Life'style'

As a missionary, we don't get too many choices on what colors to wear.  I could wear a black, gray or navy blue suit, but still it doesn't make too much of a difference.  There is, however, one article of clothing that gives us a little more variety.  They are ties.  Ties, to missionaries, are more than just a piece of fabric tied in a particular way around your neck.  Ties express you're mood for the day and, in essence, who you are.

Anyone that knows me well could tell you that my taste in ties is quite unique.  I like the short, fat, and ugly ties.  It's just my style.  We'll call them 'vintage' ties.  When someone sees a 'vintage' tie, they say to themselves, "That's totally something Elder Greco would wear."  I've just developed that kind of reputation.  Whether for good or for bad.

Our choices are a lot like our taste in ties.  We'll call them our life'style'.  Just like ties, our life'style' is one of the first things people see.  As they see more of our choices, we will develop a reputation, whether for good or for bad.  When someone sees our life'style', what will they say?  What will they compare it to?  If our life'style' isn't what we want people to see us as, then we can repent and change.  May we all live in a way that when people see our life'style', they will say with conviction, "That's totally something the Savior would do."

Father's Day

Father's Day is here and I'm due for another acronym.

F - Funny: My dad is pretty funny.  There's different aspects of it though.  Sometimes his jokes will make me laugh, sometimes his mannerisms will make me laugh, and sometimes just listening to his laugh will make me laugh.  If there's ever a time when you need a little chuckle, he's the person you want to call.

A - Absolute: I remember the days when we were vacuuming a room and my dad would always ask if we went around the edges with the hose.  No one ever looks there.  But his response was, "You might as well do it right the first time, so you don't have to do it again."  I've learned the truthfulness behind that statement.  Make sure that we finish each job/task we do absolutely.  Not only will it make the rooms cleaner, but it will help out a lot in many aspects of life.  He made sure that we did an absolute job.

T - Talented: Not saying that he's an expert at everything, but my dad certainly is pretty handy in a lot of things.  Ranging from sports, to computers, to simple household fixes.  He's an all in one handyman.

H - Hard Working: Through thick and thin, my dad will continue to work with all his might.  Maybe a little discouragement will come up, but he will never let it show.  That's been an example to me to continue to press forward even when circumstances aren't ideal.  Actually, especially when circumstances aren't ideal.  That's when we need to work the hardest.

E - Enduring: A lot of trials have fell my dad's way.  Whether big or small, trials are trials.  He has found a way to endure through them all.  Not only to be endured though, but to be enjoyed.  Through the midst of it all, he has never lost his sense of humor.

R - Role Model: In all ways, my dad has been a role model for me.  I've learned that a lot more since I've been on my mission.  I will take so many things from him and use them for the rest of my life.  he has definitely been a blessing in my life.

I wish there were more letters in the word 'father' because I still have a ton more adjectives to use.  This will do for now, I suppose.  Maybe someday I will find a way to fully thank my dad for everything.  I'm not sure if there is a way to though, but I'll try.  Happy Father's Day.

Brinner

Not many things hit the spot like brinner does.  I know that's not the most common word, so I'll give a quick explanation.  Breakfast for dinner equals brinner.  It is one of the greatest inventions out there.  The other day, I was able to have brunch (not quite as good as brinner, but close) with a family that I knew in a past area.  Not only was it great to see them, but it was great to talk about that area again.  Reminiscing about the good old times.  It made me remember all the good things that have happened on my mission and how we should all constantly remember those tender mercies of the Lord.

Remembering is one of the crucial parts of staying on the strait and narrow.  Even when things seem illogical and impractical, certain memories can prove otherwise.  For example, having a breakfast smorgasbord isn't the most typical thing to eat for dinner, but if we remember how tasty it was, then we can use that thought to have a most delicious meal that will fully satisfy us.  Though it seems out of place, not many things are better.

Helaman counseled his sons, Nephi and Lehi, about the principle of remembrance.  His sons were named after great men who were highly favored of God and Helaman exhorted his sons "that when you remember your names, ye may remember [those great men]; and when ye remember them ye may remember their works; and when ye remember their works ye may know...that they were good."  (Hel. 5: 6).  But more importantly to "remember that it is upon...Christ, the Son of God, that ye must build your foundation."  (Hel. 5:12).  May we all remember, receive, and rely on the "rock of our Redeemer, who is Christ," the one true way back to heaven.