Uma Segunda Chance

Uma segunda chance, means a second chance.

I was recently touched by a quote President Thomas S. Monson made in a CES Fireside. He said, most things in life require a second effort. As I sat in bed tonight, I felt like I needed to give a second effort in answering two questions I received in a job interview today. So I decided to blog about them.

Where do you see yourself in 5 years?

A bold question--one must first analyze, where was I 5 years ago? BYU. I was a frustrated sophomore trying to decide what I should major in, and what the purpose of my life was. I had no idea at that point I would soon be working in New Mexico, as a wrangler at Philmont Scout Ranch. Neither had it touched my mind that in a short year I would move to another country, learn a different language and completely change my diet from meat and potatoes to beans and rice--enough said.

So the question remains, where will I be in the next 5 years? It almost remains uncertain, but there are some principles that shall remain true--I guarantee that in 5 years I will still be firm in my faith, happy with my family relations and striving to make a difference in the lives of those around me. No matter how much time shall pass, be it 5 or 50 years, these parts of me shall remain true.

Second question that I have thought a lot about: What do you think about when you have nothing else to think about?

I loved this question, how appropriate, but I have to admit it caught me a little off guard. Yet, as I thought about it driving home I noted my thoughts. Generally when I have nothing else to think about, I start dreaming about how to make the world a better place. How can I help agriculture progress? How can I persuade the person in downtown Salt Lake to buy their vegetables at the local farmers market? How can I convince the people around me and ultimately my nation that debt never was a good idea? How can I be an influence for good?

Problems exist worldwide. Complaints exist worldwide. Yet, how often do we try to become part of that solution? I dream about solving problems. I try to make agriculture more sustainable, economical and appealing. I rally groups together, express opinion and write until my writer cramp becomes a permanent dent in my fingers. Truthfully, I love becoming part of the solution.

So fellow bloggers, I challenge you to think about these same questions and blog about them:
Where do you see yourself in 5 years?
What do you think about when you have nothing else to think about?

Uma Porta Abriu

Open Doors
Originally uploaded by *Fede*

Uma porta abriu, describes my feelings today--translated it means, a door opened.

Have you ever found yourself in life feeling like all the doors were being shut, and all the answers to your prayers are "wait" or "no." Honestly, I detest such life situations, but the truthful thought of those experiences is I grow immensely.

My life, like most, tends to follow the "wait" pattern. I can almost hear Heavenly Father declaring the favorite words of my brother, "Waaaiitt for it, waaait." When I think I cannot hold on for a second longer, my prayers become more intense and my soul begs for more strength.

Last night in such a moment the words of Ether 12:6 came to my head:

Wherefore dispute not because ye see not, for ye receive no witness until after the trial of your faith.

Such an enlightenment helped me to understand once again that life is all about patience testing. No matter how much I want something or how bad I want it, the doors of life do not open until I am fully prepared to enter in them.

Today, I glory in the fact a door has opened. I passed another test. I am interviewing for an agriculture field study position next week. During economic hard times, I have been offered the opportunity to interview for a job that offers full benefits. If I am allowed to step through the door I can stay close to family, horses and the agriculture I love. Most of all, I believe I can make a difference.

But if not...a better door shall open and greater patience shall be achieved. For my patience's sake, lets pray that I have found my door.

Opa!

"Opa" means whoops in portuguese. It's the best word to answer my sister-in-law's challenge to post my 6th photo, in my 6th folder. Well guess what, its her--as a mouse! Sister, thanks for the best laugh I have had all day!

Perdido

Perdido in Portugese has many meanings, but mostly it just means lost.

I pose the question to the bloggersphere, why is it we are so ungrateful for the things we have U-N-T-I-L we lose them?

As a graduating college student, I never realized the value of car insurance, health insurance, heck...any insurance... until I realized I am going to lose it. Did I ever once say thank you to the loving dad that has given it too me for so long? Thanks Dad...(I guess I finally said it).

What about health? I have spent the last four days on a couch wishing there was such think as a stomach trader. I have not eaten hardly anything but crackers and drunk anything but gatorade. I have moaned, groaned, twisted and braced against stomach pain...however, only then did I realize the value of health.

As we rise every morning do we even realize the great gift of health? To run and not be weary, to walk and not faint--what a blessing.

Thanks God.

Do yourself a favor, be grateful for what you have today, go hug something before you lose it.

Liberdade

American Flag
Originally uploaded by The Road Here (Patti)

"Liberdade" in Portuguese means Freedom.

Today is Veteran's Day. As part of my celebratory experiences, I watched a flag ceremony carried out by the Utah State ROTC, and Air Force. As part of that ceremony, 13 cannons were fired to honor the Utah State University Veterans who had participated in 13 different conflicts/wars.

Words cannot adequately describe my feelings listening to those cannons. It was if a mirage of soldiers appeared in my mind chanting, "Remember us and be grateful."

How often do we remember those soldiers, who on this day are in foreign lands fighting wars so that we may continue to go to school, work, and on family vacations?

The opposite of Freedom, is bondage, "a state of subjection to a force, power, or influence." A state in which upon circumstance we would be forced to do all things. Sometimes we enter war to prevent others from being subjected to such bondage.

The idea between freedom and bondage has been fought ever since the world began. God fought for our freedoms, when he sent his son, Jesus Christ, to win the war over sin. He formulated a perfect plan in which we can return to our perfect home once again. Do we remeber the ultimate soldier who fought with blood from every pore to give us our freedom?

Sometimes no. Because that 'ole serpant Lucifer, continues to make war with us, God's children, to bring us into bondage. He advocates war, places hateful and power-hungry thoughts into our hearts. He wishes us to forget all those who have made a sacrifice for our freedom.

Let us stop yielding unto him, and follow our True Leader--the one who desires our freedom.

So, today on this veteran's day. I just feel grateful. I am grateful for the promised land of America. A place where I can know of the true God, because of the many soliders that fought for religious freedom.

In short, I am proud to be an American, and I hope that God will continue to bless this land as we remember those who fought for our freedoms.

POR QUE?

Saddle Bronc Riding
Originally uploaded by Bill Gracey

Por que in portuguese means WHY?

Ungratefully, sadly, and unfortunately, that is how I have been feeling these past couple of days. No matter how many blessings I count, activities I do to try to persuade myself from asking such a childish word, it still comes....

In some senses, you could compare me to Laman, and Lemuel. I've been murmuring my way through life. Why don't I have this? Why do I have to make this choice? WHY? WHY? WHY?

Why?! The answer comes, because you need more patience
Why?! Because you need more humility
Why?! Because you need more charity
Why?! Because when you are in tribulation, that is when you are at your best--teachable

Why?! Ultimately so you can become more like Him above

Life always has its whys, and how comes. "The Lord descended below all things, are thou greater than He?"

Of Course Not. So I must be content wandering in the wilderness, until I find my promised land....argh, WHY?

Because the only way out is THROUGH. Hold on to the horn, stay in the saddle, because this life horse is going to buck hard.

Forca

Horse pull --- Strength
Originally uploaded by Carol Mitchell

Forca means Strength.

Everytime I start a new school year I am amazed at the extra force I am given from above. Yesterday, I spent more than 14 hours on campus doing everything from school assignments to a planned public relations campaign for our college of agriculture week. Today, I spent seven hours in front of a computer screen writing a research analysis and preparing a law presentation.

What amazes me the most about these past few days is the added strength I have felt. It's during these miraculous times that I think of the scripture that reads, "my grace is sufficient for all men that humble themselves before me."

In my bible dicitionary grace is defined as, "the divine means of help or strength." I love how Elder David A. Bednar divines the enabling power of atonement through the grace of our Savior Jesus Christ:

"The enabling and strengthening aspect of the Atonement helps us to see and to do and to become good in ways that we could never recognize or accomplish with our limited mortal capacity," he said.

In my language that means if I continue working my hardest each day, I Heavenly Father will reach down and give me those skills and attributes I desperately need. I know as long as I am trying hardest, He will do the rest.

So when Heavenly Father asks me to pull just like this horse, I just simply thrust with all my might and say, how Far?