Don't mess with my family

Today was a great day, I tell you what. I did some work with my dad and two brothers, played with my family, basically just had a fun time. My sister went on her first date tonight, a dude from the ward up here, to a girl-ask-guy dance. At about eleven tonight, in the middle of a rousing game of Jeopardy we were all playing together, I got a call from my sister saying she needed someone to come get her because the date was going so horribly. Me and my two brothers got into the suburban and drove to the school to pick her up, as well as this kid. On the way there, my older brother told us his game plan. The way we were going to do it was in total silence. I was driving, James was in the front seat, and Neibaur was in the back. He was going to sit in the back seat between my sister and her date. We would ride in silence until we got to this kid's house basically. Neibaur would be the only one who spoke to him. And thus it went. We picked them up, drove the longest slowest way in complete silence, and this kid knew he had made a mistake. When we pulled into his driveway, Neibaur finally spoke (mind you, this was after a 30 minute drive in complete silence sitting behind me and next to Neibaur). "Hey my man, what's your name?" The kid will remain anonymous, but he replied. Neibaur then basically told him that, in the future, if a girl asks him out that he really doesn't want to go out with, just say no. But if he says yes, it is his duty and obligation as a man to make sure she has the time of her life. As this kid got out of the car, Neibaur said something like "Next time you won't make this mistake again" and the kid got out, said sorry, and went inside. We drove away and laughed the whole time. We created a memory for this kid that he'll probably never forget. And I hope that he doesn't. Don't treat my sister like crap. Either my older or younger. If you do, you can rest assured her brothers will confront you about it.

Christmas Thoughts

This time of year is a great time of year. I love Christmas. I love everything about it, from the excuse to bundle up to the great foods. I love that it is a wonderful excuse to see my family who mean more to me than anything else. I'm especially grateful this year because my whole family will be in the same place at the same time for the first time in 4 years. I'm grateful that my nephew will be there. I'm grateful for the memories I have of Christmas. My friend David died a little over 4 years ago, and the last time I saw him was around this time of year the year before he died. I'm so so so grateful for all of this. But the thing I am by far most grateful for is the Savior, Jesus Christ.

I know that professing a belief in Jesus Christ in this day and age is not popular. People mock. That's okay, I'm not a Christian for them. I think that if people really knew, really really knew what it feels like to know that Jesus is the Christ, the Savior of all mankind, that He truly does possess healing in his love and doctrine, then they wouldn't be so quick to laugh. I have felt a peace in my life that is too strong to be fabricated. I have felt the strength that comes from trying to live a Christ-centered life. I have felt his hand in my life and I know that He loves me. Truly he was born in Bethlehem so long ago in the most humble of circumstances, a King of kings. I spent 2 years preaching of Him, pleading nightly with the Father for the strength, wisdom, and courage to help other people find what I have found in the Savior: not a crutch, not an excuse to not have to think, but rather the ability to really move freely through this life. I know that He did die on a cross after suffering in mind and spirit for us individually. The scope of the human race is something none of us can entirely wrap our head around, and yet the Son of God did it, and in so doing wrapped his hands around us, providing a way to return to live with our Heavenly Father after this life. I feel it an honor and a privilege to celebrate his birth every year. True, historically speaking, he wasn't born in December. True, the Christmas holiday began as a Pagan ritual. But in my heart, it's an opportunity to sing praises that Jesus was born. I say with boldness and surety that Jesus lives, that He is the Christ, the Son of God sent to provide salvation for us if we choose to take it. I have no doubt of this because I have had experiences too sacred to recount on a blog that affirm to me the reality of the beautiful message of the holy scriptures. I feel lucky to be blessed with the ability and opportunity to have read the Bible countless times and feel the Spirit of God testify to me of the truthfulness of those words. I feel even luckier to have been able to read the Book of Mormon, to pray about it, and to feel that same wonderful, peaceful feeling come over me. I know that the message of the Book of Mormon is the same as the message of the Bible, that Jesus is the Christ. I thank God for the gift of free agency, for the gift of prayer as a medium through which I can communicate with the Creator of the universe and everything in it. And above all, I thank God for the gift of His Son, a sacrificial Lamb to atone for me so that I can return to his presence after I pass from this life.

This song is my favorite hymn of all time and by goodness it still makes me cry to this day. Merry Christmas to all who read this. May God's love be poured upon you abundantly at this beautiful time of year. I love you all!