Posted by Braden
On Sunday everyone in my ward stood up, raised their right hands to thank everybody for their service, then sat back down without callings. It was kind of fun! Of course, the bishop made a disclaimer: "This is not how it's normally done and not how it normally should be done, but our special circumstances make it necessary and we've been approved to do it this way."
Looking back, a lot of things about the way this ward has been run have been like that! We don't have a primary. For the first two or three weeks, nobody under the age of 40 in the ward had callings. There is not a single widow in the ward for whom the nonexistent scout troop can rake leaves or the imaginary young women can bring cookies. Excluding the bishopric, it takes two minutes to walk from one end of our ward boundaries to the other (assuming you start and end on the third floor of the respective buildings). Ward budget comes by the semester rather than by the year. Ward prayer is, of course, something that's not done in a regular ward. Every once in a while, on a weekend where not very many people are expected to be around (Thanksgiving, Christmas, beginning and ending of semesters, etc.), we have church as a stake instead of a ward, even though it's not time for a stake conference.
It's been fun being in a temporary ward made up of a specific demographic (18- and 19-year-old college students). Thank goodness I get to do it three more times at least!
Showing posts with label church. Show all posts
Showing posts with label church. Show all posts
Sunday, April 18, 2010
Wednesday, April 14, 2010
Boy Band
Posted by Braden
My ward had another talent show as part of our final activity for the year. My old roommates, whom I sang with at the last talent show, and I couldn't pass up the opportunity to perform again, so we prepared and performed "I Want It That Way" by the Backstreet Boys. Now, performing "boy band" music at a ward talent show is not an original idea. I've seen it done before plenty. But the boys never actually sing—they lip sync. We sang—in four-part a cappella sweetness—and the girls absolutely loved it, naturally. :)
The funniest part was seeing some of the boys dressed up for it. I have one roommate who is the farthest thing from punk possible. Thus, when he wore a sideways cap with a pink tie and a black shirt with a skull on it, a lot of people were quite surprised. He said a total of seven people came up and told him that they hardly even recognized him at first when he got on stage with us! And now that we've got our songs prepared, we're going to go lighten a few burnt-out peoples' days on Thursday by visiting them in their lobbies all "punked" out and ready to sing songs by their favorite group from middle school.
My ward had another talent show as part of our final activity for the year. My old roommates, whom I sang with at the last talent show, and I couldn't pass up the opportunity to perform again, so we prepared and performed "I Want It That Way" by the Backstreet Boys. Now, performing "boy band" music at a ward talent show is not an original idea. I've seen it done before plenty. But the boys never actually sing—they lip sync. We sang—in four-part a cappella sweetness—and the girls absolutely loved it, naturally. :)
The funniest part was seeing some of the boys dressed up for it. I have one roommate who is the farthest thing from punk possible. Thus, when he wore a sideways cap with a pink tie and a black shirt with a skull on it, a lot of people were quite surprised. He said a total of seven people came up and told him that they hardly even recognized him at first when he got on stage with us! And now that we've got our songs prepared, we're going to go lighten a few burnt-out peoples' days on Thursday by visiting them in their lobbies all "punked" out and ready to sing songs by their favorite group from middle school.
Monday, April 12, 2010
Cursed
Posted by Trevor
At our last ward prayer, as is customary, everyone who received their mission call recently announced it to the rest of the ward. At this particular ward prayer, we had about seven or eight guys announce their calls. Many have only to finish up the semester before they'll be leaving.
Though this is exciting news for them, I can't help feeling a little left out every time it happens. I was cursed with having a late birthday. By the time I can submit my papers (let alone receive my call), most everyone that I know will already be gone, and I don't know how many letters I can write without my hand falling off.
All is not lost—I'm working on my papers right now. I just have to wait much longer to get the white envelope. . . .
At our last ward prayer, as is customary, everyone who received their mission call recently announced it to the rest of the ward. At this particular ward prayer, we had about seven or eight guys announce their calls. Many have only to finish up the semester before they'll be leaving.
Though this is exciting news for them, I can't help feeling a little left out every time it happens. I was cursed with having a late birthday. By the time I can submit my papers (let alone receive my call), most everyone that I know will already be gone, and I don't know how many letters I can write without my hand falling off.
All is not lost—I'm working on my papers right now. I just have to wait much longer to get the white envelope. . . .
Friday, April 9, 2010
Waiting Impatiently
Posted by Braden
So getting a mission call is great! Waiting for your report date is terrible! Everybody said it was going to be so hard to focus on school after I got my call. It hasn't been too rough for me to stay focused . . . it's school—we've been in school for 14 years now. It's just going to kill me to have to wait two more months! I don't want to study baroque composers; I want to go sit in on a Russian class! I don't want to be designing fan parts on CAD systems; I want to be memorizing scriptures and discussions! I don't want to be in mission prep; I . . . oh wait, that class DOES feel relevant to my next two years! (It really is a rather wonderful class.) But man, am I excited to do nothing for 12 weeks but study Russian and the discussions! How fun! (I know you can't hear the lack of sarcasm in my voice just now, but really, I'm so stoked!)
Along those same lines, though, today at the temple, I walked by a district of missionaries on their way out, and they looked young! How in the world are these boys old enough or prepared enough to go out and teach for two years on their own with no adult supervision?! And some of them really ARE younger than me, since I had my 19th birthday a few months ago. Missionaries are going to look only younger and younger to me until the day I die. It's like how I remember being in second grade, looking up (literally) to the sixth graders. When I was finally a sixth grader, I didn't feel that big. Same thing happened in high school, looking at how much farther along in life/school seniors were than I. When I was finally a senior, I still felt young and not all that ready to go be "completely independent" (thank goodness I still don't really have to be). And now I'm in college, a soon-to-be missionary, and yep, I still feel young.
I wonder at what age I'll finally feel OLD?
So getting a mission call is great! Waiting for your report date is terrible! Everybody said it was going to be so hard to focus on school after I got my call. It hasn't been too rough for me to stay focused . . . it's school—we've been in school for 14 years now. It's just going to kill me to have to wait two more months! I don't want to study baroque composers; I want to go sit in on a Russian class! I don't want to be designing fan parts on CAD systems; I want to be memorizing scriptures and discussions! I don't want to be in mission prep; I . . . oh wait, that class DOES feel relevant to my next two years! (It really is a rather wonderful class.) But man, am I excited to do nothing for 12 weeks but study Russian and the discussions! How fun! (I know you can't hear the lack of sarcasm in my voice just now, but really, I'm so stoked!)
Along those same lines, though, today at the temple, I walked by a district of missionaries on their way out, and they looked young! How in the world are these boys old enough or prepared enough to go out and teach for two years on their own with no adult supervision?! And some of them really ARE younger than me, since I had my 19th birthday a few months ago. Missionaries are going to look only younger and younger to me until the day I die. It's like how I remember being in second grade, looking up (literally) to the sixth graders. When I was finally a sixth grader, I didn't feel that big. Same thing happened in high school, looking at how much farther along in life/school seniors were than I. When I was finally a senior, I still felt young and not all that ready to go be "completely independent" (thank goodness I still don't really have to be). And now I'm in college, a soon-to-be missionary, and yep, I still feel young.
I wonder at what age I'll finally feel OLD?
Tuesday, April 6, 2010
General Conference Traditions
Posted by Elise
It’s funny how people outside of my family have different traditions than we do back home. Conference is a good example. I always assumed that everyone plays conference bingo, runs around the house during the intermediate hymn, draws pictures to describe the speaker’s topic, gets a candy every time they hear the word “faith,” plays kickball in-between Saturday sessions, excitedly anticipates the “Isn’t it about time?” commercials, and plays a wide range of games involving insane amounts of candy to keep all the kids awake and paying attention. Apparently this is not the case.
It’s funny how people outside of my family have different traditions than we do back home. Conference is a good example. I always assumed that everyone plays conference bingo, runs around the house during the intermediate hymn, draws pictures to describe the speaker’s topic, gets a candy every time they hear the word “faith,” plays kickball in-between Saturday sessions, excitedly anticipates the “Isn’t it about time?” commercials, and plays a wide range of games involving insane amounts of candy to keep all the kids awake and paying attention. Apparently this is not the case.
Thursday, March 11, 2010
I [heart] Provo
Posted by Ashley
I love being here at BYU. We have so many amazing opportunites, like going to a temple that is within walking distance, attending the live CES firesides, and being in the same room as general authorities and the Prophet. Last Saturday I got to go to the Draper Utah Temple open house. This was the first temple open house I have been to, and I absolutely loved it. The temple was so beautiful and incredible. I can't wait to be able to attend the dedication (another exciting opportunity). I never even imagined some of these things would ever come true for me.
I love being here at BYU. We have so many amazing opportunites, like going to a temple that is within walking distance, attending the live CES firesides, and being in the same room as general authorities and the Prophet. Last Saturday I got to go to the Draper Utah Temple open house. This was the first temple open house I have been to, and I absolutely loved it. The temple was so beautiful and incredible. I can't wait to be able to attend the dedication (another exciting opportunity). I never even imagined some of these things would ever come true for me.
Monday, March 1, 2010
Self-Guided Tour
Posted by Brittany Karford Rogers (BA ’07), Associate Editor
While visiting her home ward in Sandy, Utah, Sini’s roommate signed all of her roommates up to help clean the Draper Utah Temple—then undedicated and open to the public—without their consent.
“We loved it,” Sini says. “But I was dusting—there was no dust. They clean it every night.” After cleaning they were free to walk around on their own. “When you go on a tour, it’s kind of fast,” Sini says. “We got to spend as long as we wanted.” They lingered in the celestial room. “You know, it’s cool to get to see the whole temple, because usually you don’t—baptisms, that’s all I can do right now. It was fun to be there with our roommates and do that kind of thing. It was really neat.”
While visiting her home ward in Sandy, Utah, Sini’s roommate signed all of her roommates up to help clean the Draper Utah Temple—then undedicated and open to the public—without their consent.
“We loved it,” Sini says. “But I was dusting—there was no dust. They clean it every night.” After cleaning they were free to walk around on their own. “When you go on a tour, it’s kind of fast,” Sini says. “We got to spend as long as we wanted.” They lingered in the celestial room. “You know, it’s cool to get to see the whole temple, because usually you don’t—baptisms, that’s all I can do right now. It was fun to be there with our roommates and do that kind of thing. It was really neat.”
Sunday, February 28, 2010
Missionary Shopping
Posted by Braden
Wednesday I went shopping for all of my missionary gear! Here's what I got:
1 suit
12 white shirts
2 ties (these were free with other purchases)
4 pairs of slacks
1 belt
12 sets of garments
2 sets of thermal wear
2 pairs of sturdy, waterproof shoes
12 pairs of black socks
2 pairs of wool socks
1 sweater
1 set of baptismal clothing (white pants, white socks, white tie)
1 missionary bag
It all cost a grand total of $1,142.19
But it was totally worth it! I have to have all those things, and I've been saving up all my life for mission expenses. And today, I got to wear my new suit to church with my new white shirt, a new tie, new socks, and new shoes, plus a new "Russia Samara" pin on my lapel (that one wasn't required, but I like having it). I love new clothes! It hurts a little bit knowing that they'll all be fairly worn to shreds by the time I get home, but such is life. We (my dad and I) were able to get all of the required articles from three stores: Missionary Mall, Mr. Mac's, and Sports Unlimited (for the thermal wear). Now the tricky part is getting all of it home, along with all of the stuff that I already have with me here at college, and then getting all of it back in the limited amount of suitcase space that I'm allowed to have at the MTC and in the mission field!
Wednesday I went shopping for all of my missionary gear! Here's what I got:
1 suit
12 white shirts
2 ties (these were free with other purchases)
4 pairs of slacks
1 belt
12 sets of garments
2 sets of thermal wear
2 pairs of sturdy, waterproof shoes
12 pairs of black socks
2 pairs of wool socks
1 sweater
1 set of baptismal clothing (white pants, white socks, white tie)
1 missionary bag
It all cost a grand total of $1,142.19
But it was totally worth it! I have to have all those things, and I've been saving up all my life for mission expenses. And today, I got to wear my new suit to church with my new white shirt, a new tie, new socks, and new shoes, plus a new "Russia Samara" pin on my lapel (that one wasn't required, but I like having it). I love new clothes! It hurts a little bit knowing that they'll all be fairly worn to shreds by the time I get home, but such is life. We (my dad and I) were able to get all of the required articles from three stores: Missionary Mall, Mr. Mac's, and Sports Unlimited (for the thermal wear). Now the tricky part is getting all of it home, along with all of the stuff that I already have with me here at college, and then getting all of it back in the limited amount of suitcase space that I'm allowed to have at the MTC and in the mission field!
Devotionals, Forums, and CES Firesides
Posted by Laura
Something that I have really grown to love while attending BYU is the opportunity I have to attend devotionals, forums, and CES firesides. I really enjoy Tuesdays; I look forward to a break from my studies to be motivated by the speaker. It's an hour in the week when you can sit back and ponder how you can do better—the changes that you need to make. Today I was able to attend Elder Robert D. Hale's CES fireside in the Marriott Center. I always feel so blessed to be in the presence of General Authorities and Church leaders, to see their passion for the gospel and feel of their spirit. I absolutely love being a student at BYU and participating in the great traditions of this school. There are opportunities that are available here that you cannot experience anywhere else, and I am so grateful to be a part of that.
Something that I have really grown to love while attending BYU is the opportunity I have to attend devotionals, forums, and CES firesides. I really enjoy Tuesdays; I look forward to a break from my studies to be motivated by the speaker. It's an hour in the week when you can sit back and ponder how you can do better—the changes that you need to make. Today I was able to attend Elder Robert D. Hale's CES fireside in the Marriott Center. I always feel so blessed to be in the presence of General Authorities and Church leaders, to see their passion for the gospel and feel of their spirit. I absolutely love being a student at BYU and participating in the great traditions of this school. There are opportunities that are available here that you cannot experience anywhere else, and I am so grateful to be a part of that.
Tuesday, February 23, 2010
Missionary Fever
Posted by Braden
Here they come! The white envelopes that boys have been waiting all their lives to receive are streaming into dorm mailboxes.
We had three arrive this week and two the week before that. Three more are expected to come this week, based on our projections!
When they do come, word is passed that "__(fill in name here)__ got his letter today!" Some open their envelopes in private, but most do it in the lobby, surrounded by the whole ward with family members on the phone. When they open their letters, they read the call aloud, and a lot of girls scream. The mission-call recipients can't stop smiling. They write their names and missions on the list we have going on our bulletin board, then I write those names on sticky-note arrows and put them up on the map over our hall fireplace. They announce where they're going and their report dates in elders quorum, then again at ward prayer. Romania, Iowa, New Zealand, South Africa, Argentina, Colorado, Taiwan, Guatemala . . . the calls keep on coming, and everybody loves the atmosphere!
Well, almost. A few girls have been feeling weepy lately, now that their boys are going to be leaving so soon. And a few others are afraid that the boys who have their calls will become so focused on their missions that they aren't going to want to hang out with girls any more. I highly doubt that will be the case, though. They're still boys, and they still have at least three months before they report.
In any case, it's fun to see all this happening! Now the whole ward will wait with bated breath for Wednesdays and Thursdays to see what calls will come in the next batch of big white envelopes!
Here they come! The white envelopes that boys have been waiting all their lives to receive are streaming into dorm mailboxes.
We had three arrive this week and two the week before that. Three more are expected to come this week, based on our projections!
When they do come, word is passed that "__(fill in name here)__ got his letter today!" Some open their envelopes in private, but most do it in the lobby, surrounded by the whole ward with family members on the phone. When they open their letters, they read the call aloud, and a lot of girls scream. The mission-call recipients can't stop smiling. They write their names and missions on the list we have going on our bulletin board, then I write those names on sticky-note arrows and put them up on the map over our hall fireplace. They announce where they're going and their report dates in elders quorum, then again at ward prayer. Romania, Iowa, New Zealand, South Africa, Argentina, Colorado, Taiwan, Guatemala . . . the calls keep on coming, and everybody loves the atmosphere!
Well, almost. A few girls have been feeling weepy lately, now that their boys are going to be leaving so soon. And a few others are afraid that the boys who have their calls will become so focused on their missions that they aren't going to want to hang out with girls any more. I highly doubt that will be the case, though. They're still boys, and they still have at least three months before they report.
In any case, it's fun to see all this happening! Now the whole ward will wait with bated breath for Wednesdays and Thursdays to see what calls will come in the next batch of big white envelopes!
Sacrament-Meeting Talent
Posted by Brittany Karford Rogers (BA ’07), Associate Editor
Sure, members with musical inclinations are found in every ward. But Sini’s freshman ward was a rare exception.
First-year students who join Freshman Academy can elect to live in dorms with students who have similar interests; the Freshman Academy music community, of which Sini was a part, was concentrated between a couple Heritage Halls buildings—and in one ward. That meant sacrament strains from 25 music majors, some of whom had declined offers from Julliard.
“I’ve performed maybe 15 times in sacrament meeting so far,” Sini says. Her ward orchestra, which included the violin, viola, cello, bassoon, oboe, piano, trombone, and trumpet, joined the stake choir for conferences and firesides.
Sure, members with musical inclinations are found in every ward. But Sini’s freshman ward was a rare exception.
First-year students who join Freshman Academy can elect to live in dorms with students who have similar interests; the Freshman Academy music community, of which Sini was a part, was concentrated between a couple Heritage Halls buildings—and in one ward. That meant sacrament strains from 25 music majors, some of whom had declined offers from Julliard.
“I’ve performed maybe 15 times in sacrament meeting so far,” Sini says. Her ward orchestra, which included the violin, viola, cello, bassoon, oboe, piano, trombone, and trumpet, joined the stake choir for conferences and firesides.
Tuesday, February 16, 2010
Unforgettable Devotional
Posted by Brittany Karford Rogers (BA ’07), Associate Editor
In the second devotional of the semester, Sini’s favorite of her freshmen year, Elder Jeffrey R. Holland (BS ’65) spoke about Lot’s wife, who looked back. “He talked about how we need to move on in life and not look back in time,” Sini recalls. “Christ died for us, and we have a responsibility to use that gift and let the Atonement work in our lives and in other people’s lives.”
Read or listen to this devotional on the BYU Speeches Web site.
In the second devotional of the semester, Sini’s favorite of her freshmen year, Elder Jeffrey R. Holland (BS ’65) spoke about Lot’s wife, who looked back. “He talked about how we need to move on in life and not look back in time,” Sini recalls. “Christ died for us, and we have a responsibility to use that gift and let the Atonement work in our lives and in other people’s lives.”
Read or listen to this devotional on the BYU Speeches Web site.
Thursday, February 4, 2010
My Mission Call
Posted by Braden
It happened! It finally happened! My call came! It finally came! And I cannot stop smiling!
Before I say where I'm going and when, there are a few things you have to know:
1) My brother gets home from his mission in Taiwan on May 25. As soon as my brother and I were old enough to do the math, we figured that we might just barely miss each other between our two missions. We corresponded about availability dates throughout this past year, trying to figure out what would be perfect. I didn't want to have to wait too long to leave, but I wanted to see my brother. There are typically a few weeks between your availability date and your report date, but it's not always the same length of time.
Finally, we decided (via e-mail) that a May 14 availability date would be perfect. It was most likely that I wouldn't have to report for at least a few weeks after that, and we'd be able to see each other, but it wouldn't be too far into the summer. Then over Christmas break, when I was filling out my papers, I made a comment like, "I'm so anxious to go!" to which one of my parents replied, "Well, you are 19. You can set your availability date for whenever you want." And then I was like, "You know, why not? I'm dying to go soon. I'm setting my date for May 1, and if Travis and I don't get to see each other, I won't like it, but I'll survive."
I didn't mention the change in plans to him, but then he asked, so I had to tell him about the switch. I really considered moving the date back a week or so, closer to May 14—what's one more week before reporting compared to having the whole family together for one week in four years? But May 1 just felt right. I thought about it a lot, prayed about it a lot, and it just felt right, so I kept it.
2) Every pre-missionary responds to the inevitable question, "So where would you like to go on your mission?" at least once in his life with, "Wherever the Lord needs me." And it's true, that's where I wanted to go. But I suspect that every one of those boys and girls also thinks in his or her head at least once, "I'll go wherever, but wouldn't it be especially fun to go to _____."
Well, I had one of those places. For as long as I can remember, when people said, "I know that you're not supposed to pick favorites, but IF you did get to pick where you would like to go, what would you choose?" I always responded with this country. When my uncle came home from a mission to this country a number of years ago, I remember thinking, "Wow—that'd be perfect! I hope I go somewhere like that!" When everybody in my family wrote down where they thought I'd go, I secretly made my own guess, and it was this place.
This summer I found out that due to visa troubles, this mission was being closed to North American missionaries. I groaned just a little bit on the inside, but I knew that I was going to get called to wherever I was supposed to go anyway. Then last week, after my papers were already in, I heard from an RM that the mission had recently opened back up again to missionaries from North America.
I was so excited! I went home and sent my parents an email with the title, "______ is open again!" since they've always known that I have a sweet spot for it. "I don't expect to go there, of course," I told them, "but it is nice that it's an option again, at least!"
A week ago my key chain broke, so I told myself that I'd just buy a new one in a week or two of the flag of whatever country I'm going to (United States included). Two days ago, when I was in the Bookstore, I took a look at all the flags, and naturally my eyes searched first for this country's flag. After I found it, I mentally slapped my wrist for showing preference, and went on to my next class.
3) I asked anybody with mission-call experience about when they thought I should expect to receive mine. There were just too many opinions for me to know anything for sure, but I was pretty positive that my call would show up sometime in the middle of the week, most likely on a Wednesday. This past Wednesday, a boy who sent in his papers a week before me received his call. I figured that meant I still had at least a week to go, so I stopped thinking about it. Then this morning I found out from my grandparents, who have a contact in the Missionary Department, that my call was mailed out yesterday! All of my focus disappeared instantly.
I came home from classes at 1:30 p.m., hoping to find the call, but no. I went to the temple for an hour and a half and came back expecting to find my call, since our mail usually comes by 2:30 p.m., but no. The mail had come, but it wasn't there. I went to my 4 p.m. class, content to wait until tomorrow to begin checking compulsively again. I got two phone calls during class that I didn't answer; I checked my voice mail as soon as class ended, and one of the messages was from the Helaman Halls Central Building. They said they had my mission call there! I was rather confused, since I live in Heritage Halls, but they had my call and I wanted it!
Unfortunately, I was already on my way to meet up with somebody for dinner, and we were supposed to meet up in five minutes! I rushed to dinner; we ate and talked for about an hour. I had to fight so hard to keep myself from jumping up and sprinting to the central building. And then I got the letter; it was about 6 p.m. by this time.
I tried really hard not to look at the postage; I've heard varying stories on what it means, and I didn't want to speculate. I wanted to open my call with my ward, but I also needed to pick a time when all of my family back home could be on the phone, so I chose 8:30 p.m. I texted all the people whom I'd promised to tell when I got my letter and passed the word around the ward.
Then I tried, failing miserably, to study for my test tomorrow. I couldn't concentrate for more than maybe 30 seconds at a time. "Two hours left . . . 1.5 hours . . . 1.3 hours . . . 1.15 hours . . . 1.12 hours . . . 1.11 hours . . . is time moving at all?!"
Another boy in the ward was scheduled to open his call at 8 p.m. The ward showed up, and he read that he was going to Brazil, and his report date was May 24! That scared me a little: if he put his papers in on the same day as me, and he's reporting on May 24, odds are pretty good that I'll report on the same day, and I'll miss my brother by one day!"
The last 30 minutes were by far the longest. I went for a walk to burn the time. And then 8:30 p.m. finally came.
I called up my family back home, hushed everyone down, my sister started recording, and I opened up the letter:
Then everybody clapped and cheered and congratulated me and I couldn't do anything but smile, thank them, smile, reread the letter, smile, and find where Samara is in Russia, and smile some more.
I'm not going to get any more studying done tonight. All I want to do is look up Russia, Samara, the Russian language, my application for a U.S. passport, my mission boundaries, stories from people who went to my mission, the list of supplies I'm going to need, etc. WOW, what a rush! It turns out that it is the exact same mission where my uncle went! I can't wait to hear stories, see pictures, and start learning all about where I'm going to be living and serving for the next two years!
I know that I would have been thrilled no matter where I was called. It's still so amazing to me that we 19-year-old boys are allowed to be called to such important roles in the grand scheme of everything! And I cannot wait to share the gospel with all of the good people in Russia! It's made me so happy! If I can just help them see how much they have to gain, how much easier and happier their lives will be with the gospel, they'll know that it's worth it. And even if you told me that not a single person I talk to will join the Church in all 24 months that I'm there, I'd still go in a heartbeat! This is going to be a wonderful two years!
And wow—to be called to the place I've always wanted to go AND see my brother before I leave AND not have to wait any longer to get my call—I'm certainly on cloud nine right now, and I'm not coming down anytime soon!
It happened! It finally happened! My call came! It finally came! And I cannot stop smiling!
Before I say where I'm going and when, there are a few things you have to know:
1) My brother gets home from his mission in Taiwan on May 25. As soon as my brother and I were old enough to do the math, we figured that we might just barely miss each other between our two missions. We corresponded about availability dates throughout this past year, trying to figure out what would be perfect. I didn't want to have to wait too long to leave, but I wanted to see my brother. There are typically a few weeks between your availability date and your report date, but it's not always the same length of time.
Finally, we decided (via e-mail) that a May 14 availability date would be perfect. It was most likely that I wouldn't have to report for at least a few weeks after that, and we'd be able to see each other, but it wouldn't be too far into the summer. Then over Christmas break, when I was filling out my papers, I made a comment like, "I'm so anxious to go!" to which one of my parents replied, "Well, you are 19. You can set your availability date for whenever you want." And then I was like, "You know, why not? I'm dying to go soon. I'm setting my date for May 1, and if Travis and I don't get to see each other, I won't like it, but I'll survive."
I didn't mention the change in plans to him, but then he asked, so I had to tell him about the switch. I really considered moving the date back a week or so, closer to May 14—what's one more week before reporting compared to having the whole family together for one week in four years? But May 1 just felt right. I thought about it a lot, prayed about it a lot, and it just felt right, so I kept it.
2) Every pre-missionary responds to the inevitable question, "So where would you like to go on your mission?" at least once in his life with, "Wherever the Lord needs me." And it's true, that's where I wanted to go. But I suspect that every one of those boys and girls also thinks in his or her head at least once, "I'll go wherever, but wouldn't it be especially fun to go to _____."
Well, I had one of those places. For as long as I can remember, when people said, "I know that you're not supposed to pick favorites, but IF you did get to pick where you would like to go, what would you choose?" I always responded with this country. When my uncle came home from a mission to this country a number of years ago, I remember thinking, "Wow—that'd be perfect! I hope I go somewhere like that!" When everybody in my family wrote down where they thought I'd go, I secretly made my own guess, and it was this place.
This summer I found out that due to visa troubles, this mission was being closed to North American missionaries. I groaned just a little bit on the inside, but I knew that I was going to get called to wherever I was supposed to go anyway. Then last week, after my papers were already in, I heard from an RM that the mission had recently opened back up again to missionaries from North America.
I was so excited! I went home and sent my parents an email with the title, "______ is open again!" since they've always known that I have a sweet spot for it. "I don't expect to go there, of course," I told them, "but it is nice that it's an option again, at least!"
A week ago my key chain broke, so I told myself that I'd just buy a new one in a week or two of the flag of whatever country I'm going to (United States included). Two days ago, when I was in the Bookstore, I took a look at all the flags, and naturally my eyes searched first for this country's flag. After I found it, I mentally slapped my wrist for showing preference, and went on to my next class.
3) I asked anybody with mission-call experience about when they thought I should expect to receive mine. There were just too many opinions for me to know anything for sure, but I was pretty positive that my call would show up sometime in the middle of the week, most likely on a Wednesday. This past Wednesday, a boy who sent in his papers a week before me received his call. I figured that meant I still had at least a week to go, so I stopped thinking about it. Then this morning I found out from my grandparents, who have a contact in the Missionary Department, that my call was mailed out yesterday! All of my focus disappeared instantly.
I came home from classes at 1:30 p.m., hoping to find the call, but no. I went to the temple for an hour and a half and came back expecting to find my call, since our mail usually comes by 2:30 p.m., but no. The mail had come, but it wasn't there. I went to my 4 p.m. class, content to wait until tomorrow to begin checking compulsively again. I got two phone calls during class that I didn't answer; I checked my voice mail as soon as class ended, and one of the messages was from the Helaman Halls Central Building. They said they had my mission call there! I was rather confused, since I live in Heritage Halls, but they had my call and I wanted it!
Unfortunately, I was already on my way to meet up with somebody for dinner, and we were supposed to meet up in five minutes! I rushed to dinner; we ate and talked for about an hour. I had to fight so hard to keep myself from jumping up and sprinting to the central building. And then I got the letter; it was about 6 p.m. by this time.
I tried really hard not to look at the postage; I've heard varying stories on what it means, and I didn't want to speculate. I wanted to open my call with my ward, but I also needed to pick a time when all of my family back home could be on the phone, so I chose 8:30 p.m. I texted all the people whom I'd promised to tell when I got my letter and passed the word around the ward.
Then I tried, failing miserably, to study for my test tomorrow. I couldn't concentrate for more than maybe 30 seconds at a time. "Two hours left . . . 1.5 hours . . . 1.3 hours . . . 1.15 hours . . . 1.12 hours . . . 1.11 hours . . . is time moving at all?!"
Another boy in the ward was scheduled to open his call at 8 p.m. The ward showed up, and he read that he was going to Brazil, and his report date was May 24! That scared me a little: if he put his papers in on the same day as me, and he's reporting on May 24, odds are pretty good that I'll report on the same day, and I'll miss my brother by one day!"
The last 30 minutes were by far the longest. I went for a walk to burn the time. And then 8:30 p.m. finally came.
I called up my family back home, hushed everyone down, my sister started recording, and I opened up the letter:
- Dear Elder Hancock:
You are hereby called to serve as a missionary of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. You are assigned to labor in the RUSSIA SAMARA mission!
(my thoughts: "I CAN'T BELIEVE I ACTUALLY GOT CALLED TO RUSSIA!")
You should report to the Missionary Training Center at Provo, Utah on Wednesday, 3 June 2009!
("I can't believe that I'm going to Russia, AND I get to see Travis before I leave!")
Then everybody clapped and cheered and congratulated me and I couldn't do anything but smile, thank them, smile, reread the letter, smile, and find where Samara is in Russia, and smile some more.
I'm not going to get any more studying done tonight. All I want to do is look up Russia, Samara, the Russian language, my application for a U.S. passport, my mission boundaries, stories from people who went to my mission, the list of supplies I'm going to need, etc. WOW, what a rush! It turns out that it is the exact same mission where my uncle went! I can't wait to hear stories, see pictures, and start learning all about where I'm going to be living and serving for the next two years!
I know that I would have been thrilled no matter where I was called. It's still so amazing to me that we 19-year-old boys are allowed to be called to such important roles in the grand scheme of everything! And I cannot wait to share the gospel with all of the good people in Russia! It's made me so happy! If I can just help them see how much they have to gain, how much easier and happier their lives will be with the gospel, they'll know that it's worth it. And even if you told me that not a single person I talk to will join the Church in all 24 months that I'm there, I'd still go in a heartbeat! This is going to be a wonderful two years!
And wow—to be called to the place I've always wanted to go AND see my brother before I leave AND not have to wait any longer to get my call—I'm certainly on cloud nine right now, and I'm not coming down anytime soon!
Sunday, January 31, 2010
Busy Sundays
Posted by Braden
When did Sundays get so busy? My word! I used to come home from church (back when I lived at home) and read a book, play a game with my siblings, or take a nap. But somehow Sundays have gotten really busy since I got here.
On a recent Sunday I had church, ward council, a mission interview, hall meeting, hall council meeting, a visit from my home teachers, home teaching appointments to set up, a fireside, ward prayer, a weekly journal entry to write, and a phone call home to make! And somewhere in there I ate lunch and dinner. Whew! I guess this is what Sundays will probably feel like for the rest of college, eh? There will be different things filling the slots each week, but there's always something. Sunday is still a break from the rest of the week, but it is restful in a busy, restful kind of way.
When did Sundays get so busy? My word! I used to come home from church (back when I lived at home) and read a book, play a game with my siblings, or take a nap. But somehow Sundays have gotten really busy since I got here.
On a recent Sunday I had church, ward council, a mission interview, hall meeting, hall council meeting, a visit from my home teachers, home teaching appointments to set up, a fireside, ward prayer, a weekly journal entry to write, and a phone call home to make! And somewhere in there I ate lunch and dinner. Whew! I guess this is what Sundays will probably feel like for the rest of college, eh? There will be different things filling the slots each week, but there's always something. Sunday is still a break from the rest of the week, but it is restful in a busy, restful kind of way.
Sunday, January 24, 2010
Turning in Mission Papers
Posted by Braden
Today I sent my mission papers to Church headquarters in Salt Lake City. But the process of getting them completed up to that point started a few months ago.
In November I turned 19 and arranged an interview with my bishop through the ward executive secretary. In the interview, we set up an account for me online and he showed me the papers I had to fill out.
Over Christmas I had my medical and dental forms completed by my doctor and dentist. Well, sort of. I went and had my doctor's appointment. I got home and realized that they hadn't given me two of the shots I needed. So I went back and got those shots. Then, the day before leaving, I realized that they hadn't done the blood work or tuberculosis (TB) tests that I needed. I got the blood work done, but TB tests take three days, so I had to get that done at the BYU Student Health Center once I got back out to Utah. My insurance covers a dentist cleaning once every six months. I had to go back to school sooner than my next six-month appointment, so instead we paid for just a little examination and I'll have the cleaning done this summer before I leave.
After all of my papers finally reached my bishop, and after my bishop got back from a vacation he'd been on, I was able to have my second interview. We went through all of the papers and double-checked everything, he wrote his recommendation, then he forwarded it on to the stake president.
I showed up in the "first-come, first-served" line for stake presidency interviews on Sunday at noon. An interesting fact about BYU stakes: they are the only stakes in the church where it is approved for the counselors in the stake presidency to do mission interviews, in addition to the president. Because we send off multiple hundreds of missionaries each semester in this stake, it makes sense to spread the workload. I had my interview, President Brad Wilcox (the first counselor in my stake presidency) typed in his recommendation, and then they let me click "send."
It's hard to not think about it now. I've heard various reports about what day of the week mission calls typically show up in the mail, how long it takes for them to show up, how the amount of postage correlates to stateside vs foreign calls, how many weeks after your availability date you are typically asked to report, etc. The other hard thing is deciding what to do when I get my call! Some people open it with the whole ward looking on and their family on the phone. Others open it up by themselves and announce it at ward prayer. A part of me wants to go for a walk and open it by myself. On the other hand, I always find it so exciting when someone from the ward opens his publicly. I just don't know! I suppose I have approximately two weeks to decide. Now I just need to find out what time of day the mail comes so I can start checking the mail compulsively every day for my envelope.
Today I sent my mission papers to Church headquarters in Salt Lake City. But the process of getting them completed up to that point started a few months ago.
In November I turned 19 and arranged an interview with my bishop through the ward executive secretary. In the interview, we set up an account for me online and he showed me the papers I had to fill out.
Over Christmas I had my medical and dental forms completed by my doctor and dentist. Well, sort of. I went and had my doctor's appointment. I got home and realized that they hadn't given me two of the shots I needed. So I went back and got those shots. Then, the day before leaving, I realized that they hadn't done the blood work or tuberculosis (TB) tests that I needed. I got the blood work done, but TB tests take three days, so I had to get that done at the BYU Student Health Center once I got back out to Utah. My insurance covers a dentist cleaning once every six months. I had to go back to school sooner than my next six-month appointment, so instead we paid for just a little examination and I'll have the cleaning done this summer before I leave.
After all of my papers finally reached my bishop, and after my bishop got back from a vacation he'd been on, I was able to have my second interview. We went through all of the papers and double-checked everything, he wrote his recommendation, then he forwarded it on to the stake president.
I showed up in the "first-come, first-served" line for stake presidency interviews on Sunday at noon. An interesting fact about BYU stakes: they are the only stakes in the church where it is approved for the counselors in the stake presidency to do mission interviews, in addition to the president. Because we send off multiple hundreds of missionaries each semester in this stake, it makes sense to spread the workload. I had my interview, President Brad Wilcox (the first counselor in my stake presidency) typed in his recommendation, and then they let me click "send."
It's hard to not think about it now. I've heard various reports about what day of the week mission calls typically show up in the mail, how long it takes for them to show up, how the amount of postage correlates to stateside vs foreign calls, how many weeks after your availability date you are typically asked to report, etc. The other hard thing is deciding what to do when I get my call! Some people open it with the whole ward looking on and their family on the phone. Others open it up by themselves and announce it at ward prayer. A part of me wants to go for a walk and open it by myself. On the other hand, I always find it so exciting when someone from the ward opens his publicly. I just don't know! I suppose I have approximately two weeks to decide. Now I just need to find out what time of day the mail comes so I can start checking the mail compulsively every day for my envelope.
Monday, December 28, 2009
The Last Christmas
Posted by Braden
So it finally came--my last Christmas before my mission. My newlywed sister and missionary brother were both away from home this year, and next year when I'm gone, they'll both be home for Christmas.
I always expected that last Christmas before my mission to be particularly mission-based as far as presents go: luggage, suits, Church books, a new scripture case. And I did get a little of that, but not nearly to the degree I expected. Surprisingly, I found myself asking Santa for a lot of kitchen supplies this year: a George Foreman Grill, wooden spoons, spatulas, silverware, a can opener, a muffin tin, etc. And I was excited about each and every one of those presents! I don't need toys or games anymore (though having a few is still nice)--I need house stuff!
On Christmas evening we got our phone call with my older brother in Taiwan. We got one hour of time, exactly. This was our second year making the call, and it won't be our last! Between seven boys, my family is going to be having a lot of "everybody-get-around-the-speakerphone-at-the-table" hours over the years. It's just odd to think that exactly one year from now, it is going to find me on the other side of that phone call! So soon? But Travis just left! But I just graduated! But I'm only 19! But . . . wow, that's soon. Fortunately, I've got a lot of Christmases left in my life to spare.
So it finally came--my last Christmas before my mission. My newlywed sister and missionary brother were both away from home this year, and next year when I'm gone, they'll both be home for Christmas.
I always expected that last Christmas before my mission to be particularly mission-based as far as presents go: luggage, suits, Church books, a new scripture case. And I did get a little of that, but not nearly to the degree I expected. Surprisingly, I found myself asking Santa for a lot of kitchen supplies this year: a George Foreman Grill, wooden spoons, spatulas, silverware, a can opener, a muffin tin, etc. And I was excited about each and every one of those presents! I don't need toys or games anymore (though having a few is still nice)--I need house stuff!
On Christmas evening we got our phone call with my older brother in Taiwan. We got one hour of time, exactly. This was our second year making the call, and it won't be our last! Between seven boys, my family is going to be having a lot of "everybody-get-around-the-speakerphone-at-the-table" hours over the years. It's just odd to think that exactly one year from now, it is going to find me on the other side of that phone call! So soon? But Travis just left! But I just graduated! But I'm only 19! But . . . wow, that's soon. Fortunately, I've got a lot of Christmases left in my life to spare.
Monday, October 26, 2009
Just Different
Posted by Braden
Before history class starts each day, we say a prayer.
Before every sporting event or performance--a prayer.
On Sunday nights, we get together as a ward, for ward prayer.
Sacrament meeting is eerily quiet--no whispering 10-year-olds, crying 3-year-olds, or even snoring 70-year-olds! And I almost miss the fruit snacks and squished cheerios...
I home teach people my age, and I'm not a junior companion to a high priest anymore! Our conversations aren't about my home teachees' upcoming surgeries or their kids.
Firesides don't always start at 7 p.m. at the chapel anymore . . . sometimes they happen at 11 p.m. on Tuesdays, right between classes, in just about any room that has a projector in it!
I see my school friends on Sunday; it still feels wrong most of the time, actually. I'm used to saying, "Sorry, it's on Sunday! But I'll see you at school on Monday!" But now my next-door neighbor, classmate, Sunday School teacher, and make-shift family are all the same person!
In Sunday School we're talking about the Book of Mormon. I also go twice a week to a classroom where we talk about the Book of Mormon--in my religion class. Hour long religions discussion: now not only reserved for Sundays!
The executive secretary for the ward isn't "Brother ______"--it's the guy downstairs! The ward choir director is 18. There is one RM in my ward of 150 people. The brother who sets up the ward bulletin is in my chemistry class.
None of these changes are earth-shaking or even all that unusual. But they're changes.
Before history class starts each day, we say a prayer.
Before every sporting event or performance--a prayer.
On Sunday nights, we get together as a ward, for ward prayer.
Sacrament meeting is eerily quiet--no whispering 10-year-olds, crying 3-year-olds, or even snoring 70-year-olds! And I almost miss the fruit snacks and squished cheerios...
I home teach people my age, and I'm not a junior companion to a high priest anymore! Our conversations aren't about my home teachees' upcoming surgeries or their kids.
Firesides don't always start at 7 p.m. at the chapel anymore . . . sometimes they happen at 11 p.m. on Tuesdays, right between classes, in just about any room that has a projector in it!
I see my school friends on Sunday; it still feels wrong most of the time, actually. I'm used to saying, "Sorry, it's on Sunday! But I'll see you at school on Monday!" But now my next-door neighbor, classmate, Sunday School teacher, and make-shift family are all the same person!
In Sunday School we're talking about the Book of Mormon. I also go twice a week to a classroom where we talk about the Book of Mormon--in my religion class. Hour long religions discussion: now not only reserved for Sundays!
The executive secretary for the ward isn't "Brother ______"--it's the guy downstairs! The ward choir director is 18. There is one RM in my ward of 150 people. The brother who sets up the ward bulletin is in my chemistry class.
None of these changes are earth-shaking or even all that unusual. But they're changes.
Thursday, October 22, 2009
It's Pulla
Posted by Brittany Karford Rogers (BA ’07), Associate Editor
You could compare it to a cinnamon roll, but it's so much better than that. It's pulla, or at least one kind of pulla. Sini says the Finnish make it all the time, and Monday night, she instructed her FHE group in the art.
The dough seemed simple enough to whip up (eggs, flour, sugar, yeast, butter . . . some other stuff). For many, the dough alone was too good to resist. Sini was slapping hands away from the bowl even before the guys piled on heaps of butter, sugar, and cinnamon.
After creating the little pulla pinwheels you see above, there was a special thumb press that was supposed to add aesthetics (think of making a "thumbs down" sign and then jabbing your thumb into the dough), though no one quite mastered it. Even harder was making perfectly spherical pullas—the next level of difficulty in the tiers of pulla-making (the bread comes in multiple shapes and sizes). It takes a lot of muscle--watch Sini demonstrate below.
After all was said and done, the FHE group left Sini's kitchen smelling sweeter than they found it, which is hard to do considering the smell of fresh-baked brownies wafting when they entered. She's quite the cook. One roommate was munching on Sini's homemade bread throughout the evening, another was raving about her walnut chicken, and the guys praised her weekly confections.
And did you know that Sini can sing BOTH verses of Book of Mormon Stories in Finnish? Yep, much to the chagrin of her FHE peers, who collectively insist that there is only one. What an FHE mom.
You could compare it to a cinnamon roll, but it's so much better than that. It's pulla, or at least one kind of pulla. Sini says the Finnish make it all the time, and Monday night, she instructed her FHE group in the art.
The dough seemed simple enough to whip up (eggs, flour, sugar, yeast, butter . . . some other stuff). For many, the dough alone was too good to resist. Sini was slapping hands away from the bowl even before the guys piled on heaps of butter, sugar, and cinnamon.
After creating the little pulla pinwheels you see above, there was a special thumb press that was supposed to add aesthetics (think of making a "thumbs down" sign and then jabbing your thumb into the dough), though no one quite mastered it. Even harder was making perfectly spherical pullas—the next level of difficulty in the tiers of pulla-making (the bread comes in multiple shapes and sizes). It takes a lot of muscle--watch Sini demonstrate below.
After all was said and done, the FHE group left Sini's kitchen smelling sweeter than they found it, which is hard to do considering the smell of fresh-baked brownies wafting when they entered. She's quite the cook. One roommate was munching on Sini's homemade bread throughout the evening, another was raving about her walnut chicken, and the guys praised her weekly confections.
And did you know that Sini can sing BOTH verses of Book of Mormon Stories in Finnish? Yep, much to the chagrin of her FHE peers, who collectively insist that there is only one. What an FHE mom.
Tuesday, October 20, 2009
Wearing Ice Cream
Posted by Brittany Karford Rogers (BA ’07), Associate Editor
Sini’s favorite FHE activity, at least thus far into the semester, required her group to plow through copious bowls of cereal to provide enough boxes for a cereal-box-boat relay. The competing vessels, crafted out of Honey Bunches of Oats, Life, Rice Krispies, and others, were launched in the stream by Heritage Halls. "I think Cinnamon Toast Crunch won, but I can't remember," she says. "Then we bought a lot of ice cream and just scooped it out onto the table with all of the toppings. We all sat down and started eating it off the table." A giant ice cream fight ensued, "in our apartment!" Sini cries. "It was a huge mess."
Sini’s favorite FHE activity, at least thus far into the semester, required her group to plow through copious bowls of cereal to provide enough boxes for a cereal-box-boat relay. The competing vessels, crafted out of Honey Bunches of Oats, Life, Rice Krispies, and others, were launched in the stream by Heritage Halls. "I think Cinnamon Toast Crunch won, but I can't remember," she says. "Then we bought a lot of ice cream and just scooped it out onto the table with all of the toppings. We all sat down and started eating it off the table." A giant ice cream fight ensued, "in our apartment!" Sini cries. "It was a huge mess."
Wednesday, October 14, 2009
They Did! They Did Call Me on a Mission!
Posted by Braden
Our ward had its first mission call opening today!
A boy came knocking on our door, and my roommate answered.
"Hey, it's almost 6:30--make sure you get downstairs in time!"
"For what?"
"Eric is opening his mission call."
"Guys! Guys! We gotta go downstairs! Eric's opening his mission call!"
And so it went throughout both halls in our ward. There were probably about 75 kids in our lobby by the time Eric opened the letter. He had both sets of grandparents on cell phones, his family at home on another phone, and the kid next to him had Eric's camera, turned to "video."
He opened it up and read those lines we've all heard but a lot of us have never heard in context as it's happening...
"Dear Elder Smith, You are hereby called to serve as a missionary for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. You are assigned to serve in the Charlotte, North Carolina Mission."
And then nobody can hear anything after that because of the cheers, whoops, hollers, clapping, squealing, etc.
It was extremely exciting! It's so fun to think that we're going to get to have dozens more of those moments before the school year is over! It really made at least me want to say, "School can wait--I'm turning in my papers tomorrow!" But then reason kicks in and I remember all the reasons why I have to wait a few more months yet. It was still fun to watch. :)
Our ward had its first mission call opening today!
A boy came knocking on our door, and my roommate answered.
"Hey, it's almost 6:30--make sure you get downstairs in time!"
"For what?"
"Eric is opening his mission call."
"Guys! Guys! We gotta go downstairs! Eric's opening his mission call!"
And so it went throughout both halls in our ward. There were probably about 75 kids in our lobby by the time Eric opened the letter. He had both sets of grandparents on cell phones, his family at home on another phone, and the kid next to him had Eric's camera, turned to "video."
He opened it up and read those lines we've all heard but a lot of us have never heard in context as it's happening...
"Dear Elder Smith, You are hereby called to serve as a missionary for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. You are assigned to serve in the Charlotte, North Carolina Mission."
And then nobody can hear anything after that because of the cheers, whoops, hollers, clapping, squealing, etc.
It was extremely exciting! It's so fun to think that we're going to get to have dozens more of those moments before the school year is over! It really made at least me want to say, "School can wait--I'm turning in my papers tomorrow!" But then reason kicks in and I remember all the reasons why I have to wait a few more months yet. It was still fun to watch. :)
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