Temporary Home

There truly is no place like home.  But home is different for everyone.  Depending on who you ask, their views of home will be different.  Home is where you hang your hat.  Home is where your bed is.  Home is that house you live in.  Home is where your heart is.  Amidst all of the different definitions of home, how can we know what our own personal home is?  We can all say that we have some kind of a home here on earth, but is it truly our home?

I've always been struck by the chorus of a Carrie Underwood song called "Temporary Home".  In the song, she describes three different situations, but in the end, they all respond with the lyrics in the chorus, which read:

This is my temporary home
It's not where I belong.
Windows and rooms that I'm passin' through.
This is just a stop, on the way to where I'm going.
I'm not afraid because I know this is my
Temporary Home.

This world is only our temporary home.  Sure, there are many places in the world and times of our life that bring us great joy, but we have a way better home waiting for us on the other side.  A heavenly home.  Nothing can compare to it.  "No matter how enticing the world might be, it was never intended to be our home." ~ Kevin Hinckley (emphasis added).  So don't forget what you're working towards.  Never let it escape your mind.  Greater joy lies ahead.  May we cease to walk without direction or wander without reason, but continually carry on to our heavenly home.

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.

Casteth Out

Think of a world without light.  How could we survive?  Think off all of the things light does.  It helps plants grow, gives us nutrients, helps us see, comforts us (mainly because we're all scared of the dark), gives warmth, and so many other things.  The uses for light are almost innumerable.  Of all the differences in the uses of light, there is one thing that remains constant.

The Apostle John explains this constant characteristic of light in John 1:5, which reads, "And the light shineth in darkness; and the darkness comprehended it not."  The imagery that this scripture portrays is so awesome.  Wherever there is light, darkness cannot be.  In reality, darkness is merely just lack of light.  The minute light enters the picture, darkness is instantly vanquished.  No matter how hard the darkness tries to stay in the room, the light will run it away.

As we keep the Light of Christ in our hearts and in our minds, there will be no room for darkness or evil.  That is the best cure to feeling dull.  Brighten the light inside and cast out the darkness.  The more we fuel the light, the stronger it will be.  The stronger it is, the harder it will be for Satan to try to put out our light.  May we keep the Light of Christ burning brightly in our hearts.

Mother's Day

Mother's Day is soon approaching.  The question that always comes up is, "What should I get my Mom for Mother's Day?"  But really, what is the best way to show our Moms how much we appreciate them?  There are so many ideas, but none of them will fully show/say all we want to.  But I'll give it a shot:

M - Made me things:  This ranged from food to a list of chores to do.  Either way, it made me a better person, and made me into who I am today.  Nothing compares to the nurture of a mother.

O - Others oriented:  She was never thinking about herself.    Never have I ever heard my mom talk about herself.  Her life was revolved around others, especially her family.  She juggled sport events, seminary, work, house chores, and tons more, and still made time to be Mom.  No ordinary woman could do that.

T - Teacher by actions:  She showed me what was truly important in life, not by her words, but by how she lived her life.  Actions truly do speak louder than words.

H - Humble: Again, my mom never talked about herself.  And never did she boast (except when it was about her kids).  But she never took the credit.  It was always about us kids.

E - Encouraging: She made sure all of her kids knew that she was their biggest fan.  She was always the first one to cheer for us, and was by far loudest one at our sports events.  Nothing could stop her from standing on the bleachers and cheering for her kids.

R - Real Friend: This was one of the most important things that she did for me.  More important than her making me food!  My mom was a real friend to me.  Not just a friend that I can hang out with, but one I can talk to.  One that I can ask advice for, share stories with, laugh with, and have petty arguments with.  She was definitely a real friend.

These are just six of the bazillion things that my Mom does for me.  I've only scratched the surface.  She's totally awesome.  Nothing I do or say will fully explain what she means to me.  Just one last thing to say: Happy Mother's Day!

General Conference

Have you ever been reading the scriptures and realize that everything totally went over your head?  I know I have.  It's hard to fully grasp what you're reading when it's caught up in parables, analogies, and symbols.  Wouldn't it be nice if we had scripture that was in our own modern day language instead of that old scriptural language?  Turns out, there is.  We can hear a prophets voice even today. 

Just like in Biblical times, God calls prophets today.  Every 6 months, the prophet and the apostles speak to us in an event called General Conference.  It almost seems too good to be true, but it's real, and it's amazing.  Amos 3:7 reads, "Surely the Lord God will do nothing, but he revealeth his secret unto his servants the prophets."  This pattern has always been in effect.  God has called prophets on the earth since the beginning of time, and that is how he has revealed his secrets.

So take the opportunity to listen to conference.  This is truly no ordinary blessing.  If we take heed to the prophets of the past as well as present, then we will have increased happisness, more trust in the Lord, and a more satisfying life.