Taking down the mask

Who are you?

Over the past few months I've found myself asking this question to many people. I dont ask it in a rude or prideful way, but in an interested way. I am very curious to know who people really are, not just the mask they hide behind as they go from their day to day activities. I admit that I often put the mask on when I get in certain situations, but I have made it a goal to take down the mask and just simply be myself.

As I was thinking the other day about my mission it hit me that it's so important for me, to be me. The Lord has called Elder Tyler Volksen to serve a mission, not a robot that walks around handing out cards and saying the same thing over and over again to everyone. I was called to be a missionary but also to be myself, and I've been trying my hardest to do so. I know that a big part of the reason I have been called to this mission is because of my personality, not the mask, but the real me that is going to be able to connect with those people that the lord has and will put in my path.

Everyone has a personality that God has given them. Let your personality shine. Don't hide behind the mask of that unkown person any longer.

 Thanks Be to God
 Elder Russell M. Nelson
"The spirit provides the body with animation and personality."

Eyes on the horizon

Knuckles white, as my sweaty palms clung tightly to the yoke. I couldn't believe that this day had finally come, it didn't seem real to me. I was so nervous to make a mistake that would send the beautiful aircraft and the two precious souls in the cockpit tumbling to the ground. Yes, I was indeed flying an airplane for the first time. 
As my eyes were glued to the instrument panel making sure everything was right on, a calm but bold voice came from my Instructor Colonel Glenn Whicker (who is a well versed pilot and fantastic instructor). He said "Keep your eyes on the horizon. Don't worry so much about all the instruments and gauges."
For the longest time I couldn't understand why in the world he would want me to focus so much on the horizon and not the instruments that were put there to keep us alive.
Col. Glenn Whicker calmly explained to me, "The horizon is something that will never change. All of the gauges in front of you will always be moving due to minor changes the aircraft is constantly making because of weather/air movement. As you fix your eyes on the horizon, you will easily be able to tell if the airplane starts to climb or fall."
I took this advice and slowly applied it to my flying. Well what do you know? It really works! I look back at my experience now and remember how stressed I used to be while trying to keep the airplane straight and level by just using the gauges. I found much more joy in flying as I kept my eyes on the horizon,  being able to view the wonderful planet that God has created for us.

As a missionary  I have been blessed with many opportunity's to learn and to grow. One of the greatest things I have learned on my mission is simply what I learned during my first flight. Don't focus so much on the world around me and try to stay on the straight path. It is very hard and we must simply look towards the Gospel of Jesus Christ. It is forever unchanging and is there to keep our lives on a straight and level flight. Just as the horizon is always there for every pilot, no matter where he or she might be in the world, so is the gospel.
God, who is our loving Heavenly Father has restored the fullness of the Gospel to the earth to never be taken away again. What a blessing it is to know that we will always have something to look towards that will guide our lives no matter what situation we might be in.

- The Iron Rod - Hymn # 274
"Hold to the rod, the iron rod;’Tis strong, and bright, and true.
The iron rod is the word of God;’Twill safely guide us through."

Fight To Win

"Don't break anything, don't get into any fights. If you do, Fight to win"
-Christopher D. Volksen-

What comes to mind when you hear the words, "Fight To Win?"
As a teenager my Father would tell me this everyday before I left for school. In my mind, when I would hear these words, I thought of black eyes, bruises, and bloody noses. Not the prettiest picture you could paint for these few words.

As I was sitting at my study desk today thinking about life, Fight To Win suddenly jumped into my head. I thought about it for some time and slowly came to realize that there is much much more to these Three powerful words!

In all of our lives we all face challenges and trials that will make us fight for some kind of victory. Whether it be school, friends, family, sports, or career. Lets face it, we are all human and none of us are perfect.

Before I started my mission I would find myself outside all the time! I love the outdoors, and one of my favorite activities was rock climbing.

Looking up at the rock and then back down at my hands taped up and covered in chalk, the only thing running through my mind was, "This climb is impossible, my hands hurt, and I am not good enough for this climb". My mind was full of negative thoughts that seemed to really weigh on me.
I rested for a bit, just staring at the massive rock which seemed to get bigger and bigger as the evening went on. But after some time I felt rested enough and ready to try to conquer this rock one last time before the sun slipped behind the mountains. Stepping up to the giant, I was running through the different holds and foot placements I would be preforming during this climb in my head.
The first couple moves went great but, as I approached the spot where I couldn't get past, I could feel my forearms start to burn and fingers becoming weak.
Two more moves and I will make it to the top, "Come on Volksen you got this", I kept shouting in my head. Using what strength I had left in me I reached out for the hold that seemed impossible. To my surprise I felt my finger tips snag the hold! Suddenly my energy shot to the sky! I grabbed hold and made the final two moves to finally finish the climb. It is a moment I will always remember! The taste of victory is very sweet! It is something we all should strive for.

As I think back to this past experience and to the famous words, "Fight To Win", I think of how differently my attitude would have been about one of my favorite hobbies if I wouldn't have fought to "WIN."
I hope that this short story and these few words that my father told me will be able to encourage you to strive for a victory in what ever your fight is at this time. Like I said before, the taste of victory is sweet!

D&C 103:36
All victory and glory is brought to pass unto you through your diligence......