A Random Thought

Where ever life takes you, go cheerfully.

However the Lord needs you, serve willingly.

Coming home from a lesson with Joseph tonight, that was the thought that came to me as Brett and I talked about the possibilities in our future. As I continued to ponder that thought, a quote came to mind: “Men and women who turn their lives over to God will find out that God can make a lot more out of their lives than they can. He will deepen their joys, expand their visions, quicken their minds, strengthen their muscles, lift their spirits, multiply their blessings, increase their opportunities, comfort their souls, raise up friends, and pour out peace. Whoever will lose his life to God will find he has eternal life.” (Pres. Ezra Taft Benson)

                                                                                        

Riding on a crowded subway this evening, I couldn’t help but reflect on my life. I think about my high school friends and how our lives have taken on very different courses. While many of them attend college an hour from home, I found myself half-way across the country. As a nineteen year old boy, I set off for the island of Taiwan to preach the gospel among a people and in a culture I didn’t understand, to speak a language I didn’t know. It was there I realized what life was really about, feeling a joy I had never felt before. I wouldn’t trade these experiences I had and the life lessons I’ve learned for anything. Now I find myself back in Asia as a student, realizing that almost thirty of the past forty months of my life have been here. Now having close friends and associates from six continents, I realize that my view of the world has changed.

As a young man, I once thought that I would be content if I never left the United States. I realize now that there are so many good people in this world, all of whom could be blessed by the gospel of Jesus Christ. I pray that the Lord will find use for me yet, in His great work throughout the earth.

So Much To Be Grateful For

“What if the only things you had each morning were the things you thanked Heavenly Father for the night before?” –Unknown

            Six a.m. thanksgivings morning I was up studying for the Chinese test I would be having later that day. I looked over at my roommate still fast asleep in his bed, and couldn’t help but think that today didn’t feel much like a holiday. As I sat there reviewing Chinese characters and grammar principles, I knew that I had a decision to make: think about what I was missing at home or be grateful for the abundant blessings surrounding my life right now. Walking over to window, I peered out over the slow moving traffic of the third-ring road. In that moment I just marveled at the opportunity I was having—I am in China! This study abroad has been the greatest highlight of my college education thus far, how could I wish it away? From that moment everything changed for me. I choose to be happy! I mean, the sweet and sour chicken I had for lunch wasn’t exactly turkey, but it no longer mattered to me.

Just over a month ago I came across a quote that I really liked: “Do you ever pray to Him when your heart is so filled of things to thank Him for that you do not feel inclined to ask for anything else?” (Elder Richard G. Scott) Looking back over my childhood, even during our families toughest times there was always so much in our lives to be grateful for! Wouldn’t peoples’ lives be so much the happier if instead of focusing on what they don’t have, took more time to recognize the blessings they already have? In the Doctrine and Covenants, the Lord teaches us: “And he who receiveth all things with thankfulness shall be made glorious; and the things of this earth shall be added unto him even an hundred fold, yeah, more” (D&C 78:19). Wanting to recognize more the blessings in my life, I decided then that every day before I went to sleep I would record one thing from that day I was grateful for:

Thoughts That Make Me Smile…

        The atonement;            eternal families;        The Book of Mormon;       
     

                     priesthood blessings;          loving relationships;        a friend who listens;

       hand written letters;        MOM and DAD;         warm blankets and hot chocolate;
 

            someone smiling in a crowded subway;         clean sheets on my bed;            

waking up Monday mornings;            bungee jumping;              brother/sister dates;

    religion homework;         songs with meaningful lyrics;    wearing new socks;     

 sincere prayers;         Chinese;     Christmas music;       health;         blue skies;

                       messages from friends you haven’t seen in a long time;        

        fireworks;        trying new things;       movie nights;              Thanksgiving;   

          autumn leaves;           knowing God hears and answers prayers;        skiing;            

having friends from around the world;        warm scarfs;                messages from home;        
                  falling snow;                repentance;                       learning;

In A Muppet's Christmas Carol, we hear the words: “Every night will end, and every day will start, With a grateful prayer and a thankful heart.” Gratitude is something we have to work at constantly. I remember a conversation my roommate and I had a while back. A little frustrated one of us blurted out: “What in the world!? Our maid hasn’t swept our floor in two or three days.” Josh and I stop and look at each other… were we really just complain about that? When in my life have I ever had a maid before now? Each week she puts clean sheets on my bed. On an almost daily basis she sweeps our floor, cleans our bathroom, and takes out our trash. Isn’t it sad how we sometimes take blessings for granted? Our health for example; doesn’t it seem we appreciate it most when it’s lacking? 

Tonight we spent the evening having a wonderful turkey dinner at President Johnson’s house. Our holiday was saved once again by our amazing ward family! But even if it hadn’t, I recognize that my life is what I make of it. I chose my own attitude. Why not make the most out of each day the Lord gives you?

Religion Homework and Life Lessons

For my online religion class, I had to interview my parents about ‘what they have learned about the Lord's purposes in bringing the two genders together in marriage.’ I thought one comment was particularly insightful:

“Men and women often see and respond to situations very differently. Families are happier and more balanced when men and women bring their strengths and weaknesses together, seeking to learn and grow…When a child falls and gets hurt, they are blessed if they have a mother to tenderly give them a hug and a father to pick them up, brush them off and send them back into the battle with an extra bit of strength, confidence and courage.”

My parents show their love in very different ways. My mother is probably the most sincere person I know, and just has that way about her. When she tells you that she loves you, there is no doubt in your mind that she really does. Writing long, meaningful emails and letters just comes naturally for her! My father loves me just as much, but he shows his love in completely different ways. I doubt anyone works harder than my father, and I swear he can fix anything. It’s through these acts of service that my father demonstrates his love for us. Though he may come across all rough and tough on the outside, he also has a tender heart. Growing up, I can remember many occasions when in a tender moment, seeing tears come to my father’s eyes.

The point I am trying to make is that everyone shows their love in different ways. Here are a couple examples of typical emails from my dad:

Hey

We have been reading your blog! And wondering how you stay out of the chinese prison system?? haha We are busy as always. Guess you heard we paid off the house.  

Keep smiling and be careful. 

LOVE DAD

Hey Buddy

Thanks for the note. Things are about the same here.  Matt is gearing up for the big play.

Love DAD

If I based his love for me on the expectation of long, meaningful letter, I might have thought that I was an afterthought. Instead, I read these short little notes and smile, taking it for what it is: an expression of love.

The Power Of Words

Isn’t it amazing how words can make you feel? A genuine compliment, a sincere note, words of encouragement when you’re feeling down, and sometimes even a simple ‘hello’ can make your entire day. Have you ever known someone that just made you feel like you were a million dollars? Maybe it was what they said, or how they said it, but they just made you feel like you mattered to them.

On the flip side, words can be painful and even damaging to others sense of self-worth. Running around the playground as a small child, I am sure most of us will remember the chant: ‘Sticks and stones may break my bones, but words will never hurt me.’ Could that saying be more untrue? One response to this familiar adage I found insightful: “Words can leave wounds and scars that linger long after broken bones are healed.”

How can an instrument that sheds forth so much light and love into others’ lives, also be the instrument that degrades, tears down, and injures another? “Some things we say can be destructive, even venomous—and that is a chilling indictment for a Latter-day Saint! The voice that bears profound testimony, utters fervent prayers, and sings the hymns of Zion can be the same voice that berates and criticizes, embarrasses and demeans, inflicts pain and destroys the spirit of oneself and others in the process. ‘Out of the same mouth proceedeth both blessings and cursings,’ James grieves. ‘My brethren, these things ought not to be so.’” (Jeffrey R. Holland, 2007)

Why do we say things that would tear another down? Why do we participate in conversations where someone is criticizing? Why do we want to look for others’ faults? Hopefully the next time we would criticize, we will praise instead. When someone says something negative, we’ll choose to say something positive. Instead of focusing on faults, we’ll look for others’ strengths. “Our words, like our deeds, should be filled with faith and hope and charity, the three great Christian imperatives so desperately needed in the world today. With such words, spoken under the influence of the Spirit, tears can be dried, hearts can be healed, lives can be elevated, hope can return, confidence can prevail.” (Jeffrey R. Holland, 2007)

We would do well to remember the words of Paul: “When I was a child, I spake as a child, I understood as a child, I thought as a child: but when I became a man, I put away childish things.” (1 Corinthians 13:11) To be a disciple of our Lord, Jesus Christ, we need to be more thoughtful about the conversations we choose to participate in, and more disciplined in the words we allow come from our mouths. There is power in the words we speak, for while “people may forget what you said, they may forget what you did, but they will never forget how you made them feel.” (Maya Angelou, 1928)

Let us act on our Saviors admonition given in this dispensation: “Therefore, strengthen your brethren in all your conversations, in all your prayers…and in all your doings.” (D&C 108:7)

Our Little Beijing Adventures

During our stay here in Beijing, we have had a lot of little adventures that weren’t grand enough to make into blog posts, so I thought that I would clump all these little memories together:

Here in Beijing I’ve had the opportunity to eat a lot of food that I probably wouldn’t have in the United States. I wasn’t too surprised that we would eat Japanese, Manchurian, Mongolian, and Korean food, but I hadn’t thought we would eat food from the Middle East.  (We just had Afghan food last week and Greek food the week before).  On the street I’ve also eaten:

Scorpion

Sea Snake

Centipede

Wolf

Shark

Star Fish

Visited a Chinese Military Base:

Have you ever played  ‘007 Golden-Eye’ on Nintendo 64? We got to shoot an AK47 automatic machine gun, sniper rifle, and a pistol with a silencer on it. It was legit!

Beijing Zoo:

500 Year Old Muslim Mosque:

We visited the Mosque with three of our friends who are Iraqi. Because we were with them, we were allowed to visit parts of this Mosque that tourists aren’t allowed to see. It was also interesting, because Sam told me about his experiences of what it was like living in Iraq when US troops arrived. In fact, he was living in Bagdad.

  Saw Beijing from on top its tallest building:

 Beijing Ballet:

Our Cozy Western World

Every individual who comes to China is going to be caught off guard by some aspect of this country. For some it might have been the food. They have eaten at Chinese restaurants in their home country a million times and come here to realize that it is not what they expected. Others thought they had a good grasp on the language, only to arrive here and realize that they don’t understand a word being said to them. For me, it was the lack of personal space. Getting on the subway for the first time, I saw fifteen people squeeze into an area that I was sure could only fit another five max. One of the books I read this semester was entitled China Road. The author explained his experience living here in China: “Over time, I have become inoculated against Chinese noise. This is the sort of thing that used to infuriate me. What are you doing, kid, crooning out of tune in my ear? And what is the driver doing playing that music so loud in the first place? …You go back to the United States or Europe, and wonder why people are jumping up and down with annoyance at some minor noise or irritation… We have such low thresholds of annoyance in our cozy Western world” (Pg 146). Isn’t that so true?

In our cozy Western world, we are used to getting what we want, when we want it. We often go to fast-food restaurants and are irritated when there is a mess up in the order, delaying us an ‘entire’ minute. Surfing the web, we are annoyed if the web page takes more than a few seconds to load. Have you ever been driving down the free-way and had someone slower than you in the passing lane? All these situations are so minor, and yet at times we get upset over them. I believe we could all learn an important lesson from the Chinese, and choose not to make a big fuss over things that don’t really matter.

The Great Hall of the People and Chairman Mao Memorial Hall

I never thought I would visit China’s political center before my own country’s, but life can be surprising at times. The Great Hall of the People is the political hub of Beijing and home of the National People’s Congress. It functions as China's parliament building, and essentially the equivalent of Capital Hill in Washington D.C. The first time we went, it was closed to the public as the communist party officials were in session. Returning today we were able to visit rooms on all three floors including the banquet hall that hosted Presidents Barrack Obama and Hu Jintao back in 2009.

The Chairman Mao Memorial Hall is the final resting place of Mao Zedong, the chairman of the Communist Party from 1945 until his death in 1976. The body of Mao was embalmed following his death and laid in a glass coffin, which is on display for public viewing in the mausoleum located in the middle of Tiananmen Square, in Beijing, the capital of China. Thousands of people stand in long lines every day to see the former chairman, many paying tribute to him with white flowers. (Wikipedia.com)

Imperial Gardens and Brother/Sister Dates

Jingshan Park:

 

Originally an imperial garden, it is now a public park. The focal point of which is an artificial hill constructed during the Ming Dynasty entirely from the soil excavated in forming the moats of the Imperial Palace and nearby canals. It is especially impressive when one considers that all of this material was moved only by manual labor and animal power. Jingshan consists of five individual peaks, and on the top of each peak there lies an elaborate pavilion. The last emperor of the Ming Dynasty committed suicide by hanging himself here in 1644. (Wikipedia.com)

Beihai Park:

Beihai Park was once an imperial garden, and is located to the northwest of the Forbidden City. First built in the 10th century, it is amongst the largest of Chinese gardens, and contains numerous historically important structures, palaces, and temples. The White Dagoba (a dome-shaped shrine containing relics of the Buddha) is 40 m high and placed on the highest point of Qiónghuá Island. Its body of this tower is made of white stone decorated with sun, moon, and flame engravings. Secreted inside the structure are Buddhist Scriptures, monk's mantles, alms bowls, and the bones of monks.

Once a week my sister and I try to spend an entire afternoon together. Life is too short to get caught up in the routine of everyday life, and forget to spend time with those who are most important to you: family. Visiting these two parks today was part of our brother/sister date this week, and the parks were absolutely beautiful! We were also accompanied by a nice young man from Germany for most the day, as he has been touring around Beijing by himself most of the week. When we saw him sitting on a bench this afternoon he seemed kind of lonely, so we asked him if he wanted some company. This semester here in China has been much more of an international experience than I ever could have expected.