Its been a while

Its been a while and a lot has happened.  For the bigger points, I went on a mission to California/Brasil, due to visa issues, came home and now I'm engaged.  To the wonderful Kylie Lewis, who keeps a great blog which is located at http://simplysweetascanbe.blogspot.com/  She is the greatest.  My other half.  Just a couple of things going on in life, I plan to move to Utah in the next month, probably at the same time Kylie goes back down for work, in fact if all goes well we will be able to drive together.  But moving is always a little stressful.  There is so much to do and so little time.  Job hunting gets old really quickly.  Sometimes I wish they would just appear out of no where and give me a great offer that I would be more than willing to accept.  I'm still hopeful.  

Brad and Gwen, my brother and sister in-law are moving down to Arizona as well in January.  I think my younger brothers are going to feel a little left out.  But that's the way life goes right?  Its kind of a sucky situation.  Things never will really be the way they used to be.   Even though they weren't that great, now that those times are gone, they are missed.  

Post-Mission is kinda weird.  I've mentioned it to a few people since I've been home and for the most part everyone says the same thing back to me.  It feels like everything should be the same as it was when I left but everything is most definitely different.   Life goes on and we've got all night, if you've got rock and roll you're gunna be alright.  Anyway, I feel kinda torn, I've never had the greatest relationship with my brothers, like we never did a whole lot together, it was probably because of the age gap, but I don't want spending time with them to end.  It's a little harsh but we all have to grow up sometime.  It'll be an interesting, new, exploration time of my life.  Lots will change and everything will be different.  

Its interesting trying to be an adult and pay for things, manage money and what not, I must say, getting engaged is not a cheap ordeal.  Those ladies are expensive, but with all things considered, they are totally worth it.  There is so much to worry about, and I don't know where I'd be without insurance.  It helps quite a bit, I'm sure it won't seem so as a newly wed couple but it will pay off after the first couple of kids.  

I am pretty excited for January to come though.  One of my best friends, Craig O'Laughlin comes home form his mission in Pittsburgh.   So that will be sweet to see him again.  I have yet to see on of my best buds, Olsen from the mish.  He got home in April of this year, so he's been home for a little while.  It'll be cool to meet up with him again.  It would be so nice if I could travel for free and see all my great friends, cause they are scattered pretty far across the world.

For now I'm done rambling and I've got some of my thoughts on "paper" of sorts.   Now just to figure out how to move this blog into my other gmail account.   Its off to an adventure to see what will happen in our daily lives.  'Till next time

Topics of Life

Everyone is in our life for a reason.  Most of the time we would like to know what those reasons are.  People frustrate us and confuse us but for what? Personal gain? Who knows.  Its just frustrating.  It all doesn't matter in the end.  In the big picture.  Its just the task of enduing to the end I guess.  Some people don't understand things or are to thick to realize them and so the make up excuses or try to get rid of the issue at hand.  They don't care to solve the problem or to understand the issues at hand.  I really can't stand people who use others for their purpose or exploit them for their weaknesses.  Now I may be hypocritical because in certain instances it is appropriate to do so but not for your own gain.  Some people just aren't as smart as others and cant see that they are wrong and wont admit it is so.  Drives me nuts.  Then there are those who think that they are better than others because of their qualifications or their experiences.  It makes you more knowledgeable but not better.  Everyone is the same and deserves the same respect, unless they prove to not deserve any respect.  There are cases where people do things willingly that are really unforgivable and others that can be understood.  But somethings just are not acceptable to be forgotten.

Im not making any sense but I figured it doesnt matter because this is me just running thoughts out of my head on to the computer.  Some times its easier to let the keyboard know things rather than humans.  But anyway, its just easier to write these things and then delete them soon after

Im out of things rambling in my head,

Until next time, if there is one before the two years I will be spending away from this confusing place.

Famous People

We all have our famous people.  Those we look up to, those we hold dear to us and those that meeting them would complete our lives.  Its really weird when you get to meet them too..... The only real experience Ive had with this is warped tour 2010.  Ive heard the bands through the speakers but they really never seem like they are real.  Just sound waves. Then I got a twitter and started following all the people that were in bands I admired.  Everyone all of a sudden started becoming real.  Sort of.  Then I went to warped tour and all of these people were standing within 30 ft of me.  It was crazy.  I got a picture with Jess Bowen which was sick.  I guess this is just a result of me kind of having a sheltered childhood and listening to 80's music all my younger days.  The same thing occurred at the dedication of the BYU-I center, and at general conference when I saw the prophet.   

This blog came about because there was a guy from a band that is LDS and is in Rexburg so Jessica and Damon freaked out and so we drove around town in hope of running into him.  Spoiler alert! we didnt run into him.

Anyway thats all I got.   Its just something crazy that ive thought about and what not. Oh and I also pre-ordered the summer sets new album Everythings Fine.  Im syked to listen to the whole album cause I love Someone like You. 

My Beliefs

This is a homework assignment I had and thought it was blog worthy.

1.      The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter –Day Saints.  It is very important to be a member of this church and believe that it is the truth and all the things we learn in accordance to the church are true.  I know that all the things I am taught at church are true and that we need to be very proud of our high standards and do our best to live them.

2.      Families.  Families have been a huge part of my life and I know that they are an essential part of Heavenly Fathers plan.  They create a unit where a child can be raised and taught the things they need to survive in this life.  Families should care and look out for each other and do the best they can to protect each other.  They also provide a great system of trust and safety for those that need it.

3.      The Plan of Salvation.  I really believe in the plan of salvation because I know that I will see my mom again in her perfected glory and that all families will be reunited again.  She was a huge part of my life and she is greatly missed and by believeing the plan of salvation I know I will see her again.

4.      Freedom.  I believe in freedom because we should all have certain rights that allow us to use our Moral Agency.  We deserve to not have to worry about our lives being in danger doing routine things in our day.  I know that we should all be allowed to be allowed to have our freedom and when we abuse our freedom there will be punishments.

5.      To not judge others.  I believe in the idea that we shouldn’t judge others depending on their race religion or looks.  When someone judges someone then there is potential for hurt.  The thing we want the least of.  It’s not necessary to put a label on others for enjoyment or for any other reasons.

6.      Peace.  There never will be absolute peace in our lives. There will always be turmoil but I believe that if we insist on being peaceful the most we can then things will always work out better for ourselves.  Sometimes it requires force upon those who have no rules but we need to make the best decisions we can in order to be safe. 

7.      Down Time.  I believe in everyone’s life they need down time in order to stay sane.  It can include family time, friend time, play time, anything that relaxes us.  In our busy lives there is tension and stress, but somehow we need to find time to relax and take some time for ourselves. 

8.      Communication.  I believe communication is very important in our lives.  To keep healthy relationships we all need good communication.  We need to have conversation with our Heavenly Father, our parents, our extended family and our friends.  It is the easiest way to avoid tension and arguments.  Most of the little fights that siblings have are due to miscommunication. 

9.      Work.  I believe that we all need to know how to work. Not necessarily working out on the farm but know how to work at getting a task accomplished.  If everyone had a drive to work and be do the best job they can, so many employment problems would go away.  It is a very important skill to develop as a child.  

10.  Desire to change.  I believe everyone must have a desire to change in order to become a better person and to benefit everyone around them.  If people are gloomy and depressed they need to want to be happy and cheerful.  Others look up to people like that.  And if someone goes through such a change they will be stronger.

1.      

This one goes out to the gospel.

I believe there is one thing that has got me to where I am today and the is the True Gospel of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints.   I have no idea what I would do without it and I dont know how billions of people go throughout their day in the world not knowing that things I have been taught since I was a child.  I think its so cool that my brother at 3 yrs old could identify a picture of Christ.  Its crazy to think that there are people that we come into contact everyday that dont know any of the life changing truths that us Mormons know and are taught as soon as we can retain knowledge.

One of the coolest things in my opinion of our church is the importance of families.  They are the most crucial unit of people ever.  Mothers and Fathers have one of the most important jobs ever.  And this is one of the reasons I am so excited to be a parent when the right time comes.  I cant think of anything more gratifying than being a parent and knowing your raised virtuous, trustworthy kids.  I just want to know that feeling.  But I love my family regardless of the countless arguments and the fighting and the disagreements. My family is a little more out of the ordinary but regardless they are the best.  There is nothing more enjoyable than just hanging out with the family laughing and having a good ol time..  Friends are great and are sometimes more fun than the family but in retrospect the family will always be there and there is a connection that bonds siblings and parents together no matter the events that come between one another.

One thing I love about attending the Lords University is that everyone has the same basic knowledge and a spiritual conversation can spawn out of no where. And I love it.  Theres nothing than the awesome feeling of discussing gospel topics with friends and getting a witness from the Holy Ghost over and over again that all of it is true.  Its absolutely undeniable.  I understand reasons to why people do reject the gospel and think that our teaching are false but I know it to be true.  And that all that matters.  I will do my best to share my knowledge with the people of the Ribeirao Preto Mission but nothing will be able to waver my faith and I will be diligent in doing what the Lord needs me to do.

I feel my strongest testimony I have is of Joesph Smith and the Restoration of the Gospel.  I dont know why... it may have to do with my seminary teachers testimony of him but its always stuck out the most in my mind.  Every time Joesph Smith is brought up I get that tingling feeling you get when you undeniably know something is true.  I just feel like its so powerful and I feel sorry for those who think he was a false prophet.  He was and Amazing man.  He is really my greatest example next to Christ to follow.

I am definitely not perfect and I have my many faults but I do my best to be better because I know what I should be doing and I feel terrible when I dont do something I should be doing or do something I not supposed to be doing.   Ive got a lot of work to do to become the person I would like to be but I know I can achieve it with the help of all m friends, family and the gospel.

I could go on for days but I need to go to bed.  I know everything about the Gospel is true and I look forward to go through the temple to get my endowments and serve a mission and come home and get married and have a wonderful family and an amazing time here on earth in the mortal existence.

Until next time.... 

P.S. My brother Brad inspired me to write this one.  Im really excited for him to come home and be able to hang out with him for a bit before I leave.   Thanks.

The Weekend

I love the Weekend.  Theres something about Friday afternoon that is soo refreshing and satisfying.  This weekend Im visiting the Goodmans in Gooding Idaho.  Its about a 3 hour trip but its worth it. These girls are the best.  In general college weekends are more different than anything I have experienced.  Because it is up to you whether you have enjoyable one or not.  You can plan things that will be fun or plan things that will create memories for a life time.  You can Literally do anything you want to.  Although there some restrictions due to weather and the amout of energy your friends have and how deep your pocket is.  But other than that you can do anything. 

College so much fun. 

Keeping Busy

These past few weeks have been quite busy. Lots going on and plenty to talk about.  I got my mission call to Ribeirao Preto Brazil which I will be reporting to the Brazil MTC on September 28.  Right now the pressing matters are getting my passport so they can start working on my visa.  I twisted my ankle yesterday which is a pain because its going to suck walking to class.  It probably wont be better for at least 3 days.  In reality itll be a week.  Ive got a grip on all of my classes for the most part.  Keeping track of all the homework anyways. 

This past while Ive been feeling a little odd.  I just feel like I dont belong and that Im not where Im supposed to be.  I feel unnoticed and unwanted.  Today going to church Damon said "are you ready for everyone to ask you what happened?" referring to my hurt ankle and I knew I wouldnt be asked once. And of course I was right. It also just might be the fact that I hide it well.  I have the odd desire to be alone a lot.  Im sure this feeling will pass but Im just writing down what Im thinking.  The Song "the first single" by the format is really hitting home to me right now.  The chorus goes "You know me, or you think you do.  You just dont seem to see. Ive been waiting all this time to be something I cant define" " lets cause a scene clap our hands and stomp our feet or somethin" 
I just dont seem to want to be noticed.  Unlike others who want to put themselves out there the most they can regardless of them denying it.  I dont want to.  It feels like everyones life is better and that everyone has a sweet story to tell about their youth that is funny and satisfying to others to hear.  Mine are all really depressing and hopeless.  Im surprised Im where I am right now.  Skimming across the bare minimum.  Story of my life.  Ive learned the things Ive learned because I wanted to know them.  Sometimes I wish I had a different, "normal" childhood.   

The timing for these feeling couldnt have happened at a worse time.  But Im ok with it.  Ill get over it just like every other hardship that has been throw in my face.  It is what defines us as individuals. And where we stand.  I think Im standing in the wrong spot. 

Dont feel bad for me I really will be over this soon and everything will be merry again. 

Until then.