Go and Do

When we say our prayers, we traditionally ask for those things that we need - preceded by what we are grateful for. Oftentimes, we seek for certain things (blessings) or maybe simply to have the comfort of speaking with our loving Heavenly Father and that He does listen.

Unfortunately, we suddenly get fearful when we receive those answers; possibly due to the method it was answered or simply that it WAS answered and we don't know what to do or say - we maybe have not prepared ourselves well enough (or at all) in the event that an answer would in fact come. We all have wishes and worthy desires, and sometimes we don't think of how our life would be different when we get that answer... like those who seek for praise by others but are in reality afraid of all the attention they would unexpectedly receive... if that makes any sense.

I've received soooo many answers to prayers, and regrettably I hid from some of those answers, because it meant I had to change - that I had to accept God's will in that moment. And sometimes, I had to realize, that I couldn't stay where I was at - I had to move forward and endure through those changes and LEARN because that is what we are commanded, or rather, expected to do. Even if it means us letting go of some bad habits, or our time, or even sleep, we must do and say what has been revealed to us. There is no other way to get around it. We must go and do.

It often gives me strength, when I think of what happened to me 4 years ago - an unexpected answer, or rather, answers. That was a spring-board, per se, of what I needed to do in that segment of my life. I cannot always dwell on that one experience which I hold very sacred to my heart, we are to seek for more experiences to reinforce our strengths and testimonies. My flu bug I caught on January 1st of this year, was my spring-board for this year... and each of my pitfalls thus far in the first 3 months have consumed much less of my time and energy, because I quickly realize what I have, and that this year is not a year for me to be sad, but a year to be the most happy thus far in my life - that thought instantly makes me so much more happy and positive. And hopefully I will not cower at what is revealed to me, but accept it, and go and do it.

And just like Abraham Lincoln said: "The best thing about the future is that it comes only one day at a time." :)

Mission lessons

I was speaking with my mother last night about tonight's Institute Class lesson - 'The Great Apostasy', and remembering how much fun I had teaching about it as a missionary. As odd as that may sound to some, it was the only principle that I could teach almost entirely from history. However, I didn't always have the chance to explain it thoroughly enough for the person to understand its significance and necessity in bringing about the Restoration of the Gospel. But aside from that, I remembered that at times I would get so into it that I unwittingly said too much, because it was so simple for me to comprehend - yet, it isn't the same for everyone else. We all learn things line upon line, precept upon precept; not everyone can immediately understand the import of the gospel message all at once - that requires faithful and diligent prayer and studying the scriptures, etc. etc...

Nonetheless, the valuable lesson I was able to obtain from it, was that I needed to depend more on the Spirit while I taught: to pay attention to my feelings, and those small whispers of what to say and to do. If the Spirit is not present, then one cannot teach the gospel. It didn't matter how much I perceivably knew about certain principles: what mattered was that I taught what needed to be said by the Spirit. While I was reconfiguring my teaching methods to apply this concept, my brother Ben sent me an e-mail with this counsel: To not make my lessons long and over-speak the doctrine. The gospel message is simple and the explanation of it should reflect that. The Spirit teaches through us, and when we simplify the doctrines, the person(s) will understand it - but most importantly FEEL it.

Elder Richard G. Scott of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles visited our mission in August of 2006; we had a special mission conference and after he had spoken to all of us, he opened the rest of the time to Q&A. An elder stood up and asked: "How are we to know when to act on an impression?" Elder Scott responded: "If it is a good impression, then do it."

And I make an end...

24 things...

Hey there!!! Buenos dias!! I'm feelin' A-Okay! :) I had a fantastic birthday yesterday!!! I'm apparently 24 now... so I'll see how different this new year of my life will turn out than the previous years. On Sunday, my mommy made me my FAVORITE dinner - chicken stir fry w/ Chocolate Cream Pie for Dessert (and I could actually have some w/o it being picked at... haha! you know who you are ;) - and Monday evening I had fun @ FHE beating up on a Piñata of Dora the Explorer (revenge is sweet muahahaha!!) *ahem* anyways, I got some good gifts and cards from friends and family and had an enjoyable birthday and would like to thank all those who helped to make that possible :)

So, as evidenced by the title of this blog, there are 24 things I'd like to list that I am thankful for - the catchy thing, is that it will be one thing from each year of my life - oooooooooo!! I know, slick, eh? Okay, well, probably not, but whatever:

1 yr old.. learning to walk
2 yrs old.. learning to talk
3 yrs old.. getting my first big-boy bed (woot woot!!)
4 yrs old.. my white sail boat I got for my birthday
5 yrs old.. having a best friend
6 yrs old.. starting kindergarten (because it was only half the day!)
7 yrs old.. first learning about computers and cursive (handwriting at its best)
8 yrs old.. being baptized
9 yrs old.. having a lot of friends at school.. good times I miss :(
10 yrs old.. getting my glasses for the first time... it has had its perks :/
11 yrs old.. learning how tender my mothers heart really is... :)
12 yrs old.. receiving the Aaronic Priesthood
13 yrs old.. when my patience truly began to be developed
14 yrs old.. having activity period in school - a nice break!! :P
15 yrs old.. not succombing to the Y2K scare
16 yrs old.. having a memorable surprise party
17 yrs old.. when I first began to love reading
18 yrs old.. ENDING HIGH SCHOOL!!!!
19 yrs old.. when I woke up
20 yrs old.. starting my mission
21 yrs old.. the happiest year of my life thus far
22 yrs old.. the second happiest year of my life thus far
23 yrs old.. attending the sealing of Antonia and Francisco Gonzales and their daughter Paola
24 yrs old.. we'll see :)

January 1st - A real blessing

As some of you know, shortly after midnight on New Year's 2009, I got very sick all of a sudden and was incapacitated for that whole day. I was laying on an air mattress in the living room of my brother's apartment, contemplating what all this meant. People have attested that "mind over matter" works - I became a believer of that. I put things into a positive perspective, and had an overwhelming impression, that since this was happening to me - on the first of the new year, in a foreign environment, before a major road trip excursion - the rest of the year would be completely uphill and amazing and that great things were bound to happen. And lo and behold, I took that mindset and I was able to recuperate quickly; I think that was the most enjoyable experience of having the flu (I know, who thinks that the flu is enjoyable? I sure did, without it I wouldn't have experienced what I did), because of all these thoughts and impressions coming into my mind.

I realized also, that gaining a positive outlook on things from the previous few years, allowed me to have this great experience - a real blessing.

I don't know what will transpire this year, but I have a feeling it'll be freakin' awesome! :)

Videoesque horror on the road!!! Muahahahaha!!! ... actually, not really

A video which came about under extreme boredom and drowsiness during my trek to California.... it was a long day.

One of the elders, Elder Wilkes, acts as a zombie in this video with the theme of 'JAWS' playing in the background.

Elder Gardner... loved to take my camera and waste the battery. I wasn't too happy... >:(

A visit to Idaho last March... and little Noah was alllll smiles!!! :)

By Popular Demand... RANDOMNESS GONE WILD!!

I really do like to randomize things a bit. Sometimes I can get carried away, though. But you know what they say? ..... WHATEVER!!

So, here is a compilation of some real stochasticity:

Firstly, I think I should post words that I learn. It's good to expand one's vocab and sound intelligent in conversations (especially when no one knows what the word means, and when the word doesn't even apply to the conversation - but that's the beauty of it!).

Secondly, I collect quotes like a beast. I could put up some sort of "enlightenment" box for all to see and learn.

Thirdly, I'll post some videos in my archives. What will be shown? Who knows? MUAHAHAHA!!