Happy Valentine's Day

So my friend April is the one that got me into Twilight and so after that I have been hooked so I hope my friends find the humor in the picture above. In Mexico February 14 is called "Dia del Amor y la Amistad" The day of love and friendship. For that reason I have always loved Valentines Day because it has been a day to celebrate friendships but I have realized that not too many people feel that way. People I have spoken to recently have mentioned how much they hated and how it just reminds them that they are either single or have to go all the way out to impress their significant other.

This was the 1st year I did not spend it with my friends and it sucked but it also made me think of the amazing friends that I have. My friends are all over the place literaly. They live in Hawaii, Georgia, Florida, New Jersey, California, NY, S. Korea, Germany, and Portugal among other places.

A few years ago I went home and my Dad gave me some great advice about friends he said "A true friend will bring out the best in you and you will bring out the best in them." I love that advice because as I think of all my friends I realize how I am the person that I am because of them. They make me better and when I am not being my best self they tell me.

One of my favorite musical is Wicked. The musical ends with the Wicked Witch and the Good Witch singing a duet and these are my favorite lines:

It well may be That we will never meet again In this lifetime So let me say before we part So much of me Is made of what I learned from you You'll be with me Like a hand print on my heart And now whatever way our stories end I know you have re-written mine By being my friend... Because I knew you I have been changed for good

So to all my friends I hope you had a wonderful Valentines Day wherever you are. Thank you for making me a better person and for your amazing friendship and love. I hope that you continue to touch the lives of people in your part of the world as you have touched mine. Love you lots and miss you.

Happy New Year 2011

Well it's mid- February and Im FINALLY posting my New Year post, not bad. OK so it is pretty late but luckily not being a procrastinator is not one of my goals this year. I think being a procrastinator is one of my many charms, or so I keep telling myself.

Well 2010 has come and gone and I don't know about the rest of you but it sure flew by. My 2010 started with a move to Washington State and many adventures in the employment field. As part of the year I was able to see and enjoy this beautiful state and enjoy being near family. And the year ended with three weddings of dear friends. I actually welcomed 2011 with a cold, so I hope that wasn't a sign of how my year is going to go :-)

As I reflect on 2010 I can see how truly blessed I have been. I have grown and have definitely been tested but all the while I have felt the Lord near me letting me know He is aware of me and that all would be well.

Now time to think of goals for 2011 and to be honest what 2010 has taught me is that we sometimes need to go back to the "Basics" in order to progress. For 2011 I have decided to keep my goals simple but yet they are things that I have neglected. Here they are:

1. Focus on my studying the Scriptures
2. Work on my relationship with family and friends
3. Attend the temple more
4. Be healthy

The reason I decided on these 4 goals is because I think I began to just read my scriptures just so I could check it off as done. In doing so I did not really ponder and feast on their words. In regards to my relationship with family and friends I have seen how easy it is to take things for granted when we have them near and even more when they are not near. In the past I will admit I let me work get in the way of that. I have realized that I have amazing friends that were VERY understanding. My family lived 8 hours away and even after I would go and visit them I sometimes took work with me so I was there physically but not mentally or emotionally. Going to the temple makes me so happy I just feel whole, and having the Seattle Temple so close why wouldn't I go? And last I have neglected my health and I don't like it at all, so this year is back to the basics and that is starting with my health.

I hope you all had a wonderful 2010 and that 2011 is an amazing year that brings all you need to be the person you were created to become.

Merry Christmas 2010

We can all think back to the time or the Christmas were things changed for us. I, like most people out there always got so caught up on the buying of gifts and the hustle & bustle that the Season always brought. But the Christmas of 2000 it all changed for me. In December 2000 I was in the MTC (Missionary Training Center) in Provo Utah. It was my 1st Christmas away from home and I was not sure what it was going to be like to be honest.

My view and the way I saw Christmas changed completely. I was taught the real meaning of Christmas. I realized that it wasn't about the gifts or even about the people you spend it with. I was so filled by the Spirit of the Season and I came to realize that because a babe was born in a manger my life was blessed and transformed. Elder Dalling H. Oaks came to speak to us on Christmas day. I still remember just being so excited to be able to hear an Apostle of the Lord, that in it self was the best gift. He told us that because we were there at the MTC someones Christmas would be brighter next year.That thought always stuck with me, I think because little did he know that the people I met on my mission would change my life. My life has been made brighter because I met them.

The next year I was in Kendall, Fl and my companion was Hermana Richins. The Elders were Elder Valladares (who was in my MTC District) & Elder Mendez. We were invited to spend the holiday with Familia Serrano. Just thinking of that day brings a smile to my face. The Serrano family is a family who opened their home to us and I wish I had the toughe of angels to be able to express the love I feel for them and the love they felt for us missionaries. They had recently moved to the US so things were sparse but the love that filled that home made me feel as if I was always in a mansion and I was the guest of honor.

Why these stories you ask? Well those Christmas have been amazing memories for me and not a Christmas goes by that I don't think of them. I don't know if I made the Serrano's Christmas brighter that year but I do know they have made my Christmases very merry indeed.

So as we celebrate the birth of our Savior, whether we are near or away from our loved ones may we take the time to think of the true meaning of Christmas, our Savior. I am always humbled when I read about the shepherds in the field and I can only imagine what they must have felt when the angel announced to the the birth of the Savior. That same Savior that had been prophesied by the Prophets was here. He was here to deliver them. The most amazing thing about it is that he still continues to deliver us today.

May the Spirit of Christmas be with you and your loved ones not only during the Christmas Season but throughout all the year. Sending you all my love and wishing you a very Merry Christmas.

Thanksgiving 2010

Well it is 1 am and I can't seem to fall asleep. I figured I would post my Thanksgiving post early since for the past few weeks I've been thinking about what I'm thankful for. This year has been a year of changes in my life. I have moved to a new city that I am madly in love with. I have a completely new and different job that I am enjoying.

So in the past few weeks I have been thinking about what things in my life am I really grateful for and I was surprised at things I have on my list.

1.I am thankful for the gospel in my life, for the peace that it brings to my life. Although things may not be going well or I may feel lost or alone I know I have a Father in heaven that loves me and knows me by name. I am so thankful for the Renton Spanish Branch. They have been so kind to me since I moved and I really feel that I am loved but mostly that I am part of the branch. It's an amazing feeling.

2. I am also thankful to have work because I know that unfortunately not everyone can say that at this time. What I have enjoyed most about my new job is how I am getting to enjoy my life now. Although I loved my old job and I adored my old boss I don't regret the decision I made to move.

3. I am very thankful for my family. Not that I don't love all my family but this year I am so thankful for Monico & Melissa. So here's my personal note to them this Thanksgiving. I wish I had eloquent words to express what you mean to me but even if I did it would not do you justice. I'm so thankful the Lord has thought enough of me to put you in my life. I'm thankful to feel part of something again. Melissa this year has brought so many changes in the dynamics of my life but I want to thank you for being my friend when I have needed one. For being such an awesome tour guide. For letting me enjoy the little things in life such as watching chick flicks, having a sushi buddy, and book bud as well (Although I might say you are my enabler there). Toto, oh where do I start you have always been someone I look up to. I am so proud of you and all your many achievements. Thank you for making me laugh and for being a man I can look up to. Thank you for allowing me to be my self but yet pushing me to be better. I love you guys and thank you for letting me be part of your life.

4-6. This following one is a bit of a combo. I am thankful for my sight. It's because of it that I have been able to enjoy one of my very favorite pass times which is reading. So I am thankful for books, they make me so happy! And finally because of my sight I am able to enjoy the beautiful State of WA. I'm in awe every morning as I drive to work because I get to see the beautiful Fall colors. I get to drive by Lake Washington every day. I love the drive to Mt. Rainer, to Forks, and the Olympics. The views never get old. I don't know but I can't help but feel closer to my Heavenly Father every time I see His hand in creation.

May you all have a wonderful Thanksgiving and may we have a thankful heart all throughout the year. I hope that I may notice the little things in my life and express my gratitude for them as well as express my love for all the people in my life that make me who I am. Happy Thanksgiving

Mt. St. Helen

Mt. St. Helen

My brother & his wife have recently purchased a new car, so in celebration we decided to do a road trip. My brother and I had never been to Mt. St. Helen and my sister-in-law had visited as a child.

There is only one way in & one way out, but the drive was great. The only downside to it was the coming down the mountain. As you drive up you have mountains on one side but on the way down it's pretty much nothing and there's no rails to give you the warm and fussy feeling that even if you get close to the ledge there's something to stop you. Plus I'm afraid of heights so I can't really tell you much about the trip down.

At one point you are able to see all three peaks: Mt. Rainer, Mt. Adams, and Mt. Hood which I thought was pretty cool. As you see the trees you get a picture of the magnitude of the eruption. The lake is nonexistent and whatever is left is covered by tree trunks from 1984. The intersting part is that the front and back of the mountain are like night and day. The direction of the eruption is bare with dead trees, and no green whatsoever, but the other side it's still a beautiful forest. It was a very nice road trip.

Oktoberfest: Leavenworth, WA