i love my job, and i love working in the hotel industry, but sadly that means that sometimes i have to work on sundays.
like today, for instance.
i got a brand new nexus 4 the other day, along with my very first data plan for christmas. i can't wait to get lost so i can use my gps.
i bring that up, because there is this really great app that the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints put out that has all of the scriptures, hymns, and various other media on it available to download. so today at work (because it's a sunday and absolutely nothing happens on a sunday) i decided to spend my free time reading conference talks that i missed out on last session.
and for some reason i love reading the talks given at priesthood.
i don't know if it's because i like to know what men are supposed to be doing, so i can judge them more accurately if they're not...? (i'm very christ-like, i know) but regardless, i always learn something from reading them, and today was no different. one of my favourite ones was a talk given by our very own President Thomas S Monson called See Others as They May Become
it talks a lot about encouraging less actives to participate and that one of men's greatest motivators is responsibility. "sometimes letting our bretheren know they are needed and valued can help them take that step into commitment and full-activity." one of my favourite quotes from it goes as follows:
"courage is the word we need to hear and hold near to our hearts--courage to turn our backs on temptation, courage to lift up our voices in testimony to all whom we meet, remembering that everyone must have an oppertunity to hear the message. It is not an easy thing for most to do this. But we can come to believe in the words of paul and timothy: for god hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind. be not thou therefore ashamed of the testimony of our lord."
something i am constantly reminding myself of, is to live a life more centered around the gospel and around our lord, jesus christ. if i can become better at that, it will be easier for me to share my testimony and find those that need to hear it. i will be able to see my full potential and realize that i am stronger than any temptaion that is placed before me.
i used to think it was super lame and annoying when boys would talk about their missions all the time. didn't they realize that they were not there anymore? didn't they realize that they needed to move on to the next chapter of their life?
but as i've grown up and dated more, i've realized how absolutely and positively attractive that is to me. and not just the crazy and stupid stories that all missionaries have, but mostly the conversion stories. the stories that proved young men's faith and courage.
i have come to realize that the most attractive quality in a man to me is his testimony. a man that would take me to a fireside instead of a movie (maybe not every time, but you know, every once in awhile. i do like my movies.) a man who suggests prayer over a meal that we cooked together. a man that wants me to be and helps me to be my absolute best possible self.
it says so much more about a relationship (even in the early stages of dating) if the activites you are participating in are ones that openly invite the spirit. there is a deeper connection, a spiritual connection if you will, that can occur between two people when put in those positions. the most important kind of connection.
and that is what i am looking for.
"you should know that leopards don't change their spots!"
"you should know i don't work with leopards. i work with men. and men change every day."
also there's this really great definition of what a real man is:
"The kind of men we want as bearers of this gospel message (and as boyfriends. and as fiances. and as husbands. and as fathers.) are men who have faith in god; men who have faith in their religion; men who honour their preisthood;...men full of the holy ghost and the power of god;...men of honour, integrity, virtue, and purity."
now that's hott.