Today in a Blink of an Eye

Has anyone ever wondered what the back of their eyelids look like? Well I just tried to look at them by closing my eyes and it went all dark. So I did the most obvious thing to do, what anyone in my position would do. I went to the mirror and tugged my eyelid back and took a gander of whats back there. Well to my surprise I saw...well I think you should do the same and look in the mirror. If you want you could get the entire family to do it as well. Please take pictures.
I recently received a comment that the last time I wrote on this blog was in July and it is now November. Well, that just goes to show everyone how much I think about blogging. I like writing, but most of the time I just don't think to do it. However, I have been writing a great deal lately because I have been modifying and updating my resume so that I can actually find a job in our wonderful employment state...

The Hero of Tomorrow is the Example of Today

It has been a couple months since I have offered any new insight into my life. I decided today would be that month. I am having amazing experiences at EFY (Especially For Youth). I have the opportunity to meet new people who are in my eyes so much better than anyone in the world. There are a few that I have deemed Examples Today-Heroes Tomorrow. There are six of these heroes in my life today; they are the amazing people I work with at EFY.

First we have my Co-Coordinator Staci...the Bold. Staci has this unique way of keeping everything organized and under control even when the pressure is on. She keeps the smile and the heart when they are breaking in everyone else. She is warm and caring to all she meets and she strives her hardest to allow the Spirit to teach through her. Staci also has confidence like a Titan that allows her to be a perfect example of righteousness without faltering. She is my Aggie in a sea of Cougars!

Next is Brooke, our Laughter in the Waves of Stress. I am not sure how she does it, but it is like the room gets brighter when she enters the room. She has the ability to help people smile no matter the situation and she plays a wicked raptor! It is amazing because one can't do anything but smile when they see Brooke. And if you ever want to hear the Spirit more than you ever have in your life, listen to her sing.

Lindsey is our Violin for our Symphony. She compliments our group and it would be lacking without her. She is the violin because she plays the violin and I don't believe there could be anyone better. I love that she shares her talent as much as she can-a great example of using talents to bless God's children. Lindsey has the heart of a lion (that just reminded me of Care Bears, but I guess that is Tender Heart Bear). Having the heart of a lion means being able to take care of everyone emotionally and still keep it together yourself. She is amazing!

Elle is our Bonus Check in an ocean of Debt. Really-the bonus in our lives. She is the gem on our team. The youngest, but the most full of heart and voice. She always has a story to tell or knowledge to give about anything in life. Anytime you want a heartfelt story or goofy experience to brighten your day find Elle. Her heart goes into not only her stories, but everything she does. She focuses on something and ensures it gets completed (even with A/V).

Christian is our Oasis in the Desert of Distress. I am not sure how he is able to sleep at all because he is always helping someone. If you ever want to find Christian at EFY, just look for someone who needs help and he will be there shortly, if not there already. My favorite thing about Christian is his cheerful Disney-like attitude. I have never once seen him without a good attitude-even when the ship is sinking, Christian is telling us its just a little rain (while he single handedly pumps all the water off the ship).

Ryan is our Plumber in the Puddle of Life. He is good at everything-no matter what it is. This goes from Basketball to teaching. His heart is in everything he does and he never wants to do anything half. His talents cross cultures as well; he has the ability to knit any person's heart with his own and with others. He loves everyone and is a great example of how our Savior would act if He was with us.

These are a few of my new heroes. My Examples of Christ today, our Heroes of Tomorrow.

The Funniness of People. . .

. . .Is funniness even a word? Chalk it up in my dictionary, it is now. Last night I just happen to be in a rehabilitation facility. No, I have not been rehabilitated. . . I am still as corny as ever. But I did happen to see a group of people leaving group for alcoholism (DUI court group). I have the opportunity to see most of these people in court every other week when I go to observe. They seem to be good people who have made not so good choices (like most of us) and they also seem to have a good sense of humor (not like most of us). So the door swings open and out pops this mass of people from group and all of the sudden this woman turns to everyone outside raises her hands and says "we're cured" with a big smile on her face. Of course it was just a joke, but she made everyone laugh even the people in group. It is wonderful to see people in hard situations striving to make the best of it-smiling along the way.

This little story helped me today because I stress over little things about me that should not be stressed over and when I see others smiling through great tribulation (even if it is caused by their own actions) it gives me great hope that I do not have to worry about certain things. It is amazing what happens when you think of something that is bothering you, that you cannot change, and you say to yourself "I do not need to worry about this, leave my mind". Of course you also need to let God in on the conversation so He can help you too. He has the power to take anything from your mind as long as you are 100% willing to give it up to Him.



What have I learned from all of this today? Go ahead and make tasteful jokes and make people smile even if you feel like you are in the pit of despair. And most importantly, let God in.

Hero in Training

I was strolling into WalMart today to pick up some car upholstery cleaner. I had spilled a large portion of chinese grease over a seat (which I was told would happen if I chose to put the food in the seat of the truck and not in the bed) while in route taking it to the missionaries. Knowing that missionaries always welcome food, I did not want to throw it away after Family Home Evening last night. While I was walking, thinking about absolutely nothing I noticed the sliding doors beginning to close and I thought of Indiana Jones when he is racing against time and the stone wall is slowing closing to his death! Immediately I plunged for the doors hoping against all hope that I would make it through before they closed and sealed me to my doom. No, not really. I just imagined it in my mind while walking fast to the doors. To my great distress they opened when I was about a foot away. For a moment I felt like Captain Moroni striving to bring peace to the people, but in reality it was just a door to WalMart. It was cool while it lasted and I have made a new goal to find more realistic ways to be a hero each day-like smiling at the WalMart greeter instead of ignoring them like most of us do. Come on, you know you've done it! Little things create a big hero.

The Truth about Planes, Trains, and Automobiles...and every other situation

As a communications major (which includes sociology, psychology, and any other type of social science and biological science for that matter) I have come to the conclusion that people are good and only want the best for other people. So while I am sitting on a plane, trax train or automobile the people who are around me only have my best interest at heart. I would like to discuss two very important situations about these types of scenarios. In my randomly organized brain my thoughts were that if someone sat next to me, but kept a gap the size of a canyon between them and me, they must think that I stink-literally like a smell out in a car. (For those of you who don't understand what this is I will explain) A smell out is when the driver of a vehicle rolls the windows up and locks them, then proceeds to cut the cheese while driving causing enormous pain to the other passengers. So of course my first thought was that I was repelling people who sat by me. As I rode the train this past week I realized that my perspective was incorrect and that the people who leave that gap between you are being polite either because they stink or they want to give you space.
The opposite situation is when they snuggle up against you. I first thought this was annoying and rather rude; however, it is because they are trying to keep you warm or they just think you are cute and want some attention, but mostly warmth. In conclusion a reminder to all those people who think people are evil, remember the flame doesn't fall far from the fire! No, I am just kidding. Remember, you only see what you want to see.

Life in Utah

Well I am back in Utah for a week for EFY training. The training was fun and I loved seeing old friends and great teachers. The entire program is a great way to invite the Spirit into the world more and more.
Every year I have the great opportunity to get bronchitis in February or March in Utah and since I have been living in Georgia I thought I would be free this year. However, God saw fit to allow me a smaller portion this year. I got back to Utah on Tuesday and by Wednesday night I was having symptoms of bronchitis. In God's infinite wisdom this has helped me this week to enjoy the times when I am not coughing and wheezing. I have had greater faith the past few months and while saying my prayers I asked for the cold to quickly go its course and it has. I still cough a little, but it is mostly gone and it hasn't even been a week yet. Usually the cough lasts a month as I am sure everyone from EFY last year would remember. God truly does help us when we ask.
Utah has been fun and it will be even more fun as I take a road trip this weekend to St. George (the land of palm trees and sun) Hopefully it won't snow!

Life in The Scriptures

So I have always had a testimony of the Book of Mormon and of Jesus Christ, but I have never tried to increase the faith that I have. I thought that if I had faith in Christ that would be sufficient to help me live life fully and someday return to God. This is true I guess, but I have come to realize over the past few weeks that just as God wants us to obtain greater knowledge, He wants us to gain greater faith so that one day it will no longer be faith, but a sure knowledge-just as Amulek speaks of in Alma. It is a great thing to understand the scriptures more each time you read them. I have made a commitment to start and finish the Book of Mormon while I am here in Georgia. I have two more weeks and I started in Mosiah. I just finished Helaman and am moving onto 3 Nephi. This means that I have been reading for a couple of hours every day. I want to let everyone know that this is an amazing thing that many people are not able to do because of their busy schedules, but I promise the blessings of reading the Book of Mormon are great no matter how much you read. I know that Jesus Christ is in them and that as we turn off the television and get off the internet and the videogames to read of His words, that we are greatly blessed even to the point that we do not know the limit of the blessings we receive each day. I don't wish to preach to anyone, just to offer a simple gift that I have been given, that everyone may understand the blessings they are able to receive by reading the word of God.

Life in Heaven

I have made a new goal to read the entire Book of Mormon while I am in Georgia. I am in Alma 56 right now. It feels good to read it quickly and have my memory refreshed so much faster than just reading a few chapters or verses a night. It is amazing how much having a goal brings you closer to God and brings you so much joy. I have been helping the missionaries this week and it has been amazing-like a small piece of heaven. They are two amazing missionaries and are great teachers. They follow the spirit and allow God to use them as instruments. Elder Oke, from Canada, is a new missionary and Elder Bateman from Utah has been out for a little bit. We have taught some discussions and done contacting in an apartment complex. I have met some of the part-member families and some less active members as well. It is just awesome when you try to give as much as you can to God. He not only blesses you for it, but gives you many other gifts that I don't think I deserve, but he gives them nonetheless. They asked me to help them today as well. I am excited to go serve the Lord and help others. I also have a friend's recital tonight that I am way excited to attend. She was a music major at Kennesaw State University. She has an amazing voice and is a wonderful person.
This past week I also went to movie night with some people in my branch. Oh my gosh! I had so much fun. We didn't really watch the movie (Sons of Provo), they had bought nerf guns with the suction cup bullets and Nick, Bev, and I just went wild. I can't remember when I had the opportunity to play with nerf, but it was awesome!
What have I learned from all of this amazing stuff? That God does really love us. I knew this before, but I haven't always felt it. I am living with dad right now and he does not practice Mormonism and his friends don't have any religion for the most part. It is hard to be in a house that is so different from a Mormon house, but God has taught me it is not the situation one is in, it is the attitude one keeps. And the attitude is always uplifted when commandments are kept and honored. I pray everyone can feel this at least once in their lives, if not all the time.

Life in Ice

The Land of Peach Trees was calling my name and I answered. I ended up landing in the middle of Kennesaw Georgia next to a cool university called, yep you guessed it, Kennesaw State University-where an escaped convict was running around last night. Never a dull moment in Georgia.
I have been trying to find a temporary job until I head back home, but as it is elsewhere, the job market is extremely slow here. The unemployment rate here is almost 10% and everyone is looking. I go for job interviews (K.L.S.C. and PriMerica) and they do not like the fact that I will be leaving in April. The others (home depot and walmart) who accept seasonal employees, I have to turn down because I see others applying who are head of households trying to afford food for their families. I'm not that in need of a job. I would be grateful to have one, but since I am leaving I don't want to take away someones income. Plus it's kinda fun hanging out in the middle of Civil War History.
I had a job interview with K.L.S.C. in Sandy Springs. This is a good company to work for if you want to make a large amount of money and if you want to be a pushy salesperson. I had a quick ten minute interview with the head boss who asked that I come back for a second interview. I was excited and boom! He explained that the second interview would be an 8-hour interview with a trainer. Little did I know, it was actually an 8-hour work shift. I was told we would train clients about new AT&T systems. NO! I was taken in a car with two other employees and we went tracting for customers. If anyone knows me from my mission in Ohio, I LOVE tracting. I get to meet new people everyday and talk to everyone. However, selling AT&T is so much different than talking to people about religion. We were all in suits and people would come to the door and say "Good, I thought you were those __ Mormons again!" I hadn't realized the mouths on people here in the south. The F-bomb is used as frequently as Heck is in Utah. So here I am with two other guys (who were nice and fun, except for the cussing), walking down street, knocking on doors, in 10 degree weather. It was like waking through a freezer. Beautiful things happen in the cold, like understanding I never want to be a traveling salesperson no matter how much money they make. Also, I really enjoy Starbucks hot chocolate and despise pushy people.
Wow, how could freezing cold temperatures and pushy salesmen for eight hours be exciting? I'll tell ya. I had the opportunity to meet Jerome Bettis-from the Pittsburgh Stealers. He signed a card for me too! Did I say how much I love tracting! Ice cold in Roswell Georgia-a beautiful experience in my book.