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THIS is what life's all about!!! :)

Community Building

WE CAN CHANGE THE WORLD! That's why I came to the MPA program. I want to change the world and make it a better place. We can each make a difference and be change agents. In fact, we've got to do more. :) I was inspired today in my nonprofit marketing class by our professor's passion for the nonprofit sector. He is the CEO of United Way of Utah County and works with nonprofit leaders all over the country. Today he told us not to lose our drive to change the world and make things better. He told us that they need more help and we all need to do more.

It all sounds really good as we're in school and dreaming about what we'll do in the future, but I thought about how easy it could be to forget some of my dreams of doing more and changing the world once I settle into a job and new life routine. We've got to do more! :) We must always have passion, determination, hope. We can't lose the drive to make things better. We have to be restless. We can't be content with the problems we see around us. We must learn all that we can, be good at what you do, and earn others' respect so we can make a powerful difference.

We must each ask ourselves:

• What are my passions?
• What do I want to change?
• How am I going to make a difference in the world?

We each have more potential to influence and make a difference than we think!! :)

We can't be content with the problems we see around us. They aren't distant stories. They are real and unless someone steps up and does something to reach out to someone who is struggling or looks for a way to help nothing will change. I saw the greatest movie tonight: The Blindside. I was so inspired by Leanne Tuohy's desire to do something when she saw someone walking down the street that needed help. She was so giving and selfless in her outreach. I want to be more aware of those around me and not be afraid to step up and do something to help someone and empower others to change their lives for the better.

When Alexis de Toucqueville toured America in the 1800s he saw an America where people watched out for each other. That may not happen as much as it should today. We don't sit out on our porches and talk to the neighbors or play baseball in the streets as much as we used to or should. :) Our communities are important. We can see a community in two different ways--as a system (that has order, services, clients, and needs) or as a community (based on consent, care, citizens, and talents). The system focuses on needs, creating needs, and sometimes giving people things they don't need. The community focuses on what everyone can do and what talents each person can share. There are two secrets to community building (according to Bill Hulterstrom and John McKnight). We need to remember that:

1. Everyone is gifted. Everyone has a gift!
2. A caring community is where as many people as possible can share their gifts and talents.

This reminds me a lot of what I learned in Stake Conference last month. :) In other words, systems are important, but we don't want the systems we put in place to overcome the natural caring aspects of a community (which are about our relationships and our intentions). We need to give and serve correctly. Different people need different things and we definitely don't want to do something for someone that they can do for themselves. We need to serve "with all our heart, might, mind, and strength" (D&C 4) meaning that we really think about what would be best. As we really love our neighbors and know them and their needs and their talents we will create a happier and more productive community. A true community will be like Zion where we are all of "one heart and one mind" (Moses 7:18).

CHANGE

I am fascinated by change. Change is hard, but it is so necessary. We see it everywhere. It's inevitable. It seems to be surrounding me in my life now--family moving, graduation, looking for a new job, traveling, moving sometime soon, etc. :) Change is about innovation and becoming better. We need to look for ways to change ourselves for the better and help influence others as well. Good leaders understand that they must prepare others for changes and help them adapt, but they can also help to influence others to change.

I am taking a great class this semester where one of the authors of the book Influencer: The Power to Change Anything is teaching us how to influence change. It's a great book. I have learned a lot going through it and realizing how important it is to understand how we can influence others and make positive changes in our own lives. It all comes back to two main questions we must ask:

• Do I want to do it? (motivation)
• Can I do it? (ability)

There are three levels to each of these questions: personal, social, and structural. We can have personal motivation and ability, use social motivation and ability, and put some structural motivation and abilities in place to help influence change. I am learning how important each of these principles are and I believe we can make a difference for good as we understand these processes better.

I had a profound insight while sitting in class tonight. We need to be open and ALLOW other people to change. I think that too often we assume that we know and understand everything about a person, when really we are all changing everyday (or we should be). I think that sometimes we look forward to and welcome change or moving to a new place or situation because it will give us the opportunity to start over and almost be a whole new person. :) What if we each really cared about each other's progress and understood better that we all change everyday? I think we would be better able to help each other succeed and improve and progress.

After all, the purpose of this life is to change and become better.....to repent and become like God (who never changes). :) Interesting. :) There are so many neat scriptures about hearts that are changed (because of the Atonement): Mosiah 5:2, Alma 5:12-26, Alma 19:33, Helaman 15:7. I think that's where it begins. I know that we have the power to change our lives and change the world! :)

Trusting in the Lord

I am so grateful for personal revelation. Even in the midst of a lot of uncertainty I have felt very blessed the last couple of weeks with clear guidance. :) I know the Lord lives and loves us! :)

I heard this quote at FHE tonight. It's from a talk by Elder Anthony Perkins in October 2006, The Great and Wonderful Love. Just what I needed. :)

"Place your burdens on Jesus Christ. When you feel overwhelmed by expectations and challenges, do not fight the battle alone. Follow the example of small children, and drop to your knees in prayer. [I immediately thought of my wonderful three-year-old niece who wouldn't stop singing "Follow the Prophet" for us last night. It was so sweet! It wasn't prayer, but another important gospel principle of trusting in the Lord's servants that she taught with gusto. It brought me peace and joy as I thought about it again today.]

Jesus Christ has commanded us, "Look unto me in every thought; doubt not, fear not." Doubt, fear, and worry indicate we have taken all of life's burdens and anxieties on ourselves. When plagued by thoughts that you are inadequate, confidently say, "I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me." Then as you "cheerfully do all things that lie in [your] power," you can rest assured that the Lord will do the remainder and things will work out all right.

The Savior promised, "Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest." As you "cast [your] burden upon the Lord," you will feel the peace of the Spirit."

God is Love (하나님은 사랑이라)

I am so grateful for the beautiful world we live in and enjoy! It is a testament of our Heavenly Father's love for us. I was reminded of this great blessing in our Relief Society lesson today. I have also been thinking a lot about the beautiful mountains and scenery of Utah (since I will probably only be here a couple more months), the amazing beauty of Hawaii (and the chance I'll hopefully get to be back there a little bit more since mom and dad are moving back soon), the blessing of exploring Korea as a missionary (it was eight years ago this weekend that I got home), the excitement of China (I'm going to be there in June and July--so excited!!!), and contemplating what other beautiful and exciting places I'd like to visit next (still to be determined, but some on the list are Monticello, Moab, Haiti, Belize, Thailand, and Peru).

A song that I love and was reminded of today at church was "God is Love." This song will forever remind me of my last couple of months in Korea as a missionary. Our district sang 하나님은 사랑이라 together at least weekly. Everything, from "earth and her ten thousand flowers" to people God places in our lives, testify that God lives and that He loves us. I am grateful and feel that love each time I look around and enjoy His creations. All things testify of Him! :)

Passion + Innovation = Make a Difference

I am grateful for the opportunity I have had the last two years to go to school at BYU and study at the Romney Institute of Public Management. What an amazing place!!! :) I have been inspired by so many neat and wonderful students and friends, professors, projects, learning opportunitites, ideas, activities, travels, etc. Tonight I was inspired by some of the words of our Administrator of the Year, Rulon Stacey.

He said that we must remember that we can make a difference. We need to distinguish ourselves by living the values we have been taught since we were little, "faith, virtue, knowledge, temperance, patience, brotherly kindness, godliness, charity, humility, diligence." The best leadership is simply living the principles of the gospel and leading with "gentleness and meekness, and by love unfeigned."

We must also have passion for what we do. Passion comes from our heart, not our jobs. Basically, it's a choice. As we are passionate about what we do and look for ways to be innovative and help affect change and make things happen for the better we really will make a difference.

That's what I want to do. I'm excited to "go forth to serve." (I'm not exactly sure where that will be or what the next step is, but I know it will be great!)

The Happiest Place on Earth

What a great President's Day adventure!!! :)

"Know ye not that ye are in the hands of God?"

So, I love the scriptures!! :) I was particularly grateful tonight for the chance to stop racing around and sit down and feel the Spirit and be reminded that my life is in the Lord's hands as it teaches in Mormon 5:23. We must give our hearts and will to Him, follow His counsel, and expect miracles, protection, and direction. He is in charge! :)

Spiritual Gifts

Lately I have thought quite a bit about the importance of figuring out my mission in life and where the Lord needs me to be and what He needs me to be doing. :) I'm still working on figuring that out. :) I know it comes a little at a time, "line upon line" (as the Lord teaches through Isaiah, Nephi, and Joseph Smith). It's so neat to look back and see how the Lord leads us in our lives.

I learned a neat lesson along my path to figuring out what I need to do in Stake Conference on Sunday. I felt a sense of unity as we discussed together as a group important gospel topics and commandments on Saturday night. On Sunday morning the Stake President was talking about becoming a Zion people, of one heart and one mind, and then he started talking specifically about spiritual gifts. This principle is taught throughout the standard works: Moroni 10, D&C 46, 1 Cor. 12. These are all such wonderful chapters and there are other verses that teach of the importance of the gifts of the Spirit, as well.

We each enjoy certain gifts. We have them in order to bless others and help build the kingdom. The two ideas that really touched me from his message were the call to look for and recognize our own spiritual gifts so that we are better able and ready to share them with others. Secondly, he taught us that we should look for others' spiritual gifts and point them out to them. :) As we express gratitude and acknowledge these gifts in others it binds us to them and encourages others to continue to use their gifts to bless as well. I want to recongize the gifts and talents I see in others. I thought I'd start with my family members. Here are some of the first gifts I think of that they bless me (and others) with:

• Mom: gift of faith, happiness, and selflessness
• Dad: gift of forgiveness and unconditional love
• Cari: gift of wisdom, listening, and understanding
• Mike: gift of knowledge
• Kayla: gift of learning
• Kai: gift of happiness
• Matt: gift of teaching and leading
• Megan: gift of listening
• Josh: gift of tongues and leading

I think that a major part of each of our individual life's missions have to do with the spiritual gifts we have been given. We should work to recognize, understand, and use them the best we can in order to strengthen and share them and bless others. I am going to work on these steps and hope to see how they fit into my life's mission. :)