Saying Goodbye (for now) It's Time To Go

Well, we have come to this time. The time to say that word that has seven letters. Four of them are not so bad, but the last three are the hardest to swallow. I am not leaving permanently, but I am leaving. I believe that it's best to say goodbye, and leave it until it gets picked up again. I believe in meaning what I say, so when I say "see you in two years," I would love to mean just that. But the truth is goodbye's don't last. I have told many people goodbye not  knowing when I would see them again. Then not even a year later I would be in contact with that friend almost like nothing happened.

About a week ago I met up with a friend that I hadn't seen in almost three years, I still feel way too young to have an experience like this. We talked and talked for a couple hours and it was like we had never said goodbye. That is what I have learned to expect. Not too long ago my best friend and I spent hours chatting about life and about every thing in between. Two years ago (an ironic number) he and I were inseparable. When people asked about what one of us would be doing for the weekend we had to check with each other. We knew where the food was in each other's house. We knew who the other one liked and We hadn't talked for a long time and it was like things were the same. I loved it.

So, in two years when I get back I would love to talk to each of you for hours and catch up on the past 24 months. It's only two years, I know. I'll miss you guys. I'm sure it won't be easy for me or for many of the people around me. But missionaries sacrifice a lot so that they can bring happiness to the world. I'm so excited and I can't wait to help the people of Tahiti. I can't wait to serve the Lord. I've waited many years for this. And here we go.

P.s. Say your prayers, read your scriptures, and walk safely.

Consistent Inconsistency

Once upon a time there was a young man who had no home. No, he did not live on the streets or in a cardboard box; he did not live in his little black truck or his big blue truck. He lived everywhere and no where all at once. When people asked where he was from, he had to tell them his life story so they could understand his usual answer of "no where."

Now, this young man was not unhappy about this, in fact he rather enjoyed his life. He lived upon the mercies of his friends and family. He found no consistency in where he would lay his head. He had no bedroom and relied upon others to help him on a daily basis. He traveled the state of Utah several times; in one month he put one thousand miles on his truck (that's almost 33 miles a day). He never stayed in a ward for more than a few months. He lived out of his suitcase and could pack his bags perfectly. This inconsistency taught him the basics of life: clothes, food, a bed, memories, and the gospel.

No matter where you go in life you always have yourself. Your experiences in the past cannot be taken away from you. That time you were so happy months or even years ago can still make you happy. The sunset you will never forget can still take your breathe away today. Truth is that true happiness is lasting happiness. The gospel is always true. There is consistency in life.

Through the last year I have been in 5 wards (not counting the wards I attended once or twice) and I have found these things to be consistent. Happiness is consistent. No matter where you are in the world you can still find something to make you smile. Find that thing that always makes you happy. Not something that can be ruined by time or others. But something that will never change, like a pen properly placed behind your ear.

Enjoy life. Adam fell that man might be, men are that they might have joy (2 Nephi 2:25).

The Simple Truth

We all know this be to true: life is not easy.
How did we expect it to be? How did we want it to be?

We knew it wouldn't be a walk in the park. We knew from the very beginning that this life was to be a challenge. And so how do we look at the challenges that we all must face? We take them one at a time. We pray; we listen; and we walk with faith in Christ.

We know we are here for a reason. There is a point to all this suffering. To make us better and to give us experience. We feel that refiner's fire as it finds the impurities of our hearts. We feel the pain; we feel the clean; we are changed.

He is there for us in our times of need. But remember, the Teacher is always quiet during the test. So keep on walking. Don't let things bring you down. You know who you are. You know there is someone great that you are destined to become. So take each challenge "by the horns" as some would say. Let the challenge go through you and cleanse you as it may.

I expected it to be hard. I wanted it to be hard. I wanted the challenge. So that when all was said and done I could be proud of myself for continuing on.

Life is to be enjoyed. Do not let it pass you by while you live in the depths of your problems. We all face challenges. Let us strengthen one another and heed the Savior's call to love one another.

"ouhhh que le temps passe vite, je trouve enfin quelques minutes pour t'écrire"

To quote a French acquaintance of mine (translated), "Oh how the time passes quickly, I am finally finding some time to write you." That is how I feel. My mission date of May 1st seemed so far away on the 20 of December. I'm only half way there now but looking back it seems like December 20th was forever ago. Time is a funny thing. It seems like the more you look back the faster it travels, the more you look forward the slower it passes. I look back on 18 years of life and think that it was so short. But I think the 8 weeks until my mission will last forever.

Nothing too incredible is going on in my life. Except that I'm living a dream. When I was a kid I always dreamed of working in a grocery store, being able to walk on those cool ladders, and being the man that put the milk on the shelves. I always wanted to get on the intercom and say, "Clean-up on aisle 4." Not only is my job a dream but everything else is great. I have no homework, let me repeat that, I have no homework, no bills, no worries. I am focused on serving a mission and working hard. This is the life. I feel so blessed to be able to be living my dream, a dream that has been given to me by the mercy and goodness of God. I am so excited to serve a mission. I think there are few things more wonderful than that. I hope that all is well for you guys, and if it's not, is it because you're looking at life through broken glasses? I've worn my fair share of broken glasses, happiness is all about perspective. Keep smiling! I know I will.

My Life in 3 Paragraphs

Wow, it's been a while since I last posted anything. An update of my life: I am living in Highland with the family of Josh Savage, they are so great! I am working full-time at Macey's and trying to get ready for my mission.

I am loving life. The gospel, a great job and great blessings are what I get to enjoy everyday. I think a good life consists of a few basics. Daily prayer, scripture study, repentance, remembering/looking for blessings and an overall desire to be happy.

Keep smiling, it can brighten someone's day.

As this Year Comes to a Close

As this year comes to a close I have been thinking back and reviewing what has happened in the last 365 days. How does one measure the success of a year? Will any one look back and say, "2012, that was a really good year."? I think I will. This year has brought a lot of things including: stress, anxiety, physical and emotional pain, fear, challenges, tears, hugs, new friends, goodbyes, change, happiness, adventures, hard work, learning, strength, determination, increased faith and a whole lot more.

Who would have thought one year ago today that I would have my mission call, that I would have already done 2 semesters of college and that I would have moved 4 times? I can't say I expected everything that has happened. But I can say I've enjoyed every second of it. I look back on 2012 and smile because it really was a good year. With everything that has happened in the last 365 days I have learned that life is good. Life is really good.

So, I want to say thank you to everyone who played a role in this last year. It doesn't matter how big or small the role you played, I'm grateful that you played it.

Oh, and Happy New Year!

"Wherever You Will Go"

While listening to the song "Wherever You Will Go" I realized I had something to blog about. Here it is. 

You know, sometimes I wonder how something as small as one decision can change so much. Recently I was faced with the decision to leave Utah State or pay the tuition for which I didn't have money. I thought about my options, I prayed, and I made a decision.

This decision took all of about 10 minutes (there were several possibilities). I then went out and told my roommates that I was officially moving out. The more and more I talk about it the more I realize how right it is. Now, here is what is changing.

This decision caused me to lose two wonderful jobs. One of which was a job that is what I could be doing as a career. I gave up my calling. I gave up an 18 credit schedule. I gave up my place to sleep. I gave up all the friends I have met over the last few months. And I gave up that calming peace of having a plan.

Now, I have to find a job, find a place to live, move out in at most a week, and wait for the hand of God to lead me to where I need to go.

It's a little nerve racking but I wouldn't want it any other way. I love challenges in which God can show His power and work miracles, because He always does.

So, now I'm sitting in an almost empty room, I have boxes stacked up on the floor and my shelves and drawers and quite barren. I am excited to see how this all goes.

I hope that God will be with me wherever I will go.