Masters and More

Made on math software at WSU

I've decided again to make this blog private. As a missionary, I needed to be transparent. I had a calling to represent the Lord in a way that is quite unique. I'm still a witness of the Savior, though my life doesn't need to be as transparent as it was before. In I think I might allow those closer to me to gradually see this blog if I don't die of embarrassment from my journaling first. Considering how I feel about past journaling, this might be short-lived, I don't like reviewing past perspectives. I still have my goal though to write in my journal at least once a week though. My journal has evolved with the tools available since I started keeping a journal at eight. When I was baptized, it started with a leather bound book with page numbers, date lines, and scrolling gold print on the front. As a Senior in high school and on my mission my journal became a composition notebook. At the time I could overcome my hesitancy to record my thoughts and activities by convincing myself that I was keeping a lab report. Eventually, I've come to the realization that this perspective suggests that I myself am the lab subject. That was a frightening thought. I've returned to my mission blog now.

So much to do, so few missionaries to do it.

What examples can you share of where a small group accomplished a great deal with the Lord's help?

A Good Monk

On my mission, I've begun to think of missionaries as a fair bit like monks. Missionaries are somewhat sheltered from the distractions of the world to focus on serving God and their fellowmen.

It made me laugh that my mom saw that connection as well and sent me this.  Replacing monk with missionary was really a riot, though seriously, it's not like you might think.

A Good Monk…

• Will not think too much of his own comfort
• Will not be tempted by rich food
• Will not make noise in the cloister
• Will not argue with brother monks
• Will not be disorderly in church
• Will not be careless
• Will not disregard senior monks
• Will not become lazy as an old monk
• Will not want his own way
• Will not think of the world outside

Source for Christmas Fun

Christ: The Real Gift of Christmas

A recent search brought me to this site which I hadn't seen yet.  The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints launched it last year.  I hadn't seen it yet, since I was in Slovenia and wasn't on a computer much.  The site is awesome.  It has videos, stories, music, and activities for families to do on Christmas.  There's also a place to post Christmas traditions and read what others are doing.  I got my Christmas countdown badge from it, however I was a little disappointed that it's still counting down past last year's Christmas.  There's a few other things that are out of date too, like the link for a free Joy to the World DVD doesn't work anymore.  That's okay though, if you didn't get it last year, you can watch it online on YouTube.  With more traffic to the site those problems are more likely to be taken care of.  Best of all, is the link to the live chat with a missionary like me.  It's a great way for those who aren't members of the church to learn more about why we're celebrating or how to get involved.  Share it with your friends.  :D

Just What are They Doing!?

Many people recognize the Mormon missionaries on the street and feel confused about their purpose. Sometimes even members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints or the missionaries themselves lose focus of the important purpose of the missionaries. They stand as representatives of Jesus Christ and besides wearing his name on their nametags, they strive to work as he would. The missionary handbook Preach My Gospel outlines these goals for a successful missionary.

Loves people and desires their Salvation

Mighty Men of Valour

1 Chonicles 2

   9 The sons also of Hezron, that were born unto him; Jerahmeel, and Ram, and Chelubai.

  10 And Ram begat Amminadab; and Amminadab begat Nahshon, prince of the children of Judah;

  11 And Nahshon begat Salma, and Salma begat Boaz,

  12 And Boaz begat Obed, and Obed begat Jesse,

  13 ¶ And Jesse begat his firstborn Eliab, and Abinadab the second, and Shimma the third,

  14 Nethaneel the fourth, Raddai the fifth,

  15 Ozem the sixth, David the seventh: and so on...

Missionary Media.

Gideon Burton, an English professor at BYU, who has been acting as a mentor to missionaries who work online, inspired me to create a new blog for posting media created by full-time missionaries and member missionaries working to share the message.  

On Tuesday, August 10, 2010 Brother Burton posted O, That I Were an Angel!: Publishing Media as a Missionary.  He challenged missionaries to use and create personal media for their teaching. Since then missionaries serving online has responded by creating a variety of videos and presentations for explaining our beliefs in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

Missionary Media is now a great place to find homemade and official media about the Church and a starting place for sharing it with friends.