sensitivity.

The Spanish word for sensitive is "sensible." Looks a lot like our English word sensible.

Interesting . . .

Sensible for us means something clear or wise. Practical. Functional. Beneficial. The archaic meaning is "able to notice or appreciate." I especially like this last definition.


Able to notice or appreciate.

I think we all would like to have this ability. To be sensible to the needs of people around us, or to the impressions of the Spirit.

In my calling I've recently had the opportunity to teach the various teachers about loving those they teach. What I got of it was having the sensitivity or sensibility to know what people need, who they are, what they've been through and how God sees them. Christ was the best example of this ability. He was in constant communion with the Holy Spirit. He always knew what people were feeling and needed. He was even able to perceive their thoughts.

Sensitivity to the Spirit has been one of my greatest desires over the last few years. Unfortunately, it's something that I sometimes lose sight of. However, I do feel that it is something that is attainable or at least possible for the majority of the time.

Praying for it. Living my life so that I won't be too distracted when the feelings come. I think that is the most difficult part. There is so much, especially in today's world, to distract us from the quiet whispers and feelings of the Spirit.

Anyways . . . I hope to be able to grow in my sensibility to the Spirit.

for your good.

Bad things happen. Inconvenient things happen. Even when we're trying to do what's right and live a balanced life. Our plans get messed up and we wonder sometimes if anything more could possibly go wrong. I've realized recently though, despite the consequences of our agency or of things outside our power, there is always something positive that can come from these situations.

This past Friday, through no real fault of my own, I was left behind. My entire class went on a field trip. Without me.

My professor had been adamant that we were leaving at 9:00 am sharp. I got out of my German class at 8:50. I was doing fine on time and as I biked past our meeting spot, there were only a handful of students. I parked my bike and decided the forty minute drive to Salt Lake would feel much much longer if I did not make a visit to the bathroom.

As I came out of my building around 9:01 I realized that the vans were gone. My initial response, “Are you kidding me?” So I called the vans. One was full. The other was being driven by my professor. He didn't want to turn around and pick me up. I guess my learning experience wasn't worth five extra minutes driving.

I was annoyed, but decided to use the next three hours to work on my prototype for another class in the shop. I ended up running into one of my professors I don't have a class with this semester. He's a professor whose design opinions and philosophies I respect highly. We got talking about internships and he told me I should apply to this summer's program in a far away land. I was doubtful of my ability to get it while other, more experienced students would by vying for the same position. He gave me a huge confidence booster, telling me that I could compete. So now I'm planning on doing the design test and applying for the program.

Though I missed an opportunity to see how plastics are blow-molded, which of course God didn't wish upon me, I was able to have a productive work session and get some direction from a professor I was in need of. Like God counseled Joseph Smith, if the very jaws of hell should gape open wide after you, know it is for your good. We don't always know why things happen to us, and most of the time, they just do, but God has a great way of giving us something else worth having.

Frustration happens. Bad things happen. There is always something good to be learned or gained.