At Peace With Myself

The Lord is truly aware of every one of us. Today, just like every day, a lot of things to do and figure out pressed on my mind. On my evening walk from campus back to my apartment tonight, I thought about my life and took a bit of a personal inventory. I took some time to be still, while I continued to walk. I felt at peace with myself. It meant a lot because I still have many concerns and questions still unanswered or unsolved, but I felt I was going the right direction. I know every good thing comes from God, and I know He blessed me tonight with a personal assurance in my mind and in my heart, given by the Holy Spirit, that I am okay and that everything will work out as long as I continue to do what is right. I am grateful for that God-given peace of mind and peace of heart.

Sharing Stories

I have a cool roommate. He likes a good fiction story as much as I do. We even like to share our story ideas. I have many reasons to be grateful to have the roommate I have, but today I am grateful we can share stories.

Happy Cinco de Mayo!

Today, in remembrance of Cinco de Mayo, I express gratitude for our neighbor to the south, Mexico. Mexico and its citizens have contributed much by way of resources and culture. I am especially grateful for Mexico's cultural contribution in food, music, and dance.

Tonight's CES Devotional

Several times each school year, leaders of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints speak to members of the church aged 18-30. These are known as CES (Church Education System) devotionals. Today, one of the twelve apostles spoke, and his message was very relevant and timely. He spoke on proper use of technology, the battle against pornography, and the institution of marriage. These are three topics that directly apply to people in my generation, and I am grateful for Elder Ballard's words.

You can watch Elder M. Russell Ballard's message here: https://www.lds.org/broadcasts/watch/ces-devotionals/2014/05?cid=HPFR050214762&lang=eng

The text of the devotional will soon be available on that same website.

International Interactions

In my growing-up years, I occasionally heard that the education system of the United States is average or even mediocre in comparison to the rest of the world. Though it is far from perfect, it is very good. I continue to be amazed at the number of people who come to this country from all around the world to achieve proficiency in English and to earn a degree in an American university. My apartment complex in particular seems to attract international students because of its proximity to an English Language Center.

Because of all of this, I have been privileged to meet many peers from other countries. In the past two years, I have had real conversations with students from Canada, China, the Czech Republic, the Dominican Republic, Germany, Kenya, South Korea, Mexico, Spain, Taiwan, and many other places around the world. This is truly a blessing, one that I am grateful for today.

Classy 80s Fashion

Today I was invited to an 80s-themed birthday party. I wasn't sure what I could wear because I don't have a great deal of bright-colored things to make a good 80s outfit. Then, I was reminded of the fact that it was popular to wear a nice blazer jacket with jeans. I certainly had a suit jacket and jeans, so I did that for my outfit. So, although this was just a costume for a party, it was fun to review a little bit about 80s fashion and go a little retro with a classy outfit.

The Blog

A friend of mine recently released a really neat blog as a way to publish a study he has done on the abundance of commandments listed in a book of scripture, and the blessings associated with those commandments (http://commandmentsandblessings.blogspot.com/).

Today I am grateful for the blog, I mean the invention of the blog. It has made a tremendous difference in the way we communicate our ideas on the internet. I am also grateful that anyone can create and manage a blog. That allows me and anyone else to speak up online. Reading and writing and continuing to communicate in meaningful ways, helps to make us all better people.