June Roses

 "God gave us memories that we might have June roses in the Decembers of our lives."  Over the past 32 years, President Monson has repeated that phrase nine times in General Conference (don't believe me, look here!).  I thought it was great timing to read that this morning as it is currently December.  Looking back over these e-mails and pictures each week has definitely become a June rose, though I wouldn't say I'm in a December of my life.

Interestingly enough, I have had a number of experiences lately where I remember something random from my mission.  Last night, for example, I dreamed I was back in Ukraine buying the world's greatest soft drink, Zhivchik (see the picture below).  I'm baffled at how periods of time in my life that were so challenging, like my mission, are now fond memories to me.  This concept reminds me of a poem that I wrote shortly after I got back from my mission that I titled, "Current Memories."  Here it is:

I'm living current memories...

Events that when recalled here shortly, will call me to my knees.

You could say a current look back.

A look at how good things are happening,

And how my life is right on track.

Oh yes, I really should be pleased...

Because the Lord is right beside me

To lead me and to guide me

There's joy building inside me,

And these current memories...

Now as I face another day...

I notice a strange sense of direction.

Safety and protection.

Drop your doubt and hesitation

'Cuz it's onward to perfection!

...Don't chase your dreams away!

Just listen when I say,

"Live your current memories."

Rather juvenile, I'll admit, but the concept is sound: when struggling through anything, realize that you will someday look back on that trial with some measure of fondness.  Try to find joy in the journey now and know that things are going to pick up.  That's been my life lesson this week.  What was yours?

Yum.

"From: Grant Stoddard <gstoddard86@yahoo.com>

Date: February 1, 2006 1:00:37 AM AKST

Subject: dobre den

Hi everybody,

It's great to hear about life back home from everyone...I opened my mail today and there were tons, didn't think I'd ever be able to get through it, but here I am...just another example of enduring to the end ha ha ha. 

Anyway, this week has been way good...it started warming up, plus I had good gloves, and good boots...which by the way boots were so hard to come by...no one in their right mind sells size 47 (European) boots...especially fur lined cool looking ones...but I ended up finding some that were size 45 that fit and worked out for me...so all is well. 

We had a way good week as far as work, we started just teaching and teaching and teaching and ended up with like 30 lessons...including ones from contacts (something that sounds foreign in the provo area :)) and tracting and things like that...it was way good, and helps me with my language quite a bit...as well as teaching skills, cuz now I just go up to people and teach teach teach. Elder Gashler and I play a pretty cool game all the time in which we give one another words to use as we contact or door approach or what not...it usually has some pretty funny results (i.e. have you ever stopped by los angeles? did you go fishing today...which the guy miraculously said yes to...and hello, my name is lawnmower...I mean elder stoddard) it's a lot of fun, and just gets us smiling and also, surprisingly people become more interested in these weird americans. 

Elder Gashler and a kitty - an example of us being "weird Americans."

We taught a really cool guy that talked about how anything that draws someone closer to Christ is good, and that we're doing a great job out here doing exactly that. He has his own radio station in which he plays a bunch of Christian music, and recordings of the bible...it was way cool. 

Speaking of the Bible, I finished the New Testament the other day...if anyone's looking for some good reading, I highly recommend it...especially the book of Revelation - it was freakin' awesome (try references with D&C 77, and Joseph Smith Translation) wow...fun stuff. 

We have zone conference tomorrow with Lutsk and Lviv...it's gonna be way cool, cuz everyone from my district in the MTC'll be there except Elders pace and jackson, but it'll still be good to see some of those other guys and see how they are progressing in language and in life. 

Elder Gashler and I have started a diet...no worries, I took a nutrition class I know what to avoid and stuff (haha, yeah I know it all)...in which we only eat soup and salads at lunch, we run every other morning, we don't eat candy and all that, but rather fruits and breads...which by the way the little mandarin oranges over here, are awesome...and all that jazz. We just talked about how he's going home in a few months, doesn't want to be fat, and everyone always puts on some weight in the winter time, I figured what the hey...it's not that hard, it's not that long, and I've already felt like I can see results. it's pretty good. Can't wait till summer still :) 

I think now that I look back on that that I may have already mentioned it...well, tough. 

Life is good. Things are still hard, but it is good. I, the awesome, imperfect Grant Stoddard, have to admit one little flaw now. Does everyone remember how I said that I got all the good genes? well, I think I see some bipolar flair up every now and again. It's not the rage, I wanna kill the whole world, type, but every now and again I'll have just a bummer sad day...even if it's right after our best day ever...it pisses me off...I do, really all that I can, and pray...read scriptures those sort of things and miraculously everything picks up. More of that "God of Miracles" stuff. 

I had one or two people mention feelings like that this last week in e-mails, and I (get ready for the sermon part) think it's amazing that I read the article I did today. It was called the profound power of gratitude by Thomas S. Monson, and it was way good. My favorite quote from it...dealing w/ something that has been hard...because I have all these vivid memories of things that I miss - camping, movies, music, people, friends, family, tak dali (etc.) - hit me like a ton of bricks today and it's perfect. It goes like this, "God gave us memories, that we might have June roses in the December of our lives." It talks about how greatful we should be, and I just thought about that in a positive outlook...I have all of those vivid memories and things to be grateful for and I truly am. I still miss all of those things at the moment, it doesn't change that fact...but I know in the long run, everything'll be back to normal...and even further down the road, every other thing will be restored in all its perfectness...the saving Gospel of Jesus Christ strikes again. 

anyway. It's February now...January, the long month is past, now we have just 28 days of this and then it's March and hopefully warmer. plus...there's a bunch of birthdays and valentine's day in there, so it'll go by like a blur. 

I hope you all know how grateful I am for all of you. and for the fond memories that I have of you. I'm grateful to the Lord for giving me such great examples and role models and people to learn from in my life. I'm grateful for my attitude, my learning experiences and philosophy on life. People do what people do...we all need to learn to forgive, to compromise, and to continue loving people even if we don't condone their actions...that's been my life lesson this week. What was yours? 

Anyway...in case anyone doesn't notice...I have an affinity (vocabulary word mom) for writing. I enjoy it, and get caught up in it...and because I look at all this like journal entries as much as emails home...I will continue to write in the style that I do. It's kinda therepeutic I must admit. 

Anyway. Someone asked me how my church is. Church is interesting here. I try to listen, but I try to learn to. People speaking in Ukrainian/Russian/Serjick (a mix) w/ words I don't completely understand, is tough...but as I strive to listen, and all, it's interesting because I'm beginning to follow what is going in the conversation, and at least know what we're all talking about. I don't input much, but it's still quite a thing to behold. 

I'm gonna start teaching the intermediate english class...we'll see how that all works out. our new district is composed almost entirely of elder gashler's mtc group with me and Elder Adair in there too. it's cool, but tough to infuse yourself into something that tightly bound already. it'll work though, I know it. 

Anyway. I think that's about it as far as news is concerned. We've really done a lot of finding people...we've got a guy named Sasha and his family who came to church, they're way cool, and just ready to start teaching. We've also got some people who are frustrating because they're ready, we just can't meet with em, or when we do they don't really care. whatever, all is well. 

Oh quick news...Elder Gashler reminded me. We have a webcam here in Rivne, it's live and you can view it online...I don't know the address...get a hold of my mom to find out more...but if anyone's interested in maybe seeing elder Gashler and I run in the morning here next week...get on and view Tuesday Night (your time) at 9:45 p.m. to 10:00p.m. we'll be right in center and try to do something to catch your attention...then, you can quickly write and tell me if it worked and I can respond and talk about it with you that day (cuz it'll be pday for us) 

all is well. Love everyone. Have fun w/ each other. Do what is right, let the consequence follow. 

Love you all.

peace out, life is peachy.

--Grant

Elder Stoddard"