I thought that since I am so consumed with LSAT Prep that I would let you have one of the questions that I have to face on an every day sort of basis.
A music store carries exactly ten types of CD’s–both new and used of each of jazz, opera, pop, rap, and soul. The store is having a sale on some of these types of CD’s. The following conditions must apply.
Used pop is on sale; new opera is not.
If both types of pop are on sale, then all soul is.
If both types of jazz are on sale, then no rap is.
If neither type of jazz is on sale, then new pop is.
If either type of rap is on sale, then no soul is.
Which one of the following could be a complete and accurate list of the types of CD’s that are on sale?
A new jazz, used jazz, used opera, used pop, new rap
B new jazz, used pop, used rap, new soul
C used opera, used pop. new rap, used rap
D used opera, new pop, used pop. new soul
E used jazz, used pop, new soul, used soul
If new soul is not on sale, then which one of the following must be true?
A New rap is not on sale.
B New rap is on sale.
C Used opera is not on sale.
D At least one type of jazz is not on sale.
E At least one type of pop is not on sale.
If both types of jazz are on sale, then which one of the following is the minimum number of types of new CD’s that could be included in the sale?
A one
B two
C three
D four
E five
Which one of the following CANNOT be true?
A Neither type of opera and neither type of rap is on sale.
B Neither type of jazz and neither type of opera is on sale.
C Neither type of opera and neither type of soul is on sale.
D Neither type of jazz and neither type of soul is on sale.
E Neither type of jazz and neither type rap is on sale.
If neither type of jazz is on sale, then each of the following must be true EXCEPT:
A Used opera is on sale.
B New rap is not on sale.
C Used rap is not on sale.
D New soul is on sale.
E Used soul is on sale.
If new soul is the only type of new CD on sale, then which of the following CANNOT be true?
A Used jazz is not on sale.
B Used opera is not on sale.
C Used rap is not on sale.
D Used soul is on sale.
E Used soul is not on sale.
If exactly four of the five types of used CD’s are the only CD’s on sale, then which one of the following could be true?
A Used jazz is not on sale.
B Used opera is not on sale.
C Used rap is not on sale.
D Neither type of jazz is on sale.
E Neither type of rap and neither type of soul is on sale.
There you go, there is one of the whoppers.
February’s ending
Life continues to go on. Things are going very well here in Provo, Utah. Amanda and I are enjoying life and keeping busy. I am working full time at Meier and Frank and enjoying my time there. I look forward to each day and every day is different. Amanda has just switched from DownEast Outfitters to Dillards. I agree with many things at Dillards but admit we are much more human at Meier and Frank. Macy’s Regional Representatives visited the store yesterday and they were very kind, willing to listen, and easy to get along with. It was an enjoyable experience. Things are laid back and good at M&F. Dillards has this rule that if you are tardy 8 times in 6 months, you are fired. Ouch! Aren’t we humans? not machines? Amanda keeps busy with school. She had a chemistry test today that she was not very excited about. On the way home, she doesn’t feel she did very well. I am continuing with my LSAT Course. I am feeling more confident in the possibilities with the test, but still am not showing the improvements I would like to see. Soon enough, I hope. We finished Numbers just a day or two ago. We are now reading on in Deuteronomy, which is one of my favorite books of the entire Bible. I love how personable Moses is and feel like I am sitting in a General Conference talk with it. We are ahead of the reading for Sunday School, but will lose ground as the year goes on. We will finish in November, but at some points will even be behind where the Gospel Doctrine class is. Oh well. Tonight we finish 2 Nephi. We will finish the Book of Mormon in September. It will be good to finish that early. We will have an opportunity to read some other books that we agree on. I would like to read the history of Joseph Smith by his mother together. We will see what books Amanda has in mind. Jesus the Christ sounds good, or Articles of Faith, or perhaps some of the manuals for Priesthood/Relief Society.
Anyhow, I am rambling on about what is happening in life. Thought you would all like to know a few things and what is going on in my head and with Amanda.
One question that I am researching lately is this. In a conversation with a friend, we had talked about capital punishment and the comment was brought up, “That is part of the Mosaic Law” and no longer applies. Ringing in my mind was the line about the savior fulfilling, not destroying or removing. The whole law was to point us to Christ, so is it all bad. Is the entire Spirit of the Law void? I do not believe so. It seems to me that if the Mosaic Law were all void and null, then the 10 commandments would not have been repeated over and over in every other book of scripture. Other than their performances and ordinances, it seems that it all still applies. I keep reading and wondering. That is one thing I am pondering about. We shall see. If it is still applicable, then that changes my view of government in a couple of ways. The setup and functioning of government is changed in some ways. It does not change or alter anything in the church, in fact, to me it seems to fortify it a great number of times. I believe the Book of Mormon is vital to the church, but I believe the same of the Bible. One is a restoration scripture, and vital to our times, but the other is vital to providing background and foundation on which the Book of Mormon builds. Knowing and reading the Old Testament fortifies the teachings and application of the Book of Mormon. Anyhow, this is one current subject of learning.
Lately I have also been wondering about family history. There are many aspects of it that seem to strike me a little more forcefully. Especially as I stumbled upon several albums which belonged to my Great Grandmother and Great Great Grandmother. It has been very revealing. It is amazing the power of a picture. I have gone around and visited a load of family members, especially older members, to find out who some of the photos are. There are probably two dozen photos which nobody is old enough to recognize. Which I find is really sad. These are interesting photos. I have gone through and scanned all of them and have been e-mailing them out to family members. I hope they are valuing what I am sending. I may at some later point when I am done with them, post them all here on the blog. We will see. There are quite a few and it may take too much time. We will see.
Well, I have to be going. Life is great. We are very abundantly blessed. We are very fortunate. I hope it continues. Oh, Amanda has been accepted to University of Maryland-Baltimore. We await word from Virginia Commonwealth University. Also, Amanda and I have accepted a calling to team teach in primary. The 5-6 years old if I remember right.
Settling In
Some more time has passed, and I am fully engaged in a full schedule. An LSAT Couse that I should dedicate more time to. Full time work as a dock boy at Meier and Frank, now Macy’s. It is funny how much more time I had for personal things when I was single. Now, much of my free time is taken up with Amanda. I am not complaining at all, but there are some things that just need getting done. I try and dedicate a little time to family history a week, but I have received several letters, and some photos which have required more time. I work a full 8 hours a day, Monday – Friday, which I very much enjoy. However, the hours are from 6-3. I am getting used to it, but Amanda likes to stay up late, so I usually get to bed later than I like. That is slowly changing. The nice thing is when I get off, I have plenty of time to get things done.
We are settled in and happy in Provo. I am not sure we care to totally much of the ward. Some pretty blatant false doctrines are taught in Sunday School and Elder’s Quorum. The one two weeks ago was a classic…Did you know that God always gives conflicting commandments? It was a new lesson to me. He cited the appearing conflicting commandments of the Garden of Eden. The teacher basically lectures and does not encourage class participation. What gets me is that people just nod their heads and agree. Being a new position I am in an awkward position of whether I should say anything. The last time I did, the class basically attacked me. It was completely ad hominem, rather than using scripture to back up the doctrine being taught, it was personal attacks on me. But since I was new, they didn’t really have anything on me, so it was pretty sad. However, the main point against me was that the devil is one who destroys and tears down, that the devil brings contention. I was not contentious though, I promise. I only commented that I understood differently, that the doctrine appeared incorrect, and that I would like references from the scriptures and priesthood leaders. I also commented that professors from BYU, or other published authors do not speak for the church and were in my mind inappropriate for Sunday School. Anyhow, some other of the doctrines which have been classics taught in Sunday School and Elder’s Quorum: If you do not use the Priesthood, you lose it!; those who are members of the church are better than those who are outside, we are more special, and should rest easy knowing we are chosen of God (sounds awfully Rameumptum to me!); and individuals being chosen by God has nothing to do with their actions (previous to this life, or current).
Well, since I have referenced them, I better tell the doctrine as I see it.
We are commanded to go forth and multiply and we are commanded that only within marriage are sexual relations to exist. Darn it, another one of those conflicting commandments, better choose the better one and hope God will provide a Saviour for you as well. This is so blatantly myopic that it shocks me that people just shake their heads and agree. It is all a manner of timing. It is the same thing with Adam and Eve, they were to multiply and replentish the earth, but without the fruit of the tree of knowledge of good and evil, they could not. It was all a matter of time, just like we are to wait before we have children. Remember, Satan was only doing that which was done in other worlds, giving the fruit of the tree to Adam and Eve. He wanted to be God, the Saviour (Moses 1:19) and would obviously do what he could to take control of the plan and screw it up. Well, he gave the fruit early. The temple makes it so painfully obvious.
As for the Priesthood, if I fell off a cruise ship and was stranded on a deserted island, I would lose the priesthood I hold according to this doctrine, unless I was to give the turtles and trees blessings daily. I don’t have a scripture, but I know that the only time you can lose the priesthood is if a judge in Israel removes it. The amount you use it does not matter, but it is set forward by worthiness, not activity.
God is no respecter of persons. This is a fundamental restored doctrine and one that is clear in the Bible as well. Anyone, anywhere, anyhow, if worthy can return to the presence of God. We do not believe in the jaunty iconoclasm of God playing favorites or choosing one person over another. Then for those who are members of the church, they cannot rest easy, for with the greater light comes great responsibility (or condemnation) and it requires more work, effort, diligence, and faithfulness. Being a member of church should make us work even harder than relaxing and resting on our laurels.
Lastly, that God calls up and makes people chosen. The Saviour himself sets this one straight. 3 Nephi 19:20-22 makes it clear. Those who are chosen are so because they believe. How does God know they believe? He knows because the pray, more than that, they commune with him through the Holy Ghost which the Saviour is teaching us about in those very verses. What is even more, he exemplifies it in prayer himself. (Then he identifies when we pray to Christ instead of the father, that is only when he is in person with us like in D&C 109 when Joseph switches) So, Joseph Smith was chosen because he was a prayerful individual. It was because of that faith (Helaman 5:41) that he was then called to be a prophet. Anyone can be chosen, but not everyone can be called to be a prophet over the whole church. So more appropriately, we say President Hinckley was called to be an Apostle and President of the Church, not chosen; for that has a different meaning we will not go into here.
Anyhow, I suppose if I keep going against the grain, then nobody will like me and I won’t get a calling with much reach or depth (which is both good and bad…natural or spiritual man). I just have to prepare a bit more for Sunday School so as to have scriptures and back up for the false doctrines, because as Elder’s Quorum showed, I have no authority of myself (I did and do not claim any in setting straight false doctrines).
Meier and Frank here is turning out to be very good for me. Not much for using my new degree, but it is work. This job doesn’t help me get into Law School either. But I think oh well, we shall see. Hopefully University of Virginia is not that shallow to put that much weight onto the jobs one has before entering Law School like some universities do. Things are good, and I enjoy the work. Plus I just don’t sit in an office all day which nearly drives me crazy. On the 1st, we became Macy’s. The name change will be enacted on the 9th of September, but I won’t be around for that, so we will continue to call it Frier and Mank. I am really enjoying some of the guys I work with as well. All three of the main guys are salt of the earth. Joe is an Hawaiian, Kyle is 21 and hasn’t been on a mission and can barely read and write, and Steven (the boss) works harder than the other three of us combined. This week has been crazy in preparing for the new corporate leaders to come through (the “big wigs”).
The LSAT Course is going well enough. I am learning all sorts of cool things, but my scores seem to keep going down. My highest score so far is a 153, and I have descended with todays test to a 141. Somehow I expected to head the other direction. I will have to work harder and see what I can work. Today’s test I had no clue on the games section. I felt as dumb as they come. Apparently I was not the only one, which made me feel better, but I have plenty of area to improve. Especially if I have to get over 165 to hope of getting into Virginia. A 170 would secure me a place pretty easy. Yikes, this is going to be hard work.
Well, I sign off. Things are well in Provo, Utah. We march forward.
Married Life
Well, now is the time for the update. I know some have been wondering, so here you go. I love it. I am enjoying every aspect of it. The ups, the downs, but the steady course is upward for both. Here are some of the lessons and highlights that I feel I can share and want to here.
Rule number one, never expect. Even if bordering on stating the obvious, speak your mind. Assumptions end up with frustrations and heartache, and at other times disappointment and anger. Speak it, make sure the other understands, and then move from there. Some instances have been at the moment, others have built up over time. The pot finally needs stirred and it is much easier if you stir it together. I suppose later in life as we learn more carefully what the other’s temperament, attitudes, and actions are it may be easier, but for the moment, I err on having everything in the open. Things are much more calm, lucid, and in fact we have a whole lot of laughs at some of the obvious things we say, of twists of them.
I am learning to choose my words and fights carefully. I am not saying that in relation to Amanda, but in general. I have learned that my observations, that comments, and criticisms, if not properly directed and thought out beforehand are taken personally by the other person. A slight observation towards Utahns in the car driving down the road can strike a dagger at a heart that neither meant to take offense nor receive it. Before making statements, build the foundation for them and make sure the premises for the statement are agreed upon before the declarations start to roll. If it is understood where I am coming from, then what comes out is more discussed rather than an emotional jarring.
From the mission, it is probably a carry over, but do everything together. Sometimes we both don’t do this, but nothing is the sole responsibility of the other. This is a marriage, we are sealed together, and in fact, if faithful in this life, we will be entirely one in the next life. If we prove ourselves faithful in this life, then even a worship I suppose of the spouse would be permissible. If there is anything that comes closer to worship than marriage, I know not. We have both decided that the Lord must come first, because we have learned that if the other comes first, then God, things get all confused and nothing goes quite right. However, in putting God first, and doing it together everything works much more smoothly. I know I have loved before, and have learned what to love is. In marriage though, it is a constant day by day motion that ticks forwards and is constantly bonding. I know I am rambling in some sense, but I just don’t know how to say it. It is like a combination of the things I have already said.
About a week after we had been married, I remember us commenting to each other, nothing is really different. It was engagement with a few more benefits. Well, now speaking a month into it, we notice the difference. I suppose we expected this flash of light and crash of drums to initiate us into married life. Such was not the case. But I will tell you this, a sealing, under the hand of God, I recognize that we are coming to be more one every day. I sense our feelings becoming more wrapped up in each other. I can sense our destinies becoming merged with every day. There is a singularity of thought, mind, and body (soul) that is continuing. I don’t know how that would work outside marriage sealing, but inside it is something beautiful. It is like a warm current in the sea of life. It buoys you up and give you strength. It is beautiful and lifts the soul. Earlier if we did things separately, or without the other’s recognition and understanding, it did not matter, but somehow we sense a separation if complete communication and understanding is not present. It is something so wonderful awe inspiring and beautiful that continues to build. How shall I contain it in five years time?
I dearly love my wife and it grows daily. Some days I feel closed and like I am selfish, but by the continual agreement we have of putting the Lord first, always later I feel my heart open wider than it has before. It encompasses a little more and I am humbled that much more. Something so wonderfully beautiful. I think we have worked out the main difficulties we had to begin with, or come to an understanding of them and can work with and around them. We cannot change the other, but together we are growing together and those weaknesses, scars, or pride are melting away.
The old stanza of If You Could Hie to Kolob comes to mind
There is no end to glory
There is no end to love
There is no end to being
There is no death above
There is no end to glory
There is no end to love
There is no end to being
There is no death above
Brother Phelps was inspired to repeat those sacred lines.
Ask and ye shall receive…
Ask and ye shall receive, perhaps not at that moment, perhaps later, but you will always receive the intentions of your hearts.
Well, here is a story of such. To cut the extra details, one day the interns had Soda with the Senator. We all were able to ask one question, and then we were to have like a general overall question. Nobody came up with the biggie, so I proposed one we had all talked about. Let’s ask the Senator if he will arrange for us to go up inside the dome of the United States Capitol. Well, we went into the meeting, and I got in a bit of trouble, but I asked it. I was in trouble because we found out the Member of Congress has to do it themselves. This would be a scheduling nightmare for the Senator. Well, we all understood and went our ways.
Well, the time for our internship was winding down. On the Thursday before I was to come home, the Senator asked me to escort him to the floor. We walked along, he gave me a Christmas present, and gave me some advice. The advice came from his personal experience as a husband, and also from his experience as a Bishop. He then with excitement announced that he had arranged that he could take us into the dome of the Capitol. It would be the next day at three PM. Well, obviously I was excited, but it just so happened, that I was leaving the next day. I informed him of this and he said he was most sorry. He had made this happen mostly for me and that he was sorry he waited too long.
Well, let me tell you, the office was excited. The lowly intern, asked an unaskable question, and they were now benefiting. They promised to think of me, they promised to take pictures of the expedition. You will notice that there are some new photos in the ‘Leaving DC’ gallery. That is what those photos are containing. The staff’s pictures of the Senator’s personal tour of the Capitol Dome! Enjoy them. There is a classic of looking down into the Capitol Rotunda. There are pictures that include the Senator. Enjoy.
There is a little more to the story. The next day, I am filling out a marriage application in the Salt Lake City Clerk’s office. My phone rings. On the other end, I hear Gavin Bruce announce he was speaking to me from the top of the United States Capitol Dome overlooking the city. In the background Senator Smith bellows, ‘Wish you were here Paul’. I was so completely jealous. Greg, Gavin, Steve, and others all sent emails afterward thanking me. Apparently the Senator at every high point in the tour commented something like, ‘I think Paul would have enjoyed this’. Oh well. As they were telling it to me in the Clerk’s office, Amanda caught my attention and pointed out a sign that said thank you for not using cell phones. The folks to our side looked like they would appreciate my obedience. I finished our conversation, and again felt left out of the chance of a lifetime!
I want to say here, that I hope someday, somehow, I will again have the chance to ascend to the top of one of our country’s most prized possessions. A place that only 535 people have permission to go, a few caretakers, a few construction workers and cleaners, and those who are personally escorted by one of those people. Someday……..
Wedding Day Photos
With the constant barrage of e-mails of people wanting pictures, I have finally some for the offering. Many of these albums which have been loaded (five of them) came from Bryan’s camera (Amanda’s father). I hope you enjoy the pictures. I have tried to remove too many of the same thing, but some of them were just different enough to make things interesting. They were in order of time, but after naming them they have taken on alphabetical order and I have not the energy to go back and fix it. So you will have to make due with the order. Besides the difference and variety might keep you more interested through all 117 pictures. As soon as I have other pictures, or some of the professional ones available, I will post them as well. I hope you enjoy them.
We have thoroughly enjoyed our honeymoon to California. We have had a wonderfully beautiful condo for our stay. I very much appreciate James and Catherine Cazier for all their Sunday meals, but now for this condo as well. They were so gracious to offer it.
We have enjoyed movies, time to relax, Christmas, and little excursions all over. Yesterday we went to Calico, the old Ghost town north of Barstow. It was definitely a tourist trap, but I very much enjoyed the visit. Amanda and I even took one of those old west photos which I will have to be sure to get up on the site as well. We have grown closer and closer. Something I would not have thought possible. We commented often after the marriage that nothing had really changed. However, with the benefits of marriage, we have found our love and relationship at a newer, deeper level. Something we could not have imagined only a week ago. Only heaven knows where it could be in another month, year, or lifetime. Hopefully it only progresses. Like the old hymn, there is no end…
We have both admitted our appreciation for all the love, gifts, e-mails, letters, cards, and more in our behalf. We intend to do our best to reply to each and send out thank you notes for every gift offered. I am sure now because we are imperfect, we will miss somebody. Nevertheless, we are very grateful and appreciative. Thank you.
Well, I will close. It is getting late. Enjoy the pictures. Feel free to e-mail me and let me know what you think.
The Approach
Everyone keeps asking me if I am nervous and anxious about what is coming. Well, honestly, much to everyone’s dismay, I am completely calm about all of this. I am reminded of the classic Smith saying, I am as calm as a summer’s morning. Now, that does not include the preceding sentence about being a lamb going to the slaughter. Some might say that, but I most surely do not. It must be admitted that my still being here in Washington DC and not seeing anything leading up to it might be helping. We are within a week. I feel no apprehension at all.
On another note, yesterday I walked out of the elevator reading a letter and accidentally ran into a man. He fell backwards and against the wall. I apologized and helped him into the elevator. It was only as I walked down the hall I realized it was Senator Lindsey Graham from South Carolina. It made me feel bad.
I will definitely miss Washington DC. It is such a beautiful city. I imagine the feeling here is like the first visitors would have been to Rome, London, Paris, or some of the other ancient magnificent cities. Plus there is a certain ability to keep learning here that I enjoy. Many other jobs are not so requiring on a person to continue to learn.
Oh the nothingness
Here I write once again. Sometimes life seems so full of everything, and other times as if this broad expanse of nothingness. The variety of individuals I have the privilege of being with is amazing. Their view, their outlook, the goals, their aspirations, their weaknesses all seem to vary so much. The variety and style prompts me to proclaim how wonderful and amazing they are. The intelligence that is so encompassing held by just a dozen people is staggering. Yet, sometimes I wonder if they know one iota of anything concerning themselves and eternity. People seem to be so good, wonderful, and helpful and in the same breath so greedy, selfish, and conceited. What an education far beyond anything I could have ever imagined.
Sometimes I wonder about the words of C.S. Lewis about when one recognizes themselves, that becomes the basis of pride. Yet, one star is greater than another, one is always greater than another. Perhaps we can recognize our own individuality but should be highly cautious about setting ourselves up over other people. That is what the world is teaching. You are special, it doesn’t matter what anyone is or does, you are better than they are. That is false. We are special, we are individuals, but we are a part of the fabric and an essential player. We cannot be independent of all others. No man is an island. To think we are to be our own man, independent of the God who created us, and the fellow citizens of the earth only creates a bunch of insufferable show offs. It breeds relativism and more conflict in the world.
While I have no doubt of the place of America in the role of the world, I find it scary that we subscribe to the belief I just mentioned. I remember in England when an American could not understand one with the local dialect, they met it characteristically with talking a little louder and asking a question a little slower. It wasn’t them who had the problem, it ws the individual speaking! We expect the world to revolve around us and pay us all the respect we believe is our due. We claim the rest of the world has pride and arrogance, even ignorance; when I must admit I think we are the one guilty of the charge. Is it any wonder the French have problems with us? In their history individuals given power rather than a government has produced “The Terror”. Why wouldn’t we expect them to react the way they did when we gave more over arching powers to the executive? When the power of waging war and of going into battle was given in their country, it led to a man seeking to rule Europe. Add that to their condition of their neighbors who have taken them over because of what they deemed as right. Of course France is not supportive of our going into another country to further ideals of democracy. We can see why they don’t like capital punishment, the guillotine is a national symbol still to them. That is something they will forever buck at. What is more, we hover and watch them and give them the cold shoulder. Not as a brother in the world should do, but as a lesser creature. Someone who is to not be associated with on the playground. We act the bully, and then when they bristle or don’t fall in line, we scorn and mock them. Try and turn our friends against them to persuade them to be with us. Looking back, that bully did hold their power for time. What ever happened to the bully. I hope we became more mature, that we all become equal, but it isn’t true. I know of three who bullied me in elementary and junior school, and sadly they find themselves on the lower of the totem pole in life today. I do not know if this would be true generally or across the board, but it is in my life. Sadly, I expect the same thing will happen eventually to us as a nation.
Then I look at other nations who are different. Others with different goals and perspectives. We eye them with caution and expect they must have questionable motives. The uncertainty always creates fear doesn’t it? “I have often thought to myself, what is to be done?” Education is our only hope. Just like Thomas Jefferson I find myself thinking that our only hope would be education and the constant expansion of our understanding. It must be understood, retained, and constantly built upon. Just like Joseph Smith taught of the need for increasing light and knowledge, Thomas Jefferson admonished, and Allan Bloom admonishes we must find and constantly be analyzing. We find our beliefs, seek out further light, compare it to what we have, and throw away what doesn’t work. Leave it behind, keeping a faithful record of where we have been. Sadly, such a case does not seem to be on the books today. Like I mentioned the case of relativism seems to be taking hold with all its disastrous underpinnings. James Madison made it clear that without the moral compasses and moorings that come from religious principles, the looking out one for another, democracy would drift and fall. Without morality democracy will pass as all the others have before our time.
Odd isn’t it. We are so smart, yet we never counsel with history. Is it any wonder we are so seriously admonished to remember. Rather than condemning, let us seek. Rather than finding our lines and demanding nobody to cross over, why don’t we step over them ourselves and act as more faithful pilgrims and wanderers? The glory of God is intelligence isn’t it? When slapped, turn your cheek and move on. Service to your enemies and comfort to those who are weak. Revenge is never the order of the day.
It all starts with the individual. From there the example is powerful. There is great hope in the world. There is great possibility of potential. Why are we focused on fear? Why not look to the future? Fear only cripples.
Inside the world, in my own personal life, there is much to look forward to. I find in myself a growth and a bright outlook. It all comes in the name of Amanda Hemsley for me. Burton K Wheeler and Jared Diamond have been my meat recently. Not to mention the studies of Iranian business deals and American history that have been my research. There has been a constant barrage of information which have helped to temper me and my zeal. Somehow though, the introduction of another who is to be considered as yourself changes things drastically. My vision has expanded not only of the world from her eyes but the view from my own. It tempers the excitement of youth even more, but gives more drive for the future. Somehow the clutch of individualism is disengaged and one finds themselves propelled faster and further along the road of life. I am not even married yet! The walk continues, but it is taking on new vistas. I leave the Rocky Mountains with dizzying height and glamor to the more humble and open expanse of the plains. It is not that there is less to see, nor is there less to experience. It is just different. The ecosystem is just as open, but a new road. The anticipation is great. Where will it take us? How far will it take us? Shall we circle the earth or walk slowly to Blair, Nebraska? Either one, I am content.
She is most beautiful, captivating, and sublime. I have not potential to describe the connection in those eyes and how far the warmth of her body seems to penetrate. This world is definitely beyond the physical. We don’t even know all the aspects of the physical, but already many doors are open for emotional and spiritual travel.
I found one of her hairs today. It glistened and somehow represented something so far away. It was only a memento that was obviously manifesting of her presence. Yet she is so far away. This part is not even living, but yet it speaks of her. How many hairs in the world do I see, yet lose their true significance. I have eyes but do not see.
Life is more than just me. I focus on myself so much, everything revolves around my life, because that is me. It is unavoidable. But the greatest joys come in the life of others. Burton K Wheeler’s experiences are now a part of my own. His personality has become a part of mine. While the stories and the times may melt, I have been changed and can clearly link it to him. The same with Cecil D Andrus’ life. On and on and on. Oh if I could implore more people to record their lives and write their stories! What I would not give to read the same of my ancestors. My grandmother’s journal was a portal into another’s life. However, that life is an extension of me. While Brother Wheeler is far more removed, he is still a part of the country I now life, and that is part of me as well. I was so sure to go out and define the world and change it according to my view. I am coming to find out that the world has created much of what I am. It has changed me. It used to be such a negative view. I always knew what needed to change and what I was to do. Now it is the opposite. What can I learn from it to apply in life. I seek more and more. Dismissing those which are of lesser quality and holding to those which are more true.
Is it any wonder we are exhorted to seek out knowledge. It is the only thing that will save us. Especially that knowledge which is most important.
Amanda came to visit over last weekend. All my time with her is something to be cherished. We learn so much from each other. I learn so much from her. She amazes me. She is so pure and wonderful. She makes me wish I was better, glad I receive her love, and yet honoured. I love her and hope we will forever build upon that. We are both just humble enough to learn from each other and to walk the path together. As we grow, how much more sweeter can it possibly become?
Oh the nothingness of man. God rules the nations and the earth inasmuch as we let him. He oversees all and knows all things. May we learn of him rather than to pontificate to the world what they should know. There is so much to learn. May I always be learning and seeking? Rather than the one giving instruction. Reminds me of Socrates always asking the questions rather than giving the answers. Good night.
Sagacity 