Two Words

Two words:
Effective immediately.

Approximately 7 years ago, I received my Patriarchial Blessing.

You can imagine what was going through my mind as a 14-year old when the idea of a mission was planted. If you can't, it was something along the lines of, "Oh hey, cool. A mission. At 21. That's a long time away!" 
Okay, that's probably not what went through my mind. What I probably thought about missions at the time was, "21 is old."
Either way, since then I'd thought regularly about serving a mission.
No lie. Regularly. 
Living in northern Utah, I've probably been to Temple Square a good... fifty or so times. The sister missionaries at temple square make it a point to ask if you are going to serve a mission. Even at the ripe old age of 14. Kudos to them, recruiting young ;) They then proceed to tell you how AH-MAZING it is and will talk to you about it until the end of time.
Even if I didn't visit temple square at least 4 times a year, there were plenty of young men in my church that were leaving for a mission. Naturally, I was interested. When a 19 year old boy you think is attractive decides he is leaving for two years to share a message about Christ to obscure parts of the world, you think a little deeper about "why". There weren't as many girls I knew going on missions, but I knew it was perfectly possible.
I also knew that my amazing mother had served a mission (Portland, Oregon). She has shared experiences about her mission with me since I was little, and reminds me every day of how important serving the Lord is. (Mosiah 2:17)
So, from the time I was 14, I was pretty sure that I would serve a mission.

Approximately 20 days ago, I (along with 4,000 other young men and women) started mission papers. 

On Friday, I called my bishop here in Provo so I could start meeting with him about a mission. He didn't answer, so I resolved to call him on Monday to make an appointment to see him later in the week. 
Following President Monson's historic announcement that Saturday, I called my bishop to start papers ASAP. 
Why wait? The announcement was effective immediately.
After talking with my YSA bishop in Provo, I decided it would be better to go through my home ward. I could imagine that the bishops in YSA wards getting slammed with young women especially wanting to start their papers.
I did (and still do, although it's decreased some) have a fear about those jumping in and starting their papers just because the age was changed. I worry that we haven't been completely educated about a mission, and how hard it really is. I've talked with a lot of return missionaries in my ward and they all bring up the same point:
The stories you hear about someone's mission are always good. In homecoming talks, you hear the same 5 stories and automatically think a mission is rainbows and ponies. But if you think about it, in two years, two years, you have 5 outstanding experiences? What happened the other 725 days? Most likely rejection. Doors slamming in your face. Dropped appointments. Investigators that fall through. 
BUT, 
I stumbled across this blog post. It resonated with me. I knew why I wanted to serve, and it gave me a little more comfort about why others have chosen to dive into this. 
This is a wonderful thing, don't get me wrong. I just know that a lot of my dear friends have served with companions that don't really want to be out there and have gone just because they felt pressured. 
That said, I know of quite a few missionaries that went out just because it was expected and have become fantastic missionaries and servants of the Lord. 

Approximately 14 days ago, I submitted my mission papers.

Yes, yes. It took me one week to start and submit my papers. 
Everything lined up perfectly, and it definitely helps that I don't have to have my wisdom teeth out. In fact, I don't have any wisdom teeth. 
Does that mean that I am less wise than all the 16 year olds that are having their surgeries?
Or... am I more evolved? What's the point of wisdom teeth anyway?


Approximately 34 hours ago, I received a phone call that I've only dreamed of. My mission call had arrived and was at the post office waiting to be delivered to my Mountain Green home. 

Torture. Pure torture. 
Mom called at 7 am to let me know that it had arrived. 
I had to give a presentation in a class at 4.
I also had to be in two other classes to receive my participation points (normally this wouldn't be a big deal, but they are worth a 3rd of my grade...)
After zoning out and having a terrible time paying attention for 9 hours, I finally made my way north. 
More torture. 
About a month ago, our family planned to go to the Warren Miller movie. Obviously we didn't know what big announcement was going to come that day...
30 minutes into the movie seemed like hours, but we stayed for an hour and a half. 
It was killing me. 
We left at intermission because, obviously, I couldn't wait any longer. (My family took pity on me. After being in the fetal position for more than a half hour straight, they figured it would be better for my health if we left)

Approximately 20 hours ago, I opened my mission call

I've been asked several times if there was a place I'd like to go on my mission. Every time, I said "I have no idea. I just want to go!"

I'd always hoped I'd go foreign, but there is such a need for missionaries within the states, that I knew that wherever I go is where I'll be needed (reading Elder Rasband's talk definitely opened my eyes to the calling process, and how inspired it truly is. I'm a believer!)
Sitting in the Miller movie, I said a quick prayer. "Heavenly Father, please let me know that wherever I go will be right for me." 
Right after, I had the strongest feeling that I would be going foreign. Specifically Germany. 
To avoid disappointment, I pushed the feeling away. I really did not want to get my hopes up. (I went on a study abroad to Austria (which you can read about and see pictures here... It's only... Half written. Forgive?) and traveled up into Germany where I fell in love with everything about it! It's only been a year since I left for Austria, and I have been just itching to go back!)
There was no fanfare when the letter was opened.
There weren't even words. 
Literally.
I could not speak.
All I could do was cry and try not to look like a blubbering fool... (Which, might I add, I failed miserably at)
I was finally able to choke out the first line of the letter. 

Two words:
Berlin, Germany 

I still can't believe it. 

His Girl Friday

When we decided to watch His Girl Friday in class last week, I have to admit I was really excited. I had heard about the movie - witty humor, attractive men, and a fun plot. So unwittingly, I had set my expectations high.

The movie starts out with Hildegard, "Hildy", announcing to Walter Burns, her ex-husband and editor for The Morning Post, that she will no longer write for the paper, and that she is getting married to an insurance man, Bruce Baldwin. Well, Walter didn't fancy the idea of Hildy leaving (or getting married to another man) so he does everything in his power to sabotage her wedding, and comes up with an idea of getting her to write one last story before she leaves to Albany, New York to settle down as a housewife. Walter knew that Hildy couldn't resist the call of a "front page story", and entices her to cover the upcoming execution of a convicted murderer, Earl Williams. Walter even goes so far as to set up Hildy's fiance, Bruce, to be arrested on several occasions. It turns out wonderfully for Walter because Earl (the convict) escapes from prison and comes to Hildy for help. Naturally, she couldn't dismiss how perfect the situation is, and gets so wrapped up in the story that she all-together forgets Bruce and their plans to go to Albany that night so they could marry in the morning. Bruce leaves because he realizes that trying to get Hildy to go with him is pointless, and Walter re-proposes marriage to Hildy.

This movie is irritating on so many levels.

Let's talk about Walter Burns first.

He didn't just "lose" his moral compass. He threw it on the concrete where the glass shattered, then stomped on it until all the little gears went flying. What kind of man divorces his wife, then decides that he has all claim on her and her future decisions? What kind of man sets up an innocent to be thrown in jail time and time again? What kind of man would rather spend time with a typewriter and convicts than spend time with his wife on a honeymoon?! Scumbag.

I don't think any higher of Hildegard either. 

Her moral compass wasn't as brutally destroyed as Walters, but it's apparent as time went on, she trashed it all together. This became clear when she interviewed Earl, the convict. She asked slanted, one sided questions that would elicit a response that was "newsworthy", and then later completely avoided and forgot her fiance (whom she professed love for. Obviously you don't love him, so don't pretend).

Walter and Hildegard are perfect for each other. 

The movie did exactly what I feel it intended to. Elicit an emotional connection with the viewer. However, the emotional connection I made with it was one of contempt - not necessarily a good thing. 
As far as the rating, I think it is a great movie. It's funny, but completely irritating; captivating, but absolutely frustrating. Any movie that can do both - in my book - is worth watching.

It's a Good Thing this is Entertainment...

The journalism course I'm taking requires us to write a blog post every week about what we discussed in class. (This is why there is a bunch of journalism thoughts, if you were curious (; )

This week, the topic was journalism and verification. 
There are 5 intellectual principles of journalism:
1. Do not add
2. Never deceive the audience
3. Be transparent as possible
4. Rely on your original reporting
5. Exercise humility

Unfortunately, the only example I could think about was Rita Skeeter in Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire.
Let's see how Miss Skeeter did with these principles.

Grinds my gears.

Right from the start, she assumes position of the most important person in the room by announcing they should all know who she is and how "her" readers are anxious to get her latest scoop (humility fail).
She certainly has a vivacious personality, but it seems abrasive when none of the champions volunteer to talk to her (I assume she has a preceding reputation). Instead of this deterring her, she makes a beeline for the only target she had the intention of interviewing anyway, Harry, because a "boy of 12" competing in a tournament for champions is front-page news! Supposing she could take creative rights for anything he did or didn't say, she asks slanted questions obviously searching for a reaction that is news-worthy, not even allowing Harry to explain (or even say more than 3 words at a time...).

Did she follow any of the intellectual principles?
I suppose you could say she relied on her original reporting when she actually published the article. Other than that, if this was a test, she gets a big fat F.

Perspective - A Life Lesson

 

Everything we hear is an opinion, not a fact. Everything we see is a perspective, not the truth.

 - Marcus Aurelius

In lieu of the upcoming election, it would do everyone good to remember that perspective matters. I'm not just talking about Republicans vs. Democrats vs. Constitutionalists vs. whoever else may be running despite the slim chance of a victory. Votes will be cast for all parties, and despite what you wholeheartedly believe about the direction this election will take our country - remember that someone else wholeheartedly believes in exactly the opposite. 

What gives us the right to belittle someone else? The way your opinion leans is the culmination of all your life experiences so far, and in effect, determines who you are. Just because someone doesn't have the same opinion as you doesn't mean they are wrong, it just means they have a different life history than you, which is natural and perfectly fine. 

This goes for the news as well. As much as national news should be unbiased and impartial, it's beneficial to remember that newspapers, talk radio and television are run by people - and the unobstructed truth is that people are not perfect. People are biased. People are opinionated. If you don't like it, deal. There's not much you can do about other people, but you CAN do something about how YOU react. 

I want to advocate for world peace... (I'm only slightly kidding) 
But wouldn't it be better if people learned how to tolerate an opinion different than their own?
I'm not saying you shouldn't ever disagree - hold strong! But don't discredit someone's opinion.
People aren't going to remember what you said to them. They're going to remember the way you made them feel.

Crandall Printing Museum

How have I lived in Provo for three years, and not had the slightest knowledge of the Crandall Historical Printing Museum?

Right on Center Street, this hands-on printing museum is the most complete printing museum in the world. From a replica of the first Gutenberg press, to a Linotype (the first machine operated press) visitors can watch and participate as individual letters are set into the only operational authentic Gutenberg press in the world, ink is blotted on the backwards typeface, and paper is inserted and stamped to create the first page of Genesis. 

Watching the painstaking process, I began to more deeply appreciate men like Johannes Gutenberg, Benjamin Franklin, and others that pioneered the way for modern printing technology. 
Because of men like this, it takes me a grand total of 45 minutes to write a 200 word blog post about a neat experience I had. 500 years ago, no one would have dreamed that virtually everyone in the world would have the opportunity to learn to read, write and express their opinions openly over a series of boxes powered by electricity and connected to each other so people in Africa, Ukraine, Mexico, etc... can see it. 

Two things.

1. This makes me think about everything I use during the day, and how much I take most of it for granted. How many people from history do we have to thank for their curiosity and dedication to solving a problem?

2. How many places in Provo have I never been in because I don't know it exists? I suppose it's time to find out!