One of The Best examples in my life!!

I think one of the least known parts about my life may be this person to the left! Whenever I tried to talk about her to family members, words just could not describe the person she is and how she has affected my life. So, i'm deciding to tell you a little bit more about her, and hopefully get across the feelings i've had and the example she has been and always is to me. This young women isn't any ordinary girl, she's Mattea Williams!

I really don't know where to begin, because there is really so little that everyone knows about us. I guess I can just start off by saying that we met through a blind date our junior year at homecoming, and really had an amazing time. We started talking a lot after that, and started liking eachother, but than we both realized that it was pointless because of our religions. So we kind of said we were going to be friends, but we really didn't even talk at all for a while until she asked me to formal senior year. From there, we have basically liked eachother throughout senior year up until now. We have tried to attempt not talking and other strategies that have not worked at all. So throughout those 2 in a half years of knowing her we really got to understand eachothers feelings and desires. We have had some really deep conversations that have helped me grow tremendously. Until I met her, I think I only read a couple verses here or there out of the bible. Through the conversations of religion, she got me so intrigued in understanding the bible. Although one might say to me that she is not a good person to be around or the example I need to have around me as i'm preparing for a mission, she has really had so many questions and thoughts that have given me opportunities to realize I need to study more on some of those subjects and truly understand them for myself. I'm not sure I would know some of the things I know, and understand some of the things I understand if it werent for Mattea questioning my religion and me having the desire to look it up, because, I guess I wanted her to understand what I REALLY believed and not mess it up. So, Mattea has helped me too many times and in too many ways to count. I can look back to things I have gained a testimony of, and some of the first thoughts about that certain belief started out with Mattea asking me about it.

Not only has Mattea helped me so much with understanding the bible, and just giving me courage to really search and find, she has literally been the best example a friend can have. I have NEVER met anyone so dedicated to do good in their lives. That is what really got me liking her at the start, her desire to stand for what's right and to let people know her standards. I really can't say how she lives her life, because I don't know everything she does, but from what I know about her and understand is that she really let's her light shine to others and people understand her and what she believes in by the way she lives. Just her prescence makes you want to be good, at least for me. I have never been in a situation with her where I felt scared that something bad was going to happen or the we were going to do something wrong because of how great of a person she is and the standards she possesses. Those standards don't just come, they come by obediance to the Lord and his commandments, and as we do that we feel so much joy from the Lord, and that joy really shows in Mattea. I don't know if anyone else feels this like I do, i'm pretty sure you do, but when someone is living the right way and obeying the Lord, you can really tell because they just show so much joy, love, and care for people, just as you can tell if they are not obeying the Lord.

I look at Mattea and really want to be like her in so many ways. for one thing, I am not an organized person at all, and Mattea basically has that covered. She runs all the time just to stay in shape (I havn't gone on a jog for over 3 months) and I definately need to start getting in that pattern, because I am really out of shape. And one of the biggest things that I have always had a tough time with is my priorities, and getting them straightened up. It seems like Mattea just understand whats most important in life, and knows what she needs to do, but more importantly she knows how to not waste time really in the day, and whenever something needs to be done she gets it done, whereas I will just think about it for a while than forget about it.

I really love that she understands prayer, and that at any time we can pray to our Heavenly Father. We can go to him for thanks for the many blessings we have received, and for wisdom and courage to persevere through some of the trials we go through. We have both shared some experiences we have had with the spirit, and how sometimes when the spirit just tells you something, it's just so powerful, you can't not do it.

Oh yeah, on top of all of the things I have talked about, she is a STUD athlete. She dominates basketball (Mckay I think she could beat you..ha), she was an All State basketball player and also played volleyball and track, where she went to state in track her sophomore year, and was a great volleyball player.

Sometimes I wonder why I met Mattea at all, because it was really hard for us to accept the fact that nothing will ever come from us and it just seemed like everything was for nothing. Oh how I was wrong. I have learned and grown SO MUCH just from knowing this single girl. Although nothing might not ever come from me and Mattea, her influence and example that she was to me will always lead me through my life, and I will look back at the things I have learned from her many times to give me strength in my life.

Well, I guess the reason I am writing all of this about her is because she really was one of the best examples in my life, and it has been so awesome and great to get to know her over the years. Also, I guess to fill you guys in on not even a hundredth of our story, but enough to let you know how things went and how she affected my life, and thirdly is because last night we FINALLY decided on really just being friends, so I felt now was a good time to really talk about everything and realizing that although we hope and pray for eachother all the time, our relationship will basically go nowhere unless their is a change (in religion) which we both know is probably not going to happen. I actually want to kind of expound on that, because I have prayed about this numerous times, and it is so amazing how the Lord works. When I prayed, sometimes because of the feelings I had for Mattea, I would pray for her to understand what I understand so something can come from us, when that is totally not how I need to go about it with the Lord. As I learned more about that, I understood that I needed to pray for EVERYONE to come unto Christ and fill his love, and that I shouldn't pray for Mattea to understand my beliefs just so something can come from us, but because I truly love and care for her and that I just want the best for her. I have hopped between both feelings, but I know as I feel the spirit directing me, that is when I really have the true desire for not only Mattea, but for everyone to come unto the truth.

When I look back on the amazing 2 in a half years of knowing Mattea Williams, I think to myself that I am a very lucky person to have crossed paths with her, and to really get to understand her from the inside out. She not only gave me hope and love, but she was that strength I needed when I was down, even though she probably didn't even know it, I would just think about her and that would just make me realize I need to be like Mattea in this situation. I wish that everyone could meet Mattea and try to really understand her and than you would realize how great she actually is. I guess I can say thanks to Mattea for the experiences we've had and the true example of goodness she has been to me. Mattea is one of my best friends, and I really think she always will be. Despite the feelings we have had for eachother, I really feel that through the Lord's strength, he will help us get through those feelings, and if it be his will still be great friends. Everyone who is reading this (probably mostly family), I know that you'll have some thoughts about not getting to close to a girl especially for a mission, and I understand all of those cares and what can happen when you're to close to a girl. As I have said this whole post, Mattea was a source of righteousness that has helped me in my righteousness, which in turn has helped me prepare for my mission. We really never were "Together" because of what we knew about what can't come from it, but yes we did like eachother..a lot, but I think that is what is going to make us closer as friends. well everyone can read this, but if I had something to say to Mattea it would be to keep doing what you're doing. Stay close to the spirit, and let God direct you because he knows what will bring the most joy to your life.

I really could write a novel about our story, not even kidding. I just want to continue writing because what I have said, is SO little for all the things we have been through. Dad is going to love this post..ha, Mom will say well thats good, but just wait til after your mission, Mac Daddy will probably call me(well we do have an agreement to talk to eachother everyday before my mission) and ask me some things, Sara will give some great advice as always, Jamie will say what mom said(because she basically is mom) I know she doesn't like to hear that, but their really is so much good that I mean out of that when I say it, Jake will give an inspirational talk to me, Nate will tell stories of his experiences with girls, and last but not least, Kaylie will learn from what I have done wrong and be the best of all the Proberts, and when you look how she has lived now, it's already starting. So family(or whoever reads this) whether you liked this post, or felt like I just didn't need to write any of this because it's not what I need to worry about, I really felt like I needed to share some of the things I have learned from Mattea and help you better understand her! It's not even about the girlfriend/boyfriend status (ha), it's about our relationship as friends and how we have learned and grown from eachother so much. I hope that we will continue to have a great friendship and keep learning and growing from eachother. Mattea Williams was (and still is) one of the biggest examples in my life, and I thank Heavenly Father for meeting the wonderful girl. Until next time!!

Thanks Florida! Thanks for nothing!

Well I know that I havn't wrote a post for a while, and that's partially do to the fact that I have been dead all week, and just pretty busy all the time. But yes Seth is actually writing a post right now believe it or not.

-Thanks Florida! Thanks for nothing!-

Unbelievable!! That's the only word that can describe my mission call! First off, I have to explain how the "Thanks Florida! Thanks for nothing" came about even though most of you already know. Sara and I were talking about the Florida primaries the day after it took place, and she was talking about a friends blog and how upset he gets about the whole thing! Anyways, he wrote this huge thing on Florida and how Mccain was just playing a game to get the people. He just sounded SO MAD at Florida. Than finally at the end of his post he writes "Thanks Florida! Thanks for nothing"!! Me and Sara laughed for SO long about this, and it was so funny! So basically that's why I wrote about it in my blog, and I guess Jamie is going to say that everytime she talks to me because she thinks it's the funniest thing in the world that I said that the day before my call! So, basically the whole family and a lot of friends already know where i'm going, but for those who don't know, i'm going to Jacksonville, Florida!!! The night before I got the call, Wayne and I spent the night at Nate's(at the house he was sitting), and we had a great time playing pool, hot tubbing, and just talking. Than the day after, mom calls at like 12 and is flippin out because the neighbors said the mail came! So she wanted me to come home as fast as possible and check it! So me and Nate drove home, and I went and checked the mail, and sure enough there's a letter from The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter day Saints to Elder Seth Mark Probert! Nate saw it, and I just gave him a hug, than I looked down at the letter and was kind of in shock, knowing that this was it. This is what I have been waiting my whole life for and I just started getting really excited about everything. Mom, came home like five minutes later and I showed her the letter, and she got SO EXCITED and just came up and gave me a hug! Mom started calling everyone telling them "we" got the call and that we're going to open it soon. I went upstairs and had some personal time to read and pray than to listen to somet good music that would bring the spirit to me. I went back downstairs, and I was just pacing everywhere. I couldn't stop moving I was so excited!! Kaylie and dad finally came home, and than we got all (I think it was like 7 or 8 connections to everybody in the family and it was time. Kaylie and Nate both had two phones held up to me, Mom and the speaker phone on the home and her cell phone and than dad had a phone, and Wayne was taking pictures. I opened the letter, and put the cover in front of the letter so I wouldn't look straight down to where I was going. I proceeded to read. As I was reading the first line, I started to feel the power of the calling, and it just overcame me knowing that I was called to serve not only for the church but for God. I than went onto the second line and read "You are assigned to labor in the Florida Jacksonville Mission! That is where the Lord wants me at this time in the world, and I know that there is nowhere else that I should be! I don't know if any of the family could tell on the phones, but yes I started tearing up a little as I read it because it was just overwhelming! I am ready to serve the Lord, and to teach people of the Restored Gospel on the earth today, and to have them receive the same blessings that I have! It's a little different when you tell your mom or dad where you're going on your mission than when you tell a high school buddy where you're going. Mom and dad know how to look at it, with faith in the Lord and knowing that I was called of God to serve in Florida. When I tell a friend from school (Lebanon in particular) they seem to look at it on the outward sides of things instead of spiritual. They don't understand that I am going there to serve The God Almighty, and that everything I am doing there is for him, especially when they say (Man your mission is WAY better than Jakes and Mckays, you get the weather AND the babes) No mission is better than any other mission. You are meant for your own mission and meant to have your own experience to help you grow spiritual. Also, it doesn't matter where you go at all, how the weather is like, what the people are like, it just matters that we are filled with the spirit of the Holy Ghost to help us reach out to those people and help them understand the gospel of Jesus Christ! To end about the mission call, basically I just can't wait. I already know that it is going to be really hard and that I need to be obediant in everyway, but sometimes even though you "Think" you know things you have to keep being told them over and over again to remind you. So I think i'm going to be talking to my family a lot about the mission, and maybe an outlook of the whole thing. Thanks for all the guidance you have already given me, and the love and care you have always shown for me. Sometimes, in the family I kind of feel the I am praised WAY TOO MUCH...not saying I don't like it, but I really feel inadequate for the things I am given sometimes and really for the things people say to me!

-Onto WORK-

WOW!!! Well, I got a job through Selectemp for at least two weeks but it could be up to a month! I'm working at Mary's River Lumbermill at $11.72 an hour. This week was so hard. It's a hard job in general, but I think it was harder because I ahvn't really been doing much other than waiting for the mission call and looking for a job, so I was kind of relaxing. Going from relaxing to this is a pretty big step! So, I worked monday through Friday this week. I get up at around 4:00 A.M. and eat and get ready for work (put on like 4 sweatshirts and two pants, than two gloves and steel toed boots. I than leave at around 4:45, and head to Philomath(well the mill is actually past Philomath) and I start work at 5:50, and the WHOLE day ALL I do is stac 1x6 boards in columns of ten and rows of seven 4 times than a column of eight, than I puch my cart out and the forklift comes and takes it and than I pull the cart back in and do the same thing all over again ALL DAY! The wood comes down a conveyer belt, and I deal with the 2 wood (which is the best wood) There are about 7 people on the line of the conveyer belt. Their is a guy at the front flipping them over so there not all scattered, than there is a guy marking them to tell whether they are 3 woods or 2 woods, than there are two people throwing away the wood that is no good. Than there is a guy that does the 4 woods, which usually has a lot of holes in them, but it's good enough to be stacked. Than there is another guy in front of me who does the 3 woods, which are the ones with have really big knots on them, usually a couple of big ones actually, than there comes to me all the 2 woods and let me tell you, MOST of the wood that comes through is 2 woods, and I think the manager knew that I was a newbie and wanted to kill me or something because it is so tough, and it gets pretty crazy sometimes when theres like 50 2 woods right in a row and I have to stack a bunch REALLY fast. But anyways, I get a 15 minute break at 9, than lunch break at 11:30, than one more break at 2:30, than i'm done at 4:30 and I get home at about 5:30. Once I get home I kind of just relax until about 8:00 when everyone is home and talk to the family for a bit, and I try to get to bed around 9:00. No social life really all week, but I guess it can be worth it because I think I made somewhere around $650 last week. I don't talk to anyone at work because it's so loud in there and everyone where's earplugs, well I guess I do talk to someone, myself, and sing a lot to myself, than I just think about everything, Florida, Family, Mitt Romney, etc. I think 3 out of the 5 nights I slept last week I drempt about work...HORRIBLE, it was like I wouldn't get away from stacking wood, ha! Well I am done with this job whenever they don't need me anymore, and they don't know when that is yet. I think it is really funny that the manager didn't know my name until yesterday, and I don't know how they know the people are there because you don't check in anywhere and you basically don't talk to anyone, but I guess they got something going. So after this job, i'm wanting to work with Nate somewhere because I think that would be a lot of fun to live with Nate and than work with him, and we could just talk about everything.

Other than work and the mission call I have just been around the family and hanging out with Wayne basically. I actually went rollerblading the last two nights, which always brings back some good memories. Everyone has to go rollerblading this month. It will feel weird at the start, but than you'll start skating, and LOVE it! It's seriously so much fun!

Church basketball didn't go to well this last week. ALthough our team is 3-0, which two of those are forfiets, we played last weekend, which actually wasn't the team we were supposed to face, so we already had a win, but me and Wayne still treated it like any other game. Me and wayne bought some chocolate milk to have during the game and some donuts for the players after they won. But man, this game was pretty intense. Brother Gabell Reffed for us, and I think he purposely made the game closer than it should have been (since refs can really do whatever they want with a game). So it came down to about 2 minutes left and we're down about one, and it's just going back and forth, and me and Wayne are flipping out. Calling time out left and right and getting our players pumped and focused and making them believe in themselves and that they can do it. We drew up some plays the entire game, but anyways, we ended up being down 4 with 9 seconds left and we drew up a play for Tysen to shoot a three because he was on all night, and it worked PERFECTLY, and he swished the three with 3 seconds left, and we called timeout. We were down one with 3 seconds left and their ball, so I just told them DON'T LET THEM GET THE BALL, do whatever you have to do, but if they do get the ball foul them. Well that just did not happen, they got the ball made a quick pass and ran out the clock. WE LOST!!!!! That was mine and Waynes FIRST church ball loss in like 8 years. You would think, well it's church ball in Oregon so it's not even big, but me and Wayne were actually pretty upset and just couldn't believe it!!! So that was that...me and Wayne actually ended up staying and playing some basketball with the Evans and some other people showed up to play! I got my first dunk OVER someone...it was pretty sweet, but than I felt really bad at the same time. Some swimmers from the high school came over and played with us, so I got the ball and drove to the hoop and two guys tried to stop me and I jumped over them and slammed it home..ha, I came to the ground the looked and both of them were just laying on the ground. At first I was like, I can't believe I actually did it, but than I saw one of the guys glasses on the ground, and felt really bad because they were bent slightly, so I talked to the guy for a while saying sorry and everything and everything turned out good! I don't know why I explained that whole story, I guess I was just excited that I actually dunked over someone.

K well, this is really long, and I seem to have pattern already of not writing in my blog for a while, than just going all out! So I don't know whether or not i'll keep it up much, but yes I will write in it when I am feeling it! SO whoever ACTUALLY read this whole thing, thanks, and please leave a comment because I love them.

I love you all, and thanks for everything you have done in helping me grow in one way or another, whether you are family or friend, or just someone reading this. Until next time!!

Thanks Florida! Thanks for nothing!