A Nastalgic Moment

I remember being a kid in junior primary looking at the class just older than me. I realized that one day we'd be grown ups. The thought was a little too weird to really digest. It was soooo far away. I couldn't even imagine it.

Before I went to college, I had never been on an airplane....or ever out of New England more than a handful of times. The thought that tomorrow I'd be in an airplane across the country was so...weird.

A day later I sat there in my newly moved in dorm room wondering if I'd ever have one of those often spoken of experiences of staying up all night working on papers. I couldn't really fathom it.

Before going into the Missionary Training Center there was that building, the mysterious building in which I'd never been beyond the room where you see missionaries off in. I'd watched my brother and rare good friends leave from there, but I couldn't really imagine that I would ever really see the inside.

Before the marathon, as they bussed us up into the mountains, it was that same surreal feeling. The idea that at the end of the day I'd have actually run a marathon was a hard to imagine.

Yesterday, I was sitting in my hotel room wondering what it would be like to take the bar. Well, I am half way done. Life is so strange sometimes. Today the girl seated next to me looked at me and said, 'We are taking the bar. How weird is that?' She spoke my feelings exactly.

But, somehow everything does get done. All of us primary kids grew up, and most have long since finished college, gotten married, and had children. I've now been on more airplanes now than I can count. In college, I stayed up all night writing papers on more nights than I can count. I completed the mysterious world of the MTC and I managed to survive the year and half after that. Somehow the marathon was run, gimp knee and all, and now I am halfway done the bar. Life is so surreal sometimes.

Trumpet Lessons for the Angels

I've been working on my topic for the Idea Group (angels) for a while now and it has been...incredible. The things I've learned have far exceeded what I ever would have guessed. When I prayed to know if the church was true, the answer that it is true far exceeded the answer I expected to get. Although, truthfully I had no expectations. But the breadth and depth of what that means is continually impressed upon me.

For example, angels throughout time have testified of Christ. In the Book of Mormon an Angel appeared to King Benjamin and told him that Christ would be born to a woman named Mary. His name would be Jesus Christ. (Mosiah 3:2) The angel Gabriel appeared to Mary and told her that she would bear a son, and his name would be Jesus. He was subsequently named Jesus and "his name was called JESUS, which was so named of the angel before he was conceived in the womb." Luke 2:21

When Christ was born, angels appeared to the shepherds. When Christ died, two angels were in his tomb and testified that he had been resurrected. Angels helped the work of the apostles even after Christ was gone, for one let the Peter out of prison after he had been placed there. (Acts 5:19)

Angels are no less among us now. In this dispensation, Joseph Smith was visited by numerous angels. At the pinnacle of all of the temples is a golden figure of the angel Moroni, the angel who brought Joseph Smith the Book of Mormon.

I guess the thing that has impressed me is that all of the records I could find of angels all point to one thing, that Jesus is the Christ. They not only testified of it long before he came, but they made sure that all of the prophecies were fulfilled, and they testified of its fulfillment. I already knew the church was true, i.e. that it is the one that Christ in his resurrected form directs under the direction of the Father, but I never realized how much the role of angels has played in the gospel throughout history.

I hear constantly that the most important thing is to be a good person, simply a good person and religion doesn't matter. I would submit that both matter. I think being a good person is the responsibility of every human being no matter what their beliefs. With that said, truth is truth.

This scripture really hit me yesterday:

John 18:37 Pilate therefore said unto him, Art thou a king then? Jesus answered, Thou sayest that I am a king. To this end was I born, and for this cause came I into the world, that I should bear witness unto the truth. Every one that is of the truth heareth my voice.

Angels throughout history have born witness of Him, Christ bore witness of his role, and I bear witness of him. Jesus is the Christ.

This One is Dedicated to Cindy

A Weekend in Nashville

Visiting Nashville this weekend was so great. It was full of reunions. Andrea, Sandy, and I used to work together. Who knew we'd meet up again in Nashville of all places.



And Jake got married.



And I got to visit with my college friends.





We thought Jake's truck looked a little drab. So we decided to apply our collective artistic touch.

Josh's Jackson Pullock +



Andrea's pretty bows +



Elliot's artistic eye +




Kristen's touch +



My finesse +



Garret's contribution =



MASTERPIECE




What can I say; they loved it.

Sharing a Taste of the South of France

First, I should admit that I copied these pictures from someone I don't even know. From what I gathered he served in the same mission as me but got home pretty recently. But to any mission friends who keep up with my blog - this will make you terribly nostalgic if they haven't already. They really made me miss that place. I especially love the picture of the bridge. I love French bridges.

Studette of the Month - July 2008

My studette of the month is my little sister, Ginette. It is true, the old story that I gave up my blanket to my little brother because my mother told me that if I did, that I might be blessed with a little sister. And indeed I was. In fact, he gave me two of them. (Which I was always glad about because it put the girls in majority over the boys in the family.)

My earliest recollections of my little sister was her endless crying. She was a colicky baby and there were moments when I wondered why anyone would want a baby. But she grew up. Then she became the little sister who was uber-sensitive and followed me around everywhere. Then, round about my college days, we became genuine friends.

I think the thing that amazes me about Ginette is how different, and yet alike we are. We talk on the phone all the time, but I see her about once a year at Christmas. Every time I do, I am shocked at how similarly we see things. There aren’t very many people in life with whom I can share my deepest thoughts and feelings, but with my family, conversation always starts there. They understand my impressions, wonderment, and life experiences.

Another thing that has always amazed me about Ginette is her determination. She does nothing without giving it 100%. One time while she was in college I went to visit her. By her mirror she had posted several goals. They weren’t easy goals either. But I know her, and when she said she had worked hard that semester, and that she couldn’t have put one more ounce of work into it – I knew that, in fact, she had given it her very best. I’ve really never met anyone who slacks less than she does when she is set on something.

But most of all, I love her spiritual development. She has always been determined to do what is right and the Spirit accompanies her strongly. It was partly her example, as she read her scriptures diligently while she was in high school that led me to have a desire to set that habit myself. Ginette does not break rules. She is a very obedient spirit. She does what is right, very rarely have I ever seen an exception.

She is to me, the ultimate example of integrity. I’ve never seen anyone prize it as much as she does. This has been an elimination point for numerous guys who have tried to date her. Normally I would try to talk her into giving them another try. But when it comes to integrity, I know Ginette; her soul would never love a man who does not strive to be honorable in all that he does.

I think one of the beauties of having relationships with people who live close to the spirit is that they are based on an ever developing charity. Part of that charity, I have learned from her, is about having charity towards oneself. I positively love her sense of self-respect and her way of teaching these same principles to me. As I listen to her weigh through her life choices, there is always an underlying sense of responsibility to herself. As a sister I have always appreciated this quality because it makes my life much easier not to have to watch her suffer needlessly through things. I have come to appreciate her wisdom in this and learned, from her, to apply it to myself. After all, I have realized that I don't want her to have to watch me suffer because I overlooked my responsibility to myself.

Lastly, there is light and strength that emanates from Ginette. You feel it when you are with her. She strives, and it makes something in you want to strive. She loves the light and she has always had the backbone and enough confidence to hold to it. I think at the end of the day, the fruit of the gospel is this, a deep love and respect for people around you. It comes from deep within and pushes you to be better.

At any rate, in a moment of Ginette appreciation this morning, I decided to make her, my studette of the month.

Pop Culturally Clueless

Phone: Rings

Me: Hello?

Telemarketer with strong Indian accent: (After he gets over shock that someone actually picked up their phone) Ah, yes, ma'am, I am conducting a survey about the media. (Never asks me if I would actually like to participate, very clever.) When was the last time you watched a movie at the theater?

Me: [Scratching my head to think] Ah, January.

Telemarketer: How many movies have you seen at the theater this year?

Me: One

Telemarketer: Can you tell me what movies are in the theater in your area right now?

Me: Uh, no idea actually. I am studying for the bar so I really have no idea.

Telemarketer: [Bewildered] Ah, hold on a minute while I verify this call............Um, have a nice day. [Click]

Yes indeed, that makes probably the 20th telemarketer to hang up on me this year. I think I have a gift.