I'm not the type to come out and tell you when I've been influenced by you, or when you've made a difference in my life. I'm a very thought oriented person, but maybe I can express some of these feelings through typed words.
We talk in this Church about being examples to others, about helping others see the light of Christ through our good deeds and actions. When we talk of this we are mainly refering to those who are not of our faith. What we neglect to realize is that we are examples to those within our church, I would argue, even more than those outside of our religion. I'm a prime example.
I'd first like to start just over a year ago when I found myself in my home town of Titusville Florida struggling to find a friend with the kind of values I had. That may come across strange seeing as I was 23 years old. But, where I lived there were no guys my age, or girls for that matter, that went to my ward. I began to drive the 60 some miles to the closest singles ward, this just wasn't cutting it. I prayed, quite physically and emotionally, daily that God would bring someone into my life to be my friend. Then he did. Gerrard and Josh, who lived in Titusville at the time but were somewhat anti-social, came into my lives and we spent every waking moment together through 2010. The friendship that was developed was one that i'm sure changed all 3 of our lives.
So, back to being an example. When the time came to leave Florida and make the trek to Idaho I had one worry on my mind. Forget school, grades, money and even finding a wife ( finding a wife should have been easy right?), I was worried about finding the same kind of friends that had just had such an amazing impact on my life. I wondered if I could find the kind of friends that Gerrard and Josh were to me. I prayed on this, I think moreso than anything else.
When I got to school I was almost over-whelmed with the harsh reality that I didnt know anyone here and I was 2500 miles from home. It only took me a few weeks to realize the blessings the Lord had given me. My room mates have changed my life. Looking forward to right now, May 22 the middle of my second semester, I can see the reason that I live in 904. It may have taken till now to fully get to know my room mates, but looking back I see changes in my life because of their example to me. Its unreal how the Lord knew exactly what I needed in my life then found 5 guys who would be inspirations to me and brought us together.
They have been examples to me, Im sure, without meaning to be. They've created an atmosphere that reminds me of home, a feeling and spirit of a home. Something that Im sure Blaine never realized would have such a big impact on me happened yesterday at Dairy Queen. There is this game that you put change into and if you catch your coin on the little stopper at the bottom you win an ice cream cone. We soon realized that if you tipped the machine you could easily land the coin on the stopper without problem or effort. So, we did just that, mainly as a joke, but looking to perhaps claim our prize. Blaines comment will be one that I will not soon forget and im sure has meant more to me than any talk or discourse ive heard the whole time ive been at this school. He said, "guys, my word is worth more than an ice cream cone." I was shocked, blown away that I myself over looked the fact that what I was doing was lying and in flat out stealing. His comment hit me hard and has surely changed my life. Some people go through life worrying about money, and accumulating wealth; I worry about keeping strong the friendships ive made here.
I live through the examples of others, this is where I gain my strength. My time here at BYU-Idaho has been nothing but experiences like this. Mostly stemming from the friends I prayed and pleaded with the Lord to bring into my life.
Be an example, don't miss an opportunity to "let your light shine" and change someones life. It's changed mine.
Sunday, May 22, 2011
Monday, May 9, 2011
Quite the Paradox.
First blog post, ever. So I'll jump right into it. I strongly dislike this paradox at BYU-Idaho of you liking a girl when she doesnt like you, and she likes you when you dont like her. This school has a lot to offer; amazing teachers, classes, people, and of course the spirit just runs freely in this place. But one thing that I've ran into, actually twice to be exact, is I cant seem to figure out how to break this paradox when I'm attracted to a girl. I think I've come to the conclusion that the only way to solve the problem, is to not solve the problem. The only thing I can do, is the one thing that seems to be impossible to do when you like a girl; dont like her. don't even act like you like her, make her come to you. Sound impossible? I've seen it work. Why can't I just be attracted to my wife? then at least I'd save myself some time. I think Blaine's blog says it best so I won't even try and delve into that madness.
I'm 23 years old, I've been dating girls my whole life, never has it been harder than at this school. I thought it would be the opposite when I got here, not realizing that dating girls that are in their 20's is a little bit different than when they are 17 or 18. You see guys walking around school with a 10 on their side, and you can't help but think "how in the world did that guy land that?!" They must know something I don't. obviously.
I think there is this underlying problem we all have and that is that if it's not a challenge, it's not worth it. Some girls make it too easy, the same goes for guys. Like in my case, coming onto a girl right away is the last thing that should be on your mind. The hardest thing to do is the thing I know will work, apply Blaines' theory of 2 weeks. It's genius. Move in like a cobra, strike, then back off for two weeks and let the girl see what came and went... just like we learned on the mission! get in, have them feel the spirit, and get out!
Anyways, on a lighter note. I think I should mention all of the positive things that BYU-Idaho has brought into my life, rather than continue on about why I can't seem to understand girls.
My happiness revolves around three things: my friends/room mates, my testimony of the gospel, and volleyball.
To start off my room mates couldn't be any better. I had always heard that people make lasting friendships with their room mates from "back in the day" but I never realized how this would apply to my life. All of the guys are the best guys i've ever met. They are spiritual giants, I think about all of the decisions and choices I made that led me to live in 904. If i hadn't done this, or if I had done this instead I wouldn't be here. There's no doubt that this is divine. I needed these guys in my life ( no homo) I needed to live with people with the same or even higher standards than my own. Thats exactly what I got.
There is unity in this apartment that I dont think I ever experienced even on my mission. Not that I didn't get along with my companions, some of them, but we are more than just living together. We make it a point to lift each other up, to keep each other in line, and to always have a good time. I see too many apartments split up by egos and pride, you won't find that here. Although I'm always striving to work on mine. Two words: Apartment Prayer. This is something that has had an amazing impact on me, even though we've only done it twice.
I look back on friendships I've had growing up, the ones that have molded me into the person I am today, and if I could have had guys like Blaine, Dan, Mike, Tyler and Scott in my life.... I'd be a totally different person. I made the best of what I had to work with, I mean come on I did grow up in Florida... not exactly a hub for Mormons.
There's really no rhyme or reason to what I'm writing so if it seems jumbled or out of order, sorry. Ally Mullin and Kelsey Smith, you girls are obviously my best friends. I just don't understand how you both aren't married yet, you are going to be the catches of a lifetime to whoever finds you. Although you saw me through my weakest moments, one of them involving a 25 pound mut that decided to attack my manhood... ehem.... anyways you guys are the best.
So I pose one question, a question I'm sure all reading this have asked themselves... or at least will after they read this blog. Why now, why here, why me?
I'm a business management major and this has already taught me a lot. I am beginning to see everything in a business sense, I can understand why different things are the way they are. For example, why are girls attracted to guys that dress well, drive nice cars, and have great hair? Its a sure sign of a sure future, if you will. Would you hire a homeless man off the street to manage 25 million of your clients money? nope, why would you expect a girl to be attracted to someone they dont think can provide for them? My point being, its all a game of perception. When you meet a girl you like, come up with a game plan of how you want her to view you... whats your last impression that will stay on her mind for those two weeks while you wait and plan your attack?
Make it a good one.
I'm 23 years old, I've been dating girls my whole life, never has it been harder than at this school. I thought it would be the opposite when I got here, not realizing that dating girls that are in their 20's is a little bit different than when they are 17 or 18. You see guys walking around school with a 10 on their side, and you can't help but think "how in the world did that guy land that?!" They must know something I don't. obviously.
I think there is this underlying problem we all have and that is that if it's not a challenge, it's not worth it. Some girls make it too easy, the same goes for guys. Like in my case, coming onto a girl right away is the last thing that should be on your mind. The hardest thing to do is the thing I know will work, apply Blaines' theory of 2 weeks. It's genius. Move in like a cobra, strike, then back off for two weeks and let the girl see what came and went... just like we learned on the mission! get in, have them feel the spirit, and get out!
Anyways, on a lighter note. I think I should mention all of the positive things that BYU-Idaho has brought into my life, rather than continue on about why I can't seem to understand girls.
My happiness revolves around three things: my friends/room mates, my testimony of the gospel, and volleyball.
To start off my room mates couldn't be any better. I had always heard that people make lasting friendships with their room mates from "back in the day" but I never realized how this would apply to my life. All of the guys are the best guys i've ever met. They are spiritual giants, I think about all of the decisions and choices I made that led me to live in 904. If i hadn't done this, or if I had done this instead I wouldn't be here. There's no doubt that this is divine. I needed these guys in my life ( no homo) I needed to live with people with the same or even higher standards than my own. Thats exactly what I got.
There is unity in this apartment that I dont think I ever experienced even on my mission. Not that I didn't get along with my companions, some of them, but we are more than just living together. We make it a point to lift each other up, to keep each other in line, and to always have a good time. I see too many apartments split up by egos and pride, you won't find that here. Although I'm always striving to work on mine. Two words: Apartment Prayer. This is something that has had an amazing impact on me, even though we've only done it twice.
I look back on friendships I've had growing up, the ones that have molded me into the person I am today, and if I could have had guys like Blaine, Dan, Mike, Tyler and Scott in my life.... I'd be a totally different person. I made the best of what I had to work with, I mean come on I did grow up in Florida... not exactly a hub for Mormons.
There's really no rhyme or reason to what I'm writing so if it seems jumbled or out of order, sorry. Ally Mullin and Kelsey Smith, you girls are obviously my best friends. I just don't understand how you both aren't married yet, you are going to be the catches of a lifetime to whoever finds you. Although you saw me through my weakest moments, one of them involving a 25 pound mut that decided to attack my manhood... ehem.... anyways you guys are the best.
So I pose one question, a question I'm sure all reading this have asked themselves... or at least will after they read this blog. Why now, why here, why me?
I'm a business management major and this has already taught me a lot. I am beginning to see everything in a business sense, I can understand why different things are the way they are. For example, why are girls attracted to guys that dress well, drive nice cars, and have great hair? Its a sure sign of a sure future, if you will. Would you hire a homeless man off the street to manage 25 million of your clients money? nope, why would you expect a girl to be attracted to someone they dont think can provide for them? My point being, its all a game of perception. When you meet a girl you like, come up with a game plan of how you want her to view you... whats your last impression that will stay on her mind for those two weeks while you wait and plan your attack?
Make it a good one.
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