WONDER

This last week my wife and I went to Wonder.  If you haven’t seen the movie, you REALLY should (FHE idea???).  Actually, you should first read the book, and THEN go see the movie.  I think the book has the power to change the world.  It’s that good.  It probably just has a special place in my heart because I grew up with a sister who dealt with many of the same challenges as the main character of the story.

Anyways, this post isn’t really about the book or the movie.  It is more about the word WONDER... and actually it isn't really even about the word as much as the message I found via that word.

After seeing the film, I couldn’t stop thinking about it.  I would find myself thinking about it before I went to bed, and right when I got up.  (That is how I know that something is really on my mind)

So this morning, I opened the scriptures (and by that I mean, I got on lds.org) and searched the word WONDER.  There was a handful of scriptures there with the word, but none of them really stuck out.  Until the very last one on the list:

Psalm 71:7

7 I am as a wonder unto many; but thou art my strong refuge.

I clicked through to read the surrounding chapter and really enjoyed the message.  David is praising the Lord with such a grateful heart.  He proclaims how he, very aware of his many faults, know that he can always find refuge and love with God.

It reminds me of Nephi and his “I know in whom I have trusted” line when he was beating himself up.

I find myself offering up this prayer very often.  I get down on myself for my many faults and struggles.  But at the end of the day, I go to the Lord and thank Him for always being my “safe place”, or “strong refuge” as David put it.  My hope is that we can all be like David and trust in the Lord.

Body of Christ

One of the speakers in church today brought to light a cool analogy that resonated with me.  It’s not new, but it was something I think I needed to hear.  He was talking about the Body of Christ.  How we, as members make up that body.  He compared it to our physical bodies.  He mentioned how each of our bodies started out as one cell, then split into two, and then four and so on.

At first, the cells were all identical.  It but then as the body develops, there are different needs, and cells adapt to meet those needs.

He brought up how absurd it would be for a brain cell to tell a fingernail cell that it isn’t fitting the proper mold… or perhaps that it is not doing the right thing because the fingernail cell doesn’t look like the brain cell.  They were designed with different purposes in mind!  (the same comparison can be found in 1 Corinthians 12)

I think this analogy really resonated with me because I have been thinking about missionary work, an my role in the global missionary effort.  I often feel like perhaps my job, or cellular missionary specialization, is not important.  This mindset really hit me after I was released as a full-time missionary.  I felt like in Russia I was “an important part” of the machine – I was on the front lines, so to speak, and felt like I was making a difference.  And then when I got back to the real world, I didn’t feel like I was needed quite as much. And I didn’t see how I would be able to help with the spread of the Gospel from my current position.

But I think we all need to take a second and evaluate really what kind of a contribution we can make.  What are our strengths?  What is our sphere of influence?  Where can we make a difference?  I am confident that if we do this with a prayerful conscience, that God will hook it up with a clear path for us.  We all have value in His plan and in His missionary efforts.  We all have a place, sometimes we just have to work a little harder to find it.

1 Corinthians 12

4 Now there are diversities of gifts, but the same Spirit.

5 And there are differences of administrations, but the same Lord.

6 And there are diversities of operations, but it is the same God which worketh all in all.

7 But the manifestation of the Spirit is given to every man to profit withal.

8 For to one is given by the Spirit the word of wisdom; to another the word of knowledge by the same Spirit;

9 To another faith by the same Spirit; to another the gifts of healing by the same Spirit;

10 To another the working of miracles; to another prophecy; to another discerning of spirits; to another divers kinds of tongues; to another the interpretation of tongues:

11 But all these worketh that one and the selfsame Spirit, dividing to every man severally as he will.

12 For as the body is one, and hath many members, and all the members of that one body, being many, are one body: so also is Christ.

Worked Up For No Reason

SO, fatherhood brings on a whole boatload of new lessons.  There is no way I can even begin to write them all down.  It would be a constant stream of essays.  BUT, I can try and save some, and even share a few along the way.

Last night Theo woke up and was really upset. He was hungry. Madison realized that he was also stinky. So instead of feeding him right away, she started changing his diaper. When he realized that he wasn't going to get fed immediately, he cried even harder! He started turning red in his fit of rage. 

Then Madison said, very calmly, "Hey buddy, I'm going to help you. You're working yourself up for no reason." 

We are on the LAST FEW PARKS of our trip.  And of course, they seem to be some of the hardest for us. (why is life like that?  There always seems to be a need for a "final push" of some sorts... whatever, that is a topic for another day.) Florida has been intense for us. It's SO hot. The heat was really just causing all kinds of problems for us - we got beat by the heat and had to get a hotel room; the RV air conditioning was struggling in the intense humidity; mosquitoes are seriously insane; and we can't leave the kitty in the RV at all because it's so hot. As I laid there next to them in the hotel bed, I was going over all the problems, and really "working myself up." I heard that phrase and realized that I was in the exact same boat as Theo. I was struggling because my problems weren't being solved by God (or at least that is how I felt). I expected him to fix everything immediately. 

But when I heard Madison say those words to Theo, I felt an overwhelming sense of comfort. I could see in my head a Heavenly Father who, with all the love any parent can have, was saying the same thing to me. "I'm going to help you; you're just working yourself up for no reason."

I wasn't crying and screaming like Theo, but my problems were just as real. In that moment I was reminded of our Father in Heaven's love for each of us. So when your pants are poopy and you feel hungrier than you have ever been, remember that He cares. He is aware of you. He LOVES you. We need to trust in Him. If we do, things will work out.

LUKE 11
9 And I say unto you, Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you.
10 For every one that asketh receiveth; and he that seeketh findeth; and to him that knocketh it shall be opened.
11 If a son shall ask bread of any of you that is a father, will he give him a stone? or if he ask a fish, will he for a fish give him a serpent?
12 Or if he shall ask an egg, will he offer him a scorpion?
13 If ye then, being evil, know how to give good gifts unto your children: how much more shall your heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to them that ask him?

What's Your Name? Don't Forget It.

We have been thinking a lot about baby names the past few days.  If I am totally honest, it kind of stresses me out!  There is SO MUCH in a name!  Maybe I shouldn't be so serious about it, but I can't really let it go.  (I think this may be the fact that I haven't met the little guy/girl yet... hopefully when it finally gets out here that we will just know!)

But as I have thought so much about it, I am reminded of Helaman speaking to his sons:

Helaman 5:6

Behold, my sons, I desire that ye should remember to keep the commandments of God; and I would that ye should declare unto the people these words. Behold, I have given unto you the names of our first parents who came out of the land of Jerusalem; and this I have done that when you remember your names ye may remember them; and when ye remember them ye may remember their works; and when ye remember their works ye may know how that it is said, and also written, that they were good.

And perhaps the part I am stressed out about the most when it comes to this baby stuff, is that no matter what we finally choose as a given name, he/she gets HOFMAN by default.  And that is something that the kid will always have to remember me by!  He/she will remember MY WORKS.

A name is such a huge part of our identity.  And I think that is what we are all ultimately trying to define down here in the state of probation - WHO AM I?

What a blessing to have the knowledge that we are sons and daughters of God. What a massive leg up on the rest of the world!  On top of that, what a blessing to be a Bearrie!  I hope in a way when we all evaluate ourselves and our identities, that we include "I'm a Bearrie".  It sounds super corny, but I hope that everyone on here knows that there is always a support system for them.  There are always homies that have your back!  I know I include it in my identity and I am so grateful for you all.

Keep up the good work, brothers!  And remember your name!

Watch Yoself

I liked this scripture this morning:

D&C 50:46

"Watch, therefore, that you may be ready."

It made me think of how we need to always be on our toes.  We need to pay attention to the current status of our lives.  Are we constantly watching ourselves?  Do we evaluate how we are doing often enough?  If we aren't, we may not be ready when the time comes.

And that time, doesn't necessarily mean "The Second Coming" or "The End of the World".  I think there are much more pressing deadlines that we are preparing for. 

Will we be ready to receive the prompting to know who we need to marry?

Will we be ready to follow the spirit when deciding when to have children?

Will we have the strength to parent a child with special needs?

Will we know how to react when a spouse makes poor choices?

Will we be ready to raise children in an ever crazy world?

Will we be ready when our parents die?

Will we be ready when we lose a job?

Will we be ready to do the honest thing when it is so easy not to?

With a frequent evaluation, and adjustment when needs be, I know we can be ready for anything. Keep checking in on yourself, and on your fellow Bearries.

Eyes On The Prize

Yesterday, Madison and I went down to the local park to slack.

I hadn't been on a line for a LONG time.  Mainly because of winter, but also because I was a little sketched out with my knee. (And I am just a lazy piece of crap, and don't get out often enough without the Bearries around to push me)

As I was on the line yesterday, I couldn't help but see some cool life parallels.  It really wasn't anything NEW, but just something that I figure is good to have down in writing. 

I went to walk for the first time, took three steps, and then wiped out (pretty hard).  Three steps on a 120 ft line isn't very far haha! I turned and looked at Madison and said, "Oh man, I've got a long way to go!"

I got back on and went through all of the basics.  Breathe.  Core control.  Party hands. Stand up straight.  Eyes on the prize.

It was the last one that really stuck in my mind.  Eyes on the prize.  I hadn't been looking at the anchor point on the other side my first attempt.  I was busy focusing on the immediate problem.  And because I was focused on the minor ripple at the beginning of my walk, I failed.

The second attempt I was glued to the other side and few minutes later, I had sent it.

I think that life can be a lot like that.  We have these intense struggles at different points on our "line of life", and sometimes we get super lost in them!  So lost, we forget the big picture - the final goal.

And really, this principle can be applied on any level - whether the goal is graduating from college (don't overly stress about that chemistry class that is kicking your butt - in the long term, it's not that big of a deal), attaining eternal salvation (don't focus on the mistake you can't seem to stop making - focus on your heart, your desire, and the Atonement that will get you there), or finding that dream job (don't let the first company that didn't hire you determine your perceived value - move on to their competitor!)

I truly believe that keeping our eye on the prize will be one of the main factors in helping us attain our goals. 

#lessonsoftheline

D&C 4:5 

"And faith, hope, charity and love, with an eye single to the glory of God, qualify him for the work."

Ken's Comeback 2017

Hello Ladies!

It has been a while!  I have been lacking in my personal scripture study, so I made a goal to get on here more.  That way I get my studies in, and if anyone actually ever reads these, maybe the Bearries can benefit too.  And it wont be anything crazy... just some short thoughts here and there from my scripture reading.

As you see from the picture, I brought back an old friend.  Ken Caminiti.  (Side note, I read the Wikipeadia article on him - 15 seasons in the majors, National League MVP, and then he died in 2004 from a cocaine overdose... SO, moral of the story - be like Ken and play some hard ball... but not 100 percent like Ken - don't do drugs.)

Anyways, Ken landed me in Jonah this morning.  Specifically on the second verse of the first chapter:

2 Arise, go to Nineveh, that great city, and cry against it; for their wickedness is come up before me.

And as I read it, I just thought of how the Lord can ask some hard things of us in life.  And we have two choices:

suck it up and do the hard thing

OR 

run away from the prompting like a pansy

So, hopefully we are able to make the choice to do the hard thing, and have faith that it will work out! And not only WORK OUT, but that we will be blessed beyond what we would if we didn't. 

Good luck, boys!  And get ready for more from Ken Caminiti in the near future!

Dear Homies

Guys I watched Little Rascals today with family and I couldn't help but think about all of you. I haven't seen that movie in a long time but I loved it. It reminded me of all the shenanigans and good bro time we had back in ol' P Town, USA. I have a couple thoughts that will make this a devo but really I just wanted to tell you guys that I miss you guys and I love you guys...

During the movie I couldn't help but think about this scripture:

 19 For the natural man is an enemy to God, and has been from the fall of Adam, and will be, forever and ever, unless he yields to the enticings of the Holy Spirit, and putteth off the natural man and becometh a saint through the atonement of Christ the Lord, and becometh as a child, submissive, meek, humble, patient, full of love, willing to submit to all things which the Lord seeth fit to inflict upon him, even as a child doth submit to his father.

I've been thinking a lot about the commandment to become as a child lately--perhaps due to the growing percentage of impregnated peoples in my friend population but actually more likely due to a podcast I listened to recently on Nietzsche. This is Nietzsche's take on the progression through life. There are three stages: the camel, the lion, and the child. I won't get into all the details here but you can listen to the podcast here: https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/episode-092-...-nietzsche/id659155419?i=1000376174059&mt=2 its episode #92.

I just thought that it was interesting that the child was the final stage for Nietzsche (someone who talks a lot about rebellion and questioning everything). The child sort of gives this all a more positive spin and turns it into an innocent and pure self-reflection of the rules of society. That's what I got out of it at least.

I guess it just enhanced for me what King Benjamin means when he asks us to become as a child. I'm amazed at how kind and loving children are. They want to do good and learn and grow.

They have fun and explore and they don't really worry about what other people think about them or about what the norms of their culture suggest that they should do. When I see kids acting that way I feel like there's something pure and heavenly about that. And I don't mean being just childish (there's plenty of doctrinal counsel against that) but achieving that childlike sense of freedom and fun.

I guess what I'm trying to get to here is that I think there's something really good about building forts and race cars and having innocent fun in life. So before we all grow up and live far away and waste of whole lives on Netflix, I hope that we'll take time to remember the little things that make life meaningful. To remember the people we love; and I hope that amidst building resumes and businesses that we'll take time to build some race cars and make fun of people that live at the Village.

Most of all I hope that we'll all remember Christ and how He saves our lives.

Here's a great quote from Sister Stevens. Read it and ask yourself her questions:

"Have some of life’s experiences taken from you the believing heart and childlike faith you once had? If so, look around at the children in your life. And then look again. They may be children in your family, across the street, or in the Primary in your ward. If we have a heart to learn and a willingness to follow the example of children, their divine attributes can hold a key to unlocking our own spiritual growth."

I know that Christ lives and that we can learn a lot from the children on this earth, even if its just the kids in the Little Rascals. Amen.

Love,
Zach Holub
Member of the He-man womun Haters club: Women welcome