I'll Be home for Christmas!!!

Well, this post isn't really a serious post or a scripture study type post, but instead more of a blast from the past. While I was listening to Amy's new song she did of I'll be home for Christmas, I got reminiscing of past Christmas experiences of anticipating being home with the fam for Christmas. In so doing, I was browsing on my U drive and came across a paper I wrote four years ago for my freshman year english class. I'm basically posting this to preserve this work of art. So, here it is:

Murphy’s Law

It all started early on the morning of my flight home for Christmas break. My sister, Sarah, and I had arrived early at the Salt Lake City Airport anticipating our flight home. After waiting in a line the size of a girl’s restroom line at halftime of a football game, we finally made it to the front of the Delta desk. After checking on our bags my sister leaned towards me and whispered, “Yes, we’re in!” Unfortunately she said this a little too loud. The airport was sure to pick me as one of the “random” people to be searched. I swear I was sent through a series of at least five different search stations. After being run through with the metal wand, I was sent on to the next station. During this procedure I was “patted down” by a security officer. This was one of the most awkward moments in my life. This security officer did not give just any pat down; he practically gave me a body massage. At the end of this pat down he even asked, “Do you work out?” For a moment I thought I was in the San Francisco Airport. After being sexually assaulted by this “security officer” I went through a couple more search procedures until I got to the final search where shoes are checked. First, the security guard waved that metal wand across my left tennis shoes and nothing happened. Then she waved it across the right shoe. When this happened the wand would not stop beeping. I couldn’t believe what was happening. I was wondering what could possibly go wrong next. Did a terrorist plant some bomb in my sneaker? The security officer had to take my shoe and further examine it. She looked at my shoe for a few seconds and pulled out a metal screw from the bottom of my sneaker. She asked me if I knew why there was a screw stuck in my shoe and if there was something that I should tell them. Explaining to them that I did not know how a screw got in the bottom of my shoe they finally released me from their Nazi-like search.

After having my bags searched, being sexually assaulted and being perceived as a terrorist, I finally made it through security and to my terminal. Five minutes before boarding, Delta made an announcement that my flight was cancelled due to fog. Already ticked off, I had to stand in another long line to book a later flight home. Having finally gotten to the front of the line the travel agent informed me she was preparing to board people for another flight and she would not be able to help me. “That’s just great! You can help someone who has a flight leaving on time, but you can’t help me.” After giving the flight attendant an evil, disgusted stare, she sent me to another desk to get help. At this desk, my sister and I finally got assigned seats on a later flight home. I asked the lady at this counter, “Are we going to get any refunds or vouchers because of this inconvenience?” Without hesitation she replied, “There is nothing Delta can do in circumstances like this.”

When my sister and I finally arrived to our destination we headed down to baggage claim. Just when I thought this day couldn’t get any worse the unthinkable happened—Delta lost our luggage. You always hear about airlines loosing luggage and you see it in movies, but you never think that it could actually happen to you. My sister and I went to the Delta counter and gave them our home phone number and address. The last thing the Delta representative said to us was, “We will be in touch with you shortly when we receive your luggage.” This statement could not have been further from the truth. By shortly if she meant never, then I guess she was correct. The next day, Sunday, I still hadn’t heard anything from the airline company. I attempted to call Delta baggage claim, but they were either busy or closed. My parents insisted that I still go to church even though my church clothes were in my suitcase. My dad had me try on one of his smallest shirts and khakis that didn’t fit him anymore. The shirt was a little loose, but the khakis were like parachute pants. A belt could hardly hold these pants up. My dad then threw me another pair of slacks to try on. These were a little tight but I was still able to button them. Realizing that these could not possibly be my dad’s pants, I looked more closely at them and noticed they had no pockets. “These are mom’s pants. There’s no way I am wearing these to church!” I exclaimed. My dad looked at my outfit and trying not to laugh he responded, “It looks fine, buddy, no one will notice that they’re girl pants.” I took off the pants and went in search for some different slacks. I finally found some pants that I hadn’t worn since freshman year in high school. While at church, I tried hard to avoid as many people as possible. I didn’t want them to stare at my baggy shirt, high-waters, and sandals that I was wearing. I didn’t want to have to explain to them why I didn’t have my church clothes and how the airlines had lost my luggage.

Each day that went by made me realize how much more I needed my suitcase. Some days I drove three times to the airport to see if my bags had arrived. After the third day without my bags I called Delta customer service. Delta is so cheap that it hires people from India and trains them to answer phone calls. After talking to a young lady who claimed her name was Susan, I asked for information on where my bags were and when I was going to get them. I could barely understand a word she was speaking. In her broken English she said, “I can transfer you to Delta baggage claim for your questions.” I tried to explain to her that baggage claim was either closed or busy. I told her that I wanted my questions answered. “Lady, I have been going funky the past few days. I have been wearing the same draws for three days straight. Since I don’t have my bags, will Delta reimburse me if I go out and buy clothes and toiletries and what not?” I questioned. She explained to me that Delta could only guarantee up to twenty-five dollars a day. What type of person can buy clothes for twenty-five bucks? Did she expect me to go shop at Salvation Army? After this conversation I went to Target and tried to manage my money the best I could to purchase clothes and some other necessities.

The days grew longer and longer. “Could this be the day that my bags finally get here,” I questioned each morning. After eight trips back and forth from my home to the airport our luggage finally came—five days after the luggage was initially supposed to be in! Out of all the Delta representatives I talked to these past few days, not one person apologized for what had happened. How could an airline company not care about its customers? This is not just any typical airline—this is Delta. Its customers deserve better treatment than what I received. How can Delta take my money and not only inconvenience me by canceling my flight, but not give me a refund or an airplane voucher? All it did was book me on a flight with empty seats that was already scheduled to leave. That airplane was going to leave regardless of whether or not I was on that plane. What does the airline company do with the money I paid for my flight? It certainly did not go towards the fuel for the plane that got cancelled. Was Delta going to give me a refund? Would they even respond if I sent them a letter to complain?

Murphy’s Law states anything that can possibly go wrong, will go wrong. While many people dismiss Murphy’s Law as a silly urban myth, there’s no doubt in my mind that this law truly does exist. I happened to witness it firsthand. Right when you think that a circumstance can not get worse—it can.

Despite the little bitterness I still possess, looking back at this whole experience can only make me laugh. Oftentimes unfortunate events are thrown upon one’s path. It all depends upon a person’s attitude on how they can overcome these circumstances. If somebody is willing to be optimistic and have a good attitude, then just about everything will be possible to handle. Sometimes even the wrong things can end up funny in retrospect.

The ironic thing is I finally received my Eagle Scout Award during this vacation home. The motto of the Boy Scouts of America is “be prepared.” To think I could have been better off if I would have paid attention all those years in Scouts and applied its principles to my life. Instead I was too busy sharpening knives and playing with fire. Being prepared will not only be beneficial with traveling plans, but in all circumstances in life. It never hurts to be prepared and always have a backup plan; it can only help. From now on I will put myself in the position to always have another option in major situations. The next time I fly I’ll make sure I have a carry-on bag with a set of backup clothes and necessities.


So there it is, needless to say, I'm glad that I'll be home for Christmas!!!
(p.s. special thanks to Jessica and Scott for editing this paper-good times!)

Find Joy in the Journey- Now!

I've been pretty lazy in my journal writing as of late. Many spiritual things have happened, but I've been so busy to even just write them down. Well, on the way home from school today, I kinda had a wake up call. I was about a block away from home, when a girl began walking across a cross walk. At the same time a school bus on the other end, began to whip around the corner fast, heading right for the girl. At the last second the girl freaked out and jumped back, just barely avoiding a fatal accident. The bus was going fast enough that it would quite possibly have injured her badly if not killed her. Life just seemed to freeze. I began to realize that we, or any loved one for that matter, could be called to the other side of the veil at any moment.

I was reminded of President Monson's talk from this past October Sunday Morning Conference, Finding Joy in the Journey. President Monson admonished, "This is our one and only chance at mortal life—here and now. The longer we live, the greater is our realization that it is brief. Opportunities come, and then they are gone. I believe that among the greatest lessons we are to learn in this short sojourn upon the earth are lessons that help us distinguish between what is important and what is not. I plead with you not to let those most important things pass you by as you plan for that illusive and non-existent future when you will have time to do all that you want to do. Instead, find joy in the journey—now. . . My brothers and sisters, there is no tomorrow to remember if we don’t do something today."

He goes on to state, "Stresses in our lives come regardless of our circumstances. We must deal with them the best we can. But we should not let them get in the way of what is most important—and what is most important almost always involves the people around us. Often we assume that they must know how much we love them. But we should never assume; we should let them know. Wrote William Shakespeare, 'They do not love that do not show their love.' We will never regret the kind words spoken or the affection shown. Rather, our regrets will come if such things are omitted from our relationships with those who mean the most to us."

President Monson then issues us a challenge: "Send that note to the friend you’ve been neglecting; give your child a hug; give your parents a hug; say “I love you” more; always express your thanks. Never let a problem to be solved become more important than a person to be loved. Friends move away, children grow up, loved ones pass on. It’s so easy to take others for granted, until that day when they’re gone from our lives and we are left with feelings of 'what if' and 'if only.' Said author Harriet Beecher Stowe, 'The bitterest tears shed over graves are for words left unsaid and deeds left undone.”'

So there it is- straight from the prophet's mouth! I realized how much more I should be grateful and loving to those around me and to express it more publicly through actions and words.

"I wasn't there for the weeds"

Well, today I finally finished reading Mormon Scientist: The Life and Faith of Henry Eyring. Sister Gruwell purchased it for me as a gift on one of her visits out here this past summer. The book is about the life of renowned scientist Henry Eyring. Written by his grandson, Henry J. Eyring, Mormon Scientist explores Henry's contributions to science and religion, his family heritage, and his paradoxical way of thinking.

Today I was reading the last of four parts in the book entitled "Testament." I was really impressed of a story told by his son, Elder Henry B. Eyring of the Quorum of the 12. I've been thinking about it frequently today. President Eyring relates an account of his dad serving one last time, right before his death, on the local church welfare farm. Henry Eyring was pretty ill in his last year alive. He was the senior high counselor in his stake, and he had the responsibility for the welfare farm. An assignment was given to weed a field of onions, so he assigned himself to go work on the farm.

President Eyring said of his father, "He never told me how hard it was, but I have met several people who were with him that day. I talked to one of them on the phone, and he said that he was weeding in the row next to Dad through much of the day. He told me the same thing that others who were there have told me. He said that the pain was so great that Dad was pulling himself along on his stomach with his elbows. He couldn't kneel. Everyone who has talked to me about that day has remarked how Dad smiled and laughed and talked happily with them as they worked in the field of onions."

Now this is the joke that Henry Eyring told to his son afterwards. He said he was there at the end of the day. After all the work was finished and the onions were all weeded, someone said to him, "Henry, good heavens! You didn't pull those weeds, did you? Those weeds were sprayed two days ago, and they were going to die anyway." President Eyring retells how his father roared. He thought it was the funniest thing. He thought it was a great joke on himself. He had worked through the day on the wrong weeds. They were sprayed and would have died anyways. President Eyring said, "When Dad told me this story, I knew how tough it was. So I asked him, 'Dad, how could you make a joke out of that? How could you take it so pleasantly? He said something to me that I will never forget, and I hope you won't. He said, 'Hal, I wasn't there for the weeds.'"

Having recounted the story, President Eyring drew from it this moral: "Now, you'll be in an onion patch much of your life. So will I. It will be hard to see the powers of Heaven magnifying us in our efforts. It may even be hard to see our work being of any value at all. And sometimes our work won't go well. . . But you didn't come for the weeds. You came for the Savior. And if you pray, and if you choose to be clean, and if you follow God's servants, you will be able to work and wait long enough to bring down the powers of Heaven."

I just loved this story. It made me realize what really is important in life. It also made me realize that some of the stuff that I am engaged in daily will not be important in the long scheme of things. Sometimes we have to do as Henry Eyring did and just laugh off some situations and just remember that "we're not here for the weeds."

Ministering Angels

Well, I've been pondering a lot lately about being an instrument in the hand of God and ministering angels. So, to my great joy Elder Jeffrey R. Holland gave a talk in this last General Conference called "The Ministry of Angels."

Elder Holland states, "From the beginning down through the dispensations, God has used angels as His emissaries in conveying love and concern for His children. . . Usually such beings are not seen. Sometimes they are. But seen or unseen they are always near. Sometimes their assignments are very grand and have significance for the whole world. Sometimes the messages are more private. Occasionally the angelic purpose is to warn. But most often it is to comfort, to provide some form of merciful attention, guidance in difficult times."

As Mormon said to his son Moroni, who would one day be an angel: “Has the day of miracles ceased? Or have angels ceased to appear unto the children of men? Or has he withheld the power of the Holy Ghost from them? Or will he, so long as time shall last, or the earth shall stand, or there shall be one man upon the face thereof to be saved? Behold I say unto you, Nay; for . . . it is by faith that angels appear and minister unto men. . . . For behold, they are subject unto [Christ], to minister according to the word of his command, showing themselves unto them of strong faith and a firm mind in every form of godliness.” (Moroni 7:35-37, 30)

Joseph Fielding Smith taught us that "it is contrary to the law of God for the heavens to be opened and messengers to come to do anything for man that man can do for himself." (Doctrines of Salvation 1: 196)

Along the same lines, Elder Holland went on to say, "When we speak of those who are instruments in the hand of God, we are reminded that not all angels are from the other side of the veil. Some of them we walk with and talk with—here, now, every day. Some of them reside in our own neighborhoods. Some of them gave birth to us, and in my case, one of them consented to marry me. Indeed heaven never seems closer than when we see the love of God manifested in the kindness and devotion of people so good and so pure that angelic is the only word that comes to mind."

Some of the ministering angels that I have seen in my own life are my mom and my second mama, Sister Gruwell. They are always on the look out for others and always serving others. I am convinced that God is aware of our needs and concerns and prepares and inspires others to be his ministering angels. Just the other day, I was in the middle of a long week of midterms and assignments and I wasn't doing as well as I thought I should be. I started doubting myself and wondering if pre-dental was really the right major for me. I am usually not the type of person to get discouraged or be pessimistic. So anyways, literally while walking home from school while pondering this in my mind, my mom called out the blue. And it wasn't any typical call that my mom makes to me. She seriously started the conversation by saying that she was just looking up some statistics about employment and good jobs and how she felt that I had made the right choice in choosing my career. It was the most random thing, but I know it was no coincidence. I still couldn't believe how she just "randomly" called me so I asked her if anyone told her to call me, but she reassured me that nobody had.

Also, I have had the chance to be this instrument in the hand of the Lord to others. I remember about 6 months after I got home from my mission, I wanted to call and check up and say hi to a convert who got put as Branch President right when I let my last area. When I called him, he was so confused as to why I was calling him. He also asked if anybody told me to call him, but I had to assure that I just wanted to say hi. He related to me of how he had been fasting for the past week about a problem that one of the members had in the branch. He didn't know what to do or where to go to so he told me how he went to God to send him an answer. So anyways, he said that he had just prayed again to know what to do, and then that's when I called. I had been in the branch presidency for a little while so I was aware of certain situations, so I gave him the best advice I could. He said that was just the answer he needed. I don't write this to be self righteous or boast in myself, but to show how we can be ministering angels. To be honest, I don't recall receiving a distinct impression to call him, instead it was just God using me to bring to pass his work and glory.

Elder Robert D. Hales pleaded, "That you and I might realize that we have the power and responsibility to help those in need, as ministering angels for the Lord Jesus Christ is my prayer." (April 1986 General Conference)

I wish I had more time to write other miracles I have seen of ministering angels (from both sides of the veil). I testify that ministering angels are real, and I know that we all can be ministering angels.

I can't believe I'm actually doing this. . .

Alright, the time has finally come that I am actually starting a blog. Dang I feel like a girl now. haha. The real reason I'm starting this blog is for myself, as a study journal/ everyday journal. I must admit that I have been awful in my journal writing as of late, in fact I haven't written in it since I finished my mission. . . . sad I know. So I figured I would start again before I forget the spiritual and important things that are occurring in my life daily.

One of my favorite quotes from Joseph Smith is "When the Lord commands-Do it!" This became a reoccurring theme on my mission. In fact it got to the point that I carried around a small little black notepad and I would write down little impressions and revelations that I would receive. . . then I would do them.

While I was in the MTC Elder Richard G. Scott told us to write down these words: "For the rest of my life I wwill consistantly seek to learn by what I see, hear, and feel. I will write down the important things I learn and I will do them." He went on to say, "If we apply that principle it will create a purposeful life." (11/24/05)

President Henry B. Eyring stated, "My point is to urge you to find ways to recognize and remember God’s kindness. It will build our testimonies. You may not keep a journal. You may not share whatever record you keep with those you love and serve. But you and they will be blessed as you remember what the Lord has done. . . Tonight, and tomorrow night, you might pray and ponder, asking the questions: Did God send a message that was just for me? Did I see His hand in my life or the lives of my children? I will do that. And then I will find a way to preserve that memory for the day that I, and those that I love, will need to remember how much God loves us and how much we need Him. I testify that He loves us and blesses us, more than most of us have yet recognized. I know that is true, and it brings me joy to remember Him." (oct. 2007)

So there it is-- thats my goal, to try and write as frequently as possible, so I will save these insights and tender mercies of the Lord.