Breakfast with Dad, Dinner with Mom

It was a pretty good day, mostly because it was another day with my family (after I was done with my classes, of course). I am grateful that I was able to enjoy a meal with my dad before he had to go back home, and that I was able to enjoy dinner with my mom in the evening. Because of the busy schedules that we have, we get to make time for each other.

Contacting Online, Reconnecting in Person

I went on a small road trip today with a friend to go see another friend's vocal recital. This was arranged through Facebook. The recital was simply incredible, and more importantly it provided a special opportunity to reconnect with old friends. I don't normally do things like this very often, taking spontaneous trips and outings. I am so glad I did today. I feel so much happier now because of the joy that accompanies such happy reunions. Among other things, this experience reminded me of the true value of people. No amount of work or entertainment elsewhere can full compensate for the company and resources supplied by people: friends, family, neighbors, everyone.

Performance Coaching

Today, my a cappella group was able to meet with an experienced performer and get feedback on our own performance. I also got feedback on a solo act. I am grateful for the help.

A Malt Shop

I am grateful for a 50's style burgers and malt restaurant in town. The a cappella club I'm involved in had a wonderfully successful show tonight, and we have been going to this one place as a sort of "after-party" location. It is always fun to associate with and talk with fellow a cappella performers after a great show.

Sister Called to Serve

The highlight of my day was spending time with my family to celebrate my sister's mission call. She will be serving her mission in Argentina, teaching the gospel of Jesus Christ in Spanish. I am so excited for her because I know the frustrations and joys of missionary work. I am grateful to be able to be with my sister to celebrate this exciting moment in her life. To some, it may not be a big deal to open an envelope for a service assignment, but for me and my family it is an exciting time.

Texting and Calling About a Mission Call

I had a lot of fun conversations over the phone (text and call) with my sister today. She applied to serve a mission for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, and she got an envelope in the mail today that contains her mission call. She hasn't opened it yet because she wants to open it with family (me, Mom, and Dad) tomorrow evening. We all want to know where she's going to go on her mission.

But, she's in terrible suspense and came close to opening it early, not that it would be a really bad thing, but we still want to be there when she opens it. I offered to take the envelope off her hands so she's not tempted, and the two of us had a lot of fun dialogue where we were joking and poking fun at each other. Today I am grateful for these fun interactions I had with my sister.

Apartment Prayer

My roommates and I have developed a habit of holding apartment prayer every night. At first it was just a prayer, then later someone suggested we begin by sharing positive highlights of our day. We've been having apartment prayer for a couple of months now, and it has been a good blessing for all of us. Those few moments each day where we drop everything, sit down together, and share highlights and a prayer have been good and precious moments to me. I am grateful for what our regular apartment prayer has become.

Wildcard

I got an exciting email this afternoon. In the email I was informed that I had been accepted into the campus talent show finale of the semester! I had already tried out for the finale and didn't make it, but evidently there's a spot open for me now. They said I've been accepted as a "Wildcard." I'm guessing they mean I will be an unexpected act in the show. I am very excited for this, and I am grateful that I made it into the next round of performing in this show.

You know, it wouldn't be the end of the world if I had never made it, but I'm very grateful I did. :)

Easter Music

It was a little early, but this evening I was involved with an Easter event that included music, video, and short speeches about the final week of the ministry of Jesus Christ: the Last Supper, His suffering in the Garden of Gethsemane, His death on Calvary, and His resurrection. It was a great event, and I was so glad to be able to be a part of organizing it and participating in it as a singer. I had been feeling particularly stressed today over my current pile of schoolwork, and this event was a wonderful antidote for that stress. Once again I was reminded of things that matter most, for which I am grateful.

Guest Usher

Tonight I had the opportunity to go with a friend to a fantastic choir concert. We were able to see the concert for free because we volunteered to usher at the event. My friend and I actually had lots of fun being guest ushers. It was fun to greet people and offer concert programs. Then, of course, the concert itself exceeded my already high expectations. Being a guest usher this evening was a blessing in many ways.

A Little Lesson on Inversions

I was waiting in line at a restaurant, waiting for my food when I saw a girl I knew from the campus a cappella club. We chatted a bit, and she mentioned that she was having a hard time with her music theory class. I had taken that class last year, and I discovered an opportunity to help. She was struggling with chord inversions that day. I was able to help her understand how to make first and second inversions of a chord. She realized it was easier than she thought it was, and was able to complete her assignment for her class.

I am grateful for this unexpected opportunity to help someone with their understanding of basic music theory. I am especially grateful for this opportunity because I have been praying for guidance from heaven as I searched for opportunities to serve others. Not only am I grateful for a chance to help, I am grateful for an answered prayer.

My Family History Class

In the past year or so, my interest in family history work has increased dramatically. I feel the need to keep records of things I feel are important, especially things that pertain to my family. I am so glad I decided to take a family history class in school. I have greater knowledge and know-how when it comes to family history research and the sources I encounter in that research. Also, several times in class I have felt the importance of record keeping and ideas have come to my mind on what I can do now in this kind of work. This is one of those classes that has little to do with my major, but that I will never regret taking.

The Audition Process

The audition process is hard for everyone involved. I mean auditions for anything: roles in a play/musical/ballet/opera, tryouts for a sports team, interviews for a job, performing spots for a concert, etc. It is a challenging process for the potential performers and for those who have to make the final decisions. I remember smooth auditions and rough auditions. I am grateful for it. Participating in auditions of all sorts has helped me learn principles of perseverance, dedication, humility, and gratitude. I am grateful that I can become a better person as a result of each audition I go through, no matter the outcome.

Health Care Lecturer

A health care professional, Dr. Brent C. James, came to campus to give a lecture about his field of labor. He talked about the status of our nation's current health care system, as well as the factors that determine health (behavior was the largest factor, then genetics, then environment, and then the delivery of  health care in hospitals and clinics). Finally, he discussed the ways hospitals and clinics are truly reforming health care. As care for individual patients are indeed individualized, success and failures are monitored and documented to save money and time later.

Not everything the speaker said was good news. But, he pointed out that there are many wonderful and intelligent people who are working hard every day to improve general health and well-being in this country. I am grateful for such optimism in the face of huge economic and political challenges.

My Sister's Workplace

I am grateful I work at the same place my sister works. This afternoon, I came to the library for a class presentation, and wouldn't you know it but there was my sister working and assisting the speaker! That was one of the things that made my day today. :)

Home Teaching Messages

Each month, the leadership of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints releases a two-page gospel message to be distributed and discussed among church members. This message is called the home teaching message for the month. The home teaching messages for this month and last month are about following Jesus Christ's example of service and doing good for others. I am grateful for these messages. It was a blessing to discuss the principles of these messages with others today.

Taking Off My Shoes

You know the feeling that comes from removing your shoes at the end of a long day of work and walking? Yeah, I'm grateful for that.

A Roommate Who Can Make Frybread

Today I am grateful to have a roommate who knows how to make real, authentic Navajo-style fry bread. We had a wonderful Navajo taco dinner tonight.

A New Vibraphone

I'm taking a percussion class, and there are rooms on campus that have marimbas and other keyboard percussion instruments I have access to for practice. Today I noticed the department replaced their old vibraphone with a newer and nicer one. The motors worked really well and I really enjoyed practicing on it. I am grateful to have access to a new vibraphone on which to practice my developing talent in percussion.

This One West Wing Episode

I finally got around to watching another episode of The West Wing after I worked on school work. The episode I watched showed a series of interviews with people who used to work in the real west wing of the White House. They talked about what it was like to work there, and I learned how the TV show itself does a very good job of portraying the feeling, the atmosphere, and the characteristics of the overall experience of working there. I was fascinated, and my respect, admiration, and understanding for that branch of government grew.

A New Campus President

It has been announced that my school will have a new president next year. After the announcement was made, I saw the current campus president and the president-elect shake hands and give each other a hug of encouragement and gratitude. I could tell they were both wonderful men who are happy to serve in the realm of higher education, who love their families, and who love their God.

A Wonderful Ten-Minute Message

There is a series of videos called "Mormon Messages," made by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. The videos have many wonderful things to say. But today, I am grateful for this specific video:

This message is sobering, encouraging, and very timely. This was originally intended for young adults, until the makers of the video decided it was a message for everyone at every age.

Little Notebooks for Special Meetings

Today I am grateful for small notebooks. I often take one of these to a church meeting so I can record any impressions or ideas I receive during the meeting. I receive more in some places and less in others. Yesterday and today, I attended several church meetings. Just as my journal is the place I record my life, in my small, portable notebooks I record spiritual impressions.

Church Choirs

In general, I am grateful to be involved with music in my local congregation. This includes church choirs. I enjoy the practices, especially when they lead to a wonderfully edifying performance in a church meeting. I appreciate the role of music in church. Instead of a focus on performance, the focus is on spiritual merit--inviting the influence of the Holy Spirit through sacred music. I am grateful to be involved in local church choirs.

Home Printers

A few days ago, I got tickets to a show that happened tonight. I needed to print the tickets after I purchased them. It wasn't until about 15 minutes before I needed to leave for the show that I realized I hadn't printed the tickets yet. Thankfully, a friend next door had a printer in his apartment and was kind enough to let me use it. I am grateful for home printers (and for my friend's kindness).

The Adreneline Rush of Performance

I participated in a celebration of Latin culture this evening by dancing salsa. You know that feeling that comes the moment you step on a stage in front of an audience to perform an act that has been rehearsed for weeks and months and yet feels completely new this one time in front of other people? I'm grateful for that. Some are more acquainted with this feeling than others. There is a rush of energy that can be felt in every movement and musical note. A moment like this feels like all the work beforehand was worth the time and effort at least tenfold. I am grateful for that exciting rush of energy that comes with the first real performance of a developed piece of art for a stage.

A Sick Voice

Whenever I have a cold that affects my voice, for the most part I am disappointed in my apparent misfortune. However, I have found one really nice perk to having a cold: a lower voice. I normally sing the range of a baritone/second tenor, the upper-middle male singing range. But when I have a cold I can sing low bass notes. It's so fun to sing out those bass lines in contemporary a cappella music. So until my voice returns to normal, I enjoy my temporary low singing range as much as I can.

A Good Day's Rest

I haven't been feeling very well these past few days, especially this morning. I decided I needed extra sleep and rest today so I arranged things so I could miss my classes and work for today. I am grateful that I did. I feel better, and I was able to get some work done so I can be more prepared for school tomorrow. Today, it did me well to slow down a little.

Awesome Cousins

Though I am far from my home state, I am fortunate to have extended family near me while I'm here in college. In fact, I have a lot of extended family around here. I am especially grateful for my cousins that I get to see on occasion. About a week ago, I ran into a couple of them shortly before attending a church service. Just yesterday, another cousin (and their spouse) waved to me from their car as I crossed an intersection. Today, another came by my apartment to drop something off for my sister. I consider every member of my family, and every encounter with any of them, a wonderful blessing.

Being Busy

The lives and routines of college students, mine included, seem to be replete with phrases such as, "I've got so much going on right now," "overwhelmed," and "I'm just so busy." I often feel this way about my schoolwork and the many other things I do that keep me busy right now. But today I made sure I was busy doing worthwhile things, and it has been a blessing in the face of frustration and disappointment.

Though it is easy to go to the extreme of being too busy for things that matter most, it is a great thing to be actively engaged in a good cause, to be busy enough that you think less about yourself and more about those in need of the work and service you give.

Normal Dress Shoes

As opposed to fancy dance shoes. I had a rehearsal today for a dance show, and that moment when I slipped out of my dance shoes and into my more comfortable dress shoes was one of gratitude. What's interesting is I've often considered these dress shoes less comfortable than most of my other shoes, but today they were a blessing to my feet. So, I guess a couple hours of moving in dance shoes can lead to gratitude for any other pair of shoes that are more comfortable.