Dear World

I'm terribly sorry I haven't been around on here for several weeks. What can I say... this blogger thing comes and goes with me. Feast or famine, really. However, I gave it a whole new look. It's warm. It represents my feelings for the time of the year. Evergreen trees, sparse sunlight, and candlelight. I did post several entries below this one and more to come tonight. I do actually write; it doesn't always end up on here, though. Here's what I've been up to:

1) Powell's Book Store

For the Thanksgiving break, I made the long drive to my hometown. For the first time after living there for several years, I entered and actually enjoyed Powell's Book Store. I may be mistaken, but it is the biggest book store in the nation, or something meaningful like that. I found myself standing in the way of other customers reading just the first few pages of several books, completely enthralled with this world I was missing. I was able to come into view of others' worlds just by reading words on a page. There was this one book I read the first 6 or chapters of about the story of the everyday household pet, the loyal canine. Different. I even brought home 4 different novels and a dictionary for school. James Herriott anyone?

2) Finishing my 4th semester

BYU-Idaho has been so great. This semester has been the best yet. I received a calling in my brand new ward where I get to serve constantly. I meet so many people just within weeks and have fallen in love with my bishopric, fellow ward members, and roommates. I can't lie; I have been homesick. I talk to home a lot more than I used to. Skype has been helpful. But also, I have grown so much more in these last three months. I've also learned something about myself. If I can kept busy with commitments and responsibilities, I excel in those areas. Free time is detrimental, actually. I have developed such a passion for veterinary medicine and science, too. I found a great career path, I think. Sure, it's nothing big, but I love it. And I have the potential to be really good at it. Classes are fun. I enjoy the material and it just makes sense. I don't know how to describe my passion for it rather than it just makes sense. We even get to participate in surgeries.

3) Relationships

No boys, really. But family relationships have been huge. My parents are my friends. My brother is becoming one of my best friends. He is just so much FUN. My grandma is just like me. It's eerie, actually. Deej has been home a while now and we are just becoming better friends. His family is just great, too. They are always good for a laugh and are some of my best friends. But you all already knew that.

4) Mission call

Yes, ladies and gentlemen. You read that correctly. I have decided to serve a mission for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. I never thought I would. I wanted to get married and start a family. Looking back, however, I see series of events that lead me to believe this is the right choice. After driving 14 hours back to Idaho at the end of break, I returned to my apartment to see my call awaiting for me. I wrote a little bit about it below, labeled "The Call". I hope to get around to posting a little about the place I am to serve here soon. Maybe tonight? I'll give you this much: I leave March 2.

5) Little things.

I've made goals. Eat better and exercise at least 4 times a week. Keep my room clean always (yeah, still working there). Read every day. I already read the Old Testament and the Book of Mormon every day, but I want to add in the Doctrine and Covenants and pleasure reading. Remove myself from situations. Did you know that when you remove yourself from the equation, things get instantly easier? Try it sometime. Smile always. Figure out cheap and creative Christmas gifts. Go to sleep earlier and rise earlier. Keep on top of homework earlier. Come out of the semester with straight A's.

Life is good. I'm happy. I'm being challenged. I'm learning. I'm slowly progressing.

I have thought a lot about writing memories lately. Dad shared with me that he wants to write a book before a certain birthday. I couldn't tell if he was kidding or not, but it sparked an interest. I believe one of the reasons people keep blogs or write books is to share with the world their view around them. I believe my life to be interesting. Nothing dramatic and nothing very intense, but it has been beautiful at parts. With this thought, I want to write more detail into my memories I chose to share. In the posts "Trees" and "The Call", that is a taste of what I would like to start pursuing. Maybe they will spark more lights within me and I can create something beautiful.