Happy Chinese New Year

Happy Chinese New Year!

Rabbit.

Love,
Sean

We Believe

EFY stands for Especially For Youth. It's a program put on by The Church Of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in the summer to allow youth to gather and share positive and similar experiences. I went to EFY my 4 years throughout high school at Brigham Young University. I made some great friends while living at the Deseret Tower dorms. Each year at EFY they give out a CD of spiritual songs. This song, "We Believe" was the theme and song of my first year at EFY when I was 14 years old. I still listen to it today, and I love it. The lyrics are perfect.

"We believe in one name under heaven where all things are given by faith, love, and hope
We believe
We believe in obedience ringing the bell of the free
We believe, and we'll live what we know."

Listen below.



Love,
Sean

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