Small and simple... bring GREAT to pass

I was ready earlier than usual today and on my way to my District Leader meeting, held in the Joseph Smith Memorial Building on Main Street Plaza. I am usually in a rush. Never thinking about the world around me, my most common thoughts being, "Will I make the light?" "Do I have my binder?" "OH! Maybe I should have taken the other way!!"

I noticed today that there is so much around and so much good in our midst. Did I ever notice the slaps and slurps of the creek? Did I ever really look at the daffodils bursting to life with such a vibrant yellow that it rivals that of the sun? I never really noticed the smell of the fresh mowed lawns, bringing back the memory of grass stained jeans from Saturday morning chores.

Today as I glanced at that pesky thing we call time, I was early. So, I heard the creek and all the majestic sounds something so simple created: Rocks and running water. I marveled what dirt, water, and sunlight did with a rough brown seed. And nostalgia set in as I remembered the smell of yard work, and the beauty it creates.

Now as I hustle from building to building, I may still be in the same hurry and bustle of the world, but I will remember the beauty of the earth and the majesty we have here. "It may not be on a mountain high or over the blue blue sea." Everything has a reason, a rhyme or right. You don't have to look to far to see the small and simple things that make all the difference. Don't forget to look, and by so doing live in the moments He has given!

You can make the pathway BRIGHT...

There are chances for work all around, opportunities right in our way...
There is never a day that goes by where I don't see someone in need or notice a strangers lack. I think about the opportunity to serve and think: Well I am a missionary and I do that all day but still don't think I am doing my part in the "world".
I sit in the library all day and help people with scanning images from microfilm to either paper or flash drive. I think my duty is quite minimal but yesterday I was given a rather random compliment.

I helped a lady with her film and then she left, I figured just another patron- nothing special. So I went on with my daily activities. I was told my a fellow missionary that she wanted to talk to me but had to leave. I guess she loved the way I explained what to do and I was just a very patient and very intelligent young man. I never really thought that I would "make someone else's pathway bright", but the realization that I do made me really think. It can be the tiny things that make a day or even a week. You never know who may need some "light".

What a wonderful responsibility we have as the "keepers" of the light! We can share our light with everyone we see, a simple smile, holding the elevator, or even showing an elderly how to scan and image to a flash drive can brighten the pathway!
Use your light wisely! You are the example of the brightest gift of all- The light of Christ!
"Never pass by, saying some time I'll try, wake up and do something more!"

This THE season- "Because I Have Been Given MUCH"

What does it mean to be in the true spirit of Christmas?

I have never really pondered and acted upon such promptings when I would think about what it REALLY means to be in the spirit of this season.

SAD right, I know. But I think I have found a reason to think about it now and I know why I would want to.

Service- I am doing not-stop service for the one and only. I have never really thought about how that works. Everything I am doing is for Him and I have never been better. If you really think about it and truly GIVE you don't have to worry about what is under the tree or of you even have one!

I am seeing what I haven't, you can't really see what you are missing when you don't look! I never really cared enough to look around and see that if I care just a bit less about what I wanted and saw what another lacked I would be so much better off! I wouldn't care as long as I kept my heart focused on the only thing that matters! Him and His SERVICE! So what did I do about my new found knowledge?

I saw another lack, and shared! I never really thought about what I actually HAVE. I always looked at what I DIDN'T have! That was my problem! I opened my eyes and served. Turns out that what I shared was accepted but he didn't want me to have a bad time, and something he thought was better came along, but I still tried, and it worked, it made me feel like I had a purpose!

I will NEVER forget how I feel when I serve and give to others!

The blessings are not even countable! I have been given so much and blessed by what would normally seem like a completely "basic" want. I have also learned that there are no real "basic" WANTS! But with the Lord on my side- I was given more than just those "basics" and given so much more, and they keep coming!

I love being a missionary and the blessing that I am receiving from such dedicated service! I will never forget the Love that He offers me and I will always remember, "Because I Have Been Given Much"

WOW!

Well its been quite a long time since I've updated this! SOOO much has happened! And this time it's actually ALL good things! First... I GOT MY Mission Call!!

I report on October 2nd, to the Family and Chrurch History Mission on, WAIT for it... TEMPLE SQUARE!!!! :) How could life get any better than that!? I am soo excited I can't even wait!

And not only does my life finally get to start but I am going to be going through the temple FINALLY!!!! I am attending the 9:30 session on Saturday the 12th!

I am now so ready for my life to get started, and to enjoy the blessings of giving my whole might mind strength and time to the Lord, Thanks to whom I can live with my family forever.... Also Thank you to everyone who has helped along this Journey! YEAH!!

-The Good and the Bad-

Another week: Another set of trials.

Well where should we start? I guess at the beginning (and the good) :): 

My cousin Kyle turned 1 so we had a party at My Uncle and Aunts new house! EXCITING! He looked like he had a BLAST!!! Here are some pictures, his birthday food: Pizza, Cupcakes, and Ice Cream! 

I just love my family! I thin

k that will be one of the things I will miss the most when I am gone on my mission!

2nd good thing: I went on another date, the last date I had been on I was in November.  

So I tried to make this one really fun! I accomplished that! I had a blast! We 1st went to dinner at Swensen's which is a really great diner place at Metro, great Ice Cream too! :) 

Then we went Goofy Golfing, had a 

blast there too, yes she won by only by 1 point! 38-37! I am really not bitter tho! :) 

Then we went to her house and watched Madagascar 2: Escape from Africa!

  

I had a wonderful 

time and 

maybe after this week I will 

ask her out again. We have the opposites because I thought we were doing funny but we were really doing regular, so we just did opposites! :)

Well that's all the good, anyone one ready for the bad?

The day after my date, Saturday April 24 my Uncle Don of 49 years died of Brain Cancer. In September of 2008 he went to the Dr. about excruciating headaches. There he found out that he did have cancer that was inoperable, they tried many different forms for treatment but none of them worked. He was told that he may live for about 2 more years, so the reality shock was not as brutal as it could have been. The accual reality shock came this weekend when we got the call that he had passed. I feel that I may have taken his time for granted. But will cherish the moments I did have. I did get to see him a little more frequently than others in my immediate family (dad, mom, sisters, and brothers).

 But could have used that time better, I will miss him until I reach the same spot in Heavenly Fathers plan, for I know I will see him again. Not in this life but in the future life I have to live. I will remember him with all of this Telestrial soot but will always look forward to seeing my Uncle Don, the intelligent, spiritual, funny, sometimes obnoxious, crazy cool, AMAZING; Son-Brother-Husband-Father-Uncle-Father-in-law-Cousin-Grandpa-Holy Priesthood holder, the way Our Heavenly Father sees him, in all of his Celestial Glory. 

I will always remember the way he would be able to pull out a scripture that pertained to anything life had to throw at us. 

I will always remember the way he could sound like Donald Duck or challenge almost any animal to a snorting, barking, or sound making duel, and could win! 

I will always remember the many occasions where He would show me the ropes around the Provo, Salt Lake and Mesa temples, and the many intriguing stories that would accompany these blessed temple trips. I will always remember the profound example he was to me in these sacred grounds.

 And I will know that although my physical Uncle Don will not be present with me when I receive my Heavenly gift he will be on the other side, helping to give it, in his Glorified Spirit, if he's not too busy preaching the word!

 I will always remember the first time I ever shoveled snow, learning that while you have the shovel out you do more than just your own driveway! 

Thank you for all you have done for me and anything you may still do!

I Love You and will always remember you! :)

-Your Nephew,

Brad

Life...

Well things once again have changed! What is that all about why does it have to change so quickly??? I guess just another one of those things!

I had an epiphany the other day and I think I think its a pretty good one! HA Well y'all know how my mom's situation is and well she is going to be going to University of Pittsburg, well I think I should go with her and help travel, you know help her around the airport and help get her settled! Well I didn't realize that It would be happening in like less than 2 weeks! HOW CRAZY is that!? I am so exicted to get to travel again and go to Pittsburg and get to help my mom out as well! HA 

Well I just wanted to give an update! I am having a better week so we will see how good exactly tomorrow when I weigh in! MUAHAHAHA! Also I have a date on Friday with a beautiful girl, and I'm nervous! I haven't been on a date in like 6 months! WHAT IS THAT??!! I will let cha know how it goes! I am also excited to get a new shirt for my date! HA WHAT A DORK! :)

My Pathetic Week-end!

So Today has not been such a great day! I guess it started with Thursday and just lead to today! And church was icing on my cake! And I can't even have CAKE! So I am still trying to tell my self that this is something that needs to happen! But you know what... I just want to feel depressed. So just let me have my moment!!! 

I will feel better once I get ahold of myself again but for right now, I just wanna be mad for a while! I know that watching Charly really wouldn't help that much but you know what It was quite a cute movie and I did enjoy every minute of it! I think if I could have it one way I would have it that way! Except for Charly dying at the end! HA!

Well for right now this is all you will get but if I even try to go to work tomorrow I will be in great shape! At least mentally!!! How pathetic is that!