What a Ride!

I thought it about time to update this blog. After all, it has almost been a week. That seems like an eternity in the blogging world. It's been a busy week finishing up my FASFA and scholarship applications. Deadlines were this past week for the fall. But I begin classes for my master's program in June. I'm really excited about it. If any of you know someone who has gone into Public Administration/Public Policy--I'd love to hear about your experience/advice. This is the view of downtown San Antonio from the UTSA downtown campus:


And just for kicks, here is a picture of Downtown San Antonio along the world famous Riverwalk:

What a place to live, work, and go to school, huh? We're enjoying it here. But we're so busy! There is always so much to get done. I'm feeling all kinds of pressures right now. (Hence the week delay in a blog update.) Life gets busy. But life is good.

I'm reminded of one of my favorite quotes from President Hinckley. It's definitely worth sharing. I haven't been able to find it published (at least the whole thing) on the internet, so I'm going to hand type it out. It comes from the end of an address to religious educators. I only have a faded copy of the last page of the talk, but I hope you enjoy too. It seems so fitting for my life right now:

"And now, finally, Enjoy your work. Be happy. I meet so many people who constantly complain about the burden of their responsibilities. Of course the pressures are great. There is much, too much, to do. There are financial burdens to add to all of these pressures, and with all of this we are prone to complain, frequently at home, often in public. Turn your thinking around. The gospel is good news. Man is that he might have joy. Be happy! Let that happiness shine through your faces and speak through your testimonies. You can expect problems. There may be occasional tragedies. But shinning through all of this is the plea of the Lord:

'Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart; and ye shall find rest unto your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.' (Matthew 11:28-30.)

"I enjoy these words of Jenkins Lloyd Jones which I clipped from a column in the Deseret News some years ago. I pass them on to you as I conclude my remarks. Said he:

'Anyone who imagines that bliss is normal is going to waste a lot of time running around shouting that he has been robbed. Most putts don’t drop. Most beef is tough. Most children grow up to be just people. Most successful marriages require a high degree of mutual toleration. Most jobs are more often dull than otherwise… Life is like an old-time rail journey — delays, sidetracks, smoke, dust, cinders and jolts, interspersed only occasionally by beautiful vistas and thrilling bursts of speed. The trick is to thank the Lord for letting you have the ride.'

"I repeat, my brothers and sisters, the trick is to thank the Lord for letting you have the ride; and really, isn't it a wonderful ride? Enjoy it! Laugh about it! Sing about it! Remember the words of the writer of Proverbs:

'A merry heart doeth good like medicine: but a broken spirit drieth the bones.' (Proverbs 17:22)

"God bless you, my beloved associates, in this great and sacred work. May you grow in strength and power and capacity and understanding with each passing day. May you cultivate constantly a saving balance in your life. May you speak from hearts filled with love for the Lord, for his children, for your own dear ones. And may there be gladness in your hearts as you reflect upon your great and sacred opportunity to touch for everlasting good those who daily come under your direction.

"God bless each of you that there may be love and peace in your homes, and in your hearts that satisfaction which comes of work well done in so great a cause. I humbly pray in the name of Jesus Christ. Amen."