Advice from Elder Busche and Coach K

I absolutely LOVE this video. It has gotten me through some of the toughest times of my life. It really puts things into perspective.

Elder Busche says in one part of this advice "When you cannot love someone, look into that person's eyes long enough to find the hidden rudiments of the child of God in him."

I thought about this quote when reading from Coach K's "Leading With The Heart" book. In there he states "If you always look into your players' eyes-whether it's victory or defeat-you're going to get the most out of your profession." He found that as he did this there relationships were stronger and more unity was formed.

Gary Lewis producer and event coordinator for many celebrity functions was asked while here on BYU-Idaho campus, "how do you network?". He replied with something many of us business and communication majors did not expect, "Now I don't know what networking is, but I know how to build relationships." Gary is the type of guy who looks you straight in the eye, almost intimidating, he asks you direct questions and really wants to know the answers. He seeks for the child of God in every person.

These are people who have really embraced the idea that we are all children of our Father in Heaven. They have found that when seeking to understand and embrace each child of God success has found them and the love they have for others has grown.

"I am a child of God"

And so is everyone else...

We Problem Solve People

"What do leaders do in a crisis situation? They stay calm, stay focused, stay positive, stay confident, and utilize their best people," said Coach K.

Often times in a crisis people tend to freak out. They see all that is going wrong and jump to intense mode because they feel that if they don't they wont be able to get down everything they need to.

This season with the basketball league I had a saying we used everytime we got into a sticky situation, "we problem solve people" and for some reason it made everyone take a deep breath and find a solution to the problem.

I find that when you take a calm approach to a crisis situation more is able to get done and though things may not go as planned you can always find a way for them to work themselves out!

Answered Prayers

Beautiful Rexburg Temple

Remember my experience with trying to find the Spanish Branch in Rexburg?

On Friday I was headed out to do a session at the temple when my roommate asked me to wait for her and do initiatories instead of an endowment session. I crashed on the couch for a bit waiting for her but I was happy I didn't have to ride my bike up the exhausting hill to the temple.

We opened the doors to the temple and an Elder looks at me like he knew me and says "hey! you're home!"

I looked at him completely lost and then read his tag which was in Spanish. I forgot that he mentioned he knew me and was instantly happy to see them considering I have been wanting to help in anyway I could with the Latin members in Rexburg. He told me they weren't who I was looking for because they are in the Driggs area.

I then inquired more about how he knew me, he looked familiar but I couldn't remember anything about him. He seemed to remember lots about me from before the mission. Apparently we were in the same ward when I got my mission call.

Small World.

Even though they are in Driggs I offered my assistance on any lessons or activities. They took my number and then informed me of a fireside that was to be held in the Visitors Center at the Idaho Falls Temple.

After begging tons of people to go with me (my car is still broken down in Utah) I got a ride to the fireside and I am so grateful I had that opportunity.

With all the Spanish Missionaries in the Pocatello mission, Emeritus 70 Elder Hammond, members and a good friend of mine I enjoyed one of the more spiritual nights since being home from my mission.

I met investigators and members. I was able to bare my testimony in a language I have grown to charish. Doors were opened to future opportunities to teach a people that I feel so connected to. I felt that joy again that I felt daily on my mission.

I am so grateful for the people the Lord continues to place in my path and the doors that are being opened for me to grow and remember the experiences on my mission so that I can continue to be a member missionary.

I Am Grateful To Have Been Picked Up On At The Gym

My First day in the MTC

Within seconds of walking into the gym I caught a set of eyes checking me out. As many of you already no I am EXTREMELY observant. But the thing that caught my eye about this boy was that he is black. Here on campus (sadly) there are not many black men and I thought I had been introduced to everyone of them and have seen them regularly, but this one had a familiar face. It was familiar but I felt like I hadn't seen him in a while.

After walking past I took a look back at him and then to my surprise he totally just waved at me. I then took the hint and walked over and asked "have we met before?" He looked at me all crazy and I realized he really was just trying to hit on me and didn't recognize me from anywhere. Right then it all came back to me...

2 years ago in the MTC I was teaching a young black man from New York on the phone (you missionaries remember the RC? Word is they shut it down at the MTC, I was devastated to hear that). This man on the phone said he didn't think there were any black men in the Mormon church. I had noticed the black elder who walked in the room just before he had said that to me and I responded "funny that you say that because there is a missionary in here right now that could clear up that miss conception". I then begged the elder to get on the phone with this young man. At first reluctant and almost offended that I asked he took the phone. Come to find out this young elder was heading on his mission to New york! They had a great conversation and this elder took his information down and promised me he would take care of him when he got to the field.

When he got to the field he contacted him a few times but he didn't live in his mission so he was unable to teach him. Today, this young man informed me that he still has this guys' number in his journal. I have been wondering how I could contact this man again and now the opportunity has risen! I love that the Lord always remembers us, He will never leave us alone.

Not only do I have a way to contact an old friend but I have made a new friend. He is even adopted by a white family which I am sure my nephews would love to get to know someone who shares a similar story to theirs. The Lord is willing to place people in our lives who will bring joy as long as we are willing to be open to those opportunities when they arise.

Missionary work in Rexburg??? YES!!!

Some of my favorite people to teach. I loved connecting with people in the service of the Lord.

For a while now I have wanted to go to the Spanish Branch here in Rexburg. On Tuesday I looked up the address and everyday I thought about going to the branch. I was so excited. I woke up early on sunday and set out on my 5.5 mile bike ride to the building. Sadly I never found the church building and instead rode 11 miles in the sun on a beach cruiser. Needless to say my rear end was hurting and I was so sad I never got there.

Today while on a run I saw the missionaries at a picnic table in Porter Park. I decided to run over and ask them where the building was for the Spanish Branch. They gave me the info of the Spanish Elders. I then rudely asked them what they were doing (cause it seemed to be they were wasting time in the park). They informed me they were teaching Madison, a young man who wants to be baptised and his inactive brother would be there too with there girlfriends. They told me they were from the BAY AREA so I asked if I could stay considering I would have a connection with them.

Madison came over without his bro but his bro's girlfriend showed up. They started the lesson which was on the priesthood. They asked me to explain what it is which was really hard to do considering I haven't taught in almost a year. I just kept my mouth shut most of the time. Madison talked about how he understood better the priesthood and he is excited to be baptised.

I then couldn't keep my mouth shut any longer and I asked Madison "how do you really know it is true". He then explained that he has been to other churches but has never felt the way he does in this church. He said he just feels good. I looked into his eyes and said "Remember that feeling Madison, because Satan is going to work hard on you and try to convince you that that feeling isn't enough. Yuu must read and pray everyday so that feeling stays." Tears began to form as I testified and I felt the spirit confirm the truthfullness of my words. Madison looked at me and said "thank you".

I talked with his bros girlfriend Jenni and invited her to church, she asked for my number and said she wants to come. They set up the next meeting for this Thursday and Madison looked at me and said "You have to be there, Bree". My heart was so full and I of course said I would be back.

IT WAS AN AMAZING NIGHT. I have been feeling like something is missing in my life lately and I have been reminded what it is, the lack of service, missionary work, and testifying that I have had in my life. Yes, my fulltime mission is over but EVERY MEMBER A MISSIONARY is now how I should live.

I know that God lives, that Christ suffered for our sins. I know that Joseph Smith is a prophet of God who translated the Book of Mormon which testifies of Christ. The priesthood is back on the earth and because of it you and I can be saved in the waters of baptism!

Now I understand why I couldn't find the church building, because if I had I would've never been able to have this experience.

Coach by NOT Coaching

In chapter 8 of Coach K's book he talks about "Game Day" and how crucial it is that a coach is ready and willing to make adjustments.

What touched me most was when he said "sometimes you need to coach by not coaching". He shares a few experiences where his teammates stepped up to the plate and created solutions to problems.

A great leader is someone who is able to lead by not leading at times. Someone who is ready to adjust when things aren't going as planned. A leader allows his followers to take the initiative and be problem solvers. A great leader wants his followers to be even better than they are, therefore the must give them opportunities to grow.

Christ taught us to be perfect like Him and His Father are perfect (2Ne 12:48). If we are to become like them, we must be given that chance. Our Father has taught us the ways, he has instruments in our lives who guide and direct us but the pathways are meant for us to walk.

As followers we must be ready to step it up and as leaders we must be able to step back and let our followers take the initiative. Yes, a plant needs water and sun but too much of either can keep the plant from growing, sometimes you just got to let it sit but its self and watch it grow all on its own.

Sometimes coaching without coaching is the only way to see if what you are teaching is being learned. "Teach them correct principles and let them govern for themselves."

Yes, I have ADHD

When I tell people that I have ADHD I just know that some of their first thoughts are "everyone thinks they have ADHD, it's just in your head."

I have to say I agree. It is in my head and that is the problem. But one thing that is important to know is that it is an imbalance that at times I really don't have control over.

ADHD is real and sometimes it takes more than just controlling your thoughts.

I always wonder how it is that people can sit and focus on one thing for hours at a time. Or how they just relax and not think about anything. Or how they can put a thought or idea they had on the back burner and not think about it until it is time.

I found out last fall that I am an extreme case of ADHD. After looking into it further my life makes so much sense!

Finally I realize that I am not dumb, I am not lazy, or a failure. I just now understand that I am a little different than others and I just need to find my niche and figure out how I am going to turn this "weakness" to a strength (Ether 12:27).

Let's journey together to better understand ADHD. Do you have any good information?

http://kidshealth.org/teen/diseases_conditions/learning/adhd.html

Your will or His?

Me and my comp Hna Admundsen making a contact in the street.

I chose to go on a mission, a decision that was incredibility hard for me considering I was in love and wanted to be married. But deep down I knew what the Lord’s will for me was and even though it was not exactly my desire, I had to go.

Once I made the decision to go I felt peace in my life, something I had not felt for the year prior to that. I was excited to get to work, to face the challenges that lied ahead and I knew that the Lord would be on my side.

I worked hard. I gave it my all, at times falling short and at times failing but I feel as though I pushed it till the very end. I saw miracles happen in my mission. I saw lives literally change over night. I was an instrument in God’s hands and I loved every minute of it.

I have now been home almost a year. When I first came home I had this excitement for life and what was to come. I made goals and promises so that I would not loose that missionary spirit and drive. I started off strong. With a plan set I was ready to face all the challenges that lied ahead.

But reality has set in and failure after failure has come. With little money, heartbreak after heartbreak, living far from everyone in the family, I have felt lost and broken. Don’t get me wrong, many things have been great but I have left them on the back burner while trying to seek my will and what I desire next for my life.

Today a good friend shared with me Helaman 10:4-5:

"4aBlessed art thou, Nephi, for those things which thou hast done; for I have beheld how thou hast with bunwearyingness declared the word, which I have given unto thee, unto this people. And thou hast not feared them, and hast not sought thine cown life, but hast sought my dwill, and to keep my commandments.
5And now, because thou hast done this with such unwearyingness, behold, I will bless thee forever; and I will make thee mighty in word and in deed, in faith and in works; yea, even that aall things shall be bdone unto thee according to thy cword, for thou shalt dnot ask that which is contrary to my will."

What touched me is how the Lord is pleased with our work but at the end he reminds us to not go contrary to His will. We must ask of Him in faith for the things that we desire in our lives but they must be His will.

Have you felt as though you have given Him your all but have not received much in return? I think we need to ask ourselves “why?” Are you living according to His will?

I realized how I have lost myself in my own desires and therefore have found myself in a state of unhappiness. It is time to get back on track. And now we must live “not as I will but as thou wilt.”