On service and prick kicking

Not long ago, a community took on a project of a magnitude greater than i have seen in a long time. That of finishing a neighbors house, selling the neighbors car, and finding a home for her dozens of stray cats while she was gone. The members did all they could to get the job done. Donating hundreds of hours, loads of money, and lord knows how many gray hairs, the saintly members of this downtown community sweated for months to get the job done. This to me is one of the greatest examples of service i have ever seen! If i where to stop here, we would have a wonderful fantasy. However, sadly not all real world stories are fit for Storybook Land.

The neighbor returned to find a house fresh and new, the car sold, and the cats relocated to a wonderful farm. Instead of the normal human reaction of gratitude however, the single vacationer ripped into the poor woman and her husband who headed the project. The porch was to flat, the carpet was to similar, the cats home was not up to snuff. On and on the list went as she quickly tore any good feelings of service from the community.

My question to you is, how can one be so thankless? Does this individual not recognize the work and sweat that went into the project? For her sake i hope she does not, because anything apart from blissful ignorence as an excuse would be more than i could handle. What does this mean about future service? Should these good people in the world give up? Should they let this defeat them? My answer to you would be a resounding NO! While sometimes its nice to get a pat on the back, to be lifted up for your good deads. Sometimes the greatest reward comes from suffering for your righteousness. I have no doubt in my mind that this community will not be defeated, my only hope is that they have not lost a long time neighbor and friend to such an act of service

Personal Spotlight #1: Lauren Beck

I would first like to preface this post with a short comment as this spotlight is my first.

This spotlight is not a means for me to elevate my friends, nor is it a place for me to gush about young ladies i fancy. My purpose in writing this is to record the thoughts and feelings i have on those select people whose example has made a significant impression on my life.

Now...
Today my focus will be on my somewhat recently acquired friend, Lauren Beck. When I first met Lauren, I thought nothing of it. She was a nice girl yes, but given my current ninth grade age I was too cocky and too arrogant to warrant a serious measure of respect from her. It was not until my sophmore year that i noticed her again, in a basic physics class on the opposite end of the room. I did not pay much attention to her at first, i had other friends to talk too. But the silent seeds of her personality and the effect they had on me where sown. Its only looking back that I realize how positive her example was on me. Despite a difficult class, a busy schedule and a snarky young man on the opposite side of the class room, i never once saw a frown, never once heard a complaint, nor once felt an ounce of hostility towards anyone.

A year went by, and again Lauren's quiet example slipped from my mind. But by some serendipitous event, I joined an old group of friends whose circle included not only Lauren, but a group of other girls just as influential. Again i did not immediately recognize that now growing bud of example, but now exposed more directly, that small thought of recognition began to flourish. It started with the kind compliments, and continued as my fragile ego began to be built again on the foundation of a true friend. My great epiphany did not happen however, until the night of our second football game. As we drove to deliver our friends homecoming dance request, i listened as i heard her recount her excitment for her date with a young man i knew was not her first choice. She did not need to be excited, noone would fault her if she had been dissapointed. But her complete and sincere willingness to put on a smile and make this young man's night eft an impression i shall never forget. While I could recount story after story of the things Lauren has taught me; I will leave that joy of discovery, that realization of budding example up to you, the reader, for that is the only way you will know what i say is true.

My amazing Saturday

Today i woke up at 8:45 and showered quickly before headed to Lone Peak High. There I met the entire Student Council to head up to the BYU game. Kaitlyn Brunsdale was very kind to drive us up to the stadium where we quickly got to work. I was assigned to aid Dani Vanwagner in running a window. Being the newest person, i quickly was overwelmed with all the work, but between Kaitlyn, Dani, Kenan, and Sara's help I was able to survive and get everyone their drinks. Halftime was a nightmare, but probably the most fun i have had in lord knows how long! The flow, and the sense of teamwork that I felt as we shouted for nachos, rushed to get hotdogs, and clammered to find the last pulled pork sandwich was so blissfully wonderful i would have doubted my memory if it was not so recent. I was so happy i got to meet such wonderful and sincere class mates, i hope they will allow me to come back. I kept being told "thank you", "thank you", "thank you!", but what the student council dont realize is how I was the one who owes them! They gave me the greatest saturday, the best attitude, and the yummiest hot dog i will ever eat :)

A little about this blog and what to expect.

Hello, and welcome to my blog, this is a space where i will begin to record the inner workings of my mind. Don't expect much as its rather empty, but expect to see some thoughts on my wonderful school Lone Peak, on the people i believe deserve a chance in the spotlight, and general impressions of important events (to me). Hope you enjoy it! Please feel free to leave comments!