Wednesday, February 26, 2014
Tuesday, June 11, 2013
I can be a very emotional person. While my emotions run deep, I am very good at hiding them, something I learned to do in my youth. This has not always served me well, but it is how I am. What this means is that my emotions do not often surface, but when they do, they usually manifest themselves strongly.
As an example, last Saturday I took my wife and four youngest children to the movies. We saw "The Croods". Its an animated story about a family of cavemen who stay in their cave all the time, except for the occasional trip outside to gather food. The dad's main focus is keeping the family safe, and he does that by teaching his family to be afraid of everything, to never try anything different, and to stay in the cave. His family consists of himself, his wife, his mother-in-law, an older teenage daughter, a younger teenage son, and a two year old baby. The plot consists of the family having to leave their cave because of a natural disaster, and the growing up of the older daughter as she leaves the cave without permission, and meets a young man who is traveling alone, away from the natural disasters that are coming.
The reason I am talking about this movie is because of the relationship between the father and the daughter. The daughter is old enough to leave home and to strike out on her own (with a boy, no less!) The father is unprepared for this, and fights to keep everything the way it has always been. He has the need to protect, but he also wants to maintain the status quo. He and his daughter eventually work through this, and the movie ends on a happy note.
While this isn't an exact parallel to my current position in life, I found myself sobbing for the entire second half of the movie. I have known for months now that my oldest daughter, Erin, will be leaving home for college in August. We have been through graduations, campus tours, buying a toaster, opening bank accounts, and all the other preparations for her to leave home. These events have been affecting me, but I have kept the emotions inside, wanting to maintain the status quo. My denial was working perfectly until I went to that dumb movie. It felt like the lid had suddenly been taken off of a bottle of soda pop that had been shaken hard first. There was an initial explosion, then it just kept coming. I found myself still crying occasionally three hours after the movie ended. It was completely unexpected.
As I have reflected on this, I am glad that my emotions were so strong. I would worry if they were otherwise. I will miss her. I will miss the way things have been, but I look forward to the way things will be. I could not and would not deny her the happiness and growth that will come to her in her life, notwithstanding the pain and sorrow that will surely come as well. Such is the plan for our salvation. I would like to think I am coming to understand a little bit how our Heavenly Father must feel as He sends his children away from home to experience new things. It hurts Him, knowing what's coming, but He would not deny us the experience. He will help us along the way, and be waiting for us with open arms when we make it back.
I love her, and I will do the same to help her when she needs it. May God bless her in her life as she moves forward.
As an example, last Saturday I took my wife and four youngest children to the movies. We saw "The Croods". Its an animated story about a family of cavemen who stay in their cave all the time, except for the occasional trip outside to gather food. The dad's main focus is keeping the family safe, and he does that by teaching his family to be afraid of everything, to never try anything different, and to stay in the cave. His family consists of himself, his wife, his mother-in-law, an older teenage daughter, a younger teenage son, and a two year old baby. The plot consists of the family having to leave their cave because of a natural disaster, and the growing up of the older daughter as she leaves the cave without permission, and meets a young man who is traveling alone, away from the natural disasters that are coming.
The reason I am talking about this movie is because of the relationship between the father and the daughter. The daughter is old enough to leave home and to strike out on her own (with a boy, no less!) The father is unprepared for this, and fights to keep everything the way it has always been. He has the need to protect, but he also wants to maintain the status quo. He and his daughter eventually work through this, and the movie ends on a happy note.
While this isn't an exact parallel to my current position in life, I found myself sobbing for the entire second half of the movie. I have known for months now that my oldest daughter, Erin, will be leaving home for college in August. We have been through graduations, campus tours, buying a toaster, opening bank accounts, and all the other preparations for her to leave home. These events have been affecting me, but I have kept the emotions inside, wanting to maintain the status quo. My denial was working perfectly until I went to that dumb movie. It felt like the lid had suddenly been taken off of a bottle of soda pop that had been shaken hard first. There was an initial explosion, then it just kept coming. I found myself still crying occasionally three hours after the movie ended. It was completely unexpected.
As I have reflected on this, I am glad that my emotions were so strong. I would worry if they were otherwise. I will miss her. I will miss the way things have been, but I look forward to the way things will be. I could not and would not deny her the happiness and growth that will come to her in her life, notwithstanding the pain and sorrow that will surely come as well. Such is the plan for our salvation. I would like to think I am coming to understand a little bit how our Heavenly Father must feel as He sends his children away from home to experience new things. It hurts Him, knowing what's coming, but He would not deny us the experience. He will help us along the way, and be waiting for us with open arms when we make it back.
I love her, and I will do the same to help her when she needs it. May God bless her in her life as she moves forward.
Monday, May 13, 2013
Mothers
As I was sitting down to write a Mother's day card yesterday, I was suddenly "visited by the muses", or as we would say in the church, touched by the Spirit, and I began to write. I ended up with a Mother's day poem that grew out of my own life's experiences, living with and observing my wife for twenty years, and some very difficult challenges that we have had lately. It is a tender mercy of the Lord to us, and it has strengthened us and touched our hearts. May it do the same for others.
What is a
mother?
A mother is
a woman, who,
Creates bodies
for God's children,
And carries His spirits to this earth,
She the only path from there to here.
A partnership in creating life,
A gift, from Him to His daughters.
She is then
entrusted
To raise
them as her own.
Pain,
Sorrow, and Disappointment
Are her
frequent companions, but
The gifts of Faith, Hope, and Charity
Are her Heavenly helpers.
He alone
understands the depth of her Sorrow,
Or the fullness of her Joy,
And because
of her willing Sacrifice,
He will give
her the great desire of her heart:
Her children
in righteousness,
And her
family in eternity.
Amen.
Monday, August 27, 2012
Thursday, June 28, 2012
Last Christmas we purchased a trampoline for the family. The kids love to play on it, or sleep out on it, but I rarely use it myself. One night, however, I was on it playing around with my kids. Somehow there were pillows on the tramp, leftover, I think, from sleeping out the night before. The kids started having a pillow fight, when suddenly I heard a ripping sound and saw some feathers floating around the trampoline. The kids looked at me expectantly, wondering what my reaction would be. I think ten years ago I probably would have become angry, but I guess I'm mellowing in my old age, because I reached down, took a handful of feathers, and threw them in Erin's face.
Well, you can imagine what that started:
If you are planning on doing this for family home evening, here are a few pointers to remember:
Well, you can imagine what that started:
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| There are a lot of feathers in one pillow! Who knew? |
If you are planning on doing this for family home evening, here are a few pointers to remember:
- You can't breathe once you suck in a mouthful of synthetic feathers
- Feathers adhere to EVERYTHING!
- It takes at least three washes to get feathers out of long, naturally-curly hair (Erin is still finding feathers next to her scalp).
- Neighbors don't appreciate the wet-dry vac going full blast at 10:30 pm.
- The laundromat is an excellent place to wash and dry a batch of feather covered clothes.
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| Sorry, Erin-of-the-naturally-curly-hair! |
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| Curly hair strikes again. |
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| This is the part where he couldn't breathe! |
This was a spontaneous, fun, family moment. Everyone was a good sport and we had a lot of fun!
Tuesday, October 18, 2011
9/11
During the last week I have been very aware of the tenth anniversary of 9/11. I began to remember the thoughts and feelings that I had when it happened. Like most of us who were around on that day, I remember exactly where I was and what I was doing when I heard what was happening. I was attending Southern Utah University at the time, and working at a manufacturing plant out by the airport in Cedar City. A co-worker ran into the room and said "Someone just flew an airplane into a skyscraper in New York!" I had to stay in the room working, but he brought in regular updates. All planes still in the air were required to land. I could see the Cedar City airport just across the field from the back of the plant, and I remember large passenger jets landing and sitting on the runway all day long.
When the towers fell, and it became more apparent what had happened, I remember feeling as though time had stopped. In retrospect, it was not so much that time had stopped as it was that my perspective had changed. In an instant I had gone from being a husband, father, and student without a true care in the world to being the victim of a terrible, pre-meditated attack. My entire world changed. Suddenly America was not a safe place anymore. Just google "9/11 innocence" to see how many people felt stripped of the their safety and their innocence.
I don't mean to place myself in the same category as those who were affected more directly by those events, including those who were killed, those family and friends who were left behind to mourn, the first responders, the soldiers who went overseas to protect us, and so many others who cannot be named. Nevertheless, 9/11 was an attack against America and all of it's people, and I believe that all of us felt it to some degree or another.
And while it was an attack against our people, it was more an attack against the principles of freedom that permeate who we are as Americans. So great is the light of freedom that shines from Americans, and by extension America, that we are instantly the target of all of those in the world who live by the principles of darkness, including selfishness, anger, fear, and hate. I believe in good and evil. I believe that we have a Father in Heaven who loves us. I believe we also have an enemy, even Satan, who hates us, and the light of freedom for which we stand, and will do everything he can to destroy us. Because of that, I believe that the best way to defeat him, the best way to let him know that his attack upon us failed, is to not let the negative feelings we experienced that day rule our lives. We should not allow ourselves to feel fear for what terrorists can do, but should put our trust in the greater power of God.
I remember that President Hinckley spoke in general conference just three weeks after 9/11. It is still touching to read his words, and he taught us what is really important from a gospel perspective. Here is the link:
http://lds.org/general-conference/2001/10/the-times-in-which-we-live?lang=eng
May we all always remember 9/11, and take from it renewed hope and faith, both in the innate goodness of people, in the light and freedom of America, and in the power of our Heavenly Father to heal all wounds.
When the towers fell, and it became more apparent what had happened, I remember feeling as though time had stopped. In retrospect, it was not so much that time had stopped as it was that my perspective had changed. In an instant I had gone from being a husband, father, and student without a true care in the world to being the victim of a terrible, pre-meditated attack. My entire world changed. Suddenly America was not a safe place anymore. Just google "9/11 innocence" to see how many people felt stripped of the their safety and their innocence.
I don't mean to place myself in the same category as those who were affected more directly by those events, including those who were killed, those family and friends who were left behind to mourn, the first responders, the soldiers who went overseas to protect us, and so many others who cannot be named. Nevertheless, 9/11 was an attack against America and all of it's people, and I believe that all of us felt it to some degree or another.
And while it was an attack against our people, it was more an attack against the principles of freedom that permeate who we are as Americans. So great is the light of freedom that shines from Americans, and by extension America, that we are instantly the target of all of those in the world who live by the principles of darkness, including selfishness, anger, fear, and hate. I believe in good and evil. I believe that we have a Father in Heaven who loves us. I believe we also have an enemy, even Satan, who hates us, and the light of freedom for which we stand, and will do everything he can to destroy us. Because of that, I believe that the best way to defeat him, the best way to let him know that his attack upon us failed, is to not let the negative feelings we experienced that day rule our lives. We should not allow ourselves to feel fear for what terrorists can do, but should put our trust in the greater power of God.
I remember that President Hinckley spoke in general conference just three weeks after 9/11. It is still touching to read his words, and he taught us what is really important from a gospel perspective. Here is the link:
http://lds.org/general-conference/2001/10/the-times-in-which-we-live?lang=eng
May we all always remember 9/11, and take from it renewed hope and faith, both in the innate goodness of people, in the light and freedom of America, and in the power of our Heavenly Father to heal all wounds.
Saturday, September 10, 2011
Erin's Homecoming Dance Drama
So my daughter Erin was asked to the pineview high school homecoming dance (she was worried that she wouldn't be asked). She has been a trooper and is glad that she is going, but it's my first nothing has gone as planned/emergency/get daughter ready for the dance moment.
I will explain.
The day date was supposed to begin at 7:30 am. One of the girls in their group got their parents to take their boat out to Sand Hollow reservoir for a day on the lake. So Erin is waiting for them at 7:20. I was working and got home for lunch at 10:15, and Erin had just left. She was rolling her eyes at that point. When they got to the lake they started to pull people on tubes, etc. On about the second trip out, they realized their boat was sinking because the pump didn't work, so they spent the rest of the time trying to fix it. She says she had fun, but it was not what she expected.
The plan for the evening was for them to pick her up at 6:30 pm, so she started getting ready at 5:30. Well, they pulled into the driveway at 5:40. We sent them off to go pick up the other girl (who wasn't ready either). Now, I can understand boys being excited to pick up my daughter, but that stressed her out. So my wife says "come help curl her hair, dad!" Curling hair is way out of my league. I thought I could help by taking the boys out back and showing them the holes I had dug if they didn't get my daughter home at the appointed hour, but my wife needed help with curling irons, so I jumped in with both feet.
We had two irons going while my daughter put on her makeup.
My wife wrapped her hair around one iron, and I would hold it (I told you I was no good at this sort of thing!), while she wrapped hair around the second iron. Then we switched.
I kept looking out the window to see if they had come back, but they had decided they had better give the girls a few more minutes to get ready. My wife and I kept working away. My wife started touching up Erin's makeup. I let Erin know that lipstick was meant to be a deterrent rather than an invitation. I think she understood. I hope.
The final product
Well, she is beautiful. Her hair and makeup turned out great thanks to her mom. Now her dad just has to get through tonight (I'm still waiting for her to come home). I know that this is all part of life blah, blah, growing up blah, blah, blah, but man, it isn't cool to send your teenage daughter out to be with BOYS. Is that the porch light coming on...?
I will explain.
The day date was supposed to begin at 7:30 am. One of the girls in their group got their parents to take their boat out to Sand Hollow reservoir for a day on the lake. So Erin is waiting for them at 7:20. I was working and got home for lunch at 10:15, and Erin had just left. She was rolling her eyes at that point. When they got to the lake they started to pull people on tubes, etc. On about the second trip out, they realized their boat was sinking because the pump didn't work, so they spent the rest of the time trying to fix it. She says she had fun, but it was not what she expected.
The plan for the evening was for them to pick her up at 6:30 pm, so she started getting ready at 5:30. Well, they pulled into the driveway at 5:40. We sent them off to go pick up the other girl (who wasn't ready either). Now, I can understand boys being excited to pick up my daughter, but that stressed her out. So my wife says "come help curl her hair, dad!" Curling hair is way out of my league. I thought I could help by taking the boys out back and showing them the holes I had dug if they didn't get my daughter home at the appointed hour, but my wife needed help with curling irons, so I jumped in with both feet.
We had two irons going while my daughter put on her makeup.
My wife wrapped her hair around one iron, and I would hold it (I told you I was no good at this sort of thing!), while she wrapped hair around the second iron. Then we switched.
I kept looking out the window to see if they had come back, but they had decided they had better give the girls a few more minutes to get ready. My wife and I kept working away. My wife started touching up Erin's makeup. I let Erin know that lipstick was meant to be a deterrent rather than an invitation. I think she understood. I hope.
The final product
Well, she is beautiful. Her hair and makeup turned out great thanks to her mom. Now her dad just has to get through tonight (I'm still waiting for her to come home). I know that this is all part of life blah, blah, growing up blah, blah, blah, but man, it isn't cool to send your teenage daughter out to be with BOYS. Is that the porch light coming on...?
Monday, May 30, 2011
Reprise Quartet
I found this on YouTube a few days ago, and thought they were awesome. I love a cappella men's groups! They do have one cd out, but that's all I have been able to find. Anyway, enjoy!
Reprise Quartet, Music and the Spoken Word, 2003
Reprise Quartet, Music and the Spoken Word, 2003
Wednesday, September 29, 2010
Lake Powell
 |
| This is Lone Rock, with my son Jacob in the foreground |
On September 9-11 my family went to Lake Powell with my wife's siblings and their families. We thought it would be a good way to celebrate her birthday, and we had a great time!
We went to Lone Rock, down towards Page, AZ. It was perfect weather for the lake: hot enough during the day to be comfortable in the water, but not too hot for sleeping at night. I guess everyone else thought the same thing because the beach was packed with people, but we had our own little niche and that made it ok. We also had three ski boats, and with about 50 people there, that was just right.
This was also the inaugural voyage of my wife's new digital camera. Yes, we finally went digital. One of my wife's cousins was upgrading, so I bought his old one, a 10 megapixel Canon Rebel EOS XTi, for her birthday. We had a great time taking pictures and learning how to use it. Taking pictures will never be the same.
Jennifer grew up in and on the water, and so our kids do the same. She has been teaching them to waterski every chance she gets. Here are a few pictures of my oldest daughter, Erin
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| So far, so good |
 |
| The Beginning.... |
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| The Ending |
 |
| Ouch! |
I love the feature on the camera that takes two pictures in a row when you hold the button down. Allows me to get fun shots like this.
My sons also had a good time learning, but they started on the knee board:
Sometimes I'm glad when my children inherit my qualities, but sometimes, I'm not so glad. Joshua did NOT want to go on the knee board, but we made him do it, and he ended up having a great time. That quality he inherited? STUBBORNESS!
Jacob is my wild man. He had no problem doing the kneeboard, and was good at it. He is also a fishing fanatic, and got his grandpa & uncles to take us out fishing at 10 pm. I had never fished for bass before, but Jacob had studied up on it and had the right line and the anchovies for bait. I was only a little nervous that we were speeding across the lake at 30 m.p.h. without lights, but we made it up next to Lone Rock.
The way bass fishing works is that you hold a lantern over the water to draw the fish to where your bait is, and then wait for them to bite. Well, it worked like a charm because we didn't have to wait for long. We caught one fish in the first minute, and three fish in half an hour. We had numerous bites as well. Here is Jacob's first bass:
Jacob was very excited, and now we know how to bass fish.
It was an enjoyable time at Lake Powell with my family. The lake was beautiful and it was a lot of fun. We won't be waiting fifteen years to go back next time!
Thursday, April 16, 2009
Easter
One of the things I don't have the opportunity to do right now is fight my kids during sacrament meeting. My wife may not believe it, but my heart aches for her as I watch her fight kids each Sunday, and I can't help her. It also means that she usually doesn't have a great spiritual experience during sacrament meeting. Her sacrament meetings are measured by how well the kids behaved, or how many times the baby had to be taken out, or whether or not the youngest managed to grab a handful of the sacrament bread as it went by (it happened). I want her to know how much I appreciate her for what she accomplishes with our children, and for what she sacrifices for them. Whether it is giving up her spiritual sacrament meetings, or giving up something she wants so the kids can have new shoes, I recognize what shes does and am grateful for her loving kindness.
On an Easter note, I wrote the bishopric message for April, and took the opportunity to testify of the Savior and his atonement. I love my Savior, and want to grow to love him even more. I put it here as a way to share my testimony with anyone who reads it.
"Today is Easter Sunday, when we celebrate the resurrection of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. As I have pondered my message for this newletter, I remembered the numerous conference talks given last week that spoke of and testified of the atonement. How beautiful it was to listen to the testimonies of the general authorities! I encourage each of you to review those talks, and to allow the Holy Spirit to testify to you again of the truthfulness of their words. I wish to add my testimony to theirs, and to yours, as I know that you, too, believe. I know that Jesus Christ is our Savior. I know that he brought to pass the atonement, and that he took upon himself the sins, the guilt, sicknesses, and pains of each of us, and that He did so because of his love for us as individuals. He knows our great worth, and wants us to take advantage of the succor and the forgiveness that He extends to us. I testify that Jesus Christ can and will do those things that he says He can do, among which are give us comfort, strength and peace during our trials, and make our garments clean and white through our repentance and his forgiveness. I testify that He was resurrected from the dead on Sunday morning, and that through His resurrection we too will live again after we die, and that by way of the covenants that we make and keep we will be with our families eternally and receive the fullness of joy and happiness that God himself enjoys. I testify of these things in the name of Jesus Christ, Amen."
On an Easter note, I wrote the bishopric message for April, and took the opportunity to testify of the Savior and his atonement. I love my Savior, and want to grow to love him even more. I put it here as a way to share my testimony with anyone who reads it.
"Today is Easter Sunday, when we celebrate the resurrection of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. As I have pondered my message for this newletter, I remembered the numerous conference talks given last week that spoke of and testified of the atonement. How beautiful it was to listen to the testimonies of the general authorities! I encourage each of you to review those talks, and to allow the Holy Spirit to testify to you again of the truthfulness of their words. I wish to add my testimony to theirs, and to yours, as I know that you, too, believe. I know that Jesus Christ is our Savior. I know that he brought to pass the atonement, and that he took upon himself the sins, the guilt, sicknesses, and pains of each of us, and that He did so because of his love for us as individuals. He knows our great worth, and wants us to take advantage of the succor and the forgiveness that He extends to us. I testify that Jesus Christ can and will do those things that he says He can do, among which are give us comfort, strength and peace during our trials, and make our garments clean and white through our repentance and his forgiveness. I testify that He was resurrected from the dead on Sunday morning, and that through His resurrection we too will live again after we die, and that by way of the covenants that we make and keep we will be with our families eternally and receive the fullness of joy and happiness that God himself enjoys. I testify of these things in the name of Jesus Christ, Amen."
Thursday, March 12, 2009
Pirouettes and Soccer
I have a lot of girls in my family. There's my wife, who is wonderful, then my daughter Erin, who is 13, then Abigail, 6, EmmaLee, 4, and Lindsay, 23 months. Each of my children have their strengths and things that they enjoy. Erin enjoys playing sports, especially volleyball and basketball. Abigail likes dance and gymnastics. EmmaLee likes to color and create, and Lindsay likes to be the center of attention and perform for everyone (being the youngest). I love to watch them grow in their strengths, and see them get even better at doing the things they do well.
I am also glad when they decide to do something new, so that maybe they will find something else that they enjoy. That's why I was excited when Abigail decided that she wanted to play soccer. I figured that a "ball" sport would help to broaden her horizons, strengthen her muscles for dance, and help her to have a good time and make new friends. I was quite excited for the first game, even though I knew that six year old soccer still has the "herd" mentality-all of the players crowded around the ball trying to kick it at the same time. Still, it was my girl's first game, and I couldn't wait.
I'm not a proud father or anything like that, but when I saw my perfect daughter standing out on that field, I sat up straighter in my chair, my chin went up, and my chest puffed out with pride. Not that I'm a proud father or anything. Anyway, the game started and I watched her run up and down the field, having a great time. Sometimes she was even able to get the ball away from the herd and move it up the field. Then she was made a defender. That means she had to stay back by the goal and not move. When it is Jacob in that position, he jumps all over, doing somersaults and being an all-around crazy man. When I looked over at Abigail, however, she was doing pirouettes, round-offs, and other dance/gymnastics moves that I don't know the name for. It made me happy to see her without any troubles or worries, and having such a good time. I know that state of being cannot last, which perhaps is why it made me so happy right then.
I am also glad when they decide to do something new, so that maybe they will find something else that they enjoy. That's why I was excited when Abigail decided that she wanted to play soccer. I figured that a "ball" sport would help to broaden her horizons, strengthen her muscles for dance, and help her to have a good time and make new friends. I was quite excited for the first game, even though I knew that six year old soccer still has the "herd" mentality-all of the players crowded around the ball trying to kick it at the same time. Still, it was my girl's first game, and I couldn't wait.
I'm not a proud father or anything like that, but when I saw my perfect daughter standing out on that field, I sat up straighter in my chair, my chin went up, and my chest puffed out with pride. Not that I'm a proud father or anything. Anyway, the game started and I watched her run up and down the field, having a great time. Sometimes she was even able to get the ball away from the herd and move it up the field. Then she was made a defender. That means she had to stay back by the goal and not move. When it is Jacob in that position, he jumps all over, doing somersaults and being an all-around crazy man. When I looked over at Abigail, however, she was doing pirouettes, round-offs, and other dance/gymnastics moves that I don't know the name for. It made me happy to see her without any troubles or worries, and having such a good time. I know that state of being cannot last, which perhaps is why it made me so happy right then.
Tuesday, February 24, 2009
Fringe benefits of serving as bishop
The privilege and opportunity of serving as bishop brings with it many things that are difficult to deal with, most notably the emotional ups and downs of dealing with so many people and their needs, as well as the amount of time taken away from family. But there are many benefits and blessings that come from this service as well, several of which I want to talk about.
As bishop I have the ability to interact with my children in ways that I would not be able to were I not in this calling. For example, in January my son Joshua turned twelve years old. Not only was I able to confer upon him the priesthood and ordain him to be a deacon, something I would have been able to do anyway, but I was also able to interview him for the priesthood, and sign his certificate of ordination after he was ordained. I would not have been able to do those things had I not been his bishop. I am grateful for the opportunity to have shared that with my son.
Another thing that I hope my children will remember is my candy jar. I keep a jar of candy in my office for primary children. On their birthdays, the primary president gives them a slip which they can redeem in my office for a piece of candy. Well, my children are in there every week, right after church, to get a piece of candy. No, it isn't their birthday every day, but they know they can come and write on my dry erase board and show me what they colored in primary and get a piece of candy. I love the fact that they want to be there, and I will always keep candy for them and hope that they will remember it as a good experience.
One other experience that I had with my older children recently was going to the Draper, Utah Temple open house with all the youth of my ward. I was able to go with Erin, who is 13, Joshua, 12, as they are both in mutual, and Jacob, 9 who was able to go because I went. It was a special opportunity to be in a temple with them, and to answer questions afterward.
I am grateful for these experiences that being bishop allows me to have with my family, along with all other blessings that we are being given, that are too numerous to mention.
As bishop I have the ability to interact with my children in ways that I would not be able to were I not in this calling. For example, in January my son Joshua turned twelve years old. Not only was I able to confer upon him the priesthood and ordain him to be a deacon, something I would have been able to do anyway, but I was also able to interview him for the priesthood, and sign his certificate of ordination after he was ordained. I would not have been able to do those things had I not been his bishop. I am grateful for the opportunity to have shared that with my son.
Another thing that I hope my children will remember is my candy jar. I keep a jar of candy in my office for primary children. On their birthdays, the primary president gives them a slip which they can redeem in my office for a piece of candy. Well, my children are in there every week, right after church, to get a piece of candy. No, it isn't their birthday every day, but they know they can come and write on my dry erase board and show me what they colored in primary and get a piece of candy. I love the fact that they want to be there, and I will always keep candy for them and hope that they will remember it as a good experience.
One other experience that I had with my older children recently was going to the Draper, Utah Temple open house with all the youth of my ward. I was able to go with Erin, who is 13, Joshua, 12, as they are both in mutual, and Jacob, 9 who was able to go because I went. It was a special opportunity to be in a temple with them, and to answer questions afterward.
I am grateful for these experiences that being bishop allows me to have with my family, along with all other blessings that we are being given, that are too numerous to mention.
Saturday, December 6, 2008
Christmas Message
It was my turn to write the bishopric message for the ward newsletter in the month of December. It's not perfect, but it's heartfelt.
I love Christmas. It is a time of year during which people’s hearts are more open to the Spirit of God. As the Christmas season moves closer, we instinctively feel closer to the Savior. We open our hearts and minds to the spirit, and wonderful things begin to happen. It is different for all of us. Perhaps, where there was once hate, there is now forgiveness, and where there was once anger, there are now soft words and humility. Where there was indifference to the needs of others, there is now charity and a giving spirit. Where there was despair or loneliness, there are now comfort and hope. Oftentimes we are inspired to do something good for another, or perhaps we create something to benefit others. Much of the beloved Christmas music that we enjoy each year was written under the inspiration of this Christmas spirit. The hymn “Silent Night” is one such example.
At Christmas time we remember the birth of Jesus Christ, the Son of God, the Savior of the world. Isaiah tells us of the greatness of He who would be born in the stable at Bethlehem “For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, the everlasting Father, the Prince of Peace.” (Isa. 9:6) His birth was as a light shining forth in darkness, not only in the meridian of time, but also into our pre-mortal past, our own present, and into the eternal future. Isaiah tells us concerning his birth “The people that walked in darkness have seen a great light; they that dwell in the land of the shadow of death, upon them hath the light shined.” (Isa. 9:2). His light illuminates the path before us, and shows us the stumbling blocks that would impede our progress. His light teaches us truth, gives us strength to endure in the present, and gives us hope for the future.
As we celebrate the birth of the Hope of Israel, I pray that we will share our hope and faith with others during this Christmas season. Find someone to whom you can be a ministering angel. Reach out to those in need, be a light to them in their darkness, and share with them the hope that is within you.
I wish you all a merry Christmas as we celebrate the birth of the Savior together.
I love Christmas. It is a time of year during which people’s hearts are more open to the Spirit of God. As the Christmas season moves closer, we instinctively feel closer to the Savior. We open our hearts and minds to the spirit, and wonderful things begin to happen. It is different for all of us. Perhaps, where there was once hate, there is now forgiveness, and where there was once anger, there are now soft words and humility. Where there was indifference to the needs of others, there is now charity and a giving spirit. Where there was despair or loneliness, there are now comfort and hope. Oftentimes we are inspired to do something good for another, or perhaps we create something to benefit others. Much of the beloved Christmas music that we enjoy each year was written under the inspiration of this Christmas spirit. The hymn “Silent Night” is one such example.
At Christmas time we remember the birth of Jesus Christ, the Son of God, the Savior of the world. Isaiah tells us of the greatness of He who would be born in the stable at Bethlehem “For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, the everlasting Father, the Prince of Peace.” (Isa. 9:6) His birth was as a light shining forth in darkness, not only in the meridian of time, but also into our pre-mortal past, our own present, and into the eternal future. Isaiah tells us concerning his birth “The people that walked in darkness have seen a great light; they that dwell in the land of the shadow of death, upon them hath the light shined.” (Isa. 9:2). His light illuminates the path before us, and shows us the stumbling blocks that would impede our progress. His light teaches us truth, gives us strength to endure in the present, and gives us hope for the future.
As we celebrate the birth of the Hope of Israel, I pray that we will share our hope and faith with others during this Christmas season. Find someone to whom you can be a ministering angel. Reach out to those in need, be a light to them in their darkness, and share with them the hope that is within you.
I wish you all a merry Christmas as we celebrate the birth of the Savior together.
Tuesday, November 25, 2008
More Prop 8
I am amazed at the hatred that many pro-same sex marriage advocates have with the supporters of Proposition 8, especially toward members of the LDS church. From vituperative comments in all forms of media, to protests in front of temples and churches, to multiple cases of vandalism, the anger and hate seems to be getting worse. Now there has been a complaint to an organization in California, The California Fair Political Practices Commision, that is going to investigate whether or not the Church properly reported all donations toward their support of Proposition 8. I am really getting tired of these people (but that doesn't mean I am going to vandalize their property!).
But I just read about something that was like a breath of fresh air. An organization called Abovethehate.com is circulating a letter/petition to President Monson in support of the LDS church and it's contribution to protecting traditional marriage in California. The full text can be found at http://abovethehate.com/, and the petition can be signed there. I also include it here, because it was so nice to read something positive and supporting about the church. Here it is.
November 15, 2008
President Thomas S. Monson
Office of the First Presidency
Church Administration Building
47 East South Temple
Salt Lake City, Utah 84150
Dear President Monson:
We write firstly to express our deep gratitude to you and the entire LDS community for the large and impressive contributions of your church and its members in protecting marriage in California and Arizona.
Anyone who participated in this process has come to admire the competence, diligence and moral courage that so many members of your faith community displayed as part of this coalition effort—as Catholics, Evangelicals, Mormons, and people of other faith communities all came together to fight this great battle for marriage.
But we write for an even more important purpose: to express our outrage at the vile and indecent attacks directed specifically and uniquely at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and its members because of your courage in standing up for marriage.
It is deeply unfair, and contrary to the best American traditions, that any faith community, much less a minority one, should be singled out and attacked in this way by powerful, well-funded political forces determined to “make them pay” for participating in the normal political processes of democracy.
These attacks include:
Large organized protests designed to disrupt places of worship; [1]
Public calls to investigate and “dig up dirt” on Americans of a particular faith who donated to a political cause; [2]
An outrageous television ad campaign crudely and deliberately designed to incite fear and hatred of a minority religious community. [3]
None of these things should happen in America, but they are happening right now to the LDS faith community. We urge more and other responsible voices to say “enough.” These attacks are shameful. This is not the way Americans behave towards each other.
The coalition for marriage in California and across the country includes people of different theological views. But let us here make one thing absolutely clear:
We, the undersigned, utterly condemn and reject the ongoing unprecedented efforts to incite religious hatred and bigotry towards members of the LDS Church because, as American citizens, you have courageously exercised your core civil rights to speak, to vote, and to donate to protect marriage as the union of one man and one woman.
We pledge to work with you and for you not only to protect marriage, but to protect the rights of all religious citizens, including the LDS Church, to participate freely (without threats of retribution or retaliation) in the political processes of this country in defense of the Judeo-Christian values—and the common good—we hold so dear.
Sincerely,
How nice it is for those outside of our faith to stand with us to support those values upon which our country is based. As this letter points out, there is much that can be said about our rights as Americans to participate in the political process, to vote, and so on. These violent activists are attacking our right to do so at the same time they are defending it for themselves. It is unfortunate that they are so short-sighted and egocentric.
Well, enough for now. Hopefully the courts will leave Prop 8 alone, and these protests will calm down
But I just read about something that was like a breath of fresh air. An organization called Abovethehate.com is circulating a letter/petition to President Monson in support of the LDS church and it's contribution to protecting traditional marriage in California. The full text can be found at http://abovethehate.com/, and the petition can be signed there. I also include it here, because it was so nice to read something positive and supporting about the church. Here it is.
November 15, 2008
President Thomas S. Monson
Office of the First Presidency
Church Administration Building
47 East South Temple
Salt Lake City, Utah 84150
Dear President Monson:
We write firstly to express our deep gratitude to you and the entire LDS community for the large and impressive contributions of your church and its members in protecting marriage in California and Arizona.
Anyone who participated in this process has come to admire the competence, diligence and moral courage that so many members of your faith community displayed as part of this coalition effort—as Catholics, Evangelicals, Mormons, and people of other faith communities all came together to fight this great battle for marriage.
But we write for an even more important purpose: to express our outrage at the vile and indecent attacks directed specifically and uniquely at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and its members because of your courage in standing up for marriage.
It is deeply unfair, and contrary to the best American traditions, that any faith community, much less a minority one, should be singled out and attacked in this way by powerful, well-funded political forces determined to “make them pay” for participating in the normal political processes of democracy.
These attacks include:
Large organized protests designed to disrupt places of worship; [1]
Public calls to investigate and “dig up dirt” on Americans of a particular faith who donated to a political cause; [2]
An outrageous television ad campaign crudely and deliberately designed to incite fear and hatred of a minority religious community. [3]
None of these things should happen in America, but they are happening right now to the LDS faith community. We urge more and other responsible voices to say “enough.” These attacks are shameful. This is not the way Americans behave towards each other.
The coalition for marriage in California and across the country includes people of different theological views. But let us here make one thing absolutely clear:
We, the undersigned, utterly condemn and reject the ongoing unprecedented efforts to incite religious hatred and bigotry towards members of the LDS Church because, as American citizens, you have courageously exercised your core civil rights to speak, to vote, and to donate to protect marriage as the union of one man and one woman.
We pledge to work with you and for you not only to protect marriage, but to protect the rights of all religious citizens, including the LDS Church, to participate freely (without threats of retribution or retaliation) in the political processes of this country in defense of the Judeo-Christian values—and the common good—we hold so dear.
Sincerely,
How nice it is for those outside of our faith to stand with us to support those values upon which our country is based. As this letter points out, there is much that can be said about our rights as Americans to participate in the political process, to vote, and so on. These violent activists are attacking our right to do so at the same time they are defending it for themselves. It is unfortunate that they are so short-sighted and egocentric.
Well, enough for now. Hopefully the courts will leave Prop 8 alone, and these protests will calm down
Tuesday, November 18, 2008
Erin and Jacob
Erin after having her hair cut!
Bag of Erin's hair..some child is going to have a wonderful hairpiece!
Jacob after his mom shaved his head...A number of months ago my wife's brother Jeff was diagnosed with aplastic anemia, a blood disorder akin to leukemia, though more treatable than leukemia. The treatment for this disease is chemotherapy, followed by a bone marrow transplant, with the donor generally found among the siblings of the person.
So last week, the process began. Jeff went to the Huntsman Cancer Institute to begin his chemotherapy. Before he left, he decided to shave his head, since he would lose his hair anyway due to the chemotherapy. The next day, his dad, several of his brothers and brothers-in-law, and nephews, decided to shave their heads as a show of support. Two of my children wanted to participate, so Jacob shaved his head, and Erin, who had long, beautiful curly hair down to the middle of her back, cut if off and sent it to Locks of Love, an organization that creates hairpieces for children that have lost theirs due to a medical condition. I am very proud of them for supporting their uncle. It is a big sacrifice to make such a big change, and risk teasing from their peers, in order to support someone in need. I will post pictures of them later today.
So last week, the process began. Jeff went to the Huntsman Cancer Institute to begin his chemotherapy. Before he left, he decided to shave his head, since he would lose his hair anyway due to the chemotherapy. The next day, his dad, several of his brothers and brothers-in-law, and nephews, decided to shave their heads as a show of support. Two of my children wanted to participate, so Jacob shaved his head, and Erin, who had long, beautiful curly hair down to the middle of her back, cut if off and sent it to Locks of Love, an organization that creates hairpieces for children that have lost theirs due to a medical condition. I am very proud of them for supporting their uncle. It is a big sacrifice to make such a big change, and risk teasing from their peers, in order to support someone in need. I will post pictures of them later today.
Friday, November 7, 2008
President-elect Obama
Well, the elections are over, and Barack Obama won. I did not vote for Obama. Besides the fact that I am a republican and he is a democrat, I am nervous about several of his economic and political ideas, which I won't talk about at this time. However, through an experience that I had the other day, I can absolutely see why people DID vote for Obama.
I was doing the carpool thing the other morning, taking my son Joshua and his friends to school, and had the radio tuned to CNN Headline news on the XM band. I believe it was the Wednesday morning after the election, and they were replaying an Obama speech from the previous night. As I listened to him talk about America and it's values, and the american people and their struggles, I suddenly realized that I was all choked up and near to tears. That man can deliver a speech! He tapped into my patriotic emotions and my fears for the future in a way that was both eloquent and powerful. I found myself wanting to believe him. I can only imagine how people felt who's lives are much more difficult than mine, and who have much less hope for the future. They must have felt an absolute euphoria when hearing him speak. Combine that with most people's desire for change from an unpopular president and his unpopular policies, and there was probably no way that Obama could have lost.
Of course, I understand that many people who voted for him can't think past the end of their noses. One black person who was interviewed after voting said that he voted for Obama because he wouldn't have to work any longer because Obama would finally give the black people what was coming to them. I'm hoping that his was just wishful thinking, rather than a harbinger of things to come. Still, I wish the new president-elect well. He is still the president of my country, like it or not. I hope that he is a man of integrity, and I pray that he will follow principles of integrity and honesty as he leads us for the next four years.
I was doing the carpool thing the other morning, taking my son Joshua and his friends to school, and had the radio tuned to CNN Headline news on the XM band. I believe it was the Wednesday morning after the election, and they were replaying an Obama speech from the previous night. As I listened to him talk about America and it's values, and the american people and their struggles, I suddenly realized that I was all choked up and near to tears. That man can deliver a speech! He tapped into my patriotic emotions and my fears for the future in a way that was both eloquent and powerful. I found myself wanting to believe him. I can only imagine how people felt who's lives are much more difficult than mine, and who have much less hope for the future. They must have felt an absolute euphoria when hearing him speak. Combine that with most people's desire for change from an unpopular president and his unpopular policies, and there was probably no way that Obama could have lost.
Of course, I understand that many people who voted for him can't think past the end of their noses. One black person who was interviewed after voting said that he voted for Obama because he wouldn't have to work any longer because Obama would finally give the black people what was coming to them. I'm hoping that his was just wishful thinking, rather than a harbinger of things to come. Still, I wish the new president-elect well. He is still the president of my country, like it or not. I hope that he is a man of integrity, and I pray that he will follow principles of integrity and honesty as he leads us for the next four years.
Thursday, October 30, 2008
I mentioned during the last entry about the volleyball tournament that my daughter Erin played in last Saturday. She started playing at 8 am, and we thought that the day would go like other days had gone, and she would be done at about 3 or 4 pm. Well her team just kept winning, and finally made it to the championship game at 8:30 pm! They played well, but ended up losing the championship. Erin put in a lot of playing time during the day, but was very glad when it was over. She played well and has a lot of talent in the sport. I was babysitting all of my kids that day, and I was really glad when it was over!
Saturday, October 25, 2008
Elder Ballard and blogging
I have been trying to implement Elder Ballard's counsel, when he says "Now, may I ask that you join the conversation by participating on the Internet to share the gospel and to explain in simple and clear terms the message of the Restoration." As I visit different religious sites such as beliefnet.com, I am finding it difficult to adjust to a religious/internet culture that very much likes to debate for the sake of debating, but for the most part has very little interest in truly learning about the church. It seems like a waste of time to participate in those discussions when they are at best simple discussions, and at worst vulgar diatribes against the church and the gospel as the LDS church preaches it. Still, I tell myself that I may never know who is influenced by something I might say, so I will continue to participate. Perhaps there is a better way than what I am doing? Maybe a better way will present itself to me as I learn more about blogging and the different sites available.
On a family note, tomorrow my daughter Erin is playing in her volleyball finals. The tournament is double elimination, so they will play until they lose, or until they win the whole thing! I am proud of her for playing so hard even when some days she would rather not. She is learing about what it means to play on a team, and what it means to stick with something until she sees it through till the end. Jennifer, my wife, planned and put on a wonderful ward fall party tonight, with a carnival for all the kids and visiting and companionship for the adults. She works hard and does a great job at her calling. I have more to say about my children, but will wait until I get their pictures on here before I brag about them. (Besides, it's 12:33 a.m. It's time for my bed!)
On a family note, tomorrow my daughter Erin is playing in her volleyball finals. The tournament is double elimination, so they will play until they lose, or until they win the whole thing! I am proud of her for playing so hard even when some days she would rather not. She is learing about what it means to play on a team, and what it means to stick with something until she sees it through till the end. Jennifer, my wife, planned and put on a wonderful ward fall party tonight, with a carnival for all the kids and visiting and companionship for the adults. She works hard and does a great job at her calling. I have more to say about my children, but will wait until I get their pictures on here before I brag about them. (Besides, it's 12:33 a.m. It's time for my bed!)
Thursday, October 23, 2008
Some time away.....
This last weekend my family and I went to my in-laws cabin at Dry Lakes, up near Brian Head. Normally on the opening weekend of the deer hunt we go to my wife's extended family deer camp, about 30 miles west of St. George. Our lives have been so out of control these last few months that we felt like we needed some alone time just for our family. As our kids get older they are becoming involved in more and more stuff, leaving less and less time for our family unit.
Erin is in her eighth year of piano, as well as taking violin lessons and playing volleyball. We sent her to a volleyball camp at BYU in August, and it really helped her skills. She plays on Saturdays starting at 8 am and usually plays until 3 or 4 pm, at different schools all over the county. Also Joshua plays soccer and is taking piano, Jacob plays flag football and is taking piano, and Abigail is in gymnastics. Jen is constantly busy with her church calling, taking meals to people, and running kids to doctor appointments, carpooling, and piano practice. She also babysits two children during the day.
Then there is my time. I work 50 hours per week at my job. My calling as Bishop takes 20-30 hours per week, and I try and help at home as much as I can. It seems like every minute of the day is filled with something, which can be a difficult adjustment for someone who grew up in an environment where I had plenty of time to do what I wanted. I worked on a farm, so I learned to work hard, but when I had time, it was mine to do with as I pleased. So to find some time away, like this last weekend when I went to the cabin with my family, was very special time. I don't want anyone to think that I regret my current life. I don't. I would not change my life or my family or my calling or anything else that is taking up my time, but it does get a little crazy sometimes, and time off is very welcome.
Erin is in her eighth year of piano, as well as taking violin lessons and playing volleyball. We sent her to a volleyball camp at BYU in August, and it really helped her skills. She plays on Saturdays starting at 8 am and usually plays until 3 or 4 pm, at different schools all over the county. Also Joshua plays soccer and is taking piano, Jacob plays flag football and is taking piano, and Abigail is in gymnastics. Jen is constantly busy with her church calling, taking meals to people, and running kids to doctor appointments, carpooling, and piano practice. She also babysits two children during the day.
Then there is my time. I work 50 hours per week at my job. My calling as Bishop takes 20-30 hours per week, and I try and help at home as much as I can. It seems like every minute of the day is filled with something, which can be a difficult adjustment for someone who grew up in an environment where I had plenty of time to do what I wanted. I worked on a farm, so I learned to work hard, but when I had time, it was mine to do with as I pleased. So to find some time away, like this last weekend when I went to the cabin with my family, was very special time. I don't want anyone to think that I regret my current life. I don't. I would not change my life or my family or my calling or anything else that is taking up my time, but it does get a little crazy sometimes, and time off is very welcome.
Monday, October 13, 2008
General Conference
We have always told our children that when they turned eight years old, we would take them to see general conference in SLC. So when my oldest daughter turned 8, I took her to general conference. Then when my son Joshua turned 8, we just didn't get around to it. Now, he's eleven years old, and I was able to get two tickets for the Sunday afternoon session. It was a good opportunity to spend some time with my son, and now that Jeff and Harmony are back from that foreign country (ie, Texas), I was able to spend some time with their family and stay with them Saturday night. I had not seen them for a long time, and we stayed up far too late talking, but I had a great time, and my son did not want to leave when it was time to go.
Sunday morning we left for the conference center in SLC. Traffic wasn't too bad, and we arrived at about 11 am. We wandered around Temple Square for a time, then made our way toward the conference center. We had to pass all of the protesters, and a couple of them were quite vocal. I was told that I was stupid, blind, going to hell, and that I stank (?). Anyway, in spite of that we made it to the conference center. One of the highlights for me was being there with my son. He turns twelve in January and I will be able to ordain him to the priesthood, I wanted this to be a positive stepping-stone for him toward that goal. I think he enjoyed being there, although sitting still for that long was difficult for him. I hope that he will have fond memories of being there, and of hearing the prophet speak in person.
My wife and I are not going take our kids one at a time anymore, though. Next time we are taking the whole family!
Sunday morning we left for the conference center in SLC. Traffic wasn't too bad, and we arrived at about 11 am. We wandered around Temple Square for a time, then made our way toward the conference center. We had to pass all of the protesters, and a couple of them were quite vocal. I was told that I was stupid, blind, going to hell, and that I stank (?). Anyway, in spite of that we made it to the conference center. One of the highlights for me was being there with my son. He turns twelve in January and I will be able to ordain him to the priesthood, I wanted this to be a positive stepping-stone for him toward that goal. I think he enjoyed being there, although sitting still for that long was difficult for him. I hope that he will have fond memories of being there, and of hearing the prophet speak in person.
My wife and I are not going take our kids one at a time anymore, though. Next time we are taking the whole family!
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