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Hi I'm Anthony
About Me
I was raised in North Carolina by good parents who taught me to be polite. After graduating high school in the Denver, Colorado area, I served a mission in Sapporo, Japan. I married my long-time sweetheart in the San Diego Temple, and now we have two beautiful children. Everyday, I try to find ways to have fun. I ride a bike everywhere I go, because I like the wind in my hair and I enjoy the sense of taking a while to get places. I don't eat animals, because it doesn't seem like a nice thing to do. I play incessantly. At work, I draw storyboards for a feature animation studio. Most of my days are spent watching cartoons while drawing cartoons. My son thinks that this is normal behavior for all adult males. At home, I am a husband and a daddy--and it is a blast.
Why I am a Mormon
I was raised in the church, though in an area where Mormons are a minority. I've been blessed with a believing heart, and never had serious instances of doubt regarding my faith. My true conversion to the church and its teachings probably began when I was in high school. I started reading the scriptures because I wanted to, not just because I was told to by parents and other church leaders. I don't think I was even really looking for anything in particular, but I knew that it felt good to read the words found in the Bible and the Book of Mormon particularly. I certainly didn't understand all (or even most) of what I read, but the feeling was clear enough for me to want to come back. I may not have recognized it at the time, but those feelings were the workings of the Holy Ghost--it was a manifestation of God's love for me. My faith truly blossomed while on my mission. I served among the people of Hokkaido, Japan, living in cities all across the island from Otaru to Wakkanai, Asahikawa to Sapporo. I love the people of Japan with all my heart, and while serving there I grew closer to God by serving His children. As I did my best to forget myself and serve others, God's plan became clearer to me. By loving the people of Japan, I came to know of His love for them and for me. My mission shaped who I am; it drew me closer to my Heavenly Father and my Savior Jesus Christ. Everything that I believe today is based on this foundation.
How I live my faith
I teach an amazing group of high school students each morning. At 6:00am every weekday, we meet at the church to study the scriptures together before school. In the church this program is known as 'seminary,' and similar groups meet in various locations all around the world. This year's course of study is the Old Testament, which is full of great, faith-promoting stories. We try to make it a point to find ways that we can apply the lessons of Abraham, Moses, and other Biblical prophets to our lives today. It can be difficult to wake up early enough to get to class on time, but the rewards are great--because once a week, my wife bakes treats for the class. At home, I do my best to support my wife in her child-rearing efforts. More often than not, I'm accused of being one of the kids, but I can get serious when I have to. (I just haven't had to yet.) We are blessed to be in a situation where my wife is able to stay home with our children. I am constantly amazed at her strength and meekness in loving and raising our son and daughter. We have a lot of fun outside, and love going places together. Every night before bed we read our 'Stories of Jesus' and a couple of library books. We are proponents of good dental hygiene.
