A Cracked Nut

I'm counting down the weeks to freedom, when I'm done with school for at least three months and have nothing to worry about but getting enough work. Then I'll actually be able to propperly keep my blog updated. . . :(

We Pray For You

There are actually vary few people in this world whom I truly and completely respect. The Cat in the Hat, Sports Star, The 15+, Indiana, and Van Gogh probably fill the list. I've been in close contact with most of these people for a while, I've been able to see all of them recently except for Van Gogh, who I haven't seen or talked with for over two years or so.

I still remember when I first met him. I was walking in the MTC going back to get my luggage and I heard my name yelled out "Elder Stuff!" When I looked over I saw Van smiling at me as he proudly announced that he was my companion. Over the next two years Van Gogh and I saw each other regularly and spent a good deal of time together. I left him on the other side of the world but knew we would see each other again.

The next time I heard from him was via announcement to his wedding reception. As soon as I got up to him in the line there was a huge embrace just as you might expect from long lost brothers, but then I went off my own direction and he went his.

A week ago as I was working on a puzzle of fitting four desks, two tables, two file cabinets, and some other things into a rather small office a fellow walked up to watch the show. I noticed him out of the corner of my eye and with a huge smile shouted out his name, "Van!" We exchanged phone numbers and have made plans to have dinner together at his place.

I'm excited to tell him about some of my achievements since I left him on the other side of the world. I've been an elementary teacher, a door-to-door salesman, and a carpenter. I've earned my associates and graduated from institute (and I'm working on doing it again.) Together Van Gogh and I learned a new language and then we both learned two more. Since then I've been working on learning another two. (That means that since I've met Van Gogh I've learned five different languages, and that's not including any dialects.) Certainly he's had some great achievements himself, who knows he might have a couple of kids now. This will be a great opportunity for both of us.

In Reply

I recall some of my friends that didn't go along with the "Utah norm". We would have good times together and spent hours doing it. As I looked back at some of the things that I had been doing I began to feel a little guilty about it. I knew that it was wrong and I knew that it wasn't helping me to truly be happy. A decision was made that I was going to work more at doing what I should do which, unfortunately meant I had to either ask my friends to do something else or I just had to spend less time with them. Quickly the latter came into effect and we've since drifted apart.

Years have now passed since I've heard about anything from that group of friends and as I think back about them I worry that some may have continued in their actions and ended up making choices that may have taken their lives, but I also hope that some have been able to make changes in their lives and are even now doing something great like raising a family or something else of great influence.

Remembering those times, I recall that one of the activities they enjoyed doing most was complaining about the Utah culture and how much they disliked it. When I started to make the changes in my life the scowl that was placed upon the general people slowly turned directly upon me. I learned that to love the sinner, not the sin, is a difficult thing to do. Even more difficult is to make the sinner realize that you love them even if what they are doing is wrong. Dancing Monkee, I hope that you are able to figure out how to help your friend realize how much you only want the best for them.