Another BIG Blog update

Thursday (3/31)
"I threw my planner in the air today, singing ay-o, gotta let go..." That's how my planning has been for the past few weeks; I think I'm in a stress rut. I've just got to endure to the end here; summer is so much closer, and its all of the fun things we've planned for it that's motivating me to push through. The actual today (4/10) was so uplifting, but first I'll get these journal entries in.

Yesterday grandpa spilled the beans about the Baxters coming over for Conference weekend, but I still didn't know any details about it (until I heard mom talking to Rory on the phone in the other room about seeing me at today's track meet). I was so happy to see them there!

Everyone did well at the meet; I personally saw Jefferson Jarvis make a new PR (and High School record). He let out a scream and hurled the discuss out into the stratosphere; it was mind-numbing to watch him throw 172.something ft today.

After the meet, the Baxters and I went to g-ma and g-pa Seable's house for a delicious dinner and a temple prep class that my grandparents were doing. Tonight's lesson was about the symbolism of the temple; it was very interesting stuff. I'm so excited to go to the temple to do all of the ordinances someday.

After the class I just kind of sat there on the couch staring at Ceana and Kaeli for the next hour or so, mentally tired from the day's events. I stole Jefferson's guitar and we wrote a little song to sing for Sabrina on her birthday. Ceana and I were considering waking up the next morning to make German pancakes during the "magic hour": 4 in the morn! I am fasting today (4/10) that I'll be able to change my habits so that I will be able to wake up that early; I have faith that I can once again become an early-to-bed-early-to-rise guy. I just need to choose the right and be more responsible with my time. Goal of the week!

Friday (4/1)
We woke at 6 instead for early morning seminary; brother Beckstead did a great lesson once again. The lesson was about polygamy, and the reason why our church once practiced it: because God said so. After class Ceana and I got to chat a bit more in the quietness of the church foyer. I gave mom a call after waiting for awhile, and she said to start walking home, and so we did. We were picked up from the road about 10 minutes after we began our walk.

After doing a bit of cleaning, all of the young women in the house had a wonderful day! Sabrina, Ceana, Kaeli, Rory, and my mom went out to lunch with a bunch of Sabrina's friends, and then had a surprise sleepover at Savannah D's house. I was considering an attack on the evening event, but mom didn't think it would be appropriate. The idea was simple; play a guitar under or next to one of Savannah's windows while wearing a monkey mask. Once found by someone, scream and run. I guess I'll have to save that idea for some other occasion.

Ceana was so polite and patient today (as usual); it really touched me. Rory and I convinced her to come to track practice with me. I had some strange fantasy idea that the coaches would allow her, unregistered and all, to practice with us. But it didn't work out as I had hoped, and she had to wait through the whole 2 hours or so of practice. But how did she respond when I came up to apologize? Irritation? No, just kind, calm, reassuring words. "It's okay."

I still have to do something special for her for showcasing her amazing selfless attitude and heart-of-gold on this occasion; what a good example to me!

Saturday (4/2)
General conference, yay! I got to go see the first session at Savannah's house with all the ladies there. It turns out that Cassidy and Allie were able to come to; it was so good to see them!

During the time between sessions, the Baxters, Cassidy, Allie, and my whole fam decided to go to the local pharmacy and get some 25 cent phosphates. Afterwards dad had this urge to quickly stop at our most favorite chocolate store in town and get Sabrina a bite to eat. He gave her money, she ran in, and brought back snickerdoodles to share with the whole bus-load; how thoughtful! They were gone in seconds.

We watched the second session of conference at home, then we went out to the backyard to play on the trampoline and the trees and everything. It was so fun, and Rory got some good pics. Visualizing coach Goodell in my mind, I had the urge to go do that 45 minute run that he told me to do, or else. So I tried to set up a walk for everyone to go on. Well, just to save the reader's brain a lot of trouble, it ended in me "getting lost" and getting late for the priesthood session. Another fantastic idea, Keenan. Planning things like this is a skill that you must develop over time, right? I hope so.

Anyways, when we arrived at the stake center for the priesthood session, whoever was in charge of getting the broadcast set up was having trouble getting the stream from Salt Lake. After 15 minutes after conference started they had it working. Anthony joked that once it would start working again we would see Thomas S. Monson saying, "-and that is everything you need to know to not get burned tomorrow. Over and out." 
"FIND THAT TALK ON YOUTUBE!"
Anthony never ceases to crack me up.

It was a good meeting; it was actually a bit more informal than the other ones. Eyering's opening played cleverly on Uchdorf's talk, and President Monson's talk about marriage was just plain funny.

After the conference my father and I drove to grandma's house listening to Voicemail blare loudly from our car speakers and singing along like there's no tomorrow. "THE SPIRIT OF GOD, LIKE A FIRE IS BURNING..." It felt so great, just that time I had with dad in the car. We should sing together more often; it's a hobby I believe we both enjoy.

That night was full of some good board games, specifically Tribond and Heroscape. After playing these, we watched one of Anthony's most favorite movies: What's Up Doc? It was a very confusing film apparently designed to confuse the viewer. It was ridiculous.

Sunday (4/3)
Ah, today was a really good day. But it was also a sad day. Rory, Ceana, Kaeli, Sabrina, and myself got to watch the rest of conference at grandma's house. During the break time we watched this special program about retarded children and adopted children that made Rory and me cry. Grandma made some really yummy food while we were there, and the Baxters got to have a look at grandpa's workshop. On our way back to my house, the girls had a random notion to stop at a couple of signs that they found utterly hilarious to take some pictures: "Idle" and "Drury".

At the house we got to show the Baxters a few parts from the Liken video collection; some of our most favorite songs. Then Ceana and I played a few hymns on the piano together, just stalling to avoid having to leave. But they eventually had to go. We always have such good times every time we get together; I miss the Baxters. I hope I'll be able so see them again soon.

Monday (4/4)
Today was a really good day. Recharged spiritually and emotionally, I was able to do very well in my studies, track practice, and family life. I had better go through the general conference talks often; I could use everyday days like this more often. Excelsior!

Tuesday (4/5)
Today I went on a long bus ride to Klamath Falls for a track meet. Rule of life #3849201: Do NOT sit in the back of the bus.

Wednesday (4/6)
What happened today? I didn't record stuff very well here. Must have been too busy getting mounds of schoolwork done.

Thursday (4/7)
Similar to Wednesday, except today there was that one leadership seminar LL by Ms. Tuerk, which was really cool. Next time we do it the students that have been attending the seminar are going to be doing the whole meeting for a group of people. I love Ms. Tuerk; I would advance to say that she is the best ORCA teacher I've ever had. I am so excited to be in her AP Psychology class next year. GAH! Next year! I feel like singing "One Day More" from Les Mis. It just fills me with joy; next school year is going to be so fun. AP English Literature, Honors Algebra II, AP Biology, and AP Psych! I just want to scream; it's going to be fantastic! And karate; will be doing that too. And I'll find a consistent job, AND I'll be able to drive to it. Mwahahahaha!

I must keep on working, and remember the future is bright. "He gave me hope when hope was gone, He gave me strength to journey on..."

Friday (4/8)
More work, more track, more this and that. Tonight they did commando again, but I decided not to go; I was too tired. I heard that tonight's game of commando was police approved, but I learned otherwise the following morning.

Saturday (4/9)
I woke up this morning and went to a ward service project. We did some cleaning and leaf raking at a local cemetery, and I honestly had a pretty good time there. Haley, who went to commando last night, was prompted to text her aunt to get a ride home early in the night. It was a really good thing that she listened to the Spirit, because the whole thing turned out being pretty bad; she didn't even go into the details. Oh, by the way, Miranda's leg is still injured from the last time we played commando. But today she was feeling good enough to go without crutches.

As I walked past graves throughout the cemetery, I noticed one that caught my eye. It was a newer looking one, and had small statues of children playing around it. The name clearly etched in the marble was Austin Fryer, a name which tugged at my heartstrings and caused me to stop raking for a minute or two in respect. Austin was one of my childhood buddies, one of the best friends I can remember. He died of cancer at age 8, in 2003. I miss him so much, I cried there, looking at his grave.

After the service project, we had an exciting trip to the library. I have not been to the library in a very long time, and just loved being there! I'd like to just live at my local library, and I bet I could too, considering I just do online school. Maybe when I can drive... Anyways, I got a bunch of psychology books directed to teens. One of them, The 7 Best Things Smart Teens Do, has been simply fascinating; it has been really hard to put it down. I even referenced it in my Sunday School lesson today (4/10).

This evening was a ton of fun! Miranda had heard that there was a dance way out in Ashland, and her dad was willing to give rides! And so I was able to make it there thanks to Brother S' kindness. While driving there and back, Miranda and I had fun reading aloud from The 7 Best Things Smart Teens Do. She's a psych fan too; she's just wrapping up Sean Covey's The 6 Most Important Decisions You Will Ever Make. Her dad gave a ton of really interesting insight on what we were reading aloud; it was a really fun car ride for me.

The dance in Ashland was Neon themed, and there were a bunch of glow bracelets and necklaces there for people to just grab. It was a ton of fun! Haley was able to make it there too, and she had a great time. She reminds me so much of my cousin Jessie; it really makes me laugh. She seems a bit... emotional. How do I describe her? Well, we found the skeleton of a deer in the cemetery while cleaning earlier today, and she started crying. Tonight she wouldn't stop freaking out about some cute boy she danced with. Then she asked me if I would get some guy's number. I did, and she wouldn't stop thanking me even the next day in Sunday School. I believe that that young lady is a crazy-hyper ball of energy, poor lass. Love her anyways.

Sunday (4/10)
Today I woke up and realized, "oh no, I was supposed to prepare a lesson in priesthood today!" I had lesson 15: Enduring to the end. I scrambled to make an outline of what I would cover and stuff I would use throughout the morning and on the drive to church. At church, after taking the sacrament, I walked Faidra in the hall throughout testimony meeting. Yes, today is our ward's fast Sunday. In Sunday school we continued to learn about the parables in Matthew; we discussed chapter 14, the one about the wheat and the tares. It was a very insightful lesson for me; there are a lot of different ways you can look at parables. I got to see Fa and Carmen in Sunday school too; they've been up in Portland to celebrate Fa's 16th B-day. Her actual birthday is tomorrow; I had better start writing a song. It should be interesting, because I already just love to use Fa's nickname in scatting anyways.

When it was time for priesthood, after some announcements of more service projects (I love how so many service projects are popping up all over the place now!), it was time for me to give my lesson to two other quorum members: Parker and Bryce. I tried as hard as I could to not follow the lesson and make it a more organic learning experience. Since I spent a lot of time yesterday just studying psych for fun, I included a bit of explaining about emotions that humans feel and that we are different than other animals because we can choose how we act because of a stimulant instead of reacting like an animal. As I talked more about the trials of Joseph Smith and the Pioneers, the more I realized that this talk was really for me. I finished off the lesson bearing my testimony, feeling refreshed and strengthened once again by the message shared. I think the scripture with the most impact to me was D&C 12-

AHAHA!! I just found my old triple combination with all of the stickers and markings and everything; thank you mom!Oh, thank you Heavenly Father!

Anyways, the scripture that really recharged me for today was D&C 122:7-8; read this aloud to yourself: "And if thou shouldst be cast into the pit, or into the hands of murderers, and the sentence of death passed upon thee; if thou be cast into the deep; if the billowing surge conspire against thee; if fierce winds become thine enemy; if the heavens gather blackness, and all the elements combine to hedge up the way; and above all, if the very jaws of hell shall gape open the mouth wide after thee, know thou, my son, that all these things shall give thee experience, and shall be for they good. The Son of Man hath descended below them all. Art thou greater than he?"

I have been needing this verse for a long time; it was just what I needed for my emotional state. Give me any task and I'll do it, Lord!

Let's do it.