My birthday of 38 years!

I am 38 years of age.  I have learned lots over the years.  I had a great time celebrating my birthday with friends and family.  I look forward to see what this year will bring me. 

For those who never served a mission as a young adult should still receive our love and friendship.

Missionaries are those who are sent out to preach the gospel of Jesus Christ to the world.  They are young men and women who give up their lives at home to served a full time mission.  Along with that they also give up going to college, pursuing their career, hobbies, vacation, friends, and family.  After serving a mission they are welcomed back home and continue on either finding a career, going to college, or getting married.  The spiritually is improved and have learned a great deal of other ways of learning to live with another person or two 24/7. 

The other side of the coin of this is those who have the opportunity to go out and served the Lord, but for whatever reason they decline the offer and usually shunned for doing so.  They go about their lives as any other young single adult would do.  Continue on their career, hobbies, marriage, etc. to figure out what they want to do. 

I served a mission for 2 years and am forever grateful that I did.  I learned lot from serving my mission and found great missionaries to be my friends for life.  I could have said no I don't want to, but I didn't.  Though along the way I have learned of others who decided not to do for whatever reason.  I would like to say I still love them as a brother or sister of God.  They are still as human as we are.  They will still go to heaven like we will.  They should not be shunned for not going on a mission.  They can't go back in time and decide to serve a mission at a young age.  They still have the opportunity later in their life with a spouse, if they get married, to serve a couple mission.  Yeah its not as good as a young adult mission, but its still serving one.  They will still get the blessings for doing so.  The Lord knows their hearts and desires.  He will not take their agency away just because they decline on not serving a mission. 

Those who don't serve a mission while they were young still deserve our love and respect as neighbors, friends, and as a child of God.  Treat them just as you would treat them as one who did serve a mission. 

You are a handsome guy!

So apparently ladies can tell their lady friends that they are beautiful and yet us guys it’s bad for us to tell our guy friends they are handsome.  The guy may think, okay that is weird for him to call me handsome.  How come ladies can tell their friends they are beautiful and guys can't tell their guy friends they are handsome? 

I have told several of my guy friends that they are handsome.  Some have accepted the compliment and acknowledge that they are indeed handsome.  While others thought it was weird for me to call them handsome.  They have their opinion and I acknowledge to their opinion to not be told from another guy that they are handsome.  I tell my guy friends to let them know that they are indeed a handsome guy.  Not in any way trying to send the wrong message to them, but to build their confidence in them.  Yes, some are married and get it from their spouse, while others are married and don't hear it being told they are handsome.  Some are single and may think they are not handsome because they can't get a date or get married.  Some have a rough childhood and never get told that they are handsome by their parents. They grow up to be adults and have then a hard time believing that they are indeed handsome when they have been told all their life that they are ugly. 

I myself am a handsome person.  I have been told that I am indeed a handsome person from others.  Yes, there have been times I look at myself and say no I'm not a handsome person.  Though I know that is not me speaking. That is the devil and his followers that are making me tell myself that it is true that I'm not a handsome person and am an ugly person.  I brush that thought aside and tell myself, that thought is wrong, that I am indeed a handsome guy.  I tell myself that enough and they will resist on telling me the opposite for I will simply not listen to them anymore and not believe their lies. 

I know that I may hit some nerves and I know that not everyone will like what I have to post.  That is their choice and if they disagree with what I have to say then I will be satisfy with it.  I would rather be told that I am a handsome guy then be told I'm an ugly guy.  Being told that I am a handsome guy brings up self-esteem and makes me feel better about myself. 

I challenge you to tell another guy that they are handsome either by text, email, and call over the phone, or in person that the guy is a handsome person.  It can be a spouse, friend, sibling or a relative.  You do that and you will make there day as well as your day! 

Holiday posting!

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Have a great holiday celebrating with you family and friends!  See ya'll next year in 2013!

What I'm thankful for this Thanksgiving

This Thanksgiving is a great time to be thankful for many things. 

What I am thankful for this Thanksgiving is:

• Job to work at
• House to live in
• Friends to talk to and laugh with
• Going to school to get an education
• A family that loves me
• Being married to a wonderful wife
• Living here in USA.
• Able to Vote
• Having clothes to wear
• Having food to eat
• Being able to talk to another person by way of cell phone or email

What are you thankful for this Thanksgiving season?  You can either comment here on this site or you can email me. 

The infamous order given by Governor Boggs

On October 27, 1838 there went out a decree to Governor Boggs to have the Latter-day Saints be driven from the state by force if necessary and if that didn't work then exterminate them if needed to do so.  It was known as the infamous order given.  This is part of our church history.  I don't know of any group that the US government has ever ordered on its own citizens here in America.

"Headquarters of the Militia,"

City of Jefferson, Oct. 27, 1838.

General John B. Clark:

Sir Since the order of this morning to you, directing you to cause four hundred mounted men to be raised within your division, I have received by Amos Reese, Esq., of Ray county, and Wiley C. Williams, Esq., one of my aids, information of the most appalling character, which entirely changes the face of things, and places the Mormons in the attitude of an open and avowed defiance of the laws, and of having made war upon the people of this state. Your orders are, therefore, to hasten your operation with all possible speed. The Mormons must be treated as enemies, and must be exterminated or driven from the state if necessary for the public peace--their outrages are beyond all description. If you can increase your force, you are authorized to do so to any extent you may consider necessary. I have just issued orders to Maj. Gen. Willock, of Marion county to raise five hundred men, and to march them to the northern part of Daviess, and there unite with Gen. Doniphan, of Clay, who has been ordered with five hundred men to proceed to the same point for the purpose of intercepting the retreat of the Mormons to the north. They have been directed to communicate with you by express, you can also communicate with them if you find it necessary. Instead therefore of proceeding as at first directed to reinstate the citizens of Daviess in their homes, you will proceed immediately to Richmond and then operate against the Mormons. Brig. Gen. Parks of Ray, has been ordered to have four hundred of his brigade in readiness to join you at Richmond. The whole force will be placed under your command.

I am very respectfully,

your ob't serv't,

"L. W. Boggs,

Commander in Chief."

This order was in effect till June 25, 1976.  The members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints still faced hardship along the way.  Some died trying to defend themselves against the mob.  Even though I was 1 years old that time, though if I had gone or any of my family or friends of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints went to Missouri at that time or before then would have still been exterminated. 

WHEREAS, on October 27, 1838, the Governor of the State of Missouri, Lilburn W. Boggs, issued an order calling for the extermination or expulsion of Mormons from the State of Missouri; and

WHEREAS, Governor Boggs' order clearly contravened the right to life, liberty, property and religious freedom as guaranteed by the Constitution of the United States, as well as the Constitution of the State of Missouri; and

WHEREAS, in this Bicentennial year as we reflect on our nation's heritage, the exercise of religious freedom is without question one of the basic tenets of our free democratic republic;

NOW, THEREFORE, I, CHRISTOPHER S. BOND, Governor of the State of Missouri, by virtue of the authority vested in me by the Constitution and the laws of the State of Missouri, do hereby order as follows:

Expressing on behalf of all Missourians our deep regret for the injustice and undue suffering which was caused by this 1838 order, I hereby rescind Executive Order Number 44 dated October 27, 1838, issued by Governor Lilburn W. Boggs.

Learned a lesson from the Special Needs performance.

The Special Needs Stake did a fantastic job on the program this year.  This year is titled "Happy Forever After".  Just from that you could figure out there would be some Disney songs involved, and sure enough they were.  There were 5 songs that each group did with different colors representing them.  Those 5 songs were:

• Aladdin- Friend Like Me.
• Little Mermaid- Under the Sea
• Snow White and Seven Dwarfs- Living in Paradise
• Princess and the Frog-Dig a Little Deeper
• Beauty and the Beast-Beauty and the Beast

Aladdin we learned about to have good friends, friends that will support you in hard times and the good times and that you need to have friends.

Little Mermaid we learned that life is good where we are, we should appreciate to what we have: house, education, food, clothes, family, friends, etc. 

Snow White and 7 Dwarfs we learned about living in a house where there is always laughter, singing, dancing, cooking, sleeping, etc.   

Princess and the Frog we learned about to know yourself you have to deep dig into your soul to find the answer of what you are looking for, live your dreams by setting out your adventure.  Get to know someone by learning about them by asking questions about themselves.

Beauty and the Beast we learned that you have to be able to see the inside appearance and see the good in people and not just the bad.  That even though a person may be handsome and good looking on the outside doesn't always mean they will be good and loving on the inside. 

Also we heard about “Wish Upon a Star”, which refers that it doesn't matter who you are that you are entitled to your dreams if you put your heart and will to it.  Then when you done your part then the universe will do the rest and provide for you. 

The last song we heard is a song that specifically for those who are in the Special Needs program and to know that Heavenly Father still loves them no matter what.  That song is "I am a Child of God." 

We can learn a lot from those who are special needs and to give us ways from Disney songs to show us about ourselves and others, which I thought was interesting to use Disney songs.  Songs that we take for granted and not think about the reason behind them. 

My birthday to celebrate!

This year I'll be turning 37.  Wow! I'm glad that I'm getting older!

I was thinking of all the good that I've done to my friends and family.  As my life as it is:

• Happily Married.
• Working at a part time job.
• No children yet.
• Have great and wonderful friends!
• A wonderful family!
• A car to drive.
• Being a great influence on my friends and family!
• A few nicknames (the Bomb, Kdawg, Yoda)
• Being an eternal, blood brother to my friends and family!

I've want to say thanks for being a great brother or sister to me.  That's what life is about.  Caring for each other and loving each other!  Help my brothers and sisters to come closer to Christ. We never know how long our life is here on Earth.  We just know that our life is short and to make the best of it.  I know that I'm not perfect and will never be 100% perfect, for that is a progression of a life time to achieve.  I look forward to what my next year of being 37 will be like. 

The Gift of Ultimate

There is a great DVD out there for all to watch.  It will have a great affect on your life as well as on others.  This gift is not one that is wrapped in a box covered with wrapping paper, to where you unwrap it and find a piece of paper or some big gift inside of world material item.  Nor can this be the kind to order online, nor can it be bought in a store in person. 

This type of gift is one that has to be earned and once you know what it is then share it with others (family and friends) and even better yet even total strangers (as long as you do it in a safe way).  We all have a few, some or most all of these types of gifts.

These gifts are unique in that they vary from person to someone else.  "It is better to give, then to receive".  If you know what you gift is then feel free to share it to me.  Thanks. 

These Are the 12 Ultimate Gifts.

 1. The Gift of Work

 2. The Gift of Money

 3. The Gift of Friends

 4. The Gift of Learning

 5. The Gift of Problems

  6. The Gift of Family

  7. The Gift of Laughter

  8. The Gift of Dreams

  9. The Gift of Giving

10. The Gift of Gratitude

11. The Gift of a Day

12. The Gift of Love

The final gift is the Ultimate Gift! 

 My type of gifts that I'm sure I have are, if you agree with me let me know.  Thanks. 

• The Gift of Friends
• The Gift of Family
• The Gift of Gratitude
• The Gift of Love

My various nicknames under revised edition.

I am hoping that everyone had a good St. Patrick’s Day yesterday, wearing green and not getting pinched.   I wore my tie with small shamrocks on it and had a Happy St. Patrick’s Day at the bottom.

What positive self-esteem is there to give to oneself?  I don't mean to sound boastful or bragging. If I am, than that is your opinion.  It has come to my knowledge from my friends of the various nicknames that I've been given.  I've been called Sunshine, Yoda, the Bomb, and the Man, Eternal brother, Blood brother, Kdawg and Kdog.  It makes me feel good inside when I am called a positive nickname.  Thanks for all that do call me that.  It makes feel that I'm loved by you and that you do care for me. 

Your Valentine Day Card!

Today is a big day, though not one we have off from work or school, is Valentines Day!  What great fun it is to spread the love of one person to another person.  Eating chocolate, seeing the candy hearts with writing on them, getting Valentine cards, etc.  Though this holiday at times could be one that not many people like to celebrate especially if one is single and doesn't have a reason to celebrate it.

I don't care if you are a guy or girl, I would like to greet you with a holiday greeting.  As with any of my postings you can either accept it or reject it.  I know that as I've said before that I will not always please my audience with my postings all the time.  Yes I understand that when I was a child it didn't matter wither you gave a Valentine card to a girl or guy.  It was the only fair thing to do in class so no one would feel left out.  Now that I'm grown up and an adult I would still not to leave anyone out to feel that are not loved by someone.  Wouldn't it be sad if that one day of the year when everyone else is happy to have someone tell them that they are thought of on that day?  Yes it would be and for that reason I'm going to share my Valentines to all my friends, for I don't want to leave anyone out.  At least they can say "Hey I received a Valentine today from a good friend of mine.  That makes my day!"

With that now said,

                       Happy Valentines Day!

The wonderful technology of cell phone.

"My cell phone is making a noise, I wonder who is texting me? Oh it’s my good friend, Charlie Brown."

It’s simply amazing of how technology of phones of come in use over the years.  When I was a young child and living in Japan I remember having to have the dial to put my finger in and turn it several times around in a circle.  Though at the time there was nothing called redial, caller ID, and answer machine.  So if I was sick and was at school and wanted to go home I would hope that someone would be at home to come and pick me up.  If they were not at home then they wouldn't know to come pick me up. 

Now we have cell phone which we carry around us in our pockets, purses, brief cases.  They are small and handy and can have a conversation with just about anyone that has access to a telephone.    At times it would be nice to not know where you are at or not to want to talk to anyone, which then you put the ringer on silent or just turn the cell phone off.  Which at times does get annoying when trying to get a hold of them and they are not able to answer the phone. 

Sometimes that is with life.  We sometimes get so wrapped up in talking to each other that we need to sometimes tune out the phone so we can listen to what the Holy Ghost is telling us.  It may be to say that someone needs some help; someone needs to be comforted, etc.  When we then get the response and either call, text or visit that person that we need to help or comfort or whatever that it will make that persons day. 

I am glad to have a cell phone to be able to talk to all my family and friends.  At times they can attest I do not always reply back right away because I at times I have it on silent.  Only because of me working in the environment to where I don't want my cell phone blaring loud.  Also, to get a rest from the world and to think for myself, who do I need to help today?

Me being unique and good different.

Sorry for all my readers for not doing a posting, since the beginning of the year with my New Years greeting, school has got me busy enough that I don't have free access to write a blog.  I knew that this would eventually happen.  Though I will do postings as usual they probably just won't be as much as in the past.  In the summer I probably will have more postings since I will have more time on hand.

A while ago I did have a posting about me being unique and different and I deleted it.  I deleted that posting for because I felt that at the time it just wasn't what I wanted to post.  After doing some thinking about what I did by deleting that posting I realized I should have kept it up.   For that reason I am writing this post instead. 

I know that I am good weird at times.  That I ask questions that no one else bothers asking.  I only do that to get to know you better.   Even with my jokes can be funny to some people and then disgusting to others.  I try to be funny and enjoy reading you laugh.  I know that I am not like everyone else.  That it what makes me unique and different.  I am glad for the friendships that I have with my friends.  I am glad that the friends that I have to understand me and apologize and still be my friends.  It’s hard when my friend doesn't apologize and they don't want to be my friend anymore. 

I don't expect everyone to like me and I know that is not possible.  There are those who don't like the way I look, the way I act or say things.  If you can't stand my faults and know that I am human just like everyone else on this planet, then I forgive you and sorry that you don't want to be my friend.  I will not change just so you can be my friend.  I will be the way I am and proud of it! 

Thoughts of Christmas from "SHREK THE HALLS" "CHARLIE BROWN CHRISTMAS"

Last Sunday was able to go to listen to the First Presidency of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints give the Christmas Devotional.  One of the speakers was President Uchtdorf, to where part of his talk was on about not trying to have a perfect Christmas.  That to plan a perfect Christmas is not going to happen.  That there will be problems along the way to make it not possible: The food dish burnt, the wrong size of clothes given as a present, the tree losing its needles all over the floor, and even trying to recreate the memories from long ago.  Trying to recreate a perfect Christmas is not going to happen and will cause more stress on you and others around you.  Just go with the flow and knowing the real meaning is about Christ and his gift to us.

Later that night I was thinking of  "Shrek the Halls".  It’s about Shrek trying to have the perfect Christmas for his wife and kids.  Though as the movie goes along it goes far from being perfect Christmas.  Everything goes wrong that could possibly go wrong.  At the end, Shrek learns from Fiona that being with family, and friends and having a good time in each other’s company is what spending time for the holidays is about. 

It would also coincide along with "A Charlie Brown Christmas".  Charlie Brown is trying to have a good Christmas by putting on a play of the first Nativity put on by the cast of his friends.  When nothing goes as it should, he gets frustrated and feels that it’s hopeless to celebrate the Christmas holiday.  This is when Linus reminds Charlie Brown of the true meaning of Christmas:

  "Charlie Brown: I guess I don’t really know what Christmas is about. Isn’t there anyone who understands what Christmas is all about?"

Linus: "Sure, I can tell you what Christmas is all about."

“And there were in the same country Sheppard’s abiding in

the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. And lo, the

angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone

round about them, and they were sore afraid. And the angel said

unto them, ‘fear not, for behold, I bring you tidings of great

joy which will be to all people. For unto you is born this day in

the city of David a savior, which is Christ the Lord. And this

shall be a sign unto you. Ye shall find the babe wrapped in

swaddling clothes lying in the manger.’ And suddenly, there was

with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host, praising God and

saying, ‘glory to God in the highest, and on Earth peace, good

will towards men."  

          "That’s what Christmas is all about, Charlie Brown."

My gratefuls for Thanksgiving

I hope you have a great Thanksgiving dinner!  Hopefully you don't have to eat this particular turkey.

What am I grateful for this Thanksgiving:

• Life
• Home to live in
• Clothes to wear
• Food to eat
• Job to work at
• Enhancing my education
• Able to have children one day
• Being a member of The Church of Jesus-Christ of Latter-Day Saints
• Served a mission in Houston, East Texas for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints
• Having this blog
• Living here in Utah, United States of America
• Have Freedom of religion, speech, press,
• Having a cell phone to talk to friends and family
• Being a brother to my siblings and friends
• Being called "The Bomb"
• Able to be grateful for what I have
• Sharing Thanksgiving with my family
• Thinking of my friends on Thanksgiving Day
• Celebrating all the holidays in fun and enjoyment.
• YOU MY FRIEND!

What are you grateful for?

                                  
                   Have a great
             Thanksgiving Day!                               

A request for your input.

Sorry for not writing in here for a while.  I've had a lots on my mind school, work, and homework.  I've been wanting to know from you as my audience a couple of questions.  Please reply back by way of email or text, thanks.  If you have any friends or family that you know would be interested in reading this please let me know. 

• Which of the postings do you like the most? 
• Which of the postings did you not like at all?  

 Thanks.

Coming out of comfort zone and talking a bit about UP.

I would like to continue on with the posting I did earlier about comfort zone that was posted on August 8.

We all have comfort zones in life.  We use it for social, work, church, family, etc.  The comfort zone is a nice haven to which we know we can do and still be safe.  Though every once a while we need to get out of our comfort zone.  If we stay in our comfort zone throughout life we will not get anything out of life.

     Dating- Asking a girl or boy out on a date or proposing to get married to that person.
     Work- Asking for a raise or a promotion, being unemployed and going out looking for a job. 
     Social- Asking to be friends with that person, asking a question about something.
     Church- Sharing the gospel, standing up for your beliefs.

I myself can be a timid and shy person to my friends.  At times I can by vocal because I know they are my friends and won't ridicule with what I have to say.  I enjoy my comfort zone but, at times I know I need to get out of my comfort zone so I can grow and be happier about myself.

In the movie UP a senior man goes out of his comfort zone and helps a young boy on a wonderful adventure.  He could have stayed in his comfort zone and gone to the retirement place and lived with the rest of his life there but instead he didn't.  The deal of coming out of his comfort zone was knocking on his door.  In result he got a new friend after his adventure and glad he took the opportunity to get out of his comfort zone.  We should learn from that movie and realize the great adventure we have of coming out of our comfort zone.

Celebrating Independence Day!

     This coming up Monday is July 4th, Independence Day for us here in the United States of America! I'm so proud for the patriots who fought for their Independence from Great Britain in 1776.  They didn't know what was going to be in store for them.  They knew they were taking a big risk of fighting against the mother country, Great Britain, and knew they wanted to be free.  To live in a place that they could live the religion they wanted to follow and not the Church of England, to talk about what was on their mind about the king without having to worry about being thrown into prison or being executed.  They prayed about where to go and they went to a place, now known as America, that was unknown to many countries and knew that those who wanted to be free people and serve the Lord in their own way.
After the war ended and George Washington was up for President of the United States of America, the people wanted him to be a king.  George Washington was telling them that they lost many lives to live in this land and fought a great battle to get away from having a king be their ruler.  If they did have a king then everything they just fought for would have been in vain.  Though George Washington was willing to take the reign of being a ruler but instead of being a king, a president.

What I am grateful for as we celebrate this Independence Day:

• Free to live where I want to live.
• Free to raise my future children in a good place.
• Free to do this blog.
• Free to have friends who are willing to give their opinion on this blog.
• Free to have a cell phone to talk to friends and family.
• Free to praise those who are defending this country and willing to die to protect this country.

Lots of countries are willing to be like us here in America to have the freedoms we have.  For over in their country they are lead by a dictator who will not allow such freedoms to take place.  I would not be able to have any of the above things listed given to me if I lived in that type of country.  If a king were to take a place instead of what we have now as a president, we would lose our freedoms fast and would be in bondage and be treated like slaves.  We would cry and morn everyday because we took our freedoms so lightly.  I hope that day will never come.  For I would rather live in a free country, then in a place ruled by a king or a dictator. 

               GOD BLESS AMERICA!!!

National Prayer Day observance

This day, Thursday, is considered by the US government a National Day of Prayer.  No matter what religion you follow please take a moment out of your day and say a prayer! This was almost taken away by those who don't want to allow it to happen but, those who wanted to keep it won!  For the Lord gave us this land for a reason.  If we stopped believing and praying to the Lord then our enemies will take us over and use as slaves and torture us. 

Pray for our country, leaders, health, friends, enemies, and anything else you can think of. 

Not your nomal posting.

Its easy to be misunderstood at times wither by email, chat or text.  Cause you see the words but you don't know how its coming across as.  It could be that the person is angry, frustrated, sad, happy, joking, serious, etc.  It hurts when the friendships are destroyed by small amount of words and the attitude they are presented. 

I know that I'm not perfect and I usually take the person of what they say the wrong way.  Which is why I think someone is angry at me when they are not or thought it was out of bad taste.  Which is why I try to play around and joke but then its like I'm told that wasn't very funny or not at all like you.  Then I try to be serious to much and then I'm being told that I need to loosen up and not be serious all the time.  Its hard to find the right balance in life.   I do try my best but, sometimes the friendship just doesn't work out and they are no longer my friend.   Which is why I'm glad for my friends who stick with me, who know me for who I am.  Without friends then life would be hard. 

Then I'm also thankful for the Lord who will always be there for me.  He has been through everything that I have been through.  He knows when its hard to lose a friend, to have someone misunderstand you,  etc.

I know this is not my normal kind of post but I figured I had to let it out.   I don't know how much I will keep this blog running.  I've been told that I'm doing a good job at this, to keep it up, and surprised that I haven't given it up already.  I will keep on going until I run out of ideas to talk about.

Thanks.