You don't know if you don't Go.

This week my thoughts flashback to the glorious days of high school volleyball. I hold the memories and life lessons close to my heart. Playing Volleyball was no trivial matter. In order to play we would have to run a 5k in under 30 minutes, know how to do LOTS of double jumps, and being willing to put our whole heart into the sport. Volleyball required hard work, dedication, and discipline. The gym became one of my favorite places to be, as I spent numerous hours practicing and learning principles that would guide my life forever. Of the many wise words my coach said to me the one I want to reference to day is “You don’t know if you don’t go.”   I can vividly recall the situations in which this phrase would be used. I will try and paint the picture for you. 

Right after school we would get all dressed in our practice gear and head into the gym, knowing it was time to get to work. We then would begin to play some intense games and do hard drills, knowing the consequence for losing would mean an ample amount of double jumps could be in our future.  The ball would be served a beautiful pass turned to a perfect set, then a quick slap would be heard as the ball begins to plunge with great speed to the other side of the court. The player on the other side tries their best to dig the ball but as the ball contacts their arms it quickly shanks and begins to fly across the gym. Now the odds of someone running and actually getting the ball back into play would be slim to none, but this was absolutely no excuse. If we stood and watched the ball fall to the ground making no effort, we would hear the famous words immediately from coach saying “You don’t know if you don’t go!” We quickly learned to never assume any ball was too far away or any excuse would be good enough to make up for our lack of effort.  We also learned that often times what seemed impossible was in fact the opposite, and we could surprise ourselves at the maneuvers we could make to get a ball back into play.

Now as I look back I realize how that phrase does not only apply to volleyball but to my everyday life. There are always tasks that seem impossible. Often times it is easier to think of the endless list of excuses saying why trying would appear pointless, instead of making the effort to act.  I'm forever grateful for the wise words of my coach ingraining in my head to never underestimate the impossible. As I have applied that phrase to my everyday life, I see how important effort truly is. When we put forth our best effort and put our trust in the Lord, we can see miracles as we GO!

Wonder how snow=friends?

One of my favorite days in Virginia is Pre-storm days. On Tuesday as we were out and about, everyone was warning us of the treacherous snow storm that was coming to slam the East Coast. This information is extremely helpful seems how we don’t watch the news. All day Tuesday people were asking if we had enough bread, milk, and the basic grocery necessities to survive the storm.  As we would drive by any grocery store the parking lot was packed full, as people were preparing for the snow. Now you have to realize on the east coast the snow shuts everything down, it’s not like Utah where you drive whether you can see or not.

Wednesday Morning we woke up to a WINTER WONDERLAND!!

 

  Every car in the parking lot was stuck in place. Then slowly people began to slip out of their apartments, bundled up, and ready to rescue their vehicles.  Some people had shovels other used Tupperware, while one boy following his mom’s orders came with his dustpan.  We were told we could not drive, so we put on or service clothes bundled ourselves up and set out to help in the act of freeing the cars!

All the cars in the parking lot were very close together so, in order to have proper snow removal etiquette, we would have to make a little snow barricade between the cars.  It was actually really fun shoveling and we met lots of our neighbors.

 

I realized again all the wonderful people that are in the world. It is amazing how much everyone at our complex followed the commandment of “love thy neighbor.” Through the snow we came together sharing shovels, stories, and making new friends.  It is interesting, one neighbor was Muslim, another Catholic, some nondenominational, but we all came together knowing that love is one thing we all have in common. Despite the differences we may have in beliefs, one thing that unites us all together is love, and the desire to serve one another especially in times of need.  I hope we can all follow the example and counsel of President Thomas S. Monson:

 

 

Wonder how one little boy has truly inspired me?

I found this quote that made me really ponder. How are people inspired? 

 

 I then thought to an experience I had earlier this week. On Mondays I have the wonderful opportunity to go and help a little boy named Christopher. He is the sweetest kid in the whole wide world. He is someone that is instantly your friend and you love him from the moment you say hello. Christopher has some special needs but he does not let that get in his way at all! This week we did spelling words, read Thomas the train, and played with his little Chungington train set. We did spelling words with scrabble pieces.  Christopher does an incredible job at going the extra mile and never making excuse. We were so impressed by his outstanding focus and sincere desire to be independent. Anytime we would go to grab a piece for him he would say, “ I can do it.”  Christopher is someone that has inspired me because of his incredible determination. Reading and spelling do not come extremely easy to him but he puts in outstanding effort in order to succeed.  Although I thought I was going over to help Christopher he has influenced my life more than he will ever know. At times when I think to myself this task is too difficult, or maybe I should just turn back I’ll never accomplish these goals, I have the image of little, determined Christopher in my mind. He has a very optimistic outlook on life that truly helps me see what is important in life. 

Now at the end of this week I am again am reflecting on how can I be more like Christopher? In my life I am often motivated for the moment but do not keep the driving force to change my life.  The definition of motivation is providing with or effecting. When people have motivation it is for some goal, and once the goal is achieved the motivation is gone. To inspire is much more. It is a deeper, more sincere desire to change. When one is inspired they are touched in their hearts and have a genuine determination to become something. Through my experience with Christopher I was inspired. I not only was motivated to be positive but my heart was truly touched. I hope to develop some of the attributes that Christopher has such as; love, patience, happiness, humility, and determination. I learned from him to take the cards that I have been dealt in life and then play the best hand I possibly can.

 

 Through the light we share and the lives we live, we can help to inspire others “because of us they didn’t give up.”

Wonder how 1 announcement changed my life?

As I sat with some friends waiting for Saturday morning session of the LDS General Conference to start, how could I know that an announcement from the Prophet of God would change my life and the lives of so many others? President Thomas S. Monson made the historic announcement that young women could now go on their missions at age 19 and young men at 18. When I heard it, I was so excited I instantly was on my phone talking to friends about serving a mission. After a lot of praying and pondering, I decided that serving a mission was something I wanted to do. I filled out the application to serve a mission, and was called to The Washington D.C. South Mission! The months between the announcement and my departure were a blur; I stayed very busy preparing for a mission, spending quality family time and finishing my year at USU. The day quickly arrived for me to head to the East coast, leaving the West for the first time in my life. Slightly nervous, a little sad, but most of all excited. I said goodbye to my family and for a short 18 months headed into a new chapter of my life. To go and share the truths about the Gospel of Jesus Christ!

 

Now here I am, enjoying life in Northern Virginia. The life style here is very different than what I was used to in little ol’ Rich County, Utah. I went from miles of sagebrush country life where there are probably more cows than people to a crazy busy lifestyle where people are ALWAYS on the go. I have met people from more countries than I knew existed. I love it and the many things that I am learning. J 

There are so many moments in my life where I have a light bulb moment and so many things I wonder about. Life is a rollercoaster full of ups and down and sometimes some loops. I wonder, if we take a moment to look back, can we realize all the ways that God’s hand has been in our lives? I decided to start this blog to share experiences in my life reflecting how every day or past experiences can point us toward Heavenly Father and relate to the wonderful gospel of Jesus Christ.  As I have served a mission there are so many things I have learned. I think back to the place I call home, the quiet little Town of Bear Lake.  There are so many experiences that I had growing up where I never realized how Heavenly Father was teaching me all along. It is so wonderful to look back and recognize how the experiences we have shape us and mold us into the people God wants us to be; how everyday experiences can relate so much to the gospel! All of us have a story with an unwritten end. My desire is to help others relate to me and the experiences I have had. How the Gospel of Jesus Christ is in the details of our lives.