The blogging experience

This is my final blog post for the class and I must admit that I actually like blogging. I have never previously had a blog and I always thought that they were kind of a waste of time. But through this experience I have learned, at least for me, this is not the case. The blog has been a way for me to communicate my thoughts and feelings and also to learn more about myself. The more I write the better I get at expressing my ideas and feelings. I think that blogging is fun and now I have somewhat of an idea of how it works. I think that it would be fun to make another blog after this semester and write about something that I like to do. I am excited that this is the final blog post for the class and yet I would really like to continue blogging afterwards.

A mother's example

My mother is a special and important person in my life. She has sacrificed so many things my brothers and I and I am so grateful for all that she does. She is a beautiful person and I'm continually amazed by her love and care that she shows on a daily basis. One of the things that stands out to me is her willingness to help me in the mornings of the day. Honestly these past few months have been very busy. Between planning a wedding, playing on the BYU soccer team, working 20 hours a week, and going to school full time at BYU, life can get pretty hectic at times. But thanks to the help of my mother I am able to do all of these things simultaneously. Twice a week I have to get up at four in the morning because of the commute that I have drive to get to school. On those days my sweet mother also gets up at four in the morning to make me breakfast and also a lunch to take to school. She then goes back to bed after I leave so that she can go to work and do the rest of the things she needs to during the day. When I ask myself why she is willing to wake up so early only one thing comes to mind. Love. She never complains and she is up without fail every time I have to be up so early. I hope that I can be like my mom one day when I have my own family. I hope that I can be as loving and kind as she is and always had been. I love my mother so much and I owe her everything. She is an example to me of what a parent should be.

Something that I will always remember.

I think that most of us would agree that the majority of the things that we hear go in one ear and then out the other. If we ask a question and then someone gives us an answer, that answer will not normally stick with us. However, when we decide to act and find an answer for ourselves, those answers can stick with us. It's like that saying, "Giving a man a fish will feed him for one meal. Teaching a man to fish will feed him for a lifetime." For example, I can still remember to this day when I received an answer to know if the Book of Mormon was true. I was 14 years old and our Sunday teacher invited us to pray to know if the Book of Mormon was true. I followed his instruction and in about a months time the answer came in an undeniable way. That experience happened over 9 years ago but I can still vividly recall where I was, how I felt, and what it meant to me in my life. Still to this day I know with all of my heart and soul that the Book of Mormon is true. It contains the words of Christ. It is a witness to the world that Jesus is the Christ, the Only begotten of the Father. Can you recall an answer that you once discovered that you will always remember?

Not a finger

Most of you may be familiar with the movie "Christmas Story." It's an older movie but it's hilarious. There is a part in that movie makes me laugh every time I watch it or even think about it. The mom purposely brakes this weird leg lamp that the dad really likes. When the dad comes into the room to see what broke and he finds the leg lamp there in pieces he is absolutely mortified. He knows that his wife did it on purpose because she liked the lamp that he got. He is so upset and angry that at first he doesn't even know what to say. So finally after a long period of silence he shouts, "Not a finger!" It's so random and hilarious that I just can't stop laughing every time I watch. If you haven't seen I would highly recommend this movie because it really is a classic.

Fast sunday tradition

One of the things that I love about fast Sundays is that we get to go to my fiance's grandparents house for a family dinner. The food is always amazing! We always eat a ton of food and then feel really fat afterwards, but it doesn't really matter because the food is so good. Then we play games and talk and it is always really fun! We also have a spiritual thought that is always uplifting and helpful. One of my favorite games that we play is called "mingle mingle." It is a game where you move around in a group and then a number is called out with the people that you have to hug. If you cannot find a group to hug then you are out and must sit down. It's really simple but it's loads of fun! We are going there in a few hours and I am way excited! I love fast Sundays!

When your best is not enough

It is tradition at the BYU soccer games to start the match with a word of prayer. There is a prayer that is offered in the stadium, but we also offer a prayer just as a team before the game begins. As we prayed as just a team I was taught something about the Atonement. One of the things that was said in the prayer was, "Lord, please help us to play to the best of our abilities." As I thought about this phrase the spirit taught me that our best isn't enough. We can't do this alone. My best effort in soccer or in life would still fall short. Yes the Lord expects our best effort but without His help and grace we could never make it back to heaven. So why not pray to play beyond our abilites and be strengthened beyond our means? The Lord can and will grant us such a blessing if we pray in faith and understand that such help is offered to each one of us through His Atonement.

Cake

These past few weeks have been super busy for me. I am sure that they have been busy for most of you as well because finals week is already here. It's hard to focus on other things when there is so much homework to do. In order to help motivate myself to just push through it I have decided that when this semester is over Nicole and I are going to have a big cake to celebrate. Believe it or not this really helps me. Whenever I get tired I just think one simple word, "Cake!" As the semester comes to a close it's exciting not only because it will be over soon but also because there will be cake. I can't wait!

Children

Today at church it was fast and testimony meeting. I love these meetings and I think it's great to hear what others think and feel when it comes to the gospel. The testimonies that I love the most are the ones that come from children. They are always so sincere and heartfelt in what they say. One kid about 10 years old in our ward stood up today and said that he was so sad when his uncle had to leave on his mission for two years. Then he started to cry and said, "My uncle came home and I was so happy to see him. It makes me happy to go on a mission one day and I know that the church is true." His testimony touched my heart and it amazes me what comes out of the mouth of children. It's easy to see why the Lord tells us to become like them. They are so pure, clean, and close to God.

What do you think about?

I am a firm believer that our thoughts eventually become our reality. The things that we think about we bring about. For example, if I constantly think about messing up during a presentation then I am probably going to mess up. Or if I am constantly telling myself that I am useless and worthless then I am going to feel crumby about myself. This is because if we choose to think it, then our minds will create it. The mind is no respecter of persons. You must decide if you want give it good thoughts or bad thoughts, but whatever you choose to think, it will create. That is why we have be careful about the things that we surround ourselves with. That is why the media is one of Satan's greatest tools to bring us down. If we are daily listening to music that talks of drugs, violence, and immorality then what do you think is going to show up in lives? Hopefully it doesn't but music and other things can influence our thoughts and actions if we allow it to. The prophet Brigham Young said, "The greatest mystery a man ever learned, is to know how to control the human mind, and bring every faculty and power of the same in subjection to Jesus Christ; this is the greatest mystery we have to learn while in these tabernacles of clay." (Journal of Discourses, 1:46-47) We can learn to think of virtuous things with practice and persistence. And the greatest of all good things is God. But I think it's interesting to occasionally ask ourselves, "What do I think about during the day?" "Are my thoughts uplifting?" "Are they positive?" "Are they clean?"

Would you rather be deaf of blind?

This is a really tough question. Each one has its pro and cons, but I believe I would rather be deaf. It would be really hard to live your life never being able to hear the voice of your family, friends, and others. I really can't imagine how hard that would be. But what would give me hope is that I know that I could learn to communicate with others. Whether it be through sign language or some other way it doesn't really matter as long as some form of communication could be achieved. I remember that there was one missionary in my mission who was deaf and he was an awesome missionary. He truly loved the people that he taught and he had so much faith. He didn't allow his disability to hinder him and everyone who was his companion learned a lot from him. So if given the choice I would have to go with being deaf because I feel that it could to some degree be overcome.

Small and simple things

"Now ye may suppose that this is foolishness in me; but behold I say unto you, that by small and simple things are great things brought to pass." (Alma 37:6) I have always loved this scripture. Last night I had an experience that made me think of this passage. It started at the soccer game. As I was playing, thinking, and observing, I had the thought come to me that a game isn't won in one single attempt. Nor is it won because of one great play or individual effort. Soccer games are one in the details. The team that does the small and simple things well and consistently is the team that will win the game. When I came home from the game it was late and I was tired. It had been a long day and I was ready for bed. I needed to eat dinner still and so my future mother in law offered to make me something. This little act of kindness touched my heart. She also had had a long and stressful day and must have been tired. However, she thought of others and made me dinner despite her fatigue and need for rest. Then about ten minutes later I found her ironing her family's shirts that they needed to wear to church tomorrow and I was again greatly impressed. This may seem small and simple but it was so kind of her and nice. It is by small and simple things that we can do good to others and change the world.

My favorite place to go is....

This may sound funny to some people but my favorite place to go is the temple. The temple is such a beautiful place and there is no place like it on earth. Whenever I go to the temple I feel peace and joy. The buildings are magnificent and the grounds are breathtaking, but the spirit that I feel is what impresses me the most. I feel as Moses did when the Lord said, “Moses, Moses. … put off thy shoes from off thy feet, for the place whereon thou standest is holy ground.” (Ex. 3:4–5.) I remember that thing that I missed the most as a missionary, other then my family, was going to the temple. The temple is the house of God. If we go often enough our natures will be changed and we will become more like the Savior. This is my favorite place to go and I wish that I never had to leave.

My special grandmother

Unfortunately my grandmother died about ten years ago. Even thought she is gone I still have the memories of her in my heart and mind. When I think of my grandma two things come to mind; cooking and endurance. My grandmother's cooking was absolutely divine. She would always cook us a large and delicious breakfast every time we came to visit her. She made us pancakes, eggs, bacon, sausage, muffins, fruit, and cereal all for breakfast. It was wonderful! She thoroughly enjoyed cooking for us and expected us to eat everything that she made. She would ask, "Kip, would like some more?" I would respond, "No thanks grandma. I can't eat anymore." Then she would literally slap some food on my plate. When it came to eating more food no was simply no an option for her grand kids. The other thing that always stood out to me was her endurance throughout life. My grandmother had been through a lot of physical trials that were very painful. She needed heart surgery three times, broke her hip at age 75, and her leg was run over by a giant tractor which left a brick size dent in her leg. These are just a few of the things that she went through and she still pressed on. She went on to live over 80 years of age and she found joy in her family. I love my grandma and I hope to see her again one day on the other side.

Soccer Game 2 - 0

Last night we won our soccer game against Colorado University 2 to 0. It was a really fun game for me and our team played fantastic! Our forward Jace Green scored two great goals and I had one assist.The weird thing is is that we don't have another home game for a month. Our next game in Provo will be the last week in May. This game marks the end of our pre-season training and now the season is approaching fast. We will be ready. I am really grateful for the opportunity to play soccer at BYU. There is no other program quite like ours. Yes we get play soccer at a high level but more importantly we are surrounded by good people who live the standards of the gospel. I look up to my coaches and teammates as examples and I am grateful for their positive influence on me. And not only that we have amazing fans! They are awesome!

(Make Up Post) A dream come true

When I was young kid I always dreamed of becoming a professional soccer player. It was all that I thought about and worked towards in my free time. I knew that this was a big task so I decided to set goals and checkpoints along the way to help me reach my destination. One day my boyhood dream became a living reality. Real Salt Lake gave me a tryout and I couldn't believe that it was actually happening. The experience that I had was just like everything I imagined and all of the hard work that I had put in finally paid off. Although I didn't work out when it came to sign a contract, I learned some valuable lessons from this experience. I learned that our thoughts and dreams become reality. What we think about we bring about. I know that if we set goals and review them every single day, then those things will show up in our lives. Set a goal, consistently review every single day until it shows up, and I promise it will come.

(Make Up Post) If there were no television

I am not a person that watches a lot of television. I like to be outside and play sports and do other things with my time. I don't have anything against those who watch T.V. but I never really had a favorite T.V. show growing up. As for me I think that I would be totally fine without television and that it wouldn't really have an effect on me. I feel that there are a lot of bad shows and that those shows can effect our behavior and our thinking. The media can confuse us if we will allow it to. However, I do like watching movies and I know that there are many good shows on television as well. How do you think it would effect you in there was no television? Would it be a good thing or a bad thing for you?

(Make Up Post) When everything went wrong

I remember this one day when I was in Argentina where everything went wrong. None of our scheduled visits were home that day and we did a lot of knocking on doors. But what happened at the end of the day was the worst. In Argentina the weather has the ability to go from clear and sunny to cloudy and dark in 15 minutes flat. Before I got there I didn't believe that this was possible but I soon learned that the weather in Argentina can change in an instant. So all of the sudden, baseball sized pieces of hail started to fall from the sky. They flooded the dirt streets in a matter of minutes and there was water up to our knees. I remember that we had to search for the high ground and slowly work our way back home. It tooks us nearly two and a half hours to get home when it would normally have taken us about thirty minutes. We tried to turn it into a fun experience and look at the positive side of things. But as far as getting things done and having things work out, it was a day when everything went wrong.

(Make Up Post) If I were a superhero I would be....

If I were a superhero, I would be Batman. I would choose him because he doesn't have any special powers. He just has brains and a really deep voice. Although he appears to be scary, dressed in all black, he actually helps other people and doesn't boast about his own abilities. Not only that, he also gets to drive around a sweet Batmobile!  He uses his talents and gadgets for the benefit of mankind. I am not really a big superhero kind of guy but if I was forced to do anything super, then I guess I could do it wearing the Batman logo.

(Make Up Post) In love with my best friend

It's funny but some of the simplest things in life can bring the greatest joy and happiness. There are a lot of things that make me happy in life. Things like playing soccer, spending time with my family, and reading are just a few. But the thing that makes me the most happy in the whole wide universe is spending time with my fiance Nicole. She is absolutely wonderful! When we are apart my heart longs to be with her and I cherish every single moment that we have together. There is nothing better to me then to hear her laugh and to see her smile. It doesn't matter what we do, it only matters that we do it together. I can't imagine what I would do without her and I am so grateful that our love doesn't have to end here on earth. She really is my best friend and I am so excited that we will be married soon in about or month or so. I can't wait! I love her so much and I am grateful everyday for all that she is. She's so great!

(Make Up Post) If I were an animal I would be....

If I were an animal I would be a dog. Compared to a lot of other animals in the world, dogs have it pretty easy. Most of them get to stay in a nice warm home with a family that loves and takes care of them. Usually, the owners will take their dogs on walks and play games like tug of war, so dogs get to see the outdoors and have a lot of fun. I think that it would also be fun to protect your family and to have that as a main priority. Dogs do not have many things to worry about but one thing that is important to them is that those who take care of them are safe and sound. They are constantly on the look out for evil and danger that could harm their family. A dog can be more then just a pet or an animal, they can be a friend. That is why I would be a dog if I were an animal.

(Make Up Post) Did you think to pray?

I absolutely loved President Monson's talk last conference titled, "Consider the Blessings." It is one of my all-time favorites. I wrote a little summary of what I have learned from his teachings about prayer. Prayer is essential for our happiness. At times we may question if our prayers are ever heard and answered. One of the greatest joys in mortality is to know that the Lord hears and answers our prayers. He is in the details of our lives. These answers can come in a variety of ways but often He will answer our sincere petitions through the service of others. Prayer is simple and profound. Through prayer we can converse with the Maker of the universe, the designer of the plan of salvation, and the Father of our spirits. We can receive guidance from He who knows all things. Because of prayer I was able to obtain a witness that God does live and is ever close to us. This provides meaning and direction in all that I do. How grateful I am for the opportunity to pray each and every day.

(Make Up Post) An attitude of gratitude

Last week I was on a trip in Portland with the BYU soccer team. Our goalie and captain, Bryan Hale, taught me a great lesson in a simple conversation that we had at a team dinner. As we were eating he brought up the topic of being grateful. He listed several things that he was grateful for that I found myself taking for granted. Seeing his humility and recognition of the small things in his life prompted me to ask myself, "Am I grateful for the small things in my life?" "Do I realize all that the Lord has given me?" As I pondered upon these things I found that I can do a much better job of living with an attitude of gratitude. The very air we breath and the earth we live on are blessings from a loving Heavenly Father. Each new day, our families and our friends, and the gospel of Jesus Christ are wonderful blessings we can enjoy. We as a people have great reason to rejoice. Look to find the blessings in your life large and small, and you will find greater happiness.

(Make up post) Soccer last weekend

This past weekend the BYU soccer team went up to Portland and Seattle to play two division one soccer teams. In the first game we won 1 to 0. It was such a fun game! We connected our passes smoothly and possessed the ball the majority of the time. They were a good team but they couldn't seem to find a rhythm. Then we were on to Seattle to face another strong opponent. This game was a disaster. We have never lost a match as bad as we did on Saturday night. With 6 to 0 as the final score, it is obvious that we need improvement. After going down 2 to 0 in the first half, we tried to battle back with the energy we still had. We lost the battle and the war. They scored four more goals in the second half. Although we lost we learned a lot from the experience. Our next game is this Saturday at 7:00 P. M. in Provo and we must come up with a win. I am looking forward to the game and I had a wonderful experience this past weekend.

(Make up post) Soccer with Real Salt Lake

This was a very fun week for the BYU soccer team. On Monday we had the opportunity of playing the Real Salt Lake reserve team. This was the first time BYU has ever played in the immaculate Rio Tinto Stadium. If any of you is familiar with soccer and with this beautiful stadium, then you will recognize that this is as good as it gets. This is the dream. Even though the weather wasn't in our favor, we still had quite a large crowd at the game. About 6,000 fans came out to watch the match. Real was clearly the better team but I felt that we held our own and played well. Our defense was solid and our offense had a few good looks on goal. Although we lost 1 to 0, we had a wonderful experience. The atmosphere and energy of playing in that stadium was incredible. We got to see, feel, and live what these professional players experience at the highest level of soccer. It was wonderful! I hope that we can return one day.