"There is no such thing as gratitude unexpressed. If it is unexpressed it's plain old-fashioned ingratitude."
-Robert Brault
"I, Nephi, having been born of goodly parents..."
I love the way the Book of Mormon opens. I've heard people joke so many times about re-reading 1st Nephi so many times, but if they do that, hopefully they'll at least learn to be grateful. It's remarkable that there are two distinct expressions of gratitude in the very first verse. I try my best to apply that lesson in my life: First, be grateful. It was also the first "Be" that Gordon B. Hinckley taught in his classic talk about the six be's. I've never believed that was an accident. I've written about this before but I have so much to be grateful for.
"...Having seen many afflictions during the course of my days, nevertheless, having been highly favored of the Lord in all my days..."
I don't know if I can claim to have had many afflictions, but I've seen a few, and I have to say that I have been highly favored of the Lord in all my days.
I am blessed to have the coolest quorum that anyone has gotten to serve as president of. Anecdote: As I'm walking to do my home teaching, I pass 6 of the brethren, "What's up guys?" I ask. "Just finished home teaching, now we're going to ward choir," they reply. I think my heart high-fived itself I was so happy. We've made home teaching our focus and it's already showing results. People need opportunities to serve, as much or more than people need the service itself, and I have such high hopes for this semester. We passed out home teaching assignments last Sunday, and my counselors and I decided to pass out the home teaching assignments Wednesday night to those that weren't there. I had to cancel because some things went up, but my counselors went and did it by themselves without me asking them to and gave a summary of the lesson we had. I am in awe of the willingness of so many men to serve in the Church. We may not be perfect, and we probably don't deserve the woman counterparts in our lives, but my brothers in Christ do alright when we've been called to serve. I'm grateful for the men that have set examples for me my whole life such as my father, grandfather, priesthood leaders, mission companions, and mission president.
Oh yeah, and my best friend Andy Cutler is marrying one of the most wonderful women in the world that I've ever met, Rebekah, this Saturday!. And I'm the best man. I even get to give a speech, I'd better get on the writing of said speech though. Dang. It's crazy to see my best friend grow up. He's in Pilot training, learning to do exactly what he's been planning to do for his entire life: fly Fighters in the United States Air Force. He's marrying a beautiful woman, and he's got a sweet SUV. His father (a man I love very much) passed away last year and I know he misses him like crazy but I can't imagine how proud of him he must be. I don't think Andy knows just how much I've always looked up to him.
Did I mention I love Rexburg in the spring? I might have fallen asleep under a tree with a good book this afternoon after church meetings. Just maybe.
Oh yeah, and I still love my mom and dad. Every time I call home I'm struck again with how goodly my parents really are. My Mom and Dad are so much cooler than they give themselves credit for. Thank you Nephi for teaching me a little bit.
Oh man, can't wait, next weekend, basketball with the bro's, hanging with my mom, wedding, more NBA basketball than I've already watched (which is way too much but not nearly enough), and more of what life's got coming next.
"Gratitude is the art of painting an adversity into a lovely picture."
-Kak Sri
