Discovery

What a week of discovery this has been. It started with the fun time watching Ty learn about programs at BYU and trying to see him figure out what he would like to study, and where he would like to go to school. I found it intriguing to see when he was no hum, and when his wry smile would come out at things he found intriguing to his mind. I found a number of them very interesting also and used the time to try and discover areas where Emerson and BYU could work closer together. Like co-op placements and MBA internships. 

Then I discovered that I am pathetically inept in aerobic activity as I tried to hike the Y. Made it just fine but was sucking wind after not too far. At least I felt better when so many others had to break also. Strength was fine, just out of wind fast. But it was the first time I had been up to it so it was nice to do. And fun with Ty and Kieren. 

I then discovered that it is very discomforting to stay up until 2 AM, and then try to sleep on a plane. Which was not good for me. I got maybe 30 mins. So when I got home around 11 I was tired, hungry (mom took such good care of me as always), and sick. I did not get feeling better until Saturday. 

Today I discovered that daily, personal, meaningful prayer and gospel study is a remarkable guard in life. Add that to following given counsel and being true to covenants and you will see that lasting joy is around every corner. Even as we travel through tough times. The Lord is so pleased when we make steps towards Him. He really is intent upon our personal growth and development. Days like today are both invigorating and exhausting. Contradicting I know, but they are such lifting days but I am worn out mentally, physically, and spiritually. I yearn to help others make the changes they so desire in their lives. The atonement really is an enabling way to become better than we are now.  To be the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ. 

I had vivid memories today of Norway and the people there. I reflected back on being able to talk to my mission president on Monday. While Ty and Kieren took the general tour, I sat down with him. What a flood of memories that we shared about Trondheim and serving there. The branch president really wanted a youth program to help out the branch, but had no one that could do it.  He asked President Peterson for missionaries to help. "You got it, what else" was the reply. "Well, I need someone to teach Sunday School to those youth". Same reply. "We need to have Sunday firesides to give them another opportunity to learn the gospel". Again, same reply. So my companion and I started working with the youth. At first it was just a few. But each time President Peterson would come into the area ere would be many more. From 10 to 20 to 30 and more. All in a small branch. And I discovered that this small start was the beginning of a season that continues where youth have grown, joined the church, served missions, and are the leadership in that area now. I remember the activity nights when we started and having fun along with a spiritual lesson.  And the firesides in the missionaries large apartment (6 of us living there, nicest place by far my whole mission) where we had interactive discussions, taught the gospel, and followed a pattern that is much like the come follow me curriculum of today. It was a most fulfilling time as we could see real progress.  

Serving others really does an amazing thing as you leave yourself and help others, your joy fills up and you are happier than when you try to be happy by serving only yourself. This is the same concept in marriage. As you do all you can to serve your spouse, you become happier. Even if you don't "get" what you originally thought was needed, wanted, desired etc. 

You all make me so happy, please make choices hat bring you closer to Christ every day. 

Love you forever,

Dad

3 John 1:4

Discovery

What a week of discovery this has been. It started with the fun time watching Ty learn about programs at BYU and trying to see him figure out what he would like to study, and where he would like to go to school. I found it intriguing to see when he was no hum, and when his wry smile would come out at things he found intriguing to his mind. I found a number of them very interesting also and used the time to try and discover areas where Emerson and BYU could work closer together. Like co-op placements and MBA internships. 

Then I discovered that I am pathetically inept in aerobic activity as I tried to hike the Y. Made it just fine but was sucking wind after not too far. At least I felt better when so many others had to break also. Strength was fine, just out of wind fast. But it was the first time I had been up to it so it was nice to do. And fun with Ty and Kieren. 

I then discovered that it is very discomforting to stay up until 2 AM, and then try to sleep on a plane. Which was not good for me. I got maybe 30 mins. So when I got home around 11 I was tired, hungry (mom took such good care of me as always), and sick. I did not get feeling better until Saturday. 

Today I discovered that daily, personal, meaningful prayer and gospel study is a remarkable guard in life. Add that to following given counsel and being true to covenants and you will see that lasting joy is around every corner. Even as we travel through tough times. The Lord is so pleased when we make steps towards Him. He really is intent upon our personal growth and development. Days like today are both invigorating and exhausting. Contradicting I know, but they are such lifting days but I am worn out mentally, physically, and spiritually. I yearn to help others make the changes they so desire in their lives. The atonement really is an enabling way to become better than we are now.  To be the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ. 

I had vivid memories today of Norway and the people there. I reflected back on being able to talk to my mission president on Monday. While Ty and Kieren took the general tour, I sat down with him. What a flood of memories that we shared about Trondheim and serving there. The branch president really wanted a youth program to help out the branch, but had no one that could do it.  He asked President Peterson for missionaries to help. "You got it, what else" was the reply. "Well, I need someone to teach Sunday School to those youth". Same reply. "We need to have Sunday firesides to give them another opportunity to learn the gospel". Again, same reply. So my companion and I started working with the youth. At first it was just a few. But each time President Peterson would come into the area ere would be many more. From 10 to 20 to 30 and more. All in a small branch. And I discovered that this small start was the beginning of a season that continues where youth have grown, joined the church, served missions, and are the leadership in that area now. I remember the activity nights when we started and having fun along with a spiritual lesson.  And the firesides in the missionaries large apartment (6 of us living there, nicest place by far my whole mission) where we had interactive discussions, taught the gospel, and followed a pattern that is much like the come follow me curriculum of today. It was a most fulfilling time as we could see real progress.  

Serving others really does an amazing thing as you leave yourself and help others, your joy fills up and you are happier than when you try to be happy by serving only yourself. This is the same concept in marriage. As you do all you can to serve your spouse, you become happier. Even if you don't "get" what you originally thought was needed, wanted, desired etc. 

You all make me so happy, please make choices hat bring you closer to Christ every day. 

Love you forever,

Dad

3 John 1:4

Pleasing

I had the distinct pleasure today to experience what Alma experienced as he described it in Alma 17:2. Read it and see. 

We went to church at the Heatheridge 2nd ward. It was nice to see so many families that we knew and grew up with as you all were young. We actually heard the pre-mission talk of Isaac Mefford. Wow, didn't realize he would be going on his mission now. 

We saw so many families and what amazed me is that I could envision in my mind the YM that I served with in that ward so many years ago. And so many remembered us and asked about all of you. Ty and Kieren didn't really know too many, Kieren remembered some things, but Ty really nothing. 

We saw the sister who did music junction. Remember that Skjelse?  I pointed her out to Kieren.  And I showed Kieren the primary room where Gavin would do somersaults and then bolt for the door. What memories. We drove Ty around the ward, all 3 1/2 streets!  Ty got to have the priests lesson from JB Bartholomew who got called today as YM president. 

On the way out to Utah we stopped at Cinnamon Ridge farms, where Kieren's friend Kara lives. She gave us a great tour including the robots who milk the cows. I think Ty and I enjoyed that. 

Then we drove for 19 hours to get to Utah at 12:30AM. Long day but fun to ride with Kieren and Ty. But I miss mom and Lys too. 

We got together with the whole smith family clan tonight. Skjelse you would be proud of our sociality. Most were there and it was fun to catch up with them. The worst part for me, but Kieren loved it was the updated snake tour. I am just not a fan. Makes me queasy. 

Tomorrow Ty will tour BYU and one of the colleges for more info. I am going to visit with my mission president for a bit while they are on the general tour. Then we get the Uncle Ole tour in the afternoon. That will be fun. 

I also reflected this morning with Uncle Dave about how we both were pre-warned before we were called as bishop. We both knew ahead by personal revelation before we were called into the stake presidents office. It was interesting to discuss the similarities. 

I hope you all had a great week. It is a pleasure being dad. 

Love you forever,

Dad

3 John 1:4

The Sabbath Day

This week I had a bishopric training and then our ward council on improving Sabbath day observance.  We had some great discussions and then some specific ideas on how we can improve that in our ward.  We had some video clips of the training the general authorities received just before last conference.

As you think of either our ward specific, or the Sabbath in general what ideas do you have that I could use?  What things should/could change, and how, to improve the Sabbath day?  There is a great focus to develop greater faith in Christ through improved Sabbath day observance.  This will go on for the next few years so I am looking for lots of ideas that we can use over time.  They can be grand or just small.  But all leads to improving the Sabbath.

I am realizing that the family not being in school is a bad influence on me.  We stayed up until 12 last night, and I had to be up at 5 to get ready for early meetings.  Not a smart way to live!  But I will keep blaming it on everyone else staying up to have fun.  Not that this excuse holds much water as most of the days last week Ty and Alysia got up around 5 to get ready, and Kieren still gets up with me at 6 for work.  

This week starts school and seminary so we will be up at 5:25 at the latest.  But I am still going to try and console myself by blaming the rest of the family for my staying up late. :)

At the end of this week we are driving Kieren out to BYU and taking Ty so he can have a BYU tour.  I don't know that I am looking forward to 24 hrs driving, but it will be fun to be with Kieren and Ty.  We are stopping at Kieren's friend's house on the way, so our second day will be an 18 hr deal.  I hope I like car travel!

I pondered today the way the Savior loves regardless of the individual.  It is easy for us to love those like us, and to feel compassion for those that follow our same patterns.  But when we have true Christlike love for those very different, or with different behaviors, or with diverse backgrounds that make then in a very different "world" that us, that is when we are truly working the way the Savior works.  Helping and loving them just because we want to see them lifted to a higher level.

I hope you all take the chance to reach out to others around you.  Follow the promptings you receive, large and small, and follow through.  Simple acts can make a big difference in peoples lives.

Love you forever,

Dad

3 John 1:4