I recently wrote a letter about my mother and today, it's time for me to write one about my dad.
My mother has been the one to stay home with us (the kids) but that doesn't mean that my dad hasn't been around. One of my favorite memories is of my ballet recitals. Not so much of the recitals themselves (they were fun though) but of what always happened afterward. After every dance recital, my dad would have a bouquet of flowers for me. Even when he couldn't make it himself, he always made sure that they'd be waiting for me, either with my mom or at home. That was something I could always count on: a bouquet of flowers followed by a big hug. It wasn't even the flowers that I loved (although they were always gorgeous and smelled fantastic) but what they meant. They meant that my dad appreciated and supported me in what I did.
One of my earliest memories is of my dad teaching me how to garden. I'm not sure which house it was at but I remember kneeling down in the dirt and having him show me how to push my finger into the dirt to make a little hole to put the seed in. I remember him teaching me about earthworms and how they're good for gardens, how snails aren't, and what I should and shouldn't pull up when I weeding. I remember him explaining all sorts of things about the garden to me and telling me that the dirt on my hands was okay and even necessary. I remember him teaching me.
I have some pretty silly memories, too. Memories like riding around on my dad's shoe while he walked around, getting him to play a monster, or having him help me make (and later clean up) couch cushion forts. He even has a whole repertoire of elephant jokes.
We have a long-standing tradition that Saturday mornings usually meant pancakes or waffles and watching This Old House. We did the kid's projects at Home Depot and Lowe's and we drove my fourth-grade teacher crazy because Dad would teach me something about my math homework that the class wouldn't get to for another week.
When I got older, he made sure I knew how to run and MacGyver electronics (one of his specialties) and started having me help on car projects so I that even if I never really understood all of the mechanics, I at least could change the oil and not be taken by someone dishonest. Thanks to my dad, I know that "wobbling pin bushings" are not something that exist in a car engine and I know how to change a tire. (Loosen the bolts before you lift the tire up, otherwise it just spins around like a pinwheel)
And the point to all of this? The point is that I have a great dad and that without both of my parents, I would not have been able to progress as far as I have. I wouldn't have my strange sense of humor (or my sense of direction) and I wouldn't have had as many opportunities to learn. So thank you, Dad. Thanks for teaching me, even when I protested about having to look at the transmission again. Thanks for being around, for giving me hugs, and for making sure that I know you love me. I've been so blessed in both my parents and even though we've had our differences, I know that I can count on them. Thank you, Dad, for all of the sacrifices you've made and all the work that you've put into being a father.
Love,
Elicia
Monday, November 18, 2013
Friday, November 15, 2013
Forum 11-The Unequal Distribution of Talents
Many of us have heard the parable from Matthew chapter 25 where three servants are given different amounts of money and instructed to take care of it. When their master comes back, he asks them to account for their stewardship. I could go on to tell the rest of the story, but I won't. I just want to talk about a particular verse that intrigued me, verse 15.
Verse 15 reads: "And unto one he gave five talents, to another two, and to another one; to every man according to his several ability; and straightway took his journey."
Why would the master give his servants different amounts of money? He gave them "according to [their] several ability". He gave them the talents personalized to each of them. He gave them what they could manage, what they could handle.
The thing about parables is that they are meant to be applied. Insofar as I see it, the master would be God, and the servants would be us. So is it true that he has given us different amounts of "talents"? Absolutely! But isn't that unfair? Nope! How can that be? Wouldn't it be fairer to give each of the servants, each of us, the same number of "talents"? Definitely not.
See, when we are given a talent, whether that be a literal talent or something more like an attribute, we have responsibility for it. That whole "don't hide your candle under a bushel" thing means that we are supposed to use our talents, supposed to exercise and develop them. So how does this make unequal distribution fair? Simple. Some people can handle more than others. Some people are better off developing a range of talents while others are better at focusing on one thing. The package of talents that God has given us is custom made for us, designed to best suit who we are and who we are supposed to become. Really, it would be cruel to hand out equal portions and expect everyone to do equally well with them.
But God isn't cruel. He's loving and generous and knows us and knows just what we need and what will bless us. So the next time you see someone who seems to have ever talent imaginable, first off, that doesn't make them better than you. They're different but no more and no less than you. Second, remember that there's probably some talent you have that they envy.
When the master asked for a stewardship account, he gave the same praise to the servant that was given two talents as he did to the servant who was given five. It didn't matter that one was given more than the other, both were faithful and so both were rewarded. In the end, it isn't how much we've been given, it's how much we've served and how loyal we've been.
What a comfort. There's no need to compare myself and what I've been given to others and what they've been given because it isn't a competition! I'm going to be compared to me, to what I've been and who I've become. I have the comfort of knowing that as long as I as develop and use my talents responsibly, I too can have the chance to hear "well done, good and faithful servant". I have the comfort of knowing that I haven't and won't ever be given more than I can work with. I am capable. And that is an inspiring thought.
Verse 15 reads: "And unto one he gave five talents, to another two, and to another one; to every man according to his several ability; and straightway took his journey."
Why would the master give his servants different amounts of money? He gave them "according to [their] several ability". He gave them the talents personalized to each of them. He gave them what they could manage, what they could handle.
The thing about parables is that they are meant to be applied. Insofar as I see it, the master would be God, and the servants would be us. So is it true that he has given us different amounts of "talents"? Absolutely! But isn't that unfair? Nope! How can that be? Wouldn't it be fairer to give each of the servants, each of us, the same number of "talents"? Definitely not.
See, when we are given a talent, whether that be a literal talent or something more like an attribute, we have responsibility for it. That whole "don't hide your candle under a bushel" thing means that we are supposed to use our talents, supposed to exercise and develop them. So how does this make unequal distribution fair? Simple. Some people can handle more than others. Some people are better off developing a range of talents while others are better at focusing on one thing. The package of talents that God has given us is custom made for us, designed to best suit who we are and who we are supposed to become. Really, it would be cruel to hand out equal portions and expect everyone to do equally well with them.
But God isn't cruel. He's loving and generous and knows us and knows just what we need and what will bless us. So the next time you see someone who seems to have ever talent imaginable, first off, that doesn't make them better than you. They're different but no more and no less than you. Second, remember that there's probably some talent you have that they envy.
When the master asked for a stewardship account, he gave the same praise to the servant that was given two talents as he did to the servant who was given five. It didn't matter that one was given more than the other, both were faithful and so both were rewarded. In the end, it isn't how much we've been given, it's how much we've served and how loyal we've been.
What a comfort. There's no need to compare myself and what I've been given to others and what they've been given because it isn't a competition! I'm going to be compared to me, to what I've been and who I've become. I have the comfort of knowing that as long as I as develop and use my talents responsibly, I too can have the chance to hear "well done, good and faithful servant". I have the comfort of knowing that I haven't and won't ever be given more than I can work with. I am capable. And that is an inspiring thought.
Thursday, November 7, 2013
Forum 6-Our Emotions, Our Choices
For some reason, all of my "Forum" letters haven gotten mixed up....ah well, onto the subject at hand.
Every child justifies their anger at some point by saying “But
he/she made me mad!”. The only
problem with this method of thinking is that it implies that you don’t have control
of your own emotions and that therefore, the emotions that you experience are
brought about by other people. While your emotions can certainly be influenced
by people, you are the one who ultimately has control over them.
One emotion that is often hard to control is the feeling of
being offended. But like all other emotions, I believe that it is a choice. You
can be offended by someone or something but it is up to you to decide how to react.
Dealing with offence is difficult, but I think that it is also one of the true
tests of our character.
In Matthew 11:6, Christ states that “blessed is he,
whosoever shall not be offended in me”. My personal interpretation of this is that
we are blessed when we make the choice to forgive our offenders. That is what
Christ would do and did do. Even when He was suffering on the cross and the
soldiers were jeering and mocking Him, He chose to forgive them. He chose not
to become angry or bitter or to mock them in return.
Christ is to be our example, and it is through emulating Him
that we better ourselves as well as our relationships with other people.
Forgiving and choosing not to be offended can be difficult, sometimes almost impossible,
but in order to follow Christ, that is what must be done. Ultimately, I believe
that when we are able to follow Christ’s example in this, we are happier. As a
result of not being dragged down by negative emotions. When we choose not to be
offended, we are truly blessed in so many ways and are able to come closer to
Christ.
Love,
Elicia
Love,
Elicia
In Tribute to Friendship
Friends are awesome things (and people too). They never cease to amaze me and I am so incredibly grateful for them.
I have a good memory and while I don't remember everything, I tend to remember the people I encounter. I've had so many friends in my life and it's been such a blessing. Each friendship had been unique, no one quite like the other. It makes sense, since no two people are exactly alike but it never stops making an impression on me.
Even acquaintances have influenced me. We all have that one person that we didn't know very well that said or did that one thing that's stayed with you and I'm no exception to that.
People seem to have an inclination to make friends. If you're anything like me, you tend to gravitate towards people that are like you. But in the miracle of friendship, I soon discover that they're nothing like me at all, that while we share interests, we are very different people. And I don't mind that. Making friends is actually a really fascinating process to me. I meet a stranger and I pretty much always find that I have something in common with them. But despite how similar their tastes may be to mine, they're always so different from me! Infinite combinations of traits and tastes to make up a personality....No two people are exactly alike. That always amazes me.
Every once in a while, life throws me a curve ball and since I can't play sports anyway, this really throws me for a loop. This curve ball comes in the form of a friend who is so different from me that I never imagined that we could have anything in common and yet, we work well together. Our differences serve not to keep us apart, but to actually bring us together in mutual curiosity.
Some of my best friends have been made that way. One of the miracles of friendship is that you never know what you're going to get. Even when you've known the person just short of forever, there's always something about them to surprise you. Keeps things interesting that way.
Another thing that amazes me about friendship is the ability to care. Wherever I go, I've been able to make friends. And no matter how many friends I had before, I always have room to care about this new friend as well. Not only that, but they care about me too. There's never some maximum fill level for friendship.
I'm so grateful for my friends. They've gotten me through hard times, laughed with me, cared for and about me, and generally added sunshine (and craziness :) ) into my life. I can't imagine living life without the company of friends who do everything from join me in mutual silliness, comfort me when I cry, go blackberrying in flip flops (you know who you are!), and rescue me when I get stuck behind doors with only one handle...on the outside. Friendship is one of the greatest things about living and I'm grateful for those who have made room in their hearts for me. Thank you for all of the good times and all of the memories. You'll always have a place in my heart.
Love,
Elicia
I have a good memory and while I don't remember everything, I tend to remember the people I encounter. I've had so many friends in my life and it's been such a blessing. Each friendship had been unique, no one quite like the other. It makes sense, since no two people are exactly alike but it never stops making an impression on me.
Even acquaintances have influenced me. We all have that one person that we didn't know very well that said or did that one thing that's stayed with you and I'm no exception to that.
People seem to have an inclination to make friends. If you're anything like me, you tend to gravitate towards people that are like you. But in the miracle of friendship, I soon discover that they're nothing like me at all, that while we share interests, we are very different people. And I don't mind that. Making friends is actually a really fascinating process to me. I meet a stranger and I pretty much always find that I have something in common with them. But despite how similar their tastes may be to mine, they're always so different from me! Infinite combinations of traits and tastes to make up a personality....No two people are exactly alike. That always amazes me.
Every once in a while, life throws me a curve ball and since I can't play sports anyway, this really throws me for a loop. This curve ball comes in the form of a friend who is so different from me that I never imagined that we could have anything in common and yet, we work well together. Our differences serve not to keep us apart, but to actually bring us together in mutual curiosity.
Some of my best friends have been made that way. One of the miracles of friendship is that you never know what you're going to get. Even when you've known the person just short of forever, there's always something about them to surprise you. Keeps things interesting that way.
Another thing that amazes me about friendship is the ability to care. Wherever I go, I've been able to make friends. And no matter how many friends I had before, I always have room to care about this new friend as well. Not only that, but they care about me too. There's never some maximum fill level for friendship.
I'm so grateful for my friends. They've gotten me through hard times, laughed with me, cared for and about me, and generally added sunshine (and craziness :) ) into my life. I can't imagine living life without the company of friends who do everything from join me in mutual silliness, comfort me when I cry, go blackberrying in flip flops (you know who you are!), and rescue me when I get stuck behind doors with only one handle...on the outside. Friendship is one of the greatest things about living and I'm grateful for those who have made room in their hearts for me. Thank you for all of the good times and all of the memories. You'll always have a place in my heart.
Love,
Elicia
Forum 10-Beyond the Grave
I have to say that I absolutely loved studying Matthew 22. I highly encourage you to go read it. There's so much good stuff!
As an member of the LDS faith, I believe in a world beyond this life, a place were the spirits of the dead and of those waiting to be born reside. I believe in the eventual resurrection of our spirits to reunite with our bodies in a perfected state. I believe that we lived with our Father in Heaven as spirits before we came to Earth and that when we die, we return to Him.
This belief is a source of great comfort to me, knowing that I will be able to one day see the ones I love who have passed on. It is comforting to me to know that they are not gone forever, that our separation is temporary.
Matthew 22: 32 states that "God is the God of the dead, but of the living". It never ceases to amaze me, the way that the same passage can bring different things to mind whenever I reread it. Reading it this time brought to mind the Plan of Salvation (for more information: http://mormon.org/beliefs/plan-of-salvation) and how those who we perceive of as being dead, are not truly dead but are alive in Christ. They may be dead physically, but their spirit lives on and we can one day be reunited with them.
One of my fears has always been of losing my family for one reason or another but I know that whatever happens, I will able to see them again. I know that no matter what happens, we can all have the opportunity to be with the ones we love, even after death claims them. God has created a plan for our happiness and that plan includes family and friends. I believe with all my heart that God loves us and has made provisions for our earthly and eternal happiness. I believe that the ones we love continue to exist beyond our capacity to observe. Heaven wouldn't be heaven without families and so I am so very grateful that I will be able to be with mine forever.
Love,
Elicia
As an member of the LDS faith, I believe in a world beyond this life, a place were the spirits of the dead and of those waiting to be born reside. I believe in the eventual resurrection of our spirits to reunite with our bodies in a perfected state. I believe that we lived with our Father in Heaven as spirits before we came to Earth and that when we die, we return to Him.
This belief is a source of great comfort to me, knowing that I will be able to one day see the ones I love who have passed on. It is comforting to me to know that they are not gone forever, that our separation is temporary.
Matthew 22: 32 states that "God is the God of the dead, but of the living". It never ceases to amaze me, the way that the same passage can bring different things to mind whenever I reread it. Reading it this time brought to mind the Plan of Salvation (for more information: http://mormon.org/beliefs/plan-of-salvation) and how those who we perceive of as being dead, are not truly dead but are alive in Christ. They may be dead physically, but their spirit lives on and we can one day be reunited with them.
One of my fears has always been of losing my family for one reason or another but I know that whatever happens, I will able to see them again. I know that no matter what happens, we can all have the opportunity to be with the ones we love, even after death claims them. God has created a plan for our happiness and that plan includes family and friends. I believe with all my heart that God loves us and has made provisions for our earthly and eternal happiness. I believe that the ones we love continue to exist beyond our capacity to observe. Heaven wouldn't be heaven without families and so I am so very grateful that I will be able to be with mine forever.
Love,
Elicia
Forum 9-Love Thy Neighbor
When the lawyer questions Jesus on what he must do to gain eternal life in Luke 10, Christ refers back to the law from that, we get the famous exchange:
But in reading through this passage in preparation for New Testament class the other day, it stuck me that we are supposed to love them as well as we love ourselves. We always talk about the great love we should bear towards others but have we ever stopped to think about what this scripture says about how we should view ourselves?
We have all these grand (and good) ideas of how we should view and treat others but have we tried applying them ourselves? How often do we find ourselves thinking negatively about our appearance, our abilities, what we're trying to accomplish? Why don't we treat ourselves like we're supposed to treat other people? Why don't we give ourselves the same kind of compassion that we bestow on others?
We tend to look for the good and the potential for good in others but deny it in ourselves. Don't forget that you're incredible too! You are a child of God with divine potential, your "own spark of divine fire" as Henry Higgins of My Fair Lady puts it. In a non-narcissistic way, take some time to appreciate yourself and your individual characteristics and personality traits. You are amazing, I can guarantee it! There is no one that can take your place. So make sure you fill it well!
I think if you took the time to consciously be kinder to ourselves, we might also be kinder to the people around us. I mean, think about it, if you didn't disparage your appearance, you wouldn't be jealous of someone else's, meaning that you would probably be kinder to them and able to give sincere compliments that could have the potential to improve their day! That's just one small example.
I believe the world needs more kindness, more compassion. So why not start with yourself? Next time you resolve to be kinder, don't forget to include yourself. Learn to love yourself and I think you'll have an even greater capacity to love others, to truly love your neighbor as yourself.
Love,
Elicia
"[Jesus] said unto him, What is written in the law? how readest thou?"
"And he answering said, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy strength, and with all thy mind; and thy neighbor as thyself." (Luke 10: 26-27, italicization mine)This scripture is often cited and used in lessons on charity and service. It stands as a reminder that we should love everyone around us, for everyone in some way is our neighbor.
But in reading through this passage in preparation for New Testament class the other day, it stuck me that we are supposed to love them as well as we love ourselves. We always talk about the great love we should bear towards others but have we ever stopped to think about what this scripture says about how we should view ourselves?
We have all these grand (and good) ideas of how we should view and treat others but have we tried applying them ourselves? How often do we find ourselves thinking negatively about our appearance, our abilities, what we're trying to accomplish? Why don't we treat ourselves like we're supposed to treat other people? Why don't we give ourselves the same kind of compassion that we bestow on others?
We tend to look for the good and the potential for good in others but deny it in ourselves. Don't forget that you're incredible too! You are a child of God with divine potential, your "own spark of divine fire" as Henry Higgins of My Fair Lady puts it. In a non-narcissistic way, take some time to appreciate yourself and your individual characteristics and personality traits. You are amazing, I can guarantee it! There is no one that can take your place. So make sure you fill it well!
I think if you took the time to consciously be kinder to ourselves, we might also be kinder to the people around us. I mean, think about it, if you didn't disparage your appearance, you wouldn't be jealous of someone else's, meaning that you would probably be kinder to them and able to give sincere compliments that could have the potential to improve their day! That's just one small example.
I believe the world needs more kindness, more compassion. So why not start with yourself? Next time you resolve to be kinder, don't forget to include yourself. Learn to love yourself and I think you'll have an even greater capacity to love others, to truly love your neighbor as yourself.
Love,
Elicia
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