Monday, February 21, 2011

Fall... Get Back Up Again? No Queda otro

You ever had the flu before?  I hope not, but if you have I'm sure you'll be able to understand why I haven't written for the past while.  Man, I got hit hard.  I was out from a Wednesday night until Sunday morning (two weeks ago).  And when I mean, out, I mean not functional.  It was good to catch up on some sleep, I guess?  So, I got behind on a lot of my studying, which made me feel a bit stressed.  That Sunday that I was recovered, I was called as the Elders Quorum President here in the branch, which by the way is quite exciting and intimidating.  So, I've just been playing catch up ever since, and have been a bit reluctant to write on my blog.  I haven't even kept track of my goals.  I've been trying here and there, but haven't felt much drive to stay on top of my goals.  Then, I got a friendly inquiry from my dear friend Erin (check out her blog) of how my goals were going, "... you haven't updated your blog in awhile."  So, here I am.

Thoughts have gone through my head, "Is all this really what I want?  Are these goals really necessary?  Get back up again?"  I've concluded, "No queda otro," which in Spanish translates to there's no other way.  These goals that I've set for myself aren't just off the fly, capricious fancies.  They are based on eternal behaviors of happiness, and not doing them, for me, is not really an option if I am to keep progressing.  The whole idea of making a goal and sticking with it is important in and of itself--self discipline, accomplishment, progression, etc.

So, thanks to good friends and the nudges of the Spirit, I am back at it.  Had a good workout this morning.  Having a test later on today that I still haven't studied for is also a bit motivating to get up early.  Guys, if you've set goals for yourself, keep going.  It's hard.  I figured that I would hit times like this.  Make yourself accountable to somebody.  And those of you that are "accounting," keep on your friends.  It means a ton.

Tuesday, February 8, 2011

Week 5: Bombed!

Week 5 was a bomb.  There was one day this week that I completely just blew my goals off.  I think I was just tired of trying to wake up early, so I didn't feel like going to sleep on time because it wouldn't have mattered.  It came the weekend, and I totally forgot to clean my room.  I still tried to serve others and think outside of myself.  I kept that going, but kind of bombed on the other stuff.  This week is going to be much better.  I don't have time to be giving up like that.  Thanks for keeping me on top of things.  I've got great friends that are helping me keep on my goals; to you I am every thankful.  Good friends.


I've been reading the Old Testament for the first time, the whole way through.  I sure love it.  I've been reading about the children of Israel in the desert.  They were kind of disobedient, and the Lord didn't put up with it.  The more and more I read the scriptures, the more I start to understand the nature of God and truly how much it is exemplified in the paternal love that is shown by my own father (and my mother for that matter).  Sometimes God can be pretty "harsh" with his children on earth--He commanded that they be killed if they disobeyed the Sabbath day.  At first that seemed pretty harsh to me.  The more and more I've been pondering about his dealings with the children of Israel, the more I've realized his plan.  He was preparing a people to live in the promised land.  He had to establish a pure and worthy base of followers to establish the purity of his law. He did the same with the early pioneers.  He brought them through the western wilderness.  Many perished because of their faith.  Many decided not to go because of a lack of faith.  It was through asking them to sacrifice to live his laws that he built a firm based on which to establish his kingdom once again.  And when I think about death in the grand scheme of things--it's hardly a punishment.  Death and how we day really doesn't affect our salvation, only hastens it.

I love the scriptures.  I'm grateful for the Holy Ghost that teaches me about God and his love for all of his children.  He really wants us to be obedient to him so we can be happy.  He is merciful... very merciful.  I have felt that in my life.

Thursday, February 3, 2011

Jesus Christ

Taken from www.mormontemples.com
I know He lives!  His power to save, to heal, to direct and change is real.  It is the strongest and only eternal power to purge the darkness and fill with light.

Jesus, the very thought of thee
With sweetness fills my breast;
But sweeter far thy face to see
And in thy presence rest.


Nor voice can sing nor heart can frame
Nor can thy mem'ry find
A sweeter sound than thy blest name,
O Savior of mankind


I feel so blessed to have a knowledge of Jesus Christ and his atonement for me... and so blessed and humbled to know that he loves a sinner like me.

Tuesday, February 1, 2011