Fifty

Fifty guys at Pleasant Grove High School have their mission calls.

That's just an awesome update for y'all. Today I had mission prep class for the first time since I got my call. I do not care what anyone else in the world says, the Grovecreek 7th ward mission prep class taught by Bishop Andy Busby is the best class ever to exist. Basically we have the most spiritual mission related discussions for an hour. You have no idea. If you ever think that I will be a good missionary, it's because of that class. I seriously would rather go to that class for 7 hours than school. It has changed my life. If you are in my ward (whether you're planning on serving or not) you should go. It will soon be every week because that is how awesome it is. Aaaaaaaaah. Be jealous.

Also, four months from now, I will be in the MTC.

Summary of my life

You could sum up my attitude right now with the following statement:

"I don't even care, I'm going on a mission."

Seriously though. Also, you should come support me in Mr. Viking tomorrow night. That'd be good. But if not, I don't really care, because I'm going on a mission.

Senior Picture Story Time!

This morning I went to the temple. I was so happy. I called the post office. 

This is how I felt after:

My mission call was not at the post office.

I just wanted to run away Forrest Gump style.

I was really sad and I even went a little crazy trying to track it down.

I could not get it Thursday, because that meant I would have to wait until Saturday before my two Utah brothers could both be there. And that was not something I wanted to happen.

So I called the post office. Or five post offices.

My dad got involved and via text he informed me that I would not be able to get it. However, my brother rearranged his schedule so he could be down Thursday. No conflict. 

I was like:

 I'm not even nervous.

I don't care when I go.

 I don't care when I go.

There is a place out there that is waiting for the next and final Elder Duclos (of this generation). 

I'm just ready to go.

That's the story.

Photo credit: Nicole Tucker

The list

A few days ago I was struggling when it came to my mission call. After all, my best friend is going to freaking Barcelona. Not much compares to that in awesomeness. So I really didn't want to go to a few places. I prayed for help and was inspired to write the list. The list is a list of movies that would fit with any state or country where I could get called. That's 127 movies. And even though I haven't seen all of them, it really made me excited to go anywhere on my mission. Oh and I am not suggesting you use this, just know that I think it's pretty great (but that could be just me). So, without further ado, the list:

I thought it was bad before

You know that anticipating feeling you (used to) get on Christmas Eve? Or that feeling when you are trying to fall asleep the night before a really exciting day?

Those are nothing compared to the anticipation when your mission papers are at the church headquarters and your call still hasn't been issued.




Aaaaaaah.

Where in the world

Is Wyatt San Diego? Ha, if you aren't older than me, you probably won't get that. Anyway, I am going to get called to serve Him somewhere in the world. And honestly, I have no idea where I will be going.  But because everyone (and I mean everyone) has asked me where I want to go (or where I think I'll go), I am going to write a list of a few places that get my mind racing.

Ireland. Really, I love the Irish culture. Plus, my a favorite movie of mine, War of the Buttons, takes place there. And that is also combined with Scotland. I wish I was one of those cultures 89% of the time.

China. Seriously, wouldn't it be cool if I was the very first missionary called to mainland China? I mean seriously, someone has to be the first. It would just kill me.

Russia. Because I talk Russian accent good. I guess that would be a bad situation.

Norway. Because, I mean really. Someone who wouldn't like that wouldn't like the Celestial Kingdom.

Ghana. Africa rocks. Plus, Cameron Tribe is there and going on a mission with him would rock.

Armenia. Really, it would be great.

Poland. Because Bean is from there.

Iceland. Sigur Ros.

England. It'd be awesome.

New York City. Because I love the temple there.

Chicago. Because I am the sausage king there. Actually not there because I would be too tempted to fake sick and reenact Ferris Bueller's Day Off.

North Dakota. Because apparently that's a boring place? I would rock it.

I would prefer to go foreign and not to Canada because my father would basically live with me if I did.


I am going to be going on a mission, but I really don't care too much where. I would like to hear your guesses. Based on my personality, my abilities, and your intuition. Where do you think Wyatt Russell Duclos, psychic detective Avatar Browncoat CONTROL agent Hobbit Sausage King of Chicago time-traveling skateboarder Jedi Master Clark Kent Dragon Warrior superhero pretty cool guy, will go on his mission?

Also, it's a little ridiculous that I am basing where I want to go off of popular culture, for the most part.

Kolipoki

I watched The Other Side of Heaven today.



Because I submitted my mission papers to the Church office building in Salt Lake.





I'M GOING ON A MISSION!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Now is the long wait.

I want to tell you a story

It's about a man who came to earth. To make writing easier, we'll call him Clark. 

Clark was sent because his father, a good and noble man, wanted his son to live a life like himself. 

Clark was taken into a home by parents who wanted a baby boy. They got a son who was going to be strong, but they didn't realize it for a while. As Clark grew, he knew he had certain responsibilities due to traits inherit from his true father, who he had never met. So Clark decided to fulfill what his father had always planned on him doing: protecting and saving the world from total destruction.

Clark was on a planet that wasn't his home. He had parents he loved more than anything, but they weren't his only parents. He got a job as a writer, people around him never realizing how much power he really possessed. But when he heard a cry for help, no matter where he was, he put on his father's mantle and saved those he could. He wasn't perfect, but he tried to be. And it seemed that when he didn't reach his full potential, the shortcomings were made up for him.

At times, although Clark had amazing powers, he felt he needed guidance, guidance from him who truly knew his situation: his father. Luckily, when Clark retreated to his mountain citadel, he was able to gain insights from his first father. This connection was one of the reasons Clark was able to become so great.

Clark had a heart of righteousness and because of his father, he had powers and gifts the world wouldn't understand and some would even reject and scorn. He knew his potential and every day Clark strived to fulfill that potential, because he knew that was the only worthwhile choice. Clark was a super hero, but few ever realized.

This is funny. Because you really think you know who I am talking about. Well get ready to be blown away. This completely true story is not written about a fictional character. It's the story of Wyatt Duclos. I'll change the names and add a couple of words to help make it clearer.

Wyatt was sent because his Heavenly Father, a good and noble man, wanted his son to live a life like himself. 

Wyatt was taken into a home by parents who wanted another baby boy. They got a son who was going to be spiritually strong, but they didn't realize it for a while. As Wyatt grew, he knew he had certain responsibilities due to priesthood powers inherited from his true father, who he had never met. So Wyatt decided to fulfill what his father had always planned on him doing: protecting and saving the world from total spiritual destruction.

Wyatt was on a planet that wasn't his home. He had parents he loved more than anything, but they weren't his only parents. He got a job as a writer, people around him never realizing how much power he really possessed. But when he heard a cry for help, no matter where he was, he put on his father's mantle and saved those he could. He wasn't perfect, but he tried to be. And it seemed that when he didn't reach his full potential, the shortcomings were made up for him.

At times, although Wyatt had amazing powers, he felt he needed guidance, guidance from him who truly knew his situation: his Heavenly Father. Luckily, when Wyatt retreated to his mountain citadel, he was able to gain insights from his first father. This connection was one of the reasons Wyatt was able to become so great.

Wyatt had a heart of righteousness and because of his Heavenly Father, he had priesthood powers and spiritual gifts the world wouldn't understand and some would even reject and scorn. He knew his potential and every day Wyatt strived to fulfill that potential, because he knew that was the only worthwhile choice. Wyatt was a super hero, but few ever realized.

The thing about this is, I am not the only one. Anyone who has the gospel has the same responsibilities and the same gifts. It may seem like bragging that I say that Superman and I are the same person and I guess you're right. Superman never saved souls and neither have I. But I really intend to. I am a huge Superman fan because the story of Superman is the story of any priesthood holding twelve year old or eighty year old. Our Father asks us to be super, but first He made us super. We have His guidance. We have His gifts. We have His power.

I guess we all have a choice. We all have that decision to make: 

Will I be normal?

Or will I be super?

Missionary Month

So my ward is doing missionary month. We have three weeks of three different challenges, but I am just doing all three challenges all three weeks. One of the challenges is to stop using social networking sites, and I think blogger counts for that. However, missionaries can write home once a week via email and that is usually on Preparation Day, which is typically Monday, so I am writing a letter on P-Day via my blog.

Hey everyone!

Life has been great. I haven't written on here in a while, but that's just because I am lazy. Oh and missionary month. Anyway, I am having a great time with missionary month. I haven't watched TV and I've only listened to church approved music and I haven't networked socially for five days, and will continue in a like manner for another 16. It really has increased the amount of the spirit's influence on my life.

I am so grateful for the gospel. I wish I could write everything that has happened that has strengthened my testimony in just the last two weeks, but I can't because I only have a half hour (the amount of time you can be logged into LDS mail). 

We can go for just today, if you'd like. Today I started out with a great lesson in seminary. It is so good to just enjoy the influence of the spirit while messing around with a bunch of other kids while learning the gospel. Then, when my friend got stuck in the snow, one of the biggest spiritual giants I know, Brother Joel Wright, came and pulled her out. He didn't even wait for me to ask, he just did. Then when he left, he didn't wait for a thanks. He just did what he knew was right then kept traveling on.

Lately I have felt at a spiritual decline, but the past two weeks have been so great. I am a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints and beyond that, I am a firm believer of Christ's gospel. I am so grateful for the atonement that gives me a reason to hope. 

I am going on a mission and really, I can't wait. 

I can't wait to leave everything I've ever known behind. 

I can't wait to move out of the only house I've ever lived in. 

I can't wait to go to a foreign home and feel out of place but then make it my home. 

I can't wait to work and walk until my feet are sore and my skin is sunburned. 

I can't wait to be free from the stresses of school and girls and family and media to take on a stress of eternal significance: bringing others to Christ. 

I can't wait to be yelled at, mocked, spit upon, threatened, and rejected. 

I can't wait because this gospel is true and what else would matter? 

Where I am when I am a missionary is where the Lord wants me. I will be a true, complete, full-time missionary. I want to lose my life in the service of God (I don't mean I want to die, just that I want to forget myself). The gospel is true. I am called of God to be a representative of His son, our Savior and Redeemer, Jesus Christ to preach His gospel to the world. To be hated and loved by those I serve with all my heart. To be a beacon of truth and a guide to eternal, real, almost tangibly full happiness.

And I can't wait.

Things I never did/was

Tomorrow is the end. Not really, but if it was, I have a pretty embarrassing list of non-complishments. Here it is:

• Never even kissed a girl. Not even close.
• Never was an adult.
• Never owned a car.
• Never read the entire Bible (almost there, though).
• Never wrote a book and/or movie.
• Never had a relationship with a girl.
• Never read Foundation.
• Never been out of a North American country.
• Never went on a mission.
• Never got my endowments.
• Never became an elder.
• Never been a president of anything.
• Never been married.
• Never went to college.
• Never ate a steak burger in Utah.
• Never had my concealed carry permit.
• Never did all of my laundry.
• Never worn a suit tailored for me.
• Never recreated any of my favorite scenes from my favorite movies.
• Never gone skydiving.
• Never seen The Hobbit.
• Never seen Life of Pi.
• Never expressed how much people really mean to me.

So that is my list. Pretty depressing. Good thing I'm working on it. Also good thing the world is still going to be happening for longer than the next 24 hours and one minute.

I don't like stuff like this

Typically I don't like posting stuff like this (or reading posts like this), but this song is really easy to relate to for me.



Ha. I am such a dork. I did the numbers last night; I am 0 for 25 of significant crushes that amounted to anything. I am so glad I get to go on a mission and forget all this girl stuff.

Girls

Hahahaha. Remember this post? Hahahahaha I am so stupid to think that I could just not like girls. But for reals this time. That girl that I liked for over two years? Not anymore. That girl I am really good friends with? Not going to be more than friends. That girl who asked for my number? Good luck with the rejection hotline (haha just kidding, but really, I won't be flirting with you via text). That girl who might have a crush on me that is really pretty and I would not dislike liking? She probably won't get to know me very well.
I am D-O-N-E with girls.



And I am happy with that.


Also, this.
I seriously almost urinated from excitement. I really did. It made me explode with pure excitement. I LOVE SUPERMAN. SO MUCH. I SHOULD STOP yelling.

That's it

I am going on a mission. Submitting my papers in 118 days!



This school year will be so long.

FOR CLAY

My friend, Clayton Ellis, just got called on a mission to Montreal, Canada, French speaking. So I am writing this. That is all.

Just kidding. Ha. He probably doesn't know this, but the Duclos family traces it's roots to the Montreal area. I am of French Canadian decent. I am pretty sure we are from his area, but I could be wrong. I also believe that there are lots of Duclos' living in that area. So Clay, I better have at least fifty Mormon cousins from Canada in two years and a few months. Seriously though, I am glad you are going. Maybe you tell people your friends with a Duclos and they feed you. It could happen. You are awesome and a great example to me. Thanks for all you do.

Also, there is a Brockville in your area. I just thought that was pretty funny.

Two Years

So I turn 19 in 727 days. I can be in the mission field as early as 727 days from now. I went to a farewell for a great man who I probably won't see for about four years. Zach Harris is one of my heroes. It made me realize how much I am going to miss the people I've known for longer than a year and a half. Like Nate Church or Taft Robinson or Trevor Ward. People like Josh Brown and Nate Cutler and every other guy who'll be leaving. (Hey all you girls out there- I probably won't miss you while I am gone. Take it personally if you'd like.)

I really love the church and I love the gospel. It can make miracles happen. I know it's truth and I strive to be like our Savior always. Seriously, He loves us more than words can describe. I would do anything I could for the people I love. I can't imagine anything that would make me scared to save even a single person. That is what makes what the Savior did so important. I didn't volunteer. The sacrifice was too much for me. I can't comprehend that. If the sacrifice was too great for me, the Savior loved us more than I could understand in this mortal world. It amazes me to know that He loves me that much. I love my Savior, Jesus Christ. I know the Book of Mormon is true. I challenge you, reader of my blog, to study the Book of Mormon and pray to know it's truth. I promise nothing but blessings will come. I know that He loves you beyond anything ever. Remember that in times of trial.

I usually hate the stuff I write a few months after I write it, but not this. I wrote this a while back, but the truth of it is still the truth. Check it up:

I am proud to say that I am very brave (at least in past circumstances I have proven myself). I believe that, if needs be, I could do anything. If the situation was grave enough, I would be victorious. But I am not fearless. I submit to you my greatest fear: I fear that those I love and care deeply about don't care about me, or worse yet, dislike me. I am afraid that my friends who I would die for think of me as next to nothing. I fear that my best is not good enough. I fear I am a nuisance. I always think it and I hate it. I don't know if I'm anything worth caring for.

But then I remember someone, the greatest person ever to love. I remember our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. He loves me. He knows who I am and still, He loves me. He rejoices when I make good choices, even when I am alone. When I make bad choices, He waits with open arms of forgiveness. No matter the problems in my life, He and my Father in Heaven will support me.

Jesus, my older brother, loves me enough that He died so I may be eternally happy. He suffered pain and scorn because He knew it would be worth doing. And He did not do this just for me. He did this for my friends, my neighbors, everyone who has been on this earth or will be on this earth. He is our shepherd, the voice in the dark, calling us to the light. He did so much for us because He loves us. He loves me.

So from now on, if you ever wonder, Am I good enough?, just remember, He knows you are and no one else can even compare.

Original post here.