Life Elevated -- Rising Higher

The BEST of 2009!

2010-01-03T21:22:00.001-07:00

So... Despite the economic downturn of 2009, my life this year has been AWESOME! listed below is a summary of our fantastic year!:

-- Blake went snow boarding for the first time EVER
-- We went to Disney Land for Chantels Birthday
-- Got engaged on February 12
-- Bought engagement ring on February 14th (Valentines day)
-- Got married on May 28th
-- Headed to Cancun, Mexico for a week for our honeymoon (week full of snorkling, kayaking, swimming in the beach, swimming in the pool, eating at McDonalds, jet skiing, rappelling, zipline, hiking ancient Myan pyramids, biking, caving, swimming with dolphins, riding dolphins, petting sharks and sting rays, sightseeing, etc)
-- Went camping at the cabin in Joes Valley with friends
-- Went camping at Pitsburg Lake up AF Canyon
-- Went hiking and camping up Snell Canyon (canyon about house in Spanish Fork) and saw a bear on the way up
-- Went four wheeling up Reeder Canyon (Joes Valley) and almost got in a wreck with some other crazy four wheelers. But on the bright side, we experienced the most beautiful ride that one could hope for.
-- Hiked the Black Box in the San Rafael desert and got stranded in it overnight. it was a great adventure which story shall be shared for years to come.
-- Attended time at the Merrell Reunion and had Chantel play her first round of Frisbee Golf.
-- Attended the Garbe Reunion and make the largest straw tower!
-- Attended the Wilberg Reunion and help set up a shower house.
-- We had our brand new house built and finished by July. we moved in for Blakes Birthday.
-- We became sunbeam teachers
-- Chantel began a new job as a Teachers Aide for the School of the Deaf and Blind.
-- Blake survived 4 layoffs at work and feels SUPER grateful that he still has a job.
-- And to begin the new year right; we went camping in the cabin for new years day!

All in all, Chantel and I have had a Wonderful year in 2009! The best of our lives! May 2010 prove to be even better!!! We have much thanks to give to all of our wonderful friends and family that help make our life so wonderful!

My Wedding

2009-11-17T14:35:00.000-07:00

Blake is Finally Married (well was married about 5 1/2 months ago) The wedding was a glorious Day. The weather was perfect, the ceremony was simple and beautiful.Chantel was GEORGOUS! It was just such a wonderful day! Chantel and I drove to Manti together and got stuck in traffic for about an hour. SO.... we were late for our own wedding! LOL, we were super frustrated getting to the temple, but the Plus side to it all was that we were together. It would have been so horrible if one had been waiting at the temple for the other. Once we arrived there it was smooth sailing. It was wondeful to have so many family and friends there to support us! Chantel and I constanly talk about how blessed we are to have such great family and friends. We owe so much of who we are to everyone of our famliy and friends!

Hare Kristna Color Festival

2009-04-01T10:59:00.003-06:00

Chantel, JaNae and I all attended the Hare Kristna Color Festival this year! It was SOOOO MUCH FUN :D Needless to say I think we look pretty darn good in "Color" lol

Engagement Pictures

2009-03-19T15:42:00.001-06:00

Chantel and I have a friend--Jeff Johnson-- who has been wanting to practice some photography; So we have had 3 fun filled days of taking pictures. Here is a collage of some recent pictures Chantel and I had taken. SHE IS SO BEAUTIFUL! I hate to ruin the pictures with my presence, but she makes me stand in them too. ;)

THE RING

2009-02-27T08:16:00.004-07:00

Here is a picture of Chantel's Beautiful RING :D She makes it look really good!

StOrY TiMe

2009-02-17T09:50:00.006-07:00

Once upon a time... Blake was attending a party at Andrea Seely (now Lawson) home. Were playing games outside on the grass and eating little cheesecake squares. This party was different though. there was a BEAUTIFUL new girl sitting with us named Chantel. After the party was over my friend Derek Cluff and I went in to home teach Andrea, and to my great delight Chantel stayed there as well. (Andrea had just come back from a trip to the Philippines and was going to show off the pictures) We had a great visit and afterwords I kept on commenting on how CUTE Chantel was!! Derek Agreed.

A few weeks went by and I called my friend Andrea for Chantel's phone number. I remember exactly where I was when I called Chantel the first time. I was at work, standing in the hall and when she answered the phone I asked if she rememberd me from a few weeks ago, and if she would like to go to a move that weekend. She coudn't go to the movie, but I had a back up plan for the next weekend. I had tickets to a a-capella concert in SLC and she accepted the invite for that date.

The Sunday after I asked Chantel on the date, I saw this really Cute girl at Church. I turned to my friend Derek and even commented: "who is that cute girl sitting on the end of our row?" he was like: "Isn't that your date for Friday?". I turned to back and said Chantels name out loud to get her attention. To my great sup rise and pleasure it was her :D the my date for friday. After Chruch that day I got up the courage to ask her to go for a walk with me that afternoon. We met up around 7 and walked around her neighborhood for a few hours and talked about lots of things and laughed lots too :) It was wonderful!!!

A few days later I got up to courage to ask her to dinner before she headed to Massage School, which she was attending at the time. Dinner was at Hogi Yogi in Spanish fork. It was simple and nice and I remember when we left how I wanted to hug her. LOL ;0 it was an awkward hug... but it was worth it. Oh the things boys feel when they are falling in love with a beautiful girl.

Our first "official" date was a lot better than I expected. I was so nervous doubling with my friend Derek cuz I thought that he would start to like Chantel and she would fall for him, and not me :( But to my surprise that did not happen. We had a great time at the concert, and dinner was fun, and after all that we went to Lehi and played in a park. Chantel proposed to run though the sprinklers... SO WE DID :D and we enjoyed playing on the swings and things too! all in all the our first date was a lot of fun, and I couldn't believe that a girl as gorgeous as Chantel was actually showing a little interest in me.

That was the start of a casual dating relationship for the summer. Chantel had a missionary out, who I learned about from the get go. She didn't know that I knew about him, but I did. toward the end of the summer the reason we broke up was largely because of this missionary. none the less We went on lots of fun dates during the summer of '06. We went to:

Fiddler on the Roof at BYU
Beauty and the Beast at SF High School
A-Capella concert (T-minus 5)
Games with Jay and Mindy
Concert with Jay and Mindy
Movies at my house
Dinners at Panda Express
Emery County Pageant
Playing at Parks
Dancing in a parking lot
Went to the Hoggle Zoo (Favorite date of the summer!)
Picnic in the part across from the Zoo
Watched the Testaments at Temple Square
Sat and enjoyed the evening talking in a park
Sunday walk in the Park by my house
and more...

The year was a great one :D a little confusing cuz I had to "fight off the missionary" but it was fun nonetheless!

When school started up again, and Chantel moved to Provo, her and I mutually decided to "be friends", and good friends we were. I would still come and visit every once in a while and texts and calls to each other happened on a consistent basis. throughout the next 2 1/2 years Chantel and I developed a solid friendship. I was aware of the men she was dating and I was comfortable in talking about the girls I was dating. When we would see each other it wasn't awkward or uncomfortable... I still thought she was gorgeous, and it was fun talking with her and catching up with life. over the years, we would hang out occasionally. Chantel and I went to Jazz game, and I would attend her birthday parties where we would play laser tag. she would come camping with us and when her and her friends would like to go camping she would call me for help in planning it :D She even came with me when I went to Luke and Marys Family reunion this year for my 25th birthday. There we went horse back riding, 4 wheeling, canoeing, Geo cashing, etc... We would also hang out at ward functions a lot and talk often at parties that we were attending and/or hosting. She also came to my cabin toward the end of the summer and we went jet skiing and such there. it too was one of the funnest camping trips i have had and even though Chantel and I wern't dating then, I had so much fun with her then :D

so... yeah, beginning this summer I realized again how much fun I have when am with her, and our friendship really began to get stronger. all in all, the circumstances were such that by November we were both starting to fall in love with each other again and... yeah! Since October we have been busy with lots of fun activities:

Snow Boarding
Camping at the Cabin
4 wheeling
Jeeping at the cabin
Sledding behind the 4 wheeler on ice and snow
Visit to the Little Grand Canyon
Missionary Farewells and Homecomings
Camping up Hobble Creek
Body Worlds
Temple Nights every Thursday
Hale Center Play "All shook up"
BYU Play "Thoroughly Modern Milly"
Soccer
Institute
Ward Parties
Sledding
Watching movies
Draper Temple Open House
Sushi
Italian Food
Meeting for lunch during work
Drives to Payson Canyon
Watching the Movie "Bed Time Stoires" all by ourselves in the Spanish Fork Theater
Watching doller movies with friends
BYU basketball games
UVU basketball games
Temple Square durring Christmas (3 times)
First Presidancy Christmas Devotinals
Mormon Tabernacle Christmas Choir Concert
Birthday parties with friends
Hanging out at Jeffs house
Chantels Christmas work party
...And a ton of other stuff i can't think of right now.

So... after all of that on February 12, 2009 I propose to her. I talked with her parents on friday february 6th while she was at a girls night. I then asked for her parents blessing and they were really excited about the idea :D that was a really cool expirence. So, then I started the process of proposing. I purchased a silver ring with CZ diamonds and when I came on Thursday the 12th, I could not wait any longer to propose. I was gonna do in on friday the 13th, but I couldn't wait another night! anyway, on Monday I started sending her flowers with notes attached to them. the first day she received 1 rose. second day was 2 roses, then 4, then 8, and then 16. with every flower there was a card with a love note ;) In every note I would find a way to incorporate the words: CHANTEL, WILL, YOU, MARRY, ME. Day one had the word CHANTEL in CAPS, the second day WILL was in CAPS, the next day YOU, then, MARRY, and finally ME on the last day.

so... on Thursday I scheduled a trip to Manti to do baptisms and after our experience there, while we were walking out I Proposed at the temple! It was awesome and she was so cute and excited and kept on saying yes, and asked "is this real life" :) It was so CUTE!

Now, we are engaged and planning a wedding! Life could not be much better :D On valentines day, sadly her fiance did not get her flowers, or chocolate... but we did get her the most georgouse ring EVER! It really is awesome and made for a fantastic Valentines Day!

MENICE? NO MORE!

2009-02-13T11:08:00.003-07:00

OnCe UpOn A tIme... Blake got engaged to Chantel Stickney.

Great Kick-Off to '09

2009-02-02T08:23:00.005-07:00

WOW! Life keeps on getting better and better! 2008 was full of so many AWESOME memories and activities! last year started off Jan, 1 with a hike up Angel's Landing in Zions! and finished with a Trip the the Philippines and me learning how to Scuba Dive and in December I finally learned how to snowboard! In between all of that my year has been full of trips to the most beautiful Havasaupai, AZ, Subway in Zions, Cabin trips, Scuba Diving in Saint George, sledding in June up the back side of Maple Mtn, Swimming in Icy ponds, Fishing, canoeing across Utah Lake with Jay, Work Trips to Dallas and Kalamazoo, Running Triathalons, Jet Skiing for the first time, Boating with Family, Camping at Payson Lakes, Walking to Gorotto Water Fall up Payson Canyon, Hiking around the Mexican Hat, Canoeing the Little Grand Canyon, Learning how to Rock Climb, Dragging Popcorn through Goblin Valley, Hiking the Little Wildhorse Canyon Loop, Kayaking through the 100 Islands, Lobster Hunting with Scuba Gear, Hiking through the Devils Gardens in Arches, Biking arround the Large Windmills in Spanish Fork, Golfing in golf tournaments, Cliff Jumping, Etc...

Neeless to say, 2008 was one AWESOME year! I also graduated from BYU, started my Career at Flowserve as a Manufacturing Engieer, and purchased a new 2008 single cab Silverado! But as great as '08 has been I am looking forward to an even greater year in 2009! Already I have been Snowborading a few times, been to Arches, taken a trip to the Cabin in Joes Valley (where we cut a hole in the lake and jumped in for 1 min!) Been sledding and 4 wheeling, and Hiking! and the best of all is that I have found a lovey lady who I enjoy spending all of my time with! Chantel Stickney and I have started dating again and it has been awesome ;) hmm... I wonder how 2009 could possibly beat 2008? ;)

Anyway, Life is so good to me and I am so grateful to all of you my friends! my life is so blessed largly becasue I have had so many wonderful people to be a part of it! Thank You all for everything!

Philippines 2008 Revisited

2008-12-21T17:16:00.003-07:00

After about 4 years, I was finally able to revisit my mission. It was one of the most incredible trips of my life. Myself, and my two friends Jeff and Josh came with me. We visited WWII history sights, went snorkeling, sea kayaking, scuba diving, lobster hunting, penetrated sunken WWII ships, Ate lots of Filipino food, drank any many mango shakes, went hiking, drove in busy cities, looked at huge clams, played basketball games with the locals, sat on the beaches, visited many people I taught and baptized as a missionary, gave out a Book of Mormon, and enjoyed the many beautiful sunsets! All in all, we had the time of our lives and wish we could all be back there with all of you! The water temp was 85 degrees, and the outside temperature was about 80-90 degrees. It was a great weather for a vacation!

Day 1:

Day 2:

Mission Flash Back

2008-11-08T23:57:00.002-07:00

Dear Journal

Today was a good day. My OYM's went up! I received 5 today. and one of he referral questions I asked received a answer! A member gave us a referral. It will be difficult though. this man works on Saturday-Tuesday in Manila. this creates a pretty bi problem because this man will need to go to church.

Well, the work is going well, we have 2 baptisms next week! I am excited. I pray for these members that they will stay strong and resist Satan's temptations! I do a lot of teaching here! It is good. My memorizing of the discussions are coming along okay! It is slow, but i am trying.

I received a letter today from Natalie Palmer. It made me very happy. she is doing well! i love to hear from friends! It brings back so many memories of home, friends and school! I just need to be careful and stay focused on this, the Lords work and not be stuck back at home.

Well, I am definitely learning! I pray i will have charity for this people and i will learn this language as soon as possible! I love this Church! It is a neat feeling to testify and actually know what you are testifying is true!

Sa Pangalan ni JesuCristo amen!

Saturday, 8 November 2003

Dear Journal,

What a day. This office Elder life is crazy! I just might go crazy sitting at that computer all day! I get tired and all I do is sit and type.

P-Day was fun. I went to Subic Naval Base and we went shopping. Lets just say, I saw way to much American food! it was all there! The prices were in dollar pa! needless to say, I think it will take some getting use to!

I enjoyed emailing my family. They, I'm sure will be surprised!

I am enjoying my time with Elder Cadenhead and Elder Garcia is the neatest Filipino I have met so far! I look forward to a good companionship with him! He speaks fluent English and can even explain Tagalog language structure. he is really magaling. I look forward to a good companionship!

I have a feeling i am going to get fatter here in Olongapo! I eat a lot of really good food! Today we had pizza, mac and cheese home-made cookies by Elder and Sister Kinghorn and cereal for Breakfast. i just don't know if I can handle it. We have microwave, stove and everything! wow is all i can say! WOW!

Well I have a lot to learn and I look forward to a good transfer!

MY PEOPLE

2008-11-08T23:28:00.003-07:00

As Excited as I get about seeing all these really cool sights in the philippines, Every time I read my old Journals I get even more excited to see and meet the people of the philippines again. love them so much and I can't wait to speak my broken Taglog to them. These people taught me so much about love and kindness and how to be truly hospitiable. Filippinos don't have a lot and they look to America almost as the "perfect" place. But in all reality they sometimes have so much more. They are poor and live in horrible conditions, but they are kind and hospitiable. they will do almost anything for you and will never let you leave there home with out at least a drink of coke and a cracker ;) lol Everything revolved around thier family and they are so nice and kind to everyone! Anyway, as much as I love thinking about and talking about the "places" we are going to go, I am just as excited, if not more so for my opertunity to meet up with "my" people! Many of the people i saw baptized are now endowed and strong assets to the church! I love IT

2008-11-07T16:46:00.004-07:00

"When Jesus gave His disciples a new commandment to 'love one another; as I have loved you' (John 13:34), He gave to them the grand key to happiness in this life and glory in the next."Love is the greatest of all the commandments--all others hang upon it. It is our focus as followers of the living Christ. It is the one trait that, if developed, will most improve our lives."

Joseph B Wirthlin, "The Great Commandment," Ensign, Nov. 2007, 30 31

I receive daily emails with quotes from recent general conference addresses. I received one today that really touched me. The quote shared above is so true and I realized again how important the trait of "love" must be cultivated in my own life, for it "will most improve [my] our lives."

TRUNKYNESS-- I'm Getting Scuba Certified :D

2008-10-31T09:07:00.004-06:00

I'm getting REALLY TRUNKY! This week I started my Scuba Certification so that when I get to this palce I will be able to dive! I only have 3 weeks till I leave and I can hardly wait. Looking at pictures like this make me really excited. Right when we touchdown in Manila, Philippines we hop on another airplane and fly to El Nido, were these amazing beaches are located! We plan on spending a few days here, and then going back to my mission. AAAHHHHH!!! I can't wait!

Because of YOU...

2008-10-18T22:33:00.007-06:00

So... I was looking over my postings and realized that everything I have posted in one way or another is "bragging" about my life. I am not going to lie, Life is really good, but it is not complete. In order to fill in the voids, I find trips and adventures and parties to keep myself busy so I don't have time to think about the things i'm lacking. Anyway, as I was looking at what I have posted I felt a huge desire to give thanks to so many of my amazing friends who help me in so many ways.

If there truly is anything good found in me it is largely because of my friends and family! I admit, I am the not the best person in the world, BUT I will be the very first to admit that the people I associate with are the greatest men and women God has to offer! I Have grown up with the Luke Peacocks, Jessica Snow's and the Robbie Jensen's :D In addition too, and while at college I became best friends with the Jay Langfords, Jason and Mary Frandsens, Heidi Hunsakers and many others! I wish I could mention more names, but that list would fill a volume all by its self. IT IS YOU, YOU WHO ARE MY FRIENDS!!!! who have helped me want to be a better person and who help me when I am down. It is YOU who provided me a shoulder to cry on and also a place to stay. It is YOU who have shown me what it means to be like Jesus Christ, and It is you who have provided conversations and situations that allow for me to feel and fall in love with the Spirit of God! It is you who I see doing great things which make me want to do great things too! It truly is all of you who help show me the way of Jesus Christ, and your example helps me to want to stay on the straight and narrow path. I thank YOU for helping me to laugh, for providing me with comfort when I am weak and discouraged. I thank you for sharing your testimony of the Gospel with me and allowing me to share mine with you. I thank you for tolerating my girl drama and for helping me get through it with an optimistic attitude. It is all of you who have helped make me the man I am today! I hope and pray that this man is a true man of God, for I should be just because I know YOU! :D

The name of my blog has been selected for a special reason to me. more than anything I desire to Elevate my Life and Rise Higher! With out you that would not be possible and I am so grateful to my God that he has given me friends like you who help elevate my life and help raise me higher!

My heart is full right now because I am thinking about a lot of you, my friends. I love you and wish I could do so much more for you!

Mahal ko po kayong LAHAT :D
Blake J

JUMPING INTO PARADISE

2008-10-07T15:06:00.009-06:00

MY JUMP INTO PARADISE! May 12 - 17, 2008... This was the most amazing Jump EVER! Location is Havasupai AZ. This place truly is Paradise on earth and I miss being there so much. Anyway, the jump was at least 50 feet into churned water. It is the highest cliff I have ever jumped and it was by far the best one. When I first saw my friends jump off of it I got scared and didn't dare to do it. 3 of my friends (Wes, Daniel, and Seth) jumped and I was left with the "girls" to walk to the bottom with there clothes--Ok...ok Trevor was with me too LOL. :( after we walked to the Grand Canyon and back my friend Seth and I aproached the same cliff again. This time my pride got to me and I COULD NOT let my friends out do me... so I JUPMED!!!! and so did my friend Seth... a second time. The JUMP was INCREDIBLE!! and so worth it. When I had climbed back I decided to jump again :D Just so my friend could not "one-up" me! LOL I am so prideful.

WHY I'm still SINGLE :D

2008-10-07T11:51:00.011-06:00

'Nuff Said :D

Philippines: READY OR NOT HERE I COME

2008-10-03T10:05:00.006-06:00

I'm FINALLY going back... It is always talked about by the missionaries how they will go back to their missions! Well... I am not talking about it anymore, I am going to actually do it! On November 19 I will be leaving SLC and flying to Manila, Philippines! I am so excited... mangos, waterfalls, beaches, Balut, wet-markets, banana trees (they are the best punching bags ever!), bamboo huts, and most important are the people I will get to see! I can't hardly wait till I get to go!

My friends Jeff and Josh are going to come with me and I can't wait till they get to see the Philippines too.

I am so excited to visit with some of my converts! And I can't wait to see some of my old areas! I will finally get to do all the things that I was not able to do while I was there as a missionary--like go SWIMMING AT THE BEACH! Anyway... It is finally going to happen... the tickets are purchased... now we just wait! BOOOOOOOOO, I hate waiting. lol

Best Canoe Trip EVER

2008-09-19T17:42:00.003-06:00

ONCE UPON A TIME,

Blake and Jay had this crazy idea to canoe to church. It had been Blake's goal for 3 summers at Scofield Scout Camp to do so, and the summer of 2005 was finally the year to do it! It was not only Blake's goal to canoe to church, but to also park the canoe in a parking stall at the church. HAHA... we not only parked it in the parking lot, we parked it in a handicap stall. LOL ;) So... yea. the first trip over was AMAZING. we saw cows, and ducks, and duck eggs, and birds. (it was an "out-of-Utah" experience, really!) we felt like we were on a river in Mexico, or something. The bushes were overflowing the banks and there were lot of foliage to keep us (Jay and I) entertained for hours. all in all, it was the best Sunday trip to church ever (and it happened 3 times that summer!) Just imagine a canoe with legs walking down the road! yeah :D That is how we had to get the canoe from the Lake to the Chruch parking lot--we had to walk in on the road! Anyway, canoeing to church is the best way EVER to go to chruch... hands down...

The END

Beer, Sunsets, and "Magic Underwear"

2008-09-10T13:51:00.005-06:00

This week I was able to travel to Kalamazoo Michigan for Work :D Training is always good, but this time I have had some interesting moments after the days training sessions! Being out here reminds me so much of being a missionary, and I LOVE it! Every evening me and some of my co-workers would go out to dinner and OF COURSE i am the only LDS person in the group. Anyway... just last evening we all went to dinner and everyone in the WHOLE group gets beers, and wines and other "Drinks", the waitress comes over to me and asks and i have to tell her that I don't drink, she was kind and asked me if i would like a "Virgin" drink and i was OK with that :D When she came back I was surprised with a yellow, "frothy" substance! EVERYBODY was like: "WHAT IS THAT, Hey Blake, what did you GET?" All i could tell them was "I Don't know", it is a surprise to me" LOL and then I had to announce to the whole table that I don't drink... which was fine. Later during the dinner I was then asked again if I wanted another drink and I agreed as asked for a strawberry daiquiri. haha everyone on the table was like "WHAT?!? a strawberry daiquiri?" and i had to yell "VIRGIN" across to the waitress to make sure that it was Alcohol free! I thought it was pretty funny.

Later after that dinner, I got back in the car and assumed I was going back to the Hotel. Little did I know what was going to happen that evening.... My friends decided that it was still early and so we all went to the Local Pub! we arrived and there was a lady checking for ID's and everything... we walked in and sat down and then I spent the next 2-3 hours watching my friends drink beer! we talked about the different types of beer, what makes a good beer, the texture and taste of beer and everything :D then, after they had a few drinks they started to ask about my religion... and wondered why I didn't drink! then we talked about politics and religion... and then they asked what my beliefs were... and then I listened to my friend(s) go off about their beliefs! and then Finally we left the bar and continued to talk about reliion and beliefs! :D while in the car I had one of them told me that they had a friend that was a member of the LDS Church and that they have to wear "Magic Underwear" LOL and he wanted to know about it! hahaha... I actually had a really cool experience telling him a "LITTLE" about our "Magic Underwear" and about how we make covenants in the temple to be more like Christ and how the garments remind us of those things! he was satisfied with that answer. I was glad... then he asked me how devote i was to the religion. he have me a scale of 1 - 10 and asked me to rate my devotion to the LDS faith... I thought it was a interesting question and I was happy to say that I rate my Devotion as a 10! of course i am always tyring to be better, but according to these people I am a fanatic! LOL but in a good way...

then after that... He asked me, and the whole group, if we could remember the last time we were taken back by a sunset. I thought is was an interesting question but i was intrigued. The last sunset that I remember was a few months ago while i was driving through Springville. He continued to ask all of us and demanded a specific time and then explained that Sunsets were his gauge of his "Spirituality" meaning that if he cant remember the last time he saw a sunset and was caused to reflect upon it that he has been way to busy in life and has let unimportant things get in the way of the important things. I was really impressed with this concept and kinda like the gauge he uses! :D I need to stop and look at MORE Sunsets! :D

So... all in all... My first visit to a BAR was quite an expirence! and kind of fun... I don't think it will happen very often, but it was pretty low key and enjoyable to visit and get to know and make some more friends.

2008-08-07T17:41:00.000-06:00

Earlier this spring I decided to run a Triathalon with some friends! Kirk, one of my good friends in my ward, talked me into training for it clear back in January. Ryan was giving a FHE lession about setting goals and taught us about his goal a few years ago to run a triathalon. This lesson inspired us to set the same goal and so we started training. we woke up early and Swam, and Ran. This training has proved to be an incredible expirnece for me. I made and strengthened a friendship and got in shape.

When this triathalon finally arrived, we were suprised to wake up to rain. Becasue the rain made the roads really slick, the bike portion of the Triathalon was canceled. Many people left, but we stayed and swam and ran! I had a really good swim time for my first race and placed 77th overall in the race. I was pleased, but i was more pleased with how I felt after! It was so exciting and fulfilling.

Blake and Jay Incredable Adventure Across Utah Lake

2008-08-07T11:19:00.003-06:00

Once Upon a Time... In a valley called "Happy" there existed a LARGE Lake. Some how the events of Life guided Jay and Blake to live in this "Happy" Valley. When they first arived to live here they saw the large lake and decided that it needed to be canoed! 3 years after that first decision to canoe the lake, they finally made the trip. Starting in Spanish Fork(where Blake Lives), they traveled to the large Utah Lake and canoed to Saratoga Springs (near Lehi where Jay lives).

This trip proved to be quite the Adventure! while singing the "100 bottles of Sprite on the wall" about a trillion and two mosquitoes ATTACKED us! every stroke of the paddle was a fight, and every attempt to sing was muffled by a mouthful of mosquitoes. But we prevailed and fought a valiant battle and ran for a our lives back to the middle of the lake where the mosquitoes were NOT! we surely showed them! the miracle of it all is actually the fact that we FINISHED the song "100 bottles of Sprite on the wall" :D

After our battle, we made our way back to shore and found two Russian Olive trees where we could hang our hammocks and sleep for the evening. we ate well, attempted to cook a cake, and enjoyed sharing spiritual thoughts! :D

When we woke up, Jay was ready to start fishing. we ate breakfast and started out on the open water once again. on our way to the end of the lake we also spent a few hours fishing. we caught about 8 fish total. I only got speared by the catfish twice! (Blasted Catfish, they made me bleed!) we caught two White Bass. they were pretty fish. But....Alas...we were to tired to stop and cook them, so Jay gave our fish away two some other fishermen along the shore!

And...yeah! that was the adventure for Blake and Jay! UTAH LAKE IS CONQUERED!

2008-08-07T10:56:00.001-06:00

"The standard is clear. If something we think, see, hear, or do distances us from the Holy Ghost, then we should stop thinking, seeing, hearing, or doing that thing. If that which is intended to entertain, for example, alienates us from the Holy Spirit, then certainly that type of entertainment is not for us. Because the Spirit cannot abide that which is vulgar, crude, or immodest, then clearly such things are not for us. Because we estrange the Spirit of the Lord when we engage in activities we know we should shun, then such things definitely are not for us.

"I recognize we are fallen men and women living in a mortal world and that we might not have the presence of the Holy Ghost with us every second of every minute of every hour of every day. However, the Holy Ghost can tarry with us much, if not most, of the time—and certainly the Spirit can be with us more than it is not with us. As we become ever more immersed in the Spirit of the Lord, we should strive to recognize impressions when they come and the influences or events that cause us to withdraw ourselves from the Holy Ghost.

"Taking 'the Holy Spirit for [our] guide' (D&C 45:57) is possible and is essential for our spiritual growth and survival in an increasingly wicked world. Sometimes as Latter-day Saints we talk and act as though recognizing the influence of the Holy Ghost in our lives is the rare or exceptional event. We should remember, however, that the covenant promise is that we may always have His Spirit to be with us. This supernal blessing applies to every single member of the Church who has been baptized, confirmed, and instructed to 'receive the Holy Ghost.'"

Elder David A. Bednar, "That we May Always have His Spirit to be With Us", Ensign, April 2006.