The Outward Appearance

Today was fantastic as a father. I got to see Skjelse and Jeff as well as the rest of the kids besides you. Gavin gave his farewell talk and did a wonderful job of great doctrine, excitement for his mission, and captivating stories that kept us all interested. 

I was especially touched as a dad in the morning when he was all dressed and ready, and had his messenger bag on his shoulder. He looks the part. Hence the outward appearance. And we know from his talk the Lord can see in his heart he is ready spiritually. He is going to be great. It is so pleasing to know we will have two of you serving 

I spent so much of Saturday cleaning the garage and trying to organize things. I consolidated lots of things and got rid of bulk items to make more room. We hope to fit the motorcycle in there and hope it is fixed soon. I found a slick way to hold the drills by using pvc pipe and so it is free. Ty helped me get it up. 

It has been unique at work to see people so frustrated at so many things and I feel like I was again a psychiatrist this last week. I seem to be one they come and vent at and unload their thoughts. I just try to listen and always keep an even temperament no matter what may go wrong at work. I am not perfect but I do try hard to avoid the Sam frustrations that so many let derail their day. 

We talked about talents in Sunday school today. It made me think about how we use the gifts we have been given and how w share those with others. I have not met anyone who is sad when they honestly help others with the gifts and talents they have. It's that way with service, you always have happiness enter into you when you serve others. Even Gavin has begun to see that as he stated that he loves the people of Mexico and he hasn't even met them
yet. It's just knowing where you are going and who you will be serving and the love begins to develop. 

Love the people you serve, serve those you love. It's magic!

Love you forever. 

Dad

3 John 1:4

The Motorcycle Redeemer

So, this topic is all about Gavin having the idea and us all laughing about how Gavin said he was sure I could find a lesson analogy in the motorcycle, and I immediately did. So he was right. 

We have spent month trying to fix it, diagnose, new parts etc and still no luck getting spark. So I finally broke down and found a guy who works out of his garage that repairs bikes and small engines.   We took it over to him, and he said he could start the next day. Before early afternoon he called and had found the problem, it was a relay that was bad, and recommended to replace that ( and other parts) to have it running great again. And he guaranteed it. He redeemed it from the junk yard fate it might have had. 

So it is with our lives. We try and try, work and work, search and search, but we will always fall short of being in great shape until we turn to the redeemer. He can take something that seems so complex and show us how simple a fix can change our lives and redeem us from the junk yard. And put us back on the joyous journey of life. Happy and running great. 

That was one of the great things this week. Saturday I spent time between mom's list for me, my list, and laying down to try and get energy. I got sick Wednesday and ended up staying home Thursday and Friday from work. I did so nothing the whole time. I was just so worn and miserable. Saturday I was not miserable but still tired. So I had tons of small jobs that I did. Like sealing a leaking gutter corner, fixing the computer cable, cleaning the AC filter, making room in the garage, cleaning the office, mowing and fertilizing the lawn, fix the riding mower so it doesn't drip gas from the carburetor, repairing the seat in Buzz, sending a email and pics to get a quote on fixing the rust on Buzz, etc. Lots of productive small things and rest in between nearly each and every one. 

It has been fun to have Gavin home. He has done so many good things. He is getting ready to leave and gives his talk next week in church. Then conference, fast Sunday, and off he goes. 

We are refinancing the house so we can get Darrin off the loan. I had to wait four years but it seems to be going very smooth. The appraiser came by this week and it will be interesting to see how the value comes out after all the work we have done. 

Love you forever, 

Dad

3 John 1:4

Members & Missionary Work

I spent a chunk of time this week pondering or working with the missionaries. I had some follow up from stake assignments, social media splits and feed ohio day, stake mission correlation, and had the zone leaders over for an unplanned dinner. All of it was great and serves to remind me of the important things here on earth. While I still have to live in the world, the level of stress, care, and concern just remains low when I remember what is most important. 

Saturday was a special day, it was the day I got ready for Sunday (did you sing the tune?) but really I spent the morning with the elders and at the Feed Ohio food pantry collection. I did study hour with the elders and worked on my talk for later this month. Then we had companion study and shared great thoughts on lesson preparation and the love that develops when you serve others. We headed out to the food pantry and helped for a while gather and sort the incoming food from everyone's individual efforts. To date we have over $2000 and over 2000 lbs of food. That is our ward only and this is a state wide effort with all types of faith based groups and businesses. 

I then did a bunch of yard work (it looks good) and we then headed off to pick up Gavin. It is nice to have him home. He looks great and is a joy to talk to. The afternoon I spent fixing the edger (I love the internet and it's tutorials) and still not being able to fix the motorcycle. 

We had three investigators at church today and two stayed for classes. They had really good comments and questions that added to the class. Right after church I had stake mission correlation. Pres. Valencia had to travel so it was the mission and I then Bro. Adams from the high council joined later. It was a wonderful discussion as we shared successes, struggles, and ideas we can all work on this month. They are so agreeable and willing to help in any way. I just hope we can do as well on the member side. We have so much room to grow. 

During the meeting the zone leaders had said they had not eaten today because of meeting and visits etc. so I texted mom to see if it was ok and then we invited them over. We had waffle bar and eggs. Basic but yummy. They are amazing. They have a unique spirit about them and the dedication they have to the work. 

I am talking about cultivating divine attributes later so if you have any insights, please share. 

Be awesome this week. Mom is amazing, be like her!

Love you forever,

Dad

3 John 1:4

The Art of Food

I had a great week. I finished up in China and had a safe trip back. It was a good day at church and productive work days after. Then I dreaded home excited to spend time with mom. She is my bestie. Always will be. I am so glad I have the assurance of an eternal sealing. 

For the last lunch I had in China they took me to a place where they had some plate decorations I thought you should see. So I attached those so you could see the creativity and variety. The white blobs are bunnies if you look close. 

When I got back I spent the rest of the week at home. I worked Saturday and the Labor Day holiday working in China so I "traded" those days for staying home. 

I bustled through the lawn and then edged for the first time in way too long. It looks so much better. And mom was much happier when it was done. I also weeded poison ivy since no one else dared. I double gloved up and was careful. Then tossed the gloves and washed everything I was wearing by itself. Hopefully I will be safe. 

I also got new rope and Ty helped me rehang the rope swing. We now have chain around the actual tree then rope from there. And we cut out a circle seat instead of a left over log. It's easier to use now. 

I didn't want to let the cars feel lonely so I washed, vacuumed, and waxed all three cars. I feel I need to do them every year or two whether the need them or not :). It is nice to get them cleaned up and protected. And they look much better. 

I also did a brake fluid flush on all three. Instead of paying $99 each I paid $8 each for new fluid. Alysia helped with 2 and Ty did one to learn. The old fluid was really bad so it was good to do. I had only one casualty of a wheel cylinder on the Uncle Larry and it was only $25 to replace. So still a big win. Alysia changed the tires and learned lots more as she helped me and did a bunch to learn. We got our hands dirty but it was good. 

I caulked up the porch and patio so now I can call those done. 

I also helped mom by doing the outside of all the windows including the gross bottom tracks and side channels that had tons of bugs growing. Yuck!  

Love you forever. 

Dad

3 John 1:4