relationships

A discussion with my friend tonight has left me considering the importance of relationships. Maybe the solution (or partial solution) to poverty is relationships. Our life is heavily influenced by our interactions with others. Our family is the sphere of our relationships, but then we branch out with friends and eventually "associates" and "acquaintances." All of these influences shape our lives in meaningful and distinct ways.

My professor believes the solution to poverty is mentors. Now I am seeing the power that a relationship can have. But the one difficulty is that relationships, while enriching, can be a bit difficult. We can't predict who we'll be attracted to and who we will share a connection with. So we end up just gravitating. If I assign two people to be "friends," it might work, but it's less likely it will.

But I like this idea. I remember President Monson saying that when we die, all we'll care about from this life is the relationships we have formed. I think that shows what I need to be focusing on right here and right now.

In that vein, please enjoy the following pictures of FRIENDS:

That is me on the right with my two roomies (we learned the ever important skill of tying ties.)

This is me (on the bottom left) hiking with some friends at Stewart Falls.

Brandy and Felipe, my good buddy, at the organ factory he works at.