This is the week of Halloween which is usually one of celebration, parties, and fun.  However, for me it has become one of reflection.  I have many family members who are leaving for missions or military duty in the next few weeks.  Their journeys have made me think about my own life and what I am trying to accomplish.  It has made me realize how small my own problems are in comparison.  A test or a paper are small trials or difficulties which in 3 months will not mean anything.  They are the accumulation of my final grade but life has so much more meaning to it than that.

                I know that I need to find ways to “chill” and take life as it comes but often I worry about the future.  Will I provide a good life for my wife, will I be a good husband and father in the future.  There are many difficult questions and issues which lie ahead.  I hope that I can remember that life is a journey with difficulties and trials but most my challenges are insignificant. 

Today's post is being written in Arizona.  We are home because my wife's brother Micah is speaking for his mission to Russia this weekend. These past two weeks, missionary work and family have been on my mind. I have been focused on the importance of family in our lives.
Growing up, I was blessed with a loving kind family that had minimal family problems. Since my marriage, I have grown to appreciate the importance of family in my life.  My wife, my extended family in Utah, and my wife's and my families here in Arizona.  They are a great support and assistance in getting through the difficulties we go through as newlyweds. The two young men that are leaving have been a big part of our life. Lucy's brother is the closest sibling she has and my cousin I helped raise in many ways.  I cannot imagine not being able to see them for the next two weeks. I need to cherish the time I have with each and every member of my family because i never know how much time i have left with them.

The Importance of the Temple

This semester my wife and I have attended the temple weekly.  We have gone to either the Provo temple or to the Mount Timpanogos temple.  We have seen how it is has given us more peace and allowed us to have more love in our lives.  However, this week our experience was unique.

Last night my cousin went through to take out his own endowment and i was able to be his escort. My role of being able to help him through the process changed my own view point of the temple.  The  temple president pointed out how the temple teaches us about our ultimate end goal which is to become like God. Attending the temple every week has helped my wife and our relationship; however, at times we forget about the purpose that we are here on earth.  We are here to learn and prepare to return to our father and be like him.

Being with my cousin, the eternal purposes of the temple was pressed home for me.  Now I just need to keep the eternal perspective in everything that I do in my life, but especially in my temple attendance. 

As many of your know, this semester I am doing an on-campus internship this semester. WE have had issues with two of the five team members not contributing.  One member was married one month ago and has not communicated with any of us.  The other team member purposely antagonizes our sponsor and only shows up to half of our required meetings.  This week both missed all our meetings and have not responded to any of our queries.

I have been thinking about the importance of teamwork and communication. To be a good team member comprises two simple tasks.  Do your assigned work and communicate. I have noticed in my life that when my group communicates, success follows. I am not infallible and I need to learn how to more effectively communicate in all relationships in my life; especially the relationship with my wife.

Missing My Wife

I missed a week because life has gotten busy.  The past two weekends my wife and I left town.  First we went to Arizona for my friend's wedding and this past weekend we went to my grandmother's cabin up in Scofield, Utah. Both trips were fun and relaxing.

However this week has been a shock back to reality. This blog is going to be about learning to function while under stress.

I have not spent much quality time with my wife this week.  She has late classes and I have had even later study groups.  Until this week we had made and ate dinner together every night.  Instead Monday, I made hamburger pie- was more difficult than I expected. Tuesday I was gone until nine at night and Wednesday my wife was making salsa until 8 P.M.  Our schedules have made our "us time" more difficult to find.


Thursday night was our first time together and it made me appreciate how important my wife is to me.  At times in the past year, I have taken our relationship for granted. I have learned this week how vital my wife is in every aspect of my life.  I cannot succeed without her support and her love and it is my goal to cherish her.  Show her how much I care and learn to spend more quality time together.