"Thou Art Not Yet as Job"

"Life is a storm... You will bask in the sunlight one moment, be shattered on the rocks the next. What makes you a man is what you do when that storm comes." -Edmond Dantes, The Count of Monte Cristo

Life can feel like you are a tiny little ship out on the stormy sea. As you are tossed upon the waves, it seems as if you will never reach the shore again. Life is full of unexpected trials. Some trials are like waves that send your ship bobbing up and down. Other trials are like the waves that almost capsize your boat. 

Lately, I've been feeling like my boat is about to capsize. Dark clouds seem to hang over my head. When moments or days or weeks are shrouded in dark clouds, it feels like no one knows how you feel; no one understands. 

"My son [or daughter], peace be unto thy soul; thine adversity and thine afflictions shall be but a small moment; And then, if thou endure it well, God shall exalt thee on high; thou shalt triumph over all thy foes. Thy friends do stand by thee, and they shall hail thee again with warm hearts and friendly hands. Thou art not yet as Job; thy friends do not contend against thee, neither charge thee with transgression, as they did Job." (Doctrine & Covenants 121:7-10)

Here I was, feeling sorry for myself. I was letting myself wallow and linger in depression because life threw an unexpected curveball my way. I am not as Job. If you recall the story of Job, he was very wealthy and had a family and friends. He had a really good and blessed life. And in the space of only a few days, it was all gone. Not only did he lose his wealth and his family but he was covered in pus-filled sores from his head to his feet. His so-called friends blamed Job for his trials and afflictions. His wife told him to curse God. But through it all, Job never cursed God and never lost his faith. In the end, all he lost was returned to him double. 

You know the saying, "It could be worse." It's true. There is always something worse that can happen, even when you feel like you are at the bottom of the pit of despair. 

Not only did Job have it way worse and he still kept his faith, but the Savior knows my thoughts and feelings.

If thou art called to pass through tribulation; if thou art in perils among false brethren; if thou art in perils among robbers; if thou art in perils by land or by sea; ...And if thou shouldst be cast into the pit, or into the hands of murderers, and the sentence of death passed upon thee; if thou be cast into the deep; if the billowing surge conspire against thee; if fierce winds become thine enemy; if the heavens gather blackness, and all the elements combine to hedge up the way; and above all, if the very jaws of hell shall gape open the mouth wide after thee, know thou, my son [or daughter], that all these things shall give thee experience, and shall be for thy good. The Son of Man hath descended below them all. Art thou greater than he? (Doctrine & Covenants 122: 5-8)

How can I possibly entertain the idea that no one knows how I feel? The Atonement of Jesus Christ paid the price for my sins and in the process, the Savior Jesus Christ endured for some amount of time the pains that I would go through in my life. He knows how I feel. 

I've thought a lot about faith recently. I'm reminded of a story from the book of Matthew. The Apostles are on a ship in the middle of the sea and it is being tossed about on the waves. (Sound familiar?) They look out and see a figure walking towards them. At first they are frightened, thinking it is a spirit of some sort. But He calls out to them. It is Jesus Christ walking on water towards them. They are astounded by the miracle they see. Peter is eager to join his Lord and Master. At first, his faith keeps him above the water. But in a moment of doubt, he looks away and fear gets the better of him and he starts to sink. 

How often does that happen to us? We have a bright burst of faith and we are in the midst of a miracle when fear and doubt cause us to start sinking, just as Peter did. Sometimes, we sink so far that we can barely keep our head above the water. The fear seems to almost consume us.

However, there is hope.  

As Peter begins to sink, he calls out "Lord, save me." There is no hesitancy in the Savior's response. "And immediately Jesus stretched forth his hand, and caught him, and said unto him, O thou of little faith, wherefore didst thou doubt?" (Matthew 14: 24-31)

In our moment of doubt and fear, when we cry out for the Lord, he will reach forth to keep us from sinking. His whole purpose for coming to earth was to allow us a way to return to Him and our Heavenly Father. He does not want us to fail. He does not want us to doubt. He does not want our little ship in the sea to capsize. 

There is hope. It is through our Savior, Jesus Christ that we can have the hope and that faith restored. We can make it through our troubling times and our afflictions. We are not on this mortal journey alone. Even when we are tossed upon the waves and the rocks, there is a guiding hand keeping us above the water. 

"Therefore, dearly beloved brethren [and sisters, when we are in even the most troubling of times], let us cheerfully do all things that lie in our power; and then may we stand still, with the utmost assurance, to see the salvation of God, and for his arm to be revealed." [D&C 123:17; emphasis added]

When we do all that we can, as we exercise our faith, we can have the strength to continue through our trials. The trials may not end at the first prayer or even the first one hundred prayers but the Lord does hear us. And he is with us.

"In closing, I testify that the Father and the Son do live. And I testify that They are close, perhaps even closest via the Holy Spirit, when we are experiencing difficult times. I testify that heaven's kindness will never depart from you, regardless of what happens. I testify that bad days come to an end, that faith always triumphs, and that heavenly promises are always kept. I testify that God is our Father, that Jesus is the Christ, that this is the true and living gospel- found in this, the true and living Church. I testify that President Thomas S. Monson is a prophet of God, our prophet for this hour and this day. I love him and sustain him as I know you do. In the words of the Liberty Jail prison-temple experience, my young friends, "Hold on thy way... Fear not..., for God shall be with you forever and ever" (D&C 122:9)." (Lessons From Liberty Jail, Elder Jeffrey R. Holland, Sept 7, 2008.)

What more can be said? I'll simply end with this:

Smile Always,

Chuck

P.S. If you are looking for a really good talk to read by Elder Jeffrey R. Holland, I've included the link here. Lessons From Liberty Jail

Dear Logan: Once in a While

Dear Logan,

I was driving home from work and it seemed like every song that came on the radio made me think of you. I can't believe that it has been three years. I don't know where the time has gone. It doesn't hurt as much now. Although we do miss you. Sometimes, it feels as if it never happened. Almost like you weren't even real. But the hole that still seems to exist when we all gather without you reassures me that you were real.

I miss our private jokes. And the annoying way you would come and play your banjo in the living room while I was trying to watch TV. I read The Hobbit and I'm going to read The Lord of the Rings eventually. I have your copy of The Chronicles of Narnia. You know, the one I gave you for Christmas that one year. I finally finished it. I liked it but it made me think of you as I read it. You were right, I really did like Veronica Mars. I only wish I would have watched it when you recommended it to me instead of waiting until after you were gone.

I helped Mom and Dad at the rodeo this year. The last time I was at the Cook Shack, I said "I love you". Something that I normally didn't do because you didn't like affection from me. One week later, you were gone. I had no idea that I wouldn't see you again in this earthly life.

I combed you hair. I tried really hard to do it the way you liked it. As I looked at you, lying there all peaceful, it didn't look like you. It was like a hollow shell. Nobody really understood me when I said it didn't look like you. We dressed you up in your favorite suit and your wool socks even though no one would see your feet. And we said goodbye. But not for forever.

I know we will meet again.

The radio played and I started thinking about songs that make me think of you. There are a lot. I think we all have our own songs that we think of when we think of you. Today, I've been pondering a lot. It's not as bad as the first year. I cried in the parking lot of Trader Joe's while my companion patted my back.

It gets easier with every passing day, month, and year. Time really does help. Then on your anniversaries, it's like time spins backwards and I relive that week. The memories start to fade and the details get blurry but I still remember the feelings.

I know if you were reading this you would shake your head at me in that way you always did. I miss it. I guess this isn't really so much a letter to you as it is to me. I've wanted to write something like this for a long time. Since that day three years ago. But it still just hurt too much. But I'm okay now. It's time.

I hope you know how much you are missed and how much you are loved. And how much, we all know that you are where Heavenly Father needs and wants you to be. Keep doing His work.

I can't wait to see you again but until then...

I love you Brother.

This is for you:

Throwback Thursday: Hot For Teacher

[Note: It was really fun to do a Throwback Thursday post so I decided to do another one! I stumbled across this post and I thought it was so funny. I still remember the professor I was talking about. That was one of my favorite classes that semester too.]

Originally posted on 3/25/11

Sometimes I find myself attracted to certain traits I normally don't find all that attractive. Not that I think they're ugly or anything, just not what I usually go for. I'm in a History class this semester. I've been enjoying it. It's all about anti-semitism in modern European history. It's quite fascinating... but that's not the point.

The point is... the professor. We shall call him... Professor L. Prof. L is youngish, probably in his late twenties or early thirties. He hails from east of the Mississippi and his accent is quite noticeable. I wouldn't call him classically attractive. He has brown hair and blue eyes. He's small in stature but not petite or anything. He's just... rather ordinary actually.

The first day of class, I though Prof. L was weird. As the semester went by something changed. Suddenly, I noticed the thick rimmed glasses. The stubble. The professor-y (in an attractive way- not unkempt) clothing. I found myself looking at him in a different way. As I said, he's not what you'd call classically attractive or handsome. He's more... intellectually attractive. You can tell that he's smart and that he knows a lot. Add in the stubble and the glasses (See The Clark Kent Affect) and suddenly, I enjoyed class just a little more.

Of course, Prof. L's attractiveness ebbs every now and then. When he shows up clean shaved without his glasses, suddenly he's not exactly as appealing. And recently his hair had gotten really long, on the verge of becoming the unkempt professor we often think about. And then he got it cut, which is what drove me to write about him. He calls it his Ben Stiller haircut. I think it looks really nice. And it makes him look even more intellectually attractive.

I think that if you take away the glasses and the clothes and the professorness, there would be nothing left but a nerdy, small of stature guy who likes comic books (yes, he has professed to this) and is a history geek. So maybe the whole appeal of him isn't just his looks but the fact that his looks combined with the fact that he is intelligent and a professor, appeal to me. What is it about professors anyway?

I was sitting on the bus on my way to campus when someone sat down next to me. I didn't look over mostly because I didn't want to seem like a weirdo. They said, "You're familiar." I finally glanced up and lo and behold! It was Prof. L. (No, my heart didn't skip a beat or anything- this is purely a classroom affect) I greeted him. And all the way to campus we discussed his class. He was polite. I was polite. I realized that if he wasn't my professor, I'd think he was weird.

There is such thing as a Hot for Teacher Effect. I'm going to keep enjoying the attractiveness of my history professor, Prof. L, until the end of the semester. It adds to the classroom experience, in my opinion. Hurray for learning... and attractive professors.

[I don't even remember this professor's real name. I enjoyed reading this post again because it took me back to being in college. I remember the classroom and the building we met in and I still have all the books from that class. It was a good semester. And he was a great professor.]

Smile Always,

Chuck

On Being a Writer Who Never Writes

"Everybody walks past a thousand story ideas everyday. The good writers are the ones who see five or six of them. Most people don't see any." -Orson Scott Card

I call myself a writer. I consider myself a writer. But lately I've been wondering if that's true. For claiming to be a writer, I haven't done very much writing. I think about it all the time. I even get ideas for topics to write about or stories to create. However, I rarely sit down and actually write. And that's kind of depressing.

This has been on my mind for awhile now. How can I consider myself a writer if I'm never writing? Is that hypocrisy? Or a lie? Or just delusional?

We're always told that we have certain talents. Some people have lots of talents. Some have a few. And some only have one or two. I've always considered myself in the last category. I've always considered writing one of my few talents.

What if writing isn't really my talent? What if I'm not even a good writer? Shouldn't a good writer always be writing and improving? I know I went on a mission for 18 months and I had to set aside the writing thing for awhile. I'm rusty. Seriously, I didn't realize how bad it was until recently. I just don't write like I used to. Instead of spending time trying to fix that and write a lot, I've kind of reverted to doing nothing about it. Even this new blog doesn't get a lot of action. I look at my old blog and I have 182 post over three years. There were times that I posted 3 to 4 times a week! Nowadays, I'm lucky if I make it twice a month on here. And that makes me really sad.

I'm reminded of the Parable of the Talents shared in the New Testament (Matthew 25: 14-30). One man is given five talents and he goes and invests wisely and ends up with 10 talents. A second man is given two talents and he goes and invests wisely and receives four talents. A third man receives one talent and goes and buries it in the dirt. Because he doesn't do anything with the talent he is given, the third man has to relinquish his one dirt covered talent to the first man with 10 talents. The moral of the story is: even if you only have one talent you have to use or you lose it. This scares me because I feel like I've taken my writing talent and let it get rusty and dirt covered instead of investing it wisely. I don't want to lose my few few talents because I was too lazy or busy to cultivate and use them for good.

"Keep a small can of WD-40 on your desk- away from any open flames- to remind yourself that if you don't write daily, you will get rusty." -George Singleton

I've been thinking lately of things I could do to improve upon my writing. The lists includes: blogging more, writing in a journal (I was very diligent in this on my mission up until the last 6 weeks), writing an article for the Ensign (how cool would that be to be in the Ensign?!), writing freelance articles for one of those website things, and just finally spending time working on one of my many starts to a novel. My dream is to one day have a publish novel out there but so far it hasn't happened.

I guess part of my problem is my priorities. I don't put writing at the top. I'd say it's after eating, reading, watching TV, watching movies, Pinterest, and doing nothing productive after I get home from a long day at work. So how do I make it a bigger priority? Looking at the list I can see four things that I could put writing in front of and they are listed after reading. (Reading will always be my first love. I was a reader before I ever became a writer- thanks to a wonderful librarian at McKinley Elementary school who let me check out books even when it wasn't my class's turn to be at the library. She's also the same one who lent Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone to me even though it was the newest book in the library.)

I love to hear the sounds of my fingers tapping the keys on the keyboard. There's something musical about it to me. It's like I'm creating something with my hands and my mind at the same time. I've always wished I was an artist. The kind of artist that works with paint. In my mind, they have something they want to create and with purposeful strokes of the brush and color they can make something happen. That's how I feel about the computer keyboard. My fingers can tap a on the keys and make something happen on the screen. It's kind of a magical thing to me. I know that the sound can drive other people crazy but I love it.

"Writing is an exploration. You start from nothing and learn as you go." - E.L. Doctorow

Doubt can cause a lot of problems. I like to think that I'm a good writer. But when it comes down to it, I'm terrified that I'm actually a really bad writer. Understand that I recognize that you have to cultivate your talents. Some have "natural" talent that allows them to do really well without practice. Most of us have to work at it to get it any good. I took piano lessons until I was 15. I never practiced. I was a horrible student. My poor piano teacher. My poor mother who paid for the lessons that I never let myself really learn. Hindsight is 20/20. (Yes Mom! You were right, I do regret not sticking with the piano!) I wonder now, if I'd stayed with the piano and actually practiced, would I have been any good? Even if my skills were mostly in the church hymn area? Was that a potential talent that I could have had if I'd just applied myself? Instead I stuck it in the dirt and left it there for someone else to pick up- like an old penny on the side of the road.

"Writing is an act of faith, not a trick of grammar." -E.B. White

Even writing about not writing has been very cathartic for me. I feel that I express myself best through the written word. It's always been a very magical thing for me. When asked to write a short essay about a particular subject in which I have a lot interest in, I would always exceed the limitations. Even if I wasn't really interested in the subject I would exceed the set limitations. Sometimes, in person, I don't say a whole lot. But get me writing and it can be hard to get me to shut up. As evident in this post that I never intended to be this long. I'll be surprised if anyone actually reads to this point.

There is magic in the written word- whether I'm reading it or writing it. It's something I've been drawn to since about the second grade. And I would hate to lose that magic because, in my mind, without that magic there is nothing that makes me special. (Despite what the Lego movie says about being 'The Special'.)

"You fail only if you stop writing." - Ray Bradbury

Failure comes when you stop trying or doing. Failure is not an option. I'm too stubborn to let my mistakes in the past keep me from improving my writing. I'm beginning to realize in life that sometimes you have to learn the same lesson a few times before it finally sticks. It's taken me a long time to learn that if I want to consider myself a writer and if I want to be a good writer then I have to write.

Whether I feel if I am a good writer or not, the fact remains that there is something inside of me that yearns to create something in the form of words. Something inside of me craves and needs to express myself through the written word. It's like being thirsty for water. It sits in the back of my mind. Sometimes I'm so busy that I don't notice that it's there. But then there will be a moment when I am still and I realize how much I need that drink of water. I need to write.

"The Lord made it clear that it is not good enough for us to simply return to Him with the talents He has given us. We are to improve upon and add to our talents. He has promised that if we multiply our talents we will receive eternal joy." - Elder Ronald A. Rasband

In conclusion, in order to claim myself as a writer I need to actually write. So I've made some goals to help me do better, including blogging more often. Even if it's a short post or a really long post like this.

My name is Chuck and I'm a writer.

Smile Always,

Chuck

THROWBACK THURSDAY: Harry Potter and the Love Story of Ron Weasley and Hermione Granger

[NOTE: This last weekend on TV there was a Potterhead weekend thing so all the movies were on ABCFamily. Because of the Harry Potter marathon, I thought it would be a ton of fun to share this old post from my former blog "The Life of a Hopeless Romantic" as a Throwback Thursday kind of thing.]

Originally posted on 3/25/12.

I watched, for the first time, Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part Two, a few weeks ago. This, in turn, caused me to spiral out of control and have a Harry Potter movie marathon. You know me, I have an obsessive personality... at least when it comes to fiction.

Just a couple of my thoughts about Deathly Hallows Part Two [SPOILER ALERT FOR THOSE WHO HAVE NOT SEEN THE MOVIE OR READ THE BOOK]:

1. I confess to crying when Professor Snape died. And even more so when Harry saw Snape's memories in the penseive. We finally learn that Snape actually came to care for Harry even when treating him horribly. Even more, he protected Harry all through out Harry's life. And the only one who knew was Dumbledore!
2. I absolutely loved that Neville (the boy who turned into a hottie) Longbottom was the one to kill Nagini (the snake). Harry killed Voldemort but Neville is the one to kill the snake with the Sword of Gryfindor. Go Neville!
3. And just because I can't resist...

Moving on!

My discussion today will come directly from the movies as I don't really remember the exact details from the book. (Been awhile since I've read them.)

Alright, here we go.

After watching all eight movies pretty much in the span of five days, I came to realize something very interesting. Poor Harry has a tough life but he's surrounded by fantastic friends who love him and he loves them. Speaking of Ron and Hermione... their relationship is full of sparks from the beginning.

And that, my friends, is my focus. Ron and Hermione. (Come on, did you really think that this was going to be about Harry Potter. The boy already has a big head from being "the Chosen One". Besides, I'm the Hopeless Romantic. I focus on the gooey love stuff.)

Freshly Mowed Grass, New Parchment, and Spearmint... Toothpaste. 

"It's the most powerful love potion in the world. It's takes the scent of that which the user finds attractive. For example, I smell freshly mowed grass, new parchment and spearmint... toothpaste." (Hermione in The Half-Blood Prince) 

This is the moment, I think, that Hermione finally acknowledges that she has deeper feelings for Ron than just friendship. As a girl, she is predisposed to being more aware of her emotions. However, before now, she was young and unfamiliar with the world of love and relationship. (I know that there are other instances where we, the audience, can see that Ron and Hermione are mad about each other. I will address them at a later point.)

I have heard The Half-Blood Prince (movie #6) referred to as The Young and the Restless, the teenage years. I laugh at this comment because isn't that how teenagers are... dramatic and caught up in relationships and feelings of love? Just because Harry, Ron, and Hermione have had their fair share of dangerous adventures doesn't mean they're not immune to being teenagers with hormones.

We see that Harry and Hermione grow closer, but just as friends- despite Professor Dumbledore's query to Harry about his relationship with "Miss Granger", due to their unrequited love for other people. Hermione likes Ron who is now in a snogging relationship with Lavender. Harry suddenly realizes the attractiveness of Ron's sister, Ginny. (Pretty brave of Harry to go after his best friend's younger sister. But after all, Harry is the Chosen One...)

Hermione doesn't seem in a hurry to embrace or act upon her new-found feelings for one of her best friends. Maybe she's not entirely aware of her feelings? Or she just doesn't know what to do? She seems pretty content on remaining friends for the time being... until Lavender enters the picture. (Snogging ho!) It's a pretty common formula: person of interest + new romantic interest = realization of hidden feelings/jealousy.

And who does Hermione turn to in her time of broken hearted-ness? None other than the Chosen One himself, Harry Potter. I think this is when Harry and Hermione's relationship goes into something deeper than just "best friends". I don't know of a word that describes friends who are past just friends but in a non-romantic way. That's how I see Harry and Hermione's friendship though. It's more than just friends... in a non-romantic way. Hermione confesses to Harry that she feels something for Ron and confesses that she now understands how Harry feels.

As Charlie Brown says, "Nothing takes the taste out of Peanut Butter quite like unrequited love." I'm not sure if they have peanut butter in the wizarding world but unrequited love can put quite a strain on a friendship. Harry and Hermione grow together and Ron snogs with Lavender.

And then Ron gets poisoned... Apparently the best way to break up with a now unwanted girlfriend is to mumble another girl's name in the midst of a drug induced slumber. That's the end of Lavender. And Hermione got to stay at Ron's side. As Ginny tells to Harry, "It's about time." (Ron has no memory of this later which throws poor Hermione off. Also, I love how she tells him that he broke up with Lavender- so funny.) However, that is not the end of the line for our star crossed would-be-lovers.

But it certainly is a huge step forward.

Good Skin

I think there has always been a current of awareness flowing between Ron and Hermione. In the beginning, they were just too young to know what it was. As they got older, they pushed each other into the Friend Zone because they didn't know what else to do. Then Hermione finally realized that she had deeper feelings for Ron than just friends. (Hopefully you've read the previous section.)

So now Harry knows and Hermione knows. The only one missing it is Ron. Which is to be expected. He is a boy after all. They tend to not notice important things like when one of their best friends (Hermione obviously) is in love with them. However, Ron does have feelings for Hermione as well.

Evidence is found when he has a conversation with Harry about good skin. Apparently Ginny has good skin, according to Harry. Ron doesn't get the good skin thing... until he applies it to someone other than his baby sister. "Hermione has good skin."

It turns out that Ron is the jealous type. And jealous of a girl he doesn't even claim for his own. There's the Yule Ball incident in Goblet of Fire. Hermione shows up looking beautiful with a very attractive date and Ron is not happy. But I betcha, he doesn't know why he's unhappy. His reason to Hermione is that she's "fraternizing with the enemy." Well, Ron if you want her, you gotta ask her yourself. Hermione pretty much tells him the same thing. I think she should have slugged him in the face... boys can be pretty dense.

In Deathly Hallows part one, we see a darker side to Ron's jealousy. As I said before, Harry and Hermione have a deeper relationship than just best friends in a very platonic way. I think outsiders often misconstrued the relationship for something romantic. Ron did. It didn't help that the Horcrux around his neck affected him like the Ring did Gollum, Bilbo Baggins, and Frodo Baggins.

Ron confronts his friends and ends up leaving despite Hermione's desperate pleas that he stays. If he weren't out of his head, I think he would have realized then that Hermione felt something infinitely more romantic for him then for Harry. (Or maybe that's me wishing.)

After Ron leaves, Hermione is miserable. Something that Harry understands. And when Ron comes back, Hermione is just mad. Understandably so. Stupid boy broke her heart and made her worry. Grr! Don't worry, she forgives him eventually. Ron knows that he screwed up and starts grovelling to get back to her good side.

So now Hermione knows that she loves Ron. And Ron knows that he loves Hermione. And Harry knows that Hermione loves Ron and Ron loves Hermione but neither have told each other. So he's stuck between them... as per usual. But at this point, they have other things to worry about. Such as getting all the Horcruxes and defeating Voldemort.

That doesn't necessarily make them, Ron and Hermione, forget about the sparks between them. Unlike most teenagers, they aren't able to spend time working on their romantic relationship. They're too busy trying to stay alive and kill an evil wizard. Besides, Ron and Hermione's relationship has always been different. They're the kind of couple that isn't all cute and flirty. Rather they are cute and bickery. Always on each others case. It's just reeks of UST (Unresolved Sexual Tension). Their whole relationship drips with bickery UST. I personally love relationships like that: Mr. Darcy and Elizabeth Bennett from Pride and Prejudice; Booth and Brennan from BONES; Castle and Beckett from CASTLE; Veronica Mars and Logan Echolls from Veronica Mars; Han Solo and Princess Leia from Star Wars. (To name a few.)

In the conclusion of the movies, Deathly Hallows part two, comes the culmination of Ron and Hermione's relationship. They finally acknowledge that they love each other in the form of a kiss after a particularly harrowing near death experience in the Chamber of Secrets. FINALLY! We don't really get to see what their new relationship status ends up being like because it's the last movie, the end of an era. I like to think that it's pretty much the same as before. Bickery with more snogging and hand-holding. I don't think they change just because they're finally together. But that's just me. :)

Always the Tone of Surprise

Some signs that Ron and Hermione are destined to be together...

• Ron's instant dislike of Hermione (Sorcerer's Stone)
• Discomfort touching each other- Hugging in Chamber of Secrets, Hand touching in Prisoner of Azkaban
• Hermione turning to Ron and not Harry when Buckbeak dies (Prisoner of Azkaban)
• Fight at Yule Ball about "fraternizing with the enemy" (Goblet of Fire)
• Hermione confesses to Harry about Ron/Expresses Jealousy (Half-Blood Prince)
• Ron likes Hermione's skin (Half-Blood Prince)
• Ron touching Hermione's face to "wipe something off" (Half-Blood Prince & Deathly Hallows part 1)
• Hermione's desperation to keep Ron with them when searching for Horcruxes (Deathly Hallows part 1)
• Ron's jealousy about Harry and Hermione's relationship (Deathly Hallows part 1)
• Constant "Brilliants" exchanged between the two (Deathly Hallows parts 1 & 2)
• Hermione's constant worry over Ron's well-being- especially at the beginning of Deathly Hallows part 1 when Ron pretends to be Harry. (Deathly Hallows part 1 & 2)
• "Always the tone of surprise." Flirting between them. (Deathly Hallows part 1)
• Constant bickering (Sorcerer's Stone through Deathly Hallows part 2)
• Kiss exchanged after a near death experience in the Chamber of Secrets (Deathly Hallows part 2)

These are just a few examples. I know I missed a lot of Ron and Hermoine moments but I think you get the gist. [Upon reading this again, I have thought of other moments such as when Hermoine is being tortured by Bellatrix Lestrange and Ron is literally FREAKING out. Whoa dude. Breathe.]

Harry and Ginny

I watched a portion of Half-Blood Prince with my younger brother who has not read any of the books and he made a comment that made me think. He told me that he didn't like the romantic relationship between Harry and Ginny because it came out of nowhere. One minute they're sort of friends- more like Ginny is Harry's best friend's little sister- and the next they're snogging in the Room of Requirement.

In the books, it's not quite so sudden. I feel like they didn't do an effective job in the movies making it seem natural for Harry and Ginny to be romantical. I understand that when making movies, you have to change things and cut things out but seriously!

Also, their relationship is SO awkward. Shoe-tying. Weird, awkward hugs. Random chasing after Death Eaters together. Zipping up dresses. It's just so awkward. Maybe the actors didn't have good chemistry and it showed on screen. Whatever it is, the relationship between Harry and Ginny isn't as near as tantalizing as it is with Ron and Hermione.

But maybe that's just my own opinion.

Sorry about the length of the post but I had a lot to say on the subject of Ron and Hermione.

[And that is the Throwback Thursday post from The Life of a Hopeless Romantic. I kind of enjoyed going back and reading some of my old stuff. Who knows: maybe I'll make Throwback Thursdays a weekly thing. I hope you enjoyed reading about my analysis/commentary on Ron and Hermoine from way back when.]

Smile Always,

Chuck

6 Foot 2

Do you ever run across a song that just sums up what you are feeling? I was driving to my parent's house this weekend when one such song came on. I was smitten instantly. So of course I made my mom listen to it. And then any friend I ran across over the long weekend. And even though they maybe didn't appreciate it as much I did, I'm thankful they let me show them the song.

I've been thinking a lot about love lately. I am single and in my mid twenties and I can honestly say that I've never really been in love before. I've been infatuated. I've been in deep like with someone before. I've even fancied myself in love but the truth is simply that I've never been in love. The kind of love that last forever. The kind of love that makes people want to change for the better. And the kind of love that leads a man and a woman to marry, not only for this life but for the rest of eternity.

Eternity is a long time. You don't want to hitch your star with just anyone, right?

I also don't believe in love at first sight. Which is strange considering what a hopeless romantic I claim to be. I believe you can be attracted to someone when you first see them. But how can you be in love with them when you don't even know them. I'm talking romantic kind of love by the way.

But for the romantic love, I just don't think it happens at first sight. Love doesn't just happen it has to grow. It's life faith. It's a little seed that when planted (at first sight) then nourished (through dating, courtship, spending time together) it will grow into something that can last forever. Once it's a plant, it needs to continue to be nourished. A piece of advice my parents have given me about marriage is to continue to date your spouse after your married. Just because you're married doesn't mean that you can't still get to know each your spouse and do things together. Here I am talking as if I know anything about marriage. This is all my own opinions formed through observation and other people's counsel.

Now back to songs that fit my life.

Can he have blue eyes just like the sky?

Blonde hair, wavy and light?

And 6 foot 2 is my favorite height. 

...I'm not particular... 

I'm willing to wait this one out. 

Whatever you want is whatever I want. 

I don't care what he looks like.

I love this song because I totally relate to it. I'm always saying that I'm not particular but then I also have an idea in my head of what is my "type". My type leads me to rule out any guy that doesn't fit the idea I have in my head. I used to be REALLY bad about this before I grew up on my mission. I feel that I'm better at giving people a chance.

And to be quite honest: 6 foot 2 is my favorite height... because that's how tall Tom Hiddleston is. Hahaha.

But seriously, I'm learning how to not be so particular and give people a chance. And I'm learning to not give up on love. The Lord knows what's best for me and He is taking His "sweet, sweet time." When the time is right, it'll happen.

In the meantime, I've got Tom Hiddleston to ogle and good music to enjoy.

You can't hurry love, right? So Mr. 6 foot 2 (even if you're not really 6 foot 2) I'm ready when you are.

Smile Always,

Chuck

Dear Dad

Dear Dad,

Today, we celebrate you. Thank you for always taking care of me. Thank you for fixing my car, for believing in me, and for always reading my writing. It's nice to know that you have my best interest at heart.  A girl couldn't ask for much more than that. I may not always agree with you but I will always love you. So... thanks. For everything

Love,

Your little girl


[I couldn't get the video to upload the way I wanted to so I'm just sticking the link here. Sorry for the lame-ness.]

Fathers


I felt this video was appropriate for this day. What a wonderful blessing it is to have both an earthly father and a Heavenly Father.

Smile Always,

Chuck

Chuck's Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day

Have you ever had one of those mornings where you just wake up ticked off? You are just angry, upset, and mad? Today was one of those days.

I don't know what caused me to be so upset. My alarm rang and I got out of bed with no problem. It was, to the rest of the world, a regular morning. But I was just MAD. Everything just seemed to be irritating me.

My hair was a greasy mop on my head- up into a ponytail with the bangs pinned back it went.
The dishes were stacked to the max in the drain rack. (I should be glad it wasn't dirty dishes in the sink.) I had a bad raspberry in my carton. A roommate left a mess in the living room. I had to make lunch for the day. Then the bathroom counter was covered in a puddle of water (from the previously mentioned roommate). I had to grab my precious quarters (which help me to keep my clothes clean) to fill a tire with air. And in my haste to do so, I left my toaster waffle sitting in the toaster. Oh well, it was probably burnt anyway.

It turns out, the local Chevron near my apartment has a free air hose. Hurray, no need to use my laundry quarters filling up a tire. Downside, it had no tire gauge so I had no idea how much air was going it. A lot. But don't worry... by the time I made my trek on the freeway and got to work... the low tire pressure light was on. The air didn't even stay inside the stupid tire!!!

Yep, I was just mad. I called my mom because she has all the answers to life (seriously don't know what I would do without here). Upside, I got to talk to my nephew for a moment. He makes everything right.

At work, I made a little mistake that I normally don't make and WHAM!! The boss not only tells me to do what I have been doing except for this one STINKIN' time but then he emails everyone to remind them to do it to! UGH!!! I was mad. What a crap day!

Then lunch time rolled around and I had to go to the local tire place to get my now completely flat tire fixed. Ten minutes into the process, the mechanic comes up to me and tells me that my front tires are shot. They should be replaced soon. Very soon. He's kind enough to hand me a tire quote and explain everything to me. Okay, it was my fear. However, the quote is reasonable. And they didn't charge me for fixing my tire. Saweet!

I get back to work and now I feel like every question I ask to clarify something is treated as the world stupidest question. The feeling of inadequacy burns through my veins. Why am I even working here? Am I really even qualified to answer this stupid phone?

Time ticks by. Finally it's 5. I clock out and get the heck out of Dodge. I check my tire. Looking good and fixed. I make it back home in record time... just in time to pay my rent. Huzzah. (NOT). I check the mail. A letter from an old companion who is still serving in California. I'll have to remember to write her back. And in another mysterious letter I find... a check! It's my deposit back from my last apartment. Yippee!! Money to cover the cost of tires. All is right in the world.

Okay, so maybe today wasn't the worst day I could ever have. There are plenty of people who have crappier situations than I have. I'm doing quite well actually. Sometimes, you get so focused on your own life and on your own self that you just get sucked into this pit of anger and irritation. It can be hard to drag yourself out.

To show you that I am, in fact, capable of dragging myself out of this terrible dark pit, I thought I'd list the blessings I recognized (or the "Tender mercies of the Lord" if you will):

1. I got to talk to my mom on the phone.
2. I got to talk to my sweet and adorable nephew on the phone.
3. My sweet and adorable nephew wanted to talk to me on the phone.
4. I was reminded to always strive to do a better job.
5. The guy at the tire place was very helpful and kind to me.
6. They didn't charge me for fixing my tire.
7. I ate a decent lunch.
8. I had plenty of water.
9. I finally paid my rent and now I don't have to worry about it until next month.
10. I got a check in the mail. No complaints there.
11. My parents are awesome and always willing to help me out whenever I need it.
12. There are moments when I'm talking on the phone when I realize how mature and professional I sound.
13. My phone skills have improved immensely with this job.
14. I was reminded of how much potential I actually have.
15. Heavenly Father answers prayers. Even when I don't feel like I deserve it.
16. The air conditioner works in my car.
17. My roommates, despite the fact that they don't really clean up after themselves a whole lot, are really nice.
18. I got a letter from an old companion.
19. I get paid this week.
20. Tomorrow is another day and thus it is as full of potential as I am.

Thank goodness for tomorrows to help when we have bad todays.

Just take a step back and recognize the good things that have come from a bad day. It helps way more than I thought it could.

Smile Always,

Chuck

Dear Mom

Dear Mom,

I just want to thank you for all that you have done for me. I feel so blessed to be your daughter. I know that the relationship we have is special. You have been a positive and loving influence in my life. Without you, I would not be where I am today. Thank you for teaching me the gospel and teaching me to do the right thing. Thank you for never giving up on me and for loving me despite my faults.

I know Heavenly Father sent me to you for a reason. I love you!

Remember, Mom, to smile always.

Love,

Your daughter.

May the Fourth Be With You!!

Happy Star Wars Day!! I just couldn't resist having a Star Wars-centric post today.

Star Wars is one of my favorite things. I grew up watching it with my brothers and I've just come to love it so much. As nerdy as that confession may be. Haha. Of course, my favorite ones are the three original episodes (IV, V, and VI). I do, however, enjoy the story/series as a whole.

...And they just announced the cast for episode VII. I have no idea what that's going to be about or what is going to happen but I'm willing to check it out.

Well, this is a short post. I just wanted to wish you the best and hope you have an enjoyable Star Wars Day!!

Just because I love it so much... Han Solo and Princess Leia: The Scoundrel and the Princess... a way better love story than Twilight.

Smile Always,

Chuck

Smile Always Chuck Spotlight: Willow Trees

Wow! It's been a long time since I've done one of these. Well, technically I could say that my post from April 8th makes me smile always... haha.

Today I want to share my love for Willow Trees.

You may be asking what sparked this so I'll tell you. I was driving in town during my lunch when I saw this willow tree. I remember when I was a little girl (snicker) and I wanted a Willow Tree. In my head, they were SO AWESOME! I'm not sure what show made them awesome to me... hmm. Anyway, I wanted one so bad.

I thought it would be so cool to have a secret reading spot underneath the long branches. I think I imagined some sort of escape from the world. As I write this, I remember The Little Mermaid (one of my favorite movies from when I was little) and that scene where Ariel and Eric are in the row boat and they end up underneath that Willow-like tree. I thought that was so cool. Yes, I'm a dorky child. Another example of a cool Willow Tree Pocahontas and her Grandmother Willow- the talking Willow Tree.

As I've grown up, I realized that most Willow trees aren't as awesome as they are in the cartoons. Unfortunately. But still, there's something so romantic and whimsical about the tree. Something mysterious to by discovered underneath the long-hanging branches.

They make me think of long ago summer  days when it was hot and I would sit in the shade of the trees in my yard on a blanket absorbed in a book. I miss those days. Hmm, that's what Willow trees make me think of... SUMMER!

And Summer makes me smile too! But more on that another time.

Smile Always!

Chuck

Life In The Office: Making Mistakes

Hello there! So it's been a couple of weeks since I've "written" (let's be honest, I didn't write my last post... it's just a bunch of pretty pictures). I always have the intention of writing but then I get home from work and I get caught up in something else (The Lizzie Bennet Diaries).


I should start out with this disclaimer: I HATE making mistakes. It just... oh! I just feel so dumb when I make a mistake. I'm so hard on myself when I make a mistake and I end up obsessing over it and thinking negative things about myself until I finally get sick of myself. I usually have to take a step outside of myself and say "Chuck, it's okay that you made a mistake. Learn from it and stop nitpicking it to death!"

I was thinking this yesterday. I made an account underneath another account because the new company has the EXACT same name as another company in our system. I was just doing my job but then my boss came out and pointed it out to me. I felt so dumb but honestly... they had the same name!! And I'm new. I can't possibly know that the one location is totally unrelated to the other location. I should let you know that my boss didn't yell at me or call me stupid or anything like that. But it did get kind of tense and dramatic for about an hour with her and the new customer who was calling because of the information... blah blah blah...

Afterwards, I sat there just feeling like a fool. I'm still trying to prove myself at the office. Although I'm doing well, I still feel like I'm not quite measuring up... to my incredibly high standards.

I don't like to feel like a failure. I'm already wallowing in mediocrity as it is. Not that that is a bad thing. But I always feel like I'm not living up to my potential. It's my own fault too. I let myself get lost in my introverted ways when I should be pushing myself to be better.

For example, I've been meaning to start an exercise plan since I moved to Provo.  I even have a plan written down and ready to be executed. And how much have I exercised... does walking up the two flights to my apartment count as an exercise plan? So... no. I haven't exercised. And every day I'm gonna do it... and every day I come home and open my computer and get caught up in something totally not worth my time.

I recognized this last weekend. So I've been Facebook/social media free since Friday. The only exception is when I post the link to this post. That's how most people know I've blogged. And part of the reason I write this is for people to read it. Is that narcissistic? Maybe it is. But I'm a writer... I don't write just for me. I like to know that people are finding something in whatever I might write.

...What was I talking about?

Oh, right... making mistakes. So I was sitting at my desk, after the fiasco of companies with the same name, beating myself up for not being better. And then I had that moment of clarity hit me. I needed to stop being so hard on myself and just learn from the experience. I'm not going to be perfect. But I can always strive to be a little bit better. The whole purpose of making mistakes is learning how to overcome them and become something even better, greater, and a little bit more than I was before.

It was a good moment for me. I know I'll still continue to beat myself up when I make mistakes but hopefully not as much as I did last time. And hopefully I'll learn from the mistake so I can become even better at my job. And a better person.

It's a lifelong lesson to learn. Something to think about.

Happy Earth Day yesterday!

Happy Administrative Assistant Day!

Smile Always,

Chuck

Five plus Five equals... Tom Hiddleston?

[WARNING: The following post contains pictures and comments meant to merely entertain. In fact, this post is completely ridiculous and in no way is meant to reflect my true nature. It was just something fun to put together. Enjoy... or not.]

I have a tendency to develop celebrity crushes. They're ridiculous, of course. But even my mom has a celebrity crush... Denzel Washington. (Yeah, I'm still trying to figure that one out myself...) I just wanted an excuse to look at his face... haha. So here you go...

TEN REASON I'D MARRY TOM HIDDLESTON (in no particular order):

1.   Access to the MARVEL world-- Hello, Robert Downey Jr.

AWESOME!! 

2.   His face--

'Nuff said...

3.   His smile--

Just lights up his whole face.

4.   His accent-- He's British. How much cooler can you get? 

5.   The fact that he's like the nicest guy ever--

Lucky girls...

6.   His sense of humor--

Stole these from the prop room then proceeded to take pictures with them all over . He texted the pictures to his co-stars.

7.   He is smart-- Attended Cambridge. Can recite Shakespeare from memory.

8.   His laugh-- Believe me... so cute

Don't you just feel like laughing with him now? Haha. 

9.   He's a gentleman--

10. His face--

Just couldn't resist...

Again...

Of course, I'm not really ever going to marry Tom Hiddleston. But I needed an excuse to put his face all over my blog today.

Hope you enjoyed it!

Remember...

SMILE ALWAYS!

Chuck

On Being an Introvert

It's been awhile. Sorry. I've found that after staring at a computer screen for nearly 9 hours at work every day, I just don't feel much like getting on long enough to blog. Here I am now!

Do you know what day it is?! Well, it's April 2nd. I guess my real question is: do you know what happens in 13 (almost 12) days?! 

The DVD release of "The Secret Life of Walter Mitty"!!!!

I saw this movie in theaters and I L-O-V-E-D it! I saw the original movie with Danny Kaye a million years ago in school. That version follows the short story, "The Secret Life of Walter Mitty" much closer but I loved this new version. I felt like it held the essence of the short story but then made it better because it actually has a good ending. (I think so anyway.) 

The short story tells of Walter Mitty who is a verbally abused husband of a wretched woman. His life pretty much stinks majorly. His coping mechanism is to daydream about exciting lifestyles like being a pilot, a firefighter, and some other stuff. In the end, he gets in the car with his wretched wife and drives home still miserable.

In the new movie, there is no wretched wife. However, there is a lonely and cautious man named Walter. And he has intense daydreams. These daydreams are so intense that he actually "zones" out. Thus he becomes the butt of many jokes at work.

Anyway, if you really want to know about the movie with Ben Stiller, it comes out in 13/12 days. Watch it. It'll be worth your time. Also the music is pretty awesome.

As for me, I consider myself quite Walter Mitty-ish. I'm not so bad that I actually zone out. But I live a life of daydreams. And although this isn't a bad thing, it certainly impacts me negatively sometimes. I'm an introvert by nature and there is a part of me that desires to be outgoing, to be social, and to just break free of my shell.

But it's REALLY, REALLY hard. I try. And for awhile, I enjoy it a lot. However, I soon grow weary of trying so hard to be something I'm not. I'm a homebody. I have been my whole life. You can ask my mom. I was so shy when I was younger. My process for making friends was to just find someone from my class and glom onto them. I would follow them to lunch and sit by them. I found out from a friend of mine that she didn't like me in the sixth grade because I would hang out with her. Haha. We were good friends in high school so I must have grown on her. Making friends is hard for me too. I don't want to put anyone out. And it takes a lot of effort to try and start a relationship with someone.

On my mission, it was so easy. With other missionaries, we all had a common purpose so you would bond over that. With members and investigators, you bonded over the gospel. It was easy because I didn't have to try and be something I'm not. I was a missionary. That was my role.

Then came real life. It's so hard. Haha. I think because I spent the first few months basically alone I reverted back to my old ways. Now I'm in a new place and I find it hard to really open up to people. It's been kind of lonely. That's the downside to being a twenty-something year old introvert homebody in a college town. I go to bed at ten when, for my roommates at least, ten is when the party is starting. (They're not partiers just so you know. They just have lives/school.)

So how do I break free from my shell? How do I step outside of my comfort zone socially and just meet people? I've been trying harder. I went to a church activity on Monday. Tuesday, I accompanied a friend to see one of her friends. But I would be sitting there and a part of me, deep inside, just wanted to be home reading "The Hobbit".

Maybe there are things you just can't change. I firmly believe in change. If we couldn't change then the Atonement of Jesus Christ would be null and void. Life is all about changing for the better to reach our ultimate goal. But I'm often told by teachers and in lessons that who we are is unique. We all have something to bring to the show that will help someone else and all of that yadayadayada. How can I help someone by being me?

I don't know. However, I do know that I'm going to keep trying to be a little bit better everyday. And I'm going to try a little harder to be more social. I gotta stop drawing within myself and shutting others out. It's terribly lonely around here. And sometimes I feel like I'm on the outside looking in as others have lives and interact with people. I've had that feeling many times in my life. I'm a Walter Mitty. Always dreaming and never really living.

When am I going to stop dreaming and start living? That is the question...

I'll keep you posted!

Smile Always,

Chuck

Conquering the Mountains in Life

A couple of weeks ago, I went hiking with some friends from my mission. One of them happened to be my first companion in the field. She was the one that trained me on how to be a missionary. I owe her so much but that's not what this is about. Anyway, I went hiking to the Y in Provo, Utah. I had never been hiking there before and to be honest, I haven't been hiking much my whole life. My family and I aren't really outdoorsy nature people. But I was invited and I was free so I said I'd go.

The Y is on the side of a mountain. Like straight up a mountain. The well-beaten trail with nifty occasional benches along the way zigzags up the side of the mountain. When we started out, I didn't really think much of it. I was doing okay. I was optimistic and excited. A few zigs and a few zags later, I was huffing for breath wondering why I had said yes. My companions weren't experiencing anything near what I was. I had spots dancing before my eyes and I seriously thought I was going to pass out. Crunch, my old companion, almost never left my side. She kept encouraging me and didn't mind stopping as I gasped for breath and considered turning around and waiting at the bottom for the group. However, I had come to hike to the Y. And darn it! I was going to get to that stupid Y if it killed me. I managed to keep my sense of humor intact as one of the guys asked me what I was planning on studying (he wasn't aware that I've already completed my degree). As I huffed and tried not to die, I quipped that I wanted to study CPR. It was a momentary relief as I laughed at myself and my predicament. But I still had a heck of a way to go.

Finally, taking a slightly less used trail, we made it to the bottom of the Y. I sat down and tried to catch my breath. As my companions mingled and ate jerky and took pictures, I looked out across the valley. From the view, it didn't seem as hard and high as I'd thought as I climbed the trail. My heartbeat slowed and evened out and I quenched my thirst. I knew that I would hurt the next day but I loved the feeling that I had that I'd made it. Maybe I hadn't gotten to the top of the Y but I had made it to the bottom. A feat that I wasn't sure I would accomplish an hour earlier.

I know I made it to the Y with the help of my dear friend, Crunch, encouraging me all along the way telling me things like "You can do it!" or "You got this." And even if I didn't feel like I had 'this', I knew I couldn't stop with her by my side. Also, my sheer will and determination to overcome my natural and very out of shape man propelled my weary legs upward. I prayed a few times as I pressed forward asking for Divine help to keep me going and especially not to pass out.

In the end, the huffing and puffing and humiliation and sweat and dehydration was totally worth it. The view was worth it.

When I was on my mission, I would often compare life to a hike. A hike very similar to the one that I just described. At first, on this mortal journey, you are okay. The incline is gradual and you don't notice your breathing changing. Then it starts to get a little harder and your breathing gets heavier and your heart starts beating harder. Pretty soon, it feels like your legs are going to give out and you are lost in your mind wondering why you even wanted to go on this journey anyway. You begin to wish away the trials and troubles that are causing you heartache, that are bringing you to your knees with the weight of them.

"In the pain, the agony, and the heroic endeavors of life, we pass through a refiner's fire, and the insignificant and the unimportant in our lives can melt away like dross and make our faith bright, intact, and strong... This change comes about through a refining process which often seems cruel and hard. In this way the soul can become like soft clay in the hands of the Master in building lives of faith, usefulness, beauty, and strength." -Pres. James E. Faust (General Conference April 1979)

We all suffer in this life. Sometimes it is our own fault because of choices we make. Other times it is at the hand of others. And sometimes it is because the Lord is ready to teach us and help us become stronger.

"Just when all seems to be going right, challenges often come in multiple doses applied simultaneously. When those trials are not consequences of your disobedience, they are evidence that the Lord feels you are prepared to grow more. He therefore gives you experiences that stimulate growth, understanding, and compassion which polish you for your everlasting benefit. To get you from where you are to where He wants you to be requires a lot of stretching, and that generally entails discomfort and pain." -Elder Richard G. Scott (General Conference Oct 1995) 

It's not always about what trials come to your life but about how you handle them. I think about that fateful day two and a half years ago that changed the lives of me and my family. My younger brother was killed in a car accident. We were devastated, of course. However, because of the faith we had we became stronger. I realize now that the Lord was preparing me for that moment in my life. It was only a few short weeks before that I had made the choice to really make a place for God in my life. And it was after the accident, that I decided to share my faith and my beliefs with other by serving a full time mission for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. That was THE best decision I have ever made thus far in my life.

There are many different kinds of trials. Not just "big" ones like losing a loved one. After returning home, I struggled with unemployment and felt stuck in my hometown. Health issues. Depression. Infertility. Straying loved ones. Marriage problems. Money problems. Unrequited love. The list goes on and on.

Heavenly Father doesn't set out to give us pain because He likes to watch us suffer.

"And if thou shouldst be cast into the pit, or into the hands of murderers, and the sentence of death passed upon thee; if thou be cast into the deep; if the billowing surge conspire against thee; if fierce winds become thine enemy; if the heavens gather blackness, and all the elements combine to hedge up the way; and above all, if the very jaws of hell shall gape open the mouth wide after thee, know thou, my [child], THAT ALL THESE THINGS SHALL GIVE THEE EXPERIENCE, AND SHALL BE FOR THY GOOD. ...The Son of Man hath descended below them all. Art thou greater than he?" -Doctrine & Covenants 122: 7-8

We came to this earth to gain two things: a body and experience. We have our bodies and now comes the experience. Experience comes at a cost. And the cost can be painful but, if we keep persevering and putting one foot in front of the other and having FAITH that it will all work out for our good, it is totally worth it.

By the time we reach the end of our mortal journey or hike, if you will, you can look back and see how far you have come and how strong you are. Life is going to be hard but it doesn't have to be a miserable experience. It's like that saying: "Live. Laugh. Love" (I think that's the saying.) We are here to live and make choices. We are here to laugh- to have joy in our lives. We are here to love- just as the Savior has loved us enough to suffer all that we have.

"I testify that the Man who suffered for mankind, who committed His life to healing the sick and comforting the disconsolate, is mindful of your sufferings, doubts, and heartaches. 'Then,' the world would ask, 'why does He sleep when the tempest rages all around me? Why does He not still this storm, or why would He let me suffer?' Your answer may be found in considering a butterfly. Wrapped tightly in its cocoon, the developing chrysalis must struggle with all its might to break its confinment. The butterfly might think, 'Why must I suffer so? Why cannot I simply, in the twinkling of an eye, become a butterfly?' Such thoughts would be contrary to the Creator's design. The struggle to break out of the cocoon develops the butterfly so it can fly. Without that adversity, the butterfly would never have the strength to achieve its destiny. It would never develop the strength to become something extraordinary." -Elder Joseph B. Wirthlin (General Conference April 2000) 

With pain, heartbreak, trials, tribulations, comes conquering our mountains and reaching the top to realize that we are stronger. And it prepares us for the next mountain that stands before us. Never stop relying on God to help you. He has not forsaken you. He is guiding you and He keeps you from breaking, if you let Him.

As for my hike. Afterwards, I shook my head at myself and thought "Never again." But every day, as I drive home from work, I look at the big white Y and think "I gotta try again." Only this time, I want to be more prepared. I don't want to huff and puff my way up to the bottom of the Y. I want to feel good as I climb the mountain till I can touch the top of the Y. I want to be stronger. So that is my goal. Use my experiences to become stronger and better. To reach my potential.

I wanted to end with one of my favorite verses from the Doctrine & Covenants. I've shared it with a couple of people today but I just love it so much I wanted to share it again.

"For verily I say unto you, that great things await you;" -Doctrine & Covenants 45:62

Smile Always,

Chuck