So Western culture has this bad rap about being kinda distant toward people who aren't already our friends.  It's nothing mean spirited, we just don't interact more than we have to with strangers.  It's just what we do.  But why?  Why aren't we more friendly and open with people at times when it would be so easy like before class, while waiting in a line,  or when eating?  Well, BYU is doing something about it.  It's dubbed "redefine service."  And it's amazing.  It's about rethinking the way we view what "service" means.  It's not just about volunteering at soup kitchens or donating one's time at a homeless shelter.  Those things are great, they make a difference, and we should pursue them.  But the things that honestly brighten my day the most and make my life joyful are just small things.  Spontaneous things.  Things like a stranger coming up to me and introducing him or herself in a class where I don't know anyone, a roommate seeing that I'm stressed out about schoolwork and offers to do my portion of the apartment chores, or when I'm rushing off the school and someone just comes up to me and starts helping me scrape the ice caked around my car (or even more joyful, when they offer me a ride!! I LOVE that, no scraping, no parking . . . oh! The elation!)  As was said in a recent conference: “Serving others need not come from spectacular events. Often it is the simple daily act that gives comfort, uplifts, encourages, sustains, and brings a smile to others.”1 That's classic, Christlike service to me. 
     But it's not just about encouraging people to do small acts of service to those we encounter every day.  It's also about publicizing the multiplicity of tender mercies that people are already bringing about.  BYU is one of the friendliest places already . . . and we want to get the word out.  We're collecting stories about all those times someone has reached out to you and made your day, stranger or otherwise.  So please, go to redefineservice.byu.edu right now to join with the hundreds who have already pledged to redefine service to make BYU known not only for things like being "stone-cold sober" or football, but also for being the #1 place in the world to feel welcome.  As you look for those ways, I think you'll find that service is its own reward and will bring your life to a whole new level of happiness.  As President Hinckley taught:
“The best cure for weariness is the challenge of helping someone who is even more tired. One of the great ironies of life is this: He or she who serves almost always benefits more than he or she who is served.”2
1(Michael J. Teh, “Out of Small Things,” Ensign, Nov 2007,  35–37)
2(Gordon B. Hinckley, Standing for Something, p. 56)
    Again, The Website is redefineservice.byu.edu and we're still looking for volunteers to help out with a booth we are hosting for the next couple of weeks.  Contact Kelli Haws (801-735-8306) or hkelli7@gmail.com to sign up for a booth time (or for any general questions). 
     And don't forget to send your small acts of service "moments" to redefineservice@byu.edu

The election is over. Whatever your thoughts may be about the man, Barack Obama will be our next president. And I just want to say to everyone, "Let's give the guy a chance." I didn't vote for him. I thought there were others who were more qualified and better represented what is most important to me.

But I now pledge my support for Barack Obama for the following reasons:
-I have respect for the office of President of the United States
-I respect the will of the people of this nation (which, in this election, was overwhelming)
-Though I disagree with some of his ideas to go about it, I believe that Obama does want to change things for the better

I am not saying that I'm advocating silent compliance with whatever he does. On the contrary, part of being an American is voicing any reasonable disagreement with any policy--but let's really be reasonable.

My main frustration is this: I have already heard several people write off our new president as 'a terrorist' who 'will promise anything to anyone to get power' and just wants 'to destroy America.' Again, I'll agree that some of his ideas might sound a bit . . . perplexing . . . but DO YOU HONESTLY BELIEVE that his INTENT is to destroy America? I know most reading this don't believe such a thing, but let's not talk like it. Let's give him a full chance. Let's give him due CREDIT along WITH due criticism (I personally can't take people very seriously when all they can talk about are people's failings--have you even considered things from their point of view?!).

Obama is the new face for America, and I want it to do my part for our nation be seen in the best light possible.

I side with John McCain when he said:
"I urge all Americans who supported me to join me in not just
congratulating him, but offering our next president our good will and earnest
effort to find ways to come together to find the necessary compromises to
bridge our differences and help restore our prosperity, defend our security in
a dangerous world, and leave our children and grandchildren a stronger, better
country than we inherited. Whatever our differences, we are fellow Americans."
-John McCain in his concession speech to Barack Obama, November 4, 2008

I sincerely thank both candidates for working so hard in trying to better the country so dear to my heart.