Extra Letter

Just a few thoughts as you seemed discouraged last letter. And I loved all you wrote. You don't have to say anything special, just write about what you are doing the work you are trying. You bring me much joy!

Remember that you will NEVER regret being 100% obedient. Even when others are not. Do not stoop to their level, but with humility do as you are asked and entrusted. The Lord will bless you in ways you don't know now. Things will happen to you throughout your life because of how you serve Him now. 

It can be discouraging when your hard work seems to come to nothing but remember you are successful when you testify and invite. Always invite them to make and keep a commitment. 

And pray hard for a positive outlook and you will see His hand in your life. I pray for you daily to teach with power. I know you are doing a great work. 

We pray for your investigators also. 

I remember one of my most frustrating days that also turned into one of the most fun and memorable. We had been teaching a great family. Just as you always dream of. Then that day they decided not to go further. I could tell they knew of its truth but could not make the change in their lives at that time. It was such a drain. We so looked forward to each visit with them and planned so carefully our messages tailored just for them. 

After that we went out into the bitter cold, and we felt it. (You can have the stifling heat instead of the bitter cold!). As we made our way back towards the bus stop to go home I slipped and fell and slid down a long long alley covered in ice. By the time I got to the bottom I was so drained that all I could do was laugh. I actually hung onto a fence line and climbed back up the alley to do it again. As I got home what I could feel was His love for me. 

Honestly Gav, this weird night changed my life. It was the time that I changed from struggling to knowing I was doing what He wanted and felt his love so strong I knew who I was and knew that I could not deny what I knew.  Times did not get easier, but I had changed. 

I pray that you will find for yourself what you need in your heart. I know you can. I am so pleased that you are working to buck the tide you say is there and remain obedient in every way. 

You are my son, and I am one proud papa. 

Dad

P.S. Enjoy the picture where it was all backwards (they drive on the left side in Hong Kong)

Boldly, Nobly, And Independent

So you know the standard of truth. The Prophet Joseph Smith said In the Wentworth letter "the Standard of Truth has been erected; no unhallowed hand can stop the work from progressing; persecutions may rage, mobs may combine, armies may assemble, calumny may defame, but the truth of God will go forth boldly, nobly, and independent, till it has penetrated every continent, visited every clime, swept every country, and sounded in every ear, till the purposes of God shall be accomplished, and the Great Jehovah shall say the work is done."

I saw evidence of this again this week. As I was in the Hong along temple I spoke to one of workers there. Another Asian man had just passed the other way on his way out as I was coming in the dressing room. The brother told me that was the branch president in Guangzhou. I had just come from Zhongshan which is the same area by an hour or two. (And that is traffic, the distance is fairly close). He told me of how the branch was doing and I thought of the branch I had been attending in Shanghai. Then he said a few things that made me flinch. I suddenly realized I likely was wrong. I then asked him if this was the PRC branch. The people's republic of China or actual Chinese citizens. Indeed it was. They had 52 baptisms recently and now had over a hundred people meeting for church. The party officer had just visited and told them they had too many meeting and had to break up the group. We are so blessed to live in a country where we can assemble as we wish. But in following the law they are now setting up two branches. The work is going forth independently when we are still not officially allowed to do any work outside of local citizens talking to their friends. The expat branch I go to takes great lengths as do all expat branches in China to NOT proselyte as we have been directed. But it goes forth without anyone's help but His. 

My trip back home from leaving the factory in Zhongshan to getting home was around 38 hours. Augh. But the early part was great because instead of waiting at the airport for 10 hours I went into Hong Kong and went to a session at the temple. It was really great. A unique building and a one time experience. The session was in Cantonese as I listened on headphones in English. I had to wait a while as I missed the earlier session by about 30 mins but I just sat outside in their courtyard and had time to ponder and relax. I was so pleased to be able to finally see it and attend. 

I watched an interesting documentary on the way over to China. Called Mayan Blue it was all about a sunken city they found in a lake below some volcanic mountains. They found walls and courtyards and believe it to be a worship center of the area. It was fairly interesting until it went amazing to me as they said through their research, discovery, and interviews about ancient records that this was buried about 2000 years ago. Snap, wouldn't you just know that we have a record in the Book of Mormon that tells all about such cities that were buried at the time of Christ's death. It is neat to see discoveries that reinforce what I already know. 

My trip was well spent I. What I learned and accomplished, getting really good meetings that allowed us to get common understanding in a few hours that would have taken months if we were not face to face. And then I was able to get some better learning as I toured a high performing electronics factory and see in action many of the things I have been learning in my class. This was in strong contrast to earlier in the week when a different factory manager wanted a bunch of cash to buy equipment that he thought would solve his problems but in this high performing one, they actually avoided spending cash by being smarter in what they do. They got over 20% more done with the same people and equipment. It's amazing what people can do. 

Take the time to study something you have before believed and strengthen what you already knew. 

Love you forever,

Dad

3 John 1:4

There's no place like home

I am trying to turn over a new leaf and so I took both Thu and Fri off when Kieren came home. When I travel for work I am trying to take the days around it off if I am gone for a weekend day. 

It was a great time to be at home. Friday we went to the temple and that was just amazing. We were stuck in traffic and so were late for the session, but they put us in sealings. It turned out to be a real blessing. It was truly neat to experience and we did some large families all at the same time. We also learned a great deal while being there. 

I am on the way to Lebanon Mo for a training class this week. As we drove through St. Louis I saw the arch and thought of mom. And her band trip stories she has always shared with us. 

We got to hear from Austin at sacrament today. He had a wonderful message and it was great to hear a bit of his mission. It will be awesome to hear from Kieren in a few weeks and all the stories she will weave in to bring the talk to life. 

After that in gospel principles we had Joy ask another honest question about the form God is. It was wonderful to have the missionaries, Kieren, Lauren and Austin in there to hear all the unique insights to help everyone learn. 

I was showing Kieren about cars and we changed a sway bar link grommet. Wouldn't you know it but that simple thing turned ugly fast. First the lugnut would not tighten. So when undoing it it actually broke off. I took it to a shop and found it has a strange type of assembly (captive rotor) and instead of a simple stud bolt replacement it would be $300. No thanks, I will look into that. So I research and decide I can do this. I get it mostly apart and have only one nut left to go. But it is the axle nut and is large. I borrow a 36mm socket and proceed to bend my high dollar breaker bar trying to break it loose. I used special fluid, I even used heat from a torch. But nothing. Finally in desperation I actually had to grind the nut and the end of the shaft off. So instead of a $5 fix I had to buy a $60 shaft also. Then on putting back together the tie rod end would not allow the cotter pin back. So then I had to get a new tie rod end. What should have been a couple hours turned into 6-7 hours. But in the end I feel blessed that I know how to do them (or can remind and learn from the amazing web) and that we still have a great deal of a car and I still spent less than the shop would have charged. Plus they would have had the same issues and charged me for more parts and labor. 

Skjelse, it was so nice to see you end of this week. 

Kieren, what a pleasure to have you home. That is for bringing me so much joy. 

Gavin, we keep praying for you and your investigators. I hope this week is better in your outcomes but always remember how you can know if you are successful. (Look in what is my purpose section of PMG). 

On Saturday afternoon we actually got to see Ty At his science Olympiad regionals. That was a treat since usually you cannot "spectate". So we had fun watching his mission possible and then the awards ceremony. Ty got a first, second and third place for his events, and Centerville is the regions champ. Yea Ty. Mom even wanted to document that he put his arm around a girl!  Really he was just being kind and appropriate for the picture as a team mate. But we had fun laughing about it. 

Finally we had a fun time on Pi day at the church then Ty brought friends home for more pie. Once in a century event and it was fun to celebrate. 

Work hard again this week, and pray hard. 

Love you, 

Dad

3 John 1:4

Is It I?

I read today again Pres. Uchtdorf's talk on self examination. What an insightful consideration to think of as we go through our lives. I though how this, like so many of the principles taught in the Gospel apply not just to life at church, or even to family life, but there is wisdom in this for my professional experiences also. Think of his words as he relates studies of human behavior where we are "painfully unaware" of our own shortcomings and weaknesses. We think we see the faults of others so easily and yet we are blind to our own. Mom and I have talked about this often working to try and see us as others would and consider if there are things we need to change. 

At work we periodically do what is referred to as a 360. It is an extensive study, by others, on our behaviors and how we lead, work, interact etc. this gives us anonymous and valuable feedback to our actions. 

The same happens when we are coached by a mentor, or when we get feedback from our supervisor. Do I listen closely to the things they are telling me? Do I carefully consider that they might be saying softly something that is a real flaw but they are not direct in it to avoid hard feelings?  Do I look for the meaning between words at what I can improve? And then most importantly do I do anything about it. At this time I try to follow the comment from a few conferences back. In my efforts to make change "shall I falter or shall I finish?"  

Finally in real life at work I get annual performance reviews. I have tried hard to ask my supervisors more and more over the years to be very frank with me. I appreciate the positive feedback and it does make me feel good about what I do. But I have really sought out what do I need to change. Where am I short of their expectations?  This becomes a valuable tool for the next year to become a better person. 

Pres.  Uchtdorf  gave some wise counsel that I recommend we all follow. In the words of the scriptures and the talks at conference, hold ourselves up to them as a measure, ask ourselves the simple question, "Lord, is it I?"  

This past week I was at a training, week 2 of 3, learning about lean business. In short the effort to remove wasted activity from what we do, and bring out the best value of everything we do. We learned a great deal of some "tools" that can help in these efforts. Small and often short ways we can identify and then act on things found to improve our business results. It was quite informative. The struggle I have had is this is based out of a manufacturing situation it the efforts I and plenty of others do is in an office setting. So I spent a great deal of mental energy trying to see how we can apply these things in our setting to still make the most value of all we do. For example my project identified a big gap in how long it takes us to get ideas to the point where we can finalize a new product and get it ready for production. And so we are implementing some new processes that will make visual for all to see key things they will help things go faster. Making things easily seen is one of the tools we studied. When you lower the water in a river it is easier to see and avoid the rocks underneath. They are always there, but if the water is so high we never see them and avoid or removed them. So it was a good training. I did not like that it was away from home so I missed everyone a lot. 

I was home late Thursday/Friday AM and stayed home from work Friday. Then Saturday I had to leave home at 5AM for a flight to China again. I will get back Saturday afternoon. I don't like traveling so much. I am a home body and like it there. There is so much to be gained by being around those most important at home. 

Consider a self examination this week. Dig deep and accept what you find, and what you are prompted by the Holy Ghost, then make a plan to act. He will help you become something better. I know that is the case. 

Love you forever. 

Dad

3 John 1:4

Is It I?

I read today again Pres. Uchtdorf's talk on self examination. What an insightful consideration to think of as we go through our lives. I though how this, like so many of the principles taught in the Gospel apply not just to life at church, or even to family life, but there is wisdom in this for my professional experiences also. Think of his words as he relates studies of human behavior where we are "painfully unaware" of our own shortcomings and weaknesses. We think we see the faults of others so easily and yet we are blind to our own. Mom and I have talked about this often working to try and see us as others would and consider if there are things we need to change. 

At work we periodically do what is referred to as a 360. It is an extensive study, by others, on our behaviors and how we lead, work, interact etc. this gives us anonymous and valuable feedback to our actions. 

The same happens when we are coached by a mentor, or when we get feedback from our supervisor. Do I listen closely to the things they are telling me? Do I carefully consider that they might be saying softly something that is a real flaw but they are not direct in it to avoid hard feelings?  Do I look for the meaning between words at what I can improve? And then most importantly do I do anything about it. At this time I try to follow the comment from a few conferences back. In my efforts to make change "shall I falter or shall I finish?"  

Finally in real life at work I get annual performance reviews. I have tried hard to ask my supervisors more and more over the years to be very frank with me. I appreciate the positive feedback and it does make me feel good about what I do. But I have really sought out what do I need to change. Where am I short of their expectations?  This becomes a valuable tool for the next year to become a better person. 

Pres.  Uchtdorf  gave some wise counsel that I recommend we all follow. In the words of the scriptures and the talks at conference, hold ourselves up to them as a measure, ask ourselves the simple question, "Lord, is it I?"  

This past week I was at a training, week 2 of 3, learning about lean business. In short the effort to remove wasted activity from what we do, and bring out the best value of everything we do. We learned a great deal of some "tools" that can help in these efforts. Small and often short ways we can identify and then act on things found to improve our business results. It was quite informative. The struggle I have had is this is based out of a manufacturing situation it the efforts I and plenty of others do is in an office setting. So I spent a great deal of mental energy trying to see how we can apply these things in our setting to still make the most value of all we do. For example my project identified a big gap in how long it takes us to get ideas to the point where we can finalize a new product and get it ready for production. And so we are implementing some new processes that will make visual for all to see key things they will help things go faster. Making things easily seen is one of the tools we studied. When you lower the water in a river it is easier to see and avoid the rocks underneath. They are always there, but if the water is so high we never see them and avoid or removed them. So it was a good training. I did not like that it was away from home so I missed everyone a lot. 

I was home late Thursday/Friday AM and stayed home from work Friday. Then Saturday I had to leave home at 5AM for a flight to China again. I will get back Saturday afternoon. I don't like traveling so much. I am a home body and like it there. There is so much to be gained by being around those most important at home. 

Consider a self examination this week. Dig deep and accept what you find, and what you are prompted by the Holy Ghost, then make a plan to act. He will help you become something better. I know that is the case. 

Love you forever. 

Dad

3 John 1:4

100%

I have been reflecting on our stake priesthood meeting this week. A returned missionary from Japan talked about a time when they found a man who had seen the missionaries and wanted them to talk to him but they never did. Then Elder Arata was on exchanges and doing what he was told, talk to 100% of the people you pass on the street. The companion said they usually take to some people but not all, well this "all" made the difference and the man eventually accepted the gospel through his study. 

Today I was with the zone leaders, Pres. Valencia and Pres. Porter. Pres.  Porter was speaking and he said "those who follow this baptize a ton" speaking of talking to 100% of those you pass, and then continued, "those who don't, well" and then he paused, "it's a long day."  He then finished with "it's universal, it applies everywhere."  So, talk to everyone you meet, don't leave anyone out because you never know who will need to hear from you. For Kieren and Gavin it's imperative. For the rest of us you never know who needs a lift from something we might say. Smile, say hello (or howdy if your me!) and just bring a lift of positiveness to everyone. 

I also have experienced a bit of disappointment and discouragement this week. I keep working on the cars to fix things wrong, and new things keep occurring or old ones just won't fix. I keep spending money I don't have trying to get it fixed, but I just keep getting beat down. It's like life. You can keep going I spite of challenges and swirling whirlwinds around you. I keep trying. But it's been hard to stay upbeat. I am running out of options and money. And still things to fix. But.....I did get some things fixed well and am happy about that. So we look to that which we do receive. I have to remember to always focus on the positive and work through the less than happy. 

Think of it like Helaman 5:12. And as you read that, then watch this video of a new object lesson we learned from Elder Rudd. Gavin, you may want to use this. If we build our life on a sure foundation (Christ) then even the hail and mighty storm will not hurt us. It takes faith but try it out, it works if you are on a sure foundation. 

The snow is melting like crazy with some reasonable weather. It was around 50 today. It's such a nice change. I washed two of the cars yesterday with it being so nice. They were plastered with road salt etc. so they really needed it. I sure don't do that much. Lysi helped me with buckets of clean water so I could rinse them after the wash. Then she helped me dry them so they wouldn't have all the spots. 

Work hard, talk to 100% no exceptions. Receive the witness after the trial of your faith. It will happen!

Love you forever,

Dad

3 John 1:4

Welcome Back

A welcome back to Skjelse who was gone for a while out to Hadley's wedding and saw all the family. Thanks for sending back some nice pictures to share. 

And I returned late Saturday night from Europe again. A very long week with travel and meetings but there was a bright spot. One of the people I travelled with really wanted to get to a chocolate factory store. So at a lunch while in Belgium we went over to Jacque's chocolate factory and I brought home some chocolate from Belgium. They are mighty tasty!  The officer at customs asked me if I brought anything back with me. When I told him chocolates he just said with a wry smile "are they tasty chocolates?"  I had to admit to him they were VERY tasty!  

We stayed at the airport in Düsseldorf Friday night so we could catch an early flight the next morning. As we walked through after returning the rental car we saw a pretty amazing sight. Take a look at the photos. No glue was used, just an amazing piece of work. It is a room about 12 X 12 and 8 feet tall. These things are taller than me.

I have to admit I did something I have wanted for a long time. The rental car was a BMW wagon, and a long section that we drove was the unlimited autobahn. So I floored it and I reached 199 km per hour. About 125 mph. It was so smooth in a car designed to do those speeds. 

Amazingly enough they cancelled church today. We still have no clue why since we just didn't think it was really that much snow. We shoveled our walk, Pete and Audrey's, then went over and did Spencer's, Rau's, Ozio's, two people we have no clue who they are but we're close to Ozio's (where we used to live) who were having real issues. I think they should not be allowed to drive in the snow. We also checked a bunch others to be sure they had been done but all of them had been. I felt like we were living the "pure religion is this, to visit the widow" and shovel their walks. :)

Kieren and Gavin, I thought you would like this dish presentation. It actually is chocolate mousse with lots of presentation around it. 

I got out of the car in a parking garage and met a sign that did not like me. So my head again has a few scars. I think in that respect I am becoming more and more like my father. 

Think this week of "which way do you face?"  It's a conference talk that I like. I also am teaching it in April so if you get any insights, please share. 

Kieren, you fly on the exact flights from São Paulo home as Austin. Look for him!

Love you forever. We love seeing you (Skjelse) and hearing from you. 

Dad

3 John 1:4