In with the new.

It's really beginning to hit me hard that in the span of just a few months, I will be gone for 2 years. This, in no way, is a negative feeling. In fact, the excitement has the potential of keeping me up at night, and I'm sure that it will the closer I get.

I have been told for the last several years how I am an example to many people around me. It even mentions it very boldly in my patriarchal blessing. That I have a great influence on people when it comes to choosing the right, or going down a not so certain path. I am not bragging about this gift, because sometimes it can feel like a curse. In fact, a burden is sometimes put on my shoulders when I think of those I have lead astray in those times in my life when I wasn't choosing the right, and holding firmly to the iron rod. But I can't help but be ever thankful, and joyful for the positive impact I have on my friends and those who I come in contact with. The Lord has blessed me so much with gifts that I can use every day of my life, and not just on my mission. I can't wait to leave, but I also have to realize that I am a missionary right now, and I always will be.

Well..I think my remote control helicopter is done charging. Time to annoy my roommate, and maybe leave him some sort of minor wound with the propeller blade.

And to those who remember my helicopter I got for Christmas, and how it broke. Well I got it replaced with the big, $200 one because they didn't have anymore small ones. Score.
Here are some pictures of it.



Lego guys, of course. What fun would a remote control helicopter be without lego guys.


Take-Off.




Booyah!

Mission Papers.

On Sunday, my bishop gave me my account information to fill out my papers online. So that's what I've been doing over the course of three days, and most of it has been finished. Which gets me all the closer to being done with everything. We are investing in a suit this week, and looking for a photographer. After that, I just need my doctors and dentist appointments, and I'm done.

On Saturday, I exchanged gifts with a good friend of which most of you are familiar, Chirelle. It was a late Christmas, but I had told her before that if she had gotten me anything, I would want something for my mission. So she gave me a mission journal, and a little book with over 400 little tidbits of advice. Here are a few examples.
- Say good night to your companion every night.
- Start a rumor about transfers.
- Do something on P-Day that isn't Basketball.
- Instead of asking for Christmas gifts, have your family send gifts to investigators, and new members.
- Get a haircut the day before you enter the MTC because the MTC barbers only have clippers.
- Your mission call is between you and the Lord. Open and read it alone away from friends and family.
- Always carry consecrated oil. (This includes sister missionaries.)
- If you are called to South America, take flea powder.

I thought the last one was quite interesting seeing as that was the only continent it offered specific advice, and one of the places I want to go the most.

On Sunday, I had the first Missionary Prep class of the year. There were three times as many people there as there were last year. It was an awesome experience. Our Stake Presidency was there, and the whole time, we did introductions, and shared stories. One of my junior high and high school buddies was there, Cameron, and I hadn't seen him in a while. I am so proud of that kid. He is such an inspiration. He had just come from a meeting with the stake president where he turned in his papers. He is going to be such an incredible missionary, and I wish I could be his companion.

I am trying to spread my excitement about going on a mission with my friends. And it seems to be a lost cause, but I won't stop trying. I have such a love for the gospel, and our savior. I can't wait to go out and serve with my whole heart. I now have to spread that feeling effectively to those who I am close with. I have been told, by very valuable sources, that I am an example to many. So I am striving to be a positive example to everyone I meet.

Well, those of you who have read this far, I would greatly appreciate the number of anyone you know who is a professional photographer. I am looking to get my pictures taken on Salt Lake Temple grounds.

Thank you family and friends, for being the examples I have needed in my life. I love you all.

100% Prep time.

It's time. In fact, it's past time. I am beginning to fill out my papers this Sunday starting with a bishops meeting. My goal is to send them in on the twenty-eighth of this month. Very very soon. Now I'm finishing the Book of Mormon, studying vigorously in Preach My Gospel. It's all happening so fast.

This time last year, I was on vacation from high school, and the thought of leaving on my mission was not the first thing on my mind. I was very much caught up in the social high school life. Wanting to be with friends, and dating really hot girls. And now that I am filling out my papers to be put in later this month, all of that seems far off in the distance.

I was falling asleep last night, and I looked over at a bright light on my couch. Knowing my roommate, he was probably playing his Nintendo DS. So I told him to go to bed because it was four in the morning and I had to get up and go to work in a few hours. I turned over, and had an immediate soft heart. I sat up, and gently asked "What are you doing?" And he responded, "I'm reading my scriptures. It's my new years resolution." I quickly found out the reason for my immediate soft heart. My roommate was doing more to prepare for his mission than I was, and he was trying not to keep me awake in the process. So I got my scriptures out, and began to read the Testimonies of the three witnesses, eight witnesses, and our prophet Joseph Smith. I am pretty sure that after I was done, I said my prayers. I don't fully remember. After all, it was four in the morning.

I woke up before my alarm went off, I got up well-rested, read more of Joseph Smith's testimony and said my prayers. I got to work fifteen minutes early prepared for the day, and I've had a positive attitude all day. I truly believe that simply reading my scriptures, and saying my prayers greatly bless me with the little things in life.

I was then blessed with two elderly missionaries coming in to pay their phone bill. They brought with them such a strong spirit. I told them about my mission papers going in on the twenty eighth, and their eyes lit up like chirstmas trees. They were so happy to hear that I was serving a mission. The sister (I wish I had gotten their names) had told me that they had requested to go to St George, and to only serve part-time because she had been sick a lot. But they had been called to serve in Salt Lake City doing family history on a full time mission. Because it was what the Lord wanted them to do, they came and they are serving with all their hearts. What wonderful examples.

This is the start of a wonderful year. The year I leave for my mission. The year that I have been looking forward to ever since I was in primary singing songs about going on my mission. I am more excited than I have been in a very long time.

Thank you all for the wonderful examples you've been to me. The incredible spirits you have bring great joy to my life, and the life of many, many others.