Evaluative Conclusions

Blogging was an interesting thing for me. Due to my immense procrastination, I struggled finding things to write. I didn't want to give people inner access to my mind, yet I needed to write so that people could relate to what I was saying.

Though I in no way plan on continuing to blog, it was overall a positive experience. I learned a lot about myself when I had to express my inner feelings.

1. I am really looking forward to going on my mission...the whole "waiting" thing is getting old.

2. I am REALLY going to miss my family. A lot (see picture).

3. I am really dependent on the NBA to bring me happiness. Gosh I love basketball.

4. The process of journaling is good for me, and is something I need to continue consistently on my mission/life. It is cool to look back and see how I have progressed.

My intended author was really myself. It sounds weird, but this was an opportunity for me to simply write and sort through everything that is going on in my mind. I wrote about my family to keep me from missing them, my mission to keep me sane until I leave, and basketball...because its basketball...

And with that world-

I am done blogging.

Stay classy Planet Earth.

General Conference Analysis

General Conference is easily one of my favorite times of the year. There is something amazing about hearing multiple prophets and seers speak over the course of two days. Along with the words they speak, there is something amazing about the way they deliver it and their use of rhetorical tools.

The talk I am going to analyse was given by Elaine Dalton called "Love Her Mother." In it, Dalton uses pathos to appeal to the audience. This is evident when she says, "As I watched our rugged, strong, rugby-playing son, Jon, hold his first baby daughter in his arms, he looked at her with a reverent tenderness, and then he looked at me with an expression that seemed to say, “How do I raise a girl?” This quote is a proper example on how Dalton uses the emotions of the audience. The audience feels for her Son, and hopes all goes well.

Another way she persuades the audience is by appealing to logic. She does this by presenting the information in a logical way by addressing different groups of people.

Throughout her talk, Dalton uses logic and pathos to appeal to the audience. Her most powerful appeal is pathos. She makes the audience FEEL the love of a father.

Dear Family....

Before I begin, I need to clarify that I am in no way an emotional person...okay maybe a little, but I do my best to smolder any emotions as possible...

Before I leave for two years on my mission, I decided that I am going to write each one of my family members a letter. I mean, my little brother and littlest sister will be going through two years of middle school, my little sister will start dating, and my older sister (better) have a baby. Those are important stages of life to miss!

The only problem with these letters is that whenever I start writing them, I quickly have to stop because I don't like getting emotional.

Dont get me wrong, I love my family...maybe to an abnormal extent. Instead of being a "cool" adolescent boy who was moody and disliked spending time with my family, I always enjoyed it...so now my problem is-how do I write sentimental letters...without them/I being emotional.....

Goodness I Dislike Blogs

My goodness I dislike Blogs. I just struggle to think about what I want to write. I feel the pressure to write something witty, semi personal, not to revealing, deep, spiritual, and thought provoking......So most of the time I settle talking about the NBA lockout or my mission.

Needless to say, this is just not my favorite thing. I would rather write a paper then blog I think...granted I am probably just down on blogging right now because I have to have 20 posts by Tuesday...but come on!

Realistically, if I would have worked on my blog at a normal pace, I would be done by now, and not cramming at the end....but as my Grandpa used to say, "It isn't procrastination if you never intended to do it!".... unfortunately, I intended to do it.

The First Presidency Message

I had the amazing opportunity to go the the First President Christmas Devotional tonight. It was an unbelievable experience.

Once I got to my appropriate seat, I began chatting with the people around me. It was then that the Prophet walked in. It is easily my favorite part. It goes dead silent, and everyone stands in respect. I think we we see our Savior again, we will have a smilier reaction except we will kneel.

Today's devotional was amazing. The stage set up was absolutely gorgeous, decorated with Christas decorations, the choir was amazing (I wish we could have had another hour just listening to them), and the speakers did an amazing job.

I think my favorite thing that was said was when President Uchtdorf said, "God does not often expect us to move mountains, but to move ourselves. Day by day, step by step."

As I reflected on this, I thought of our job as member of the Church to progress everyday...

After watching this, I have determined that I do not know how any person could sit and watch three men share their testimony in such a powerful way, and not know the church is true.

You've Got to be Kidding

Without going in to too much detail, I think everyone needs to know that I take BYU intramurals VERY seriously. This semester alone I was one four teams...and yet only one is still going.

I have an amazing talent to make it either to the finals or the semi finals and then we loose. I cannot win a tshirt! My brother in law won five championships while he was here, and thats what I need to beat.

In every one of the championships that I have lost, it has been due to the fact that at least one of our teammates just does not show up...dang it.

I take these games way way more seriously then I did high school games.....

Yes I did just get knocked out of co-ed volleyball, and yes I am a little bitter.

26 DAYS AND COUNTING

I leave for my mission in 26 days. I cannot wait. The sheer excitement I feel is like a little kid on Christmas eve...except I am feeling it EVERYDAY.

Its time, I have checked out of school (probably not a good thing since finals are around the corner), my social life is in a weird limbo, and I am about to get released from my callings.

Weird, weird, weird. What is pulling me through these next 26 days can be summed up in this picture. This is the Bolivia Cochabamba temple, and it is one of the prettiest things I have ever seen. Located right in Cochabamba, it sits in the middle of the city.

I need BOLIVIA!