Dear Elder Daniel:
You are hereby called to serve as a missionary of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. You are assigned to labor in the Texas Fort Worth Mission. It is anticipated that you will serve for a period of 24 months.
You should report to the Provo Missionary Training Center on Wednesday, August 10, 2011. You will prepare to preach the gospel in the English language.
Sincerely,
-President Monson.
My dream has finally come. A dream to serve a mission for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. I cannot believe that the call to serve is fainlly here. I have even been called to serve in the best mission ever! The Texas, Fort Worth mission. I will spend two years of my life there, serving and preaching the gospel. I don't know that there has been another man more excited for his mission, than I am
Wednesday, April 20, 2011
Tuesday, April 19, 2011
Shotgun!
Among the many wars and strifes we have in the world today, a common argument arises; Who receives the front seat of a car ride? There are many different rules and regulations, that varies from person to person. However I would like to suggest a set of rules that everybody should follow, so that everybody can stop the arguing!
1. One MUST say the word shotgun in order to claim the ownership of the shotgun. The shotgun call must be loud enough so that everyone involved in the race to the car can hear it. No word, other than shotgun, will be tolerated. If all these steps are performed then the person gets the shotgun and gets to sit in the front passenger seat.
2. The shotgunner must be in clear sight of the car for the shotgun call to be considered valid. The shotgun can be called regardless of whether the driver is in the sight of the car.
3.In order to decide who gets the shotgun when simultaneous shotgun calls are made, a foot race to the passenger side door determines who will get the shotgun. This race involves all the people who called shotgun at the same time. The first one to get to the door is given the shotgun.
4.Shotgun cannot be called whilst inside a building, except if you are in a multistory or underground parking lot
5.Once shotgun has been called, the driver has the option of a re-load. The driver yells out "re-load" and this means that all previous call of shotgun are void. The first person to call shotgun again gets the front seat. This is helpful if the driver really does not like the person who first called shotgun. It can also be used when the shotgun call is simultaneous and the driver is unsure of the outcome. Note: a shotgun only has two barrels, so a re-load can only be called once.
6. Because everyone is created equal, men have the same right to front seat of the car as women do!
7. Once the journey has begun, the driver is the obvious controller of the tunes. However, if they feel that the road requires their full attention, it becomes the shotgunner's duty to control the tunes. Nevertheless, putting on a bad song or allowing for silence when the iPod finishes a song, or ANY other variation of this will result in a demotion to the middle back seat.
8.Shotgun overrules every other call. It is more powerful than dibs, baggsies, and any other call.
9.If someone has successfully called shotgun, they have the right to the front seat. They do not have the right to correct the driver on their navigation skills, (take a left here!!) or Driving ability (I would be in third gear if I was driving). If the passenger does this, they are forced to forfeit their position as the shotgun holder.
10. If the shotgunner attempts to open the door just as the driver is unlocking it and it jams the lock half open, making the driver have to unlock it again, the person has to forfeit their possession of the shotgun.
11.The holder of the shotgun assumes the responsibility for all gate openings, drive through ordering and question asking. He/she is, in essence, the copilot and therefore the enforcer of the behavior in the vehicle.
12.If the driver is the boyfriend/girlfriend/date of a passenger in the car, this person has the right to the seat of their choice.
13.If one of the potential occupants of the vehicle is convincingly dressed as a pirate, then they are given the shotgun automatically. In the event of more than one pirate being present, a sword fight to the death shall determine who will get the shotgun.
14.If an occupant of the car sees a Volkswagen Beetle they are allowed to punch the closes person while saying slug bug. Since riding shotgun is a benefit, people in the back seat are allowed to punch the shotgunner, but he/she isn't allowed to punch them back.
15.When riding in a 2 or 3 door car, it is the responsibility of the shotgunner to allow rear passengers in an out of the back of the car. This is in no way the driver's job, regardless of the weather conditions.
1. One MUST say the word shotgun in order to claim the ownership of the shotgun. The shotgun call must be loud enough so that everyone involved in the race to the car can hear it. No word, other than shotgun, will be tolerated. If all these steps are performed then the person gets the shotgun and gets to sit in the front passenger seat.
2. The shotgunner must be in clear sight of the car for the shotgun call to be considered valid. The shotgun can be called regardless of whether the driver is in the sight of the car.
3.In order to decide who gets the shotgun when simultaneous shotgun calls are made, a foot race to the passenger side door determines who will get the shotgun. This race involves all the people who called shotgun at the same time. The first one to get to the door is given the shotgun.
4.Shotgun cannot be called whilst inside a building, except if you are in a multistory or underground parking lot
5.Once shotgun has been called, the driver has the option of a re-load. The driver yells out "re-load" and this means that all previous call of shotgun are void. The first person to call shotgun again gets the front seat. This is helpful if the driver really does not like the person who first called shotgun. It can also be used when the shotgun call is simultaneous and the driver is unsure of the outcome. Note: a shotgun only has two barrels, so a re-load can only be called once.
6. Because everyone is created equal, men have the same right to front seat of the car as women do!
7. Once the journey has begun, the driver is the obvious controller of the tunes. However, if they feel that the road requires their full attention, it becomes the shotgunner's duty to control the tunes. Nevertheless, putting on a bad song or allowing for silence when the iPod finishes a song, or ANY other variation of this will result in a demotion to the middle back seat.
8.Shotgun overrules every other call. It is more powerful than dibs, baggsies, and any other call.
9.If someone has successfully called shotgun, they have the right to the front seat. They do not have the right to correct the driver on their navigation skills, (take a left here!!) or Driving ability (I would be in third gear if I was driving). If the passenger does this, they are forced to forfeit their position as the shotgun holder.
10. If the shotgunner attempts to open the door just as the driver is unlocking it and it jams the lock half open, making the driver have to unlock it again, the person has to forfeit their possession of the shotgun.
11.The holder of the shotgun assumes the responsibility for all gate openings, drive through ordering and question asking. He/she is, in essence, the copilot and therefore the enforcer of the behavior in the vehicle.
12.If the driver is the boyfriend/girlfriend/date of a passenger in the car, this person has the right to the seat of their choice.
13.If one of the potential occupants of the vehicle is convincingly dressed as a pirate, then they are given the shotgun automatically. In the event of more than one pirate being present, a sword fight to the death shall determine who will get the shotgun.
14.If an occupant of the car sees a Volkswagen Beetle they are allowed to punch the closes person while saying slug bug. Since riding shotgun is a benefit, people in the back seat are allowed to punch the shotgunner, but he/she isn't allowed to punch them back.
15.When riding in a 2 or 3 door car, it is the responsibility of the shotgunner to allow rear passengers in an out of the back of the car. This is in no way the driver's job, regardless of the weather conditions.
Sunday, February 27, 2011
Missionary
Since I've been here in college, life moves fast! This Wednesday one of my life long dreams will open in a quiet meeting with my bishop. I will begin my missionary papers for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. I suppose my impatience with waiting until my 19th birthday will be put on hold while I fill out my paperwork, but the impatience will probably be focused until April 7th when my papers are eligible to be sent into Salt Lake City. I have been so excited to serve a mission, and I hate waiting. I've been counting down since my 18th birthday for this occasion, and it is 3 days away, and my papers are can be sent in 39 days! I've even found my missionary scripture I would like on my plaque! Alma 29: 9
-"I know that which the Lord hath commanded me, and I glory in it. I do not glory of myself, but I glory in that which the Lord hat commanded me; yea, and this is my glory, that perhaps I may be an instrument in the hands of God to bring some soul to repentance; and this is my joy."
39 days until my papers get sent in! I'll keep everyone posted on the missionary process!
-"I know that which the Lord hath commanded me, and I glory in it. I do not glory of myself, but I glory in that which the Lord hat commanded me; yea, and this is my glory, that perhaps I may be an instrument in the hands of God to bring some soul to repentance; and this is my joy."
39 days until my papers get sent in! I'll keep everyone posted on the missionary process!
Thursday, February 17, 2011
Wednesday, January 26, 2011
Gifts
I have been given a gift. It has been one of the greatest gifts that I have ever received. It isn't tangible, nor can you see it. You can only hear it, and feel it. I have been given the gift of music. I don't wish this to be a post about how talented I am with music, but rather how grateful I am that I have been blessed with music in my life.
One of the greatest joys in my life, has been feeling the friction between my fingers and the piano keys as my fingers run up and down the piano. The feeling of guitar strings burning callouses into my fingers. The feeling of musical notes pouring out of my hands and floating into the ears of innocent bystanders. The feeling of solving a musical puzzle, and looking at the beautiful rewards that come from solving that puzzle.
Music has been a wonderful to express myself throughout my life. It has always been my closest friend, it has always been something with whom I could vent and share my darkest feelings.
As I have grown older, I have unlocked mysteries of music, and have been able to apply them to my own musical studies. I have been able to learn different instruments, and take instrumental theories and apply them to other instruments. This is one of my favorite aspects of music. Musical theory is universal, it applies to everything!
Hopefully I have the sense to use my talent to serve my fellow human beings. Music isn't something that should be used for selfish reasons, it should be used to bring beauty and fulfillment into the lives of others.
One of the greatest joys in my life, has been feeling the friction between my fingers and the piano keys as my fingers run up and down the piano. The feeling of guitar strings burning callouses into my fingers. The feeling of musical notes pouring out of my hands and floating into the ears of innocent bystanders. The feeling of solving a musical puzzle, and looking at the beautiful rewards that come from solving that puzzle.
Music has been a wonderful to express myself throughout my life. It has always been my closest friend, it has always been something with whom I could vent and share my darkest feelings.
As I have grown older, I have unlocked mysteries of music, and have been able to apply them to my own musical studies. I have been able to learn different instruments, and take instrumental theories and apply them to other instruments. This is one of my favorite aspects of music. Musical theory is universal, it applies to everything!
Hopefully I have the sense to use my talent to serve my fellow human beings. Music isn't something that should be used for selfish reasons, it should be used to bring beauty and fulfillment into the lives of others.
Tuesday, December 21, 2010
Christmas Traditions
When I was a small child, my family had a wonderful Christmas tradition, which unfortunately was discontinued when the children in my family grew up. My family owns a book, which contains 25 wonderful Christmas stories, one for every night leading up to Christmas. Every night the children would gather around my mother or father, often with a comfortable warm fire blazing in the background, and listen to stories of service and of love. It is one family tradition that I most utterly miss. I don't believe that my family has done these stories since I was about 8 years old. Now that I am 18 years old, the tradition has faded into the memories of me, my brother, and my sister, but I can still recall the magic that it brought into my life as a young child during the most magical of all seasons. For my blog post tonight, I would like to retell one of my most favorite stories entitled, "The Sixth Word."
Just a week before Christmas, I had a visitor, this is how it happened. I had just finished the household chores and was preparing to go to my bed, when I heard a noise in the front of the house. I opened the door of the front room, and to my surprise, Santa Claus himself stepped out from behind the Christmas tree. He placed his fingers over his mouth so I would not cry out.
"What are you doing...?" I started to ask, but the words chocked up in my throat as I saw he had tears in his eyes. His usual jolly manner was gone-gone was the eager, boisterous soul we all know.
He then answered me with a simple statement of "Teach the children." I was puzzled. What did he mean? He anticipated my question and with one quick movement brought forth a miniature toy bag from behind the tree. As I stood there bewildered, Santa said again, "Teach the children. Teach them the old meaning of Christmas-the meanings that Christmas nowadays has forgotten."
I started to say, "How can I..." when Santa reached into the toy bag and pulled out a brilliant shiny star.
"Teach the children that the star was the heavenly sign of promise long ages ago. God promised a Savior for the world and the star was a sign of the fulfillment of that promise. The countless shining stars at night-one for each man- now show the burning hope of all mankind." Santa gently laid the star upon the fireplace mantle and drew forth from the bag a glittering red Christmas tree ornament.
"Teach the children that red is the first color of Christmas. It was first used by the faithful people to remind them of the blood which was shed for all the people by the Savior. Christ gave His life and shed His blood that every man might have God's gift of Eternal Life. Red is deep, intense, vivid-it is the greatest color of all. it is the symbol of the gift of God."
"Teach the children," he said as he dislodged a small Christmas tree from the depths of the toy bag. He placed it before the mantle and gently hung the red ornament on it. The deep green of the fir tree was a perfect background for the ornament. Here was the second color of Christmas.
"The pure green color of the stately fir tree remains green all year round," he said. "This depicts the everlasting hope of mankind. green is the youthful, hopeful, abundant color of nature. All the needles point heavenward-symbols of Man's returning thoughts toward heaven. The great green tree has been man's best friend. It has sheltered him, warmed him, made beauty for him." Suddenly, I heard a soft tinkling sound.
"Teach the children that as the lost sheep are found by the sound of the bell, it should ring for man to return to the fold-it means guidance and return. It further signifies that all are precious in the eyes of the Lord. As the soft sound of the bell faded into the night, Santa drew forth a candle. He placed it on the mantle and the soft glow from its tiny flame cast a glow about the darkened room. Odd shapes in shadows slowly dance and weaved upon the walls.
"Teach the children," whispered Santa, "that the candle shows man's thanks for the star of long ago. Its small light is the mirror of starlight. At first, candles were placed on the trees-they were like many glowing stars shining against the dark green. The colored lights have now taken over in remembrance."
Santa turned the small Christmas tree lights on and picked up a gift from under the tree. He pointed to the large bow and said, "A bow is placed on a present to remind us of the spirit of the brotherhood of man. We should remember that the bow is tied as men should be tied, all of use together, with the bonds of good will toward each other. Good will forever is the message of the bow."
Santa slung his bag over his shoulder and began to reach for the candy cane placed high on the tree. He unfastened it and reached out toward me with it.
"Teach the children that the candy cane represents the shepherd's crook. The crook on the staff helps bring back the strayed sheep to the flock. The candy cane represents the helping hand we should show at Christmas time. The candy cane is the symbol we are our brother's keepers."
As Santa looked about the room, a feeling of satisfaction shone in his face. He read wonderment in my eyes, and I am sure he sensed admiration for this night.
He reached into his bag and brought forth a large holly wreath. He placed it on the door and said, "Please teach the children that the wreath symbolizes the eternal nature of love; it never ceases, stops, or ends. It is the one continuous round of affection. The wreath does double duty. It is made of many things and in many colors. It should remind us of all the things of Christmas."
Santa's face seemed to light up in the darkness as a smile creeped up his rosy cheeks. A tear ran down his face and got lost in his big white beard. "Goodbye my friend," he said, and in the blink of an eye Santa disappeared. A melodious whisper seemed to float on the wind after Santa left, "Please teach the Children"
Just a week before Christmas, I had a visitor, this is how it happened. I had just finished the household chores and was preparing to go to my bed, when I heard a noise in the front of the house. I opened the door of the front room, and to my surprise, Santa Claus himself stepped out from behind the Christmas tree. He placed his fingers over his mouth so I would not cry out.
"What are you doing...?" I started to ask, but the words chocked up in my throat as I saw he had tears in his eyes. His usual jolly manner was gone-gone was the eager, boisterous soul we all know.
He then answered me with a simple statement of "Teach the children." I was puzzled. What did he mean? He anticipated my question and with one quick movement brought forth a miniature toy bag from behind the tree. As I stood there bewildered, Santa said again, "Teach the children. Teach them the old meaning of Christmas-the meanings that Christmas nowadays has forgotten."
I started to say, "How can I..." when Santa reached into the toy bag and pulled out a brilliant shiny star.
"Teach the children that the star was the heavenly sign of promise long ages ago. God promised a Savior for the world and the star was a sign of the fulfillment of that promise. The countless shining stars at night-one for each man- now show the burning hope of all mankind." Santa gently laid the star upon the fireplace mantle and drew forth from the bag a glittering red Christmas tree ornament.
"Teach the children that red is the first color of Christmas. It was first used by the faithful people to remind them of the blood which was shed for all the people by the Savior. Christ gave His life and shed His blood that every man might have God's gift of Eternal Life. Red is deep, intense, vivid-it is the greatest color of all. it is the symbol of the gift of God."
"Teach the children," he said as he dislodged a small Christmas tree from the depths of the toy bag. He placed it before the mantle and gently hung the red ornament on it. The deep green of the fir tree was a perfect background for the ornament. Here was the second color of Christmas.
"The pure green color of the stately fir tree remains green all year round," he said. "This depicts the everlasting hope of mankind. green is the youthful, hopeful, abundant color of nature. All the needles point heavenward-symbols of Man's returning thoughts toward heaven. The great green tree has been man's best friend. It has sheltered him, warmed him, made beauty for him." Suddenly, I heard a soft tinkling sound.
"Teach the children that as the lost sheep are found by the sound of the bell, it should ring for man to return to the fold-it means guidance and return. It further signifies that all are precious in the eyes of the Lord. As the soft sound of the bell faded into the night, Santa drew forth a candle. He placed it on the mantle and the soft glow from its tiny flame cast a glow about the darkened room. Odd shapes in shadows slowly dance and weaved upon the walls.
"Teach the children," whispered Santa, "that the candle shows man's thanks for the star of long ago. Its small light is the mirror of starlight. At first, candles were placed on the trees-they were like many glowing stars shining against the dark green. The colored lights have now taken over in remembrance."
Santa turned the small Christmas tree lights on and picked up a gift from under the tree. He pointed to the large bow and said, "A bow is placed on a present to remind us of the spirit of the brotherhood of man. We should remember that the bow is tied as men should be tied, all of use together, with the bonds of good will toward each other. Good will forever is the message of the bow."
Santa slung his bag over his shoulder and began to reach for the candy cane placed high on the tree. He unfastened it and reached out toward me with it.
"Teach the children that the candy cane represents the shepherd's crook. The crook on the staff helps bring back the strayed sheep to the flock. The candy cane represents the helping hand we should show at Christmas time. The candy cane is the symbol we are our brother's keepers."
As Santa looked about the room, a feeling of satisfaction shone in his face. He read wonderment in my eyes, and I am sure he sensed admiration for this night.
He reached into his bag and brought forth a large holly wreath. He placed it on the door and said, "Please teach the children that the wreath symbolizes the eternal nature of love; it never ceases, stops, or ends. It is the one continuous round of affection. The wreath does double duty. It is made of many things and in many colors. It should remind us of all the things of Christmas."
Santa's face seemed to light up in the darkness as a smile creeped up his rosy cheeks. A tear ran down his face and got lost in his big white beard. "Goodbye my friend," he said, and in the blink of an eye Santa disappeared. A melodious whisper seemed to float on the wind after Santa left, "Please teach the Children"
Sunday, November 21, 2010
Harry Potter
It seems like everyone is blogging about Harry Potter right now, so I will add my blog to the list of everybody's blog. From the first time I read the Harry Potter and the sorcerer's stone, I was hooked. Harry Potter was my favorite book ever. I grew up with the boy, what do you expect. My sister and I even loved playing Hogwarts when we were children. I even convinced myself that when I turned eleven, my acceptance letter to Hogwarts would come, and I would be whisked away to a magical land, wherein my magical training could commence. I looked forward to the quidditch matches I would be involved in, and the hexes I would shoot at my enemies. Sadly, I grew up, and my imaginative relativity quickly became only my imagination. I continued reading however. I read of Harry's tales of fighting Basilisks, winning wild quidditch matches, snogging girls, fighting dragons, Winning triwizard cups, a kind old man named Albus Dumbldore, rivalry battles with Draco Malfoy, also fighting the dark lord Voldemort. I read recently in an article that JK Rowling's Harry Potter series had sold over 400 million books, which made her the first billionaire author ever and the Harry Potter movies, have so far made 5.5 billion dollars, which does not include the first part of movie number seven, and part two as well.
JK Rowling's books also made the number of people that read books, go up. When her first book was released people hardly read at all. During the years that all seven books were written and released, the world saw the number of readers go up drastically. The Harry Potter novels were translated into 67 languages, so it's no wonder why we saw that number go up. Now that all the books have been released the world is seeing the number of readers decline again, which makes me sad. Reading can introduce people to all kinds of wonders.
Now that the Harry Potter books are done, and the movies are almost done, a sadness creeps up my limbs. I'll always have the books and movies yes, but the suspense of when the next movie or book being release is gone. Harry Potter is all grown up, and now I suppose I have to grow up as well. Thank you JK Rowling for introducing me to the wondrous, magical world of Hogwarts, where all things are possible. Thank you Harry Potter, for your brave tales of valor. I'll join you at Hogwarts in my imagination.
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