Going from Good to Best

Got to speak in sacrament meeting today. I still get just as nervous as ever. Seriously, I shake so much when I get up to speak. Here is the outline/short hand version of my talk.

“What actual changes did I make because of anything I heard or was asked to do in conference?” (Asked by Elder Holland at our Regional Conference)

·      Did I make any changes?

·      “Do our church meetings do anything?” (Asked by Elder Holland)

“[It is] good to hold a meeting, better to teach a principle, but best to actually improve lives as a result of the meeting.” Elder Dallin H. Oaks, “Good, Better, Best”

·      It was good that I listened to conference

·      Better that I learned principles

·      But Best would have been to have made actually changes because of what I learned in conference

We see an example of an effective church meeting, the best kind, in the Book of Mormon when King Benjamin gives his final address to his people. After hearing his address, the people of Zarahemla had “no more disposition to do evil, but to do good continually” (Mos. 5:2) and that change brought with it the desire to act and “enter into a covenant” (Mos. 5:5).

Each of us can think of a time when we have experienced this same mighty change not only in our desires but also in our actions that comes as a result of a best church meeting, general conference, institute or seminary class, youth conference, or perhaps even a simple personal study of the scriptures. So what can we do to experience these best church meetings more often? We can learn much from the example of King Benjamin’s people.

1.     “The people gather themselves together…that they might go up…to hear the words which…should [be] spoken unto them” (Mos. 2:1).

·      Went up with real intent: Fully intended to do what they committed to do, or to hear the message they had gone up to hear. They didn’t go up for a nice vacation or to see old friends, while these might have been benefits of making the journey. Their true purpose was to hear the words of King Benjamin.

·      We too must go with that same attitude to hear the words that will be spoken unto us. There may be other blessings that we enjoy—such as the association of good friends and family—but we should not let those things that are good distract us from what is best.

2.     “And they pitched their tents round about the temple” (Mos. 2:6).

·      In a modern day revelation, the Lord said, “Behold, it is my will, that all they who call on my name, and worship me according to mine everlasting gospel, should gather together, and stand in holy places; And prepare for the revelation which is to come” (D&C 101:22-23).

·      The Lord explained in another verse of scripture how it is that we can “prepare for the revelation which is to come” while standing in these holy places:

Therefore, cease from all your light speeches, from all laughter, from all your lustful desires, from all your pride and light-mindedness, and from all your wicked doings (D&C 88:121).

·      Thoughts and conversations about the “things that matter most.”

3.     “And they also took of the firstlings of their flocks, that they might offer sacrifice and burnt offerings” (Mos. 2:3)

·      Thought and Pondered about Christ’s atonement

·      While we may not offer sacrifices and burnt offerings, we do offer the sacrifice of our sins, our weaknesses, and our imperfections when we partake of the sacrament and we make an offering of our will and the best we have within us.

·      We also renew our baptismal covenants and the promise that “[we] may always have his Spirit to be with [us]” (D&C 20:77)

o   Sometimes, because of today’s society, we overlook the importance of events such as the sacrament. Society teaches us to judges things based on the rarity of its occurrence: the more often something occurs the less valuable it is.

o   At times we adopt this attitude in relation to our church meetings. We value some meetings as more important because they happen less frequently throughout the year; however, the fact that we hold sacrament meeting weekly attests to its importance. What other saving ordinance does every member of the church participate in not only more than once for his or her own self, but also weekly?

o   It is also important to note the order in which things happen during sacrament meeting. Why do we take the sacrament and then listen to talks? Why do we even listen to talks? One possible reason is that right after partaking of the sacrament is one of the moments in which we are best prepared to receive the promptings of the Holy Ghost as we have just renewed the promise to have his constant companionship; and those promptings will come as we hear the words spoken and will show unto us the changes we need to make in our lives to more fully live our covenants that coming week.

To qualify ourselves to receive those precious revelations that will guide us through our next week and help us turn a good meeting into a best meeting, there are some things that we must do. Elder Richard G. Scott, in his talk entitled “How to Obtain Revelation and Inspiration for Your Life”, stated:

Inspiration carefully recorded shows God that His communications are sacred to us. Recording will also enhance our ability to recall revelation. Such recording of direction of the Spirit should be protected from loss or intrusion by others.

A few simply steps can help us to record and keep sacred this revelation.

1.     Write down the question: “What actually changes will I make because of anything I heard today?”

2.     Answer that question. Form specific answers instead of generalities. "I will attend the Temple weekly or every other week" instead of "I will attend the Temple more often."

3.     Write out how you plan to accomplish those goals you have made for yourself.

4.     Make prayer a part of the process and be accountable.

As you pray personally...seek inspiration on what you should do…. As you follow your plans, pray and ask the Lord for guidance. Have a prayer in your heart throughout the day that the Spirit will help you know where to go, what to do, and what to say. Ask yourself, “What more can I do?” In your prayer at the end of the day, give an accounting of your work.

Preach My Gospel, pg. 151

5.     Finally we must follow the promptings that come to act.

·      Heavenly Father will bless us not only with the inspiration of what to do but also with the power to do it.

"The Lord giveth no commandments unto the children of men, save he shall prepare a way for them that they may accomplish the thing which he commandeth them."

1 Nephi 3:7

"For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power"

2 Timothy 1:7

You know, sometimes all you need is twenty seconds of insane courage. Just literally twenty seconds of just embarrassing bravery. And I promise you, something great will come of it.

We Bought a Zoo

·      Faith is a principle of action and power. First we must act, then the power comes, "something great will come of it," and miracles will happen. The Lord will not put words into our mouth until after we have opened it and he will not part the sea until we have taken the first step and gotten our feet wet.

As we do these things we will move from having meetings that are good, to better, and finally to best. We will experience real change in our lives; even the mighty change of heart and we will make and keep sacred covenants. We will not only receive his image in our countenance, but also have it engraven upon us.

Awkward Texting

You know that thread where you and the other person just keep repeating the same four lines every few days? Yeah, please, at least ask me how the weather is. I don't care if we are in the same state, county or zip code. Just please say something. Anything. Besides those two lines.

Learning to Act, and Not to be Acted Upon

Ok, so it seems like everything lately that I have posted has just been the more social side of life, so I figure I should have at least one post with the more spiritual things. I have had a lot of poignant thoughts of late and so I thought I would share some of those.

Really everything I have to say today has a common starting point. Back in November of last year Elder Bednar came to our mission. I think that was one of the most influential moments in my mission and has caused great changes in me and my way of seeing the gospel ever since. If you pay ever take the time to read Elder Bednar's talks, you will notice that without fail, he mentions acting and not be acted upon, referring to 2 Nephi 2:14. He will explain that we have been created to act, making us agents. We are not to be objects that are simply acted upon. That simple preface has greatly changed my way of seeing myself and the gospel. Here are three of the ways I have seen that I turn myself into an object hoping to be acted upon rather than becoming an agent and acting for myself.

Prayer

There is a law, irrevocably decreed in heaven before the foundations of this world, upon which all blessings are predicated—And when we obtain any blessing from God, it is by obedience to that law upon which it is predicated.

 Doctrine and Covenants 130:20-21

During our conference with Elder Bednar, he talked to us about praying with faith. He gave an explain of a prayer that each of us has heard: the member prays and asks Heavenly Father "to bless those who aren't here today that they will be here next week." Elder Bednar said, "That is a sincere prayer, but faithless." He explained that a true prayer of faith requires action on our part. He explained that Heavenly Father wouldn't magically make those people come back, wouldn't send His angels to bring those people back, when He a congregation full of people who have covenanted to do exactly that. He continued by explaining that a prayer of faith would be to tell Heavenly Father that we recognized many of our brothers and sisters weren't there, and that we were going to leave right then to go and get them--that WE were going to do everything to make sure they were with us the next week, even bring them with us. Elder Bednar said that they only we would ask in such a prayer is that Heavenly Father inspires us that "we don't all visit the same person." That, he told us, was a prayer of faith.

My mission president talked with us about that some time later as well. Talked about how we pray before leaving every single day that we can find people prepared to hear the gospel; and then we go through the entire day without talking to anyone and we wonder why we didn't find anyone. Or we say it is because Heavenly Father didn't answer our prayer or that it just wasn't the day to find someone. He then continued on to talk about how great it would be if instead of our families and friends praying that we find those that are prepared to hear the gospel, that they pray that we might be obedient, so that we can have the company of the Holy Ghost and be lead to those who are ready.

Yesterday when my mom said the prayer before dinner, she said something that I say daily, but it just kind of clicked finally. She asked Heavenly Father that He lead and guide us. And I realized something. Why would Heavenly Father not lead and guide us? Why do I always ask Him to lead and guide me as if He weren't going to? I realized that a much better petition would be to ask His help that I might recognize His guiding hand and the voice of the Holy Ghost--that I might have to the courage to follow the course which He is charting for me. I suddenly started to better understand the scripture quoted above. I feel that sometimes we--and especially myself--worry too much about the blessing when we pray and not enough about our own part. We ask Heavenly Father to bless us as though He wouldn't otherwise. And I do feel like we should ask those blessings. But I feel that more important than asking the blessing is that we ask that blessing as a consequence to our "obedience to that law upon which it is predicated." I feel it more important that we pray to recognize the promptings of the Holy Ghost rather than ask that we be guided.

When we just ask the blessing, we turn ourselves into objects to be acted upon. We ask Heavenly to make us an object and drag us through the right path. What He wants is that we be agents, and consciously act and choose to follow the path. Of course He will guide us, but it is more of Him telling us where to step, rather than forcing us to step there. I think that we often don't realize that that is what we are asking Him to do in our prayers--that we ask Him to remove all opportunity for growth. We subconsciously seek for the plan that Lucifer introduced and that we all rejected. It is quite the irony.

Fear and Weaknesses

And if men come unto me I will show unto them their weakness. I give unto men weakness that they may be humble; and my grace is sufficient for all men that humble themselves before me; for if they humble themselves before me, and have faith in me, then will I make weak things become strong unto them.

Ether 12:27

This is another scripture that has taken on new life for me recently. I think many times we turn ourselves into objects (we don't act) because we fear failure. We fear that our weaknesses will inhibit our ability to achieve success. I know that has been a big factor in my own life. Throughout my mission and even more so in just the last few weeks I came to better understand not only this verse, but also this entire passage of scripture that must be examined in its whole to understand that single verse.

As we examine this passage we can see that it is Moroni relating his personal experience of writing the plates. First he expressed his fear that comes because of his weakness in writing. He fears that the Gentiles will mock him and not accept this record that would become so important to their salvation. The Lord promises that the meek will accept his weakness. Moroni is comforted and recognizes that the Lord works according to our faith--which Joseph Smith called a principle of action and power--and prays that the Gentiles will have charity. That Lord responds that it matters not if they have charity for he--Moroni--has been faithful.

Application time. So many times we have something we need to do. A prompting to follow. Maybe it is to share the gospel with someone. Maybe to call a friend. Maybe to stand up for our beliefs. The possibilities are limitless. And what is the first thing we do? We start justifying why we can't complete that task. We fear the Gentiles will not accept us because of our weakness in writing. Or in other words, that they will mock us. We fear that person we will share the gospel with wont accept. We fear our friend will think it weird that we called or be annoyed. We fear that we will be mocked because of the things in which we believe. We let our fears paralyze us. Sometimes we fear that we won't be successful sharing the gospel, that we won't know what to say, or that we are just one in a sea of many. At any rate, we let fear act upon us and turn us into objects rather than being agents.

But that is why what the Lord says before promising that we will make our weaknesses strong so important. In verse 26 the Lord responds to Moroni's fear saying, "Fools mock, but they shall mourn; and my grace is sufficient for the meek, that they shall take no advantage of your weakness." The fools will mock us. Some people won't accept our message. Some will make fun of us because of those things in which we believe. But more importantly, the meek will not take advantage of us because of our weakness. They will accept our humble offering. And they will be blessed. And while today the fools may mock us, one day they will mourn that decision.

And this is what life is really about: learning to overcome our weaknesses through faith in Christ. And that requires that we act. That we step outside our comfort zone. That we do hard things. Or things that are hard to us. And sometimes it may not all work out the way we want it to. But we will be able to say that "[we have] been faithful; wherefore [our] garments shall be made clean" (verse 37).

Complacency

“The purpose of the gospel is … to make bad men good and good men better, and to change human nature.”

President David O. McKay

in Conference Report, Apr. 1954, 26

This is the final way that has really been on my mind lately of how we turn ourselves into objects rather than acting as agents. Something I have noticed in life is how easy it is to become complacent--to become content to be where we are. It is in many ways similar to what I just wrote about; but this time instead of fear paralyzing us and keeping us from acting, we keep ourselves from acting. Again, we don't want to step outside our comfort zone. I think many times we see the power of the Atonement as being relevant to sin. It helps us repent. It helps us fix what we broke. It helps us to become clean again. In other words, it helps "to make bad men good...." But I think sometimes we think that that is as far as we need to go. Sometimes I think that we think that is the extent of the Atonement's power. Or that that is its most power function.

However, the Atonement requires us to step much further than just becoming good. It requires us to become better. It is not enough simply to have "no more disposition to evil," but we must have the disposition "to do good continually." I feel that the greatest power of the atonement isn't to make us clean from sin. That is absolutely necessary, however it would be meaningless if it were not for the Atonement's power to make us perfect. The true power of the Atonement lies in its ability to change human nature. But that change cannot be partial. It cannot simply include the abandoning of sin, but must be composed of the abandoning of sin combined with the adopting of righteous habits and characteristics. And the Atonement helps us to make those part of our life as well. It requires action, or faith. But through its power we can find ourselves becoming more Christlike.

So those have been my recent gospel thoughts. I hope that you were blessed with some inspiration for putting up with my lengthy rambling and jumble of thoughts.

Week One of Summer

Wow, has a whole week already gone by? It seems like it has gone way to fast. Many times throughout the day I think of something I should write a blog post about, but it doesn't ever seem to happen. Just too much going on right now. However today I have a bit of chill time before heading over to institute, so the quick rap up of my first week of summer and who knows what other random thoughts will accompany this post.

My summer couldn't have had a better start as I went and played volleyball last wednesday. I know I always talk about volleyball, but I seriously can't even begin to tell you how much I love it. It has probably been my best experience since getting home from the mission and I have gotten to know lots of new people.

Which already brings me to one of my random thoughts from the last few days. And weeks I guess. I don't know why, but it is so much easier now for me to make new friends. Well, I should say that differently. I know why it is easier: because of the mission. But I mean it is easier for me to make new friends that keep the friendships going from before. I just feel like there is this huge gap that exists between my high school life and my post mission life. I find it fairly easy now to take to new people. But I struggle immensely to carry on a conversation with people I have known and been friends with for years. In a lot of ways I also don't really want anything to do with my "former life." I wish I could keep all my friends but just start those friendships over. Of course there are a lot of memories I would love to keep, but also so many that I would love to get rid of. I guess that is one of the reasons I really like making new friends: I get to start off with a clean slate. It is something that has really helped me understand Pres. Uchtdorf's talk a lot better. Because seriously, the more I feel like this the more I realize how important it is that I let things go and treat others how I would want to be treated and just forget some things.

Work has been going great. We actually already starting talking calls last wednesday and I made a sale that first day. I have made a couple sales since which has been sweet. It is really tough at first but you start getting the hang of it. It is hard to learn all the sales process and the products and remember all that while talking to a customer, but it is starting to come. Today was a bit of a frustrating call. Right now we only spend a few hours on the phone and I didn't get a sale on any of the first five calls I took. And some were just fluke things which makes it even more frustrating. But I finally managed to get a sale on my last call that I took today which was a little moral booster.

Last week was really a pretty quiet one. Saturday was a crazy day though. Got up and did a lot of work in the yard because we were doing a mother's day bbq with my siblings. That was lots of fun to get the family together. After I went and met up with Ali Lindsey for a little and it was really good to see her again. Highlight of the day was heading over to the temple and spending a little time there. It had already been almost three weeks since the last I had gone. It really is just so relaxing to be at the temple. I didn't do baptisms saturday, however I do think that baptisms are my favorite to go and do. After we have been through the temple we seem to forget that we can still do them, but i really think baptisms are my favorite and when I feel the most peace. Yes the celestial room is great, but that doesn't mean the rest of the temple isn't.

Watched Midnight in Paris with my mom on saturday night. Loved all the random people they throw into that movie. I just kept laughing everytime a new author got introduced.

Sunday. Great day as always. Went to Anthony's homecoming. Forgot to mention I visited him on thursday not long after he got home. Oh yeah, and friday went to the reception for one of my best friends. I should add one of the pictures from that. But so sunday. Homecoming. My own ward. Ward prayer. Game night. Not much else to say. Spiritual and social. Can you ask for more?

Monday. Just work and then an awesome fhe activity. Went to the park and played some random games then played ultimate frisbee. It has been a long time since I played. It was great to once again be running up and down the field after that flying disc, jumping over people and diving to catch it.

Other random thoughts. Girls. Yes, girls. So I know all of you girls rant about us guys. Don't deny. I have listened to many of you as you rant about us. So here are a couple of my recent frustrations. And just know that I am totally laughing as I talk about all these things. While they may be frustrating and leave me exasperated, I find them totally ridiculous and worth having a good laugh about.

First. If you are going to talk to me, please, talk to me. I realize that a guy like me--that strong and silent type that is so completely average, not that great looking, balding, and with no sense of style--can be really intimidating to talk to. So I will do you a favor and do everything I can to carry on the conversation if you come and talk to me. I am a lot better at it now than I used to be. But please, don't come and say "hi" to me only to then not say anything, give me one word answers, and just act totally uninterested in the conversation. That you started. By coming up to me. You didn't have to come and talk to me. So don't act like you don't want to talk to me.

And second. If you are going to act like I don't exist, I am going to make it really easy for you. If you want to pretend you don't know me, I won't try and convince you otherwise. If you don't want to acknowledge my presence, I won't try and force myself upon you. But don't act like I don't exist expecting me to try harder. And don't act like I don't exist and then pretend it never happened and be totally fake with me about it later. Seriously. Just be honest. I won't get my feelings hurt.

Anything else on my mind recently? I am sure lots of things but that is everything that really stick outs right now. I am really looking forward to this week. It is already going to be another busy one. Volleyball tomorrow. Thursday is temple day for stake conference. Friday I already have one reception to go to plus anything else that goes on that night. Saturday there is a session of conference to go to. And sunday stake conference itself. And of course, all the other adventures sure to happen in between. Needless to say, I am looking forward to this week.

100 Days of Summer

So tonight at institute, Sister Nelson talked to us about our "100 Days of Summer" and what we were going to do with them. While of course this was focused around more spiritual things I think for most of us, it actually got me decided on doing something I wanted to do anyway: making a summer bucket list. I want to make this a break out summer like what Sister Nelson talked about not only in respect to my spiritual growth and this summer being the summer i really started becoming the person i wanted to be, but also in making it the funnest and most memorable possible. So for that, I want to enlist your help my awesome friends. What should I add to my summer bucket list to make this the most memorable summer ever? I am open to any and all suggestions (although that doesn't mean I will accept them haha). But seriously, I would love to hear what you all think would make this summer memorable. My 100 Days of Summer will begin tomorrow.

Update about the weekend. So awesome. I mean really. Went to the RSL game saturday. It was everything I was hoping it would be and more. Lots of fun. Lots of yelling. Lots of awesomeness. I have made a few friends at volleyball, the Kelseys, and I went with them and a few of their friends which was cool. It is kinda weird because they are all older. I mean really it isn't weird at all, until I think about it. Hanging out with them feels normal. It is only when I stop to think about the fact that they are all a few years older that it kinda weirds me out.

Sunday was great just like every Sunday. The fireside with Elder Jensen was especially espectacular. I never knew we could learn so much from trees. Also hit some game nights which was a good way to finish the night

Yesterday=First day at work!!! Wahoo! I don't know I ever mentioned I got the job with clearlink (or that I was interviewing for that matter) but I did! It is a call center that takes inbound sells calls. So right now I am just going through their three week training process. Yesterday was all right. We also had a great FHE last night. Did a BBQ at the park. Can I just tell you I love summer.

Today was day two at work. Highlight of the day? Watching the bed intruder news report and song. It is fun to see the things you missed on out while in a foreign country. Also as you figured out went to institute. That was excellent too. So there is my life in a nutshell. Peace out until another day.

Avengers!!!!

You know that age old question of DC or Marvel? Well my mind got made up last night. Move over Justice League (Superman, Batman, Green Lantern, Wonder Woman, Flash, and quite a few others), I am now a fan of the Avengers. That movie was incredible. I came out of the theatre wanting to jump off things and do some crazy flips while pretend fighting some bad guys. Seriously. What an adrenaline rush. All that stored up energy from just being at home doing nothing this week was really wanting to get out.

It has been a pretty sweet week so far. We had a legit picture scavenger hunt for FHE. And we found a real, living buffalo to take a picture with. It may have been a baby, but still a sweet find.

Wednesday night continues to be a stunner. Oh how I love volleyball. Especially when I am starting to play well. I got some sick blocks and that really made the night for me. I also am starting to get some good spikes and serves as well. After we made a wendys run and ate at a park. Also awesome.

Last night. Avengers. Oh my goodness. So fantastic. I haven't seen Iron Man 2, Captain America, or Thor, but after seeing Avengers last night I am really wanting to watch those. Anyone want to have a movie night?

Today. Well, right now I am listening to the Rio soundtrack and that Samba beat is bringing back that excess of energy I was feeling last night. Maybe the lyrics of the music down in Brasil are terrible, but man do I miss the beat. I really need to get out and do something.

Tomorrow. Might go to the Real game. Hopin' everything works out. That will be the perfect way to let out all this energy. Nothing like yellin' and screamin' for 90 minutes.

Silly Granpa

You can't do that.

Wow, so this weekend was totally awesome. Lots of fun hanging out with new friends. Midnight run to denny's after volleyball. Napoleon Dynamite and nertz. Ward activity--waffle night and Emperor's New Groove. Awesome back massage while watching Batman Begins. I just realized how many movies I watched this week. However, this one is dedicated to my grandpa whose birthday we celebrated saturday night.

My grandpa is kinda a crazy guy. I think some of these stories will help you see that. But we love him nonetheless.

Example 1: My Homecoming. As poor Steph learned, my grandpa likes talking about death. I think just about everything he talked about at my house that day revolved around his desire to die, my grandma's death, or someone else who recently died.

My sister's wedding reception. Me, my brother Dan (30 and single), my cousin Matt who is 24 i think, Matt's parents and my grandpa are all sitting at a table. Well some relatives come over and start commenting about how us three guys need to get married. Everyone made the same joke about how I had only been home two weeks so they would give me another week before i needed to be engaged. Well this time when my grandpa said that i got some more time, my cousin Matt asked why he didn't get more time. I don't know what exactly got said before this, but suddenly my grandpa commented that he knew why Matt hadn't gotten married yet: "Because you don't have any balls." That queued everyone's exit from the table.

Dinner saturday night. He asked if they still served rocky mountain oysters. My cousin Anna made the mistake of asking what those were. My grandpa was all too excited to loudly explain what they are.

My sister's sealing. We were sitting in the sealing room waiting for Cami and Andrew to come in and my grandpa commented that they had better hurry or else he would fall asleep. Everyone laughed. He turned to my brother who was sitting next to him and ask "did they all hear that?"He doesn't realize how loud he talks.

Last wednesday. My cousin Christine showed up to visit Grandpa last Wednesday to find out that she hadn't been the only visitor--the police had just left. My grandpa really likes the flowers in his neighbor's yard. Seeing a car in front of the house he knew they were home so he went to ask if he could take some. No one answered when he knocked on the door. But there was a car out front. And he could hear music. So after some more knocking and doorbell ringing to which no one responded, he opened the front door and walked right on in. Yes, the neighbor didn't hesitate to call the police, who escorted him home.

Taking us to a Real soccer game. So a bunch of us cousins went to a rsl game a few years ago before any of us could drive. So Grandpa gave us a ride there. Bad idea. We were stopped at a red light at an intersection (in the left turn lane) near the stadium when grandpa kicked us out of the car. Yes, he right then and there told us to get out and walk the rest of the way. So we just out of the car and the light turns green. We dashed across the intersection as the cars came speeding at us.

Washington D.C. Wow, what a crazy car ride that was. We went to D.C. with all the family (aunts, uncles, cousins) and we wanted to go to the washington monument all together. So we got up early one morning and grandpa drove all his kids along with myself over to the monument so they could get tickets for their families. Coming back was interesting. Grandpa refused to let anyone else drive. He also refused to listen to my dad who tried to give directions. Result? He tried to turn left where you couldn't turn left. Almost ran us straight into an oncoming tour bus. Scratched the side of the van pulling into the parking garage. Then to top it all off while at the washington monument, he told a lady half his age (if that) that she wanted she could sit on his lap. Oh Grandpa.

Fireworks. This story is courtesy of my cousins but they took our grandpa to fireworks at i think sugarhouse park one year. Someone nearby is smoking and our grandpa was a doctor (and thinks he still is). So he stands up, walks over to the person, and asks how the person would like it if he urinated on them, because that is what he was doing by smoking close to them.

The stories could go on and on. That is just a small sampling. I am determined to one day have everyone right down all the stories that we can remember about Grandpa and turn it into a book. I am certain that it would be a bestseller.

Good luck to everyone taking finals this week!

Weekend Awkventures

Wow. I don't even know where to start about this weekend. So awkward. And yet so amazingly hilarious. If things don't start changing soon (and there are no signs that things will) I will have to rename this blog the The Awkventures of David Bennion. Not even kidding.

So, Friday night. Well I was really bored and tired of reading Harry Potter. It was all I had done and Thursday and Friday and I was really wanting to get out of the house. I was trying to think of anyone who was around when I remembered Matt Knowles and I sent him a text to see what he was up to. His reply: "I'm going to a birthday dance party for my Peruvian friend. You're welcome to come if you like." Ok, so I thought it sounded cool. I mean it is a dance party for his peruvian friend celebrating her birthday. Whatever. Boy did I interpret that text wrong.

We get to this peruvian friend's house. Well it isn't her birthday, it is the birthday of a friend of hers. So before going over we stopped by the store to buy a cake and soda and stuff to take over. We get to the house and I was about to walk in first when I stopped to let Matt Knowles go in, commenting that I would let him go since I didn't know anyone. His response? "I don't know anyone either." Wait. What? You don't know anyone? All right, whatever. It is a dance party. It wont be hard to meet people.

We walk in the front door. There are all from Peru. The music is latin. There are about 20 guys. And 4 girls. And those 4 girls are latin dancing with 4 of the guys. Well, there goes my idea of dancing. Or getting to know anyone. Definitely just walked right into a sticky situation. How were we supposed to know they would be latin dancing? So there was me, Matt Knowles, and Matt Soelberg. Three whites guys in the middle of all these latinos. We fit right in. Especially on the dance floor. That is why we just hung out on the couch.

It was in this tiny little apartment and they had even hired a dj, so the music was super loud. And everyone was speaking spanish. So I can understand spanish. When I try. And can hear what people are saying. Really hard when I can't hear because of the music. So a girl comes over to the couch and decides she is going to try and teach me to dance. Epic fail. I got down the two to the right, two to the left, but that was it. She tried talking with me at first in spanish. I wasn't even going to try and understand so I just straight up said I didn't speak spanish. You could already see her becoming less interested. Soon she asked how old I was. I had the thought go through my mind to answer in spanish, since numbers are really simple. Than the thought went through to not do something stupid by trying to speak spanish after I already said that I don't. So I responded in english. Kinda. Maybe bird talk is more accurate. I tried to say 21, but as twenty left my mouth and I started to say one, some sort of huge squawk came out of my mouth. It probably sounded more like a parrot from Peru than someone speaking english. Yep. It was all I could do to keep from keeling over in laughter. Another minute passed and she suddenly was saying that she needed to make a phone call. I was more than fine with that. So she disappeared out the door and the same instant that she walked out phone in hand as if calling someone, she was already walking back in. Maybe the person didn't answer haha.

The party ended at 11pm. But really it just changed location. So we went over to the other apartment where the party continued and it did actually get better. A lot of guys left and more girls showed up. As we were leaving the first apartment I actually ran into a girl that I had met playing volleyball the week before, so at the second apartment I had someone that I knew at least. But then another awkward moment. Soon after getting there, Matt, Matt, and myself are plastered against the wall and Matt Knowles' friend comes and gets him to dance with her. She always brought with her a friend that she had dance with Matt Soelberg. So then I just stood there against the wall by myself. After a few minutes, Carla (Matt's friend) sent a guy over to talk with me who is actually brazilian, so it was fun talking to him for a few minutes.

And then I couldn't believe what happened next. A song came on that I thought I would never have to hear again. In brasil, there is a type of music called funk. Basically, it is just the most horrible thing you can imagine. Not exaggerating. Think of the dirtiest song/most violent song you have ever heard. Now multiple that by 10 and you have a funk song. Oh yeah, and it is kinda like rap, or hip hop. Lots of beat but they don't actually sing. So this latin song comes on, however it wasn't actually a latin song. They took a brazilian funk song and just gave it a latin beat to dance to. And even worse I thought everyone knew what the song was saying. Everyone was singing along. Then I was talking with a girl just after and found out that they didn't have the slightest idea of what the lyrics meant. And yes, they really are terrible.

At the end of the night I ended up just talking a bit with this one girl named Marilyn. So if I ever go to another dance at least I already know someone. It definitely was quite the experience this dance party.

Saturday had a good awkward moment as well. Went to hang out with some people I had met playing volleyball on wednesday nights. So I am there with a group of people that I don't know. And this may seem weird, but I am not really a fan of making out. Well what was the conversation topic? Making out. So I sat listening to a group of girls that I had never met nor been introduced to talk about the experiences of their friends (and probably some of their own) who had horror stories of cut lips and scraped chins because of guys' scruff. Needless to say, I was happy when we started playing volleyball.

Sunday provided a bunch needed break from the awkventures of the weekend. However, they seem to have continued today. Remember how I mentioned that Bro. Mayes wanted to set me up with this girl getting ready for a mission? Yep, that came up again today. I am pretty sure I will have a telephone number come wednesday. Bro. Mayes even through in the suggestion that I visit his ward (he is bishop). He told me he would introduce me, but that he wouldn't be there this week. However one the guys in our class is the ward secretary, so I could just ask him and he would introduce me to the girl.

The awkventures will probably continue tonight at FHE. You better believe it, but our combined FHE with another ward is speed dating. I was told to bring running shoes. I don't know what was implied by that. However, even if awkward, and I am sure that tonight will be super funny so I am looking forward to it.

It is times like these when I can't wait for Anthony and Dan to be home. It makes all the difference in the world having a good wingman with you. Takes off a lot of pressure. Only 18 more days until Anthony gets home (I talked with his parents yesterday). I hope he is ready for a quick return to real life haha.

We'll see what awkventures follow. Or maybe I will just stick to reading Harry Potter.

Balance

I have loved this commercial ever since I first saw it a few years ago. It describes perfectly what I feel about running. I have been running the past couple days; and running has kicked my butt. There has been a lot more pain than joy and a lot more hate than love. But it is always that way when you are just getting back into running. Two years is a long break.

Running is something that has been part of my life for years now. And to be completely honest with you all, I hate running. So why is it that I run? Well, because there is that balance. There are the longs days of training that you hate; and all that building up to just one little race. But one race--those 5 minutes it takes to run a 1600m--can tip the scale and leave you with such an exhilarating feeling of joy.

There is daily pain that must be faced. Sometimes excruciating. There are early mornings where your bed will do everything to keep you from leaving. But as quoted in one of new balance's other commercials, "somewhere, in the back of your head, is the thought of the perfect mile politely telling the bed to 'Shut Up!'."

So, even though I can't stand running. Even though there are a lot more hard days. Or days when I don't want to get out of bed. Or painful days. Or bad days. Those few good days make up for it all. That one race. The feeling when you leave all the pain behind you. When you sprint for the finish line. When you set a PR (personal record).

Running is something that is in the end truly liberating. It sets you free. It gives you self-cofindence and self-mastery. You learn to have determination and grit. You learn to look ahead to the good days--to listen to the voice of that perfect mile in the future pull you through the pain of the present. It teaches you to push yourself past the limits that you thought you possessed and to reach a potential you once thought unattainable.

And if you really look at running, you will see the way it parallels our lives. If you don't believe me, watch the video again only replace the word running with life. You'll see. The attitude it takes to be a runner--the vision of the future--is the same as what we need to make it through the trials and challenges of life. Just as in running, there is a balance that exists. It doesn't mean for every bad day there will be a good one. That isn't necessarily the balance. Not a balance in numbers, but in weight. One good day, I think we will all agree, far outweighs many bad days. We just have to remember that for each of us there "is a constant balance. A balance between joy and pain; work and play; a balance between love and hate."

PS: I actually am not even a new balance shoes fan, they just happen to make some great commercials haha.

Happy Easter?

Oh my goodness. Can I just say I wish I had come up with this.

I love it. I'm still laughing about it.