Moonwalk of the Nerd

Well, I'm glad last week is over. I did some major studying for a midterm that I probably didn't need to study for so much.
I found out one of my best friend's father had past away, and it's made me take a longer look at my life. I was kind of down for the entire week. Would I really be ready to die? How many people can say they are ready to die? I took the opportunity to call my parents to tell them I love them and what a good job they did raising me. You never know when your conversations will be last with people. Good ol' Ma & Pops, how I love them.
This weekend we had Stake Conference, and Elder Spencer V. Jones of the 2nd Quorum of the Seventy came. I love listening to the General Authorities. My mission president ending advice to me was, "Follow the Brethren." The way they look and act. He remarked that you'll never see a General Authority put their scriptures on the ground. They have too much respect for them.
The main thing I took away from conference was that "Love, is the quality of a Man of Christ." I felt I need to treat people better. Look more to uplift than, "dream of my mansion above." Humility. Humility. Humility. My Holy Grail.
The Institute also asked me to be in the "King Tute" Pageant. It's sort of like Mr. Institute. I was surprised that they asked me to do it. I'm a little nervous. I'm not used to people judging me for entertainment. It took sometime, but I found out my talent. I plan on video taping it, so it'll be on this blog later. But to let you know it involves Dancing. I've never been much of a dancer, but as weird as it sounds the talent came after my mission. One of the mission blessings I suppose. So I've been spending long hours dancing to Michael Jackson. Nerdy I know, but fun and it's exercise.
So life is tasty.

Broken Hearted Pizza & Outfits

Whew! What a week! I want sleep. Lately I've been staying up too late and it's killing me. I feel so sluggish. It's true that your body and soul are connected. My spirits feel down. But notwithstanding, last week was amazing.
Monday - Sold 3 phones! Bam! Good class, In our multi-cultural class 2 kids got in an argument. It's amazing how when tempers flare we say things we really mean. I've been trying to cheer up Brian so Sarah Michelle and I "sprinkled" his car with laffy taffy and wrote him a card. Brian is one of the coolest people I know. FHE was interesting. Still getting to know our new ward.
Tuesday - Meetings all day!
Wednesday - Today was stupid cupid which was SUU Valentine's dance. There was a huge blizzard which caused the attendance to suffer. Eric O'Shea was the comedian we got, and I don't think I laughed that hard in a long time. You know when you laugh so hard that you don't even make a sound? I took pictures for our "marraige booth" which was fun.
Thursday - Valentines! And once again....he remains single. I've realized I've only had one valentine my entire life. When I was a kid my Mom used to put chocolates on my pillow, so when I woke up they would be on my pillow. I woke up that morning and was saddened that there wasn't any. :( Love was in the air and my friends and I were singing to people. I helped set up at the Institue for the dance on Friday. ( Ok, right now I'm listening to Alanis Morriesete on the radio and yeah it hurts my ears.) Anyway, I had to pose in a dance postition while they traced my shadow and cut it out on paper. It was kinda fun. Then we had a Singles Party. We bought heart shaped pizza and cut it out in a broken shapes. And then we talked about the whole game of dating.
Friday - What a busy day! Finishing up projects and homework so I could enjoy my night. Tonight I had a date with Sarah Michelle. We went to the institute dance and had matching outfits (her words, not mine :)) We ate a simple dinner at my casa of PB & J, then went to the dance. It was the funnest dance I've ever been to. I always feel like a dork while dancing, but we both looked like dorks so, it wasn't awkward in the least. We danced a lot with her friends and they were so fun. We dance almost every slow song together and she taught my how to do the box step. I stepped on her toes about 3 times, so below my usual average. We cleaned up and I took her home. It was such a fun night. I really do have genuine fun with Sarah. It just feels like healthy dating.
Saturday - Went to the Service Cinema and watched Hairspray and sang a bunch of the songs. I finished some chores, and in the evening I went on a date. It was with a girl I barely met the previous Sunday. We made some dinner and played games with a bunch of friends. Afterwards we watched a movie. I'm beginning to not be a fan of late night movie dates. I think it just puts a damper on the night. You both usually end up falling asleep then when you drive them home they usually are too tired to care what you have to say. I can see if I was in a relationship but, first dates.... I think no.

So a great week of broken hearted pizza and matching outfits. Not a bad week.

My Prophet Dear

The other day my roommate, who is not a member of the church asked "What is a Prophet? And what does he prophesy?"
With the recent passing of President Hinckley, this question came at a poignant time. We gave him some simple answers. And he seemed satisfied. But this question of "What is a Prophet?" still rang in my ears and I found myself dwelling on it.
President Hinckley was my prophet. Not in the possessive sense but, in the sense you would call your hero "my hero." It gave me a sense of pride to claim him as such.
Now, I have never shook his hand, nor been within 200 yards of him, so how can such a man be so much to me? I have come to realize it was the feelings he gave me. Hope, peace, love, yes even godly sorrow. As I look back, I realized that my testimony for President Hinckley has grown slowly.

• He was the prophet of my youth. For the Strength of Youth, the 6 B's, the new Duty to God requirements all came under the direction of President Hinckley. But I remember attending Priesthood Sessions and sitting up straight in my pew to listen to the prophet.
• He signed my Mission Call. That one act alone forever seals him to my heart. He called me on a mission. It was under his presidency that Preach My Gospel was introduced, the book that my mission President said would train the future leaders of the Church.
• He came to Taiwan during my mission. He came and dedicated the Taiwan Service Center. This 5 floor building includes a stake center, distribution center, 2 chapels, employment center, and much more. He originally dedicated the grounds for the original chapel and we were excited to have him come back and do it again. He dedicated the Taiwan Taipei Temple. The Taiwanese Saints all reserve a special place in their hearts. Members would burst out into tears in his presence. In his address he even pronounced "Taipei" correctly. He blessed the members to, "always have rice in their bowls" and with his love.
• He was a humble man. In the 2006 General Conference do you remember when everybody stood up and sang "We Thank Thee O' God For A Prophet?" Later, Elder Hallstrom of the 1st Quorum of the Seventy visited our mission. He related that when the members started to stand up the Seventy were wondering what to do. Should they stand up as well? In the church you are only supposed to stand during a hymn when directed by a the Presiding authority. Then President Monson stood and the General Authorities followed. Now, President Hinckley due to illness had sat down during the other hymns and could have choose to sit and have the saints sing to him. But President Hinckley always said that that hymn was about the Prophet Joseph Smith, and when any other man would have sat, President Hinckley stood and sang with the rest of the members of the church. Elder Hallstrom then testifies as to why he did stand by saying, "It was because President Hinckley knows who's church this is." I watched that General Conference broadcast a week later with the Taiwanese Saints and without missing a beat they stood and sang. The spirit confirmed to me strong as ever that truly that he is a prophet.
• His Testimony is what I'll Remember. The strongest testimony of the Savior, Joseph Smith, Tithing, Priesthood, Temples, I have ever heard came from this wonderful man.

Oh how I will miss him. But I like him know "who's church this is." I echo what Elder Jeffery R. Holland said to us in a Mission Conference that I thank God for, "the miracle of Gordon B. Hinckley."