Once again I am proving to be very bad and inconsistent with updating my journal. Today is the 25th and February is almost over. Next week I will be starting my Master's with the American Military University. I plan on completing the Master of Intelligence Studies so I can add on to the experience I had with the army. Even if this doesn't lead to my next career choice I think I will enjoy the program. I also plan on completing the program within two years and then most likely start teaching online courses within the law enforcement or military oriented programs out there. The University of Phoenix will most likely by my first choice to teach from as I have connections there and I know they pay well. It will be a way to supplement my income as I continue to work for Mesa Police.
Another huge thin happening right now has to do with Noah and Giselle. Noah's flight school (Silver State) just declared bankruptcy and suddenly closed. Now Noah is going to be moving here to Mesa to live with Anissa and I for 3 months while he starts a new flight school. After 3 months Giselle will finish her schooling in Utah and come down and catch up to Noah. Meanwhile I guess they will find a place to live and will be here for about a year or so! I am so excited to finally live around Noah again. I am constantly thinking of all the things I will get to do with him here. He gets here in a few weeks (middle of March).
Anissa and I (and Noah and Dak and Dad) are preparing for a sprint marathon in early May in Mexico. We have all been running and training and we are pretty excited to see how it goes. Anissa and I have gym memberships and have been consistently using them. Robyn recently had a piano recital and also had the infamous "big talk" about the birds and the bees. She is so smart and mature and it went really well. My favorite quote of the night will be "Now I really don't want to grow up."
As of right now I am working the S-6 shift which means I work Sat through Tuesday from 3:00 pm to 1:00 am. I actually like this schedule the most so far as it gives me the feeling of having the weekend still and allows me to go to church in the morning. I enjoy all the guys I work with and my sergeant is really cool too. I have been riding as a two man unit for most of the last few weeks and I almost always ride with Ed Farrugia. Its been fun and it makes the shift go by faster most of the time. I also enjoy learning and trying to pick up certain traits and methods used by other officers so its been overall a great experience.
Well I'll get around to typing more next week I'm sure. (yeah right...)
Monday, February 25, 2008
Tuesday, January 8, 2008
January Update
Time to update some of my new plans and recent changes. First of all I was finally able to bid for my first shift using my seniority with the police. As of yesterday I now work from 3 in the afternoon to 1 in the morning with Wednesday, Thursday and Friday off and half of Saturday. So its not bad and it allows me to still go to church on Sunday's. I work in the same district (Central) and i was able to keep the same beat (35) so I only have to adjust to the new time.
I recently adjusted my degree program to the Masters in Intelligence Studies program... hopefully I will get started in February... Noah and I have been able to discuss some future career aspirations and I am excited to see if we can truly make the plans come to pass. With new years we are all fresh and excited with new years resolutions and part of that is going to school for me and getting all the training I can with the police. We (Anissa and I) are also contemplating joining a gym so we can get in better shape. This Christmas Dak and Tara gave all of us iPod nano's and Noah gave me an iPod Nike to measure my running. I am excited to use it for my physical goals this year. I plan to get in shape and stay in shape to try to get picked up with the SWAT team here. I think that would be a pretty cool experience.
Kids are all good and fun. Landon is starting to teeth so he gets a bit grumpy at times and Olivia is just simply Olivia.... Robyn got an electric scooter and is growing up so fast. Well there is my quick overview life for now... more to come later.
I recently adjusted my degree program to the Masters in Intelligence Studies program... hopefully I will get started in February... Noah and I have been able to discuss some future career aspirations and I am excited to see if we can truly make the plans come to pass. With new years we are all fresh and excited with new years resolutions and part of that is going to school for me and getting all the training I can with the police. We (Anissa and I) are also contemplating joining a gym so we can get in better shape. This Christmas Dak and Tara gave all of us iPod nano's and Noah gave me an iPod Nike to measure my running. I am excited to use it for my physical goals this year. I plan to get in shape and stay in shape to try to get picked up with the SWAT team here. I think that would be a pretty cool experience.
Kids are all good and fun. Landon is starting to teeth so he gets a bit grumpy at times and Olivia is just simply Olivia.... Robyn got an electric scooter and is growing up so fast. Well there is my quick overview life for now... more to come later.
Monday, November 5, 2007
Will I live through the day
June 15, 2003 started like all the other days I had spend in the Kuwaiti desert thus far. I was part of the 142 Military Intelligence Battalion and had been in one of the most northern camps in Kuwait for 2 months just waiting for a mission to take us across the border into Iraq. My Battalion was supposed to be in Turkey waiting to go south in to Iraq during the invasion but due to political pressure Turkey never allowed us to create a northern front. So hear I was in Kuwait without a mission and without a plan for what turned out to be 4 months.
The group I was with was part of the Utah National Guard and therefore had many latter day saints who were also retuned missionaries. Today was Sunday and we were congregated in a large tent for church services. I looked around and thought to my self “Not everyone can say they have been to church with a gun on their side.” After church I went back to my tent and started the monotonous routine of nothing to do all over again. After a few hours however one of our officers came by and stated he had found a mission for us to do, at least temporarily.
I reported to the officers’ tent and was informed that as of tomorrow morning we were going to start manning one of the security checkpoints into the camp. This meant that a group of soldiers would be selected each shift from all over the camp, and together would be responsible for checking vehicles coming into the base. “Oh Great” I thought to myself, we were not trained for such a task and every day we heard about car bombs going off and killing soldiers at these so called checkpoints.
To make matters worse I was told I would be the non-commissioned officer in charge of my group since I was the only sergeant of the group I was assigned to. So here we were about to carry out a task that none of us have been trained to do and the person in charge of making sure all goes well is me. I was scared and immediately started to say a prayer in my heart.
Through out the rest of the day I prayed frequently to overcome this feeling of great fear that began to swell inside of me. I kept thinking to myself that all would be ok and that I was only feeling scared because this was something I have never done. I prayed to have the Lord bring a feeling of peace to my soul and to assure me that it would be ok. As the day went on I began to feel more and more anxious that this answer to prayer was not coming.
At night I intensified my prayers and though about my family and future and dreams I wanted to carry out. I thought to myself, “this cant be I surely will not be harmed or die yet, the Lord will not allow it; I am not ready!” All night I agonized and cried out for a confirmation of peace, just a simple feeling of “it will be ok”. To my great surprise I did not get that feeling and I finally began to understand that maybe it was meant to be and just maybe, this was my time to end mortality.
I pondered that thought for a few hours and thought about what it would be like for my family to learn that I was killed in a car bomb explosion. I tried to imagine what my funeral would be like with military honors and all. I thought my mom would be a bit angry receiving an American flag as if that can replace her son and then I wondered if they would eventually be ok with my death being at the service of my country. I thought about my twin brother and wondered what life without me would be like for him. The bond between twins is very strong and my brother and I are among the strongest bond there can probably be. I wondered if he would feel the moment of my death even though we were separated by thousands of miles.
Finally morning came and I realized I had not slept all night. I had made it through the darkest hours and began to feel that maybe the sun would lift my spirits. I got up just before the sun rose and completed my preparation. I walked out of my tent and had about a half mile walk through the desert to reach the southern most entrance to the camp where I would be in charge of security for the next 10 hours. As I walked I prayed again hoping for one last chance to get a feeling of peace and confirmation that all would be ok. As I arrived at the check point I thought to my self “you know; its not that bad, I have lived a good life and I have loved everyone I have ever met. If today is my day to die, then let me die and meet my maker in high spirits.” At this very thought I had a sudden profound feeling come over me that at this very point in my life things were ok and, if I did die I would not stand ashamed in front of my Savior.
It was like having a very real lifting of weight off my shoulders and all of a sudden I began to cry. I got my answer; a warm feeling of peace came over me and I could almost hear a small whisper saying, “It will be ok.” I realized that the answer to my prayer was not “You will be safe”, it was “If anything happens today, if today is the day you die, its all ok.” So there I stood, alone in the desert, not far from the very place prophets of old had once stood and I experienced a very real and very profound personal revelation. The Lord had finally opened my mind and helped me understand that he did not promise me safety from being harmed or even killed in the next 10 hours but he did promise me that if such a thing happened, it was all ok, I was in good standing with him and I could stand proud before him. That was more comforting than I could have ever imagined.
I squared my shoulders and looked at the security checkpoint and at that moment I decided I would work hard today and endeavor to serve my men and help them carry out their mission for the day with safety and care. Never had I felt so good and confident and yet so sure that most likely something bad was about to happen and I might not live through the day. Fortunately we made it through the day without incident. We did have a scary moment that required aiming our guns and yelling at a driver to get back into his vehicle, but no explosions and no harm.
Four years have past since that day and still I remember the lesson the Lord taught me. He didn’t make me confident by saying I would be safe and out of harms way, he made me confident by teaching me that one-day we will surely die and the important thing is to be ready by being worthy. Luckily that day has not come yet, but I know it will one day and when it does it doesn’t matter how it happens or what I was doing, all that matters is that I’m ready. That day in the desert, I was, and the confidence and peace that knowledge gave me, was a thousand times better than just knowing I would be safe.
The group I was with was part of the Utah National Guard and therefore had many latter day saints who were also retuned missionaries. Today was Sunday and we were congregated in a large tent for church services. I looked around and thought to my self “Not everyone can say they have been to church with a gun on their side.” After church I went back to my tent and started the monotonous routine of nothing to do all over again. After a few hours however one of our officers came by and stated he had found a mission for us to do, at least temporarily.
I reported to the officers’ tent and was informed that as of tomorrow morning we were going to start manning one of the security checkpoints into the camp. This meant that a group of soldiers would be selected each shift from all over the camp, and together would be responsible for checking vehicles coming into the base. “Oh Great” I thought to myself, we were not trained for such a task and every day we heard about car bombs going off and killing soldiers at these so called checkpoints.
To make matters worse I was told I would be the non-commissioned officer in charge of my group since I was the only sergeant of the group I was assigned to. So here we were about to carry out a task that none of us have been trained to do and the person in charge of making sure all goes well is me. I was scared and immediately started to say a prayer in my heart.
Through out the rest of the day I prayed frequently to overcome this feeling of great fear that began to swell inside of me. I kept thinking to myself that all would be ok and that I was only feeling scared because this was something I have never done. I prayed to have the Lord bring a feeling of peace to my soul and to assure me that it would be ok. As the day went on I began to feel more and more anxious that this answer to prayer was not coming.
At night I intensified my prayers and though about my family and future and dreams I wanted to carry out. I thought to myself, “this cant be I surely will not be harmed or die yet, the Lord will not allow it; I am not ready!” All night I agonized and cried out for a confirmation of peace, just a simple feeling of “it will be ok”. To my great surprise I did not get that feeling and I finally began to understand that maybe it was meant to be and just maybe, this was my time to end mortality.
I pondered that thought for a few hours and thought about what it would be like for my family to learn that I was killed in a car bomb explosion. I tried to imagine what my funeral would be like with military honors and all. I thought my mom would be a bit angry receiving an American flag as if that can replace her son and then I wondered if they would eventually be ok with my death being at the service of my country. I thought about my twin brother and wondered what life without me would be like for him. The bond between twins is very strong and my brother and I are among the strongest bond there can probably be. I wondered if he would feel the moment of my death even though we were separated by thousands of miles.
Finally morning came and I realized I had not slept all night. I had made it through the darkest hours and began to feel that maybe the sun would lift my spirits. I got up just before the sun rose and completed my preparation. I walked out of my tent and had about a half mile walk through the desert to reach the southern most entrance to the camp where I would be in charge of security for the next 10 hours. As I walked I prayed again hoping for one last chance to get a feeling of peace and confirmation that all would be ok. As I arrived at the check point I thought to my self “you know; its not that bad, I have lived a good life and I have loved everyone I have ever met. If today is my day to die, then let me die and meet my maker in high spirits.” At this very thought I had a sudden profound feeling come over me that at this very point in my life things were ok and, if I did die I would not stand ashamed in front of my Savior.
It was like having a very real lifting of weight off my shoulders and all of a sudden I began to cry. I got my answer; a warm feeling of peace came over me and I could almost hear a small whisper saying, “It will be ok.” I realized that the answer to my prayer was not “You will be safe”, it was “If anything happens today, if today is the day you die, its all ok.” So there I stood, alone in the desert, not far from the very place prophets of old had once stood and I experienced a very real and very profound personal revelation. The Lord had finally opened my mind and helped me understand that he did not promise me safety from being harmed or even killed in the next 10 hours but he did promise me that if such a thing happened, it was all ok, I was in good standing with him and I could stand proud before him. That was more comforting than I could have ever imagined.
I squared my shoulders and looked at the security checkpoint and at that moment I decided I would work hard today and endeavor to serve my men and help them carry out their mission for the day with safety and care. Never had I felt so good and confident and yet so sure that most likely something bad was about to happen and I might not live through the day. Fortunately we made it through the day without incident. We did have a scary moment that required aiming our guns and yelling at a driver to get back into his vehicle, but no explosions and no harm.
Four years have past since that day and still I remember the lesson the Lord taught me. He didn’t make me confident by saying I would be safe and out of harms way, he made me confident by teaching me that one-day we will surely die and the important thing is to be ready by being worthy. Luckily that day has not come yet, but I know it will one day and when it does it doesn’t matter how it happens or what I was doing, all that matters is that I’m ready. That day in the desert, I was, and the confidence and peace that knowledge gave me, was a thousand times better than just knowing I would be safe.
Friday, October 19, 2007
Tuesday, October 16, 2007
New Car
I purchased a 2000 oldsmobile intrigue today and I feel I did good with the price and all. This car was first listed on craigslist at 3000 dollars. The seller then went down to 2200 and the day I called to go see the car he discovered the ac was not working and would have to be replaced so he told me he would sell it for 1500 dollars.
Today I went with a mechanic who checked everything out and we discovered that the ac does work it just takes long to charge due to a loose "humming valve" (I think thats what he called it). Anyhow this thing causes the belt to have less strength to charge the ac which already needed charging so it made it look like the ac didnt work when really it does.
So long story short I bought a car valued by kelly blue book at 3000 dollars for only 1500 dollars because the ac didnt work which really it does..... I will probably put in another 300 bucks in mechanic work but over all I got a great deal. This car looks very clean and well maintained and I am a million times happier with it than I was with the 800 dollar car I bought last week!
It is hard to find acceptable cars when your budget is around 2000 bucks!
Monday, October 15, 2007
Car Sold!
So for those who do not know.... I sold the 800 dollar car today. Turns out it did not pass emissions and the passenger side seat is not even bolted down to the car so in the interest of family safety I decided to just get a better car. Before doing this however I did return to the lady that sold the car to me and I had her give me back $200 dollars due to the lack of information she provided me when I bought it and luckily she did not hesitate.... So today I sold my now 600 dollar car to another girl for 800 dollars.
I told this new buyer everything about the car and she had a mechanic look at it before making her decision so I feel good that I was honest and forthcoming about the car and she still wanted it. Now I have 800 bucks to start looking for another car which I will probably finance so that its a nicer car and family friendly.
I place a picture once I decide what I'm getting!
I told this new buyer everything about the car and she had a mechanic look at it before making her decision so I feel good that I was honest and forthcoming about the car and she still wanted it. Now I have 800 bucks to start looking for another car which I will probably finance so that its a nicer car and family friendly.
I place a picture once I decide what I'm getting!
Sunday, October 7, 2007
800 dollar car, Hooray......?
Yesterday I sold my Mitsubishi Montero Sport and I found myself having to get a car quickly. I searched and searched and wanted to buy something cheaper than $2000 so that I can get carpet for the house, and I must say.... cars under 2000 are mostly crap!
I have always had cars that I liked and felt matched my personality but now I am having to just settle with any car and its a bit hard! I found a car today and went a head and bought it because I felt it was a great deal. It was a lady from my ward (church) that needed some money and was selling her niece's car and gave me a great deal on it.
So I got a 1994 Saturn LS1 with 135000 miles on it for just 800 bucks. Its stick shift and seems to run just fine with ac and all. The inside has a few cosmetic needs but I guess you get what you pay for!
I keep telling myself that all I need in a car is reliable transportation to and from work. So I guess it meets those needs....
One day when I am more established and have more money to put on a vehicle I am going to spoil myself for being willing to drive this car thats not to bad but really does NOT feel like me at all.
So here's the picture what do you guys think? Can you picture me driving this car....? I guess its a lesson on humility and not judging others for the cars they drive!
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