The Hand of God

Usually, on Saturdays, we get up and go to the Smith Fieldhouse to run/walk around the indoor track. However, it takes a lot of motivation (or just Emma slapping our face or squeezing our nose) to get out bed when we all want to stay in bed.

Last Saturday, September 24, it was raining. The temperature has finally gone down enough that we didn't need to turn on the A/C overnight and we were cozy and warm in our bed. We contemplated whether we should go running or not but decided that we should.

It was just a normal Saturday morning for us; we all got dressed and put some warmer clothes on Emma and a blanket over her in the car seat. We all hopped in the car and started to pull out of the driveway.

But something was different today. As we waited for all for the road to clear before pulling out, we noticed a woman waiting at the bus stop which was in front of a house next to ours. She was actually walking toward us. We didn't think much of it since we just thought that she was waiting for the bus. However, when we completely pulled out of the driveway and were on the road, she approached our car. I rolled down the window of the passenger seat (Alysha's side, which now I think about it, I am pretty sure Alysha got rained on due to the open window. Sorry, Alysha) and this woman started to speak with her broken English but quickly changed to Spanish. I understood enough that she needed a ride to the D.I.

We chatted a little bit on the way to the D.I. She told me that she's from Peru and that for some reason, the bus wasn't coming and she needed to be at work in 10 minutes. She was so grateful for the ride and also commented how pretty Emma is.

After giving this sister a ride, we headed to the Smith Fieldhouse to find out that there was PowWow going on and we decided that it would be impossible to run around the track so we headed home.

We were so grateful for the opportunity to serve this sister and also the Father in Heaven. I am grateful that we were able to answer her prayer and that we motivated ourselves to go work out even though we didn't get to. It didn't matter to us that we didn't work out. We were filled with gratitude and marveled at the tender mercies of the Lord.

"...when we speak of those who are instruments in the hand of God, we are reminded that not all angels are from the other side of the veil. Some of them we walk with and talk with—here, now, every day. Some of them reside in our own neighborhoods. Some of them gave birth to us, and in my case, one of them consented to marry me. Indeed heaven never seems closer than when we see the love of God manifested in the kindness and devotion of people so good and so pure that angelic is the only word that comes to mind." -Elder Jeffrey R. Holland-

I hope that we all can be instruments in the hand of God and become His ministering angels.

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Decions Determine Destiny

Dear readers,

I will probably be writing off and on from now on.

I am currently reading "To the Rescue," a biography of President Thomas S. Monson. One of the chapters is titled, "Decisions Determine Destiny." In the chapter, he says, "There are factors within you and within me even basic principles with which we have been imbued from our creation, which seem to call out and demand of us our best. Those particular years and those cravings and those bits of inspiration seem to be telling you and me, 'Seek the best in life. Look for opportunities where you can be of greatest service.'"

An excerpt from my journal:

"Every decision you make determines your destiny. You have control over your future!

"When I decided not to pursue a career in rad. tech. I made a decision that would forever change my life. I will probably never have to work on the weekends. I will be deeply rooted at Brigham Young University and get the education for free.

"Who knows? Maybe I will find something else or change my destiny through other decisions. I pray, though, that all the decisions will be inspired and would lead me to be of greatest service to those around me, especially my family."

The Currant Bush
Recently, I was reminded of this story of the Currant bush by Elder Hugh B. Brown. I am not going to summarize the story because you can watch or read it. However, the most important part and what I want to talk about is this: "I am the gardener here. I know what I want you to be.”

The decisions we make shapes our destiny because it helps us become who we are supposed to be. I do not think that I would be a bad person for becoming a rad tech; however, it wouldn't provide me with opportunities that I now have with other opportunities that my current job will bring. It helps me become who God wants me to be.

Conclusion
Getting to where I am now, in the Dean of Students Office as an Executive Secretary, was a really frustrating, disappointing, and miserable experience. You can read all about it here...which shows that I didn't even write about how I changed my job...or they changed it for me. I got promoted! Yay!! From Campus Scheduling to the Dean of Students Office!

Anyways, I know that God's hand was in my life and he had guided me to make the correct choices that would help me become who He wants me to be.

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Equality: Worldly and Godly

Disclaimer: this is my thoughts and opinions. I have written this with an assumption (out of many) that equality means people being and having the same things. Also, the example I used about many members of the LDS Church is just what I was thinking about when I decided to write about this. This does not mean that I am exclusively talking about this issue but about any general ideas about equality. Please be respectful of MY thoughts and opinions as I appreciate and respect your thoughts and opinions. If you wish to comment whether be positive or negative, talk to me face to face. Any posted comments will be deleted.

Equality, worldly equality, is man-made. There are many members of the Church (meaning the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints) cry out for "equality" in the Church by allowing women to hold the priesthood. However, what, I ask of you, is "equality"? Everyone being equal? What, then, is "equal"? Having everything the same? Being exactly the same? Then who decides what everything is and what it means to be the same? Can I decide? If I were to decide, everyone has to be poor, should only speak Korean, should be Asian, the same height, the same eye, skin, and hair colors, heck, they should all look the same. Oh, and because you can't be different at all, you all should be males. (I do not truly wish for everyone to be "equal" like this.)

God did create us equal. However, I believe that His definition of equal is different than ours, or our definition is so limited by man-made, quantified time and what we can observe. God sees and knows everything; therefore, in a big scheme of things, we all have the potential to have everything that God has and all that He (They) is (are). I do not think that it would matter what we would look like because we will have humility and charity to see past our physical appearances. There would be no judgments or envy. We would all be equal: in powers, possessions, glory, and even the priesthoods. Remember, we are all to be gods and goddesses and priests and priestesses.

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"Help Thou Mine Unbelief"

An excerpt from Thursday, March 6, 2014:

"Jesus said unto him, If thou canst believe, all things are possible to him that believeth.
"And straightway the father of the child cried out, and said with tears, Lord, I believe; help thou mine unbelief." -Mark 9:23-24-

I believe in the Father and His Son. I believe that They are guiding me each day. I believe that They will provide a way for me to accomplish Their will for me. I don't fully comprehend or fully believe how or why things don't work out. I have doubts at times. However, this father of the child with a "dumb spirit" asked the Lord to help him believe more than he does, trust Him more, and draw on the powers of heaven. He has given his weakness to the Lord to be strong. Then what did the Lord do? He blessed this father for his humility, faith and honesty.

When we do our best, give our best to the Lord, He does not turn us away but blesses us. However, we must acknowledge our limitations and ask Him to help us do more, become more, or believe more. He does not expect us to be perfect on our own; He expects us to be perfect through Him.

Elder Holland gave a talk based on that story. He invited us to hold onto what we know when trials and doubts come. Also, we need to acknowledge what we do not know and should ask for help. There are so many profound concepts and quotes, and I wish to write some:

"...imperfect people are all God has ever had to work with. That must be terribly frustrating to Him, but He deals with it."

"Honestly acknowledge your questions and your concerns, but first and forever fan the flame of your faith, because all things are possible to them that believe."

All things are possible when you believe, even the increase of your faith. When you focus on what you know during times of concerns and doubts, the Lord can bless you with a sure knowledge and will enlighten you because of your faith. What you didn't believe, what you didn't know will become clear and sure.

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Possibility & Tender Mercy

An excerpt from Sunday, February 16, 2014:

"Isn't it interesting how we meet people? Out of [7 billion people], we meet certain people then become their friends. Also, in our life time, we meet them at a certain time period. We could have passed by each other so many times before, not noticing each other. However a certain event has brought us together to get to know each other, build a relationship with each other, to learn from each other, and to strengthen each other. That truly is a tender mercy of the Lord."

What is the possibility of meeting someone? There are 8765.81 hours in a year. There are about 7.144 billion people in the world. So it's about 1:62.6 trillion to meet someone in an hour.

You have friends. You have met them at some point in your life. You could have passed by them many times until that one moment that brought you two together. A coincidence? A tender mercy of the Lord? I would like to think that there was a hand of the Lord in meeting people in my life because I would not be who I am without meeting all these people.

Now getting into the gospel, think about how you could influence someone for good today. You will run into someone (someone you know or someone you don't know). It may not be 1:62.6 trillion chance to meet that person; however, the chance still would be slim. But you are there and so is that person. What are you going to do? What will you say?

"And if it so be that you should labor all your days in crying repentance unto this people, and bring, save it be one soul unto me, how great shall be your joy with him in the kingdom of my Father!
"And now, if your joy will be great with one soul that you have brought unto me into the kingdom of my Father, how great will be your joy if you should bring many souls unto me!" (Doctrine and Covenants 18:15&16)

These verses mean different to you now thinking about the possibility of meeting that one soul and helping him/her come unto Christ. The Lord has put you and that person on the same path at that time to run into each other, to get to know each other, and to influence each other. It wasn't a coincidence that you met that person. Now, let's say that through this tender mercy, you were able to bring that person unto the Lord. How great will your joy be knowing that you have taken that crazy "chance" to say what you know to be true and then he/she felt the Holy Ghost that brought him/her (back) to Christ?

"To every man there comes in his lifetime that special moment when he is figuratively tapped on the shoulder and offered a chance to do a very special thing, unique to him and fitted to his talents. What a tragedy if that moment finds him unprepared or unqualified for that which would be his finest hour." -Sir Winston Churchill-

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Walking in Darkness

An excerpt from Friday, February 7, 2014:

"What is my future? What does the Lord have in mind for me? Am I to find your* mother this year? Am I to go to a graduate school this year? It feels like the future is very much like a black hole that I don't know where it goes to or what's inside. I am walking in complete darkness. I feel as though I an't see the end. I don't see the light. I am trapped. Trapped inside a black hole called future. There is no end. I take a step but nothing changes. The surroundings look exactly the same. I take another step. I feel something but everything still looks the same. Where am I? Where am I going? Is there an end to this? Will this end? Will I be able to see the light again?
"I keep moving because I don't know what else to do. I know I can't just sit still. I must escape from here. Am I going somewhere? I don't know. I am just walking, hoping that I will get somewhere. I know where I will be. I know what I will have. However, I am in darkness right now, just walking aimlessly hoping I will get there someday..."

*I write in my journal as if I am talking to my future children.

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Be Happy Now

Forget-me-not

"...if we spend our days waiting for fabulous roses, we could miss the beauty and wonder of the tiny forget-me-nots that are all around us.
"This is not to say that we should abandon hope or temper our goals. Never stop striving for the best that is within you. Never stop hoping for all of the righteous desires of your heart. But don’t close your eyes and hearts to the simple and elegant beauties of each day’s ordinary moments that make up a rich, well-lived life." -From Forget Me Not by President Dieter F. Uchtdorf-

As I was writing in my journal, I wanted to start writing something that would be beneficial for those (most likely my posterity) who read my journals. As I thought about it, I had an inspiration to write about being happy with what you have. President Uchtdorf gave a talk on it in 2011 during General Relief Society Meeting (and yes, I have watched and read it online) and it goes perfectly with my thought.

A lot of times we focus so much on what we don't have that we forget to be grateful for what we have. If you keep complaining about life, being bored, not being in a relationship, having no friends, etc, you will never appreciate what you have, talents you already have, friends you already have, and the joy of being single. I am not saying that have more things will make you happier. What I am saying though is that if you only focus on what you don't have, you will never be happy when you obtain what you wanted because you will only seek out for what you don't have.

A friend, M., reminded me how if you are happy being single (I would add "with what you have), you will be happy when you are in a relationship (or when you have more). If you are not satisfied with life right now, you will not be satisfied with life when you are in a relationship. You might say that you will be happier when you are with someone. That is true; however, you will think about "better" things or what the person doesn't have rather than what he/she has or what you already have.

I believe that is the point that President Uchtdorf was trying to make. You should be striving for better things; however, you should not be so focused on those things and blinded by them that you are so oblivious to what you have around you now.

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Giving Gratitude

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Giving Gratitude

As many of you know, I keep a journal. Currently, I am on my 11th journal since the second semester of the senior year of high school and it's about time to change to a 12th journal. I write from religious things to very personal things but recently, I realized that I have a hard time coming up with things to write. Perhaps, it's due to lack of events in my life since I don't go to school and I can't really write about patients at work. Therefore, I decided to come up with one thing that I am grateful for each day so that I would have something to write about everyday and I will focus more on spiritual things.

"And he who receiveth all things with thankfulness shall be made glorious; and the things of this earth shall be added unto him, even an hundred fold, yea, more." -Doctrine and Covenants 78:19-

In the most recent First Presidency Message by President Eyring, he stated:

"President Spencer W. Kimball (1895–1985) described that process of inspired writing: 'Those who keep a book of remembrance are more likely to keep the Lord in remembrance in their daily lives. Journals are a way of counting our blessings and of leaving an inventory of these blessings for our posterity.'
"As you start to write, you could ask yourself, 'How did God bless me and those I love today?' If you do that often enough and with faith, you will find yourself remembering blessings. And sometimes you will have gifts brought to your mind that you failed to notice during the day but that you will then know were a touch of God’s hand in your life."

I need to recognize the Lord's hand in my life each day and remember that I have been given so much even though I am not perfect. It is true that I would like more blessings in my life but for me, recognizing all these blessing will help me turn to the Lord more often and help me become more obedient to be worthy of those blessings. There are blessings all around us that we fail to recognize. I truly believe that when we recognize these blessings, we will be able to recognize His love for us and how often He blesses us with what we need.

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Creativity for My Journal

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Journal Excerpts #1

It's been a while since I have blogged so what I am going to do is I am going to copy what I have been writing in my journal because there were a lot of things I would have posted here but I've just been lazy. A lot of thoughts will seem disorganized but if I am listening to talks or something like that, my ideas just jump from one to the next.

Sunday, June 23, 2013
"Something I've been thinking about is how when people think about their families, most would imagine every member of their family. But what if I told them to imagine one member, a father for example, gone from the picture? That's my family. I don't know how everything will work out in the end; however, I do not want anyone to have that. I want everyone to have the desire to share the gospel and bring others to Christ so that there would be no "empty seats." All the seats will be full and so will their joy.
"Sometimes we are not open to share the gospel with others when they come looking for the truth. Are we ready to share? Are we ready to bless the lives of others?
"Be not afraid but let charity fill your heart and invite others to come unto Christ. Think about what they desire, what they need, and what their concerns are. Listen, listen to them and listen to the Spirit. Speak, speak what they seek and what the Spirit tell you to speak.
"My new motto is, 'I will go where you want me to go. I will say what you want me to say. I will be what you want me to be.'
"What everyone needs is the feeling that they are needed. They want to be a part of something. There are people who are ready and when we read out to them. They will know that God's watching over them and will come back to His fold.
"Kyoo, do you remember when you were young, recently baptized, how everyone in the ward was welcoming and how they supported you? Without them, you would not be here. They welcomed you and made you a part of the family. You can do the same for others. You can help others be a part of this great family. Just remember what you have gone through.
"All the callings I had...did they not build on top of each other until I got this calling as a ward mission leader? Because I cared about those who passed on and temple work, I am not able to serve people to come unto Christ so that they could have eternal families. I had to learn and grow until now, and I will continue to learn.
"It's not just inviting people which we must do but have faith that they will return to the activity. Believe in God's power and in them. They all have accepted the gospel before. All they need is a reminder."

Tuesday, June 25, 2013
"Conversion is not either 'you are converted' or 'you are not converted' but a degree or a process. You could be converted enough to come to church every Sunday but you might not be converted enough to pay tithing. However, once you are converted (in one aspect), you are asked to 'strengthen your brethren.'
"Second of all, you have to remember that the gospel is all about others. The two greatest commandments are: love God and love your neighbor. All the other commandments or responsibilities are founded upon those two. You should always remember that it is about helping and serving others."

Thursday, June 27, 2013
"Christ had to learn and grow in the gospel and receive knowledge as we do. I may falter and do not know everything but as Christ did, I can continue to grow and become stronger. I just need to figure out how I can do it and always do my best.
"Wisdom is not only applying what you learn but also being able to see the consequences of your choices and applications thereof. Someone who is wise makes choices understanding what kind of consequences would come about when you make a choice. For example, King Solomon knew how great the love that mothers have for their children so he commanded that a baby to be cut in half to satisfy two women arguing over the baby. He knew that a real mother would want the other woman to take the baby rather than see the baby die. This is true wisdom.
"A new goal: stop thinking about myself but think about what others need. I should write down everyone's name that I have stewardship over then pray for them individually to know their needs, desires, and struggles. Once I start thinking about them, I will receive more revelations on how to help them.
"'Faith stronger than sight, looks up thru the skies.' (From The Lord is My Light) This teaches that when we have faith, we look beyond what we see physically. We hope for a better world. We would see what God would see."

That's all I am going to post at this time.

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