Putting the CHRIST in CHRISTMAS

MERRY CHRISTMAS EVERYONE!!!

I hope your day has been filled with jolly cheer, and that great memories were made that will last you a lifetime!

I've been down here at my parent's house since Thursday, and I must say, it has been nice to be with my family. I always feel like I don't visit them enough and I've decided to do better and see them more often.

But let's talk about the real reason for today. Family is nice (I love them of course), presents are nice, good food is really really nice, but after all is said and done, we know why we celebrate this day.

I would like to share with you my absolute favorite depiction of the nativity. It is called "The Light of the World" by Jay Bryant Ward. I found it in the Liahona my first Christmas on my mission. I took it out and hung it above my desk during both Christmas seasons. Take a look:

I love it because of how personal and close it is, and the connection you feel between everyone depicted.

Today being Sunday, we went to church. My family's ward has it at 9:00, so it was early enough that we could go first thing before beginning our traditional festivities. After the Sacrament we heard several musical numbers sung by the ward choir, primary, young women, and young men. We ended with the choir and congregation singing "Oh Come All Ye Faithful", a song that I've never really had at the top of my favorite Christmas hymns list, but after singing and listening to its message today, is definitely up there. All in all it was a great way to begin Christmas morning, the message of Christ, His birth, and His life, in our minds.

Tonight, when the festivities were winding down, I went outside and looked at the stars. It was peaceful, quiet. I sang "Silent Night" to myself. It made me think of the enormity of God and His plan, and how grateful I was for my Savior, that someone as imperfect as me might have a chance to be live with and be like our Father, thanks to Him.

So here's to our Savior and Redeemer, Jesus Christ. May we always celebrate His birth, life, Atonement, and Resurrection, that our lives may be filled with peace.

Until next time, peace on earth, good will toward men...

The Final Week

The whole city was deserted.
The freezing air blew eerily across Utah State campus.
Thousands and thousands were gone.
Those that remained wandered lifelessly over the abandoned streets.
Moaning and snarling, they dragged their bodies to the end...

Zombie Apocalypse? I wish.

No, it was the end of FINALS WEEK!!!

Can you believe it?!? It's OVER!!! It's all OVER!!! Muhahaha!!!

And before you say I've gone crazy, you try trudging through a whole week having one final, every day, until Friday, while every day leading up to it more and more people announce to you, "I'm done!" and you must in turn respond, "I have until Friday..." and they will inevitably reply with feigned pity and pretend sadness (they don't care, they're done!) But now, even I can say with pride...

I MADE IT!!!!

Actually to be honest, it wasn't that hard. I did awesome on all my finals. My classes this semester weren't really that challenging and frankly I'm gonna miss most of them. I had great professors and friends in most classes that I won't get to see that often anymore. And things are changing.

I'm getting two new roommates. Clint and Cade have already left. I'm gonna miss Clint, he was an awesome guy. Cade was cool too, but we really didn't see him that often. He was really good about paying his part of the utilities on time though.

Melissa, one of my best friends in the whole wide world, left to go student teach at Layton (It's Layton right Melissa?), that's gonna be weird, not having her around...(Note to Melissa: You're gonna do great! I believe in you!)

Then a bunch of friends I've gotten to know pretty well from my ward are leaving, and new classes are starting, and a new year, with new challenges and trials, adventures and experiences...

Well, you know what they say, the only real constant thing is change (They say that right? Am I making that up?)

Sadly, before all of that happens, and even before this wonderful Christmas holiday, I'm still stuck here a whole week for stinkin' work. Stupid work. I don't know what the heck I'll do with myself while I'm not working.

I guess now is the time to start that new hobby I've been talking about.

Until next time...wanna do something with me?

I love to see the temple...I got to go today!

 

This is the Logan Temple.

It has become one of my favorite temples. 

And yes, its because I live so close. 

Also, it is a shining beacon of light right in the middle of Cache Valley.

Anyone who has spent time in Logan can tell you that. 

I went there tonight with my elders quorum.

I've been trying to go very regularly, weekly if I can. That's my goal at least. 

I LOVE it, it makes my day. Every time. 

If its been awhile since you've been to the temple, I would recommend going. 

Your life will automatically get better.

And if you go with a desire to feel better about life decisions, looking for answers, like I did, and you go with faith, I promise they you will be blessed with what you need. 

Shout out to my family in St. George, wish I could be there! Hope you have a great time!

Until next time..."for the temple is the House of God, a place of love and beauty"

No Shave November: The End Result

First off, I must say, I am SO sorry. Its been almost TWO WEEKS since my last post! And that one didn't even have pictures! I apologize sincerely. To tell you the truth there have been no pictures because my phone (what I use to take pictures) hasn't been sending the pictures to my email. But it got itself figured out, and that added with before and after pictures my friend Mike took of me, I now present you with the end result of "No Shave November":

This was Thanksgiving day, Day 24

Day 28: It was actually starting to bug me really bad by now

Still Day 28: Closer view, the mustache especially was getting too long

And the final day, before and after shaving at midnight, December 1st...

There you are friends, the final days of beardiness. Final thoughts:

I must say I was a little disappointed, it didn't come in as full as I'd hoped. The sideburns especially disappointed me.

It comes in the thickest on the chin and the mustache comes in surprisingly long.

I wish it were all darker. Its almost blond.

I was thinking of just growing out the goatee, since its the only part that really grows. I miss looking older, what do you think?

I don't think I will do it again, at least not for a long while. Personally I think it feels gross growing in all willy-nilly. If I grow facial hair it will definitely be controlled. The only plus was that it kept my face warmer in this harsh winter weather. Now that I've got a really short haircut too, my head has been especially chilly these past couple days.

Hopefully I will blog more often now, again I'm sorry. Now to end on a sunny note, a few facial hair jokes for ya:

 

Until next time...