So we are already a week into school! How crazy! This semester is going to be awesome though. I am taking two Econ classes, a Spanish phonetics and phonology, a class on the four gospels, and a social dance class. I think this semester is going to be a blast! Apart from the stats for Econ class. But it's going to be great.
Two weeks before classes started we had a week long training for my job! It was a blast but tiring... I am glad we went through it! It helped out a lot. Work is going great and the guys in my building are pretty awesome.
I have a new calling... I am a Sunday School teacher! That is going to be a lot of fun as it reminds me of my misison! :D
I have been dating an AWESOME girl for two months now. She has helped me out a lot in a ton of things and I am pretty happy. :)
It's been a while since I've posted but that's all the updates I have. Except that I got straight A's summer term. Toma! c : Anyways, catch you later!
M-Wat
Monday, September 3, 2012
Thursday, June 21, 2012
Summer Vaca.... I mean term...
So it's been busy. Life has been amazingly great here in Wyview! I am loving every minute of it. It's really laid back, chill and just plain fun. I can even cook and bake! It's awesome! Spring term I only had one roommate and then he had to move out. :( We were an awesome apartment if I do say so myself... we made a good team. And then I had another roommate move in. He's pretty tight too, so I am lucky.
So, with Summer term starting, that means a ton of Freshman moved in. Which means we get to do introductions during Sunday School all over. Yay for BYU wards!! Hahahahaha. Anways.... During the introductions people had to say their name, where they were from, blah blah blah and if and when they were going to serve (or had served) a mission. To my astonishment, there were quite a number of girls that read that last statement and said, "I am not going on a mission, I am getting married." WHAT?!!?!!?!?!!?!?!?!?
As I would recently have been prone to say.... RED FLAG!!!!!!!!
Welcome to BYU freshman girls.... That confirms all the rumors I've heard of husband hunting, but on a larger scale than when I was a Freshman in Fall 2009. Yay!!!! (What do I say to myself? RUN!)
First of all, these are freshly graduated high school girls and second of all, getting married takes a lot of work and experience. You need to get to know yourself, your limits, your strengths, your weaknesses. How in the world are you supposed to be ready to be married at the age of 17 or 18? Granted that was old-fashioned tradition and it usually worked, but we live in a new society with new rules. Men do not rule over their wives... They are equals in decision making and partnership. Let's get over the natural man and its desires and focus on the spiritual and emotional needs a person needs to satisfy before jumping to marriage and the sating of the physical desires. Don't get me wrong; Marriage is sacred and amazing! Let's just be prepared to be married first.
Off my marriage rant. This term has been awesome. I am taking a Volleyball class, a social ballroom class, a religion class of the modern prophets and a Spanish Literature Class. I have been enjoying all of my classes and they are tons of fun! And I love dancing! I am thinking of adding 280 to my schedule next term so I can learn the cool moves! It would be sooooooooooooooooooo awesome. But would I have time? That's the question. We'll see. College is about experimenting and finding yourself and limits and expanding upon your talents and knowledge. Basically and overall --> It's FUN! :)
Well, That's it for right now. Toodles!
Mike
So, with Summer term starting, that means a ton of Freshman moved in. Which means we get to do introductions during Sunday School all over. Yay for BYU wards!! Hahahahaha. Anways.... During the introductions people had to say their name, where they were from, blah blah blah and if and when they were going to serve (or had served) a mission. To my astonishment, there were quite a number of girls that read that last statement and said, "I am not going on a mission, I am getting married." WHAT?!!?!!?!?!!?!?!?!?
As I would recently have been prone to say.... RED FLAG!!!!!!!!
Welcome to BYU freshman girls.... That confirms all the rumors I've heard of husband hunting, but on a larger scale than when I was a Freshman in Fall 2009. Yay!!!! (What do I say to myself? RUN!)
First of all, these are freshly graduated high school girls and second of all, getting married takes a lot of work and experience. You need to get to know yourself, your limits, your strengths, your weaknesses. How in the world are you supposed to be ready to be married at the age of 17 or 18? Granted that was old-fashioned tradition and it usually worked, but we live in a new society with new rules. Men do not rule over their wives... They are equals in decision making and partnership. Let's get over the natural man and its desires and focus on the spiritual and emotional needs a person needs to satisfy before jumping to marriage and the sating of the physical desires. Don't get me wrong; Marriage is sacred and amazing! Let's just be prepared to be married first.
Off my marriage rant. This term has been awesome. I am taking a Volleyball class, a social ballroom class, a religion class of the modern prophets and a Spanish Literature Class. I have been enjoying all of my classes and they are tons of fun! And I love dancing! I am thinking of adding 280 to my schedule next term so I can learn the cool moves! It would be sooooooooooooooooooo awesome. But would I have time? That's the question. We'll see. College is about experimenting and finding yourself and limits and expanding upon your talents and knowledge. Basically and overall --> It's FUN! :)
Well, That's it for right now. Toodles!
Mike
Sunday, May 13, 2012
Happy Mother's Day!
 |
| Mom and Dad's Engagement Photo |
This week has been crazy! Up and down and all around. But I guess a Physics and Economics class would do that to you while in a shortened term. As well as my new job. And my new calling. And trying out the dating and social scene. It's hectic but I guess it's teaching me a lot.
This Sunday has been kind of restful which is nice. Tomorrow is going to be even crazier because I have both of my classes and a physics test to take. So that will be fun. And that's basically it. Not a bunch going on. I feel really boring. Anyways, that's it for now! TTFN.
Monday, May 7, 2012
Price Ceilings and Price Floors
So today in Econ we learned about Price Ceilings and Price Floors and how they really don't help anybody. Sure, a price ceiling will help the consumers and a price floor will help the seller. But what is the residual effect?
Price Ceiling cause shortages - more demand for a product than what is actually produced aka: Lines, rations, and Black Markets. Whoever has had to wait in a line knows that its not very fun. And how would you like it if the government told you what you could buy and how much of it? And then there is just stuff that isn't supposed to happen that people take advantage - more demand than legal supply - well, we'll just go and sell it above the ceiling in our own little secret places.
Application? Rent Control - Officials put a price limit on apartments in Provo at $100/month (this is just a simulation, not an actual comparison. I have no idea what the going price is per month.) Suppose that (due to supply and demand) the market settles at 150 dollars per month in a normal situation. Now renters have to settle lower selling prices. They will do one of two things: make your apartment $100/month quality or just convert their resources (apartment complexes) into something else more profitable. Do you want $100/month quality housing (ie: WORSE than what you have right now)? I wouldn't think so. Although some people would save a ton of money, many would not be able to find an apartment because renters are just not willing or able to work at such a low price. Ergo - Rent Controls are not a great idea nor are price ceilings. Another quick example would be the gas shortage in the 1970's. Lines upon lines upon line upon lines to get gas because there wasn't enough? Why? The government wouldn't allow the market to shift naturally to an equilibrium where producers/suppliers would be able to meet the quantity demanded.
Price Floors have the opposite effect. The government locks in a price for a certain good that can't be lowered and then producers want to produce a ton of it and the demand for that product at that price isn't so high (people don't want to or can't buy it at the specified price). Then what happens? You have a whole bunch of extra product. And that comes with long-term effects as well. You can get the government to buy your surplus, as they did/do with grain. You can get the government to tell you to stop making it. Or you can just put other stuff on sale to attract customers.
Application? Grain - There was/is a set price for grain and so it is valuable for farmers to produce it. Unfortunately, they produce more than what is needed. What is happening? The government is buying all that extra grain and storing it. But with what money? Taxes!! Do you really want YOUR money to go into a non-valuable resource? Maybe it would be valuable for a certain amount of time. But do we really need 50-60 year supply of grain? (This has been happening since the 1950's.) Ergo - Price floors encourage production of a product but reduce the want/demand for that product as well causing a "surplus".
As well as causing shortages and surpluses, it detracts from the "Total Welfare" of an economy. Maybe the buyers get a great discount. Maybe the sellers earn a lot more money. But overall when you compare the gains from the consumer and the producer to the "free market" without any interference, it works better for everyone when there are is no interference.
Now some caveats. This is a perfectly competitive market. There are no outside influences. I am just a beginner at this. BUT, it has been proven mathmatically and I can show you why - through graphs and examples.
Now an application to my own life. Fortunately, the equilibrium for mankind has been set by Heavenly Father. He commands us to be perfect, even as He is ( Matthew 5:48 - Be ye therefore perfect, even as your Father which is in heaven is perfect.). Since we are imperfect, we can never ever ever ever ever get close to equilibrium that Justice sets. But, Heavenly Father is merciful and wants us to return. So He provided a way - our Savior Jesus Christ and His Atonement and Gospel. Because Jesus Christ was perfect, he satisfied Justice for his own life. Because he suffered in the Garden of Gethsemane for all of our sins, mistakes, pains and sicknesses, he becomes our creditor. He has told us to have faith in his name, repent of our sins, be baptized by His authority, receive the gift of the Holy Ghost by that Same Holy Authority, and to endure to the end. He knows we are not perfect. He loves us. That's why he suffered and died for us. It's alright if we make mistakes. Christ will help us get to equilibrium - as long as we follow His counsel and commandments. I know this to be true. I also know that the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints to be the only true church that has that authority. It has been restored to the Earth after a long period of it being lost. And God has given us the "proof" of this great work. It is the Book of Mormon. God promises you that if you read it, ponder what it really teaches and then ask him in prayer if it is true, He will answer you. He challenged me to do it, and so I did. And here I am telling you that God does answer prayers, there is a true church and that you can have the truth in your life. Just ask. I am grateful for the Savior and His atoning sacrifice for me. I am not perfect, but I will be someday through the atoning blood of the Lamb of God, my King and Lord.
Price Ceiling cause shortages - more demand for a product than what is actually produced aka: Lines, rations, and Black Markets. Whoever has had to wait in a line knows that its not very fun. And how would you like it if the government told you what you could buy and how much of it? And then there is just stuff that isn't supposed to happen that people take advantage - more demand than legal supply - well, we'll just go and sell it above the ceiling in our own little secret places.
Application? Rent Control - Officials put a price limit on apartments in Provo at $100/month (this is just a simulation, not an actual comparison. I have no idea what the going price is per month.) Suppose that (due to supply and demand) the market settles at 150 dollars per month in a normal situation. Now renters have to settle lower selling prices. They will do one of two things: make your apartment $100/month quality or just convert their resources (apartment complexes) into something else more profitable. Do you want $100/month quality housing (ie: WORSE than what you have right now)? I wouldn't think so. Although some people would save a ton of money, many would not be able to find an apartment because renters are just not willing or able to work at such a low price. Ergo - Rent Controls are not a great idea nor are price ceilings. Another quick example would be the gas shortage in the 1970's. Lines upon lines upon line upon lines to get gas because there wasn't enough? Why? The government wouldn't allow the market to shift naturally to an equilibrium where producers/suppliers would be able to meet the quantity demanded.
Price Floors have the opposite effect. The government locks in a price for a certain good that can't be lowered and then producers want to produce a ton of it and the demand for that product at that price isn't so high (people don't want to or can't buy it at the specified price). Then what happens? You have a whole bunch of extra product. And that comes with long-term effects as well. You can get the government to buy your surplus, as they did/do with grain. You can get the government to tell you to stop making it. Or you can just put other stuff on sale to attract customers.
Application? Grain - There was/is a set price for grain and so it is valuable for farmers to produce it. Unfortunately, they produce more than what is needed. What is happening? The government is buying all that extra grain and storing it. But with what money? Taxes!! Do you really want YOUR money to go into a non-valuable resource? Maybe it would be valuable for a certain amount of time. But do we really need 50-60 year supply of grain? (This has been happening since the 1950's.) Ergo - Price floors encourage production of a product but reduce the want/demand for that product as well causing a "surplus".
As well as causing shortages and surpluses, it detracts from the "Total Welfare" of an economy. Maybe the buyers get a great discount. Maybe the sellers earn a lot more money. But overall when you compare the gains from the consumer and the producer to the "free market" without any interference, it works better for everyone when there are is no interference.
Now some caveats. This is a perfectly competitive market. There are no outside influences. I am just a beginner at this. BUT, it has been proven mathmatically and I can show you why - through graphs and examples.
Now an application to my own life. Fortunately, the equilibrium for mankind has been set by Heavenly Father. He commands us to be perfect, even as He is ( Matthew 5:48 - Be ye therefore perfect, even as your Father which is in heaven is perfect.). Since we are imperfect, we can never ever ever ever ever get close to equilibrium that Justice sets. But, Heavenly Father is merciful and wants us to return. So He provided a way - our Savior Jesus Christ and His Atonement and Gospel. Because Jesus Christ was perfect, he satisfied Justice for his own life. Because he suffered in the Garden of Gethsemane for all of our sins, mistakes, pains and sicknesses, he becomes our creditor. He has told us to have faith in his name, repent of our sins, be baptized by His authority, receive the gift of the Holy Ghost by that Same Holy Authority, and to endure to the end. He knows we are not perfect. He loves us. That's why he suffered and died for us. It's alright if we make mistakes. Christ will help us get to equilibrium - as long as we follow His counsel and commandments. I know this to be true. I also know that the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints to be the only true church that has that authority. It has been restored to the Earth after a long period of it being lost. And God has given us the "proof" of this great work. It is the Book of Mormon. God promises you that if you read it, ponder what it really teaches and then ask him in prayer if it is true, He will answer you. He challenged me to do it, and so I did. And here I am telling you that God does answer prayers, there is a true church and that you can have the truth in your life. Just ask. I am grateful for the Savior and His atoning sacrifice for me. I am not perfect, but I will be someday through the atoning blood of the Lamb of God, my King and Lord.
Tuesday, May 1, 2012
Sitting, waiting wishing
While waiting for Economics class I am going to write a quick update.
Well, I am moved into my new apartment at Wyview and now have been an RA for almost a week. I absolutely love Wyview! It's the best of all the on-campus housing. Plus they have gas burners! That's a real plus for me when I want to cook. The atmosphere is really tranquil (tranquilo) and my roommate is so awesome! For example, who else has two large posters in their front room of Star Wars, knows Spanish and is completely chill? That among many other things will make this term slightly AWESOME! :)
What else? RA'ing has been good. I am learning a lot and being really social (weird, I know... I don't usually do that) but it has been amazing. I like this job. My Family Home Evening group is super awesome as well as my FHE "mom". Mondays are going to be super tight and awesome. I am also hanging out with people that aren't in my building and actually on the SOUTH side of campus but my bike makes it easier to get from the North Side to the South Side. I really enjoy spending time with friends now. Also, the hills make my legs really really tired but making them buff! I looked at my calf this morning and it was almost pure muscle wherein just a couple weeks ago it had some flab. Me = : D But I need to find a good schedule to go work out regularly. I need it!
I am taking the basic Econ 110 class for my GE and to start my major. :) I am super excited and love the class. I am interested the whole time and time just flies by! I am also taking physics 105. While not as intriguing, it reminds me of my AP Calculus class and I can handle it. For now. After that, my cousin who is majoring in Physics can help me out. :)
I went to the Temple this morning and had some great experiences. After leaving I just felt so peaceful and it was just really good to go to the temple. Feeling the Spirit is absolutely amazing and helps me to overcome my weaknesses and fears and give more of myself to the Lord.
Well, class is about to start. Toodles. :)
Well, I am moved into my new apartment at Wyview and now have been an RA for almost a week. I absolutely love Wyview! It's the best of all the on-campus housing. Plus they have gas burners! That's a real plus for me when I want to cook. The atmosphere is really tranquil (tranquilo) and my roommate is so awesome! For example, who else has two large posters in their front room of Star Wars, knows Spanish and is completely chill? That among many other things will make this term slightly AWESOME! :)
What else? RA'ing has been good. I am learning a lot and being really social (weird, I know... I don't usually do that) but it has been amazing. I like this job. My Family Home Evening group is super awesome as well as my FHE "mom". Mondays are going to be super tight and awesome. I am also hanging out with people that aren't in my building and actually on the SOUTH side of campus but my bike makes it easier to get from the North Side to the South Side. I really enjoy spending time with friends now. Also, the hills make my legs really really tired but making them buff! I looked at my calf this morning and it was almost pure muscle wherein just a couple weeks ago it had some flab. Me = : D But I need to find a good schedule to go work out regularly. I need it!
I am taking the basic Econ 110 class for my GE and to start my major. :) I am super excited and love the class. I am interested the whole time and time just flies by! I am also taking physics 105. While not as intriguing, it reminds me of my AP Calculus class and I can handle it. For now. After that, my cousin who is majoring in Physics can help me out. :)
I went to the Temple this morning and had some great experiences. After leaving I just felt so peaceful and it was just really good to go to the temple. Feeling the Spirit is absolutely amazing and helps me to overcome my weaknesses and fears and give more of myself to the Lord.
Well, class is about to start. Toodles. :)
Monday, April 16, 2012
The Daunting Task Lies Ahead
Happy but sad. Tired yet full of life. Wanting to do something but not knowing what. Trying to do something nice but getting torn apart for doing it. There's a whole spectrum out there of feelings I have and right now, not knowing what to do to straighten it out.
I look unto thee
and find happiness and delight
and yet it fills me with sadness and fright
One minute it's there, the next, it's not.
The rapid changing to times and feelings
One cannot say if it is from thy greetings
Tear me apart causing an empty soul.
Shred me until there is nothing left.
Why when I am with thee I feel content?
Then then parting rips me.
The separation lets me know why I need to stay away
But the desire to draw closer looms always near.
I want my own life
And yet it seems to difficult to form,
make it defined and stable. The Dream
will always haunt me
Until I figure out
Me
I am there to help thee.
Thy welfare my preoccupation
I want thee to be happy
Along with the rest of my friends, families and acquaintances
I just want everybody to be happy
Some I put more effort into
Others, I leave alone to help
But there is another I think of
And I desire the same things
But being in her presence does not procure desires
and being away from her sorrow
There are good feelings with her presence and
being without does not hinder my progression
I am nervous around her. Why? I don't want to look like
the Court Jester or Fool?
A menacing presence or mysterious and creepy
I just want to be me
But what is me?
Self-confidence comes from inside
From seeing achievements
and accepting downfalls
But I cannot accept my faults.
There is no mercy I let myself have
When I keep on making the same mistake
over and over and over and over and over
etc.
It's almost too much
But there is improvement
There can be light at the end of the tunnel
Oh Savior wilt thou be my stay
My guide
My friend
I have not always recognized thy hand
But from now on I will take it
Thy will and not mine be done.
O Lord, give me the strength to overcome
my Weaknesses and Faults.
Help me to conquer temptation
My friends stand beside me
And try to help and guide me
My family is my strength
To them I will turn
And to thee Lord will I trust
Amen.
Saturday, April 14, 2012
It has been three and a half months already
It's hard to believe that the semester is already over with finals starting today.
Getting used to normal life again was easier than I thought but quite different at the same time. I still find it a bit uncomfortable to carry on conversations (especially with the opposite sex) but I've never been really good at that. That's always something I can work on.
I am still working at not getting distracted as much. There seems so much to offer at the tip of my fingers. With my iPod iTouch I can do almost everything a computer can... Except write my essays. I am even writing this post on my iPod. It's really easy to check Facebook, play a game, check the news, or whatever instead of doing the task at hand. I need to put a limitation on these things and resist the urge to do them so often.
I guess that's what life is a little bit - finding some balance between the stuff you like to do and the stuff you need to do. You can't let one rule the other. These three months could be a characterization of my future. I wouldn't like that... I am so imperfect and so far from my expectations of where I think I should be it's not even cool. I spent like ten minutes looking for a scripture I should have known off the bat. But that's why we change! I would say almost nothing is set in stone (sorry Tim and Chelsea) because of this wonderful ability to change. You don't like it? Don't do it. Of course it is much easier to say than to do, but since when has anything easy ever been worth it.
That is why I need to branch out more and get out of my bubble. Nothing that needs to happen is going to if I just stick with the comfortable. I need to get out and about and stretch my abilities and personality. I'll always be boring if I do nothing. Life is a bunch of trials and errors. If you make a mistake, so what? Repent if needs be, make it right and move on. There's no need to let it keep you down.
The most important thing is to keep your trust firmly in God and our Savior Jesus Christ. Think about them throughout the day. Read the scriptures, ponder your relationship with Deity. Now I need to take this advice as much as the person next to me and yet I know it is the right thing to do. Even at 3:30 in the morning we need to realize our dependence upon the Father and His desires to help is grow and become stronger and more faithful. You will never learn if you don't try - now don't go and sin on purpose! That will teach you absolutely nothing except that it was a bad idea. But get out of your comfort levels, do something new. Or at least, break up the monotony of daily living. Do something for fun. I am. :)
That's all for this insomnia report. Until next time!
Getting used to normal life again was easier than I thought but quite different at the same time. I still find it a bit uncomfortable to carry on conversations (especially with the opposite sex) but I've never been really good at that. That's always something I can work on.
I am still working at not getting distracted as much. There seems so much to offer at the tip of my fingers. With my iPod iTouch I can do almost everything a computer can... Except write my essays. I am even writing this post on my iPod. It's really easy to check Facebook, play a game, check the news, or whatever instead of doing the task at hand. I need to put a limitation on these things and resist the urge to do them so often.
I guess that's what life is a little bit - finding some balance between the stuff you like to do and the stuff you need to do. You can't let one rule the other. These three months could be a characterization of my future. I wouldn't like that... I am so imperfect and so far from my expectations of where I think I should be it's not even cool. I spent like ten minutes looking for a scripture I should have known off the bat. But that's why we change! I would say almost nothing is set in stone (sorry Tim and Chelsea) because of this wonderful ability to change. You don't like it? Don't do it. Of course it is much easier to say than to do, but since when has anything easy ever been worth it.
That is why I need to branch out more and get out of my bubble. Nothing that needs to happen is going to if I just stick with the comfortable. I need to get out and about and stretch my abilities and personality. I'll always be boring if I do nothing. Life is a bunch of trials and errors. If you make a mistake, so what? Repent if needs be, make it right and move on. There's no need to let it keep you down.
The most important thing is to keep your trust firmly in God and our Savior Jesus Christ. Think about them throughout the day. Read the scriptures, ponder your relationship with Deity. Now I need to take this advice as much as the person next to me and yet I know it is the right thing to do. Even at 3:30 in the morning we need to realize our dependence upon the Father and His desires to help is grow and become stronger and more faithful. You will never learn if you don't try - now don't go and sin on purpose! That will teach you absolutely nothing except that it was a bad idea. But get out of your comfort levels, do something new. Or at least, break up the monotony of daily living. Do something for fun. I am. :)
That's all for this insomnia report. Until next time!
Monday, April 9, 2012
Insomnia - The wonderful gift of extra time
The impossible conundrum - Being super tired and yet unable to sleep. It's not like I am overly worried about anything. I'm not even sure why I am still awake. I have been laying here for hours but I am and so I am going to try to use my time a bit productively.
Weekend report: Friday night I drove up to South Jordan (or west...) and went to a mission reunion with President Argyle. That was really awesome to see and speak with him and Sister Argyle and some of the missionaries I met in Argentina. We did a session in the Orqurrh (spelling) Mountain Temple which was really, really beautiful. I left there at midnight and got back to the Y around 12:30. What? There was no traffic!!! ;)
Saturday was fun. I wrote most of a paper in the afternoon trying to imitate the style of Virginia Wolfe and "The Mark On The Wall" which I think turned out to be quite good. I went to dinner, a dance concert, ate ice cream and enjoyed the night with a lovely young lady and enjoyed the night immensely - the entertainment and the date. Both were amazing.
Sunday was a good day. I woke up around 8 and 9 or so and spent the morning chatting with David. That's always fun telling him about my weird dreams and stuff. Then I had a chat with the Stake Presidency to renew my temple recommend. (A new way think about CTR as an RM is Current Temple Recommend. If you have one it is pretty difficult to stray if you are living worthy of it.) Church was excellent and we talked a lot about the Resurrection and the Blessings of the Atonement. How blessed we are to be able to repent and change. It is something I am more grateful for every day. It is unimaginable for me to not be able to repent - and our Wonderful older brother has performed the sacrifice where He has taken the terms of Justice into His own Hands and only asks me to believe in Him, to repent, be baptized, receive the gift of the Holy Ghost and Endure to the end. He is ever patient with me and my mistakes and is there to guide me back to Him and Father again with my Eternal family. I am so grateful towards Him!
"I stand all amazed at the love Jesus offers me. Confused at the grace that so fully he proffers me. I tremble to know that for me He was crucified. That for me, a sinner, he suffered, he bled and died. I marvel that he would descend from his throne divine
To rescue a soul so rebellious and proud as mine, That he should extend his great love unto such as I, Sufficient to own, to redeem, and to justify. I think of his hands pierced and bleeding to pay the debt! Such mercy, such love and devotion can I forget? No, no, I will praise and adore at the mercy seat,
Until at the glorified throne I kneel at his feet. Oh, it is wonderful that he should care for me Enough to die for me!
Oh, it is wonderful, wonderful to me!" - Hymn #193 I Stand All Amazed
Well that's it for now. Goodnight to all and to all a Goodnight.
Mike
Weekend report: Friday night I drove up to South Jordan (or west...) and went to a mission reunion with President Argyle. That was really awesome to see and speak with him and Sister Argyle and some of the missionaries I met in Argentina. We did a session in the Orqurrh (spelling) Mountain Temple which was really, really beautiful. I left there at midnight and got back to the Y around 12:30. What? There was no traffic!!! ;)
Saturday was fun. I wrote most of a paper in the afternoon trying to imitate the style of Virginia Wolfe and "The Mark On The Wall" which I think turned out to be quite good. I went to dinner, a dance concert, ate ice cream and enjoyed the night with a lovely young lady and enjoyed the night immensely - the entertainment and the date. Both were amazing.
Sunday was a good day. I woke up around 8 and 9 or so and spent the morning chatting with David. That's always fun telling him about my weird dreams and stuff. Then I had a chat with the Stake Presidency to renew my temple recommend. (A new way think about CTR as an RM is Current Temple Recommend. If you have one it is pretty difficult to stray if you are living worthy of it.) Church was excellent and we talked a lot about the Resurrection and the Blessings of the Atonement. How blessed we are to be able to repent and change. It is something I am more grateful for every day. It is unimaginable for me to not be able to repent - and our Wonderful older brother has performed the sacrifice where He has taken the terms of Justice into His own Hands and only asks me to believe in Him, to repent, be baptized, receive the gift of the Holy Ghost and Endure to the end. He is ever patient with me and my mistakes and is there to guide me back to Him and Father again with my Eternal family. I am so grateful towards Him!
"I stand all amazed at the love Jesus offers me. Confused at the grace that so fully he proffers me. I tremble to know that for me He was crucified. That for me, a sinner, he suffered, he bled and died. I marvel that he would descend from his throne divine
To rescue a soul so rebellious and proud as mine, That he should extend his great love unto such as I, Sufficient to own, to redeem, and to justify. I think of his hands pierced and bleeding to pay the debt! Such mercy, such love and devotion can I forget? No, no, I will praise and adore at the mercy seat,
Until at the glorified throne I kneel at his feet. Oh, it is wonderful that he should care for me Enough to die for me!
Oh, it is wonderful, wonderful to me!" - Hymn #193 I Stand All Amazed
Well that's it for now. Goodnight to all and to all a Goodnight.
Mike
Thursday, April 5, 2012
Spring is not about flowers. It's about baseball.
Wow. Up an down and all around. Things are crazy but good. School is going well, not the best but well enough.
I finally declared my major, Economics. I am super happy about that. It's actually quite interesting how I finally decided. So I've actually been thinking about it for a while but I wasn't sure. Then at a Sunday devotional the speaker was talking about teaching and I thought about what I would teach. The first thing that came was Economics followed by a strong confirmation that what I was supposed to do. So here I am. For now, of course.
Final papers and finals are looming overhead. I am actually not too worried, but I figure it will come soon enough.
There is a baseball game tonight and I am stoked!!! It will be my first since coming home from Argentina!!! I am going with Dave and a guy from my weightlifting class so it should be a blast! :)
This weekend is going to be filled to the brim. I have a mission reunion tomorrow, maté and a hot date to the ballroom concert Saturday, Easter Sunday. And then whatever homework I can (choose) to get done.
Things are going a ton better. I still have some thoughts/dreams that remind me of recent events but now they are not so troubling; just make me think and be confused for a bit.
I finally declared my major, Economics. I am super happy about that. It's actually quite interesting how I finally decided. So I've actually been thinking about it for a while but I wasn't sure. Then at a Sunday devotional the speaker was talking about teaching and I thought about what I would teach. The first thing that came was Economics followed by a strong confirmation that what I was supposed to do. So here I am. For now, of course.
Final papers and finals are looming overhead. I am actually not too worried, but I figure it will come soon enough.
There is a baseball game tonight and I am stoked!!! It will be my first since coming home from Argentina!!! I am going with Dave and a guy from my weightlifting class so it should be a blast! :)
This weekend is going to be filled to the brim. I have a mission reunion tomorrow, maté and a hot date to the ballroom concert Saturday, Easter Sunday. And then whatever homework I can (choose) to get done.
Things are going a ton better. I still have some thoughts/dreams that remind me of recent events but now they are not so troubling; just make me think and be confused for a bit.
Tuesday, March 13, 2012
And you keep on going!
So it's been a couple weeks since I have posted. It feels likes it's been an eternity... Time passes by so slowly and yet passes by really fast. Sometimes you just can't make sense of it.
Friday night I watched Hugo, a movie about a child who's parents have died and lives all alone in a London train station. He takes care of the clocks and tries to fix up a machine that was his father's last project. It was an awesome movie and I would recommend it. Clean, funny and good stuff! There's not that much action but that's fine.
As well, this weekend we had the National Dancesport Competition and I entered in to do the Samba. I practiced really hard last week, working on foot work, arm positions, posture... basically everything! I was super excited and my partner was pretty awesome too! She helped me out so much! Anyways, we got to the competition at 7:30 Saturday morning all ready to go. We got pumped and went out and danced our hearts out in the 1st heat. I felt that we did pretty good and as I looked at the recall numbers, our number wasn't there! What the hey???????? Needless to say I was pretty perturbed about it. So instead of watching the rest of the dances, I left early to go to a review session for my humanities exam... (I think I would have rather stayed and watched the awesome dancers) and that went well and felt pretty good.
Then I came back, tried to organize a group to play ultimate... didn't work out. But I did find out there were a whole bunch of people playing at the field at the conference center, so I went to check it out and found some ward members playing volleyball... that was cool, but I was in the mood for ultimate so I joined a random group of people and threw the frisbee around for a bit and we played a laid back game. That was really fun! Then I went to shower and study again for my humanities class with a friend. After that was Stake Conference which was really good! Elder Rasband came and we had a Q&A meeting. It was super cool and you could feel the spirit. Even though I didn't ask any questions, I still had questions answered and felt pretty good.
After that I went to the apartment of some girls I met during ultimate to help them make a pinata for a little bit. That was interesting and got to know them a little better. After that I watched Harry Potter 7.2 with some girls in my ward... except the last 15 minutes or so. At BYU, there is a schedule of when we can be in the opposite sex's apartments.... Most nights until midnight and Fridays until 1. Since it was Saturday night... midnight came way too fast and I had to leave. LAME!!!!!!!!!!!!! I want to see the ending now!
So Saturday was pretty full. Sunday we had Stake Conference and the Stake Presidency was reorganized so that was a nice meeting full of testimonies. After that kinda chilled and studied and stuff.
Yesterday was full of classes, my exam and homework. I went with Hannah Riley, the other FHE co-coordinator and we visited some other FHE groups. Afterwards we went to play volleyball at the Richards Building. It was the first time I have played since the MTC! It was SO fun! I want to play volleyball really bad now! :) It was tight!
Today Tuesday I had my dance class. We still have to test on the Rumba and the Samba. We have a medals exam where we are tested with our teacher and it's like another competition... I think. Anyways, Life is pretty full right now. I am having fun and trying to do my best and that's what counts, right? Anyways, catch y'all later!
Friday night I watched Hugo, a movie about a child who's parents have died and lives all alone in a London train station. He takes care of the clocks and tries to fix up a machine that was his father's last project. It was an awesome movie and I would recommend it. Clean, funny and good stuff! There's not that much action but that's fine.
As well, this weekend we had the National Dancesport Competition and I entered in to do the Samba. I practiced really hard last week, working on foot work, arm positions, posture... basically everything! I was super excited and my partner was pretty awesome too! She helped me out so much! Anyways, we got to the competition at 7:30 Saturday morning all ready to go. We got pumped and went out and danced our hearts out in the 1st heat. I felt that we did pretty good and as I looked at the recall numbers, our number wasn't there! What the hey???????? Needless to say I was pretty perturbed about it. So instead of watching the rest of the dances, I left early to go to a review session for my humanities exam... (I think I would have rather stayed and watched the awesome dancers) and that went well and felt pretty good.
Then I came back, tried to organize a group to play ultimate... didn't work out. But I did find out there were a whole bunch of people playing at the field at the conference center, so I went to check it out and found some ward members playing volleyball... that was cool, but I was in the mood for ultimate so I joined a random group of people and threw the frisbee around for a bit and we played a laid back game. That was really fun! Then I went to shower and study again for my humanities class with a friend. After that was Stake Conference which was really good! Elder Rasband came and we had a Q&A meeting. It was super cool and you could feel the spirit. Even though I didn't ask any questions, I still had questions answered and felt pretty good.
After that I went to the apartment of some girls I met during ultimate to help them make a pinata for a little bit. That was interesting and got to know them a little better. After that I watched Harry Potter 7.2 with some girls in my ward... except the last 15 minutes or so. At BYU, there is a schedule of when we can be in the opposite sex's apartments.... Most nights until midnight and Fridays until 1. Since it was Saturday night... midnight came way too fast and I had to leave. LAME!!!!!!!!!!!!! I want to see the ending now!
So Saturday was pretty full. Sunday we had Stake Conference and the Stake Presidency was reorganized so that was a nice meeting full of testimonies. After that kinda chilled and studied and stuff.
Yesterday was full of classes, my exam and homework. I went with Hannah Riley, the other FHE co-coordinator and we visited some other FHE groups. Afterwards we went to play volleyball at the Richards Building. It was the first time I have played since the MTC! It was SO fun! I want to play volleyball really bad now! :) It was tight!
Today Tuesday I had my dance class. We still have to test on the Rumba and the Samba. We have a medals exam where we are tested with our teacher and it's like another competition... I think. Anyways, Life is pretty full right now. I am having fun and trying to do my best and that's what counts, right? Anyways, catch y'all later!
Sunday, February 26, 2012
The Unexpected Right Thing...
So it's been a day now since Michelle and I have broken up. It's been pretty hard.... After having put all of my heart and effort into it. But yet we both decided it was the right thing (giving her the credit for being brave and suggesting it). Now it's time for me to really get to know what I want, what I need to do and what are my goals and expectations in life. This has been an awesome month and a half... but yet a real eye opener on my part. Where I thought I was ready... I wasn't completely honest with myself. Where I thought I knew what I wanted... I was as fluid as water.
I was rushing to find myself... which really doesn't work... for fear of losing her. Now it's done even though I have done so. Which goes to show that you should always be ready before you make a decision instead of deciding that you'll try to do it along the way. Better prepared than wishy-washy... Which unfortunately I was and still am a little bit. But there is always room for improvement. I can take what I learned from this relationship and become a better man - putting my trust, and priority, in my Father and His will rather than what I want or what another may want. I have to make my decisions and my goals... no one else can do it for me.
Which is what I am learning now. So here I go!
I was rushing to find myself... which really doesn't work... for fear of losing her. Now it's done even though I have done so. Which goes to show that you should always be ready before you make a decision instead of deciding that you'll try to do it along the way. Better prepared than wishy-washy... Which unfortunately I was and still am a little bit. But there is always room for improvement. I can take what I learned from this relationship and become a better man - putting my trust, and priority, in my Father and His will rather than what I want or what another may want. I have to make my decisions and my goals... no one else can do it for me.
Which is what I am learning now. So here I go!
Sunday, February 19, 2012
Influx of Feeling
I guess this is the part where RM's share in common. The things they don't expect when they get home from the mission. Things they thought were always easy or how they should be. After being home for two months from the mission, I am still getting these weird feelings.
Like being really happy. Then being confused, indecisive, or simply not knowing. (The mission was easy in this aspect - It really is the Lord's work and He guides every step of the way.) Being angry to feeling worthless. I don't know. These times are filled with so many different emotions - I thought only teenagers had that. Anyways, I don't know a lot of things anymore. I just keep trying to do what I think is best and keep on going.
Life is just a roller coaster. Full of ups and downs and all arounds. Just gotta keep on going. Most of the time I am happy, which is good and Life isn't perfect so these other feelings lurk around and bite at the heels from time to time. But I try to what I have been taught and trust in my Father in Heaven.
I am glad today is Sunday. Time for Church and the Sacrament and Learning about the scriptures and applying to my life. Well, that's all for now. :D TTFN.
Like being really happy. Then being confused, indecisive, or simply not knowing. (The mission was easy in this aspect - It really is the Lord's work and He guides every step of the way.) Being angry to feeling worthless. I don't know. These times are filled with so many different emotions - I thought only teenagers had that. Anyways, I don't know a lot of things anymore. I just keep trying to do what I think is best and keep on going.
Life is just a roller coaster. Full of ups and downs and all arounds. Just gotta keep on going. Most of the time I am happy, which is good and Life isn't perfect so these other feelings lurk around and bite at the heels from time to time. But I try to what I have been taught and trust in my Father in Heaven.
I am glad today is Sunday. Time for Church and the Sacrament and Learning about the scriptures and applying to my life. Well, that's all for now. :D TTFN.
Tuesday, February 14, 2012
Well, that was interesting.
It's been a month or so back into school and things are starting to calm down. I've definitely been seeing ways to improve in almost every aspect, which is better than before because I was just kinda static.
Seeing my first exam scores open up my eyes real wide. Now, they are not bad scores and many people would feel satisfied with them. But I know I can do better. I can do so much better than that. Which means I have to redistribute my time and energy on certain things now. Which is alright because that's all part of the process of coming back from the mission, right? But a lot more time needs to go into studying, that's for sure.
What else is going on? Being in a relationship is absolutely fantastic. She's kind, helpful, energetic, happy and most of all she cares about me. It's nice to actually have someone else to kinda put my focus on whereas I am not focusing everything on me. I tend to be self-centered sometimes: My problems, my classes, the things important for me. Maybe this will help me be more humble, caring and helpful. But most importantly, it makes me happy and I hope it makes her happy too.
I am on an intramural basketball team which is awesome. I get to play ball on a team and while we don't practice a whole bunch, it's fun to play. It gets my mind off of things and helps me to release stress and energy in a good way. Which is kinda weird because I am tired all the time, but it helps.
So that's it for now. I should probably work on some papers or something.... I got a few due on Friday. Happy Valentine's Day!
Seeing my first exam scores open up my eyes real wide. Now, they are not bad scores and many people would feel satisfied with them. But I know I can do better. I can do so much better than that. Which means I have to redistribute my time and energy on certain things now. Which is alright because that's all part of the process of coming back from the mission, right? But a lot more time needs to go into studying, that's for sure.
What else is going on? Being in a relationship is absolutely fantastic. She's kind, helpful, energetic, happy and most of all she cares about me. It's nice to actually have someone else to kinda put my focus on whereas I am not focusing everything on me. I tend to be self-centered sometimes: My problems, my classes, the things important for me. Maybe this will help me be more humble, caring and helpful. But most importantly, it makes me happy and I hope it makes her happy too.
I am on an intramural basketball team which is awesome. I get to play ball on a team and while we don't practice a whole bunch, it's fun to play. It gets my mind off of things and helps me to release stress and energy in a good way. Which is kinda weird because I am tired all the time, but it helps.
So that's it for now. I should probably work on some papers or something.... I got a few due on Friday. Happy Valentine's Day!
Sunday, February 12, 2012
Time Flies When You Are Having Fun
Well, things have been CRAZY! Being a full-time college student coming back from the mission and trying to get back into the swing of things. It's really hard of doing the same thing for two years straight and then all of a sudden you get thrown into the mix of things. Writing papers, studying for tests, doing homework, looking for a job, dating, trying to speak in English so people can understand you... It's intense. But so far I am handling it.
Actually... I gotta write a paper right now..... See ya!
Actually... I gotta write a paper right now..... See ya!
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