I don't think it matters who you are, where your from or from what situation in life you come from, there will always be opportunities in life that require your patience. Whether it is patience needed that can be caused by certain situations or patience needed when dealing with other people. In my life I have been both good and bad at having the proper amount of patience needed to deal these different things.
I remember when I was studying Russian before I went to Russia to serve as a missionary for two years. One brother who was learning with me picked it up really fast and seemed to be able to speak and understand a lot better than I could. It was really difficult to see that as I struggled to grasp even simple things. I'm a firm believer that whatsoever we ask God in faith, believing that he will give it to us, he will give it to us. I made the mistake of asking for patience as I tried to learn the language. I'll explain.
I've learned over my many years that we ask for and how we receive those answers can be completely different than how god chooses to answer our prayers. Example. If I wanted patience then God will bless me with opportunities to be patient. In my case he did and I quickly learned to be certain I was ready to receive what I was asking for. I learned that patience is a virtue and that it is received through our learning to be patient when patience is necessary and with help from God as we pray for it.
There is an awesome scripture that I have often thought about found in Luke 21:19 It reads "In your patience possess ye your souls". I love the imagery. As I ponder on this more and more I get new meanings and deeper understanding of this simple phrase. I think love/charity go hand in hand with patience. Those who have patience either have a love of God or for the people with whom they show that patience to. It could be both. But when we have patience we are controlling our thoughts and emotions and in a way we possess our souls. This is just one interpretation. I have found others. What are your thoughts on patience or this scripture in general?
Tuesday, March 30, 2010
Wednesday, March 24, 2010
I'm Humbled.
I wanted my blog to be a place where I could keep a journal. I also thought it could be a good way to get others opinions on things and to share my thoughts with them as well. In order to do the latter, I recently created a group on Facebook inviting everyone I know to follow my blog. I was humbled that within days I had dozens of people interested in reading what I have to say. I never thought I was that interesting. My wife assures me I am.
With that in my mind. I would love to hear your opinions and comments. I will try not to waste your time with my posts. Hopefully you will get what you want out of this. Thanks.
With that in my mind. I would love to hear your opinions and comments. I will try not to waste your time with my posts. Hopefully you will get what you want out of this. Thanks.
Wednesday, March 17, 2010
What will they think up next?
Usually I don't pay too much attention to legislation and things that are going on in the government, unless it directly affects me. Having a wife who works for the government as a Middle School teacher, I am more aware of things going on.
One of Utah's Legislators is crazy. He tried to get rid of the 12th grade in order to save money. That is just one of his many bright ideas. Recently, legislation passed, in my mind, a horrific bill that in effect cuts pensions in half and erases the retirement age completely. This would affect any new government employees starting after this year. Some of my details could be wrong, but this is how i understood what my wife relayed to me.
I consider this decision horrific because it effectually discourages anyone from becoming a policeman, fireman, teacher and any other government employee this would affect. Now you can't just retire at 65. You have to work x amount of years to retire. So if you get into the field later in life you would have to work past the age of 65 to retire and receive your pension which would be smaller than prior to this bill.
Legislators are quick to save a buck, but slow to see the consequences. From my wife's experience, class sizes are already to big. With less incentive to teach we will have fewer teachers. In turn, we will have bigger classes. The children will suffer. In my eyes these are our future. What are we telling them? Which police officer would show up to one of these legislators calls? I would say a very Christ-like police officer!
I know times are tough. I know lots of money has been thrown around to try to help the situation. Some of it has been successful, some not so successful. Sometimes it feels as though those decision makers in the government, in this instance state government, have no clue what they are doing. It seems as though they are out of touch with the needs of the people. Sure this may solve their problem for the time being(without touching their pocketbooks), but what about down the road? I am just sharing it like I see it. What do you think?
One of Utah's Legislators is crazy. He tried to get rid of the 12th grade in order to save money. That is just one of his many bright ideas. Recently, legislation passed, in my mind, a horrific bill that in effect cuts pensions in half and erases the retirement age completely. This would affect any new government employees starting after this year. Some of my details could be wrong, but this is how i understood what my wife relayed to me.
I consider this decision horrific because it effectually discourages anyone from becoming a policeman, fireman, teacher and any other government employee this would affect. Now you can't just retire at 65. You have to work x amount of years to retire. So if you get into the field later in life you would have to work past the age of 65 to retire and receive your pension which would be smaller than prior to this bill.
Legislators are quick to save a buck, but slow to see the consequences. From my wife's experience, class sizes are already to big. With less incentive to teach we will have fewer teachers. In turn, we will have bigger classes. The children will suffer. In my eyes these are our future. What are we telling them? Which police officer would show up to one of these legislators calls? I would say a very Christ-like police officer!
I know times are tough. I know lots of money has been thrown around to try to help the situation. Some of it has been successful, some not so successful. Sometimes it feels as though those decision makers in the government, in this instance state government, have no clue what they are doing. It seems as though they are out of touch with the needs of the people. Sure this may solve their problem for the time being(without touching their pocketbooks), but what about down the road? I am just sharing it like I see it. What do you think?
Sunday, March 7, 2010
Worth
Today in church we had a lesson about worth. It was very interesting and thought provoking to me and I thought I would share some of the highlights.
The question was asked, "What is worth?" an accounting major answered that "it is the sum of one's assets minus their liabilities." Another person answered, "it is the perceived value someone gives to someone or some thing." These responses were followed by the question, "What gives something worth?" there were many responses. Some responses were, "If it is in demand that makes it worth a lot" or "if it is rare, then it will be worth more" and many other responses. During the discussion it was mentioned that you can see what is worth to someone by the time spent doing something, or the care put into something. Something of worth is treated differently than something of less worth. Perception has a lot to do with what gives something worth. What might be worth a lot to one person could be worthless to another.
With these thoughts and ideas the conversation swung toward people and worth. The question was then asked, "How do you show the worth of others?" We talked about how when we love, care and serve others we show that they have value to us. That in turn increases their own self worth. Also, our vision of their worth increases as we come to know, love and serve them. Interestingly, it was said that our own worth grows too. One, as the Lord blesses us. Two, as the people we serve come to know and love us they will value us more.
In the Doctrine and Covenants(to learn about the Doctrine and Covenants visit Mormon.org) in section 18 verse 10 it reads, "Remember the worth of souls is great in the sight of the Lord." We talked about how each and every person has great worth to God. That will never change. He loves us all the same and always will. However, our perspective changes and we see people differently. When we come to know, love and serve other people, we begin to see them as God sees them. We come to see how much or worth they really are.
It is my hope that we all, myself included, can take the time to serve others around us, even those people we struggle to love, that we may see them as God sees them. I know that as we do this we will see the worth in those people and we will increase our own self worth as well as theirs. I know that this will bring happiness into our lives and into the lives of those we serve.
The question was asked, "What is worth?" an accounting major answered that "it is the sum of one's assets minus their liabilities." Another person answered, "it is the perceived value someone gives to someone or some thing." These responses were followed by the question, "What gives something worth?" there were many responses. Some responses were, "If it is in demand that makes it worth a lot" or "if it is rare, then it will be worth more" and many other responses. During the discussion it was mentioned that you can see what is worth to someone by the time spent doing something, or the care put into something. Something of worth is treated differently than something of less worth. Perception has a lot to do with what gives something worth. What might be worth a lot to one person could be worthless to another.
With these thoughts and ideas the conversation swung toward people and worth. The question was then asked, "How do you show the worth of others?" We talked about how when we love, care and serve others we show that they have value to us. That in turn increases their own self worth. Also, our vision of their worth increases as we come to know, love and serve them. Interestingly, it was said that our own worth grows too. One, as the Lord blesses us. Two, as the people we serve come to know and love us they will value us more.
In the Doctrine and Covenants(to learn about the Doctrine and Covenants visit Mormon.org) in section 18 verse 10 it reads, "Remember the worth of souls is great in the sight of the Lord." We talked about how each and every person has great worth to God. That will never change. He loves us all the same and always will. However, our perspective changes and we see people differently. When we come to know, love and serve other people, we begin to see them as God sees them. We come to see how much or worth they really are.
It is my hope that we all, myself included, can take the time to serve others around us, even those people we struggle to love, that we may see them as God sees them. I know that as we do this we will see the worth in those people and we will increase our own self worth as well as theirs. I know that this will bring happiness into our lives and into the lives of those we serve.
Wednesday, March 3, 2010
Reflections
The title of this post gives the idea that this will be a very contemplative and deep discussion of things learned. Sorry, no promises. This post will touch on recent things past some things deeper than others. I'll start light.
Last week, I went in to find out the results of my sleep test that I had done a few weeks prior. It turns out on a good night I have upwards of 83 awakenings per night!! Crazy huh?! That was a good night of sleep for me. The doctor said I was just shy of getting 8 hours of sleep. So when you combine all 83 awakenings it totaled about a half an hour in all. That surprised me. I found out I have mild obstructive sleep apnea. It was explained to me that there is no high risk of any health problems. It was my choice whether or not to pursue anything further. Well, I went in because I can't remember the last time I woke up feeling refreshed, feeling that I had a good night sleep. I'm tired of being tired all the time. Court and I decided to do what needs to be done to get better sleep.
Our doctor explained I had three options. One, Surgery. Two, a mouth guard that would hold my jaw forward. Three, a CPAP machine that would keep my airway open during the night by forcing air into my mouth and or nose. She explained that the third option was best. So, March 19th I have another sleep test to find out what pressure of air is needed to keep may airway open. After which I will get a machine to sleep with. It seems odd to me that I, a 26 year old, would be sleeping with this kind of machine. I see it is something someone older would use like my parents. Well I guess if it helps me, and in turn Courtney, sleep better than I'm all for it.
This is now my second week of work with the IT department for the Religious Department at BYU. I love it! It is a fun job, when I'm not helping someone, I'm getting paid to play with new software and learn new things to better be able to do my job. Last Friday I played with Adobe Photoshop and took some tutorials while there was nothing else to do. Most of the time I have never addressed problems that I'm asked to solve. Usually with the help of google and other resources I am able to figure out these problems. I just have to laugh. I guess I'm getting paid because I'm good at finding answers to problems and am good at following instructions on how to solve things. I guess you could say I'm good at troubleshooting too. All in all, it is a fun job. I like the people I work with. My only worry, is that working this job will be time away from my school work. On some projects there doesn't seem to be enough time in the world to finish. I hope the Lord sees fit to magnify me and my time to be able to balance my time out well and get things done that need to be done.
Courtney and I are still sick. It has almost been two weeks now. We are doing much better though, and we can't wait to finally rid ourselves of this. This past weekend we flew out for the funeral of my Grandpa Ward. It was a very nice funeral. It was good to be with family and to remember his life. I heard a lot of stories about him that I had never heard before. He was, and is a great man. I think the most eye opening experience was dressing his body for the funeral. What an experience to be there with my father, brothers, and uncles dressing my grandpa to prepare his body for the life to come. I know that after we die we go to the spirit world and that are bodies lie here until they are called during the resurrection. For some reason I have been uncomfortable at funerals. I shrink at seeing dead people. However, as we were dressing my grandpa, I knew he was not there. It was just his body. He was in a better place.
I know that Heavenly Father lives and loves us! I know his plan for us was to allow us to have experiences in this life, to learn and to grow and then return home to him again. I know Jesus Christ is center to that plan. I know that he lived as our exemplar. I know that he suffered for us in Gethsemane and died on the cross and was resurrected three days later. I know that he loves us! If we come unto him and repent, he can make us clean. It is only through him that we can return to our Heavenly Father again! I'm grateful for this knowledge and the peace and happiness it brings to me. I'm grateful that families can be together forever. I know that I'll see my grandpa again.
Last week, I went in to find out the results of my sleep test that I had done a few weeks prior. It turns out on a good night I have upwards of 83 awakenings per night!! Crazy huh?! That was a good night of sleep for me. The doctor said I was just shy of getting 8 hours of sleep. So when you combine all 83 awakenings it totaled about a half an hour in all. That surprised me. I found out I have mild obstructive sleep apnea. It was explained to me that there is no high risk of any health problems. It was my choice whether or not to pursue anything further. Well, I went in because I can't remember the last time I woke up feeling refreshed, feeling that I had a good night sleep. I'm tired of being tired all the time. Court and I decided to do what needs to be done to get better sleep.
Our doctor explained I had three options. One, Surgery. Two, a mouth guard that would hold my jaw forward. Three, a CPAP machine that would keep my airway open during the night by forcing air into my mouth and or nose. She explained that the third option was best. So, March 19th I have another sleep test to find out what pressure of air is needed to keep may airway open. After which I will get a machine to sleep with. It seems odd to me that I, a 26 year old, would be sleeping with this kind of machine. I see it is something someone older would use like my parents. Well I guess if it helps me, and in turn Courtney, sleep better than I'm all for it.
This is now my second week of work with the IT department for the Religious Department at BYU. I love it! It is a fun job, when I'm not helping someone, I'm getting paid to play with new software and learn new things to better be able to do my job. Last Friday I played with Adobe Photoshop and took some tutorials while there was nothing else to do. Most of the time I have never addressed problems that I'm asked to solve. Usually with the help of google and other resources I am able to figure out these problems. I just have to laugh. I guess I'm getting paid because I'm good at finding answers to problems and am good at following instructions on how to solve things. I guess you could say I'm good at troubleshooting too. All in all, it is a fun job. I like the people I work with. My only worry, is that working this job will be time away from my school work. On some projects there doesn't seem to be enough time in the world to finish. I hope the Lord sees fit to magnify me and my time to be able to balance my time out well and get things done that need to be done.
Courtney and I are still sick. It has almost been two weeks now. We are doing much better though, and we can't wait to finally rid ourselves of this. This past weekend we flew out for the funeral of my Grandpa Ward. It was a very nice funeral. It was good to be with family and to remember his life. I heard a lot of stories about him that I had never heard before. He was, and is a great man. I think the most eye opening experience was dressing his body for the funeral. What an experience to be there with my father, brothers, and uncles dressing my grandpa to prepare his body for the life to come. I know that after we die we go to the spirit world and that are bodies lie here until they are called during the resurrection. For some reason I have been uncomfortable at funerals. I shrink at seeing dead people. However, as we were dressing my grandpa, I knew he was not there. It was just his body. He was in a better place.
I know that Heavenly Father lives and loves us! I know his plan for us was to allow us to have experiences in this life, to learn and to grow and then return home to him again. I know Jesus Christ is center to that plan. I know that he lived as our exemplar. I know that he suffered for us in Gethsemane and died on the cross and was resurrected three days later. I know that he loves us! If we come unto him and repent, he can make us clean. It is only through him that we can return to our Heavenly Father again! I'm grateful for this knowledge and the peace and happiness it brings to me. I'm grateful that families can be together forever. I know that I'll see my grandpa again.
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