Yesterday and last night I experienced something to which I hope none of you can relate. I am writhing to you on the subject of receiving and acting on revelation and promptings of the Spirit.
Last night we had an elder in our zone go home. This elder had struggled while he was here in the MTC but we all thought he would make it.
Earlier in the day we had gym time-a chance for us to get some physical activity. When this elder walked into the gym, our eyes met and we said hi. In that moment I thought "I need to talk to him and see how he is doing." The next thought was "Nah, there will be time later. I need to go run."
Fast forward to the night. I finished up my nightly prayer and ran to the bathroom before going to bed. As I passed this elders room I saw the door open and a BYU cop in there talking to him. Again I felt the need to stop and talk to him, this time accompanied by the familiar warm sensation of the Spirit. And again it was followed by a discouragement-"the campus cop would just tell me to go away anyway, whats the point?"
I returned to my room and sat on my bed. The urge to go and offer my assistance returned and I decided to go and do, like Nephi said. Leaving the room, I hesitated and ducked back into the bathroom-same doubts. As I walked back to my room I almost turned in to speak with the elder but let my doubts win.
This time I knelt and prayed. As I poured my heart out to God I couldn't help but hear the voices outside my door. The word came over the radios and the campus cops escorted him out. I felt like President Monson running through the halls of the hospital only to find out he was too late. As one of the zone leaders was leaving I grabbed him and asked him to express our love to the elder. Too little, too late.
I do not know if this elder would have stayed because of my words, but I do know that I failed to do my duty as a disciple of Christ. The words of Elder Bednar rang in my head for hours. During an address given at the MTC he answered the question "How do I know if it is the Spirit or just my thoughts?" He quite passionately stated:
"Quit worrying about it! Quit stewin,' Quit fussin', Quit worryin' about it!"
Any thought or impression that leads you to do good is of God. When I had that thought in the gym, it was of God.
I encourage you, I urge you, I plead with you-when such thoughts come, act. Act right then. There is not time later, the time is now. Don't hesitate. Don't waste time worrying about if it is the Spirit or not. You cannot afford to lose that time. I know that this is the work of God. I know that if we act we can be the answer to the prayers of others. I also know the guilt that comes from failing to act. It is my sincere desire that others not have to feel it too. I share these things in the name of Jesus Christ , Amen
Tuesday, October 18, 2011
Tuesday, August 30, 2011
Leaving
For those who don't know I will be leaving to serve a mission tomorrow morning. This means I did not get around to updating about everything. This also means I will not be around to blog for the next 2 years. During that time this blog may be used on occasion to have my mother post things I send her to keep people updated on my goings on. Just so you all know!
Thursday, August 25, 2011
Mission Mail
If you would like to get in touch with me during my mission the best way to do that is to write a letter. I would love to hear from anybody and everybody and hear how things are going for you. In my mission; however, we use pouch mail. It is a way to send mail to Chile (or other countries) for cheaper but has some different requirements. The following is copied from the information I received because it can explain it better than I can:
If you choose to use the pouch service (which is cheaper) fold the paper into thirds and tape the long edge of the paper closed. Put a stamp on it and address it to:
"Pouch mail instructions: The Church provides pouch mail service to your mission. Items sent by pouch mail use the United States Postal Service from your location to Church headquarters, where they are forwarded to the missionary by a private courier along with other Church mail...
...Only postcards or one-page correspondences (no envelopes) written on one side of the page may be sent through the pouch. Notebook of other light-weight paper will not process through the USPS machines. Photographs are not acceptable...
...Items restricted from the pouch [such as photographs, packages, letters more than a page long, etc.]
may be sent through the USPS or a private courier."
If you choose to use the pouch service (which is cheaper) fold the paper into thirds and tape the long edge of the paper closed. Put a stamp on it and address it to:
Elder Richard Bishop
Chile Santiago East Mission
POB 30150
Salt Lake City UT 84130-0150
If you choose a more conventional method (or have to use it since what you're sending won't go through pouch) then address it to:
Elder Richard Bishop
Chile Santiago East Mission
Pedro de Valdivia 1423,
Providencia
29 Santiago
Region Metropolitana CHILE
Phone: 56 2-340-5035
You will need the phone number for a private courier.
Wow, such a long explanation! I look forward to hearing from you all!! And if you're not inclined to write me don't worry, I fail at writing to missionaries too.
Tuesday, August 16, 2011
Stocks!!
For years I have wanted to experiment with investing in the stock market. At the moment I find myself with a little free time and some mad money (money I can lose and not be hurt).
I initially invested $500, but the problem is that with a small amount of money it is hard to recover from the brokerage fees ($7 for each trade). Though all but one of the 5 stocks I chose have been up around 10% from where I initially bought them, I still cannot sell out of them without going in the whole because I don't have enough shares to cover the fees!! Good thing this is only to learn, right?
Right. But it still irks me to know that even though my investments have done fairly well, I will still be ending this endeavor with less money than I began (probably only by a couple of dollars, but its the principle of the thing!!). So, even though I have told myself and my parents that I will not become a day trader, I have picked out a stock that I feel I can make significant money on if I watch it and day-trade on it. I know, usually you pick a lot of them and different ones each day and all that good stuff, but I am confident on this and if it works out well perhaps I will talk more about it.
Basically it is a crappy company with consistent (almost every day for the past year) daily highs and lows. My plan, obviously, is to buy in on the daily low and sell on the daily high. The dangerous part is that a quick glance at the company's financials plus the fact that the stock has been stagnant for over a year means that this company could disappear any day. Bankrupt.
Risky? Yes. Good thing I can lose this money and not be too hurt! That being said, I am still fairly confident in this plan and I can watch the stock during the day and see exactly when other day traders do the same thing, so I'm not alone in utilizing this cash-cow. In a few days I should have more than paid for the "learning experience". I'll keep ya'll posted!!
I initially invested $500, but the problem is that with a small amount of money it is hard to recover from the brokerage fees ($7 for each trade). Though all but one of the 5 stocks I chose have been up around 10% from where I initially bought them, I still cannot sell out of them without going in the whole because I don't have enough shares to cover the fees!! Good thing this is only to learn, right?
Right. But it still irks me to know that even though my investments have done fairly well, I will still be ending this endeavor with less money than I began (probably only by a couple of dollars, but its the principle of the thing!!). So, even though I have told myself and my parents that I will not become a day trader, I have picked out a stock that I feel I can make significant money on if I watch it and day-trade on it. I know, usually you pick a lot of them and different ones each day and all that good stuff, but I am confident on this and if it works out well perhaps I will talk more about it.
Basically it is a crappy company with consistent (almost every day for the past year) daily highs and lows. My plan, obviously, is to buy in on the daily low and sell on the daily high. The dangerous part is that a quick glance at the company's financials plus the fact that the stock has been stagnant for over a year means that this company could disappear any day. Bankrupt.
Risky? Yes. Good thing I can lose this money and not be too hurt! That being said, I am still fairly confident in this plan and I can watch the stock during the day and see exactly when other day traders do the same thing, so I'm not alone in utilizing this cash-cow. In a few days I should have more than paid for the "learning experience". I'll keep ya'll posted!!
Wow...
...ok so I may have let my blog fall behind as of late. No, I did let my blog fall behind. Its been busy!! (but mostly I've just been lazy)
Last time I posted I was headed for West Virginia. That was a fun trip! I spent about 2 weeks visiting my brother and his family. My sister-in-law had to go up to girls' camp the second week to help run things so I watched the kids for her. It only amounted to one day really but that was enough. SOOO glad I don't have to be a mother. Seriously, I don't know how you women do it! Between crying children trying to climb in the shower with me and poopy diapers, I was ready for their dad to come home and save me.
At the end of my visit my sister-in-law and the kids flew back to Utah with me so that she could go to her family reunion and my other brother's wedding!! Congrats bro! The night before we flew out my brother gathered his family around him and gave each child and his wife a father's blessing. It was a wonderful example to me of a man utilizing his priesthood- much like my father always has been. He and his wife offered me the opportunity to bless their youngest child. It was such a sweet and tender moment for me- one that I will never forget. The priesthood power is truly amazing.
The wedding/reception was the Saturday after I got back so there was a lot of work getting the yard ready for the reception and the like. The day went well and, in spite of the stress and tension, was a good day with family.
The next family event will be taking me to the Missionary Training Center in Provo. Yes, I have a mission call. I have had it for a long time now, just haven't written about it. I will be serving for the next two years in the Chile, Santiago East Mission. I enter the MTC on August 31. My mission- geographically speaking- is the smallest proselyting mission in the world. It is about 20 miles long and 7 miles wide; however, in that small area are about 3.5 million people!! 10 stakes, 55 wards and 2 branches of the church fit within the boundaries of my mission along with a Temple, the headquarters of the church in Chile, an MTC and possibly- my fingers are crossed- the Chilean Military Academy. It will be a fun and exciting 2 years!! I'll post contact info for me while I am gone in a later post, along with what my life has been and will be made up of until I go.
Last time I posted I was headed for West Virginia. That was a fun trip! I spent about 2 weeks visiting my brother and his family. My sister-in-law had to go up to girls' camp the second week to help run things so I watched the kids for her. It only amounted to one day really but that was enough. SOOO glad I don't have to be a mother. Seriously, I don't know how you women do it! Between crying children trying to climb in the shower with me and poopy diapers, I was ready for their dad to come home and save me.
At the end of my visit my sister-in-law and the kids flew back to Utah with me so that she could go to her family reunion and my other brother's wedding!! Congrats bro! The night before we flew out my brother gathered his family around him and gave each child and his wife a father's blessing. It was a wonderful example to me of a man utilizing his priesthood- much like my father always has been. He and his wife offered me the opportunity to bless their youngest child. It was such a sweet and tender moment for me- one that I will never forget. The priesthood power is truly amazing.
The wedding/reception was the Saturday after I got back so there was a lot of work getting the yard ready for the reception and the like. The day went well and, in spite of the stress and tension, was a good day with family.
The next family event will be taking me to the Missionary Training Center in Provo. Yes, I have a mission call. I have had it for a long time now, just haven't written about it. I will be serving for the next two years in the Chile, Santiago East Mission. I enter the MTC on August 31. My mission- geographically speaking- is the smallest proselyting mission in the world. It is about 20 miles long and 7 miles wide; however, in that small area are about 3.5 million people!! 10 stakes, 55 wards and 2 branches of the church fit within the boundaries of my mission along with a Temple, the headquarters of the church in Chile, an MTC and possibly- my fingers are crossed- the Chilean Military Academy. It will be a fun and exciting 2 years!! I'll post contact info for me while I am gone in a later post, along with what my life has been and will be made up of until I go.
Monday, July 18, 2011
Productivity!!
I had such high hopes for making today a productive day, but then I combined, counted and stacked my coins:
21.75 in quarters- pretty simple
10.30 in dimes- still nothin' fancy
2.00 in nickels- blurry photo
and 0.62 in pennies- my crowning achievement for the day! Sad, I know.
On a more significant note, I am leaving for West Virginia in the morning to visit my brother and his family before I leave on my mission- ya know, the one I haven't blogged about yet. When I come back hopefully I'll get on and post some sort of update on my life. Maybe I'll get ambitious and write something tonight, but don't count on it- I've got to catch up on what I should have been doing this morning!
Saturday, May 21, 2011
Long time coming
Its been a long time since I wrote anything on here. Not much has happened, but what has happened is big enough it should probably be up.
My mission papers are finally done! There were problems with getting a doctor's appointment but after over a month of trying/waiting (we only have two doctors- we need probably 4) I finally got in and had my physical. Immediately afterword I had my interviews. Pres. Chappel is an amazing man to sit and talk with. Of course there was the standard worthiness interview but then we just sat and talked for a while. What a truly inspired and inspirational man! Still waiting for the call.
The next bit of news is regarding my esophagus. We got a copy of the notes from my endoscopy in Las Vegas and the doctor included a diagnosis of GERD- as was expected- and directions for treatment of it as such. I had an EGD (don't ask, I can neither say nor spell what that stands for) on Monday. Sunday night my dad and brother gave me a blessing in the which he promised me that everything would be clear. The next morning the doctor went into my throat with a balloon to expand my esophagus and couldn't, it was already as big as it should be. There were no signs whatsoever of GERD, heart-burn or any other of my symptoms. The medical history is there, but the signs are not. He biopsied a section of my esophagus to check and gave a tentative diagnosis (which I can also neither say nor spell). The results came back and I have whatever it was. Medical research still doesn't know what it is. They're not sure what causes it, but they think its some sort of an allergy. This sounds bad because if they don't know what it is, they can't treat it, right? Wrong! I checked the list of disqualifying medical conditions for the military and this is not one of them. I have the same symptoms and take the same drugs, but its called something different so- for now- it looks like I can serve.
The posts have been slower lately because for work we have been going back and forth between here at home and Needles Ca. We don't have internet in Needles so I haven't been posting. Headed back Monday for the final trip of the spring. Since this trip will be about a month long there will probably not be any posts until mid-June at the earliest.
That's pretty much all the news! I was hoping to have a new recipe to put up here today but between the dying lawn mower and the extra wet spring it took me several hours to mow the lawn this morning. So much for that...
My mission papers are finally done! There were problems with getting a doctor's appointment but after over a month of trying/waiting (we only have two doctors- we need probably 4) I finally got in and had my physical. Immediately afterword I had my interviews. Pres. Chappel is an amazing man to sit and talk with. Of course there was the standard worthiness interview but then we just sat and talked for a while. What a truly inspired and inspirational man! Still waiting for the call.
The next bit of news is regarding my esophagus. We got a copy of the notes from my endoscopy in Las Vegas and the doctor included a diagnosis of GERD- as was expected- and directions for treatment of it as such. I had an EGD (don't ask, I can neither say nor spell what that stands for) on Monday. Sunday night my dad and brother gave me a blessing in the which he promised me that everything would be clear. The next morning the doctor went into my throat with a balloon to expand my esophagus and couldn't, it was already as big as it should be. There were no signs whatsoever of GERD, heart-burn or any other of my symptoms. The medical history is there, but the signs are not. He biopsied a section of my esophagus to check and gave a tentative diagnosis (which I can also neither say nor spell). The results came back and I have whatever it was. Medical research still doesn't know what it is. They're not sure what causes it, but they think its some sort of an allergy. This sounds bad because if they don't know what it is, they can't treat it, right? Wrong! I checked the list of disqualifying medical conditions for the military and this is not one of them. I have the same symptoms and take the same drugs, but its called something different so- for now- it looks like I can serve.
The posts have been slower lately because for work we have been going back and forth between here at home and Needles Ca. We don't have internet in Needles so I haven't been posting. Headed back Monday for the final trip of the spring. Since this trip will be about a month long there will probably not be any posts until mid-June at the earliest.
That's pretty much all the news! I was hoping to have a new recipe to put up here today but between the dying lawn mower and the extra wet spring it took me several hours to mow the lawn this morning. So much for that...
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