I've recently begun filling out PhD applications for Second Language Acquisition programs. I´ve been considering a PhD for some time and Whitney has finally gotten on board to the point of even encouraging me to continue on that path, which is wonderful. She is so supportive. However, the stress and the amount of work that I am currently doing in my MA program has left little to no time to even complete and prepare these doctoral program applications. One night a couple weeks ago, I broke down, discouraged from doing anything, domestic or academic. Whitney postulated the idea that our weekly date nights for the next little while--mind you, date nights have been taken the kids out of the house with us to WalMart, just to be out of the house--could be spent filling out applications together and preparing the necessary documents. I agreed, since I had since the beginning of my MA program left Friday nights open for family, where no school work would be done.
We've done this for two weeks now. However, over the course of this last week, my mind has been weighed down under the pressure of school and the ridiculous amount of assignment and projects I'm expected to complete concurrently that I began to doubt the direction I was headed. Should I even continue with applications? Should I just find a job right after graduation? The future has never looked so uncertain and scary to me as it has looked this week.
Whitney, being the angel that she is, organized a time for us to attend the LDS (Mormon) temple, which has been a habit of ours to attend once every month throughout our marriage, yesterday. My mom came over to watch the boys and we ventured to the temple. Now, there are many things that one could do while in the temple; there are several ordinances that one can perform there. One might also sit and ponder, read the scriptures or pray. In the last year, Whitney and I have been so tired when we go to the temple, we have more times than not chosen to perform an ordinance called "Iniciatory" because it takes the least amount of time. This is what we chose to do last night for the same reason...well, I made Whitney choose.
We had decided that while in the temple we would pray and ponder over the direction we were headed and whether or not we should continue towards a PhD or down a career path. The ordinance we performed is done individually, thus allowing us to think amongst ourselves and open ourselves to personal revelation and inspiration. Boy did I receive some messages. I felt the Holy Spirit wash over me several times, and though I prefer not to include all details, I will include the general message I received.
Because the temple ordinances are performed by proxy for the dead who never received them while alive by those who have already received those ordinances for themselves, an ordinance is repeated several times in a row, each time for a new deceased person. I repeated this particular ordinance 5 times and each time I received a new message, each that built on the last one, each time feeling the Holy Ghost speak to me.
The message was this: The lord has blessed me with the intellect sufficient to accomplish a PhD. He trusts me to hear and understand the guidance he gives me and that I should trust myself to make the right decisions. As long as I remain righteous to his gospel he will guide me and place me at the doors of opportunity where I will have to make hard choices and will be confident enough to make the best ones for me and my family. As I do so, I will receive the blessing pertaining to those righteous (both temporal and spiritual) choices that I make.
I opened up the Book of Mormon to the very first verse of the translated records, written by the prophet Nephi. This verse reads, "I was taught somewhat in the learning of my father." Powerful. There is a lot of knowledge available to us mortals in this life. Our Father in heaven knows all of it plus mysteries not yet unfolded unto us. I need to acquire as much of it as possible. I read the rest of the verse, "having been highly favored of the Lord in all my days; yea, having had a great knowledge of the goodness and the mysteries of God, therefore I make a record of my proceedings in my days." Uhhh...I couldn't hold back the tears. I read these words silently, but the voice with which I heard them was not my own. I felt this was my Savior speaking in his voice to me. I did not hear it with my ears, but in in my heart and in my mind. He was describing me. I've always felt that I have been spared from incredible trials and challenges in my life. Not to say that I haven't had some doozies, but I have definitely been spared from some worse ones, some I can name specifically. I also feel like I've always had a testimony in God and in Jesus Christ without some big event causing me to believe. My spiritual progression has been in small tiny steps throughout my life. Notice the last line of the verse? Hence, I am writing my experience down as well. There needs to be a record of this and other experiences. I'm not sure why, but I am sure I've been asked to.
As I discussed these promptings with Whitney she confirmed the same feelings and her support. Thus, I will continue with my applications. There was one program that I was not going to apply to because they require me to retake the GRE (Graduate Record Examination) again, which costs $200. it is a prestigious program that presents a very low likelihood of accepting me. But I'm going to even continue with that application as well. I'm feeling confident to move forward with faith, excited to see the opportunities that await.
I end with an invitation. If you are reading this an unfamiliar with the Mormon temples, I encourage you to ask questions from those who now and currently attend. For those familiar with it, either attend regularly or prepare to attend regularly. There is knowledge there that cannot be acquired anywhere else.
Sunday, October 22, 2017
Sunday, September 24, 2017
Assessment
Many of you know of my religious beliefs and affiliations. Over the course of the last week or so, I had an enlightening experience in the temple and in my assessment course. Though I prefer not to explain all details and thoughts I had in the temple, I desire here to attempt to explain the basics of what I learned and felt.
As I waited to begin a service within the temple, I thought that it might be helpful to continue through the ordinance with a certain lens, or perspective. What came to my mind almost immediately was a topic that I've been becoming incredibly interested in at school: Assessment. I had some time before the session started, so I began thinking about how God assesses us. I began to think about the story in the Bible about Mary and Martha. The story is found in St. Luke 10:38-42.
Jesus entered into their home. Both sisters adored the Savior and wanted to serve him. Martha, thus, upon Christ's arrival, began clearing up the mess and clutter, at least that is how she perceived the state of their home. Mary sat down at Jesus' feet, showing her humility and willingness to learn from the Master. Martha became frustrated that she was the only one cleaning up for the Savior. She approached him, and asked why he wasn't encouraging Mary to do the same, as it was appropriate to prepare one's house for a guest. Jesus responded, "Martha, Martha, thou art careful and troubled about many things." Now, in English, this response is a little ambiguous. It would almost sound like the Savior is describing one of Martha's characteristics. However, in the Spanish, a slightly different understanding is obtained. He says, "Marta, Marta, afanada y turbada estás con muchas cosas."
In Spanish, there are 2 verbs that are very similar, in the which both translate to the English to be, ser and estar. One theory held by many linguists is that ser is used in Spanish to classify into groups while estar is only a reference to a singular event in which a characterisitic stands out that doesn´t typically. For example, by complimenting a woman who dressed up with "estás muy bonita" the speaker is complimenting her on her appearance for that singular instance. This does not mean she isn´t usually pretty, but that you are noticing the difference of how she´s dressed today compared to other typical days.
With this understanding, Christ´s response to Martha seems to be referring to today´s instance, as if he were saying, "Martha, right now, you´re worried about too many things, and with me, you don´t have to worry about cleaning the house." Taking this message with this perspective, I think it is important to understand that the Lord wasn´t refusing Martha´s offer of worship through tidying up, but rather was letting her know that she doesn´t need to expect Mary to be worshipping in the same way.
This is where we can look at the rest of the Savior´s response: "But one thing is needful: and Mary hath chosen that good part, which shall not be taken away from her."
I imagine, that Martha, just as much as Mary, wanted to sit at Jesus' feet and listen to his words. Thus, it would seem she was troubled in that moment about many things, i.e. tidying the house, listening to the Savior, and serving his physical needs. Christ explains that the most important of those desires is to hear his words. Another interesting point to the story deals with the interpretation I think a lot of people make with this story, I know I have before. Christ does not say that Mary has chosen the "better" part, but simply the good part. I don't know how the Hebrew version of this passage is recorded and what insights it may provide; however, I don't think the Savior was rejecting Martha's act of service of cleaning up the house. He never corrects her. The only time the Lord says anything about it is when Martha gets frustrated that Mary isn't helping her. This is when he gives Martha counsel and also accepts Mary's desire to sit and listen without concerning herself with other things.
There is an important lesson here about the way the Lord assesses our faith and our actions towards serving him. For example, Jesus never compares Martha's actions to Mary's. He accepts both according to the progression that each had made. Both were acceptable to him. What wasn't acceptable was that Martha had any ire towards Mary's choices of service and action.
So who passed the test? We are talking about assessment aren't we? Both passed! Both received feedback from the Assessor and both will continue to increase their faith and show it through their works.
If this is the way our ultimate Example assess us towards the objectives of eternity, how are we as, school teachers, business leaders, and parents assessing the progress and growth of those we teach and guide? Are we following the Savior's example of assessment? Let's look at the applications here within an education context.
Assessments have long since depended on allowing students to get the appropriate grade that would allow them to pass, or rather get credit for, a class. This does not incite any such type of life-long learning or an appropriate assessment of the student's progress towards an objective (unless the only object was to pass the class). If one student learns from an experience, how can that be assigned a grade? Can we assign a grade according to how impactful that exprience was to the student? This would be something incredibly difficult to assess. Jesus has the power to at least look on the heart. Thus, we must have some order to compensate for this human deficiency of assessment.
Sometimes we can assign a grade to the level of progression one has made in a learning context. Looking at Adam and Eve's situation, I believe there were some pass/fail situations here that we can learn from. When Adam and Eve were still in the Garden and tempted by the adversary to eat of the forbidden fruit, did they pass or fail the test? I'm sure this situation is seen differently from the varying religious perspectives. So, we'll stick with my belief of the situation. :) I believe they both passed.
Both Adam and Eve (Eve first by understanding the plan God had for her and Adam, and then helped Adam understand and partake of the fruit also), took the information they had been given and gained from their time in the Garden of Eden (who knows how long that was!) and synthesized it to make a decision. Now that decision had consequences that they were both willing to face and work with from that point onward.
Isn't this the education process!! Perhaps, we could say that Adam and Eve failed the test, or the commandment not to eat of the fruit. However, they were willing to fail in order to progress and acquire further knowledge. The Lord understood this and allowed them to make the choice and further guided them to success towards both earthly and eternal rewards.
As teachers, if we are micromanaging our students so much to the point that they are not able to synthesize information, make their own decisions towards their own progress, and fail, are we really teaching them? I say no. By doing this, we are providing them a safe space within the Garden where there is no progression towards enlightenment. By allowing them to fail, students can achieve higher levels of knowledge and understanding than they could without that experience.
As we grow and progress through this life, God continues to give up checkpoints and benchmarks, clear pass/fail opportunities: Baptism, the priesthood, temple ordinances, and marriage (and staying married), plus many others. Thus I feel assessments aimed towards looking at specific skills and abilities are important (multiple choice questions, fill-in-the-blank, etc.) However, the final test is what students can do with the information gathered from being able to accomplish those skills they have acquired along the way.
Please post any comments you may have. I'd love to hear your thoughts and continue conversations about this with you.
As I waited to begin a service within the temple, I thought that it might be helpful to continue through the ordinance with a certain lens, or perspective. What came to my mind almost immediately was a topic that I've been becoming incredibly interested in at school: Assessment. I had some time before the session started, so I began thinking about how God assesses us. I began to think about the story in the Bible about Mary and Martha. The story is found in St. Luke 10:38-42.
Jesus entered into their home. Both sisters adored the Savior and wanted to serve him. Martha, thus, upon Christ's arrival, began clearing up the mess and clutter, at least that is how she perceived the state of their home. Mary sat down at Jesus' feet, showing her humility and willingness to learn from the Master. Martha became frustrated that she was the only one cleaning up for the Savior. She approached him, and asked why he wasn't encouraging Mary to do the same, as it was appropriate to prepare one's house for a guest. Jesus responded, "Martha, Martha, thou art careful and troubled about many things." Now, in English, this response is a little ambiguous. It would almost sound like the Savior is describing one of Martha's characteristics. However, in the Spanish, a slightly different understanding is obtained. He says, "Marta, Marta, afanada y turbada estás con muchas cosas."
In Spanish, there are 2 verbs that are very similar, in the which both translate to the English to be, ser and estar. One theory held by many linguists is that ser is used in Spanish to classify into groups while estar is only a reference to a singular event in which a characterisitic stands out that doesn´t typically. For example, by complimenting a woman who dressed up with "estás muy bonita" the speaker is complimenting her on her appearance for that singular instance. This does not mean she isn´t usually pretty, but that you are noticing the difference of how she´s dressed today compared to other typical days.
With this understanding, Christ´s response to Martha seems to be referring to today´s instance, as if he were saying, "Martha, right now, you´re worried about too many things, and with me, you don´t have to worry about cleaning the house." Taking this message with this perspective, I think it is important to understand that the Lord wasn´t refusing Martha´s offer of worship through tidying up, but rather was letting her know that she doesn´t need to expect Mary to be worshipping in the same way.
This is where we can look at the rest of the Savior´s response: "But one thing is needful: and Mary hath chosen that good part, which shall not be taken away from her."
I imagine, that Martha, just as much as Mary, wanted to sit at Jesus' feet and listen to his words. Thus, it would seem she was troubled in that moment about many things, i.e. tidying the house, listening to the Savior, and serving his physical needs. Christ explains that the most important of those desires is to hear his words. Another interesting point to the story deals with the interpretation I think a lot of people make with this story, I know I have before. Christ does not say that Mary has chosen the "better" part, but simply the good part. I don't know how the Hebrew version of this passage is recorded and what insights it may provide; however, I don't think the Savior was rejecting Martha's act of service of cleaning up the house. He never corrects her. The only time the Lord says anything about it is when Martha gets frustrated that Mary isn't helping her. This is when he gives Martha counsel and also accepts Mary's desire to sit and listen without concerning herself with other things.
There is an important lesson here about the way the Lord assesses our faith and our actions towards serving him. For example, Jesus never compares Martha's actions to Mary's. He accepts both according to the progression that each had made. Both were acceptable to him. What wasn't acceptable was that Martha had any ire towards Mary's choices of service and action.
So who passed the test? We are talking about assessment aren't we? Both passed! Both received feedback from the Assessor and both will continue to increase their faith and show it through their works.
If this is the way our ultimate Example assess us towards the objectives of eternity, how are we as, school teachers, business leaders, and parents assessing the progress and growth of those we teach and guide? Are we following the Savior's example of assessment? Let's look at the applications here within an education context.
Assessments have long since depended on allowing students to get the appropriate grade that would allow them to pass, or rather get credit for, a class. This does not incite any such type of life-long learning or an appropriate assessment of the student's progress towards an objective (unless the only object was to pass the class). If one student learns from an experience, how can that be assigned a grade? Can we assign a grade according to how impactful that exprience was to the student? This would be something incredibly difficult to assess. Jesus has the power to at least look on the heart. Thus, we must have some order to compensate for this human deficiency of assessment.
Sometimes we can assign a grade to the level of progression one has made in a learning context. Looking at Adam and Eve's situation, I believe there were some pass/fail situations here that we can learn from. When Adam and Eve were still in the Garden and tempted by the adversary to eat of the forbidden fruit, did they pass or fail the test? I'm sure this situation is seen differently from the varying religious perspectives. So, we'll stick with my belief of the situation. :) I believe they both passed.
Both Adam and Eve (Eve first by understanding the plan God had for her and Adam, and then helped Adam understand and partake of the fruit also), took the information they had been given and gained from their time in the Garden of Eden (who knows how long that was!) and synthesized it to make a decision. Now that decision had consequences that they were both willing to face and work with from that point onward.
Isn't this the education process!! Perhaps, we could say that Adam and Eve failed the test, or the commandment not to eat of the fruit. However, they were willing to fail in order to progress and acquire further knowledge. The Lord understood this and allowed them to make the choice and further guided them to success towards both earthly and eternal rewards.
As teachers, if we are micromanaging our students so much to the point that they are not able to synthesize information, make their own decisions towards their own progress, and fail, are we really teaching them? I say no. By doing this, we are providing them a safe space within the Garden where there is no progression towards enlightenment. By allowing them to fail, students can achieve higher levels of knowledge and understanding than they could without that experience.
As we grow and progress through this life, God continues to give up checkpoints and benchmarks, clear pass/fail opportunities: Baptism, the priesthood, temple ordinances, and marriage (and staying married), plus many others. Thus I feel assessments aimed towards looking at specific skills and abilities are important (multiple choice questions, fill-in-the-blank, etc.) However, the final test is what students can do with the information gathered from being able to accomplish those skills they have acquired along the way.
Please post any comments you may have. I'd love to hear your thoughts and continue conversations about this with you.
Sunday, March 19, 2017
Beliefs
I had some wonderful experiences this week that have boosted my faith a bit.
I may have mentioned in a previous post that I have been praying for some opportunities to serve other people. I'm not a go-getter. It is difficult for me to initiate conversations and offer to help without being invited. Anyway, I am continuously finding opportunities to help. Thus, my first belief has to do with the power of prayer.
I feel like the belief in prayer is being lost in our society. It isn't a new concept, but it seems that unless someone's life is at risk, prayer isn't a part of everyday life for many people. I believe there is a God who listens to the petitions that are made to him. There is no petition too small that he isn't willing to respond too. When I was a small child, about 7 or 8 probably, my father and I were driving home from grandma's house and the car wouldn't start. My dad suggested we say a prayer to get it started and that I be the voice of the prayer. Immediately after the prayer, my father turned the key and the car started. This was the first time (that I can remember) out of many instances in which I have received an answer to my prayers.
I think it important to note that I also believe that sometimes the answer God gives is know. As a father, I try to do what is best for my children. I do not claim to know what is best for them, but I do attempt to make decisions that will result in their maximum benefit. Well, I believe God is the Father of our spirits. As our Heavenly Father, He KNOWS what is best for us, and may answer "NO", or "Not yet", or "I'll get back to you on that once you learn a few other lessons first." He is the great teacher, but we can't learn from him unless we trust that he truly knows best.
As part of answering my prayers for opportunities to sacrifice my time and anxieties to help other people, I received an opportunity this week to help my mother. I do not want to go into details for her sake, but she asked at 10 pm (on a night that felt like it would never end due to projects and assignments) if I would give her a priesthood blessing.
A priesthood blessing is an ordinance in my faith that allows a priesthood holder to lay hands on the head of the afflicted and bestow blessings upon that person. The priesthood is the power and authority of God. It was with the power of the priesthood that God made the heavens and the earth. It was by the priesthood that Christ performed miracles. it was with the priesthood that God reveals his truth today and sends his spirit to those who desire to know Him. I have been given the priesthood by Christ's called authorities today and can therefore, according to my own righteousness and faith, comfort and heal those who are afflicted in some way.
I must add that as I give blessings, like I did to my mom on that night, I allow the Holy Ghost, or the Spirit of God, to direct my words and grant the blessings God would have me grant.
Well, there wasn't anything else I would have rather done that night then give my mom a blessing. I was surprised by the words that were said as I acted as voice, because, quite frankly, I worry about saying the right things to my mom who has triggers that throw her into anxiety attacks, which was the reason she asked me over in the first place.
I think that is enough for today. Prayer is essential in life today. It is a lack of prayer that encourages the negativity and hate that impregnates society today. I may forget to say a prayer in the morning, or at night. But I never forget to pray. It is a real communication with God. Try it out and let me know your experiences!
I may have mentioned in a previous post that I have been praying for some opportunities to serve other people. I'm not a go-getter. It is difficult for me to initiate conversations and offer to help without being invited. Anyway, I am continuously finding opportunities to help. Thus, my first belief has to do with the power of prayer.
I feel like the belief in prayer is being lost in our society. It isn't a new concept, but it seems that unless someone's life is at risk, prayer isn't a part of everyday life for many people. I believe there is a God who listens to the petitions that are made to him. There is no petition too small that he isn't willing to respond too. When I was a small child, about 7 or 8 probably, my father and I were driving home from grandma's house and the car wouldn't start. My dad suggested we say a prayer to get it started and that I be the voice of the prayer. Immediately after the prayer, my father turned the key and the car started. This was the first time (that I can remember) out of many instances in which I have received an answer to my prayers.
I think it important to note that I also believe that sometimes the answer God gives is know. As a father, I try to do what is best for my children. I do not claim to know what is best for them, but I do attempt to make decisions that will result in their maximum benefit. Well, I believe God is the Father of our spirits. As our Heavenly Father, He KNOWS what is best for us, and may answer "NO", or "Not yet", or "I'll get back to you on that once you learn a few other lessons first." He is the great teacher, but we can't learn from him unless we trust that he truly knows best.
As part of answering my prayers for opportunities to sacrifice my time and anxieties to help other people, I received an opportunity this week to help my mother. I do not want to go into details for her sake, but she asked at 10 pm (on a night that felt like it would never end due to projects and assignments) if I would give her a priesthood blessing.
A priesthood blessing is an ordinance in my faith that allows a priesthood holder to lay hands on the head of the afflicted and bestow blessings upon that person. The priesthood is the power and authority of God. It was with the power of the priesthood that God made the heavens and the earth. It was by the priesthood that Christ performed miracles. it was with the priesthood that God reveals his truth today and sends his spirit to those who desire to know Him. I have been given the priesthood by Christ's called authorities today and can therefore, according to my own righteousness and faith, comfort and heal those who are afflicted in some way.
I must add that as I give blessings, like I did to my mom on that night, I allow the Holy Ghost, or the Spirit of God, to direct my words and grant the blessings God would have me grant.
Well, there wasn't anything else I would have rather done that night then give my mom a blessing. I was surprised by the words that were said as I acted as voice, because, quite frankly, I worry about saying the right things to my mom who has triggers that throw her into anxiety attacks, which was the reason she asked me over in the first place.
I think that is enough for today. Prayer is essential in life today. It is a lack of prayer that encourages the negativity and hate that impregnates society today. I may forget to say a prayer in the morning, or at night. But I never forget to pray. It is a real communication with God. Try it out and let me know your experiences!
Sunday, March 12, 2017
Family Prayer
As a requirement in my Master's program, I must attend a total of three Mini-courses over the next four semesters. This week I attended a linguistics mini-course. That meant that I needed to attend a 2 1/2 hour class every night this week (Monday - Friday) from 5-7:30pm. That doesn't seem too bad until you realize that these courses are taught more lecture style. In all honesty, it wasn't all that bad, but it overlapped one of my courses I am already taking. That plus the extra assignments for the week caused me to get behind on my other class assignments. Thus, time to spend with the wife and kids was limited. Even after the boys went to bed, it was back on the computer to work.
All in all, the mini-course was interesting. But it also, however, got me home at bedtime for the boys. But there is one thing that didn't get pushed off by the way side this week, which I am incredibly grateful for.
I am so blessed to have a schedule that allows me to start my day with my family and end with them. We say family prayer in the morning before anybody leaves and at night before bed. This is habit we've formed to keep God in our lives, our home, and our family. I have the option of teaching courses at 8 am, which would cause me to leave the house at 7am. This would make it incredibly difficult to get the boys and Whitney up and get out of the house on time. However, I have made sure I don't teach those classes, and future semesters will probably result equally, so that we can calmly and faithfully say family prayers in the mornings before I leave.
We like to get the boys to bed at a decent hour. Eight o'clock is bedtime, and we do our best, though it rarely happens by 8pm. This means family prayer is again at 8ish. The latest I get home this semester is at 7pm. With the mini-course this week, I was getting home at 8 everynight, perfect timing to kneel down with my family to speak to Heavenly Father as a family.
I have many faults as a man and as a father. However, I feel that family prayer is one way I can show my kids my love and faith for God. Thought schedules changes with our desires, prayer remains a constant as does God. I pray my boys come to realize this on their own, which is why I must put forth the effort now.
All in all, the mini-course was interesting. But it also, however, got me home at bedtime for the boys. But there is one thing that didn't get pushed off by the way side this week, which I am incredibly grateful for.
I am so blessed to have a schedule that allows me to start my day with my family and end with them. We say family prayer in the morning before anybody leaves and at night before bed. This is habit we've formed to keep God in our lives, our home, and our family. I have the option of teaching courses at 8 am, which would cause me to leave the house at 7am. This would make it incredibly difficult to get the boys and Whitney up and get out of the house on time. However, I have made sure I don't teach those classes, and future semesters will probably result equally, so that we can calmly and faithfully say family prayers in the mornings before I leave.
We like to get the boys to bed at a decent hour. Eight o'clock is bedtime, and we do our best, though it rarely happens by 8pm. This means family prayer is again at 8ish. The latest I get home this semester is at 7pm. With the mini-course this week, I was getting home at 8 everynight, perfect timing to kneel down with my family to speak to Heavenly Father as a family.
I have many faults as a man and as a father. However, I feel that family prayer is one way I can show my kids my love and faith for God. Thought schedules changes with our desires, prayer remains a constant as does God. I pray my boys come to realize this on their own, which is why I must put forth the effort now.
Sunday, March 5, 2017
Birthdays and Service
My son, Evan, turned six this week. SIX!! And he is my second child. As a parent, each child's birthday is like a reflection of my own. Each one reminds me of how old I am and that I am getting older and older. Then when my birthday comes along, there's no denying the increasing age.
Against all my efforts to be a good father, raising my children to appreciate the good things in the world, I allowed Evan to have a Pokémon party. It pains me to see how much joy he receives from talking about fictitious, yet violent, creatures that fit inside a little ball and are only released to seek vengeance. The whole idea is to capture these creatures that weren't hurting anybody, and squeeze them into a space the size of my fist. Despite my dislike of Pokémon, I've made the sacrifice for me son, including staying up past midnight the night before cutting and pasting little party favors for his friends.
Though opportunities to serve my children come in abundance, I've been praying for opportunities to serve other people, and for the strength to take advantage of those opportunities. I've actually been praying for a couple weeks, but I feel incredibly blessed to have the opportunities I did this week, my sons birthday included. Two others that may seem simple, but meant a lot to me are as follows. Neither blessed me in any specific way other than helping me realized the reality of God and his awareness of each individual.
The first experience was the ability to help a hurt students. As I was walking to class with a couple of colleagues, I saw a young man hobbling down the hall, using the wall as support, and wincing in pain with each meager step. Without even thinking about it--which is firstly unusual for me as I tend to anxiously consider every decision I face, including whether I should wash my face or brush my teeth first when getting ready for bed. Without hesitation I offered to help the guy, his name was Austin, to wherever he was going. He had already called his roommate to come pick him up, but still needed to cross the building and climb two flights of stairs to get to the rendevouz point. I put my arm around him and helped him hop to the end of the hall. At this point, another BYU student offered to help us as well--apparently he could see that I was not the strongest support for Austin, who was about 150 lbs. (sad emoji). With another agent of service, Luti--did I mention he was a polynesian rugby player--and I lifted Austin and carried him to the elevator and then out to the road just outside the building doors. I'll probably never cross paths with Austin again. But that doesn't matter, I helped a brother, who like me many times, needed somebody to offer help by helping, rather than polite courtesies of asking, receiving a polite decline, and moving on. I was late for class due to the incident, which is usually difficult for me, but today, I didn't care. I felt renewed.
Two days later, I found a man's wallet in the hall of the same building. I held onto it for a couple hour during my classes, waiting for the lost and found to open up. In the meantime, I looked on the University student directory to find this young man and call him (his ID was in the wallet, but no current phone number). I found his name in the directory, but he didn't make any email or phone number available. Grrrr.
Which brings up an important lesson. Thought we live in a troubling world, it may be wise to allow a contact phone or email to be publicly seen in a school directory in case something like this happpens.
Once the lost and found office was opened, I came to find that they wouldn't make any effort to find the man who lost his wallet. Only the main office across campus had thee authority to look through wallets and purses. So, I decided to use the legs the Lord blessed me with and walked across campus with the wallet to the main office. There they told me that they would look up more info on Scott to make sure he gets his wallet as soon as possible. I walk away feeling good that I did my due diligence, thought I typically find excuses.
When I arrived home, I found an email from Scott! He heard I was the one who found his wallet--how did he get my name?--and was hoping he could get it back from me. I told him where I'd left it and that the office closed in 30 minutes. I don't know if he retrieved his wallet before the weekend started, but that doesn't matter at this point. I did something that may (or may not) have made a difference.
We don't know the effects of our efforts to do good. But I have hope that by taking advantage of the opportunities that came to me, I am happier by nowing I made a situation either easier or more secure for those I served.
Please look for opportunities to serve. They are everywhere, but we don't always recognize them.
Sunday, February 26, 2017
Discovery
I am a balloon artist. It's a hobby. While I'm in my MA program, I don't feel like I have much time to focus on it. I've had one gig since I moved to Utah. I got a call for a second gig, but the lady wanted me on a Sunday, which I'm not willing to do for 1) religious beliefs, and 2) its the one day I absolutely dedicate to family, especially during my Master's program.
Yesterday, I offered to teach my boys how to twist balloons. I've taught classes to children before and it wasn't the greatest experience in my teaching career. However, I thought it would be need to share a talent of mine with the boys and maybe see if they had a talent in it too.
After only a couple of minutes, Evan (5 years old) was crying and complaining that he "couldn't do it" because his hands are too small. What I quickly realized was that if I were to instruct the boys exactly on the steps of making a balloon sword or dog, they either weren't going to be able to do it, or they wouldn't enjoy it. So I stopped and changed my instructions.
Instead of "fold here", "twist there", and "squeeze that", I decided to allow my children to use their own creativity to learn the basics. I pumped up a few balloons for them and said, make something.
Well, I ended up being more proud of them for their creations, despite how simple, than if they had followed my instructions and made the dog or sword.
Jason ended up using the little I did teach him at the beginning to make a superhero. Evan started making a hat that lead him to create in similar design a utility belt and bracelet. Once they were done, they kept coming back for more balloons to make a new design.
If I had continued to teach them the specific steps to making a certain design, my precious boys would have only become frustrated and lost any desire to discover with balloons again.
What a powerful lesson that I feel God has also designed for us. There are specific steps towards are exaltation. Baptism, confirmation, and other ordinances. For others having faith and serving others are steps necessary to receiving God's grace. Well, these are steps or instructions that truly exist, just as the size of bubbles and locations where to twist a balloon are principles that lead to the desired shape of a balloon.
However, an important gift from our Heavenly Father is agency. We have the freedom (and are encouraged) to discover for ourselves those principles. The Lord himself said, "Prove me now herewith" (Malachi 3:10). When Jesus was approached by those who knew of his miracles and were hungry, he did not provide the steps to performing miracles to his apostles, but rather asked Phillip "Whence shall we buy bread, that these may eat?" (John 6:5). The Savior allowed his disciple to be creative and come up with possible solutions, or places to start. In the Book of Mormon, Jehovah did the same with the brother of Jared who sought light in his barges. Without giving him the steps by which it was possible, the Lord listened to Mahonri-Moriancumor's ideas and accepted one that would work (Ether 2-3).
We must do the same. We must discover how to solve our own problems. There are many ways to accomplish the same thing, however, only some are acceptable to the Lord. Eventually, there will be only one way to get to where we want to go, but the Lord has allowed us to discover that way on our own, and when we get to that point we will be more willing to accept that path through our own understanding that we gained through discovery and learning.
Yesterday, I offered to teach my boys how to twist balloons. I've taught classes to children before and it wasn't the greatest experience in my teaching career. However, I thought it would be need to share a talent of mine with the boys and maybe see if they had a talent in it too.
After only a couple of minutes, Evan (5 years old) was crying and complaining that he "couldn't do it" because his hands are too small. What I quickly realized was that if I were to instruct the boys exactly on the steps of making a balloon sword or dog, they either weren't going to be able to do it, or they wouldn't enjoy it. So I stopped and changed my instructions.
Instead of "fold here", "twist there", and "squeeze that", I decided to allow my children to use their own creativity to learn the basics. I pumped up a few balloons for them and said, make something.
Well, I ended up being more proud of them for their creations, despite how simple, than if they had followed my instructions and made the dog or sword.
Jason ended up using the little I did teach him at the beginning to make a superhero. Evan started making a hat that lead him to create in similar design a utility belt and bracelet. Once they were done, they kept coming back for more balloons to make a new design.
If I had continued to teach them the specific steps to making a certain design, my precious boys would have only become frustrated and lost any desire to discover with balloons again.
What a powerful lesson that I feel God has also designed for us. There are specific steps towards are exaltation. Baptism, confirmation, and other ordinances. For others having faith and serving others are steps necessary to receiving God's grace. Well, these are steps or instructions that truly exist, just as the size of bubbles and locations where to twist a balloon are principles that lead to the desired shape of a balloon.
However, an important gift from our Heavenly Father is agency. We have the freedom (and are encouraged) to discover for ourselves those principles. The Lord himself said, "Prove me now herewith" (Malachi 3:10). When Jesus was approached by those who knew of his miracles and were hungry, he did not provide the steps to performing miracles to his apostles, but rather asked Phillip "Whence shall we buy bread, that these may eat?" (John 6:5). The Savior allowed his disciple to be creative and come up with possible solutions, or places to start. In the Book of Mormon, Jehovah did the same with the brother of Jared who sought light in his barges. Without giving him the steps by which it was possible, the Lord listened to Mahonri-Moriancumor's ideas and accepted one that would work (Ether 2-3).
We must do the same. We must discover how to solve our own problems. There are many ways to accomplish the same thing, however, only some are acceptable to the Lord. Eventually, there will be only one way to get to where we want to go, but the Lord has allowed us to discover that way on our own, and when we get to that point we will be more willing to accept that path through our own understanding that we gained through discovery and learning.
Purpose
Since these posts are available online, I thought an explanation of why I started this blog would be necessary.
First, I am horrible at keeping a journal, but identify and the incredible importance record keeping has. I've always wanted to keep a journal. I have kept a journal at different times in my life. However, my journal writing habits have drifted into non-existence over and over again. One of the reasons is that I've had to keep track of where I put my journal and pen in order to write a new entry. With a single location where I can keep all my entries, it is a lot easier to open up my computer and type. I'm usually doing something online anyway. I might as well write a few things in my journal/blog.
I also hate writing by hand. I blame my 1st grade teacher for that. I remember when she yelled at me for holding my pencil wrong; I use my index and middle fingers to press the pencil against my thumb, instead of my index finger alone. I never changed the way I write, but always felt there was something wrong with me if I couldn't hold a pencil write. My hand also gets tired very quickly (perhaps due to the way I hold my pencil) and only write a little before my attention turns to the pain in my hand rather than the words I'm writing.
Some may ask then, why would you keep a journal that is open to the public? Good question. I am a strong proponent of self-improvement and journaling through a blog provides certain opportunities for me to improve some of my weaknesses. Like what? Well...
1) Keeping a journal. The easy access gives me more of a motive to write more frequently. I've missed recording the birth of all my children and some other very important life events that I regret. Perhaps as I improve this habit, I may write about those events as memoirs, but until then, I will write what is currently going on in my life.
2) Sharing my opinions. I have never had such strong opinions that I felt the need to tell someone about them. As the world "progresses" (I could share an opinion on that philosophy right there, but for now, I'll leave it be), I'm noticing that I am forming stronger opinions. Perhaps not as strong as those you've seen around Facebook recently. But I do have opinions and if there is ever someone that wants to hear my opinions, they can come to this blog and read about them. Otherwise, those who don't care about my opinions can steer clear of this blog and continue not caring, and I'm not offended nor care about their opinion.
3) Having self worth. One reason I don't outwardly share my opinions with other people is because I am self conscious. I worry about what other people think of me ... a lot. I worry that, despite how I feel I may have done at a certain task, someone didn't like or approve the way I did it. This doesn't keep me from doing lots of things, but it does keep me from sharing my opinion. I'm afraid that my opinion will offend those I'm sharing it with and a confrontation will ensue (I hate confrontation). In today's world, I fear that my humble opinion will be cause someone to want to hurt me or my family. By writing this blog, I want to share my opinion and feel confident that it is mine for the sake of how I feel and what I know, not based on how someone will react to it. Also, I feel that my thoughts and opinions my be of value to some of you who read my posts.
I've titled this blog around one of the many characteristics that I think define who I am. I identify as a Father of three incredible boys. That doesn't mean all of my posts will be about my sons, but anything I write will be influenced by the fact that I am a father of three boys.
First, I am horrible at keeping a journal, but identify and the incredible importance record keeping has. I've always wanted to keep a journal. I have kept a journal at different times in my life. However, my journal writing habits have drifted into non-existence over and over again. One of the reasons is that I've had to keep track of where I put my journal and pen in order to write a new entry. With a single location where I can keep all my entries, it is a lot easier to open up my computer and type. I'm usually doing something online anyway. I might as well write a few things in my journal/blog.
I also hate writing by hand. I blame my 1st grade teacher for that. I remember when she yelled at me for holding my pencil wrong; I use my index and middle fingers to press the pencil against my thumb, instead of my index finger alone. I never changed the way I write, but always felt there was something wrong with me if I couldn't hold a pencil write. My hand also gets tired very quickly (perhaps due to the way I hold my pencil) and only write a little before my attention turns to the pain in my hand rather than the words I'm writing.
Some may ask then, why would you keep a journal that is open to the public? Good question. I am a strong proponent of self-improvement and journaling through a blog provides certain opportunities for me to improve some of my weaknesses. Like what? Well...
1) Keeping a journal. The easy access gives me more of a motive to write more frequently. I've missed recording the birth of all my children and some other very important life events that I regret. Perhaps as I improve this habit, I may write about those events as memoirs, but until then, I will write what is currently going on in my life.
2) Sharing my opinions. I have never had such strong opinions that I felt the need to tell someone about them. As the world "progresses" (I could share an opinion on that philosophy right there, but for now, I'll leave it be), I'm noticing that I am forming stronger opinions. Perhaps not as strong as those you've seen around Facebook recently. But I do have opinions and if there is ever someone that wants to hear my opinions, they can come to this blog and read about them. Otherwise, those who don't care about my opinions can steer clear of this blog and continue not caring, and I'm not offended nor care about their opinion.
3) Having self worth. One reason I don't outwardly share my opinions with other people is because I am self conscious. I worry about what other people think of me ... a lot. I worry that, despite how I feel I may have done at a certain task, someone didn't like or approve the way I did it. This doesn't keep me from doing lots of things, but it does keep me from sharing my opinion. I'm afraid that my opinion will offend those I'm sharing it with and a confrontation will ensue (I hate confrontation). In today's world, I fear that my humble opinion will be cause someone to want to hurt me or my family. By writing this blog, I want to share my opinion and feel confident that it is mine for the sake of how I feel and what I know, not based on how someone will react to it. Also, I feel that my thoughts and opinions my be of value to some of you who read my posts.
I've titled this blog around one of the many characteristics that I think define who I am. I identify as a Father of three incredible boys. That doesn't mean all of my posts will be about my sons, but anything I write will be influenced by the fact that I am a father of three boys.
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