The Best Two Years... So far..

Today I woke up rushed out of bed, and ran into the shower got changed and headed to the temple, sat down and read through the New Testament for the most part of the hour or so wait. While sitting in the back row awaiting the time to go and do confirmations a friend leaned over and told me "Kevin I think it is so awesome that you were able to go and do baptisms for the dead on the anniversary of your own baptism."

Quick Side Note: For those not of my church but read my blog none the less. In our church we follow the guidance of Peter in 1st Corinthians 15:29 "Else what shall they do which are baptized for the dead, if the dead rise not at all? why are they then baptized for the dead?" We don't exhume bodies or anything but instead, baptized by proxy for those individuals, so they have an opportunity to accept the beliefs of our church, and obtain the remission of sins that come with baptism.

Back to the story: I had completely forgotten in my rush of the morning and getting out the door that two years ago this day I committed to change my life. It has been tough, not always easy and it has not always been fun. Over the last two years I have stood for what I have felt right, and what I feel God would want me to do, I would go as far to say that I have tried my best to act in his name at all times.
Where has this gotten me? Well, I left the sunny state of California for the frozen abyss of Idaho. It has put me at odds with my friends and people I love, and it has seen me develop into more than I could have ever wished.

I love Idaho I never thought I would say something like that but I just did. You find people more friendly and not just the Mormons ;). I have a theory, it is too cold to hate someone up here, you never know when you will have to show up at their house and stay a bit just to stay out of the cold. I have learned more here than I did in my 2 years at CSUEB. The level of education and staff are superior to that of the state school. It feels like the teachers here genuinely care, anyone who took Scott Bentley's English Course would know that "caring feeling" CSUEB professors have. I have had so many teachers here genuinely interested in what our groups do. Speaking of which, wonderful, a word which does not adequately describe groups projects here. We had one class that we participated in group projects in all the time. I never had any problems with papers getting turned in late or even really burning the midnight oil waiting for that one lazy group member to turn something into us. So if any of them read this: "THANK YOU!! For making my life easier!"
It is not always easy to do the right thing. I have learned from experience, I did many years of cadets and I had to make tough decisions that had consequences Last fall I participated actively in California's Yes on 8 campaign. I called many California voters, explaining the ballot measure and talking to people on the phone about the feelings that I had towards the issue. This tried me in many ways me but I knew what I had to do. I love true friends, such as one of my Co-Workers who even though their opinion differed with that of mine, acted and felt as if nothing had changed. That goes to show the true measure of a great person.

I had a tough time with my parents when I decided to become a member of my church, my mom felt deeply saddened because of fears of missing the opportunity to attend my wedding. However I know that my father and mom both see the changes that have taken place in my life. My mom and dad see the difference in me after a day in church, the self reflection and the good graces I receive fall upon them as well.
I will close with some bold statements but I will say now that I mean every one of them.

I know that I am a loved child of God. I know that through Jesus Christ I can return to my Father in heaven, and become perfected. I know that I will reside with my family forever, just like I had always dreamed of doing. I know that the temples on earth this day allow that to happen. I know that I have changed and become a better person by becoming a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. I know that I and my family receive blessings in more ways that I can number because our father who in heaven loves each and every one of us. I know that he loves you, in fact he probably loves you more than me ;). I feel gratitude for the Book of Mormon, it has changed my life in a way that no other book has, I know that through that book I have grown closer to my Heavenly Father.

I challenge you to answer this question: What do you know?

I love you all, and hope that you take care.

Never saw this comming...

Well I figured I would update the blog because I haven't for a while and it just seems like it is time so I figured I would tell a story from my life currently...

CRAZY DAY TODAY!!! I was walking around town today with some of my buddies and as I was looking down the street I saw this kid get shot by this other group of kids. So I ran as fast as I could back to my apartment! But as I was running I tripped in some snow and fell they caught up to me and beat me up and threatened me, I got home and told my mom I got in one little fight and my mom got scared. She said 'You're movin' with your auntie and uncle in Bel Air. I begged and pleaded with her day after day, But she packed my suite case and send me on my way. She gave me a kiss and then she gave me my ticket. I put my walkman on and said, 'I might as well kick it'. First class, yo this is bad Drinking orange juice out of a champagne glass. Is this what the people of Bel-Air Living like? Hm this might be alright. Well, the plane landed and when I came out There was a dude who looked like a cop standing there with my name out I ain't trying to get arrested I just got here I sprang with the quickness like lightening, disappeared I whistled for a cab and when it came near The license plate said fresh and it had dice in the mirror If anything I can say this cab is rare But I thought 'Now forget it' - 'Yo homes to Bel Air' I pulled up to the house about 7 or 8 And I yelled to the cabbie 'Yo homes smell ya later' I looked at my kingdom I was finally there To sit on my throne as the Prince of Bel Air

The End :-) Thanks for reading guys!