Masquerade!

At the end of January the Utah Food Bank hosted a Masquerade ball.  I've never been to a masquerade aside from the one in high school and then I didn't understand the word; I hadn't seen Phantom of the Opera to that point.

I thought this was going to be such an awesome idea... and indeed it was.  Thanks to whomever put it on facebook.

Mike Marrett and I got dates and masks and went.  There was some slight miscommunication as to the time we were to pick up our dates, so Mike and I just showed up to some Hawaiian food shack and it wasn't half bad.  Then our dates texted us of their being ready.  We ordered them a little something and told the restaurant that we'd be back; "we forgot girls!".... ha!

We showed up and WOW! I'll tell you what, I like a girl that can play in the dirt but these girls were bombshells!  It's nice to be able to go on a date that requires dressing up, since that doesn't happen every date, right?  They had boutonnières for us.  As we were descending the stairs, there was another group going to the same dance and we joined their pictures.

The Hawaiian food was good (little restaurant behind DI called Sweet's Island...).  At the dance we went upstairs and learned some vintage ballroom dances.  These were dances straight out of a Jane Austen book, it was the highlight of the dance.  We went down to the dance floor and 45 minutes went by without a single slow song.... lame!  (speaking of that, I should contact the Food Bank and tell them that...)

We took a few pictures on the court steps and then left to AppleBee's for the Maple Butternut Blondie.  I was told this dessert was to die for.  It truly was a great dessert, I'm hoping we have something like it in heaven.  I bet it's reserved for Celestials only though, ha.

What a great night and I'm glad I was able to go to my first masquerade.

X-COUNTRY SKIING and "PLAYING" MECHANIC

I started this blog so I can have a journal online and not feel like such an omission sinner.  I need to get some of my doings up here.

About a month ago, the middle of January, I went cross country skiing for the first time since I was 16.  And in true Reed fashion, I invited a date and another couple so they could witness how terrible I was. Ha!

It was awesome! We went to Wasatch State Park.  They have a groomed course that was a perfect ~10 km loop.  There was a technical part of the course that we saved for another day (the other couple was lagging a little behind).  

It worked out perfect though.  My date stayed right with me the entire time.  I've decided that cross country skiing is a perfect date activity.  It is adventurous and relaxing enough to carry on a great conversation.

My date, Lindsay Pennock, is an amazing girl.  She is from Michigan and her family is in my Brother Richard's ward.  My sister-in-law, Melissa, got her number for me.  I typically don't like to be set up but I had a great time. Thanks Melissa!

As we were finishing up and putting our gear away in the truck, there was another vehicle having problems starting.  And being Don James' son, I have to see if there is anyway that I can help others when the need arises.  I don't really know that much about vehicles but I talked to him, had him pop the hood, and checked fluids, spark plugs, and air filter.  Not, being a mechanic I couldn't start the vehicle, but I gave them a ride to their home which was just down in Midway.

Maybe I should've let a good date end good.  But again in Reed fashion we pressed on and went shotgun shooting (off the back porch).  It was Lindsay's first time even holding a gun let a lone shooting one.  After the sunset we went inside, had some hot chocolate, and listened to others play the guitar.  

All in all it was a perfect date!

THE LIST REMOVED

I am taking this time to publicly denounce "THE LIST" publicly.  Do I still have the list?... yes.  Are there good attributes that I look for in a future companion?... yes.  However,  I may not have come across well.  Number 1 and 2 are mandatory and 3-10 are not.

I apologize if there was anyone offended by this.

I heard this quote today and Elder Russell Ballard was given credit for it: 

You'll be happier when the person you think you are is who you really are.

Any thoughts on this.  It seems really deep.

I'm not looking to change anyone.  I am so far from perfect but am on a great road to progression.  I suppose I am looking for a friend to share this path with.

brownies and spoons

Stake Conference finished at noon yesterday and I was beside myself.  There was so much time left in the day.  My church usually starts at 1 and I'm not home until 4:30 or 5.  It's a lot different when everyone helps put away chairs.

I decided to cook some brownies.  Yup, me and Betty Crocker.  They were way good.  We had some friends over and one of them mentioned that in her family they don't even cut the brownies up.  Everyone just grabs a spoon and digs in.  

I gathered everyone around the kitchen table, poured the milk, and we all dug in.  It was awesome!

I, and everyone else, got just enough brownie.  Sometimes we are asking ourselves if we really want another whole or even half brownie.  Problem solved; just take a spoonful or half.  Or, if you want to binge, no one knows...

This is going to be a new Reedo tradition.

stake conference

Yesterday was Stake Conference.  I almost was late.  I slept in until 9:33 and it started at 10.  I couldn't get my roommate out of bed for it, but I later found out that he pulled a girls car out of a ditch. (it was the run off ditch of the BYU dairy farm and so her car was buried in manure to the window).  While I was learning about the gospel he was living it...

This was the best stake conference to date.  Do you ever get the feeling that the general authorities are so perfect and don't relate as well.  Elder Pace (Glen..?) really did.  He simply talked to us.  He was amazing, I didn't see him look down at a talk save maybe once or twice.  I loved how he talked about not micromanaging stakes and even members.  They can only show us the way to the Lord but I have to build my own relationship with Him. 

I went to the temple session of stake conference on Friday night.  I have never in my life seen the temple so busy.  If you know the Provo temple, imagine  parking lot full, parking lot across the street full, street sides of the temple full, and people parking at the "front" of the temple. (yes, the back of the temple, is actually the front).  It made me so happy.  It was the first time that temple work seemed as busy to me as missionary work; though they are one in the same.

----side note----

When I came home from my mission I did a session in the temple on a weekday morning and there were ~8 people total in the session.  I was frustrated the whole day.  I couldn't understand why the temple had such a bleak session.  Later that day the Spirit worked on me and told me to go do another session that day in the temple.  I went back that night and WOW! it was busy.  I realized that most people have jobs and school and such....

----------

This past Friday I arrived at the temple just after 6:30.  They ran out of lockers and were putting us downstairs in the basement lockers.  They took our stake in two sessions and I didn't go in until the 8 o'clock session!  I loved it!

Saturday night is the adult session and many YSA want to date and play and I want them to come play with me.  I planned a dinner before the session at my parents house and we had a good crowd come out.  Thanks Ma and Pa and everyone that came out.

The last thing I want to say is how much Elder Pace and I love Joseph Smith.  He and I fantasize about living in the day with and being faithful to the Prophet Joseph Smith.  Elder Pace, while serving in the Presiding Bishopric, had a speaking assignment in Palmyra/Rochester, New York.  He skipped out of his Thursday meeting so he could be in the Sacred Grove.  

There he was in the Sacred Grove, on a "beautiful spring morning," reading his scriptures, and soaking it in.  He was alone and started feeling the Spirit.  Suddenly, the Spirit worked on him deep and hard.  He thought how he wanted to be faithful to Joseph Smith, yet there was an empty chair in front of Spencer W. Kimball where he should have been sitting.

I thought about this recently.  The Lord no longer is asking the saints to cross the plains but rather to cross our streets and do our home teaching.  The road to sanctification is not any easier but the terrain may have changed somewhat.

There are some in my family who have had some deep trials that I don't wish on anyone save it be that they come out as victorious as they have.  Thank you for your examples to me!

BACK TO SCHOOL PROMPTINGS

I was called to the Elder's Quorum Presidency, 1st counselor, about 2 months ago.  In my setting apart I was told that I would receive the vision that our Elder's quorum needs to take to accomplish the Lord's work.  Since then I have been inquiring of the Lord what we should do.

I kept getting the same thoughts that I should go to school next semester.  I was planning to take a semester off and focus on the suit business.  I was fighting this prompting a little too hard.

I thought about Joseph Smith and his family and all that they had to go through just to get geologically close enough to the plates.  Joseph Smith Sr. had crops fail, crop money stolen, and family illnesses.  And here I am fighting a prompting to continue to go to school that thereby I can have the career I truly desire.

(I will make another post of an experience that has led me to my decision to teach).

Over the Christmas break I visited my Brother, Richard, and his family.  It was an awesome visit and I miss them muchos.  One night Melissa, Richard's wife, and I were talking.  We were setting up "the plan." 

I love how Melissa shoots it straight.  She won't try to give you or I too much fluff but just says it how it is.  Don't get me wrong, she isn't mean or overbearing but rather bold; like a bold missionary calling others to repentance. ha!

I decided I would put more focus on school, get done, and then put some more time onto other business ideas. Thanks Melissa.

Upon returning to Utah I set up an appointment with a counselor to layout the battle plan.  She saw that I was working towards a Biology degree and have aspirations to teach.  In my mind I would do a Biology degree and later a teaching certificate.  She made it very clear that in doing such the odds were against me.  I would either be hired at possible less pay or have to prove qualifications were above that of others applying for the jobs.

After some good humility, I licked my wounds and am now fighting for a Biology Education Degree.  I hope now that I have humbled myself and heeded the Lord's personal prompting to me I can seek to help the Elder's quorum and ward.

In memory of Bryce Christianson

Bryce was a strong silent young man.  He went through this world doing what was asked of him with out complaint.  He loved a little bit of crazy like me.  Snowboarding and wakeboarding were passions of his.  I remember how fast he picked up on wakeboarding.  I took him out, taught him how to get up, on my parents boat, and after half a dozen runs he was as good as me.

He came home from his mission, in South Africa, nearly two months ago.  He was heading to his first day of college coming home off the mission.  He was hit by an adjacent car which spun him into a dump truck.  He was knocked unconscious.  His dad, on his way to work, saw what appeared to be Bryce's car.  He called Bryce's cell phone, after no answer, and confirming the license plate, he rushed to the scene.  He was able to ride in the ambulance with him to the hospital but he never regained consciousness.

I actually didn't know Bryce that well.  I always reached out to befriend him.  He was about 5 years younger than me.  The lesson I learn from this experience is a great reminder.

Life is fragile.  We may not have preparations for our last day on earth; these preparations need to be shown by the way we live daily.  Not all of us will get to say our final "good-bye."  I will strive to be a better friend. I will strive to hug more.  I will strive to serve more. 

Bryce, 

thanks for your life, your example, and your service we benefitted from here on earth.

It is the fore-mentioned reasons why I hope