Feel The Power, Kronk

(Name that movie)

I don't know what it is about music that has such a powerful effect on me. I mean, music has a powerful effect on everyone. But sometimes I just hear that one particular piece and I'm sucked in and transformed. As I grew up I always wished I had the talent to create music like that. I'm well acquainted with many talented people that can sit down with a sheet of composition paper and pen out a melodic masterpiece, and I sometimes find myself hating them (even as I eternally love them) for that amazing talent.

Tonight I find myself particularly drawn to a composition that was featured in (don't laugh) Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince. It's at the part when that one important and beloved person has that one horrible thing happen towards the very end. You know the one I'm talking about. The one that sent everyone that read it into hysterics. (I always hate it when people spoil things for me, so I'm not going to say what it is. But really, if you don't know that that particular character meets a tragic circumstance by now, you're a hermit.)

The scene in the movie is touching in and of itself (again, don't laugh at me. I can't help it if I get really into the plot of those books/movies). But the soundtrack that plays along with it makes it. And all night as I've listened to it repeat on my iPod, I've felt the conflicting emotions it tries to portray. Sorrow, contemplation, respect...they're all there.

But music goes beyond a story that it may have been meant for. It reaches down inside of you and twists some stuff around. It applies itself to you, and becomes a part of you, no matter how small a part. Imagine with me for a moment - and only a moment because any longer would be too depressing - a world without the music. It's almost impossible to do so. Because without the music, life loses some of its majesty and magic that make it good enough to live. And that, my friends, is power.

Last Call

Hello family and friends! To all of you who expressed interest in donating to the service project we're doing for the people in Liverpool, I am sending it off on Wednesday. If you are still interested in helping, please get any and all donations to me by then. Thank you to all of those who have and will help with this. I think it's really going to help these wonderful people.

Thanks again!

Let It Snow

The last few weeks have been pretty heavy. We sent off Elder Ray, which just now is beginning to sink in. School has been brutal. Professors have been trying to shove a months' worth of work into two weeks to make up for the three days that we get off this week. I read a fabulous book that was really difficult to swallow about the Holocaust.

Altogether, I feel spent.

So, despite the groans of those who were with me last night, I couldn't help but smile in relief as the snow began to fall. I was at a Stake Relief Society dinner in Mapleton, right on the mountain, and we found ourselves in a sudden blizzard. The peace of the gentle snowfall seemed to fill me, washing away the stress and frustration of the last few weeks. I let the others run to the car, walking slowly behind them. Despite my usual frustration at snow that comes before Thanksgiving, this year I am ready. I have my wool coat in one hand and my winter gloves in the other, and I am standing with my arms open to the sky, ready for more of the gentle peace that comes in a snowstorm that silently blankets in the world.

Poorly Named Ritual

I hate goodbyes. I hate the leaving part. I hate the not seeing people for extended periods of time part. Goodbyes are not good. They are bad. Very bad-byes.

The only good thing about them is that sooner or later there is a reunion. Sooner or later the goodbye turns into a hello.

And that makes it better.

Grateful

Yesterday I attended the farewell of my dear friend, B. He's one of the last in a long list of our good friends to leave on his mission. As I sat on the bench in his chapel, surrounded by the other friends that have been left behind by those going to serve, it struck me just how amazing those boys are. I've always known that I had been particularly blessed with the young men that I associated with in high school, but it wasn't until I was no longer with them all day everyday that I realized just how blessed. One of those "you don't know what you've got until it's gone" type things.

These boys, who are now serving all around the world, are truly unique. Each of them has their own special attributes that make them who they are. But they all have a few things in common.

They are the boys who open doors for you without even thinking.
They are the boys who give up their chair for you when all the others are full.
They are the boys who will drop every thing to come get you when you're stranded.
They are the boys who put on a shirt and tie every Sunday, even when they don't want to get out of bed.
They are the boys who turn off the questionable movie.
They are the boys who always have a hug ready.
They are the boys that will just sit on the curb and prattle about nothing to distract you from the pain.
They are the boys who mothers should want their daughters to marry.
They are the boys that will one day change the world.

I am grateful to have known all of these boys who strive to be the very best they can be. They have changed me. And I can't wait to see where their goodness and service gets them in this world.

Unpredictable

I love Utah weather. It needs to be said. For the past few weeks I have been dreading the day when the snow would arrive. For some reason my usual excitement for the snow has been absent this year. But last night I had a dream. In my dream, I was looking out my front windows at a beautiful snow storm. The kind with the huge, fluffy flakes that are falling quickly and thickly but silently, blanketing the world in a wonderland of white. And then when I woke up, I could hardly wait.

We had a bit of those crappy white flecks that people from warmer climates like to call snow this morning. Then it was just wet everywhere. Then the sun came out, and it looked like the weather might be heating up again.

Then we were hit with a sudden snow storm. Not the one in my dream, but a snow storm nonetheless. And now, hours later, the skies are clear again.

I love the unpredictable weather of Utah. And I really am very excited for snow!!

Christmas Service

My friend, Elder Studly, is serving his mission in England. He was just transferred to Liverpool, and in his last letter he mentioned some families who are struggling financially. As a Christmas service project and a gift to Elder Studly, I'm trying to get together some money to send for him to help these people with this holiday season. Several people have agreed to help so far, but I thought I'd put it out there for other people to be able to be a part of. No pressure, but I thought that it'd a great service opportunity. And anyone is welcome to join in the giving, so pass the word along!

Oh, and I'm trying to get this out in the next week or two so that I can be sure it's there in time for Christmas. Thanks so much!!