Your Circle of Influence

ONE in THREE women worldwide suffers from physical, emotional or sexual abuse. Think about the impact that has on that woman and the lasting effect it has on her children (a.k.a. our world). Thoughts like that inspire me to keep working, learning and contributing to a better world in the small ways I can.

One of the ways I've been able to do that is by working with Courage to Hope, a non-profit organization dedicated to stopping domestic violence. I've been working on the board of directors since early this year and it has enriched my life. It has opened my eyes to a problem I either didn't recognize or simply ignored.

Courage to Hope is currently working locally as well as with organizations in Ukraine, where domestic violence is not punished by law and women have few, if any resources to allow escape. We are working to educate, raise awareness and award grants to fund programs and shelters that desperately need support.

In August, a team will be going to some of the shelters to analyze their needs and view the results of previous grants. The grants being given this year ($4500) will be used to provide group psychology classes for the shelter, buy 4 computers and pay a specialist to hold computer literacy courses, and provide a training program where the women are trained to do nails, so they can find employment in a beauty salon. It doesn't seem like so little money can do that much, but it goes farther in Ukraine.

I hope that you will take the opportunity to be a part of that. I know I will. You can donate $15 (the campaign is called 15-15-15) here and read about what we're doing.

No matter how modest our sphere of influence is, love and action can make it Eden.

Quote of the Day

I saw this quote on the wall in the BYU lost and found (a place I know well). I later discovered that the quote is from Jack Handy.

"If you ever catch on fire, try to avoid seeing yourself in the mirror, because I bet that's what REALLY throws you into a panic."

I hope you smiled and I also hope you are enjoying summer.

Coming to Grips...

This past weekend my girlfriend's family had an event going on, so I spent the weekend with them. I was mildly nervous because the last time I met the family of a significant other...well, they hated me. I know, it's outrageous, but they did.

So I met her family and I loved them and apparently they loved me as well. Of her family, her grandma is probably my biggest fan. If things don't work between Lissy and I, her grandma might try to adopt me into the family anyway.

It turns out that of all age groups, (though I do okay in my age group)women between the age of 50 and 85 are the ones that like me the best. Reason: no clue. However, I've never been opposed to winking at/throwing an accolade in the general direction of a senior female...

Take-home message: I'm dating somebody (my age) and she is great. Also, her grandma is great.

P.S. I found this picture. If it doesn't make you laugh then you are probably reading the wrong blog.

Sometimes We're Awesome

Although you might think your family is pretty cool, dear reader, you've got nothing on my family. You may think, "he doesn't know", to which I would politely say "you're drunk." Okay, truth be told, my family might not be as cool as your family, but I AM pretty sure my family could take your family. 6 efficient boys + 5 crazy girls + 7 spouses + a crop of grandkids = a world of hurt. I'm pretty sure my math is accurate (I got an A in calculus).

From now on, I'll post the proof in the form of awesome quotes that I don't want to forget. As our family reunion approaches, I get the feeling there's going to be plenty of material to go around. This one is from Hannah. If you haven't met Hannah, I'm sorry.

Hannah: Louis, I just wanted to tell you you're my favorite brother. And I love you half a jug.
Louis: What's half a jug?
Hannah: I don't know.
Louis: Well, thanks...I guess...

*Two Months Later*

Phone: ring, ring, ring
Louis: Hello?
Hannah: Hey! I miss you.
Louis: I miss you too.
Hannah: I love you a whole bucket full.
Louis: Wow, thanks Hannah! I love you too!

Nightstands and Sundays

"It is both relaxing and invigorating to occasionally set aside the worries of life, seek the company of a friendly book...from the reading of 'good books' there comes a richness of life that can be obtained in no other way." -President Gordon B. Hinckley-

I love reading, and I'm not talking about textbooks. Textbooks and homework can be interesting sometimes, but microbiology isn't what I would refer to as a "page-turner". So, in order to read more, I set a goal and formed a plan. This time, it has worked.

• The Goal: read more of the books piling up on the lengthy list entitled "someday". Read them now.
• The Plan: rent a book from the library, buy one from the store or borrow it from a friend so there's always a book on my nightstand. This friendly book gets read on sundays and, when I have time, before bed.

The last few books I've read: Three Cups of Tea, Man's Search for Meaning, The Screwtape Letters, Mormon Scientist. In order to keep a book on my shelf, today I invested in "The Complete C. S. Lewis Signature Classics"! I'm pretty excited.

So, Mere Christianity...

Position Open

Needed: somebody to nurse me back to health by telling me funny stories and making me delicious soups.

Qualifications: applicants must be able to make delicious soups and tell funny stories. We reserve the right to discriminate against those of the male gender. Also, those who believe that Campbell's knows how to make delicious soups will immediately be shown the door.

Pay: blessings in heaven. Your monetary remunerations will be given in the form of imaginary "blessing tokens" which can be exchanged for more tangible things ("...that there shall not be room enough to receive it.").

Contact: interested (and qualified) individuals should look for the guy in the Genetics and Biotechnology lab who looks like death; I'm wearing a green shirt). Bring soup samples.

Desperate times...

Sometimes there are those weeks where it feels a little like everything is caving in on top of you. I had one of those weeks. It all started when I went to look at my research plants and they had all turned rust red. FYI, green plants should never turn rust red over a weekend. Then I got some really crappy news that almost made me give up on medical school. *Cue the avalanche of little and big things alike*

One day I was talking with classmates about PhD applications and I suddenly wanted to climb atop my desk and yell, jumping up and down, "I don't want to be a PhD!" I didn't do it, but the fact that I thought about it should tell you what type of week it was. Joking aside, I was just about to give up.

Amidst it all I felt the impression that it wasn't as bad as I thought. One by one the things that felt like they were going to crush me were slowly lifted off or made lighter. Sitting there at the end of the week I remembered how much I love life and love challenges. They make me try harder and be something more.

Every once in a while you have those dark moments where you are tested and tried a little, but if you hold on tight and do everything within your power to learn from it, the sunrise will be worth every moment of it. So I had a rough week, but I needed it.

The Church really is true and the sun always rises.