Today, in Relief Society, the idea was driven home to me so poignantly that I could not help but giggle in mirth for several minutes, (I am not known for being the most reverent in church) much to the chagrin of the presenter.
We were discussing our Ward Mission plan, and the things that we are doing to promote it. I’m not big on asking the GQ (the genealogist wanted to know why Mormons were promoting Gentlemen’s Quarterly???) but I don’t have a problem inviting people to go places with me, or to do stuff. As a matter of fact, I have been known to host parties, in dark basements by candlelight (because of power outages) that last well into the early morning hours. It’s the great company, I’m sure, that holds these together.
I digress…
We were discussing how the best way to meet people and share with them our religion is to get into the community and to be nice good people. We should be excellent and outstanding members of society who people should want to be around.
The only thing I could think was a direct quote from a movie that my mother regrets ever letting my brothers and I see…If you have not been introduced to Bill and Ted and their Excellent Adventure, may I recommend the movie in the wee hours of the morning, when adrenaline, caffeine and a sugar rush are all keeping you conscious? It is really funny, I promise!!!
Suffice it to say, the giggles began.
Then I started thinking of my initial experience with their mantra.
You have all heard of the Buckingham Palace
Guards. They are not supposed to move, smile, nothing, no matter what you do. (Side note – I could not do this job. I am a guaranteed sell at the Make You Smile Game.)Military police (college boys on a power trip) are the same way. They are not supposed to express emotion. At the ripe ages of 11, 10, 7 and 4 my brothers and I would make faces out the car window, wave, etc trying to get these boys to smile, laugh, roll their eyes, anything. NADA!
About two weeks after seeing this movie, we were driving through the main gates of the military installation upon which my family lived, and I rolled down the window. In unison, the Judge, the Builder, Bubby and myself all screamed Bill and Ted’s catch phrase.
Those two MP’s didn’t stand a chance. The guy inside at the desk put his head on the desk, his shoulders shaking. The guy outside saluting my father (who is ranked a major, as marked by the sticky pass in the corner of the windshield, and therefore an upper-level officer) almost fell over the little curb he was laughing so hard. The Doc was mortified in the front seat, trying to raise the window from his arm control and locking down my control of the window. The Management was trying hard not too laugh while looking properly, motheringly, annoyed at the four of us in the backseats.
Reflecting back, I feel kinda bad. These guys could have gotten into a lot of trouble. I’m sure, for them, though, it was worth it.
So, what do Bill and Ted have to do with being good missionaries???
Their mantra, and my personal mission statement -
“BE EXCELLENT TO EACH OTHER, AND PARTY ON, DUDES!!!”
About two weeks after seeing this movie, we were driving through the main gates of the military installation upon which my family lived, and I rolled down the window. In unison, the Judge, the Builder, Bubby and myself all screamed Bill and Ted’s catch phrase.
Those two MP’s didn’t stand a chance. The guy inside at the desk put his head on the desk, his shoulders shaking. The guy outside saluting my father (who is ranked a major, as marked by the sticky pass in the corner of the windshield, and therefore an upper-level officer) almost fell over the little curb he was laughing so hard. The Doc was mortified in the front seat, trying to raise the window from his arm control and locking down my control of the window. The Management was trying hard not too laugh while looking properly, motheringly, annoyed at the four of us in the backseats.
Reflecting back, I feel kinda bad. These guys could have gotten into a lot of trouble. I’m sure, for them, though, it was worth it.
So, what do Bill and Ted have to do with being good missionaries???
Their mantra, and my personal mission statement -
“BE EXCELLENT TO EACH OTHER, AND PARTY ON, DUDES!!!”
2 comments:
I'm so sad I had to go sing with the nursery kids and miss that!
Great flick, for sure. Let's do a girls' night:)
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