You just never know.

     So months ago, I was speaking to a young man at my job.  I just happened to mention that my wife and I had recently converted to  the Mormon faith.  He seemed surprised and said that his girlfriend was Mormon and that he was thinking about asking her to marry him.
     I mentioned offhand that if he really wants to marry her he would have to convert and be Baptized so they could be sealed in the Temple.  He kyouind of laughed and nodded.  We later had other conversations about the faith and my experience with the church, but I never gave that first talk much thought.
     So last night, I found out that the young man had gotten Baptized the Saturday before.   Needless to say I was incredibly happy to get this news.
     I have no idea if my simple testimony had any effect on sh as the happened, but it just shows how it is possible to have an effect on people's lives through your honest testimony.  Speak truly and from the heart in everything you do and who knows what you might accomplish.

Courage and determination rewarded.

    Sometimes I encounter situations and people that completely renew my faith in, well, pretty much everything.  Since beginning this long trek (Almost a year now), I have seen and experienced things that made me realize that there is kindness and justice left in the world.   Recently, I had the pleasure and honor of experiencing yet another.
     Recently I met a young Elder just out from home on his first mission.  I found out that he was actually experiencing a couple of test missions to make sure he could actually serve a full mission due to health reasons.  From the first day I met him, it was obvious that his health was not the best in the world.  This young boy had ever reason to simply have stayed home and never tested himself or his limits.
     During the 6 weeks that he was here in our ward, I witnessed an amazing young man who truly believed in his faith.  His determination to do God's work no matter what was astounding.  I also had the pleasure and incredible honor of watching him grow in strength and confidence with the help of his amazing companion.  He went from shy and uncertain to a firmly confident man. 
     On his first night  here, I accompanied this young man and his companion while they visited people.  I also had the honor of going with the young man on  his final night visiting.  The change between the two times was astounding.   On his first trip he barely spoke and allowed his Companion to lead the way.  On that final night, after a brief bit of help from me, he confidently led an eager couple of investigators on an inspiring meeting.
     So, once he left on the second test mission, I followed his progress very carefully.  I prayed the entire time that everyone else would see the amazing strength and courage of this young man and allow him to serve a Full Mission.  Well, I found out this week that he has been approved for a full mission!  I am told that he read his approval in front of everyone and everyone cheered.  Now this young man will be serving the Church for many months to come and I am certain that everyone will be much richer for meeting him.  I know I am.

I say these things in the name of Jesus Christ, Amen

Learning while Teaching

     One of the things that I truly enjoy as a member of the Church is going on rides with the Missionaries as they visit the various families that they keep an eye on and give lessons too.  Every chance I get, I volunteer to drive them on Splits and really look forward to the trips whenever I get to go.  Besides watching the Missionaries work so hard at helping people, I have my own personal reason for going along.  I guess it could even be considered a selfish reason and I hope Heavenly Father has it in his heart to forgive me this one small bit of greed.
     When I ride along with the Elders on their weekly trips to visit Investigators or Members of the Church who haven't been as active, I find the chance to reacquaint myself with my own newly rediscovered Faith and it helps me strengthen my beliefs and my faith by watching others find their way to the Church and to God. 
     It has only been about nine months since my Wife and I were Baptized and officially joined the Church.  Heck it was only a few short months before that when we first started investigating so my faith is still a very new thing.  Even now, there are sometimes I question the choices we have made and the steps we have taken along this Trek back home to God.  I guess I wouldn't be human if I didn't have the occasional doubts.
     When I watch the Elders working with people who are struggling with the same worries and doubts that I had/have and slowly lead them through all of that fear and darkness, I find my own Faith and Beliefs strengthened and renewed.  When I see the Investigators learning and understanding, I grow in my own understanding of the Church and its many gifts.  Every person we talk to and every person they teach helps me become a better Christian and a better person.
     I have come a very long way in a very short period of time and the peace and hope the Church and God have given me is something that not even the greatest words can ever describe.  I struggle everyday to be worthy of the gifts that have been given to me and some days I fail.  I fight every day with doubts and fears and some days I lose that fight.  No matter how hard my struggles are, I always find my way back to my faith and am renewed every single time.  The trips I make with our Missionaries and the people we meet help give me the strength to fight those battles and find my way back home again. 
     The Missionaries are always so grateful when I drive them on their visits as if I am giving them the greatest gift in the world, but sometimes I wonder if they realize that it is they who are giving me the great gift?  I hope they know this.

I say these things in the name of Jesus Christ, Amen

Sow what you would reap.

     I know I keep going on and on about how spectacular our Missionaries are and how much they enjoy helping every one they meet without expecting anything in return besides a smile and thanks.  Well today was the day that I set up the flower garden in front of our new house and two of our Elders came over to help me.  They showed up early in the morning and worked for several hours digging up the beds, planting the flowers and ground cover and then mulching everything and getting it neat.  I thought all of my readers might want to see them in action and see the results of their hard work.  Shout out to my Elders!  Great work guys!

Missionaries, the Best of Us.

The Field Is White

     So you all have heard me go on and on about the amazing young men and women who are the Missionaries of our Church.  I have extolled how amazing they are and how much I admire them.  To me, the fact that these young people voluntarily leave their homes and family so that they can go where ever they are needed is astounding.  I sometimes wonder if I would have had that kind of courage when I was their age.

     Two things got me really pondering the Elders and Sisters who work so hard all of the time.  We had to say goodbye to two of our Elders since both members of the same duo were transferred today.  I think that is easily one of the hardest things about being Mormon and spending time with these incredible kids.  No matter how much you may wish otherwise, eventually they will have to leave.  You become incredibly attached to them in a very short period of time and then you have to say goodbye.  So Elders Garber and Anderson said goodbye today with hugs and pictures.  The other was the weekly blog from the amazing young girl in the pictures.

    She is the daughter of a very dear friend who is currently on her Mission a very very long way from home.  She is living in conditions that are a far cry from the ones that she experienced growing up.  (Cold water showers from a bucket.  Brrrrr.)  Given the almost insane level of entitlement so many young people have today with wanting the latest Iphone or the hottest new tablet, I think most people would be amazed that she would willingly give all that up for many months to leave her home and family so that she can help others.

     I jokingly tell people that even if one day I stopped believing in the Church and Heavenly Father, I would probably stay in the Mormon Church.  Even if I somehow came to feel that our Modern Prophet did not receive revelations from God, I would keep attending Church and doing everything I could to help.  

     The reason for this is that (and keep in mind I have had experiences with many different faiths over the decades) the Mormon People are some of the kindest, most loving people I have ever met.  They go out of their way over and over again doing everything they can to help people, even people not of their faith.  From almost the day they are born, they are taught that the best way to live a good life is to help others.  I see this everyday when ever I am with anyone of my Faith.

     I am new to the Faith.  It has been less than a year since my Wife and I were Baptized.  I admit that I have not seen everyone in the Church and I concede that there are probably Mormons out there who may be just as jaded and dishonest as the rest of the world.  Matter of fact, the law of averages pretty much promises that is true.  However, all of the people I HAVE met and all of the things that I have experienced so far along this Trek have been amazing and uplifting experiences.  I wouldn't trade a moment of it for anything in the world.

     As long as our Missionaries are among the first people that everyone meets we should be pretty well off.  As long as they are the ones that continue to be shining examples of our Church and Our Faith, I think the best examples will always be set.

     If you want to read about someone who is truly amazing, read Hermana Gisseman's Blog and you will truly be inspired.

I say these things in Jesus' Name

Amen

Our Greatest Ambassadors...

If there is one thing I truly love and enjoy, it is going out with our amazing Elders as they reach out to people and try to help them learn more about the Church and the way we members are. I don't get to do it nearly as often as I would like but every trip is a sheer joy and I welcome each chance I get. I always tell people that the Missionaries are the best ambassadors that we have for the Church and all of its wonders. Every trip I take with them just proves that over and over again.

The other night was one of those amazing trips. We went to visit a lovely woman from Romania who has not been in this country for very long. Her English was excellent, but sometimes difficult to understand since she often found herself not knowing a specific word in English. The entire time, her very young daughter was running around the room at full tilt making noise and just generally being a small, energetic child.

During the first few minutes, I could sense the woman's unease. I could tell she was uncomfortable. I wasn't sure if it was because there were strangers in her home, her discomfort with not having perfect English or the living tornado that was her daughter. She seemed very nervous with us being there.

The Elders shined in this situation. Elder Garber distracted her daughter by playing with her doing a puzzle over and over again while Elder Anderson and I talked to her. Occassionally, I would switch out the Garber while he answered some of her questions. After a while, she opened up and relaxed to the point where she talked about her previous faith and asked very insightful questions about the Mormon faith. By the time we left, I really felt like the Elders had made real progress in helping the woman find her way back to the family that she never knew she had.

For anyone who has never had the chance to watch all of our amazing Missionaries work, you have truly missed something amazing. Their faith and devotion shines through each and every time they speak or act. They teach those around them not just with their lessons, but with their many deeds. They work so hard and generally the only reward they get is a smile and a handshake. Sometimes they don't even get that.

I see the Missionaries on the “front lines” every single day rain or shine, hot or cold. The first or last thing they ever ask is “Is there anything that we can do for you?” They genuinely wish to help every one they can and sometimes get grumpy when they can't. Don't even get me started on how grumpy they were the first time I shoveled the snow off my walk myself instead of having them to it.

The messages and lessons the Missionaries have are important beyond words and help those who listen to them. However, it is their selfless deeds every single day that get them close enough to people to allow them to try to teach them. I doubt the Church would be where it is today without our Missionaries working so hard every day. I am very grateful for them.

Saying Goodbye is never easy.

I think that one of the most amazing things about my new life as a Mormon is getting to meet so many young and dedicated Missionaries. In the few short months that we have been a member of this family, we have had the honor of meeting a dozen or so dedicated young men and women who have left their homes and families to spend time in the outside world meeting and helping so many more families. The Elders and Sisters that I have had the honor of knowing have done so much for us and made us smile on many occasions. I can honestly say that we probably wouldn't have made this Trek without their wisdom, patience and sheer love of life.

Conversely, I also feel that the Missionaries are also one of the hardest things about being a Mormon. You welcome these amazing kids into your lives and make them part of your family. You share meals with them and listen to them as they try to teach you all the things you need to know. You learn to love each and everyone of them for the sparkling bright individuals that they are. You welcome them into your homes and hearts. Then, inevitably, they have to move on.

The life of a Missionary is one of change. They stay where they are needed for a short time and then they move to a new area where people might need them more. It is difficult to get so used to them being around, knowing full well that eventually they will be called to serve somewhere else. It is their mission to serve and they will go wherever they are needed.

I suppose the easy thing to do would be to not get attached. One could meet these young stars and not form any sort of connection to them. Listen to what they have to say and perhaps learn what they have to teach, but not really get to know them. Knowing human nature as I do, I am sure there are people out there who do just that. I guess it is the safer way to deal with the eventual loss when they leave.

Since we started this Trek last year, I have met a lot of interesting young men and women. Some I have gotten to know well enough, but a select few have truly touched me and my heart. They have become a part of my extended family and will always be a part of that family for as long as they wish to be. I made these attachments knowing very well that the day would come when they would move on, either to a new Mission or even back to their own homes. I knew it would sting when they had to leave, but I knew that not having known them would have hurt a lot less.

Recently I said goodbye to two dear friends, Elders Brown and Wray. They shared my heart, my home and my food. They made me laugh and smile. They taught me and made me think. They are now off in other areas helping people the way they helped us. I miss them and the house feels a little empty without them coming over on a weekly basis. I still wouldn't have missed knowing them and wish them the best. Whoever got them is extremely lucky.

Amen

Best Saturday EVER!

Yesterday was January 25^th 2014 which also happens to be my incredible Wife's Birthday. We generally go out to dinner at a very nice eatery and spend way to much money enjoying food we don't usually eat during the year. It is a great time where we reconnect and relax and just have fun. However, this Birthday was just a tad more special than all of the others where several things occurred, some foreseen and one very unexpected that just made the entire night perfect.

The first expected joy was we were privileged to attend the Baptism of a wonderful woman that I had a very small hand in teaching. (Small indeed, I had the honor of visiting her with our Elders once and spending a few hours talking to her about my own personal experiences in the Church and the things that led up to my Baptism.) I had the great honor of being one of the Witnesses as our Bishop baptized her and brought her back home. I had known this event was coming for a week or so. It was wonderful but not unexpected.

The Unexpected and joyous surprise happened while we were waiting for the ceremony to begin. I look up and see the Elder who had a major hand in our own conversion walk in. He had been transferred out of our Ward some time ago and given the travel limitations placed on Elders, it was a huge surprise to see him. Since he had spent so much time teaching her, he had received permission to travel outside of his zone to see her finally Baptized.

So after seeing a person we will treasure always and watching an amazing woman finally find her way back home, we then went out to the usual Birthday Dinner. We took one of our sets of Elders with us to an amazing restaurant where we had incredible food while spending time with these two incredible young men. Sad to say, as much as I enjoyed the conversation, watching one Elder try Kimchee for the first time was probably the highlight of my evening. Needless to say it was very very funny, but he was a trooper and actually ate the whole piece so kudos for him.

I talk a lot about the Church and the amazing people in. Heck some of you might get tired of hearing me go on and on about the Elders. Every minute you spend among your fellows, it makes you understand how amazing and kind and loving everyone is. However, it is on nights like last night when you really see it shine through. The look of absolute reverence on the Bishop's face as he performed the ceremony was obvious. The quiet joy of the speakers who talked about the Holy Ghost and Baptism shown through. Even the careful way the pianist played showed caring and love.

When the Woman who was baptized last night started this journey, all of these people were strangers to her. When it was all done and the waters parted, these strangers were now her family. One of the biggest and most amazing families in the world.

I say these things in Jesus' name, Amen.

Aged wisdom from someone very young.

     I have this amazing young friend who has wisdom well beyond her two decades+.  I have had the honor being her friend for several years now and She is the main reason I still hold out  hope for the younger generations.  She questions everything and honestly seeks out and listens to the answers she gets.  She never accepts anything as "just is" no matter how easy it might be to accept things.  We lovingly call her Ma©T and conversations with her are never ever boring.
     Not that long ago, I introduced her to my long list of friends that I have known for the better part of three decades and I have seen their never ending amazement over the thoughts and ideas that she constantly puts forth.  She has sparked some of the astounding conversations that have caused the Older, more settled of us to throw up dozens of exclamation and question marks.  She has gained quite the fan club among us Geezers.
     Two of my friends, MA and BB are often times going at it over Religion VS Atheism with MA arguing the latter and BB arguing the former.  Today, Ma©T posted this brilliant piece of philosophy.  Keep in mind while you are reading it that she is only 21 years old.
     "I have been reading some of the things that MA and BB posts about religion and atheism including the post about how Bill Nye shouldn't debate the Creationism Man and I was thinking that maybe the problem isn't God VS Science, but maybe it is Creationism VS Evolution. People are always saying that believing in God is dumb because Creationism is "debunked" by Evolution. I think this kind of makes sense because a lot of the stuff in any Creation Story does sound kind of like people made up stories to explain what was happening kind of like the way a caveman would make up some story if he ever saw a light bulb come on. Early people didn't have the science to understand all of the things that were happening to them so they answered it the best they could. So Creationism and Evolution are dumb comparisons.
      Atheists keep saying that Science has proven that God doesn't exist, but that is not really true. Science has proven how things happened and even when they happened, but proving that the Universe was created a Zillion years ago by some particles getting really excited to be around each other doesn't prove that God isn't real. It just kind of proves that something went BANG a long time ago. Religious people could argue that Science hasn't proven that God doesn't exist, just that Scientists haven't looking in the right places yet.
      RSM calls me a Kid and I am not very old or very smart. I think if I understand it all right I am probably a Deist because I don't follow any religion. I love science especially space science and really really want to go there one day. I think that one day, Scientists are finally ask the right questions and when they find the answers to those questions, someone is going to be waiting for them."
      I could fill two blogs with the amazing discussion that this statement caused.  I will just tell you that the conversation between the lot of us with both born again Atheist and a Ordained Minister chiming in would make even the most devoted Unbeliever think again.
     Ma©T is right.  No matter what your faith is and no matter what name God uses when he speaks to you, the Universe is a grand and glorious place where everything from cells dividing to stars forming happens with a clockwork precision that could never have happened by accident.  God's hand is there for anyone who has the eyes to see and one day even the most dedicated Scientist will find God waiting for them when they are ready.

I say these things in the name of Jesus Christ, Amen. 

Diversity

     One of the many myths and misconceptions I often hear about when people talk about Mormons is that all Mormons are the same cookie cutter boring people.  They claim that the faith boils all individuality out of its members till they are all alike and think the same way.  When I hear this, all I can think is that they obviously haven't hung out with many Mormons.
     In the brief period of time we have been a part of the Mormon family I have met a mind boggling variety of personalities and attitudes.  The population of my Geezer Class alone would completely blow most people's minds.  I have met people who play online games such as World of Warcraft as a family and enjoyed two Dungeons and  Dragons games with other members of Church.
     I think the "problem" people have is that all they really see is the more visual members of the Church which are our Elders.  As a general rule they tend to dress a lot alike and since they always travel in twos people seem to think that all Mormons dress alike and act alike.
     Of course if any of these people would get to know they would know that even though they dress alike the Elders are about as different as any one can be.  These young men anhd women have diverse and dynamic personalities that are always a delight to be around.
     I guess the lesson people need to learn is get to know us before you judge us.  I have been a member of many different religions in the past so I can say with quite a bit of confidence that Mormons and the Church is easily one of the most racially and culturally diverse groups around.  One thing is for sure I am never bored.
Amen

Stand up and testify!

As I mentioned in previous blogs, I was recently blessed with the first job that I have had in over 5 years. While it was only a seasonal job lasting a few short weeks, it brought some much needed cash into the family and did a lot to restore some of my feelings of self worth. Even now that the job is over with, I still feel much better about myself than I had for a very long time. I thank God for giving me this gift every day.

While working at the Harry and David Kiosk in the mall I had some very unusual experiences and foremost among these were two chances to testify about all of the amazing things that have happened to me and my wife since we started this Trek months ago. I had conversations with two separate women, one young and one middle age about the Church of Latter Day Saints and how much it has done for my family. They asked questions and I did my very best to answer them. I even gave them the number for both sets of Elders we have even though they live in different cities since I figured that the Elders could at least set them on the right track if they were so interested.

Now, especially in the case of younger woman, I seriously doubt that anything may come of my testimony and answers. She loves her alcohol a bit too much and is obsessed with carnal relations. However, who is to say that the words I gave her last month might come back to her some day in the future when she is ready to hear them? Maybe one day, a Missionary will speak to her and she will remember what I said and be willing to listen to more. Only God knows for sure, but every word we speak about Heavenly Father and the Miracles he gives us is one more stone in the barrier against the Darkness.

While this was going on, I was struck with the thought that one can never be sure where or when they can be called to stand up and testify. We see people standing up and giving testimony all of the time during Fast Sunday and that is an amazing gift, but what about the times and places that might not be so comfortable for us to speak up. When we are surrounded by people who do not believe at we do and who may mock us for our beliefs.

As one newly come to the Faith, I am often times uncomfortable giving my testimony. I have yet to gather up my courage and stand in front of the Ward to speak. I see people who have been in the Church for their entire lives and who have grown old in God's service. I feel inadequate beside these amazing people since I have only recently discovered what they have known forever. So I am hesitant at times to speak out even in the comfort of my Ward Family.

Still, we are given chances every single day to testify with our words and our actions as to the incredible gifts God has given us. I was called to testify twice in a crowded mall filled with hundreds of people shopping for Christmas. It would have been easy for me to keep quiet, but I had the courage to stand up and speak.

So whenever and wherever God calls upon us to testify, we should never be afraid to step up and speak our minds and our faith. We are fortunate to lived in a country and an age where we are free to speak of beliefs without fear of persecution. So many of our forerunners did not have that freedom and still testified. They often times suffered pain and even death for their faith, but they spoke anyway. Can we do any less?

Amen

ROAKS or Random Acts Of Kindness

 http://www.wimp.com/kindnessboomerang/

I have seen the above video link posted and reposted a dozen times and every time I watch the video, I just grin and feel better about myself and the world around me. Sure the video is a staged production done by at least semi-professional actors and actresses and does not show a scene in what most people would consider the real world. However, that little fact doesn't matter in the least because it is quite literally the thoughts and emotions behind the video that are important.

I have mentioned a E-Friend who played on the once excellent website, NeoPets with me and my wife who's main Avatar was known as Grannyweatherwax. She also went under the heading of ROAK which stood for Random Acts Of Kindness and once a month or so, she would randomly pick the names of other players and do some good deed for them. It might be helping them get an item they needed for a quest or buying them some really expensive (Neopoints not dollars) gift from the Neo Market. All she did was do her best to make other peoples' days a little bit brighter. When I asked her about, she told me that all you ever hear about are RAOV (or Random Acts Of Violence.) She said you hardly ever heard about the people who are kind to others. She told me that ROAK was her way of making sure people understood that there were good people out there.

Ever since that talk, I have really tried to my best to live up that idea. I really don't believe that doing something nice for some random person on the street will change the world or even be noticed by any number of people. However I do believe that one single random act of kindness may change Someone's world, even if it is only briefly. I also don't believe that every kind act you do will be returned to in some way other than feeling better about yourself, but as the video illustrates, it might just come back to you in ways you can never imagine.

As anyone who knows me will tell you (Oftentimes in very loud words) I am a bit of a jerk. I speak my mind and tell what I feel no matter who it might annoy or peeve off. I have made a career spanning 30 years of being “that Guy” who always stirs the hornets nest. I am the guy most “normal” people hate.

That being said, I have always been a firm believer that it is the small acts of kindness that cost us little that make the biggest differences. You don't have to spend thousands of dollars to make a person's life a little bit better. You don't have to give everything you have to brighten one person's day. Maybe if we all did a few Random Acts Of Kindness, then there might be just a few less RAOVs. What could it hurt to find out? A few seconds of your time? A few pennies out of your pocket? A little sweat off your brow? Give it a try, you might be surprised.

Brew Long and Prosper

A Late but Welcome Christmas Gift

I have been remiss in posting to this blog over the past month and was recently reminded by one of our Elders that many people actually read my musings and look forward to them. (Waves at Mother Brown!) I apologize for not posting sooner or more often, but things have been insane around the months leading up to Christmas and I have been working a very tiring seasonal job which has left me with very little energy. However, since I view this blog as both part of my ongoing journal and testimony about my faith, I will make an honest effort to be more prompt in my postings. (If for no other reason than it will stop Mother Brown from asking her son why I haven't posted recently. :))

I have lost count of how many times I have posted blogs about our amazing Elders and how lucky my wife and I were in having them guide us in the kind of rapid journey we underwent in a few short months. We have been gifted with so many different young men and women who have helped us and taught us while making themselves an integral part of our lives. We literally would not be where we are without their love and patience. God Bless them all.

However, there is always a bit of sadness when I ponder this because there is one huge disadvantage to meeting these amazing young people and getting to know them. Eventually, no matter how much you wish otherwise, they go away. They get transferred to another area where people might need them more or they finish their missions and return home to live the lives that they have earned. No matter what happens, the guard changes and new faces appear. That is the natural order of things and I really wouldn't have it any other way no matter how painful the partings.

The current crop of Elders keeping an eye on us are especially wonderful. They have literally become part of our family even to the point of coming over for Christmas Day for dinner. One even gave us an amazing gift of a Sticker that proudly states, “Someone in Texas loves us.” They brighten my day every time they come over and they are more helpful than I probably deserve. I mean lets face it, young people who are willing to literally pick up the copious amounts of waste left by two very large dogs while we had to go out of town are way more than I deserve. Not mention hauling heavy loads and other tasks. I love them all.

So needless to say, we faced last week with more than a little bit of trepidation because we KNEW that at least one or two of our Elders would be rotated out. We were completely certain that one would leave because he had already been here forever and a day. I selfishly prayed to Heavenly Father to keep them all here even though I knew there had to be people out there who needed them more than me simply because I would miss them so badly once they were gone.

I guess my prayers weren't so selfish after all because on the day we were to find out who was being transferred, we found out that none of our Elders would be leaving us this period. I guess Heaven decided that they were still needed here. Saying the reactions when Brown told us the news was Jubilant would be the understatement of the decade.

I know eventually these amazing young men and women will leave us and I support this. There have to be people out there who need them as much as we did when all of this started. When they leave I will hug them all and wish them well. When the new Elders arrive, they will be greeted just like their predecessors were. However, at least for a few weeks, I can keep the young people who have become family close to me and enjoy their company. Prayers do get answered, even if they may be a bit selfish.

Amen