Instrumental Tribute

  I know that my family will miss my mercilessly constant piano playing! :) So here are some of my favorite songs to play. Don't mind the mistakes; there's much more that I can improve on still. 

Farewell Talk

    

Good morning! First, I’d like to give a special thanks to my friends and family for me! Today I’ve been asked to speak on a talk by President Monson entitled “Constant Truths for Changing Times”.

I was blown away by the numerous spiritual gems that littered this talk! There were so many topics, that I was a little overwhelmed and confused on what to speak about for lack of time.

     President Monson’s talk was given back in 2005, a few years before he became our prophet, and I’d like to start by saying that we are so blessed to have living apostles and a prophet on the Earth today. They are truly inspired!

     One of the first subjects President Monson brushed up was on concerned financial advice. He encouraged everyone to avoid the never ending and beguiling credit card offers that spring so suddenly on us all. He also reminded us about the dangers of seemingly low interest rates saying: “interest takes no pleasure; it is never laid off work; it never works on reduced hours. … Once in debt, interest is your companion every minute of the day and night; you cannot shun it; you cannot dismiss it; it yields neither to entreaties, demands, or orders; whenever you fail to meet its demands, it crushes you…” In a world that focuses so much value on something as eternally unimportant as a piece of green paper, how terrible and wonderful this advice is! Appearances are deceiving and the difference between “needs” and “wants” has become increasingly blurry. Sometimes all we can do is just take a step back from it all and remind ourselves of the difference between what is good in this life, and what is best. President Monson urged the saints not to take out second mortgages on their homes… three full years before the unforetold housing crisis hit America! How fortunate the world is to have men inspired by the priesthood, and exemplary women who live lives full of faith!

     This brings me to the next topic that I’d like to speak about: role models—both from the media and from my own life. If you turn on the TV, you are bound to see actors, actresses, models, athletes, and all sorts of people that Hollywood deems to be talented, bright, or beautiful. Many of them are, but some may not really be worthy of such esteem. This past year, I've taken an interest in photography, and was fortunate enough to receive Adobe Photoshop for Christmas. To tell you the truth, I’m not that good at it yet, but there are a few things I can do. I can turn the sky green and the ocean orange. I can take away every blemish, every line, every wrinkle, and even add a little twinkle to your eyes at the click of a button. It’s easy, but in all honesty, it’s fake. The media has hundreds if not thousands of photo-shop experts at their disposal, make-up and fashion designers from the four corners of the Earth, and plenty of time to spare. Deception is their job, and they get paid well for it. The media is like a road filled with covered up pot-holes. If we aren't vigilant, it is easy to fall into these cunning traps, and suddenly, we start to feel as if we ourselves aren't at all talented, bright, or beautiful.
    But didn't our Father in Heaven, in his perfect knowledge and love, allow his Son, Jesus Christ, to sacrifice his life to save us from our imperfections? It was because He believed that we were each that important. Jesus Christ would not have come to Earth if he didn't have every confidence that we were worth it. I know that in the Savior’s sight, we are still worth everything he went through.
     I feel so blessed to be surrounded by so many amazing role models in the Bridgecreek Ward. When I needed clothes for trek a few years ago, Sister Cleverly took on the task, making me skirts, a bonnet, and an apron (with pockets added just for my convenience!) And she wouldn’t accept anything in return. While I was in Young Women’s I can’t recall a single Wednesday night where Sister Barnes wasn’t there to make sure that the girls were having fun and taken care of, or a month where Sister Thompson didn’t make it to help out with planning meetings. When I got my mission call, Brother Smith, who isn’t even in our ward anymore, made a CD full of Japanese vocabulary and grammar for me. I am so blessed and impressed by the good families of the Bridgecreek Ward and their selfless service to me and everyone around them. I’d like to thank each of you for being great examples of service to me.
     President Monson’s talk also mentioned the importance of consistently using our powerful influences for good. When he was a young adult, there was a little paper boy who delivered newspapers daily around the neighborhood. One day, being unhappy with the number of newspapers that had landed in the bushes, on the curb, and just about everywhere else except for the front porch, one of his neighbors began a petition of complaint. When the petition reached the Monson’s house, they kindly declined. The paper boy seemed to be doing his best! Despite their refusal to discredit the boy, many other complaints were gathered, organized, and sent to the boy’s supervisor. A few days later, the Monson’s learned that the body of the little boy was found. He had taken his own life, because he felt so saddened by the harsh judgments that had been placed upon him! Hymn number 233, “Nay, Speak No Ill”, explains perfectly how we should strive to speak:
 “Then speak no ill, but lenient be
To others' failings as your own.
If you're the first a fault to see,
Be not the first to make it known,
For life is but a passing day;
No lip may tell how brief its span.
Then, oh, the little time we stay,
Let's speak of all the best we can.”

     On the other hand, we can change friends’ and family’s lives for the better through kind words. Around the border of the mirror in my room, is a collage of note cards containing compliments from a girls’ camp several years ago. Reading them still puts a smile on my face, long after they were given. Even the shortest sentence given with sincerity can become a life-long motivation for a friend going through a hard time.
     When we do our best to be complimentary, non-judgmental, and kind, the light of Christ will shine through us. I apologize to those of you who have heard this story already, but I would like to share an experience from my first year of college.
     At Utah State, I met a roommate of one of my good friends from High School. I didn’t know at that time that he had had a few unfortunate experiences as a youth in the church with members who were treating others badly. When he asked me on a date soon after we met, I decided to go. We went on a hike, and as we hiked and talked, the topic of conversation shifted drastically. He asked me if I’d ever consider seriously dating anybody who didn’t have my same beliefs. To which I very bluntly responded, “No, because I know the direction I want my life to take.” I then learned that he had been inactive for years! Looking back, I don’t remember exactly what was said after that, but I bore a simple testimony to the young man about the gospel and what it meant to me. And even though that particular date ended up being the most hilariously awkward date I’ve ever been on, due to other things that happened, a few simple words had changed his heart. That night, for the first time in years, he prayed and asked for a personal confirmation over whether the things I had said were true or not. He became reconciled with the church and gained his own testimony. Four months later, he, like me, decided to serve a mission! I have learned that stories with sincerity, friendship, and a commitment to serve God will always have a have a happy ending. Like the Savior, it is important to reach out to those who are in need, and to be friends with everyone. I’m so thankful to be a part of a gospel that encourages us to lift each other up. The small sacrifices we make today make a huge difference in our lives and the lives of others. And in the long-run, we realize that the sacrifices are simply blessings in disguise.
   
     Lastly, President Monson talked about families. There once was a man, with two young sons that he had promised to take to the circus when it was in town. The boys anxiously awaited the opportunity to spend time with their father. As the time for their departure approached, the boys grew anxious. Where was dad? Minutes before they were supposed to leave, their dad made a phone call. “Sorry boys, I’m tied up with work and won’t be able to make it today.” Later that night as he talked to his wife, she tried to console him, “Don’t worry, the circus will come around again!” “Yes,” agreed her husband, “but childhood doesn’t.” In a world of shifting values, negative news, and hardships, it is comforting to know that we have families to fall back on. My family members are my best friends. From my silly nieces, hilarious dad, and supportive mom, to my siblings that are crazy fun, I know that I’m really blessed to have such a good family. Going to college was one of the hardest things in my life because I wasn’t with them all the time, even though I was only an hour away. I’m grateful to know that families can be together forever, because I couldn’t imagine not having that knowledge. I’m very proud that for the next 18 months, that I will be called “Watkins Shimai.” Because it will remind me of what wonderful people I’ve been surrounded by my entire life. I’d like to read a cute brief poem for my parents by Michelle Moran,

“I don't know when it started,
Or how it all began.
But God created families,
As only our Lord can.
He was teaching what it means,
To love, honor, and obey.
He wanted a strong bond,
That we don't see too much today.
He wanted someone to hold us,
And show respect for others.
He wanted someone who'd be gentle,
And so he created mothers.
He wanted someone strong,
A support filled with love.
And so he created fathers,
Sent from heaven up above.
Brothers and sisters came next,
With that, an instant friend.
Someone to look up to,
Someone on who to depend.
When he put them all together,
He was amazed at what he'd done.
He had created a family,
Mother, father, daughter, son.
But look at the family,
Created by only two.
How many we've become,
And all because of you.
We have a lot to be thankful for,
The memories through the years.
The many times together,
Full of laughter, full of tears.
I don't know where we'd be today,
If it weren't for the two of you.
To show us strength, support, and love,
Like only the two of you can do."

     Thank you mom and dad for always being there for me. And for such wonderful grandparents, aunts, uncles and cousins. You’re the best! I love you all!


Wareware wa futatabi au made,-shin wa anata to issho ni. -God be with you till we meet again!