To see a man's reaction

I've played tricks on people just to see how they'll react. Never have I set out to harm or hurt one's feelings; but to catch someone off guard can at times bring such an amusing look to the face of an unassuming victim. I recently heard an address by President Gordon B. Hinckley where he spoke of a different kind of reaction to another's actions.

He told of two boys out playing in a farmers field. They came across the old farmers tattered shoes that he had removed for a moment. One of the boys proposed that they should hide the old man's shoes and stick around to see his confused reaction. The other boy, in considering the conditions endured by this old farmer, felt that it would be more appropriate to stick around and see the farmer's reaction to finding a silver dollar inside each of his shoes. This was their decision. They placed the coins in the shoes and waited for the farmer to return. They soon saw the farmer return to his shoes and in amazement pull out one of the silver dollars. He put on his shoe, and once again surprised pulled a second silver dollar out of his second shoe. The look on the old man's face and his actions tell the rest of the story. He immediately knelt in prayer and spoke aloud to his Father in Heaven in thanksgiving. He spoke of the hardships that he and his wife were enduring, and recognized the miracle of what had just occurred.

We definitely have choices throughout our lives on how to treat others. May we ever consider choices that will cause others to rejoice rather than distress.

Sound Advice

Pause to pray, think to thank.
-Draper L.D.S. Temple dedication

Helium Balloons

Coping with loss is something we learn throughout our sojourn here on earth.  The spectrum of things we can potentially lose runs from small to great, insignificant to beloved or sacred.  My neighbor recently lost his father to kidney to disease, another neighbor his job, and my little girl most recently lost her Dora the Explorer mylar balloon. I tied it to her wrist, yet somehow it came undone and fled into the sky.  Her experience of loss at this point in her young life is extremely limited; needless to say however, she was crushed as she watched her precious balloon get smaller and smaller and finally disappear into space. I was crushed watching the scene unfold; knowing that the sadness she felt ran pretty deep in her tender little heart.  I'm so glad that I could empathize with her, I mean who hasn't lost a helium balloon to the sky before? I think empathy and the fact that we could buy another balloon made her feel better about the situation. I got to thinking though about the precious things that can't be replaced. I think President Monson and Elder Holland most adequately shared the Savior's ability to comfort us in those situations in this last weekend's General Conference.  It is in Him that we can rely peace, comfort, and forgiveness seeing as how he rose above all sin and sorrow through His infinite atonement. From losing a dear loved one to a helium balloon and everything in between.

Love to See the Temple

We started off the new year right by heading out to the Ogden Temple after a couple busy months to end '08. It's a blessing to be so close to a temple, and a blessing to be able to visit with Becky and chat with her about the temple session we attend. The word 'Sacred' stuck in my mind throughout much of the visit. What does this word mean to me and to people in general. It is good to include that which is sacred in your life, but also to let it help govern other decisions you make is so important. For me, the temple is sacred. It is a brillient reminder of so many things that I hold near and dear, the purpose of this life, and the marvelous plan in the which we all take part. May this be one of many temple visits this year. And yes, even though the Ogden Temple does appear to look like a cupcake, I feel like it is my favorite to visit since I don't ever get lost inside.

"I," said the dove from the rafters high, "I Cooed him to sleep that he should not cry. We cooed him to sleep my mate and I. "I," said the dove from the rafters high.

I've recently become familiar with the Christmas song, "The Friendly Beasts." On a surface level it is a creative approach to telling the nativity story through the eyes of the animals that could have witnessed the birth of the Savior. Kids love this little tune, especially when you do the voices and sounds of the different animals mentioned. I've come to love the song for that reason along with one of more personal application. This song presents the story of various animals all contributing to the nativity story with their nature given abilities. Each serves the Babe in Bethlehem by giving what it could however small it seemed. We too, like these animals, have been given unique abilities that we are to use in His service. It is some whom are called to carry the burdens of others, some to provide comfort and warmth, and some to sooth and cheer with song. May we all choose to discover and develop these special abilities that we may serve those around us.

Runnin' with the MoTab

I took up marathon running as a hobby a few years ago. Along with the new hobby came a few new accessories: shoes, shorts, and an mp3 player just to name a few. Like many other runners, I found that music helped make the time I spent running a little more bearable. I was able to take my mind off any fatigue I felt running and enjoy some great tunes. I created a number of playlists that allowed me to choose different genres of music each time I went out; anything from rock-and-roll and alternative to dance and pop. The more upbeat and fast paced the song the better it seemed for my running. Music has always been a large part of my life, and I’ve always tried to select music which has influenced my life in a positive way. The combination of a good run and a good beat has always resulted in such a rewarding experience. During a rather busy phase of my training one spring, I decided to try something completely new with my running playlists. I decided to dedicate my listening during a two hour run to some music from the Mormon Tabernacle Choir. Up to that point in my life, music from the choir had always been played as a sort of background music on Sundays. Even as I began to run I couldn’t convince myself that this type of music would do any good in helping me keep my desired pace. Midway through my run I was able recognize the benefits of my music decision. Unlike the rush of energy I got from my fast upbeat music, the choir music helped provide a mental state much like that of an in-depth scripture study. My mind was in a different place, one that could be influenced by the spirit so much more. I continually recognized so many blessings that the Lord has given me and my family. A most memorable experience I had while running to the music of the Tabernacle choir came on a country road in the Ogden Valley. The sun was just barely peaking over the mountains; the horses in the adjacent pasture ran beside me in the crisp country morning air while all at the exact same time I heard the glorious climactic crescendo of a favorite hymn of praise. How could I be so lucky to experience such a sight accompanied by such wonderful sound. It wasn’t that the stars had aligned in any extraordinary way; but that my mind had been aligned and my thoughts prepared to appreciate and recognize the magnitude of the simple beauty that surrounded me. How grateful I am for these experiences and for wonderful music that reminds me to look to the heavens for direction and thanksgiving.

General Conference

The older I get, the more enjoy watching General Conference. This October conference was wonderful. Not that anything new was said that hasn't been said before, but the messages resonate differently within me based on life's current situations. How comforting is it to hear that continuing to persevere and live the gospel is the best answer for finding peace in our ever changing world today. I particularly enjoyed Elder Worthlin's message. It would do the world so much good if we were all able to control anger a little better and have more of a sense of humor about things. Sitting in the choir loft also adds a unique perspective on the logistics of conference. It is amazing to see so many people filing in the building with such reverence and to see them all exit in the same fashion; to be able to see a bit of the teleprompter and catch the brethren sharing comments off the script every now and again, and to see the producers sit and drive the production so calmly. It is an honor to be present. It is a blessing to hear the messages live. It is amazing how much more you can learn by reviewing the same messages a month or so later in the Ensign or on DVD. What a blessing to have leaders who have been called of God to lead and guide us these days. May the Lord bless them in all their efforts.