I have been thinking a lot about the choices that everyone makes in their lives. They're all different though they may seem similar for every person there are things to be considered and consequences to be weighed. Two people may be figuring out what career they want to go to but they may look at it with a different motive. One may view it for money, what career will get him the most money and will make his choice based on a monetary standard that he has set. He may go on to be rich and have all the material things that he wants. At the same time he will be the guy that stays in his office late and doesn't bother to even call his wife and children to say goodnight if he stays well into the night. He will likely be rarely home and though he will have a high salary and place at work his wife will slowly grow tired of waiting for him to come home and his children will expect nothing but broken promises from their father.
The other guy will look at his career paths and ask himself what he loves. What could he do the rest of his life that he would never get tired of. This is the person I want to be. This man is going to go on and pick a career that he loves. Yet when he meets the woman he feels he is meant to spend eternity with his love for his job will take a back seat because he won't feel dependent on his work. He'll be the kind of father that he'd always hoped of being. Instead of giving them material things with the money he earns he gives them his time with the days he takes off of work. He may not be the highest up in the company or the best paid but he is by far happier then the first man. Money cannot buy happiness. It cannot by a work ethic for the incompetent, it cannot redeem the sinner or liberate the spiritually captive. Money is just a thing... while families are forever. So cherish your families. Tell them you love them every day. Make them your best friends. They are the people that will be standing with you before the throne of God and will be holding your hand when you say. "I have done all that I can do... I put forward my best foot...I hope it was enough."
Saturday, June 12, 2010
Sunday, May 30, 2010
An Interesting Concept
So as I was doing the dishwasher a few minutes ago a train of thought captured the attention of my subconscious and I just had to write it down before I forgot about it.
I was thinking about the trials that everyone goes through in their lives. We talked a lot about forgiveness and repentance in church today so maybe that's where it came from. Anyway I was kind of zoning out as I stacked the plates and I recalled something one of my achievement day leaders told me once when my mom was getting a divorce from her third husband. She said something along the lines of how before we even came to Earth we chose the trials we would experience, or at least approved them. So that got me imagining a scenario... if you think I'm dumb or naive you might as well stop reading now because it won't improve... anyway here's a quick view into how I see the whole thing in my head...
There are rows of tables in a room. At each table sits six different people. I have never seen these people before but I know them and love them because they are my brothers and sisters. We have all been called here today because we are the selected, the chosen, and the spirits that will carry on God's kingdom in the Latter Days. We know somewhat of what is going to happen today because we saw our eldest brother enter and leave the room, knowing what he was going to face when he went to one of the many world our Father had created. An air of excitement fills the room as people chatter about how they think their time is close. I wonder if my time is close or if I am to be here longer. To my left sits my brother Joseph, I have taken a special interest in him because he has told me that is to bring the gosepl to the Earth in the final days. I admire him for that... but today he is going to see exactly what he will face and I wonder if that smile will still be there when we leave this room... there are not many people who leave here smiling. Some don't look troubled, simply sober, as if they have accepted what they will face. I have yet tos ee someone walk out angry or mad, they ahve accepted our father's will and will do their best to be everything he knows we all can be.
To my right sits another young man, we are seated boy girl boy girl, some claim the seating to be by chance but I have a feeling that it is no accident. Everything about our father's plan is calculated, nothing is left up to chance. The chatter that fills the room causes me to look aroudn to see the people whispering to each other. There are many people holding hands with their heads together. Joseph tells me they are eternal companions. I ask him why we do not have an eternal companion but I already know the answer. In time our father will match us with our perfect match, the person that we have the ability to rule worlds with. Joseph has been matched already but he has yet to meet her. I wish him the best of luck and with Joseph's obvious optimism I'm sure he and whoever he is paired with will surely find each other once they reach Earth.
I lean over to ask Joseph a question about when things are going to get under way. I have often been told I am an eager soul, I worry that it will result in impatience when I get to Earth, I hope it does not. Almost simulatneously as the chatter dies down three angels enter the room. I recognize one as Moroni, he returned home not long ago, the angel on his right is Michael, and the one on his left is Gabriel. Moroni comes forwards and looks at all of us, love in his eyes. "My brothers and sisters welcome..." he says, his voice is gentle, as if he is talking to young children when many of us, myself included, are thousands and thousands of years old. I suppose to him we are young children because we have not had the opportunity to recieve a body. I glance at the young man on my right is gazing thoughtfully at Moroni, I feel guilty for staring when he catches my eye. I smile and he returns the smile, it seems oddly familiar but I remind myself that I know everyone, we are all linked by our father's love... we are all his children. Moroni continues. "If you will be patient we will get you the papers for yout o read over... these papers will tell you the trials that you will go through during your mortal life... our Father has hand selected every trial specifically for you... to help you grow and learn... all you have to do is sign your name at the bottom and then you can leave..."
As Moroni speaks Gabriel and Michael move up and down the tables, putting envelopes in front of people as their names appear. We look at each other, unsure if we should open them or wait until everyone gets there's. Mornoi says nothing to answer our question; instead he sits down on the edge of an empty table in front of the room. There are always empty tables... they were meant for the brothers and sisters that were lost. There is still a mournful feeling in the air even though it has been some time since Lucifer left with so many of our kindred spirits. I think it hurt Mother most of all... I have naver seen her cry but on that day she wept enough tears to cleanse the Earth ten times over. I have never seen Father so hurt and at the same time so angry. I know it is because of Mother's grief, if she had not wept it probably would have been a little easier on everyone. We have all adjusted. It was only a short while ago that our Eldest brother left to fullfill his mission. It was grand a farewell and everyone sang when he made it to Earth, even if we were not lucky enogh to be in the choir we still sung our praises, Jesus' birth gave us hope... it was a major step in the plan...
I am pulled from my memories by the envelope that is placed in front of me. I have been so caught up in my musings that I am not aware of the quiet discussions going on around me. We were told that we could discuss whatever we wanted about our letters, they were ours after all. I hear to women talking about how one fo them will be born into a family that will never hear of the gospel, that she will find the gospel when she goes to college and because of her acceptance of it she will be disowned by her parents and shunned by her siblings. It saddens me to hear such a thing and it makes me almost reluctant to open the letter I know hold in my trembling hands. I remind myself that the Father would not give me anything that he knew I couldn't handle. Carefully I break the wax seal and slid the folded piece of paper out of its envelope... I read what is written there... when I am finished I sign the bottom without hesitation. I know what I have just read I can handle... I have faith.
Alright so perhaps I emebelished some but the story teller in me got carried away. I may add more as my mindless musings imagine it but what I don't want is people poking fun at it. Everyone always asks me what I'm thinking about so here it is. Who knows maybe I'll turn it into a book some day if I feel so inclined.
I was thinking about the trials that everyone goes through in their lives. We talked a lot about forgiveness and repentance in church today so maybe that's where it came from. Anyway I was kind of zoning out as I stacked the plates and I recalled something one of my achievement day leaders told me once when my mom was getting a divorce from her third husband. She said something along the lines of how before we even came to Earth we chose the trials we would experience, or at least approved them. So that got me imagining a scenario... if you think I'm dumb or naive you might as well stop reading now because it won't improve... anyway here's a quick view into how I see the whole thing in my head...
There are rows of tables in a room. At each table sits six different people. I have never seen these people before but I know them and love them because they are my brothers and sisters. We have all been called here today because we are the selected, the chosen, and the spirits that will carry on God's kingdom in the Latter Days. We know somewhat of what is going to happen today because we saw our eldest brother enter and leave the room, knowing what he was going to face when he went to one of the many world our Father had created. An air of excitement fills the room as people chatter about how they think their time is close. I wonder if my time is close or if I am to be here longer. To my left sits my brother Joseph, I have taken a special interest in him because he has told me that is to bring the gosepl to the Earth in the final days. I admire him for that... but today he is going to see exactly what he will face and I wonder if that smile will still be there when we leave this room... there are not many people who leave here smiling. Some don't look troubled, simply sober, as if they have accepted what they will face. I have yet tos ee someone walk out angry or mad, they ahve accepted our father's will and will do their best to be everything he knows we all can be.
To my right sits another young man, we are seated boy girl boy girl, some claim the seating to be by chance but I have a feeling that it is no accident. Everything about our father's plan is calculated, nothing is left up to chance. The chatter that fills the room causes me to look aroudn to see the people whispering to each other. There are many people holding hands with their heads together. Joseph tells me they are eternal companions. I ask him why we do not have an eternal companion but I already know the answer. In time our father will match us with our perfect match, the person that we have the ability to rule worlds with. Joseph has been matched already but he has yet to meet her. I wish him the best of luck and with Joseph's obvious optimism I'm sure he and whoever he is paired with will surely find each other once they reach Earth.
I lean over to ask Joseph a question about when things are going to get under way. I have often been told I am an eager soul, I worry that it will result in impatience when I get to Earth, I hope it does not. Almost simulatneously as the chatter dies down three angels enter the room. I recognize one as Moroni, he returned home not long ago, the angel on his right is Michael, and the one on his left is Gabriel. Moroni comes forwards and looks at all of us, love in his eyes. "My brothers and sisters welcome..." he says, his voice is gentle, as if he is talking to young children when many of us, myself included, are thousands and thousands of years old. I suppose to him we are young children because we have not had the opportunity to recieve a body. I glance at the young man on my right is gazing thoughtfully at Moroni, I feel guilty for staring when he catches my eye. I smile and he returns the smile, it seems oddly familiar but I remind myself that I know everyone, we are all linked by our father's love... we are all his children. Moroni continues. "If you will be patient we will get you the papers for yout o read over... these papers will tell you the trials that you will go through during your mortal life... our Father has hand selected every trial specifically for you... to help you grow and learn... all you have to do is sign your name at the bottom and then you can leave..."
As Moroni speaks Gabriel and Michael move up and down the tables, putting envelopes in front of people as their names appear. We look at each other, unsure if we should open them or wait until everyone gets there's. Mornoi says nothing to answer our question; instead he sits down on the edge of an empty table in front of the room. There are always empty tables... they were meant for the brothers and sisters that were lost. There is still a mournful feeling in the air even though it has been some time since Lucifer left with so many of our kindred spirits. I think it hurt Mother most of all... I have naver seen her cry but on that day she wept enough tears to cleanse the Earth ten times over. I have never seen Father so hurt and at the same time so angry. I know it is because of Mother's grief, if she had not wept it probably would have been a little easier on everyone. We have all adjusted. It was only a short while ago that our Eldest brother left to fullfill his mission. It was grand a farewell and everyone sang when he made it to Earth, even if we were not lucky enogh to be in the choir we still sung our praises, Jesus' birth gave us hope... it was a major step in the plan...
I am pulled from my memories by the envelope that is placed in front of me. I have been so caught up in my musings that I am not aware of the quiet discussions going on around me. We were told that we could discuss whatever we wanted about our letters, they were ours after all. I hear to women talking about how one fo them will be born into a family that will never hear of the gospel, that she will find the gospel when she goes to college and because of her acceptance of it she will be disowned by her parents and shunned by her siblings. It saddens me to hear such a thing and it makes me almost reluctant to open the letter I know hold in my trembling hands. I remind myself that the Father would not give me anything that he knew I couldn't handle. Carefully I break the wax seal and slid the folded piece of paper out of its envelope... I read what is written there... when I am finished I sign the bottom without hesitation. I know what I have just read I can handle... I have faith.
Alright so perhaps I emebelished some but the story teller in me got carried away. I may add more as my mindless musings imagine it but what I don't want is people poking fun at it. Everyone always asks me what I'm thinking about so here it is. Who knows maybe I'll turn it into a book some day if I feel so inclined.
The Flower Section
So its been almost two years since I've wrote in my blog and I figured it was finally time for a revival. With summer just around the corner there will be quiet a bit of time to do absolutely nothing. Not that I don't have plans. I'm traveling like crazy of course, it seems to happen every summer and sometimes I just wish I could stay home and be with friends but that's okay because I love going to see my family too.
Anyway enough of my ramblings about nothing and everything. I had a thought occur to me yesterday as I was wandering through the section of Walmart where they have all the flowers. I realized for the first time yesterday how some people could spend hours in there. You look at the flowers and you wonder how something so fragile can be so beautiful. Okay maybe that's a little corny but still someone who gets out of there in less then an hour should feel like a very accomplished person. With so many options to choose from its like trying to pick out a dress for prom (for those of us who have had that experience I'm sure you can sympathize) you want to get the perfect dress and yet there are aspect of each that you look at that draw you to it. For a price anywhere from $13 or more you can feel like you've actually done somethign with your time and what's more experience a definiing sense of self. So I've decided the draw to the flower section of Walmart is not all the beautiful plants but the fact that if you are one of the fortunate souls who does make a purchase you will walk out of there and for a few moments know exactly who you are.
Anyway enough of my ramblings about nothing and everything. I had a thought occur to me yesterday as I was wandering through the section of Walmart where they have all the flowers. I realized for the first time yesterday how some people could spend hours in there. You look at the flowers and you wonder how something so fragile can be so beautiful. Okay maybe that's a little corny but still someone who gets out of there in less then an hour should feel like a very accomplished person. With so many options to choose from its like trying to pick out a dress for prom (for those of us who have had that experience I'm sure you can sympathize) you want to get the perfect dress and yet there are aspect of each that you look at that draw you to it. For a price anywhere from $13 or more you can feel like you've actually done somethign with your time and what's more experience a definiing sense of self. So I've decided the draw to the flower section of Walmart is not all the beautiful plants but the fact that if you are one of the fortunate souls who does make a purchase you will walk out of there and for a few moments know exactly who you are.
Thursday, April 10, 2008
The Wisdom Seekers
Alright so while sitting in speech class today my friends and I decided to start a book club. We came up with a long list of books that would be great to start with and finally settled on the Kite Runner. We ended up calling our book club the Wisdom Seekers although it was a toss up between that and Flickering Candles (both my ideas, not that I'm bragging I'm just throwing that out there) anyway depending on how long the book is we'll have a certain amount of time to read it then at that the end of that time we'll get together at someone's house, discuss the book we read, and talk about a new one.
We're also talking about ways to get books for everyone and we've agreed on everyone pitchinging in so we've got money figured out. Anyway if any of you have any recommendations I would really appreciate it if you would let me know.
We're also talking about ways to get books for everyone and we've agreed on everyone pitchinging in so we've got money figured out. Anyway if any of you have any recommendations I would really appreciate it if you would let me know.
Wednesday, April 2, 2008
Hide and Seek
So today I spent all day with my twin four year old cousins Conner and Julia. They're Uncle Craig's kids and they are the funniest kids you'll ever meet. Anyway the day started with them coming into my room and waking me up, telling me they wanted to eat breakfast. Mind you it seven in the morning so I was still a bit out of it but they made sure before they left the room that I was awake and that there was no way I could possibly go back to sleep.
Anyway later that day I went with them and their dad up to their house to help clean for a birthday party we're having tomorrow. Anyway I ended up watching Conner and Julia mostly but we got everything cleaned up and I'm pleased to report everything is ready for tomorrow's very large family gathering.
Anyway while I was at there house I ended playing hide and seek with Conner (Julia had gone with her dad to the grocery store) and Conner decided that he didn't want to be it at all, that all he wanted to do was hide, so of course he being four and me being fifteen and let him have his way. Anyway it was about the sixth round of the never ending game that I just couldn't find him. By this time his dad had come home and both of us were looking all over for him. Finally uncle got so worried that he began to threaten Conner and telling him that he would not be able to go swimming. Anyway that got him out of his hiding place and it turns out that he had switched spots halfway through and had decided to hide somewhere that I'd already looked. All I can say is be careful how you do something because kids definitely learn by example.
Anyway later that day I went with them and their dad up to their house to help clean for a birthday party we're having tomorrow. Anyway I ended up watching Conner and Julia mostly but we got everything cleaned up and I'm pleased to report everything is ready for tomorrow's very large family gathering.
Anyway while I was at there house I ended playing hide and seek with Conner (Julia had gone with her dad to the grocery store) and Conner decided that he didn't want to be it at all, that all he wanted to do was hide, so of course he being four and me being fifteen and let him have his way. Anyway it was about the sixth round of the never ending game that I just couldn't find him. By this time his dad had come home and both of us were looking all over for him. Finally uncle got so worried that he began to threaten Conner and telling him that he would not be able to go swimming. Anyway that got him out of his hiding place and it turns out that he had switched spots halfway through and had decided to hide somewhere that I'd already looked. All I can say is be careful how you do something because kids definitely learn by example.
Tuesday, April 1, 2008
Barnes and Noble
So today I went with my mom and grandma to Selma and I asked them to drop me off at Barnes and Noble. Well knowing me I was estatic about the idea of spending hours in Barnes and Noble uniterrupted. Anyway so I'm walking through the store right and this high school age kid spots me looking at the book Attonement by Ian McEwan (isn't that a move?). He started talking to me about how he read this one book and that Attonement was good and that I should read it. Plus he was incredibly cute which is a bonus. Anyway we exchanged recommendations and then finally checked out and and sat down together and continued to talk.
He was a junior in high school and wanted to be a reporter. No I did not get his phone number but I did learn that he was LDS and all that great stuff. Needless to say I didn't get much reading in but I did enjoy good company and a pleasant conversation. He left before my mom and grandma came back to pick me up but it was still a nice chat.
He was a junior in high school and wanted to be a reporter. No I did not get his phone number but I did learn that he was LDS and all that great stuff. Needless to say I didn't get much reading in but I did enjoy good company and a pleasant conversation. He left before my mom and grandma came back to pick me up but it was still a nice chat.
Monday, March 31, 2008
My Cousins Dustin and Katie...
Apparently its true when they say the older kids get the more opionated they become. That was what my drum major once said to me and I have to admit I didn't agree with him until today. It was funny because I hadn't planned on watching my cousins until I got over there and found out my aunt had to leave. So thus I ended up watching them and two other foster kids. One was two years old and the other was six months old. Thankfully both slept practically the whole time so I was left with my seven year old cousing Katie and my five year old cousin Dustin.
I decided to take them out on the couch so that we could keep it quiet in the house for the other kids that were sleeping and we had a very interesting conversation while we were rough housing on the tramp. It went something like this.
Katie: I know a girl at school named Haley
Me: Really that's cool
Katie: Yeah her face is hidious.
Me: Katie that's mean!
Katie: But its true
Dustin: My teacher has glasses
Katie: Yeah and she looks dumb.
Me: You think glasses make people look dumb?
Katie: Yeah
Dustin: No they don't
Me: I think Dustin's onto something Katie.
Katie: He just likes her because she gives him candy
Dustin: No I don't (they start argueing back and forth for a minute)
Me: Do I look dumb in my glasses Katie?
Katie: Just this much (holds thumb and pointer finger just a little bit apart)
Me: That's mean!
Dustin: No its not this is mean (holds arms apart)
Me: I bet if I took them off you guys would think I looked better with them on. (I take my glasses off)
Katie: Yeah you look better with them on
Dustin: Haley do they put contacts in you when your born
Me: No
Katie: When do they put contacts in
Me: They only put them in if you need them
Dustin: Where do you get them?
Me: The eye doctor
Katie: You can buy them too. Do I have contacts?
Me: No
Dustin: Do I?
Me: Neither of you do
Katie: Do you?
Me: No, because I dont' need them
Katie and Dustin: Oh
And that was the just of my conversation with my two cousins. There both incredibly smart and stuff so I can't wait for more funny conversations with them and I'll be sure to tell all you wonderful people about them in my blog which I hope you read.
I decided to take them out on the couch so that we could keep it quiet in the house for the other kids that were sleeping and we had a very interesting conversation while we were rough housing on the tramp. It went something like this.
Katie: I know a girl at school named Haley
Me: Really that's cool
Katie: Yeah her face is hidious.
Me: Katie that's mean!
Katie: But its true
Dustin: My teacher has glasses
Katie: Yeah and she looks dumb.
Me: You think glasses make people look dumb?
Katie: Yeah
Dustin: No they don't
Me: I think Dustin's onto something Katie.
Katie: He just likes her because she gives him candy
Dustin: No I don't (they start argueing back and forth for a minute)
Me: Do I look dumb in my glasses Katie?
Katie: Just this much (holds thumb and pointer finger just a little bit apart)
Me: That's mean!
Dustin: No its not this is mean (holds arms apart)
Me: I bet if I took them off you guys would think I looked better with them on. (I take my glasses off)
Katie: Yeah you look better with them on
Dustin: Haley do they put contacts in you when your born
Me: No
Katie: When do they put contacts in
Me: They only put them in if you need them
Dustin: Where do you get them?
Me: The eye doctor
Katie: You can buy them too. Do I have contacts?
Me: No
Dustin: Do I?
Me: Neither of you do
Katie: Do you?
Me: No, because I dont' need them
Katie and Dustin: Oh
And that was the just of my conversation with my two cousins. There both incredibly smart and stuff so I can't wait for more funny conversations with them and I'll be sure to tell all you wonderful people about them in my blog which I hope you read.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)