Effect Change

I think that too many times we keep our mouths shut when something needs to be said. I don't mean criticizing or laying into people when you are upset. I mean caring enough to say something to let them know that they are loved and important.

I think that in life we put up too many walls and isolate ourselves from others. Maybe its a defense mechanism. Maybe its fear...but we are all here trying to make sense out of life and figure it out. There is no manual, no directions.

We have to stop thinking about ourselves and think about others...effect change.

There Are People...

I was on my way to the airport today. I purchased a sandwich the night before and kept it in the refrigerator for my trip down. When I began traveling I wasn’t that hungry and I had let the sandwich sit for quite a while in the seat next to me. Well, about two hours into the trip I decided I was hungry and I opened up the sandwich and took a couple bites. It wasn’t the most appetizing thing, the lettuce had begun to wilt, the meat was warmish and I decided that I wasn’t really that hungry and placed the sandwich back in its bag and left it on the seat.

As, I got closer the airport I realized that I needed to fill the gas tank in my rental to avoid paying for the rental agency to fill it up. I stopped at a gas station and began to fill up the tank. I stood filling my tank and a man came walking into the station with a garbage bag. He rummaged through the garbage cans pulling out recyclable containers. I thought I would be charitable and reached into my car and pulled out a plastic container for the vitamin water I drank on the way to the airport and offered it to the man. While grabbing my bottle, I saw the sandwich and a couple other things and decided I would throw those away. So I tossed them into the garbage can. The man continued around the gas station, stopping across from me. When he set his bag down to check his next can, I couldn’t believe my eyes, I saw there among the discarded bottles and cans, the sandwich I had just thrown away.

Now, before anyone ruins my story by jumping down the wrong path, I want to let you know how ashamed I felt at that moment. It was the epitome of the line parents give to children, who don’t eat their vegetables, “you better eat those, don’t you know there are people starving, that would love to have that?” I didn’t even think to offer the man my sandwich. I didn’t eat it because, it wasn’t to my liking. I was wasteful instead. Yet, this man had the humility to take what he could get.

I wonder if we are truly grateful, for what the Lord blesses us with. Are we really grateful for every meal we get. How often do we pray before a meal and then complain during or after that there was something wrong with it.? I know that I am guilty of it, more frequently than I would like to admit. But, I never really considered it. I have to say that I was really struck by the situation today.

I think that I need to live a less decadent life, I think that I shouldn’t be so wasteful and that I should learn what being grateful really means.

Examples...

So, I have made several trips between Utah and California the last couple months as I have been working in Utah and trying to get my family moved out here from California. That being said, most of my trips have been very smooth. I have been delayed only once and sat in the airport for a couple hours but that was pleasant.

What I wanted to talk about is my last trip, it was from Oakland to Salt Lake City. Now, I am not as naive to think that everyone who gets on the plane is LDS. In fact, quite the contrary, with all the travel plans and layovers, etc...you never know who is going to be on the plane.

That being said, after I boarded a young man got on the plain next to me. When he sat down, he set a bag in the seat as he prepared to put his bag away. That's when I noticed the BYU Idaho logo and his "eternal smile." Initially, I thought it was neat and thought I would strike up a conversation. Things didn't go as planned.

As we began to Taxi, the pilot announced to shut off all electronic devices. The young man pulled out his phone and instead of shutting it off placed a phone call. The stewardess walked by and asked him to turn it off. He talked for another 30 seconds, then...hung up and made another phone call. Again, the stewardess asked him to turn the phone off. She was a little more stern. But the young man talked for another minute or so. He hung up the phone as the stewardess headed back our way. However, instead of hanging up the phone, he cradled it by his left leg (away from the aisle) and began texting on it. I was actually floored by his disregard. The people across the row from us noticed him at this point also.

That's not the end of the story...

During the flight, he pulled out his laptop and began working on it. About 15 minutes prior to landing, they announced to turn off all electronic devices again to prepare to land. He ignored it completely. he continued to work until the stewardess asked him to turn off his laptop. He didn't and faked turning it off, by shutting the laptop slightly and waiting until she was out of view and continued working. She had to come by again and he avoided eye contact eventually, putting the device away, just moments before landing.

I have to say, that I do not know if he was LDS, and it really doesn't matter. What matters is that the examples we set are always viewed by others and right or wrong, it leaves a lasting impression on them.

Families Should Be Eternal

I have been very introspective today. A tradgedy took place this week when a very good man lost his wife. She was pregnant and had two children already. Her husband is one of the greatest men I know. Though, I don’t think I ever told him that. He reminds me a lot of my brother. He is one of those individuals that doesn’t back away from a challenge. He also has one of the greatest perspectives on life. I have known him since his teenage years though.

His wife is a beautiful woman and one of the kindest woman you’d ever meet. She has a radiant smile and a wonderful laugh.

All that being said, even with her early passing, I know that she will have an opportunity to be with her husband again. I know that she will be able to see her children and experience the unity and love of the family she brought into this world. I testify, families are eternal, that which is bound on earth is also bound in heaven. May we never lose site or hope that God has a plan for us on this earth.

I found this commercial that says it much more eloquent than I. I hope you enjoy it.

Youth Temple Trip - Medford Temple

This weekend we took our youth to do baptisms at the Medford Temple. It was an awesome experience for me. For several of the youth it was their first time to go to the temple to do baptisms. Baptisms for the dead, is an opportunity for youth to stand in place of those that have passed on and be baptized in proxy for them. This allows those that were never baptized during their lives to have a chance to accept that ordinance in the afterlife and still continue their progression toward exaltation. This way, those who never had a chance to hear or accept the gospel while alive, are not completely condemned for eternity.

One thing that I was impressed with was an 18-year-old young lady that switch cars and rode home with my 12-year-old daughter and the other two 12-year-olds that accompanied us. I was so impressed with her example and kindness extended to those young girls. She was very much a factor in those girls remembering that day for the rest of their lives.

I think that in so many instances today, older girls have no time for the younger ones coming up. They are either too busy or too good for them. This was definitely no the case for this young lady. She was SO encouraging and kind...it left an impression on me. I spoke to my daughter after dropping the other off at home and I said, "You can learn a lot from that young lady, that's what being a leader is really about."

I think that leadership in the church, isn't about separating yourself from those that you serve. It is about getting those you serve to want to follow you and become better people. I hope that my daughter wants to grow up and keep working to be better. I am thankful that she has examples like this young lady in the church.

Glenn Beck's Tribute to President Hinckley...

I found this video to be very, very touching. Today, I am thankful that there are people like Glenn Beck out there.

Thank you, Glenn for Standing For Something, as President Hinckley asked us to.

;-)

New First Presidency Called

Today the church announced that it has called Thomas S. Monson, as Prophet and President of the Church, Henry B. Eyring as First Counselor and Dieter F. Uchtdorf as Second Counselor. For anyone who knows how the Prophet is called it is no surprise as to who the new prophet would be. Though, many speculate about who the counselors would be, the options are tremendous regardless of who is called.

I have to say that I am excited to attend the next General Conference in April at the Conference Center to sustain these men as well as sustain whoever is called into the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles.

I know the Gospel of Jesus Christ is true and that we have a Prophet to lead and guide us on the earth today. I know that Thomas S. Monson is that Prophet. I am so looking forward to his Presidency. Though I will miss President Hinckley's wit and sincerity, I know he has left the church in good hands and his, our work will continue to move forth with zeal and determination across the face of the earth.

I witness this in the name of Jesus Christ. Amen.