One week, so much stuff

            Well, in one week the world can definitely turn upside down. This has definitely been the upside down week. Possibly containing the some of the happiest and toughest days of my life so far. Lets start with Last Saturday, my grandparents had their fiftieth anniversary party. What an exciting time to remember why I am here, had they not gotten married where the heck would my soul be? I am so grateful to have a strong and righteous family, with my stalwart and faithful grandparents at the head. It was fun to meet with cousins and family from all over.

            Next lets talk about Tuesday. My best friend Isaiah Summerhays from California flew out to Utah a day before he was to report to the MTC and I got to join him and his parents in the Salt Lake Temple. Few experiences in my life can rival that night. The temple was beautiful and to be there with my best friend watching him make a great decision for his life was amazing. I am so proud of him for accepting the call to serve and trusting his life to his Heavenly Father. The joy that night is impossible to put into words.
           Friday rolls along and my best friend Bart Tingey returns home from his mission. It was a similarly amazing experience. To watch him return home standing tall, having finished what he set out to do. It is a blessing to see my friends living up to the high standards that God has set and seeing the tremendous people they become.
           So much good, then Saturday comes. Saturday the 14th of November will forever be such a mix of emotions for me. I will not go into detail for the sake of those involved. But suffice it to say that I will probably remember that day forever no matter what happens in the future. The emotional turmoil it brought was enough to make me physically sick. I don't think I got much sleep at all that night. It was mostly filled with pleading with my Heavenly Father and sick wrenching feelings. Thankfully the morning came. The Lord has a marvelous way of making things right, although the night was dark morning light came and filled my heart. The peace of the spirit calmed my mind and I knew everything would be alright in the end. A long talk with my bishop (don't go freaking out, it was just a talk, i haven't done anything horrible) , some apologies, and another long talk with my parents helped to further that peace and assurance. I know that the Lord loves us and will, if we let him, pave a way before us on which we are assured to find lasting happiness and eternal joy.
            So, now for another week, we will see what it brings with it.

Back in Utah

Hmm, never thought I would say this, but I am glad to be back in Utah. I missed my friends and family. At the end of the day, i think the old adage "home is where the heart is" is dead on, it just so happens that my heart is split in a few places.

Return of the Savage

I'm not quite sure how to begin this. This is my first time blogging, so here we go. Going to California this last week has been the greatest vacation ever. First in my hometown of Citrus Heights, I got more hugs that i could count, which is great because my friends back in Utah never give hugs, I guess we just see each other too often. Back on topic, it had been four years since i had seen any of these people so it was exciting and so great to see them all and catch up on their lives. I got to go to my old ward and see how everyone had grown and changed, but in a large way how things were very much the same. I loved it, and will always call Citrus Heights home. But all too soon it was time to move on. This time on to another place full of memories. My great grandmothers beach cabin in Aptos, California, just south of Santa Cruz. Every spring growing up, my family would take a week long vacation at the beach cabin. Going back brought back so many great memories. But it wasn't quite the same without my family. Wednesday morning I left for a place that held very few memories, San Diego. I went to see my Uncle and his family. Although there are no memories of this place, my Uncle and I have been close ever since I can remember. He now has three kids, Ryan, Mitchel and Madeline. All under the age of six, who all call me Uncle Richard despite that I am their cousin. It's the greatest feeling to have them look up to me and want me to play with them like I used to want my Uncle to play with me.
I got to go to the San Diego temple which is so beautiful and it really was a great capstone to my trip. Tomorrow I leave. I don't know how it will be to come back to Utah. I have some great friends there, friends that I would never want to lose, friends that I already miss. On the other hand, I'm going back to a place that I hate. I hate the desert and I hate not having the things I grew up around. But, I am ready to go back, I know I'm done with vacation. But one thing is for sure, I will be back, and one day, I will come to stay.