Locked Out

Have you every realized that the word "small" is bigger than the word "big?" Right now I find that somewhat ironic, because I experienced a big change in my life...but perhaps this subtlety of English alludes to the truth that smaller changes over time are often more significant than a big change. Now that I'm done philosophizing, let me tell you about this big change in my life.

(I know, I have a problem keeping my eyes open in pictures.)

I just moved to Dallas, Texas! I've lived in Utah for the past few years, and enjoyed being so close to my family, but now I am pretty much on my own. I start medical school at the University of Texas Southwestern (UTSW) in about a week. I am so excited for this new adventure. My dad was kind enough to drive down to Dallas with me and help me get settled in my new apartment. It was nice to spend the weekend with him. Sunday I went to my new young single adult ward, and I couldn't believe how friendly the people were. Before sacrament meeting about 6 people came up and introduced themselves to my dad and I.

Right after sacrament meeting I had to drive my dad to the airport, but I decided to come back for the last half hour of church. When I found the church building again, all of the gates to the parking lot were closed. They didn't open when I pulled up to them, and I had no idea who to call to help me get in. After waiting a few minutes, I decided to go home. At first, I was a little disappointed that I couldn't get back in, but I remembered what I heard in church just a short time before--there will always be challenges, disappointments, and things I lack in life. Don't wait for a certain achievement, life event, or possession to find happiness. I drove home glad that I had tried to go back to church, and found my way home.

Each one of us faces locked gates or even doors slammed in our faces. This is a fundamental part of the test of our lives; will you and I drop out in despair, or forge ahead with faith?


For more on this topic, see President Dieter F. Uchtdorf's talk Grateful in Any Circumstance.

New Tricks

"You can't teach an old dog new tricks." I'm sure you've heard this adage before, but how true is it? Certainly as one gets older, some things get harder, such as running, eating, and hot tubbing, but isn't it more frequently used as a cop-out than an actual declaration of truth? Similarly, many people say, "I can't change" or "That's just the way I am." Although in some circumstances that may be a legitimate claim, the truth is we can change and we do change all the time. Humans are dynamic beings.

The experiences I had during the last two months renewed this truth in my mind. Working as an EFY counselor was a blast. I met so many stellar people, and learned of the goodness and great potential found in today's youth. I feel that I have grown so much, and in ways I didn't know were possible. Growing up I was taught about Jesus Christ--that He suffered and died for me so that He could forgive me of my sins and make it possible to live with God again. More recently, I have learned about how Jesus' suffering (called the atonement) also provides strength to overcome trials and temptations. Said another way, Christ helps bad men become good and good men become better.

As a result of working at EFY, I have grown immensely, especially in the social aspects of my life. I learned how to better interact and connect with people that I don't know. I learned how to better understand and communicate with females (please note that I don't have any sisters and I was scared to talk to girls in high school). I learned how to have greater confidence in myself and in my abilities in front of large audiences. I learned how to ignore feelings of awkwardness and embarrassment to be able to help others. While I put in the effort to improve, I can't take the full credit for these changes. They were possible only with the help of the Savior. You see, this summer I learned for myself that the atonement is there not only to help us in physical and spiritual ways, but in social and emotional ways as well. Because of Jesus Christ, people of all ages can learn new tricks. Put your trust in Him and He will help you grow in ways that you currently can't imagine.

Without Notice

On Tuesday evening, I was sitting outside with my EFY group having a discussion about the day and what we learned. Out of no where, we heard a "psssst" sound as sprinkler heads popped up all around us. With what seemed to be lighting-quick reflexes, everyone jumped to their feet, grabbed their bags, and ran for dry ground. The youth were quite distracted after that, and it seemed to me that it would be difficult to recapture their attention. Then I thought of my blog and I asked, "How could we make this experience into a parable?" A lively discussion ensued. Here is the summary of their thoughts:

• If we listen, the Holy Ghost will always warn us before temptation strikes. No one is immune to temptation.
• When we get a little wet, we don't give up and lay down in the sprinklers to get soaked, we get out of there. Similarly, if we make a poor choice and sin, that is no excuse to keep sinning. Get out of there!
• Sometimes when we face difficulties we tend to worry only about ourselves. Save yourself, but look around to see who else you can help in the process.

We learned from our experience and did not sit on that patch of grass again on the following evenings. I love looking at simple experiences like this through the lens of parables.

Rolling Down the Hill

What's the difference between a rock and a person rolling down the hill? This may seem like a silly question, but go ahead, try to answer it. I'm not looking for an answer about physics or chemistry. I'm thinking about what happened before the rolling began. Once in motion, both the rock and the person tumble down until they reach the bottom and stop, but how did it start? Well, in most cases, the person decided to iniate the roll, whereas the rock was forced by something else to begin its descent. 

A prophet named Lehi understood this distinction. He said, God "hath created all things, both the heavens and the earth, and all things that in them are, both things to act and things to be acted upon" (2 Nephi 2:14). You see, we as living, thinking human beings have the capacity to act, but a rock is something that is acted upon. 

Like it or not, you are an agent--one who is by nature designated to make decisions. Certainly God helps guide us in our decisions, but He expects us to act without always being told what to do.  The Lord teaches us in the Doctrine and Covenants, "For behold, it is not meet that I should command in all things; for he that is compelled in all things, the same is a slothful and not a wise servant; wherefore he receiveth no reward. Verily I say, men should be anxiously engaged in a good cause, and do many things of their own free will, and bring to pass much righteousness; For the power is in them, wherein they are agents unto themselves. And inasmuch as men do good they shall in nowise lose their reward" (D&C 58:26-28). Next time you stand on the hill of decision, remember, you are the one that begins the forward progress. You are not a rock.