Angleton 2.0

During his travels to the land of Manti Alma ran into the sons of Mosiah. It astonished him to see his good friends after so long and what added more to his joy was his friends were strong in the faith of Christ. The reunion must have been joyous.

The new Angleton building stands as a beacon of goodness on North Valderas Street. Good men and women enter on the Sabbath seeking renewing, invigorating strength. And they get what they look for. It is strange to think just 18 months ago I witnessed the commemorative ground breaking of the edifice. There are a few new faces, I'll have to admit, including the bishop. 

Our Bishop is a very curious man. Very spiritual. I've only been around him a little bit but it is obvious he is a very deep thinker-- which makes me really happy. Hopefully I'll get the chance to ask some probing doctrinal questions around him.

As part of their 3 month sabbatical the Vietnamese speaking Elders join forces with the English Elders once or twice during their 2 year sojourn. Elder Scott and I will be together for at least six weeks before he goes back up to Houston to train the incoming group of Vietnamese missionaries. He is incredibly smart and super diligent. He definitely has the gift of tongues. And when I say the gift of tongues I'm referring to the ability to communicate effectively to someone in their native tongue, not vain babblings (Alma 1:32). People are always surprised when he strikes up a conversation with a native Vietnamese speaking individual.

You'll be happy to know Elder Scott and I exercised a whole lot of self control the other day. Two little Chihuahuas didn't stop barking near the end of one of our lessons and neither of us drop kicked the animals out the window. Do we get a Klondike bar or something? 

The news of the baby in the family is great! Welcome Carina Yi Hui Adams! Your presence brightens all of us. I'm going to be the cool uncle!

Sounds like all is well, take care now and be safe! I love you

This New Commandment

While traveling down the sidewalk we heard a distant cry. After pausing and straining our ears we heard it clearly, "I love Jesus Christ!" To make sure we heard the message the young lady in the vintage jeep signaled the words with her hands. We gave an encouraging thumbs up as the light turned green and we both went our separate ways. Somewhere, sometime in her life she tasted the joy of the gospel and decided to share it. 

While teaching His disciples in the Holy Land Jesus taught His revolutionary new direction. "A new commandment I give unto you, that ye love one another; as I have loved you, that ye also love one another". This dynamic changed His followers outlook on life. It helped transition them from casting stones to casting nets, from finding fault to uplifting, from condemning to encouraging. I love Paul's outlook on this new way of doing things found in Joseph Smith's translation of the bible. "For the good I would have done when under the law, I find not to be good; therefore, I do it not. But the evil which I would not do under the law, I find to be good" (JST Romans 7:20-21). It seems there was a fundamental change that occurred in him.

It was much easier to distinguish Paul as a servant of Christ with this new outlook. In fact it is one of the key indicators Jesus Christ gave to identify his followers. "By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another". And who is a greater exemplar of this new commandment than He who gave it? It seems His entire life was marked by service and kindness to others.

I have to say I am very grateful to Texas City for living this new commandment. The branch may be small, but every last person in it is the salt of the earth. I've learned a lot from them.

I pray this new commandment will change me and everyone of us.

Take care now, I love you

Opposites Attract

Recently we've dipped our hands into the culinary arts. We've experimented with many dishes including chicken Alfredo, lemon bars, and chicken burgers. Out of the list of recipes my favorite memory comes from the jalapeño poppers. 

 

This is a simple dish with jalapeños, cream cheese and sausage (or bacon if you're not on a budget). The seemingly easy combination of ingredients quickly turned out to have complications as each of us bit into our creation. For future reference you need to make sure all the seeds and viens are out of the pepper before stuffing. I remember Elder Ormsby's face well. Bullets of sweat rolled down his bright red face as he said "pain is weakness leaving the body". I felt like Denzel Washington in Remember the Titans when he encouraged his team to endure through pain.

This is a simple dish with jalapeños, cream cheese and sausage (or bacon if you're not on a budget). The seemingly easy combination of ingredients quickly turned out to have complications as each of us bit into our creation. For future reference you need to make sure all the seeds and viens are out of the pepper before stuffing. I remember Elder Ormsby's face well. Bullets of sweat rolled down his bright red face as he said "pain is weakness leaving the body". I felt like Denzel Washington in Remember the Titans when he encouraged his team to endure through pain.

 

"What is pain?!"

"Fresh bread!"

"Will you ever give up?!"

"No, we want some more, we want some more, we want some more!"

 

What's interesting is we never would have known the spicy if we didn't eat. We wouldn't have enjoyed the cooling salve of the Dannon vanilla yogurt if we hadn't experienced the opposite. But now we know for ourselves.

 

When refering to opposition we need to remember the comment made by Lehi of old. "For it must needs be, that there is an opposition in all things". He goes on to explain if there wasn't bad there wouldn't be any good. There is a balance between justice and mercy.

 

We see the same balance in society today. Some say it is by grace you are saved so you can do whatever you want. Others believe there is nothing that you can do that will save you, that you're destined to fail. So where is the middle point? Where is equilibrium?

 

I like what Nephi says in the Book of Mormon. "It is by grace that we are saved, after all we can do".

 

I love you

 

Passion Cycle

The greatest achievement in the history of art would have to be the beautiful painting on the ceiling of the Sistine chapel. Michael Angelo slaved over each meticulous detail at the good Pope's request. It shows Adam sitting there lifting a single finger to call for help. In return we see the hosts of Heaven coming to the rescue. It reminds me of God's grace, and His willingness to come to our aid at any point in our life. 

The only thing I share in common with Angelo is probably our first name. But allow me to take a second to create my own modern day fresco. As I make my pastiche please realize any inconsistences or misrepresentations are the foibles of a 20 year old man. I suppose the opposite is true as well-- anything good is from God.

Jerusalem A.D. 12: Joseph and Mary make their way up to the Holy land to observe the Passover with their son. The holiday is a week long celebration of the Israelites' escape out of Egypt. As part of the festivities the Pascal lamb was slaughtered without any bones broken, cups of wine mixed with water were drunken, and Psalms 113-18 was recited. All of which foreshadowed the final moments of Jesus Christ's life. It makes me wonder if Joseph and Mary knew what their young boy was made of. Did they both fully comprehend what the Passover symbolized?

I think of the song Mary Did You Know. "Did you know that your baby boy was heaven's perfect lamb, and the sleeping child you're holding is the great I Am". I personally believe that Mary didn't fully understand what was to come in Gethsemane and Golgotha only a few years later.

Golgotha A.D. 33: After establishing the church, teaching the gospel, performing miracles, and much, much more Jesus finds Himself  rejected, on the cross. He looks down to see his mother next to John. He tells John to take care of Mary like she was his own. I find it interesting that He didn't feel like all things were accomplished until this act (John 19:27-28).

I wonder if it was at this moment Mary realized what the Passover was all about. She surely would have remembered the line she recited every year in Psalms 118:22 "The stone which‍ the builders refused is become the head stone‍ of the corner". Its another horrible irony. After Jesus built His church our brothers rejected Him. And in a sense we all reject Him in at least one point of our lives.

To remove any doubt about Jesus being the promised Messiah Peter boldly tells the rulers of the people and the Elders of Isreal "[Jesus Christ of Nazareth] is the stone‍ which was set at nought of you builders, which is become the head of the corner" (Acts 4:11).

I'll quote Bruce R. McConkie to close. "I believe in Christ, so come what may".

I love you

Last week's post - just in case Oct 15

We biked down 9th Avenue when we looked up to see the sun saying good by for the evening. We saw deep red with yellow and orange. The colors eventually faded into the purple night and then the black abyss. A subtle reminder that God loves and watches over Texas. It gives me the quiet confidence that He is aware and ever watchful. A scene that can only be rivaled in the Sierra Nevada's.

Brother Nausin took us on the Deacon's high adventure up in the mountains and glacial valleys near Yosemite. The 12 year old boys struggled from inexperience as they hefted the over sized back packs full of tents and other paraphernalia meant to make hiking a luxury. At the end of the second night I remember setting up camp near the summit. We looked over mountains, lakes and forests. Brother Nausin challenged us to find a quite place and watch mother nature for half an hour. So I did. And I learned a lesson I already new in my mind. Whenever there is a great design, there is a Designer. 

It's in all seriousness that we tell Chris and Audrey that they have a Father in Heaven who loves them. The spirit bears witness of this (Romans 8:16). And it is evident in the tear from Audrey's eye. 

During my high school career I often wondered why books like "To Kill a Mocking Bird", "House on Mango Street", and "Tuesday's with Morrie" were so popular. They made these great national lists. What difference do we find in these books than any other books? Recently I've realized that these books get you inside the mind of the character better than any others. You feel what the character's feel and empathize as they go through the plot-line. 

For example, we feel the tension Atticus feels when he realizes his children's live's are in danger. We see the innocence of poor Scout as she navigates the darkness and hears someone lurking behind her. We feel the love and relief Atticus has when he realizes Boo Radley saved his children. That Boo Radley had grown fond of the children over the years as he watched from a distance. When the sheriff pieces together the mystery we feel the weight of the decision he has to make. Will he turn in Boo for stopping the perpetrator or let the murder slide?

When we read the scriptures we need to try our best to understand the big picture as well as the potential feelings each person has-- How did the man feel when Jesus healed his son and helped his unbelief? What did the man tell his family and friends back home? How was that boys life altered years later knowing Jesus Christ healed him? 

If we read the scriptures like a history book its going to be like a history book. The fun is when you see the drama unfolding. 

In my limited understanding and memory I never remember Jesus Christ preaching mediocrity. All I remember is His encouraging to expand and grow--to hit your full potential. He taught, if you have one talent get two. If you have five, double them. If you have ten, do like wise. He praised the widow for giving her all, the single mite. In a far, far distant time after this life he expects his disciples to be perfect. Which makes it easier to weed out teachings that aren't from Him. If someone doesn't teach you to be your best you may want to question the source. 

I remember well President Monson's talk "Be Your Best Self". I read and reread that talk during high school. His words remain. Study diligently, pray fervently, live righteously. I know he is the Prophet of God for our day. 

I love you

Truth

I'll begin with gratitude. Thank you for the prayers. I know every one of them are answered. I feel like the Sicilian on Princes Bride when I say "I accept". And in return I will pray for you. I love this deal we have going here.

When seeking truth who can't recall the verse of scripture found in John 7:17? "If any man will do his will, he shall know of the doctrine, whether it be of God, or whether I speak of myself". I love this statement because it associates the responsibility of receiving knowledge on the learner. The requirement rests solely on the person wanting truth and is independent from anything else.

I also think of the scene in A few Good men. Who can't? Tom Cruise stands up and demands the truth. The legendary conversation ensues.

"You want the truth?"

"I want the truth".

"You want the truth?!"

"I demand the truth!"

"You can't handle the truth!!"

But because of dogged persistence Tom gets the truth which sets his defendants free! The code red had indeed been issued ordering the severe hazing of Lieutenant Santiago which ultimately resulted in his demise. The defendants were only doing what they were told to do. What they were commanded to do.

I also like to take a look at the next verse of scripture. "He that speaketh of himself seeketh his own glory: but he that seeketh his glory that sent him, the same is true, and no unrighteousness is in him". If anyone seeks their own glory they aren't from God. 

I am pleased to report the mission will have another Temple trip where the Temple President and his wife will attend and answer questions. I thought this was a once in a lifetime opportunity, but I won't complain. I look forward to preparing and pondering different questions and insights.

I love you

General Conference

Recently I've pondered Peter's actions the night of Christ's trial, specifically his moments right before he parted company with his Master. Judas decided to turn Jesus into the priests through a kiss on the cheek. When the men came as thief's in the night to take Him, Peter thought it pertinent to cut Malchus' ear off. This action was of course out of line. What seemed right and pure to Peter was over aggressive and foolish to the honest bystander. Fortunately, Peter took correction well and discontinued the attack.

In Peter's eyes he was in the right. He gave up everything he had to follow Jesus-- career, family, friends, etc. The only thing he really had left that dreadful night was Christ himself. So in desperation he struck thinking his actions would fix the situation. 

Jesus took this seemingly horrible circumstance and turned it into a positive learning experience for all. He quickly healed Malchus' ear. Then He taught. He reminded Peter He had power to stop the unjust trial. He told the priests that what they were doing was wrong. Then He calmly endured what was to come because it was His Father's will. 

This story came to my mind as I listened to Elder Oaks' talk last weekend. A few phrases that stuck out to me where "practice civility", "be examples of civility", and "live peacefully". I learned the importance of being civil even when my God's name is at stake. Because in the end, He has the power and can stop any attack. A lesson Peter learned centuries earlier. So practice I will!

I loved the entire meeting. When we listen to conference every six months we have the opportunity to fulfill Isaiah's prophesy, "Thy watchmen shall lift up the voice; with the voice together shall they sing: for they shall see eye to eye, when the Lord shall bring again Zion" (Isaiah 52:8). If we study the talks carefully we see "eye to eye" or we understand what is on the prophets' minds, then go and do. 

I am so grateful to have the Apostles on the earth in this day. It is truly a blessing. I think back to the importance of the original Quorum of the 12 Apostles. After Judas left they needed to replace him with a disciple that was a witness of Christ's Resurrection. Matthias was eventually the man the Lord picked as His Apostle. This story underscores the importance of the original organization of the church. An organization used to deflect false doctrine (Ephesians 4:11-14). How grateful I am that this same organization exists today with full authority. All of the Apostles in this Quorum are also special witnesses of Jesus Christ. I don't know where I'd be without them. 

Allow me to digress a bit and focus on things of a little less importance. We had the opportunity to play basketball with Derell. Wow he can jump! We picked teams and began the game after a quick dunk contest to see who the team captains were. I would love to give you a play-by-play description of the game but I frankly don't believe you have the patience for that. Instead I'll take the liberty to say it was fun.

I love you