So, I went to the Crandall museum. I enjoyed it, actually. I'll admit that I was skeptical but I came away with several things that I am very grateful for.

First, a much deeper appreciation for my printer. I had no idea and still can't fully wrap my head around the sheer amount of time that it would've taken to make some of those first prints. It'd take FOOORRREEEVVEEEERRR! Thank you and some serious props to Guttenberg.

Second, ya' know the little metal pegs that have the letter on them backwards that you put into the press, ink up, and then use to imprint letters on the page? Remember how he made one in front of us? Well, I asked him if I could have it. (Ah, the power of questions and confidence is mighty.) Yeah, he gave it to me!

Third, I left there with a greater testimony of things that are TRUE. Heavenly Father is not limited in His tools. He uses good men for even greater things. He IS in charge! I know if I'm on His side I have nothing to worry about. I choose Him!

Wow, who'da thunk it? All that from a couple sweet old man and a little printing museum. I love life! :-)

Hi, Katrina.

Paul's Final Trip

The fact that Luke wrote down Paul's final trip is more than anything else a testament to the fact that recording what they did and not just what they said is important.

That which we say is indeed important but more important than that is what we do. This then culminates in who we are. It is so appropriate that the last thing recorded of Paul is an action. It's his "travels" not just his words. In the scriptures it speaks of being mighty in "word and deed". In order to achieve this level of growth we need to first recognize that this level of being is not done alone. In reality we truly are indebted to our Savior for everything. Even that which we "do" are only possible through the situations given to us by He who is in control.

Moreover, it's important here to note how we must all be "recorders" of the words and deeds that make a difference in our life. Recently, I have been reminded and taught, re-reminded and re-taught how important this is. It may be small it may be only a line. Even if all it is is just a simple Captain's log - it is still worthwhile. Luke was a profound example of this in recording Paul's last trip. I'm going to follow his example and Paul's example both in recording and being a "doer" of the Word.

Then they can be TRUE!

The Apostasy and Restoration

I love what it says in Preach My Gospel about the Apostasy and the Restoration.
It states that we..."must understand that a universal apostasy occurred following the death of Jesus Christ and His Apostles. If there had been no apostasy, there would have been no need of a Restoration. As a diamond displayed on black velvet appears more brilliant, so the Restoration
stands in striking contrast to the dark background of the Great Apostasy." Working at the MTC has shown me that often the Restoration is the weakest point of a missionary's testimony. It was for me, anyway. But, by the end of most missionaries mission and certainly by the end of mine, it was the strongest!

A couple things that helped me come to realize what it meant for me were these:

First, realizing that there is a pattern of Restoration and Apostasy that has led to the creation of every church. So, when we think that our church is young it's somewhat helpful to remember that our's was actually the first. Our first prophet was Adam.

Second, realizing that every good thing I've ever experienced is in some way connected to Restoration of some Truth or Power. It's TRUE! My whole life has been blessed by the influence of the Restoration.

Third, realizing what exactly the Restoration has done for me. Think about it? Where and what would you be without it? I know I wouldn't be writing this blog for sure! For me it is as simple as this: Because of the Restoration I know exactly what my heart TRULY wants and I KNOW I can get it!

I know that Joseph Smith was indeed the instrument by which the FULLNESS OF TRUTH was Restored to the earth. Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ did appear to him. I know that to be TRUE! My very life is evidence.

I love the TRUTH!

Faith, Hope, Charity

Everything that is of any substance or meaning in this life is tied to one or all the virtues of Faith, Hope, and Charity. Everything in my life that has meant anything to me has been experiences that left me with Stronger Faith, Renewed Hope, and a Deeper Sense of Charity. One of the greatest examples of this miracle is the oppurtunity I had to serve my Savior on the beautiful Island of Taiwan. Before I left, I knew that I was applying Faith to go. But, more importantly I recognized that the Faith of so many others is what had brought me to there.
It was on my mission that I realized the Faith of all of you TRULY was the wind beneath my wings.
I know that Faith is Power. I testify that Faith is Real. Faith is True. I am so grateful to so many for the influence of their faith in my life! Thank you to all.
It is because of all of these my dear friends that I had the Faith to finish my mission, the Faith to come home, the Faith to keep going, the Faith to TRULY live here and now in My Foreign Home.

“We must walk by Faith rather than by Sight.” - Preach My Gospel

My Foreign Home +
















Recently, I’ve found myself-
In a land I’ve never been.
I love this place. I’m here to serve-
In a home that’s quite foreign.

I left that which I called my house-
That place where I fit in.
My tongue has changed. My knees are worn-
In this home once so foreign.

I worried that I’d lose a lot
But, oh, what I have gained!
I understand! I’m who I am.
It’s the past that feels foreign.

What did I do? How was my life-
That one I left behind?
I can’t go back. I’ve come to far-
In this foreign land of mine.

I wonder what the days will bring
When, again, I’m on my own.
Will I go back? Will I be me-
In my future foreign home?

Then something whispers to my heart-
“There’s more for you to win.
You’ve lived before. You’ll live anew-
In another home foreign.”

Hope and Faith then come to me-
As something so surreal.
This knowledge sweet. It seems so right.
This earth has a foreign feel.

I am so grateful for this place –
The now in which I roam.
I’ve come to see what’s really true
Thanks to this, My Foreign Home.

A Noteworthy Lesson

I was sitting there wide-eyed, bushy-tailed and ready to learn the ways of missionary work. You could still see the creases on my white shirt that revealed I’d just pulled it out that morning and put it on. It was my first real meeting of my first full day of my mission. It had come! I was a missionary. I’ll never forget the feeling I had in that meeting and the power I felt in joining my voice with other missionaries as I for the first time gave myself over to a hymn and truly sung, “Called to Serve”.
It was during that meeting that I heard a phrase that has forever changed the way I look at reading, writing, and all literature in general. In reference to the importance of taking notes that older Brother very passionately said, “Elders, realize that when you put your pen to paper and write down the feelings and impressions you have – you are bringing Heaven to earth. “ Naturally, I wrote that down. I captured that bit of Heaven, immediately.
I’ve thought many times about the TRUTHFULNESS of that phrase. When you put your ideas to paper you take a concept, something that is inherently spiritual and give birth to its reality. Whether it’s the ink spilling and then staining the page in various lines or chunks of graphite sticking to the paper, you make it tangible, substantial, and real.
Before this last week I thought of the ability “to bring heaven to earth” as a given. I hadn’t ever tried to conceive what a world without unlimited college-ruled paper and Bic pens would be like. In going to the Special Collections section of the Library this past week I finally realized what a blessing even the ability to write my thoughts on paper are. It TRULY is a gift to be able to write.
About half a century ago there were still men who would dedicate multiple years and even decades of their lives to the writing of a single bible. Can you imagine? That quad I carry around was printed and put together in a matter of days by machines. What would it be like to write the bible?
Man has instinctively sought the ability to record that which is important. Whether it be a cave wall, clay, a stone, an animal skin, plates, a scroll, a dried papyrus, a book, a piece of paper, or a blog – writing is a human need.
I, for one, am so grateful for the scribes of the past. A world without men who are willing to write would be a world unwilling to learn, grow, and improve. Writing is the process of turning blood into ink. The import of this art will forever affect the lives of mankind. To write is to believe. To record is to grow. To inscribe is to inspire.

Paul's sharpest letter

As we all ran quickly from the scene of the crime, we heard the old lady yell at us, “You troublemakers!” Once again all my little cronies and I had successfully snagged some fresh corn from behind the old lady’s house. We ate it and thrived on the mischievous high of getting away with yet another prank. Or so we thought. Sure enough, that mean old lady called our mothers and in a rage reported our wrongdoings. We were busted.
Paul found himself in a situation somewhat similar when writing the Galatians. Troublemakers had come among them preaching their own version of the doctrine of Christ. In sheer anger, Paul writes perhaps the ‘sharpest’ letter of his life. It was for good reason. Just like the old lady – he was right. And the troublemakers were wrong.
Now that I’m older, I’ve learned that self-gratification and self-aggrandizement at the expense of others in ANY shape or form is never right. The blasphemy of reassurance through comparison poisons the soul. We are not MORE special. When we realize we are special in His eyes because of who we are – then and only then are we able to find true contentment.
The “troublemakers” in Galatia weren’t stealing corn. They were robbing others of something of infinite value. They stole the confidence of those seeking Christ. Through their ideas they declared that they were not worthy of the Lord’s atonement. Ironically, this very pain-instilling action had been suffered for by the very Master they claimed to know. Paul’s anger runs deep because of his deep knowledge of the converting power of the Savior Resurrected. He knew personally that the Savior could change ANY man. Paul, having received this witness, knew of the Atonement’s vast importance.
Thankfully, a sin as grievous as those of the young ruffians stealing from the old lady or the crime committed by the troublemakers of Galatia are wrongs we know little of and never make. WRONG! Every time we judge those around us we are in some small way saying, “The Atonement can’t change that person.”
Truth: The power of the Atonement is real. And it is accessible by the boy, the man, the Jew, the Gentile, and any who seek it.

In Acts, Peter preached the Truth about God the Father, His Son Jesus Christ, and the Holy Ghost. Having seen the resurrected Savior, He now knew the Truth.

God is our Loving Heavenly Father.

His Son Jesus Christ lived, died, and was risen anew.

The Holy Ghost testifies of the Father and the Son.

I know that this is true. I feel it as I pray.

The Letter

There's three of Them.
There's one of me.
I need them now,
on bended knee.

What could I feel?
What need I hear?
Can one come now,
and dry this tear?

'Twas drop by drop-
now word by word-
Each line I write.
May it be heard.

This written prayer,
I send away.
My Advocate,
these words relay.

He reads in Love
and adds some more.
How does He know?
Why me adore?

The Father listens.
He looks at me.
Then looks to Him
and hears His plea.

Then pen to pap'r,
He writes and signs.
He understands
these needs of mine.

Now to the Spirit,
this letter goes.
To be deliver'd-
To comfort woes.

I see Their love,
it's come to me.
Somehow They know,
so person'ly.

One heart and mind,
comes prayers answer.
These Three I love,
read my letter.

The heart is a muscle. Love is not a limited commodity.

Like any muscle the heart and the ability to love needs to be excercized or it will atrophy. The decision to open the heart is never just made once. It's a lifelong process of ripping, tearing, reinforcing, hollowing, and filling. To choose to love is to choose the path less traveled by. It's not easy, but it's worth it. In love one never falls. One can only grow in love. As this muscle grows in love, then and only then can we come to know the TRUTH of His words, "continue ye in my love...that my joy might remain in you, and that your joy might be full." I know that the Savior's love can touch us all. I know there is no greater joy than feeling and being filled with that LOVE.

Excercize!

Jump!

Fly!

I guess I have a blog now. :-)