Mutant Message Down Under

I'm just blown away by this book. It was recommended to me by Nancy Pratt. It is one of her favorites. I can't even begin to explain how it has touched me. I want to copy so many parts of it down and just absorb it. To become one with the incredible lessons taught within. It explains perfectly not only the purpose of the Gospel now and in eternities, but how we can overcome that natural man. Who would have ever thought that really the native aboriginies have it right. Her experiences on her 120 day walk-about is incredible.
While I was on my mission my family went through the garage, to my dismay, I returned to learn that many of my precious items such as my tent, sleeping back, treking poles, and other items were thrown away. This was a great tragedy to me. But really this book, helps me to understand more about how each thing is a lesson in life, and how we can't hold onto anything material. It is insignificant. How bound we are to our imitational surroundings. How we don't see what is real. How we aren't real - we are mutants. I can't even explain the way this book opened my mind and heart to harsh mutant reality that I live in. I recommend it to everyone to read.

Fun at Sarah's House

Caleb, Devon and I

The Samba Room

Last night I went dancing at the Samba Room. They play Latin music. It was a lot of fun. I'm learning, but I love it. One of my friends, Jesus and I talked a little bit, and I just realized even more why I love the Hispanic people and their culture. Sometimes I think that I was meant to be born in some other country. The thing I love about them is just how they live life. They live it - they can live it without all the American things that we have. They just have fun with everything that they do. A lot of them are poor and so humble. They love their families and having a good time. I think they have their priorities in check. I wonder sometimes why we work so hard here in America. We work so we can have that new car, or big house, the newest electronic device, but why? In the long run - there will always be a newer car, a bigger house, and a smaller and quicker electronic device. When do we live? Maybe its next weekend or the next holiday when I have a break...or when I don't have that mortgage or payment of some sort. The bills always seem to pile up, and it makes it that much harder to really have an enjoyable time. I think that the Latinos have it right.

Welcome Home - Warrior's Don't Cry

So I finished 2 books - one my old boss from BYU sent to me - "Welcome Home: Advice for the Returned Missionary" - it had some good reminders and showed me a little of what I can try to be better to keep up with the spirit and the things that I learned in the mission. The other book Warrior's Don't Cry I thought I would read since about a week ago was the 50th anniversary of integration in Little Rock High. This book taught me more about the need to act, rather than to be acted upon. One quote that I really liked was where the grandma says: "Embarrassment is not a life-threatening problem. It can be washed away with a prayer and a smile...Dignity is a state of mind, just like freedom. These are both precious gifts from God that no one can take away unless you allow them to." Truly, we may not be able to choose what happens to us, but we can definitely choose how we will react to it. The Little Rock 9 to me, were great examples of courage, bravery, and choosing to act. I'm grateful for their part of giving this country a little more freedom.
I love this picture of Elizabeth Eckford - I just can't imagine!!!

Return to San Antonio

It was completely unexpected right now to go to San Antonio. I got the call from one of my companions who was still in the field that some of my converts (Joe & Carol Amar) were going through the temple for the first time and were to be sealed. I was told before that it would be later in September if not October. I guess they changed their mind. They lost my phone number and so my companion called me. I made the quick decision to go. I had made a commitment to myself during my mission to see my converts go through the temple (if at all possible) and bought a plane ticket. I was gone from Friday until Sunday. It was a great trip. It actually was a huge blessing. I was able to help one of my other converts, Nnenna to get back on the road, and see another convert Brandon. There were a lot of other people that I really wanted to see as well, but I knew it would have been really impossible since I had little time and didn't want to be rushed. Plus if you see one, you have to see all. This trip was truly one of the greatest highlights of my life - God blessed me so much - I will never regret it.








Nnenna, my Nigerian convert - I stayed at her house the first night - she lives close the Amars





One of her cutest kids in the hole world " Mama" or "Madupe"

If their cute African clothes don't make you want to move - I don't know what would







Joe & Carol being interviewed after they went through the temple by the church for the missionary training videos

Brandon Quiroga (18 year old convert), me, and Sister Back outside the temple









My old three-some back again - Sister Back, me, Sister Higgins

Sister Back, Carol Amar & Joe Amar (converts), me, Sister Higgins outside the temple after they were sealed for time and all eternity

us again











cutting the cake at the Woods Home











I stayed Saturday night and went to church with the Amars - us at a BBQ dinner.


watch them cut the cake

watch one of Brandon's memories from when we taught him before he was baptized