The Things That Matter Most

Too often I get to thinking about what is next in my life; by so doing I tend to over look what is NOW in my life.  So its time for another poem....

Why do I over look

the things that matter most?
Like being with my family,
and keeping them close.

Jumping on the trampoline
with my Lauren May

Is one of the most important things

I could do today

Staying up all night
and talking to my girl
is very time fulfilling
and cheaper than pearls (only if its nights and weekends)

Reading old letters from those

who are close to my heart

Is a great way to feel
not so far apart

Enjoying nature

when I'm out hunting

gives me time to reflect

so I quit fronting

Helping out the needy

and feeding the hungry
can be as simple as attending

AA each and every Monday

My relationship with God

is at the top of my list

so everything I do

should always reflect this

I need Him every hour

so I call on Him above

cuz the most important thing in life

Is Gods love

The Best Two Years

The two years of my missionary service has come to an end.  I've always heard the term when referring to a mission "the best two years".  That statement could not be more precise.  I really don't know how to fully express myself when summing up my mission; so, I decided to write a little poem.

Roses are red
Violets are blue
I love teaching the gospel
especially to the Jews


I have met a lot of people
Through out my mission
I just wish
I could take all of them fishing


I can't and I wont
Cuz that doesn't really matter
But if you'd like to...
I would be flattered


There is no doubt
That God lives
If you don't believe me
Well then here it is



Just look up into the sky
And you'll see God's hand
He is everywhere
And we are living His plan


I've seen people change
I've seen people grow
Here's a picture
Of this it shows

I will miss California

So very much

The extreme liberals and all

Yes the whole rowdy bunch

One thing is for certain
I will always hold dear
It's the people I've meet
In "the best two years"

Let your light shine!

I had the honor of serving as the assistant to President Bunker for 9 months.  Part of this assignment was the duty and privilege of picking up the new incoming missionary, straight out of the Missionary Training Center in Provo Utah, at the Oakland International airport.  To the left is a picture of one of these occasions.

At this moment, there are a mixture of emotions going through these young missionaries.  But the one I would like to touch on at this time is "RELUCTANCE."

I, like these new missionaries, am naturally a reluctant person.  As I have studied and prayed for this tendency of mine to be removed. The words from a beloved prophet, Spencer W. Kimball, has brought this characteristic of mine into perspective.  He teaches us that there are two major causes for us holding back.  I will share with you one.  (You will have to read his talk to get the other)

"the reluctance... to stretch just a little bit more in the service, instead of being too slow to see the power of their example or too shy about letting their light shine." -Let Us Move Forward and Upward

Why are we reluctant?  Why are we shy?  Why are we slow to see the power of our examples?
We can do more.

Let us heed the words of the Lord given to an ancient prophet; 14) Ye are the light of the world. A city that is set on an hill cannot be hid.

 15) Neither do men light a candle, and put it under a bushel, but on a candlestick; and it giveth light unto all that are in the house.

 16) Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven."  Matthew 5:14-16

I know that we are indeed the "light of the world".  Let us not hide.  The Lord will work through us as we work for Him.  I know this.  I have seen this come true in my own very life.  So, my advise for you and I is the same I give to the new and incoming missionaries, let your light shine!

The Words From The Truly Converted

This last week was one of the best weeks of my life.  A close friend of mine, Maria Sullivan, went through the temple to receive her endowment.  While I was in the temple with her, great joy overcame me and I felt deep love for her.  This is only possible through the Spirit of the Lord.  There was no doubt that God was looking down upon her with great great happiness.

I asked Maria to write to me some of her feelings about her experience.  And with her permission I would like to share some of her thoughts and feelings with you.  So, from the words of Maria herself...

"The day before attending the Temple; I fasted for most of 24 hours. I cried endlessly because I thought, “WOW, I am attending the Temple, a Dream come true!” because I always thought “I would never be Temple worthy; the Temple was for everyone else BUT me.”  Upon entering the Temple, this past Saturday; I immediately realized, “Yes, this is where I belong” because “I am a Child of God”. I never felt more Peace, Love, Tenderness, and a Spiritual presence as I did this day. During my session I thought, “I’m home, I’m safe, and I’m secure” (those are feeling I have not experienced much throughout my life) I felt so very close to Our Heavenly Father. While continuing my session everything seemed to click, and I saw everything with Clarity. I understand my role as a woman, as a mother, & as a wife. I better understand a man’s role as a man, a father, a husband, and a leader. I felt my entire body relax and I became totally emerged into my session. I didn’t want the session to end. I knew I was at the Temple at the right time in my life; and without a doubt I was in the right place, and “MY LIFE IS FOREVER CHANGED”. I briefly felt sadness because my two boys were not with me, but I too know that one day they will attend the Temple.   
I look forward to attending the Temple regularly.  I feel calmness about me that I’ve never felt before. I feel a greater Love and Devotion of Our Savior Jesus Christ. I feel whole. I feel I have accomplished a wonderful and glorious experience, and I pray that everyone can experience this one day."

She later goes on to say...

"I still feel that since last June, right after you left, My life changed so drastically and rapidly...I mean, I honestly felt the Holy Ghost take me by the hands and walked me through EVERY step of MY life (on Fast Forward) the Holy Ghost is still walking me...and Look where I am. "I WENT TO THE TEMPLE!!!" :) I say this with ALL the passion I  have... "I am so amazed at the Love Jesus offers me". I still NEVER would have imagined my life being where I am Today!!! I am sooo happy, sooo at peace, sooo in love with God and the church and the scriptures, and so much much more

You know what is very notable about me or my behavior?... Fear does not lay so heavily in my heart. I am not afraid of the future, I am not afraid to stand up for myself, I have a Voice (i never had that before) I feel free of FEAR, because I know the Lord has my back :) It is soooo cool to have that kind of freedom, I have never felt that before. Since attending the Temple; changes are happening, I feel it and see it & i am "experiencing" it.    I welcome the change. I Love change.    AHHHH....am i making sense!? lol :)"

Maria you are making perfect sense.

How profound are Maria's words?  How honest?

I am sharing this with y'all to impress upon your minds the reality of the blessings that can be obtained only in the House of the Lord.

Lets all work together in this great cause "to bring to pass the immortality and eternal life of men" - Moses 1:39

"But though we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel unto you than that which we have preached unto you, let him be accursed." Can I get an AMEN!

When I go out on the streets, you will always see me caring a Book of Mormon.  Why? "to the convincing of the Jew and Gentile that Jesus is the Christ, the Eternal God, manifesting himself unto all nations"
Book of Mormon Title Page

I love the Book of Mormon.
I read it every day.
I know that the Book of Mormon contains, just as it claims, "the fulness of the everlasting gospel." Book of Mormon Introduction

When I tell people this when I'm out and about, the studious Christian will sometimes quote Paul and one of my most beloved scriptures in the New Testament, Galatians 1:8, which reads, "But though we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel unto you than that which we have preached unto you, let him be accursed."

Can I get an AMEN!

But what the individual is usually implying is that the very Book of Mormon is what Paul is talking about.

My reply to them is usually to the affect of, "Does the Book of Mormon 'preach any other gospel'?"

I would honestly say 99.999% of the time they have ZERO idea because they have not actually read the Book.

Well I ask than, "what gospel does the Book of Mormon teach?"
I have a crazy idea... lets read it to find out!!!

Jesus said; 13) Behold I have given unto you my gospel, and this is the gospel which I have given unto you... 3 Nephi 27
You'll have to click on 3 Nephi 27 link to find out.

I promise you that if you sincerely read the Book of Mormon, you will indeed come to know and taste of the fullness of the everlasting gospel.  This is my cry to all, with love and humility, READ THE BOOK OF MORMON!

If you need a copy...

Request a free copy of the Book of Mormon

I got you ;)

Patience

I have found in my short life that good things come to those that wait.

"The children of Israel waited 40 years in the wilderness before they could enter the promised land. Jacob waited 7 long years for Rachel. The Jews waited 70 years in Babylon before they could return to rebuild the temple. The Nephites waited for a sign of Christ’s birth, even knowing that if the sign did not come, they would perish." - Pres. Uchtdorf

Life is good :)

Thank you!

“Most human beings have an almost infinite capacity for taking things for granted.” ^{(Aldous Huxley, Themes and Variations (1954), 66.)}

<sup>I am a living example of this statistic.

There is so much that I have been given, blessings too numerous to number.  At this time I would like to take some time out of my day and say THANK YOU!</sup>

^{Thank you Mom & Dad for whoopen me when I needed it most.  You have sacrificed everything for me and my siblings and I will eternally be indebted to you.}

^{Thank you Uncle Greg and Aunt Liz for believing in me.}

^{Thank you Grammy Abbott for your faithful prayers.}

^{Thank you Pres. & Sis. Bunker for being living examples of disciples of Christ.}

^{Thank you Derek for being a true friend.}

^{Thank you Lauren and Trevor for coming to this earth at the perfect time.  Y'all are truly angles.}

^{Thank you for the sweet letters I have received on my mission :)}

^{Thank you Bishop Kastner, Pres. Bennett, Pres. Judd, Elder Snow, Bro. & Sis. Henderson, Bro. Senniff, Bro. Hardisty, Bro. & Sis. Satterfield, Sis. Trejo, Bro. Beauchamp, Bishop Tanner, and all the church leaders here in Northern California who have taught me how to become a better servant}

^{Thank you Tara for marrying Nigel.  He is the man!}

^{Thank you Alaina for just being you being you.}

^{Thank you Coach Winterton for teaching me discipline and humility.}

^{Thank you Elder Jared Abbott for spreading the Gospel down in Chile.}

^{Thank you Grandpa taking me cane fishing.}

^{Thank you Grandma Judy for talking us rowdy boys to the beach when we knew you didn't want to go.}

^{Thank you Grandma May for you pure charity.}

^{And there are many more who I am thankful for who I pray that one day I will again have the privilege to thank.}

^{But there is no greater thanks needed than to my Father in Heaven for sending His Only Begotten Son, Jesus Christ, to die for me.} 

I think of his hands pierced and bleeding to pay the debt!
Such mercy, such love and devotion can I forget?
No, no, I will praise and adore at the mercy seat,
Until at the glorified throne I kneel at his feet.

Oh, it is wonderful that he should care for me
Enough to die for me!
Oh, it is wonderful, wonderful to me!

"I Stand All Amazed" Hymn 193

A Simple Converstaion

As I reflectively consider my callings and how I can more fully magnify my current assignments, this wise council from one of the Lords anointed has given me great direction and insight.

"Ponder deeply and diligently in the scriptures and in the words of living prophets. Persist in prayer for the Holy Ghost to reveal to you the nature of God the Father and His Beloved Son. Plead that the Spirit will show you what the Lord wants you to do. Plan to do it. Promise Him to obey. Act with determination until you have done what He asked. And then pray to give thanks for the opportunity to serve and to know what you might do next." Pres. Eyring

So lets break this down...
1)  Ponder deeply and diligently in the scriptures and in the words of living prophets
2)  Persist in prayer for the Holy Ghost to reveal to you the nature of God the Father and His Beloved Son
3) Plead that the Spirit will show you what the Lord wants you to do
4)  Plan to do it
5) Promise Him to obey
6) Act with determination until you have done what He asked
7) And then pray to give thanks for the opportunity to serve
8) [Ask] to know what you might do next

As I have applied these 8 steps, I have not only found strength to accomplish what the Lord has asked of me, but I have also noticed the Lord working through me.  I humbly declare that we are indeed, As Pres. Uchtdorf so well put it, "[His] hands".  As we converse with God through prayer, He will let us know simply what we must do.  My hope is that we not only hear His voice, but FOLLOW.

"But be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only..." James 1:22