Discourse of Chaos I

"The more intricately organized an event is, the more likely the event will result in chaos." -Calvin Jarvis' Chaos Theory.

Now, I'm not too sure if what cousin Calvin said is 100% correct, but I do feel that this week's attempts of rigid organization have ended in failure. Epic failure.

I need to develop balance on the Rock of my Redeemer or I'm not going to get anywhere. I've decided to start studying He Did Deliver Me From Bondage. That's the book that the church uses in its addiction recovery program. I think all human beings are addicted to something. For me, it's being lazy. I have been a sloth all of my life, and to get out of the bondage of this habit I must take it to the Lord. I would recommend the book to anyone.

On a happier note, I got to have a wonderful gospel discussion with Fa yesterday after mutual. It felt so great! She wanted to know more about the Holy Ghost after the fireside that we went to last Sunday. And so I told her Joseph Smith's story, and she seemed pretty interested in it. She had a lot of questions, and even more after we were done with our chat, so we decided that she list questions that she had about the church and that we would talk again next Sunday. I am so greatful that I have been given this missionary opportunity and that I am able to help Fa learn about her Father's plan for her.

Today it came upon me as I was reading a friend's blog why Math is my weakest school subject: For over 4 years, NO ONE HAS BEEN CHECKING MY WORK. Many a time I have decided to not even do the assignment or only do a few questions, assuming that I already understood the subject. I am almost certain that I will never go into a job that requires advanced math education, but still. I will not be able to function in this modern world the way I want to unless I beef up the part of my brain that does math. It's time I took it seriously.

I love veterans. I am so greatful for their service in serving my country and for all of those who protect the freedom that is given to me on a silver platter. I don't even understand the price that was paid for the liberty that I am blessed to have in this country, but for it, I thank all who have suffered, worked, and died for it. Thank you.

Tonight I plan on going to GPH's production of Fiddler On The Roof. I am really excited! My friend Jerod is in it, and has been reminding us a lot about it in seminary lately.

The voice in my head continues to remind me of one of Pres. Uchdorf's talks from last Gen. Conference. To add to his ideas about speed bumps and turbulence, I would like to add another analogy that goes with it. When walking in darkness, people shouldn't speed up their pace. They should slow down and feel around to make sure they don't run into anything. This is the state that I am symbolically in how. I want to run fast and do a lot, but I feel like I'm living in the dark. I'm still looking for the light switch, and I am certain that I will find it eventually. "Yea though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death I will fear no evil, for Thou art with me." -David.

Well, I guess a light switch isn't the right way to put it. I doubt that I will get over my character faults in an instant, like switching on a light switch. No, I suppose it's just something that will take time. "Line upon line, precept upon precept."

I don't need to go faster. I need to believe more, ask more, and receive more.

The Family: A Proclamation to the World

Me and my friend decided that it was very important that this would be posted on our blogs, and so, here it is:

We, the First Presidency and Council of the Twelve Apostles of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, solemnly proclaim that marriage between a man and a woman is ordained of God and that the family is central to the Creator's plan for the eternal destiny of His children.



All human beings-male and female-are created in the image of God. Each is a beloved spirit son or daughter of heavenly parents, and such, each has a divine nature and destiny. Gender is an essential characteristic of individual premortal, mortal, and eternal identity and purpose.



In this premortal realm, spirit sons and daughters knew and worshiped God as their Eternal Father and accepted His plan by which His children could obtain a physical body and gain earthly experience to progress toward perfection and ultimately realize his or her divine destiny as an heir of eternal life. The divine plan of happiness enables family relationships to be perpetuated beyond the grave. Sacred ordinances and covenants available in holy temples make it possible for individuals to return to the presence of God and for families to be united eternally.



The first commandment that God gave Adam and Eve pertained to their potential for parenthood as husband and wife. We declare that God's commandment for His children to multiply and replenish the earth remains in force. We further declare that God has commanded that the sacred powers of procreation are to be employed only between man and woman, lawfully wedded as husband and wife.



We declare the means by which mortal life is created to be divinely appointed. We affirm the sanctity of life and of its importance in God's eternal plan.



Husband and wife have a solemn responsibility to love and care for each other and for their children. "Children are an heritage of the Lord" (Psalms 127:3) . Parents have a sacred duty to rear their children in love and righteousness, to provide for their physical and spiritual needs, to teach them to love and serve one another, to observe the commandments of God and to be law-abiding citizens wherever they live. Husbands and wives-mothers and fathers-will be held accountable before God for the discharge of these obligations.



The family is ordained of God. Marriage between a man and a woman are essential to His eternal plan. Children are entitled to birth within the bonds of matrimony, and to be reared by a father and mother who honor marital vows with complete fidelity.Happiness in family life is most likely to be achieved when founded upon the teachings of the Lord Jesus Christ. Successful marriages and families are established and maintained on principles of faith, prayer, repentance, forgiveness, respect, love, compassion, work, and wholesome recreational activities. By divine design, fathers are to preside over their families in love and righteousness and are responsible to provide the necessities of life and protection for their families. Mothers are primarily responsible for the nurture of their children. In these sacred responsibilities, fathers and mothers are obligated to help one another as equal partners. Disability, death, or other circumstances may necessitate individual adaptation. Extended families should lend support when needed.



We warn that individuals who violate covenants of chastity, who abuse spouse or offspring, or who fail to fulfill family responsibilities will one day stand accountable before God. Further, we warn that the disintegration of the family will bring upon individuals, communities, and nations the calamities foretold by ancient and modern prophets.



We call upon responsible citizens and officers of government everywhere to promote those measures designed to maintain and strengthen the family as the fundamental unit of society.



This proclamation was read by President Gordon B. Hinckley as part of his message at the General Relief Society Meeting held September 23, 1995, in Salt lake City, Utah.

Monday, Monday, Monday (insert bright bright and peppy fanfare here)

Today I was awoken by the quiet voice of my father.

"Get up, son."

I stayed in for a minute or two, then I slided off of the bed like a lump of smoothe poured out of a pitcher. That usual voice kept yelling in my head things like, "Get to bed earlier! Stop wasting time! Come on, Keenan!" as I fumbled around in the dark, getting ready for the day.

My father drove me to seminary in his little white Metro we like to call "the tin can". The previous night, I had filled my mother's mp3 player with general conference talks and some tunes. I brought it with me, and listened to the words of the speakers on the way home and back. It felt so missionary-like, and I felt really spiritually pumped by the time I got home. The Mormon Tabernacle Choir's performance of We Thank Thee O God For A Prophet brought a tear to my eye as Sis. Brinkerhoff drove me to my starting point after learning about receiving revelation in seminary. It was quite a coincidence that the fireside from yesterday was on the same topic!

Anyways, I got home and got started on school. Today I had planned to tackle Health and English. Health was a breeze, and English wasn't so bad either. As I studied the final chapters of Huck Finn, I felt inspired to write a song. I said to myself, "You know what, Keenan, you oughta write one school song per year!" And so I will do. Today I wrote a song called Huck's Song. It is sung from Huck's perspective and each verse is his take on a certain character from the book. Will be presented at the Honors English LL tomorrow; so excited! :)

Have you ever had a day in which you were just singin' all day long? That was today for me. I had a lot of fun singing with Gretel this after noon, and when dad got home, we both had fun singin' some Josh Groban tunes together. While my day was fun, it is true that I could've gotten more work done. Stick to the program, ya moron! I think it'll take me awhile to adapt to an organized life. But I WILL adapt to it.

A wonderful Sabbath

Ahh. Man, I feel good. 

 

Today was Stake Conference, and I really enjoyed it. My most favorite talk was the one by President Dalton. She spoke about honoring the Lord by keeping His commandments. If you do that, the Lord will honor you. That really excited me, and it strengthened my spirit, and made me want to try harder to do His will. :) It was very inspiring. Today I also felt very moved by the Holy Ghost about my future; something I've been pondering over for awhile. Just to state it simply, my life's work will be high school English teaching and small business owning. But none of it is going to work out unless I develop an ever stronger relationship with my Savior and keep on learning new things. I'm excited for what the future has in store.

The youth fireside that went on tonight was fantastic too. The Bishop from Ashland spoke at it, and he's amazing! You could really feel the spirit through his preaching. He was talking about receiving the Holy Ghost, like receiving a football. The guy threw a football at Noah IN THE CHAPEL. He also included some paper airplane throwing and gift unwrapping. I have never seen such action in a chapel before! Abraham was such a good receiver and received all things. We can receive all things and become exalted, just like he was. It just takes practice. Just the small things. The simple primary answers: Pray, study, go to church, etc. I want to get to the level of having the gift of the Holy Ghost with me always. That is the main goal of my life. 

Scriptures suggested for read in the fireside: John 13, 14, 15, 16, and 17.

In between general conference and the youth fireside, the youth in our ward went over to the Wrights for lunch. It was fun! I got to see Carmen again, and she showed me this scrapbook/journal that she had been making while she was in the U.S. Almost all of the writing was in Spanish, but I enjoyed looking at all of the pictures and little reminding things that she had kept. Recording life is very important. It's useful for reflection too.

A GREAT WEEK IS DAWNING... (key change) DAAAWWNING!

SIGH...

Mom has been gone since yesterday to Timeout for Women. I am really glad that she had the opportunity to go; I can't wait to hear all that she learned! She should be home soon. It hasn't been the same without her, and even though she's only been gone for less than two days, I still miss her.

We went to the dump today to dump all of the trash that has been accumulating in cans on our property for months. That was good, and using the momentum of getting rid of all of that trash, I motivated myself to clean more.

Today I tried hard to purify the house so as to surprise mom when she gets home. That was pretty much the main focus of today. After all of the fun, the family zoned out on the TV while I went to my room and studied some more. I only did one school lesson today, but most of my studies were on management. I simply love the 7 Habits; I'm going to try a new organizing strategy this next week that I am excited to execute.

Spiritual thoughts and ramblings #1

Okay, I feel like I'm starting to understand the way life works.

We all lived in the pre-mortal existence before this life, right? During that time we all became professional spirits, fully trained by our father in heaven. Just to shake things up and to make this life an ever more challenging test, we were born into infant bodies with little knowledge. But we learn as we go, but the thing is, not everyone is educated the way they should.

Which is why it is the duty of the learned to share their knowledge. Anyways, the point I'm trying to get to is, that we aren't our bodies. I'm not 15 years old. This body is, but not me. Are you getting it?

We are not our bodies, nor are we the "natural man" than comes with these imperfect mortal frames. We are our spirits. Strong, clever, intelligent spirits that are assigned to the bodies we've been given. The thing we all have trouble with at least some time or another is controlling the body and mind.

I think one of the main missions of everyone's life is this: "To possess the body given to you."

Say, for example, Brad is working out at the Y. His body is achy and sore from running his behind off and lifting weight that overloads his muscles. His body (natural man) says, "Dude, please. Just stop. Come on, you don't really need to do this. Let's do something easier, please." But does Brad give in? No, and here's why: Because he is lead by his spirit and not by his body. His spirit, being immortal and millions of years older than his young body, knows better. He says, "No, body. We're not done yet; we've got a couple more sets to get in for today. We want to do this; a fit person is much more useful in the Lord's hands than a fat and lazy slob." "But it's HARD! We don't need to work this hard!" "Chill, you! You aren't in charge here. I am. And I say do it. I command you to LIFT!!"

This mentality, in some variation or another, is the way that all successful people act in all aspects of life. A sport, school, a relationship, a job, a duty... The list goes on and on. To be able to make your body and mind work hard is one of the skills that are essential to becoming useful. It is the sign of a strong spirit.

"The natural man is an enemy to God and has been from the fall of Adam, and will be forever and ever, unless he yields to the enticings of the Holy Spirit..." Mosiah 3:19

Madness Journal Entry Number ???

Well, I guess I'll start with last night.
Gretel's 8th birthday was last night, and we had a good time eating cupcakes and watching Toy Story 3. I love that movie; it's the best animated film I've ever seen. Gretel will be baptized around Thanksgiving when all of the family gets together for it. Oh, I love Thanksgiving. I always look forward to it, because I know that the family party most always means 1. Tons of yummy food to snack on all night long, 2. Board games all night long, 3. Most likely a sleepover at grandmas and 4. Football in the morning! Julie Jarvis came over last night to join our family birthday party. She's a good girl; her parents raise her well. How old is she now, 10? She must be.

Everybody in the family is dying this week. Kids are sick and vomiting and irritated at everything. I'm glad I got it first so that I could help them get through it. Even mom had to shut down and take a couple of naps today. I hope tomorrow they'll be feeling better.

Today, I was priveleged with the opportunity to hang out with the ward missionaries, which I took. It was like job shadowing, and it was AWESOME! We didn't do any tracting, but we drove around to some of the less active members of the church and visited them. Elder Hill and Elder Mendel (dang it, I know I am getting his name wrong) are also the Spanish speaking Elders in our district, so we visited a couple of Spanish speaking people too. It was fun, even though I had a hard time understanding what was being said. Elder M (I'll just call him that) turned to me and said, "So, do you know anyone that we could meet?" at one point of our drive as we listened to Disney music, that's right. Disney music. Like, Hurcules, Mulan, Pochohantus soundtrack. The only family that I could come up with after a bit of thought was the Church family. They are a family of 6, and Henry just loves to come over to their house to play with guns and video games with his best bud Westley. A very very friendly family. I don't know them as well as Henry does, but I have met them a couple of times.

I directed the missionaries to their house, it being in the newer suburb area of town.

Mr. Church, with his friendly, metallic (he has braces) smile, met us at the door. I introduced the elders, and instead of saying some chiche variation of rejection, they had a funny conversation. Not about religion, about some salesmen that had just come by who were selling salad spinners! XD Mr. Church was expecting some guests to come soon, but he planned a time that the missionaries could come by again.

HE WANTED THE MISSIONARIES TO COME.

I am really excited for their large family. Mom later told me that they had been looking for a church to go to. I'll have to wait and see how things turn out...

After all of that, we returned to the Elder's apartment right on the top of this really big hill. It was, a cool looking spot to me, kind of symbolic to missionary work too, eh? Green grass, leafless trees scattered everywhere, and some cool archetecture right in the middle: their apartment.

The interior of the apartment was, I admit, cluttered. Though the room was filled with leftover snacks, books, planners, charts, and cutouts from church magazines, I could feel a unique, strong spirit in the musty room. I was kept well entertained just by studying the whole room. My two most favorite things that I noticed were a poem about refinement using a statue symbolcally and a quote by President Hinkley which went like so: "You are good. But being good is not enough. You need to be good for something. You need to contribute to the good of the church and society." I think I paraphrased it okay.

We just chatted about life while I was there. Elder Hill was a member of a student leadership group in his high school and had tried many different things in his life before his mission. He suggested that the best thing for me to do now is to just try everything out and see what I like to do. He sounded to me like one of those overachieving, organized, awesome kind of people. I love people like that; the more people like them I know, the closer I feel I get towards their levels of excellence. They are... inspiring. Elder M was still not too sure what he wanted to do in life, but that was exactly the reason he went on his mission. To figure things out, and to learn.

Even after just one day of working with the missionaries, I feel that my communication skills, thought patterns, and spirituality have improved. I love serving the Lord, and I love helping out the missionaries! They are so service oriented. They've got connections, and ya know what? I think that is one of the keys to success. To know people. The more friends you know, the more connections you have and the more work you can get done for the good of the world.

I am so so so excited for my mission. Now I can see why a mission turns a boy into a man.