Sprechen Sie Deutsch?

Just sayin people, but sometimes little hobbies or things you do just for fun with your family can actually get you a job(: About a week and a half ago, I interviewed at, of all places, John Deere at the University of Illinois Research Park for a part-time position as a Business and Technology Researcher. I know: who knew that the boy who grew up in Central Pennsylvania would eventually interview for a job with one of the top three visible brands in Pennsylvania(: (The irony is thick) When I first came to my MBA program, I told myself I would JUST focus on my MBA work, cause I figured it would be too much to handle anyways (as everybody told me it would) and I would be busy all the time. Which is true. If you've talked to me you know that I talk about how I'm always kind of behind on things and kind of in a state of constant rush. But, as I soon discovered when I moved here, starting my MBA program is ironically the first time in about 4 years that I haven't had a job...

A few weeks ago I was beyond stressed worrying about two exams, a presentation, and getting enough work done for my first rotation in my PhD program. That's when I got a text from one of the members of the bishopric asking me to call him when I had a chance. I literally thought, he's going to ask me to speak on the weekend after I've had one of my exams and my presentation when I will literally have no time to actively prepare for it during the week. And I just so happened to be right. All I could do (after I accepted and hung up the phone) was laugh, I mean God knows me so well and He knew that this would test me. So I thought about it during my 15 minute lunch breaks, I thought about what I wanted people to know, what lessons I had learned from the Book of Mormon, and what stories I could incorporate in in order to get my point across. I want to start out with a tiny bit of background on this. This move to Illinois has been one of the best things that could've hap...

When the youth in our church venture out on "Trek", it means they don bonnets, skirts and suspenders for a multi-day trek through some kind of wilderness, reenacting (and feeling) the journey that the pioneer ancestors of our church endured.  While the kids and I sit comfortably in whatever vehicle is being brought back to school, or returned home for the summer, listening to music and talking to each other, and stopping in hotels for the evening, it still is no easy feat. Glo and I ventured out once again to return her nomad life supplies, her car, and herself to BYU.  Glo and I have turned this journey into an art form over the last year, doing more than just driving from point A to point B.  We have decided to see a bit of America in the process. Unfortunately, Greenie is never part of this process or I do believe it would be easier for everyone all around.  I definitely miss Sirius radio, a high performance engine and luxury seating as we take "secondary" ca...