Adios little bro...

See that studly one there? 

Well, no, that's me, but I mean the one with the suit on-

no, again that's me. 

Look, the one we're all holding up, see him?

Yeah, that's him, that's my little bro, Bryce.

He's a missionary now.

Its been a little over a week since he left, 

and I still can't believe he's a missionary. 

I mean to me he's still the dorky 16 year old kid he was when I left on my mission.

Now he's the dorky 19 year old kid that's on his mission. 

Weird.

But I'm dang proud of him. 

He's gonna flood the country of Argentina with the good news, the Gospel.

Speaking Spanish. Like a boss. 

He and I were good friends growing up.

My favorite memories were going fishing in the Uintahs with our dad.

He's always been too lucky for his own good. 

I've never met a kid that could do things so well, so quickly.

It frustrated me growing up, but now its just a part of what makes Bryce Bryce.

Our birthdays are close together, it always seemed like we were celebrating them simultaneously.

We shared a room for many years as children.

We would always keep each other up late talking and goofing around.

When I finally got my own room (right next to his), we still kept each other up,

we bought these walkie talkies for our birthdays, and we'd talk til late.

I can't for the life of me remember what about, but I'll never forget it.

Here's to you Bryce, 

you're gonna be a great missionary,

and you're in for the time of your life.

I love you brother.

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...

A very non-lazy Sunday

Wow, I am tired. What a DAY! I've been up since 7:45 this morning and I've been going going the whole time. Here's the breakdown:

7:45 - 8:45- Wake up and get ready (Sunday clothes and everything)
8:45 - 11:00- Leave to pick up my date for this weird blind date Sunday morning breakfast date that a good friend of mine set me up on at her and her husband's house. It actually turned out to be a really fun and the girl was really cool. Plus I got a real breakfast, so it's already a good morning.
11:10- 1:30- Rush back home to be there for my little brother Weston's Aaronic priesthood ordination, eat dinner (lunch) with the family
1:35- 2:30 - Rush back up to Logan and make it in time for Sunday School.
3:45 - 4:30- I teach the lesson in Priesthood, it goes really well
4:30 - 5:00- Stay after church to talk with the bishopric 2nd counselor, was extended and accepted a calling as the Ward Facilities Chairman (I open and close the church, and shovel the snow in the winter, among other duties)
5:00 - 6:00- Catch up with roommates and we all eat quick dinners (for some reason I'm hungry already by now)
6:00 - 7:15 - CES Fireside, speaker Dallin H. Oaks, it was really good
7:15 - 8:00 - Go home and catch up on Facebook, watch videos about 9/11 (under the guise of finishing homework)
8:00 - 8:30 - Ward prayer and socializing after
8:30 - Now (9:00)- Come back and start working on blog post for the day


So yeah, today has been HECKA busy...and the greatest thing is I have no reason to believe this week will be any different...ahhh, its just like the mission again, go, go, go. Its okay, its good for me. I've gotten really lazy in my months home so it good to have a schedule again. Alright, right now I think I'll go watch a Disney movie with the girls from J1. Maybe I'll go to bed early tonight. Maybe...

Until next time...quit rushing me already!!!

My Testimony

Do you have several hours? Just wondering. Today I decided that as I'm starting out on this blog, one of the first things I should do is let you know how I feel about the most important thing in my life, nay, what makes up my life, period.

I am an active member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. I have been since birth. My parents are, and their parents are, and so on until some really awesome guy (or girl. or both) decided to join the church back in its first years. So all I've know my whole life has been the church.

Needless to say, after years of following my parents, which I thank them for (thanks Mom and Dad!), I gained a testimony of my own. I was pretty young when I started trying too. I was about 12 or 13 when I read the Book of Mormon for the first time. I prayed and fasted about it seriously a couple years later, and by sixteen I was in. I was 100% committed, true blue, dyed to the wool. The rest of my testimony on different parts of the Gospel of Jesus Christ came bit by bit, or line upon line, but the base was there. I had no desire to deviate. "To where?" I would think. There simply was no other way of life for me.

I won't turn this into an autobiography, I just want you to know much a part of my life the Gospel is. My Father in Heaven has been very patient with me and has granted me this testimony through blessing and trail, triumph and failure. And I know I'm still going too. Yes, the journey is far from over. But I know who leads me, so I have no fear.

So my friends, it's all true. Jesus Christ is our Savior and Redeemer, this is His Church and Gospel. He speaks to us today through His prophet, Thomas S. Monson, who I have a witness is a prophet of God. I know the Book of Mormon is His word, and I love it, it is my favorite book. Every day I thank God for the blessing of temples. I love to see them, I love be there, I love to talk about them. How sad my life would be without their far-reaching blessings in my life.

The list goes on. I love the Gospel. I know I may not always exude an exalted glow, but I want you all to remember that Cameron James Decker believes in Jesus Christ and His Gospel.

I know this post is long, but we're lucky we got away with as short as it was. If you're reading up to this point, thank you for your time and attention, I appreciate it. Until next time, shalom.