Wait 'Til I Get Going
When people talk about the ambiguous "they," is it a single group of people being referred to every time or are there different groups of "they"? Do the people that are being referred to refer to themselves as "they" or do they call themselves "we"? Perhaps to avoid confusion when referring to themselves they have a special term that only "they" know. If this is the case wouldn't "they" be that and not "they"? To be completely vague, we are "they" and "they" is us. There's an entry for the grammar police and philosophers to chew on. [Hope you all enjoyed the Princes Bride reference.]
Mostly a Mystery
I saw some paper that was advertised as being 25% cotton...what is the other 75%? Can you imagine buying other products that only disclosed 25% of their composition? Are the majority of it's components that detestable or unsavory that they must be kept a secret to protect we consumers? This possible cover-up smacks of Soylent Green. I'm not trying say that paper is people but one does wonder what they are hiding. Misdirection in advertising what a product isn't, such as MSG free, can be a danger as well. Think of the implications if a TV dinner begins to be advertised as 100% kitten free. Does this mean that the other dinners may contain kitten? Most tuna is advertised as "dolphin free" we then assume that it is pure tuna but logically this is just stating that what is in the can is most assuredly not dolphin. We should all be a bit more terrified at what they are or are not telling us. Who is they anyway...
Time of Reflection
I will apologize to those who are expecting a comical blog entry. Don't stop reading though; aspects of this entry have been on my mind for a while. Many of the thoughts herein have entered into my mind at times of great reflective clarity. I do not easily relay things of a personal nature so I will be brief. But I hope that I am able convey the feelings of gratitude that I have for my family. I feel much like Parley P. Pratt did when he wrote of learning the principal of eternal families, from the prophet Joseph Smith (see page 330 of his autobiography).
I could not have been born into a more wonderful family. The more I reflect on growing up with my family, the more I realized how truly blessed I am. My loving parents taught us (my siblings and I) and allowed us to learn. We spent spent time together as a family in recreation as well as work. Among the many things that I gained from this upbringing is a knowledge of and a love for my Father in Heaven.
This love is what fueled my desire to serve as a missionary. After submitting the paperwork I was called to serve in the Micronesia Guam Mission (this included the Republic Palau, Federated States of Micronesia, Northern Marianas Islands, Guam, and the Marshall Islands). I didn't know anyone when I arrived but when I left two years later, I was surprised by how much I loved the people--both those that I served and those with whom I served. I am amazed that when leaving my birth family, I was greeted by another. Even today was I type this, 10 years after first arriving on Guam, the love and gratitude I feel is almost overwhelming. The experiences with my brothers and sisters on the isles of the sea has so profoundly impacted my life that I can't really begin to put them into words.
It would be an understatement if I said that transitioning back into "normal" life after returning home was difficult. I received great comfort and council from my then bishop now father-in-law. The final family I wish to thank is the family into which I married. General Robert E. Lee advised J.B. Hood to “Never marry unless you can do so into a family that will enable your children to feel proud of both sides of the house". I can say without hesitation that in marrying my wonderful wife I have done this. I don't think I could have been more completely welcomed into a family without being born into it. The love they share is a wonderful thing to experience.
The family that my wife and I now enjoy has been directly shaped by these families. I am grateful that these cherished relationships can last through the eternities. Thank you again to these families you are an integral part of the joy I feel in my life.
I could not have been born into a more wonderful family. The more I reflect on growing up with my family, the more I realized how truly blessed I am. My loving parents taught us (my siblings and I) and allowed us to learn. We spent spent time together as a family in recreation as well as work. Among the many things that I gained from this upbringing is a knowledge of and a love for my Father in Heaven.
This love is what fueled my desire to serve as a missionary. After submitting the paperwork I was called to serve in the Micronesia Guam Mission (this included the Republic Palau, Federated States of Micronesia, Northern Marianas Islands, Guam, and the Marshall Islands). I didn't know anyone when I arrived but when I left two years later, I was surprised by how much I loved the people--both those that I served and those with whom I served. I am amazed that when leaving my birth family, I was greeted by another. Even today was I type this, 10 years after first arriving on Guam, the love and gratitude I feel is almost overwhelming. The experiences with my brothers and sisters on the isles of the sea has so profoundly impacted my life that I can't really begin to put them into words.
It would be an understatement if I said that transitioning back into "normal" life after returning home was difficult. I received great comfort and council from my then bishop now father-in-law. The final family I wish to thank is the family into which I married. General Robert E. Lee advised J.B. Hood to “Never marry unless you can do so into a family that will enable your children to feel proud of both sides of the house". I can say without hesitation that in marrying my wonderful wife I have done this. I don't think I could have been more completely welcomed into a family without being born into it. The love they share is a wonderful thing to experience.
The family that my wife and I now enjoy has been directly shaped by these families. I am grateful that these cherished relationships can last through the eternities. Thank you again to these families you are an integral part of the joy I feel in my life.
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