Angels in Times of Need

"In the course of life all of us spend time in 'dark and dreary' places, wildernesses, circumstances of sorrow or fear or discouragement. Our present day is filled with global distress over financial crises, energy problems, terrorist attacks, and natural calamities. These translate into individual and family concerns not only about homes in which to live and food available to eat but also about the ultimate safety and well-being of our children and the latter-day prophecies about our planet.

More serious than these—and sometimes related to them—are matters of ethical, moral, and spiritual decay seen in populations large and small, at home and abroad. But I testify that angels are still sent to help us, even as they were sent to help Adam and Eve, to help the prophets, and indeed to help the Savior of the world Himself. Matthew records in his gospel that after Satan had tempted Christ in the wilderness 'angels came and ministered unto him' (Matthew 4:11). Even the Son of God, a God Himself, had need for heavenly comfort during His sojourn in mortality. And so such ministrations will be to the righteous until the end of time."

Jeffrey R. Holland, "The Ministry of Angels," Ensign, Nov. 2008, 29–30

Gettin' in the Jazz of Things

Two weekends ago was the Reno Jazz Festival in Nevada.  With competition kicking off early Friday morning on the 8th, the festival brings in jazz enthusiasts from all over the country.  The events and clinics that take place involve persons that range from young, growing jazz musicians to experienced, seasoned jazz professionals.  My brother, Jake, competed and preformed that Friday in Reno, playing with Cordova High's jazz band.  In the two year's that I played in the CHS jazz band, the Reno festival was always an event that stood as a benchmark for our progress.

With so many different school's competing in the mix, from elementary to college, you were always bound to learn of a new skill or technique that you had never known before.  The festival always carried a brilliant vibe and an energizing atmosphere that would make you want to just keep on jazzin' forever.  Once you felt it, you never wanted its bright spirit to leave.  Since a major portion of my high school life was spent juggling musical practices and performance schedules around all the other areas of my life, whether it be church events, football, or vacations - you name it - I had many opportunities to enjoy such lyrical fun.

The neat thing about jazz is that there aren't many qualities or traits that are required to play it; everyone can get in the swing of it and have a good time.  However, for myself, I noticed some days that it was harder for me to play and get in the motion of the music then on others.  And there were a couple times that my band teacher, Kevin Sims, called on me to solo during the song.  Playing the tenor saxophone, I won't profess that I was great at it, though I know my mother would say contrary (Don't you just love how mothers are so positive?  They really do keep you goin'!).  Besides that, it sometimes was a challenge to get in the adequate mood and rhythm of the song.  Often, that challenge was based upon my preparation and desire before playing with the band, whether in practices or performances.

Looking deeper into it, the way that we prepare ourselves to feel the spirit of jazz is similar to the way that we can prepare ourselves to feel the Holy Ghost, the Spirit of God.  On the days that I felt that I was out of the loop while playing, with no ideas streaming into my head, the cause of it due to what had occurred the hours and days prior to that playing session.  Since jazz band practice was held between 7 am to 8 am, and also having already been up since 5:45 am those mornings to attend church seminary at 6:15 am, the mood and desire I was in was always based upon the time I went to bed the night before.  If I had gone to bed late and not received the amount of sleep that I required, then I was often slow to be positive and drew blanks on what to play while being put on the spot.

Often times, along with taking my own personal time to practice, my energy and desire all depended on how I prepared the night and hours before.  On the days that I felt in tune with it, my fingers felt free as they pushed down the pearl keys and the sound was good - to my ear's at least.  Looking back on it, those experiences were times that proceeded after studying and practicing to know the flow of the music, the key's it was written in, and intent listening to other jazz artists.  One of my most favorite jazz bands is the one directed by Gordon Goodwin.  There is one particular song that they recorded, titled "Jazz Police", that holds the spot of being my most favorite sax solo of all time.  The saxophone soloist provides such a high-tempo energy that I always dreamed of, if nothing more, replicating.  Just as I had my bone crushing, head pounding rock music to get me pumped for a football match, this song stood out among my playlist as one to get me excited for any performance.  The times that I made the effort to listen, study, and practice before I was called upon to play made all the difference when that time came - either I was ready to feel the Spirit or not.

Jazz has its own unique spirit that is inviting unto all to come, and enjoy its smooth and happy tunes.  The Holy Ghost too, which  is sent from God, invites all men everywhere to know that Jesus is the Christ and will testify of truth, no matter what shape or form it may be in.  Though the Holy Ghost is a gift from that God who is the Father of our Spirits, we cannot expect it to just be freely given and felt.  When we are called upon to solo, if we have not adequately prepared ourselves to be in that jazz spirit, performing will not be easy and, if we never take the time to receive it, we will never improve.

"For he that diligently seeketh shall find; and the mysteries of God shall be unfolded unto them, by the power of the Holy Ghost, as well in these times as in times of old, and as well in times of old as in times to come; wherefore, the course of the Lord is one eternal round." (1 Nephi 10:19)

Don't Get Washed Away!

Yesterday we traveled out to Fort Peck, a small town about 30 miles south of Glasgow, and along the way we crossed over the Milk River.  Despite temperatures reaching into the 60's with bright, blue sunny skies, a severe weather advisory is still in affect.  No, it is not an advisory warning us of a 60 degree temperature drop later tonight with a few inches of snow - although, it wouldn't be too surprising - but of rising flood waters from snowmelt.  This Milk River runs along the south side of town, which is protected by a dyke that surrounds most of the town.  There are many though that are not protected by this barrier created by the Army Corps of Engineers, like the one above, and are beyond its limits of safety.

As of right now, it appears that most are on high enough ground and out of the water.  This week, due to higher temperatures, they are predicting a rise in water levels along the Milk River of about 2-3 ft in the Glasgow area and up to 9 ft in a town 14 miles east of Glasgow in Nashua.  While some might be alright for now, within a week's time and continuing warm days like we've had and they might be having the river's water knockin' on their door, seeing if it can come in and stay awhile.  That's definitely a possibility for the owner of the house in the above picture.

Growing up in the Church has brought many memories from its child program called Primary.  Often times these memories are recalled while hearing a familiar song being sung by the children of the Church.  One particular song seems all the more realistic now, with the warning of rising flood waters.  The song is titled "The Wise Man and the Foolish Man" and goes a little something like this:

The wise man built his house upon the rock,

The wise man built his house upon the rock,

The wise man built his house upon the rock,

And the snow came tumbling down . . .

The foolish man built his house upon the sand,

The foolish man built his house upon the sand,

The foolish man built his house upon the sand,

And the snow came tumbling down . . .

Those who know this song, can you remember what happens next?

Well, for the foolish man, this is what happened:

The snow melted down, and the floods came up,

The snow melted down, and the floods came up,

The snow melted down, and the floods came up,

And the house on the sand washed away.

 

As for the wise man, this is what happened.

 

The snow melted down, and the floods came up,

The snow melted down, and the floods came up,

The snow melted down, and the floods came up,

And the house on the rock stood still

 

While I took some liberty and some free will to change up the lyrics, the message remains the same and is a little more applicable to our situation here in Glasgow!  Our foundations are our everything.  It decides who we are, what we are made out of, and what we do.  If you have ever run on sand then you know very well that it is by no means a "steady and sure foundation".  With every stride you take you sink in and despite how much energy you put in to it, the task never becomes any easier.  Your pace has slowed down, not because you can't run fast, but rather because of an unsteady foundation upon which you have brought yourself to.

The same goes for a house that is built upon a sandy foundation and faces rising flood waters.  Our sandy foundations come in many forms but often, it is out of disobedience to the commandments of the Lord.  Many times, we become too comfortable and remain on this sandy place, seeing no danger from flood waters whatsoever.  Sure, the sand may be nice and warm to walk over, maybe even ideal for making a sand castle.  But once those waters come, there is no place to stand firm and true on - All has been washed away.

Though there are those that will build upon that sandy foundation and wash away, that does not exclude those who have built their foundation, their character, and being on a sure and steady foundation, one rooted in living the Gospel of Jesus Christ, from the floods.

"... For [God] maketh his sun to rise on the evil and on the good, and sendeth rain on the just and on the unjust" (Mathew 5:45)

One of the most profitable things about this life is that God allows us to be tried and tested.

"That the trial of your faith, being much more precious than of gold that perisheth, though it be tried with fire, might be found unto praise and honour and glory at the appearing of Jesus Christ:  Whom having not seen, ye love; in whom, though now ye see him not, yet believing, ye rejoice with joy unspeakable and full of glory:
Receiving the end of your faith, even the salvation of your souls." (1 Peter 1:7-9)



Recording the Lessons of My Life

For quite a while now I've wanted to record experiences I've had throughout my life, not only so that I could remember my own childhood, but so those who come after me will know who their father, grandmpa, uncle, cousin, or friend was.  Another purpose of me wanting to write about such instances is so that I can explore the effects of what the Gospel and the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints has played into who I am and what I'm striving to become.

Instead of keeping such recorded events tucked away in a handwritten journal, I've chosen to make this blog an extension of my journal, an electronic one if you will.  One that not only I and my family can see and read, but one to the whole online community.  In addition to the reason's I've supplied, I want to also see what lessons I can learn from what  I've done with my life, the trials I've overcome, times of saddness as well as joy, through relating them to Gospel principles and teachings.  My hopes are that through it all, if you can bear  with my stories, some good and some that I am not proud of, that you can understand what I believe and how I live my faith.

I do not plan on every post of mine in being such an entry, but if that does happen, then I do apologize now.  However, my life is rich of experiences where I can look back on and say "Ok. Lesson learned, thanks God for teaching me this!".  A neat thing that I have learned, even as I write, is that every "lesson learned experience" does not  have to come by way of trial or sorrow.  Our Heavenly Father can teach us at all times, in both the ups and downs.  I do not believe I will write them in any order, seeing how I daily am reminded of an event that ranges from my high school years all the way down to memories that only scrapbook's and home videos tell me of.

I have much to be thankful in my life, and I owe much of it to wonderful parents who have led me to be part of a work that does not end in this life.  I have come to know who God is and that he sent his Son to this world to teach, set an example, and suffer so that I too may live again and be with my family forever.