Prelude to My Life in "A Major"

Well, here it is. The end. Or as Strong Bad would say "It's Over!" (If you have no idea what I am talking about, disregard or check out http://www.homestarrunner.com/ for a good time)

The California Santa Rosa Mission; a place that has come to feel like home. A place that has changed me from the boy I was to the man I have become. My mission has more or less taught me 3 basic things which have impacted my life for eternity. My mission has become the prelude to my life. It has taught me the importance of a Savior and how Jesus Christ can make more out of me than I can make out of me.

Prelude to Life (A Time to Prepare to Meet God)

Alma teaches us that this is life to prepare to meet God. I relate my mission to life like elementary school is to college. It's only the beginning of a long journey, but it still plays a huge role in who I will be and what I will later become.  Spencer W. Kimball taught us this very concept:

Your mission is preparation. It is your school for eternity. You won’t forget that, will you? This mission is not just a 2 year stretch. This is the time when you cultivate the seeds of godhood so that you can help other people on their way toward exaltation. How small are we who think of the mission as just being a stretch of time, some physical things to do, a little studying to do, some praying. This is the most purposeful thing, perhaps, you have ever done in your life and possibly the most purposeful thing that some of you will ever do. It’s up to you to let this be the prelude to your life, to let it be the beginning of a great and glorious life.

The prelude of a performance or the prelude music in a meeting is important. It sets the tone for the rest of the performance or meeting. Just like Rachminov's Prelude in C sharp minor (above), those relatively few short minutes of music playing before we get to what we came for sets us in the mood to get the most out of it. It calls our attention and excites us for what is to come.

A mission is no different. I don't know from personal experience of course, but i've seen the example of others and how their mission has set the tone for the rest of their life. They played the prelude well and are all warmed up and ready for the rest of the performance.

On my mission I've learned what I really want in life, who I want to be, and more important, who I want to become someday. I've learned what life is really about and how I can continue to improve myself. I've learned the value of time and of the importance of our Savior, Jesus Christ.

The Atonement is for Everyone

   I've learned that the Atonement is not something for everyone else but me. It something that is for everyone else and me. I've come to really appreciate this gift that Jesus Christ has given to all of us; the gift of change and repentance. I've seen this power work miracles in the lives of others, especially my own. I will never forget the people that have shown me the power of the Atonement to change us from carnal beings into spiritual ones and i'll never forget the simple yet powerful experiences that have changed me. I think most of all the Atonement has applied to me in this way:

 The Atonement will carry you missionaries perhaps even more importantly than it will carry the investigators. When you struggle, when you are rejected, when you are spit upon, and cast out and made a hiss and a byword, you are standing with the best life this world has ever known, the only pure and perfect life ever lived. You have reason to stand tall and be grateful that the Living Son of the Living God knows all about your sorrows and afflictions. The only way to salvation is through Gethsemane and on to Calvary. The only way to eternity, is through Him- the Way, the Truth, and the Life. –Jeffrey R. Holland

When we turn to God for help He will make us into more than we can become by ourselves

When I came on a mission I was this guy. A pretty good guy i'd say, but definetly had some things to learn. A lot more things than I ever thought I needed to learn. I found that many of the things I needed to learn were a little out of my control or ability to change. But I found that as I went to God with my weakness He turned them into strengths.

    Men and women who turn their lives over to God will discover that He can make a lot more out of their lives than they can. He will deepen their joys, expand their vision, quicken their minds, strengthen their muscles, lift their spirits, multiply their blessings, increase their opportunities, comfort their souls, raise up friends, and pour out peace. Whoever will lose his life in the service of God will find eternal life. –President Ezra Taft Benson

One of my favorite passages in the Book of Mormon is Ether 12:27. Here Moroni prays to the Lord fearing that people will mock the words which he and other prophets have written (seems a little ironic since the Book of Mormon is such a powerful record testifying of Jesus Christ and of a living prophet). The Lord tells him:

"Fools mock, but they shall mourn; and my grace is sufficient for the meek, that they shall take no advantage of your weakness;

 And if men come unto me I will show unto them their weakness. I give unto men weakness that they may be humble; and my grace is sufficient for all men that humble themselves before me; for if they humble themselves before me, and have faith in me, then will I make weak things become strong unto them."

Moroni then says:

  "And I, Moroni, having heard these words, was comforted, and said: O Lord, thy righteous will be done, for I know that thou workest unto the children of men according to their faith;"

This passage has strengthened me in those times of worry and inadequacy. I know that our Savior has felt all of those pains and that through Him we can be strengthened. I think it is interesting that we were given weaknesses so we may be humble and come unto Him. What a blessing it is to have weakness so that we may turn to Him and feel His love.

IT'S OVER!!

 And so now begins the actual performance. The Prelude is over, but the symphony is just warmed up and ready for the opening number.

Thanks to all of you who have taught me and helped me so much. I'm grateful for each one of you.

Well, here goes something! We now open the next act, where bugs bunny will shave Elmer Fudds already bald head and Elmer will attempt to finally kill the Wabbit  Elder Crowther becomes just Crowther (haha. you thought I was going to say my first name), and the adventure of regular life begins. Though this time of my Life is over, THIS IS MY LIFE. Therefore, it will never really end. :)

Keep Smilin'!

-Elder Crowther

When is a Missionary Most Like An Elephant?



Uh....it's not what it looks like...



When He starts to get TRUNKY

Note: If you haven't seen Part one of this post may I direct you to Elder Sharples Blog "Who Me? Trunky? Nah..."

I would like to testify of what my companion has said. Trunkiness can be the worst of diseases or the best of motivators. I know. I've experienced both. Quite recently actually. We all have bad days. We make mistakes, but we can change and correct those mistakes. The mistakes of the past can refine us instead of define us if we will let the Atonement of Jesus Christ take part in our lives. I recently read the talk from Elder Ardern called A Time to Prepare. It was made very apparent to me how precious our time is and how it is important to not only be busy, but also productive. A favorite song of mine says:

What will you do with the time thats left?

Will you Live it all with no regrets?

Will they say that you loved till your final breath?

What will you do with the time thats left?

Now i'd like to take this trunky theme on a different plane ride path.

How many times have you thought this:

"I'LL BE HAPPY WHEN (Fill in blank. i'm married, finish school, adopt a puppy... eat a turducken)"

                     

It becomes all you think about and you lose focus of the now. The present is a gift (pun intended). Today is the time to prepare to meet God. Today is the day for us to perform our labors. Today is also the day for us to fly home be happy. Happiness is an attitude, not a airport destination. It's a choice. We choose everyday whether to be happy or sad; positive or negative; trunky for the future, or grateful for where we're at. So if you're feeling a bit trunky, stop it. Count your blessings, look up to God, pray, and go to work. Be obedient.

In closing may I share one of my favorite quotes from our Prophet, President Thomas S. Monson:

   "Sometimes we let our thoughts of tomorrow take up too much of today. Daydreaming of the past and longing for the future may provide comfort but will not take the place of living in the present. This is the day of our opportunity, and we must grasp it." –Thomas S. Monson

Run Home Jack! Homerun Jack! Make it count! Be Happy now! Whoever you are; missionary or not; we can all choose to be happy, use our time wisely, and pack our bags pack up our trunkiness and be grateful for where we're at.

SMILE

TRADITION!

"Because of our Traditions everyone knows who he is, and what God expects him to do."

This has always been a favorite play of mine. Fiddler on the Roof. It's a story about Anetevka. A small Jewish town. One of the themes of the play is Tradition and how it can play a major part in helping us remember who we are, what our purpose is, and who God is. It also shows how breaking traditions can be good or bad.

The Holidays are coming up. Each year I like to take some time to reflect on my traditions. Not only my thanksgiving, christmas, etc. traditions, but also the traditions of each day, week, month, etc. The traditions that have made me who I am.

Some of these more often occuring traditions are things like family scripture study, family prayer, family home evening, attending church meetings, having dinner together. The list goes on. Each one of these things have helped me to become who I am today. Each one seems small and insignificant, yet day by day, week by week they add up to influence my character. I'm so grateful for these traditions that have helped to know who I am and what God expects of me.

But I also like the larger traditions. You know what i'm talking about. The days of preperation and cleaning just for those few hours when the family gets together for that huge feast on Thanksgiving day. The hours and hours of shopping, wrapping, and gifting presents just for those 10 minutes on the morning of December 25th when all that wrapping comes flying off and everyone's all smiles.

I like those.

Some traditions maybe don't even make sense to others. Like at my house, every weekend (either Friday or Saturday night usually) was Nintendo tournament. All the kids and Dad (every once in awhile Mom) would get together for some Super Smashing, Mario Karting, Mini Gaming FUN. Yeah it was pretty awesome. Grab your Wii-mote, pull up a chair (or sit on the floor), grab a snack (but don't get it on the controller!), and get ready for some fun.

"Without our Traditions our lives would be as shaky as a Fiddler on a Roof"

What's a Tradition you have that has made you who you are?

Healing Waters

There’s been a couple things on my mind lately; two things that sorta collided and became one and then inspired this post. The first was a DVD that I got from a past companion called Small and Simple Things. The next was a letter from my recent convert, Stephanie. I’ve posted the video “Small and Simple Things” below. The song is called Healing Waters. This song combined with this video shows how the gospel can change someone’s life.

I love that song. Healing Waters. What an appropriate analogy for baptism. Baptism represents coming unto Christ, Following Him, and entering into a new, sinless life. Baptism is a beautiful ceremony where people are truly coming unto Christ, repenting of their sins, and making a determination to follow Christ until the end. It truly has the power to change lives and heal the wounded soul.

I've been thinking more about baptism lately because of a letter I received from Stephanie where she explained some of the blessings she had received since her own baptism. It was great to see the growth in her and feel the power of her testimony. I pondered how the gospel truly did change her life and heal her wounded heart. I asked Stephanie to share her experience. As you read, listen for how the gospel healed her heart and helped her gain the understanding that our Heavenly Father wants for each of us, His children. 

We each are on our own spiritual journey here in life. We are each being prepared to receive the blessings our Heavenly Father has waiting for us. 

Stephanie was searching. She says "When I was 15, I lost my mom to cancer. Since her passing, it was very difficult for me to still feel her presence, something I desperately needed. My mother had been everything to me and I felt as if I had lost her forever. The missionaries used the gospel and explained how this wasn’t true. She wasn’t gone; she was just in another place waiting for me to join her. What was more, she could still see me, was still watching me, and if I just listened, I’d be able to feel her next to me always.

  

I was prepared for the gospel because I was at a point in my life where I needed to be sure of the promises the gospel gave. Though I hadn’t known about all the promises – eternal life and happiness, being with my family forever, never having to face a challenge alone and being able to bear all the challenges that came my way – I was ready to take them into my heart the moment they were made aware to me."

That's what the gospel is about. Healing wounded souls. Binding up the broken hearted. Giving hope to those who are willing to follow the Lord Jesus Christ. He truly has the power to heal us as far as we let Him. As we make that covenant of baptism; entering the waters in the footsteps of our Savior; we are allowing Him to Heal us, that we, with the power and assistance of His grace, may be whole. This is why we share the gospel: To bring others unto the One who can heal them. No matter who, it is. No matter what the hurt. No matter where they live. Jesus Christ, The Redeemer, The Savior, has the power, perfect love, and ability to heal us.

Our life on earth is but a short moment in contrast to the broad expanse of eternity. Our time is short, yet so important. The way is rough. There will be heartache. Yet I know that our Savior is there to heal us. Let each one of us not waste a minute to come unto Him that we may be healed.

Please Hold

To those who may be wondering "Is Elder Crowther still online/alive?" The answer is Yes. I'm working on a post, but it is taking quite awhile. I'm sorry. Here's something I was thinking of the other day though, found it on Youtube, and, well, almost drained my eyes all over myself in the library. Enjoy! It's definetly an oldie, but a goodie.

Thank you for Holding, your tuning in is important to us. Please continue to tune in.

SMILE! -Elder Crowther

Loved this video!

The Fellowship of the Unashamed

Many of you may know that i'm a Quoter. I don't make the quotes, I just quote the quotes (for a more or less complete list of my quotes click on the "Quotes" tab at the top of the page). We each have heard or read something that has had a powerful effect on us. Something that jumps off the page or shouts in our ear. Something that pierces our hearts. Joseph Smith had such an experience when reading James 1:5. He tells us:

"Never did any passage of scripture come with more power to the heart of man than this did at this time to mine. It seemed to enter with great force into every feeling of my heart. I reflected on it again and again, knowing that if any person needed wisdom from God, I did; for how to act I did not know, and unless I could get more wisdom than I then had, I would never know; for the teachers of religion of the different sects understood the same passages of scripture so differently as to destroy all confidence in settling the question by an appeal to the Bible."

One of the things that the Holy Ghost does is it makes scripture or other things we need to hear stand out to us. Well. I guess the point is that I had such a moment a little while back with this one by Elder Henry B. Eyring of the 12 Apostles:

"I am part of the fellowship of the unashamed. The dye has been cast. I have stepped over the line. The decision has been made; I am a disciple of Jesus Christ. I won't look back, let up, slow down, or be still. My past is redeemed, my present makes sense, and my future is secure. I'm finished and done with low living, small planning, smooth knees, colorless dreams, tinted visions, worldly talking, cheap giving, and dwarfed goals. I no longer need pre-eminence, positions, promotions, plaudits, or popularity. I don't have to be right, first recognized, praised, regarded, or rewarded. I now live by faith, lean on His presence, walk with patience, am lifted up in prayer, and labor with power. My face is set, my goal is heaven. My road is narrow, my way is rough, my companions few, my guide is reliable, my mission is clear. I cannot be bought, compromised, detoured, lured away, divided or delayed, will not flinch in the face of sacrifice, hesitate in the presence of the adversary, negotiate at the table with the enemy, ponder at the pool of popularity, or meander in the maze of mediocrity. I won't give up, shut up, or let up until I have stayed up, stored up, and paid up for the case of Christ. I must go till He comes, give till I drop, preach till all know, and work till He stops me and when He returns for His own He will have no problem recognizing me."

Now that was something to knock my socks off! Like Joseph Smith this seemed to be something that I was looking for! Something I wanted to live by, but didn't know where to find it. I know that the Lord knows our needs and that He speaks through living prophets to help us and guide us along our path back to Him.

What's a quote that YOU live by? How has it impacted YOUR life?

(Please note that anything you place here may later be quoted :) )