Here's a Little Story I Got to Tell

(Me and Elder Flake, that was my Portugues sign I wore, even though I spoke Espanol.)

Story Time - Back when Fred Flinstone worked for the angry Mr. Slate at the stone quarry, I went on a two year Mission Trip for the LDS Church in Southern Argentina, but before I arrived in Argentina I spent two months in the MTC, it's kind of like boot camp but, we didn't get to shoot guns. While I was there I was able to meet a lot of wonderful people; one of these was Elder Flake AKA Heb-Dogg. Many missionaries talk about as they enter the MTC they leave the real world and enter in a bubble, because their is no TV, Radio's, Newspapers, or really any connection with the outside world. Well for my main man Heb-Dogg as he entered into the MTC he actually entered into the world, greatly in part because of me. We were a good duo he taught me stuff from the Bible and I taught him about the world outside of his small Utah village.

Well after our two month stay at the MTC we both embarked on our journey to Argeland. For a year I heard very little of Elder Flake, other missionaries told me, "that guy doesn't stop smiling, he reminds me of those guys in the Called to Serve (Skip to 2:54 seconds.) video who wave at everyone." Well one year into my mission I was transferred to the gem of the mission a little place called San Martin De Los Andes and to my surprise Elder Flake was also being transferred into that same town. There were two sets of missionaries assigned to San Martin, Elder Flake and his Companion, who worked in town. My Companion and myself worked in the neighborhoods a little out of town. Within the district I was assigned as the district leader to over see a few areas; looking over the other Elders ensuring that everything was good.

I loved this area, the people there were amazing and I loved working in my area. Some members of the church even called the local radio station on my birthday and wished me a happy birthday. Because everyone down there listens to the radio all day, I was kind of a legend for a day. We'll the mission experience for the in town Elders area wasn't as wonderful as ours. I remember on occasion I would ask Elder Flakes companion, "Hey how are things going in your area?" His reply was something like, "Oh, this area is tough, it's beautiful, but people don't talk to us, we aren't teaching very many people and we have to climb hills all day." I would then ask Elder Flake that same question, "how are things going?" He would say with a smile, "You Know Elder things are going pretty good, we only have a few people to teach but, will find some more." His response was much more positive then his companions. I later asked myself, "how can two people have such a different outlook on their circumstance; when essentially they are experiences pretty much the same things each day?" I found the answer!!! One word, PERSPECTIVE. Our perspective determines our circumstance. A wise man once said, "I am convinced that life is 10% what happens to me and 90% how I react to it." There will always be things to complain about, things that will annoy us, but it is our choice if we are going to focus on those things.