Wear Pants to Church

I know this is old news, but here's what I have to say regarding the feminist movement "Wear Pants on Sunday."  

Never in my 21 years of being Mormon have I felt like I was less important than a man.  Never.  

These issues are in your head.  You're upset because you can't hold the Priesthood or be a bishop? Really? Look back to when Christ was on the earth.  Did he have female apostles? No.

Let's bring in something that Christ has said on the matter.  

And he commanded them that there should be no contention

one with another, but that they should look forward with 

one eye, having one faith and one baptism, having their hearts

 knit together in unity and in love one towards another.

                  -Mosiah 18:21

And many more things did the people imagine up in their hearts, 

which were foolish and vain; and they were much disturbed, 

for Satan did stir them up to do iniquity continually; 

yea, he did go about spreading rumors and contentions upon 

all the face of the land, that he might harden the hearts 

of the people against that which was good 

and against that which should come.

                    -Helaman 16:22

Do you know what these scriptures mean?  It means that Satan gets people to "imagine up in their hearts" issues that AREN'T THERE!  Why?  Because if he can get you to think, "Oh me! The Church is sexist!" then you'll do stupid crap like create "Wear Pants to Church" to create contention in the church.  

If you really have an issue, go to Christ about it.  Pray and ask if the church is sexist.  Don't think He'll answer you? Then why be a member at all?

It's sad to me that you women who participated in this are trying to drag the church through the mud.  If you don't like it, why be a part of it?  If you believe the church is true--really truly believe it is true with all your heart--why are you getting caught up in this nonsense? 

As much as I want to tell each of you how much of an idiot you are, I feel more sadness for you.  You've allowed Satan to enter your heart and pride to take over.

But I know one thing.  "Inasmuch as ye are faithful their shame shall be made manifest.  Wherefore, let them bring forth their strong reasons against the Lord. Verily, thus saith the Lord unto you—there is no weapon that is formed against you shall prosper; And if any man lift his voice against you he shall be  confounded in mine own due time."

That's what I know to be true.  Not this nonsense about wearing pants to church.  Try focusing on a real issue.

And just for a little humor, 

Dear People of the World, I don't mean to sound slutty, but please use me whenever you want. Sincerely, Grammar

If you don't know this about me already, I'm an English language major and an editing minor. 

I'm not usually too picky or judgmental about people's spelling or grammar, mostly because I'm not perfect myself. 

There are, however, a few things that really get to me.

Here's a small list. Including a comic from The Oatmeal that can provide further (not farther) explanations on these subjects. Basically my favorite source of grammar humor. Yes, that exists. 

1. To, too, and two. 
I promise you, if you take .3 seconds to think about it, it's easy to figure out. 

2. Lose and loose.
Lose means you misplaced something. Loose means, well, to make something loose. As in not tight.














3. It's and its
It's is simple. IT IS. No really. That's what it means. Its is possessive.



4. Their, they're, and there.
Their=possessive.
They're=THEY ARE. Get how that works?
There=a place.  See how it has HERE inside of it? 



5. Your and You're
If you think your means you are, than you're an idiot.
That's the difference between the two (see how I used two correctly, too?)



6. Definitely. 
The root is FINITE, meaning well, definite. Simple. NO A.



7. Whether and Weather.
If you really can't distinguish between these two, that's just sad.



8. A lot.
Alot is NOT a word. You're saying you have a lot of something, sort of like saying you have a ton or a bunch or a piece or a bag of something. Lot is an amount. 



9. I'm do.
What does that even mean!? I'm do. I am do. That makes NO sense. Do you mean you are going to do {fill in the blank}? If you want to be lazy, at least use gonna! Do does not work as a verb here! You are essentially speaking gibberish!! The same works for I'm die or I'm go! You no make-a any sense!

10. It don't.
If you're going to seriously say this, just please shoot me and put me out of my misery.  Honestly.  It doesn't take anymore time to say IT DOESN'T than to say IT DON'T. Just please. There is no way you write this and think, "Hey, that sounds totally correct." NO. 

11. Our and are.
Just seriously. Really. Honestly. If you don't know the difference between these two, go back to school.

12. Weird v wierd
I have nothing to even say about this. So I'll let The Oatmeal do the talking.




Here are some other links to stuff on The Oatmeal that I feel strongly about. Please for the sake of humanity check them out.

How to Use an Apostrophe

How to Use a Semicolon

This is all I have for now.  I promise I'm not a Nazi and I'm not going to correct you if you're wrong, even if I really want to.  Just have a little courtesy and think about what you say it before you murder the minds of people.

Grab your pitchforks! He's a MORMON!

Is it just me or is everyone else getting sick of the argument "I refuse to vote for Mitt Romney because he's a MORMON!"  Ok... Your point?  

First of all, why should that matter?? Are you really that bigoted and cowardly that you can't accept someone whose religion isn't exactly like yours? 

If so, maybe you need to do some self-reflection and see what's wrong with yourself before you go around claiming someone's a terrible person because of their religion.

In case you're one of those bigots, here's a few reasons having a Mormon in the White House might actually be a good thing (as borrowed from another blog :))

Honesty. Mormons don’t have a corner on honesty. You can find honest people in every religion (and honest people who don’t profess a religion at all). And it would be a disservice to claim that every Mormon is honest. (After all, the notorious Western outlaw Butch Cassidy grew up in the LDS Church.)  But honesty is so highly valued in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints that a question about honesty appears in the temple recommend interviews. Mormons can’t get into their temples unless they have affirmed to church leaders that they are honest in their business dealings, and if they’re ever convicted of a felony, they are excommunicated from the Church.  Also, the government intelligence agencies regularly recruit Mormons because of their honesty and language skills (learned while serving missions).


Fidelity. Mormons are human. It goes without saying that there have been Mormons who have been unfaithful to their spouses. But marital fidelity is also a question in the temple recommend interview. If the United States had had a Mormon president during the Clinton years, Monica Lewinsky would be minus a $12 million book deal (but her reputation would be intact), and the U.S. history books would be down one impeachment trial.


Healthy living. A Mormon president may find it a little awkward to toast a visiting dignitary because church members don’t drink alcohol, but his faculties are never going to be impaired by his being tipsy in a precarious diplomatic situation.  With alcohol, tobacco, illegal drugs and even coffee off the table, a Mormon president would be less likely to have health issues while in office.


Work ethic. Mormons believe in the concept of work. In hard times, they are more likely to seek work than to look for a handout. Although Mormons have compassion for the disadvantaged — to the point that they fast one day a month and give their food money to feed the poor — a Mormon president would be more likely to pour money into “workfare” programs that engender self-reliance and self-respect than to funnel tax dollars into welfare programs where bureaucrats just write out checks.


Fiscal responsibility. Mormons are counseled over and over again to get out of debt and to stay out of debt. A Mormon president would naturally have this sense of fiscal responsibility in mind when making decisions affecting the financial welfare of the country.


Community service. Because Mormons are led by an unpaid ministry, Mormon men and women learn at an early age how to lead and how to follow. Mormons take turns performing the tasks that must be performed to keep a congregation running smoothly. A man who leads the congregation today may be working in the nursery tomorrow. This teaches Mormons to listen to the ideas of others and to follow them when necessary, as well as how to take charge and make an organization run when it is their turn to lead. Another advantage of taking turns leading and following is that Mormons learn to put the needs of the community ahead of satisfying their own egos.


Cooperation. Mormons are uniquely trained to get along with people from all walks of life.  It begins when they serve as missionaries.  During that two-year period, they must spend 24 hours a day with a companion that has been assigned to them.  Because Mormons are as human as everyone else, not all of these companions are pleasant.  After their missions, they will spend the rest of their lives worshiping in congregations that are strictly determined by geographical boundary.  These congregations comprise people from all socio-economic groups.  If church members don’t like the people they work with in their congregations, they don’t have the option of hopping to an adjacent one.  Instead, they are expected to work things out.  Most of the time, they do.


Knowledge of the world. Most active Mormon men and many Mormon women have served as unpaid missionaries for between 18 and 24 months, paying for their missionary work from family funds. Missionaries who serve overseas preach in the language of the country where they serve and are fluent in those languages when they return. This experience builds character, and it also teaches Mormon missionaries enough about the world that returned missionaries are actively recruited for government service.


Unique views on America. Mormons believe that the United States Constitution was divinely inspired. Any Mormon president would do his best to preserve and protect the Constitution of the United States of America. Mormons also believe that God has promised that the United States will be preserved as long as its citizens continue to remember God. A Mormon president will do everything in his power to preserve the religious freedoms that were granted to its citizens through the Founding Fathers.


Independent Thinking. Just as some said the Kennedy presidency would be controlled by the Vatican, some are saying a Mormon presidency would be run from Salt Lake City.  Yet Mormons are taught the value of free will and independent study in the making and confirmation of decisions.  Just look at the number of LDS people serving in public office, and you will see that their views are all over the political spectrum.

Just to prove that most Mormons have no major skeletons in their closets, consider the latest presidential race.  The opposition is trying their hardest to dig up dirt on the Mormon candidate.  And what are they finding so far?  The fact that he put his dog on the roof of the car and may have made a few ill-advised remarks while in high school.  Compared to some of the previous residents of the White House, this guy is squeaky clean.

So there you have it.  Put down your torches and pitchforks.  Stop trying to see his horns through that nice head of hair and just accept that he's a Mormon.  I'm not saying you have to vote for him, although you should, but stop being so disgustingly intolerant. 

I'm Brooke Towns, and I approve this message.

I am a Mormon.

Who are the Mormons? Are they crazy people with horns and multiple mothers/wives that worship some man?

I don't know. Am I? For all of you that grew up with me, went to school with me, were my best friend, and have participated in plays and community service with me, do I fit the description you've been presented?

Do I?

How many of you know without a doubt that I am a Christian? That I know that Jesus Christ is my Savior and that He atoned for my sins?  How many of you know that I am a good person, or at least I try to be in every way?

How many of you have seen me do something kind, without any personal gain or reward?

Hopefully all of you.

How many of you have genuinely seen me do something cruel or undermining?

None of you.  Because that's not who I am.  Why am I not like that? Because of my faith and my knowledge of Christ.

If that's not who I am, why would you assume that the rest of an entire religion is any different?

When you're thinking negatively of the LDS church, do you forget that each and everyone one of you know someone that's LDS?  If you're reading this blog, then you obviously know me.  Do you ever consider that when you're laughing at something mean about my faith or my people that you're also mocking me?

I must say that I do also find it pretty humorous that this is a country claiming freedom of religion while its own administration participates in the mockery of mine and its citizens won't vote for a man because of his.  Funny, right??

No, I guess I didn't really think so either.

Don't think I'm offended or hurt by the actions of certain people lately.  This is something that the LDS church has faced since its origin.  Mormons were driven from state to state until they had to flee the existing United States entirely. 

Men, women, and children were killed because of their participation with the LDS church.  Simply because it was easier for people to believe horrible things than open their eyes and see that this religion wasn't that different.  

Oh.  Did you not know that LDS people were killed just for being LDS?

Did you know that in Missouri it was okay to kill someone as long as they were Mormon?

No? I guess they don't teach that in school.

Did you know that law wasn't done away with until 1976?

Yeah, I didn't think so.  

So, while even my friends mock and are unnecessarily afraid for the same reasons mentioned at the beginning, remember one thing.  I'm LDS and I've never hidden it or been ashamed of it.  Remember who it is you know that's a member of that faith and who it is you're mocking and afraid of.  Then remember me.

And then do one thing.  Find out for yourselves about the Mormons.  Don't go to a Baptist to learn about a Mormon. No offense, Baptists. ;) But really.  Go to the source, learn for yourself, then make an informed opinion. That's all I ask.

Mustaches, cigars, shots, and margaritas.

Well everybody, it's official. I'm fully legal.  Not that that really changes anything about my life but that's ok! My birthday was pretty much fantastic! Last Saturday I had a party and lots of my friends came to hang out and celebrate.  It was a BYORB. Also known as bring your own rootbeer.  We basically just played games and talked and had fun. Or at least I did!  

Then at midnight on my birthday Elizabeth and I went to the 7Eleven by our apartment and I bought a beer.  Calm down everyone.  I poured it in the grass.  We contemplated driving around to find a homeless man to give it to but that seemed too sketchy so the grass seemed the best place to dispose of it!  That was a fun adventure though and definitely one of my favorite memories now!  

After sleeping and skipping all of my classes for the day, Erika, Eric and myself went to Maria Bonita's! So good! Erika and I got virgin margaritas.  They were HUGE and so so so sour!  They were kinda expensive though so we made ourselves drink all of it.  Needless to say we felt really sick afterwards!  Never again will I buy a margarita. Ever.

That night a few friends came over and we played poker and made shots with combinations of grenadine, raspberry lemonade, orange juice, tonic water, and pina colada mix.  We had fake mustaches and tootsie rolls for cigars.  It was pretty great.

Now for the important part of this post! 21 things for 21 years!  I guess this year I'll do things I'm grateful for or events that have made me happy/influenced me in the last year. Prepare yourselves for awesome to come at you in no particular order.

1. Having a private room.  This is just so fantastic. Like seriously. I love having my own room. 

2. My family.  Seeing them last month was just what I needed.  I had missed my parents so much.  There's just something great that happens when you get to be with your parents.  It kinda makes me sad to think about not being close.  So I just don't think about it ;)

3. Target.  This seems silly but Target makes me so happy.  If I had all the money in the world, I'd buy myself my own Target. It's like Disney to me.

4. Having dated someone.  After actually dating someone, my life has really changed.  That sounds weird.  But seriously.  Even though it didn't work out, I'm ok with it.  I learned so much about what I want in my future husband and what I am and am not willing to sacrifice.  

5. Being happy.  I've noticed in the last couple of weeks how happy I am.  There are so many things to stress me out but through it all, my heart feels light and I feel joy.  I know that's they way life is supposed to be and I am so grateful for the ability to be happy no matter what circumstances I face.

6. Good weather. It has seriously been the most perfect beautiful weather lately and I absolutely love it!  I wish I could spend all day outside! It's just gorgeous!!!

7. Forgiveness.  I am so grateful that I have been able to learn how to let go and forgive people.  I think it's a lesson that Heavenly Father knew I needed to learn.  I am also grateful for the ability to know that I can be forgiven for my mistakes.  It's such a beautiful thing!

8. School.  I LOVE my classes this year!  All of them are so interesting (well, maybe not D&C...) and just fit what I want to learn about so perfectly!  Love it!

9. Jobs.  While I am a little worried I am going to have a complete mental breakdown by the end of the school year, I am so thankful to have not just one job but two.  Money is getting tighter and tighter so I can use all the help I can get.  Unless someone wouldn't mind like sponsoring me or something... I wouldn't mind quitting... :)

10. My car. Ethan is awesome.  I love having a car! I love being able to be independent and go where I want when I want!

11. Being capable and competent. Need I say more?

12. Laughing. I love funny people and things and I LOVE when people think I'm funny. Because I am. But it makes me happy.  

13. My nieces and nephew.  I love having tiny people that adore me so much and miss me.  It's so nice knowing that there are people that look up to me (no pun intended) and a good reminder to always do the right thing so that I am worthy of it.

14. Trials. Boy have I had trials this last year.  But without them, I wouldn't be who I am today.  I'm grateful for a Father that knows where to push me to prepare me and strengthen me for future challenges.

15. The priesthood.  I love knowing that if I ever need extra help or a blessing, there will always be someone near by that can give me a priesthood blessing.  I also love guys that respect and honor that power and genuinely realize how important and special it is!

16. Mountains. I just can't get over how great the mountains are.  People in Florida will never fully realize how awesome it is to just look out your window and see massive mountains just sitting there.  They are so beautiful and such an awesome reminder that this world really was created for us.

17. Accents and dialects.  After studying this for the past two weeks, I can't help but listen on all of my calls at work to the accents and dialects people have and use.  It's so interesting and curious how and why people speak the way they do.  Pretty cool :)

18. Daisies, dahlias, and zinnias.  Look them up on Google images. Then you'll know.

19. Comfortable pillows.  I am so grateful for comfy pillows.  They just make sleeping so nice.

20. Life.  I am now working on my third decade of life.  So many things have happened and there are so many more things that will happen.  I want to live every day to the fullest, not because of that YOLO garbage ("You only live once" for you old people) but because I don't want to have any regrets in this life.  I want to have fantastic memories and experiences that I can share with my children and I want to make every single day count.

21.  The Gospel.  So much of my life has changed in regards to the Gospel.  I love this Church and the truth I have in my life. I love that God has a purpose for me and that I have the opportunity to be His hands.  I love that this life isn't the end and that I will have my loved ones forever.  I genuinely love the plan that has been set for us and the path that was laid before us.  I also love my Savior and all that He did to make it possible for us to follow Him without any guessing games or dead ends.  I love it all.

There are my 21 things for my 21 years.  I hope to always be happy and thankful enough that coming up with one thing for each increasing year never becomes a challenge!

Oh the irony.

My mom sent this to me today.  I find it seriously ironic since I say in there "Never write anything you don't want someone else to read," and here it is being read by the very person who told me that.  But anyways.  I guess I wrote this when I was ten.  That was more than half my life ago now!  Weird! I was cute.  And stinkin' smart if I do say so myself, besides some of my spelling at least ;)

Stranded

The picture right before the bright idea is where I'm at.  Or at least hopefully I've come that far...

What lime is this?

This past month has been really good.  I've still been stressed because of normal college student-working-in-the-summer stuff, but my heart has been so much lighter this last 4 weeks.  


So what's been going on?


First off, I've been able to let go of so much anger against certain people.  With that gone, I have been able to feel more like me again, which is very nice.


Secondly, I have gone on a couple dates.  Some ok, some pretty good, and that has definitely been nice.  It's crazy how not going on dates makes you not feel like a girl anymore, but as soon as you do, your girliness comes back full fledged. And I like being a girl ;) 


Besides that, I've just been working and working.  I have two jobs right now.  One is at Lane Bryant at the mall.  I only work like 6-10 hours there though so my other job is at this call center type place working 25 hours a week.  Both are minimum wage but I'm grateful that I not only have a job, but have two jobs.  Money has been really tight recently but I wouldn't really expect it to be any other way!


The only thing that has been bothering me is wanting to go home so badly.  I miss my family a lot and my house.  And the beach.  And swimming pools.  And my parents.  And my friends.  And just home pretty much!  It costs about $350 to get there though, so that probably won't be happening, sadly.


To not focus on me anymore, LAUREN'S ENGAGED! And as we have learned, you can't spell engaged without gag.  But that's not the point.  This last week Mama Smith was here and it was so nice to have a mommy here!  She cooked for us and took care of us and it was just so nice!  We went wedding dress shopping and found Lauren a really beautiful dress!  We've been talking about colors and themes and ideas so much lately, I feel like I could plan my wedding in five minutes.  Just kidding.  But we have been talking about wedding stuff non-stop and it's been really fun, but really scary and weird!  We just seem too young to be getting married all of a sudden haha But I really am happy for them and can't wait to see everything come together and see my best friend married for time and all eternity!


That pretty much sums up my life right now.  Crazy yet simple and totally fun and unexpected!  

The Sacrament, Atonement, and Forgiveness.

There has been something on my mind a lot lately, and that is forgiveness.  Today I realized that even though it wasn't something I knelt and prayed about, it was a prayer I had in my heart and it was a prayer I had answered today.


For the most part, I forgive quickly.  But there is one case in my life that has been almost impossible for me to entirely get over.


Today, we not only heard a wonderful talk about forgiveness, but we heard about the Atonement and how to better appreciate the sacrament.  I hadn't really thought about the fact that until I could forgive, I could never fully accept the atonement into my own life.


One person has wronged me more than anyone I've ever known.  But I cause more harm to Christ than anyone could ever imagine doing to me.  It was for my sins (all of ours really, but that's not the point I'm making...) that my Savior bled from every pore.  I have brought this pain upon Him even with having an understanding of what He did for me.  I have knowingly sinned.  Not with intent to cause Him pain, but it has happened all the same.  He not only still took on my sins, but He felt every pain I've ever felt, including this one.


This thought came to me strongly as we were told the story of the two debtors, one whose debt was great and the other not so great.  The man with higher debt was forgiven but refused to forgive the man who owed him.


This was me.  I was the debtor that owed so much to my Lord yet refused to forgive the person who had wronged me.  I having been sitting and waiting for an apology when I didn't even deserve one because I was in the wrong so much more.


While it's still something I'm trying so hard to work on, I suddenly have such clearer thoughts as to the direction I need to move and so much more mercy in my soul.


I have truly been humbled and hope that I can show the mercy that my Savior shows me on a daily basis.  


This was a Sabbath day that has reminded me of my Father's love for me, as imperfect as I am, and that He is aware of me and my needs, even if I don't formally get down on my knees and tell Him.

Also

the one day I go to the Cannon Center - the first time I go to the Cannon Center - and give myself permission to grub out to make it worth the money...


I see a guy I have a slight crush on. 


Just my luck.

Sad.

But true.

One Art

I just memorized this poem for my Fundamental Literary Interpretations class.  We had to memorize a poem and write about it.  As soon as I read it, I knew it was mine.  I'm not going to go into the details, and it may sound weird, but I feel it.  That's all.


One Art


The art of losing isn't hard to master;
so many things seem filled with the intent
to be lost that their loss is no disaster,

Lose something every day. Accept the fluster
of lost door keys, the hour badly spent.
The art of losing isn't hard to master.

Then practice losing farther, losing faster:
places, and names, and where it was you meant
to travel. None of these will bring disaster.

I lost my mother's watch. And look! my last, or
next-to-last, of three beloved houses went.
The art of losing isn't hard to master.

I lost two cities, lovely ones. And, vaster,
some realms I owned, two rivers, a continent.
I miss them, but it wasn't a disaster.

-- Even losing you (the joking voice, a gesture
I love) I shan't have lied. It's evident
the art of losing's not too hard to master
though it may look like (Write it!) like disaster.

L'erba del vicino e sempre piu verde.

In Italian today we read a poem.  At first it made no sense.  Partly because it's in Italian and in part because it just really made no sense. 


Basically this is what it said.


To the river: "Let me pass!"
Responded the river: "Where are you going?  Along with the men and women?  The ox bellows also and the mosquitoes sting.  
What do you hope for?  The same water, sweet, to love, along my other bank!  It is the day, it is beautiful.  The air stirs itself, the fabulous woods, what do you think.
Always the other bank is what you crave, man.  The well-lost or vainly waited.  Me, cold, between the dreamer and the dream.
Always suspended high above your head your fate, if you go, if you stay.  For each road to be dragged along, again, your turmoil."


Once I understood what it was saying, I began to think.  


So often we look at what we have and see that it's not good enough.  We see what we're lacking and what we are longing for.  We set goals because we aren't happy with what we have.  Not that progression isn't good, but often we hope to be thinner, richer, etc.  We are so focused on where we're lacking that we don't see our blessings.  When we really do have issues, we think that then we don't need to work to make it better.  We think that we just need to change something minor, say just the right thing, and our lives will be perfect.  


It's time for all of us to see what we have and be grateful.  Truly and honestly thankful for all we have in our lives.  Stop protesting that things aren't fair.  If you really don't like the way something is in your life, do something about it.  Make goals that will enhance the joy you already have sitting right in front of you but make sure they aren't vain or completely self-serving.


"When our wagon gets stuck in the mud, God is much more likely to assist the man who gets out to push than the man who merely raises his voice in prayer—no matter how eloquent the oration." - Dieter F. Uchtdorf 


And remember, the grass really isn't always greener on the other side.

Chivalry: Dead or Alive

So lately I've noticed something.  Chivalry is kinda dead.  I never really thought I'd be saying that when I go to school with a crazy-ton of LDS guys.  But it is, I think.  


I've noticed this in a few ways.  


First, boys don't really hold doors open anymore.  Just today, I had a guy run past me, open the door, and let it slam in my face.  He was literally 3 or 4 steps in front of me.  It was so rude.  Even if he didn't want to be a gentleman, he should have at least held it because I'm a fellow human being.  


Tip: Boys, some girls may not like you pausing to hold the door open for them, but do it anyways.  Most of us appreciate it and should say thank you.  Even if you're running late to class, take 5 extra seconds to pause and hold the door.


Second, "ladies first" should really still be happening.  I noticed this a lot when I rode the bus.  Boys would squeeze in front of me to get on the bus sooner.  I'm sorry, but that's rude.  Let a girl go first.  Seriously.


Tip: Really, your day won't be ruined because you let a girl go ahead of you.  Say, "After you" and you may make her day.


My third example is something I noticed in my class last night.  If you're in a crowded place and there aren't enough seats for everyone, do not make a girl sit on the floor.  That is straight up rude.  If you are terrible enough to force a girl to sit on the floor while you sit comfortably in a chair, you are messed up.


Tip: Boy, offer the girl your chair.  You won't ruin your jeans or look less manly because of it.  In fact, that girl will remember you for doing something nice for her.


Fourth, boys don't walk girls home anymore.  Unless they're dating, guys say "See ya!" and let girls make their way home alone.  Being in a ward that's separated by a couple blocks has made me notice this.  I live in an all-girls complex and whenever we'd go do stuff with the guys, they never offered to walk us home.  Yes, it's only two blocks and yes, it's out of the way, but still, at least offer.  


Tip: Ask girls if you can walk them home.  It doesn't mean you're making a move and can be really sweet whether you are or aren't try to make one.


Fifth, if you're at a party or event, especially one hosted by a girl, and you stay until the end, offer to help clean up, take out the trash, etc.  If a girl was willing to put in the work for you to have a good time, show appreciation by doing something small in return.  Most of the time she will refuse, but it's the thought that counts.  Being a part of the Tall Club presidency and staying until everyone's gone to clean up has taught me a lot about guys.  The guys that offer to help clean up or just start doing it without asking are the guys that I remember the most and respect more.


Tip: Do what I just talked about and offer to help clean up if you go to an activity or party and stay until the end.




This is all I have for now.  Guys, please make a greater effort to be gentlemen.  Girls will remember you for it and will really appreciate it.  It shouldn't be questioned if chivalry is dead.  All girls should know it's alive and strong, so do your part :)

U-turn

Last year, I was dying to get back to school and classes and friends.








This year, I'm dying to stay home.

My Year in Music

Rather than summarizing my year in pictures or paragraphs, I'm going to post the songs that helped me make it through the year.

I need thee every hour, most gracious Lord

No tender voice like thine can peace afford

I need thee, oh, I need thee

Every hour I need thee

Oh bless me now, my Savior

I come to thee

I need thee every hour, in joy or pain

Come quickly and abide or life is vain

I need thee, oh, I need thee

Every hour I need thee

Oh bless me now, my Savior

I come to thee

Nearer, my God, to Thee, nearer to Thee!E'en though it be a cross that raiseth me,Still all my song shall be,Nearer, my God, to Thee.Nearer, my God, to Thee,Nearer to Thee!




Though like the wanderer, the sun gone down,Darkness be over me, my rest a stone.Yet in my dreams I'd beNearer, my God to Thee.Nearer, my God, to Thee,Nearer to Thee!




There let the way appear, steps unto heav'n;All that Thou sendest me, in mercy given;Angels to beckon meNearer, my God, to Thee.Nearer, my God, to Thee,Nearer to Thee!




There in my Father's home, safe and at rest,There in my Savior's love, perfectly blest;Age after age to be,Nearer my God to Thee.Nearer, my God, to Thee,Nearer to Thee!Lead, kindly Light, amid th’encircling gloom, lead Thou me on!The night is dark, and I am far from home;lead Thou me on! Keep Thou my feet; I do not ask to see The distant scene; one step enough for me. 


I was not ever thus, nor prayed that Thou shouldst lead me on; I loved to choose and see my path; but now lead Thou me on! I loved the garish day, and, spite of fears, Pride ruled my will. Remember not past years! 


So long Thy power hath blest me, sure it still will lead me on. O’er moor and fen, o’er crag and torrent, till the night is gone, And with the morn those angel faces smile, which I
Have loved long since, and lost awhile! 


Meantime, along the narrow rugged path, Thyself hast trod,
Lead, Savior, lead me home in childlike faith, home to my God. To rest forever after earthly strife In the calm light of everlasting life.
Be still, my soul; the Lord is on thy side;
Bear patiently the cross of grief or pain;
Leave to thy God to order and provide;
In every change He faithful will remain.
Be still, my soul; thy best, thy heavenly Friend
Through thorny ways leads to a joyful end.







Be still, my soul; thy God doth undertake
To guide the future as He has the past.
Thy hope, thy confidence, let nothing shake;
All now mysterious shall be bright at last.
Be still, my soul; the waves and winds still know
His voice who ruled them while He dwelt below.







Be still, my soul, though dearest friends depart
And all is darkened in the vale of tears;
Then shalt thou better know His love, His heart,
Who comes to soothe thy sorrows and thy fears.
Be still, my soul; thy Jesus can repay
From His own fulness all He takes away.



Be still, my soul; the hour is hastening on
When we shall be forever with the Lord,
When disappointment, grief, and fear are gone,
Sorrow forgot, love's purest joys restored.
Be still, my soul; when change and tears are past,
All safe and blessed we shall meet at last.








This year, the songs stuck in my head were hymns.  When I was younger, I thought it was kinda silly to sing a hymn when something was bothering you. Over the past year, I have really come to rely on the comfort that comes with their words.  It's the words of these songs that have increased my testimony and got me through 2011.  They are what summarizes the last year for me. :)