Once Upon The Stars

Good Morning!

The day has arrived. Tonight I get set apart as a missionary for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, and rejoin my fellow servants of the Lord in my two year calling. I'm so excited, I'm freer and more prepared than I ever have been! Half of you will remember my very first email, sent on Halloween night. We've come a long way since then, and it's been quite the journey. 

Have you ever sat in the grass and watched the stars? Can you remember that feeling? Stars are so spectacular; they populate the night sky like nothing else, and in the proper conditions, are one of the most breathtaking sights visible from Earth. Despite their glory, they can feel out of reach, nothing more than a hazy speck amid the dark expanse of space. 

There is a song titled "Lela's Stars". It's a somber little piece, but it turns the idea of a distant star to something as relatable as a distant dream. The artist who sings that song implies his own journey for success with his duties to his family, and the balancing act between the two. 

One line sticks out from the lyrics. "I saw thumbtacks, she saw constellations". Our perspective truly makes a difference. Consider our distant ancestors, who lived by the positions of the stars. Ancient cartographers relied on their location in the sky for direction and time measurement. They drew constellations out of the giant assemblage of dots for this very purpose. 

We can still recognize those ancient constellations in the sky when we take the time to look. Two of the most recognizable ones I've seen in Texas are Orion the Hunter and the Big Dipper. Granted, I don't use them for directions, but those first connect-the-dot puzzles are still around today. 

The popular saying, to 'wish upon a star', has been around for a while. Sure, children no longer run outside searching for the first star in the night sky to send their hopes and dreams to it, but the concept is certainly there. Scattered through various cultures worldwide are legends of genies and three wishes, or magic coins and legendary plants and fountains that grant our wildest dreams. I like to think of wishing upon a star like you're hoping for a miracle. Hoping, but not necessarily working. 

As we look for these miracles, it's important to remember the process to realize them. Just as you can't effectively stargaze by a streetlight, you can't wish for a change while sitting on the couch and bemoaning your situation. There needs to be a level of effort in everything we do. 

God works much the same way. As we cast our cares on him through prayer, He can and does help us with our goals and problems. However, as another song puts it, "stars are only visible in darkness." Therefore, Heavenly Father's blessings are best realized during times of trial, as opposed to the sunny days of bliss. That's not to say those blessings went away. When the sun's out the stars are still shining. But the greater light of our happiness can allow us to overlook God's blessings more often than not. We have to put in the effort to keep our focus on the blessings we're given if we hope to see more. 

Ever wonder how more stars appear once you notice four or five? By recognizing the stars you can, and putting the effort forward to be in the best position possible, other stars begin to emerge from the shadows. So it is with blessings. As you notice some and work with that light and knowledge, others will begin to stand out from the humdrum of everyday life. So even when times are uncertain, we can still find peace in the light of the small, nearly imperceptible gifts around us. 

Here's a thought of mine; It's strange how one can have all the time in the world and wish for a change, only to change their mind when that time is gone. I can perhaps be accused of laziness, murmuring, and impatience during these past four and a half months. However, these last two weeks, which I once would have wished away, have been some of the best two weeks in a very long time. I've built and furnished relationships with family and friends that can last lifetimes. 

Neal A. Maxwell closed his final conference talk (April 2004) with these lines. 

"By the way, you have never seen an immortal star; they finally expire. But seated by you tonight are immortal individuals—imperfect but who are, nevertheless, 'trying to be like Jesus'!"

I know that life doesn't end after death. There is more to come than we can ever dream in this current state, but it is out there. Though all stars will fade, God's blessings, promises, and gifts never will, and nor will we. I've focused on strengthening what really lasts during this extra time I have. I'm not perfect, but the relationships we have now will exist through the eternities. It's past time I focus on what matters most. 

A humble, hopeful writer (me) introduced the theme of hopes and stars in an Installment of his. One of the closing lines in the 14th Installment was "The love of stars is a very bittersweet one." The character in question had spent so much time focusing on what they wished would happen that by the time they remembered real life, it had already passed them by. We may find a taste of the sweet in our imaginations, but we must remember the bitterness that shall come if we never engage with reality. Dreams are possible, but they do pass if we never work for them. Blessings are there, but they don't stick around forever. 

My stars are unique to me. My hopes and dreams, the possibilities I yearn for, and the wishes I cast to the stars. One of those has been my return to the Utah, St. George Mission. But I worked for it. I've experienced spiritual freedom, recognized my calling, and focused on the light at the end of the tunnel. It has been a process of work and struggle, disappointment and understanding. But I have realized my dream. My wish has turned into a reality, because of the effort I gave it and the small successes I found as the weeks crawled by. 

I pray that you will turn your own dreams into realities. Spend time on the relationships that matter most, as eternity will come. If we work hard and focus on God's blessings and opportunities, we can look back when this is all over and be grateful for the ride. 

The Disney fairy tales and 'once upon a time's, just like the stars, are wonderful from a distance. But we have so much more potential than they ever did. 

Farewell, and off to St. George! Thank you for all your support, I'm ready and won't be looking back for a long time. I've worked too hard for this opportunity to waste it now. 

- Talmage Williams

Pictures:

1. He approached me!

2. Achmed in all his glory.

3. Gotta love the hay!

4. Mr. Darcy!

5. More with the dogs!

6. Family and local missionaries.

7. One of my favorites.