The Future is Bright

The other day I was pondering on the fact that our loving God would let some of his children go through trials, even devastating trials at times. The hardest thing I have seen on my mission is when innocent, kind people are hurt. I realize, the unenviable pattern of life is that everyone on earth will have ups and downs. Just looking at life logically, it is impossible to have all our days be better than average. Some days will be fantastic and others will be heart-breaking. But if God is really there, and God really loves us, why?

In the Bible, 5th chapter of Mathew it says

          "That ye may be the children of your Father which is in heaven: for he maketh his sun to rise on the evil and on the good, and sendeth rain on the just and on the unjust."

An instant parallel that opened up to my mind as I read that verse is like any Father and Child (or Mother and child) relationship. If the child always got what he wanted, if they are anything like me, life would consist of ice-cream for every meal, late nights, no homework, sleeping in, and simply living in the moment. That would be absolutely fantastic for the first day or two but it would slowly begin to become detrimental on the children. Likewise, more often than not, experiences teach us vital life lessons and skills. Our Father in Heaven allows these trials come upon us so that we might come out stronger.

I know what it is like to feel sad, inadequate, or discouraged. We all do. But as we look up to the future ahead and have faith, one day it will all be well. I love the quote from Thomas S. Monson at the top. "Be of good cheer. The future is as bright as your faith."

Did You See

Last week, on August 20, my grandfather passed away at age 92. He was a WWII veteran, hard worker, role model, organ player, and last but not least an amazing grandpa. He leaves a legacy of 8 children, 35 grandchildren, and 75 great-grandchildren. His funeral is tomorrow and I will not be able to attend but I wanted to show my respect. This is the poem for my grandpa, the least I could do.

Did You See

Did you see that little brown eyes
watched you while you lived your days?
They saw the light in your eyes
and looked up to all your ways.

Did you see that little brown eyes
observed you as you'd pull out Grandma's chair?
From what they saw Grandma was a queen
and she was always treated fair.

Did you see that little brown eyes
lit up when you'd let us climb on your back?
Mom would beg us to stop before
you'd have a heart-attack.

Did you see those little brown eyes
search for coins that fell in your favorite seat?
Unaware that the night before
You'd place them there for me.

Did you see those little brown eyes
squint in laughter as you'd draw on my hand?
A picture of a a kitty cat
would tickle more than I could stand.

Did you see those little brown eyes
watch intently as you told stories of before?
They imagined all the places you've been
and envisioned you a hero of war.

Now, did you know those little brown eyes
blinked and you were gone?
Clueless of what they should do
because you've been here all along.

Did you know those little brown eyes
are now filled with tears?
They miss seeing the Grandpa
they loved through all the years.

Do you see these little brown eyes
looking to heaven above?
Praying for comfort and peace,
pleading for God's love.

Did you know these little brown eyes
look now to the future ahead?
They belong to a young man now
who remembers your example, the things that you said.

I can make you proud, I promise.
Keep watching and you'll see.
By following your example
you're still alive through me.

I will share the wonderful news
until the very end.
That because of Him, these little brown eyes
will see your face again.

Because of Him 

death has no sting 

the grave has no victory

What Are You Thinking

A few months ago in the North Carolina Raleigh Mission, we were blessed to hear from Elder W. Craig Zwick. Last General Conference we were able to hear from him again in a talk titled What Are You Thinking?. The story he told about his young family helps illuminate our knowledge on forgiveness and understanding.

Forty-one years ago I climbed into the driver’s seat of an 18-wheel semitruck with my beautiful wife, Jan, and our infant son, Scotty. We were taking a heavy load of construction materials across several states. In those days there were no seat-belt restrictions or infant car seats. My wife held our precious son in her arms. Her comment “We sure are high off the ground” should have given me a clue about her feelings of apprehension.
As we made our descent over historic Donner Pass, a steep section of highway, the cab of the semi suddenly and unexpectedly filled with thick smoke. It was difficult to see, and we could hardly breathe.
With a heavy rig, brakes alone are not enough to rapidly decrease speed. Using the engine brakes and gearing down, I frantically attempted to stop.
Just as I was pulling to the side of the road, but before we had come to a full stop, my wife opened the door of the cab and jumped out with our baby in her arms. I watched helplessly as they tumbled in the dirt.
As soon as I had the semi stopped, I bolted from the smoking cab. With adrenaline pumping, I ran through the rocks and weeds and held them in my arms. Jan’s forearms and elbows were battered and bleeding, but thankfully she and our son were both breathing. I just held them close as the dust settled there on the side of the highway.
As my heartbeat normalized and I caught my breath, I blurted out, “What in the world were you thinking? Do you know how dangerous that was? You could have been killed!”
She looked back at me, with tears running down her smoke-smudged cheeks, and said something that pierced my heart and still rings in my ears: “I was just trying to save our son.”
I realized in that moment she thought the engine was on fire, fearing the truck would explode and we would die. I, however, knew it was an electrical failure—hazardous but not fatal. I looked at my precious wife, softly rubbing the head of our infant son, and wondered what kind of woman would do something so courageous.
This situation could have been as emotionally hazardous as our literal engine failure. Gratefully, after enduring the silent treatment for a reasonable amount of time, each of us believing the other person was at fault, we finally expressed the emotions that were churning beneath our heated outbursts. Shared feelings of love and fear for the other’s safety kept the hazardous incident from proving fatal to our cherished marriage.

How often in our lives do we find ourselves in arguments fueled by misunderstanding? With hundreds and hundreds of different cultures all around the world it is easy to see why there is so much contention. We read from the writings of Paul "Let no corrupt communication proceed out of your mouth, but that which is good to the use of edifying, that it may minister grace unto the hearers." If we all make a conscious effort to understand where one another is coming from, imagine where the world would be.

Mother's Day

Many times on my mission my companion and I have been invited over to families homes for dinner. I love the opportunity we have to meet with all of these people. Not too long ago, we had the opportunity to go over to yet another families home.

We all sat together and talked as usual and enjoyed the evening. As missionaries, at the end of the dinner we usually share a brief spiritual message to show our gratitude to those who were kind enough to let us in. When we were sharing a message about prayer the mother just broke down in tears. Choking on her tears, she told us how her son (who was gone that night) hadn't talked to her all weekend and wouldn't eat. She was so worried about her son. You could see the distress and love in her eyes. We promised her that all would be well.

Fast forward to that night I did a lot of contemplating. I had never really come to see a mother's love in that light until that evening. What makes the bond between a mother and her child so deep? The divine love that mothers have is no doubt inspired.

By divine design, fathers are to preside over their families in love and righteousness and are responsible to provide the necessities of life and protection for their families. Mothers are primarily responsible for the nurture of their children. In these sacred responsibilities, fathers and mothers are obligated to help one another as equal partners. Disability, death, or other circumstances may necessitate individual adaptation. Extended families should lend support when needed. -The Family a Proclamation to the World

It made me look back on my life and realize how much my mother has always loved me. My heart breaks to know that at one time or another, just like the mother we talked to, my mom probably shed a tear or two worrying about me. My mom has always been patient with my siblings for all my life. I am thankful that God has given me such a great family and the example that my parents have set for me!

Happy Mothers Day!
(AKA Missionaries get to talk to their family day)

10,000 Feet Up

On my mission I am constantly reminded that, sometimes, things aren't always easy. At times our path we must walk is so difficult that we feel like we can not even take another step forward. During these struggles in life, I can't help but to think of one of the most terrifying yet humbling experiences of my life.

In August of 2011 my friends, including my older brother Curtis, and I packed up and prepared for a backpacking trip. We mapped out our destination to the Sawtooth mountain range in Idaho with our youth group leaders.

When we arrived we were blown away by the beautiful mountains that we would be spending almost a week in. Little did we know what was ahead of us. Our first day of the hike we primarily went through desolate stretches of sagebrush in 85 degree weather. It was one of the hottest days of the year for that mountain range. We climbed up in elevation as we marched the first 9 miles that day. Our 50 lb packs felt heavier and heavier as the trek moved on. Toward the end of the hike we entered into the shade of towering evergreens. It hit me then that there was absolutely no sign of life or civilization for miles around, not even cabins or dirt roads, just the trail and the rustic Sawtooth mountains. We followed the trail until we finally made it to a crystal clear blue lake of glacier run off. My best friend, Nick, dropped his pack immediately and laid on top of a boulder as if it was a king size mattress. I knew he was acting strange but it wasn't until later that we realized he probably had high-altitude sickness.

The next few days weren't near as bad. We were blessed with the majestic scenery. I won't ever forget what it felt like sitting on top of an ice cold glacier on an 80 degree day, it was really bizarre that the ice there had remained frozen for hundreds of years. Our trail must have passed by a dozen of these crystal clear glacier lakes each one with its own name to describe it. We passed Hatchet Lake, Noisy Lake, Quiet Lake, and Boulder Lake just to name a few.

On the second to last day on the trail we hit our trial, it was a mountain pass called the Windy Devil. I stood in the midst of 14-18 year old young men looking up at the perilous mountain. If the steepness and the height of the mountain wasn't enough to scare us, there was a point where which we were to cross over a glacier. One wrong step and we would have slid down the icy slope into the jagged rocks at the bottom. I like to imagine that all of us there was as nervous as I was, but none of us was ever going to admit we were scared. We just all looked up at the peak that reached into the sky at over 10,000 feet elevation. We climbed the mountain sometimes with all fours on the rock face. Our heavy packs on our backs made the climb that much harder. It felt as if my pack was trying to pull me off the mountain. When we hit the ice we would kick foot-holes into it and very cautiously take it one step at a time making sure that our footholds would, in fact hold. After what seemed like an hour, we made it to the top. 

Our vision now could see over the chain of crystal clear lakes. The sight was just that much better from the top of the mountain. The hike was dangerous and hard, but definitely worth it.

At times on my mission I reflect on what I learned that week in the Sawtooth mountain range. Sometimes my companion and I (or our friends that we visit) feel as if we have our weights on our back holding us back. Sometimes we can only take things one step at a time, and we might even be crawling on our hands and feet. The most important thing I learned is that  will always be worth it in the end as long as we keep moving.

Because of Him

North Carolina is absolutely beautiful in the spring time. Flowers of just about every color appear on the trees and greenery around us. I cannot think of a better and more beautiful time to celebrate Easter. The life around us begins to spring up again after a dark and dreary winter.

The video above, titled Because of Him, tells the story of how Christ conquered death that we might all have a brighter hope and in turn a brighter future. The potential that we all have remains endless because of Him. I know that the capabilities and accomplishments of mankind are great and marvelous, but Christ's resurrection is even greater and more marvelous.

My question to all of you readers out there is: How has your life changed Because of Him?
Please leave your comments below

Missionary Life in a Nutshell

Obedience is the price

Faith is the power

Love is the motive

The Spirit is the key

Christ is the reason

Abide With Me

You never know who is watching you and the effect that you might have on them.

Mountains of Life

 As I look back at the all the amazing experiences I have been blessed with the past 6 months on my mission, one in particular comes to mind. It all came from one night after a dinner with a family from the local ward (a ward is a congregation in the church). As we finished up dinner we were asked by the family's father if we wouldn't mind stopping by a man who was going through a sudden illness that was taking over his life. Of course, we told him we didn't mind so we were on our way! After knocking on the door we heard a voice tell us to come in. We pushed open the door and walked in. The man told us to sit down. His eyes were weary and his body would shake occasionally. The man was visibly ill. Though he struggled to even stand, when we talked to him he would crack a few jokes and we would all laugh together. Although we were there to offer our service and make sure he was okay, I felt like we came out of the visit more edified and strengthened then he (it's funny how often that happens as a missionary). He told us how going through a hard time is like climbing a big mountain. Your vision might not allow you to see very far and you might be very tired from the length you have already traveled. Here are a few of the profound words he said regarding trials:

"It may be steep... and it is!
It may be long... and it is!
But there is a top to the mountain!"

There is always a top to the mountain. We all struggle with our own set of trials no matter how big or small. Let's get real for a second, the things that might not matter for others around us might be the biggest mountain we have. Whatever it may be, though, keep going and keep climbing. There is a top to the mountain.

 I hope that those words retain at least a fraction of the power that they carried the first time they were told to my companion and I. 

The Man Behind the Cash Register

The story this week is an undeniable miracle that happened to my companion and I. Due to a few unexpected expenses, my companion has been a little tight on money this past month. Along with grocery money, he had set aside money for a camera at Walmart he has been looking at. We also had to make an unexpected trip to the bike shop to fix his bike. After going to the bike shop and finding out that repairs would cost $60, he knew he would have to dip into the camera fund and that he might not be able to get it.

Trying to salvage any good cheer at all, we decided to go to Five Guys (they are few and far between out here and one happened to be in Raleigh by the bike shop). Walking in I immediately caught the eye of the man behind the cash register. You see, it is easy to tell in one's eyes if they are familiar with missionaries and I definitely had that feeling. Sure enough, we went up to the counter he said, "Where are you from, Idaho or Utah?" I was slightly taken off guard because I really was from Idaho but we laughed and I said Idaho. He gave us the look that said "Ha! I knew it!" Anyway, we got our food and decided to sit outside because we felt for whatever reason we should (yes, outside in January, you can do that here in NC). We blessed the food with a prayer as usual and when I opened my eyes I caught the eyes of the man behind the cash register once again. I quickly looked away and we began eating our food. Not long after that, another man came up to us and told us how much he looks up to Mormon Missionaries. He said his name was Doc and thanked us for serving and taking time away from our families. As I shook his hand and over Doc's shoulder I once again caught the eyes of the man behind the cash register through the store window. Not a minute went by before the man came out from behind the counter and came to talk to us. His name was Bill. He told us that he, just like Doc, had a respect for missionaries but wasn't a member. He praised us for serving the Lord and told us about a time when the missionaries taught his family. He then reached into his pocket and pulled out two pieces of plastic. One was a $25 dollar gift card to a pizza place nearby and one was $25 dollars to Walmart, exactly where my companion wanted to buy his camera from. He said "I want you to have these." Shook our hands and left just as quickly and silently as Doc did. Without saying but a few words after he left we both bowed our heads and prayed a prayer of thanks to God. He now had just enough money to buy the camera he wanted from Walmart and pay for the bike repair. My companions prayer was answered by and angel disguised as the man behind the cash register.

The Young Little Kite

The Young Little Kite

As the young little kite began his first flight

the breeze blew softly until the string was tight

Gently he was lifted just a few feet more

"Surely, I'm higher than I've ever been before."

Soon a wind replaced the soft breeze

Until the young little kite was above all the trees.

His very first glide had turned to a soar.

"Surely, I'm higher than I've ever been before."

The winds sped up and the clouds turned grey

He was beaten and tossed in every which way.

And all he could feel was the string's tension pulling down

So he let go of his string and soon crashed to the ground.

The poor little kite was lying broken in the dirt

When the Master picked him up and wrapped him up in his shirt.

He cradled him tight as he took the kite in.

Then fixed every hole and glued every limb.

The kite was now fixed and felt good as new.

As the breeze came alive he began flight two.

Little did he know was that the string "pulling down,"

Was the only sole thing keeping him off of the ground.

Soon the wind replaced the soft breeze

Until the young little kite was above all the trees.

Once again, his glide turned to a soar.

"Surely, I'm higher than I've ever been before."

There is always somebody who is there for us. God has surrounded us with people and things that he knows will help us. They can be in the forms of friends, family, church members, and even strangers. A lot of times when we hit trials in our lives the easy thing to do is to let go of all our support and think we can do it ourselves. Just like this kite we need to hold on to the things that make us happy, especially when the storms get rough. I know that when we crash down that there is always a way to get back up!

Someone to Lean On

This week's blog post will be short and sweet.

Be near me, Lord Jesus; I ask thee to stay

Close by me forever, and love me, I pray.

Bless all the dear children in thy tender care,

And fit us for heaven to live with thee there.

One of the best parts about the Christmas season for me is definitely the Christmas songs that are so familiar to all of us. Usually, they just remind me of fond memories of past Christmas seasons but the verse to "Away in a Manger" was particularly touching to me the other day. It hit me when we were singing it at a fireside. Sitting beside me was a rather large man we have been teaching for about a month now. As he sung the verse with his low, grumbling voice I could nearly feel the the ground shake beneath my feet. What's more than that was that I could feel his spirit. The words touched me "I ask thee to stay close by me forever, love me, I pray."

We all need help, no matter how much we think we can take everything on head on. Let's face it, this world we live in is full of pain and heartache. I really have come to find out, that is why God gave us families and friends. We need that support sometimes to get through the rough patches. What's more is that God gave his Son for us. When life gets hard we can lean on Him. 

The lesson I learned from our friend at the fireside is that we all got struggles that, to us, are extremely hard. To others on the outside it may not seem like they are that big of deal but they are big. We simply cannot do it alone. 

A Missionary's Motive

As missionaries we get the chance to meet so many amazing people. As a natural consequence, we get asked a few "get to know you questions" on a regular basis from our new friends. One of the most popular questions we get asked is: What made you decide to serve a mission? Often times I am only able to answer the question briefly so I want to take this opportunity to explain more fully why I decided to serve a mission.

Some might wonder why anyone in their right mind would choose to leave their lives of schooling, dating, sporting, working, and playing to stay somewhere far away with a population of strangers. Hopefully by taking my personal experiences, I will be able to shed a little light on it.

First of all, growing up in The Church of Jesus Christ of Later-day Saints I, naturally, have always felt that it is part of my duty to serve a mission, but there is a lot more that I believe has to happen. If it were only a sense of duty, I often wonder if I would be where I am. In fact, there have been many moments in my life where I have had doubts. The key for me was becoming converted to the gospel that I now teach. One day it kind of hit me, how amazing the message we share as missionaries is. It kind of just made me want to share it with everyone. The last and key step that made me want to go on a mission initially was that I had wonderful examples in my life, especially my older brother. We never always got along, as most brothers, but nothing meant more to me than seeing him go out and serve the Lord and hearing his amazing experiences in letters home. He is currently serving in the Albuquerque, New Mexico Mission. I don't know what I would have done without him.

The most amazing thing about it all is that since I have been out, I have discovered so many more amazing reasons why I am here on a mission. The first is that I love the people here in North Carolina. When you love someone, it is so easy to share a message that will make them happy. We never force religion on anyone but rather invite them to see and learn for themselves. The next reason is because I have never been happier in my life. In the fun times we smile and in the hard times we grow. Among many more reasons I know I am where I need to be is that Jesus Christ lives. I know it. I love Christ and the sacrifice he gave for all of us. There is nothing in the world more satisfying or exciting than seeing one of my brothers or sisters have their burdens lifted from their lives. Nothing in the world could compare to the feeling that they feel when they choose to follow Christ. It is through His grace and love that we can find true joy and happiness in this life.

God lives. Miracles happen everyday. I know that because I see them everyday. There is absolutely no way that the miracles we are privileged to see are all coincidences. I am lucky to be a missionary.

In all honesty, those are the reasons why I am serving a mission.

It's the Most Wonderful Time of the Year

Wow! Can you believe it is already December? In North Carolina, December is a little warmer than back home in Idaho so it seems to have crept up on me quick! The Christmas lights are beginning to line the main streets of the small towns I serve near. Christmas trees are popping up in the windows of nearly every home. What's best is that everyone seems a little happier, smiles seem a little brighter, and faces a little friendlier. Those are a few reasons why this is one of my favorite times of the year. 

To some people, the thought of setting aside all things (college, friends, family, home, comfort) for 2 years to be living somewhere far away is completely foreign. Especially at the Holiday season, I thought I would be missing my family or friends. And though at times I may question why I am here, I know there is nowhere I would rather be than on a mission right now.

This past week we had a great opportunity to go caroling with a family, leaving others with a plate of goodies and a message on Christ. Even though we have never met these families before, more often than not, the would let us come into their home only a few lines into our Christmas carol. More permanent than the plate of pumpkin rolls or the message shared is the feeling of friendship we all were able to have. Hearts are really opened this time of the year! Only thing that I could hope for, is that this feeling could linger in everyone's hearts a little longer than a month or so :) Below is a little poem from prophet and President Thomas S. Monson and a picture of what this season is really all about. Merry Christmas everyone. 

What do you love about this Christmas season?

For future reference, Tuesday will be my posting day on most weeks. So keep your eye out on Tuesdays I guess!

There’s Christmas in the home and church,

There’s Christmas in the mart;

But you’ll not know what Christmas is

Unless it’s in your heart.

-Thomas S. Monson

What Are YOU Thankful For?

Today people all over the world have the wonderful opportunity to take a step back and realize what they are thankful for. What a fantastic day to have my first post on my blog!

This day has been filled with countless miracles and blessings. My companion and I went to an activity put on by the local church members called the Turkey Bowl this morning. We played football and were able to get to know both members of the church and their friends a lot better, and have a blast doing it!

The rest of our Thanksgiving was filled with three (yes, three) Thanksgiving gatherings with great families. I loved each dinner for their own special reasons. One of the dinners was with a man we have been teaching and his family. One of the most heart-warming things was the prayer he humbly gave at the close. He told God everything he was thankful for and you could feel the spirit in the room. Then at the close of his prayer he stood up and hugged his wife. That is one of the most amazing things about being a missionary.

I just wanted to tell y'all real quick what I am thankful for this Thanksgiving. I am thankful for my Savior and the fact that through Him, I can be saved. I am so blessed to be a missionary and to see people from all backgrounds and watch the Spirit change them. I am thankful for my family and friends back home and their constant support for me. I am thankful for good health. I am thankful for this country we live in and the men and women who fight for our freedom. I am incredibly thankful for all the modern conveniences we have. But most of all, I am grateful for my Heavenly father who gives me all these things... even though I KNOW I deserve none of it. He loves us more than we can imagine.

I would love to hear what things y'all are thankful for. So,
What are you thankful for?