Merry Christmas, Charlie Brown! Happy 50th!

This year is the 50th anniversary of the Peanuts comic strip by Charles Schulz. Tonight, on the ABC Family channel, there was an hour-long tribute concert starring famous Broadway, jazz, and a cappella performers. This was followed by the TV special, "A Charlie Brown Christmas." I have loved the Peanuts comic strip for many years, and today I am grateful for Charles Schulz's wonderful creation. Merry Christmas, Charlie Brown!

Munchkin

Munchkin is one of my favorite card games. It is a hilarious parody of role-playing games (like Dungeons & Dragons), and it takes less time to play. I love play Munchkin games as much as I love to teach people how to play. I am grateful for the creators of the Munchkin game. They created something great.

Parental Reinforcements

I've been attempting to get into an exercise routine, but it has been difficult for me to make it a steady habit. These past three days, went to a gym with my parents, who have also found exercise difficult but they are working hard at it. I am grateful for my parents for reinforcing and encouraging me in establishing steady health habits.

Looks and Sounds like Chrismas!

If lots and lots of colored lights set up on a yard and synchronized to music (preferably Mannheim Steamroller or Tran Siberian Orchestra or classic Tchaikovsky) doesn't scream "Christmas season," I don't know what does!  Those set-ups never get old for me! I am grateful for Christmas light shows that are synchronized, or choreographed, to festive music.

Happy Thanksgiving!

I quote from "Thankful," a song performed by Josh Groban:

"So caught up inside ourselves, we take when we should give.
But for tonight we pray for what we know can be;
And on this day we hope for what we still can't see.
It's up to us to be the change;
And even though this world needs so much more,

There's so much to be thankful for."

I hope you had a happy Thanksgiving.

For This Season of Gratitude

Elder David A. Bednar shared the following story in a Facebook post today:

"A number of years ago, our family learned a meaningful lesson on gratitude that we have never forgotten.

"While I was serving at Brigham Young University–Idaho, a member of the Quorum of the Twelve "Apostles visited our home. Earlier in the day Sister Bednar and I had been informed about the unexpected death of a dear friend, and our immediate desire was to pray for the surviving spouse and children.

"As I invited my wife to offer the prayer, the member of the Twelve, unaware of the tragedy, graciously suggested that in the prayer Sister Bednar express only appreciation for blessings received and ask for nothing. 

"Sister Bednar responded in faith to the direction she received. She thanked Heavenly Father for meaningful and memorable experiences with this dear friend. She communicated sincere gratitude for the Holy Ghost as the Comforter and for the gifts of the Spirit that enable us to face adversity and to serve others. Most importantly, she expressed appreciation for the plan of salvation, for the atoning sacrifice of Jesus Christ, for His Resurrection, and for the ordinances and covenants of the restored gospel which make it possible for families to be together forever.

"Our family learned from that experience a great lesson about the power of thankfulness in meaningful prayer. Because of and through that prayer, our family was blessed with inspiration about a number of issues that were pressing upon our minds and stirring in our hearts.

"The most meaningful and spiritual prayers I have experienced contained many expressions of thanks and few, if any, requests. Let me recommend that periodically you and I offer a prayer in which we only give thanks and express gratitude. Ask for nothing; simply let our souls rejoice and strive to communicate appreciation with all the energy of our hearts."

Truly, gratitude is a most redeeming virtue. As an added bonus, I found a sign of gratitude as I walked down the street with my parents today (see below). I am grateful for this special season of gratitude. 

Notes to Think About...

As I ponder and memorize (or, "ponderize") verses of scripture, I like to set the exact words to music. It is fun to play around with melody and rhythm to convey the way I feel about the verse. This musical endeavor aids the ponderizing process! I'm grateful for music as a mnemonic and artistic device.

Basic Statistics At Work!

I knew my 100-level statistics class would be useful, but I didn't think I would be using it in my internship! Someone at the office distributed the results of a survey to everyone in the editing team. The charts and numbers made sense, for the most part. There was one question that seemed to have conflicting results, however. I looked at it, trying to remember what I learned in that statistics class. Then I came to a conclusion and shared it with the editor. My suggestion turned out to be very helpful and the results made sense. I am grateful to have background knowledge in basic statistical principles. It has proved useful in figuring out what is true and what is misleading.

Some Holiday Cheer on a November Sunday Evening

This was such a good Sunday. I heard inspiring messages from Church leaders (including President Russell M. Nelson), grilled sandwiches for dinner (grilled cheese & ham, as well as grilled PB&J) was a good success, I was busy communicating with friends and family through letters, email, texts, and phone calls, and I've started to listen to Christmas music on Pandora! The Christmas music has become a nice benediction to a good Sabbath day.

Regardless of how you feel about Christmas music and when to start listening to it and all that jazz, I am grateful for Christmas music on a November Sunday evening. :)

Intermediate Hymn Wake-Up Call

Yesterday, today, and tomorrow I had and have church meetings. They were stake conference meetings, gatherings for hundreds of local Mormons. In such meetings where I sit down and listen to inspiring spiritual messages, it is easy to feel sleepy sometimes. In addition to an opening an closing hymn, there is an intermediate hymn, about halfway through the meeting. Sometimes, the congregation stands to sing this hymn. I am grateful for the intermediate hymn today because I was falling asleep and it helped me to wake up and stay attentive for the rest of the meeting.

Syrian Refugees and the Book of Mormon

I was thinking a lot about recent events in the world, determining what I knew and figuring out what I thought about them. One particularly relevant issue I've been thinking about is that of allowing Syrian refugees into America. I had heard many arguments on both sides of the issue. I posted some of my conclusions on social media and I had some great conversations (online and in person) with great friends. During my scripture study this afternoon, I found a relevant passage that confirms my current stance. This passage is in the Book of Mormon, the twenty-seventh chapter of Alma.

Here's some context and a brief synopsis: The Nephites and the Lamanites are two different groups of people, and there is deep animosity and tremendous conflict between the groups. A group of Lamanites, the Anti-Nephi-Lehis, have been converted to the gospel of Jesus Christ and they face persecution from the rest of the Lamanites (those who call themselves the Amalekites). They are rather hesitant to seek refuge from the Nephites because of the age-old animosity that exists. Nevertheless, the Anti-Nephi-Lehis decide to go to the Nephites, and the Nephites vote in favor of accepting the Lamanite-born refugees. The Anti-Nephi-Lehis are even given their own land and receive protection through the Nephite army.

When I read this chapter, I noticed many surprising similarities between this story and the current refugee situation. Truly, the Book of Mormon is true, and applies directly to our time. I am grateful for truth and surprising relevance in the Book of Mormon.

I Can Work Remotely!

So, I had a pretty productive day at the office. The problem is...I forgot to finish up a short article that's set to go out tomorrow! Well, good thing I can work and communicate on my laptop at home. I don't work from home very often, but I'm grateful that I can when I need to.

Got the Work Done, and I Enjoyed It.

Had a school assignment due tonight, brief responses to a few articles. I put it off until late tonight, which is the unfortunate norm for several such college assignments. It felt like busy work for a little bit, but I learned a few things. More than anything, I am happy I got it done. I just sat down, did the work, and turned it in. It feels great to have a simple reading response completed. Actually, I think this was the last of its kind for the semester.

I am grateful that, though it was late, I was able to get my schoolwork completed. I am especially grateful that it didn't feel completely like busy work.

"I Can't Even!"

While eating dinner with friends, at the end of a long work day, one of my friends (let's call him James) gently asked if we could all take a break from talking about politics for about 15 minutes. Politics comes up a lot when you're surrounded by political science majors. Our conversation went to movies. James had clearly been feeling tired, but when we talked about movies he started to get quite animated. He was actually quite passionate as he described the wonder and awe he felt when he first saw The Dark Knight. He was amazed at the sheer suspense, complexity, and intensity of the action and dialogue in the movie. "I just thought, 'I can't even! I can't even handle it!'" he exclaimed as he explained to us his first reactions to the film several years before. We all laughed together over this joyous outburst. This was definitely a highlight of my day.

We can find so many things to be passionate about. Some of those things excite us with angry passion. Other things, like an incredibly good film, fill us with joy and wonder. I am grateful for a moment of joyous laughter, brought on by the excitement and wonder of a superhero movie.

Punderful Enlightenment

If you didn't know yet, I love puns. I've heard many of them. Sometimes I feel like I've heard them all. Then, a friend shows you a really good one, a pun that is almost too clever and beautiful for its own good. Here it is, for your enjoyment (Warning: Disney references):

"What do you get when Sleeping Beauty gives a lecture [about] the Northern Lights to the people in Wonderland?"

[wait for it...]

"Aurora boring Alice."

It's so clever, isn't it? I'm grateful to be the recipient of a wonderfully gorgeous new pun today.

P.S.--If the joke went over your head, I give a brief explanation in the comments below.

A Gorgeous Fifth Verse

I'm fairly knowledgeable about LDS hymns. I commit my favorite ones to memory and sing them to myself, especially when I walk outside alone. I find joy in them. One hymn I love is called "Redeemer of Israel." I had only memorized the first four verses though. For some reason I never paid attention to the last two. I discovered these "hidden" verses at a choir rehearsal, and now my favorite verse in the hymn is the fifth verse. In the choir arrangement, this verse is sung a cappella by the women, and it is gorgeous.

"Restore, my dear Savior,
The light of thy face;
Thy soul-cheering comfort impart; And let the sweet longing
For thy holy place
Bring hope to my desolate heart."

I wondered, do I have that desire? That longing? How do I feel about my religion and about my faith in God? (Alma 5:14, 19, 26)

I am grateful for a gorgeous fifth verse that has me pondering my approach to my own beliefs.

Good Eats and Good Talk

I had a weird eating schedule today. I had large breakfast with a friend at a nice restaurant. We had very good, productive conversation about recent events and their connections with the media.

I went with some friends to a board game cafe (yes, it exists, and I wonder why it doesn't exist more often) and drank some water and orange juice over a couple of fun board games.

For dinner, I attended a large, Thanksgiving-style dinner party. I arrived late and ended up taking an empty chair at a table with people I didn't know very well. I was feeling tired and I was focusing on my food, but the young lady next to me decided to be friendly and we started talking. It seems clear to both of us that we won't really see each other again (since I'm headed out in a month), but we weren't talking with anyone else anyway. We just kept the conversation going for a little while until she decided she needed to head home. If nothing else, it was pleasant conversation, and it made the activity a little more enjoyable for me.

As much as I love to eat good food, I love meal talk even more. I have bonded with people over many a family meal, friendly lunch, dinner date, and potluck. Today, I am grateful for three good interactions over three good meals.

The Best of Humanity in the Worst of Times

I had an eventful evening with my friends. We had a murder mystery dinner party. It was a couple weeks in the making, and it was a lot of fun. Everyone enjoyed getting into their character roles and we enjoyed solving the mystery of this mock tragedy.

However, many of us are aware of a real tragedy that occurred in Paris tonight. Mon coeur est avec les francaises ce soir. Even with all that happened, I encountered a great deal of compassion in destruction's wake. People have opened their doors to those affected by the attacks, and many people around the world are thinking, feeling, and praying for the people in Paris and in France. Isn't it encouraging to see that a great majority of the people who see this tragedy desire to do good? Even if they can't do anything else to help, they try to send as many good vibes, prayers, blessings, etc. to those who need it. I am grateful that, in the worst of situations, we get to see the best of humanity in action as well.

The Great Composers of Film and Games

I went to an orchestra concert tonight. I was very excited for it because the program included orchestral music from film (especially by John Williams) and video games. The great composers of films and games are my heroes. For years I have dreamed of writing music like that, and I have been moved enough to even write a few pieces inspired by such work. There is often a lot of emotion and, well, epic-ness to it all. Each score might have small, subtle moments of magic in them (a bell chime, a small glissando on a piano, a shrieking trill from a flute, a thump from the timpani). Above all, I often feel hope in the music. Most films and games feature the theme of good over evil, and the music reflects that hope-filled triumph.

Being a tremendous fan of film and video game music, I am grateful for the great composers that write it.

To Those Veteran to Patriotism: Thank You

As of now, I am aware of at least one ancestor who fought in the Civil War, and at least one relative who fought in the Korean War. I've been to memorials of both wars and of several other conflicts. I once visited the Medal of Honor Grove near Valley Forge. War is never pretty. It is awful. In spite of this, or perhaps because of this, the memorials built for the people involved in those wars are often breathtaking and beautiful. Out of war and hard times comes the dedication of great men and women.

Another way to use the word veteran is to describe someone with experience, the opposite of a novice. Those who serve their country in the armed forces are certainly veterans of courage and patriotism. I am grateful for veterans.

My Support, Regularly Manifested

I've mentioned General Conference on this blog before. It occurs every six months. In the second session of each conference (the Saturday afternoon session), there's a segment called "Sustaining of Church Officers." What happens is the names and positions of the general Church leaders are given, and everyone is given the opportunity to give a sustaining vote. This isn't a vote to elect anyone to a position because members believe such positions are callings from the Lord. Rather, this gives each individual the opportunity to physically show their support for the leaders.

Here is a video of the most recent sustaining vote (and that one was special because three new apostles were announced and sustained).

For years I have raised my hand before myself and before God as a sign that I support the leadership and inspiration of those leaders. I still stand by that. My belief in Christ includes a belief in what I believe to be His Church.

At times I struggle. At times I have questions. At times things don't make sense. In those times I try to listen and understand. This is why the Church emphasizes personal conversion and personal prayer with God. In all things, I know in Whom I have trusted (2 Nephi 4:19), and I trust His servants as well.

I am grateful that I can sustain modern prophets and apostles, in a raise of my hand every few months, and in my heart every single day.

Water Supply

At my apartment, there have been issues with the water heater, so we're low on water right now. But thankfully I have a modest supply of water bottles stocked away just for emergencies. This isn't exactly an emergency, but I decided to take one of the bottles because I was really thirsty. I am grateful to have a personal water supply for times when I need it.

German Expertise, and More Reasons to Chat with Family

I'm going to be in a role-playing sort of party later this week, and I've been assigned a German character. Thankfully, I know someone in my family who spent some time in Germany! Just one more excuse for a Skype call with my family, which lasted over two hours! For this and several other reasons, this was a good Sunday for me.

I am grateful that I had a need for a family member's knowledge of German.

Effective, Eloquent Extemporaneous Speaking

I went to a concert with my friends tonight, and afterwards we hung out for a bit in the theater lobby. There was some art there, naturally. One was particularly intriguing so we started looking at it. I took a look at the informational plaque about the sculpture, and one of the more theatrically-oriented friends asked me, partly in jest, "Tell us more about this!" They invited me to make stuff up too.

I did. I started with what I knew and went from there. I just kept talking like I was a tour guide or something, giving random "facts" about the materials and methods behind the sculpture. I even threw in some "quotes" from a few "comments" I got from an "interview" with the artist "two days ago." I must have been yammering for  several minutes before I decided to wrap up (I could have kept going, but I didn't want to bore my captive audience). I impressed myself, actually! I don't consider myself much of an improv actor. However, I have been surrounded by creative people long enough to know how to carry on such a performance.

Another friend told me, after I finished, that during my improv yammering, there was a person or two that were behind me, admiring the sculpture and even nodding their heads a little bit as they heard what I said! We had some good laughs about it. Oh boy. I don't like to mislead people, but if a weird little urban legend goes around about this sculpture, I'll take that as a compliment. ;)

I am grateful for effective spontaneous performance!

Good Compromise

I am grateful for compromise. In a class today, someone mentioned the importance of compromise. Someone was talking about how the American Constitution was built on numerous compromises. The idea is that was a principle that made America great. In government and in conversations, there seems to be too many instances where people aren't willing to compromise. There is something to be said for being strong in principle, but of course that doesn't mean that compromise is weakness.

The scriptural phrase says "The meek shall inherit the earth." As I understand it, a meek person is someone strongly grounded in principles yet humble enough to listen to others and consider other ideas. I wish that was happening more often. More real conversation. That's why I'm grateful for good compromise when it happens.

Ranch Dressing, and Similar Things

Any time I eat spicy food, I am very grateful if I have dairy nearby. By "dairy" I mean milk or sour cream or ranch dressing or something similar. There's always something in my mind that says water will cool it down. It really doesn't. I'm grateful for dairy products when they're on hand as I eat something spicy.

Hidden Rainbows

I witnessed a fascinating phenomenon in my office today. My desk faces away from a wall of windows, and the front wall of my cubicle, right behind my computer, is made of glass. The windows behind me illuminate my workspace, including that glass wall. So, I can see a reflection of the windows behind me.

When I looked to my left, onto the glass wall, I noticed a stretches of rainbow across two of the windows. I turned around to look directly at the windows, but there were no rainbow colors. Somehow, the glass wall at my desk could detect at one angle what my unaided eyes couldn't see at another. The effect was reminiscent of a Lens of Truth (like in The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time game), showing me more than I could see otherwise. The effect was actually kind of magical.

I am grateful for hidden rainbows. Actually, I'm a little more grateful that hidden rainbows can exist and be seen. :)

An Interdisciplinary Gospel

It is a great feeling to submit an idea to an organization and then have the chance to write about it. One of my favorite articles to write got published today. It is wonderful to me how the gospel of Jesus Christ can be applied to just about anything. There is a way to find truth and goodness in everything around us, and I truly believe that whatever is good comes from God (Moroni 10:6-7).

I am grateful for an opportunity to combine my beliefs with other fascinating disciplines in a recent article!

Happy Hour!

Work was long today. At times it was hard for me to stay awake. But, I got everything done that I needed to, and at the end of the work day was an all-staff happy hour. There were platters of cheese, fruit, meat, and desserts, as well as some beverages. It was a nice way to end the work day. I'm not used to happy hour anywhere (except at Sonic restaurants), and this was a nice change of pace. I am grateful for a happy hour at the office.

Temporary Losses

Today I lost my scripture bag. I also lost my weekly planner a few days ago. These are both important to me so I got a little worried. But, I figured I had just forgotten where I put them last and sure enough, I now have both. My planner was on my desk, beneath a book. My scripture bag was in the library for some reason, and there my roommate found it. I am grateful that neither my scripture bag nor my weekly planner are lost.