I am surrounded by so much beauty

I was watching several church-made inspirational films and I re-read 3 Nephi 17 when Christ blessed the children. I was touched by these verses and personally felt God's love for us when I watched it. I want so much to be closer to God and understand the scriptures more completely. It can be so easy to become distracted and fall into temptation. I am so glad I am at BYU-Idaho going to school. I have learned so much about my faith and my personal love for God and this church. I look around and see so much beauty; beauty that God put on this earth for me to enjoy and appreciate. These simple thoughts and experiences mean so much to me. I try to think about things more. Subtle things; things that others might not realize at first. I noticed the other day, how beautiful our temple looks on the hill. It was white and standing high on the top of a hill on campus. It was snowing at the time, and I couldn't help but stop and appreciate the beauty of the sacred place. I am also becoming particularly fond of the hymn, "Nearer my God to Thee." It is such a beautiful hymn. I like the piano version by paul cardall.

I am in a small struggle right now, I feel that I should delete most of my music from my computer. The music that I have really isn't uplifting in any way, and I think probably the most detrimental thing in my life right now. I listen to hard, angry music when I lift. It propels my lifts to be harder and more intense, but at what cost? I don't think that God would want me listening to that kind of music, but its hard to just delete all of it from my hard drive. I am struggling with this. I know its the right thing to do, but it is hard to do...

So today... I had a good lift.

I generally go to the gym every other day (MWFS) and work various body parts. I went to the gym today and had a monster lift. I put up 320 on decline and it felt so amazing. I pushed more weight than I ever had before. I felt so good the entire time. I'm also a personal trainer for the school, so I'm very involved with the athletic program and activities within it. I have such a passion for this sport. I don't want to be competitive like in competitions but I just want to do this for me. I love that I can go whenever I want to and can have this positive thing in my life..

Taking up My cross

I was reading in Alma 39 and 3 Nephi 12, and found verses that referred to each other. In these verses it mentions that it would be so much better to me that I should deny myself of these worldly things mentioned and "take up my cross" than to be cast into hell and choose not to dwell in the presence of God. I had read these verses before, but when I read them this time, they had a different meaning. I'm not sure if it was that I am more mature now, or that I am more prepared to understand this information. Yesterday, I stayed up all night reading the Book of Mormon. I am so grateful to have that book to refer to and learn from. I read about the atonement, Christ's love for us, and our mission here on earth. I began to realize how significant the atonement really is. I realized how blessed we are to have a savior who would take his perfect life and sacrifice everything for us so that we can be resurrected and break the bands of death.. I am in a Missionary Prep. Book of Mormon class and I am learning so much just through my teacher's discussions. I find myself becoming completely absorbed in the discussion and learning so much. I feel as if I am really preparing for my mission. I am realizing now that I am active and following God's plan of salvation for us because I want to become a better person, mature, and take responsibility for myself. Yesterday, while I was reading and praying about a lot of things, I think I really began to realize how precious we all are to Christ and our Heavenly Father. This world is a horrible and corrupt place, but it can also be as a heaven on earth. Making bad decisions as a teenager might seem cool or exciting now, but we so easily forget how we came to be here and where we are going. We were once little children, beautiful and precious in the eyes of God. We will also one day become old and will become as children again, humble and meek. This time in-between is only a phase we must overcome, it can be one of the most difficult, but we must strive to hold to the Iron Rod. We are here on this earth for a purpose, to learn as much as we can and prepare to meet God again. If we follow His teachings and love we can be as He is in an eternal realm. I want so much, when I see Him again, to be worthy of His words, "well done my good and faithful servant." I used to be embarrassed about some of the things of the church for several reasons, but now I realize that those influences were from satan, trying to draw me away from the path. I strayed from the path for a time. I felt so much weight and guilt lifted from my shoulders last night. It was as if I had a load literally lifted from my shoulders. I do not ever want to forget what that feels like. I cried from having the powerful and beautiful experience. I do not ever want to stray from the path again. This is a beautiful church, people, and even world if we follow God's plan for us. We are constantly surrounded by so much beauty and love. I felt the Holy Ghost so strongly when I was praying and reading my scriptures. I realize why I am here and how I can learn and grow here on earth. I am so grateful for God's perfect plan which allows us to return to Him. I feel so blessed with the opportunity to become as He is. I will strive every day to be clean and worthy of his blessings and the guidance of the Holy Ghost. I want to be clean and know that I am worthy to enter the Temple, take the sacrament, and receive guidance. It doesn't matter what happens to us in this life. It doesn't matter what happens to anyone. We will all someday be resurrected and receive immortal bodies which no one will be able to take away from us. I just know that if I do everything I know I should do, I will be blessed and all doubt will leave my mind. I have doubts every once in a while.. But I now know that those doubts were caused by satan, trying to influence me and pull me away from the path... I only want to do good continually and be always abounding in good works. I know that my church is true. I know that I can someday return to my Heavenly Parents, and if I do all that I must do, I may become like them.. I live for this promise. I will even die for this promise if I must. I only care for what I must do to return to Him with Honor. So, as I have been taught, I will take up my cross...and endure to the end....

Maine '09

This Christmas break my family and I took a trip to Maine to spend Christmas with my cousins and their family. My grandma, mom, my brother, and I all rode in the car together (a recipe for…well…some interesting situations). We took my grandma’s CR-V and attached the car-top carrier to allow us to have more room to bring more junk with us. The CR-V doesn’t have a roof rack, so I had to settle on attaching the carrier to the frame of the car and wrapping a black strap all the way around the car (which went around the roof of the car as well). We left on Wednesday at around 3:00 despite my mom and grandma’s best efforts to leave earlier. I was doing a lot of packing not only for the trip to Maine but also for my move to Idaho (more on how that’s going later). I drove for the first 4 hours or so, despite not getting nearly enough sleep the night before, and got us through New York with no problems (even though there was some major traffic, and several slightly confused “navigators”). I tried to sleep for the rest of the ride, and we made it to Maine by 4:00 that night (four in the morning), which doesn’t sound like very good time, but keep in mind we hit some major holiday traffic). Christmas Eve was enjoyable, good food for dinner, and good company. Then most of “the cousins” sat down in the family room and watched a few movies together. I was tired so I laid down on the couch and fell asleep until I woke up because I was feeling nauseous. I quickly realized that this was not going to be a passing feeling, and darted for the guest bathroom where I promptly got sick. I was up the rest of the night with food poisoning. It wasn’t as bad as a previous case, however, I was very tired for Christmas day and slept through most of it (only being awake for opening presents, per request of my mom, and movies that night with the cousins). I mainly received presents that would be things I would need at college (which was exactly what I wanted and needed at the time), but my mom was also helping with money to get me out to Idaho, housing, etc. The day after Christmas, I was feeling much better and was able to eat and have fun with the rest of the family as usual (that, I am very grateful for). We left early Sunday morning and stopped in Freeport to do some shopping. I’m glad the L.L. Bean store there is open 24 hours because I was able to buy a new fleece jacket, boots, and gloves all at one place at 7:30 in the morning. Remember, I mentioned that we strapped the car-top carrier down through the car? Well, the straps evidently compromised the waterproof design of the door, and made the seat, and the door soaking wet. My brother was in the back seat at the time and completely miserable. We got some towels to try to absorb the water and keep it from dripping (even though I think we should’ve used a silicone or Teflon coat instead….but that’s just what I would’ve done). I drove from Maine to Albany, NY that day (about 9 hours). We hit major traffic at some parts, but no accidents (since that’s what’s important), so the trip back was good. When I got home, I chilled with my brother and his friends until it got late, then went to my bed and slept in it for the last time..

BYU-Idaho

I was recently accepted into BYU-Idaho and plan on beginning classes in September of 2009. I am on the winter/spring track, which means I have full time classes during winter and spring semesters only. I can take evening or online courses but I’m not sure if I want to pursue that option yet. I am looking into the prospective missionary program right now which is a program for prospective missionaries who are on the winter/spring track, and have a birthday between Nov. 1st and April 30th. Basically, it’s a way for people who are going on a mission to complete as many classes as possible before they receive their mission call. I’m hoping I can finish winter semester too though because I probably won’t get my mission call until, at the earliest, February of 2010, so hopefully I won’t have to report to the MTC until after finals (last day of winter semester is April 10th).

Through the PMP I’ll take several religious classes and a communication class as part of a core mission preparation course which will help prepare for a mission. The courses are:

Religion 130 - Mission Preparation (2 credits)
Religion 221 - Book of Mormon for Prospective Missionaries (4 credits)
Communication 150 - Interpersonal Theory and Practice (3 credits)

I didn’t even really know about this program until I read my acceptance letter which mentioned it, which is surprising because I was all over the BYU-Idaho site when I was researching for my essay and application.

I’m still doing everything I can with financial aid. I’m almost done with my FAFSA application so once I finish that I should be able to register for the PMP and classes for fall semester in June..

Graduation

My graduation in on May 29th. Some of my family are traveling down for the graduation and for the wedding of my Grandpop to his Fiancée, Iris. My Aunt Lisa and Aunt Mary are coming as well as my Mom and Grandmom. The wedding is going to be on May 30th so it’ll be a busy week..

Spring Break (April 12th - 19th)

I was going to go to Jacksonville, Florida for spring break but plans changed and only 3 people were going so I decided I would't either. We had been planning the trip for a while but things fell apart about a week before we were supposed to go so we’re just staying here and maybe going camping or to the lake for a few days. I want to go repelling at least once, so I’m trying to make those plans now. Either way, I’m sure it’ll be fun and relaxing. It also gives me time to find a summer job here and possibly start working (which would be the best outcome). I’m thinking that the best-paying and probably most interesting job I could have here would be something in boat repair so I’ve been preparing a resume and cover letter to present to the parts and services manager at a local Marine when I go in to apply..

Laptop

I just got a laptop so now I’ll be able to update this more and actually be connected to the rest of the world..

Its an awesome early graduation gift and it will be very helpful for the rest of the school year.

I should be able to get a good wireless internet connection at my flat in town in the next few days.

More New Pictures

I recently added new pictures to my Picasa Web Album. These are of prom and trips to overlooks with Ashleigh and a few other random pics.

New Pictures

I just added new pictures from about two weeks ago when I stayed over at justice's house...
this is my whole online album, but its a sub-album in there....I'll try to update this as soon as I can...

Pictures of the dance, etc...

I went to a dance on Saturday night. It was a lot of fun. I met a lot of new people at the dance, but I only took pictures of people I knew. Also I added some pictures of the really thick fog I had to drive through after church...here's the link...the dance was hat themed, so thats why everyone is wearing goofy hats. I put gel in my hair though so I didn't wear one, but hats were optional, so I just opted not.

Pictures taken with my new camera!

I just uploaded some photos that I took with my new camera (a big thank you to my awesome Dad) today. Here is the link to the picasa web album. I took the photos from about a quarter of a mile from where I'm staying. I was messing with the manual settings because thats just how I like to roll, so some are dark because I'm still trying to get the hang of it, but others are just right...

Also, I'm going to be hopefully adding some new posts tomorrow or Sunday or Monday depending on when I have the time...

Last Saturday

Last Saturday, I woke up late and my Grandpop made me breakfast. I told him I wanted to go mountain biking that day. I left about an hour after dinner and drove about two miles to the trail head.

I went to the interpretive center there and had to get a permit to ride, so I got that and headed to the trail.

The entirety of the trail is about 10 miles (a loop) but I only rode probably two or three miles of it. I was so eager to ride that I didn't wait until a warmer day, but it was about 55 or 60 degrees that day, and I got tired and my ears got cold. I started to ride and was excited and exhilarated by it (because its been so long since I had ridden).

I got out of breath after about a mile of fast riding and after a long downhill took a break. I climbed back up and went back to my car. I was tired and my ears hurt from the cold air blowing in them for the whole trip and wiped a bit of mud off of my tires and loaded my bike back in to my car.

After I got home I took my bike out of my car and changed my clothes and went right upstairs and fell asleep.

I slept for about an hour or two. When I woke up I made myself dinner and watched a movie.

The First Sunday

The first Sunday. I set my alarm for nine O'Clock, but I woke early because sometimes my alarm doesn't go off (I was excited to go to church too, so that may have been a reason as well). I got up, and felt well rested (I had gotten to sleep early the night before because I knew I would have to get to church early if I wanted to meet someone to sit with).

The drive to church was long but well worth it. There were many people that came up to me and introduced themselves and said they were happy to see me. I found a Brother that I had seen the day before, and I went up to say hello to him, he quickly introduced me to the young men's president in the ward. He was happy to see that he would have a new young man in the ward and once he learned that I was there alone he immediately invited me to sit with him and his wife.

It was a fast Sunday, so it was also testimony (by default). There were many people that approached the pulpit to bare their testimonies, and I just sat and listened. I noticed that there were a lot of young men getting up to bear their testimonies and I felt that it would be appropriate for me to bear mine as well (I figured it would also give anyone a good reason to introduce themselves to me). I waited until there was no one standing to bear theirs, and I rose and began walking. As I was walking, I thought to myself, how confident I could be because my Father had taught me to be, and from my past experience with bearing my testimony and speaking publicly (also facilitated by my Father). I thought of how I would appear to these people, how they would think of me after this, what they could and would expect of me. As I stepped up I looked at the bishop and smiled. I began with introducing myself, and stating that I was new to the ward and that I would be there until June. I mentioned that I felt that some people took the church and the blessings that we receive for granted, and how lucky I felt to be born into this church. I closed by bearing my testimony of the church and the Book of Mormon.

I sat down and my new friend told me I did a good job. A few more people bore their testimonies, and sacrament meeting ended. I stood up to ask where my class was and several people shook my hand and told me that they enjoyed my testimony. I went to class and I added my name to the attendance list. The class was taught by an older woman who spoke in a heavy southern accent (as many people do).

For the priesthood hour I went with most of the priests to sister Clark's house. She is an elderly lady who can no longer make it to church in the morning. We arrived at her house and agreed we were not going to sing a song. We entered and greeted her and I introduced myself, she said she was pleased to meet me and she mentioned twice that she liked my haircut. As opened the scriptures to read the sacrament prayer, the priest's quorum adviser spoke up and told her that we were going to sing her a song, we all looked at each other, then to the adviser and decided on "We thank thee oh God for a Prophet" then sang it to her. One of the priest's blessed the Bread and I blessed the Water. I said it was a pleasure meeting her, and we departed for the meeting house.

As we entered the building, my priest's quorum adviser introduced me to a Sister that lived in Clayton (a town close to where I am staying, relatively) and had a sixteen year-old daughter that goes to my high school. She gave me her cell phone number and invited me over for dinner...

The First Day

Today I did a lot of driving. I traveled about 40 or 50 miles south and saw where the church was and went to Toccoa to look around. I met Brother Randall there at the church and he told me that there were many youth in the ward, and that the meeting in the morning was at ten o'clock. I shook his hand and thanked him, and told him I'd see him tomorrow.

I went to the school and met with the counselor with whom I had been getting my school affairs in order. I found her and introduced myself, and she showed me into her office, I gave her the papers that she had asked me to bring her, and she asked how all this came about. I told her that I had thought it up, written my Grandfather a letter, and presented a ten slide power point presentation to my parents, and I was here now. She was impressed, and put together a rough list of my new classes and sent me along my way.

I went to the YMCA in Toccoa (which is in the middle of nowhere, like many places around here) and worked out for about an hour and headed back home.

I also went to Clayton to look around and go to the national forestry office to get information on mountain biking trails in and around the area. I got a map and two pamphlets and went home.