I was looking over my last couple posts, and I sound like an idiot who thinks he knows everything so instead of talking about something important I decided that I would just update you all on my life. I don't know everything, and I don't want it to sound like I don't accept advice or that all my life opinions are set in stone.
I had my birthday a couple weeks ago. Turned 19, I think it is a pretty useless age but it's going to be a great year regardless. I just finished the fall semester of my sophomore year at BYU, so that's great. I'm really not feelin' the whole school thing right now considering BYU doesn't have the major I want (fire science). It's something I need to pray about. Hopefully this semester will go better because I'll be getting into some of my major (fitness and wellness) classes. Plus, season is starting and I'm super stoked. My tennis has been improving and my hard work is starting to show up a little bit. Unfortunately, with this winter break and getting my wisdom teeth taken out (please, hold the lame jokes.. I've heard them all) I am going to have to hit the practice courts hard in the next couple weeks.
I recently discovered snowboarding, and I think it's the coolest thing I've ever done. My buddy hooked me up with some cheap equipment (80$ for everything!) and I have gone every chance I've gotten. I think I'm going to have to start selling my body to pay for lift tickets (hint hint - season pass for Christmas next year mom!). Speaking of Christmas, I think our family had the best Christmas ever and it's not just me saying that. All the kids loved it, ask them, and my mom hit the jackpot with gifts so she better have. I didn't even get to enjoy Christmas dinner but I still had a great time and a ton of noodle cups. Only thing missing was snow. If there was snow I might have been boarding though, so I'm happy. It's kinda funny, Christmas really came up quick for me. Same with my birthday. And now they are both over. When I was younger it took forever for my birthday to come, let alone Christmas. The anticipation killed me every year. Now it's a lot more fun. Getting gifts for everyone is great too, I like getting something personal for everyone (gift cards suck!).
I've been really blessed this year to be living with a family from my church out here. They opened up a room in their basement for my best friend and I, and we have been mooching ever since! The family also has a son who is in his first year of college. Needless to say, we have had several late nights playing halo and watching movies. That's just one of the ways the church has blessed me, but I can't even explain all the other ways. The fellowship has been amazing. I'm dating a wonderful girl who has really encouraged me to live for Christ, and the leadership has provided accountability and advice that has really helped out. It's exciting to be learning so much, but I only wish I knew more to tell everyone around here. Utah valley needs prayer! I need to pray more. The church is building a new building that should be finished in a couple years, so I'm excited to see all that God is doing here and hopefully I can be used on a 98% mormon campus.
I took a Book of Mormon class this last semester and it taught me a lot about mormonism (they believe Jesus and Paul were married). I talked to the teacher a lot, so I think everyone in the class got to know me. It's hard to be an example here when righteousness and good deeds come right before eating, sleeping, and surviving on everyone's priority list. God taught me something this year. It's all about a relationship with him. So many people believe they are "good" people overall, and God couldn't send a nice person to hell, but I disagree. I serve an awesome God and he doesn't have to justify himself to his creation. Anyways, witnessing is something I always need prayer for. I read a quote on the cupboard at my house that said, "You should live your life in such a way that people who don't know Christ but know you should come to know Christ because they know you." I want to be living like that all the time, not just when I feel like it or when it's easy. I need to show Christ's love because he's given me a lot more. Thankfully, I want to.
Not much else is new. I'm not a very exciting person, but I did get a new camera so if you look on facebook you might get a visual into what my life is like. I kiss my girlfriend a lot! haha jk I hope when you guys read this you laugh because I throw in a lot of jokes and if you take me too seriously you might think I'm going to hell. I'm not. Why so serious?
Praying for all of you, and wishing for a wonderful 2009.
-Evan Van Ness Urbina
Comments (5)
hey good to hear from ya. : ) I was bummed we couldn't hang over xmas break but i'll catcha later man.
it was crazy. We had a meeting with Mr. Benner and he was telling us some stuff that people who practice mormonism and are very much part of the faith are not allowed to talk about...
its amazing how much of a cult it really is. It has roots in Free Masonry which has its roots in devil worship and witchcraft.... its nuts dude. Be careful out there. God works in mysterious ways for sure, but Satan works in deceptive ways.
Love ya man, glad to hear you doin all right.
the mormon church is not a cult. I have many friends who are members and they are the most honest, kind, and charitable people I know. They are very clear about their beliefs and principles, they don't hide what they believe. I'm guessing that the information that you are receiving is not from a mormon member. If I wanted to learn about the catholic or jewish religions I would ask members of the catholic or jewish religion, it only makes sense. Christ teaches us to show charity and love for all people. He loved the samaritans even though the Jews hated the samaritans. He NEVER targeted their beliefs or actions, he only showed them love. The parable of the good samaritan represents this perfectly. As true Christians, we should follow Christ's example, targeting other people's beliefs goes against Christ's teachings. He taught to love thy neighbor, (everyone), we need to love mormons regardless of their beliefs.
Very fun post Evan. I totally caught your jokes and sarcasm and miss hearing em in real life. =] Thanks for the update!
to michelle: i don't think the mormon church is a cult. i think it's a culture. i have a couple mormon friends and yes, they are very nice people. i hope it doesn't sound like i hate mormons because that isn't true. i have a problem with the beliefs that mormons have, which i'm sure mormons disagree with what i believe. i didn't just make all this stuff up, or hear propaganda from my christian friends. i live in provo. i go to byu. i am required to take 14 credit hours of religion (taught by mormon professors). i've been to wards. i've even been to general conference. yes, i have asked my teachers questions. i've talked to the missionaries (who were very rude). this isn't coming from someone who is not familiar with mormon culture. and yes, you are right. christ taught us to love others, regardless of their beliefs which i try to do. basically, i am broken. i know i'm not perfect and i won't be here on earth. it hurts me that i make mistakes and don't love people (even christians, not just mormons) as i should. i want to live in a christlike manner. i cannot even fathom how loving and caring my god is. but.. at the same time, jesus didn't go around being nice to everyone. he openly told the pharisees that they wouldn't be blessed if they did good things just to be seen. he threw tables in his church, and rebuked the priests and leaders of that time. i'm not going to go around doing that, but when my teacher tells me that i can get married, get exalted with my wife, and be a god a red flag goes up. i do have a problem with that. that's taking us, sinful as we are, and putting us on the same level with god and that's something i won't just let go. then, my teacher even goes on to tell me (and the 200 other people in my class) what christians believe about the cross! i wanted to laugh because it was so outlandish, but lies about what i believe really isn't that funny. i know my teacher is a great guy, and i really care for him. i think he is misled, just like he probably thinks i am misled. i want to show him why i believe what i believe because i think i have an eternal joy in me that he doesn't. i think that's love. it's much better than the taylor swift stuff you hear on the radio.
I'm sorry if you thought I was targeting your blog post, I was actually trying to respond to one of the comments about the mormon church being a cult. I respect the fact that a mormon church is a culture, I grew up in Idaho and I know all about that. I also respect how hard it must be to attend an all mormon school, I'm not sure I could do it.