Gratitude Week at the Telefund

So, I recently got a new job at the BYU Telefund, a branch of the organization BYU Philanthropies.  For those of you who are like me and have to look up the meaning of the word “philanthropies” in the dictionary, dictionary.com tells us that it means “altruistic concern for human welfare and advancement, usually manifested by donations of money, property, or work to needy persons, by endowment of institutions of learning and hospitals, and by generosity to other socially useful purposes.”  (Just to be brief in its definition).  BYU Philanthropies is a really neat organization under the direction of the Presiding Bishopric of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, and it has an amazingly uplifting atmosphere!  So what do I do exactly?  I’m a caller.  That’s right, I am THAT GUY who calls you asking for money donations to the school and for funding need-based scholarships.  Yes, if you are a BYU alumni, I may be THAT GUY giving you a call for the millionth time from the university’s phone number because you haven’t answered yet because you don’t like answering numbers that you don’t recognize.  I know, don’t you love me more now?!...  Thank you so much if you have donated; you’re awesome!  If you can’t donate because of tight financial situations, it’s ok; I understand, and I hope that things start getting better.  And if we straight up do nothing but bug you sorry about that, but it’s all for a good cause, and if you can’t donate, there are no hard feelings J.

Anyway, as I said, the Telefund has an amazingly uplifting atmosphere.  At the beginning of every shift for the callers, we all get together and have quick spiritual devotional.  This week apparently is “Gratitude Week” at the Telefund, so all of the devotionals have mostly been based on gratitude.  Today I gave the devotional for first shift and read a short quote by Gordon B. Hinckley:

When you walk with gratitude, you do not walk with arrogance and conceit and egotism, you walk with a spirit of thanksgiving that is becoming to you and will bless your lives.

I then shared what I was grateful for in my life.  I found this exercise very refreshing, and the leaders at the Telefund encouraged us to share what we were grateful for in our lives on social media.  So, here’s my list!

1.    My parents.  My Mom and Dad are alike in many ways, but polar opposites in other ways.  People that I look exactly like my Dad but act exactly like my Mom, (which, if you’ve met the two before, you know is nothing to complain about).  They are the most influential people in my life and my greatest heroes and idols.  They raised me and continue to teach me so well, and I love them for it.  I’m so grateful for them.

2.     The rest of my family.  Zander, Rebecca, Kamille, Evan, Winston, Samantha, and even that guy out in Argentina who I used to always get into fights with, brotherly love style (Tanner).  I’m grateful that I’ll be with these guys forever.  I’m especially grateful that I can see Kamille, Evan, Grandpa, Grandma Hutch, and my cousins every week for a wonderful home-cooked meal!

3.     My friends.  I have the best friends.  Some are near; some are far; I have school friends, mission friends, old friends, new friends, friends in other countries, and even “special” friends if you know what I mean… ladies.  Whether or not these people that I love most (outside of the family) remain in my life forever may be out of my hands, but for me, they are truly what makes life worth living.  I love them all and I’m so grateful for them.

4.     My dog.  Meet Bevo.  No, he's not dead; he's just playing dead, and yes, he is named after the Texas Longhorn’s mascot.  Besides the fact that this dog is so ADHD (like myself) and quirky that he can be an entertainment just by watching him chase around shiny things, it’s also good to have a dog just because sometimes he’s the only one that understands you.  He’s in Pennsylvania, so I don’t have him now, but I miss him and am grateful for him.

5.     My roommates.  I actually haven’t needed a dog these two semesters even on the toughest of days, because of Ryan, Taylor, and Jordan.  Thanks so much for being there for me, guys.  I couldn’t ask for more support than what I’ve already received from y’all.  Also, I’m a fan of our late-night-roomy dance parties, mandates, Risk wars, and woman talks.

6.     My mission.  Elder Holland, an apostle, once stated “my mission meant everything to me.”  Amen to that, brother!  President Villarreal and his wife Myrna not only helped me for two years, but they continue to be an inspiration and personal help to me.  Also, I met so many young, inspiring men that have helped mold me into a more complete person.  And I can’t forget the people that were moved by Christ’s message when I brought it to them in Mexico and who joined the church.  Many of these wonderful people will claim that I converted them, but really it was God.  And if you ask me, it was the experience of watching their conversions that really converted ME.  I’m so grateful for my mission.

7.     Music.  Dear anyone who has ever lived with me:  you already know this.  Dear future wife: I love music, and I sing in the shower, at the steering wheel, and pretty much everywhere else at all hours of the day.  Please, learn to love it, or invest in some really thick earmuffs to block out the sound if you can’t.  Music makes me happy, and if I can sing something well, then it makes me happier.

8.     My new job.  This is the first time that I have ever had a job while going to school and my first one that doesn’t involve some kind of yard work.  Although there are up days and down days even at the Telefund, I just feel so much more responsible and fulfilling with this in my life.  I thank Heavenly Father for helping me get this job, and I’m grateful that I don’t have a job that involves being outside in the heat of Texas or the cold of Utah all the time.

9.     Basketball.  Anytime I don’t feel like doing homework, college and pro basketball has been there.  Not mention that March Madness is coming up!!!  OK, it’s still not for two months, but we have to have something to look forward to here at BYU since there’s no spring break!

10. The Holy Ghost.  John 14:26 “But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you.”  Yesterday morning I was driving home from the temple with my music off just reflecting on life.  Those moments of silence where you can and just sit and converse with God are so important.  I was thinking about where I would be and in what direction I would be going without His constant help.  I might still be here at BYU, but there are many decisions that I’ve had to make in my life (including more recent ones) that have been pretty tough.  Without this Comforter who can literally teach me “all things” guiding me, I know that I would have made some pretty rational and bonehead decisions.  Even when I don’t understand why he tells me to do something, I have gained a testimony and a certainty that whenever I feel in my heart and my mind that something is right I must continue with full confidence in the path that He has shown me.  Ever since receiving the Holy Ghost by the laying on of hands after my baptism, I have had this to keep me in the correct path, and I’m especially grateful for it today.

Your turn

What are YOU grateful for?  I want you leave as many comments as you want telling me about the things that you are grateful in your life, whether you’re a close friend or a complete stranger!  Write down what you are grateful for, and you’ll know why it feels so refreshing!

¡Hasta luego!