Hey guys!
I've been on this YouTube kick lately and I've started to watch a lot of vloggers. For those who might not know a vlogger is someone who vlogs, or video blogs. Rather than writing their musings or their daily lives on a "brick-and-mortar" blog like this, they record themselves and their thoughts or their day with a camera. There are TONS of vloggers out there. Some of my favorites include the Shaytards, Colleen Ballinger, Joshua DTV, Chris Ballinger, Miss Fenderr, Zoella, Joey Graceffa, Tyler Oakley . . . The list could literally go on. For many of the people I listed, vlogging and creating content for YouTube is their full-time job. Recording their lives and sharing it with others is how they pay the bills.
I was just watching one of these vlogs and couldn't help but wonder, why are vloggers so popular?
I have a theory: Our society has become more and more dependent on the internet to fulfill social needs, which explains why vloggers are so popular. I would guess that for most people, a lot of their relationships have some sort of tie to the virtual world. We connect more with people through a digital medium (FaceBook, Twitter, YouTube, texting, Tumblr, etc) than we do face-to-face. We spend so much time in the virtual world, that it's kind of cool and refreshing to see other people living their lives and to feel like we have a connection to them. We can feel like we've made a new best friend who does really awesome stuff (like going to Disneyland , or visiting Hawaii, or goes on the Ellen Degeneres show, or tell really awesome stories). These are real people with real lives and families just being themselves, and it's easy to feel a connection to them.
And then there's mukbang. Mukbang is a phenomenon happening in South Korea. Basically, men and women film themselves eating meals live and thousands (yes, I said THOUSANDS) of people watch. Through these websites viewers can send in "balloons" which then translate into money. For those who are more successful, mukbang becomes their full-time job. They are paid to eat food on camera. (Here's a news report on mukbang and also a reaction video if you want to learn more.)
I think mukbang works off the same sort of principal as vlogging--it helps people feel connected to someone else. In South Korea especially, many people live alone. They have long work days and come home to an empty apartment. Watching the mukbang, I imagine, helps the apartment come to life and seem less lonely.
My opinion is that these kind of relationships can be good to a certain extent. Real relationships can be formed online or through social media. Real friends and real memories can be made. Sometimes these virtual connections can help build in-person relationships. For example, Allison and I watch a lot of the same vloggers on YouTube, which gives us things to talk about when we're together. But, I think it's important not to let digital connections be the only type of relationships we have with people. It's important to spend time with those who are physically around us--not just those who we can only see or connect with through a screen. Because when we turn the computer off, or when the power goes out, or when our car runs out of gas on the highway, we're going to have to depend on the relationships we've formed with those who are around us for help.
Anyway, these are just my musings on the subject. Just a little food for thought!
Saturday, August 8, 2015
Sunday, July 26, 2015
So . . . It's been a year . . .
Hey guys!
So . . . It's been a year . . . since I last blogged . . .
That's really stupid. I think I need to blog more. Write about what's happening in my life and take time out to write certain topics that are on my mind. Ya know?
It's not like I haven't thought about blogging. I even started a lot of posts, but never published them. Maybe they'll see the light of day this year.
This past year a lot has happened. I got a job at Deseret Book, which I love! I work with amazing people and get to sell products great products (garments and books. That's all people need, right?). I picked up where I left off at Weber State and now I have two semesters left before I graduate. My major is English with a Creative Writing emphasis, and my minor is Communications. A few highlights from last semester:
-I got one of my songs published in Weber State's undergraduate journal, Metaphor.
-I wrote a pretty sweet arrangement of Let Us All Press On/ Called to Serve that you can download here if you want to check it out.
-I won $100 in a video contest at work.
-I was one of only 3 people in my upper division British Lit. class to get an A on my final essay the first time around. My professor told me she thought I'd do well in graduate school if I chose to go that route. Gave me something to think about.
Those are pretty much the highlights. Overall I think it's been a good year and two months being home from my mission. There are still a lot of things I miss about the mission--mostly the people. And I want to do better at applying what I learned from my mission to my every day life. But overall things are good.
Here's a list of some things I'm obsessed with as of late:
-Writing: I've always been obsessed with this, but now that I'm closer to graduating I'm really buckling down and getting stuff done. I'm about 40,000 words into my WIP (work in progress), and I'm hoping to have that done and get into editing by October. Exciting!
-The Broadway version of Cinderella with Laura Osnes and Santino Fontana: I'm particularly infatuated with the song "Loneliness of Evening." It's basically my favorite.
-NCIS: NCIS is now on Netflix and it is the best thing ever.
-Printing off my missionary emails home: This is taking a long time, and a lot of pages, but it's SO much fun to re-read my letters home. This is helping me remember more about my mission that I'd forgotten, like different people I taught or different experiences I had. :)
So, yeah! Things are going really good. Next week my family and I are heading out to Indiana for the temple open house (and to see One Direction in concert. Shh!). I'm excited to be out in the Midwest again and see everybody. That will make for some good posts, right?
Anyway, thanks for reading! Have a great Sunday!
So . . . It's been a year . . . since I last blogged . . .
That's really stupid. I think I need to blog more. Write about what's happening in my life and take time out to write certain topics that are on my mind. Ya know?
It's not like I haven't thought about blogging. I even started a lot of posts, but never published them. Maybe they'll see the light of day this year.
This past year a lot has happened. I got a job at Deseret Book, which I love! I work with amazing people and get to sell products great products (garments and books. That's all people need, right?). I picked up where I left off at Weber State and now I have two semesters left before I graduate. My major is English with a Creative Writing emphasis, and my minor is Communications. A few highlights from last semester:
-I got one of my songs published in Weber State's undergraduate journal, Metaphor.
-I wrote a pretty sweet arrangement of Let Us All Press On/ Called to Serve that you can download here if you want to check it out.
-I won $100 in a video contest at work.
-I was one of only 3 people in my upper division British Lit. class to get an A on my final essay the first time around. My professor told me she thought I'd do well in graduate school if I chose to go that route. Gave me something to think about.
Those are pretty much the highlights. Overall I think it's been a good year and two months being home from my mission. There are still a lot of things I miss about the mission--mostly the people. And I want to do better at applying what I learned from my mission to my every day life. But overall things are good.
Here's a list of some things I'm obsessed with as of late:
-Writing: I've always been obsessed with this, but now that I'm closer to graduating I'm really buckling down and getting stuff done. I'm about 40,000 words into my WIP (work in progress), and I'm hoping to have that done and get into editing by October. Exciting!
-The Broadway version of Cinderella with Laura Osnes and Santino Fontana: I'm particularly infatuated with the song "Loneliness of Evening." It's basically my favorite.
-NCIS: NCIS is now on Netflix and it is the best thing ever.
-Printing off my missionary emails home: This is taking a long time, and a lot of pages, but it's SO much fun to re-read my letters home. This is helping me remember more about my mission that I'd forgotten, like different people I taught or different experiences I had. :)
So, yeah! Things are going really good. Next week my family and I are heading out to Indiana for the temple open house (and to see One Direction in concert. Shh!). I'm excited to be out in the Midwest again and see everybody. That will make for some good posts, right?
Anyway, thanks for reading! Have a great Sunday!
Tuesday, July 29, 2014
Lesson 6: The Gospel of Jesus Christ
The gospel of Jesus Christ is faith in the Lord Jesus Christ, repentance, baptism, receiving the gift of the Holy Ghost, & enduring to the end.
"Gospel" is a word that I threw around A LOT growing up. I threw it around in talks and in seminary and in Sunday School. But my understanding of "the gospel of Jesus Christ" was very vague. Before my mission "the gospel" was this kind of blob that involved things like reading the scriptures, keeping the Sabbath holy, having faith, and doing what Jesus would do, etc.
So when Brother Doxey defined the gospel of Jesus Christ in our first lesson at the MTC, my mind was blown! What? THIS is what the gospel is? It's so simple! And it encompasses EVERYTHING we believe in the church. It encompasses all the commandments, it encompasses using the Atonement in our lives, serving others, etc. It's PERFECT.
The pattern of faith, repentance, baptism, receiving the Holy Ghost, and enduring to the end is presented time and time again in the scriptures. I remember one day I was reading Alma 32, which is a great sermon on faith. But then I discovered something amazing--Alma 33 . . . and Alma 34! Alma and Amulek didn't just teach the Zoramites about faith. They taught them about faith (how it's like a seed and needs nurturing, but that as you nourish it your faith is strengthened), and about repentance!
After teaching the people about faith in chapter 32 the people basically said, "Faith sounds great! But how can I get it?"
So Alma teaches them about repentance. Repentance means we not only stop doing what's wrong, but we start doing what's right. He taught them about prayer, studying the scriptures, and attending church. Why? Because keeping the commandments and bringing our lives in line with God's will through repentance is how we build our faith. It takes faith to pray when you aren't really sure if God is there or listening. It takes faith to study the scriptures because you believe it will help your family draw closer together. It takes faith to overcome your fears about being judged at church and go.
As a missionary, I was blessed to get to help people develop faith in Jesus Christ and repent. Some people chose to be baptized, others chose not to. But if their faith grew, I knew I was fulfilling my purpose. I got to be there when a woman prayed out loud for the first time and afterwards said she felt like there was a God who loved her. I got to feel the contentions in a busy household dissipate as the mother read the Book of Mormon. And I got to see people who swore they'd never come to church come and feel the Spirit there. It was awesome. :)
I'm grateful for the Gospel of Jesus Christ and I know that it's for everyone. It's just like Nephi says in 2 Nephi 31:32 to end his sermon on the Gospel of Jesus Christ: "And now, behold, my beloved brethren, this is the way; and there is none other way nor name given under heaven whereby man can be saved in the kingdom of God. And now, behold, this is the doctrine of Christ, and the only and true doctrine of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost, which is one God, without end. Amen."
So, if any of you are feeling particularly brave here's a challenge I received from my mission President. Buy a new copy of the Book of Mormon (one of the soft cover blue ones is $2.50 at store.lds.org) and go through marking anything relating to the gospel of Jesus Christ. So any reference to faith, repentance, baptism, the gift of the Holy Ghost, or enduring to the end. See what you learn & notice. :)
And in case you missed it, here is latest original song. :)
I hope you all have a great week!
"Gospel" is a word that I threw around A LOT growing up. I threw it around in talks and in seminary and in Sunday School. But my understanding of "the gospel of Jesus Christ" was very vague. Before my mission "the gospel" was this kind of blob that involved things like reading the scriptures, keeping the Sabbath holy, having faith, and doing what Jesus would do, etc.
So when Brother Doxey defined the gospel of Jesus Christ in our first lesson at the MTC, my mind was blown! What? THIS is what the gospel is? It's so simple! And it encompasses EVERYTHING we believe in the church. It encompasses all the commandments, it encompasses using the Atonement in our lives, serving others, etc. It's PERFECT.
The pattern of faith, repentance, baptism, receiving the Holy Ghost, and enduring to the end is presented time and time again in the scriptures. I remember one day I was reading Alma 32, which is a great sermon on faith. But then I discovered something amazing--Alma 33 . . . and Alma 34! Alma and Amulek didn't just teach the Zoramites about faith. They taught them about faith (how it's like a seed and needs nurturing, but that as you nourish it your faith is strengthened), and about repentance!
After teaching the people about faith in chapter 32 the people basically said, "Faith sounds great! But how can I get it?"
So Alma teaches them about repentance. Repentance means we not only stop doing what's wrong, but we start doing what's right. He taught them about prayer, studying the scriptures, and attending church. Why? Because keeping the commandments and bringing our lives in line with God's will through repentance is how we build our faith. It takes faith to pray when you aren't really sure if God is there or listening. It takes faith to study the scriptures because you believe it will help your family draw closer together. It takes faith to overcome your fears about being judged at church and go.
As a missionary, I was blessed to get to help people develop faith in Jesus Christ and repent. Some people chose to be baptized, others chose not to. But if their faith grew, I knew I was fulfilling my purpose. I got to be there when a woman prayed out loud for the first time and afterwards said she felt like there was a God who loved her. I got to feel the contentions in a busy household dissipate as the mother read the Book of Mormon. And I got to see people who swore they'd never come to church come and feel the Spirit there. It was awesome. :)
I'm grateful for the Gospel of Jesus Christ and I know that it's for everyone. It's just like Nephi says in 2 Nephi 31:32 to end his sermon on the Gospel of Jesus Christ: "And now, behold, my beloved brethren, this is the way; and there is none other way nor name given under heaven whereby man can be saved in the kingdom of God. And now, behold, this is the doctrine of Christ, and the only and true doctrine of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost, which is one God, without end. Amen."
So, if any of you are feeling particularly brave here's a challenge I received from my mission President. Buy a new copy of the Book of Mormon (one of the soft cover blue ones is $2.50 at store.lds.org) and go through marking anything relating to the gospel of Jesus Christ. So any reference to faith, repentance, baptism, the gift of the Holy Ghost, or enduring to the end. See what you learn & notice. :)
And in case you missed it, here is latest original song. :)
I hope you all have a great week!
Tuesday, July 15, 2014
Inspiration and Making of "Song for You"--an original song
Hey Everybody!
So, this is my 60th post on this blog. Woot, woot! :D This particular post has been a long time in the making. You may have read in previous posts here and there about how I love to write. Two years ago I took a songwriting class and I've been writing songs ever since. It's something I love to do because it combines my two greatest loves--music and writing! Best of both worlds.
For those of you who haven't seen my video yet, here it is!
"Song for You" was conceived two years ago while I was in my songwriting class. Those of you who know me know that I'm a fairly introverted person and I get really nervous letting other people hear me sing or listen to my songs. So when this tune and the first verse popped into my head, I was downstairs in our washroom where no one could hear me (or at least where I believed no one could hear me). It was around 11 pm. I pulled out my handheld recorder and
Fast forward two years. I recently returned from serving an 18 month mission for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, wondering where to go with my life. I found my old recorder and notebook where I'd hummed tunes and scribbled lyrics. When going through the songs, I rediscovered "Song for You." I decided that this was a good place to start when getting back into songwriting. So I sat down at the piano, wrote the last two verses, and got the melody on paper.
After I had the accompaniment worked out, I recorded the song. My original plan was to record a video of me singing the song live, but it just wasn't going to work. I couldn't use 2 mics to record at once when using my webcam. So in the end I recorded the piano, recorded me singing, and combined the 2. :)
Once the song was recorded I realized, "Crap! I need a video to go along with this!" So, I decided to settle for a video of me doing what I do best--silly stick-figure drawings and lip syncing. Haha. It's not the greatest, but I had determined to get this video out ASAP. I'd already put it off too long because, I'll admit it, this is really scary! Putting one of my songs out there like this. But I'm also excited to share what I love with all of you!
Thank you for reading and watching and listening! Hope you all have a fantastic week! :D
So, this is my 60th post on this blog. Woot, woot! :D This particular post has been a long time in the making. You may have read in previous posts here and there about how I love to write. Two years ago I took a songwriting class and I've been writing songs ever since. It's something I love to do because it combines my two greatest loves--music and writing! Best of both worlds.
For those of you who haven't seen my video yet, here it is!
"Song for You" was conceived two years ago while I was in my songwriting class. Those of you who know me know that I'm a fairly introverted person and I get really nervous letting other people hear me sing or listen to my songs. So when this tune and the first verse popped into my head, I was downstairs in our washroom where no one could hear me (or at least where I believed no one could hear me). It was around 11 pm. I pulled out my handheld recorder and
Fast forward two years. I recently returned from serving an 18 month mission for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, wondering where to go with my life. I found my old recorder and notebook where I'd hummed tunes and scribbled lyrics. When going through the songs, I rediscovered "Song for You." I decided that this was a good place to start when getting back into songwriting. So I sat down at the piano, wrote the last two verses, and got the melody on paper.
After I had the accompaniment worked out, I recorded the song. My original plan was to record a video of me singing the song live, but it just wasn't going to work. I couldn't use 2 mics to record at once when using my webcam. So in the end I recorded the piano, recorded me singing, and combined the 2. :)
Once the song was recorded I realized, "Crap! I need a video to go along with this!" So, I decided to settle for a video of me doing what I do best--silly stick-figure drawings and lip syncing. Haha. It's not the greatest, but I had determined to get this video out ASAP. I'd already put it off too long because, I'll admit it, this is really scary! Putting one of my songs out there like this. But I'm also excited to share what I love with all of you!
Thank you for reading and watching and listening! Hope you all have a fantastic week! :D
Monday, July 7, 2014
Lesson 5: People are different, but we all have an important purpose.
Not sure this post is going to make a ton of sense, but I'm still going to take a whack at sharing my feelings about how awesome it is that we're all different and how we all have a purpose and how our differences can help us fulfill our purpose. :)
My mission was a valuable, amazing experience for many reasons. But one of the biggest blessings and challenges of my mission was working with a lot of different people. As a missionary you're constantly pushed outside your comfort zone and you interact with people you might not normally interact with.
I didn't always understand my companions--why they did what they did, how they reacted to situations. I'm sure they didn't always understand me either. But I can honestly say that my mission is where I started to really love people. Moreover, I started to love people because of our differences.
I'm not exactly sure when this change occurred. I think it happened gradually. But when it did happen, I no longer dreaded going out and talking to strangers. The thought made me excited! Getting to meet so many different people from so many different walks of life is one of the greatest blessings of my mission. I met University football players, professors, homeless men & women, carnival workers, immigrants--people from all walks of life. And one of my favorite parts of the mission was hearing their stories, their perspectives, why they do what they do.
I learned that even though each one of us is different and unique, we're all here for the same purpose--to learn and grow and become like our Heavenly Father. And our Heavenly Father has tailor-made our journey. In the Oct. 2013 General Conference, Elder Richard J. Maynes said this, "Brothers and sisters, we have a loving Heavenly Father who has designed our earthly existence so that we can individually learn the lessons we need to learn to qualify for eternal life in His presence."
Our life is tailored for our specific needs. So getting to talk with others and hear their experiences, their struggles, their concerns--and then helping them understand that those experiences have been given for a purpose was very rewarding. Because even though we're all different, we're all trying for the same thing--to be happy, to be loved. Sometimes people don't know where to find that though. But that is where the gospel of Jesus Christ comes in. It is the only way to lasting peace and lasting happiness in this world. No matter who I met or what their trials were, I knew the gospel of Jesus Christ is what would help them achieve their potential and find and keep happiness.
Another, related lesson to all of this is that Heavenly Father can and will use our unique gifts, talents, and quirks to help others as we go throughout our life. In D&C section 46 the Savior is speaking to Joseph Smith about the gifts of the Spirit and He makes this revealing statement in verses 11 and 12.
"For all have not every gift given unto them; for there are many gifts, and to every man is given a gift by the Spirit of God. To some is given one, and to some is given another, that all may be profited thereby."
Isn't that awesome? Each one of us have been given a gift, a talent, something special and unique. And God expects us to use and share those gifts and talents so that all will be benefited. Because we are unique and different, we all have something unique and different to bring to this world. God wants and expects us to seek to understand our gifts and use them to help His children.
Something I've struggled with since getting home from my mission is finding my purpose. How can I use the talents God has given me to help others? I'm slowly figuring it out . . . I think. Haha. But on Sunday I found this really cool video that I wanted to share.
So, know that you're loved! Know that you are unique! Know that you have talents and gifts to offer the world that only you can offer!:D
My mission was a valuable, amazing experience for many reasons. But one of the biggest blessings and challenges of my mission was working with a lot of different people. As a missionary you're constantly pushed outside your comfort zone and you interact with people you might not normally interact with.
I didn't always understand my companions--why they did what they did, how they reacted to situations. I'm sure they didn't always understand me either. But I can honestly say that my mission is where I started to really love people. Moreover, I started to love people because of our differences.
I'm not exactly sure when this change occurred. I think it happened gradually. But when it did happen, I no longer dreaded going out and talking to strangers. The thought made me excited! Getting to meet so many different people from so many different walks of life is one of the greatest blessings of my mission. I met University football players, professors, homeless men & women, carnival workers, immigrants--people from all walks of life. And one of my favorite parts of the mission was hearing their stories, their perspectives, why they do what they do.
I learned that even though each one of us is different and unique, we're all here for the same purpose--to learn and grow and become like our Heavenly Father. And our Heavenly Father has tailor-made our journey. In the Oct. 2013 General Conference, Elder Richard J. Maynes said this, "Brothers and sisters, we have a loving Heavenly Father who has designed our earthly existence so that we can individually learn the lessons we need to learn to qualify for eternal life in His presence."
Our life is tailored for our specific needs. So getting to talk with others and hear their experiences, their struggles, their concerns--and then helping them understand that those experiences have been given for a purpose was very rewarding. Because even though we're all different, we're all trying for the same thing--to be happy, to be loved. Sometimes people don't know where to find that though. But that is where the gospel of Jesus Christ comes in. It is the only way to lasting peace and lasting happiness in this world. No matter who I met or what their trials were, I knew the gospel of Jesus Christ is what would help them achieve their potential and find and keep happiness.
Another, related lesson to all of this is that Heavenly Father can and will use our unique gifts, talents, and quirks to help others as we go throughout our life. In D&C section 46 the Savior is speaking to Joseph Smith about the gifts of the Spirit and He makes this revealing statement in verses 11 and 12.
"For all have not every gift given unto them; for there are many gifts, and to every man is given a gift by the Spirit of God. To some is given one, and to some is given another, that all may be profited thereby."
Isn't that awesome? Each one of us have been given a gift, a talent, something special and unique. And God expects us to use and share those gifts and talents so that all will be benefited. Because we are unique and different, we all have something unique and different to bring to this world. God wants and expects us to seek to understand our gifts and use them to help His children.
Something I've struggled with since getting home from my mission is finding my purpose. How can I use the talents God has given me to help others? I'm slowly figuring it out . . . I think. Haha. But on Sunday I found this really cool video that I wanted to share.
So, know that you're loved! Know that you are unique! Know that you have talents and gifts to offer the world that only you can offer!:D
Thursday, July 3, 2014
Did You Know . . .
Since this blog is called "The Other Side of Erin" I thought I'd share some things that people might not know about me & let you see, well, the other side of Erin. ;)
Did you know that . . .
I play the piano?
I write songs?
I write stories?
I'm planning on posting some of both on this blog soon?
I love sandwiches?
I'm officially an English Professional & Technical writing major with a minor in Communications?
I'm taking a Japanese class in the Fall?
I have two callings--Relief Society Pianist & Visiting Teaching District Supervisor?
Nephi is my favorite Book of Mormon character?
I bought a Hello Kitty bobblehead?
I love to read?
I read Manga?
Me and Yoshi make a great team?
I can run a 10 minute mile?
I'm still obsessed with Korean Pop culture?
There are lots of cute boys in Ogden?
I'm not a missionary so I can think about how many cute boys there are in Ogden?
I'm wearing a Ball State University shirt right now?
Chickens can't swallow upside down?
It would take four hours to hard boil an ostrich egg?
You can't cry in space because there's no gravity to make the tears flow?
I'm really bad at writing on my blog when I say I'm going to write?
I'm sorry?
I'm going to be better? :)
My first week in the mission field I accidentally deleted all the pictures off my camera?
There's software to recover deleted pictures?
In Lafayette we used to go bowling on P-Day?
One P-Day I didn't bring normal clothes, so I bowled in my proselyting clothes?
Being a missionary was fun? :)
Did you know that . . .
I play the piano?
I write songs?
I write stories?
I'm planning on posting some of both on this blog soon?
I love sandwiches?
I'm officially an English Professional & Technical writing major with a minor in Communications?
I'm taking a Japanese class in the Fall?
I have two callings--Relief Society Pianist & Visiting Teaching District Supervisor?
Nephi is my favorite Book of Mormon character?
I bought a Hello Kitty bobblehead?
I love to read?
I read Manga?
Me and Yoshi make a great team?
I can run a 10 minute mile?
I'm still obsessed with Korean Pop culture?
There are lots of cute boys in Ogden?
I'm not a missionary so I can think about how many cute boys there are in Ogden?
I'm wearing a Ball State University shirt right now?
Chickens can't swallow upside down?
It would take four hours to hard boil an ostrich egg?
You can't cry in space because there's no gravity to make the tears flow?
I'm really bad at writing on my blog when I say I'm going to write?
I'm sorry?
I'm going to be better? :)
My first week in the mission field I accidentally deleted all the pictures off my camera?
There's software to recover deleted pictures?
In Lafayette we used to go bowling on P-Day?
One P-Day I didn't bring normal clothes, so I bowled in my proselyting clothes?
Being a missionary was fun? :)
Wednesday, June 25, 2014
Lesson 4: Christ will turn everything to our good if we are faithful.
First, I think some apologies are in order. Sorry that I'm so sporadic about posting these lessons. I've been home for a month and a half and I'm only on lesson four? Pathetic! So, I decided that I'm going to post something on the blog every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday. It may not be a lesson, but it will be something. I figure telling you guys about it will help me stay accountable. So, please help me stay accountable and bug me if I don't post something. :)
Anyway, on to the fourth lesson from my mission: Christ will turn everything to our good if we are faithful.
This is a lesson that I learned very early on in my mission. I'd been in Lafayette for probably two or three weeks when I began to have some medical issues. I was in a new place, facing symptoms I'd never had before. I was scared that something was seriously wrong with me and that I would have to go home from my mission early. Half scared of going home, half scared because I kind of wanted to go home. Missions aren't easy, and whether everyone admits it or not, in those first few months you're kind of hoping for an excuse to go home.
During this time I was feeling very fearful of the future. What would my family think if I came home early? What would everybody say? What if I went home and turns out I was fine? What if I stayed on my mission and failed? What if I had to train? What if this? What if that?
One morning during personal study my head was so full of these fears, these what ifs, that I couldn't focus. I felt so weighed down. So I decided to turn to one of my favorite scriptures. Romans 8:35-39.
I felt some comfort in those words, but my heart still felt heavy. My eyes slid across the columns and landed on Romans 8:28.
As I read those words I got to thinking, "If I go home . . . if I stay . . . if I train . . ." No matter what the scenario is, no matter what happens, the promise is that all things work together for our good if we love God.
So, thinking about all of these "what ifs" that could happen in my life led me to D&C 122:5-7 where the Lord tells Joseph Smith all of the "ifs" that could happen to him.
"If thou art called to pass through tribulation; if thou art in perils among false brethren; if thou art in perils among robbers; if thou art in perils by land or by sea; If thou art accused with all manner of false accusations; if thine enemies fall upon thee; if they tear thee from the society of thy father and mother and brethren and sisters; and if with a drawn sword thine enemies tear thee from the bosom of thy wife, and of thine offspring, and thine elder son, although but six years of age, shall cling to thy garments, and shall say, My father, my father, why can’t you stay with us? O, my father, what are the men going to do with you? and if then he shall be thrust from thee by the sword, and thou be dragged to prison, and thine enemies prowl around thee like wolves for the blood of the lamb; And if thou shouldst be cast into the pit, or into the hands of murderers, and the sentence of death passed upon thee; if thou be cast into the deep; if the billowing surge conspire against thee; if fierce winds become thine enemy; if the heavens gather blackness, and all the elements combine to hedge up the way; and above all, if the very jaws of hell shall gape open the mouth wide after thee, know thou, my son, that all these things shall give thee experience, and shall be for thy good."
After listing everything that could possibly go wrong in Joseph's life, laying out his worst fears, and then capping it off with having the very jaws of hell gape open its mouth wide after him, the Lord gives Joseph the comforting words that these things "shall be for thy good."
That's when it really clicked for me. No matter what "what if" happens, everything will work out for my good the way the Lord intends it to. Whether I die young, whether I get married or not, whether I find a job, whether I go mountain climbing and fall off and lose my legs--it doesn't matter what the scenario is. Whatever happens the Lord is watching over me and can turn ANY situation for my good.
As soon as that clicked there was just a sweet peace that enveloped me. I felt like I could go home and be okay, or I could stay and be okay. And that feeling has stuck with me ever since. The Lord is in control. There's nothing that can happen to us in this life that won't be for our ultimate good. God loves us. He's watching over us. He will give us strength. He will help us grow and learn what we are meant to learn.
That's also when I learned that Satan's greatest tool (at least, in my opinion) is fear. Because if he can get us to focus on the "what ifs" he can paralyze us. Satan can destroy our faith in Jesus Christ and in His promise if he can just get us to be afraid. That's why we have to choose to be faithful. And remember, faith is an action word--it means we have to do something.
Fear is a tool that Satan is constantly using on me. Constantly. And it's something that I have to choose to overcome everyday through my faith in Christ. I'll give you an example. Last week I decided that I was going to go up to Weber State and officially declare my major and minor (English Professional and Technical Writing Major with a Communications Minor for those who are curious). So I picked the day that I was going to go up to campus--Tuesday.
Tuesday morning the sky was gray and it was raining buckets. I looked out the window and thought, "Maybe I should do it another day." But I know myself too well. If I didn't do it that day, it wasn't going to get done. As I was preparing to leave I was just hit with this wave of fear and all of the "what ifs" started in my mind. What if this isn't what I'm supposed to major in? What if I'm heading completely down the wrong path? What if I suck at technical writing? What if I graduate and can't find a job? What if? What if? What if?
So I dropped to my knees and started praying. I told Heavenly Father all of my worries and all of the fears running through my mind. As I prayed and started talking to my Father the fear that was constricting my chest slowly disappeared. Instead, my head was filled with the example of Lehi and his family. The Lord commanded them to go out into the wilderness--into the world. Lehi went, not knowing what was going to happen to them in the wilderness, but knowing that God would provide. And the Spirit taught me that it's no different for me. I'm commanded to go out into the wilderness. It's going to be scary and it's going to be hard, but the Lord will direct my path. But before He can direct me, I need to leave Jerusalem. I have to take some steps of faith.
After saying that prayer I grabbed my keys and drove to campus in the pouring rain before I could change my mind. I declared my major, came home and signed up for the courses I would need, and that was that. After that I felt a lot of peace and knew that I'd overcome a stumbling block. Now, do I know for sure that this is what I'm supposed to be majoring in? No. Do I know for sure that I'll get a job after college? No. But, I do know that no matter what happens, as long as I'm faithful to the Lord, things will turn out fine.
Thanks for reading! I hope you all have a fabulous day! :D
P.S. I wrote this post outside in my backyard. It's a beautiful day!
Anyway, on to the fourth lesson from my mission: Christ will turn everything to our good if we are faithful.
This is a lesson that I learned very early on in my mission. I'd been in Lafayette for probably two or three weeks when I began to have some medical issues. I was in a new place, facing symptoms I'd never had before. I was scared that something was seriously wrong with me and that I would have to go home from my mission early. Half scared of going home, half scared because I kind of wanted to go home. Missions aren't easy, and whether everyone admits it or not, in those first few months you're kind of hoping for an excuse to go home.
During this time I was feeling very fearful of the future. What would my family think if I came home early? What would everybody say? What if I went home and turns out I was fine? What if I stayed on my mission and failed? What if I had to train? What if this? What if that?
One morning during personal study my head was so full of these fears, these what ifs, that I couldn't focus. I felt so weighed down. So I decided to turn to one of my favorite scriptures. Romans 8:35-39.
I felt some comfort in those words, but my heart still felt heavy. My eyes slid across the columns and landed on Romans 8:28.
As I read those words I got to thinking, "If I go home . . . if I stay . . . if I train . . ." No matter what the scenario is, no matter what happens, the promise is that all things work together for our good if we love God.
So, thinking about all of these "what ifs" that could happen in my life led me to D&C 122:5-7 where the Lord tells Joseph Smith all of the "ifs" that could happen to him.
"If thou art called to pass through tribulation; if thou art in perils among false brethren; if thou art in perils among robbers; if thou art in perils by land or by sea; If thou art accused with all manner of false accusations; if thine enemies fall upon thee; if they tear thee from the society of thy father and mother and brethren and sisters; and if with a drawn sword thine enemies tear thee from the bosom of thy wife, and of thine offspring, and thine elder son, although but six years of age, shall cling to thy garments, and shall say, My father, my father, why can’t you stay with us? O, my father, what are the men going to do with you? and if then he shall be thrust from thee by the sword, and thou be dragged to prison, and thine enemies prowl around thee like wolves for the blood of the lamb; And if thou shouldst be cast into the pit, or into the hands of murderers, and the sentence of death passed upon thee; if thou be cast into the deep; if the billowing surge conspire against thee; if fierce winds become thine enemy; if the heavens gather blackness, and all the elements combine to hedge up the way; and above all, if the very jaws of hell shall gape open the mouth wide after thee, know thou, my son, that all these things shall give thee experience, and shall be for thy good."
After listing everything that could possibly go wrong in Joseph's life, laying out his worst fears, and then capping it off with having the very jaws of hell gape open its mouth wide after him, the Lord gives Joseph the comforting words that these things "shall be for thy good."
That's when it really clicked for me. No matter what "what if" happens, everything will work out for my good the way the Lord intends it to. Whether I die young, whether I get married or not, whether I find a job, whether I go mountain climbing and fall off and lose my legs--it doesn't matter what the scenario is. Whatever happens the Lord is watching over me and can turn ANY situation for my good.
As soon as that clicked there was just a sweet peace that enveloped me. I felt like I could go home and be okay, or I could stay and be okay. And that feeling has stuck with me ever since. The Lord is in control. There's nothing that can happen to us in this life that won't be for our ultimate good. God loves us. He's watching over us. He will give us strength. He will help us grow and learn what we are meant to learn.
That's also when I learned that Satan's greatest tool (at least, in my opinion) is fear. Because if he can get us to focus on the "what ifs" he can paralyze us. Satan can destroy our faith in Jesus Christ and in His promise if he can just get us to be afraid. That's why we have to choose to be faithful. And remember, faith is an action word--it means we have to do something.
Fear is a tool that Satan is constantly using on me. Constantly. And it's something that I have to choose to overcome everyday through my faith in Christ. I'll give you an example. Last week I decided that I was going to go up to Weber State and officially declare my major and minor (English Professional and Technical Writing Major with a Communications Minor for those who are curious). So I picked the day that I was going to go up to campus--Tuesday.
Tuesday morning the sky was gray and it was raining buckets. I looked out the window and thought, "Maybe I should do it another day." But I know myself too well. If I didn't do it that day, it wasn't going to get done. As I was preparing to leave I was just hit with this wave of fear and all of the "what ifs" started in my mind. What if this isn't what I'm supposed to major in? What if I'm heading completely down the wrong path? What if I suck at technical writing? What if I graduate and can't find a job? What if? What if? What if?
So I dropped to my knees and started praying. I told Heavenly Father all of my worries and all of the fears running through my mind. As I prayed and started talking to my Father the fear that was constricting my chest slowly disappeared. Instead, my head was filled with the example of Lehi and his family. The Lord commanded them to go out into the wilderness--into the world. Lehi went, not knowing what was going to happen to them in the wilderness, but knowing that God would provide. And the Spirit taught me that it's no different for me. I'm commanded to go out into the wilderness. It's going to be scary and it's going to be hard, but the Lord will direct my path. But before He can direct me, I need to leave Jerusalem. I have to take some steps of faith.
After saying that prayer I grabbed my keys and drove to campus in the pouring rain before I could change my mind. I declared my major, came home and signed up for the courses I would need, and that was that. After that I felt a lot of peace and knew that I'd overcome a stumbling block. Now, do I know for sure that this is what I'm supposed to be majoring in? No. Do I know for sure that I'll get a job after college? No. But, I do know that no matter what happens, as long as I'm faithful to the Lord, things will turn out fine.
Thanks for reading! I hope you all have a fabulous day! :D
P.S. I wrote this post outside in my backyard. It's a beautiful day!
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