Transitions and Tender Mercies

Well it has been far too long since I have blogged. Life never seems to slow down and sometimes it seems like its just full throttle and you hope and trust that some higher power is in control. The past fews weeks only attest to this fact. Im so grateful that we have a loving Heavenly Father who allows us to go through trials but allows us to see so many tender mercies. One of my favorite talks I have heard in the past few years was the one by President Henry B. Eyring about adversity. I highly recommend it. He explains why we are allowed to have trails and how be can cope with them and find peace in serving others.

Recently my Father underwent major open heart surgery a few weeks ago. While at first this was scary, it turned out to be a major blessing. He went in for a check up and was told that he had to have the operation stat. The doctors were surprised he had not already had a heart attack. The surgery went great and he is recovering well. I was glad it happend close to when school got out so I could be home to help. While there is never really an opportune time for something like this, it happend at a time where my dad could get excellent medical help and our family could be there to help him, since he has always been there for us.

Part of the fun of all this was that the surgery took place in San Francisco, and my family had drivin a rental car out there from denver. So, my sister and I embarked on the great adventure of driving from San Fran to denver, to drop off the rental car. This in and of its self would have been an adventure, however, we had to drive our families car back out to cali. This was all said and done over the course of four days. Needless to say, the 2,600 mile journey was a full of music and an obscene amount of caffeinated beverages and my new favorite, Fruit Punch flavored Rockstar.  I even got nailed with my first ticket in wyoming...im not proud of it but as my buddy Thatcher told me, "your now a real man!" haha! Not many people can say they drove 42 hours over the course of four days but it give one a lot of time to think and reevaluate your life.

I realized I've been home from my mission for a year and that is straight up craziness! It makes me glad because in many ways, I should have either a) not been alive or b) handicapped. So even though the summer break has been nuts, i'm glad i've been able to be around to help. Ever since my mission I feel like i've had been given a new lease on life. I can be that guy who helps out or be there for people because under normal conditions, I shouldn't be around. It changes the way you look at life. Potencial disappointments suddely become opportunities that im grateful that I was allowed to be a part of. It also gives a certain sense of purpose like you have a misson or something you need to accomplish in life because clearly it wasnet your time to go. Overall it gives me a greater desire to be a better and more effective instrument in the Lords hands to serve others.

I've mainly come to realize there are very few things that matter most; family, the Gospel of Jesus Christ, friends, education and helping others. Every day we are surrounded by people who need somebody either to listen to them, be nice or be a friend. People in Provo constantly seemed to be held back by the idea that everyone around them is doing well, they have the Gospel, they are going to school or have a job, and there is really no, "real opportunities to serve."While at first this line of thinking seems logical, I have found it false. After having moved so much growing up and being the "new kid" I've learned that there are always so many people who need kindness or friendship. Some of the most rewarding experiences I have had at college so far have been when I have been able to make a difference in someones day. It's never been big stuff but being nice takes really so little time and relative effort and makes such a difference. Being on both ends of giving and receiving, I think its fair to say that when we really try to live the Gospel in the way we act and treat others, we see its optimizing effect not only in the lives of those we touch, but in our own. The would would have us be so self centered and self absorbed, but Christ has showed us how we should forget ourselves and focus on lifting and helping others. Amazingly, this is how we truly find ourselves.

One of the greatest lessons my parents taught me growing up was if your feeling down, look around and try to find somebody who is or might be having a hard time and try to server them. Service to others is the balm that heals the soul. Selfiness is pervasive in our society and it can even feel strange or a little awkward to try to be of service to others, but I can tell you that this simple solution to this common problem works every time. For example, the other week, a few of us went to a center for autistic young adults. As we talked and played with them, everyone felt happy. As we left, my friend turned to us and said, "next time im having a bad day, im coming here!"

Its amazing how simple and yet profund the Gospel of Jesus Christ is. As we just strive to live it, things work out. We are not exempt from the hardships of life, but as the wise man who built his house upon the rock, we are better able to weather to stoms of life that come our way. My invitation is next time your feeling down on life, go find someone who could use some kindness and do something to help. The Lord helps us as we try to help others. It works every time!