Committed

I do not get a newspaper every morning and so I have switched over to reading an article from the ensign every morning while I eat breakfast. It is a wonderful way to start my day and it has really helped me apply the gospel to my everyday life!

July's First Presidency Message has kept me thinking all month! (If you haven't read it yet, you should! It's called, "Brother, I'm Committed."

It talks about either being committed to what you do or not. There is no middle ground. Pres. Uchtdorf says, "Those who are only sort of committed may expect to only sort of receive the blessings of testimony, joy, and peace. The windows of heaven might only be sort of open to them."

The windows of heaven only sort of open?! - No, thank you!

So... am I only sort of committed to school? only sort of committed to my calling? only sort of committed to my personal health? only sort of committed to getting something out of my scripture study?

At times, I have found myself guilty of each one of these in the past month (and many more).

Pres. Uchtdorf continues by saying, "There is a difference between intention and action. Those who only intend to commit may find excuses at every turn. Those who truly commit face their challenges squarely and say to themselves, 'Yes, that would be a very good reason to delay, but I made covenants, and so I will do what I have committed to do'." (emphasis added)

I intend to study days and days before my tests, but it rarely happens. I intend to do something to magnify my calling and something seems to come up so much more often than it should. Iintend to workout daily and somehow I have days where I end up eating apple jacks and watching tv instead (ahem, yesterday). I always intend to get something out of scriptures but more often than desired, I find my mind wandering to things of less importance.

I am a pro at making to-do lists and goals.

Now I just need to learn how to be a pro at committing myself to them!

Pres. Uchtdorf ends with, "In some way, each of us stands at a decision point overlooking the water. It is my prayer that we will have faith, move forward, face our fears and doubts with courage, and say to ourselves, 'I'm committed'."

Are you committed?

Weekend with the Boys

Last weekend, my brothers and one of their best friends (practically another brother) drove up to hang out with me.

We rode the ski lift to the highest point in Arizona...

and got hailed on on the way up - hail hurts! The rangers gave us trash bags at the top to help us from getting further drenched!

That night, we went to dinner at Beaver St. Brewery. They have the most amazing burger I've ever tasted! David now agrees! Then we walked around downtown and got crepes from this little family-owned outdoor shop. SOO GOOD!!

Saturday, my friend Scott drove up and we headed off for Sedona. We hiked in West Fork (just north of Slide rock). It was even prettier than Slide Rock, had rocks and water and was WAY less crowded! It was incredible!

The boys spent almost 2 hours catching (and releasing of course) fish with their bare-hands! It was a perfect sunny day and the water was a little cold but it was refreshing!

We then went and ate lunch in Sedona and drove back to Flag. It was such a good weekend!! Thanks boys for coming to visit me! :)

My Very First Pet

(...and probably one of the few I will EVER own in my lifetime).

Meet my fish, Sunshine...

She glows in a black light.

Surgery #2

Over 4th of July weekend, I had surgery #2 for my mouth.

It went well and I remember almost NOTHING about waking up other than telling my mom that she took the wrong exit off of the freeway as we drove home (maybe I wasn't the one we should've been concerned about...).

Now I have a fancy phillips screw in my mouth!

I officially have the best doctors ever though! Look what they sent me later that day (don't mind my numbed-up half-grin)....

FLOWERS!!

How cool is that?!?

Flowers for girls are like food for boys... a very quick way to the heart! :)

Prove It!

I am officially halfway through my summer school semester! That means that this week was the first week of our new class (summer round 2). The class title: Qualitative and Quantitative Methods.

oooooOOOOooooo! Sounds boring right?

My professor has put an interesting spin on the class though. He not only teaches the topic of understanding and developing research and results, but he always tries to teach us how to be a better person in general.

His quote today was,

"Hard work is a trait to be consciously acquired."

Love it!

In just our first two days, he has really made me think.

But I do not agree with all that he has to share in class.

We learned about the "method of authority" and "belief-based explanations."

Method of Authority: We go to those with "authority" to receive answers. It does not necessarily have to be "backed" by proof, because we just "believe" what the authority has to say.

Belief-based Explanations: Explanations or answers that are accepted because the come from a "trusted" source or are consistent with a larger framework of belief. Evidence may be ignored in this situation and are just treated as "true." They don't necessarily need further explanation other than it is what it is.

He mentioned examples of religion and religious people when referring to both of these definitions. He went on to talk about the problem with religion - it can't be proven. He claimed we cannot ever "know" for ourselves if what we claim to believe is really "real" and "true" and "correct" so therefore, religion is just an abstract, untestable idea.

This comment of his made me really think about my testimony and my beliefs.

Often times, my religion is criticized for creating a bunch of "blind followers"; however, this idea is incredibly far from the truth. I am so deeply grateful that I do not just "blindly follow" anything or anyone.

It is most definitely our human nature to question things and look for answers and understanding. I believe the ability to question and hypothesize and seek knowledge is a gift from God.

But it is also why Moroni's Promise is so great. After you do the research (read the Book of Mormon), the final author (Moroni) invites us to ask God if it is true. He tells us to find out for ourselves. He doesn't say, "now that you have read this book, you have been brainwashed to believe it". He says,

"I would exhort you that ye would ask God, the Eternal Father, in the name of Christ, if these things are not true; and if ye shall ask with a sincere heart, with real intent, having faith in Christ, He will manifest the truth of it unto you, by the Holy Ghost. And by the power of the Holy Ghost, ye may know the truth of all things." (emphasis added)

In other words, gain the proof. Find out for yourselves. And if you are really looking for an answer, you will get it. You won't just "trust" in it, you will "know".

That is how every aspect of my testimony has been developed. I have asked, "God, are you there?, Do you know me?" along with hundreds of other questions, and I have come to find the answers just as I find the answers to a hard math problem - with study and learning.

I know without any hesitation that God lives and that He is my Father. I know that Jesus Christ atoned for my sins and that He lives again. I know that Joseph Smith was a prophet called of God who helped restore Christ's church on the earth once more. I know the Book of Mormon is a true book that helps me come closer to Heavenly Father and understand how I can become a better disciple of Christ. I know we have a living prophet today and that the priesthood is here on the earth just as it was in Christ's time. And I know all of this because I have studied and sought answers AND gained them.

I know all these things just like I know that gravity will pull a ball down when I drop it from a tall building.

Thank you Professor for helping solidify what I know. So far, you have succeeded in helping me to be a better person! I have a feeling this is going to be a good class!

Made for Water

Last week, my roommates and I went to Wakeboard Wednesday.

I was a little nervous trying to wakeboard for my first time, especially in front of a ton of people who are already really good, but I'm glad I tried!

I got up on my second try and LOVED it!

And so it continues... my love affair with water!!

And the fact that it's only a 20 minute drive to the lake just makes us happy!

Happy Birthday, America! Thanks to all those who have helped the USA remain a free nation!

I am sure proud to be an American!