(6) Taking Pride In My Roots

As I have been down here at BYU I have learned many life lessons.  One great one that I have learned this past week is to always be proud of where I come from.  Lots of people would say that they are ashamed of their past, of their old friends, of where they come from, or of their family.  I'm here to say that no one should EVER have the need to feel shame for where they came from.  Life isn't about being concentrated on what we already did.  The past was made to remember, but not to live in.  We have to realize that the people we were yesterday help us be better people tomorrow.  So where we came from yesterday is going to determine what we want for our "tomorrow."

I am proud to say that I am an Idaho bred Hofman.  I come from a family very based upon tradition and roots and I am proud to say that I come from a solid family that has taught me so many different life lessons.  It really helps me with my every day decisions.  I frequently think of my ancestors in almost every step in life that I take.  When I'm about to tell a joke I try to think,"What would Grandma Hofman think about me saying this?" or when I'm going to make a purchase I think,"Would dad approve of this purchase and it's worth for me?"  It's good to know where we come from so we can know where we're going.

I am named after a man who has been a huge idol in my life.  He was a man from my past that is continuing to help me in my life direction despite the fact that he has passed on.  His name is Hugh Lynn Brown and he is my grandfather.  A stellar man who has played a major role in my growth as a young man.  He was probably the biggest stud alive.  I always remember him as the first one to take on a challenge.  One great memory is when we would go to Lake Powell as an extended family he would always find the biggest rock on the beach that he could and with out fear in his eyes he'd hoist it above his head and just start walking out into the water until the waves covered him and the rock and he was walking down and down. I remember that it was always a few minutes before we'd see a balding head pop up about 50 or 60 feet out into the water.  He was so much fun and really taught people through his actions and love.  I really hope that this part of my past will help shape me as the man that I want to be and as the father that I aspire to become.

The past determines the future. Even if our past was dark, what lies ahead is always bright!

My Grandpa Hugh Lynn Brown.  Such a Stud!

(5) Real Life Pondering

This week has been full of pondering and soul searching to be 100% honest.  Some very impactful events in my life have caused me to do an auto-analysis on where I am in life and where I want to be later down the road.  Ten years ago my idea of "what I wanted in the future" has dramatically changed as to what it is now.  I always have seen myself as a successful person in the future.  One with a wife, kids, good job, modest house, and other nice things, but over the past few years I've really had to analyze the "how" aspect of that.  For example:  How am I going to become a success?  How is my wife going to be?  How will I teach my kids so they also grow up successful and happy?  There are so many aspects to which all these questions tie back to.  Overall, as I did some pondering, I realized that the best way to accomplish this is through the gospel.  I've never had to rely on it more in my life than now.  As a recently returned missionary I came back to a life style full of challenges and obstacles. I'll tell you what, it has been THE most stressful moment in my life.  The weight of school, my social pressures, business opportunities, etc.  In my moments of despair and sadness I have felt the weight relieved as I've learned to continue trusting in the Lord.  I've never been the best at this, but I just want to stress the importance of always relying on the Lord in all that we do.  My biggest challenge as a young adult was figuring out "How" we do that.  I still am trying to figure it out, but I've learned one thing amazing.  God has already given us the way to know how to trust in him.  It's called "The Scriptures."  In his infinite wisdom he has left us some amazing tools such as the Book of Mormon and the Bible to give us a guideline of how to follow him.  If we trust in the Lord we will trust in the words that he has caused to be written.   I Absolutely LOVE the scriptures.  They have changed my life, and in those moments of desperation I can always fall back onto them.  So wherever you may be, or in whatever moment I would challenge you to always have the scriptures in hand.  Whether it be on your smart phone or in those new "miniature scripture set" that they sell in Deseret Book, have them on hand.  I promise that you will feel a better sense of security as you know that you have the word of God within your finger's reach.