Why Am I Doing This...?

Now, I would like to clarify- I am not a huge religious person by nature, nor, am I a blogger. However, I would like to share the coming experience(s) with anyone that's willing to listen!

Two years ago, if you had of asked me whether or not I believed in God, I would thought long and hard about how I really feel, and more than likely, said 'no'.

Deep down inside, my guts would be churning and my heart rate increasing, because, I wasn't sure if that's how I REALLY felt. Like some people, I learn best when I am presented with fact and, if possible, something tangible to feel and to use. Not having these things in my possession left me feeling very confused and unanswered, so religion was pushed to the back of my mind.

At this point in time, as a young 22 year old Australian male, I have the World in my hands and I hold strong values and morals. Yes, I have made mistakes throughout my life, but I am human and lucky enough to have learned from my mistakes to never have to relive them again.

Through a number of odd circumstances, I came to work on a cruise ship as a Fitness Director. Strangely enough, this is where I met my Wife. A lady so intriguing, intelligent and beautiful inside and out. I remember vividly the times we spent together early in our relationship getting to know one another. Learning of her upbringing, her wonderful Mom and her 3 beautiful sisters. In the early days, religion wasn't a strong topic between us. In fact, I remember one of the crew members informing me about her religion saying "Man, I think she's Mormon."

At that stage, I wasn't too sure how to approach things. From a nonreligious, uneducated point of view, Mormons to me were 'The people that come knocking on your door,' and not much more than that.
Nevertheless, I have never been one to judge people based on their religion, faith or beliefs. I have always believed them to be sacred to individuals and have respected people's decisions in what they choose or choose not to believe.

We had our talks here and there about each of our beliefs, but I still wasn't sure what it was that I believed in. A few months later, we went our separate ways. As I left the ship on the second day of 2008, Melodie gave me a gift, along with a handwritten letter. The gift was The Book of Mormon. Her letter went on to explain the importance of her beliefs and her faith and just how much they really meant to her.

I will admit, as I have to her, that when I tried to read The Book of Mormon, it didn't quite work out. Oh I probably tried a handful of times, but I didn't have the desire to read it for a number of reasons.

Melodie and I met up again in mid-2008 when she moved out to my Country for a year. By May 2009, we had the most beautiful wedding under the guidance of Bishop Wolfgramm of the Mormon Church. I had attended a couple of Church session and although I didn't necessarily gain anything from it at the time, I did find a sense of peace within the temple, as well as community and family.

I think these are the things that initially wooed me away as it was quite intimidating for someone not associated directly with the Church. Still, knowing I would be with this Woman for the rest of my life, I have now taken it upon myself to learn and to fully understand The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints.

At this stage, I'm still not too sure what I will get out of this Journey, but I do know whatever it is, it will bring nothing but the utmost of positiveness to my life and our lives as a couple.

What I do know, however, is that since beginning this journey to 'understand', I find myself already wanting more than that. Having spent the last 5 days reading "Teachings of the Presidents of the Church" and "The Book of Mormon" along with lengthy chats with Church members, Church Elders, and my beautiful Wife, I find my days are becoming increasingly more worthwhile as I ponder what I have learnt so far and how I can adapt my new found knowledge into my life.