Blessed Angels

Angels are among us. Weather they are from the other side of the veil or on our side. They help, they lift, and they bring messages of Christ. I had the honor of experiencing two such angels. At our apartment we have what they call white gloves, which is just basically where we deep clean the whole apartment in preparation of the end of the semester. We have to take over one area of the apartment and clean it and if something isn't done right, we get charged. It is estimated that it takes 8-10 hours. I just didn't have the time.
God knew my needs and during that week two of my friends asked me how I was doing and if they could help me with anything. Of course I told them I was fine and couldn't ask them to do me such a great favor. But during the day, I finally gave in. I was so stressed! But the two friends came and put all they had into it. By the time I had to leave to perform in a concert and meet with my accompanist, there was still some things to do later that night, but a lot had been taken care of. Both of them were willing to stay while I was out. But I wouldn't hear it. I imagined what it would be like to come home and have it all done, and just be able to sleep, but I resisted the temptation. It didn't feel right to me. I would feel guilty until dooms day.
I thought about this experience later. I had really, really appreciated the gesture and valued it very much from both of them. It was touching to see how much I was loved by both of these friends. But even more amazing was that I realized this wasn't out of the ordinary for them. Not to their standards. They both love helping those around them and gladly help those in need. And what were the chances that they would especially be concerned about me at a time I needed them so much. With the help of my Father in Heaven and the help of my friends he has blessed me with, I am truly Never Alone.

Dating Game

The dating game here at college seems to be everyone's main concern/focus at home and among family while I am here at college. As exciting as dating is, it isn't all that it is played up to be. Things are definitely different from High School. You can usually tell if a man is interested in you if they ask you out once and then again the following week or the week after that. Generally, they move fast. It is a difficult situation because you never really know what their intentions are without bringing up the subject strait up, and most of the time you don't want to ruin a friendship over it. One RM asked me out a couple of times then told me that he would like to continue dating me. After I shed some light on how I felt about that, he and I haven't really been in contact since. Only in passing. Sad...
As a woman, it is hard not to see yourself as an object (not a person) of desire after you have been asked out by different boys each weekend within the space of a month. I'm not even that cute! It is like the men are so focused on what they don't have and need before they graduate, that they don't see what is really there. Maybe that is a wee bit harsh...Not all men attending college are like that.
In any case, I have been out on a few this semester and have really enjoyed a date with a pre-missionary almost the most. It was a good date, because I knew where we stood, and it was easier to relax, knowing that he wasn't analyzing everything about me. We both had good attitudes about it, and in realizing that, I may admit that the problem may lie in me. Maybe I just need a better attitude on the subject. Maybe I need to see them for who they are as well: a man striving for the blessings of a temple marriage. A man willing to take risk.
I'll have a whole summer to work on that one. I am returning home within the next month and don't expect to get a lot of action while at home. I didn't go out that often in my hometown when I was attending high school. I have to say, it will almost be a relief.

A Memory of Courage

As conference has been drawing near, we have been hearing about a protest that is supposed to outnumber the number of people going inside the conference building. To me, this is very black and white when thinking about who the two groups represent at this even, though not necessarily on an individual basis. The saints will not be stopped from gathering, and the forces of Satan will do little in stopping the stone cut out of the mountain.
But the upcoming events reminds me of an experience my room mates and I had last semester. We, as a room, decided to take a trip to Salt Lake to see Temple Square. One of our room mates was not a member and I desperately wanted her to feel the same feelings I knew and could bear testimony of while we were there. I had been sitting in on discussions with her and knew that she was really receptive to the spirit. I love her so much and still want her to partake of the blessings and covenants that are hers for the taking.
We reached our destination and quickly realized there was a lot of company we had at temple square. Protesters of Proposition 8 encircled the whole block. We had to park a couple blocks away and before we got out we all agreed we wanted to pray before we got out. One of my room mates was slightly frightened while I was uneasy, but did not fear. I knew if we watched and prayed we would be protected according to God's will. When we reached the block we had to squeeze in-between some protesters to get through, but we made it in. We wanted to watch the Joseph Smith movie, but they had shut most everything down for the nigh because of the protesters outside. So, we decided to take a little walk outside. The protesters were noisy with blow-horns and their shouting, and we found it hard to feel the spirit. But we reached the gates of the temple and began to sing. Our small little voices were a supplication. And I felt the Spirit enter me. I wanted my non-member room mate to have something to remember from this, so I bore my testimony of the temple and the blessings within. You see, a couple of months earlier I had been inside those very gates waiting for my own sister to emerge with a new celestial companion. I knew what could await all four of us.

Toaster Fun

I have to tell about this really random night of fun I had. Well, I was out of food and I needed to go to the store. I had just got out of my practice room and, naturally, it was already dark and so I didn't quite feel like going by myself. So, I walked home just at the other end of campus and started to call everyone (almost) I knew with a car. There was this one guy that I was apprehensive to call. Not that he was a bad person or anything, but because I didn't quite know him all that well. But all my other options were slowly dwindling. So I finally got up the courage. He said he'd be over in a few minutes. I apologized for the inconvenience, if it was at all inconvenient. He assured me it wasn't and we were soon on our way. We went to the store and all things were going well. He even showed me somethings. Then on our way out, we spotted peeps that were selling for really cheep. Must have been in honor of ushering in the Easter Season. He decided he wanted to get some and then we could et them together. Well, we came home and we decided to try to blow them up in the microwave. He was of the opinion that we could try them on different settings, but I thought it really wouldn't make a difference, but I decided to let him have his fun. I saw a girl that lives across the way who sometimes needs some cheering up and asked her if she wanted to join us. She came in, and I think she enjoyed herself. It is hard to tell with her, because she is a shy girl with a low self-esteem. I think she did because what happened next was just silly. He asked for a string. I just knew what was coming, but granted him the string anyway...He tied the string around the peep like a noose and draping the string over a pencil roasted it over the toaster. Not the smartest thing, right? But this I allowed. When the peep swelled and looked like it was about to drop in the toaster if we let it go much longer. So, I said something and he began to take it away from the heat source, but then in doing so, the string cut though the peep and it fell in. Sighing and laughing we quickly unplugged the toaster and tried to scrape out what we could with a fork. It was a mess! But at the same time funny...Then we decided to smoke off the rest of the peep residue. We took the toaster outside and plugged it into the wall. We let it go for a while until we noticed flames! He took it out of the wall, while huffing and puffing. Let me tell ya - it was a sight to behold. And basically that was it. We went back inside and enjoyed more food, and the girl went home. I think she enjoyed the entertainment.

Open Thy Mouth

Last week I didn't go to the temple on the day that I would normally, because my ward was going as a big group later in the week. I had a totally different experience as I went there with a big group then I would have had I gone on my own. Being in a big group they were trying to get everything done as soon as possible before walk-ins began. Also, it was insanely early in the morning! I felt bad when I started to nod off. So, I was absolutely delighted to go during the week on my own. I didn't realize how much I had missed it until I walked inside. Old memories of that very special place flooded back. I was so thankful and astounded at God's mercy. The cares of the world, I literally felt, were lifted off my shoulders. My heart swelled with gratitude. I was ushered in directly, no problems. There aren't that many people there when I have the time to go. Truly, I have been blessed. I saw a girl there that I usually see every week. I finally asked her name and told her I would see her again next week in the locker room. But also in the locker room there was this girl who I was able to talk to. I had sat by her previously and she was baptized right before I was. After I had dried my hair I went to sit in the chapel and I saw her there again! When I had read and pondered more, I walked outside and I saw her sitting on a bench right outside the temple! So, I began to talk to her and found out she lived close to where I did and so we started walking home together. She was talkative and friendly, and it wasn't long until she started to pour out her heart to me. Where else would something like this happen other than where I was? I then remembered something I had learned through various life experiences. If God places you in a place at the right time and wants you to accomplish a work, he most likely will provide the way for you as well as fill you mouth, as long as you are willing to first open it (Moses 6:32). So that is what happened. She started to tell me her situation and I started telling her things I thought would be applicable and useful to her situation. They big things I wanted her to know did not apply to her as much as I thought and the littlest, minute detail that I mentioned in passing meant the world to her. She stopped in the middle of the sidewalk and thanked me, telling me I was an answer to a prayer. At the time, I wasn't so sure if THAT was true, but I was happy I had helped her. I was truly thankful for the opportunity. She insisted she get my number and name, which I gave willingly, happy to have made a new friend. I knew that had I just been speaking by myself and had I not allowed the spirit to guide me, I would not have been able to share that little detail that made all the difference to her. Just goes to show that we are only Alone when we chose to be, and so long as we are looking for help we will Never be Alone.