Dec 12th

Today I finished up my homework. My last assignment for this semester. I am set to find a new place to stay for the next few days. Most of my day was filled with trying to finish my make up assignments for class. I have errands that I need to run, ie titling the jeep. I hope its a smooth transaction. I went to the gym to run and bike. Still out of shape. As I was running it just made me think that this is all a process. I kept thinking Rome was not built in a day. This is a process, working out allows me to gauge how much time has gone by and the effort it takes to change. I have not seen any changes in my physical stamina, but I know that with effort and time I will. My situation is the same thing, by effort and time I will see progress. I ate the most delicious caesar salad today. I do not know why, but it was the best tasting one I have ever had.
Today I read in Alma 27. The Lamanites wanted to fight someone, they knew they couldn't beat the Nephites, so they attacked Ammon and his people a second time, who did not raise their arms to fight. Ammon prayed to the Lord who said, go to the Nephites for protection. The people of Ammon were hesitant because they used to be enemies and were not sure how the Nephites would receive them. They had been to war and plundered their villages. How would the Nephites ever forgive them? So having faith they went and the Nephites gave them the land of Jershon. The Nephites protected them and forgave them.
How hard must it have been for the men of the anti-nephi-lehis not to protect and defend their families for a second time? Those people kept their covenants. I remember my mission president telling the story about him being called as a mission president. First he was called to the quorum of the seventy. When they asked him if he would do it, he discussed it with his wife and they replied, "we are covenant keepers." They responded the same when he was called to the Ivory Coast. A week before they were to depart they asked if he would be the mission president for new mission, they replied "we are covenant keepers." Then when they asked to enlarge his mission and relearn french to include not only the western part of ghana, but Togo and Benin. They responded in the same manner. Then when mission presidents normally change and go home, three weeks before they asked him and his wife if they would stay for another two years. The answer was the same. He was teaching us that keeping covenants is serious. That we do not break covenants with the Lord. I remember that conference very well. I want to be a covenant keeper. I do not want to blur the lines with the covenants I have made to the Lord and my family. I want to be a covenant keeper. I want the Lord's trust. I want my family's trust. I want to be able to stand before the Lord and here him say, "well done my good and faithful servant.thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things: enter thou into the joy of thy lord." I aspire to hear those words. I am repenting and keeping my covenants now. I have the desire to draw closer to the Lord and always choose what is right. I have tried to justify my actions in the past, but I knew that some of them were wrong. I want to be completely obedient. I want to be righteous. I have been trying to be righteous, but this last month has intensified my desire. I cannot be complacent in my spiritual life. If I am not growing I am digressing. There is no middle ground. My attitude is changing, complacency is being replaced with action. Desire to do what is right, no matter how hard or the consequences. The people of Ammon faced certain death when they chose to to keep their covenants. But it reality they chose eternal life. I want to be a better person. I want to repent and change. I am trying to do so.  I want the blessing of being with my family again. I miss them so much. They motivate me everyday to do everything I can to change and repent. I love my wife. I love my son. 2/4ever.

Tomorrows reading Alma 28.