Be A Better Person // Am I ?

(c) Amount of focused effort throughout the project to do more than just fulfill an assignment, but to actually try to be a better person:

I think this is also one of the beauties of my project—if I simply did it there was no way that I could not become a better person.  It has been amazing just reaching out to people and getting to know them.  I still struggle with meeting people and not flinching at first but I am a lot more aware of who is around me.  I have made some true friends.  There are two crazy kids in my Operating Systems class that I would have never taken the time to get to know before.  But now we thoroughly enjoy talking with one another.  Indeed Jeff and Jonathan are just like my friend Bryan and I. They have been so much fun to get to know, I know I have truly made some good friends.  It has also been a real blessing in my life to be able to talk with them about future classes and struggles in our current class.

In addition to this it has really just changed the way I look at life.  Somehow everything is more beautiful, the spirit is stronger and there is more hope and joy in the world.  I don’t know how to explain it other than that.  It’s fun to look for other’s successes and then rejoice in them, rather it bring joy to you!  I think that is one of the most universal truths—if you only look for the successes in your own life, they don’t come that often; however, when we invest in others we get to rejoice and enjoy the successes of others like they are our own and well as our own.  Then we find the more people we meet and know the more success we see and experience and the happier we are!  I have truly loved this project! 

Semester Report

S (Specifics~what did you do for your project and why did you pick it?)

(See Purpose of Blog)  Right Side.  ----->

A (Applicability~How much did your project push you beyond what you would have normally done this semester? Describe the effort you put into this.)
I would have never done this for a class ever! Especially a religion class…stuff like this takes time and a lot of effort, this was way out of the box for me.  When I really struggled with this I would review my motivation talk for this project and post on forgiveness talks or things like that to remember why I was doing this project and then I would go out and just talk to people.

R (Relevance~How relevant and meaningful was the project you picked? What spiritual growth came because of it?)
I think I answered this below…

T (Time~How consistently did you work on your project 1-2 hours weekly throughout the semester?)
I think I answered this below…

S (Scripture-tie-in~How did your project tie in to the scriptures we studied this semester?)
Matthew 22:37–39 -> Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself.
Matt 6:12 && 6:15 && 32 -> Forgive.  As we meet people we get hurt.
Blessed are the Peacemakers and Blessed are the Merciful.
Parable of the Good Sameritan-> Stop! And don’t be a Robber.

There are more throughout this blog!

(a) Level of difficulty and meaningfulness of your project:

“Love thy neighbor as thyself” how can one ever love ones neighbor if one never interacts with them.  I some ways I think this had become my philosophy.  I mean if you never talk with anyone or get to know them, they can’t disappoint you and you don’t have to love them—after all you don’t even know them.  This has been a very hard project for me, I am not a social person whatsoever, so just going out of my way to meet people, say “Hi”, and be friendly was WAY out of the ball part!  But it has been one of the best projects. I have really tried to lift my head up and say “HI” to everyone I pass, or at least nod.  Then as I have been in the computer labs, classes, and just as roommates bring their friends over, I have striven to go out of my way to get to know them.  The Gospel is all about people and in many ways I feel that I have been running from them, but this project has truly changed all of that.  After all if you’re running from them how can you succor those in need, strengthen the feeble knees, love your neighbor, love your enemy, and feed His sheep.

(b) Number of weeks where you spent one to two hours working on the project:

I have been blogging on my project every week. There has not been a week that I have not spent one hour on my project since I turned in my project proposal. One of the beauties of this project is I can work on it every minute of every day—and it has blessed my life every minute of every day!  But I have also posted a few of my weekly discussion reports on my blog, so you will see those as well. 

Wine Press

D&C 76: I have ^covercome and have ^dtroddenthe ^ewine-press ^falone, even the wine-press of the fierceness of the wrath of Almighty God.


I hope this is not to sacred to put in writing, so if you read this...take note that you read it in the spirit in which it should be attended.  I have never really stopped to consider the part that both the Father and the Son had to play in the Garden in order for the Atonement to take place.  It took the cup of the Father given to the Son, asked for by the Son, or the press placed upon the Son by the Father, asked for by the Son.  I cannot even comprehend the role of the Father, what sacrifice He had to perform and then the Son to fulfill all that He promised--these actions define the words infinite and eternal.  This was my greatest insight out of my New Testament class today.


To think that the Savior was not only cut off from the presence of His Father but that He too suffered the wrath of Almighty God.  How deep and great the Atonement is I will never know.  A price was paid beyond my mortal comprehension.  I must repent.  


He offers a gift to me, my prayer now is to accept that gift in spirit He would intend it to be received.  I thought in class today the gift has already been offered, the question is not in the gift giver but in the gift receiver. The question is in me.  How do i receive the gift He has already given? -- This question is not how is it received but how do i use/see/accept His infinite and personal gift.


I pray to be a little better, a little faster and than that little change will last forever!  The Gospel is beautiful and sure!

Murder by Design

Last night i ventured from the usual routine to visit with one of my roommates guests.

The conversation revealed itself to be with one of natures most fascinating playwrites.  She is a premed, BYU play write.  One of her most recent works involves a foiled hist reenactment that ends up as vengeful man's orchestrated murder.

The most fascinating part of the conversation the fact that she felt guilty for being in our apartment because of all the homework that she currently had to do.  It was the same feeling that i was have for leaving my homework to be social.  My how interesting the world is!  It was wonderful to be able to relate to someone so purely insanse as myself.  The word is full of fools, what flavor are you?

Ia Ora Na

From Tahiti, ia ora na, literally mean 

Life to You!

We are either giving life or taking life from each other as we move forward on our way!

Raise our sights a little higher, to forget our own problems and reach out to others.

As i went to religion class yesterday i met a awesome young woman! She is from Utah and her family own a cabin in Island Park, which is not too far from where i live!  It was fun talk with her for a moment about her family and her semester.  She told me that her semester is actually a fairly easy one and that she was enjoying it!

Unfortunately class began at that point and we had to start paying attention but it was so refreshing to meet a friendly face and get to know one more person a little bit better.  It is so true the more we interact with others and learn of them the richer our own life becomes!  She made my day!

Refocus

Meeting new people can enrich our lives in miraculous ways!
Love is one of the most powerful positive forces in existence.
Be willing to step outside yourself for a minute to lift others--Just say Hi.
Have a real conversation with each new person you meet.
Being friendly is a great thing, because it's the only way we can move from acquaintance to lasting friendship.

Goal: TWE, Have a Real Conversation, Just Meet People

Washing of the Apostles' Feet

How often are we like Peter?  As I went to my New Testament class today, this was one thought that really impressed me about the Savior's Apostle Peter.  How often do I turn from the Savior when he attempts to clean the blackest part of me?

Why do I turn?

Is it because He is so clean and so pure that I feel my dark sins are past His help, in that He will not clean them because I have gone too far?

Is it because I don't feel I need Him to clean them, there is a appointed time, He can't clean them now, it will done later at night when I’m home, but not now.

Is it because I feel embarrassed for Him to help me I such a way?

Is it because I’m comfortable right now, I don't feel that I need to be washed?

In all these cases I think I have been there at one time or another, I think all of has.  I love this thought that one has to let the Savior do the dirty work.  Let Him!  We all are unclean and are in need of his help and I think like Peter when we get a true glimpse of what He will and is going to do for us, we'd shout also...wash my head and body also.  O how sweet and glorious the Gospel is, the more I learn about the Savior the more I love Him, the more I trust Him.

  

He knew the better Road

How many times!   I took my computer pulled up a world map and charted a course.  I wanted to be here, put on this concert, attend school there, transfer here, and then get a job with them.  I took that map printed it out stuck it in my pocket and packed up what little i owned into my bag and hammered a sign on the door saying, "Found my Way, Not coming Back."

My hope and my map last about a week and then they're both outdated.  I end up on a park bench somewhere with nothing but a bag of heavy past experiences, all of which seem worthless at the moment!

Then when dumbfounded, without even the capacity the ask the right question the Savior takes a seat at my side.  He has found that which was lost, rather to Him it was never lost, but now it's ready to listen!  There is something about too good of a time and too hard of a time that leave us senseless and inattentive to the Savior.  Either one will wind us up on a park bench somewhere.

Then with nothing but a bag, He has to remind us and tell us the proper questions.  Just like the Apostles after hearing of the troubles around the 2nd coming.  We like them are left in life with a glimpse of what is to come and yet know we understand none of it, we are left without word nor knowing where to turn next.  Our sure map has failed and we're afraid to make a new one.  It's then the Savior comes in and reminds us Who then is a faithful and wise servant, whom his lord hath made ruler over his household, to give them meat in due season?  


Once we see what needs answering He answers the question!

I have made such a map and i have followed such a course and indeed it left me on a bench with all that i have worked to obtain stuffed in a worthless bag; me feeling as if the contents thereof were completely worthless.  My map was in pieces! I had prayed--i'm not perfect, i sin--yet i felt like it was right and not wrong.  How could it then turn out this way.  The stick i had devised to measure my progress and left me beaten and utterly alone!

Then in the darkness the very day of my distress, He was found on my bench!  Feeling and words came into my mind as i knelt in prayer.  I received an email concerning a different opportunity that very night and a feeling this one is right!  As i looked back i realized God's inspiration in writing my application letter, it was perfect.  That very night i was also offered an interview for this new alternative.  Later that week i arrived for that interview.  I went up in a glorious, majestic building overlook a beautiful court yard with water fountains and huge bay windows. There as i sat waiting for my interview, unsolicited, the spirit came strong and peaceful, with three words--this is right!  Upon entering the interview i was complemented on my application letter and asked a question that i new would come...for i had felt that would be it.  I knew how to answer with an experience the Lord had given me.

~ On Sunday i met an amazing young women, my roommate had just invited her over.  I knew nothing about her.  Then it came to my attention that she had seen The Tempest this last week in Salt Lake--I was able to have an amazing deep conversation with her because of my experience with Shakespeare.  It was amazing and possible because of the universal language provided by Shakespeare. ~

That is why i love Shakespeare and literature! It creates a bridge in which can span vast chasm and link people together in a universal language and experience.  It allows us to understand one another and to more fully understand ourselves.

I shared this God given experience and the effect was perfect for them and for me!  I was told that i was accepted into the program!  I then went back down and had another euphoric event!

Later the Lord confirmed these feelings as He always dose with a beautiful lesson in my New Testament class where we talked about this... How the Lord will help us even when we don't know what to ask and bless us even when we think we know better.  He knows the higher road and the better way!  He knew that this opportunity would be better.  Don't close any doors.  It can get better!

Home Teaching ?

         Josh -> Mario Cart Party

So who knew even Home Teaching would be easier as i just open my mouth.  I got to know Josh over the weekend.  Even home teaching has become more of a blessing to me!  It was just easy to go and meet him when i chose not to be shy over the whole thing!

PS: Every Sunday they get together and play Mario Cart...i'm going to crash it...Muahahah!

Locked Out

Matt -> Locked Out


So it seems to get harder to do this project as my life gets crazier!  But in church i had the option of sitting next to a stranger or my roommates.  I did the right thing. Check this out...
Upon getting to know him, he told me why he was so tired and almost falling asleep in Sacrament meeting.  He had been locked out of his house that night.  He is staying with some family of his and they had left...so what did Matt do...He hit the couch!  No! He hit his back seat, yep he spent the night in his car!

Have you ever been Locked Out?  It's been fun to get to know Matt.

To be Ridden

While in scouts my scout group and I set out for an adventure!  We planed, packed and set out for Red Fish Lake Idaho!  We had just begun our 10 mile hike when our leader's house decided he was in charge.  This horse was new to his masters ride and had a opinion of his own.  After fighting the house for most of the trip, the master decided it was time teach this young colt a lesson.  He forced the horse to trail at the back of our caravan, he took to this like oil to water, he wanted none of it.  The colt's goal was to always be in the lead and never follow!  After a utter and complete revolt our leader ended up bailing off the horse just as it slide after way down the mountain, off of a rock ledge.  After the house came to himself he after a days walk found are group and rejoined the ranks.

How i have felt like this colt, spurned, ridden, and untamed.  Recently i have gone through a couple of job interviews that have literary ridden me as if for the first time.  Never having experienced such a think before, i must admit i was left bruised, dazed, and bucking in every direction.  Indeed not knowing who to trust or where i could turn.  I felt like the colt who had just went for a ride down the mountain.

It was in this moment that the master stepped in and touched the reins.  At the touch of the masters hand this dazed and bewildered colt was calm.  There was a literal quiet word of what the future would hold and how he was to safely lead me there.  There is something about the touch of the master hand!  When He was safely on my shoulders, the bit was a comfort, the path clear, the saddle comfortable, the world quiet, and the enemy with out power.  I knew He knew the course and that His course was mine!  I am the miracle of the colt, He has tamed me and channeled my efforts to something powerful and productive.  He Lives!

One great lesson that i want to always remember is the touch of His hand!  I want to further insure that i always listen and follow His command.

Double Duo

Jeff && Johnathan

I have been going through the CS department to earn a degree in Computer Science.  I have a partner in crime, his name Bryan Kingery.  He has become and is one of the best friends that i have!  He acts more like a true friend than anyone i have ever known!  But needless to say because we are in the same major we have been rocking it's world together!  It has been so much fun to work with him.  The other day, however, the two of us met our match--Jeff and Johnathan!  They like us are going through the CS program.  They are a lot father ahead that us in the program but i met them because i took the time so stop and formaly introduce myself and say hi!  I can truly say i have two new friends of which i very highly relate!