Goodbye

I'm leaving now. See ya later. I hate the sound of my voice but I hope you all enjoy it. Keep in touch and have a great two years!

What is A Disciple of Christ?

Judgement day

Well today is one of the days. Wednesday is technically the day. And Tuesday in the night. So I guess we could say this is the morning.

Here goes nothing. It probably won't be funny or interesting. But it'll be sincere. I guess that counts.

TEAM MS

So for the past couple of weeks I've been playing indoor soccer. So far our team is undefeated and we're on top of the league. I've only ever played on one real soccer team which was senior year when I made the high school team. In the past few years I've learned how to play soccer through watching a plethora of professional games, training late at night with some of my friends and playing in high school. It's been so fun to actually be able to control a ball and score. I only scored twice in high school and it was in JV but it was still really exhilarating. This time around we're playing in a co-ed league and it's awesome to just play for fun. Although our team is taking it semi-seriously.

My dad loves to tape everything and he came to the game last night to tape it. We won our game 11-3. It was a grand old time and here's the video to prove it. With the win I'm tied for first in the league in scoring, Branson is tied for 3rd, and Todd is tied for 4th.

19 Days

So as of today I have 19 days until I enter the MTC. Don't get me wrong I enjoy life here and spending time with my friends but I just need to get out of here.

On Monday I was at work and as I was sitting down scanning cards I realized something. I just don't want to be here now. I still have plenty of friends here and I love hanging out with them but listening to the stories of other missionaries and imagining what my experience could possibly be like makes me just want to get into the field.

On Wednesday I got a letter from the MTC. They asked if I would log onto this website and watch a few videos. Basically it's filmed documentary style and a camera crew follows a few pairs of missionaries so we can see what it's really like live. While I was watching this I and saw how they plan their lessons and how they speak to investigators I just tried to imagine myself doing the same thing. Some people say it scary, but I don't. I just think it's the most exciting thing in the world. I have a chance to present myself as an authorized representative of Jesus Christ and to share His gospel with these people. I can't think of anything better.

Updates

Today our missionary newsletter came out. Justin Thomas' mom(hereafter referred to as Momma Thomas), gets emails from several of our missionary friends and compiles into a nice little newsletter. I'll just throw up my favorite quote from each of them. This is the highlight of every month for me. I love how spiritual and personal everything is in South America.

Elder Lusty
Guatemala City North Mission

"So there it is... In my first four months I have participated in baptisms, weddings, funerals, house and grave dedications, blessings, and much more... The Lord truly is leading my path."


Elder Thomas
Brazil Sao Paulo East Mission

"They teach us the language but its very basic stuff. But through that studying that we do I’m really starting to understand that the one thing that’s going to help me learn the language is faith in Christ."

Elder Steffensen
Brazil Goiania Mission

"I ate 14 slices of pizza which amounts to almost 2 pizzas."

Elder Ashby

Chile Osorno Mission

"I had done nothing for them, the lord had done everything but she had expressed an amount of love that was incredible."

Elder Tyler
Jackson Mississippi Mission

"I speak to you all as my friends, but also as my brothers who I wish to rejoice like the Sons of Mosiah who were filled with Joy when they met. Not only because they were safe and alive, but because they were still right with the Lord. WE ARE THE WATCHMEN!"

Elder Pieper
Germany Munich/Austria Mission

"I know that this church is true and it brings more joy to our own lives as well as the lives of others when we do what is right."

Elder Natter
Guatemala Quetzaltenango Mission

"Everyday I hear at least once or twice "Don't leave Elder Natter" I'm the funniest person here and even the teacher told me not to leave."

Farewell Elder Natter

The Crossfire of Heaven and Hell

Brandon Flowers

The band 'The Killers' hold a special place in my heart. Their songs all have deeper meaning, and trying to figure out what they mean is like looking at a rubik's cube for the first time. Many people see it and just pass. They say, that's not for me. But when I listen to their songs something in me just connects with them. The songs are personal to me and many of them represent special moments in my life. Both good and bad. But no matter what mood I'm in I can listen to The Killers and feel better.

I first heard about The Killers from my brother and his friends. We were driving around and I wanted to hear more from this band. Then their next album 'Sam's Town' came out and I fell in love. I later learned that the lead singer, Brandon Flowers, is LDS. That added a new dimension to their music. As I listened closer a lot of the lyrics sounded more important.

"I’m gonna climb that symphony home and make it mine
Let his resonance light my way
See, all these pessimistic sufferers tend to drag me down
So I could use it to shelter what good I’ve found"

-Sweet Talk

It's little things like that that make me smile. Maybe none of their lyrics are supposed to mean what I get out of them. But I listened to an interview with Brandon once and he said, "It's special when each person can take the song and apply it to their lives." This is exactly what I do. Each song has a specific meaning to me and it's how I interpret it. It makes it special.

The Killers decided that spending years touring on the road was a little much and they decided to take an extended break so that they wouldn't break up. They'll be back together within the next year and a half. But Brandon wasn't quite prepared to be away from music so long. So he decided he wanted to come out with a solo album. The first single from it called 'Crossfire' debuted only a few days ago. It's an absolutely beautiful song.

"Tell the devil that he can go back from where he came
His fiery arrows drew their beat in vein
And when the hardest part is over we'll be here
And our dreams will break the boundaries of our fear
The boundries of our fear"

Brandon has done it again. I love the new song and I'm so glad I got to hear it before I leave. :-)