'And he said, Come...'

‘And he said, Come. And when Peter was come down out of the ship, he walked on the water, to go to Jesus
But when he saw the wind boisterous, he was afraid; and beginning to sink, he cried, saying, Lord, save me.
And immediately Jesus stretched forth his hand, and caught him, and said unto him, O thou of little faith, wherefore didst thou doubt?’
Matthew 14:29:31

The Savior taught that hearts will be where our treasure is. Many times in life, we are personally invited by the savior to follow him and we trust him. Experience has proved, time after time, that He will be there for us and we can conquer any mountain that might be place before us but in many instances we find ourselves in the shoes of Peter of all: trusting but yet keeping that little of himself from the Savior.

There is no doubt that Peter loved the savior and trusted him. This loved is what carried him through so many hard trials during his life and it was this same love for the Savior that help him grow. The Lord, gently and lovingly, constantly invited him to follow him and trust him, even thought the storm may be raging around him. Peter trusted the Savior before stepping out of the ship but that assurance soon left him as soon as he ‘…saw the wind boisterous…’ in other words he took his sight away from the Him.

Many times in my life I feel like in Peter shoes after he had stepped off the ship. Each one of us have had experiences when we receive answers to our prayers regarding what direction to take and we start moving towards that direction but very soon I find myself walking on thorny paths and see the storm approaching and then I start doubting and focusing more on the storm around me and questioning if the path taken was the right one; it is at this time when we cry to the Lord asking for his help and it is then when we hear the gently, loving reprove from the Savior “…O thou [Ben] of little faith, wherefore didst thou doubt?”

Unfortunately, this process has repeated so many times in my life that I look back as see how the Savior has carried while walking over the waters and when I have done so I noticed that peace was all around me; just like Peter felt when the he was saved by the Christ when sinking. I can imagine Peter saying:

“Master, the terror is over.

The elements sweetly rest.
Earth’s sun in the calm lake is mirrored,

And heaven’s within my breast.

Linger, O blessed Redeemer!

Leave me alone no more,

And with joy I shall make the blest harbor

And rest on the blissful shore.”

My Giant mom

There are giants on this earth that many times are not seen and many time they leave us without anyone noticing; this does not bother them the least bit because what they have taken with them from here is worth to them more than any gold or treasure. What they take with them is not noticed by those left behind until they have left.

The giant I am speaking of was just a little over 5 feet tall and held one of the most sacred titles anyone can hold and let me tell you! she lived up to that title! The name of this giant I am referring to is my mom. There are many memories of her that are always going to be with me. She is amazing! How was she able to do all the things she did? I have no idea! But I can tell you why she did them! She did them because she loved her Heavenly parents with all her heart and she wanted to walk by them. She feared her God more than men.

Some of my earliest memories of her are serving people. Whether it was a complete stranger or a dear friend, she was always willing to be the instrument in the Savior’s hand to be the answer to someone’s prayer. Many times she would go and do things without knowing why, only knowing that person needed it. She, like a Nephi of old, went and did! She, like Samuel, said “…Speak; for thy servant heareth” (1 Samuel 3:10) She always made time to serve.

Many of my memories growing up are of my mom feeding people. Many times people will come to our church meetings because they were directed there to renew their spirits and hoping the answer to their prayers will be there; many times we ended up having Sunday dinners with people we had met that day at church. She also was able to feed the hunger the food food could not feed; she never call herself a wise or anything special she only call herself a child of God. She was a listening ear to those that needed to speak and a voice of counsel to those that needed some direction. In either case, she always sought to be and do the will of her Father.

She was a magician! Many times we would have missionary over in our house for lunch (or dinner) and they would eat and ask for seconds and thirds and she would reach into the ‘magic pot’ and keep finding food and to give away. Many times she would run on empty for weeks at the time and always had fuel to give to those in need. In several instances she found the strength to carry on tasks that required more than her normal strength. I remember, very clearly, the day that one of hers was hanging upside down of a latter and she found the strength to lift him up to safe.

She was a healer. She healed many wounds that life and time had open; she helped the healing process to begin by just listening and shearing peoples burdens and making them light she followed her Savior and took His yoke upon here and here burdens were made light. Mom took the invitation of alma and was ‘willing to mourn with those that mourn; yea, and comfort those that stand in need of comfort, and to stand as witnesses of God at all times and in all things, and in all places that ye may be in, even until death, that [she] may be redeemed of God, and be numbered with those of the first resurrection, that ye may have eternal life—’ (Mosiah 18:8)

She was always in tune with the spirit and closer to the veil. She was a dreamer just like father Lehi, she was a visionary woman and the Lord knew He could count with mother to understand those visions and dreams. She knew they came from on high and she would act upon those directions even though she would not have been supported by anyone but her Father in heaven.

She was a giant all around!

I once heard that ‘Heroes are remember but legends never die’ to me my mom is a legend and I know that through the restored temple ordinances, just like in the days of all, I will meet my giant mother and be able to thank her, even though some how she knows already, for the instruction and preparation she endeavor to give each one of hers. I know that this is possible thanks to my Savior’s Atonement. I know that our Father in Heaven sent a special spirits, my parents, to show me His ways while on this earth. I Know my God lives because mother showed me, in my early years, the reality of Him.

As Nephi of old I can say: “I, Benjamin, having been born of goodly parents, therefore I was taught somewhat in all the learning of my [mother and] father” (1 Nephi 1:1)

So…the Giant has left her Legacy and all I can do is honor her by leaving the way her Heavenly Parents would want me to live and all I can say is that I LOVE YOU MOM and THANK YOU! Father and Mother in heaven, thank you for the opportunity I have had to be guided by you through Her while on this life. THANK YOU!

Science!!!!!

I love science! My physical science professor (Sister Ireland) used to say that "true science proves that there is a God." Whether we like it or not, our world is a magnificent peace of majesty created by an all-knowing Father in Heaven who knew we would need a place where to learn how to become more like him. Our Father, just like our earthly parents, wanted us to learn to recognize truth as part of our progression and growth. He didn't sent us away to school without making sure we would have the necessary tools to recognize the truth that he eagerly wants us to learn; He didn't sent us away without making sure we would have the resources to communicate with him; he didn't sent us away without preparing the way so we could find our way back home.
Even though His great love, He made possible for us to choose our actions and in so doing, to choose consequences as well. He also knew that, by sending us away to learn, many of His precious children will not come back home (and this is not because He doesn't wants us back). Whether we like it or not this is the way it goes.
How many times, growing up, teenagers (and even older people) manage to distort what parents say and give it a COMPLETELY different meaning to the one originally intended; well, science is the same way! In a more abstract comparison, we blame guns for killing people, but it is not guns that kill people but it is people who kill people (have we heard this before?) so, why do we blame science for trying to destroy Heavenly Father? It is not science's fault! Science doesn't destroy God, people destroys God. Whether we like it or not this is how this works! It doesn't matter what I think, or what I choose not to think, the truth is truth and nothing will change it!
But, in all of this, what triggered these thoughts? Well, I made the following comment:
"Science is great!!! If you watch the History/Discovery/National geographic channel you will learn a lot! :)"
To which someone replied
"Science is the devil!!! If you watch the ecclesiastical channels you will learn that science is trying to destroy God! :("
Are computers bad? They are not! People have the agency to choose to view pornography or to do family history! Yes, I do believe that now days, people is trying to destroy the existence of a supreme creator but at the same time I believe that our Father in Heaven, as mentioned earlier, gave us the ability to recognize truth when we come across with it. So, don't say that science is of the devil! The way I see it, science is a tool to prove that a loving Father in Heaven is waiting for us to return home. After all, who doesn't want to be in a loving home?

Thank goodness for communication!

So...why can't people be honest? As I think about this, I am reminded of a song I once heard. It says as follows:

When I was a child it was easier then to tell them strait out how I felt
"give me Corn flakes instead!", "Please don't send me to bed!",
"Can dad fix it so the snow man won't melt"
Now that i am older it's harder it seems,
I think we all have changed quite a bit
Lately I find when I speak my own mind
they get mad, or get shocked or look seek.
I wish I could talk to my family but
I don't know quite well where to start,
though my folks aren't so bad it’s just,
it’s kind of sad, we don't know how to talk heart to heart.

I find interesting/frustrating/entertaining/etc. that people cannot/don't want/refuses to communicate. I don't know what goes through people's mind, but sure would like to know! The interesting part about this is that ‘adults’ are the ones that are supposed to be teaching the younger generations lessons that will help them the rest of their lives but for some reason, one of the important lessons that needs to be taught isn’t even known by those who are supposed to be teaching it.

I think that our society is becoming more and more concerned about being politically correct that we are becoming a ‘politically incorrect’ society. I don’t think there is anything wrong with saying the truth or what is in our minds; I think this can be done without hurting anyone. I personally think that now speaking our minds (in most instances) causes more hurt than what it prevents.

If we are so concerned about not hurting people by being clear and honest, we should start thinking about how much more it hurts not doing so. In my personal experience I have found that I have gained more respect for those who have spoken the truth to me; regardless of the discomfort it might have caused.

Honesty is the best Policy!!!

Sometimes I wonder why our society has become so politically correct that we start jumping into the rude area. Why do I say that? Well…may be an example will demonstrate what I am trying to say.

The other day my roommate and I decided to go rock climbing. Well, there was a girl that wanted to go rock climbing and actually asked my roommate to call her whenever he was going. My roommate called her and she said she would get back to him which it never happened. Well, needless to say, we didn’t go. We them decided to go today. There was another girl that wanted to come; my roommate called her because she had talked to him earlier. Well, he left a message asking her to call back whether she was coming or not. She never called back. There were other two girls that we invited to come to which they replied they had a lot to do. Well today came around when we were leaving (to go rock climbing) they were at the pool. When we got back they were just hanging out. I am 95% sure that this was not some of their “errands” they had talked about.

You know, I will accept that this may come across as “we are two losers” that girls don’t want to do anything with but PLEASE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! People!!! Just say NO! How hard is that?! Why do you have to find an excuse! Just say the truth!!! It would had been so simple for the two girls today to say “No, thanks” or for the other girl to call back and say “I can’t make it” or just plainly say “No, thanks”

I believe our society is becoming too politically correct that it is becoming so politically incorrect. What is wrong with just telling the truth? You don’t have to be rude about it! The truth can be presented nice and direct and be the truth. Those who know me well can tell you that I if I have something in my mind, I will bring it up. My experienced has been that speaking the truth has cleared many miscommunication and has made things A LOT easier for everyone

This history is repeated over and over in the dating world. People! Please, please, please!! Just be honest. If you don’t want to go on that date just say No! if nothing else, please, at least be honest with me. In my book, that makes me to respect you more.

Summer Adventures Part I: My first Roller Coaster ride! WOW!!!!!

I need to do a better job at keeping this site up to date. Well, I guess I need to start reporting with at least three major events that have happened since the last time I posted something. As an information Technology graduate, I preferred FIFO (First In First Out) stacks but in this case I will do LIFO (Last In Fist Out). The nice part about this events is that all of them where a week apart from each other!

First

Last week I had the opportunity to go to Lagoon for the first time! Well, that is not too exciting by itself. The exciting part is that it was my first time on a roller coaster!!! Now, THAT WAS EXCITING! I can honestly say that I had never screamed so much and so loud in my entire life! I knew that riding on a roller coaster was going to be an adventure but my expectations were nothing compare to reality!!

April, a good friend, called a day before because she was taking the Student Body Government of her school, I think she is their adviser, to their last activity for the year (or the first, depending how you want to see it) and she needed drivers/chaperons for the high school kids, Doug (my roommate) and Michael (a friend from my ward) were the other drivers, besides April. Well, how to pass and opportunity to:

1. Go to Lagoon
   
2. Ride a roller coaster (s)
   
3. Get everything 1 and 2 paid for.
   
4. Hung out with high School kids (I was reminded of my EFY counselor’s days, boy!)
   
5. Spend time with friends Be the entertainment for my friend that came as well (I’ll explain this later)

So you see, the benefits of the trip definitely made it worth going!

The approach taken was “lets get out the scary ones out of the way and the rest will be piece of cake” (Did any one said cheese cake?! I love cheese cake! ) well, I appreciate their concern! If that were not all, in my first two rides, I ended up riding in the front chair! Tell me I am crazy! Well…needless to said, I screamed like a little girl (nothing against little girls). I think my friend were enjoying seeing (and hearing) me in the rides that the rides themselves; I am glad I could help them to enjoy their trip! I first rode the Wild Mouse (the scariest parts where at the corners, I was 99.9999% sure that I was going to fall over every single time!), then we did the Colossus (or Fire Dragon). We then rode Wicked, now that is a scary ride; we actually rode this one twice and the second time I sat in the front. Needless to say, I had my eyes open for about 5 seconds total and believe me, they were not the first 5 seconds!

After, we rode the Spider, and then the Cliffhanger and then….. drums drumming please!!! My first Roller coaster!!At this point I had been to more scary things that for about 4 seconds, in on e of the lowest parts, I put my hand up!!! I was so proud of myself!!! I think I deserved a golden star on my front head! It is important to note that since I knew I was going to do this I didn’t have breakfast that morning so by 1 I was so hungry and that time of the day came: lunch time!!! Yay for lunch!

After lunch we headed for the Jet Start and then for the rocket (I had to close my eyes in one of them). After doing so much intense rides we decided that it was time for something slower so we went to the Sky Scraper; it was my very first time on Ferris wheel. I decided, I am ok with heights if it is not too fast! We then went for some water rafting (Rattlesnake) and needless to say, we got wet. We also did something more my type: the carrousel! Yay! I had not been on one for ages! I felt like I was crawling. To finish our trip on a high note, we finished with a ride of Wicked and 4, yep it is not a typo, rides of Colossus.

It is worth mentioning that by night time everything hurt! I figured that the adrenaline went down.

Would I do this again? Of course!!!

To be continued.......

How good recruiter are we?

"In theory, there is no difference between theory and practice. But, in practice, there is."

-Jan L. A. van de Snepscheut/Yogi Berra-

You know, we claim to know many things but do we practice them 24x7? There is a great difference between knowing something and practicing that something. I’ll illustrate this point.

So…yesterday, after getting off work and walking home, I started thinking about this girl so I told to myself:

“Myself, I think you should call…. ”

Yeah right!!! You all though I was going to write her name! I am sorry to disappoint you but nope! No name yet! Anyhow, knowing myself, he replied:

“Ben, I think that is a bright idea!”

I decided to call her! This is as far as myself helped me; after that, I was on my own. Thanks myself!

I don’t really know her and by the little I know her I can tell she is pretty, fun, and smart. We talked about reading, books, and whatnot; you know. Something light. Towards the end of our short chat she asked a question, that even though I know she didn’t mean it to be rude, it definitely made me feel sooooooooooooooo bad and made me think a lot. She asked me if I was checking the list whether she qualified or not (not the exact words). I then realized that my asking questions to get to know her had come across as some like an interview: I am SOOOOOOOOOOO embarrassed!!!!

I hope you don’t think less of me. Even though I don’t consider myself a “pro” when it comes to social skills, I don’t think I am too bad either; but, once in a while I do things like this making me realized that I have a lot to learn. Hopefully that person will be a friend and help me be and do better.

I hope that when that girl finds (Don’t worry, I am also looking for her) me she will be able to look at my imperfections and see them as an opportunity to help me improve. I hope she expects me to be better, be patient enough so we both can work together to overcome those imperfections, and she doesn’t think I am interviewing her.

In conclusion, sometimes it is easy to say we are going to react in certain way to a given situation; but when we are in that situation, the story is different. I am not trying to excuse myself for the things I do; after all, this is one of the great gifts given to us: agency.