......Awkward......

   The other day, a missionary told me he thought starting out a blog by saying "As a missionary..." was boring and uninteresting.... I'm about to be boring and uninteresting!
   As a missionary we talk to a lot of people every day. Sometimes it can be very awkward. If you've ever felt awkward talking to missionaries like me on the street, just know the feeling was probably mutual. But I like the saying "delight in awkwardness" -it's going to happen, so just deal with it, right? Okay, maybe it's not always awkward, in fact that's what I felt like sharing today.
   I don't care for awkwardness, but when I first meet someone, it seems there's a little switch that goes off in my head, turning me into "awkward mode." I was thinking about it the other night before going to bed, how strange that little switch is, and how to turn it off. Here's what I came up with. If we realize that we are all beloved children of God, then we are all brothers and sisters, and if I can see everyone who is walking down the street the way I see my immediate family then all of the sudden I become much more relaxed. I'm less afraid to be myself and more interested in the person I'm talking with. Instead of thinking "what am I going to say?" it turns into, "hey! There's my brother, let's go see how he's doing! I'm so happy to see him!" When people say mean things it doesn't hurt as much, and I still want the best for them. Just like if I were a little kid and got in a fight with my sister- we'd be best friends ten minutes later. It's awesome!
   What helps you get out of awkward mode?

Knocking Doors

   KNOCK, KNOCK, KNOCK.
   (Man opens door): "Don't EVER knock on this door again- THAT'S what you can do for the Lord!"
   SLAM!!!

   That was our experience about a week ago. Sad, but true. Funny enough, we meant to knock on his neighbor's door (someone we knew), but accidentally knocked on the wrong one.
   Now, that doesn't happen to us all that often, but it does happen once in a while. I just wanted to share the story to give you a taste of what we go through and to pose a question.
   I wonder: what could have upset the man so much that he would open the door just to yell at us and slam it back in our faces?
   It seems almost silly, doesn't it? We meant no harm, nor offense. We are just the messengers, here to tell the world about the story of what happened between God and a boy named Joseph Smith, and the significance for everyone of that event, and then invite them to ask God about it- to see what the Almighty and All-knowing says about it. If they've heard it before, yes, I'd like to hear what happened, yes, I'd like to talk more, but that doesn't change my objective to share the message and invite people to find out for themselves, in order to build their faith in Jesus Christ. It doesn't change the fact I'm simply there to share what I know and do it in a Christ-like way.
   Honestly, I don't really like knocking doors- I try to avoid it. I don't want to come off as a salesman, or have anyone feel as though we're invading their privacy. That's not Christ-like. But to keep to myself what I know is true, and what I know can bless every human soul's life, would not be very Christ-like. So we go out and try to share it with people. I hope for the day, when all people can talk openly and respectfully about what matters most to any of us, and not have doors slammed in our faces, or obcenities shouted from car doors. I hope for the day when we all come in the unity of faith and can deal kindly with one another even when our views differ. I hope for the day there is absolute peace on Earth.

For The Motherless

   With Mother's day tomorrow, I've seen many postings on the Internet regarding mothers. Today I would like to send out my love to those who, for whatever reason, did not get the chance to grow up with their mothers or get to know them.
   I did not grow up in that situation, so I will not even attempt to know what Mother's Day is like for those of you who did. But for the motherless out there, I send my love and appreciation. I hope you are able to enjoy the day, and know that there are thousands around the world that love and appreciate you. Especially your Savior, Jesus Christ!

   I invite each of you, no matter what your childhood situation, to read Something in My Heart Changed and ponder on the message it contains of our Saviors love!

How To Maintain A Positive Attitude

   Every morning I try to think of some things I am grateful for. The new day. A good night's rest. Maybe the fact I'm no longer getting a bad night's rest. But whatever it is, I like to start off the day on a note of gratitude. Whenever I do that, it is easier to be happy and have a good day.
   Someone once told me the last thing they do before going to bed was think of a way God had touched their lives that day, that way they could end the day on a happy note. When we take a little time to be grateful for our blessings, it opens our eyes to heaven's view and uplifts us. When we are grateful, we recognize our blessings, and God gives us more. Even though we will still face challenges, we face them with positivity and optimism, and our days seems to go better.
   I for one am grateful for good friends and loving family. I am grateful for my knowledge of the restored Gospel. I am grateful for the experiences God has given me to help me, strengthen me, and feel of His love. I am grateful that when we make mistakes, God has given us a way to correct them and be forgiven. I am grateful for nature. I am grateful for my Savior, who marked the path so I can know how to return to my Father in Heaven. What kinds of things are you grateful for?

How Can We Know The Way?

   Each morning as a missionary I study the scriptures. Today I was lead to read John 14:1-7. Just seven verses. I pondered them over and over trying to see what understanding I could gain from them. I'd like to share them with you. Jesus is speaking:

"1. Let not your heart be troubled: ye believe in God, believe also in me.
2. In my Father's house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you.
3. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that were I am, there ye may be also.
4. And whither I go ye know, and the way ye know.
5. Thomas saith unto him, Lord, we know not whither thou goest; and how can we know the way?
6. Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.
7. If ye had known me, ye should have known my Father also: and from henceforth ye know him, and have seen him."

   Thomas, an Apostle, didn't quite understand Christ or His Gospel! It amazes me to think about that! And Christ's response to Thomas' question- how can we know the way?- is profound. Christ IS the way!
   That applies to each of us as well. When there is a trial in your life or you feel hopeless, like there is no way out: CHRIST IS THE WAY! If we turn to him, if we focus on him and ask for his help, there is always a way to overcome it. We are NEVER hopeless when we are following Christ. He is the way to salvation and eternal life. If we accept him, and his teachings, and follow his commandments, we can overcome anything!

Are Missionaries Weird?

   Do you think missionaries are weird? Maybe intimidating? As a missionary for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints I get a lot of funny looks. They range from curiosity and confusion, to hoping not to be seen, and even anger. Some people are happy to see us, others yell out their car door.

   I think people see the Book of Mormon in our hands and the name tag and somehow get the impression we aren't normal. I'd like to debunk that theory. I think you'll find missionaries aren't so weird.

      I graduated High School, and during that period of my life most of my friends were NOT members of the LDS church. I played football. I wasn't good at it. I also tried wrestling, and track and field- same story: not good at them. You can probably tell I'm not much of an athlete! I also did ballroom dance. It was a lot of fun! We hung out at the park, mostly- if I did hang out with anyone outside of school. A lot of my high school friends still call me Ron to this day because they nick-named me after Ronald Weasly from the Harry Potter series (one of my friends was a HUGE fan!).

   Everyone's family situations are different. Some of my closest friends came from very different family situations. You and I may come from different types of homes. I had a close family. Some of my fondest memories are spending time with my mom or dad just talking or spending time together watching TV. Before my mission I spent a lot of time babysitting for my nieces and nephews.
   My closest friends and I were piano bums. We would mess around on the piano at each other's houses and play songs off the radio from artists like Taylor Swift, Relient K, The Fray, Axis of Awesome, and a lot of music from movies- especially Disney classics like Mulan. We wrote our own music. It was nowhere near professional, but it was fun.

   My family went on vacations growing up to places like the Grand Canyon, Four corners, and Disney Land.
   I had a crush on the girl down the street. Twice. I was horrible at trying to talk to them. I got WAY too nervous and generally the first thing that came out of my mouth was the dumbest thing I could think of. (can you relate?)
   I have a FaceBook. I had a myspace. I got on them way too much.

   I like to break into song randomly. So do my parents. I don't like to read all that much- but I'm beginning to like it more and more.

   I have broken my left collar bone, my left elbow, and snapped my left Achilles Tendon. It hurt. I was in Seventh Grade and I'm not afraid to say I cried!

   Do I need to continue???

   So do you still think missionaries are weird? Well, maybe I am, but you see, we're regular joes who have had regular childhoods and grew up in loving homes and we're really normal people. Each one of us has a different story, but we each have had our ups and downs, our adventures and embarrassments. We had to learn our ABC's and 1,2,3's just like anyone. We didn't just pop out of nowhere! We have lives. We have feelings. We have cares, concerns, questions, preferences- just like anyone.

   In the end, we're all children of God, and we're all a whole lot more alike than we think. I was just talking to a man from Ghana, who made similar comments about his race. He said he thinks it is okay to have a sense of pride in one's own herritage, but it is not okay to put others down for it. I think that applies to religion as well. I definitely am thankful to be a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, but I don't think lowly of others who are not of the same religion. I would hope people of other faiths would feel the same way toward missionaries like me. We have different beliefs, but we are all children of God and He loves us all equally.
   In the words of a well-known song: "why can't we be friends?"

I Like To Look For Rainbows

   You know, I just love the hymns of our church. No, they aren't all that entertaining, but there's a lot of meaning and beauty in them. I especially love the children's hymns! For example, the children's hymn "I like to look for rainbows" always gives my courage and strength to keep on following God and trying to do good.

"1. I like to look for rainbows whenever there is rain
And ponder on the beauty of an earth made clean again.

2. I know when I am baptized my wrongs are washed away,
And I can be forgiven and improve myself each day.

ChorusI want my life to be as clean as earth right after rain.
I want to be the best I can and live with God again."

   Who couldn't be lifted in a hard time by that? That's why I love children's hymns.

   Feel free to listen to some of the children's hymns on the interactive music player on LDS.org: Interactive Church Music Player .

I'd suggest "I am a child of God" "I'll walk with you" "I lived in Heaven" -just a few of my favorites.