Poor Romney, Poor America, Poor Brother

This semester I've been studying a lot of Isaiah. Mostly due to the fact that I'm in the religions class for "Writings of Isaiah". But now that I actually am understanding Isaiah's words, I LOVE to study Isaiah. Anywhere I can find his words, I get so excited like I found a hidden treasure. I've been really enlightened on just how important his words are to us--and now that I know how to read them--I eat them up. Did you know that Isaiah is the most quoted Prophet in the scriptures? Or that he's the only Prophet Jesus Christ has ever specifically called out by name (3 Nephi 23:1-3) and then commanded us to know his words. And Bruce R. McConkie said, "It just may be that my salvation (and yours also!) does in fact depend upon our ability to understand the writings of Isaiah". I also went to a Religious Symposium that talked about how 2/3 of the Doctrine & Covenants had Isaiahannic language. Regardless, Isaiah is a  very important guy.

As I've been able to read his words and actually understand them this time around, I've been intrigued to see how he describes our day so accurately and to see what will come in the future. Sometimes (okay--so most of the time) I get use to how our world works and I'm not surprised by the good and bad out there. I know our world is bad. But I don't exactly realize just how bad it is or why. It's just all I know in life. But the more I begin to understand the laws of heaven and earth and then read about Isaiah's description of our apostate conditions of the world in the latter-day--an epiphany occurs and I finally see things more clearly. I'm so grateful for Isaiah's doom and destruction detailed descriptions and then for the flip of a switch, with the messianic and millennial prophecies that have brought me to appreciate Christ and the Plan of Salvation to greater extents than I have before.

You might be wondering why I'm mentioning this little Isaiah monologue? Well, I feel bad for what happened last night. I feel bad as I've snooped around some on the internet and seen what some of the Republicans have said about how all is lost. I feel more invested in this election as 1) this was my first time voting 2) Mitt Romney was clearly what America needed politically right now and 3) I have seen a very hard working brother spend the last 17 months working a couple of years off of his life with this campaign.

For those of you who don't know John--you would want him on your campaign too--for starters. He's not perfect--but he has a lot of integrity, drive, and ambition. He's tenacious in nature. And he's always working towards improving anyone, any program, or any event to become closer to the ideal. Because he loves. He did this with siblings, neighbors, his deacons quorum, FHE lessons, learning how to be a home teacher, his failed entrepreneurship businesses he started in high school, his school assignments, his military service, his mission, at the MTC, and at school here at BYU. He rarely does anything relaxing--besides taking short naps because what is relaxing to him--is thinking or reading something that stimulates his mind onto something new that can be improved. He's an interesting character, whom I have closely watched the most of my life. He's lived in more hotel rooms than his apartment in Boston right now. I follow him around whenever he's in Utah for a day or two. I'm serious--for exapmle--I'll do his laundry and make him food and then he'll feel inclined to bring me along as he goes to chat with his ROTC buddies, his old roommates, his old girlfriend, his best friend from the mission, old Monticello wardies, his teams for Romney events etc; and I just kinda sit on the bench and observe and listen and pick up bits of information that he never communicates to the family about what he's been doing on the campaign. He never goes into too much detail; but I haven't been surprised when he worked his way up in the campaign to planning events left and right for the Romney's and interacting with them directly. He's not the same John he use to be 17 months ago--the stress he's dealt with hoping events are pulled off right are lined into his face and etched into his voice. He admits that campaign life has taken a toll on him--even admitting that he finally wants to be a boring person who just wants to be married and excited when boring and simple things happen to him during the day. Poor John. I know that out of anyone  I know, he wanted Romney to win--if not because John loves America, but because he actually understands the intents of the Governor and what Governor Romney would able to do if he had been elected. And then to give your life to it for awhile. Aw, I ache for my little-kid-brother John. I love him. I know him. He'll bounce back after recouping.

As far as American and Romney goes. I feel bad for America. That the people are disappointing me. I will always Believe in America. But the people--will they just align right along with the words of Isaiah. But perhaps, this helps us gauge where life is right now. And why we need a Messiah to return again to the Earth. As Isaiah says it best in the prophetic perfect (speaking of what will happen in the Millennium):

For the LORD is  our judge, the LORD  is our lawgiver, the LORD is our king; he will save us.-Isaiah 33:22

Looks like the Lord will be in every branch of our government: judicial, legislative, and executive. And whats more--he is also our Savior.  On one final note--at my Stake Conference this last week, Elder Lynn G. Robbins told us that no matter what happens, the Lord needs us to be his covenant people in the way he has always wanted his covenant people to be. We can't let our surroundings, our economy, our leaders, our wars, or our poor education keep us from being the light on the hill that God needs us to be. He needs his covenant people to exude happiness, peace, and faith in the future. To be his righteous remnant and prepare for the millennial day; by living in the millennial way.

And May I Present To Ya.....Costa Ricaaaaaaaaaa!

This is long over due. However, I figured it would be a good thing to blog, instead of studying for a midterm that I'll take in a few days. Naturally, that's the Monday morning feeling. Don't judge Mom--I'll still study! I just haven't really journaled some of my latest feelings yet. I've been so busy with school and living life that sometimes I forget that I have a mission call. And then I remember and then I have pure excitement, love, and a tinge of thrilling joy run all the way through me and I get soooooooooooooooooooo happy! It's kinda ridiculous. But I love it so so so much. It's amazing the kinship I feel to this land. For reals, though--I know that I was called by God, through a living prophet--specifically to be in Costa Rica for 18 months--to do something great. Here is a little of what I've been able to find out about Costa Rica (because let's be real here--before the mission--I hadn't really ever had a single, solid thought about that country...I'm sure I knew it was a country...I think).

So the night I got my mission call, Bishop Sloane gave me a phone call to congratulate me and tell me that he adores Costa Rica! He said that he's been there multiple times on business and that, out of all the Central America countries, Costa Rica is the number one, the safest! The prettiest. With the friendliest people. Apparently, it has the connotation of being the "Switzerland of Central America".

The next day I met someone who served in Panama (Costa Rica's southern neighbor) and he said his mission always said there were only 3 types of missionaries--the good ones, the bad ones, and the Costa Ricans. Whatever thats suppose to mean.

I also talked to this girl who served in C.A. and was in my Freshman Ward and she said that all the other C.A. countries kinda have a grudge against Costa Rica because the people are the "most prideful".

Prideful? Doubt it. I think compared to the other surrounding countries--maybe--but only because they're doing better. Costa Rica has the highest literacy rates in  C.A. and has free college! They also are very green! And love natural fruit.

Apparently, I have 2nd cousins that have vacationed to Costa Rica and LOVEDDDD the beautiful beachy/jungle, Spanish feel of the place. Both also talking about how friendly my future fellow Costans are!

Some girl in the Marching Band told me about all the scorpions that were in her clothes when she put them on when she went to Costa Rica! Dumb, dumb girl to tell me this. Then my roommates decided to look up all the other weird animals--like a basilisk (from Harry Potter--yes). Monkeys...I hope I can outrun! And these little cuties! I'm not worried about them. Maybe I can keep one in a jar to make me happy.

About a week after I got my call, I was able to find a girl who served in Costa Rica about 4 months ago and now teaches at the MTC. I found out where she lived, went to her apartment,  hoping she wouldn't think I was weird doing this, and then introduced myself and chatted for awhile. She was so awesome! We talked everything Costa Rica. She gave me advice about the country's weather, people, and what to plan on! About how humid it is--and how much it rains! Which I'm partial to both climates, thanks to being born and raised in the Pacific NW and then polished in the Deep South. So I know I'll be stinkin' wet (smelly) and a happy girl!

I really don't know exactly what I want to say in this post. I've been doing my digging about Costa Rica--as I've told people I'm headed there. I ate dinner with the cutest couple on this Earth (some 2nd cousins) who are expecting their 1st baby soon (on 12-12-12---really well planned and executed, eh) and who both served missions and taught at the MTC, and who also went to Costa Rica in February, and we just chatted about the Gospel. And it was so great.  And I want to be them in 5 years.

I think--I'm already growing to love Costa Rica so much. And as weird as it is--I already stinkin' love my mission. I feel like I'm in for a lifetime of blessings--of happiness--to be truly wow-zered (which isn't really a word) by how much joy can come into your life by living the Gospel, coming unto Christ through genuine, sincere, and continual worship; and helping everyone else do the same thing.

"Our ultimate goal is to become like the Savior, and that goal is enhanced by our unselfish service to others." -E. Robert D. Hales

   *And here's a quick shout-out to the temple. I double stinkin' triple LOVE love LOVE the temple. Good thing Costa Rica has one (pictured above)! Its been a month since Friday and I've been able to go 9 times, which still doesn't fill the desire in me to always go. Everyday I look at my schedule and try and think of how I could possibly squeeze it in--I don't understand much--but I know it is the House of God. And I feel a sacred, holiness that resides within. And every time I leave--I leave with an incredible, set-apart-feeling from the world. I just see life in an easier and happier light.