span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: inherit;">A lot of people refer to this scripture to help us think of the tongue. But I would like to think that a thought is even smaller than our tongue.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: inherit;">While I was on my mission, I was given a Manual called "Preach My Gospel". It's purpose is to help missionaries of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints understand and build testimonies of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Within this wonderful Manual is a section about the Christlike Attributes, and how we can develop them. One of the attributes it goes into depth for is Virtue. The following is a paragraph that I think ties very closely with today's quote.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: inherit;">"Your mind is like a stage in a theater; in the theater of your mind, however, only one actor can be on stage at a time. If the stage is left bar, thought of darkness and sin often enter the stage to tempt. But these thoughts have no power if the stage of your mind is occupied by wholesome thoughts, such as a memorized hymn or verse of scripture that you can call upon in a moment of temptation. By controlling the stage of your mind, you can successfully resist persistent urges to yield to temptation and indulge in sin. You can become pure and virtuous."</span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: inherit;">I believe that when we are alone, that is really when we see who we are. And sometimes we have to be brutally honest about things that we believe and love. What we truly love. And the best part about it, we can choose what appears on the stage. We are not victims, tied to the theater chairs with our eyes forced open. Nope, we can close our eyes, and "boo" those bad thoughts and images off to stage left, and to never come back.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">We also have Divine help in this endeavor. I know personally that Heavenly Father and His Son are always trying to inspire us, through the promptings of the Holy Ghost. If we can pay attention to Them, we will easily be able to cast those thoughts off of our stage. That is the greatest help that we can receive. All you have to do is ask for it, and follow the promptings you receive. Then will your stage be full of wonderful acts, inspiring you to be better. </span></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00657079862014782474noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4705021572997584566.post-20268860699770910132012-01-31T07:03:00.000-06:002013-07-21T22:32:38.159-05:00I love to laugh!<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
"There is nothing in the world so irresistibly contagious as laughter and good humor" - Charles Dickens<br />
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So a while back I was feeling low (not too low) but kind of low. I was driving in the car by myself and I thought of the song, "I Love to Laugh" from the musical Mary Poppins. Dick Van Dyke and Ed Wynn do a great job of this scene, I cannot help but start laughing and singing along with them!<br />
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As I drove in the car, I started one of my own little sessions of Laughter Therapy. I didn't have anything to laugh at, but I was having a great time just busting a gut! It sounds a little silly, but you should try it sometime. Of course you will get some very interesting stares from people beside you, and they will be trying to figure out what radio station you're listening to. But wouldn't that be even more hilarious?<br />
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Life is too short to never laugh.<br />
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Here's a quote from an inspirational talk that I heard one day (and frequently go back to.)<br />
<br />
"The first thing we can do is learn to laugh. Have you ever seen an angry driver who, when someone else makes a mistake, reacts as though that person has insulted his honor, his family, his dog, and his ancestors all the way back to Adam? Or have you had an encounter with an overhanging cupboard door left open at the wrong place and the wrong time which has been cursed, condemned, and avenged by a sore-headed victim?<br />
<br />
"There is an antidote for times such as these: learn to laugh.<br />
<br />
"I remember loading up our children in a station wagon and driving to Los Angeles. There were at least nine of us in the car, and we would invariably get lost. Instead of getting angry, we laughed. Every time we made a wrong turn, we laughed harder.<br />
<br />
"Getting lost was not an unusual occurrence for us. Once while heading south to Cedar City, Utah, we took a wrong turn and didn’t realize it until two hours later when we saw the “Welcome to Nevada” signs. We didn’t get angry. We laughed, and as a result, anger and resentment rarely resulted. Our laughter created cherished memories for us.......<br />
<br />
"The next time you’re tempted to groan, you might try to laugh instead. It will extend your life and make the lives of all those around you more enjoyable." - Elder Joseph B. Wirthlin ("Come What May and Love It", October 2008, <a href="http://www.lds.org/general-conference/2008/10/come-what-may-and-love-it?lang=eng&query=come+may+love">http://www.lds.org/general-conference/2008/10/come-what-may-and-love-it?lang=eng&query=come+may+love</a>)<br />
<br />
Enjoy these videos to start off your laughing session.<br />
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00657079862014782474noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4705021572997584566.post-28678711886104600302012-01-30T23:25:00.001-06:002012-01-30T23:25:04.688-06:00New name, new meaning.<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
So I was working at my desk today (which gives me a lot of time to think) and I figured out what I can do for the blog. Both something that I really enjoy, and something that helps me. I have this cool application on my phone that gives me a quote for each day. Granted some aren't as inspirational as others, so I have gone through the one-thousand something quotes and have selected some of my favorites. I am also finding many other quotes that I like through music, the spoken word, inspirational speakers, and some random thoughts that pop into my head as well.<br />
<br />
So I've decided to name the blog "A Quote a Day Keeps Depression Away." Because I sure know that if I find the right quote, my mornings (and usually my entire day) is changed for the better, even at 7AM (amazing right?).<br />
<br />
So I will start with today's quote:<br />
<br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; line-height: 18px;"><span style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">"I will not let anyone walk through my mind with their dirty feet." - Mohandas Gandhi</span></span>
<br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><br /></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="line-height: 18px;">I Think this quote is AWESOME! It helps me realize that I can choose what comes into my mind. Our minds are much like a home. I don't know about your house, but in mine we have a pretty strict rule that we do NOT wear our shoes in the house. We've lived here for about eight years now, and the carpets are rather clean. </span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="line-height: 18px;"><br /></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="line-height: 18px;">But thinking about it a little further in the carpet analogy, we can always scrub really hard to get it clean, but somethings will not be forgotten (spinning/shaking salad dressing bottles to get the most out of them, so-and-so spilling their cup frequently, and other random concentrations of the gravitational forces.) </span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="line-height: 18px;"><br /></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="line-height: 18px;">The spot or stain itself will no longer be visible, but we can't really decide if we remember it or not. </span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="line-height: 18px;"><br /></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="line-height: 18px;">Moral of the story: YOU CAN CHOOSE WHAT ENTERS YOUR MIND! There are so many good things in the world, and so many wonderful things you can fill your mind with. You can keep company with past, Kings, Queens, Presidents, and Religious Leaders IF you read the things they have written. Don't fill your mind with bad things. Keep good company.</span></span></div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00657079862014782474noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4705021572997584566.post-39386068460356013502011-12-13T08:17:00.000-06:002011-12-13T08:17:15.219-06:00A little Currant Bush.<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
Last night I had a wonderful conversation with my friend. We both came to a small decision, and we both decided that we would pray to confirm our feelings. Prayer. What a wonderful gift. I am so grateful that I believe in a Divine Source of knowledge.<br />
<br />
Some would call it silly to pray about a small decision, but I am glad that she asked me to do so. I did, and I felt very confident that the decision we had made is a good one. I woke up this morning (because my phone alarm went off at 4:15AM. Since then I have been wondering what answer she had received. I am more than anything anxious to hear what she felt.<br />
<br />
Another part of me is nervous to know, especially if it is in the negative. I told her that I will respect her feelings and what she receives of the Lord. I know I will, I think she's a great person, and I have been so much better because I have known her. I'm not saying that if she feels that we should not continue on the path that we have thought about starting; I will never be around her. Not at all.<br />
<br />
This reminds me of a story I heard given. Please read on.<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: #f9f6ed; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; color: #2f393a; font-family: 'Lucida Grande', 'Lucida Sans Unicode', 'Lucida Sans', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px; margin-bottom: 20px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; text-align: -webkit-auto; vertical-align: baseline;" uri="/liahona/2002/03/the-currant-bush.p7">
I was living up in Canada. I had purchased a farm. It was run-down. I went out one morning and saw a currant bush. It had grown up over six feet (two meters) high. It was going all to wood. There were no blossoms and no currants. I was raised on a fruit farm in Salt Lake before we went to Canada, and I knew what ought to happen to that currant bush. So I got some pruning shears and clipped it back until there was nothing left but stumps. It was just coming daylight, and I thought I saw on top of each of these little stumps what appeared to be a tear, and I thought the currant bush was crying. I was kind of simpleminded (and I haven’t entirely gotten over it), and I looked at it and smiled and said, “What are you crying about?” You know, I thought I heard that currant bush say this:</div>
<div class="" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: #f9f6ed; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; color: #2f393a; font-family: 'Lucida Grande', 'Lucida Sans Unicode', 'Lucida Sans', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px; margin-bottom: 20px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; text-align: -webkit-auto; vertical-align: baseline;" uri="/liahona/2002/03/the-currant-bush.p8">
“How could you do this to me? I was making such wonderful growth. I was almost as big as the shade tree and the fruit tree that are inside the fence, and now you have cut me down. Every plant in the garden will look down on me because I didn’t make what I should have made. How could you do this to me? I thought you were the gardener here.”</div>
<div class="" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: #f9f6ed; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; color: #2f393a; font-family: 'Lucida Grande', 'Lucida Sans Unicode', 'Lucida Sans', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px; margin-bottom: 20px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; text-align: -webkit-auto; vertical-align: baseline;" uri="/liahona/2002/03/the-currant-bush.p9">
That’s what I thought I heard the currant bush say, and I thought it so much that I answered. I said, “Look, little currant bush, I am the gardener here, and I know what I want you to be. I didn’t intend you to be a fruit tree or a shade tree. I want you to be a currant bush, and someday, little currant bush, when you are laden with fruit, you are going to say, ‘Thank you, Mr. Gardener, for loving me enough to cut me down. Thank you, Mr. Gardener.’”</div>
<div class="" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: #f9f6ed; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; color: #2f393a; font-family: 'Lucida Grande', 'Lucida Sans Unicode', 'Lucida Sans', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px; margin-bottom: 20px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; text-align: -webkit-auto; vertical-align: baseline;" uri="/liahona/2002/03/the-currant-bush.p10">
Years passed, and I found myself in England. I was in command of a cavalry unit in the Canadian army. I held the rank of field officer in the British Canadian army. I was proud of my position. And there was an opportunity for me to become a general. I had taken all the examinations. I had the seniority. The one man between me and the office of general in the British army became a casualty, and I received a telegram from London. It said: “Be in my office tomorrow morning at 10:00,” signed by General Turner.</div>
<div class="" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: #f9f6ed; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; color: #2f393a; font-family: 'Lucida Grande', 'Lucida Sans Unicode', 'Lucida Sans', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px; margin-bottom: 20px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; text-align: -webkit-auto; vertical-align: baseline;" uri="/liahona/2002/03/the-currant-bush.p11">
I went up to London. I walked smartly into the office of the general, and I saluted him smartly, and he gave me the same kind of a salute a senior officer usually gives—a sort of “Get out of the way, worm!” He said, “Sit down, Brown.” Then he said, “I’m sorry I cannot make the appointment. You are entitled to it. You have passed all the examinations. You have the seniority. You’ve been a good officer, but I can’t make the appointment. You are to return to Canada and become a training officer and a transport officer.” That for which I had been hoping and praying for 10 years suddenly slipped out of my fingers.</div>
<div class="" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: #f9f6ed; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; color: #2f393a; font-family: 'Lucida Grande', 'Lucida Sans Unicode', 'Lucida Sans', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px; margin-bottom: 20px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; text-align: -webkit-auto; vertical-align: baseline;" uri="/liahona/2002/03/the-currant-bush.p12">
Then he went into the other room to answer the telephone, and on his desk, I saw my personal history sheet. Right across the bottom of it was written, “THIS MAN IS A MORMON.” We were not very well liked in those days. When I saw that, I knew why I had not been appointed. He came back and said, “That’s all, Brown.” I saluted him again, but not quite as smartly, and went out.</div>
<div class="" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: #f9f6ed; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; color: #2f393a; font-family: 'Lucida Grande', 'Lucida Sans Unicode', 'Lucida Sans', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px; margin-bottom: 20px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; text-align: -webkit-auto; vertical-align: baseline;" uri="/liahona/2002/03/the-currant-bush.p13">
I got on the train and started back to my town, 120 miles (190 kilometers) away, with a broken heart, with bitterness in my soul. And every click of the wheels on the rails seemed to say, “You are a failure.” When I got to my tent, I was so bitter that I threw my cap on the cot. I clenched my fists, and I shook them at heaven. I said, “How could you do this to me, God? I have done everything I could do to measure up. There is nothing that I could have done—that I should have done—that I haven’t done. How could you do this to me?” I was as bitter as gall.</div>
<div class="" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: #f9f6ed; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; color: #2f393a; font-family: 'Lucida Grande', 'Lucida Sans Unicode', 'Lucida Sans', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px; margin-bottom: 20px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; text-align: -webkit-auto; vertical-align: baseline;" uri="/liahona/2002/03/the-currant-bush.p14">
And then I heard a voice, and I recognized the tone of this voice. It was my own voice, and the voice said, “I am the gardener here. I know what I want you to do.” The bitterness went out of my soul, and I fell on my knees by the cot to ask <a class="no-link-style" href="http://lds.org/general-conference/2005/10/forgiveness?lang=eng" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; border-bottom-style: none !important; border-color: initial !important; border-color: initial !important; border-color: initial; border-left-style: none !important; border-right-style: none !important; border-style: initial; border-top-style: none !important; border-width: initial !important; border-width: initial !important; color: #2f393a; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; text-decoration: none !important; vertical-align: baseline;">forgiveness</a> for my ungratefulness and my bitterness. (<a href="http://lds.org/liahona/2002/03/the-currant-bush?lang=eng" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium; line-height: normal; text-align: left;">http://lds.org/liahona/2002/03/the-currant-bush?lang=eng</a>)</div>
<br />
As I think of this story, I quietly think this in my mind.<br />
<br />
Mr. Gardner,<br />
<br />
I am ready for anything that might happen today. You know how I feel about what I would like to happen, but I know that you know the grand design. Please help me (if I am cut or shaped in an uncomfortable way today). To understand the pattern which you have set forth. I trust you completely. Thank you for loving me enough to be aware of what I need to grow correctly. And if you have the desire to let me grow in the way I have chosen (at least for a little while) thank you. Thank you for your love.<br />
<br />
Sincerely,<br />
<br />
A little currant bush. </div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00657079862014782474noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4705021572997584566.post-53969136131807744462011-12-11T08:56:00.001-06:002011-12-11T09:10:14.923-06:00Better than you were yesterday.<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
So. I've decided that I am going to take time out of my peaceful Sunday mornings to write in my blog.<br />
<br />
This has been a wonderful week. Work has been going really well, and it has been a trip in trying to figure out what I am going to do in the future.<br />
<br />
I have received a promotion in my job! It is going to be a great opportunity to grow, and to become a better employee. I'll be basically doing the same thing that I am doing now, but I will be providing more direct, and focused customer support for our multiple customer groups.<br />
<br />
I have been getting ready for school. I have been working on getting registered for classes, and everything will work out just fine.<br />
<br />
On Jan 1 2012, I will be fully covered with health insurance! These last 6-7 months have been interesting because I have put myself in positions (rock climbing, jet-skiing, wrestling, learning to ride a motorcycle) that could have put my pocketbook back for a very long time, but thankfully I haven't needed to go to the hospital/doctors office. (Knock on wood.)<br />
<br />
This week has also been good because I have been able to spend time with a wonderful person. Said person has taught me so much about who I am, and what I like to do. It's refreshing to have someone to talk with, and to be able to speak so openly to. I highly recommend the game "Truth or Truth" to anybody. In friendships, relationships, and in marriage; it is so important that you learn to speak openly and honestly with the person that you are with.<br />
<br />
Overall it has been a great week. I will start now to work on being better for the future. I had a leader in the Church that would always say something to the effect of, "Always try to be better than you were yesterday."<br />
<br /></div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00657079862014782474noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4705021572997584566.post-17665815306914616462011-12-04T11:40:00.001-06:002011-12-04T11:49:30.181-06:00One thing not many people know about you.<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
So I'm getting to know someone and we play this cool little game called "Truth or Truth". It usually starts out like this:<br />
<br />
Her: "Truth or truth?"<br />
Me: "Hmmm tough one. I'll choose Truth."<br />
<br />
Then last night she asked something of me that was difficult to answer. This is what she wrote.<br />
<br />
"Tell me one thing not many people know about you."<br />
<br />
I honestly had to think about an answer for almost a full hour before I could give one. I'm usually pretty open with people when it comes to getting to know others. I don't have a lot of reservations when it comes to asking questions. I think that started almost two years ago.<br />
<br />
I was in the city of Guatemala, about three weeks into my mission for the church I belong to, and I was put with a what was then a complete stranger for a companion (but now who is a really great friend). We sat down to start getting to know each other, and he said, "You know man, I live by the Latin saying, "Quid pro quo" which means, "what for what". Or how he put it, "I will let you know what I think, and I want to know what you think."<br />
<br />
I also think it started because the people in Guatemala are so loving and caring. That is something I wish as Americans we were better at. Don't get me wrong, we are very charitable and kind to most people; but we don't forgive very quickly. The Latin American countries are just different. It's like they can feel if you like them or not. And being around them for so long, it's weird because it's almost like I have developed that "sense" as well. Some could just call it being over sensitive, but I honestly think it is a feeling that you have.<br />
<br />
So back to my original story.... (rambling) I sat there for an hour thinking about what I could tell this wonderful girl. Eventually I told her something, but I woke up this morning realizing that probably wasn't the best thing to tell her.. It wasn't bad at all, but it was just the whole "Why did you put that? That's not really like you...." thing. Don't you hate how sometimes you wish you could take back time?<br />
<br />
I sent another message to her today, realizing that I should have put something that was more like me. So I did. It felt right to tell her what I did. And I'm glad that I finally found something that not a lot of people know about me. It helped me define just a little more of who I am and what I am doing here. </div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00657079862014782474noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4705021572997584566.post-16607705582477000642011-11-27T12:13:00.000-06:002011-11-27T12:13:16.458-06:00Today.<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">Today. What an interesting way to start. Many things have happened already today, and I feel like I have yet to accomplish multiple other goals. Lately I have been going throughout life working on trying to figure out what I need to be doing. In order to figure out where I want to go, I should probably figure out where I have been in the last year.<br />
<div><br />
</div><div>1. I have an awesome job. I work with a successful company in trying to help others attain auto loans. (Which I feel are never necessary when making a purchase.) </div><div>-- It's something quite remarkable to me that people wouldn't wait to buy a car. GRANTED there are times when you <u>need</u> a car / home / anything else in life. I think if it comes down to an actual need, then it's okay to splurge. But if you can plan ahead for the future to obtain some goal </div><div><br />
</div><div>2. I have awesome family and friends around me. It's been a lot of fun this past year getting to know people, and working on being the best person that I can be. Easy? Nope. But well worth it. </div><div><br />
</div><div>3. I am deeply involved in the Gospel of Jesus Christ. For that I am extremely grateful. It has been a wonderful year in that sense because I have had a lot of learning opportunities in trying to learn how to be more like the Savior. It is amazing to me how I am taught to be like Him. A lot of experiences have just been quiet things said (by others) and felt within myself that have helped me see that I still have a long way to go. </div><div><br />
</div><div>So. That pretty much is where I am right now. But the real question is where I want to go. </div><div><br />
</div><div>I've never really had a huge desire to ever "be" something when I grow up. I have always just tried to do what the best thing seemed to do. I wish there was this direct way for us to know exactly what to do in our lives to be happy.<br />
<br />
But then I think of the stars. The ship-men of long ago could tell where the were and where they were going just by looking at the starts and memorizing the position of them and comparing them to the land. I have guides in my life, and they are just as constant.<br />
<br />
So within the next couple of weeks, I will be working on formulating my goals, putting them on paper, and working towards accomplishing them in 2012.<br />
<br />
A lot of wonderful things are going to happen this next year. </div></div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00657079862014782474noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4705021572997584566.post-74501341550216259012011-10-06T07:32:00.001-05:002011-10-06T07:32:58.043-05:00Reason for the ChangeLately I have been reading from the book "Mans Search for Meaning" by Dr. Viktor Frankl. He was a survivor of the Concentration camps during WWII. Reading just a part of his book inspired me to enjoy my everyday life. I don't really have a problem knowing why I am here on Earth, but I know that sometimes it is difficult for me to be happy all of the time.<br />
<br />
And I know that we are NOT supposed to be happy 100% of the time.... We are all supposed to have ups and downs, that is what makes us who we are. The ups, the downs everything that happens, happens for the best.<br />
<br />
So! In my small attempt to blog (I think this is the first time in maybe 4 months). That is why I changed the name, so that I can remember to be happy!<br />
<br />
There is more to come on this, I just had a little time left until I had to get ready to go to work. I'll try to be better about posting.Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00657079862014782474noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4705021572997584566.post-18945088571047904852011-06-21T22:19:00.000-05:002011-06-21T22:19:48.905-05:00First One....Well, just like every blogger (I think) I'm gonna start off with the awkward-ness of telling why I want to start one..... I have been talking to people recently about their blogs, and I have always said, "You know I should start one..." BUT I NEVER HAVE! I would like to think of it being more of a journal..... or a captain's log (for all you Trekkies out there :))<br />
<br />
Life has been good. I have had a lot of wonderful experiences, and I am grateful for all the good (and bad) things that have happened. I have a wonderful family, parents and siblings that are always there supporting me. I don't think I'll ever be able to repay them for what they have given me. Though, I can't wait to give some bruises back to my older brothers ;)<br />
<br />
I think a lot of my experiences that have formed who I am come from two periods of my life.<br />
<br />
First, my adolescent years. I learned a lot about what I have in my life, and all the blessings that I have. I learned how to choose friends, and how my choices will affect what my future is. I don't think I was ever in the "popular" crowd, but I know that I was surrounded by wonderful people that cared. I felt so good around my friends, they always helped me to be better, to improve. I also had the opportunity to be among the greatest of scholars that not only taught me the required to pass a test, but to see my life, and to want to make it better.<br />
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Second. I spent the last two years (December 2008-December 2010) out of the country to help other's come unto the Savior Jesus Christ. Being out of the United States really changed my perspective on life. I was able to see other's the way that our Heavenly Father sees them. As one big family. It wasn't always that easy, mainly because of my pride, and little things that I take offense to. But during those years, I learned who I really am. I am a Son of God. Think of that, what a blessing we have; to have a Father who loves us all. He knows each and everyone of us. And He watches over us.<br />
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I have been home for the last six months. They have flown by..... It's very sobering to leave a completely different life style behind you to continue on the journey of life. And boy is it a journey! Ha ha! I have learned a lot, mainly about patience and that truly everything works out for the best. My Grandmother always said that when I was younger (and still does). "Everything happens for the best." I don't think I will ever forget those words; and I think that if I do, she'll haunt me in my sleep ha ha!<br />
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I'm not sure how this rates on first blogs... but then again.. I think it's awkward the first couple of times for everyone.<br />
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Never forget who you are.Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00657079862014782474noreply@blogger.com1