Hunter.

I met a boy last week who definitely deserves a blog post titled with his name. :)

I was walking home from campus, in my usual way: Sauntering silently along without more than smiling at anyone, but smiling nonetheless.  You see I have this thing, when I walk home I feel guilty if I head on my way without acknowledging the people walking around me because I seem to always be reminded that I am walking by children of God.  People I may have known before I came to this earth.  It's something I like to think about while I walk home, and it helps me to not feel so silly about smiling at everyone. :)

Anyway, this being said, I can't ever seem to get up enough courage to speak to any of these complete strangers (ehem. . . or said children of God). Well as I walked home I stayed in my area of the sidewalk.  There was someone a few feet in front of me and someone a few feet behind, so obviously I needed to stay in my area so that we werent awkwardly close.  I think it's just a part of some code you've gotta keep to be permitted on the sidewalk. ;)

Then as the guy in front of me was going down some stairs he turned around and glanced at me and then kept walking.  This was definitely breaking the code, I'm sure of it.  I was caught a little bit off guard, but I think I still smiled; and we continued on keeping our distance.

As I got closer to the end of the hill I picked up my pace and made the brave decision to pass the man in front of me. When I was just to the left of him he broke the code AGAIN! This random guy started talking to me, and you know what he said?

"Isn't it kind of ridiculous how people always walk right next to each other, and never seem to say anything? I mean we're at BYU, we have enough things in common to talk about."

I was amazed. And obviously I agreed, but did I have the courage to say that outloud? No way.  I could barely get up the courage to say "hi" to people I'd never met.

Well, this guys name was Hunter, and we had a wonderful conversation, but quite short because we each had to go separate ways. 

Hunter talking to me really made my day, he said what I've always thought but never had enough courage to change.  How could I break the code? Now I know, you just do it. I didn't think he was crazy, so maybe people won't think I"m crazy if I try. And really, What's there to lose?! :)

It all started with Dinner Group. . .

At the beginning of this wondrous summer, I was planning to attend my home ward every week, and it started out that way.  But then my roommate asked me to join a dinner group with her and free food sounded AWESOME, so I did.  (Having no idea at the time that joining a simple dinner group would get me sucked into a life of sociability!) 

Well I made friends, and they convinced me to go to church in our ward about two weeks ago; Let's just say I'm no longer holding on to the hope of going home every weekend.  My ward is awesome. My life is awesome.  I have made amazing friends who make me feel like I can do anything, and they believe in the talents that I don't even have! :)  Life is good. 

Jamal's Journey: The Man with the Duck on his Head

So my friend Jim is a poet. And I really like this.
Jamal's Journey: The Man with the Duck on his Head: The sky rumbled darkly as day lost its light And threatened a torrent of tears. The mayor of Mably grumbled a groan, "I hope that the clo...

All that He is

I think it’s amazing how well the Lord knows each and every one of us, and he loves us for who we are. Yesterday I was getting stressed over silly things, that could potentially have huge eternal consequences but most likely won’t, and I was trying to keep a prayer in my heart so that I could discern the right decisions to make and things to say. I probably get too anxious about things.  Either way, I was feeling sick to my stomach and I hated it.  It was amazing to me  that as I tried to stay calm and keep His spirit with me, amazing things started happening.

It’s all kind of personal really, but I would just like to testify, because I know with a surety that the Lord is aware of our circumstances, and He is watching out for each of us.  He is there waiting anxiously to help us if we will but turn to him.  SO TURN! It’s a wonderful feeling to know that someone is always there for you.  Even if you didn’t have time to put on make-up in the morning, even if you just made a horrible decision, even if you feel that you will never be worth the things you want, HE IS THERE.  It’s a miraculous thing but Christ has felt you’re pains and if you turn to Him he will help you solve even the silly problems.  If they are important to you, they are important to him.  And I believe this, and testify of it with all that I am, and all that He is.