Because I said so

In the October 2008 Conference there is an article called "Even a Child Can Understand" by
Elder Gérald Caussé. My Visiting Teaching companion choose this article for our visit this week. As we talked about this article I found that my pondering powers kicked in.

I thought about how we are often counseled become as little children. I started thinking about how we as adults respond to children. The phrase "because I said so" came to mind. I know that I say this because sometimes I know that the explanation is beyond their understanding or the explanation will not really help with the understanding.

I believe that often that is how the Lord works with me. When I questions why something is going on and how a trial will ever bring me closer to the Lord I often feel like faith is like the statement "because I said so". The Lord understand infinitely more than I do. He see things that I haven't learned to see yet.

I don't know that this thought will do as much for you as it did for me, however I know that I am grateful to have a Heavenly Father who knows how to help me learn through experience.

Christmas cards...the great adventure

Christmas cards are some of the best mail we get all year. So feel increased pressure this year to write a good Christmas letter, but the question is what do I add in there. So I am looking for suggestions, what do you really want to know?

The gift of feeling our Weakness

Weakness is not something we like to admit. In fact I know that I personally try and put my best foot forward, think before I speak and be the best version of myself.

Here is what I know if I have a best foot I have a worst and even if you can't see it.

If I have to think before I speak it is to filter out all the things that I think but shouldn't say.

If I have a best version of myself then I also have a worst.

Our super smart and loving Heavenly Father allows us to be weak so that we can humble ourselves before he who has no weakness. Sometimes when I am weak I feel shame and disappointment. Sometimes when I am weak I feel hopeless and useless. But always I feel humbled by my weakness. I feel the gap between me and Thee and know that the atonement is the only way for me to be whole someday.

I don't know if I am grateful for having weakness, but I am grateful for feeling weakness in myself so I can appreciate the gift of the Holy Ghost, the Atonement of my Savior and the mercy of my Heavenly Father.

It is true that I am weak, and I will continue to work on those weakness my whole life. I hope in recognizing personal weakness we can be more generous to others weakness. I hope that we can be a little less critical, a little more forgiving and a lot more willing to accept people for both their best and worse self.

The kind of people that we are

Long before forms, tax season, and government services available to all small town there was this believe that when someone said something it was true because it was their word. Sometimes, just sometimes while I spend countless hours working to justify why my clients need services I question why. Why so much paperwork? Why so many hoops to jump through? Where is the trust? Where is the charity?

Then I realized that we don't live in that kind of world. It is too bad. So I will do my paperwork, but I just hope that more of us try to be the kind of people who keep our word, do our work with honor and live with charity.

A Good Cry

There is something about a good cry. I don't do it often, I am not prone to overreacting (much like I was when I was a child). In fact I am the one they (meaning the people who have my number) call when there is an emergency. I am expected to keep my cool, find solutions, and be the voice of reason.

Sometimes it gets stressful.

For a couple weeks I had feel the burden build and then I had a good cry...I know you boys might think I am emotional...but it helped.

The burden is gone...thanks you Heavenly Father for remembering to give us tears to release emotions.

**I feel peace now, so my friends do not worry**

Got out of Dodge...In A Dodge!

There is nothing like getting away for the weekend. I took a much needed trip to Utah for the weekend and hung out with my peeps...well Heather & Kevin and their family!

They are awesome. I love having friends that I can always count on...I am so lucky.

A Soap Box Moment

So I think of myself as a tolerant person. I work with so many people from so many backgrounds that I have learned to put up with a lot. But the other day a guy tried to explain to me that if we are going to go on a date I would have to drive because he doesn't have a license....SORRY BUDDY NOT GOING TO HAPPEN.

I know I am being critical and not understanding...but this is a pet peeve of mine. As a man who wants to fill the role of protector and provider you need to be able to transport yourself at the least to places of worship, business, education, and entertainment.

**PS for all my married friends....if your spouse has a driver's license then give them a big kiss and be grateful that they are willing to help with the mundane transportation needs of your family***

10 ways to ensure you will never get a date with me.

10. Attempt to be spiritual by using scripture language to explain your life. (Spiritual language does not show the depth of your testimony)

9. Try and convince me that you can become a millionaire by growing your self proclaimed corporation. (I know that you can get a business loan and file paper work to become an actual corporation)

8. Call me pet names before you know my actual name. (I can't be your pet, I am not that obedient)

7. Claim you get bored easily. (I am already bored)

6. Tell me that the reason you didn't finish college was because you didn't want to have any student loans. (Your financial reasoning is illogical and not impressive)

5. Expect marriage to be the reason you finally choose to become temple worthy. (Trust me, my mother will not approve of you and she is always right)

4. Tell me you are into outdoor activities. (What man would turn down activities where they can prove their superior physical ability and involve fuel?)

3. Contact me from another country. (I am not romantic enough to fall for it)

2. Discuss your many possessions like I am a fish that needs to be baited. (You are using the wrong bait)

1. Play hard to get. (I am not butch, and don't fall for sissies’)

I voted

So I have to be completely honest. I vote because I think it is important, but I think it is important because of my High School Social Studies teacher Mr. Moore.

So here is a shout out to Mr. Moore! You rock my vote.