Draw closer to Him.

So yesterday I went to a wonderful fireside where I was privileged to her the words (and see the works) of a wonderful artist, Greg Olsen. For those of you unfamiliar with his artwork he has created some wonderful images of the Savior. During his talk last night he talked about the need for us to become as little children and the need for us to draw closer to our Savior. He reminded us that the relationship that we have with our Savior is a family relationship. He is our elder brother. Sometimes I find myself forgetting that he is my brother and treating him more like the removed God he is to other Christians. Last night was just a good reminder that he is my elder brother and because of that he loves me very deeply. Brother Olsen also reminded us that Christ was human. He came to earth to feel everything we feel... joy, hunger, pain, excitement, fear, sorrow, etc. And because of the Atonement he has felt and knows everything that we will feel. So don't only does he love us, but he can carry us through our struggle and pains, and he wants to share in our joys. Basically it was just a good reminder that He cares!

Geocaching

So this weekend I did something that was really fun... for any treasure hunters out there (or anyone who ever wanted to be a treasure hunter) this is for you. It's something called Geocaching. Basically what happens is someone hides a small box, post the GPS coordinates for the location and you have to go out and find it. Usually when you find the box you sign in and sometimes you trade for something in the box. For example we had a little squeaky frog that we traded for some really cool national parks trading cards. I think the joy is really just in the search. So really for any of you who are treasure hunters out there it is fun... and I think you should try it!

BYU Football update...

So although the game on Saturday wasn't terribly exciting... I'm still excited to report that my BYU cougars are still ranked number 9! Now all we have to do is get through the rest of the season and maybe they'll be heading my way for a bowl game. One projection has them coming to the Tostitos Fiesta Bowl in Glendale. That would be a perfect end to a perfect season in my mind. So go cougars!

My garden experiment!

So I've FINALLY finished the backyard! I'm so excited to see it all come together. Friday morning I went out to buy some plants. I got some star jasmine and new guinea impatiens for the side yard. I found some starters for tomatoes, red peppers and yellow peppers that I planted in the middle planter. Hopefully they'll make it before the frost (which here in Phoenix doesn't usually happen until late December or January)
And I planted some seed in the other planter... peppers, onions and cilantro.
So I realized this weekend that I have very little gardening experience, so it will be interesting to see how well all of these plants do. I guess it's never bad to learn a new skill, so I'm excited to have the opportunity to do so.

We'll just have to see in a little while it I can get any fruits from my labors!

Fall is finally here!

So I finally got a new wreath for the door... I love the fall. Here in Phoenix that means that the weather is finally under 100 degrees and you can be outside again.

I'm still here...

Well just in case you think that I've disappeared that's not completely true. It just seems that every waking minute that I'm not at work or doing church stuff I am spending studying for the PE exam. It's less than four weeks away, and I think that I'm starting to feel the crunch. So I'll try to keep you posted on what's going on, but if you don't hear much more from me in the next four weeks don't be terribly surprise... and you will hear from me again, if I survive! ;)

Giving Thanks

So this week has been a little interesting... I have a coworker who is going through some tough times right now and it's really made me stop and ponder. When I go through the ups and downs in my life I am SO thankful that I have always has the gospel and my Savior to turn to. No matter how much you want to say that "no one else has ever felt what I'm feeling", it's not true. There is one person who has felt and knows everything and anything that we will feel. And it is only when we turn to Him that we can find comfort. So in short I am so thankful for my knowledge of the gospel and the peace it can bring to my life in times to trouble.