The Last Task

I attend a class on Tuesday nights called Institute. It's a scripture based study program for young adults. This semester we are studying the parables of Christ from the New Testament. One of our assignments this semester was to write a parable. I've written mine and posted it below. Enjoy!

The Last Task

by Timothy Garner

After the end of a long day, an aged woman came to her final task. The new job she acquired left one room to be cleaned in this home of extravagant size. With her grayed hair matted and plastered to her head with sweat and grime, she wiped her brow and rolled her stained sleeves past her elbows. As her wise eyes surveyed the room, she thought this would be the quickest of all the rooms she’s cleaned thus far and her day would end shortly.

She filled her trusty metal bucket with warm water mixed with cleaning solution. She placed her moistened rag to the mirror and wiped the stained, spotted glass. As she scrubbed, the room began to appear brighter as the light from above reflected. A pair of lips creased into a smile and met the gaze of its owner. She spoke a sigh of completion. She next moved to the counter, the sink, under the soap dish, around the stainless steel faucet. As her rag became dirtier with every wipe she realized this dirt had been here for a while and it took a little more effort to release it from its resting place. She moved to the tub.

She drew back the curtain and realized her quick thought job would be much longer. She knelt down; scrubbed, polished and made things shine like before; clean. Her task was almost complete. She swept the floor and then removed the rug from its place. As she did, she realized that the floor use to be pristine white but now was an off color. Her shoulders dropped. She was tired. Sweat poured into her eyes but she pressed on. As she ran down the bristles of her brush upon the tiled floor, she knew it would never be as white as it originally was. She was so worried that it wouldn’t be clean. Her long job was not yet complete and how could she call her work complete. On a stroke forward, her brush slipped through the suds on the floor and her body collapsed on the wet soapy floor. She began to pick herself up when she heard footsteps in the hall. The owner of the house was returned.

Before she could think, he entered the bathroom. He bent down and grabbed her elbow and helped the woman to her sore feet. By now, she was crying. He wiped the tears from her worn eyes and asked, “Why are you crying?” She looked at him and did not know where to start. But without thought, she said, “ This floor will not be any cleaner than it is now and I’m very worried that you would not have me in your house any longer. I have done all I can.” His smile made her heart stop and then he replied, “Please, leave this floor for me. I will replace every tile. The floor will be white again and made new.” Her worn eyes sparkled as he guided her out of her last task.

Many manly lessons learned

Almost 2 weeks ago, I pulled into the institute parking lot and my car sputtered a bit. I thought it was strange, but then again, I'm not a mechanic(please remember this fact as you continue reading this post). As I departed my meetings, my car wouldn't start. Now, I've had car problems before. Luckily, my father and uncle's knowledge of vehicle maintenance far surpasses my own. But this car calamity could not have occurred at a less than opportune time! I was in the midst of planning a huge she-bang for the Young Single Adults for my church. I needed a vehicle all day Friday to run errands and it wasn't looking good. However, my father took his day off and drove from Ville Platte to help fix it. About 4 hours, a good $200, some choice words, and 4 middle aged men later, my vehicle was up and running. My uncle said that my fuel filter needs to be changed out at least every other oil change. My oil needed to be changed that day, but I waited. The problem existed because my fuel filter was clogged and it over-worked my fuel pump and it died. Needless to say, I'll replace the $10 fuel filer as apposed to the $120 fuel pump.

This past weekend, I went to my parent's house for Easter. We enjoyed ourselves. My main reason for going out there was the shoot guns. I own two rifles, a .22 and a .270. I've shot the both a few times, but not in the past 10 years or so. I really wanted to feel comfortable with them since they are mine. I'm not an NRA member, but I definitely feel it's my responsibility if I ever have to provide for my future family, how to shoot. So, we drove out to a gorgeous park by the Atchfalya River where a shooting range is. We shot my .22 and my dad's 9mm. It was enjoyable. I felt a little scared at first, but more confident as I learned how they worked. After we returned home, my dad showed me how to clean them. Not only did it make me feel better about myself, but it also was a nice bonding moment with my dad!

Now, back to my car. I changed my oil Saturday. This is the second time I've done it by myself-remember, not a mechanic!! But I did so and asked my dad to change my fuel filter and show me how. He did so. On my way back home today, I glanced down at my gas gauge and noticed it was decreasing quite rapidly. In a matter of 3 miles, I lost about a 1/4 tank of gas. I pulled into a gas station, put my car in park got out to notice that gas was spilling out of my the location where my fuel filter is. I immedeately turned off my car and said a prayer. I've learned praying is a lot more effective than cussing, try it! I put my car in neutral and rolled it forward so I didn't have to lay in gasoline. I looked under where the filter was and notice that a clip was not tight around the filter. I tried to fix it myself, but later down the road, realized it wasn't completely fixed. I called my dad to help out. He walked me through the steps. Even though I was smart the first time, frustration took over the second and I laid in a small pool of gas. After several minutes of playing with it, I heard the magical "click". It was in place. As I drove the rest of the way home, my eyes were glued to the gas gauge. I thanked my father in heaven that something more serious didn't happen and I was able to replace it.

Prayer works, my friends. And thanksgiving must follow!

Until he's fine'

"The time has come, for one and all..." I have now read two series of books. I've read more books in the last year than I've read in my whole lifetime. I just finished the Harry Potter series about an hour ago. I think it took me about 9 months, can anyone else correct me on that? I can't quite remember when I started them, but it's done.

Since the Deathly Hallows is fresh on my mind, I will discuss it. If you have yet to read them and wish to still be surprised, stop reading now! STop it! STOP!!!

Ok. The book was packed till the very end. There were some slow spots during the forest camping scenes, but all together the book moved quickly. Hermione cried a lot. Harry was completely arrogant and much too iconic-like. I loved the fact at the end where he called him Riddle. However, Riddle's death left something more. I completely see the reason why he died the way he did. I see the simplistic symbolism that he died by his own hand and by the same spell that wounded him in the beginning. Also, that Harry didn't need to kill him. But it left me wanting more.

The epilogue was enjoyable and made me smile. I loved the fact that Harry named his children after his parents and Albus Severus. And please know, I NEVER gave up on Severus. He was my sad little boy who never got picked throughout the whole series. I rooted for him.

The series is recommended! If you haven't read them back to back, I suggest it!

Well done J.K. I would love to meet you one day!

The saga continues

So, my contacts. I'm not completely sure the contact in my right eye is the correct Rx. The left one feels just fine, except for when it's in all day. But the right one needs to help, I'm sure.

As far as Harry Potter goes, he's just seen his Aunt and Uncle for the last time and realized that Dudley actually thanks him for saving his life. GO FIGURE. If you're a HP fan, you'll know which book I'm on.

So, I watch Oliver tonight for the first time. I really enjoyed it. It's got a great story even though Nancy is an absolute twit and, well, you'll have to watch it.

I see that it's needful for me to obtain another place of residence. If you can tell me where that quote is from, I'll love you forever. My roommate is getting married and I am no longer welcome in his home. Well, that sounds dramatic, doesn't it?! So, I'm looking on Craig's list for a new room to call my own for my life has been altered and once it can change again. (if you can name that quote, I'll give you a huge hug-no cheating!!) I have found a few places, here's a laugh for ya. Bytheway, these are only a few places I've considered.

For one place, the owner of the home asked me e-mail him a picture of myself. Yeah, I know.

Another place, one of the roommates was discussing his hip surgery and how he's on disability. The other one said he was just laid off-but oh, it get's better. The first roommate had his shirt off and I noticed his huge scar. I mentioned it and he preceded to pull his pants down to show me three more scars on his butt. Yeah, I know!

Needless to say, I'm still looking. I mean, who pulls their pants down on the first visit?

It was so nice to meet you...SO nice!

Pet Peeves and Happy Memories

I'm sure it's been done before on other blogs, but never have you seen it done here before. Here ya' are, my top pet peeves. Of course it's not all of them-too many to list. In no order, mind you:

1. Improper grammar use; mainly in writing
2. When people interrupt me
3. When people interrupt me to say something irrelevant
4. Sore throats
5. The phrase, "appreciatcha"
6. Laziness
7. Lying; just tell me you're not going to do something as opposed to telling me you are and then not do it
8. Serious conversations through text messages
9. Cats
10. Olivia the cat
11. Secrets
12. Pranks
13. Improper testimonies; i.e. "fiber of my being", "I love my roommates/girlfriend/boyfriend/spouse", stories and/or reading the scriptures-it's not a talk
14. Friends who aren't real friends
15. body hair-too much or the lack thereof
    
16. "BookS of Mormon" or even worse, "Book of Mormons", let's try Copies of the Book of Mormon-yay!!
17. Yay, Yeah, Ya, Ye, Yea-use them properly!
18. Being called Timmy with childish overtones.
19. People automatically thinking just b/c I'm the guy, everything will be alright.
20. Making excuses for something instead of doing something about it.
21. People taking money or not giving money that is rightfully yours
22. Sales
23. When people don't acknowledge politeness; if someone holds the door open, say thank you. If someone says thank you, say you're welcome. If you are going straight and someone has to step out of your way or stop so as to not collide with you, say excuse me.
24. ValentiMes Day
25. Shaving

So, as I began writing this list, I figured I needed to off-set it with some happy memories.

1. Getting a new phone
2. Getting contacts
3. The first time someone told me I had a beautiful smile
4. any hug
5. Kissing my mom after her surgery
6. Moving in with my sister
7. The first time someone asked me to play piano in church
8. Singing "Earth Angel" to the Homecoming queen instead of someone else singing to her
   
9. Following the spirit in making the right decision
10. having a full-time job after not having one
    
11. Quitting my job at Ochsner
12. My Dyson
13. Having special friend(s) who thought to get me a Dyson
14. Using my Dyson-it still makes me smile
15. Hugging my parents when I got home from my mission
16. Lunch dates; specifically with Heather
17. Performing.
18. When a girl plans a date for us
19. When someone asks me to give them a blessing
20. Knowing someone's full name for a blessing w/o them telling me
    
21. My Bass Pro pillow
22. The Color Purple
23. Live Musicals
24. Frozen Custard and the friends I eat it with
25. When old friends find you and you can still talk like there was no yesterday!
    

"Some how I'll be strong"

I've been struggling. I think that's a line I've been saying for a good few years. I'd get into that a little bit deeper, but that's for a much more depressing blog and I'm not quite ready for it, yet.

So, some events that have occurred in the last few days. Saturday, Ouizer, Dolly and Clairee went to Hattiesburg to discover a new kind of fun. Well, it would have been nice if it actually was a new kind of fun, but it was just another YSA dance. Ouizer heard about the dance and so we decided to go. The trip was made of a little Kelly, some Pink and a few lougies (sp?). It also consisted of an extended bathroom break, a plunger, a clown and some more potty breaks. Hattiesburg is about 2.5 hours away and the dance wasn't all that. We stayed for about and hour and danced a few songs. Ouizer and I showed off and Clairee and I got a little freaky with some ghetto moves. Ok, I got freaky and Clairee resisted-all in good fun, though!! As we decided to leave, we were met by a few people who were so apologetic about the dance. We told them it really wasn't that bad, but we had to get headed back. In all honesty, it wasn't that bad. It was a small gathering of about 20 kids who were a good 5-10 years younger than we were. So, we peace'd out and went to Checkers and then to Krispy Kreme then spent the rest of the trip trying not to fall asleep!

Yesterday morning (also Saturday) I woke up to play disc golf with a friend of mine. After realizing it was raining, I went back to sleep until I had to get up for school. I love my math teacher. He explains things where it is very easy to understand. Plus, he gets so excited about math. After class, I jumped online and my friend asked if I wanted to play disc golf then. So we went. We met up with another buddy and played nine holes. It was the first time I ever played but I really enjoyed it. In case you're unfamiliar with such a sport, it's the basic principle of golf, but with frisbees instead of balls, no clubs and a cage of sorts instead of a whole. You still have the same basic rules as golf and it's a lot of fun!!! My arm's a little sore, but I'm good for it.

Cats and Contacts

So, I felt like having some alliteration in my post, so I'll talk about them both.

Shehad, my roommate owns 2 cats. The first one, Olivia, he obtained from a friend. She's grey with black stripes and adorably cute. However, she's fiesty. When he first got her-a worthy note, the vet told us she was a he and Shehad named her/him Oliver-she was very sweet and loving. She is still sweet and loving but has an attitude. I really think she's a human trapped in a cat's body. She knows she's not allowed in my room. However, when I leave my door open, she comes on in like she's never been beat, kicked, or sprayed out of my room before. But the minute I say, "Olivia" she squeaks which is cat for "What? I'm not doing anything."

All in all, though, I've realized that cats aren't that bad. I will never personally buy one. But they aren't as horrifically annoying as I thought. Although, early in the morning, before I've had my cereal, when she comes up to me and wraps her body around my legs annoyance plays a huge part in my tone with her.

Contacts. I finally have contacts. Oddly enough, for years, I've always wanted contacts and braces (for teeth). I think my reasoning is I saw a ton of kids while I was attending elemtary school have either glasses or braces. Then junior high, people seemed to have contacts a lot. I was kind of deprived as a kid. Not deliberately, but I definitely was not given all the luxuries of life, but I was well taken care of. Anyway, it was something I wanted. I got braces when I was 16 and I just got contacts yesterday. They are pretty amazing, when they are not bugging the heck out of me. I'm kinda sick right now, so my body is really dry which makes my eyes dry. So on top of all that, the annoyance of having some foreign object in my eye, having to put a foreign object in my eye and having to adjust to a new perscription definitely makes it hard. However, it's so much nicer to look at street signs with sunglasses on. Now, I don't have to wear glasses all the time when I don't want to. It's definitely a luxury I've wanted for a while.

In addition to the perscription I need for contacts, I also want colored/tinted lenses. I've wanted those for a while too. I've heard some scary stories of them, but I want EVERYONE's opinion. I want to know what people have heard of using them. Especially, if you've used them yourself, what are they like. Give me some feedback, for once!