They Finally Caught Us....

Yes, the Bishop Brick(?) finally caught us..... we had to speak in church last Sunday. I was scared to death, I haven't spoken in church since I was baptized 5 years ago. Joe was as nervous as I was even though he didn't man up to it. So, like a good girl and boy we procrastinated writing our talks until Sunday morning, don't worry church starts at 1:00. Needless to say I am the kind of person who has to write out every word I am going to say and then I practice enough that I use the script just as a guideline. Joe on the other hand didn't really even write his talk, he just did it from memory. I am sorry to say but my way works better (I did great!) I was so proud of myself. I took a required speech class two semesters ago and it paid off. My family was there, L. Tom Perry was seated right behind me (YIKES) and the rest of the ward. Joe balled like a baby through my talk and had a hard time composing himself for his. I don't mean to brag but I thought I did fantastic and I got the whole audience in tears.... you can be the judge. Here goes:

Examples Talk:

Hi my name is Mckenzie Graham, Joe and I live in the Park Capitol apartments and have been in the ward since the first of November.

Joe and I met at Utah State University, I must admit after seeing his smile that was it for me. He was my very patient math tutor and I tutored him in English. Joe and I dated for 2 years before being married in the Bountiful Temple January 12, 2006. Shortly after our wedding Joe graduated from Utah State and received a job offer to be a soft ware engineer in San Francisco. So we packed up quickly and set out on our first adventure. After being homesick for a year and a half in California Joe and I moved back to Utah in November and here we are today.

I was asked to speak on examples today, examples in my life and how I have been an example in others. I tell you one thing I am very nervous. This is my first real time speaking in church since my baptism. I am a convert to the church and was baptized when I was 17 years old. So when bishop brk asked us to speak in church today I almost ran for the door. Needless to say, here I am, so bare with me.

Before writing a talk about examples I first needed to find my own definition of what an example meant to me. After a week of soul searching here’s what I came up with. I believe an example is a person who does something small or something extraordinary that influences the course of another individual’s life forever. I have had many influential examples to help mold and shape the person I am today.

Through the course of my life I have found an examples of family, prayer, pioneering, acceptance, patience, friendship and happiness.

I found the example of family in the Ferrins. A family who watched me during the days while my mom worked. From 6 weeks old to 8 years old the Ferrin family watched me each day and showed me what a family looked like with the gospel within its walls. As we knelt for morning prayers, sat together for evening scriptures or sang hymns in the car I knew even at my young age that this is what I wanted for my future family.

I found the example of prayer in my conversion. After struggling through high school like a lot of teenagers do, I finally decided it was time for a change. I was tired of the unhappiness my poor choices caused. So after many tears and heartache I finally fell to my knees and prayed, my first prayer in many years. I prayed for help, I prayed for answers but most importantly I prayed for guidance. I knew Rick Castillo as a neighbor of mine for many years and he had just been made Bishop. So my prayer ended with the plea to find some courage to ask the Bishop for help. Although I was not a member nor was my family members of the church I knew I needed to speak with the bishop. After this prayer I laid in bed each night trying to figure out the best way to get a hold of Bishop Castillo. Little did I know that Bishops have a secretary to take the calls and make all the appointments. Two weeks after my first real prayer I woke up one Sunday morning to see my whole family dressed for church. I couldn’t believe my eyes, seeing my family dressed for church was one of the best sights I have ever seen and a prayer that had been answered. Going to church was the moment of truth, this was my opportunity to speak with Bishop, so after debating all through sacrament meeting how to talk to Bishop Castillo the final prayer ended and my family was hurrying to the doors. This is when I saw Bishop Castillo walk down from the podium past all the crowds of people waiting to speak with him, past the pews in the chapel and straight to me standing in the overflow. He looked right at me and asked if I had anything I would like to talk to him about. What an awesome experience to know in that moment that God had been listening and Rick Castillo had been praying and following the promptings of the spirit.

I found the example of pioneering in one of my weekly missionary meetings with Bishop Castillo. Although I knew the truth in my heart I was still struggling making the decision to go against my family and join the church. This is the story that changed my outlook forever. Bishop Castillo told me the story of his great grandmother: a strong, single mother trying to raise 7 young boys on her own. After suffering through many years of heartache and trials the missionaries knocked on Bishop Castillo’s great grandmother’s door. Her decision to get baptized was based on her children, grandchildren and great grandchildren. She knew if she was the one to pave the way and make the tough decision to be baptized her children and their children would not have to face the trials she had faced without the gospel to guide her. Bishop Castillo then went to the chalk board and drew a picture for me: one line, then seven lines underneath, 25 lines underneath them and finally 50 lines underneath the 25. I saw a pyramid on the board. As he finished he pointed to the top line and said this line represents my great grandmother, these 7 lines represent her 7 sons, Bishop Castillo then pointed to the row of 25 lines and said these lines represent her 25 grandchildren and these 50 lines represent her great grandchildren all born under the covenant and blessed with the gospel all because my great grandmother made the decision to join the church. As I stared at the ticks on the board I saw my future husband with his hands on my babies head and dressed in all white baptizing each of our children. I saw my daughter kneeling at the alter across from her husband being sealed for time and all eternity and I knew then that it was up to me to pave the for my own family and generations to come. I would someday be the great grandmother responsible for a whole family blessed with the gospel.

Throughout my life I have found the example of acceptance through my parents. Making the decision to be baptized was one of the most difficult decisions I have ever had to make. My parents and I knew that with my baptism would come a laundry list of important events my parents would not be able to be a part of. One of the most important was the day Joe and I were married. We all knew the day would come when I would leave my parents in the waiting room as I was sealed to Joe, however when the day arrived I knew it was much easier for me to do it alone then it was for my parents to not be apart of the most important covenant I would ever make. My parents have accepted my crazy personality and embraced my quirks and flaws, they have accepted each choice and decision I have made and have had full confidence in me that I was making the best decisions for my life. My parents have accepted that they would not be able to share fully in my baptism. My mom accepted that she would not be there to fluff my hair or button my wedding dress. My parents accepted they would not be there to watch Joe and I kneel and be sealed for time and all eternity. My parents have known these things and have experienced being on the outside and yet they still accept and support me with all their hearts. They are my fan club cheering me on in the game of life.

I found the example of patience through my husband Joe. Just to be married to me takes a lot of patience but Joe has gone above and beyond. Joe is 6 years older than and I am and has had 6 more years of experiences. When he asked me to marry him I was only 19 years old. So you can imagine my parents and my concern. I was concerned about growing up to fast and missing out on being a kid. When Joe asked my dad for my hand in marriage he promised to help support me as I grew up. I am happy to say he has fully lived up to his promise. Joe has been patient with me through my need to always run back to my mom, play a little too hard, sing a little too loud and spend a little too much. Although he has graduated he still helps me with homework, sits with me at the library and helps me pull all nighters. Joe is patient through my temper tantrums, selfishness, long trips to Africa and never fails to show me how much he loves and supports me. I go to bed each night and wake up each morning striving to be a little more like Joe.

I have the found the example of friendship in my brothers. I am the oldest of three and 5 years older than my oldest brother. My two brothers J.C. and Austin have shown me what true friendship is. Through being a bully sister to making each of them sleep at the foot of my bed when I was scared my brothers have never faltered. They give me strength, courage and comfort. You wouldn’t believe this but my 17 year old and 18 year old brothers still kiss and hug me in public. Their love reminds me of 1 Corinthians chapter 13. love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. Love never fails. J.C. and Austin throughout the years have never failed to stop showing me their support and love. They hold my hand through the hard times and celebrate with me in the good. They have been true examples of what friendship is.

From these amazing examples in my life I strive each day to take away something I have learned from them. These influential people have changed the course of my life each for the better and each in their own unique way. I would not be a better person without them. I am so grateful I now have the scriptures, prayer and the priesthood within my own family and look forward to raising my children with family prayers, Sunday morning church and father’s blessings. I am so grateful this gospel, the blessings God has given me and say these things humbly in the name of Jesus Christ Amen.