My Students Are An Example To Me

So, this happened a while ago, but I just wanted to share.  I feel like the morals and standards our youth and teens today are fading.  Therefore, it makes me very happy when I see such good works.  One of my students was talking to another student in the school.  He told me that he was excited that she likes the same music as him, but "she [wasn't] Mormon."  My student told me that he had a Book of Mormon and a passalong card in his backpack that he wanted to give to her.  He asked for my advice on what to do.  I WANTED to say "(student), that is a GREAT idea!"  But, because I can't speak of such topics while working, I said plainly, "I'm sorry, but I can't give you any advise on relgious aspects, it's all your decision."  Well, the student (without my help, clearly) decided to offer the Book of Mormon and passalong card to the young lady.  What awesome courage and strength that would take.  I so admire and look up to this great example.  My students continue to teach me every day.  I am glad to be surrounded by such pure, innocent spirits.  We need more youth like this particular student.

Love,
Sean

Manti Temple Trip

I decided to take a day trip to Manti, Utah with Warren and Mark yesterday.  We decided that we want to go to the temple to do ordinances.  The three of us had never been inside the Manti Temple and thought it would be a good experience.  Well...It was a great experience.  It was great to see the inside of this beautiful house of the Lord.  I joined with a group of teenagers, and it was great to see the faith and the strength of the youth.

It was also a great trip because of the amazing company I was with.  We had such a fun time on the drive there and back talking about hay and what not.  We also ate at this great little restaurant in Manti called The Farmhouse.  We tried these fried corn kernals and they were surprisingly delicious!  So good!  The waitress also knew my good friend Jared who went to school in Manti, so that made me happy.  Mark had a lot of questions for the waitress.  I got scared of a little girl staring at us outside through the window of her car.  We had butter honey or honey butter.  And...Life was great.  I am thankful for such great and inspiring friends.

I still haven't found my camera cord, but once I do find it, I will upload pictures galore!

Love,
Sean

What I Came To Realize At The Temple Yesterday

Yesterday, I woke up at 4am to go do some ordinance work at the LDS Provo, Utah Temple.  I was the first person to do the ordinance.  As I was leaving, the next person to go said, "Hi Sean."  I looked up, and it was my cousin, Megan.

I thought it was really cool that the first two people to do temple work were two people from my family.  I think it just shows a lot about who we are, what we consider important, and what we stand for as a family.  It made me really happy to come to this realization.

I told my Mom and Dad this, and my Mom said, "The temple is all about families, which is of crucial importance to our Heavenly Father, that our family relationships continue on beyond this life.  That is neat that here you are at the temple, and you are there with family, without even planning it."

 

It's true.

Love,

Sean

The Power Of A Text Message

Yesterday at church, I looked at the program to see who was speaking.  I decided to text one of the speakers saying, "Your speaking today! :) I'm so excited! :)"  When she got up to speak, the first thing she said was, "I would like to start off by saying 'Thank You' to whoever has the 609 area code.  You texted me about being excited to hear my talk, and it made me really happy."

It made me happy to know that I was able to make someone else happy.  You never know the impact you can have on someones day through something as simple as a kind text message.

Love,
Sean

Lauren's Mission Farewell

So, I haven't posted in a while because I wanted to post about my experience last weekend.  My cousin Lauren has her mission farewell a week ago.  Lauren is a year younger than me, and I grew up spending summers with her in Blackfoot, Idaho.  She is my best friend.

My favorite part about last weekend was just seeing how much Lauren has grow up.  We were sitting at my Uncle Don's house around their counter just chatting about missions and whatever else, and I could really feel the Spirit.

Lauren is will make the best missionary.  She is already so enthusiastic, friendly, and inviting.  I am very excited to hear all about her journeys in South Florida.

I'm thankful for Lauren's example to me.

I can't find my camera cord, so there aren't any pictures from last weekend, but here are some pictures of Lauren and I from times previous. :)

 
Love,
Sean

The Importance Of Our Talents

The other day, I was reading in The Book of Mormon in Ether 12.  In verse 35 it reads, "...if the Gentiles have not charity, because of our weakness, that thou wilt prove them, and take away their talent, yea, even that which they have received, and give unto them who shall have more abundantly."

This lead me to think that maybe our talents are not just given to us to make us "special."  I believe we were given specific talents so that we can use our gifts to help others.  If we are not charitable, then we are not using our talents in the way the Lord would have us use them, and so they will be taken away.

Just a thought.

Love,
Sean

New Year's: Look Not Behind Thee

Hi Everyone! I just watched this video on YouTube. I think it has a great message, and I love this story. My family and I bring up this story every now and then. It's a good one.

...So learn from the past, don't look back, and move forward. (And don't turn into a pillar of salt.)

Love,

Sean

Chocolate Chip Hair

These are the moments I live for.  Today, one of my Freshman students said to me:

"Like, why does your hair look so weird?  It looks like a chocolate chip.  I want to eat your hair."

Where does that even come from!?

Totally made my day.  And I'll take that as a compliment, because I love chocolate.  Just wanted to share.

Love,

Sean

Thankful For: Heat

Today I woke up.  I stepped in my car, and it was 7 degrees.  I think it warmed up to 10 by the afternoon.  Now it feels like it's 2.  It's freezing.

The last couple of winters did not feel this cold.  What happened to global warming?

I am SO SO SO SO SO incredibly thankful for heat.  I think about what the pioneers did, and how they had to cross the plains in subzero temperatures.  That is amazing.  I realize how blessed I am to have something that many people take for granted (including me); heat.

Love,
Sean

Gathering My Thoughts

Okay, I just finished reading in The Book of Mormon, Ether Chapter 7.  Please excuse me while I think, no, type-out-loud.

Orihah is king.  Then, his son Kib became king.  Kib had a son, Corihor, who rebelled and gained followers.  Corihor captured the king (his father, Kib).  Kib had another son, Shule.  Shule was not happy with his brother Corihor, so Shule and Corihor battled.  Shule won, released his father Kib, and Kib was king again.  Kib gave the kingdom to his son Shule.  Corihor's became good.  Corihor's son, Noah, rebelled against Shule.  Noah and Shule battled.  Noah gained some land.  The sons of Shule killed Noah.  Noah's son, Cohor, NOT Corihor, ruled part of the land, and Shule ruled the other part.  Shule killed Cohor in battle.  Cohor's son, Nimrod, gave Shule the part of the land that Noah and Cohor ruled. 

...Sounds like quite the family fued.

I really liked Ether 7:13.  It reads, "And Corihor repented of the many evils which he had done; wherefore Shule gave him power in his kingdom."

I really liked this verse because even though Corihor had rebelled and betrayed his family, his brother still found it in his heart to forgive him and even give him "power" in the kingdom.  And, I really like this verse even more because it's written like, "Oh yeah, Corihor repented, and Shule forgave him easily and it was no big deal."  I think that's how we need to be about forgiveness sometimes.  People make mistakes, big ones, and if we are easy to forgive, I believe we are becoming more like our Savior.

Just something to think about.

Love,
Sean

A Story About Good

So, the other day I was reading in The Book of Mormon in the Book of Ether.  In Chapter 4 verse 12, the Lord says that "whatsoever thing persuadeth men to do good is of me..."

I thought this was the perfect way to define His gospel...Anything that persuades, convinces, or advertises GOOD.

Then I got to thinking, "Doesn't the word 'gospel' mean GOOD news?"  Well, it does.  Isn't that interesting?  I thought that said a lot.

I like good.

Love,
Sean