School and Ironman

Another week of school gone. To be honest, if it wasn't for the $600 bill for tuition I've racked up I think I'd take another class. Its been so good for me to get out. Staying home and at the fire station all day doesn't do much for my moral. I think as soon as school is done I'm going to get a job. I was hoping for EFY to pan out, but I don't think its going to. Bummer, but oh well. What do you do?

I finally saw Ironman, I think I now need to see the second one so I can put all the pieces together. Because now I am really confused. So (spoiler...I think) I saw the second one and he had to make a second light thingy in his chest, and in order to get that he got it from his dad. But he got the light thingy from this guy in Afghanistan...so I think I'm missing something. I think I need to watch the movies again and then see if I can get Parker to explain it...it English. (Key word)

My dad is watching Bonanza, I never realized what a dramtic movie it is. I've watched two episodes and in both of them there is someone accused of murder (innocent) and of course last minute saved because someone came to their senses and stood up for what was right. I guess I thought it to be more of a John Wayne style, cowboys and indians. Anyways its quite different than I thought.

I have a new book I want to read. Its called the Hourglass Door. It just won a 'Book of the Year' award. I don't exactly know how prestigious it is, but it did actually sound like a good book. Maybe if I'm lucky the library will have it.

Well I think thats all for today. Have a good Memorial day weekend!

A Hard Class That Turned Out Not To Be So Hard

Hello Utah Valley!

I've survived my first week of class. Only two more to go! Its not too bad. The syllabus freaked me out though...she requires about 30-40 pages of reading a night! I was like man! I can't do that. Well I've discovered I can do the reading...not that I really read. I skim and take notes on the parts that look important. She came off as really strict and hard, but I'm starting to realize...its not so bad. I also got lucky, she divided the class into groups and I'm in a smart group. We take individual tests, and then retake the test as a group. I've done fine on my individual tests, but my group has gotten 100% every time! She also gave us a midterm today. If it was closed-booked and in the class, it would be a challenge, but its open book and a take home test! My group is meeting early on Monday to go over it. Needless to say I'm feeling fairly comfortable with all this. I'm glad, because I need a B in this class!

Its been interesting staying with my aunt. She just had her baby 10 days ago and he is so cute! Logan is an adventure as always. He likes to play superheros alot. The blanket is Spiderman's 'web'. I got 'webbed' alot. :D

I'm also starting to find people to hang out with at home, and thats a good sign. I miss having friends to hang out with. I love all my old friends, but most of them are married and we don't hang out like we used to. Sad... It will be good to meet new people...expand my horizons.

Also I'm meeting a friend from Alamosa in Salt Lake tomorrow! That will be fun.

Well I'm not sure what else to blog about. Life goes on pretty much the same.

I just recieved a miracle! I have to take two classes this summer one is a sit down lecture class in Salt Lake, Biology 1110, and the other is an intro to occupational therapy. I went to sign up for both of them last week, and the intro class was full! I was devastated. I could take that class in the fall, but I can't apply for the program until that class is completed in December. Which makes me run the risk of not getting into the program until fall 2012. That would suck! I don't want to wait two years! But I went to sign up for the biology class today anyways. I checked this morning, the intro class was still full. I signed up just a little bit ago and thought I'd check the class again anyways, and guess what! There was one spot open, just big enough for me! I'm really excited. Miracle! Lesson learned (again) have faith because things will work out! It was amazing

So things continue to move on. Mothers day is this Sunday. Part of me is like we're that far into may already?! And the other part of me feels like....its about time! Its weird that way. I'm also speaking in the branch on Sunday. My topic is..........drumroll.................its a surprise..............mothers. Imagine that. I'm thinking about basing it off the talk 'Mothers Who Know' I'll have to read it again and see if its what I want. They told me to plan on speaking 10 to 13 minutes. But I'm also going last, so that translates into write a talk that you can adjust. Thank you debate, if there is one thing I learned was how to adjust to time. I hate it when things go longer than they are supposed to. I think I would like to attend President Packer's ward. The rumor I heard (so take it for what its worth) is that their sacrament meeting always starts on time and ends right on time! If someone is going over on time, he will stop them. I don't know about the stopping part, but I would like for meetings to get out when they are supposed to. And then last night I got the phone call from the high council. It took him fifteen minutes to explain he wanted me to speak at the church on third south at 1030 (ish) about the worth of a soul. So I've been recruited. I really don't mind speaking in church...as long as I have a topic I feel like I can talk. I do apologize for my homecoming talk. Trying to mix divine nature and missionary work was too hard of a mix for me...and I failed. I must say I'm quite annoyed. Tyler Hinkson got sharing the gospel as his topic. I could have done great with that! I tried so hard to get member missionary work going! Oh well. I'll just have to try and redeem myself.

I've also gotten hooked on guitar hero. I've never played it before, we never had a wii or anything like that before colorado and I didn't play it with my friends. Its kinda fun. It almost makes me want to learn the guitar. My fingers hurt. The joints do anyways, its a weird angle for my hand to be in. And with my piano being right hand based, the left hand deal with the guitar is a unique challenge. I amost feel ready to go to the level after 'easy' (can't remember if its medium or what). I tried once, but I kept getting the yellow and blue notes confused. I was used to the yellow ones being the last finger, so I'd push my pinkie, but that was the blue note! Oh well I'll get the hang of it. I'm going to be a rocker!

Well I think thats all today! What a good day!

Homeward Bound

Life goes on...constant change. I find that change doesn't stress me out or scare me as much as it used to. Interesting isn't it? Mission will do that for you I guess. I think about the old me and and I look at who I am now, there are things that would terrify me that now I look at as hmmm sounds good. I still get sad when I miss things but...I don't hold onto them like I used to.

I really don't really know what to blog about anymore...

I'm going to school for a few weeks. I need to take a biology class this summer and an intro to OTA. Except for the fact I'm broke, I'm kind of excited for it. It will be pretty intense three hours a day and its only about three and a half weeks. I'm hoping that since I've taken MAP three other times it won't be too hard. The OTA class is online so I'm not too worried about that. If its like any of the other introductory classes, it will be easy.

Anybody want to go to Colorado/Illinois this summer? I'm leaving about July 10th. Give me a holler! I'm really excited for it.

I went to the Saturday night session of stake conference. Sister Sybrowski spoke of how as members of the church we are a covenant people, and that the Lord will use you and expect you to serve. I really liked that. We have made covenants with the Lord. If we want Him to bless us, we must fulfill our end of the covenant. The Lord needs us to serve so He can build up His kingdom on earth. But more importantly we need to serve the Lord. I believe it is when we are in His service that we can find the greatest peace. It does not mean things will be easy, perhaps in some ways they will be harder. The Lord wants us to grow and it can be painful. But in the end it is the greatest thing. Then Elder Keyes from the fifth quorum of the 70 spoke today of the Martin Handcart company and of the story of the gentleman in Cedar City who shared his testimony of the blessings that came from their trials by coming to Zion. He shared how he became acquainted with God and shared this quote: "The price we paid to become acquainted with God was a privilege to pay, and I am thankful that I was privileged to come in the Martin Handcart Company" (http://www.handcarttreks.com/General/History/Martin-Willie%20Personal%20Stories/FRANCISWEBSTER.pdf )

I have been thinking about that... I reflected on times that when I was serving the Lord, both in Colorado and here, that is when I could draw nearer unto Him. The Lord expects us to serve him and as we sacrifice in our service, then we can gain the privilege of drawing near unto him. I am reminded of a quote that my aunt sent me when in Colorado. It had become one of my favorites.

"Men and women who turn their lives over to God will find out that he can make a lot more out of their lives than they can. He will deepen their joys, expand their vision, quicken their minds, strengthen their muscles, lift their spirits, multiply their blessings, increase their opportunities, comfort their souls, raise up friends, and pour out peace. Whoever will lose his life to God will find he has eternal life." Ezra Taft Benson

Its so true. As we do turn our lives over to Him, there will be so much given to us. Why is it we must be so selfish and keep so much 'for me' 'I need this' or 'I derseve that' It is the natural man within us all. I do hope someday to root out that. As hard as it is to turn my life over to him, I know there is a way and I do want to strive for it. There is perhaps much to lose, but yet so much more to gain. The promises are in the Holy Scriptures, that whatsoever we may lose for the sake of the Lord shall be multiplied in blessings. What a glorious gospel we have, to have truths such as these in our lives!

I have a new favorite song. I know its mo-tab, but it is beautiful. I want to get the sheet music soon. When I have money...

here is the youtube...its someones family video but listen to the song. I'll put the lyrics as well for translation :o)

HOMEWARD BOUND

Words and Music by Marta Keen

In the quiet misty morning, when the moon has gone to bed,
When the sparrows stop their singing and the sky is clear and red,
When the summer's ceased its gleaming, when the corn is past its prime,
When adventure's lost its meaning, I'll be homeward bound in time.

Bind me not to the pasture. Chain me not to the plow.
Set me free to find my calling and I'll return to you somehow.

If you find it's me you're missing, if you're hoping I'll return,
To your thought I'll soon be list'ning; in the road I'll stop and turn.
Then the wind will set me racing as my journey nears its end,
And the path I'll be retracing when I'm homeward bound again.

Bind me not to the pasture. Chain me not to the plow.
Set me free to find my calling and I'll return to you somehow.