ALASKA

so i've decided that i actually want to be better about blogging. i think my motivation will be that i'm in a different place for the summer and people might actually want to know what i'm doing with my life, the places i am and see, etc.

anyway, yeah, i'm in alaska for the summer! i'm driving buses as a tour guide in fairbanks. actually, the season hasn't technically started yet, since we're still doing training, etc., but things are rolling in that direction (note the pun.).

i was out driving today by myself for the first time and i came to the conclusion that i think i will really like this job, especially as i really put my own personality into it, you know? i'll mostly be driving around older people, so i'll in effect, be like their grandson. i'm thinking i'll learn some nice old songs and sing them to the old ladies and milk them for all the tips i can get off them. yup, i'm that schmoozy, and shameless at that.

i was really apprehensive about coming up here, but when i went to the branch on sunday, i found the branch to be pretty sociable and strong -- i was actually really impressed with all three hours of church on sunday. the testimony meeting we had was super good and both sunday school classes had really thought-provoking discussions, which was a nice change for me. the branch presidency seemed really eager to use us in the branch, so i'm actually hoping to get a fairly demanding calling--i was Priesthood chorister in my last ward, so i feel like i've been a little under-used for a while. i would really love to be a ward missionary or a teacher of some sort.

i'm really excited to be in a predominantly member-free environment. for once, i feel like i can actually be a legit member missionary, especially since i'm not always on campus or rehearsing for/performing a show.

so, alaska is super pretty. i need to get some pictures up here so y'all can see them. the trees are just now budding and the leaves should be out in full within a week, according to everyone here. i just love how many trees there are here--after living in utah for two years straight, i am SO ready for some good, green trees.

oh, and i'm growing a beard. well, i guess i have a beard, technically. i think i'm going to see how long it'll get. kinda goofy, but i'm not at byu, so i have full reign over what i want to do with my facial hair.

which reminds me of a rant:

i hate that a lot of people somehow judge worthiness or good-standing in the Church on how clean-shaven you are. WHAT?! no. that's RIDICULOUS. i don't even know how to argue this point. i mean, how does the amount of hair growing on my face reflect my obedience to the gospel? and when did church members become so opposed to this? TONS of the prophets and apostles of the restoration had beards. Jesus had (has) a beard, for crying outloud.

and why the devil does byu allow mustaches? mustaches look DIRTY. ew. gross.

so, there's my rant for the night. lest you think i am going apostate because of my criticism of church members, i actually haven't felt as spiritually invigorated as i do now for quite some time. I am having some great scripture studies and feel like i am progressing really well.

so that's all for now. i'll post again when it's late and i'm not tired and have nothing to do.

peace out, folks.