In the Rough - The Blog of Joel McDonald Jr.

It’s the darndest thing. This past week I’ve been having thoughts and feelings that I’ve not had for a long time, or perhaps have never had before. Yeah, I know, I’m sounding a bit strange right now. It’s because I’m feeling a bit strange right now.

Below is my plan for the future…

1.) Serve an honorable mission and return home in 2006.
2.) After returning home, find gainful employment and find modest car and apartment.
3.) After stabalizing (mentally, emotionally, spiritually, financially) enroll in school and begin word toward A.S with Comp. Sci. focus and then a B.S. in Comp. Sci. (might be moving out of state for the B.S.) During this time I might begin a computer consulting business.
4.) Lord willing, within five years, find a lovely young woman and be married in the Temple.

It’s no. 4 that has been on my mind a bit lately. I know, I’m horrible…I should be channeling all my thoughts and energies to my mission. If you actually know me, you know that I’m not one to fall for every girl that crosses my path, or to be one who continually seeks for love interests. Yeah, I’ve fallen a couple of times, but this feeling is different. It’s not about one person, but about the relationship. I am in want of an intimate companion whom I can share anything and everything with. When I say companion I in no way am referring to anyone going by “Elder”. I don’t know…it’s crazy. I had a change of heart in the Temple, witnessing my friends’ wedding. I went from have no desire to be married, to what I am feeling now. Yesterday I was thinking about it and it occured me to how untimely it was to begin having these feelings as I will leave in a week to begin a two year mission where I will not have any romantic relationships at all! Perhaps this is good and well. For one it tells me that, yes, even I have some sense of normalcy (thought the extent of that has yet to be determined), however if I had undergone this change of heart a year or so earlier, I may have gone to the Temple not to witness a wedding, but be a party to one!

Today was my last day at the Bayside Ward for two years. I have another ten days before I actually leave, but I will be down in North Carolina next weekend.

The Spirit was so strong at church today. We had two confirmations. One of the men, Brother Miles, is awesome! He is in a wheelchair but he is so full of excitement and energy. As he bore his testimony I just wanted to shout AMEN throughout it. I wish I would have been able to make it to his baptism.

I don’t know if it’s really hit me that I’m leaving yet. I’m generally not an emotional person, as in coming to tears in public (I try to avoid it at all costs) but one would think I’d be a little emotional over leaving for two years. I bore my testimony and said a few words without even coming close to breaking down. Perhaps it just hasn’t fully hit me yet.

The “Old Irish Blessing” on my last post was printed on the cover of our ward bullitin under my picture. I taped the cover into my little mission scrapbook.

Only one more full week before I leave. I think I’m going to quit work early…like after getting paid *grins*

May the road rise to meet you,
May the wind be always at your back,
May the sun shine warm upon your face,
And the rains fall soft upon your fields,
And until we meet again,
May God hold you
In the hallow of His hand.

I’d like to shake the hand of Mr. Bill Cosby for standing up and telling it like it is. I know what he says is controversial, but what he says is true. I wouldn’t say everything begins and ends with what he says, but I have seen what he has described and know what he says is the truth.