Well, that wonderful time that rolls around about every four years has come again. Trek!
I'm so excited to be able to go on Trek again, despite my toe, which may or may not cause major struggles and difficulties along the way. For those of you who don't know, I stubbed my toe pretty majorly the other day trying to dodge some water balloons, and I think I may have sprained it or something. It's feeling better, but every now and then I'll tweak it the wrong way, and it hurts pretty good. But, it's not dead yet, and I think I'll take it for a walk. Make that an 18 mile or so hike thing. I guess we'll see how it holds out, eh?
This year, I was co-chair of the youth committee in charge of the Trek, and it's really made such a difference to me. I've kinda been in charge of making sure everything is running smoothly with the youth and such. Sometimes it's been a bit of work, but through my calling, I have been able to learn a lot more about the Trek and the pioneers we are going to be commemorating. It's been really neat.
I'm really kinda excited to be able to forget myself for three days and go and feel the Spirit and learn so much. I hope that this time through is as incredible for me as the first time was. I'm sure it will be really neat, and that I will learn a lot, and comprehend a lot more than I did last time, but it was such a new experience the first time through, obviously, and I hope that I don't let my expectations drive me further from progressing and from re-learning all that there is to learn there. It's going to be different, I know that, I just hope that I will be able to keep my memories of the past from getting in the way of making memories in the present.
I have to, excuse me, "get to" be there fifteen minutes earlier than everyone else, which means I show up at 4:45 in the morning tomorrow. Oh yeah. Hardcore. It's going to be a long couple of days, but hopefully so worth it. I have to conduct half of the firesides and devotionals and such, and Kate, the other co-chair, will do the other half. I just hope that it all goes well, and that the kids who are going will open their hearts and minds to the Spirit that is there, and build their testimonies and strength while there.
Speaking of which, I have to prep a 30 second testimony/challenge thing for tomorrow morning. They're going to show a short video thing, and I have to challenge everyone to make the most of the opportunity we have and whatnot, only I'm really not sure what I'm going to say. Should be interesting. Maybe I should get that ready....
Well, I guess I'll update sometime after Trek!
Monday, July 21, 2008
Saturday, July 12, 2008
Alright, Alright, Alright Alright Alright, HEY!
EFY! I just finished up an Area Session last night, and it was simply incredible. It was so incredible to be involved in something like that. Everyone there really wanted to learn and grow, and it was easy to tell that they did. The Spirit was so incredible, and it was there because of the participants. It was so nice to be able to go and just learn about the gospel. I think that I came away changed, and knowing what things I do need to change in my life. Nothing serious, but just little things that I can do to make myself a better person and instrument in the hands of the Lord.
I am so excited to be able to serve the Lord for two whole years on a mission. This past week has really helped me to realize that again. It baffles me that the church would entrust 19-year-old boys to do the work of the Restoration, to bring the truth of salvation and hope to the world. I don't feel ready, but I know that if I do all that I can, and try my hardest, that the Lord will make up the difference, and hopefully I will be successful and be able to help the people I serve, wherever that may be.
Anyways, those are my thoughts on EFY. I loved it, and I'm very glad that I was finally able to go.
-Josh
P.S. In one of the classes, they played a song that the BYU Men's choir had sung at the April 2007 Preisthood session of Conference, and I went up afterwards to ask the teacher where he'd found it, and he told me to just Google it. Duh. Why hadn't I thought of that? Anyways, after a long, long time of searching, I've found it.
http://www.joewheeler.co.uk/downloads.html
Hope you enjoy it! I surely did!
I am so excited to be able to serve the Lord for two whole years on a mission. This past week has really helped me to realize that again. It baffles me that the church would entrust 19-year-old boys to do the work of the Restoration, to bring the truth of salvation and hope to the world. I don't feel ready, but I know that if I do all that I can, and try my hardest, that the Lord will make up the difference, and hopefully I will be successful and be able to help the people I serve, wherever that may be.
Anyways, those are my thoughts on EFY. I loved it, and I'm very glad that I was finally able to go.
-Josh
P.S. In one of the classes, they played a song that the BYU Men's choir had sung at the April 2007 Preisthood session of Conference, and I went up afterwards to ask the teacher where he'd found it, and he told me to just Google it. Duh. Why hadn't I thought of that? Anyways, after a long, long time of searching, I've found it.
http://www.joewheeler.co.uk/downloads.html
Hope you enjoy it! I surely did!
Tuesday, July 1, 2008
Yea Band!
Man, I just love band season. Call me insane, but I really do enjoy it. The heat is sometimes a little much, but I love being outside, pushing myself to and beyond the point where almost anyone in the world would give up, and knowing that 150 others are right by my side, sweating and pushing right along with me. It's a rare group of people that will do that, and one that I truly am proud to call myself a member of. Band has been a major part of my life the last few years, and here I am, embarking on my senior year, which is such a shock to me. I'm not old enough to be a Senior! I'm not old enough to be turning 18 in a month! Man, life comes at you fast...
Speaking of which, the band is progressing insanely fast this year. We're going to begin setting drill for the opener tomorrow, as long as the morning block goes well. And seeing how the blocks have been going lately, that shouldn't be much of a problem. Once the group buckles down mentally, we are able to just fly through whatever is thrown at us. However, getting that focus is another thing entirely, especially after water breaks. This rookie class is amazing, but a little bit ADD sometimes. What's worse is that it's not just the rookies, it's some of the vets, even some of the kids who are on leadership this year. most of them are totally solid, and a wonderful leadership corp, but there are a few who haven't quite grasped the concept of a time and a place for everything, and band isn't the time or place for a lot of things to go on. But... they'll get it. Anyways, we're going to start drill, and I'm so stoked. This year is shaping up to be so incredible, it's hard to even describe. We're having "moments" as a hornline, already. Those usually don't come until much later. To paraphrase a quote I heard, if you know what it means, you don't need an explanation. If you don't know what it means, there's no way to possibly describe it. They're just... glorious. Times when everyone comes together mentally, and the music just soars.
So, yes, I do love band season, and I will truly be sorry when it ends.
Speaking of which, the band is progressing insanely fast this year. We're going to begin setting drill for the opener tomorrow, as long as the morning block goes well. And seeing how the blocks have been going lately, that shouldn't be much of a problem. Once the group buckles down mentally, we are able to just fly through whatever is thrown at us. However, getting that focus is another thing entirely, especially after water breaks. This rookie class is amazing, but a little bit ADD sometimes. What's worse is that it's not just the rookies, it's some of the vets, even some of the kids who are on leadership this year. most of them are totally solid, and a wonderful leadership corp, but there are a few who haven't quite grasped the concept of a time and a place for everything, and band isn't the time or place for a lot of things to go on. But... they'll get it. Anyways, we're going to start drill, and I'm so stoked. This year is shaping up to be so incredible, it's hard to even describe. We're having "moments" as a hornline, already. Those usually don't come until much later. To paraphrase a quote I heard, if you know what it means, you don't need an explanation. If you don't know what it means, there's no way to possibly describe it. They're just... glorious. Times when everyone comes together mentally, and the music just soars.
So, yes, I do love band season, and I will truly be sorry when it ends.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)