So this is Christmas.

Merry Christmas my friends. :)

With a Little Help from My Friends

This song has been on my mind so much lately. I love every line... every word... and feel like this is just scripture for my life...


What would you do if I sang out of tune,
Would you stand up and walk out on me.
Lend me your ears and I'll sing you a song,
And I'll try not to sing out of key.
Oh I get by with a little help from my friends,
Mmm, I get high with a little help from my friends,
Mmm, I'm gonna try with a little help from my friends. 

What do I do when my love is away.
(Does it worry you to be alone)
How do I feel by the end of the day
(Are you sad because you're on your own)
No, I get by with a little help from my friends,
Mmm, get high with a little help from my friends,
Mmm, gonna to try with a little help from my friends


Do you need anybody?
I need somebody to love.
Could it be anybody?
I want somebody to love.

Would you believe in a love at first sight?
Yes I'm certain that it happens all the time.
What do you see when you turn out the light?
I can't tell you, but I know it's mine.
Oh, I get by with a little help from my friends,
Mmm I get high with a little help from my friends,
Oh, I'm gonna try with a little help from my friends

Do you need anybody?
I need someone to love.
Could it be anybody?

Oh, I get by with a little help from my friends,
Oh, I get by with a little help from my friends,Mmm, gonna try with a little help from my friends,
Oh, I get by with a little help from my friends,
Yes I get by with a little help from my friends,
with a little help from my friends.......


I love this.  
I'm sitting here thinking of literally dozens of people that this post applies to, so if you are wondering who this really applies to; ask yourself, did I ever help him even a little? If it's a yes. Then yes. I am thinking of you. Thank you to all my friends, and you all know who you are, for when you've helped me out in my life during the many rough times that life brings. We all get bumps and bruised along the path, but sometimes I feel like I get all sorts of fractured bones and the occasional disease along the way too. 
So thank you to you who've helped me. 
Carried me when I was too weak to walk. 
Listened to me when I needed to unload. 
Been a shoulder for me to cry on. 


I love you. 


I will always love you. 


I hope I can always be there for all of you, as much as you have all been there for me. So, to whomever this post applies to, Thank you. 
You are my True Friends.

OptoClub

Dear LOGAN people: If you got to CAFE RIO between now and Sunday, they are having

 a USU Club Contest, and when you pay at the register, Mark a tally next to

 "Optoclub." There is a name "Kyle Niedrich" next to it. Just be sure to write Optoclub.

 We are currently in 1st place!!!!!! If we win, we get 100 FREE MEALS at Cafe Rio-

 Logan.

Whew

It's cold today. My friends' phone said it was 1 Degree at 9:00AM today. No wonder I'm wearing my poofy coat. 

I'm awesome. :-)

Dear Elder

This is something near and dear to my heart....

• http://youtu.be/npe-RwInkTU

Please watch it!!! :-D

I've run aground.

I think I've run dry.

 

An old proverb says, “He that cannot ask cannot live”. If you want answers you have to ask questions. These are 75 questions you should ask yourself and try to answer. You can ask yourself these questions right now and over the course of your life.

1. Why not me?

2. Am I nice?

3. Am I doing what I really want to do?

4. What am I grateful for?

5. What’s missing in my life?

6. Am I honest?

7. Do I listen to others?

8. Do I work hard?

9. Do I help others?

10. What do I need to change about myself?

11. Have I hurt others?

12. Do I complain?

13. What’s next for me?

14. Do I have fun?

15. Have I seized opportunities?

16. Do I care about others?

17. Do I spend enough time with my family?

18. Am I open-minded?

19. Have I seen enough of the world?

20. Do I judge others?

21. Do I take risks?

22. What is my purpose?

23. What is my biggest fear?

24. How can I conquer that fear?

25. Do I thank people enough?

26. Am I successful?

27. What am I ashamed of?

28. Do I annoy others?

29. What are my dreams?

30. Am I positive?

31. Am I negative?

32. Is there an afterlife?

33. Does everything happen for a reason?

34. What can I do to change the world?

35. What is the most foolish thing I’ve ever done?

36. Am I cheap?

37. Am I greedy?

38. Who do I love?

39. Who do I want to meet?

40. Where do I want to go?

41. What am I most proud of?

42. Do I care what others think about me?

43. What are my talents?

44. Do I utilize those talents?

45. What makes me happy?

46. What makes me sad?

47. What makes me angry?

48. Am I satisfied with my appearance?

49. Am I healthy?

50. What was the toughest time in my life?

51. What was the easiest time in my life?

52. Am I selfish?

53. What was the craziest thing I did?

54. What is the craziest thing I want to do?

55. Do I procrastinate?

56. What is my greatest regret?

57. What has had the greatest impact on my life?

58. Who has had the greatest impact on my life?

59. Do I stand up for myself?

60. Have I settled for mediocrity?

61. Do I hold grudges?

62. Do I read enough?

63. Do I listen to my heart?

64. Do I donate enough to the less fortunate?

65. Do I pray only when I want something?

66. Do I constantly dwell on the past?

67. Do I let other people’s negativity affect me?

68. Do I forgive myself?

69. When I help someone do I think “What’s in it for me”?

70. Am I aware that someone always has it worse than me?

71. Do I smile more than I frown?

72. Do I surround myself with good people?

73. Do I take time out for myself?

74. Do I ask enough questions?

75. What other questions do I have?

Wishes

Wishes do come true.







Thank you with all my heart.

Please explain the part prayer plays in your life?

Prayer is essential to life. It's the single most important part of my day. Some of you may read that and think.... "really? Of all things; prayer? That's ridiculous." But I mean it. Let me explain why. 

Prayer is a form of communication. It's a spiritually meditative way to communicate with the most powerful being in the universe who is God, Our Heavenly Father, through His Son, Jesus Christ name. Prayer is where I receive guidance from God about how do live my life and feel His love for me. He reassures me of the decisions I make that I'm unsure about. Prayer is where I can receive God's spirit into my heart before I begin my day. When you have the spirit, He'll show you everything you need to do. 

Prayer is an act of faith. In the LDS Bible Dictionary under "prayer" it says, "...Prayer is a form of work..." Anyone who has prayed will know that it's sometimes hard, isn't it?? Don't feel weird that you have to put lots of effort into your prayers sometimes. That's the way it's supposed to be. So, here are a few tips from Jeff about prayer... 

First, talk to him like he's just chill and right in front of you. He loves you, He knows you, just talk to him. 

Secondly, Try having a pen and paper right in your hand as you pray. This shows God your faith to receive answers. Trust me, once I started doing this, the efficacy of my prayers increased dramatically!! 

...and Last, Do it. Pray. Don't just say prayers. We need to pray. 

I promise you as your brother in Jesus Christ, Our Lord, that as you pray, your relationship with your creator will increase and your life will have more purpose and meaning in it, and you will be fulfilled. 


Much love.

Altruism 2

Pure altruism consists of giving

 something of value (a reward or benefit) 

with no expectation of any compensation

 or benefits, either direct, or indirect

 (for instance from recognition of the giving).

I was glad to experience a little bit of this today. Around 2:00 AM, I was asked to perform service to one of my best friends in the whole world... It took a little less than an hour probably, but it was about 15 degrees Fahrenheit outside. Thank you God for providing me with an opportunity to love and serve as Thou wouldst have. 

How can we develop greater harmony in our homes?

Lately, with various events going on in the environment around me, this question has been on my mind. To answer it, I'd like to quote a proclamation to the world about the family that The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints brought forth in 1995, 

"Successful marriages and families are established and maintained on principles of 

faith,

        prayer, 

                   repentance, 

                                    forgiveness, 

                                                       respect, 

                                                                    love, 

                                                                           compassion, 

                                                                                              work, 

                                                                                                      and wholesome recreational activities."

 It is my belief that harmony in a home is most likely to be achieved when founded upon gospel principles. Go through each one and try and bring them into your family even more. Life will be better. Things are never, EVER hopeless. 

Which of the Savior’s teachings have influenced me in my life?

One of my favorite scriptures is in Gospel of John, the 13th chapter.

" 34 A new commandment I give unto you, That ye love one another; as I have loved you, that ye also love one another.

35 By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another."

     I have come to learn that if we all, will apply this teaching into our lives. If we can truly love everyone in the same way that the Savior showed his love for us, this world will change. If I love you, and you love me, and we can see each other as children of God- making us brothers and sisters, then we have made it. I know that if we can apply this simple, yet profound teaching into all of our lives, then everything else will fall into place. My hope is that someday, we will all be able to be true disciples of our Master and Exemplar, Jesus Christ.

I love you.

Why am I a Mormon?

I have been a Mormon my whole life. I was born to parents who are of this faith. I was baptized and officially became a Mormon when I was eight years old. I have always been active in this church, though when I was in college I took it upon myself to learn a little more about other religions. I found it enlightening and enjoyable to make connections with other faiths and see the common ground we all have.
    I've had much opposition to my faith. The area in which I used to reside is near the Hill Cumorah Pageant, one of the worlds largest outdoor theatrical productions, which depicts scene's from the Book of Mormon Another Testament of Jesus Christ. Our church was started in that region of the country, Western New York. They even teach things about our faith in the public schools there because we are a part of the New York history. Well, I received much opposition which caused me to become like an investigator. Meaning I had to do my research as if I wasn't even a member. It was a very trying time in my life. I had much travail over whether or not this was really what we claimed it to be, or whether it was just another religion. I thought it might be something I was brought up in, though not the one Church of Christ established here on the Earth. It caused me to daily, pour over the Book of Mormon, Doctrine and Covenants, and Pearl of Great Price. I compared tediously the Bible and the teachings it had, with the Book of Mormon. I compared the differences that had been brought to my attention by those who feel very differently about religion than I do. It was the first time in my life that I was really sincerely searching. I was thirsting... yearning for the truth. I didn't care what the truth was, I just wanted to know the truth! I took sufficient time to study and pray. 
     Why am I a Mormon? I am a Mormon because I was open and willing enough to do what God wanted me to do. I not only hit the wall- I went several feet into it. Yet, in His Infinite Love and Mercy, He chose to save me, to guide me by the hand, and show me the path. I can now say, beyond any shadow of doubt, that Christ is our personal Savior, Redeemer, and Friend. He loves us. The Book of Mormon is the very word of God, brought forth in these last days to bring us help and hope. It is on the same level as the Bible and I love them both with all my heart. Why am I a Mormon? Because it is where Christ wants me to be. I know.

Best of Friend

"Verily, I say unto my servant [Jeff], or in other words, I will call you friends, for you are my friends, and ye shall have an inheritance with me."
---God

friend

   [frend] 

noun

1.

a person attached to another by feelings of affection or personal regard.

2.

a person who gives assistance; patron; supporter: friends of the Boston Symphony.

3.

a person who is on good terms with another; a person who is not hostile: Who goes there? Friend or foe?

4.

a member of the same nation, party, etc.

5.

(initial capital letter) a member of the Religious Society of Friends; a Quaker.

I had a really cool experience today.

I was just getting out of a class when I thought of something to ask this guy that sits next to me in math. He had mentioned something vague earlier in the semester and it was a little awkward- so I was finally going to ask him.

I told him I had a question for him, and when he asked what it was... I stalled for a minute cause people were around and I was getting my backpack together still, then I had this feeling...

"Don't do it...."

I sort of brushed it off for a second. Then walked out of the classroom and there he was, and said, "yeah dude?" but again....

"Don't do it...."

this time, as usual, the feeling was even stronger...

so I came up with a random question to ask him that I fudged to sound like it fit my attitude about my asking him. He answered the question of course and I thought, why wasn't I supposed to ask that?

....

Right after I thought that, he said something that exactly answered my question, and not in the affirmative. What I was to ask him would have implied something that I had previously thought, which I now knew was definitely not true at all.

My friends, God is our friend too. He loves us and is going to help us in everything we need help with. Even simple little things like this. He knows us personally and is there for us. Cleave unto me and I shall cleave unto you. I love you God.