Becoming as a little child

Throughout the scriptures there seems to be a theme of "becoming as a little child". It's mentioned in the New Testament as well as the Book of Mormon, and probably somewhere in the Old Testament as well. It's kind of an interesting concept, becoming like a little kid. What's that supposed to mean? Are we supposed to throw fits when we don't get what we want, refuse to eat our vegetables, or other childish behavior? Yeah, that's probably not exactly what it means. It's something that I've wanted to understand more, and what do you know, the Lord provided a way. This past year I've been involved in Special Needs Mutual. I'm not entirely sure if I've mentioned it on my blog before, but I'll just give a quick rundown of what Special Needs Mutual is all about. Mutual is a youth group program organized by the Church. Special Needs Mutual is that same program with a focus on the needs of Special Needs individuals. We do scouting activities, working towards getting them their Eagles, and the girls work towards the equivalent award for young women. Each of the Special Needs buddies is a assigned a youth councilor. We become their buddies. It's really been an amazing experience! My buddy is Keith. He's a pretty awesome guy! He's a little bit older, and he has some of the same mannerisms that are characteristic of the older generation, but at the same time he's just like a little kid. Which brings me to my point.

These special needs individuals in many ways epitomize what the Savior meant when he commanded us to become as little children. For instance, the moment you see them you can tell that they are amazingly happy people! They will almost always have a smile on, and they are in general just excited for life. I believe this happiness is one of the major characteristics that we all need to acquire in order to become as a little child. Furthermore, one of the things that I have come to believe is one of the most important aspects of becoming as a little child, is their simple faith. They all have such simple, undeniable, and innocent faith. They never seem to doubt, but just accept God and Christ, and the roles they have in their lives, simply as a matter of fact. They bear such simple but powerful testimonies of the reality of God and our Savior, Jesus Christ. One special needs individual made a simple statement that held within it a deep understanding of God and prayer. She simply said "I talked with God today". It's amazing to me how their faith is so simple, and so well placed, that they have no doubt. Furthermore, they are some of the most trusting and accepting individuals I have ever met. While they each do have their quirks and undeniable mannerisms, they are in general willing to accept the direction and help of others. This is epitomized in their acceptance of their life condition. Just about every single Special Needs individual recognizes that they are indeed different, that they may not be able to do everything that an individual without a mental handicap could do. Nevertheless, they acknowledge God's hand in their lives, and they are willing to submit to the fact that they are indeed different. It's a lesson I know I need to take in my own life. I have frequently wished that I had been blessed with an additional gift or blessing, rather than being content and recognizing that which the Lord has all ready given me. Truly, humility and acceptance of God's will are necessary traits to obtain before becoming like a little child.

There's a lot more I could say about these special needs individuals. They have been a blessing in my life. They have granted me new perspective, and they can always bring the spirit into my life. I'm extremely grateful for the opportunity I've had to get to know them, especially my buddy Keith, and if any of you that read this blog happen to get the chance to work with Special Needs, take it. You will never regret the time you spend with these people. They will change your life and allow you to see the Love of the Savior in all that they do. Hats off to my buddy Keith for his testimony and all that he does!

My Bud Keith!

Long time no post...

Wow, it's definitely been awhile since I last posted. I guess life has just been a little crazy recently. I finished up a season of testing, only four tests, not as much as my IB buddies, but definitely enough for me. I'm finally free of the stress of school!
I've finished my high school running career... I don't think that fact has quite hit me yet. I was able to run at the state track meet, and we qualified for the finals in the medley. We finished above our original seed, which I was pretty happy with. I ran a PR at the Region meet, so it turned out to be an all around pretty decent season.
Life in general has also just been pretty good. We'll be graduating in just about a week, and then my high school career will be completely over. I'll be moving on to BYU in the fall after a summer that is hopefully epic in its proportions! I'll also hopefully be working a ton in order to save up for college and a mission.
Life's pretty good! I'm afraid I don't have anything to say that's of any importance though... Maybe next post :)

Spring and then some

With the change in the weather it seems like spring may have finally arrived! Spring is a time of change, a change of seasons, and the beginning of some very important changes in my life; namely, the beginning of the final quarter of my high school career, and the beginning of my path towards college and "real life". I admit I have mixed feelings about these changes. I'm quite excited about what is essentially the beginning of my independent life; however, it also feels me with intense apprehension. I'll be leaving behind many of the comfortable barriers that have cushioned me from the true blows of life. I'll be moving on to college, moving out of my house, and living away from my parents and family. I'll be missing friends that I have had for years, and who have helped and supported me throughout my school years. In the words of Marty Mcfly, this is heavy stuff. However, more nerve wracking, as well as more exciting, is the fact that I could conceivably be sending in my mission papers in only six months, and leaving on a mission in only nine. The idea is frankly kind of terrifying. I could be going to a foreign country, speaking a foreign language, knowing literally no one, and then living for the next two years without seeing my family or friends. Fortunately it's all well worth it. The flip side of it is, I could be living in a foreign country, learning a new language, getting to know and love the people of that country, and preaching and spreading the joy of the Gospel of Christ for two years. Not a bad trade off. It'll be an amazing experience, and in truth I can't wait! There's nothing that I'd rather be doing with my life at this time than preaching the Gospel. I've witnessed the joy it brings into people's lives, and that witness has only made me more eager to go forth and tell the world of the wondrous news of Christ's atonement and resurrection! Though I may not feel quite ready for the changes that lie ahead, I trust that "He whom the Lord calls, the Lord qualifies." With the Lord's help nothing is impossible. So bring on the change.

The Power of Prayer

The subject of personal prayer is one which I feel very strongly about. Prayer is one of the biggest blessings in my life. I cannot imagine what my life would be like if I couldn't talk with my Father in Heaven. Whenever I am in need of help, or when I'm going through a particularly difficult trial, I know that I can always turn to my Father in Heaven. He never fails to listen, and I have found that He truly does care for me. He speaks peace to my soul in times of need, and I have often felt His arms encircling me in Love. He is always there to give me strength when I need it, and through His strength I have been able to accomplish things I would have been incapable of doing otherwise. These blessings are in a large part due to the blessing of prayer. I sincerely believe that our Father in Heaven is constantly waiting to give us blessings; however, many times these blessings will come only when we ask for them, and in order to do this we have been given the blessing of prayer. And not only will He give us blessings and strength in our times of need, He is the best listener you'll ever meet. Sometimes you don't need anything more than to talk something out, and to express the feelings that can only be expressed through the heart. To truly pour out your soul to God is an incredible experience. There are few times when you will ever feel more loved, and closer to our Heavenly Father than when you express to Him the deepest feelings and desires of your heart. That is the power of prayer. It enables to transcend to a higher spiritual plane. It allows us to find peace when we believe that only chaos can exist. It allows us to see from the eternal perspective, and to see the purpose behind the trials of the day. Above all, it allows us the opportunity to communicate with our Father in Heaven, and through Him find acceptance, peace, hope, joy, and love. So when you feel overwhelmed, when the powers of darkness and the chaos of the world are threatening to overwhelm you, humbly kneel, and turn to God.

Who Am I?

Our lives are complex. Every one of us is defined by our many hobbies, interests, personality quirks, desires, and values. However, there is a single universal definition that supersedes all these things. We are all Children of God. It is a simple statement that carries with it profound significance. With the realization of this single definition, many of the conflicts within the world, and within ourselves would simply disappear. Conflicts in the Middle East and throughout the world would cease, and we would discover that perhaps we're not too bad ourselves. Too often we berate and degrade ourselves over small insignificant details. Yes, we do all have flaws, imperfections, and challenges; but, these in no way diminish the utter reality that we are Children of the Most High. That God is our literal Father. By realizing this simple fact, our lives will be changed. We will realize the Love that our Father has for us, and that he is indeed there as a Parent is there for their child. However, it is not enough for us to just hear these facts, we must come to know them for ourselves. I know I am a Son of God, a child of the Most High, I am a son of my Father on Earth and in Heaven, and I am a disciple of Christ, and I bear His name. Now it's your turn. Who Are You?

It's My Life?

This has a little bit to do with the post before, sorry for the repetition.

It's my life. It's a statement that we constantly hear. From the song by Bon Jovi, to the classical statement of "It's my life, I can do what I want!" Fortunately, that's not the entire truth. It's not really our life. We tend to ignore the simple and profound fact that our lives belong to God. Yes, we have been granted agency, but to believe that we should use our agency solely for our benefit, for our life, is to ignore the true purpose for our agency. The greatest purpose we can have in life is to serve others; whether that is our family and friends, or the people suffering in Haiti. Each day we should seek out God's will, and then proceed to do it. If we are asked to serve at times of inconvenience, we must be willing to accept the call and serve. By doing so, we will find that the days are better, that our lives proceed more smoothly, and that we are happier. We will become better people, and we will become more capable of serving those within our sphere of influence. So is it really our life? It's our life in that we can indeed choose to do what we will, we have been given agency. However, we should utilize our agency in order to give our lives to God.

"For whosoever will save his life shall lose it: and whosoever will lose his life for [God's] sake shall find it." Matthew 16:25

A Tool

The hammer hits the nail every time. Strike after strike it slowly builds the work of the Master. Nail after nail is pieced together. The hammer, intent on his work, is unable to see the bigger picture. He is aware of only two things, the nail, and the Master's hand. He moves on, unaware of what lies ahead, of when the job will be finished. Occasionally, after the continuous pounding, the continuous work, the head begins to crack and the metal begins to fail. The Master, recognizing the strain, places his tool into the fires of the furnace, and reshapes, remakes it until it is better, more capable to continue its work. And so the work goes on under the capable and understanding hands of the master. The tool is still unable to completely understand the work he is engaged in, but through previous experience he begins to understand in a small manner what he is a part of. The work takes shape, and the tool moves on; from nail to nail, from place to place, always working, always in the Master's hand. At times he questions. He questions the strain, the strain with seemingly little reward. But what he fails to realize is that through the constant refinement, cracks, and strain he has grown. He has grown more than he could have ever done without the constant strain under the Master's hand. And it has moved the work forward. Perhaps in only a small way, a nail here, a nail there; the work is stronger. And what more, it has brought Joy, indescribable Joy. And he serves the purpose for which he was created, and what a glorious purpose it is. To be a tool in the Master's hand.