Saturday, April 21, 2012

Goodbye folks

Missionary: Someone who spends time away from their family, so others can spend eternity with theirs.

Da stats.
Opened Misson Call: December 22, 2011
Endowment: December 27, 2011
Original MTC entry: April 11, 2012
Current MTC entry: April 25, 2012
Day of feeling very excited: TODAY

And everyday really. The closer it gets, the more excited I become! Tomorrow I will be set apart as a missionary for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. I'll fly out to the Missionary Training Center (MTC) for 10 weeks to learn Chinese and then head off to Taiwan in July. I won't have my phone or access to the internet other than a weekly email to my family. My mom will be putting the emails on this blog if anyone is interested in seeing those. I can write and receive letters via mail though!

So write me. For reals. 


On to the fun stuff. My parents came to Utah so we could all drive back in my car together. This was no ordinary trip though...


Da stats.
Hours in car: over 100
Miles driven: over 5000
States driven through: 16
Siblings visited: ALL 8

So yeah. Lots of driving, but well worth it! Here's a quick synopsis of the trip...

Started off with my sister Sharalyn, her husband Reed, and four kids Carter, Makenna, Spencer, and Ryker. We were able to spend a few days there and had so much fun!

Then we headed south to my sister Rachelle's house, husband Davido, three kids Hayden, Radley, and Kinzie. Since I live so close to these guys, I'm over there all the time and have really gotten close to all these kids.

We continued to southern California to visit my Grandma, Aunt Chris and Uncle Glen, and little half-sister Eadie. I haven't seen them in years so that was really wonderful. We also spent time in Riverside visiting our old house and some friends in the area.


Next we went to Colorado to see my brother Nathan, his wife Angie, and their kids Lindsay, Logan, Wendel, and Sally. We went to the garden of the gods and hiked around, visited an old ghost town, and had tons of fun with them!

Next stop was Shane & Dolores, and their kids Ciera, Savannah, and Slater in Texas. I haven't seen them in years and the kids have really grown up a lot. I also learned how to make sushi!

Last but not least, we spent a week in Virginia at a resort with Tyler and Alyssa, my nephew and niece. We went horseback riding, river rafting, swimming, driving along the Shenandoah mountains, and tons of other things. One day we took the metro into DC visiting several museums and seeing all the sites. LOVELY! I love that city.

Well, I'm currently in Indiana and have been for the last 2 weeks with my parents here getting ready for my mission. I've been able to spend time with Jared & Crystal with their kids Rachel and Rebecca, Christy, Jason & Keri and their son Andrew. I can't believe the time has flown by so fast, but here we are! Check back if you want to see how things are going in Taiwan. I could not be more excited to go and share the gospel of Jesus Christ. I want them to feel the happiness I do knowing that we have a Father in heaven who loves us and wants us to return to Him. As we pray and study the scriptures, we can be strengthened and comforted in all times of our life.


再见我的朋友看到一年半
Goodbye my friends. See you in a year and a half!