Of Reflections and Progress

We may not understand the Lord's timing, but we can certainly enjoy the journey just as much as we enjoy the top.

My dear friends, it has been nearly a year since I last posted on this page. I’m surprised that blogger didn’t close the account, and I’m very grateful that they didn’t!

Let me explain part of the beauty that is in a three-day weekend. It’s refreshing. Yes, it’s true that we have been in school for only two weeks and I know it’s only going to get crazier (and with one more three-day weekend, our Winter Semester transforms from a sprint to a marathon.) Nevertheless, an extra day to get stuff done is simply divine.

I was pleasantly surprised when I received various messages from people wondering when my next post would be. I’ll be honest; I’m not a huge social media junkie. I don’t tweet every hour of my day or post every footstep I take on Facebook. I have slowly discovered that I like to keep my personal affairs private until I feel the necessity or the prompting to share them with others. This is one of those times when you, the most important person in the world, get s a glimpse inside of my life. Lucky you!

Many have wondered what has happened to me since a year ago. I’m sure you all have caught some of the more significant bits and pieces of my life but have missed some of the smaller and often more inspiring events. Just a disclaimer before I begin. I do not intend this post to be short, nor do I intend for it to be long winded. I expect it to capture what I intend it to capture. With that said, strap yourselves in and enjoy the ride!

So much has happened since that last post. I was in the middle of my second semester since being home from my mission and was trying to decide what I wanted my major to be. I was training for my current job, had a great church calling, and had this burning desire to get married. Life certainly wasn’t easy but things were going like I planned. At that time, I couldn’t imagine anything better and I was very excited for what the future held.

About that time, a lot of things in my life took some pretty radical turns. The disorientation that occurred was similar to that of pinning the tail on the donkey after being blindfolded and spun around three times. A lot of the plans I had were gone in one quick instant and I suddenly found myself wondering what my next step should be. I’m fairly certain that everyone has felt that way one time or another.

When I face times of trial and disappointment, I rarely like to spend a long time dwelling on my misfortunes. I often find something to focus my time and block out the rest of the world.  My refuge became school. I was taking classes with one of my good friends so we spent a lot of time with each other working finance problems or programming things in excel. That lasted for a solid couple of weeks. Finally, the time came when I needed to do something other than learn about the Weighted Average Cost of Capital or VBA. That was when I wrote my last post. Life’s dust had settled a little bit and I was able to see some things a little more clearly.

Life continued on in a different way from that point on. The semester turned out much better than I was expecting, I officially declared myself as a pre-accounting major, and work was going well. Dating was dating. Unlike a lot of my friends (which is even a bigger case now) I did NOT have a lot of success with that aspect of my life. It frustrated me then but with the perspectives I have now, I realize that it’s not that big of a deal. We simply continue through life putting more foot in front of the other. This is no different.

Spring term was an adventure in and of itself. I was going to school full time finishing up my last University GE and taking my last prerequisite class for the Accounting program. Though everything turned out well and I ended up getting the grades I needed, I started having second thoughts about my future. Did I really want to do accounting forever? Finance seemed like a lot more fun. And what about Organizational Behavior and Human Resources? Unsure, I took my questions and concerns before Heavenly Father. We discussed the pros and cons of each option, the goals I had for my life, and the expectations he had for me. I finally decided to apply for all three programs, force ranking them from Accounting to Finance to OB/HR.

The time came. I got into all three programs. I chose Accounting and my life again took on a whole new path. I filled the rest of my summer rest of summer with work and had the goal of enjoying myself while my freedom lasted.

A few weeks before school started I went with my family to Colorado. Fishing, hiking, and spending time with family away from the craziness of real life is some of the best stress medicine in the world if you ask me. I could be fishing on a stream back in the mountains any day and be perfectly content (well, content as long as my hands are warm). Can I just say how interesting it is to be the youngest of five children? It is so fascinating! We are all so unique in some very different ways and it takes teamwork and patience to be able to accept the others as who they are. We may have this inherent skill of somehow getting under each other’s skin when we are together, but I will never ever doubt the love we have for each other. I mean, what more can I say? Family is great!

The summer ended and the time for school came. I did a team triathlon here in Provo with my best BYU friend Cameron Collins and his (now wife) Emily. My best friend from home, Ray Lehnhoff, also surprised me with a visit at the first of August. Then I started my first semester of the Accounting Junior core. Honestly, I was terrified me beyond all reason. Let me briefly explain this program to those who may not be familiar with it. BYU’s accounting program is currently ranked third in the country and, generally, only accepts 250 students a year.  EVERY student I talked to told me to accept that fact that I would be doing homework for eight hours a day and have no personal life.

Yep. Kind of intimidating.

Well, the Core held up to its hype. I have never had to go through such a hard semester in my life. I pulled long days (usually 6am to 12pm) with limited breaks, I had a big church calling, and I tried all that I could to do fun things on the weekend so I could keep my sanity. To say that it was a fun experience would be a blatant lie. However, I will say that I have rarely done something so rewarding ever in my life. I learned so much, my professors were incredible, and the members of my group were outstanding. I love each of them so much (which may or may not be attributed to the 40 hour Warren Case we had to do at the beginning of the semester.) Though it was one crazy three and a half months, when it was all said and done, the results absolutely surprised me. I was reminded of just how much the Lord had taken control of my situation.

That brings us to today. So, what is happening now? I just took you on this long (but extremely abbreviated) version of the past 10 months and now you are wondering what my next adventure will be! (Ok, maybe not. But at least pretend you are interested.)

In the middle of last semester, my Audit professor told us about a Study Abroad he does for the Accounting students to France, Belgium, and England. With no significant dating plans in place and no internships lined up, I played with the idea of going. I met with him and asked him the questions I had about it, took the idea to the temple, and prayed about it on different occasions. I decided that I would fill out the application and then, if I could find a way to pay for it, submit it for their decision. That was in December. I did everything over Christmas break but still didn’t feel super good about putting it in. Knowing that the deadline was coming up, I decided to take my questions to last week’s CES Fireside with President Uchtdorf. There, I allowed myself to write and record any impressions I received. I won’t go into detail but, simply put, I got my answer to submit the application and trust in the Lord. So, I did. AND I GOT IN!!! I’M GOING TO EUROPE!!!!

Otherwise, things in life are really simple. The semester isn’t going to be as mentally taxing as the last (now I have more time to meet people other than accounting nerds like me) and I have become an absolute BYU basketball maniac! Life is good!

Now that you have the background info, I want to change tones a little bit and hopefully provoke some thought. I hope that these help at least one of you along in your own personal journey back to our Heavenly Father.

Looking back to the last 18 months or so of my life (since I’ve been home from my mission) my perception of life has changed significantly. I seemed to go so far by making goals and plans and I felt almost invincible. I will be the first to tell you that I’m very proud and grateful for my past accomplishments. Though I won’t say that I earned or even deserved everything that has happened to me, I know that the Lord expects us to make hard decisions and to really strive to make things happen in our life. He wants to see hope and faith demonstrated in our actions.  Sadly, we often fail to see just how much His hand was in everything that we have done until the time has long past.

Such has been the story of my life. Such WILL be the story of my life. And you know what? I’m perfectly content with that fact. I love having a Heavenly Father that will let me work hard to accomplish my goals. I will be forever grateful for a Savior that helps me complete my mortal and eternal picture. We cannot fulfill our greatest potential without their help and I will forever stand by that fact.

One of my favorite theatrical lines comes from a movie titled “Dan in Real Life.” If you have never seen it, watch it. It’s great! Anyway, the very last line of the movie says, “Prepare to be surprised.” What a great piece of advice! Can anybody else see the comfort and optimism of that statement? We may never understand the Lord’s timing but we can have faith that he knows what is best for us. For myself, who knows what the future has in store? Who knows when I will find “the one?” Who knows where I will be 10 years from now? Though those future things are important today, they are not more important than what I do right now.  This life was made for us to live and enjoy in righteousness. And the best part is, we have the most powerful being on our side to help us accomplish that!

If there is one thing that I could have you take away from this ghastly long post, it is this. Life is complex, confusing, complicated, and sometimes extremely frustrating. But don’t let those times keep you down. If it seems like your world is crashing down in a fantastic blaze of glory, hold your head high. You are in great company! When those times come, take a break and return back to the basics. Think of all of the blessings you receive every day. A breath of fresh air (even if it is -4 degrees outside). The smell of fresh pine trees. The sound of a mountain stream. Our Father in Heaven is aware of you. In a very literal sense, he has known you for an eternity and definitely knows you a lot better than you know yourself. Take some time to strengthen your relationship with him. Open the scriptures. Listen during your prayers. Test his promises.

Who knows? You might just learn something about yourself.

Roll On --Andrew

Equilibrium

Joy is found through maintaining a proper balance of all things in our life.

Reflections. They have this thing with staring you back in the face, showing the outward appearance of a lifetime of experience. When was the last time you just paused to look into the mirror to see the person that you  have become? And I'm not just talking literally, but figuratively as well.

The past couple of days have been all sorts of refreshing. Midterms have taken a break, work is going well, and I had a date with one of the sweetest, happiest people in the world. These are all pleasures that, unless we are reminded of them, often become overlooked in our overbooked schedules and frantic pace of life.

From these wonderful experiences I have had as of late, I have been blessed with the incredible opportunity to reflect on the past and see just how far I've come. Things that were once millstones are now bricks upon which I have built my character and expanded my vision. Like I once read a long time ago, "If we are to enjoy the valley, we must first learn to scale the mountain."

With all this in mind, I've pondered a lot recently on the idea of balance and stability. What constitutes a stable lifestyle, one in which we can obtain the greatest level of happiness? Though I believe that this is variable among every individual, here are some of my thoughts.

1- Your inner commitment to live the Gospel of Jesus Christ. When everything is said and done, your commitment to live the gospel will ultimately determine the person that you will become. I read a quote today that really stuck out to me. It reads, "Am I seeking divine direction through daily scripture study, pondering, and prayer, or have I chosen to be so busy or apathetic that I don't take time to study the words or Christ, ponder them, and converse with my Heavenly Father?" Putting God first, when life and responsibilities are heavy weights on our minds, is a great act of faith. But, as we have been promised numerous times since the beginning of the world, as we put God first and live his commandments, regardless of what the world is doing, we will prosper and inherit eternal life.

2- Your experiences with others. Focusing on self-improvement is a worthy task. But, focusing yourself to improve the life of another is even more admirable. Not only that, but what types of relationships are you developing with people? Uniquely enough, I'm talking about dating (I know, a man encouraging dating. Weird.) Yesterday during our stake conference sessions, a member of our presidency spoke on the spiritual paralysis that comes as a cause of fear. In that, he identified some of the fears that we all have with taking the "big step" in our life. Now, I understand that we are told time and time again to quickly find the one and settle down. Though I've always been an advocate of taking your time to make sure you find the right one, it hasn't been until recently that I've began to see just how much of an impact one person can have on you and your spiritual progression. As I learned from my missionary days, there is nothing more satisfying and rewarding than giving of yourself to care for another. But, as I was again reminded of this morning, make sure that God is still your number one priority.

3- Educational. Give it your best and be a learner, not just a student. Believe that you can succeed. Work hard, be diligent, and always remember that God wants you to succeed, too.

4-Physical. Yes, the rumors are true. I start training tomorrow for a half marathon. I'm excited but also a little leary at the amount of time that it will take every day to adequately train. Might I suggest finding a physical fitness goal? You know, something to spice up your life?

Ok, here's my confession: For a large portion of my life I have been terrible at maintaining proper balance in my life. But, I've now adopted a couple of statements that have really made a difference in my quest for balance. Here they are:

1- Learn to work smarter, not harder. 

2- Keep calm and carry on!

It is an exciting time to be alive! Never before have we had such an opportunity to create such an impact in the world. Don't look at experiences as disabilities or as barriers to entry to heaven, but look at them as opportunities to become the person you were born to be. Look at them with an eye of faith and joy, knowing that God loves you enough to give you tools you need to overcome whatever test is put in your way. Also, this is very important now, DON'T look to the past and long to live there. Now is the time to become who you can become. Now is the time to enrich the lives of those who are around you. Now is the time to be a positive change in an ever negative world. 

Find your balance. Try the scale. Show your faith.

And don't forget, nothing you do in this life will ever be done without help.

Roll On --Andrew

Silence

Stressful situations and can't beat opportunities have a tendency to bring out the true colors in people. I know it is during these times that I begin to see the real person I am. I think that is why I find what the Savior did so extraordinary. No level of distress, pain, or heartache could deter him from his purpose.

I have come to discover recently that certain aspects of my life, for some reason beyond my comprehension, have been kicking me in the face. I made reference to this in the introduction of this blog so, yes, this is one of those posts. I won't burden you, the most important person in the world, with details that you do not need but will hopefully paint the picture enough detail to keep your interest and get the point across.

I love to run. I believe I have since I was in elementary school when I almost broke a six minute mile. As I've grown older, music has become an integral part of my runs. I seem to be transported into a different world where all I see ahead of me is the next point I want to reach. All I care about is running. If I get tired I turn up the music and run harder. Stopping is simply not an option. I love the feeling of the adrenaline rush that comes when you decide to push yourself a little farther, just enough to reach the next checkpoint. Then, when you get there, and you don't stop. This, as of late, has become one of my few forms of refuge. So, I ran in hopes of hiding for a while until I could figure a few things out.

I wish more than ever that that was the case today. I should have run longer.

Today I ran with the hopes of figuring things out. I ran back to places where part of my history lies, seeking for answers that seem to have been avoiding me over the last few months. I have been fighting a silent, single war of which no immediate end is in sight. A war which is fought in the silent chambers of the inner self.

And sometimes, the answer is just silence.

Christ, standing before the devils of the Sanhedrin, chose silence. He chose to bear his burden alone for he knew it was the only way. I imagine his eyes were fixed on his destination, his body pumping with adrenaline as he slowly approached his destination, being supported by the unbelievable power of his Father and God. One by one, nails were put into his hands, wrists, and feet; hung with common criminals he was  humiliated by men of little understanding. Then, his one support was removed from him.

God, our Father, left him alone.

In an agony never before felt, he cried out "My God, My God! Why has thou forsaken me?" Christ had to endure being on his own; the final test required for his infinite Atonement to be complete. Then, when the deed was done, he willing gave up his spirit only to take it back and conquer death three days later. Finally, triumphant, he ascended into heaven to sit on the right hand of our Father. All this with the promise that as we follow him we may one day do the same.

I am in the midst of, what seems to be, one of the most draining trials I have experienced yet I know that, one day, I will receive relief.

It is simply the silence that one must endure alone before the storm pours out its healing rain.

Roll On --Andrew

Visions of Gratitude

I imagine that there are many of us who view life with anticipation but with large doses of reluctance as well. The choices we make, great and small, have profound effects on the people we become as well as the impact we have on those that surround us. 

Decisions never seem to elude us. Every day we wake up and stare at our kitchen cupboard wondering between the menu choices of cereal or toast. We sit in our respective classes or professions staring at the tasks we have at hand and wonder "What happens if all this goes wrong?" Or how about something a little more long term. "If I study this career will it get me to where I want to go?" or "Is he / she the one I've been waiting for all of my life?" These questions as well as many more have occupied my mind over the last few days. As a result, one particular question has frequently come back to me:

"With boundless opportunity around every corner, what causes the reluctance that accompanies every decision?"

My Answer: Vision. Allow me to elaborate.

How many of us can see the consequences of the decisions we make? I certainly cannot nor do I believe there is a person in this world who can. Humankind, by our nature, seek for the things they can see and approach with skepticism  the things they cannot. Little do many understand that the most firm things we have in this life are those that we cannot necessarily see. This is hard for many to understand simply because they have not decided to accept the unseen truth. My friends, there lies a power much greater than ourselves that, quite frankly, I cannot fully explain nor can I persuade you to believe. Believe me, I tried to do it full time for a couple of years and not everyone thought the same way.

To illustrate my point, here is a little exercise for all those who are reading. I want you to think about the most difficult, heart wrenching, make-you-cry-your-eyes-out experience that you have had. What made it so hard? What led up to it? What happened afterwards? How did you cope with it? What did you learn? What did you gain? Where would you be without it? Did or do you regret it and try and sweep it under the rug or let it become a part of you?

Now for the big question: "Considering the above thoughts, what would you have lost if you saw the results beforehand and decided not to go through with it?"

On this special day, I am so incredibly grateful for the moments I have had when I was bent over or brought to my knees to seek help from someone I have never seen but know is there. I am grateful for the gift of choice; to NOT see the road ahead and still take seemingly gigantic steps into the unknown fog of the future. I am grateful for the light of the Gospel of Jesus Christ and for the lessons I learn from the challenges I face each and every day.

Visions of gratitude stand before us every minute of every day. Let us take our eyes off the rocks of disbelief and cast them on the incredible possibilities that lie before us.

Roll On --Andrew

Worth

It seems like the posts are getting a little spread out again (it has been almost a month since the last one) but, as I'm sure everyone is aware, our priorities in life often are re-arranged to match our "needs" at the time.

I want each of you to take a minute to think about who you are. What makes you unique? What are your goals? What do want to achieve? Think about the things you have done, the challenges you have overcome, the blessings you have received and those you have given to other people.

You, my friend, are awesome!

Think about the impact you have in this world! Everyday you wake up, put on your pants one leg at at a time and say "I'm going to try my best today and I hope I can make it through." You can and you will because you are special! You have qualities that others don't have. You have a heart as big as gold and a mind as sharp as a surgical razor blade. You are changing the world with every minute that comes your way. What an amazing trait you have!

I have thought a lot recently on the world that we live in today. Every where around us there are things that are trying to define our self worth. What clothes you where, what music or TV show you watch. How many boys or girls want to have your number. I have fallen into the trap, as I imagine most of us have, of losing sight of the most important thing. So, you want to know the most important thing is?

You. Me. Us. We are the most important things.

We are all amazing because of who we are and the unique abilities each one of us have.

WATCH THIS (this is pretty important)

Now, I want you to imagine the impact you have on people when you identify those amazing characteristics they have. Can you imagine a world where everyone acted like this? Picked out the good from the traits the world would call mediocre or foolish? To help a person smile instead of break them down? Think about the impact of ONE minute. Of taking one minute of time to sit and talk with someone about themselves. Think about the impact of ONE compliment, of ONE small statement identifying a powerful quality that that ONE, single person has. Think of a world of smiles. What a place it would be!

But, why dream about it? Let's make it!

Take the challenge. See what you can do. Validate someone today and change the world one compliment at a time.

Roll On --Andrew

Daybreak

I think we all go into Saturday with the best of intentions to get things done. I know I do. The homework never seems to end, the house inevitably needs cleaning, laundry to be done, service to do....The list can go on forever if we let it. Yet, there seems to be one characteristic of my belief that always takes the top priority on my Saturday.

8 o'clock am temple runs.

I went there today with a question that I've had for a long time. It's one that I've asked on numerous occasions after I finish the session and am sitting pondering on the impressions I've received. Interesting enough (or maybe not so) the answer is still the same.

Wait.

But waiting is so hard.

The people who surround us are special treasures that we have been fortunate to be granted. Human interaction is amazing and so necessary to our survival (at least to mine). Yet, in search for that interaction sometimes comes that overwhelming power of loneliness. Like the feeling of walking home after failing an exam. I know one day all the loneliness will fade away like feathery watercolors on matte. Then the picture will have much more meaning.

Yet, among all of the wondering thoughts and the seemingly never ending list of desires I had this morning, God rose above them all and gave me a look at the bigger picture. The Plan of Salvation painted with the lights of the Utah valley.

Life is for living and each day is one blessing we didn't have the day before. Live for the experience of running to The Awful Waffle with roommates or taking a picture of something beautiful.

Today is a beautiful day. Love it now for when the daybreak comes tomorrow those chances will be long gone.

That's what God showed me today.

Roll On --Andrew

Hello Everyone,

 

Before my mission I loved to sit and write. When I left I decided to leave that behind to better focus my other things and expand my talents. This last week I felt the prompting to pick up my pen again and write. This will be my post for the week. I hope you enjoy it.

 

~LINES~

 

"Every artist was at first an amateur."      --Ralph Waldo Emerson

  ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

 

Silence was the chosen soundtrack. The room smelled clean with a hint of the perfume of fresh paper and pencil shavings. As he entered the room anticipation collected on my hands in the form of cold sweat.

 

I've waited an eternity for this.

 

My mind raced as I sought to understand how the master's hand moved. Fluid and precise but seeming reckless and wild, I wondered how I would learn.

 

"Class" he said, "Pick up a pencil and draw what is on your mind. Every Master once began by simply drawing a line." The wood became warm in my hand as I began to draw and design. Slowly my dreams, desires and ambitions, rigid and black, unfolded before my eyes. He began to walk the room, smiling, nodding and watching as he saw futures begin to take shape. But when the turn was mine he said "Stop and wait. I'll be back to discuss your shapes." Confused, concerned, wanting to understand I sat

 

Patiently...

             ....Waiting...

                            ....Praying...

 

Alone. All had gone except the Master and I. After staring at my desires and dreams for what seemed to be some time, he turned to me and said, "Well done my friend you can draw a line. Any artist can draw those things created in their mind but it takes a Master to inspire humankind. Here is a box of colors, use them as you please. I will stay beside you to show you what a Master sees."

 

I picked a color from the box. It felt unfamiliar in my hand. Afraid to make just one mistake I began to make a plan. The Master said "Fear not, for I am by your side. Allow your hand to freely move. All I ask is that you try."

 

From blues and reds and yellows my piece began to change shape. the lines once drawn in anxiousness were covered with a new fate. From fear to faith, blindness to sight, a new life unfolded right before my eyes. Mistakes were made, some colors did fade but all the master said was "try." Fluid and precise but seeming reckless and wild my hands began to work. At times I would hear the Master say, " you are beginning to see my world."

 

Then it stopped.

 

The Master's hand on my shoulder told me my piece was done. With one, black line left in the middle he said "I'm proud of you my son. You allowed your lines to fade away as I turned your thoughts towards another way. Now you know my secret, my dreams, desires and love. Your work, your masterpiece, is accepted from above."

 

Every artist can draw their thoughts and dreams, or simple, rigid lines. But it takes the colors of the master to make our pieces divine.

 

-----------End-----------

 

I have come to understand the Atonement in some unique and incredible ways over the last month or so. It has been a fight against Satan, the foe of all. I love my Savior and I know he is my friend. He has helped me through more trials than I can ever count or make up. I know that this life is a simple testing ground. A place where we can show our faith and strive to do our very best. I know we all make mistakes, I myself make plenty of them, but I know that we can be forgiven by putting our trust in the one who has redeemed us. I know the gospel is true. Jesus Christ is our Savior, and I know that one day we can stand with him with our families to live in eternal joy. In the name of Jesus Christ, amen.

 

Have a great week!

 

Sincerely,

Elder Klemme