Recent Noteworthy Happenings.

Alright so there's been some big changes since the last post I wrote. I really need to update my blog with all the happenings. Since I cant really remember where I left off, I'll just start over. Last month I moved from the basement duplex that I had been in for the last year to a condo about a mile away. Its nicer and cleaner. I wont have to worry about mice this winter (we killed about thirteen last winter in the duplex and since the condo is on the second level I do not anticipate finding lots of nasty freaky spiders here. I have two new roommates, one from Utah and the other from Mali, Africa. They are both pretty chill guys. I use the same freeway exit for getting to work so its not any further. Speaking of work, I recently got asked to change positions and take on the duties of one of the team leads who is out on workman's comp. It is expected that he will be out for two surgeries and wont likely return for several months. I am learning new things and gaining new responsibilities and in turn it has been a bit of a stressful transition. But I feel like I have been doing good. I survived the busiest day of August and the extra busy 4day week after labor day making up for a lost business day. Another really big thing that happened was in July. One of my older nephews decided that he would serve a two year mission for the church that my family participates in. He worked toward qualifying for that goal, saving up money where he could and was assigned to serve in Colorado. He was scheduled to enter missionary training in July so the week prior my sister and my nephew as well as his siblings came to Utah to visit with family here and see him off for his mission. My parents also came down since this is their first grandchild to serve a mission. It was great having some extra family around for that week and we enjoyed our time together. Eventually it came time to drop off my nephew as he had a specific time that he needed to arrive there. There was only so much room in the minivan but one of my sisters suggested that I go along in the extra seat and document it with my camera. I never went on a mission for my church though I admire those that do so being able to participate in that experience was great. It was truly inspiring to see the faith and determination in my nephew. He had no doubt, no second thoughts, he didn't even look back. He was going where he knew he needed to be to do what he knew he needed to do and not just that he wanted to do it. Leaving his family and friends and going somewhere he had never been with people he had never met. But he didn't look back. Family is great. Sometimes they are the ones that lift you up and inspire you the most and most times I don't think they even realize it. I was able to make two short trips up to Idaho to visit some more family recently. I have many cousins in Idaho and also a brother with 4 kids. It was great being able to spend time with all of them. I was also able to fly home to Oregon for about 5 awesome days and it still wasn't long enough. Every time I go, it is too short. I miss Oregon so much. I miss my friends there and my family and the trees and the rain and the coast hills and the ocean and the rivers and streams and everything about it. I am trying to make the most of this great basin desert in which I now reside and I will try to continue documenting my adventures here. I've done a poor job keeping up this year but I'll. Try to post date some entries and include pictures. I wrote this on my kindle fire tablet so I will go back later and include pictures where applicable. So until next time, keep on being awesome!