Trading Tight Pants and Hairspray for Suits and Ties

Two years ago today I started an incredible journey. It was called Beyond 5. With these four other guys, and an amazing team behind us, we got to perform all over the world. They became my friends and they became my brothers. I had no idea how much being a part of this band would impact my life. These experiences, and more importantly these guys, taught me so much. We made the decision that it was time for us to turn to the next page of our stories. Zac (the one smiling whilst being abused) and Ammon (the...brown one) are going to college right now, TJ (the curly haired cherubim) is finishing high school, and Tanner (orange pants..?) is currently serving an LDS mission in the Texas, McAllen Mission. These guys, our team, our producers...nothing could have prepared me more for the next chapter of my life.

I am a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, and I have been called to serve a mission in the Scotland/Ireland Mission. Tomorrow I will be getting on a plane and leaving behind my life, my family, my friends, and people that have American Accents. To be honest, I'm nervous. I am not sure what to expect. I've never truly gone anywhere by myself before. I always had my family, or my band brothers with me. This will be a change that I haven't experienced yet, but it is so exciting. I think sometimes that I might not be good enough, but I know that as I try my best, Heavenly Father will mold me into the man that He needs me to be. Heavenly father calls upon the weak, the unlearned, and the despised to thresh the nations with His spirit. What a blessing it is to know that the Lord can use someone with as many flaws as I have, and that he will make me strong as I strive with all my might, mind, and strength to bring people to Him.  

We are to be Christ's representatives in all that we do, not just on our missions. What a glorious and daunting calling that is. These next two years will be the hardest two years of my life so far. But they will also be the most rewarding. I cannot wait to grow closer to my Savior, and learn a little of how to love and see people the way He sees them. This Church is true, and has changed my life in the greatest of ways. I also cannot wait to share my adventures, my struggles, my triumphs, and my testimony over the next two years. In a few minutes I'll be set apart as a full-time missionary. To be honest, I wasn't always sure this day would come. I was pretty convinced that music would be what I was supposed to do. I figured I was the exception and didn't need to serve a mission. I could testify through my music and do more good that way. But I know that this is what the Lord has called me to do. I cannot wait to put my heart and soul into this glorious work. What an adventure these past two years have been, and I'm so excited for this next adventure to begin.