Well, I decided that if I’m going to talk so much about these kids I just spent 6 weeks of my life with, I may as well formally introduce them. So… I’d like you to meet my Spring Ohana:
ADDISON
Well, of course the entire LDS population has heard of Addison, because he’s already a very famous LDs recording artist. But Addison S. Kirk is going to compose for the church for the rest of his life, increase in fame, and maybe even become a general authority. I say that because he is
Addison is one of the best people I know, and I have so much respect for him.
There’s something to be said for spending 6 weeks (make that 10 months) in Paradise. There’s also something to be said for going to a great school, taking fantastic classes, and learning a lot. But I don’t think enough can be said for going to school in Paradise, taking great classes, and having 7 best friends to spend nearly every waking hour of every day with. (You’d be surprised how many waking hours there can be out of 24.) I just had the happiest 6 weeks of my life so far because I had my Ohana in Hawaii.
“Yeah, but…” -Addison
SUNDAYS were always fabulous. We all had church at different times, so we wouldn’t meet up until lunch. But once we did, the fun never stopped until we got kicked out of the lounge. Our Sunday activities included… eating (always for a very long time), going to the Visitors Center to watch the Joseph Smith movie or Mormon Messages, going to the temple grounds, watching Conference Talks or MoTab performances, watching church movies, playing games, just talking. We spent so much time just talking! We rarely planned anything or went anywhere exciting, but we always had a blast just sitting in the Hale 5 lounge together.
“Definitely!” -Ben
Our JAM SESSIONS were awesome. First of all, Addison is a very famous LDS musician and he can ear play pretty much anything, not to mention make a beautiful arrangement out of any hymn. Then Lauryn is Miss Musician I-don’t-know-how-you-got-so-ridiculously-talented! She plays the flute, the piano, the cello, and sings like an angel. Tessie also plays the flute, and was in fact in the Davis marching band, of which I happen to know if a very good band, meaning that Tessie is very good. She also went on some European music tour, which further confirms her excellent musicianship. Ben has a ton of sheet music downloaded on his ipad, providing us with lots and lots of options, and many hours of singing and playing. He also has a harmonica which he likes to pull out on occasion. And I also play the piano. We had so much fun making music together!
“Interesting” -Ben
We had several ESCAPADES INTO TOWN this term. One really fun trip we went to Cheesecake Factory. Mmmmm! That same trip, we went to Payless and somehow got Addison to try some high heels on. Beautiful. We also did this fantastic cancer fundraiser called RELAY FOR LIFE. We were scheduled for like 2 in the morning, so that automatically means fun and crazy. I must say that we were totally the life of the party. They asked us to do kick boxing for one thing. Pretty much, that was just a super fun night/ morning. Sleep just didn’t ever happen. Oh, and MEALS were some of our finest hours. And I really do mean hours. This is just another example of how we could just sit and talk and love every minute of it. We also had fun playing in the GAME ROOM where Tessie works. But I’m still one of the world’s worst bowlers. 😉
“This is what I’m most excited for in marriage…” -Ben
“I always assume everyone shares my opinion, because my opinion is usually right.” -Madison
“I like your face. It looks good on your head.”
And one of our funnest times ever (in my opinion) was our LATE NIGHT RUN. Sooo many memories there! This included a good run down on the beach and then back up to the temple, running around a certain car parked outside the temple, playing leap frog and having an ab workout on the field next to the temple, getting soaked to the skin by a sudden rain storm, catching frogs, and just having a great time. We also did a beach/ park clean-up SERVICE PROJECT together. And played at WAIMEA. And went to all the FIRESIDES and DEVOTIONALS.
“I ACT old!”
I love my Ohana in Hawaii! I’m never going to forget this amazing Spring Term. Chris and Azriel are leaving for DC and Long Beach for 2 years, and Addison will probably be getting married soon ;), and I’m going on my mission in a year and a half, and Tessie is going to Provo, but none of that makes this term any less magical.
Cherries hurt you.
We all have work, don’t be a jerk! Put your shoulder to the wheel!
I have been given an earthly home, with parents kind of weird.
TO Do
WHC reading
WHC paper
practicing
D&C study
D&C SM references
ELiza’s presentation
76. Three degrees of glory
77. Questions and Answers about Revelation
82. I the lord am Bound
84. Oath and Covenant of Priesthood
87. Prophesy on War
88. Olive leaf: school of prophets
89. Word of Wisdom
93. Glory of God is intelligence
98. Renounce war of proclaim peace
107. Constitution of Priesthood
109.
110. Appearances in Kirtland temple
115. Name of church
116.
119.
121.
124.
127-28.
129.
130-31.
132.
133.
134.
135.
137.
138.
OD#1. Plural Marriage
OD#2. All worthy males receive priesthood
To Do:
D&C memorize and read
WHC reading and essay
Prac piano and steel
talk to Eliza
email Bro McArthur
So I just got this idea to post a typical conversation at BYU Hawaii. And this is a one-sided conversation because I thought that would be a lot easier. If anyone likes it enough, they could consider doing the same thing on their own blog.
1. Hey, I don’t think I’ve met you before. I mean, I see you everyday (along with everyone else), but I don’t think we’ve ever been formally introduced. In other words, what’s your name?
2. Sorry, say that again?
3. Oh wow. Um, could you spell that for me?
4. That’s such a nice name! I’m Amber
5. So, where are you from?
6. Dang, that’s really cool! So what brought you here?
7. No way! When did you join the church?
8. Alright! That’s fantastic!
9. So, what’s your major?
10. Accounting? I guess that means you’re really smart, yeah?/ ICS? That’s great! This is the perfect place for you to be!
11. Well, it was really nice to meet you! I’m sure I’ll see you around every day from now on, and I’ll certainly smile and say hi.
This term, I’m taking a Western Cultures and Humanities class, and then second half of the D&C. Both are great classes with incredible teachers. The coolest thing is how well they fit together. I just finished reading Plato’s Republic and the Apology of Socrates and a bunch of other philosophy (so interesting!), and I’m amazed at how well the D&C answers so many of the questions these philosophers– Plato, Aristotle, Socrates, and pretty much the entire human race since the Fall– have been asking.
Get this– There was this boy named Joseph Smith. He was a poor farm boy, and he wasn’t really able to go to school. But despite his lack of schooling, he was a very thoughtful boy, and became interested in the great wonders of the cosmos, including the meaning of life and the purpose and nature of our existence. So, being the thoughtful boy that he was, he decided to take his answers to God. And guess what? He came back with absolutely no one else, as educated as they were, ever had. He had the answers! Directly from the Father. Oh, and did I mention he was 14 at the time?
And then it goes further. As he grew older, his wisdom increased, and he began asking more and more questions. (Enough to fill an entire book. We like to call it the Doctrine and Covenants.) For example, D&C 131:7-8 answers literally all the questions of the nature of God and our existence. Or see D&C 101:37 for enlightenment on On the Soul by Aristotle.
Not only does this help us make more sense of life, it really strengthens my testimony of the prophet Joseph. I absolutely know (through the Spirit, not just scientific evidences) that Heavenly Father and Jesus appeared to him and restored the true and living gospel on the earth today.
And I’m gonna be able to share that in 16 short months!