This blog will be about my life. I'm a member of the Church Of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. I have Asperger's Syndrome, things can be a bit difficult for me, but with God on my side, all things are possible,(Matthew 19:26) People say I uplift, inspire, and I'm they're example and a friend, I hope I can do the same towards you, follow the journey.
In 2009, I went to efy in Tacoma, WA..
There were 27 girls in my group, only 3 of them asked me to be in a picture with them...
One of the girls is named Risa, she was in my company and on Friday night when we were singing the efy medley, I noticed she was crying, I had this feeling I needed to leave my company's circle
I let go of the people who were holding my hands as we sang in our circle.. my counselor saw me and asked where I was going.. I just simply said "Be right back".. as I was getting tissue for Risa I thought why not grab some more for others, if they were crying as well.
I got back, tapped Risa on her shoulder, as she was crying into her friends arms, they were both crying.. she turned around, to see who had tap her.. I gave her some tissue.. she gave me a wonderful warm hug, as we hugged her tears landed on my shoulder.. and she whispered into my ears "Thank you, Michael"
I gave tissue to her friend, who was the 2nd person to ask me to be in a picture with her..
I went around giving tissues to the girls in my company.. everyone gave me a hug and thanked me.. a guy from my company whispered "Dang man, you're such a stud"
All I was thinking when I gave those tissues around was.. they needed them.
In the summer of 2010, she was diagnosed with cancer I didn't know what to do, I started to pray, the only thing I could do for her, seeing she lived a state away from me.
She died on, Thursday, March 31st 2011
In Priest Quorum couple of weeks after her death.. we had a lesson on that God can't save everyone from dying when their still young and good people etc, I told them about Risa, I could hardly get it out... I was just crying and the tears weren't going away, I couldn't look at anyone in the room, someone pass a tissue over to me.. that tissue reminded me so much of Risa.
No one had dried eyes... the picture that she took with me, she put it on facebook and comment on the picture saying "He was sooo sweet!"
On the 20th of March 2010 there was a Priest/Laurel Conference at the Walla Walla stake center in Washington. they invited two other stakes which were Richland and Pasco, both from the Tri-Cities.
It took a hour or a hour and a half to get there, we were put into groups, I was put into the red group along with my friend Spencer, who is also from my ward.
The whole day was amazing, but let dive into the testimony meeting and afterwards.
I was sitting with Spencer on the 3rd row, most of the people from our ward were sitting in the back, as the meeting started, I asked Spencer if he was planning on going up to share his testimony, he wasn't sure if he would.. he then asked me the same question, I wasn't sure, because I might stutter.
As the meeting went on.. I couldn't sit still, I knew I needed to go up and share my testimony.. as I went to the first row to sit down to wait for my turn, waited as long as I could.. I let people who came behind me go up first.. but got to the point when I just needed to go up..
"My name is Michael, I stutter so bare with me"
My testimony will be about the Holy Ghost, how it bless our life's.. a couple of weeks ago, I had a feeling to talk to a friend of mine who I meant online, after talking for a bit I knew something wasn't right"
Tears began to form, I couldn't look at anyone.. "He said he want to kill himself"
I looked down at the youth and saw someone crying in the front row, there were probably more crying, but I couldn't look pass the first row. the tears began to fall, down onto the stand where the microphone was placed. I pause for what felt like five long minutes. once I got a hold of myself I went on. Told everyone what I did to help, started talking with him asked why he wanted to do it.. why he wanted to end his life". the whole time I was up there. I was shacking.. felt I would fall down any minute.
"When he went to bed that night, I kept thinking of how to help him, I called the suicidal hotline, they gave me some help, nothing big that I haven't already done.
Whenever he was on, we would talk... it has been two weeks since he said anything about killing himself"
I then closed in the name of Jesus Christ, amen.
Spencer was waiting for his turn to bare his testimony, I was sitting by myself for a couple of minutes.. I looked around...some people saw me and waved along with a smile..
Spencer got back.. he patted me on my back and said I did a good job.. I couldn't say anything expect "mhhm".. the last guy to get up and bare his testimony.. bore his on my testimony.. he said I was an example for him,I was overcome, he was crying, and testify about how I knew by the spirit I needed to talk to my friend.
When the meeting was over, I didn't want to face anyone from my ward.. so I stayed behind and hold the door open for the youths and leaders coming out on the right side.
Everyone.. stop and hugged and thanked me, tears were in their eyes.. a youth leader from Walla Walla.. I think because I have never seem him before the conference or after.
He gave me a hug, thanked me and said "I really loved your testimony, I know if you keep listening to the spirit you can do wonders"
One person after another, a line was form, people waiting to hug and thank me..I was speechless I barely knew what to say, guys reach out their hands, we shaked, then they came in for a hug as well.
It was then time for dinner, I didn't really want to sit with the youth from my ward but a priest saw me and called over for me to sit down, he like everyone else gave me a hug and thanked me.
I wasn't hungry so I left the room, went walking in the hallways, I couldn't go more then 3 feet when someone else stop me.. it was unreal I didn't know what to do so once everyone left I tried getting away.. someone call out "Michael, Michael!" the voice was from Reid (The person who bore his testimony about mine)
He came to me, thanked me for being such an example to him.
I didn't understand.. how me just a priest from the Columbia Basin Ward.. I'm just Michael, how could I have ever done anything like this?
On the way back home, a fellow priest said "when you pause while you gave you're testimony.. you could feel the spirit filled the room" another said when he was in-line for dinner, he heard some people talking about me, about my testimony etc.
I told two friends what happened one I meant from efy in 2009, (Lived in town from me) the other is someone I meant when I was a Teacher.. his not a youth but truly amazing friend.
something the friend from efy, she said in the message "I hope that you never think that you're "just Michael", because you're God's son, and that's not just anything. You really are special. I know that you are a choice spirit. I hope you will always know that"
My other friend said "You said that following: "I'm just Michael.. how could I have done anything like this?" You are wrong. You are wrong about what you think about yourself. You are a powerful young man who can change people's lives. I have told you this before, but it is hard to believe until you see it. This story did not surprise me, because I already knew that you could do things that make a difference. So learn about yourself from this, and stop holding yourself back. You are Michael. You are a powerful son of God, sent here when the world was in a scarey time to make a great difference. You are more than just a face in a crowd, You have the essence of godliness in you, and that was shown to all this past weekend. Don't forget it, and don't doubt it."
My friends are right.. and what I "saw" myself as.. this year I have learned so much that will help me in my life for the better
even if you don't think anyone would take your testimony to heart, share it. If you think your just somebody in the world, your wrong we are all children of our Father in Heaven, we all came to earth for a reason, we are all choice spirits
~Reid is now serving in the Brazil Fortaleza Mission
Elder Empey~
On the way to EFY my mind rush to one thing to another, I was worried with what my company would be like.. would I fit in at all?, when I tell the guys in my group I have Asperger's Syndrome, would they accept me for me?, or would I be the outcast..
Once I got to efy, I grab my belongings from the car went in the line to get my efy bag, wristband, book etc
I signed up for the talent show, finally I went to my dorm building went in my room and looked around... there was another bed.. I'm going to have a roommate, I was nervous for having a roommate.. I didn't had one the first year I went to efy.
It was then time to meet with the other guys in my company, so we all went in the lobby, where our efy counselor had us meet.. he introduce himself... something he said later was "In this group you can share anything you want"... that made me think of telling them about Asperger's Syndrome, but could not share that with them now... after we introduce ourselves and talked some, we then went to meet up with the girls in our company.. which I think is the best part for both us and the girls. We played get to know you games.. and I was nervous yet again, once we were done we headed to the introduction of efy and what to aspect from the week, the guys ask the girls if we could escort them (We did this everywhere we went)... I didn't ask anyone if I could escort them, I just hid in the back and waited til everyone had someone to escort... I "couldn't" ask them.. so I just walked in my company going to the program.
The spirit grew inside of me with being there, listening to some of the counselors and Brother McDonald, him and Sister McDonald were our session director.
Later in the evening when we had dinner, my company were sitting with each other.. there were some spots open but I "couldn't" go and sit down with them, so I sat with Jay, he was my counselor.. and his amazing, I'll leave it at that.
Then we had FHE (Family home evening), which was a lot of fun, it took place outside we played games etc, then it was time to go back to our dorms, have our counselor devotional, then go to bed.. I was walking with Jay and it was just the two of us, I told him there's something I got to tell the guys tonight, once we got to our dorm building and had the devotional, Jay said "Michael got something he want to tell us" all eyes were on me.. I felt like what did I got myself into.
But I told them I have Asperger's Syndrome, I told them the basics of it.. and it was all good, nothing went wrong they were accepting of me, I was very grateful for that
Tuesday was amazing, just like the other days, classes etc. the guys in our dorm said we should have a chocolate milk party to go along with pizza night which was Wednesday.. so that morning we started to put chocolate milk into our efy bags, we had some people go run it up to our dorm, we did this at breakfast, lunch and dinner. (There was a door in the main floor where our dorm rooms were, the door was along the wall. it had no handle/door knob, was pretty cool ha, a room with a fridge and other things)
After breakfast we had gospel study where we had personal reading for 30mins, after that we went to the morning side.. it was time to escort the girls again.. I tired hiding in the back like the day before but that didn't work, Jay found someone for me.. it was okay but I ran out with stuff to say and thought I was boring to be their escort.
Every morning side, and classes were amazing, I felt the spirit every time.. for the first two days I went to classes by myself, the 3rd day my friend Spencer who I meant the first day, we went to classes together it was fun, but he wanted to go with his company after the first two classes
I joined the musical program which took my free time up.
Wednesday was game night, it was tons of fun.. after we played games we went to our dorms and waited for our pizzas to get there, we got out the chocolate milk, we gathered 112 in two days, haha it was amazing!
During dinner on Wednesday I saw Kaytlin, she's someone from my ward and we were both surprise we were at the same efy, I didn't even know she was going to efy... she introduce me to her friend who's name is Mckenzi, (They go to the same school, I didn't learn that until later in the week)
Thursday was my favorite day of them all... we all dressed in church clothes and it was the day with the talent show, musical program, fireside and testimony meeting.
At the gospel study for that day, I asked a counselor if I could share a poem, she said yes so after we were done reading, she said I have something to share.. again all eyes on me I began to read it.
~Garden of Gethsemane~
Come see our savior
sorrowful is his soul
Tarry ye here, and watch with me
"Let this cup pass from me:
nevertheless not as I will, but as thou wilt"
Red poured down his mighty face
The pain he felt, the blood he bled
The agony he felt, for sins of mankind
Behold!, our beloved elder brother
In pain for our sins
He rose from his prayer
Sadness reach his face
his disciples sleepeth, " could ye not watch with me one hour?"
a second time, he went.
Tears come to me
This is my savior, and his suffering
For my very own sins
My elder brother
Arose, found his disciples heavy eyed
He stared, tears began to fall
He went a third time
His father’s will be done…
My savoir
Went to his disciples
Jesus started to weep
Disciples awoke
From his weeping
Their faces dazed
Continue to sleep, take your rest
The hour has come and the Son of God is about to be betrayed"
From what I saw, a lot of people were in tears.. a lot came up to me and thanked me for sharing that
At the musical program/fireside (We sang before fireside started), I messed up with my speaking part in the dress rehearsal.. I got nervous and stuttered, I got done speaking when the music started up, I felt like I would ruin the whole program to the point of asking if anyone else could do the speaking part... we went threw it a 2nd time and this time I did it.. ha everyone cheered, I thought it was cool.. when it was time for the real program I messed up but it was a little thing hardly anyone noticed.. I was on the wrong page, I quickly went to my page where my speaking part was on.. I got done right when the music started.. it was hard not to cry while singing and seeing pictures of Christ on the slideshow out of the corner of my eye.
When the choir went to sit down in our seats.. and listen to the fireside I cried many times listening to the talks, one was about the garden of Gethsemane, I reach in my pocket and grab out my poem.. I shared it with Spencer that day, he read it again and asked if he could pass it around (among us choir people).. when it got pass to me the guy on my left asked if I wrote it and thanked me for it, tears where in his eyes, and when we sang the efy medley, I started to cry.. Spencer was there for me, he put his hand on my shoulder and we lean into a hug... when the song ended the fireside was done and it was time for testimony meeting.. a number of companies were in one room on the campus having their testimony meetings.. they called our company name.. soon it was Spencer's company which was called, we both stood up, gave each other a hug and he left.
the slideshow of the pictures of Jesus Christ was on, without the music.. I looked at it and began to cry, I felt the spirit so much
My company got called, so we started to leave.. Marcus is someone from my company.. he put his arm around my shoulder I did the same, we didn't spoke one word for the whole walk to the building where we had our testimony meeting.... I felt so much love from that it was unbelievable.
Me and Nathan when we were walking to get dinner before the musical program, we talked about the testimony meeting and we made a deal, if he goes up and bears his testimony.. I would go up, if I go up then he would.. we also made a deal that each sunday we will go up in our wards and bear our testimony.. I need to start doing that again
So at testimony meeting he got up and bore his testimony.. I knew I had to go up, not cause he did.. because I needed to. I got up and told everyone how much I love my company.. in my testimony I said I told the guys in my company I have Asperger's Syndrome (The girls in my company didn't even know I have Asperger's).. and that was very hard for me, I told them I had friends growing up but they all stop talking to me when they sense I was different, I belong to a priest quorum of 15 guys and only about 4 knew I have Asperger's. I said I hardly told anyone I have Asperger's cause I don't want to be treated differently, the whole time I was in tears, I could barely look at anyone.. when I was done I went and sat down
After the meeting I receive a lot of hugs, people in my company, people out of it, the guys in my company were the last to leave the building.. we kept on hugging each other, it was very powerful, no one had dry eyes.
Friday evening we had the dance, a slideshow of the week, and two devotionals.. the first one included everyone in every company... 2nd was just companies devotional.. in closing we sang the efy medley.. this time I didn't cry much, but the young women in my company.. the beautiful daughters of God.. many were crying, half way threw the song, I reach in my pocket grab some tissue for the girl next to me.. when the song was done I was giving tissue to all of the girls.. one said "I want a group hug with Michael" 6-7 came in for the hug... it felt amazing, I loved giving the tissues to them.
I received a lot of notes during Thursday and Friday. from just walking out of the building I received 3 notes.. it was unreal, I thought how could I impacted so many people
On the way to our dorm, the guys in my company we all put our arms on each other shoulders and sang hymns.. it was a powerful evening, once in my dorm I just sat by myself.. looking threw all of the notes, crying inside (Didn't want any of the guys to see me crying). I'm so grateful I could been there for people at efy.. this made me realize what I want to do when I grow up.. and what I believe is my "Mission" in life.. it's being there for people, being their light, the example they need, I want to be like John Bytheway, etc
I'm grateful that I was in the company, Great and Dreadful, I made a video for my company.. I hope you enjoy it also.
Hey readers!,
Well.. you're kinda wondering what the title got to do?.. let me explain it
My church is testing out a new curriculum for the youth, in sunday school and YW/YM... and let me say this... it is truly amazing!
My ward along with a couple more in my stake are apart of it, not even my whole stake, there's only three other stakes in the whole world that are testing it out, one in Utah, Florida, and the Philippians
I am truly blessed to be apart of it, it's my last year in the YM program and this is just want I need, for preparing for my mission etc.
We're a couple of months into testing it out, so tonight me and some YM from my ward had a interview with people from Salt Lake City, Utah.. along with some other YM in one of the wards in my stake.
The interview was awesome, we were asked questions, they asked how we like the program, if there's anything we would like change, all in all we love it and there were just some minor problems that we told them, but in the end we all agree we love the curriculum and glad to be apart of it and hope everyone in the church can be apart of the program
One question was about, what are some things you seen that are different with this new curriculum.
someone from the other ward said "I have noticed the people who would go to classes and listen but wouldn't talk much, since the new curriculum, they been talking more, and being part of the lesson"
That described me, I would go to class, listen to the lessons and instead of saying the answer I would say it in my head, I hardly spoke anything in Sunday school and quorums.. but since starting this curriculum it's all about the youth, the youth give their thoughts and you feel the spirit so much, so I started talking, giving my thoughts.
After he said that.. I raise my hand and said "I was like that, I would hardly talk in class, but since this new curriculum I been talking each week, being part of the class"
The interviewer (there were two, I forgot their names) the one who asked most of the questions asked if anyone from my Priest quorum was in the room with me, Justin sitting next to me was the only priest in the room from our quorum beside me, so he said that and he was asked, "Have you noticed Michael talking more, and what do you think of it"
Justin said he have noticed me being part of the class more, and said he loves hearing what I got to say, he said whenever Michael speaks he always in some way share his testimony"
I had a nice and warm feeling when he said that.
When we were talking about the quorums I said the first lesson we had, we talked about how the quorum is like a council, and how we're suppose to counsel each other.
I hope the church will add this new curriculum in every stake.
My testimony have grown and this is just what I need right now to finish my last year in the Young Men.
Through your devoted service and willing to sacrifice, your mission will become holy ground to you
This talk was given by Elder Chistopher Waddell of the Seventy. He gave it in the priesthood session of General Conference October 2011.
This was one of many talks that stood out to me, as I am preparing for a full time mission
Tears came to my eyes as I listen to this truly amazing talk.. in his talk he said "Each mission is unique, with challenges and opportunities that stretch and test us according to our particular needs and personalities" I learned from listening to this that my mission will fit me, I'll be called to serve where God sees fit for me.
He taught that our Heavenly Father know us, he knows our strengths and weaknesses, our abilities and potential. He knows which mission president and companions and which members and investigators we need in order to become themissionary
Prophets, seers and revelators assign missionaries under the direction and influence of the Holy Ghost. I know that when I will send my picture in with my mission papers that, they will send me where God want me to serve his children, that they may be fill with the Holy Ghost and by it's influence.
When I will receive my mission call, I'm pretty sure I'll be speechless... and not wanting to open the call, but when I do, the spirit will fill my body and I'll know in my heart, this is where God want me to serve.
From Elder Christopher Waddell he said, "In whatever manner the Lord may choose to bless us during the course of a mission, blessings of missionary service are not designed to end when we are released by our stake president. Your mission is a training ground for life. the experiences, lessons, and testimony obtained through faithful service are meant to provide a gospel-centered foundation that will last throughout mortality and into the eternities."
I'm so grateful for my friends who are on their mission and who gotten their call and will leave shortly, I know they will do amazing out there.
God knows my weakness and he'll help me threw them, he will help my friends, and missionaries around the world. Our father in Heaven love all of us, I can not say that enough.. it has been something I have learned this year.. he know who I am, he knows what goes on in my life, and he loves me, he loves to hear from me when I pray. During trek this year I prayed, crying unto my savior for the strength, for the last day of trekking.. and he heard my prayer, he knew what I needed help with.
Brothers and Sisters, as I been preparing for my mission what wonderful things I have learned, my testimony is growing every time I read and pray to my Father in Heaven.. I would counsel you to do the same.. even if you're not planning on going on a mission.. you will need the relationship with God.. I can't thank one of my best friends enough... he made me realize God loves me, and to pray to him to build my relationship.. when he told me this I thought he might be right.. but I still didn't pray often or even read.. but when I started doing it, I have gain so much.
Please study the General Conference talks, you will learn something each time you do, I have and I know you will.
Endure to the end, stay strong in the Gospel and you won't regret it
First I would like to thank my 9th follower, Chase for.. well following my blog, thanks man!
Well, this week I really focused on cardio , and man am I sore!
There's a workout called Plyometrics, it counts as a workout for the whole day.. but does it count for me?, No!
(P90X works everything, it not just cardio.. just I been really focusing myself on that, to loose more)
And I do enjoy saying the no, plyometrics is tough, just listen to Tony explain what this workout is about http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XkE7kTz_ato on the 4th week until the 8th or 9th week you're suppose to add in 3 cardio workouts, they are called cardio X... but I been replacing that with plyometrics which is the "Mother of all workouts" and let me tell you this... it IS the mother of all workout, but I love it!
Tuesdays is when plyometrics is listed as a workout, this week I did it along with cardio X.
I been doing 2hours of workouts in a day, my goal for this up coming week is 4hours per day, I know i'll be able to do it... "I have not yet begun to fight!'
4 hours per week, 4x7, 28 hours right?.... if so dang!! haha but I'll do it
My church shoes are getting looser and annoying my feet, getting them red on the sides.. they weren't doing this a couple of weeks ago, so I googled it, and my guess was right, my feet as weird as it sounds are loosing fat, making my church shoes fit differently, I been loving all the signs I have seen, biceps getting some guns, clothes fitting better, shoes etc
Although... something that I don't get is, why the scale say I'm still around the same weight two weeks ago?, I don't know maybe this sunday it'll be different, haven't weighed myself for a couple of days and that was at evening time, best to weight yourself in mornings, so sunday here I come... either way, whatever the scale says I'll still do the 4hours per day working out.
Things that keep me going is.. thoughts of walking into the MTC, (Missionary Training Center), getting a suit for church, when I'm all skinny like and smexy. mutual in opening exercises when asked if anyone has any announcements... I'll be so happy when I say I have lost 70 or 80 pounds, and still working on loosing more, to go on my mission, going on some dates... I have only been on two dates when I was 17, going with the local missionaries and being with them, I heard others have done this before going on their missions, I would love to do that. My amazing friends!, I have many things to keep me going and pushing myself, so.. Michael... has not yet begun to fight, as Tony (guy from P90X) says it... Bring it!
