This blog estará en both Spanish and inglés. I'm not really sorry about that since a blog is supposed to explain a little bit about the life of the writer, and I speak Spanglish. I do apologize in advance, however, for the length of my sentences, because I tend to not care that people don't follow the same thought wagon train as I do, entonces I lay it out for them to figure out if its humanly possible.
Currently I attend school at Southern Virginia University and study generals and people. I don't mean this in a creepy sense at all (creepiness only seeps in when specification gets involved; for instance it would change if I said that I like to study small freshman from the bushes as they walk between the library and the cafeteria, but general people watching is socially acceptable,) it's just that people are interesting and you can learn a lot, and generals make sense for a freshman with an undeclared major.
It's only two months until I leave for the Argentina Córdoba mission for the Iglesia de Jesucristo de Los Santos de Los Ultimos Días, and I am super excited and happy and giddy and pumped and stoked and turning into the Department Head of the Department of Redundancy Department Department Head. I officially leave for the MTC on January 11, 2012, a week after my best friend, Trevor Pierce, quien va a Guatemala City on his mission, and the day after the birthday of my dear mother. Trevor and I will both speak Spanish, and for sure will have secret combinations from our monolingual friends when we return with honor thirteen months after the world will end at the close of 2012 (meaning we come back January of 2014.)
Despite my pitiful attempt at a humorous air concerning this opportunity, I truly do hold my mission in highest serious regards and am extremely grateful that the Lord has trusted me with the responsibilidad to teach and serve His people in Argentina and to literally represent Him and all He stands for. Not very many nineteen year old guys can truthfully say that they will act with the power and authority of the Almighty God for two years, and sadly even fewer do it worthily. My love for Jesus Christ should show in my actions, and if it doesn't, please tell me so that we can all get along and have His Spirit with us always.
Perhaps the greatest missionary ever was Paul. This last week I rediscovered the conviction he demonstrates in his epistle to the Philippians, which some of you may be familiar with. Basically, on my missionary plaque I wish that I could quote the entirety of this book, on top of the Book of Mormon (it would be cool to glue a Book of Mormon onto the plaque, but social conformity doesn't allow for people quite like me.) Philippians contains many memorable mission-appropriate quotes, including a hilarious one in Chapter 3 verse 2, which reads "Beware of dogs, beware of evil workers, beware of the concision." However, since I really do take these things 100% seriously, I have chosen Philippians 1:19-something or other, it simply depends on how long I can make it. It's great all the way to verse 29, but I'm not entirely sure if ten verses is overkill. In any event, I encourage all to memorize the whole book, as well as Bobby McFerrin's "Don't Worry, Be Happy", and to apply their teachings in life. This makes it easier and more enjoyable, plus helps you to progress eternally in the Celestial Kingdom.
In order to reach the Celestial Kingdom, there are some essential ordinances one must receive on this earth. The first is to be baptized by immersion under the proper authority of God, the second is to receive your endowment in the temple, and finally to be sealed to an eternal companion for time and eternity. So far I am at step 2, and I highly recommend all to reach this step as soon as possible because the blessings and knowledge you receive in the temple will speak directly to your soul and will inspire goodness and light in your life. When I say highly recommend, I really mean that were it possible and in accordance with God's plan I would literally do everything possible to make you do it, but since it isn't, I will simply suggest it and make you feel guilty if you don't do it.
The gospel changes my life everyday for the better. READ THE SCRIPTURES, not just the Book of Mormon, and not just the Bible, pray earnestly, and remember that the primary answers, like most other cliches are cliches purely because they are true in every circumstance. God loves his children and desires the best for them, which is to live as an exalted being with Him forever, and due to the fact that you have a body you are definitely His child, ipso facto, He loves you.
Sorry if this was über sporadic and made little sense, but I hope you benefited anyways. Really my mom will be posting the majority of my blog for the next two years, minus any last minute things I throw in before January 11, so it should get better starting on the 12th :)
