To Whom To Share, To Whom Not To Share? This Is The Question That Haunts Me. . .

Contemplating this project, I had a hard time getting three people. After I did, though, more names started popping up in my mind! I'm excited for a few of these people to read these essays. But I also miss my distant friends, so I'm more excited to talk to them again.

1: A good friend, Gavin H. Gavin is a high school friend that I have kept in a lot of touch with since I graduated. I have been helping him with his homework, and talking with him about his life a lot already, so it will be pretty easy for me to approach him about my essay. I would rather read it out loud to him, which I could see him next Saturday to do so.

2: A close friend, Karen H. Karen is a really good friend that I have made over quite a few months, but we've gotten closer more recently. She is one that I would probably share the link to, over Facebook to watch the video. I would also include the playlist, so she could see everyone's videos. I think she would really like it. She is also another one that I could easily share to, so I wouldn't need to do too much extra effort. I really look up to her, and value her opinion, so she is a great option for me.



Kendra F.

3: My friend Kendra F. I would rather her read the essay on her own time, than have me read it to her. She is also another friend that is from high school. I haven't kept in touch with her as much though, so I would have to text her and see how she's doing. I would do that for a while (a few days, at least) before I would bring up the essay. But she would be a great person to give feedback.


4: A distant friend Morgan C. I knew her my junior year of high school. She moved away the next year, so I haven't kept in contact with her as much. She separated herself from social media, and got a new cell phone number, but she checks Facebook pretty often. I could probably get her number if I messaged her on Facebook, and get updates on her life. She is a non-member, so the Book of Mormon aspect might interest her or push her away. When I knew her she was interested in the church, but I don't know how she feels about it now. I would definitely have to get to know her again before I would feel comfortable sending her the links to both the videos and essays (videos first.)

5: A former teacher, Shawna B. Being from a small town, everyone knows everything. Mrs. B was really close with my family, and so she knew what went on in my essay. I would like to send her this link to my essay; she always seemed to like my writing. She graduated from BYU and teaches English. She would be a great person to get feedback from.

6: A former teacher, Liz S. Liz was one of my best friends during my senior year of high school. She was a great mentor and teacher; really shaping my life. I haven't kept as much in touch with her as I would have liked to. I have seen her often since graduation, but not enough. I would have to text her (she was also an advisor to my Student Government class, so that is why I have her number. Not to be creepy or illegal or anything...) and see how she is doing before I would send her a link to just my video.

7: Ephraim T. One of my friends who is serving a mission right now. I would like to send him the essay and pictures from Keegan's posts. Ephraim is serving in Tahiti, so I'm sure he would relate to this essay. I think it would also help him recognize the beauty of where he is serving and the people around him. He would really love this essay.

8: Todd F. I would share with him Clark's essay about not eating the stale donuts. I would read him this essay the next time I go home. Todd would really relate to this essay, because he has told me a story about one time he went home teaching. The guy they were visiting offered Todd a peanut from a large bowl in the middle of the table. After he declined, the guy told him he just liked the chocolate on them, and he didn't like the peanuts. The guy had sucked all of the chocolate off and put the peanut in the bowl to offer visitors! He was really glad he didn't take one. So Todd would really get a good laugh out of this essay.


Dare to Share

• I met a friend when I was interning with Dell this past summer, and he recently got engaged. A lot of the personal essays that people shared talked about the importance of their families, and I know that is important to him. I remember he was fascinated when he heard that I was engaged. I actually texted him a bit recently, so I think I could find an essay that talks about families and share it with him.

• My little sister is in high school, and she will be turning 16 pretty soon. One of the essays that I read talked about a couple of girls getting invited to a dance, which I didn’t relate to very much since it’s been a while since I was in high school, and I never got too excited about dances. On the other hand, this is a topic that might interest her. It would be easy to call her up or text her with a link and see what she thinks.

• I have a friend that returned home from her mission because of challenges with depression, and it has been very difficult for her. I didn’t find a perfect essay to share with her, but if anyone has an ideas I think I could send her a link in an email and she would appreciate it.

• My personal essay is about my grandparents, and I think that my cousin Scott might enjoy relating to it. He is in the accounting program with me, so I see him occasionally. I could either tell him about it when I see him next, or just text him sometime about it.

• My MTC mission companion always is excited when he hears from me, and I don’t talk to him much. I ran into him on campus a few days ago, and I’m sure he might be interested to see my essay.

• There is a recent convert that I met in Texas this summer that I played basketball with sometimes. I think he would be receptive, and would enjoy my essay. I will try to reach out to him and catch up and then maybe I’ll share my essay through a text or Facebook message.

• A part member family from my mission whose son got baptized always keeps in touch with me and is interested to hear what is going on in my life. They recently asked for my address so they could send a Christmas card. I think my wife and I might send them a card as well, and maybe after Christmas I will catch up with them and share my essay.  

Sharing our Essays and Videos

1.  My family members have the same connection to my childhood home as I do. I would love for them to read my essay and to give me feedback, and see if they have made the same connections as I have. I would definitely show my essay and video (as well as the playlist of videos) to my family in person.

The Keddington's Home

2.  Keddington Family is a dear family to me—and lived just two houses down from me growing up. They are my “second family” as we spent just about the same amount of time at their house as our house. A lot of my childhood memories involve the Keddington’s, especially Alicia and Krista, and it would be interesting to hear their thoughts on our childhood. I would share my essay and video with them in person, or email it to them.

3.  C.C. is a friend of mine who is also a recent convert. We used to be in the same ward, but stay friends and connected through Facebook. I would feel comfortable sharing my essay and video there for her to see, or more specifically maybe even other essays that might fit her situation. I think that Hailey’s essay would definitely appeal to C.C. and her husband as they often play video games, as does Hailey's mother.

4. Sandra is a dear sister in my ward who is going through a very difficult time dealing with a loss in her family. My husband is the ward mission leader, and I am a ward missionary. As such, we have had the opportunity to further reach out and help Sandra and her family. They welcome the help that the gospel brings, and are always looking for more stories to apply to their lives. I think seeing these videos of classmates and their different experiences could be very beneficial for their family. I would definitely feel comfortable sharing the playlist with them. I also think that Tori and Clark’s essays could be very appealing and comforting as they deal with stressful family moments (Tori’s) and deaths in the family (Clark).

5.  Mary is a spunky new convert who gobbles up new and exciting information. She loves talking to people and hearing about their lives. I think she would really enjoy reading and listening to the videos and essays of the whole class, especially as they have gospel and Book of Mormon references included. I would share this information with Mary in person most likely, and then send her the links.

6.  Jack & Paula are my next-door neighbors who are filled with fire to make friends and to share the gospel. I think I would definitely share with them the playlist of all of the videos, not only in hopes that they will enjoy it and learn from it, but also that they can share it with others. They are very busy talking to many people, and I think they could be a good avenue to further share our essays and videos to the people who can relate, and who may need it most.            

-Lizzy S.

Friends in Low Places

1. My girl friend Madeline: She is just working right now, and not enrolled in school. She eats most my food which means I cook for her more than she cooks for me. I think I can convincer to her take a minute and read my essay. She is from the city I served so she may have some understanding of what its about.
2. My grandpa Snow. He taught elementary school for about 40 years. He has been retired for a few years now. I recently was asking him about the life of a school teacher and the benefits and disadvantages. Perhaps having him read my essay would let him back into a world he dedicated so much time to.
3. My Mission President: President Ware was new half way through my mission. I got to work with he and his wife as they were brand new in figuring out the ways of the mission. We had a lot of emotional experiences together. Reading my experience of coming home may help him know how to help other missionaries. I will probably email this to him. 
4. My roommate Christian: He was on the same plane home with me from our mission. I would let him read my essay and compare my feelings of coming home to his feelings and experience.
5. My convert Carrie: She is like a mother to me I spent about 10 months in my mission associating with she and her family. It was a great experience to see them over thanksgiving break at the movies in Washington. It was a wonderful surprise. I could email my essay to her. Maybe she would feel how much I loved and care about the people there.
6. My Aunt Rachel: She is from Seattle and married my uncle when he was working there. They moved to a small town within my mission boundaries in washington. So they have an understanding of the area. I saw them over the summer at our reunion in Idaho. I will have to facebook message her and see how the family is. I am sure with 5 kids she can make time to ready my essay.
7. My friend Cooper: Cooper is from my home ward, he got home from his mission a month or two ago now. I snap chat him a good amount. He is getting ready for school next semester at UVU. I think I will tease him about getting back to some reading and see if he will read my essay.