Dear Mrs. Obama

Your speech resonated wonderfully with me. I love your enthusiasm for the family and the importance of it. I love your acknowledgment of faith and God's role in our lives. Thank you for your stirring words and the hope that they impart to me, as a young college student who aspires to go to graduate school and raise a family of my own in this wonderful country and to my God. I met your husband last August in Park City, and now I wish I had the chance to meet and learn from you. Blessings, Michelle

Kate

Why am I passionate about Interfaith Dialogue?

[A question from a dear friend of mine precipitated this message that I thought I'd share with all y'all]

I am passionate about interfaith dialogue because it's challenging; it really makes me examine what I believe. When I'm done with a dialogue, I don't just finish and stop thinking about it, instead, I go home and ponder it. I search the scriptures. I talk to my roommates and friends from the LDS and other faiths. I think and think and think on it; it consumes my mind until I feel like I have found the truth and come to a correct conclusion. and each time that I participate in a dialogue, I come out with such a solid testimony of the LDS faith. What I have learned and know from the LDS theology is so peaceful and beautiful and comforting and sensible; I always come back to it. I hope you understand this and don't think that I'm trying to be preachy, but it's one reason I love it.

The ultimate reason I love to participate in these dialogues, however, is because I love my Savior, Jesus Christ. He commanded us to love our neighbors. not just the neighbors that are LDS or Evangelical or Christian or Muslim or Jewish. all of them. Jesus gave His love to me, and the best way that I can give it back to him is by loving others. My heart is full of love for each of the people I interact with at each dialogue, and this gives me such a spiritual high. It's like an amazing cycle; Jesus loves me and gives me the strength and ability to love others, and as I do this I feel more of Jesus' love. What an awesome thing! I love each person for what they believe; I learn so much from students of other faiths about how to love Jesus more and how to give my life to Him. My vision and idea of Jesus has grown so much as I've participated in these dialogues. He teaches me so much through these experiences and I can't help to go back again and again for more.

to erik

why, you ask?
because otter pops make every summer day better, sleeping under the stars helps you remember God, and service helps you forget yourself
because after running a couple of miles, you forget that your legs hurt
because fireflies in a corn field are incredible, wild sunflowers grow on the side of the freeway, and dancing in the rain is one of the best things ever
because nine year-old sisters convince you to take a crazy day-trip home, eat hard-serve ice cream, swim, and play arcade games with them
because a good meal with family and/or close friends reminds you of what really matters
because i never expected it
because i know it will all work out
because i know Jesus Christ is my Savior
because i know God is my Father