School Board Video

http://vimeo.com/47653561

My New Life

He Lives: Testimonies of Jesus Christ

What God Can Do

If God can make of an ugly seed,
with a bit of earth and air
and dew and rain, sunshine and shade,
a flower so wondrous and fair.
What can He make of a soul like you,
with the Bible and faith and prayer,
and the Holy Spirit, if you do His will
and trust in His love and care

Unknown

Ideals

"The power of ideals is incalculable. We see no power in a drop of water. But let it get into a crack in the rock and be turned to ice, and it splits the rock; turns into steam, it drives the pistons of the most powerful engines. Something has happened to it which makes active and effective the power that is latent in it." Albert Schweitzer

Opportunities for Success Are around You

"Success doesn't come to you; you have to go to it. It's up to you to open the door of opportunity. The golden opportunity you are seeking is inside of you. It is not in your environment; it is not in chance or luck or the help of others; it is inside of you alone. You can start precisely where you are at any time. The grass always looks greener in far away places, but opportunity lies right where you are. Take advantage of it when it appears. You don't need more strength, more ability, or greater opportunity. What you need is to use what you have. Learn to seize good fortune, for it is always around you. Every situation, properly perceived, becomes an opportunity. The real challenge in life is to choose, hold, and operate through intelligent, uplifting, and fully empowering beliefs." Michael Sky

Elder M. Russell Ballard - Follow the Doctrine and Gospel of Christ

This was the CES Fireside that took place on November 7, 2010
Awesome talk. A lot of good things were said.

Thanksgiving Daily

Do you live in Thanksgiving daily? Do you give thanks for the bountious beauty of our lives? Do you have an attitutude of graditude?

Matthew West - Save A Place For Me (Official Music Video)

Experience at Institute on November 4, 2010

As many of you might know I have been working almost daily on making my blog and facebook accounts into something that I people would come to often for inspirational quotes. I guess it is one of the ways I my love for God and the testimony I have of Him. So I have spent all this time and effort to get things the way I want them. I thought now if someone can just use some of the things on here that I have found to be an inspiration I will have help someone. I started praying and hoping that someone would be affected by something that I had posted. My prayer was answered tonight at Institute in a very unexpected way.

I usually get to Institute a little bit early to save a few seats for some of my branch members. Tonight was the night that my branch member who is on the Institute Counsel was in charge of conducting and finding someone to give the opening prayer and the spiritual thought. He asked me if I had ever given a prayer or a spiritual thought at Institute before, which I replied that I had not. He asked if I could do the spiritual thought. I had about 15 minutes to come up with something. He suggested that I read my favorite scripture, but I felt like I should share something I felt a connection too, like a quote that I had found or something like that. I thought about the pages of quotes that I had compiled and about how great it would be to have those in my hands at the very moment or to have had my branch member call me so I could have prepared better.

Some of you know me well enough to know that I don't like public speaking in a formal setting. Some of you can't imagine me as a shy guy because you know me well in the workplace or outside a church setting.

Anyways, I decided I had nothing to loose. If I was not prepared I would get up there and say a few words or read a scripture that had little meaning to me and then go sit down.

I usually carry my yellow composition book with me to church type meetings so that if I hear something I feel inspired to write down I can do that. I was not sure if I had anything in my book that would be of use to my fellow Institute students. I only have about 35 pages of notes on various subjects. On the last few pages I have a few quotes that I took from a book titled The Dating Game: Secrets for Marrying a Good Man by Alisa Goodwin Snell. This is a book that took me over a year to read not because it is long; I just have been reading it on and off.

In my notes I found a few quotes from a section in the book for improving self love, self respect, and self confidence. This is a topic that I have been thinking about lately for some reason. I don't feel that it is something that I need to work on too much. I think that I feel the topic is of interest because if individuals would come to knowledge of self love, respect and have self confidence some of their problems would be easier to bear. Building people’s confidence and seeing things in a positive manner is what has driven me to set my facebook and blog up the way I have.

This basically how my devotional went. I read Doctrine and Covenants 6:36 which reads:
"Look unto me in every thought: doubt not, fear not."

I then made a joke so I would feel more comfortable. I said something to the affect, I want to share some quotes from a book on a topic that some you may be uncomfortable with. I then named the above mentioned book. Many people laughed.

Then I read the following quotes from the book mentioned above:

"Nurture your strengths rather than listening to your fears and doubts" (pg. 109).

"Face the things you fear. The more you face your fears the less your fears will be able to define you and your life" (pg. 111).

"Having faith in yourself and others in the face of rejection can be a powerful confidence builder. Keep going. Don't give up. Never loose faith" (pg. 120).

Faith and fear cannot coexist.

Back to my commentary.

That is not the end of the story. I thought as I sat down, I hope that turned out alright. As I was leaving Institute tonight a teacher and a female student were exiting the classroom near the door I was about to walk out. The teacher and the student both thanked me for my thought. I thought, ok, you know I only had a few minutes to prepare, thank you for making me feel good about the thought I presented. Both the teacher and the student shook my hand and both said I made the difference in more than one person’s life tonight. They both went on to say that they talked about the thought I presented in their class tonight.

As I was driving home tonight I thought about how the Lord had answered my prayer to help someone with the quotes and thoughts that I find inspirational. I hope and pray that I can help others through my example and the thoughts and impression that I have.

This experience has helped me to see that through small and unexpected means prayers can be answered. It has given me the courage to speak out and help others in need.

I am grateful for the experience I had tonight.

Valiant Faith by Jenny Phillips

My sister Logan pointed this song out to me by a status quote on Facebook. I thought if this song had an important message for her I would check it out.
"I want to live my life with honor and faith. I want to return to His arms unashamed. It's not enought to live it halfway. I will follow him fearlessly all of my days. I will live with valient faith". Jenny Phillips

These Are The Days - BYU - Idaho

The Things That Matter Most

(This was my second Mission President)

Devotional Talk Given at Brigham Young University-Hawaii


November 2, 2010
Edward D. Smith
David O. Mckay Center
Presidents' Leadership Council

ALOHA Brothers and Sisters,

I am honored to be here today. I also feel overwhelmed by the responsibility. Thank you President and Sister Wheelwright for this opportunity. We have had the most wonderful blessing of being associated with BYU­ Hawaii for the past 15 years, though in a minor role. I love this university!

You are here because you were interviewed by an ecclesiastical authority and found worthy to attend this university. You have manifested that you would adhere to the standards of the “honor code.” It is also my belief that you were placed here to bless your people and your country when you return.

It is said that a speaker can give two kinds of messages:

1) To tell you something
2) To motivate you to do something

Today I will attempt to say something of value. To invite you to DO something! I have entitled my remarks “The Things That Matter Most,” which includes strengthening our faith and testimony of the Savior, listening to the promptings of the Holy Ghost, and being anxiously engaged in our earthly responsibilities.

First, when we as church members start to make a list of important things, we must have faith in the Lord Jesus Christ and a testimony of Him. Know that He is God’s own son, the only begotten of the Father in the flesh. In the pre-mortal world, He was a God with the Father. He created worlds without number. He condescended to come to earth as a babe. He was born of a mortal woman, fathered by Elohim. He learned to live “line upon line,” “precept upon precept,” until he came to His fullness. He was tempted by Satan in every way; never yielding to Satan’s enticing. He knew and was determined to do His Fathers will and His business. He taught us how to live, to love one another. In a way not clear to any of us, in the Garden of Gethsemane He took upon himself the sins of all of us, as well as the sins of all God’s sons and daughters in worlds without end. He atoned for all of us. He was crucified. He rose from the dead, was resurrected, and now lives, sits on the right hand of the Father. This testimony comes by revelation. If you want this testimony you must PRAY for it and DO the will of the Father. Unless we have a testimony and faith in the Savior, everything else is meaningless.

Also, we must learn to recognize and heed the promptings of the Spirit. All of you have been given the supernal “gift of the Holy Ghost,” the greatest gift given to man in this life. Having this gift doesn’t mean much unless we develop “velvet ears.” I love these words by Mary Karr quoted by Elder Neal Maxwell. “My friend, the Franciscan nun, says we misread the word meek in the Bible verse that blesses them. To understand the meek, she says, picture a great stallion at full gallop in a meadow, who at his master’s voice seizes up to a stunned but instant bolt. So with the strain of holding that great power in check, the muscles along the arched neck keep eddying, and only the velvet ears prick forward, awaiting the next order” {“Who the Meek Are Not” Atlantic Monthly 289, no 5 (May 2002) 64}. Elder Maxwell went on to say, “Do you see a new picture of meekness being at ‘full gallop’ but with velvet ears. This is a prescription for all of us in terms of life.”

In addition to developing your faith, testimony of the Savior, and listening to the promptings of the Holy Ghost, I urge you to prepare and live your life in such a way that when you meet face-to-face with the Savior, you will be able to win his gratitude and feel of his love when you report on your earthly responsibilities. In 1965 President David O. McKay, President of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, made this statement to a group of brethren in the Department of Church Headquarters. Perhaps some of you are familiar with these words, he said, “Let me assure you brethren, that someday you will have a personal Priesthood interview with the Savior himself. If you are interested, I will tell you the order in which he will ask you to account for your earthly responsibilities.” I think most of these also apply to the sisters in the church:

First: He will request an accountability report about your relationship with your wife. Have you actively been engaged in making her happy and ensuring that her needs have been met as an individual?

Second: He will want an accountability about each of your children individually. He will not attempt to have this for simply a family stewardship, but will request information about your relationship with each and every child.

Third: He will want to know what you personally have done with the talents you were given in the pre­-mortal world.

Fourth: He will want a summary of your activity in your church assignments. He will not be necessarily interested in what assignments you have had, for in His eyes the home teacher and a mission president are probably equals, but He will request a summary of how you have been of service to your fellowmen in your church assignments.

Fifth: He will have no interest in how you earned your living, but if you were honest in all your dealings.

Sixth: He will ask for accountability on what you have done to contribute in a positive manner to your community, state, country, and the world.

Now I have thought and prayed about the first two, knowing that I will be addressing mostly single students. However, I feel impressed to discuss the thoughts on marriage and children as if you were married with children. I hope you are not too uncomfortable with that!

Let me give you my credentials on married life. I have been married for 53 years to two wonderful women. I was married to my first wife, Maurine, for 43 years and my second wife, Shauna, and I just celebrated our 10th wedding anniversary. These two women are very, very different. With my first wife, our roles were very well-defined. I never messed around in the kitchen, I took out the trash, and I fixed what was broken! Shauna is different. She never asks me to do anything that she can do herself and there is very little that she cannot do! I caught her on the roof recently trying to get rid of the pigeons by swabbing the roof with a Clorox solution.

I quote from a June 1995 Ensign article by Gary Gray. This is a wife speaking: “A wife needs someone willing to help her do things she does for everyone else in the family…an uncomplaining, good­-natured helper. This helper should be able to anticipate the needs of the family members. Be able to put his projects on hold. A Priesthood holder should find ways to bless his family….she should not have to compete with sports or television when trying to communicate with him. He should simply love her. He should love her when she is impatient and frustrated after a busy day, or when she burns the dinner or when she is four and a half months pregnant and doubts her ability to meet the needs of another child.”

A couple of other thoughts:

1. She has the right to expect you to be the provider. I know there are some exceptions to that with a disability, illness, or other situations. It is your job to learn the “law of financial success!”

2. Choose a career that you will be good at and in which you will excel. If you are not good at quantitative things, don’t try to be a medical doctor or engineer. There are so many wonderful opportunities, choose wisely. Remember, there is nothing more honorable than a teacher!

3. Don’t set your goals on money. The money will come as you are diligent and fair as an employer or employee.

4. Work is the multiplier. Nothing takes the place of work. In every endeavor of life, work is needed. I love the poem by Longfellow quoted by President Kimball: “The height of great men reached and kept were not obtained by sudden flight, but while their companions slept, were toiling in the night.”

5. SAVE SOME MONEY! Don’t speculate. Worry about the return OF your money, not the return ON your money! Capitol has its own rewards. Save some money!

You have an obligation to be positive with your family and within yourself. Elder Orson F. Whitney said this: “The spirit of God is optimistic. It trusts in God and looks on the bright side of things. The opposite or pessimistic spirit drags men down…away from God, looks on the dark side, murmurs or complains and is slow to yield to obedience. We should honor the Savior’s declaration “Be of good cheer.”

Elder Holland said this: “No misfortune is so bad that whining about won’t make it worse.”

Recently, I had an occasion to talk with a business acquaintance of mine. He is a decent man with a testimony of the gospel. However, he was unhappy; yet, he was living in most respects, the “plan of happiness” as Alma described the plan of salvation. So what is wrong?

This man is so worked up over our government, the elected officials, the president, the federal and state bureaucracy, IRS, etc. that he finds himself always frustrated at every turn. His anger is at the nightly news and every paper he reads. He hangs every anger and frustration on our leaders for not following the Constitution. He feels the millennium is around the corner and will be here “any day!”

All these feelings keep him in constant turmoil and agitation. He sees very little good, sees things his way, and looks for the bad. Heaven knows when you look for the bad you certainly find it!!

Is this the way the Savior wants us to live our lives? I think not. I am impressed by President Hinckley’s words: “I see so many good people everywhere…and there is so much of good in them. The world is good! Wonderful things are happening in the world. This is the greatest age in the history of the earth. We have every reason to be optimistic in this world,” President Hinckley continued, “Tragedy is around, yes, problems everywhere yes! Look at Nauvoo. Look at what they built in seven years and then left. But what did they do? Did they lie down and die? NO! They went to work! They moved half way across this continent and turned the soil of the desert and made it blossom as the rose. On that foundation this church has grown into a great worldwide organization affecting for good the lives of people in more than 140 nations. You can’t, you don’t build out pessimism or cynicism. You look with optimism, work with faith and things happen.” “THINGS WILL WORK OUT” may well be President Hinckley’s most repeated assurance to family, friends, and associates. “Keep trying,” he would say, “Be believing, Be happy. Don’t get discouraged. Things will work out.”

Can I say just a few words directly to you who may not be married yet? You have been told who you marry is the most important decision you will ever make. A decision that will bring you more happiness or more misery than anything else! Remember this:

1. It is your choice. Elder McConkie said this, “It is up to you NOT the angels in heaven to choose for you.” God gave you a brain so use it!

2. Don’t wait too long. If you do, you will be looking for Mr. or Mrs. Perfect and he or she does not exist.

3. Hopefully, you will choose someone who has done something hard. You see, character does count. When things don’t go well in your marriage, if there is no character it will be easy to run.
4. Sister Smith added this to my list: “Choose a spouse who could raise a disabled child if needed.”

5. The best indication of the future is the past!

6. Most of you know what a “twinkie” is; a soft pastry, beautiful on the outside, but when you take a bite there’s nothing but air! Don’t marry a “twinkie”!

7. Lastly, whether you are married or dating, be kind and gentle to each other. Express your appreciation and love often.

I now want to discuss number two on President Mckay’s list: accountability for each child individually. You will be raising children who, as missionaries, will take the gospel to a world you have never known, a wicked world.

Some thoughts for your children:

1. Love them and show it. I was raised by a step­father who taught me how to work. He was not unkind to me but never hugged me or showed love. I loved him but wished I would have been shown some affection.

2. Give your children your time. That is what they really want!

3. As you teach them to work, give them responsibilities. TRUST THEM! The best missionaries I served with were the ones whose parents gave them responsibilities. Some missionaries came to the mission field knowing only how to play video games and one never even knew how to ride a bike. One of my assistants described his second companion as having an intense interest in science fiction and his head was full of useless information.

4. Cherish your children for what they are, not what you want them to be.

Now on to number three on President McKay’s list: what have you done with your talents you were given in the pre-­mortal world? We were told by prophets that before coming to earth, we lived millions of years in our Father’s presence. We had free agency there. We made choices. In so doing, we developed different talents and capacities. Elder McConkie said this about our pre­-earth life: “The blood of Israel, you and I are endowed with special spiritual talents or gifts that are not earned as far as this life is concerned. They are talents earned and acquired in the pre­-existence, and at birth into mortality, they are given of God to those he fore­ordained to be his ministers.”

Most of the talents and gifts that were given to us are to bless the whole human family. How are you doing with this one? Are you like the parable states, multiplying your talents given to you? Or are you like the servant who buried his one talent in the earth?

Let me speak for just a minute on allotment that Alma speaks of in Alma 27. Alma says that we should be content with our allotment. President Henry D. Moyle made this comment about our allotment, “We unquestionably knew before we elected to come to this earth the conditions under which we would exist, live, and work. I have a conviction deep down in my heart that we are exactly what we should be…each one of us, except as we may have altered that pattern by deviating from the ‘laws of God’ here in mortality. I have convinced myself that we all have those particular attributes, characteristics, and abilities which are essential for us to possess in order that we may fulfill the full purpose of our creation here on earth.”

Some refuse to use their talents in God’s cause. Some enormously talented individuals spend their time doing things that do not build the kingdom. I had a friend, since passed away, a great athlete, good student, served a mission, completed college, married a beautiful worthy girl, and had an incredibly successful business. Millions of dollars were his and he rose to high civic responsibilities. He had talent, charisma, and knowledge. He chose to have little to do with the church, and his poor example affected his wife and his talented children. What a force for good he could have been, but the world got in his way. I hope he is doing better in the world of spirits!

Number four on President McKay’s list: “he will want a summary of your activity in your church assignments, including how you were of service to your fellowman.” I love what Elder Boyd K. Packer said, “power in the Priesthood comes from doing your duty in ordinary things i.e.: attending meetings, accepting assignments, reading the scriptures, and keeping the word of wisdom.”

Want to know how to ALWAYS stay active in the church?

1. Pay your tithing. Very few who do so fall into inactivity.
2. Always do what you are asked to do by the Bishop or Branch President.
3. Know your calling is from God.
4. Read the scriptures and pray. The scriptures, prayerfully read, over the years will change your life like nothing else. I have a testimony of that.
5. Know that ALL roads in the church lead to the Temple. Go there to feel the peace of God. Go there to claim your blessings that the faithful are promised.
6. Follow the prophet.

Number five on President McKay’s list: “he will have no interest in how you earned your living, but were you honest in your dealings.” There is so much I could say about honesty, fairness, and avoiding sharp practices. I will leave that for another day. When I think of honesty, I think of my friend Oscar Wegner, now deceased. Let me tell you a story about him:

When I was with Brother Wegner, I always felt that I was in the presence of an elect man, one the Lord loved. At his funeral, his son Hart recounted his father’s experience:

During World War II, the Wegner family was living in Breslau, East Germany, actually Silesia, at the time. They were members of the church. The Soviet armies were rapidly approaching and Brother Wegner made the decision to leave, which was an inspired decision. Many members of the church did not leave and they were subsequently destroyed along with their homes. He was the chief financial officer of a corporation. The money of the corporation and the food ration cards for its employees stayed behind in the safe when they fled, simply because it was not his to take! When the very structure of our nation crumbled, it was plain for everyone to see in late January 1945 that Germany would not survive. My father, (reports his son) made a house payment on the day before we fled, never to return, simply because the payment was due.”

After finally getting to West Germany, having escaped East Germany under the most trying of circumstances, (Hart recounts an incredible tale of escape) he applied for immigration to America. Their names were placed on a long list. His son further recounts that when their names reached the top and they could have the long awaited immigration visas, his father, at 57 years of age, accepted a call to serve a mission. His sense of honesty would not allow him to ask for an early release, which he surely would have received. He had promised to serve the Lord for two years and two years the Lord should have. Oscar Wegner is what I think of when I think of honesty and integrity. Would I do the same? Would you?

The last question on President McKay’s list: “he will ask what you have done to contribute positively to your community, state and world.”

You and I are children of the covenant. We have a responsibility to bless all of God’s children. There are many worthwhile organizations doing a great deal of good right here in Oahu. Today, select an organization that you can volunteer to serve on. The project may be large or small. Do something!

This week, you have the “Choose To Give Campaign” right here on campus. The goal for this campaign is to encourage “student-giving”, no matter how large or small the donation. Why not give towards a scholarship that can help someone just like you? Give $.10 or give $1.00, it doesn’t matter…just give. Learn now to always be in the ‘act of giving’ of your testimony, time, talents, and treasure. I promise you blessings will be yours.

Elder Neal A. Maxwell said, “The submission of one’s will…is really the only uniquely personal thing we have to place on God’s altar. The many other things we ‘give’ are actually the things He has already given or loaned to us. However, when we finally submit ourselves, by letting our individual wills be swallowed up in God’s will, we will really be giving something to Him! It is the only possession which is truly ours to give.” ( Neal A. Maxwell, If Thou Edure It Well, 54)

We have been cautioned:

1. To serve in the spirit of service, no strings attached. Service is certainly not just another way to proselyte or promote our own interest.
2. Don’t take over. That is a real fear when Mormons get involved.
3. Some can help financially, but the truest of our efforts are TIME, TALENTS and EFFORT!

I have a testimony of this work. Many years ago, I served on the advisory board for Salvation Army, one of the world’s largest providers of social aid to the poor, destitute, and hungry. I am deeply impressed by the goodness of these wonderful men and women who get their hands dirty rendering service to our Heavenly Father’s children. I respect them for all they do. It is a selfless service; truly a labor of love.

Today is election day in the United States. Are you doing anything to help the candidates that reflect your values? As many of you are students from other countries, what are you doing to stay abreast with governmental issues in your home country? Let’s all get involved as much as we can.

In closing, thank you for allowing me to be with you this morning on this beautiful campus. May the Lord bless you and keep you. This is the Lord’s work. May we be found anxiously engaged by strengthening our faith and testimonies, listening to the promptings of the Holy Ghost, and working on being anxiously engaged in our earthly responsibilities.

How Do I Love Thee? Elder Holland

Jesus Christ - His Hands

What has His hands done for you today?

The Fence: Which Side of the Fence are You on?

You can’t get any more accurate than this!

If you ever wondered which side of the fence you sit on, this is a great test!

If a Republican doesn't like guns, he doesn’t buy one.
If a Democrat doesn't like guns, he wants all guns outlawed.

If a Republican is a vegetarian, he doesn’t eat meat.
If a Democrat is a vegetarian, he wants all meat products banned for everyone.

If a Republican is homosexual, he quietly leads his life.
If a Democrat is homosexual, he demands legislated respect.

If a Republican is down-and-out, he thinks about how to better his situation.
A Democrat wonders who is going to take care of him.

If a Republican doesn't like a talk show host, he switches channels.
Democrats’ demand that those they don't like be shut down.

If a Republican is a non-believer, he doesn't go to church.
A Democrat non-believer wants any mention of God and religion silenced.

If a Republican decides he needs health care, he goes about shopping for it, or may choose a job that provides it.
A Democrat demands that the rest of us pay for his.

If a Republican reads this, he'll forward it so his friends can have a good laugh.
A Democrat will delete it because he's "offended".

So the question again, "Which side of the fence are you on?

Author: Unknown

The Race: Life's Greatest Lesson

"Quit, give up, you're beaten"
They shout at you and plead
"There's just too much against you
This time you can't succeed".

And as I start to hang my head
In front of failures face
My downward fall is broken by
The memory of a race

And hope refills my weakened will
As I recall that scene
Or just the thought of that short race
Rejuvenates my being

Childrens race, young boys
Young men, how I remember well
Excitement sure, but also fear
It wasn't hard to tell

They all lined up so full of hope
Each thought to win that race
Or tie for first, or if not that
At least take second place

The fathers watched from off the side
Each cheering for his son
And each boy hoped to show his dad
That he could be the one

The whistle blew and off they went
Young hearts and hopes afire
To win and be the hero there
Was each young boys desire

And one boy in particular
Whose dad was in the crowd
Was running near the lead and thought
"My dad will be so proud"

But as they speeded down the field
Across a shallow dip
The little boy who thought to win
Lost his step and slipped

Trying hard to catch himself
With hands flew out to brace
And amid the laughter of the crowd
He fell flat on his face

But as he fell his dad stood up
And showed his anxious face
Which to the boy so clearly said
"Get up and win the race"

He quickly rose, no damage done
Behind a bit that's all
And ran with all his night and mind
To make up for the fall

So anxious to restore himself
To catch up and to win
His mind went faster than his legs
He slipped and fell again

He wised then that he had quit before
With only one disgrace
"I'm hopeless as a runner now
I shouldn't try to race"

But in the laughing crowd he searched
And found his fathers face
That steady look which said again
"Get up and win the race"

So up he jumped to try again
Ten yards behind the last
If I'm going to gain those yards he though
I've got to move real fast

Exerting everything he had
He regained eight or ten
But trying hard to catch the lead
He slipped and fell again

Defeat, he lay there silently
A tear dropped from his eye
There's no sense running anymore
Three strikes, I'm out, why try?

The will to rise had disappeared
All hope had fled away
So far behind so error prone
A loser all the way

"I've lost, so what", he thought
I'll live with my disgrace
But then he thought about his dad
Whom soon he'd have to face

"Get up" the echo sounded low
"Get up" and take your place
You were not meant for failure here
"Get up", and win the race

With borrowed will "Get up" it said
"You haven't lost at all"
For winning is no more than this
To rise each time you fall

So up he rose to run once more
And with a new commit
He resolved, that win or lose
At least he shouldn't quit

So far behind the others now
The most he'd ever been
Still he'd give it all he had
And run as though to win

Three times he'd fallen, stumbling
Three times he'd rose again
Too far behind to hope to win
He still ran to the end

They cheered the winning runner
As he crossed the line first place
Head high and proud and happy
No falling, no disgrace

But when the fallen youngster
Crossed the line, last place
The crowd gave him the greater cheer
For finishing the race

And even though he came in last
With head bent low, unproud
You would have thought he'd won the race
To listen to the crowd

And to his dad he sadly said
"I didn't do too well"
"To me you won", his father said
"You rose each time you fell"

Author: D. H. Groberg

"No matter how long it takes, if you keep moving, one step at a time, you will reach the finish line." Unknown

10 Facts About Life

1. No life isn't always (as in usually isn't) fair.
2. No matter what people say, deep down they really do care what you think about them.
3. Anger is a secondary emotion and is usually covering something else up.
4. Tears are the words the heart can't say. The strongest people aren't ashamed or afraid to speak that language.
5. The world may be evil, but the world itself is bautiful.
6. There is nothing so valuable or more special in life than a true friend
7. Sometimes the worlds taht are the hardes to say are the ones taht should be said the loudest.
8. Your family really does love you and want the best for you.
9. Every story ends with "Happily Ever After." And if you're not happy, then it's not the end.
10. Tomorrow is a new day, and yes, the sun will come out in the morning. It will stare you in the face and if you let it, will make you smile and fill you with hope.
    

Jessica Harrison

On Valentines Day

An old man got on a bus one February 14th, carrying a dozen roses. He sat beside a young man. The young man looked at the roses and said, "Somebody's going to get a beautiful Valentine's Day gift."

"Yes," said the old man.

A few minutes went by and the old man noticed that his young companion was staring at the roses. "Do you have a girlfriend?" the old man asked.

"I do," said the young man."I'm going to see her right now, and I'm going to give her this Valentine's Day card."

They rode in silence for another 10 minutes, and then the old man got up to get off the bus. As he stepped out into the aisle, he suddenly placed the roses on the young man's lap and said, "I think my wife would want you to have these. I'll tell her that I gave them to you."

He left the bus quickly. As the bus pulled away, the young man turned to see the old man enter the gates of a cemetery.

Unknown

Some Things We Keep

I grew up in the forties and fifties with practical parents - a Mother who washed aluminum foil after she cooked in it, then reused it. A Father who was happier getting old shoes fixed than buying new ones. Their marriage was good, their dreams focused. I can see them now, Dad in trousers, tee shirt and a hat and Mom in a house dress, lawn mower in one hand, dishtowel in the other. It was the time for fixing things - a curtain rod, the kitchen radio, screen door, the oven door, the hem in a dress. Things we keep. It was a way of life, and sometimes it made me crazy. All that re-fixing, reheating, renewing, I wanted just once to be wasteful. Waste meant affluence. Throwing things away meant there'd always be more. But then my Mother died, and on that clear summer's night, in the warmth of the hospital room, I was struck with the pain of learning that sometimes there isn't any 'more'. Sometimes, what we care about most gets all used up and goes away.....never to return. So, while we have it, it's best we love it and care for it..... and fix it when it's broken.....and heal it when it's sick. This is true for old cars..... and children with bad report cards.....and dogs with bad hips.....and aging parents .....and grandparents...and marriage. We keep them because they are worth it, because we are worth it. Some things we keep.

Unknown

Would You Want Her Back?

I'm very neat. My wife is messy - never picks anything up. Doesn't even notice the mess - it's below her radar. I curedmyself from my annoyance with her by imagining that she had died and then asking myself, "If you could bring her back to life but she'd still be messy, leave clutter all over the house - 5 pairs of shoes in theliving room, would you still want her back?" "Yes, for sure!" And, it cured me. Whenever I get annoyed with her mess, I rerun the script.

Sam Bradley, "Marriage Makeover" workshop Smart Marriages Conference

Even if it is Difficult, Find the Positive: A Letter to Diane

Diane, A woman in my online group was being very negative about her husband and the group leader told her to try to think of some positives, even if it were difficult. This is what she came up with. I thought it was touching. I just wanted you to see it.
- - - - - - - - -
H was very helpful in the kitchen. He usually got home from work around 3 PM, and he usually made dinner for the family. I don't get home until around 5 PM. He did all the yard work, took care of all car maintenance, always called me if he was going to be late, instilled complete trust, did the lion's share of bill paying because I hate to write due to carpal tunnel syndrome, balanced the checkbook, fixed the toilet when it would break (regularly), painted the outside of the house. He usually remembered to put the toilet seat and lid down. He vacuumedoccasionally. He spent lots of time with the kids. He bought adventcalendars with chocolate behind each day for the kids every Christmasseason. He laughed and joked a lot, and didn't like to be serious. He toldme when I looked good. He learned to enjoy horses because our girls and Iloved to ride. He was willing to try new dishes I prepared. He loved my lasagna. He went to church with the family every Sunday, even though he had trouble staying awake during preaching. Although he doesn't like classical music, he went to almost every concert our daughters played in when they were in youthsymphony (4 years for one and 6 years for the other). He held my hand through 3 labors and deliveries, and whispered in my ear to encourage me. He lovingly dressed an open wound for me after surgery for a breast abscess after the birth of our 3rd. Four years later, he stood beside my bed as I was being wheeled to surgery to remove a breast due to cancer, and tears filled his eyes as they did mine. That was in 1989. He walked the floor for hours at night with a sleepless, cranky child. Hespooned cereal and baby food into little mouths, and endured spit-up andbaby poop on his clothing. He helped me take care of my mother as she wasdying of cancer.

Is this what you mean, JJ? It was difficult to get started, but look what Iaccomplished! I also have a huge lump in my throat and tears in my eyesright now. He was a fantastic husband! My sister told me he "adored" me, and I guess that's correct for a lot of the 26 years we have been married.

Unknown

A Grandfather Talking at his Granddaughter’s Wedding

A grandfather talking at his granddaughter’s wedding about the experience of losing a spouse:
People imagine that losing a loved one works kind of like missing cigarettes.The first day is really hard and the next day is less hard and so forth, easier and easier the longer you go on. But instead it’s like missing water. Every day, you notice the person’s absence more.

Anne Tyler, Back When We Were Grownups

WHAT CANCER cannot DO

CANCER cannot
CRIPPLE LOVE,
IT ACTUALLY
MAKES IT OVERFLOW.

CANCER cannot
SHATTER HOPE,
IT ACTUALLY CLARIFIES
WHAT HOPE IS FOR.

CANCER cannot
CORRODES FAITH,
IT ACTUALLY
STREGTHENS FAITH'S
CONVICTIONS.

CANCER cannot
CONQUER THE SPIRIT
BECAUSE COURAGE FACES
CANCER'S AFFLICTION

AUTHOR:UNKNOWN

The Greatest Irony of Love

Loving the right person at the wrong time,
having the wrong person when the time is right
and finding out you love someone
right after that person walks out of your life.
And sometimes, you think you’re already over a person,
but when you see them smile at you,
you’ll suddenly realize that you’re just pretending to be over them
just to ease the pain of knowing that they will never be yours again.
For some, they think that letting go
is one way of expressing how much you love the person.
In my opinion, some are afraid to see the one they love
being held by someone else.
Most relationships tend to fail
not because the absence of love.
Love is always present.
it’s just that one was being loved too much
and the other was being loved too little.
As we all know that the heart is the center of the body
but it beats on the left.
Maybe that’s the reason why the heart is not always right.
most often, we fall in love with the person we think we love
but to only discover that for them,we are just for past times.
While the one who truly loves us
remains either a friend or a stranger.
so here’s a piece of advice:
Let go when you’re hurting too much.
give up when love isn’t enough,
and move on when things are not like before.
For sure, there is someone out there who will love you even more.

Author: Unknown

Surround Yourself with Greatness by Chad Lewis, 2009

Kurt got a Job

I know this might be kind of weird for me to blog about my twin brother getting a new job, but I am so excited for him. He may not know how much time I have spent trying to help him find a job or how much I have prayed or put his name in the temple for him to get a "real" career oriented job, but I haved spent some time. I love my brother so much! He has taught me what it truly mean to be patient and hardworking at the same time. He took on two dead end jobs and worked, many weeks over 50 hours to provide what he could for him and his wife.



I had signed up for job postings from the state of Idaho to be sent to my email inbox in hopes of finding myself a better job. I decided that i might as well also get the postings for video and media so that if there was a job opening I could send it to Kurt. I recieved a job posting that I thought Kurt should look at in Idaho Falls. It would have been great to have him close by. Unfortunately he did not qualify for the job. I few weeks or days later, I can't remember, I saw another job posting in a city in Idaho that is about 3 hours away with roughly the same job description. I sent him that post. At this point, Kurt had signed up for the job postings to go to his inbox so he already saw the posting. He made some minor corrections to his application and recieved a near perfect score, a few weeks later he got a job offer and took the job. I am so relieved and I am sure him and his wife are too, to be able to have a "real" job.



I look forward to when I get out of school in a few years and can get a "real" job too.



The reason I write about this situation is because I feel that I have learned so much about patience, prayer, and waiting on the Lord's time. What a great example my brother has always been to me. I feel a closeness to him at times like this when, unknown to him he is one of my greatest teachers.

Masters Degree

I have started an online masters program in Human Service from Capella University. School is sometimes hard, but is very rewarding. I have never done so well in my whole school career as I have done in my masters program. I only take one class at a time so that I can work and be somewhat social too. Because of this, I have only taken three classes and will not graduate until December 2012. My classes are each 10 weeks long with a three week break between classes. I love the way my schooling is set up. I work hard in school for for 10 weeks and get to take sometime for myself for a few weeks. Most of you know how much and how long I have not really enjoyed school. It was a big step for me to decided to get my undergraduate degree. I never throught that I would ever consider going on for a Masters degree. Because of the economy and the job market, I found that I would not be able to get a career job if I did not continue school. It was another big step for me to finally decide to continue on with a masters. Here I am, 25% done with my masters, what a great feeling that is for me and motivates me to continue my schooling. I do have to say that I have family, friends, work associates, and college teachers who have and are a continual support in helping to get through school. I can not thanks them all by name, some of you have a good sense of who you are.

Idaho Falls--Westside Apartment

So it has been almost a year since I had done anything with my blog. Since then I have moved from one side of Idaho Falls to the other side. I live about a mile or so from the Holland family and enjoy seeing them on a regular basis. I have made a little home within my two bedroom apartment. I am still employed at a local grocery store, which I absolutely enjoy working at. The wage is not that great, but the people I work with are awesome!

Idaho Falls Apartment

I tried to send this video in an email, but it was too big to send. Most of you would not like it anyways if I filled your inbox up.

Gosh it has been a few months

I have not posted since I graduated from BYU-I. It took me about 6 weeks to find a job. I ended up going to work at Broulim's in Rigby. I love working there! I currently only get about 15 to 20 hours a week. I hope this changes in the next week or so, when I hope to be starting a new position there in addition to my position as a checker. There is talk about me starting to do some of the price accuracy and scanning for the store. As some may recall I was instrumental in setting up and maintaining the scanning system for Steve and Lynne Anderson in Big Sky. I am looking forward to getting back into the scanning department and helping out where I can. I took the GRE last week and got a 390 on the Verbal and 530 in the Quantitative. We will have to wait and see what my written scores are. I should know in the next week or so. I am glad that the GRE is done. I am now studying to get my Amateur Radio Operators license. As of a few weeks ago, I was accepted to Capella University to do a Master in their Human Service major with an emphasis in General Counseling. I am excited but nervous at the same time. I always am nervous about starting school again. when I finally get into it, I do just fine. I am also hoping to move back to Rexburg in January. I hope everything works out on that front.
I am grateful that I am able to go visit Randal and Stefanie on a regular basis. I get to see Nic, Kari, and Elise on an almost daily basis. I am grateful for all they do for me and all that I am able to do for them. I love watching Elise developing. She now walks on her own with out any supporting help. I love to see her face when I walk in the house. I find great joy in her knowing who I am.

After Graduation....... Then What?

I was not expecting the full-time job a fell into when I graduated with my Bachelors degree. I think of what some might say about coming out of the "Honeymoon" phase. After the honeymoon is over you have to open your eyes get off cloud nine and come back to the realities of life. When all was said and done, Kurt and Katrina moved and Dad went home, the party was over. Now what.... time to get to work finding a "real" job. Now I do have to say that I had spent a lot of time during the last few months filling out applications, getting interview, being turned down for jobs and the like. I had to get back to what became a full-time job of looking for a job. I have spent the last two weeks hour after hour filling out more than 70+ applications, taking a few job interviews. The last couple of day's I have ressorted to going to a bunch of temp agencies to fill out application in an attempt to get a temporary job. I have a few hopeful opportunities coming up in the next few weeks. I have followed up with Smith's Food & Drug about a management postion there. I will know more about that on the 21st of August. I am going to a 4 to 6 hour class next Wednesday to become a certified flagger for some of the road crews in the area. I am also looking into becoming CPR and AED certified.

More Graduation Pictures!

A graduation present from some of my friends at college. From left to right-- Daniel Woodfield (my roommate), Erica (one of my roommates girlfriend's), me, and Courtney Lambert (one of Daniel's friend's). I met and became friend's with Daniel, Erica, and Courtney this past semester.
The gift in the picture is not what you might first think. I happens to be a book on dating. Who knew I love those types of books. If you want a good story ask Dad to tell you the story about this bag. Thanks to Erica and Courtney who kept our apartment clean for the most part the whole semester.

Another one of my BIGGEST supporters, my Dad, who has been a major support to me not only through my college career, but since day one, literally. I could not have asked for a better graduation than to have my Dad come out and spend graduation week with me, some of my siblings, their spouses, and my little neice Elise. It was too bad that Mom could not make it out, but she was certainly here in spirit. When I did not think I could do it, my Dad was there to let me know I could do it. Thank you Dad for all your encouragement through the years. Through a bachelors degree, now onto the next hurdle or a master degree!

Graduation Day

Stefanie has been one of my biggest supports through my college career. She hs proofread countless papers has been someone I have been able to come to when I needed help with almost anything. After graduating in April 2008, Stefanie waited for her husband Randal to gradute.



I graduated, finally! With diploma cover (no diploma, yet) in hand I am ready to take the world on with both hands. The diploma will be sent upon finally scrutinizing of the grades. I am 100% I will do just fine. This would not be a standard Moser picture, if someone was not in the way. My Dad took the picture. The arm you see on the right side of the picture is Stefanie's arm. She is probably taking a picture of her hunk graduate Randal who is right behind me in the picture.

Kiel inbetween two Flamm graduate brothers, Andrew and Randal.

This is not the best picture. Any picture that is taken when the sun is out makes me have a squinty face. I hope my face does not freezee that way. It would be an unfortunate event in that case. Good thing it was warm out on graduation day.

Picture Time

Three out of four graduates in our family are pictured here. From left to right Anndrew Flamm (Randal's brother Andrew), Randal Flamm (my sister Stefanie's husband), Me (Kiel), and Katrina Moser (my twin brother's wife).

Let's Have a Little Contest

I am looking for a fun, creative name for my blog title. If you think of one, post it under comments. If I use you idea, you get a prize.

I guess I got busy and did not keep up very well.

In the end, I got done with Dr. Vincent, my Neurologist as was mentioned in the last post. I was sent back to Dr. Rigby to get fitted for an amplification device. Currently, I have been wearing the device for about two weeks now. I went in to have it configured a little better today. It will take some getting used to.

Dr. Steven Vincent, Neurologist, 3nd and Hopefully Final Appointment!

I went to see Dr. Vincent yesterday for another follow- up visit for my hearing loss. It has been determined that there is no medical cause for my hearing loss. There is a medical term for it but I can't exactly remember the term. The term starts out sounding like "IDIOT". What is that saying about me?
I am being sent back to Dr. Rigby to have a consultation for a amplification device. My appointment is for Monday, June 1st, 2009.

I am off the Diet

I went and saw Dr. Miller and he told me there was no reason to be on a diet because it has not changed my hearing at all for better or for worse. I am now going to be setting up an appointment with Dr. Rigby to get fitted for an amplification device (hearing aid).

Blood Work Update!

Today, I found out the exact number of viles that were taken to try to determine the cause of my hearing loss. I told several people I thought the number of viles were between 10 and 15. That was an educated guess. I was wrong. it was more than 15! Are you ready for the number of viles taken from my veins in probably less than 5 minutes? The magic number is 19 viles of blood.

Dr. Steven Vincent, Neurologist, 2nd Appointment

Monday, April 20, 2009 I went to Dr. Vincent for a follow-up appointment because all my blood work had finally come back. Out of all the blood work that have come back there were only two concerns. One test showed I am deficient in B-12, which I was ordered to make sure I am taking a multivitamin each day, something I had been neglecting for the past several months. I had the multivitamin, but I always forgot to take it because it was hidden in the cupboard, not out in the open where I would see it. I have solved that problem by putting both the multivitamin and the B-12 supplement on my desk so I will see them. The B-12 is apparently to help keep my brain from shrinking anymore than it has, or something like that. Dr. Vincent has put me on a gluten-free diet for a month to see if that takes care of the problem of my hearing loss. He thinks I may be in the beginning stages of Celiac's Disease. I am not sure how he is coming up with this diagnosis, but I guess I will try it out of a month and then go back for a blood test to see if that can point us in an direction. I have also scheduled an appointment for about two months from now to see Dr. Vincent have a blood test run for my B-12 deficiency.

These appointments for those who want to know are on:

May 28 at 1:15 MST for a blood test for Celiac's Disease
June 22 at 1:45 MST for a blood test for my B-12 deficiency

So I will sit tight until then and see if this gluten-free diet does anything to increase my hearing.

Dr. Steven Vincent, Neurologist, 1st Appointment

Today is April 9th, 2009. I had my appointment with Dr. Vincent a Neurologist in Idaho Falls. Dr. Vincent has been practicing Neurology for over 20 years and was very nice to me. Kari, who came with me helped out a lot with being there and supporting me. What an angel she is. I was asked a lot of questions about many different things. Dr. Vincent looked the MRI, of the hundreds of pictures of my brain. He showed me some of the pictures that may be of concern and some of interest. He told me that I probably had a not only a stroke when I was born but, Dr. Vincent thinks that I may have had a small stroke at some point in my younger years.

After we talked for awhile, Dr. Vincent wrote up a battery of blood work that he felt needed to be done to come up with what the problem is that is causing my hearing loss.

Kari and I went over to EIRMC (Eastern Idaho Regional Medical Center) to have the blood work done. I did not realize how much blood was going to be taken until I was sitting in the chair and the nurse was taking out many vile's getting them ready for the blood to be drawn. I kid you not, there must have been between 10-15 vile's that were being set up to have my blood put into them. You should have seen the list of test the nurse had in her hand of tests that needed to be done! it was a long "shopping list". The nurse said the worst past for me was to have to give up my blood and the worst part for her is that she had to write information on labels to stick to all those vile's. Before Kari and I left, the nurse was sitting at the check-in window and filling out all the labels with the vile full of blood on the counter. Kari was amazed at amount of vile's sitting on the desk.

So, again, we just will wait to see what comes of these blood tests. It may be a few days for some tests and a few weeks for other tests. Dr. Vincent will call me and set up another appointment when he has a better idea of what may be going on.

The journey continues.

Referral to Dr. Steven Vincent, Neurologist

Today, being April 6, 2009, I called the nurse at Dr. McMaster's office (Ear, Nose, and Throat specialist) and was told that Dr. McMaster had looked at the MRI and read the Radiologist report. Apparently whatever is wrong is out of Dr. McMasters scope of things to take care of. I have now been refereed to Dr. Steven Vincent, a Neurologist in Idaho Falls. I have an appointment with him on April 9, 2009 at 9:15am.

Here is a part of an email that I sent to Dad concerning the matter:

I guess I get to go see another doctor next week. I supposed this will be the last step because what doctor can you send me to after you send me to a neurologist. I went into get the paperwork I needed to take with me to the Neurologist. I did not get any of the information I needed! They only photocopied the paper work I had brought with me from the Audiologist. So, I will be going back tomorrow to get the stuff I need. I have a copy of the brain MRI on a CD, but have no clue what they are looking at besides my brain. I guess that is why I am not a doctor. So, just to clarify I don't have Acoustic Neuroma. I have congenital something or other. I have the report, but am unable to make any sense of it.

Kari is going to go with me to my appointment on the 14th, so that helps me out a little bit. I am a little scared because I have not really got an answer yet as to what is going on. I can tell you that whatever it is, is not what was expected and I am wondering how this will relate to my hearing loss. This is a test of my faith for sure. It is a test I can take obviously, because I will not be given anything I can't handle. I may not think I can handle it, but the Lord knows I can, and that is what I am hanging onto.

I hate being up in the air with this medical thing because, I am not sure if there is something that will need to be done right away that will keep me out of school for the semester or if I will be able to wait to have something done if necessary. I know I should not worry about it quite yet, because I have no clue what is going on. But it is nerve racking at times. I keep praying and reading my scriptures.

Brain MRI

I went ahead and set up an MRI for March 26, 2009. Kari went with me to the MRI appointment, that was a great help to as I was very nervous about this. Kari was a big support to me, I love her for that. Elise was also my little cheerleader to her favorite Uncle Kiel. The MRI was not half as bad as I imagined it to be. I got was put on the hard plastic table, they put a cushion under my legs to help me be comfortable, which I appreciated. They then put this plastic helmet on my head and strapped my head down to help if from moving around. Most of the way through they pulled me out to give me a contrast. For those who are not familiar with what a contrast is, from my understanding a contrast it a drug or solution they put in your vein via a shot. the contrast is supposed to light up the fluid surrounding the brain so the MRI can get a better picture. The MRI technician was not very gentle in my opinion, while giving me the shot. I has my eyes closed because I don't like to see needles sticking in me. It felt like he left the needle in me while walking away to get gauze and some tape. I was then put back in the MRI machine and had a few more x-rays. The MRI machine was loud. I am almost deaf in one ear, and I thought it was loud. I survived that part of the journey.

Stay tune for the diagnosis of the MRI.

Dr. Jay McMaster, Ear, Nose, and Throat Specialist

On March 24, 2009, I went to see Dr. Jay McMaster who is an Ear, Nose, and Throat Specialist in in regard to my loss of hearing. Dr. McMaster checked me out and told me to get an MRI. The condition that Dr. McMaster thinks that I have is called Acoustic Neuroma. Think about what that means..... Sound in the brain! Cool, Huh! I was not really sure what Acoustic Neuroma was so I went to the Internet.

To learn more go to: http://www.anausa.org/

At the request of Dr. Rigby, I was supposed to get an MRI of my head before going to see Dr. McMaster. Dr. Miller advised me to go see Dr. McMaster and see what Dr. McMaster advised. So that is what i did.

Dr. Travis Rigby, Audiologist

Dr. Travis Rigby is audiologist at the Regional Hearing & Balance Center here in Rexburg. I was able to get into see Dr. Rigby on February 26, 2009. Dr. Rigby did some hearing tests and found that i had a significant loss of hearing in my right ear. I then got a referral from Dr. Rigby to see a Ear, Nose, and Throat Specialist, Dr. Jay McMaster.

Dr. Jed Miller, Primary Physican

It all started on February 12, 2009.

I went to see Dr. Jed Miller for results for other things. While I was there, I told him I was having an increasing harder time hearing out of my right ear. He had me go to his nurse to get a referral to see Dr. Travis Rigby an audiologist at the Regional Hearing & Balance Center here in Rexburg.

"All Is Safely Gathered In" - Home and Family Conference 2009

The Home and Family Conference was hold this past Saturday, March 21, 2009. I went to four different one-hour classes. The classes I went to were Staying Connected, Simple Home Repair, A Credit class, and an Emergency Preparedness class. My favorite class was the Emergency Preparedness class. If anyone would like information on any of these classes, I would be happy to share it with you.

My Phone Has Been Returned

I got my phone back on Friday afternoon. I apparently lost it in the library and it went to the Lost and Found office on Friday morning. On a whim, I decided to check the Lost and Found office even through they had not contacted me. When I got there, They had the phone waiting for me. I was so glad to get it back.

I lost my phone

For any of you in the family who might try to get a hold of me in the next few days, will not be able to because I have lost my phone. If you need to get a hold of me you can call Kurt's phone and he will email me and give me the message. You may also try to call Mack and Connie;s phone too. If you happen to get a call from my phone and it is not me on the other end find out who the caller is and where I can pick up the phone. Then email me ASAP or call the aforementioned siblings to give me the message.

Many Decisions in the Near Future

Some of the decisions that I am having to think about this point in my college career is Where do I want to live when I graduate in July of 2009? and where am I going to get a job when I graduate?

Another thing I have been thinking about lately is that I want to go back to school and get another bachelors degree. My reasoning is this:

I feel that I will be more marketable in the future if I have a degree that is geared towards a specific career path. I will be graduating in July 2009 with a Bachelor's in University Studies. This means for me, I have part of a degree in Business Management and part in the Marriage, Home, and Family department. What I am feeling is I need to go back to school to get a better foundation under me. I am looking at several school trying to feel them out to narrow down to a few schools to go to. I am hoping to get into the University of Utah to study Family Life and Human Development. While there I will be able to concurrently become a Certified Family Life Educator (CFLE). This certification is one that is very exciting to me. I am also then going to go to school for a Masters in Human Development. Most of my Marriage, Home, and Family classes should transfer to the University of Utah, we will see.

Finally the moment you have been waiting for

I finally got around to putting something on my blog!

The big new is I am more than halfway through my second to last semester of my college career at Brigham Young Univeristy-Idaho (BYU-I). I am doing very well in all my classes, with all A's and B's, which have never happend in my whole school career thus far. I am really enjoying all my classes, which is also a bonus, for those who know me, know that school is not a strong point of mine.

I started college at BYU-I in the winter of 2005. I started out as a Business Management major. In the summer of 2007 I graduated with my Associates degree in General Studies. I continued working my my bachelors degree. In the Winter of 2008 I found that Business Management was not for me. I took the winter semester off to regroup myself and figure out what I want to pursue. I came back to BYU-I in the summer of 2008. It was during my time away from school in the winter that I decided to switch my major to University Studies. With this major I could take pieces of different majors and make them into my own major. I had done a lot with Business Management, I decided to use those credits and have a minor in Business Management. I also decided that I wanted to do some course work in the Marriage, Home and Family department. I decided to minor in Marriage and Family Studies and do a cluster (half a minor) in Home and Family Studies. I have been happy with my classes since I started this new journey this past semester. I find that I enjoy going to class each day. I enjoy learning about. I am so glad that I have found a subject that I enjoy learning and am able to apply to my own life. I look forward to helping people to better their lives and better the lives of their family units.