Wicked useless…

Tags

Broadway, Children, Circle of Life, Defying Gravity, Dreams, In the Heights, Inutil, Lion King, lottery tickets, Parents, responsibility, Soundtrack, stumbling block, support, Times Square, Useless, Wicked, winning

The other day I was skimming through some old cds and I came across this little diddy. I’ve never had the chance to see In the Heights on Broadway but based on the soundtrack I would love to go if I have that chance. The following song has always reached deep within me and struck a heart string. Maybe it’s the intimidating responsibility to provide for a family in the future or maybe it relates to my own desires to change the world someday. I’m grateful that my parents have always been my greatest support and have never tried to hold me back from doing crazy things and living my dreams. I hope that I never become a stumbling block for my children either. The picture on the following clip is a bit weird at times but the audio was the best out of the Youtube clips that I found. Check it out…

Lyrics Here

Continuing on the Broadway theme. Here is a clip from the first show that I ever saw on Times Square, Wicked. I had never heard the soundtrack before winning the lottery tickets and getting front row seats. I have since listened to this beautiful arrangement over and over again. Absolutely stunning! The following is probably the most popular of the Wicked soundtrack… it’s sooooo GOOD! I feel like I’m ready for this in my life… Time to start defying gravity!

I think I’m going to buy myself a Christmas present this year. For Christmas break I am going to buy myself tickets to see Lion King in Vegas. Who wants to come? I mean really, Doesn’t it look fun?

Blasted headphones…

Tags

blast, blow out, books, chuckling, classroom, computer, eardrums, headphones, laptop, library, lighten the mood, periodicals, projector, Russian class, speakers, story, study, USB drive, volume

So my story starts at approximately 2:30 this afternoon during my 4th year Russian class. For some odd reason the speakers connected to the main multi-media computer at the front of the classroom were not working. It was just an overall bad day for the professor because his funny clip that he wanted to use as a discussion starter wasn’t going to work and the kid who was supposed to give a presentation in class didn’t show up. What to do with all that extra time? Well, we are all college students, which definitely makes us qualified to figure out sticky situations like this one. I happened to have my laptop with speakers on it. So we connected my computer to the projector, plugged in his USB drive and cranked the volume as loud as it could so that most in the room could hear.

Part two, I’m sitting in the periodicals section of the library getting ready to study. Well, if you know anything about the BYU periodicals section it’s the quiet area or the area that I sometimes refer to as the “shhhh” zone. Tonight it was especially quiet and people were actually studying. I pulled up a comfortable chair to my table, plugged in my computer, got out my books, had the pre-study whisper catch-up with my roommate and then I was prepared to get to work. Got out my headphones, plugged them in, and put them in my ears. See where I’m going with this? I pressed play and got a BLAST of sound to blow out my eardrums. Yep, I hadn’t used my computer since the Russian class where my computer was top volume. I quickly jerked them out of my ears and realized that people from clear across the room were all looking in my direction and chuckling. Glad I could lighten the mood for someone tonight…

General conference recap…

Tags

A Witness, Apostle, As We Meet Again, Boyd K Packer, Children, Counsel To Youth, Covenants, D Todd Christofferson, Dallin H Oaks, Dare to Stand Alone, David A Bednar, Dieter F. Uchtdorf, General Conference, General Temple Patron Assistance Fund, Henry B Erying, Jeffrey R Holland, L Tom Perry, LDS, M Russell Ballard, Mormon, Neil A Anderson, Perfect Love Casteth Out Fear, Power of Scripture, Preparation in the Priesthood: "I Need Your Help", Prophet, Providing in the Lord's Way, Quinten L Cook, Richard G Scott, Robert D Hales, Russell M Nelson, Stand in Holy Places, Teachings of Jesus, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, The Divine Gift of Repentance, The Hearts of the Children Shall Turn, The Importance of a Name, The Songs They Could Not Sing, Thomas S Monson, Until We Meet Again, Waiting Upon the Lord: Thy Will Be Done, We Are All Enlisted, You Matter to Him

Well, it’s been just over a month now since we had general conference. The great thing about general conference is that it lives on as we continue to study the talks that were given. Why don’t you take a few fifteen minutes to remind yourself about what we learned by watching the video below?

You can watch, read, and listen to all of these messages in full HERE.

My dear friends, general conference is a source of God’s word here on earth. The words written can lead us and direct us to make the most critical of decisions in our lives. As you read, not only will the things said touch your heart but the action of reading alone will allow God to whisper to you personal messages. God wants to speak to us. He wants to speak to YOU. He loves us. He loves YOU. He wants us to know His will for us. He wants YOU to know His will for YOU. Allow Him to talk to you by turning towards Him and listening. Please read and study the words of His servants, His apostles and prophets, as given in this last General Conference. If you do, you will know…

Justin shout out…

Tags

Brother, Christ, Comfort, control, craziness, easy, Engaged, evil, Family, forgiveness, freedom, Friends, Girl of my dreams, God, Grateful, happy, heal, Heart, Justin, Life, Lord, love, Married, mission, Parents, Peace, positive attitude, Power, Prince of Peace, roommate, rough time, wisdom

Doesn’t he look happy? Everyone, I’d like you to meet my roommate Justin. Not too long ago Justin wrote a very insightful blog post that I would like to re-post here to my blog. But before posting his thoughts I would just like to say that Justin has become one of my best friends. Although he is still a young buck, behind that huge smile lies some wisdom. I’m always impressed with his ability to listen and to ask the right questions to create understanding. Although he has been going through a rough time, he has handled his situation extremely well. Although what he writes is just words, they really reflect the type of person he really is. Love ya brother! Read directly from his blog here or just keep reading below:

“What I thought I knew and what I’ve learned”

“It is hard to believe it, but one month ago I was engaged to be married to the girl of my dreams. I’ve decided I can’t dwell on what might have been, that would make this an exceptionally boring blog post! Rather I’d like to share what I feel like I have learned through all of this craziness and I hope that some of it will help the nine people who will actually read this. Ready? ok let’s go….”

“First of all, I have learned that I cannot always control whether or not the situation I am in is what will bring me the greatest measure of peace, but that it is not the situation I am in that will ultimately bring peace, but the way I choose to react to it. This is the first of many things I have always intellectually known, but that I have never had to apply in my life until very recently. It is amazing to me the power the Lord gives each of us to decide to have a positive attitude and to learn in every situation in which we are placed; it is not always easy, but it is always the path that will lead to the greatest good. I keep remembering what a Sister in my mission once said, she encouraged a congregation of people to “follow the peace.” I have come to learn that that does not mean I can always be in a peaceful situation, but that in every situation I have the opportunity to follow the Prince of Peace who I worship with all my heart.”

“The next important thing I thought I always knew and now have discovered I really do is that I have amazing friends. God has put some the best people in the world into my life and they will never understand the incredible, salvific influence they have had on my life. In this category I include my current roommates, my dear friends from the mission who have always inspired me to be the very best, my dear pre-mission friends from high school who have allowed me to grow with them, and of course the best family a person could ever have. In particular in this crazy circumstance I have gained an appreciation for my dear parents who have supported me in all of my dreams and pursuits and who continue to trust me to learn from all that I have been given. Chances are if you took the time to read this you are one of those people, so thank you!”

“The final and most important lesson I have learned from all of this is the incredible power forgiveness has to heal and lift. I have been painted as vile and evil (I also have fallen in love with palindromes) by people who meant a lot to me and it has been difficult for me to let that go, but as I have, I have found such a tremendous feeling of comfort and empowerment to move forward with faith in the love of Christ. I have preached the doctrine of forgiveness on countless occasion, and I’ve always wondered why I have been so drawn to that principle until this month when I have finally had a need to really apply it in my everyday living. I’m so glad that I have spent time studying opposition and forgiveness, without it I don’t know where I would be. The freedom and release that comes is real, I have experienced it and for that I will always be grateful!”

“Sorry this wasn’t very funny and I don’t blame anyone for not reading the whole thing, but it feels so good to write it all down.”

-Faithfully-

Mustache, sesame street style…

Tags

Conditioner, Education, Face, Grow, Guys, Kissable, Mustache, No Child Left Behind Act, Pet, Shampoo

Education at it’s finest! Every child needs to know these things. I’m sure this was part of the No Child Left Behind Act. They just forgot one thing, I love to shampoo and condition my mustache… makes it soft and kissable.

HACHUU!

“Guys are lucky because they get to grow mustaches. I wish I could. Its like having a little pet for your face.”
-Anita Wise (She was wise)

Alone…

Tags

Adversary, Alone, doubt, Dumbledore, Father in Heaven, Fear, Friends, Harry Potter, Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix, He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named, Luna Lovegood, Ministry, Movie, Prophet, Quotes, Satan, Thomas S Monson, Threat, Voldemort, You-Know-Who

My Harry Potter devotion continues to grow… I watched Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix the other day. It just keeps getting better. I loved the theme of being alone that was carried out through the entire movie. The first reference that I caught was during the first real conversation between Harry and Luna Lovegood.

Luna Lovegood: [about her father] We believe you, by the way. That He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named is back, and you fought him, and the Ministry and the Prophet are conspiring against you and Dumbledore.

Harry Potter: Thanks. Seems you’re about the only ones that do.

Luna Lovegood: I don’t think that’s true. But I suppose that’s how he wants you to feel.

Harry Potter: What do you mean?

Luna Lovegood: Well if I were You-Know-Who, I’d want you to feel cut off from everyone else. Because if it’s just you alone you’re not as much of a threat.

There is so much truth to this! Let’s take “You-Know-Who” and replace that with Satan for a minute. He wants us to feel ALONE! He wants us to feel like no one really cares. If he can convince us of this, he has won half the battle. If you feel alone, take courage! Stand up to the adversary. Don’t let him in! Don’t let him put thoughts of doubt or fear into your mind!” You are never really alone! In the words of our beloved prophet, “May we ever be courageous and prepared to stand for what we believe, and if we must stand alone in the process, may we do so courageously, strengthened by the knowledge that in reality we are never alone when we stand with our Father in Heaven.” (Found here

I love one of the final scenes in the movie where Harry is having an internal battle with Voldemort. His friends are all standing by, cheering him on, not about to leave. How often do we have personal battles or struggles that really only we can fight? But I assure you that your friends are standing by! God is always lifting, helping, and encouraging. He loves you! You are never alone!

Thanks to all my wonderful friends and family who continue to stand by my side and cheer me on, even though their problems often far outweigh my own. Cheers to you!

A question of time…

Tags

A Question of Time, actions, Change, Comfort, Death, eternal life, God, God's plan, Grandpa, happy, James E Faust, Joy, Loss, love, New beginning, Today, tomorrow

So I was watching short films the other day and ran across this one. I think the film is well-done and has an interesting message. Beware that you will not be left with feel goods and smiles after watching. So if you’re having a bad day, I would suggest you watch this another day. But it’s worth the watch… and I’ll do my best to bring you back up afterwards with some of my own thoughts.

Part I

Part II

“We cannot change what has already happened…”

This film moved me. As I continue to think about the message and the themes of this video, I have some thoughts stirring inside my head that I’d like to share with you. I love the little boys question to his father near the beginning of the first video when he asks, “What happened to grandpa?” and “Will he ever come back?” Such innocent yet sincere questions that I believe we all face at some point or another in our lives. What does happen to us when we die? I have another video that I would like to share that I fully support in the answering of this question.

Follow this link to watch this video

I know that we can be together with loved ones forever. I know that through God’s plan, we can feel comfort now when we lose those we love. Heavenly Father loves us so much!

The next thought that I had about this film is that we always have choices to make to change our future. Like the quote above says, “We cannot change what has already happened.” I would like to add that we always have control over the choices we make in the future. Dwelling in the past will never get us anywhere. We can learn from the past but ultimately we have the ability today and tomorrow to have a new beginning. I love this quote found Here

“Each new day that dawns can be a new day for us to begin to change. We can change our environment. We can change our lives by substituting new habits for old. We can mold our character and future by purer thoughts and nobler actions. As someone once put it, ‘The possibility of change is always there, with its hidden promise of peace, happiness, and a better way of life.'”

Let’s make the necessary changes in our lives to be HAPPY! That’s what God wants! Don’t let passed mistakes weigh you down. Don’t let the previous would haves hold you back. Just CHOOSE now to start again. To get back up, and to fight back, and to have JOY!

A book of mormon story…

Tags

Abraham, Bible, Bishop, Book of Mormon, Chris Cook, Christ, Death, Desire, God, God speaks, God's plan, Goliath, Heart, Holy Ghost, Jamaica, Jerimiah, Jesus Christ, Kind David, Lehi, Life, Mercy, Missionaries, Mormon, Moses, Pain, Peace, Samson, Scriptures, Sickness, Spirit, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, True

 
I really like this video! First of all, the movie is well done and I think there are not only some neat shots but also some great animation. I also like the content. Like Chris, I too know that the Book of Mormon is true. There is a promise at the end of the book that if you read it it, pray about it, and ask God, then you will get an answer from God that it is true. (Read the promise here) I have done this and I know without a doubt that God answers prayers. Really, He answers prayers! He not only answers them but He answers in a very personal way, leaving no doubt that He loves you and knows you. I have come to know God better by reading the Book of Mormon and that has made all the difference in my life.

One of my favorite versus from the Book of Mormon says that, “it is by faith that miracles are wrought; and it is by faith that angels appear and minister unto men; wherefore, if these things have ceased wo be unto the children of men, for it is because of unbelief” (Found here) I know that God is a God of miracles. Watch for His miracles daily in your life and you will see them. One way that I have built my faith to see God’s miracles is through reading this book. If you have a copy, read it! Let God show you He loves you by putting faith in Him! If you don’t have a copy of this book, click the picture below to get a free copy. It will change your life!

Some songs…

Tags

Adele, Almost You, Another Little Hole, Aqualung, Bob Marley, Charlie Puth, Colbie Caillat, Emily Luther, Ernie Halter, I Never Told You, Jason Reeves, Music, OAR, Pain, Photographs and Memories, Shattered, Someone Like You

I’m not sure that I completely agree with Bob above but it’s worth a thought. Not many words to this post… Just some music that I have connected with at one time or another in the past few weeks. Listen, Read, and Enjoy!

Almost You, Ernie Halter Lyrics Here

Photographs and Memories, Jason Reeves Lyrics here or on the video

Another Little Hole, Aqualung Lyrics here or on the video

Shattered, OAR Lyrics here
Listen and Watch Here

I Never Told You, Colbie Caillat Lyrics here

Someone like you, Adele COVER Lyrics here

Validation continued…

Tags

Amazing, down times, Friend, Friendship, gratitude, happy, human, inspiration, Life, real friends, Review, smile, up times, Validation, Yesterday

So I was reading another blog post about the Validation video that I posted yesterday and I liked some things that she said. It was a bit of a long read and wordy but I liked a few of the things that she said (I’m assuming a “she” wrote the post). Read her whole post here. Some clips from her post that I think are worth considering:

(You might want to watch the movie from my previous post if you haven’t already before reading)

“He, himself, turned into a gloomy, non-smiling person. When people came back for validation, they discovered he was not the person he used to be, and that he won’t make them feel good about themselves as he used to do, so they decided to leave right away… That reminded me of “real” and “not-so-real” friends… Everyone in this life… EVERYONE… has their “up-times” as well as their “down-times”… No matter how happy that person might always be, he is still human, and he might fall down for sometime… He might be the source of inspiration, support, and happiness for a lot of the people around him, however, when he gets into a down-phase, only REAL friends stick around to support him, and give him some of the encouragement, and inspiration that he has always given them, until he regains his strength and gets back to who he really is. The “Not-So-Real” ones disappear right away, if they don’t get what they want from him (in this situation; making them feel good about themselves), just like what happened in the movie!”

“Every one of us remembers this stranger/friend that once told them something good about their outfit, about their personality, about their handwriting, about their positive attitude, about their friendliness, about their children, or even about their smile! And we remember how it affected us at that time, and how it still makes us happy when we remember it now… So why don’t we do this more often??!!… When we feel this person has changed our lives in a certain way, or when we think that a certain person is worth being thanked or supported, why don’t we do it right away (if at all!)??”

“Victoria told Hugh: “yes… Because you are great… You are amazing!”, and he replied: “No one has said that about me before!”… That really touched me! Sometimes, we have someone in our lives… Someone who is always supportive, always loves to encourage us and loves to see us happy, but we seldom remember to thank them, and make them feel how amazing we think they are!”

Here’s to all my amazing friends! I have a lot of them! Several people have mentioned to me this last week that I have A LOT of great friends. They are right, I’ve been blessed with many many friends who stick around through the thick and thin, many GREAT friends. Thanks to ya’ll!

“You are great! You are Amazing!”