Electric Cars and their Dead Batteries

    Consumers see more and more everyday that car companies around the world are beginning the transformation form gas and diesel combustion engines to the hybrid, and full electric cars. Just in the last two years, just about every single car company has announced and put into production fully electric cars. This can be viewed as an amazing feat of technology and innovation; which it is, however, where are car companies getting the materials to produce these car batteries, how are they being disposed of, and how are they compensating for the increase of power needed to charge these cars? Looking into the situation, the car industry is still very young with the whole electric car phase of automobile transportation, however it is growing fast. With these manufactures it's a race to see who can have the best most reliable and economic car first and with this comes lots of errors and over sights. For example, when this battery dies (like a lot of the early cell phones people had that can't keep a charge to save their own lives) what will happen when consumers need to dispose of them, is there a recycling facility that can break these down and reuse them in the future?
    I think the best answer is something that one car company is doing and needs to be reflected with everyone else. Tesla Motor Company has the right idea when it comes to saving the planet. Every battery pack made by Tesla can be 100% recycled and re-used again in the future. With this it gives not only the consumer but the company an incentive to use this method more so than just throwing it away. Tesla also offers quick charge stations in some parts of the USA that are solar powered, reducing the need to have main power lines fed right into their charging ports, this helps them be more power savvy and helps reduce carbon footprint and power plants from burning large amounts of coal to power their cars.

The Reality of Gymnastics

                   Gymnastics is a very dynamic sport full of personal and team development.
It the world of Gymnastics you have two types of programs. The Junior Olympic program and the Excel program. Coaches and gymnasts can talk together and decide which program fits best for each athlete.

 -Junior Olympic Program-
 In the Junior Olympic program gymnasts are prepared to move through levels 1-10 setting them on a straight path journey to College Gymnastics and the Olympics. The judging is more particular in respect to earning points and the girls get judged a lot harder. In the Junior Olympic program athletes really have to prove them selves and word extra hard to receive good scores. This program is known for well rounding the athletes and preparing them for every level to come. The video link below (copy and paste into your browser) is Shawn Johnson's 2008 Olympic Floor routine. This video is relevant because J. O. really does prepare athletes to be well rounded and for those that progress rapidly J.O. prepares them for the college and Olympic levels.

                                         https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tooPCeR3IIY

-Excel Program-
 On the other hand we have the Excel Program. In the Excel program routines and skills don't have many bounds compared to the J. O. program. With this program, routines are catered to the athletes strengths rather than making them all do the same skills. This program is great for athletes that love the sport but are not necessarily the best at it. In Excel everyone gets awards and the judging is more low key enabling athletes to receive higher scores even though their skill may not be completely up to par.

Where would these programs present an ethical issue? Well, let me tell you. I have been a competitive team gymnastics coach now for about 4 years. I have found that I like the J. O. program because it helps well round the girls and I have found that I like the Excel program because it caters to the needs of those athletes that struggle to do well in the sport but still have a passion for it. The problem with all of this is.. over the years I, as well as other coaches, have found that some gyms will put their really talented athletes in the Excel program so that their athletes can take the top places. These top performing athletes are easily scoring 9.7 and 9.8's (the highest score you can get is a 10) in the excel program with all of these other girls that are just trying to barely make it by in the sport. This leaves all those athletes meant to be in Excel still at the bottom of the podium. This is not ethical at all considering the top performing athletes from selective gyms are clearly good enough to be in the J. O. Program where their talent belongs. These top performing athletes should not be in the Excel Program earning first place like it's a cake walk. These athletes should be in the J. O. program competing with other athletes that actually challenge and push them to make it to the top. Below is a J. O. Excel comparison to help show the difference between the two well known programs.

How do we solve this? Coaches and gym owners must take a step back and think about the ethics of putting top athletes in the Excel program. We all need to evaluate the fact that it's not just about  gyms being known to take first, but that their athletes need to be put in proper placement that pushes them to improve and be challenged. These programs were made separate to help all who want to be apart of the sport have a spot and we need to keep it that way.

Lets re- evaluate and put things back the way they were intended to be.
Lets make these programs great again.

Have Faith in Him (:

I remember sometime ago I decided that I wanted to Hike Mount Timpanogos. I had heard lots of great things about this hike but underestimated how hard it was actually going to be. For some, this adventure is not that bad but for me it was strenuous & the death of me. 
  About an hour in I remember thinking, "How on earth am I going to do this?". I was sure I would not make it.  After 6 hours of hiking I was convinced the end would NEVER come. I was sick of looking at dirt, plants and rocks and I was in a lot of pain and wanted to go back. Eventually we made it to the top....( It was a miracle!)
   As I stood and looked over the valley at all the beauty I was filled with the feeling of accomplishment and peace. I then  realized that all the pain I was previously put through was worth it and because of the great people I was with to support me along the way I made it. (:  
    I love the words of Dieter F. Uchtdorf "Just because we cannot see something with our physical eyes does not mean it doesn't exist." 
   There are so many trials and hard times that come into our lives and we often can not see the light at the end of the tunnel. But as we strengthen our Faith in Him we receive strength, and special people come into our lives to help us along the way.  

How can you strengthen your faith in Him so He can show you the peace that lies ahead?

The Masterpiece

    When I was serving in my first area one of the families there had their daughter come home from her mission. At that time I was struggling with somethings because well as we

all know life is well.. hard. She came home and became a great friend to me. One day she gave my trainer and I this poem and it has been such a blessing in my life. Our Savior Jesus Christ truly knows what we are going through and how to help us. She gave me this poem at the perfect timing when I needed it most and to realize even more, than I did, that I was NEVER alone. Sometimes we want to quit but He always has our back and isn't going to let us down. I have been through some hard things in life and it's because of My Savior that I am where I am today. Trusting in Him and making Him one of my best friends has helped me accept and be proud of who I am.(: When you feel low and down look to the one who has felt it all and I have NO DOUBT you will find comfort there.(: Be proud of who you are because YOU are a masterpiece in His eyes!

                  The Masterpiece 
The Master Artist awaits, chisel in hand. 
 I say, "Ok, I'm ready," and I brace myself for the process.
"This will hurt a little, "He warned," and it won't be easy.
       You will often feel discomfort and will want to quit. 
        But just trust me. I am here the entire way."
At that, he began to chisel.
        He is chiseling away what is unnecessary.
        He is smoothing lines and adding definition. 
"What if you make a mistake?" I ask, 
       "How do you put a piece back on?"
He smiles and whispers to me, 
        "I never make mistakes. I will never need to add pieces wither,
         because the masterpiece is already within. It is just hidden."
And he continues to chisel away ever so gently. 
It does hurt occasionally, and I catch myself doubting His work when
    I see certain pieces fall, but I still trust His skilled hands.
At times throughout the process I feel all alone. 
      and scared because I can't see Him anymore.
I call out to Him and He comes out from behind me.
      "It's Ok," Hes says, "I am here. I was just working from a different angle."
The process is long and sometimes I do want to quit. "Are you almost done?"
      I ask,"I don't like the comfortableness, or the pain."
"I understand," He replies, "but wait until you see the result. Just wait!"
   His eyes sparkle in response.
I am beginning to feel lighter and more alive. He is just smiling and working away.
"Ouch! That was a very painful cut," I exclaimed with tears in my eyes.
     To my surprise He had tears too, " I know, but it was necessary." 
And so the process continued. I didn't fully understand all of His approaches or ideas, but I continued to trust. 
    Finally He stopped and stood in front of me. I thought it mean He was finished.
"I am not done. This is a life long process." He said.
    "Well then why did you stop?" I asked, actually not minding the break at all.
With tears rolling down His face and a look of love in His eyes, He said, 
   "I just had to stop and admire my masterpiece. This is truly the greatest one yet.
You will be very amazing when I am through. This is a masterpiece. 
    Then He wiped away His tears, bent down and picked up His chisel, and carefully
resumed His work. 

What doesn't kill you makes you stronger right?(:

Raleigh District(:

                                                  Raleigh 1st & 2nd District (: Transfer 5

Posseh Got Baptized!

Well today Posseh got baptized!(: It's been an exciting day! I remember when I first met her with Abby Slade, we became friends right away! Then my dear sweet companion Sister-Kaitlyn Spring came and we have been teaching her ever since. It's been 4 months and I wouldn't trade anything for this journey that I have been able to be apart of with Posseh. She has grown so much and I couldn't be more proud of the person she has become(: I know our Savior Jesus Christ lives and that because of him we have the opportunity to change each and everyday!(:
‪#‎BecauseOfHim‬ ‪#‎Baptism‬ ‪#‎Friends‬

My Love for Ford Raptors Led Us to an Investigator.. Who Would Have Guessed...(:

         Last week Sister Spring and I had a fun experience.(: We were headed home from a preparation
day activity and as we are driving along the road I looked to the left and saw a Ford Raptor on display at car dealership. For those who know me well I kind of have a thing for The Ford Raptor. I looked at Sister Spring with my eye set on the prize and said, "Sister Spring get in the left lane we MUST go take a picture with the Ford Raptor!!!" She thought I was crazy but I was thankful because she agreed. As we pulled into the lot we quickly made our way to the front where it was on display. I got out of the car and started walking up the rocks when I noticed a sales man coming toward us. My first thoughts were, "Oh boY he is probably not happy with us.." As he walked over I expressed to him that the truck behind me was one of my favorites and asked if I could take a picture. He kindly said I could and then saw my tag. Now when people see the tag it's really a do or die. They want to talk or ... they want to get rid of you as fast as possible. To my surprise he said, "Oh your missionaries! I'm currently investigating the church." At this point I thought I was in a dream.... because we came here to take a picture with the Ford Raptor and here we have... an investigator. He asked us many questions and said he just wasn't getting it.. we asked him if he had been reading the Book of Mormon and going to church. He looked away and said the missionaries said I should be but I haven't. We shared our testimonies and expressed that it's easier to know the truth of things when we actually try them out. For example Faith without Works is dead. By the end Sister Spring and I as well as Patrick were all spiritually uplifted and I got a picture with the truck. It turned out to be a Predator and not a Raptor but hey I wasn't complaining by the end of that Miracle!(: I know thaqt Heavenly Father truly takes who we are and our interests and puts them to good use. It's because we are His sons and daughters and he knows us personally! What a great experience! I love my mission and I would not trade it for anything! Well there you have it ..the story of how my love for Ford Raptors brought us to an investigator, Pretty neat if you ask me(: