Oí From the Great State of Utah

Happy Christmas everyone. This week really has been an eye opener for me in lots of ways. I will start out with the not so great news and then i will get to the better news.

Well, yesterday we had a TRC (teaching resource center). We taught in português the first lesson. My português is really coming along. The gift of tongues is real; I testify of that. But, I really wasnt feeling it. I had an interview with one of my teachers afterwards...they have to interview us every week and let our branch president know about us. I was interviewed my Irmão Flanigan (a really great man). For some reason I just couldn't hold back my tears. I just bawled which is really not like me to do much anymore. I don't cry much. I learned that the evil that is pride has gotten to me and I need to work on my humility. I learned that humility is being able to trust in the Lord that he will help you accomplish all that he requires of you. Pride is trusting in your own abilities. I have been trusting in my own abiliites too much. My pride has brought my very low...but when are brought low... that is when can begin to excerise faith in our beloved Reedeemer who can make more out of us that we ever could. Humility is what I am going to work on this week.

Well updates..earlier this week I got to go off campus and go with my companion to the doctor...just a case of athletes foot haha...it was fun...the best part was riding in the van....its been six weeks too long...

We were visited on Tuesday by Elder Neil L. Andersen of the quorom of 12. He was awesome. His famous tagline for that talk was this know ye the condensention of God. The spirit was very strong with him. I have been singing in the MTC choir, so I got to sing for him.

On 12/23 we had a district night, where the 8 of us and our 2 teachers in the district....each went around and said what we liked about the other one. We did it for everyone. It really did make us all feel better. Tthe spirit of Christ is to build up not break down. One of the sisters, Sister Riggs said one thing in particular that I really liked...it was two qualities she admired in me...maturity (no idea haha) and enthusaism (rubbing my hands together when i get excited...thanks pai). The spirit was very strong there.

We did a district-wide white elephant gift exchange with a 2 dollar limit. I got a retractable sharpie and a pocket protector for my item to put in the pot...but, I ended up liking it so much I actually did end up walking away with it.... and yes, I do wear a pocket protector and proud of it.

Last night, we had a special fireside from the MTC presidency. Elder McQuivey and I got to sit front row. That was cool. There were testimonies shared and and music performed. The spirit truely was there. One of the most touching pieces was a harp composition played by Sister Smart (Elizabeth). I enjoyed it.

I kept the traditon going from the Athans family. I read Luke 2 by myself and opened one present. Amy, I opened the pack of gum...I thought is was very ironic because missionaries are not supposed to chew gum.....sorry. Thank you anyways.

This morning my companion and myself got up way early.... like 5:45 to do our laundry. It is still p-day for us hahahaha....we had it done by 7:45 i think...we waited for a good seat for the devotional this morning too haha...we had Elder L. Tom Perry of the 12 there this morning...that was pretty cool...he rocks....I am grateful for this opporutunity to serve the Lord.

So, I opened my presents thank you so much...I love them so much.....a lot of candy...actually, I have kinda stoped eating candy but i guess I will start up again. Thanks for the suspenders they rock...I put them on immediately.

Tell Aunt Shelia and Whitney thanks for me...their gift was way too generous. Amy, I love the gifts...if it don't finish the candy here...I will in Brazil..... not that I know if I am going yet. We got 10 more visas this week. I hope soon...because we only have 2 weeks left before we become a mega district.

One quick concept that I have learned this week is the importance of a study journal. I have my regualar journal yes...but it is important to have a journal which you keep your insights and revelations from the scriptues in. My testimony has increased because of this. I learned how I can best use mine too. I write out my thought processes in sentences rather than bullets. It really has helped.

One thing...I am not on a mountain. The prophet Nehemiah never was...he was rebuilding the walls at jersalem. I am doing a great work so that I cannnot come down.

My hope and testimony is that this season we will remember who this holiday is about....our Saviour Jesus Cristo. He leads this work. He was the babe of belém. We only make it through his merits, mercy, and grace.

I love you all.

Pray for me and I do for you.

I know this work is important.....the most important one

I love you all so much,

Elder Athans

Feliz Natal

Feliz Natal Família,

Well, just another P-day here in the Provo MTC. I did a sesssion at the temple this morning. That was good. Oh yeah, I saw Allen a few minutes ago. He wants me to sign up to do a class with him. Hahaha, we will see. Oh yeah, remember the Noels from Charlotte mission president? I saw sister Noel here. They just got back from a mission in Alaska.

Thank you for the packages. I got three: Amy, Mom, and Aunt Cindy. I have not opened them. Mom, did you send my debit card in my Christmas package?

You should be receiving an envelope from me very soon. Open it on Christmas Day with the entire family.

Thanks for the addresses...i got most of them sent out. The português is coming along. I dont realize it a lot but the Lord really is helping out with the gift of tongues. I have started this new rule: every time I speak inglês outside of the dorm and gym I have to do 5 pushups. First day I had to do like 85...oh yeah, I do them all at the end of the day and I can't read my letters until I have completed them all. Hahahaha!

An update on the visas...all the missionaries who don't have them and have been here longer than their normal 9 weeks of the MTC...they are combined with one or two other districts into what is called a mega district....and basically they don't have a teacher and they have missionary directed time all day. Hopefully, that won't happen to me. But, there is some good news...31 visas came yesterday and more might come today. Really pray for the visas. I have begun to do so.

Sunday, for the fireside we had the BYU mens choir sing...that was pretty good....and Tuesday we had Elder and Sister Maynes from the 70.

Other than that the MTC has been a lot of the same....12 hours a day of study Hahahaha....

How is NC? How is Tazie? How is TJ? How is the ward?

I heard the news about carmen that is ótimo (awesome)!

Hahaha it really is hard to speak english at times... i have to stop and think about which word in the language I want to speak....irony.

I really want a visa. What are the plans for Christmas? I really don't know what the MTC plans are... probably an apostolo or the profeta. I am not sure. It will be good. How can it not be good? I am in the service of the most high God.

I will miss you this holiday season but Tudo Bem (all is well)

I think and pray about you all often. You all have been a great support and a leading factor to where I am today.

Remember that this season is about our Master even Jesus Cristo.

Te Amo

Elder Athans

Hello family

Tudo bem

Well, here is the update....my subject says that I have bad news and I do for you. It is that I will not be able to call home on Christmas because of how many people are here. So sorry, but I can write you a letter because that is just like a conversaton.

So, here is an update for you...remember how that one Elder Handy got his visa and was supposed to leave? Right after emailing you...he got sick and had to quarantine because of swine flu. They made everyone in the district take Tamiflu except for those who have had both shots...regualr and swine, so no Tamiflu for Elder Athans.

The MTC is a lot of the same. Not a whole lot to report. Every week we have what are called TRC...teaching recource center....where we teach a fake investigator. Thursday was our last one in English. Next Thursday, we are supposed to teach in only português. That should be an experience. Pray for me.

So, Mark Hall pretty much sent me the coolest package every. It almost tied Amy's birthday present for college. He sent me some pics of him and the girls....some twilight themed candy...a kuzi from DD Peckers that orginally said chicks dig peckers but he made it say chicks dig RMs...the best part about it was there was about 10 letters in it from all the Charlotte people such as Jason Pratt, Frank, Cope, Richard Morrell, Blake Hart, Bryant Haines. It was so amazing.

Update on visas...we got a form this week about a background check for the visas...I had to open up my package to get my new lincese for it. Sorry, Mom, Thanks for the present though.

I'm probably sitting about 7 or 8 lbs more. Scary right? Yes?

Mom, could you get me the following addresses asap? I have letters with stamps on them with no address. Frank, Michelle, Meghan Cunningham, Ryan and Melissa and finally Aunt Shelia.

The langugage is coming slowing but surely. We are no longer allowed to speak English in class starting today. I have a feeling it will be a very silent class. Pray for me if you could about the language. It could really help.

My friend Kaylin from school got her call to Guatemala, Guatemala City Central. I am happy for her. I have started reading the Book of Mormon again, but i started it in 3rd Nephi which is rocking...I am trying to find as many parrellels to Preach my gospel as possible. They are everywhere. It will help my future investigators.

Mom sidenote...I think I have set up my debitcard already with a pin, try it out, activate it and send to me asap if possible.

Well that is all for this week. Thank you both Mom and Amy for the compliments on last weeks letters. I am learning.

Dad dearelder.com me a little more...bare testimony...share expereiences from your mission....give advice...i do miss hearing it.

Oh yeah, this week for the portuguese part of the TRC we had to bring in a pic of my family and talk about them. Hahhaha....

The work goes on. Remember I am doing a great work so that I cannot come down.

The Lord loves us all and wants to bless us....let us be obedient so that he can.

Te Amo

Èlder Athans

P.S. How is TJ?...Let him know I love him and have thought about him a lot this week

Hello all from the great state of Utah!

Hello all from the great state of Utah. It is a shame about those Utes, I wish they won. I could hear the game from here. Wow, a lot has happened in the district this week. In just a few days, we will have gone from 11 to 8 members. One of our Elders went home earlier this week. He was from Radford, VA. I hope he comes back. His personality reminded me a lot of Breman or Elder Nope.

Then, yesterday we found out that one Elder and one Sister got their visas, so they leave next week. So, they are starting to come. So, Mom it is very important that you send me my debit and drivers license very soon......like now!....lol

Did I ever tell you that one of my teachers is from Holladay. He knew Elder Van Roosendaal. Ahhah...I ran into a Sister that served in the Carmel ward yesterday. She teaches here now. Her former name was Sister Asteul or some thing like that.

Dearelder.com's printer has been down so I havent really recieved any letters, which is kinda of a bummer. We went to the temple today. I ran into someone from Charlotte there; it was pretty funny. He was a Lucas from Monroe. Have you heard from the Graves recently. Dont stop sending me dearelders....keeep sending them so i will get a bunch, lol.

How is the family? How is TJ? How is Tazie?

How is the house? Dad, did you print off those pics of Copes family yet? Print me off some pics of the house, too.

Well, the portuguese is coming along. I am kinda ready to be in Brazil, but not at the same time. Rumor is that the prophet visits on Christmas, so i kinda want to be here for that.

What else to say? My companion Elder McQuievey was sick earlier this week and i got to give him a priesthood blessing. Then the next day, I had him give me one of counsel.


The mission really is the best. It is very tiring WORK but it will pay divendends. Did Aunt Elsie get my letter? How is she doing?

How is Bishop Johnson? Send him my regards if you would.

Mom dearelder.com me Frank, Michelle and Meghans emails please. I have letters for all of them just no addresses. Any comments on my blog/facebook? Oh yeah, btw kc porters utah address use facebook to get it.

I wish I had a lot of great things to say. To be hones,t it is just a lot of little things. The Lord has blessed me so much. The spirit is awesome. I really am trying hard to be receptive to its promptings. Easier said then done, but I am doing my best. Portuguese is very hard but I know the Lord will provide a way for my like he always has. Pray for me with that. I hope you all have recieved the blessings for me serving.

What else.............i still havent seen Allen yet. If he does find me...tell him so smuggle me in a pizza. I would like that but I really dont need to gain weight ....every meal I drink either 2 glasses of grape juice or 2 glasses of BYU chocolate milk. I also have a bowl of life ceral. Last time I weighed in it was 6.5 lbs. I go between 5 and 9 lbs. I want to leave the exact some as when I left.

Well all for now...I wish I had more to say but I really dont. If i get my visa, I will get to call you earlier because I wont able to call you on Christmas down in Brazil...what ever happens there is a reason for me to be here at this time. Something I need to learn or be touched by or I might need to touch someone else.

Oh yeah, tomorrow we get to Skype with teachers in Brazil to work on the language....because we are all here in Provo...we are supposed to teach the first lesson in our mission langugage ahhhhhhhh. I am not ready, oh well, I just have to open my mouth.

Dad one thought for you....I have learned as a missionary that we do not teach lessons we teach people. That is why preaching my gospel is so important. It teaches us to tailor the message to the individual person. That is why we don't memorize the lessons.

Well, all for now.Tthe church is true. I love the Lord and this work. Remember, I am doing a great work so that I cannot come down.

I love and pray for you,

Elder Athans

Write me back soon

Happy Thanksgiving from Elder Athans

Hello all from the great state of Utah

Tudo bem

This week has truely blessed me. Sunday, we heard from Stephen Allen who works at the missisonary department for the church. Then, Tuesday for devotional we had Dallin H. Oaks come, which was amazing. Seeing the apostles in the MTC is neat because they really are not as formal and can say a lot more stuff.

Thanksgiving was good. I am not gonna lie, I do find myself missing dads croissant turkey sandwich. They are way good. But, like Nehemiah I am doing a great work, so I cannot come down. The food was good.
Mom, I have gained about 9 lbs which is really scary to me. Haha, I usually run about 2 miles a day.

Thanksgiving was good. We had a devotional, a fireside, and service project. The devotional speaker brought me close to tears because it was........Jeffrey R. Holland...one of my favorite speakers. He was amazing. The spirit was so strong. I was really touched by a presentation showing the humanitarian services by the church. It answers the question.... yes, i am my brothers keeper. It really did bring me close to tears...which rarely happens.

Well i will add more later....we only get 30 minutes timed to email on P=day. That is why my letters are not longer. I will do my best. I should have more time later in the afternoon. Thanks for the emails.

Peace

Hello from the MTC-11/20/09

Hello family,

Tudo Bem

I have my pday today. I am using half of my internet time to write, and then i will check to see if you wrote me back.

This week has honestly been tough. The hardest part thus far has been having to live with a companion. I am a lot of times very individualistic, so yeah. I have been praying to work on that. It will get better though because I have the lord on my side. If God is for us, then who can be against us?

I like the MTC. It is fun. It really is work. But, the outpouring of the spirit is amazing. Sunday, we got to hear from Sherri Dew. She is very neat and her testimony really helped and gave me some good ideas for study. Tuesday we had Bishop Edgley and his wife speak to us. He spoke about the impact of missionary work. I like the scripture from Isaiah 61:1 because it really defines what missionary work is and who all it helps.

I have not seen Allen yet. I want to. I think it would help you know seeing family and all.

One truth i have learned this week was from one of my districts teachers. His name is Brother Flanigan. He bore powerful testimony of study journals. it totally changed my outlook on studying. He explained it like this. God loves everyone the same; but, he doesn't trust everyone the same. How do we show him that we are worthy of his trust? We write down revelations or promptings from the spirit and act on them. I have noticed as i write down every prompting I recieve and do them that father is willing to bless us with me and we feel of his love. i know that this is truth becuase i can feel the holy ghost testify to me of this truth.

Family thank you so much for your support to me these past 19 years. Pray for me often. especially for patience. I try to remember you guys as much as i can. How is TJ? What is his email? Mom, email me the rest of the families emails. The language is coming well enough. I can pray, testify and write sentences in Portuguese. I can feel the spirit teaching or helping me with the porteuguese language.

There were 700 new missionaries this week. Poor kids, I remember what it was to be like them. Haha, I have tried to help them out as much as i can.

How is the house? Dad, please dont forget to send me pics.

I see a lot of people from EFY and BYUI. infact two people i went to EFY with are in my branch. There are a lot of elders and sisters waiting on visas for brazil. I was taught and I believe this to be true, that father has a plan for us his children. There is a reason that i am in Provo at this time. I dont know why yet but there is. Itis weird to think that Thanksgiving is this week. I am gonna miss being home, but i know i am doing a great work and cannot come down... to quote Nehemiah.

Use Dearelder.com everyday if you can. Tell everyone to. It really helps me and motivates me.

Give Tazie a hug and kiss for me

That is all for now. Eu seu que Jesus Cristo e O Salvador e O filho de Deus.

Te Amo

Oi from Provo 11/14/09

Tudo Bem?

I am doing well. I really am having a great time here in the Provo Missionary Training Center. There really is an abundance of the Lords espirito here. I have some really otimo teachers. I have already learned a lot. I am sorry mother that I would not talk you; but, remember I get blessings for obedience. If I get blessings that means you blessings as well.

I have a pretty awesome companion. His name is Elder McQuivey. He is from Vernal, Utah. He is computer geek so we actaully get along pretty well. I am glad for this time that I get to serve the Lord.

I probably will gain weight. I feel like I already have. I have a big glass of choclate milk every meal. So, I proabably will get fat.

I was asked to serve as the Senior companion. I was in President Wilkson's branch but, however I will be in a new one because the mtc is growing because the visa problems.

I am trying to be the best that I can. I am trying to turn my will over to the Lord.

How is North Carolina?

I have recieved 3 letters. One from Mom, one from Amy and one from a friend from college. This is a pic of my Companion and myself.

I will write you next friday that is my regualar Pday. I ran into Elder Cyrier. and some other elders I went to college with.

Eu Seu que Joseph Smith e um profeta.

All My Love

Elder Athans

P.S. No pics today...I will try to send some. All my Love

The End of an Era: The Zach Athans Story

I enjoyed my days in the youth program at church. I really did. I knew most people in the stake. I felt I was generally wanted at the activities by my peers.

Well, yesterday I think it finally dawned on me that I really am not a youth anymore.

Here is the scenerio.

I get a text and it said paraphrasing a little "Tyler says get your butt over here" (It was the Charlotte South Stake annual Zions camp). I informed the textee that I was out of town. The textee then responds "My bad. I meant to txt a different zach."

Its offical goodbye youth and hello adulthood (even though I have been adult for a year+)

A Bunch of Random Thoughts I feel that need to be expressed in the form of blog

#1--We had stake conference...it was amazing the spirit was just about ready to explode. I kept thinking a lot about my mission during this time. Now that I am in the home stretch I guess you could say, I really am starting to get pumped. People ask me if I scared and I very quickly respond NO. I remind them that fear is the opposite of faith. However, there are a few things that I am nervous (being nervous and being scared are two totally different things) about: being in a new country, eating food in a new country and how my body responds to it, and learning freaking Portuguese. I am ready to leave tho.

#2--When I get back everything will be different. I thought about this when I was at my best friend copes last night. We were talking about how big Cheeks (Presley) had gotten in two years and then how when I get back his 7 month year old be as big as Cheeks who is 2. I really did get to thinking about how different everything will be when I get back. I think things change fast now and everyone is getting married just wait till I am away for two years. Change is good but I must say I will miss being eye witness to it.

#3--If anyone watched to The Office it was amazing...if that was the last one I saw till I got back...I would still be laughing

#4--I was thinking about why I might have been doomed to a four month wait for my mission. Other than the Lord having is timeing for me I know another reason. A while back I prayed about something and I did not listen to the answer. It took a while and I believe that Lord wanted to show me that by following Him the first time...I would not have had to wait 8 months and see that his ways were better from the get go...YOU LIVE AND LEARN

Service and The Book of Mormon

As I was watching and listening to General Conference today, I was deeply touched by two talks. The first was by our beloved prophet, Thomas S. Monson. He is a prophet who's theme will be, I believe, all about service to others. He is great example of that just like the Master. His talk inspired me to make it a point each and every day to provide some amount of service to my brothers and sisters. It reminds me of the Boy Scouts of America slogan, "Do a Good Turn Daily" Me being an eagle scout still need to carry on and live those princples. I know Father will be bless us as we do this because a prophet of God has said, "when ye are in the service of your fellow beings ye are only in the service of you God" This is my goal for the upcoming days, weeks and years.





My second impression came from the testimony of Jeffrey R. Holland, who is an apostle of the Lord, Jesus Christ. He bore POWERFUL witness of The Book of Mormon. I think it is important for me because I will soon be baring my witness to the divinity of this book as well. As I was reading in the Book of Mormon this evening a witness came to by the spirit once again testifying of its truthfullness. To all my blog reading sphere (which is not a lot of people) I want all you know that I KNOW the Book of Mormon is real. That is does indeed stand with the Bible in baring witness and testimony of our Savior Jesus Christ. That Christ did visit his people in the land we now call the Americas. That we organized his church among them as he did with his apostles in Jersalem. That it was preserved through the ages and that Joseph Smith, that hero of mine, did translate it through the gift and power of God. I have a testimony of all the holy scriptures. I know that God speaks. Not that he spake but that He speaks. I have heard his prophets speek this weekend and I know their words to be true. My hope and prayer is that my faith will be like that of the prophets of old as I soon embark on this Mission for my Father. All I can do is to "Search Diligently, Pray Always and be believing and all things shall work together for your good." It is my faith that as I always rely on Father and Jesus Christ they will support in all that I do.






Joseph Smith Jr. Said, "Shall we not go on in so great a cause? Go forward and not backward. Courage, brethren; and on, on to the victory! Let your hearts rejoice, and be exceedingly glad."
Shall we not go on?

Twilight: A Four Month Journey

So, I need to state some facts for the record about Stephanie Meyers Twilight series. I have offically read Twilight. It only took my four months to do so but I did. That is a lot coming from a person that does not read ever ever ever ever ever ever. (You think I had enough evers memoried). I flew back from SLC and the entire plan ride I read Twilight. I actually finished it as well. I will admit it is not half bad. I enjoyed it because I was a nice quick and easy read. Just by admiting these facts I have lost any man point I ever had or will hope to have. Since I have already lost them, here is what I go from Twilight. It is a decent love story. I am a guy; but, I do like a good love story. Hence why "Love Story" by Taylor Swift is one of my favorite songs. I like most people want a happy ending (a Sugarland reference). I believe and will still hold true that Edward Cullen is totally a creeper. I mean he seems like a pretty legit guy but still a creeper. Out of all the characters in the narrative I identify with Bella. It might just because she is the primary character or the narrrative is told from her point of view anyways. I guess I identify with a lot of her same personality traits and such....Holy Crap I will never live this down for admitting this especailly on my my blog. Oh well It is all facts. For the Record...I am already 125 pages into New Moon after only reading it one day. Ta.






P.S. I did get paid 20 bucks for reading the book....and will get 5 dollars for watching the movie.

The Retraction

A few months ago...I may have printed a few inaccuracies concerning the novel seris called Twilight. I, with much remorse, retract all statements I have concerning Twilight.


Sincerly,

Zachary D. Athans

A retraction will soon come

Dear Twilight Fans of all Ages (especially Brandi Cope)

When I get more time I will print a retraction of some inaccurate statements I might have said about Twilight.

FYI the papers are in less than two weeks now

Elder Athans Pic

Here is the Pic I sent in with my papers

Life

I just felt like updating with a kind of sappy post.  I don't really know why.  My heart is very full and because of that I am sure that testimony will be born throughout this blog entry.  I had the opportunity and blessing to go back to Charlotte this weekend.  I have a great love for the city and the people there.  I feel truly blessed for my assocations there.  I know that Heavenly Father sent me there for a purpose.  There is no doubt in my mind of that.  I have a testimony that Heavenly Father puts people into our lives at times when we need them most.  I have thought a lot about that and how I often would rely on these people that were placed along the path to help me.  There are a few people that come to mind.  I want to thank them publicly (if blogging is considered public).  There are my dear friends Mark, Brian, and Frank.  My love and apprecation goes out to not only them but to their respective  wives and children as well.  I feel that without these great examples to me I would not be the person that I am today.

I want to talk a little bit about the Atonement of Jesus Christ.  There are many things in Christ's church that I have a testimony of, however, I can bear the strongest testimony of the Atonement.  I do this because many of my friends are experiencing trials that are testing their faith and are causing emotional pain for them.  My heart goes out to them.  I have been there a few times and though I do not know exactly how they feel,  I know what it feels like.  Because of this, it has caused me to do a lot of pondering on where I have been and where I am now.  The bridge that has gotten me from where I was to where I am now is the Atonement of Jesus Christ.  I know this without any doubt in my mind.  It has made me realize this truth about the Atonement.  If you want or need the power of the Atonement of Jesus Christ THEN you HAVE to rely on it.  Once I applied this principle it made all the difference.  There is nothing that our Saviour has not felt or that He cannot help us with.  I am reminded of the picture that you see here of the Master.  He stands at the door knocking all we have to do is let Him in.  When we do this, He can make us into what we need to be.  He will change our lives because He knows what we feel and how to succor us.  We can live with our Father once again.  All we need to do is to follow his more excellent way to to quote a scripture.

I feel like this needed to be shared.  Maybe not to those who read this, but for me.  Our testimonies grow as we bear them.  If you have any questions on what I talked about just ask or pray and read scriptures about it.

Woodlake Triathlon 2009

So as many of you know, I was in training for a triathlon.  Well, I did it.  The training could have been a lot better but I survived.  I had to two goals for the triathlon. 1)Beat my Dad 2) Finish under two hours.  I accomplished both of my goals.  My Time was 1hour 53 Minutes 52 Seconds.  I beat my dad by almost 2o minutes.  Here are a few pics.

Dad and Uncle Scott before they went off

The 3 Competeing Athans'

Gotta love the Spandex....Phelps has nothing on me

Dad isnt serious enough

My transition area

I am grateful I did and feel very accomplished...I want to thank all of my Idaho friends that helped me especially my trainer and my dietian

Hart

Hart to Hart digital is offering a free photo shoot by comment on  the blog and ur name being drawn

Check out more at http://harttohartdigital.blogspot.com/

Current Weight

So at the beginning of the semester i weighed 153.

Two weeks after dieting 141

My Life Update

It has been a while since I have done anything to my blog.  Here is a little update for my life!

1) School is winding down.  The BYUI learning model is really killing me.  I have like twelve thousand group projects due every week.  Really, its a little rediculous.  I know that the leaders here are inspired especially President Clark...but there is something that needs to be realized and a happy medium needs to be made.  Oh well, I have less than a month (April 9th).  Then California BABY.

2) I have begun  a training and diet program.  For those you who will say Zach you are already so skinny you dont need to lose weight.  I know that you dont have to tell me that.  I will honestly say that I am like a woman (no offense) when it comes to my weight.  I am not trying to lose weight.  It is just kind of happening.  I have decided to do a triathlon with my father on memorial day.  I have a friend who is gonna do two this summers; so, she and I are training together.  A triathlon is something that I have always kind of wanted to do...so I figure its the perfect time to start.  I am not allowed to eat anything with sugar.  If you know me at all...it is killing me.  I am eating pretty healthy.  I spent 45 bucks on all healthy CRAP.  My body is still adjusting to it.  I try to keep telling myself if I can makei it 21 days I will be ok...because it will then be a habit.  

3) Brian and Brandi...congrats on the baby I think

So yeah theres my life...comment me back

My Ideal Mate

This was a paper for my bogas Business Class

When asked to describe my ideal mate it is a very hard question to answer.  I am not really sure if I know what I really want.  I know a lot of qualities that I like.  I don’t think I have met enough people to make an accurate description of this woman I want to spend time and all eternity with.  I will attempt to do this with all of the data I have collected to date.

            The biggest quality is probably someone who has a strong testimony of the Saviour, Jesus Christ, a testimony of Joseph Smith, and a testimony of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints.  She must be someone who lives her testimony in every aspect of her life.  We must be able to strengthen each other’s testimonies as we make our journey in life together.  She must be an educated woman.  I would prefer someone who has graduated from college.  This will be beneficial in case I die unexpectedly.  She should know who she is; that is a daughter of a loving Heavenly Father.  She must possess those qualities I see and honor in my own mother.  The older and more mature I get, the more I want a woman like my mother.  My mother is a Julie B. Beck said, “A mother that knows.”  We must be able to tease each other.  I kid around a lot with everybody.  My ideal mate is able to take my teasing and tease me back in return.  She must be a woman of integrity and an example to me every day.

Spouses can be really beneficially in the workforce.  Like the phrase goes, behind every great man is a great woman.  Spouses can encourage that person to perform better and help with important decisions to be made.  They can also hinder by distracting the other from work or imposing too much control in work situations where they have not real authority.

MLK

Martin Luther King Jr. Essay

By: Zachary D. Athans

Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. once gave the famous speech entitled, “I have a dream.” In this speech, he talked about his dream of racial equality. We all need to have dreams and desires to accomplish. The Lord commands us to do this by saying that we “should be anxiously engaged in a good cause.”

If posed the question if time and money were not an object to what would I do with my life, I know exactly what I would do with my life. The first thing I would do is take care of my family. I would find a place to settle and raise my family. This place would be preferably in North Carolina, but it really doesn’t matter as long as we are close to family. I want to stay in one place for the rest of my life.

I think I would want to pursue education at all times. I would get my PhD. in history. I would want to teach either part-time or full-time at a local community college. I would always pursue further my education in all aspects of knowledge. I would want many, many degrees in vary fields.

I would travel all over the world. I want to see and learn about many cultures all over the world. I would want to be heavily involved in charity work worldwide. I would meet many world leaders to understand what we could do to better their country and people.

I would do all that I could to better the world around me with unlimited resources.

The Bucket List

My Business Prof. made us create a list of the 50 things that we want to do before we die.  Here is my list:

1)      Get Married

2)      Have Kids

3)      Serve as a Full-Time Missionary

4)      Serve as a Senior Missionary with my wife

5)      Become a Doctor (O.D. or P.h.D.)

6)      Teach on the College Level

7)      Go to Africa

8)      Go to Paris

9)      Go Skydiving

10)  Go to the temple

11)  Go to Caribbean

12)  Go to California

13)  Meet George Lucas

14)  Bike Moab with my Dad

15)  Bike across N.C.

16)  Go to Disneyworld with my Kids

17)  Go to Universal

18)  Go to a Comic book Convention

19)  Go to a session of General Conference in the Conference Center

20)  Go to India

21)  Go Bungee Jumping

22)  Build my own house

23)  Go repelling forward

24)  Own my own business

25)  Start/work with a  Charity

26)  See my children married in the temple

27)  Own a Mac

28)  Meet general authorities

29)  See my siblings sealed in the temple

30)  Be in a movie

31)  Write a book

32)  Backpack across Europe

33)  Own a pool table

34)  Learn to speak another language

35)  Go to Israel

36)  Go to Egypt

37)  Take care of my parents finically

38)  Get along with my  brother

39)  Live long enough to see my grandkids

40)  Teach seminary

41)  Attend a music  concert

42)  Own  a big truck

43)  Be involved in my community politics

44)  Go on a cruise

45)  Be on a game show

46)  Learn to sing

47)  Visit the Outer banks of N.C.

48)  Have a pet (dog or pig)

49)  Learn to love to read

50)  Be a resource directors use when they make comic book superhero movies