I love words...

I love words. Perhaps this is why I was called to serve under President Webb who was a major fan of the English language and taught us to use the dictionary when we read the scriptures. I am not by any means a scholar but I love the sound of good things...words as they were and are and forever will be. They make up our thoughts our conversations our life. I am grateful for those who kept journals, diaries, and for those who write whether it be books, poems, or stories. I think writing is like drawing...you have to do it!
A few examples of words used well...
that author/poet at BYU library

Joseph Smith

The scriptures: These were days never to be forgotten to sit under the

My baby brother is going on a mission

Larisa's Birthday Party

Jimmy at the Temple

Hearts Knit Together As One

Unity article by President Eyring

The other morning I had the oportunity to read a talk from last Conference that was just what I needed. It was about how the gospel of Jesus Christ will unify and reach beyond differences so that we can be unified to prepare for the reign of the Savior. One of my favorite parts was when President Eyring talked about how we can focus on the things we have in common with people of other cultures and backgrounds rather than our differences. When we do this the barriers dissolve. I felt this most notably on my mission and even just yesterday as I was explaining to a Muslim that we too believe in God. She was a good woman and wanted the opportunity to talk more. I know the Lord will bless us as we seek to be peace makers and build upon the things we have in common.

The House of the Lord: The Draper Temple Open House

Today we had the opportunity to go to the Draper Open House. As what usually happens before a spiritual event, at least how I remember it is that there is always a great adversity before. So we had the opportunity of taking some friends who are not of our faith. Lanaw and her two sisters and a neighbor girl along with Charlotte and her mother, Alma. Lanaw is from Burma. Her family of ten came here as refugees. They are the most beautiful family and have been taught by wonderful parents. Back in December she came to a Primary Activity Day at Amy's ward and shared her story. It was very sweet. She and her her sister and brother just younger than her were baptized. She works at the LDS Distribution Center and truly believes she has the best job in the world. They love her there but she talks about work there and acts like she is serving in the Temple. Her little sisters and a neighbor girl came with us. When I originally went to pick them up four women were waiting outside and I thought they were coming with us because they were all dressed in skirts. They were just visiting with LaNaw as there is only about two feet between their front doors. This was cool because one of them asked where we were going and I had the opportunity to share. As I was trying to explain that these are sacred places and that we can be married and for just this life but forever, one of them said yes I have a video, Together Forever. The missionaries had given it to her, and I was so grateful that the Lord prepared her with that as I was not doing the best job of explaining. I love this little "missionary goldmine." These humble people have been brought here from war-torn and often inhumane living situations to learn of the Gospel and the hope of eternal life. They are humble and kind people. The Spirit touches my heart when I pull into this large government housing includes many small apartments. I think there may be two bedrooms for the whole Paw family. The Spirit was evident though it was packed today at the open house. There were at least four chapels where people were being bussed from up to the Temple Site. It was beautiful. Before we got to the chapel going up the Draper Mountainside I told them about the Oquirrh Mountain Temple and they could see that one and the Jordan River once we got high enough. The Spirit was sweet in the House of the Lord. I felt a renewed desire to serve and to keep the sacred covenants I made therein. Charlotte (from my Dad's work) and her mother came as well which also added to the "missionary experience." In fact, I had the opportunity to talk to Alma (her Mom) in the Baptismal Font and learned of her belief in the importance of "saving our dead" and her knowledge of the Twelve Tribes of Israel which I explained were symbolized by the twelve oxen. It was sweet to say the least!

Larisa's Birthday

dippin' dots

So I have always enjoyed my sister Amy's enthusiasm for life and her desire to be spontaneous and have a fun time. The time we chased all over town trying to find the Olympic Torch when it was on its way to Atlanta or the time she jokingly popped up in the back seat on my blind date and scared the guy I was with, are just some of the ways she has been outgoing. Well fortunately her husband and son have tamed her down a bit and she hasn't been quite as crazy as she used to be. So when her and I were at a BYU/Utah Basketball game at the Huntsman Center without her son and husband her care-free spirit returned. We were watching the game as it was pretty close. And then I look down and see a group of girls all eating dippin' dots. I leaned over to Amy and say, "We could get Amber some dippin dots for tonight," as it was our sister's birthday. Well Amy took that full force. She ran out to the dippin' dots both and asked if she could buy a bag. The lady, a very nice college student age girl, proceeded to tell her that a large 50 oz bag for 30 bucks. Well Amy quicly forked over the $30 and before I knew it I found myself running after her out of the Hunstman Center. She is yelling behind me (as she is the athlete) that we have to get it on dry ice or it is going to be soup when we get home. Well unbeknowndst to me (as I was still in watching the basketball game) my sister was outside the portal getting strict instructions on how to get this delicacy transported. So I hear in random ear-shot distances that we have to get to the closest grocery store to get a cooler and dry ice. Now I must insert here that while it was a warm summer day it was by no means record-breaking temperatures and the drive to our houses consisted of about 20 minutes from the UofU campus, but Amy (who I love more than I can say) has no sense of direction or time and is running full blast to our car in the Institute parking lot, however, she slows down just enough to ask a biker headed up-hill on his bike (probably in the middle of training) where the closest grocery store that sells dry ice is located. The man stops while Amy is still running, mind you, trying to explain to her that she can probably get some at Smith's that is on 5th south and 5th east. Well I am sure the man probably thought we had an organ and that Amy stole it from the UofU hospital by the way she was funning and the intensity of her question of where to get a styrophome cooler and dry ice. Well we got the dry ice with minimal damage as she is screaming for me to jump out of the car and throwing her wallet at me out the window. Well needless to say it added to the fun party that night as we all sat around eating dippin' dots and hearing how Amy had got them for all to enjoy!!

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