Aug 31, 2010 - From the CTM - It's hot but that's okay, I'm sitting in class all day

So it´s been another week. Another week that flew by on the wings of the Spirit. I think now I´ve started to get into the rhythm of things here at the MTC. First off, Learning a language at the MTC is like a roller coaster as maybe Jessica or David would know. One day you feel great and on the top but when you´re at the top it´s one quick descent to the bottom. Then you start flying all over the place and change ever second. Then you hit bottom again and have to start the long journey back to the top. Everytime it happens it´s a totally different experience too. That´s one big roller coaster. To top that off you´re riding two roller coasters simutaniously. So on one you´re up but down on the other... It´s one hard experience. But it´s still fun to do it everyday.

So last week I bought a little book that I can put in my back pocket and write things in. Like a little thought book. This is the first week I´ve been using it and wow. I have so many random thoughts that have come to my head that I write down. First off though I want to share a word my companion Elder Robinson found last week. It´s "Enforcar-se" and it means (Drum Roll Please) 1) To hang oneself by the neck 2) To lose money... and also 3) To get Married. Wow, what a great word. Love it. Moving on.

This week I realized that my mission is like a tithing for my life up till know. By the end of my mission I´ll be 20 and I would have paid 2 years to the Lord. It´s such a weird thought. I guess everyone pays a tithe on their life through callings, missions and service. It´s one strange thought. And by the way I´m still the same person.

I read and finished "Our Search for Happiness" by Elder Ballard in two days. Well, I said I was going to explain what I learned about "The Good Samaritin" Parable. A man goes from Jerusalem to Jericho. If you know anything about how high those places are above sea level, Jerusalem is way high and Jericho is really low. So this man goes from a high to a low place and is robbed or striped of his raiment. Basically he is striped of all knowledge if it works in the sense I am saying it. First a Rabbi passes on the way. This shows us that other religions can´t help this man. Then a Levite passes by. This signifies the Aaronic Priesthood. Even though it is vital for us, it can´t always help us. Then last a Samaritin comes. Samaritins in that time were people most hated by the Jews. Who else was most hated of the Jews? I wonder... maybe Christ. So this man takes us to an inn and PAYS for our stay and says he will return later to see how we are doing. So not only is "The Good Samaritin" about being kind to everyone, it´s also telling us about the Plan of Salvation.

Remember that Christ loves you and that I love you. Have a wonderful week. I would like to challenge you this week to read the parable of "The Good Samaritin" and share it with your family in some way or the other. Have a wonderful time. The Lord loves you all. Endure to the End. Stay Strong. Signing Out Elder Barry

Mission Post (Don't Worry)

 Ha ha, So what doing here is scheduling a post to post on August 27th 2010. Yes, I'm pretty sure I'm in the MTC. You're probably thinking why is there a post on his blog. Well today is really June 20th, 2010. I'm just giving you a little somethin' somethin' to look forward to while i'm gone. I know, a little strange, but keep checkin the blog to see if somethings strange happens. I think I'll be giving my mom my blog stuff and she'll post letters on here. Hopefully it'll work and we'll both remember. I'm sure this wont have any meaning to some of you but IF you receive a mission call or get married while i'm gone... I better get a letter or an email to whatever email I have then. That too will most likely be posted in the blog somewhere. Oh, Check out the pages too. I think i'll put things there for you to look at and behold the awesomeness... Probably just contact info and other stuff like the email i'm supposed to give you or something... But please do check and have a wonderful 2 years. I'll hopefully see you later... unless you randomly fall off the face of the earth.

I wonder if I can get that now?
 Well now meaning June 20th 2010

Signing Out
Elder Barry

August 24, 2010 - From the CTM

Hello from Brazil the most beautiful place on earth with the friendliest people I think I have ever met. Seriously. I think I've hugged more missionaries here or hugged more males than I have ever in my entire life. And I´ve only been here for about 3 weeks. It´s really crazy and I love them so much. One thing, if you ever come to Brazil soccer is huge here. I´ve learned about 3 or 4 different teams and I think I´m going to be buying jerseys of random teams I find. I´m pretty darn excited. I have this paper I carry around in my pocket and I write down thoughts that I want to send home to my Family and Friends. So here they come. First. Brazilians see Americans and jump to all the American movies they´ve seen and match famous actors, artists and stuff to American missionaries. In my district apparently we have David Beckham, Johnny Depp, Jack Johnson, Clark Kent, Harry Potter and Ron Weasley. Multiple others too. Apparently I look like Johnny Depp... Kinda weird. One of the Brazilians was joking around with me and asked me when I was going to shoot the Fourth Pirates of the Caribbian movie. I thought it was funny. My response to him was I´m setting my movie career aside for now. Next thing I learned this last week is there is no connection between ASL and Portuguese. I´ve tried to find something but I think ASL was stuck in a box when all the languages chose teams. Poor poor Sign Language. When I want to say a word and and don´t know it in Portuguese, I start to sign the word. Then remember no one here knows anything about sign language... so I have to actually use my voice. It´s kinda difficult sometimes. So another thing is that when I left home I thought I´d be setting aside all music when coming on a mission. That´s a totally different story here. I´m in the Choir, my district likes to sing, we are going to do prelude to some meeting and I´m singing/Playing the piano for them and the lady here who is in charge of the music has given me music to practice. So now I need to to find time to do that. It´s crazy. Crazy fun though. I also have decided this last week the Elder Holland is probably one of my favorite apostles. He´s so strong and if you don´t want to listen to him. He won't care. But his message will break down the wall you tried to build. So you might as well listen to him on your own free will. This last week I also learned something really cool about the parable of the Good Samaritan. For everyone it is saying be kind to everyone. But if you read it very carefully you´ll learn it has a deeper meaning. Read it. Study it this week. Next week I´ll tell you what I learn from that story. I have about 7 minutes left to write a letter. and I don´t know what to say. I´m sure by now you´ll have a headache from reading this letter as it crammed together cause I have no 'Enter' button to make it look any nicer. Oh the language here is difficult. As you can already tell I´ve tired to find a medium between English and Portuguese and I haven´t found anything. I´m pretty sure I´ll learn this language before I leave the mission in two years. But right now I only can follow a little. Literally follow... almost. The word ´To Speak´ in portuguese is 'Falar". Almost sounds like follow. The hardest part right now is congugations and spelling if you haven´t noticed. I think my spelling is deterioating. so... yeah. Not much to say here.
Signing Out Elder Barry

#2 from the CTM - written without an Enter button

Hello everybody. It´s me again. Surprised? I am. I felt like yesterday that I was writing this letter back home. Literally it was yesterday. It´s amazing how fast time flies when you´re studying the gospel and language. It´s very fun. So if my letter looks weird it´s cause the Enter button doesn´t work here and some of the buttons of these keyboards are in a very weird place. So I have a couple of new things that happened this week and I think I wrote all of them down so I could tell you but if I forgot one don´t hate me, ok? So first of all I learned this week that the hardest part about the mission... Well the hardest part for me is figuring out my companion and figuring out how he works. It was really hard to talk to him and to study. We finally worked it out though so we´ll see how this goes. Next. I was in this choir for a dedications of a new Chapel that is just up the street from here. It was really, really fun and I was asked to sing a small tiny solo in one of the songs. It was really tiny and I didn´t do all that good but it was a fun choir thing. Something to keep me singing. I love singing. Ok next. The coldest it´s gotten here is a balmy/warm low 60 degrees. It wasn´t that cold and while all the missionaries from the USA had short sleeved shirts, all the Braziladoes had on about 3 jackets/sweaters. It was really really funny. We all liked it and it was just fine. AAAAAAAAANNNNNNNNDDDDDD next. My regular day starts at about 6:20 in the morning. I wake up. Take a shower and get ready for breakfast at 7:00. I eat, like usual, really fast and me and my whole district get up to our classroom before 7:30. From 7:30 to 8:30 we have personal study. Then we have class from 8:30 to 12:15. Then we go eat Lunch. Companion study is from 1:15 - 2:15 then we have MDT (Missionary Directed Time). Then GYM time which is one of the best times of the day. Then we have MDT again. At 4:45 till 5:45 we have dinner. Then more classroom from 5:45 - 9 o clock. At 9:00 we do our daily planning for the next day, have a snack, write in my journal, floor, district, companion and personal oração (Prayer). Then it lights out at 10:30 which I am the king of the light switch. My room might be a little annoyed about it though. Right at 10:30 our lights go out give or take a minute. It´s pretty epic and pretty fun day. But today (Tuesday) is my P Day so I write a letter. Get up at 6 o clock to go to the temple and do whatever I want till 4. Then we have more stuff we need to do. I love going to the temple everyweek. It´s one of the highlights of the week. The other highlight is GYM time which we play Volleyball. We can´t play soccer down here because the Braziladoes get too competitive. So the things we can do are volleyball, basketball, running, and a couple of other things which are pretty cool... (Not really much more to do). But I love being busy here at the CTM because I don´t have to worry about what I need to fill my day. It´s all planned for me. I just need to decide if I´m going to follow that plan. Which I do. And I need to choose what to study for Personal, Companionship study and MDT. But other than that it´s a simple amazing spirit filled life. One word of advice to everyone who hasn´t gone out yet. Label all your clothes. You´ll throw them in the wash with everyone in your room usually cause it´s easier and if they are marked then it makes life so much easier. "My life flows on in endless song above earths´ tempations". So think about that. Have a wonderfull week cause I will. Endure to the End. Let the Holy Spirit guide. Go to the temple as much as possible. Study hard. Be kind to everyone. Read the most amazing book on earth "The Book of Mormon ". I love you. Signing Out Elder Barry

The 1st letter from Brazil

Picture of everyone who entered the CTM with Matt. He is the back row 3rd from the left.


"Hello everybody, How is everybody doing? I hope you´re pretty good. Personally I´m doing wonderful. So the computer I´m typing on is kinda weird. Like there are too many buttons and I keep hitting the wrong ones for the ones I want. So I know you want to hear about Brazil. It´s a country that´s bigger that the United States. So it´s pretty amazing. Huge. The CTM (MTC) is pretty good and honestly the food isn´t all that bad. I do have a lot of gas though but I guess that´s just my body getting used to what i´m eating... which is a lot. I wish I could say that I´ve gained weight like the rest of my district but unfortunately I´ve preobably lost a pound. Which just doesn´t make sense. I eat so much here. I´m full almost all day and I still lose pounds. It´s a curse. But I think it´s a curse I´ll live with. This place is pretty amazing. Something I thought was cool is the sidewalks. Every store and every house is in charge of their own side walk. So there are side walks that look horrible then the next moment there is one that is tiled. Then you trip because the next on goes up three feet like it´s a driveway. It´s pretty intense and pretty freaking awesome. Also the Motor cyclists are crazy here. They go on the lines of the highway and go anywhere they want. I heard a story from my teacher that sometimes the motor cyclists will put out their legs and kick of side view mirrors. I don´t know if that´s true of not but that´s what I´ve heard. My companions name is Elder Robinson. He´s short and is totally opposite than me. I´m spratic and kinda laid back where he´s more strict about rules. When the rules don´t say about a certain thing he worries about it. But it´s a good thing right. I´m tall and skinny and he´s shorter and broad. He wears glasses and I don´t. He has wonderful nice handwriting where as mine looks horrible. My district is amazing. We are learning pretty fast and I´m pretty sure everyone else is learning slightly faster than me. But it´s nice to have people who know what they are doing. The language is hard. But I´m pretty sure I´ll get it eventually. Before I go I want to share something I thought about. So when mirrors are across from each other it looks like they go on forever and the thought hit me today that it shows so much how our life is. We can see to a certain point but the farther you go the more blurry it gets and the harder it is to see whatever you´re looking at. Finally you can´t see anymore cause it´s so blurry. We can´t see around that bend on the mirrors. But God can. So trust in him and he will help you. He will be with you always and her loves you. Too find out if he does love you pray to his with faith. James 1:5 says "ask and ye shall receive". Just ask him with faith. Nothing wavering. The gospel is true. I love you. Stay strong. Endure to the End.
Signing Out Elder Barry"

The Lost Posts... or Last Post(s)... same thing right?

So this is being posted right about the time I'm being set apart.
Pretty Cool eh?

But I just want you all to know that I love you so very very much. You're probably thinking "How can he love everyone?" Three words "Gospel of Christ".

It true that when you live the gospel of Christ that you love everyone and want to share the gospel with everyone. "Be not ashamed of the Gospel of Christ." Share it because it's the most amazing feeling when the spirit takes over and you feel amazing. (Hello, Department of Redundancy Department... I've got a friend... yes I actually do have friends.) It's amazing how just opening your mouth and talking can help any situation.

Story time.
So this past weekend I went to Flo-rida ok just Florida but that's not important. The important part is that I flew to Jacksonville. (On a plane you silly.) The best part about being on planes is they shove you in this tiny seat with a tiny back with a tiny table in a tiny row on a tiny plane. (Who came up with that plan?) As you're on this plane they don't let you sit by yourself. Oh no no no. They shove twelve more people into the same row where only 2 people could fit comfortable. So you get to by "happen chance" meet people.
Hey how is you?
Is this your foot?
Mind if i sleep on it for a while?
Ok so they aren't THAT small but anyways. I got to meet some wonderful people. (Yes there is a point to this story) I met 3 on the way out and their names are Val, Bob and Kenny. Val and Bob are husband and wife and they live in South Carolina working for Michelin Tire company. It was pretty cool eh. Me and Val talked while her husband sat... and sat... and sat some more (What else can you do? You're sleeping on someones foot.) Me and Val sat and talked about everything and I told her about missions and unfortunately I didn't think about getting their address and sending missionaries over. But I'm hoping I sparked her interest cause we talked a lot about Brazil and Missionary work. She was pretty awesome
Next I talk to Kenny... Not much to report except he's awesome. Him and some other guys are trying to start a resort in the Bahamas. Really cool. He also is starting something called "High Life" They are bumper stickers. Look it up... but I don't know if he has something up yet. It's basically  talking about "High life" Meaning Camping and hiking and stuff like that. He got the idea from people who do something called "Sea Life". Sea life is about oceans. So he does mountains. I thought it was pretty darn awesome. He was a cool guy.
But the important part about this story was coming home. I met a Lady name Joyce Donning. She was the coolest old Lady I have ever met outside my family and Spencer Thomas's Great-Grandma. We talked about religion about half of a 3 hour plane ride which ended up in getting her address. Her getting a little small copy of the Book of Mormon (that thank goodness someone one one row up had and gave to her.) She was interested which was really cool considering that I was Crammed in the seat beside her.

The moral of this story is don't give up. Open up your Mouth. The Spirit will help. The Gospel is True.

*This has not be an advertisement for any company, group or name... or maybe it has*

I just want to let you know I love you and I hope the best for you. All of you in High School, live strong in an environment where it is kinda hard to live so. Whatever you are in, excel and strive to be YOUR very best in it. Have a wonderful time and make the most of it. College buckos... College is amazing and you are going to love it so much. Just like high school live strong even though everyone around you will be living the way you are. Well most of every body depending on where you are going. Strive to do your best in your classes because statistics show... when who cares what they show. Just do your best because the transition into college is pretty hard. All males, I hope to see you out in the mission field. Live worthily so you can be out there for the best years of your life. I expect a letter telling me where you're going. Females, live strong and be an example to the males around you. Help them out as they strive to go on a mission and return with honor. If you get married while I'm gone it better be to an amazing guy because I wont be able to inspect him. Live worthy to enter the temple because it is the most amazing place on this earth and strive to always have the spirit in your lives.

Try to apply principles into your week that you find in the scriptures and write down your experiences.

I love you all so very much

Signing Out
Elder Barry

'Nother maybe last post

So I just want to say read the scriptures and strive to follow the commandments everyday. I have been able to just sit down and study the scriptures for as long as I was for the past two days. It has blessed my life so much and I know it can bless yours. Strive to make it part of your day.

Endure to the End

Signing Out
Matt

Probably the Last Post i'll post before my Mission... Maybe

So, this is good bye for two years my friends. Ok, not technically good-bye because my letters will be posted on here. I did leave some surprises for you to find and look at while i'm gone. So, look... well. Don't kill yourself cause they aren't there yet but they are coming. I will not be using blogger while I'm on my mission. The next post that you will get from me when I actually post it will be in about two years. Good-bye to all ya'll.

Signing Out
Matt

I'm now feel ready and I'm now can speak

 NThere is something about giving a farewell talk and just talking with friends for a long time that just makes me feel more ready then I ever have. It's actually going to happen and now I feel less scared. Feel more prepared because of friends who are supporting me. I'm ready to leave and even though I have so much to do before I leave. I don't feel rushed. Which probably is a bad thing. But I'm just letting you know that I ready. So don't worry about me. For those of you who will receive your mission calls while I'm gone. I expect a letter while I'm gone so I can know where you are going.

I'm so excited for friends and others going out. It's so cool and wonderful. I love it so much. Please keep me posted and I'll try to keep you posted about how a mission is in Brazil.

Singing Out
Matt

Farewell Talk

So this is the basic outline of what I said. It's not what I said but pretty close.

 Hello, I'm Matthew Barry if you didn't realize that by now. But if I could say one thing about me to describe me, that would be I'm going on a mission. Hopefully all of you know that before you came but if you didn't. Well... here ya go. Honestly I would of never thought I'd be going on a mission. Well, I did but I didn't. That doesn't make sense. What I mean to say is I don't believe it's really happening. Growing up I remember always saying that I wanted to be a missionary. Saying that I would go with no doubt. But now my words have turned into actions. Actions that I’ve heard will change the rest of my life. It's a scary thought that I’m actually leaving. It's unbelievable. Can I really do this?

I want to share a line from a song from a show that I remember watching when I was little. The show was called ”It's a Miracle”. This show is a really good show about kids who want to serve missions but as they grow up they have to make decisions about if they really want to go or not. One particular part gets all the kids in one room singing the words “Imagine me, a missionary traveling through the land. Imagine me, a missionary doing what I can, to spread the gospel message in the latter-day” Well I did imagine me a missionary. But it still makes me really really scared. I'm actually going, it's surreal. It's unbelievable. It's scarier than I thought it would be.

But with being scared I found two scriptures that really have helped me get used to the idea of leaving. One is Psalms 23:4 “Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me.” Another one I have found comfort in is D&C 38:30 “... If ye are prepared ye shall not fear.”

Basically even though I'm scared out of my mind. He's still there. To guide me and to guide you. He will comfort us through any trials. And we have the wonderful knowledge to know that if we are prepared that we should not fear. For in D&C 11:21 it reads – “Seek not to declare my word, but first seek to obtain my word, and then shall your tongue be loosed; then, if you desire, you shall have my Spirit and my word, yea, the power of God unto the convincing of men.”

As we all strive to obtain the word of God we can look to some scriptures to help us.

Joshua 1:8 – Meditate - But thou shalt meditate therein day and night, that thou mayest observe to do according to all that is written therein: for then thou shalt make thy way prosperous, and then thou shalt have good success.

2 Nefi 32:3 – Feast upon the words of Christ – Wherefore, I said unto you, feast upon the words of Christ; for behold, the words of Christ will tell you all thing what ye should do.

3 Nefi 17:3 – Ponder and Pray – Therefore, go ye unto your homes, and ponder upon the things which I have said, and ask of the Father, in my name, that ye may understand, and prepare your minds for the morrow.

1 Nefi 19:23 – Liken – I did liken all scriptures unto us, that it might be for our profit and learning.

In college I am taking a Book of Mormon class. In this class we strive to learn more from the Book of Mormon and to increase our knowledge. One particular assignment that we are doing right now is called a personal application paper. The basics of this paper is every week for three weeks we find a scripture. So I'd have three different scriptures for three different weeks. Each week we try to apply one scripture to the whole week. Then at the end of the week we write up basic a summary of what happened. What we experienced and felt. Last week the scripture I choose was 2 Nefi 32:8-9. Let me read it for you – Nefi 32:8-9 “...For if ye would hearken unto the Spirit which teacheth a man to pray ye would know that ye must pray; for the evil spirit teacheth not a man to pray , but teacheth him that he must not pray. But behold, I say unto you that ye must pray always, and not faint; that ye must not perform any thing unto the Lord save in the first place ye shall pray unto the Father in the name of Christ, that he will consecrate thy performance unto thee, that thy performance may be for the welfare of thy soul.”

My favorite part of this scripture is how many times it says pray and the different ways it says pray. It's say “ye must pray” “pray” “pray always” “pray unto the Father in the name of Christ.” It says pray 6 different times within two verses of scriptures. In D&C 10:5 it reads – Pray always, that you may come of conqueror; yea, that you may conquer Satan, and that you may escape the hands of the servants of Satan that do uphold his work.

In this scripture we are promised that if we pray always; we will be able to conquer Satan and his followers. We will be able to resist the temptation of whatever they give us. Another thing I love about this scripture is the two words “Pray Always”. It may not seem significant but to me this represents that the communication of prayer is always open. Even though electricity may fail and technology wont work. We always have an open communication with our Father in heaven.

We may have an open communication with our Father in heaven but to be able to receive guidence we ourselvs need to be worthy to receive that gifts of the Holy Ghost. Without the spirit it says in D&C 42:12 that Without the spirit ye shall not teach. It also says “The spirit shall be given unto you by the prayer of faith. It just seems like prayer comes up everywhere.

“Pray always”

In D&C 18:8 it reads – “...if he shall be diligent in keeping my commandments he shall be blessed unto eternal life...” He being Joseph Smith. But if we follow the counsel of Nephi. We should liken this scripture unto ourselves. So now it should read “... if I shall be diligent in keeping God's commandments I shall be blessed unto eternal life...” Blessed unto eternal life. Blessed unto salvation by keeping God's commandments. By following in Christ's footsteps. Trying to be perfect even as Christ is perfect.

To be perfect... that's a tall order. All of us sin a little and all of us live in a fallen state. How can we be perfect. Well the truth is we can't by ourselves. It is Physically and Spiritually impossible for us to be perfect by ourselves. But with Christ we are can be perfect. We can strive to be the best person we can be and Christ will help with the rest. If being perfect was being at 100%. I'd say I am at 50% or 60%. But it is wonderful to know that if I'm at 60% then Christ will make up for the extra 40% I'm missing. He does that because He loves us. He suffered in the Garden and on the Cross for us. He suffered for all man kind.

Last friday I went to a play called “I Am Jane” This play is about the difficulties black people had even with members of the church. At on particular point Jane is extremely upset about the trials and the things that have been happening in her life. A friend of her's comes by and comforts her with the doctrine of Christ. He talks about how Christ suffered for everyone. He knows what it's like to be a slave. But He went bellow that so that He could push us up.

Brothers and Sisters. He can push us up if we accept His help. A saying I got in on of my classes from school that acts like a comfort and a warning reads “Live how Christ lived or Suffer how Christ suffered. I think i'd like to choose the first choice. It may seem hard now but the Harder it is for us here on earth. The easier it will be for us in heaven. But this can be the other way too. The easier it is for us on earth. The harder it will be for us in heaven.

We've all heard about attributes and qualities Christ had. Let me list some out for you.

• 
  
  
  Knowledge
• 
  
  
  Humility
• 
  
  
  Charity
• 
  
  
  Love
• 
  
  
  Obedience
• 
  
  
  Diligence
• 
  
  
  Faith
• 
  
  
  Hope

My favorite ones are Love, Diligence, Obedience and Hope. But I want to talk about Obedience the most because obedience is the way and the path to make it back to our Heavenly Father. My sister who is on her mission right now told us an experience she had with obedience. She talked about how the work wasn't going so well for her or her companion. So is order to overcome that gap. Jessica and Her companion decided to follow every mission rule they knew of. As they strived to follow every rule; to wake up on time, study personally, with a companion and study the language. Then strived to be out of the door at the time specified by the mission president. They experienced a change in the way the work progressed. They we able to talk to more people. To use their time more effectively. How amazing would it be if all of us could have that much trust and willing to put that much effort into being obedient to the Lord.

Now the Lord has commanded us to spread the Gospel to all the world. It is our duty to do this thing. To bring others into the fold of God. To spread His infinite love to everyone we meet. We are responsible for all who have/do/will live on the earth.

I know that the gospel of Jesus Christ is true. I know the Christ lived and died for us. He Atoned for our sins. I know He was resurrected the third day. I know that this is the restored Gospel. That this is the gospel of Jesus Christ. I know that our Father in heaven loves us and that he will continue to always love us and hope for our return to the kingdom of heaven. I'm so grateful that Joseph Smith saw a vision and that God guided him to form this church. Just like joseph we can pray to our Father in Heaven anytime and anywhere. I know that if we liken the scriptures unto ourselves that we will be edified and grow stronger in spirit that we may come off conqueror to Satan. I'm so grateful for the faithfulness of friends and family. Their continued trust and love makes me to want to become a better person. I know this Church is true.

And I say these things in the name of Jesus Christ. Amen.

Signing Out

Matt

Idea... Well... More like sentimental Idea

So... You get one of these again... sentimental and probably annoying... but here it goes

So I was listening to a great wonderful song and have been for almost three days... ok well... not straight... well... I am straight but I mean I like I listen to it whenever I can and when others aren't in the car.

THIS SONG HAS PENETRATED MY SOUL!!! LITERALLY!!! ouch...

I know some people might not get this cause it's more of a song for a guy... Girls like the song and they might be able to compare with me how they feel but seriously... for the guys... This one... well for the guys who want to read and the girls who will read...

Author : Stephen Speaks

Song : Out Of My League

Album : No More Doubt


(Girls you can change the word to be about a guy if you want)
Before anyone goes crazy and stuff listen to the song a couple of time.

Yeah it's cute and sentimental... but the reason why i'm having you listen to it or you can choose to listen to it is not the reason you probably think.

Most people listen to this song and think "Oh was a great love song" "I'd melt if someone sung me this..." (Yes... you know who i'm talking about... hopefully) "Great song to get a girl to like me"   And other stuff like that. But take a step back. Don't listen to this song on a one to one level or a boyfriend to girlfriend level. I know the song is really targeted to lovers or people who want lovers...

But the beautiful thing about music is that you can take it anyway you want. It's up to you. Whatever you think might not be what the person next to you is thinking. It's beautiful.

The reason I went through all this work to tell you this is so you can think about it too. I guess that's what Blogs are about.

I just thought you could think about it about everyone.

The way I see this song is...
     Picture the friends and people you have met and that have influenced you over your life. Now listen to the song and picture the friends, the family, the stranger who has helped you in your life. Picture their face. Picture how they have helped you. Remember how grateful you are for them and how much you really love them. How even though there isn't anything romantic between you two, you still Love them with all your heart.
     Now most people when they think about friend that have influenced them for the better, I usually think I'm "Out Of My League once again"
     How in the world did I become so lucky to have such wonderful friends. Grown to love how they act and their funny little quirks. Even though you are totally different you are so glad that you have met them because they have made you so much better than what you were before.
    
This just all hit me tonight. How grateful I am for people; People who lift me higher.

We are all out of our leagues. Think about it. We can all grow to something on this earth. We could be the dictator of the world and still be out of our league. Without the Love of God and the Atonement we wouldn't be able to get in the right league. We're out of our leagues without the condescension of God. The Love he has for us. The infinite love. The infinite Atonement. "We all should Love how Christ Loved." Infinitely and without guile. Without hate or light-mindedness.

I'm sorry that just turned into a religious thing. Actually I'm not sorry. It's true. God loves us. He will always love us. He will always want what's best for us. We just need to figure out his will and strive to live a Christ-Like life. Looming, I know. We can't live a perfect life but we can live a life to the best of out abilities and Christ will make it up for the rest. Perfect through Christ.

(Watch out CHALLENGE AHEAD READ AT YOUR OWN RISK)


Challenge Part 1: Now go out and tell someone how much you love them. But don't tell someone who you talk to regularly. Talk to someone who has influenced you and you don't see them all the time. Don't Facebook them or Text them. Socialize. Call them. Meet up with them. Talk to them. It's so much better to talk.

Challenge Part 2: Now for the second part of the challenge "Be not afraid of the Gospel of Christ." Stand as a witness in all things and in all places. Don't be afraid to talk about the Gospel to people. The biggest part about this part of the challenge is to not be afraid to talk. In our day and age of texting and blogging (Ironic eh?) and Facebook. We lose the social part of life. Talk. Be not afraid.

Signing Out
Matt

P.s. Try to keep the special experiences to yourself unless you are prompted to share them. Don't flaunt around with the gospel. It is a sacred and special thing. But testify. I know a little confusing... but you'll get it.

So... Oceans

I just heard a really good song last night... well two nights ago. First time I've ever heard it. But it was a really good song. One that gets stuck in your head. You know those songs that once you've listened to them they never leave. They never go even when you get annoyed by them. Well this time, I've decided to take this song and try to learn something from it...

You know what I learned...

I'm a Sap.

There I said it.

But really I am.

I'm one of those guys who loves a good Chick Flick, a good Love Song. I don't know how it happened and it doesn't make sense. I guess growing up with 4 girls took it's toll on me.

It's true... Sappy sap. Probably not the worst but really... I watch Leap Year and I was all mad close to the end when she didn't end up with the right guy. Then I was really really happy when at the end she finally ends up with him. I wouldn't say as much as I cried. I'm not much of a sap. I'm not a saap. Just a sap.

It's been a thing coming. It's not new. I know it. I tried writing songs... but they all ended up to be something about love and stuff... It was strange. Even when I tried not to do something songy and with lyrics that was sappy... it just happened. I've sat down and started playing and a song just pops out. I don't even remember them the next day. It's just like they need to pop out or I'll go insane.

Oh here is an example. This is the last one I wrote and I only got a couple lines in... basically one verse. Maybe half a verse... or a chorus... I'm not sure but here it is.


I am walkin, Through the forest of Love
They a mockin, The way I feel for you but girl
Oh girl, please know you are the one for me
who I love completely

Sappy. I know. It just happened. I sat down with my guitar and put a capo on and started playing and after a while I started to sing. Kind of strange. I thought I was going insane. Yeah make fun of me. Go for it. You can if you want... but I don't think it'll change me.

I just thought of something random... would a "Sappy Man" be a contradiction?

And there is my wall.

Oooo... 'nother idea pop. Blam. Bam. Bap.

So i guess this in the end... I'm not really sure.

I could just ramble. But I don't think many would read it. Well... I just had an idea. I'll make a separate page that has some random lyrics on it. I'll change it periodically... if you want. Posting them isn't as good cause then you just get lyrics... no commentary. The commentary is probably the best part eh. Read on... if you want.

But this is ending.

Singing Out
Matt

Just Because

Sitting in my bed room with plenty to do
But i'm kinda lazy
So I got on the computer not knowing what to do.
I read some random stuff and then started to type

This is what I got as you might be able to tell
It's not all that good you see but that is just because
This is just because there is no other reason
No rhyme or meaning or other junk to make any sense.

So please just don't worry I haven't gone insane
well mostly haven't gone but that adds to the mystery.
The mystery of why i'm still typing and why you are still reading.
Don't look at me, You're interested apparently.

Interested in strange rambling of a Tall, Weird kid.
But don't worry, it's not contagious.
Well I don't think it is, So you probably should stop.
Stop before you actually start to like this garbage.

But if you start to like it then ummm.
Woop de doo.
I'm personally not a fan
I'm just saying stuff

This probably doesn't qualify for anything really cool.
But between you and me
I'm gonna go jump in a pool.

Signing Out
Matt

Change... It's good for you.

So that bright annoying yellow just had to go. So I got something that I thought was still awesome and was a little tiny bit still musical... casue it'sa me.

Signing Out
Matt

It's been a while...

Hey, Guess what... I'm not dead. I'm just clarifying that i'm not dead and haven't fall off the face of this earth. I'm just at school... which is pretty much the same thing but whatever. School is intense. Really really intense. I love it. I have found the perfect time to study and the perfect place to study... well for me. Perfect time is right after all my classes are done and on Tuesdays after the devotional. I go to the Library. I know that some people don't like this place but I find the BYU Library a perfect place to study because the only distractions I have is my laptop doing what i'm doing right now. But it's not a bad distraction because I only use it when I need a little break from studying. A way to clear my brain for another while of study.

BYU is pretty much the Bomb.com. It's really fun to be here and you meet a lot of people from all over. I have made about 6 friends but unfortunately/fortunately they are all guys. One is from Cali, another from Orem. One from Iowa, one from Arizona and I really can't remember where the other one are. I don't even think we've talked about where they are from. So... don't judge me. But they are awesome. I have two classes with 3 of them so I see and talk with them during the day. The two I've grown closest with names are Taylor and CJ. Taylor is from Cali and CJ is from Orem. It's pretty interesting to hear stories, especially from Taylor, about life. Here in Mormonville it's kinda hard to understand people who aren't members because literally everyone here is a member. Not everyone but a lot of people are members. It's cool to hear stories of people they have talked to and friends they know and stuff. It's really cool to hear their testimonies and try to understand how the received it.

One this I though was really cool was from a friend called Trevor. He lives in Iowa. Iowa is all one mission and it covers I think one stake or less. I find it intriguing that the whole state of Iowa is one mission. Iowa isn't really that small. I bet it's so hard to find people who believe the same things you do out in Iowa because it's just huge.

Meeting new people is fun. Classes are fun. Everyone wants to be there and you have no party poopers who are just there because they have to be. Everyone participates and everyone is awesome.

Nothing more... just an update on my life

OH MISSION UPDATE!!!! I now have a visa to leave the country!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I'm definately going to Brazil now!!!!!!!!!!

Signing Out
Matt

Mmmm... Mmmm... Chalk

I Love Chalk. When you mix chalk and friends well a lot of fun happens.

Some friends and I/Me/whatever is proper grammer, have hung out tonight and yesterday night. Well each night has been topped off with a piece of amazing. They got awesome idea to go and draw on a round a-boot with chalk. I thought that it was pretty much brilliant. It was way fun and it made me realize that it doesn't matter what I'm doing, just as long as I'm with friends then I'll be ok. It'll like that with movies too. I went to go see How to Train Your Dragon by myself and it was kinda good. Then I went with friends and it was loads better. Like 50 Times better. So much better that you wouldn't believe how much better. I really like it, especially when I'm kinda hyper. It's fun that way.

Not much of a post and I know... EARLY but I'm up and I can post something right?

Signing Out
Matt

The Longest title you'll ever see in this blog about nothing really. More like a blog inside a Blog and a title. I wonder how many characters I get to put a title. This is really long. It's like just as long as I am tall. Kinda weird to think about. It's not short or anything and this goes on for ever. Are you really going to read all of this? Cause it's more like a waste of your time to really read and try to understand all this. Snorkel. See I can do it too. The walls are white and the ceiling is white. My bed is white. I'm white. Man... I need to paint something... I choose the carpet. Or Pichachu What ever comes first in the line of my mind. Man. I wonder if all this will post. It's like a Title Blog. It's probably going to be just as long as the post. Or as me tall. Man, I'm running out of things to type. If two dogs are running as speed of 10 MPH and they are going to collide. How many people are going to die in the plane crash right next to them? Answer me that Math Teachers. Ok, this is a really long title. I really expected it to just randomly cut off halfway through a sentence about 10 years ago. But it didn't. So I'll keep typing till it does or until I annoy myself so much that i'll stop... . . . . Woah that took a lot of space and it still isn't down. I wonder how many people will read this. If you read this Leave a comment that says the one random word that I put way earlier back. If you get it right I'll send you a Doritos bag or something. Something cool. But since only like one person looks at this anyways... I don't think that will happen anytime soon. Oooo I just realized I probably have a bunch of random one word things in this ahem.. "Title" Good luck Guess away. Hopefully it's not too obvious cause I really want this Doritos bag. Thursday is my favorite day ( For this week and while I go to school cause it's basically the weekend for me now) looooooooooooonnnnnnnnnnnnnnnngggggggggggggg Ahem... "Title" I guess i'll just name this one Ahem... "Title" ok sooo I guess Signing out of this Ahem... "Title" Matt

July 1st,
July 2010
1st, 2010
July
1st
2010

Moving on,

Hey guess what... today is July 1st of 2010. Yeah, Pretty epic. I'm counting down to just about 34 days. What about you? What are you counting down to?

*Listens (Just like all the kid cartoons)*

That's a great one.

Now we go off to save the doritos. As a flying Hawk (Doritos Link) I'd say look at it and read and watch it be amazing like 20 and a half times in a row for 20 years. So don't worry. You've got a lot of time to watch it over 20 years. Better get started.


Well, now lets say i'm sitting in my room being bored. Lets just pretend I'm writing a post that will be view by round about 5 people. Maybe 10 if each of the 5 look at it twice for kicks and giggles. Or use it to find the Doritos Link. That means within 20 years I should have like 102 and a half visits to this page just to find the Doritos. That's cool.

Blagh is a cool word. Cause it's Blah and Blog put together. I'm pretty sure that is all this is. A Blagh. A really bada one-a. Pretty bad. I'm like a fly, never know where it's going and really really realllllllllly annoying. That's why you just pull out your newspaper and swat this Blagh. Bleh.

Wind is cool. The End

HA, you thought I was done... No Dice. :P

"I'm the leader I say when it's done
.
.
.
Ok it's done"

Singing Out
Matt

Three days later... all is just peaches and pie.

Well. It's been three day's since the last post. Nothing much to write about and nothing much to talk about. I ummm... am at school... but you know that already. Nothing exciting. Nothing to report. Boring Post. Blah Blah Blah Blagh.

Singing Out
Matt

My Thought Process

So, I know some people are probably thinking how i Think... Think to think (Help help, We're sinking).Well... I don't know how to let you know how I think. I guess I'll just through... well type a bunch of random thoughts in my head to get them out.

"Steven Colbert really has things right, just gets to them in the weirdest and sometimes most disgusting ways."

"Strawberry's my favorite"

"If the healthy hand line forms here... where does the unhealthy hand line start?"

I know this really doesn't help you understand... but it's fun.

"2+2=fish
fish=food
food=good
good=alive
therefore we find that
2+2=alive."

"My sister is the most awesome person I know, I always learn so much from her. For example she wears her CTR ring so that the CTR is facing herself so it reminds her to choose the right. I know it's not a lot and it probably doesn't make sense but I always thought I'd wear my CTR facing away from me so it could remind others to Choose the Right. A subtle difference I know but Now I try to wear mine facing towards me cause I realized that to 'make the world a better place, take a look at YOURSELF. Then make the change' (Man in the Mirror)"

"I think kids have more wisdom than adults. We think that we need to teach kids the right way which we should be through examples and such. But sometimes we need to slow down and listen to our child because they are amazing. They have taught me so much"

"The moon is amazing tonight"

"Mars is bright tonight (Harry Potter Number something)"

I can never choose a favorite character from the Book of Mormon because they all have done through so much and a lot of them are filled with the Spirit. I'd just pick all of them somehow. They are all amazing."

"I need to somehow work on music or learning something more music related"

"OOOOO... I'm kinda teaching myself the drums. I just play with them and get rhythms down and work on becoming better. It helps me to not be boring during the summer... not lazy."

Signing Out
Matt

I think I need to post... Bam... A post is born.

 Life moves fast... especially in college. Wow, the end of my first school week... Weird. You know what is even weirder... College girls. You wanna know why? Well... every girl in college from the age of 18-27 ish all look the same... Not the same as in... 'haven't i seen you before' same. Like there isn't an age put on girls in college. It's weird... Which also it very weird cause you start talking to a girl and since they are all so mature they just can talk to literally anyone. Well, I guess that also comes with the 'girl' or 'woman' status. But it's especially weird cause you start to get to know one of the girls and then the next class period you learn that she is 25 and almost done with college. It kinda freaks me out. I know, I know, 'grow up matt'. But it's still weird. College is just weird. Who came up with it... oh wait... probably girls.

It's the way for girls to freak out some little frosh by talking with him. Oh I get it. Just a giant conspiracy of girls trying to make Pre-missionaries feel weird. Oh great. How fun. It's scary. Watch Out.

'This post has been brought to you by Matt, "Tall and not all that small, snorkle". Please refrain for doing anything stupid while reading this post. (i.e. pick your nose, punch your computer, eat your arm, drive a car, read this post, ect.) Causes from reading this post include nausea, heartburn, indigestion, upset stomach, diarrhea (go pepto-bismal). Side effects can include and are not limited to death, dizziness, death, blindness, death, death, dearth, darth, considering things that start with the letter M, losing your head, going insane, death, teenagers, very small rocks, gravy, churches, a duck, death, death, Brad Pitt, restless leg syndrome, narcoleptic, madness, twitterpation, death, Eric Whitacre, Lights, Blind spots, seeing spot run, buying a puppy, crashing a car, having friends, losing friends, living, death, losing your hair and death. Don't eat 5 hours before reading this post. Must be taken with food. Don't eat anything 47 hours after reading this post. Don't be Dumb. Take with plenty of Mud, dirt and worms. Don't puke or else you will have to start everything over again. Fish. Don't lay down for 3 hours after reading this post. Don't go out in the sun. Get plenty of sunlight. Don't do Drugs. Read this post. Puke or not. Avatar. Sleep for 6 hours after reading this post. Don't Die. Love others. Have fun. Remember who you are, where you come from and what you're doing.'

Singing Out
Matt