So last night I was at the Stake Center ostensibly to see and hear Elder Scott. What I didn't realize was how each and every one of the speakers would touch me.
My Stake President is a really fine man. I have only heard him speak twice now, but I have really enjoyed both times. He clearly speaks from the heart, he truly cares about the membership of his Stake, and he loves his Church a great deal. He spoke on many subjects, but one thing that really amazed me is that as he spoke of Missionary work it was as though he already knew what I was going to say. Without our having talked about it at all, he really put down the foundation upon which my talk could rest. I was touched by what he said and I am quite thankful to have him as my Stake President.
Then I gave my talk as I showed in my previous post.
Next up was one of my Stake Presidents' counselors. This was the same gentleman that conducted my interview for the Melchizedek Priesthood. He spoke of the people that had been brought there that were not members. It was an easy thing to put myself in their shoes because that is where I was not very long ago. His message was a good one and I think it was well received by anyone with an open heart.
Then, someone I had not expected (or known about) at all - a member of the Quorum of the Seventy spoke. He opened his talk in a language I actually did not recognize at all. I was quite impressed as he stated that he was obedient to his wife, that his wife had asked that he deliver a message, that the people that needed to receive the message had received it. Then he proceeded to talk about a great many things. His sincerity was obvious as he shared many stories with us all. One story that really affected me was his transition from asking Missionaries what they had learned each morning in studying the scripture to sharing with them what HE had learned each morning. We can teach so much by example that sometimes I think we forget and end up taking steps to try to force (or coerce) people into doing what we desire of them. The old saying about flies and honey springs to mind. His discussion of the Missionaries reaction to his teaching was good to hear. Another story he told that touched me personally was when he talked about his son speaking. His son reflected to the assembled people that one of the most powerful things that had affected him in his youth was when he would go upstairs and find his Father studying scripture.
Next up was Elder Scott. It was amazing in many many ways to see and hear him. His sense of humor, even in the face of adversity was striking! He had some difficulty with his computer for a while, and he made three or four comments during that time that really surprised me. One was something along the lines of "Switching computers is like meeting a new friend - you need to find common ground". Another was something like "I wish this computer wasn't from Argentina - their computers are masculine. If this computer was feminine, it would be a little more friendly to me." The actual words of his remarks were not as important to me as the very casual way he shared a positive minded thought while he truly struggled with the computer. From where I sat, I could see his actions - somehow the computer was trying to connect to the internet, and also he was in Photoshop. He kept trying to open the document he wanted and it wasn't there. I know Photoshop extremely well, and was just five feet from him. Being a computer person, on the one hand I was extremely tempted to try to help him, but something told me that there was a problem going on that I wouldn't be able to solve. On the one hand, I was thinking that I could look in his recent documents or even do a search of all photoshop files on his computer in an attempt to find what he was looking for. I even thought of searching for image files (like jpeg, tif or gif) in case that was what format his content was in. But again I received a prompting that I didn't know what he needed and I would only further delay his getting to the information he desired. This confused me because I really thought I should be able to help him.
Then, a little later, amid his continuing dialog, and after a computer reboot, he left Photoshop entirely, launched Wordperfect, and found his presentation there. It wasn't IN Photoshop at all. So no matter how many perfect searches I looked up on his computer, no matter how many file types I knew of, no matter HOW WELL I knew Photoshop, I wouldn't have been able to help him one bit.
Then he shared a new way to learn from the scripture. You begin with an establishing statement - something like "I can prepare myself to be closer to the Holy Ghost by". Then, as you read passages of scripture, you find evidence of things people have done or had evidenced to them to accomplish the establishing statement. One example he gave was Enos 1:10: "And while I was thus struggling in the spirit, behold, the voice of the Lord came into my mind again, saying: I will visit thy brethren according to their diligence in keeping my commandments." (Note that while there is more in that verse, what I have written here is all that he showed us on the projector). The moment he asked the question "What do we see here that addresses our foundational statement?" I saw it - the section stating "I will visit thy brethren according to their diligence in keeping my commandments." I raised my hand, but being behind him, he didn't see me. :) It was great to see an Apostle teach in such an open way, asking questions, having people respond. I think everyone learned more by his way of teaching than if he had simply "told us" what he wanted to say. By going through the steps, going through the motions, showing us by example, we all learned more I think.
Finally, his example of trying to hard to copy scripture notes from someone (I wish I could remember who - I think it was an Apostle, and I think it was while he was a Mission President) really touched me. The person whose scripture notes he was trying to copy (staying up until 4:30am copying them diligently, only getting through as far as Mormon) actually was so impressed that he had someone type up all of his notes. He sent them all to Elder Scott, who, I believe, copied them all into his own scriptures. Then Elder Scott said to us something like "If it was THAT important to them to share the notes they had in their scriptures with a young Mission President, then I decided it was pretty important to read the scripture. And I did, and have continued to."
A large portion of Elder Scott's message last night was about us reading scripture every day. I will certainly be making a great effort to do so.
Sunday, May 31, 2009
Saturday, May 30, 2009
Five Minutes
I had five minutes to talk before Elder Scott tonight. I could not BELIEVE how many people were there, no one had adequately warned me...
I think I did manage to deliver it how I had hoped. The speakers tonight - ALL OF THEM were really really excellent. Lesson learned - I should have brought paper and pencil to take notes. I won't make that mistake again!
I have placed the text of the talk I gave below. The words on "paper" honestly do not deliver the message the same way as when I speak them. But this should give you the core of what I intended to communicate to people.
When I first received news of being given this amazing opportunity to be up here on the stand with an Apostle, my immediate thought was – “I have so much I want to say, what can I do in just five minutes?” Then, just a few days ago, it really dawned on me just how very precious five minutes can be.
Earlier this year I moved into a new house and hired Carlos to lay tile. I didn’t know Carlos – he was recommended to me by a friend. Carlos told me that he would be unavailable for a week before I needed him to put the tile in. Later, while he was working on my house, he explained that his daughter had been struggling and that his entire family had taken a week to work with her and to try to help her with some issues she was having. After talking to Carlos for less than five minutes, I realized just how lucky his daughter was that she had a Father and a family that cared that much for her. That was in January. I learned just a few days ago that Carlos is Mormon.
A decade ago, I formed a gaming group of about forty people, and we had fun playing computer games most weekends. Almost all of us were interested in gaming ANY TIME that we could get together, but two of them seemed to always be busy when I would try to schedule something on Sunday. Time and time again, they had other plans. Eventually I realized they were NEVER available to play games on Sundays. Then, one at a time, they both went on their missions – one to Mexico, the other to Spain. I learned that they were Mormon, and I realized that it took them only SECONDS to tell me that they had other plans on their Sundays, but in doing so, they had impressed upon me just how important the Sabbath day was to them. In March of this year, one of these two good friends Baptized me, and the other Confirmed me.
Twenty four years ago, I met a young LDS man named Scott Driggs at Poston Junior High; he was a jock, one of the most popular kids in the entire school, someone I had nothing in common with. I was new there, having just moved to Arizona from Missouri, but Scott would talk to me almost every day, for no reason at all other than to kindly inquire as to what was going on in my life that day. Earlier this year, after reading his message in my Junior High yearbook, I made contact again, and talked to him about the Mormon Church. After asking me if it was ok, he took five minutes to request some missionaries to come to my home, which ultimately lead to me being here today.
I beg of you – NEVER underestimate what you can do in five minutes. In my case, it took being around Mormon people for twenty four years before my heart softened enough to let the Holy Ghost in. But I can tell you in sincerity that I needed each and every one of those five minute interactions for me to be where I am today.
The missionaries that came to my house didn’t come there by just knocking on random doors – someone sent them to my home – someone that took the time to ask them to. If YOU know of someone that might be receptive to the Church, get your missionaries involved! Don’t just assume the missionaries will find people by randomly knocking on doors – they need our help.
Know in your heart with certainty that when you go about your daily life, when you hold the Sabbath day holy, when you talk to people about your beliefs, when you live as much like Jesus Christ as you are able, that you have an impact on other people’s lives. You may not see the result today, or tomorrow, or even in twenty four years. But in less than five minutes, YOU may just bring another soul to God.
I think I did manage to deliver it how I had hoped. The speakers tonight - ALL OF THEM were really really excellent. Lesson learned - I should have brought paper and pencil to take notes. I won't make that mistake again!
I have placed the text of the talk I gave below. The words on "paper" honestly do not deliver the message the same way as when I speak them. But this should give you the core of what I intended to communicate to people.
When I first received news of being given this amazing opportunity to be up here on the stand with an Apostle, my immediate thought was – “I have so much I want to say, what can I do in just five minutes?” Then, just a few days ago, it really dawned on me just how very precious five minutes can be.
Earlier this year I moved into a new house and hired Carlos to lay tile. I didn’t know Carlos – he was recommended to me by a friend. Carlos told me that he would be unavailable for a week before I needed him to put the tile in. Later, while he was working on my house, he explained that his daughter had been struggling and that his entire family had taken a week to work with her and to try to help her with some issues she was having. After talking to Carlos for less than five minutes, I realized just how lucky his daughter was that she had a Father and a family that cared that much for her. That was in January. I learned just a few days ago that Carlos is Mormon.
A decade ago, I formed a gaming group of about forty people, and we had fun playing computer games most weekends. Almost all of us were interested in gaming ANY TIME that we could get together, but two of them seemed to always be busy when I would try to schedule something on Sunday. Time and time again, they had other plans. Eventually I realized they were NEVER available to play games on Sundays. Then, one at a time, they both went on their missions – one to Mexico, the other to Spain. I learned that they were Mormon, and I realized that it took them only SECONDS to tell me that they had other plans on their Sundays, but in doing so, they had impressed upon me just how important the Sabbath day was to them. In March of this year, one of these two good friends Baptized me, and the other Confirmed me.
Twenty four years ago, I met a young LDS man named Scott Driggs at Poston Junior High; he was a jock, one of the most popular kids in the entire school, someone I had nothing in common with. I was new there, having just moved to Arizona from Missouri, but Scott would talk to me almost every day, for no reason at all other than to kindly inquire as to what was going on in my life that day. Earlier this year, after reading his message in my Junior High yearbook, I made contact again, and talked to him about the Mormon Church. After asking me if it was ok, he took five minutes to request some missionaries to come to my home, which ultimately lead to me being here today.
I beg of you – NEVER underestimate what you can do in five minutes. In my case, it took being around Mormon people for twenty four years before my heart softened enough to let the Holy Ghost in. But I can tell you in sincerity that I needed each and every one of those five minute interactions for me to be where I am today.
The missionaries that came to my house didn’t come there by just knocking on random doors – someone sent them to my home – someone that took the time to ask them to. If YOU know of someone that might be receptive to the Church, get your missionaries involved! Don’t just assume the missionaries will find people by randomly knocking on doors – they need our help.
Know in your heart with certainty that when you go about your daily life, when you hold the Sabbath day holy, when you talk to people about your beliefs, when you live as much like Jesus Christ as you are able, that you have an impact on other people’s lives. You may not see the result today, or tomorrow, or even in twenty four years. But in less than five minutes, YOU may just bring another soul to God.
Wednesday, May 27, 2009
An Apostle of our Lord
In less than a week, an Apostle will be here in Arizona - Elder Scott. It is interesting to think - with all our technology, all our ability to communicate rapidly and "get the word out", the news stations and newspapers and magazines don't talk about Elder Scott coming to Arizona. In days long ago, from scripture, in those comparatively primitive times, people proclaimed the arrival of an Apostle when they would visit a town. Now granted, maybe not everyone was happy about their coming back then, but I think most everyone at least KNEW...
Not only is an Apostle coming, and not only will I have two opportunities to hear him speak, but I have actually been asked to speak on Saturday, during the Adult Session of my Stake Conference. This puts me on the stand just a few feet from him for the entire session. What a blessing this will be!
I was inspired a few days ago with the talk I will give, and I hope it is well received. I have felt from first joining the Church that I have an important message to bring to its' membership. This talk on Saturday gives me an opportunity to share that message with even more people.
This weekend should be an absolutely incredible experience.
Not only is an Apostle coming, and not only will I have two opportunities to hear him speak, but I have actually been asked to speak on Saturday, during the Adult Session of my Stake Conference. This puts me on the stand just a few feet from him for the entire session. What a blessing this will be!
I was inspired a few days ago with the talk I will give, and I hope it is well received. I have felt from first joining the Church that I have an important message to bring to its' membership. This talk on Saturday gives me an opportunity to share that message with even more people.
This weekend should be an absolutely incredible experience.
Sunday, May 24, 2009
The Spirit of Companionship
Finding my path in this life has been a true and wondrous blessing.
I ended my night at Church with another amazing fireside tonight. I have been so very very fortunate to have had specific messages sent to me from each fireside I have been to. Tonight was no exception. I was touched deeply by their message and afterwards, I thanked the couple that spoke. As I shook their hands, I could feel the Spirit inside them.
The husband shook my hand and took some extra time to talk with me. He looked deep into my eyes, grabbed my shoulder with force and told me that he could see that I was touched by the Spirit. He told me that he knew if I followed the clean path that good things would happen to me. I confess I don't remember every individual word he spoke, but it was as if we spoke spirit to spirit. He really touched my soul, and I could feel the truth of what he said in the core of my very being.
I have been extremely fortunate to have found some incredible friends in the Church. I cannot describe in words how just seeing them in Church fills me with joy and happiness - knowing that they are there to hear the message of our Heavenly Father, that they too are on the path. Seeing a dear friend walking in and out of the sacrament meeting with her lovely new baby. Knowing that as much as I wish she could stay there next to her husband, daughters and son that she is still able to hear from outside the main room. Seeing either of two policemen that I have grown to respect and care about because of the difficulties they struggle with in their lives. Seeing a man who I have known only a short while but who seems to get closer to the Spirit each Sunday.
There are so many people there now, that I know little tidbits about. Things that make them a bit more my brothers and sisters. Whether it be hurts they have experienced or joys that have happened, children they are proud of, whatever it might be - I see them, and I know a little of their journey down this path we call life.
Some of them have been praying for me. Some have been looking out for me. Some just wish me well. On Sundays it is as if I can feel each one of those individual prayers and well wishes falling upon me and caressing my spirit. This has gone on for a long while now.
And there has been fruit borne of these many prayers and well wishes. I had prayed to find someone to spend time with. For a time, I tried to envision what sort of person my prayer could possibly manifest, and my only conclusion was a horrific one unfortunately.
What lady could there possibly be, that had been raised in the Church, had gone on a mission, had a sense of humor and common interests to my own? What lady could there possibly be that was all of those things and had not married? I concluded with certainty that there could be none. To my dismay, the only such lady I could envision would be one that had been married, and sadly was a widow. And I could not bring myself to wish for someone to be widowed. So, for a time, I thought that I would have to move beyond the veil to find what my heart longed for.
But some time ago, a friend heard of someone that I might be interested in. They arranged for me to get in touch with her. I wrote to her, I spoke with her on the phone, and she seemed extremely enjoyable. We had a good time talking, even on spiritual subjects.
We met and I was overjoyed to find that she was not only beautiful, but intelligent, had an excellent sense of humor, and I really began to notice some common interests.
Another outing and we found ourselves talking until past midnight. I thoroughly enjoy talking to her. Sometimes I have to remind myself that I haven't known her for years - she is so easy to talk to and have fun with, that it is easy to be fooled into thinking we have known each other for a long long time.
I don't know precisely where this will lead, but I know my spirit is happy to have found a companion to talk to and spend some time with. I look forward to going to the Temple with her, to going to Church with her, and to talking more with her.
The spirit of companionship for me is having someone with which to share my feelings. Talking with someone that I enjoy listening to as much as I enjoy sharing stories with. Spending time with someone that can have a good time when it is so dark out that we can scarcely even see the outlines of what we are there to look at (we were at a bird sanctuary WELL past sunset and still had a blast! :). Someone with whom I am happier.
I have found such a person, and my heart is filled with joy for having found them.
In 1 Nephi, Chapter 8, verse 14, Lehi is standing at the Tree of Life. It reads: "...I beheld your Mother Sariah, and Sam, and Nephi; and they stood as if they knew not whither they should go."
And verse 16: "And it came to pass that they did come unto me and partake of the fruit also."
I read those words for the first time months ago now. From the very first reading, I have heard a strong voice inside my heart that I need to find a companion. Even from that time, I knew that the only way I would find that companion was to grab hold of the iron rod and to follow the path to the tree.
In Lehi's case, he was standing at the tree waiting for Sariah to join him.
In the story that is my life, I think Sariah has been waiting at the tree for Lehi.
I ended my night at Church with another amazing fireside tonight. I have been so very very fortunate to have had specific messages sent to me from each fireside I have been to. Tonight was no exception. I was touched deeply by their message and afterwards, I thanked the couple that spoke. As I shook their hands, I could feel the Spirit inside them.
The husband shook my hand and took some extra time to talk with me. He looked deep into my eyes, grabbed my shoulder with force and told me that he could see that I was touched by the Spirit. He told me that he knew if I followed the clean path that good things would happen to me. I confess I don't remember every individual word he spoke, but it was as if we spoke spirit to spirit. He really touched my soul, and I could feel the truth of what he said in the core of my very being.
I have been extremely fortunate to have found some incredible friends in the Church. I cannot describe in words how just seeing them in Church fills me with joy and happiness - knowing that they are there to hear the message of our Heavenly Father, that they too are on the path. Seeing a dear friend walking in and out of the sacrament meeting with her lovely new baby. Knowing that as much as I wish she could stay there next to her husband, daughters and son that she is still able to hear from outside the main room. Seeing either of two policemen that I have grown to respect and care about because of the difficulties they struggle with in their lives. Seeing a man who I have known only a short while but who seems to get closer to the Spirit each Sunday.
There are so many people there now, that I know little tidbits about. Things that make them a bit more my brothers and sisters. Whether it be hurts they have experienced or joys that have happened, children they are proud of, whatever it might be - I see them, and I know a little of their journey down this path we call life.
Some of them have been praying for me. Some have been looking out for me. Some just wish me well. On Sundays it is as if I can feel each one of those individual prayers and well wishes falling upon me and caressing my spirit. This has gone on for a long while now.
And there has been fruit borne of these many prayers and well wishes. I had prayed to find someone to spend time with. For a time, I tried to envision what sort of person my prayer could possibly manifest, and my only conclusion was a horrific one unfortunately.
What lady could there possibly be, that had been raised in the Church, had gone on a mission, had a sense of humor and common interests to my own? What lady could there possibly be that was all of those things and had not married? I concluded with certainty that there could be none. To my dismay, the only such lady I could envision would be one that had been married, and sadly was a widow. And I could not bring myself to wish for someone to be widowed. So, for a time, I thought that I would have to move beyond the veil to find what my heart longed for.
But some time ago, a friend heard of someone that I might be interested in. They arranged for me to get in touch with her. I wrote to her, I spoke with her on the phone, and she seemed extremely enjoyable. We had a good time talking, even on spiritual subjects.
We met and I was overjoyed to find that she was not only beautiful, but intelligent, had an excellent sense of humor, and I really began to notice some common interests.
Another outing and we found ourselves talking until past midnight. I thoroughly enjoy talking to her. Sometimes I have to remind myself that I haven't known her for years - she is so easy to talk to and have fun with, that it is easy to be fooled into thinking we have known each other for a long long time.
I don't know precisely where this will lead, but I know my spirit is happy to have found a companion to talk to and spend some time with. I look forward to going to the Temple with her, to going to Church with her, and to talking more with her.
The spirit of companionship for me is having someone with which to share my feelings. Talking with someone that I enjoy listening to as much as I enjoy sharing stories with. Spending time with someone that can have a good time when it is so dark out that we can scarcely even see the outlines of what we are there to look at (we were at a bird sanctuary WELL past sunset and still had a blast! :). Someone with whom I am happier.
I have found such a person, and my heart is filled with joy for having found them.
In 1 Nephi, Chapter 8, verse 14, Lehi is standing at the Tree of Life. It reads: "...I beheld your Mother Sariah, and Sam, and Nephi; and they stood as if they knew not whither they should go."
And verse 16: "And it came to pass that they did come unto me and partake of the fruit also."
I read those words for the first time months ago now. From the very first reading, I have heard a strong voice inside my heart that I need to find a companion. Even from that time, I knew that the only way I would find that companion was to grab hold of the iron rod and to follow the path to the tree.
In Lehi's case, he was standing at the tree waiting for Sariah to join him.
In the story that is my life, I think Sariah has been waiting at the tree for Lehi.
Friday, May 8, 2009
A Busy Spirit
Life has been a real blur of late - things are really picking up and moving along.
I was blessed to have been told about a charity concert for the Nielsons, a family that has been struck by much tragedy ( http://www.nieniedialogues.blogspot.com ). I bought a ticket and went to the concert and it was really amazing. SO many people volunteered their time to help this family, it was just a very touching experience. I've been working on a video of the concert because Stephanie Nielson couldn't be there (she was having surgery). I took some video footage while I was there (it was my first time really ever shooting video), and was very fortunate to get some clean audio tracks of the event to mix in. Currently I have the audio synced up to the video (that took a little doing) and am waiting on some video footage from someone else that shot video there. Hopefully I'll have that soon. Once I have everything together, I'll probably post some highlights here for anyone interested.
One of the people I met at the concert was Debbie West Coon ( http://www.debbiewestcoon.com ). She put in so much time organizing the event, finding artists to contribute, and generally making it happen that she didn't even have time to practice much (if at all) herself before going on stage. She has a really beautiful voice! She was interested in a music video and although I told her I was new to video (I have been a professional photographer for years now though), she is still interested. I'll be doing it for free, for two reasons - for one, I am certainly not a professional videographer (yet!), and for another, I really felt that after all the work she put into making the charity a reality that she deserved something in return! I am really looking forward to working on this with her! :)
Speaking of music, I have story boarded (ie, made crude sketches of what I want to film) the video for the song I wrote last month. I've contacted several models and am working on getting some initial video footage to start working with. I bought the lens and steadycam equipment I will need for filming this. So far I have received the lens, still waiting on the steadycam equipment (it should arrive next week). I am really getting excited about this! I think for my first draft I'll just film the scenes, cut them together, and then put some generic background music to go with it. Then I'll have the words come up as the video progresses. Maybe by taking that video to some musicians and singers I can find some people to make my vision a reality.
To that end, I've been teaching myself Adobe Premiere for the last few weeks so that I can do some video cut work and audio sync work as well. This has been a huge learning experience for me since I haven't really ever been into video until now.
I took my literally very first video footage I had shot with the new camera (taken at Easter) along with some photos I took at Easter and put together a very short (one minute) video to teach myself how to put photos and video together in a movie. I tried to have the photos appear in rhythm with the music and I think that worked out pretty well. The two kids in the video are my beautiful children, who I love and adore with all my heart.
If your computer can handle it, this is the HD version of the video: HD version
High quality version (a little lower cpu requirement): high quality
Minimum quality version, should work on any computer and even some cell phones: minimum quality
In other news, I have been very blessed in my experiences with the Spirit. Some recent activity would be that I have received the Aaronic Priesthood and began blessing the Sacrament. Since I have been recently Baptized, blessing the Sacrament to me is an act of extreme importance and something I took very seriously each time I performed it. I had noticed that some of the people that blessed the Sacrament had done so for so long that the words just seemed to rush out of their mouths as they said them. I have felt that one of the things I bring uniquely to my ward is a fresh look at things that may have become "normal" to others. When I gave the blessing at Easter time I felt it was even more important, so as I had done before, I put my heart into how I said the words aloud and I really felt the Spirit as I did so. Later in the Sacrament meeting, a fellow ward member that was speaking to everyone present mentioned that it had touched him how I had said the words. I have to admit it felt very good to know that I wasn't the only one that felt the Spirit as I said those very important words!
My calling is to be a ward Missionary, which I have to say really felt good. I had frankly no concept whatsoever of what my calling would be, but this really seemed a good fit to me. I have gone out twice now as a Missionary and it was a very rewarding experience both times.
I have also been reading more about the Melchizedek Priesthood, as I am go receive this priesthood later this month. The more I learn about it, the more blessed I feel to be able to receive this Priesthood. I now realize what I can provide for my children that I could not have ever given them if I had not found this Church! I count my Blessings now so many times a day it amazes me.
I have also found out about Patriarchal Blessings. When I heard what they were and realized that most everyone I knew in the Mormon Church had had one for so many years of their life to help guide them on their way, I truly knew I needed to take the steps to obtain one of my own. As it turns out, no sooner had I gotten my recommend that the Stake Patriarch had to go out of town. He will be returning this very weekend, and I so very much look forward to receiving my Patriarchal Blessing on Sunday!
I am also now finally able to go to the Temple with a limited-use recommend. I look forward to being able to be of service to those that need my help there.
There are so many parts of my life that are coming together right now, both Spiritually and Temporally. It has been an interesting journey to realize that the closer my Spirit gets to God, the more in line my Temporal being gets in terms of a balanced life.
I've been a very busy person in the last month, and things look to be getting even busier in the future, but this journey I am on - it is a very good one. I have had four occasions in just the last month at firesides where a speaker has touched me so very much with the message they had to provide. When I think about how much I gain from going to Church and firesides it really helps me realize that making the time is a simple thing to do if you have your priorities straight. :)
I was blessed to have been told about a charity concert for the Nielsons, a family that has been struck by much tragedy ( http://www.nieniedialogues.blogspot.com ). I bought a ticket and went to the concert and it was really amazing. SO many people volunteered their time to help this family, it was just a very touching experience. I've been working on a video of the concert because Stephanie Nielson couldn't be there (she was having surgery). I took some video footage while I was there (it was my first time really ever shooting video), and was very fortunate to get some clean audio tracks of the event to mix in. Currently I have the audio synced up to the video (that took a little doing) and am waiting on some video footage from someone else that shot video there. Hopefully I'll have that soon. Once I have everything together, I'll probably post some highlights here for anyone interested.
One of the people I met at the concert was Debbie West Coon ( http://www.debbiewestcoon.com ). She put in so much time organizing the event, finding artists to contribute, and generally making it happen that she didn't even have time to practice much (if at all) herself before going on stage. She has a really beautiful voice! She was interested in a music video and although I told her I was new to video (I have been a professional photographer for years now though), she is still interested. I'll be doing it for free, for two reasons - for one, I am certainly not a professional videographer (yet!), and for another, I really felt that after all the work she put into making the charity a reality that she deserved something in return! I am really looking forward to working on this with her! :)
Speaking of music, I have story boarded (ie, made crude sketches of what I want to film) the video for the song I wrote last month. I've contacted several models and am working on getting some initial video footage to start working with. I bought the lens and steadycam equipment I will need for filming this. So far I have received the lens, still waiting on the steadycam equipment (it should arrive next week). I am really getting excited about this! I think for my first draft I'll just film the scenes, cut them together, and then put some generic background music to go with it. Then I'll have the words come up as the video progresses. Maybe by taking that video to some musicians and singers I can find some people to make my vision a reality.
To that end, I've been teaching myself Adobe Premiere for the last few weeks so that I can do some video cut work and audio sync work as well. This has been a huge learning experience for me since I haven't really ever been into video until now.
I took my literally very first video footage I had shot with the new camera (taken at Easter) along with some photos I took at Easter and put together a very short (one minute) video to teach myself how to put photos and video together in a movie. I tried to have the photos appear in rhythm with the music and I think that worked out pretty well. The two kids in the video are my beautiful children, who I love and adore with all my heart.
If your computer can handle it, this is the HD version of the video: HD version
High quality version (a little lower cpu requirement): high quality
Minimum quality version, should work on any computer and even some cell phones: minimum quality
In other news, I have been very blessed in my experiences with the Spirit. Some recent activity would be that I have received the Aaronic Priesthood and began blessing the Sacrament. Since I have been recently Baptized, blessing the Sacrament to me is an act of extreme importance and something I took very seriously each time I performed it. I had noticed that some of the people that blessed the Sacrament had done so for so long that the words just seemed to rush out of their mouths as they said them. I have felt that one of the things I bring uniquely to my ward is a fresh look at things that may have become "normal" to others. When I gave the blessing at Easter time I felt it was even more important, so as I had done before, I put my heart into how I said the words aloud and I really felt the Spirit as I did so. Later in the Sacrament meeting, a fellow ward member that was speaking to everyone present mentioned that it had touched him how I had said the words. I have to admit it felt very good to know that I wasn't the only one that felt the Spirit as I said those very important words!
My calling is to be a ward Missionary, which I have to say really felt good. I had frankly no concept whatsoever of what my calling would be, but this really seemed a good fit to me. I have gone out twice now as a Missionary and it was a very rewarding experience both times.
I have also been reading more about the Melchizedek Priesthood, as I am go receive this priesthood later this month. The more I learn about it, the more blessed I feel to be able to receive this Priesthood. I now realize what I can provide for my children that I could not have ever given them if I had not found this Church! I count my Blessings now so many times a day it amazes me.
I have also found out about Patriarchal Blessings. When I heard what they were and realized that most everyone I knew in the Mormon Church had had one for so many years of their life to help guide them on their way, I truly knew I needed to take the steps to obtain one of my own. As it turns out, no sooner had I gotten my recommend that the Stake Patriarch had to go out of town. He will be returning this very weekend, and I so very much look forward to receiving my Patriarchal Blessing on Sunday!
I am also now finally able to go to the Temple with a limited-use recommend. I look forward to being able to be of service to those that need my help there.
There are so many parts of my life that are coming together right now, both Spiritually and Temporally. It has been an interesting journey to realize that the closer my Spirit gets to God, the more in line my Temporal being gets in terms of a balanced life.
I've been a very busy person in the last month, and things look to be getting even busier in the future, but this journey I am on - it is a very good one. I have had four occasions in just the last month at firesides where a speaker has touched me so very much with the message they had to provide. When I think about how much I gain from going to Church and firesides it really helps me realize that making the time is a simple thing to do if you have your priorities straight. :)
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