Quotes I've come across lately

E. M. Russell Ballard, May 2012 Ensign- The most important cause of our lifetime is our families. If we will devote ourselves to this cause, we will improve every other aspect of our lives.


E. David A. Bednar, Engisn May 2009- As we talked with these stalwart leaders, I always asked this question: "What have you learned as a temple president that you wish you had better understood when you were a General Authority?" As I listened to their answers, I discovered a consistent theme that I would summarize as follows: "I have come to understand better the protection available through our temple covenants and what it means to make an acceptable offering of temple worship. There is a difference between church-attending, tithe-paying members who occasionally rush into the temple to go through a session and those members who faithfully and consistently worship in the temple."

Pres. Ezra Taft Benson, Ensign Jan. 2011- A home teaching call is to be accepted as if extended to you personally by the Lord Jesus Christ…Know well those you are to home teach…Above all, be a genuine friend to the individuals and families you teach...A friend makes more than a dutiful visit each month. A friend is more concerned about helping people than getting credit. A friend cares. A friend loves. A friend listens, and a friend reaches out...Do not settle for mediocrity in this great priesthood program of home teaching. Be an excellent home teacher in every facet of the work. Be a real shepherd of your flock.

Elder Scott: When we explain a problem and a proposed solution, sometimes Heavenly Father answers yes, sometimes no. Often He withholds an answer, not for lack of concern, but because He loves us--perfectly. He wants us to apply truths He has given us. For us to grow, we need to trust our ability to make correct decisions. We need to do what we feel is right. In time, He will answer. He will not fail us.

QB U

Emmy suggested that I blog so I thought I'd be a good husband and obey. I'm in one of those moods to just write random thoughts and brush off being cohesive. -Tonight was fun at mutual. We went to BYU's recycling maze. I had fun timing the deacons as they ran through and organizing their races. I told Emmy that I really hope I'm in the ym presidency again when Jimmer's a deacon. -I love fall weather. I love how each week it gets cooler and cooler and how the trees slowly change colors. Tonight it was low 50's, high 40's. I have great memories for each part of the year, but there's something about fall- the coolness in the air, the wonderful smell...it's all nostalgic and just great. I try to remember the good memories from similar weather and there's just too many of them. There's walking home from class or late night studying and just enjoying the night time, or there were the hay rides when I was a teen. There's also biking home from an appointment on my mission and being grateful to have familiar weather and smells. The weather also reminds me of my freshman year and going home to Iowa for a few days, surprising mom, and opening my mission call. I also brought home my laundry so I could do it at home and it would be free. I lugged around a huge bag of laundry on the bus, trax, airplane and then all back to save $3. Considering inflation, though, that $3 is now worth $5 or $6 so I'd say I came out on top. -The most spiritual moment of my life is when Jimmer was born. I loved it when Emmy got to hold him for the first time and then I got to hold him. Man, it's just so amazing and indescribable. I'm getting really excited for our next baby and that next amazing moment. I think it will be really special to see Emmy hold the next baby again and then for me to hold him. I think what will also be really special is to see Jimmer hold him. They'll be good buddies, two really special spirits, along with my Emmy, another special spirit. Speaking of Emmy, she really is such a great mom...I knew she would be, but she's been even better than I thought she'd be. -In August I stayed home from Church with sick little Jimmy. As part of our little "sunday school," I talked to him about Jesus and showed him our painting of Jesus and the little boy. Later, Jimmer was looking up at the picture, there was something really neat about that, almost like realizing these were the beginning steps of Jimmer's lifelong journey of learning about and getting closer to his Savior. -Jimmer's a really funny kid. The nursery workers think it's really funny how excited Jimmer gets about snacks and certain toys. I can relate, I get really excited with ice cream, steak, and other good foods. We often walk around the temple, and Jimmer loves pointing at the temple. -So, the election is less than two weeks away...crazy. I'm nervous about it, but I can also accept either result. I mean, it would be absolutely awesome if Romney won. But if Obama does win I think our nation deserves him. That doesn't mean I haven't tried to make sure my guy wins and won't continue fighting for the things important to me, but ultimately I think a society deserves the leaders they elect. Having said that, Romney's going to win, 70% sure on this one and it continues to go up each day. -BYU football...ugh. It's ironic that BYU...Quarterback U...is only 1 good quarterback away from being 7-1 or even 8-0. Luckily, I've tempered things down this year to just being a fan and not a fanatic. I still LOVE college football and it I didn't have the family responsibilities I would sit and watch college football all day every Saturday and just eat wings, pizza, artichoke dip and chips...mmmmmm, doesn't that sound good. -Speaking of things I'm crazy about...the jet ski fund is up to $643. So only like $9,000 to go. I'm taking donations. -Man, me and Emmy had such a fun Europe trip. We bring up our trip often and enjoy talking about strolling the streets of Paris, driving the Battle of the Bulge sites in Belgium, tram hopping in the Hague, walking around Koln's zentrum, or biking Heerenveen. We like talking about all the chocolate we ate and the vla, doner kebabs, Indonesian food, and good desserts. It's kind of running joke now that whenever I go to Europe I almost always accidentally buy carbonated water while I'm there. I HATE carbonated water! But because of the way I travel, I can't throw it away and must drink it. We do hard things afterall. Except when it comes to toothbrushes apparently. Emmy's fell on the floor at one of the hostels we stayed at. She thinks it's disgusting to share toothbrushes so I let her use mine and I had to use my finger. When our family drove in Rome it was one of the worst driving experiences of my life. We kept on getting lost and going around in circles. I think it took us 2 hours to get out of Rome. I didn't want that to happen in Paris...but it somehow did. Luckily I knew where our hostel was in reference to the Eiffel Tower and to the Seine River. We found our hostel after only being in the center for 10 minutes. In Germany I hit 160 km/hr. I thought it was pretty cool except that cars were still zooming past me. I was also disappointed that 160 km/hr is only 100 mph, so yeah, there's room for improvement. Whenever we go back and spend more time in Germany we're going to get a better rental car to take on the Autobahn.

Food Storage

Too often we bask in our comfortable complacency and rationalize that the ravages of war, economic disaster, famine, and earthquake cannot happen here. Those who believe this are either not acquainted with the revelations of the Lord, or they do not believe them. Those who smugly think these calamities will not happen, that they somehow will be set aside because of the righteousness of the Saints, are deceived and will rue the day they harbored such a delusion. The Lord has warned and forewarned us against a day of great tribulation and given us counsel, through His servants, on how we can be prepared for these difficult times. Have we heeded His counsel? -Pres. Ezra Taft Benson in the October 1980 Conference http://www.lds.org/general-conference/1980/10/prepare-for-the-days-of-tribulation?lang=eng

Advice from Elder Busche

Always a good one to post

Kyiv Ukraine Temple - Youth Cultural Celebration

This is a really touching video

Ramblings of a soon-to-be Dadda

Well in a few weeks I'll be a dad. The last few months have gone by really fast actually. I don't quite know what to think about everything. It's all happening so fast, and yet nothing has really happened at the same time. Baby is coming, I'm going to be a daddy, ready or not here he comes. I know many people that read this blog are already parents and so you all have felt the same feelings that I'm having...anxious, excited, nervous, scared, and a whole lot of other emotions and feelings that can't be described. I'm excited to have a son who I can watch as he goes through similar experiences that I had. It's anxious to have a baby around- someone that me and Emmy created together who has attributes of us both. It's amazing how there's not a cap to the amount of love you can have for people. Of course I loved my family growing up and continue to love them, then Emmy came along and I had more love for someone than I thought I could have. And now baby is coming. In those quiet moments where I think about him and wanting to be the best dad I can be to him, I always tear up a as I think about how much I already love him*** and how he'll come out loving me so much. I won't have to convince him to love me, it's just natural, the way I naturally love my parents. Nervous because I'm responsible for his survival, safety, and well-being. Scared because BAM, tons of responsibility on ya. When I got married I was hit with responsibility but ask anyone I'm still the goofy kid I always was. Things change when you have a kid, you are responsible for teaching him the Gospel, you have to be an example 24/7. I don't know if being goofy will get the job done. So you know, some things will probably change...and they probably should. Some things will stay the same obviously. Anyway, I hope this kid knows he's causing some weird blog posts. If you don't like this blog feel free to email him. We set up an email address for him and someday we'll give it to him. If you want to email him- either send me an email or leave a comment and I'll forward it on to him.

***All bets could be off once the diapers and cryin happen, j/k.

Gosh it's been too long since I actually wrote on here. Life has been really busy with the Becks. Sometimes I feel like my head is spinning with so much going on.

August through the 2nd week of January is my favorite time of year. I love watching college football. It is just so fun for me to have a couple games going on at a time, and listen/watch as I work on something else. In college I had school work to do, now it's yard work/house work. I'm getting very excited for the upcoming season, especially because all that has gone on this offseason. Last week was sure interesting with word getting out that BYU was going to go independent in football. I won't give a summary of all the drama that happened from that, but things were just exciting last week- it was fun talking about it at work and with the fam. We talked about it for half our bishopric meeting. Anyway, life is just great right now, we're going jet skiing all day Thursday and football is here.

I hate politics. I don't really like reading current events or listening to the news anymore, it just all makes me so mad. I still do all those things, they just make me mad. BYU football has kind of filled that void. Probably what has made me the most upset is the overturning of Prop 8. It's the fact that one man's opinion has more of an effect than 7 million voters who twice showed they don't want gay marriage in their state. It just leaves you feeling really helpless. If voting against it won't stop it, then the voter is powerless. That's so undemocratic! I read a book about the whole John Edwards mess, called "The Politician." That book was very interesting and very unnerving. John Edwards was a good man, a good father, who was passionate about some things and wanted to change circumstances for the better. I didn't agree with many of his stances, but he was a good guy. When he got elected to Senator, he didn't really even like it. He didn't like being away from his family all the time. And then someone mentioned his name as a possible running mate with Al Gore. From then on, the desire for more prestige and more power drowned out his family and other important priorities. It’s sad how often things like this happen in politics. The book just amazed me at how corrupt politics/Hollywood/The REALLY Wealthy are. I guess I shouldn’t be that surprised because this is how it was in the Book of Mormon. But gosh, ambition and power is a deadly combination.

Whitney got married last week, the house the reception was at was HUGE. I think it’s the biggest house/yard I’ve ever been to. I talked it over with Emmy and we decided we’re not going to have a house like that in this life. But oh man, wait til ya’ll see our house in Heaven, trust me kids you’ll want to come. Just a little sneak peak- waverunners and dolphins will be involved.

Inception- good movie. I made it down 2 levels last night, but that’s so common for me, I’m pretty sure I hit that level 4-5 times a week. Once in awhile I’ll hit the 3^rd level. I wonder if I’ve ever hit 4…it’s possible, as is being in limbo.

I’ve noticed that I’ve been happier lately than usual. It’s probably not obvious at all on the outside but I definitely feel that way on the inside. Two things that I think I can attribute it to is living in the now and not comparing myself/my situation to others. It’s funny because we’re taught to not just live for the present, but I think at the same time it’s bad to live just for the future as well. I think I’m the type of person who is always looking forward to the next step and planning that next move. That move could be anything, but I think it was distracting me from just being content and enjoying the present. Planning ahead is usually what gets me worried, stressed, unhappy. If I just think about today, and how purposely live to enjoy today- the people I’ll be with, the weather, the food I’ll eat, the different events I’ll participate in, the beauty of the world around me, etc. it really makes me grateful for everything and just content and relaxed with what’s going on now. This explanation is pretty much the same explanation for why not comparing yourself makes you happy. When I think that if we would have waited 4 months to buy our house we would have gotten it cheaper and would have been given an $8,000 tax credit I get frustrated. But at the time, it was what we wanted, we felt good about the decision and it was just a good situation for us. It’s only when we compare our situation to what we could have had that we get frustrated. That goes for pretty much anything I think. If we compare ourselves to others we’ll never be content or happy with our current situation. It’s just a vicious and nasty cycle that’s tough to get out of, but getting out of has just got to be HUGE for making you happy. Anyway, here’s to today!

Advice from Elder Busche

I really love this video, please check it out, it'll simplify everything for you

Good Things to Come

Lately I've been trying to watch a good, short video in the morning to start my day off right. This one is by far my favorite. First of all I've always loved this song ever since it came out at EFY 1999, but I also like how it stays on each picture for like 10 seconds giving you more time to look and ponder each picture and how Christ's love really is perfect. There are a few pictures in there that I really really like, but right now my favorite is the guy in the purple shirt who is being held and hugged by Christ from behind. I think we all have moments like that where we just feel like the world is kicking our trash and we need Christ's help. I'm not that old, not that experienced, but I've gone through enough to know that He will always be there to hold us and hug us when we most need it.

Maha Rushie, El Rushbo, Harmless loveable little fuzzball

A lot of people don't like Rush Limbaugh. They have many reasons for not liking him, but I think the lamest reason is that he's wrong...cause he really isn't. Yes, he comes off as a little arrogant, or very arrogant, and he definitely is very conservative and blames practically all problems in the world on liberals, but he is very convincing. Some journalists are talking about the Limbaugh Challenge, which means before passing judgement and just believing what others tell you, how bout you listen to him for a couple weeks, and then form your opinion. I'm pretty sure anyone that does that will be converted to conservatism.

A guy at work said it would be the worst financial decision of your life if you didn't buy your first home this year if you were. He was joking around at the time, but there is some truth to that. I mean, you can get a dirt cheap house with a dirt cheap interest rate, you can negotiate the seller to pay for all the closing costs and possibly your down payment as well. And then on top of all of that the government will GIVE you $8,000, and maybe even $6,000 more!!!! For the love!
As you can probably guess somebody wants their house value to go up and the only way that will happen is if we get out of this economic mess, and that will only happen if people start buying homes again.

What does "nothing wavering" mean? Here is Pres. Monson's First Presidency message in the March Ensign:

If our desire is to discard all doubt and to substitute therefore an abiding faith, we have but to accept the invitation extended to you and to me in the Epistle of James:

“If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him.

“But let him ask in faith, nothing wavering. For he that wavereth is like a wave of the sea driven with the wind and tossed.”

This promise motivated the young man Joseph Smith to seek God in prayer. He declared to us in his own words:

“At length I came to the conclusion that I … must do as James directs, that is, ask of God. I at length came to the determination to ‘ask of God,’ concluding that if he gave wisdom to them that lacked wisdom, and would give liberally, and not upbraid, I might venture.

“So, in accordance with this, my determination to ask of God, I retired to the woods to make the attempt. … It was the first time in my life that I had made such an attempt, for amidst all my anxieties I had never as yet made the attempt to pray vocally.”8

Now, if we have hesitated in supplicating God our Eternal Father simply because we have not as yet made the attempt to pray, we certainly can take courage from the example of the Prophet Joseph. But let us remember, as did the Prophet, our prayer must be offered in faith, nothing wavering.

He may mean that to get an answer, we need to absolutely believe that God is there and that he can and will answer us. Or he may mean that nothing must waver in our belief of Christ and the Gospel. It's interesting that to get faith we need to have faith. That is the great leap of faith we hear a lot about. It's not easy, and inviting people to do it is what missionary work is all about. The desire is the real kicker- how can you help someone get that desire? How can you yourself get that desire. I think that comes partly from hearing and reading of experiences of people who have that faith. That's probably why Pres. Monson goes on to talk about examples from the scriptures:

It was by faith, nothing wavering, that the brother of Jared saw the finger of God touch the stones in response to his plea.

It was by faith, nothing wavering, that Noah erected an ark in obedience to the command from God.

It was by faith, nothing wavering, that Abraham was willing to offer up his beloved Isaac as a sacrifice.

It was by faith, nothing wavering, that Moses led the children of Israel out of Egypt and through the Red Sea.

It was by faith, nothing wavering, that Joshua and his followers brought the walls of Jericho tumbling down.

It was by faith, nothing wavering, that Joseph saw God our Eternal Father and Jesus Christ, His Son.

Now, the skeptic may say that these mighty accounts of faith occurred long ago, that times have changed.

Have times really changed? Don’t we today, as always, love our children and want them to live righteously? Don’t we today, as always, need God’s divine, protecting care? Don’t we today, as always, continue to be at His mercy and in His debt for the very life He has given us?

Times have not really changed. Prayer continues to provide power—spiritual power. Prayer continues to provide peace—spiritual peace.

When I watch General Conference I ALWAYS get that desire to have more faith and to live a better life. It's amazing the power that comes from reading the scriptures, the Ensign, or hearing the words of the General Authorities. It's the spirit touching the spirit, and inspiring the better side of us to do want to do better and desire to have faith. Gosh I'm excited for this weekend!

http://www.lds.org/ldsorg/v/index.jsp?locale=0&vgnextoid=a6246a008952b010VgnVCM1000004d82620aRCRD

I really like this scripture in Alma 50:

After the Lamanites tried taking a couple of cities, but the Nephites were protected, Mormon writes:

18) And they did prosper exceedingly, and they became exceedingly rich; yeah and they did multiply and wax strong in the land.

19) And thus we see how merciful and just are all the dealings of the Lord, to the fulfilling of all his words unto the children of men; yea we can behold that his words are verified, even at this time, which he spake unto Lehi, saying:

20) Blessed art thou and thy children; and they shall be blessed, inasmuch as they shall keep my commandments they shall prosper in the land. But remember, inasmuch as they will not keep my commandments they shall be cut off from the presence of the Lord.

21) And we see that these promises have been verified to the people of Nephi.

22) And those who were faithful in keeping the commandments of the Lord were delivered at all time.

23) But behold there never was a happier time among the people of Nephi.

This time around I'm finding this over and over: that God keeps his promises that if you keep the commandments he'll bless you and deliver you from your problems (whatever they might be). It really must be true then. I love it how it said that this proves how merciful and just the Lord is. He doesn't give us these blessing just because he loves us, but there really are blessings attached to obedience. If you keep a commandment, as a consequence, a blessing will come with it. I also liked how it says that the people were never happier. That is definitely how it is in my life. I am happiest when I'm keeping the commandments. It's just a tragedy that we all fall into the same routine of forgetting those things.

200 Del Tacos night

Awww...Kayla and girl Rusty.

Colby B

The kids during the squirt gun war

The kids at a football game

League of Shadows

Star Wars Marathon

Eatin Dad's chicken

Grand Re-opening!

Welcome to the new and improved "Council Bluffs' blog!" I've made some changes as you can see and this first entry is going to explain the changes.

The colors: yeah, I know they're different. I don't particularly like the white background, I'd rather it be light blue, but I couldn't find another template that I liked much. I like the red, blue, and black lettering.

The addition of a scripture or quote: I hope that everyone will read this. I guess this is my way to share what touches or inspires me and why it does.

The addition of a slideshow: I really like these sunset pictures, I'll probably change it to some other pictures someday but for now we'll stick with the sunset. I'm a sucker for nature pictures, they really relax me.

The addition of a survey: This'll keep things fun...and democratic.

The addition of links: I'm not trying to take traffic away from Becca's, Chelsea's, nor Cannon's blogs. These have been my hubs in the past, but this way people who visit my blog can visit the blogs of my friends and get to know them a little bit. I think readers of my blog should pretty much just open up all these links and read what I read everyday. I don't think I need to explain why I added those particular links, to find out, just click them.

The addition of a picture I really like: Also to keep things fun.

The addition of a news feed: President Hinckley said that we should find out what is going on in the world. In case readers don't click on the news links then maybe they'll get a brief summary from here at least. It's pretty cool, though, I can add different words and google will find articles related to the words. So I have: politics, Council Bluffs, BYU, John Beck, and Romney. You can click on those words and see the most recent news about those items. If you want me to add items, leave a comment on my latest post.

The addition of a google ad: I don't honestly think I'll make money from my blog, but it doesn't hurt to make a couple extra sense here and now. Maybe someday I'll be able to buy 3 del tacos from my google revenue.

The reason for change: A couple reasons: 1) I got a little tired of my old format. 2) This might help me climb higher on hits for "Kasey Beck." 3) I also now look at my blog as a way to spread the Gospel a little and do my part to improve the world. I'm not sure if this will mean that I'll post more often, but I am trying to get more people to visit the site and maybe interest them a little and do what I can to help out people. You never really know if you helped some random person on the internet have a better day or come closer to Christ. The notes to the article at the end helped with this too.

We had an awesome trip to Council Bluffs for P-dub's wedding. Here are some pics that somewhat tell the story:

Friday morning when we were driving, we hit a big snowstorm in southeast Wyoming, so we had to go down to Denver and then take I-76 back to Nebraska. At the Flying J in Julesburg, Colorado there was this awesome sunrise.


The sun was doing some weird and cool things Friday morning.

It was a weird sunday on a Friday.

Maybe I thought too much of it.

It was just awesome, though.

K, last Friday morning sun picture.

The good ole Midwest. You can't really see it, but there were lots of birds in the sky and there was a lot of mist coming from the ponds to the side of the interstate.

Here's a picture of the Winter Quarters Temple at 12:15 PM, I think, Saturday morning, while Sara and Justin were getting married.

This is the Sealing Room I think they were in. ETERNITY!!!!!

We had a lot of fun with the cameras at the reception while we were waiting for the food.

We had a lot of fun when we got the food too. This is the chocalate covered Budha strawberry.

Alan saw the strawberry and lost it.

I don't think I've ever seen him laugh so hard.

I thought the chocalate covered alien strawberry was funnier.

It's almost creepy looking.

On the way back I was driving and this huge semi jumped the median, came onto our lanes and played chicken with me. I won...and got a picture of it in the process.

I've always wanted to get a picture of this. It's at about mile 32 in Nebraska.

What's this supposed to even mean?

You can kind of see the bent mile marker. This is where the mile marker sign used to be until Trishy tore it up. I went off the road about 30 feet.

Fencing

This just cracks me up. Facebook has two purposes: to stay in touch with friends and to entertain. It is a toy.

The Daily Universe had a really good article about blogging. Here are some excerpts:

The foundation receives its name from Joseph Smith, who stated that Mormon meant "more good." The goal is to provide a non-authoritative voice that promotes LDS beliefs and encourages members to share their beliefs with the world. Richard Miller, executive vice president and BYU business graduate, said people often don't want to believe leaders or authorities but they will believe regular people. "I think members can provide that non-authoritative voice," Miller said. "I think the church membership can add a lot of credibility for the church by speaking about what they believe." The More Good Foundation decided that the Internet was a prime way to encourage discussion and to improve the image of the church. The foundation already has 80 different Web sites online; some of them are major projects. Lds.net, started about three months ago, is one of the foundation's premiere sites and already has nine thousand members, Miller said. This online network combines blogs, chats, forums, photos, and videos. Richard Miller said it is similar to myspace.com but isn't trying to compete with it.
Curtis, who is on lds.net and has his own blog, said he thinks the web is an easier venue for members to share the gospel. Even students can be sharing the gospel, he said, even though most of the people they live with are already members. With the web, students can reach out to people everywhere.

Another important project that the foundation is working on is Christ.org. This site will be solely about the man from Galilee, his life, ministry and doctrines about his importance.
The More Good Foundation also hosts Mormonwiki.com, the free online encyclopedia for people to read about the LDS church and find answers to questions. The site already has over one thousand articles in English and has hundreds translated into Italian, Spanish, Portuguese, and other languages. This site is a dot com and not a dot org because mormonwiki.org is an anti-Mormon website.

The More Good Foundation also sponsored the LDS Facebook application and over 20 thousand people have already added it. With this application, members can share their testimony, favorite scriptures, and also check up on the latest in church news.

While the More Good Foundation started working with the Internet years ago, recently, several apostles of the church have encouraged members to use online media. Elder Russell M. Ballard of the Quorum of the Twelve encouraged BYU-Hawaii students in December to use new media to promote discussion of the church. "May I ask that you join conversation by participating on the Internet, particularly the new media, to share the gospel and to explain in simple and clear terms the message of the Restoration," Elder Ballard said. "Most of you already know that if you have access to the Internet you can start a blog in minutes and begin sharing what you know to be true."

The Nation of F6

I need to take a break from my paper. Here are some scriptures that I really like:

2 Nephi 29:5, 14

5 O ye Gentiles, have ye remembered the Jews, mine ancient covenant people? Nay; but ye have cursed them, and have hated them, and have not sought to recover them. But behold, I will return all these things upon your own heads; for I the Lord have not forgotten my people.

14 And it shall come to pass that my people, which are of the house of Israel, shall be gathered home unto the lands of their possessions; and my word also shall be gathered in one. And I will show unto them that fight against my word and against my people, who are of the house of Israel, that I am God, and that I covenanted with Abraham that I would remember his seed forever.

Psalm 9:10,

10 And they that know thy name will put their trust in thee: for thou, Lord, hast not forsaken them that seek thee.

Isn't that awesome?! What an awesome covenant. He'll always remember us. No relationship on earth will be as special as the one with the Lord. Too often we forget him through our hectic lives, and we always forget about these covenants and we forget that he is able to do anything. We forget to keep the commandments and then just trust in him. It's hard. Life is hard, it won't get any easier. But scriptures like these always help.

What is Kosovo thinking?! For them to declare themself a country is almost as dumb as F6 becoming a country inside of moon apartments (we came really close to separating from the U.S. and becoming independent). Ok, so it's not as dumb, and I do understand that it's really hard for Kosovars to trust the Serbian government after the genocide in the 90s, but I wonder how much they've thought this out. There are only 2 million people, 10% Serbs. They have 60% unemployment, though that number is probably lower due to the black market. They have no access to the sea, no resources, they are a moutainous country. They don't have any money, they have to rely on foreign aid and foreign troops to protect themselves. I mean, what do they honestly have going for them? How are they honestly going to be able to support themselves? How are they going to find a niche in the world market. Maybe if they joined Albania, but that is very unlikely. Frankly, I think the nation of F6 had a better chance of surviving. We were 100% employed, we had things we could offer the world market, we were able to defend ourselves (Gavin is really big), um, we had cool resources like a tv, nintendo, a funny dishwasher, a toilet that would randomnly flush, a weird heater, cool wallpaper, and plenty of newspapers. We had the capabilities to install surveillance if we wanted. We could have possibly gotten nuclear weapons with some "aggressive negotiations." We had lots of food and our country wasn't mountainous.

Yeah, we would last longer than Kosovo.

Questions

Ok, so some questions to ask:
-Will anything actually change now that Fidel Castro has stepped down? I don't think so, his brother, Raul, is now the boss and he's been with Fidel through everything, so I don't think anything will change.

-Wow, Kosovo declared independence from Serbia! Will Russia do anything about it? I don't think so. Russia, of course, doesn't like it, but they wouldn't invade Kosovo when there are 16,000 NATO troops there. NATO, the EU and US all support Kosovo becoming independent. I think the bigger problem is the Serbian minority in Kosovo. Are they going to do anything about this? It's pretty crazy that a country just became independent two days ago. The last country to become independent was Montenegro and I think the last one before them was Eritrea. Eritrea is a contentious I think. I'm guessing borders will change because Ethiopia doesn't have access to the sea because of Somalia and Eritrea. Maybe they'll take land from Somalia, or Eritrea, Ethiopia has problems with both of them.

-What is going to happen in Pakistan? Musharaff's party lost big. This is a problem, I think. He does not want to step down even though most of the country wants him to. Pakistan makes me real nervous because they have nuclear weapons and they are instrumental in fighting the Global War on Terror.

-So Grandpa went 63-0 in boxing when he was in college. Should I take up boxing? Does it run in the family?

2 Nephi 26 says how everything that God does is for the benefit of his people. I never noticed this verse until today. It's interesting to read that because the past couple years I've thought about how everything my parents do is for their family. Well, it's the same with God. Everything he does is for his family. The column right next to that verse talks about charity. That is a really good example of charity.

"Push the pedal down, watch the world around fly by us"

Here's what the weather is like today: very cold, very windy, rainy, and just bland. Sometime after the devotional I walked out of the bookstore and the wind hit my face in the right spot that just made me intensely appreciate the earth and God for letting us use it. It's not perfect, but's certainly a heavenly gift from God. God is very good at using wind, stars, sunsets, and nature in general to knock me into submission, humility, and gratitude. I've been blessed with a type of sensitivity that I wish I could explain in words. Using examples might help, but it's really a feeling that I have that constantly lets me know that there is Somebody up above who is reminding me of how much He loves me. Losing that feeling of becoming dull to it really hurts, and is completely my fault. But I think I'm finally figuring out the implementation part. A really good scripture study everyday is a huge part of that.

Is it too much of a generalization to say that everybody wants the same thing? I think history proves that pretty well. People want happiness. I think that word is best understood when it's described as also security, purpose, and comfort. history shows people's struggles for that and misconceptions of what has to be done to get it. It isn't about power, territory, or materials. Nuclear weapons don't bring security, neither will conquering enemies or pressing religion on others. I could be way off in my choice of words that describe happiness, but I am not far off in saying that that is really what everybdy wants. The complete package of happiness is only found in the Gospel of Jesus Christ. We are loved so much that throughout history God has sent prophets to give us that formula and show us why we need it. Whenever I read about Joseph Smith I know that he had it and wanted everyone to have it. The General Authorities have it today and teach us about getting this complete package. I say package because there are definitely elements of it that one can have. But it's the complete package that is offered and the complete package that I want. Desire is the first step to getting it. That's tough to get. You can't give someone desire. They can get it by looking to those that have it and there occurs the kindling of a fire. One can also pray for more desire. But there's also a lot of hard work involved--which is what life is. We're not going to get the complete package in this life, but along the way we get chiseled, polished, and refined. And that is the brilliance of the plan. Lucky for us we have a Father who wants that for us and has lots of patience. I crave these little tender mercies along the way. They help remind ya that there is a destination, you're going up still, just a little off the path, but you can get back on. Keep going, those ahead of us tell us it's worth it. Be ready for obstacles. Stay focused. Stay sharp. Pay attention to details. Enjoy the journey. Help others.

...and vote Republican.

Heroes I've been thinking about lately

So, I pretty much read every article that comes out about Mitt Romney online. I read through all the articles and the comments and there really is a lot of anti-Mormon stuff coming out in these articles and comments because of Mitt. A lot of it is about Joseph Smith. It's kinda strange reading this stuff from my "interested in politics" side instead of my "religious" side. A couple days ago, in my scripture study, I was reading a talk and it went into Joseph Smith's vision when he saw God and Jesus Christ. It was just a good experience where the Spirit confirmed once again, that Joseph Smith was a prophet. No matter how much others try to demonize him, he is the prophet of the Restoration and did God's work while he was here. "I had actually seen a light, and in the midst of that light I saw two Personages, and they did in reality speak to me; and though I was hated and persecuted for saying that I had seen a vision, yet it was true." I've always been really impressed with people who stay strong to their convictions no matter what kind of opposition they face. I really think there are only a couple individuals in history who have gone through as much as he did. Joseph Smith is absolutely my hero.

Ori, in Rigoletto, is also a really good example. The movie doesn't say much about his background, but you can figure out that he was a pretty selfish guy. But once he decides to help others and goes gung ho about it he is more liked, happier, and does lots of good. Bonnie sings a song, that is up for interpretation, but here are the words:

Music boxes have with them, Melodies they carry within
Once they're opened music fills the air
Every person you have known, Has a song of their own
Once they open up you'll hear what's there
It's not easy you must listen With your heart for what lies hidden
There was a melody Locked deep inside of me But now it's free
It found a place embraced by harmony, Sweet harmony
Love, more than anything teaches our hearts to sing
Only love could break the shell
Now I know very well The love within myself

At one point in the movie goes back and forth between her singing it and Ori helping a girl and then going into town to get medical help for her. The people are really afraid of him because he looks different and they end up killing him without realizing, until they break into his house and steal his records, that he actually made anonymous payments, helping the disabled citizens in the town. Bonnie sings about how great of a person Ori is for being so selfless in helping her with her singing problems but also her personal confidence. So what I'm basically getting at, is Ori's personal growth, selflessness, and ability to bring out the best in people is heroic.

Samwise Gamgee ladies and gentleman. A couple weeks ago I felt like watching my favorite part of Lord of the Rings. Instead of pulling out the DVDs I found it online. Watch it online:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LrouMapxEgU&mode=related&search=

Steve Jacobs reminds me of Sam. Samwise is extremely loyal to Frodo at every step of the way. Even when Frodo is a jerk and tells him to leave, Sam stays close and is there to help him when he needs it most. Just look at how willing he was to take on the orcs to save Frodo, or how he kept on encouraging Frodo to take another step on the way to Mount Doom. He was optimistic, humble and just an example of loyalty to a cause or a person. I think back to the blessing I got when I was set apart as a missionary, President Bendorf said that my mission would teach me about loyalty and a sacred devotion to Christ. Ever since then I've noticed and admired that trait of loyalty

Jean Valjean from Les Meserables. I saw this play in London a year and a half ago and then finally saw the movie a couple weeks ago. Isn't it amazing how much an act of mercy changed his life and shaped him into a selfless person. I think he did his best to help who he could and as mayor of the city he had lots of opportunities to do lots of good. But what gets me the most is when he prays to God in the form of song and pours his heart by pleading with God to keep alive Cosette's fiancee so he can take care of Cosette and that he is willing to give his life for him.

God on high, Hear my prayer
In my need, You have always been there
He is young, He's afraid
Let him rest, Heaven blessed
Bring him home
He's like the son I might have known
If God had granted me a son.
The summers die, One by one
How soon they fly, On and on
And I am old, And will be gone.
Bring him peace, Bring him joy
He is young, He is only a boy
You can take, You can give
Let him be, Let him live
If I die, let me die, Let him live
Bring him home.

Back in September or October when I was on one of my long runs this song played on my MP3 player and I thought about it a lot. When I saw the play Jean sang it while kneeling, praying to God, holding Cosette's fiancee (what is his name?). It was dark with just one light on them. I think I've seen a painting of Christ praying in the Garden of Gethsemane very similar to this scene in the musical. So as I was running I thought of Christ singing this song about me and how much he has done for me. I'm not entirely sure why I've been thinking about these particular heroes lately, but in thinking about them I thought about why they impress me and what is it about heroes that impress us all: they have Christ-like characteristics. Of course none of them come close to being perfect like he was, but they demonstrate an attribute or two that Christ has. I like the fact that our society admires and rewards goodness still and heroes leave impressions on us.

Notes from Elder Oaks, "The Challenge to Become"

The Apostle Paul taught that the Lord’s teachings and teachers were given that we may all attain “the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ” (Eph. 4:13). This process requires far more than acquiring knowledge. It is not even enough for us to be convinced of the gospel; we must act and think so that we are converted by it. In contrast to the institutions of the world, which teach us to know something, the gospel of Jesus Christ challenges us to become something.

Many Bible and modern scriptures speak of a final judgment at which all persons will be rewarded according to their deeds or works or the desires of their hearts. But other scriptures enlarge upon this by referring to our being judged by the condition we have achieved.
The prophet Nephi describes the Final Judgment in terms of what we have become: “And if their works have been filthiness they must needs be filthy; and if they be filthy it must needs be that they cannot dwell in the kingdom of God” (1 Ne. 15:33; emphasis added). Moroni declares, “He that is filthy shall be filthy still; and he that is righteous shall be righteous still” (Morm. 9:14; emphasis added; see also Rev. 22:11–12; 2 Ne. 9:16; D&C 88:35). The same would be true of “selfish” or “disobedient” or any other personal attribute inconsistent with the requirements of God. Referring to the “state” of the wicked in the Final Judgment, Alma explains that if we are condemned by our words, our works, and our thoughts, “we shall not be found spotless; … and in this awful state we shall not dare to look up to our God” (Alma 12:14).

From such teachings we conclude that the Final Judgment is not just an evaluation of a sum total of good and evil acts—what we have done. It is an acknowledgment of the final effect of our acts and thoughts—what we have become. It is not enough for anyone just to go through the motions. The commandments, ordinances, and covenants of the gospel are not a list of deposits required to be made in some heavenly account. The gospel of Jesus Christ is a plan that shows us how to become what our Heavenly Father desires us to become.

Christ told Simon Peter, “I have prayed for thee, that thy faith fail not: and when thou art converted, strengthen thy brethren” (Luke 22:32). Jesus’ challenge shows that the conversion He required for those who would enter the kingdom of heaven (see Matt. 18:3) was far more than just being converted to testify to the truthfulness of the gospel. To testify is to know and to declare. The gospel challenges us to be “converted,” which requires us to do and to become. If any of us relies solely upon our knowledge and testimony of the gospel, we are in the same position as the blessed but still unfinished Apostles whom Jesus challenged to be “converted.” We all know someone who has a strong testimony but does not act upon it so as to be converted. For example, returned missionaries, are you still seeking to be converted, or are you caught up in the ways of the world? The gospel of Jesus Christ is the plan by which we can become what children of God are supposed to become. This spotless and perfected state will result from a steady succession of covenants, ordinances, and actions, an accumulation of right choices, and from continuing repentance. I hope the importance of conversion and becoming will cause our local leaders to reduce their concentration on statistical measures of actions and to focus more on what our brothers and sisters are and what they are striving to become.

Our needed conversions are often achieved more readily by suffering and adversity than by comfort and tranquillity, as Elder Hales taught us so beautifully this morning. Father Lehi promised his son Jacob that God would “consecrate [his] afflictions for [his] gain” (2 Ne. 2:2). The Prophet Joseph was promised that “thine adversity and thine afflictions shall be but a small moment; and then, if thou endure it well, God shall exalt thee on high” (D&C 121:7–8). Most of us experience some measure of what the scriptures call “the furnace of affliction” (Isa. 48:10; 1 Ne. 20:10). Some are submerged in service to a disadvantaged family member. Others suffer the death of a loved one or the loss or postponement of a righteous goal like marriage or childbearing. Still others struggle with personal impairments or with feelings of rejection, inadequacy, or depression. Through the justice and mercy of a loving Father in Heaven, the refinement and sanctification possible through such experiences can help us achieve what God desires us to become. We are challenged to move through a process of conversion toward that status and condition called eternal life. This is achieved not just by doing what is right, but by doing it for the right reason—for the pure love of Christ. The reason charity never fails and the reason charity is greater than even the most significant acts of goodness he cited is that charity, “the pure love of Christ” (Moro. 7:47), is not an act but a condition or state of being. Charity is attained through a succession of acts that result in a conversion. Charity is something one becomes. We do not obtain our heavenly reward by punching a time clock. What is essential is that our labors in the workplace of the Lord have caused us to become something. For some of us, this requires a longer time than for others. What is important in the end is what we have become by our labors.