Great Pleasure

if I had to sum up this week, it would be that there are so many who take great pleasure in seeing me, saying "hi bishop" and then in some form or another smiling, cracking up, wryly smirking or such. They are finding it a great treat to take pleasure in saying that. It's been funny. In text, email, calls, or in person. I have found it amusing. 

I had a great week in Natchitoches Louisiana for my final week of lean champions training. All about making business better arranged, taking out wasted time of what we do, and making everything more effective. It was actually very good and I learned a great deal for the past few months. I still have some work on my project that we had to do. And then after that I have to do another major project that will take 3-4 months and then I can be crowned a true lean champion. It is great for my learning, and should help my career also. They talk about the 8 deadly wastes, defects, over production, waiting, not using employee talents, transportation, inventory, motion, and excess processing. And everyone kept ribbing me this week because they said I added a 9th. Sleeping!  Just because I drifted off one day (OK 2 days) for a few minutes during class. I was so wasted after getting 4 hrs of sleep the first night from delayed flights and crazy AM conference calls, and the next day the same calls (5:30 AM) and I woke up 6 times in the night. So I had no sleep.  But it was all good and I gained so much. They talk about "learning to see" the waste. And I used a quote from Brother Partlow of the seminaries that everyone really liked. "The more you imagine the ideal circumstance, the more ideal the circumstance becomes."

Skjelse and Jeff came by last night. It was great. Jeff made great fun of me as they came over as I was watching HGTV and eating toast. Everyone else had gone places and I was home alone. Jeff pinned me on being a lame bachelor as I was alone and how pathetic it was since mom had only been gone one day. Guilty as charged!  But I was hungry, I needed something and the rest entailed so much work. What was I to do?

Today really was great. We had a broadcast conference that was awesome and in the afternoon I went to Spencer's with Ty (yup Gavin, they gave us ice cream on the way out, it was a vanilla/chocolate mixed ice cream sandwich, yum, yum) and then had our first bishopric meeting. It was great, they are all such good people. Then I got to do temple recommend interviews for a new convert for their first time, and for a young adult that is doing so well. It was a pleasure to be a part of that. It's a great blessing to go to the temple and to help others just doubles it up. 

Yesterday Nathan Zimmerman got baptized. It made me reminisce that I am now bishop for their youngest, and for our youngest (Lys) it was bishop Zimmerman. He was so smiley and happy. Like Lys was that day. 

All of this made me think back to my first area in Norway. Aalesund was a great place, so many memories. I was companions with the elder that was branch president. I remember each week we would go to a members home and have seminary with the youth there. So we were seminary teachers, sacrament speakers, set up, tear down, Sunday school teachers, the whole works. It was neat to remember meeting upstairs in a building downtown, and how small it felt the first week, but getting to love it as I served there. The first time I spoke was so hard as it was only my 2nd or 3rd week in the country. But I tried, did my best, and was grateful to get it behind me!  That is the town where I learned all about kicks (the sled type transportation I have told you about), that kids went to school on cross country skis, and that God really knew me and wanted me to have the best. 

That is also where I got more drenched Than I have ever been in my life. It was a dark and stormy night, 2 elders at at a bus stop. Tell me a story said one, ......whoops, it was a dark and stormy night though!  I recall having my umbrella directly sideways behind me trying to stop the rain that was just horizontal. It did not seem like it was coming down at all, just over. When we finally got off the last bus stop (which was nice that is was so close to our house) we were so wet, it was just gross. I had on a full overcoat, suit, shirt etc. and it as all just like I had been in a pool. That is where I lived the movie experience and actually took off my shoes, turned them up, and water poured out as they were just full of water. And I had avoided all the puddles. It was a wonderful time I will never forget. Miserable if all you had was earthly mindset, but given what I was there for, it is a cherished memory that was so fun to me. I felt like I was really experiencing Norway like a Norwegian. 

I also had my first experience of having a members name come clear and direct to me, saying you need to meet with so and so, get it arranged now.  It was a deep impression that I needed to do that and get with them. Heavenly Father knows all of us, and He will take care of us if we let Him. I just have to be sure I listen, follow, and stay out of His way as He does His work. 

Thank you for bringing me so much joy. It is a pleasure to be a father. 

Love you forever,

Dad

3 John 1:4

Bishop Smith

So as a follow up to my letter a couple weeks back, I wanted to share some additional revelation that I was blessed to receive. As you can guess the prior story was trying to know who He wanted as my councilors. It was a miracle to witness His work as He gave me the answers in His timing. 

But this precedes the issuing of the call by about two weeks. We have known for a while that the Molgards are moving. We will miss them and they have been very good to us. With that knowledge we knew that we would get a new bishop. I began to conjecture who it could be and saw dozens of good men that would make wonderful bishops. I realized at that time I could be considered but quickly shrugged that off knowing how many good men there were to call. That was about two months ago. 

Then about two weeks ago I made my trip to China. It was a long and exhausting trip and to top it off I had an experience that made it very difficult for work. While I was there I had my mind wander to the departing bishop and knowing a new one would be called. I had clear impressions that I was going to be called as the bishop. The best I can describe it is a feeling of utter despair. Not worldly despair, not even spiritual despair, but the despair of feeling completely incapable and overwhelmed. It is a trust I never imagined I would undertake from Him. This crushing weight pushed upon me for 2-3 days during this trip. I was really bothered by this and tried to explain in my mind that it couldn't be me and used every justification to rid it from my mind. But it kept coming back. This continued as I made my way to the Hong Kong temple. As I sat outside in the courtyard I pondered on this a great deal. I figured if it was to be, I might as well start working on my councilors. So I reviewed the ward list and began to scan for those to prayerfully consider. As I did so I had such a stupor of thought. I did not understand. So I began to justify again that since I could get no help, it must not be me after all. After some added time I began to lose that despair and the burden was lifted. By the time I left the session at the temple I felt great and was full of joy. 

While I was in China I got a text also from Pres.  Valencia asking if we were going to be around during conference weekend. This only served to fuel the fire I described earlier. 

Forward a few days and I had heard nothing, so I really felt I had just thought wrong and the strong impressions must have been my own doing. 

But then Thursday near the end of my work day I get a text. "Are you and Val available this evening even though I cancelled PEC?"  It was from Pres.  Valencia. Not from the executive secretary but personally from him. Now I am not in despair, but all the feeling and knowledge returns and I know what is coming. Even though he was calling another counselor in the stake presidency I knew what it was. But because I have been wrong so many times in my life I was hesitant to acknowledge or say anything. 

I should mention Pres. Valencia had called me a few weeks back, again personally and not through the executive secretary. He just wanted to meet. That was my first inclination what was happening, but I convinced myself it was just a PPI for my high council calling. We met during the Centerville third hour since that was the only time he had and I was willing to flex to his needs. It was a nice chat but I knew he was just working to get revelation to confirm a choice that he would recommend to the first presidency. 

During the meeting with him (nearly two hours that went by soooo fast) he asked a few direct questions, then when affirmative he called in Val and asked if I had had any feeling as of late. I told him I had some strong impressions. He asked me what they were but I was hesitant to acknowledge what they were. So he went on, shared the letter of authorization from the first presidency he had received that day (hence the text to meet that night since he had to wait for the letter of authorization). After extending the calling, and our acceptance (which we will always do, we know the truth of this work and will never doubt it) he asked if that matched the feelings I had had. With tears forming all I could do was nod and let out a quiet "yes."  A perfect match. I am overwhelmed at the way he prepared me and allowed me to work through the "despair" prior to the call so I would be more ready to move forward in faith. I have a very bright future because my faith is bright. I know it is His work, and with Him at the helm, I can do His work. I am still humbled but I know He is guiding it. Especially and again after the experience selecting counsellors to be requested. 

I had a wonderful day and am pleased to be ordained a bishop. I hope I can do all He asks me to do. 

LOVE you all so much. Please keep me in your prayers. 

Dad

3 John 1:4

The Parable Of The Rusted Nut

Wow, what a week.  Work was crazy and most days saw too much to do, and not enough time.  But it was really fun to carpool with Kieren to work and back.  It seems like she is learning a lot that she will use during the summer at the internship.

We also had a fantastic Bishop's Youth Discussion tonight and we got to go because Kieren was on the panel of the 5 RM's that answered questions that had been submitted.  It was very fun, funny, amazing and just all round awesome to be there.  Everyone had such different but similar experiences.  Austin, Kiana, Lauren, Kieren, Miranda.

So this past week we had the Mountaineer have a really loud and odd noise.  As I tried to listen I could not tell where it came from, but in the way the sound acted, I believed it to be something with exhaust and not the internal engine.  Hoping it was reasonable I took it to a shop for a diagnosis.  They found the noise internally in one of the three catalytic converters.  I thought there was only one!  And I know they are not cheap.  Estimate?  Over $1300.  Die on the spot!

So there is no way I can do that, so I return home tail between legs.  I research and find I can get the parts for around $500.  So I think, well if they will do the work I can get the parts and save $4-500.  So I call them the next day and discuss it, but they really won't do that.  They don't want to risk with other's parts.  So I figure, well, I can make this happen.  So I set to work, I get underneath the car and get out my long breaker bar and all.  I put it on the bolts form the manifold to the exhaust and tuuuuuuuggggg.  Not a thing.  It won't move at all.  I spray it with PB blaster, wait an hour and uuugggghhhh.  Nothing.  No budge at all.  Once again tail between legs.  I hate it when something gets the better of me.  I take it back to the place and see if they will just break the 4 bolts at the manifold.  The rest I can get (all the O2 sensors or the muffler bolts that I know I will just cut off and replace, but the manifold ones you can't do that to).  After some pleading and talking, they agree to just work the 4 bolts.  I leave it overnight, and the next day they call.  "We got the lower right bolt but the rest won't move.  And we don't want the liability of we break the bolt off in the manifold".  So I am stuck again.  

So here is the parable.  I bring it home and set to work.  The bolts are so rusted in place, and are hardened and impenetrable.  They won't let anything inside and refuse to change.  For nearly a week I went out and sprayed them with PB blaster, and then used an impact wrench and breaker bar on them.  Each day I did this 3 times (before work, right when I get home, and right before bed).  After two days I got one of them to budge.  I think "oh, no, I just broke it", but no, it actually moved.  And I get it off.  What did it take?  Patience, constant effort, faith that the PB blaster and the constant movement would eventually loosen the nut.  The next day one more, and then 2 days later the last.  I felt like a champion!  But this process took time, patience and a willingness to keep trying even when it looked like it was doing nothing.  I just had to believe and keep at it.  

And the 2nd analogy, it's the PB blaster.  Even when something looks and acts impenetrable when you have the right tools and patience, anything can be penetrated.   That hard and crusted rust, no matter how bad it looked, eventually allowed that PB blaster to work it's way in and slowly loosen the elements.  Little by little allowing penetration to loosen years of build up and eventually free the nut.

You can let your mind race with additional details.  But it was insightful to me. 

I hope you enjoyed the picture of Alan, we had such a nice time seeing him and his family.  After we had been at their house for some hours on Saturday, the Elders called and needed help fixing a bike they could not ride.  So I picked them up, got their bike, and in only 15 mins had their bike fixed and tuned up.  Amazing what tools and knowledge does.

We had such a great time listening to Kieren's talk today, what a wonderful use of principle woven with stories to illustrate and witness to back it all up.  Thanks for the great message Kieren!

Gavin, We hope the baptism went well, and that you really love seeing people make their lives better through Christ.

It was so fun to see Skjelse and Jeff at church for a little while.  Since I missed them at home earlier I was glad to see you.  

Work hard and learn all you can this week.  The glory of God is intelligence!

Love you forever,

Dad

3 John 1:4

In His Own Time

It is a wonder to me how He works but to quote a friend recently, "it becomes more and more apparent that the best idea is to try and not get in the way as the Lord does his work."

I was working in my calling and really trying to get some revelation for it. The first half came nearly immediately after I received some counsel. I was surprised by how powerful a feeling it was and that it repeated every time I doubted or wanted to be sure. He was truly patient with me on that one, asking again and again. But the 2nd half was much more work and I had to work according to His time. I was working hard and really pushing to have the right answer. I kept going back to the same answer over and over, seeming to think that was an answer, but when I would pray to verify, I always was unsettled. So I would review options again, rethink the assignment, and work it again. Same thing over and over. But then I felt prompted to go to a youth baptism. Not really sure why, but we went and it was very nice. But while I was there, and not really considering the previous need for revelation, the revelation came very powerful and VERY direct. The answer was given to me. I just had to wait for His timetable to get the answer. But He did answer. 

It was a great lesson to learn right before going into conference sessions. They were so wonderful. I really liked the priesthood session and especially Elder Ballard's talk. I also liked how they used so many analogies to things I could understand. It really is one of the best weekends of the year. 

I had a very short week at work. I stayed home Monday and Tuesday to "compensate" for being gone for the prior two weekends traveling for work. I had a good time with mom and the rest at home as they were on spring break. Then Friday we were closed for Good Friday so I only had to work two days. And they were actually "quiet" days so I got a lot of loose ends and miscellaneous things cleared up which felt good. Especially since I have a jam packed week coming up and will have very little time to do anything besides the things of the week. Just keeping up with emails etc will take all I have. 

I hope you got what you were looking for out of conference. I love listening again to the talks and continuing to learn. I wrote down a few that will be the first ones I listen to again. I am so grateful that they are available so quickly for our reference. 

I recall on my mission the heartache knowing it was conference weekend but we did not get it broadcast to Norway. We just had to wait for about 8 weeks for the Ensign to be published, then wait another 4 weeks or so for a parent to mail it to us. I remember being in a basement apartment (a nice one really, roomiest of my mission except Trondheim) in Porsgrunn when the Ensign finally came. I recall using all our study time to read it and try to learn the messages. It was like Christmas morning as a little child to get that gift. It changed my whole attitude on conference from then on. I learned to treasure the opportunity to watch, listen, or read conference. 

We went to Amish country, quite the adventure as I am sure mom will tell you about (for those that were not with us) but while there I found an item just for you Gavin. Look at the photo!  A soda I know you would appreciate. 

We also saw some Amish artists wood carvings. 3D out of a single block of wood. Take a look, they were phenomenal in their detail and I was impressed by the skill. 

Love you forever,

Dad

3 John 1:4