Incidentally, that's one of my very favorite songs. Just as a side note.
In the spirit of my recent contemplation of the power and joy that comes from missionary work, I was catching up on reading a mission blog, and I love this post here. I love hearing stories like this, and I'm happy for all the people in the world who have the opportunity to hear and accept the Gospel - because it holds the only source of true joy!
Viva la Vida.
Wednesday, July 6, 2011
Thursday, June 30, 2011
True smiles
In the movie "Win a Date with Tad Hamilton," which a very good friend so kindly introduced me to, one of the characters describes another character's different smiles.
It made me think. Don't we all have different smiles?
The I'm irritated but trying to be nice smile.
The That was genuinely funny and I'm quite entertained smile.
The Will you hurry up and take this darn picture smile.
But on a more basic level, nearly everyone has at least two distinct smiles: the picture-taking smile and the spontaneous, truly happy or joyful smile.
I got to see one of the latter tonight, one that I hadn't seen in a long, long time. And that was the best moment out of a thousand million wonderful moments all strung together - and a moment I'm not likely to forget.
Viva la Vida.
It made me think. Don't we all have different smiles?
The I'm irritated but trying to be nice smile.
The That was genuinely funny and I'm quite entertained smile.
The Will you hurry up and take this darn picture smile.
But on a more basic level, nearly everyone has at least two distinct smiles: the picture-taking smile and the spontaneous, truly happy or joyful smile.
I got to see one of the latter tonight, one that I hadn't seen in a long, long time. And that was the best moment out of a thousand million wonderful moments all strung together - and a moment I'm not likely to forget.
Viva la Vida.
Sunday, June 26, 2011
Why yes, I am on vacation
And yes, it is going fabulously. I'm having a blast. Life is good, although my feet are getting darn tired of being so USED all the time.
But that is not the purpose of this blog post. The vacation news will come at a later time. Maybe. If I feel like it.
The purpose of this post is simply to declare to all the world that missionary work is true. I don't think I've ever really thought about missionary work as much as I have in the past few days. At least, not in the way that I have. There are a number of things we could attribute that to, but we're simply going to attribute it to the time I've spent recently out in the missionary field.
For example. At church in Daytona Beach, a girl about my age, ish, got up and spoke in sacrament meeting. She told the story of her conversion two years previous, and the wonderful miracle it was that the missionaries arrived at her home at just the right time. She talked about the way she felt when she joined the church, the way that she feels now, and she shared her testimony.
And to me, it was the most beautiful thing.
Later, we had the opportunity to hear from the Orlando Mission President, who encouraged all of us to be member missionaries. I've heard a lot about this, yet I somehow seem to go glassy-eyed when they talk about it, thinking to myself, I don't need to do that - I live in Utah. Not so. It suddenly struck me, sitting there in that ward, that I might not live in Utah forever. Someday I might live in a ward that covers a huge land area, or in a branch, waiting anxiously to become a ward. I might live right out in the mission field, and when or if that day comes, I want to be ready.
And suddenly, missionary work means more to me and has become more personal to me than ever before. I love the Gospel with all my heart. It truly forms the core of my life, bringing meaning and color into everything I experience. I can't imagine my life without it, or without my relationship with my Savior.
Viva missionaries. All of them, all over the world - the ones I know, and the ones I don't know. They truly carry on the work of the Lord.
Viva la Vida.
But that is not the purpose of this blog post. The vacation news will come at a later time. Maybe. If I feel like it.
The purpose of this post is simply to declare to all the world that missionary work is true. I don't think I've ever really thought about missionary work as much as I have in the past few days. At least, not in the way that I have. There are a number of things we could attribute that to, but we're simply going to attribute it to the time I've spent recently out in the missionary field.
For example. At church in Daytona Beach, a girl about my age, ish, got up and spoke in sacrament meeting. She told the story of her conversion two years previous, and the wonderful miracle it was that the missionaries arrived at her home at just the right time. She talked about the way she felt when she joined the church, the way that she feels now, and she shared her testimony.
And to me, it was the most beautiful thing.
Later, we had the opportunity to hear from the Orlando Mission President, who encouraged all of us to be member missionaries. I've heard a lot about this, yet I somehow seem to go glassy-eyed when they talk about it, thinking to myself, I don't need to do that - I live in Utah. Not so. It suddenly struck me, sitting there in that ward, that I might not live in Utah forever. Someday I might live in a ward that covers a huge land area, or in a branch, waiting anxiously to become a ward. I might live right out in the mission field, and when or if that day comes, I want to be ready.
And suddenly, missionary work means more to me and has become more personal to me than ever before. I love the Gospel with all my heart. It truly forms the core of my life, bringing meaning and color into everything I experience. I can't imagine my life without it, or without my relationship with my Savior.
Viva missionaries. All of them, all over the world - the ones I know, and the ones I don't know. They truly carry on the work of the Lord.
Viva la Vida.
Saturday, June 11, 2011
June 11
- I didn't oversleep today. I got right up at 7am, even though it was Saturday. It felt good.
- A hot-air balloon floated right down the middle of our street today. I think hot air balloons are simply fabulous. So cheerful-looking!
- We went shopping for vacation items today. For some reason, I love filling my basket with random household items, so much more than I love filling it with clothing. I'm excited to someday have my own home to shop for.
- It was a beautiful, beautiful summer day - skies so blue you could fall right in.
- I have Harry Potter movie premiere tickets reserved. July 15 - right at midnight.
- My mom makes amazing chicken noodle soup. I want to be just like her when I grow up - if I ever grow up.
- I got my very last letter today. Just over two weeks now. It was a strange feeling, reading it. Just a normal letter - nothing different or extraordinary about it. But to add it to the packet of precious letters from the last two years and know that it was the last one - that was a strange feeling. It doesn't seem real. I don't think it will ever seem real, not until it happens. July will be a strange and beautiful and wonderful month.
Tuesday, June 7, 2011
Definitely not a feminist
An article in the Daily Universe today (which can be found here) expressed one girl's disgust of how female players on intramural sports teams receive twice as many points when they score than do the men. She claimed it was degrading and implied an attitude that the female players are inherently inferior to the male players. She thinks that they should all receive the same number of points, so that it's based purely on skill.
I guess I disagree.
Hey, look, I've just discovered I am NOT a feminist.
I think the rule is flattering. I think it demonstrates an even greater respect for the female players. I don't feel that it points out flaws or incompetence; I think it highlights their abilities and rewards them. I think it motivates them to do better, makes it easier for them to have fun even when playing with men who may have played sports much longer than they have, and I think it reflects a great attitude of respect and admiration for women, which should extend far past the sports arena into other areas of life.
Throughout history, women have been quietly moving in the background, doing great things without seeking fame or accolades for their actions. What's wrong with that? Why do we all have to be equal-in terms of the good and the bad? What's wrong with showing extra respect and generosity toward females, recognizing their unique capabilities and potential?
President Spencer W. Kimball stated, “To be a righteous woman is a glorious thing in any age. To be a righteous woman during the winding up scenes on this earth, before the second coming of our Savior, is an especially noble calling. The righteous woman’s strength and influence today can be tenfold what it might be in more tranquil times. She has been placed here to help to enrich, to protect, and to guard the home—which is society’s basic and most noble institution.”
I agree. And I want to do that ever so much more than I want worldly fame, recognition, or even total equality. Sure, I stand up against horrendous treatment of women; certainly I advocate respect and consideration. But complete equality? I don't think so. Let us all fulfill our different roles; and let us support and respect one another's unique and varied abilities.
I guess I disagree.
Hey, look, I've just discovered I am NOT a feminist.
I think the rule is flattering. I think it demonstrates an even greater respect for the female players. I don't feel that it points out flaws or incompetence; I think it highlights their abilities and rewards them. I think it motivates them to do better, makes it easier for them to have fun even when playing with men who may have played sports much longer than they have, and I think it reflects a great attitude of respect and admiration for women, which should extend far past the sports arena into other areas of life.
Throughout history, women have been quietly moving in the background, doing great things without seeking fame or accolades for their actions. What's wrong with that? Why do we all have to be equal-in terms of the good and the bad? What's wrong with showing extra respect and generosity toward females, recognizing their unique capabilities and potential?
President Spencer W. Kimball stated, “To be a righteous woman is a glorious thing in any age. To be a righteous woman during the winding up scenes on this earth, before the second coming of our Savior, is an especially noble calling. The righteous woman’s strength and influence today can be tenfold what it might be in more tranquil times. She has been placed here to help to enrich, to protect, and to guard the home—which is society’s basic and most noble institution.”
I agree. And I want to do that ever so much more than I want worldly fame, recognition, or even total equality. Sure, I stand up against horrendous treatment of women; certainly I advocate respect and consideration. But complete equality? I don't think so. Let us all fulfill our different roles; and let us support and respect one another's unique and varied abilities.
Monday, June 6, 2011
English class quotes...
"...because when I say, 'Hey Laren, you look nice today,' I'm really saying, 'Laren, I just want to lick you and I'm so sad that I can't!'"
"I like big numbers and I cannot lie! Those little ones can't deny! When a number walks in and puts the figure in your face!-" - "Whoa whoa whoa, Patrick, stop right there!"
"Oh... oh... oh CUSS!!!"
I love small spring term classes... :)
"I like big numbers and I cannot lie! Those little ones can't deny! When a number walks in and puts the figure in your face!-" - "Whoa whoa whoa, Patrick, stop right there!"
"Oh... oh... oh CUSS!!!"
I love small spring term classes... :)
Friday, June 3, 2011
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