What a great Sabbath day I have had! It was busy, but oh so fulfilling. And two hour church didn't seem as strange this week as it did last week, to me. I'm grateful for a day of rest, even if I do have to get up at 6am to be ready for 7am meetings. The biggest news is that we finally heard about the coming of the Prophet to the Cardinal's stadium in Phoenix February 10th. The stake got an allotment of 850 tickets to divide amongst the 10 wards in the stake. Our branch is getting 50 of those tickets. Hopefully they get distributed to those that will most benefit from such an event. They are leaning heavily on youth getting to go, and recent converts, and the families of them. The missionary pairs get two tickets per companionship and two more just for investigators. How lucky are they! We got the tickets today and the distribution will happen January 27th. I was pretty good about explaining the rules in Branch Council this morning. So that made me happy. We hope beyond hope that we get to go. We shall see, though.
Life is good, though. We set aside time after I got home from doing tithing to eat twice-baked potatoes and do our weekly study of Come, Follow Me. That said, after going back to work, reading the scriptures has gotten harder to do during the week, but we are working on it. We're definitely not perfect. Also, we weren't able to work out like we wanted to last week. We have plans to do so this week, though.
Our date night was super, super amazing. Our idea that we didn't do from last week came to our minds again to do this week. We decided to hike "A" mountain, or the Hayden Mountains that is just across the street from my work in Tempe. We did it close to sunset, so the views were spectacular. It was just the right amount of cloudy and colorful as one could imagine. It's called "A" Mountain because it is the mountain that overlooks the ASU football stadium, although, I don't think it is possible to watch the games that are played from on top, unfortunately. It wasn't very hard. Some huffing and puffing, and slowly but surely made us make it to the top. They even have some steep stairs near the top. It overlooks the valley and at night it is just spectacular views.
We decided to hit a night on the town of downtown Tempe afterwards, which is also right across the street from where I work. We went to a Mexican restaurant where we had a nice waitress that told us to come back anytime. Then we just walked down the streets, looking at the shops. We found a shop full of circus items, and other stuff, and a place to practice. So of course I picked up the juggling balls. Then the owner asked me if I wanted to try the balls that catch on fire (of course, not really on fire at the time). I said sure. They're a bit bigger than normal balls, but I'm sure you would like this place.
There was a place that sold handcrafted bags, the ones you see from peru and other latin american countries and a bunch of odds and ends. Then we heard some Karaoke. We heard them singing and joined in the background singing of American Pie. There was also a candy shop that we went to. No, they didn't have Sublime. It was quite the night. I had forgotten our leftover food in the store that had circus items, unfortunately.
Elder and Sister Renlund's devotional was great. We invited a single member whom we met in the Laundry a couple of weeks back. Her name is Heidi Greathouse. We talked about stuff and enjoyed each other's company right before the devotional started. I don't know if you were watching, but there was a moment where sister Renlund mentioned whether or not you would seek advice about beginning to play tennis from a website or from Roger Federer. Both Sarah and I went crazy.
Not to mention. Australian Open begins tomorrow, or rather early morning Monday morning. Roger is facing D. Istomin in the round of 128 at 2:15 am Arizona time. We shall see how much I watch. The whole time thing is going to be an issue. We shall see. Mom probably told you that BYU played Santa Clara I think, and won (finally). I haven't been keeping up. Just so much to get done.
This week was the first week back from break. Monday, for me, was pretty refreshing. I looked at all the idiosyncrasies of the students with lightness and humor. Such as, "Oh, yeah, he or she does this thing. I totally forgot." The rest of the days were not as good as the first though. I gave my blue watch to our friend who Sarah and I change, who always asks for it. I gave it to him because Sarah's dad gave me a watch while we visited him, so I didn't need it anymore. Our Friend, was very happy to receive it and was telling his friends about it.
We were able to do a walk-about the temple this last Wednesday. We enjoyed each other's company as we walked together around the temple grounds, talking of things we could improve and make better in our lives. We did enter people's names into the temple. And we prayed on the grounds.
Definitely a good week for me. Sarah just got put one-on-one with a student this last Tuesday, so we'll see how that goes, if it goes at all.
Yep, life is good. We are very happy right now. We have so many blessings. We know it is because God loves us, and because we are doing our best to live a righteous life, always facing towards the North Star.
Thanks for all you do, man. To answer your question about mocos. It lasts, and to me, that is all that matters, because other hair gels don't the whole day. Of course, I joke around with Sarah that it feels like I have a hat on, so that's cool.
I love you, brother!
Take care, and have a great P-day!
Love,
John
