Saying Goodbye

Erik Gray's journals
#journalgems
End of his 1 year mission service at the St. George Temple

Saturday, July 18, 2015
We took some pictures of our shift all together.  I said goodbye to lots of people today - in fact, all week.  It was sad to say goodbye to the ladies in the laundry. Tamara and I always get along good.  Janice, kinda stern, gave me a nice goodbye, too. She is actually very sweet.  It made me regret not feeling very happy and loving towards her at times, but I did my best and did show her lots of love and I'm glad I did.

It was bittersweet walking out of the temple today.  On my drive home, I listened to some Hymns, and it got me teary!  Especially "Ye elders Of Israel".  I'm excited for new adventures, but really extremely sad that my temple service mission is just about over.  I don't want to stop serving! But all missionaries feel like that.  It means I loved my mission and loved serving the Lord in that aspect.

Journal Gems: Best Birthday Ever

Erik Gray's journals
#journalgems
January 2016

MY BIRTHDAY: For my birthday this year, I wanted to go to the temple and do some sealings. Dad, Mom, Tim, Brooke, and my boys, and Justin came along. Justin babysat the Tasker boys so that Brooke and Tim could join us for sealing’s. Ashley was newly pregnant and sick and so Ashley and Hayden weren’t able to make it.  I love going to the temple and especially doing family names. The names that we did on that day were the ones that I have been wanting to do as a family for many months and they had been set aside for that purpose. 

For my birthday dinner, I chose Wingers (of course). I was a little bummed that they put us in the corner table (but we were hangry and we dealt with it). We all squished into that corner table. We had a great dinner and when it came time to pay the check, we found out that it had already been taken care of. We don’t know who because we saw quite a few people we knew that night there but we sure are grateful and feel very blessed.

It was the best birthday to be in my favorite place, the temple. Again we focused on the who of my birthday, not the gifts. Going to the temple is my favorite part, by far. They say that your birthday is the best day of the year but it literally was the best day of the year for me. I had so much fun and learned so much gratitude. I was able to spend time with family, got lots of food, we spent the day down at Fiesta Fun with Brook and the boys. We also went up the mountain in St George for fun. It was literally, literally, LITERALLY, the best day of my entire life.  

Journal Gems: Sealing blessings & Reflections

Erik Gray's journals
#journalgems

July 18, 2015
The sealing session I was in was very neat.  The sealer taught us more about the covenant that the sealing entails.  First, we covenant to each other, and then a covenant with God together!  The sealing of blessings and other, etc, that the sealing ordinance contains is given after a couple is pronounced husband and wife.  

I sat in the sealing room that is next to the Celestial Room. I saw a couple come up and look in the mirror.  I heard one say to the other, "it's interesting- that if you look at yourself in the mirror, you can't see beyond in the reflections. But if you look at the other person, it allows you to see into the eternities!" 

Interesting principle.  By putting my wife first, it will help me grow and be a better husband and father and help me prepare for the eternities!

Because of Temples and the plan of our Heavenly Father, 

I know I will see my son again. *jgray

I love this song so much....
"I'll see you Again, You never really left, 

I feel you walk beside me, I know I'll see you again"

A conference talk about Temples

and another great talk about Temple Mirrors

Journal Gems: Yellow House

Erik Gray's Journals

#journalgems

January 16, 2017

Yellow House was definitely where I needed to be in the summer (Logan 2016). I convinced Ryan Wood to be my roommate, so we shared a room. The house was awesome, and Ryan and I got the tiny room downstairs, but there are four rooms and eight guys, one shower, two bathrooms, two fridges, but the living room and backyard COMPLETELY made up for the smallness of the room Ryan and I shared. Live in a small space? Again, cross it off the bucket list. We had a big tire swing on a tree in the backyard, and if you looked out the window just right, you could see THE TEMPLE! My roommates: Ryan Wood, Josh Snyder, Matt Soelberg, Danny Fullmer, Hank Costner, Jordan Cline, and Kody Sanchez. Great, great guys to live with.

Erik - July 2016

I switched wards, too. Yellow House is on Darwin Avenue, literally next to the Institute building. So I got to walk to Church- 15 seconds. The 18^th Ward was definitely something else. Our ward consisted of all the houses on Darwin Avenue. I also got a calling to be a Home Teaching District Coordinator- basically, be in charge of half the Elder’s Quorum and remind them to do their Home Teaching. It was a little crazy for me but it helped me grow. It was especially crazy at the end of the month!

from erik's phone/snapchat :)

Dear World, I Have Cancer (Again)

It's always frustrating when I have to give out this type of news.


But let's get right down to it.   My cancer's back.

----

Let me take you back to three weeks ago... the 4th of July. My parents and brother decided that after the ward breakfast, they'd come spend a day up in Logan, and then we'd all go to my doctors appointments the next day. They arrived in town at 3, right about the time I got off work. I got to show them my house, where I work/worked, and some of the coolest places around Logan (like Heaven and the Hobbit Caves). That night, after dinner, I stay with my parents in their hotel, and my brother and I went and rode scooters. It was a great night! The next morning, I got to show them around campus, show them my old OFFICE! and also they met a few of my A-Team bosses. And then we got Aggie Ice Cream.

We drove down to Salt Lake, my brother and I in my car, followed by my parents in their car. I had my head/neck/chest CT scan, and an hour later met with Dr. Hunt. It was a pretty quick visit. He came in and said,

"Your neck looks great! I'll look at the official report tomorrow and give you a call."

And that was that. Or so we thought.

The next day, I had a 4 hour shift in the morning at Lowe's. During that time, I had missed two calls, both from the same number. I figured it was Dr. Hunt. So I waited and waited. After work, I called back Dr. Hunt's nurse, Anne, and she said that he just went into surgery, but he wanted to talk with me and he would call later.

I had the thought that if Dr. Hunt himself wanted to talk to me, it wasn't good. So I waited. Finally, at 6, he called me and told me what was up.

"Like I said, your neck looks great, but there's a spot on your chest that's concerning. We'd like to do a biopsy and figure this out."

That was three weeks ago.

---

Two weeks ago, I had a biopsy. Nothing too big. They just poked me and got a sample. Nothing special to report there.

EXCEPT that my mom is super awesome, and came and met me for it. We stayed in a hotel in Bountiful and she went with me to those appointments, we drove around the Bountiful temple, and went to this really good Pizza Factory-like place.

We waited and waited to hear the results, and didn't hear anything.

---

Catch up now to last week, the 18th (which, for the record, is the anniversary of my mission! Two years ago I started, and a year ago, I was released). I got off work at 1:30 pm, and felt like I just needed to go home for a few days. So, I called my brother to see what was happening, and decided to surprise the whole family. Only my brother knew.

IT WAS SO AWESOME TO GO HOME. AND EVERYONE WAS SO SURPRISED!

It was really good that I was on my way home, because I decided to call Anne and check up. She said that the results were confirmed, its the same cancer. My cancer's back. Like I said, it was good to be home to be able to process all these feelings with my family around.

The next thing on the list was to get a PET scan- a scan on my whole body where they inject me with "radioactive sugar" (their words) and scan me... the tumors eat up sugar fast.

---

That brings us to now..... here's whats happening:

• The path we're taking is probably chemotherapy
• I don't know about surgery, how much cancer there is, etc. We're still kind of in the beginning stages.... I just want to let you know

The biggest change: I'm moving back home. Around the first or second week of August-- sorry Logan. :( For that reason, I'm not going to school this next semester, possibly spring semester, too. I'm doing SOAR this week, but after that, I'm done with the A-Team stuff :( no Connections (being a TA for a class that happens right before school starts).

The most frustrating this has been the battle all along during this cancer stuff... aligning my will to God's. There are so many things I want to do, but God has a different plan. I want to be in Logan, I want to continue with more A-Team stuff. I LOVE Logan, and I feel like this town and school were made for me... and now I need to move back home. Don't get me wrong, I love home and I'm excited, in a way, to move back, but I'm still upset about changing all my plans again. I'm a Writing Fellow (tutor), on the NSSLHA board, and volunteer at the hospital, and I'll have to give that all up for a time.

HOWEVER, I know God has a plan for me. I know this is happening for a reason. And although it sucks and it's come back AGAIN, I've felt peace this whole time. So have my parents. No matter what happens, it's all going to be okay!

Yesterday in Church, we sang Come, Come Ye Saints, and verse two really stuck out to me:

Come, Come Ye Saints: Hymns #30

The things that are worth it are not going to come easy. My life is worth it, and what I learn from life is worth it. Yeah, it all sucks sometimes, but that's okay. I've got an excellent support system, amazing family, and amazing friends.

These are the times that truly define character.

Let's go.

Keep running.

Cool Experience

Today was like any other Sunday; sitting in Sacrament Meeting, just finishing the sacrament hymn and now awaiting the Sacrament. I like to use the time during the Sacrament to ponder and think about my life in connection to the Savior, what was good and bad about this week, and what I can improve on.

As I did some internal reflection, I felt so weighed down by the many things I feel like I'm facing right now. I closed my eyes, said a prayer, and had a thought or two come to mind.

I pictured myself holding all of these challenges in my hands, trying to balance them and struggling with the weight of it all. As I talked with the Savior, telling Him all that I had to go through, I handed Him these challenges one by one. He presented a backpack and put all of these challenges inside of it, and then gave it back to me. As I put on the backpack, I stood up straighter and felt stronger about the road ahead.

What stuck out to me is that these challenges weren't taken away from me, but because of the Savior, I was made stronger and more able to carry these challenges.

When I realized this, it immediately brought me such peace. This moment helped me to know that a purpose of the Atonement is to strengthen me in my times of trouble, and to lift me up when I need help. Jesus Christ really is there, willing to help, and willing to strengthen us because he paid for our sins.

In one of my favorite parts of the Book of Mormon, it says;

"And it came to pass that the voice of the Lord came to them in their afflictions, saying: Lift up your heads and be of good comfort, for I know of the covenant which ye have made unto me; and I will covenant with my people and deliver them out of bondage.  

"And I will also ease the burdens which are put upon your shoulders, that even you cannot feel them upon your backs, even while you are in bondage; and this will I do that ye may stand as witnesses for me hereafter, and that ye may know of a surety that I, the Lord God, do visit my people in their afflictions.

"And now it came to pass that the burdens which were laid upon Alma and his brethren were made light; yea, the Lord did strengthen them that they could bear up their burdens with ease, and they did submit cheerfully and with patience to all the will of the Lord." (Mosiah 24:13-15, emphasis added)

Because Heavenly Father loves us so much and because He wants us to succeed in this test of life, He sent His son, Jesus Christ, to perform the Atonement so that we can ultimately return to Him again. I know that because of what Jesus Christ did for all of us, I can be strengthened as I try to do my best in this life.

I'm so grateful for the gospel and that I can be strengthened through the Atonement. I couldn't get through my life without the gospel- that's a fact. Don't ever forget that you never have to face anything alone.

Keep running.

Choices

I have a friend that used to live in Cedar City, and I remember how she always talked about how amazing, social, and awesome Logan is. The way she described it: "In Cedar, I would invite 20 people to a party, and five would show up. In Logan, I invite five people, and 20 would show up!"

I came up to Logan back in March for a few days to look for an apartment, meet with my advisor, and just get a little more prepped for moving up here. From just two days in Logan, I noticed that my friend wasn't just "talking up" Logan, but she was serious. In the month and a half I've been living up here, I have met lots of new people, made some new memories, and really had some fun adventures. Because I consider myself super social, my friend and I decided that "Logan was made for me."

I'm a Junior now- taking 16 credits this semester. Buuut it feels like 100 credits. I am taking "COMD" (Communicative Disorders) classes, and heading toward a degree in Communicative Disorders- emphasis of Speech-Language Pathology. It's interesting being at the point where I'm in all of my classes with the same group of people. My longest days are Wednesdays... I have a break in the morning, but from 3:30 on, I have my Anatomy lab, ASL lab, and Institute. The only thing that gets me through those days is that I end it with Institute. What a blessing! Just for the record, my Institute class is AMAZING. I have never been so spiritually uplifted.

I got a job. A really good one. I have been working as the "Membership and Marketing Assistant" for the Utah State University Alumni Association since right before school began. I love that job! I love the work I got to do. The only downfall to is it that I don't necessarily like sitting in an office all day, ya know?

I have my own office!

---

During Week 2 of the semester, I came to realize just how crazy my homework schedule was. It was an incredibly busy week around that time, but it's been pretty busy since. I'm at that point I need to make sure I'm studying the information, and I have had two to three tests a week. Working an on-campus job has been a dream of mine, because I seriously had the best work schedule; I would work Monday through Friday roughly from 11 am to 1 pm, and again from 3 to 5 pm. Never past 5, no weekends, mostly, and no Sundays. Dream job.

But it became kind of apparent that it was hard on me. I couldn't even start my homework til I got home at 5ish, and then I would want to eat dinner, and relax for a little bit, and then it would be later in the evening. No bueno. It's been my post-mission goal to attend the temple once a week, and during that crazy week, I didn't even make it to the temple- I was so busy! So, I prayed to know what to do. I talked with my parents, a lot. I had a few decisions to make, and I didn't know what was the right thing for me to do. I didn't want to quit this awesome job, but I didn't have time to really do anything.

So there I sat in Institute during Week 3. Sad that I didn't make it to the temple the week before. Tired, and really hoping to receive some inspiration for my life. Jesus Christ and the Everlasting Gospel is all about Christ, and I love that class. Christ knows exactly what we are going through, and He knew that day what I needed to hear... I don't even remember what talk we were talking about, but I was hit so strongly by the sentence (and I'm paraphrasing) Don't let the good things overpower the things that are essential. My job is good, it's nice to have the blessings that come from a job, like, ya know, money. But I felt that if having a job was interfering with my time to go to the temple, or take precedence over the essential things, I needed to make a change.

So the next day, I sat down with my boss and explained my situation: school is more than I thought, I would love to still work at the Alumni Center, but I would need to cut down my hours. It was a really good chat, and my boss thanked me for my candor. He decided that they would hire someone else to work the 20 hours, but I have still worked for them off and on throughout this transition. I don't know how my story with the Alumni Center will go on, but I'll let you know when I know.

---

I just know that the Lord has blessed me immensely. I feel His power and strength as I try to attend the temple regularly. For me, it's once a week. For you, it might be different, and that's okay, just make it regular. My biggest worry has been with my financial situation, but I'm focusing on doing what I know is right with my money (tithing and fast offerings), and I have seen that following those commandments have blessed me. Somehow, my paycheck has been bigger than I thought. I'm not complaining. ;)

I have learned that blessings do come when we choose to serve the Lord. It requires that choice on our side, though. Make the choice, now, to serve. As you hold to the gospel, to the feelings you know are right, it might not be easy. However, the gospel makes life easier. I know firsthand.

Keep running.

Post-Mish & Pre-Logan

Wow. It's still weird to me that my mish is over. In fact, a month ago today, I was released.

July 15, 2014- Day I was set apart

July 19, 2015- Day [after] I was released

I loved the time I served. Absolutely loved it. And if I had the chance, I'd go back and do it all over again! I learned so much about the gospel, about myself, and about life. Here's an update of what I've been up to in the last month:

• I got a job. I'm an "Office Assistant" at Precision Development. I scan, file, clean, do odd-job tasks, and advertising. I'm the one that's been posting on social media lately! Huzzah. And yes, this is a job I got from my dad. It still counts. It's a legit job. Someone asked me yesterday if I got paid "under the table", and the answer is no. I'm on payroll, I get taxes taken out. (booo)

• I still love photography. Oh, guess what? I bought a new phone. My old S4 has a majorly cracked screen, and I found one for $20. Well, the $20 phone sucked. It did it's job, but I hated the picture quality. So, I spent $120 and bought a new S4 off of eBay. It's worth it to me, because it's basically like buying a new camera as well. And I love having a phone with a nice camera again. Here's some of my cool pictures.

• I'm still working on my Book of Mormon reading. Can I tell you how IMPORTANT it is to read the Book of Mormon every single day!? This book is many things: it is another testament of Jesus Christ, a great teacher for us, and most importantly-- truth. I love this book so much and I just want to share it with the world. Every time I reread it, I find new lessons and truths all the time. It's almost like God put something in there that wasn't there before. But that's the joy of it-- I learn something new every time I read. I've recently discovered a new way to study the Book of Mormon, and I love it. I've learned so much. I won't give you the details today- it deserves it's own special post. I will tell you this, though- it's really helped me focus more than I ever have on this blessed book.

• Prepping for Logan. I told you I'm moving to Logan, right? Well, yeah, that's next week. Time flies. I seriously am really excited. I'm so excited to move, but I am going to miss the heck out of my family and home. I've never lived more than 10 minutes away from my parents, so it'll be an adjustment. But that's life, right? Learning, growing, and experiences that teach us how to become like God. I'm jumping right into my major, I'm going to live in the most social apartment complex on campus (at least what I've been told), and I'll be in LOGAN. I mean, come on... Logan. I've been applying for jobs like a mad-man and hope to at least get something. I'll sure need it- I just paid the rest of my tuition last week. :/ [PS.... the greatest gift of moving to Logan is that the temple is a minute drive from where I live.]

• I've still been able to keep on my goal of attending the temple at least once a week. I cannot tell you how much I miss going four/five days a week, but one day is still really amazing. I love the blessings that come from the temple, and I know that we are blessed when we give service. Temples exist on the earth for a reason. Utilize it.

• RUNNING! Half marathon here I come. It's so great to get back into shape again. And health update: I've truly felt the best I have in months. I feel like the "same old Erik" again. Aah I love it. And as you can see from the picture above, my hair's grown in quite nicely. I still haven't cut it since chemo.

I have been so busy since my mission ended. Seriously, I get up, run, go to work, come home, play with the nephews, eat dinner, play with the nephews some more, read, go to bed, and repeat. But it's been a blessing. During my temple mish, I had no idea how slow/fast/busy/not busy the month between mish and school was going to be. But I'm grateful that I've stayed busy, made some money, and even went on a date. ;)

Once again, I'll testify to you that Heavenly Father loves us. I know that He knows me; He knows my strengths, my weaknesses, what I need to become, what I need to learn and grow. I am beyond grateful that He is involved in my life every single day. Not a day goes by where I don't notice God's hand in my life. If you look hard enough, I promise you that you'll see it, too.

Life is not all easy, but it is good. It's good with God.

Keep running.

The Cafeteria

What I learned from

... working in the Cafeteria

This is another part of a fun installment I decided to do. Because I worked for a year in the St George Utah Temple, I got to experience a lot. Some of the experiences I had are sacred, and I keep those experiences to myself. I've also had really fun, enjoyable experiences in the temple. I would serve every day for the rest of my life if I could- and if I lived closer to a temple. The history of Temple Cafeterias is kind of interesting. At least for St George, it used to cover a much larger area than it does now. Sometimes people would have to travel long distances to attend temples. As they did so, the temple provided a cafeteria so that patrons wouldn't have to go hungry or go without food. In that sense, it's really kind of humbling, isn't it? Today, the goal of the temple cafeteria is to make enough so that it can sustain itself. We aren't looking for profit. We're just trying to serve and provide a home-y meal. Because of the larger economy and that there are so many restaurants out there now, the newer temples don't have a need for cafeterias, because frankly- they're fine without it. And that's okay. If you're in Utah, the Monticello, Vernal, Brigham City, Oquirrh Mountain, Draper, and Payson Temples do not have a cafeteria for you to eat at.

I'll say it right off: THE FOOD THERE IS SO GOOD! 99% of the food there is homemade. Most of the workers there are volunteers. If you haven't gone there to eat, you seriously need to go try it now.

All of the soda is Caffeine-Free. I found that funny when I first started.

We have daily devotionals. Also known as prayer meeting. Such a good start to "work".

We bless the food. In prayer meeting, one of the things we make sure to pray for is a blessing on the food. Seriously, where else have you eaten that the workers all meet together and pray for the food?

The head chef, Joe, lives in Cedar. Need I say more? ;) [Go Cedar.]

Everyone there wants to be there. As I said above, most workers in the cafeteria are volunteers. They don't get paid. And everyone who is there truly wants to be there. There isn't the stigma of "I'm just working here so I can get paid- but I hate my job." And it's beautiful.

Sometimes you get free food. Technically, we're allowed to have a bowl of soup and a piece of bread free-of-charge. But sometimes you get a little sample of foods. DO YOU UNDERSTAND WHY I'M TELLING YOU TO EAT THERE, IT'S SOOOO GOOD.

Sometimes a lady you work with brings stuff to make cool desserts. Ckaz is so cool. She brought stuff to make Lava Cake once, and then stuff to make Trifle on my last day in the cafeteria. Request the Wednesday 8am-12pm shift. ;)

They give good portions. The server will make sure and give you a good amount. No skimpy plates here.

The food is moderately priced. Yeah, you've got your entrees that are usually $7-$8, but those come with sides as well. You can also get just a side, a bowl of soup, a sandwich, dessert, bread, salad bar, etc. And you can grab it yourself. The only thing you'll be served is the entree if you choose that.

Don't get a carton of milk. The batch we've had lately tastes a little sour before the expiration date. I'm not telling you to not get something, but maybe re-examine this issue in a few months.

Look at the napkin holders. Out in the seating area, all the napkin holders have a quote or scripture on one side, and a picture of a temple on the other. Different temples on each one.

If you're working there: Don't forget that you're serving in the temple. You may not be completing temple ordinances, but you are still in the House of the Lord. Your service helps those who come to the Cafeteria to eat. It is such a GREAT place to serve.

You should work in the temple. I recommend to everyone (that can) to work in the temple sometime in their life. You might work as a greeter, staff at the Family File Desk, recommend desk, Baptistry worker, Cafeteria worker, Grounds Worker, Ordinance Worker.

If you don't work at the temple... then be a patron. That's a GREAT way to serve! Doing the temple work itself. You are blessing others, and providing a reason to receive blessings for yourself by serving in the temple!

Keep running.

The Baptistry

What I learned from

... working in the Baptistry

We love when people come. It's the whole reason we're there. Come to the temple! There are so so many blessings that come from serving in the temple. You're helping your ancestors, helping others, and doing what our Savior would want you to do.

We love it when you bring in family names. Family names that either you or someone else found! Family history work is amazing. It's actually kind of fun. I always thought it was boring, but that is not the case. You willl be blessed for seeking out the names of your ancestors.

You don't have to bring in family names. The temple has so many names that can still be baptized and confirmed for. Do not stay away just because you don't have family names to bring in.

Most of the time, you get to call the shots. You must be an endowed brother in order to confirm or baptize. We have enough workers to baptize and confirm you, but if you would like to be the one to baptize, tell us. We are more than happy to accommodate.

We are not perfect... Yes, we are human. Working in the temple, I've noticed that we do get a little divine aid, but just remember that sometimes we make mistakes, or don't get you through as fast as you'd like to.

...But the work IS perfect. Temple work is performing the ordinances of Jesus Christ's gospel. These ordinances are the way back to Christ, and the means by which we can be in his presence again. This work is amazing. This work is divine. This work is sacred.

You will be blessed. There are so many blessings that come from temple work, attendance, and service. One, the ordinances themselves. Two, you are doing the work Christ wants you to do. In fact, it's what He would be doing. Three, you are serving others by doing their temple work. You are a "Savior on Mount Zion." (Read this) Four, you are sacrificing your time for a greater cause. Don't forget that.

GO TO THE TEMPLE OFTEN! :D Seriously. The temple is one of THE GREATEST blessings in my life.

Keep running.

Last Week in the Mission

The time is upon us. I've got FIVE days left as a missionary.

I'll be released on Saturday, July 18th, after my day at the temple. Interesting fact, July 18th, 2014 is the day I met with President Arnold to start my mission.

On Sunday, July 19th, I'll be giving my mission report in my home ward. Right now, all I can feel is...

Taken from "David After Dentist"... Look it up!

Is this real life? Is time really going by this fast?? Like I've heard my friends who have served full-time missions say, "The days are long, but the weeks are short." I couldn't agree more.

I am so so so so SO grateful for my mission. It has been tailor-made by the Lord to teach me things that I need. The biggest blessing from my mission is that I've learned to better recognize promptings, feelings of the Spirit, and the Lord's hand in my life. I have never regretted choosing to serve the Lord.

It's been an interesting year. I served in the temple for not even half of my mission period, but that's okay. I thought in the beginning, that I must have some really important things if the Lord is allowing us to pause my mission and my time in the temple. I fought cancer (again), and I ultimately feel stronger. My aunt said something interesting last December, "Maybe the reason you are a missionary right now is because people pray in the temple all the time for missionaries." I have made goals and habits that I hope to continue, such as a better scripture study, prayer habit, and not watching inappropriate shows. The best thing about my mission is what someone talked with me about one day. Missionaries always talk about how they want to continue their habits they learned from their mission, but it's a little harder because they perfect those habits in a different place, so when they come home, it's kind of easier to revert to our pre-mission self (which doesn't mean that missionaries don't come back better and with better habits, because they sure do). For me, it's a little easier to stick to my mission habits because I'm already living at home and nothing will really change.

In honor of my last week as a service missionary, I thought I'd put a little something together about what I've learned from working in the temple, which will be continued more next week, so stay tuned.

What I've learned from....

... driving to St George every day

The left lane is for passing. You can stay in the left lane if no one is behind you, and if there are no cars coming faster than you. Otherwise, stick to the right lane.

Use your blinker. PLEASE. It doesn't really affect you, but it does other people. It's being a courteous driver. I understand not using it if no one is around you, but if you are around other people, use it. Especially if you are merging in front of another car.

Don't be a psycho driver. Slow down. You're not in that much of a hurry.

I will sing while I drive. Don't judge. Thanks for being humored by it, though.

Cruise control is awesome. I laugh at people that I keep passing. They go fast, then slow down. Then fast, then slow down. I've been going the same speed the whole time, bro.

Best way to get to the temple: Take the St George Blvd exit. Drive down all the way to 200 East and turn left. It will take you right to it with the least amount of turning. :)

You are in a car. A car is a very powerful and scary thing. Be wise.

Also in honor of my last week as a missionary, here's the last year in pictures.

Look for the little things in your life. It will bless you!!!

Keep running.