A brand new Year!

Happy 2011! I apologize I have not written for some time, but I am back and will seek to be more consistent as the year progresses.  Another semester of BYU has begun and I am excited.  I was not that excited when I first got back, but I am feeling better about being back now that I have been able to see more friends and members of my ward.  My classes are going to be great. I have a few more blocks of time in my schedule where I will be able to volunteer with groups on campus or at a PT office or somewhere like that.  I think it will be good.  I also have a few more nights free, ok, one more, but maybe that will open up date opportunities.  We'll see.  Anyways, I went to church today and I am just so grateful for the talks given there about being a good example. I have been very blessed to have many wonderful examples of living the gospel in my life.  My roommates are all examples to me of that and of the power of the Atonement.  I love it!  I am so grateful for 2 siblings who are serving faithfully on missions and who are examples of the faith for me.  Keep up the good work you two!  Bishop Ashton and Evan Pressely, the Elder's quorum president are also two great examples of keeping the faith in the face of extreme adversity.  Bishop Ashton's wife had breast cancer and therefore had some very intense chemo therapy that has been successful, but she is still suffering the effects of it physically.  Yet Bishop Ashton continues to be faithful in coming to church and helping and counseling the members of our congregation.  Evan Pressely was in a car accident over the Christmas break and had to have surgery that has left him on crutches and unable to move anywhere very quickly. Yet he continues to do his school work, care for the members of the Elder's Quorum and develop a great relationship with his steady girlfriend.  I hope that is not divulging too much into his personal life, but I just really admire and look up to these two great men for their examples to me.  Elder D. Todd Christofferson of the quorum of the 12 apostles gave a great Fireside talk this evening about taking things one day at a time.  Too often we fret over the huge big picture that looms before us.  If we take it one brush stroke at a time, things will work out.  What a great blessing that is.  So, those are just some of the thoughts I've been having today and I just wanted to share them with you all.  Life really is wonderful and yes, it is a tragedy, because I did not watch "It's a Wonderful Life" this Christmas season.  I know, I need to do that still.  Sorry, I still think it's a wonderful movie and worth watching throughout the year.  Anyways, I love you all and hope you have a WONDERFUL year of 2011!

It's the most Wonderful Time of the Year!

Well, I apologize that I have not written in a while.  I have been busy the past couple weeks.  I have to keep this one short too because it's late and I need to go to bed.  I have finals this week and that means two things, lots of studying and I get to go home when it's all said and done! Yay!!! I am pretty excited to be spending Christmas with my family.  Speaking of Christmas, I love this season.  The music, the lights, the Spirit, the trees, the smells, the food, and so on and so forth.  Anyways, I have a new district of Missionaries right now.  There are 3 of them and all are doing great.  The are all headed to the Alpine German Speaking Mission and are going to be great.  Hillary only has like 9 days left in the MTC or something like that.  I cannot believe that.  She is going to be so great.  She is going to really do amazing things there in Portugal.  I am excited for her.  Christmas is the time to celebrate the birth of the Savior, but I would hope that we remember Him every day of our lives.  He lives.  I know that and am very grateful for that.  Today at church we sang, "I head the Bells on Christmas Day" and it was just so touching to see the contrast between the third and fourth verses.  "Then in despair I bowed my head, there is no peace on earth I said, for hate is strong and mocks the song of peace on earth good will to men."  What a sad verse!  How disheartening that is.  And yet then comes the next verse, "Then pealed the bells both loud and sweet, God is not dead nor doth he sleep. The wrong shall fail, the right prevail, with peace on earth, good will to men."  How comforting it is to know that Christ came to the earth.  He died for us, but He lives.  I know that to be true and invite you to find that out for yourself as well.  It will truly change your life and make it that much more wonderful!

garth brooks standing outside the fire official

This is one of my favorite songs and music videos. What a great message it shares!
It is wonderful!

You are Special- Max Lucado

This a reading of the children's book, "You are Special" by Max Lucado. I love this book and even more so, I love the message it shares with us all. You really are special. Don't you forget it!

Come Thou Fount of Every Blessing

Here is my favorite rendition of the hymn, "Come thou Fount of Every Blessing"

2 Year Anniversary!

Not that I am counting or anything, but I have been home from my mission for 2 years now and I cannot believe how quickly the time has gone by.  I really do not know what else to say about that.  I will say that this evening we had an awesome musical fireside in my ward and it was great.  Zach, Richard, a few other German speakers and I were able to sing "Come thou Fount of Every Blessing" in German. That was so cool.  There are so many talented people in this ward.  It is great that so many were able to sing this evening.  It was wonderful.  I will post my favorite version of that song shortly.  Anyways, that is all I have for today.  Love you all!!!

In the Spirit of Thanksgiving

This is a great message appropriate for this time of the year and always! Hope you like it! Remember, it's a wonderful life!


In the Spirit of Thanksgiving