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?

There are no pictures...because I say so

Yeah.

I wanted to update for some reason.

I just didn't want to bother with taking pictures and loading them.

The face is doing fine.

I can now see my mustache just by looking down at my lip.

Seriously I think we passed the sweet spot, now its just bummish.

I'm starting to get things stuck in it. Yeah, you didn't need to know that, but now you do.

But alas, I must keep on. Nine more days. I'll miss it and I won't at the same time.

On another note...Thanksgiving Break is almost here!!! YES!!! Only tomorrow and we're home free!!!

Well not really, I still have to work a bit on Wednesday...but after THAT, I am literally home free! As in heading home to see my family!

And eat SO MUCH! I'm seriously giddy for Thanksgiving! I don't get to eat like this! Period! I am going to steal SO MUCH LEFTOVERS!!!!

ALSO, I'm super stoked for the official beginning of the Christmas season! Christmas is the best time period ever! So even though Mike and I have been listening to Christmas music for a week (yeah that's right, what're you gonna do about it? Huh??), I'm still pumped for it to be OFFICIAL!

BRING IT SEASONS GREETINGS!

Until next time...my mustache freezes in the cold Logan winter air...