Selling the Bug

Have had it for 10 years. Put a new 1600cc engine in her in 2003. She doesn't look that great but she will run forever. She answers to sunshine. I'm getting married and I'm a student so I'm selling it. Brand new spark plugs. Just did an oil change. Great as a kid's first car or to restore. Call Alan at 480-272-4291 . Asking $2,399.

http://saltlakecity.craigslist.org/cto/1467984375.html

We're Engaged!!!

Well, this may be a little late, as we have been engaged for a while now, but alas, here it is. My beloved Erin and I are engaged to be married on December 19, 2009 at the Manti, Utah Temple. We are so excited and can't wait to start our lives together. We will be having receptions in Orem and Gilbert. Everyone is invited. In Orem it will be on December 19th from 7-9 at 950 West 1240 North Orem, Utah. In Gilbert it will be on December 26 from 4-6 at 1100 N. Cooper Rd. Gilbert, Arizona.

Again, we are so excited to be married and look forward to seeing all of our loved ones there. Really, everyone is invited.

As for me, I am so grateful to be marrying this beautiful woman. She continually helps me to be the man I should be and helps us to grow stronger in our faith together. She truly is everything, really everything, I always hoped I would find in my Eternal Companion. I love her so much and am grateful that the Lord has blessed me with her.

Free money

Friends, I just found this coupon for $100. This is real and valid--I worked at Chase for four years and I did something like this everyday. It's simple: 1) click on link below, 2) enter e-mail (there is a note that says you won't be added to any mailing lists) 3) go to your e-mail and print it out. Rules: One individual may only do this once a year. Account must be opened for at least 6 months. Account must have direct deposit (you don't have to have all of it going to it--you can have only a portion of your paycheck going into it). Must open account with $100. $100 will be awarded when first direct deposit comes in. No minimum balance, meaning the day after you make the opening deposit you can pull it right back out. If you would like to have another coupon (say, for your spouse) enter your e-mail address again and print out a new coupon and give it to whoever (you cannot simply print the same coupon 5 times because it has a specific code on it. The site does not track e-mails so the same e-mail account can receive an infinite number of coupons). This is for real. No hidden anything. No small print. Again I worked there for a very long time and know how to work the system. You can even forward this if you would like. thanks, alan

https://www.chase.com/ccp/index.jsp?pg_name=ccpmapp/shared/marketing/page/108847_conv_offer&ID=0000010271&MSC=Zconv42026228

Drinking Fountains

Most of the time two drinking fountains are placed next to one another. This is normal. But how often do you actually see both of them being used at the same time? I just went to fill up my water bottle and used the small drinking fountain to do so. Then, a young lady felt the need to wait for me to finish before she drank from the big fountain. I just don't get it. Why are there two in the first place? Don't make me feel bad because you don't know how to use a fountain. So, in closing, please just use the drinking fountain as it was intended. Both can be used at once and it is not discourteous to approach a drinking fountain while someone is drinking from the adjacent fountain. The end.

Selling my Motorcycle

Yamaha Varigo. 1983. 920cc. A really great bike. I've had it for over a year. I have put a brand new starter, alternator, tires, handgrips, and battery on it. Just selling it to get money for tuition. You can call me at 480-272-4291 or e-mail or facebook for more info. Really is a fun bike. Sale comes with 2 helmets (one barely used black half helmet, one used white full helmet), and saddlebags. Asking $1499.

Alan
480-272-4291

EFY Birthday

I wasn't originally signed up to work this past week at EFY. I had had my first week off from EFY and went back to my research job on BYU campus. And i loved it. My job is so fun. And my office is crazy. I love it. We even had a birthday party for Harry Potter on July 31 cause that's Harry's birthday. And we all dressed up. I was Draco Malfoy. I wish we had pictures. I even brought a wand and did spells on people. I need a little more work on my spells cause they didn't actually do anything but it was still fun.
Well, halfway through that week I was contacted by EFY saying they needed more counselors in Provo but I told them to use me as a last resort. I told them this because I really was loving being back at my other job, going on 6 dates a week, and it would be my birthday that week. Nonetheless, I eventually accepted to work the week.
And I am so glad that I did. I don't have favorite weeks--I really don't--I'm not just saying that to not offend one of my EFY kids--I really don't have favorite weeks. But this was one of the best. They were definitely the funniest. We never stopped laughing. Ever. So funny. It was just great.
And then Thursday came. My birthday. At EFY, Thursday is the spiritual day--we have a musical program centered on the Saviour, a testimony meeting--the whole day is devoted to spiritual things. And it was my birthday. I told my kids that if I had to work EFY during my birthday then I would want my birthday to fall on Thursday cause it is my favorite day. And it truly did turn out to be the best day. One of my co-counselors told her girls that it was my birthday and so they wrote me little notes and even made me a shirt. They all signed it and even wrote my nickname of the week (Captain Infinity) on the back of it. It was such a fun day.
Many of my youth shared their testimonies. And it was an amazing day. An amazing week. I am so glad I was able to work this week and get to know these amazing young people. I thank my youth for coming because my testimony is strengthened from theirs. And I know I can do it if they can. And I love them so much.
I missed out on some things to do EFY this week. One of them was my family reunion. I have only missed 3 years my whole life--2 were on my mission, another was last year while I was selling, and this year makes a fourth. My mother revealed to my family that her cancer recently returned. I would have loved to be there to share that moment with them and be there with her.
Usually my other mom takes me shopping for school clothes on my birthday and I am laden with gifts--some monetary, some not.
I missed out on these things this year. Friday night came and I realized I should have been in a tent eating mexican food. Saturday night I should have been singing in the talent show at the reunion. And I could have been with my family.
But instead, I was with 28 youth. Who I love. Who I have incorporated into my spiritual family.
Hopefully, something I said or did or something touched one of these youth and perhaps even changed their life for the better.
All I know is that my life was changed for the better.
And I am grateful for that.

Summer of EFY

A summer full of EFY. What amazing experiences. I took a twin prop plane connecting from Phoenix to Flagstaff. Yeah—I flew to Flagstaff—I bet you didn’t even think that was possible. I love airports. I don’t know why. It bugs my friends when I have a flight at 7 or so and I ask to leave at 3 in the morning. I tell them it’s just to make sure I make it on time because I have missed some flights in my days. But really it’s just so I can bathe in the climate of the airport. Airports always remind me of past loves. Missing flights to Alabama. Missing flights to Florida cause we just can’t find the Vegas airport. Being fed homemade sweet and sour chicken while she chips my tooth and sends me on my way. Then she sends a text that says I miss you already. Airports just have a different feel about them. Sometimes I feel high class when I’m in an airport wanting to strut my stuff and show everyone that I am one of the elite that flies to my destination. But at other times I just want to sit in a corner and watch. Watch the people going by. Look at what they’re wearing. Overhear single sentences of conversations and make up the rest in my mind. Imagine where this person is from and the things he has seen. I love airports. Getting my shoes shined. An airport shoe shine lasts at least a month—with wonderful permanent benefits. But, most of the time when you’re in the airport you are either leaving home or coming home. Maybe that’s why I love airports so much—the suspense of seeing someone you haven’t seen in too long—after receiving text after text “Can’t wait to see you—pick you up at the airport.” The airport. Yes. Pick me up at the airport. Home is anywhere you are with the one you love. Or with people you love. Love is coming home.
A summer full of EFY. What amazing experiences. You think your life is hard? You think you have gone through trials? Try sitting in a testimony meeting with a bunch of 17 year olds and hearing what they are going through. And they still come. They still come to church. They still come to EFY. One young man’s father simply walked out a few months ago. That happens?! You hear about it on TV but that happens in real life?! And in a Mormon household?! Another’s parents just separated. Someone’s dad died last year. Her family adopted three children after fostering them for a year and after their mom died in a car crash. They’re just kids. But they have such strong testimonies and desires. And it makes me think: if they can do it, at their age, with their struggles, I know I can do it—I don’t struggle with anything even nearly as trying as their trials. But they still come. And so can I.