Crossing the threshold

I had a great week but the end of the week was even better. I was gone all week for work, and I am so glad to be back home. I love it here. I really am a homebody. 

It was really nice last night to talk to Skjelse for so long. It was so nice to hear such a positive outlook regardless of the circumstances. Sometimes we just have to be grateful IN our circumstances. 

While I was away I was able to get a bunch of Belgian chocolate from the factory close by our work there. It's the factory blems that I get but they are delicious. We have to be careful to eat it slowly!

While headed out to a dinner we stopped at the American cemetery monument at Henri-Chappell. As we walked toward the burial grounds we went through a pillar and roof section and when we crossed the threshold the most remarkable spirit washed over me. It was so unexpected and so powerful. It was a sacred experience to reflect upon the nearly 8,000 dead buried there, and the additional nearly 5,000 that are missing in action that are engraved on the pillars. 

I even found one with the spelling like Skjelse for their last name. 

I didn't expect it to be much of a stop, but it had a very sacred feel and the way they kept the grounds was remarkable. What care they give it in respect for the fallen buried there. It was impeccable.  

We had a nice time doing a garage sale for Larry Scott. Not really a sale, it was a giveaway. So I spent my time trying to get people to take more stuff. It was funny. Tons of things from the 60's, 70's and 80's. Some seriously vintage stuff. We got people who wanted about 2/3 of it and then took the rest to goodwill. We also earmarked the value of it for the refugees in the area.  

I got to have a home cooked Italian meal when I was over in Europe. I work with Enrico Fracarri and he invited me over. I had asked him in the past what they really eat on a normal day. So we made the meal for me. It was wonderful. He, his wife and Matteo their baby. We had pasta with a tomato sauce with bacon and onion that tasted very different but really good. Then this dish (with picture) which I forgot the name but was really good. Thin cut veal topped with prosciutto and basil. The they fry it from one side, then just enough on the other to crispy it up good. It was wonderful.

 I learned in Italy they always have the correct order of dishes, and they do one dish at a time. Not all on the plate like we do. But do the pasta first, then meat, then salad, then sweet. Not necessarily all required, but in that order. It was very nice. 

I had a wonderful Sunday with great councils to help with direction and decisions. Bishopric, Ward council, and bishops youth council. All were really good today with open discussion and lots of input. I really like it when many will share their insight and viewpoints before we make decisions. We also had the primary program today. It's always a pleasure and fun to witness. I had to give closing remarks which I expected to be super short because I thought they would be way over. But they ended 15 minutes early. Scramble!!!  I took up about 5 or so on the spot but then just let us end early. But a really nice day. 

Love you forever,

Dad

3 John 1:4 (I got to use that in an interview today:))

Underlying Doctrine

I have pondered recently and seen come up multiple times this week, how so many things in life are misunderstood, become challenging, cause frustration or disappointment, harbor hurt, cause doubt and overall create strife that could be resolved when an underlying doctrine, clearly understood, would help to resolve the question, or help to ride through the challenge. For example many discussions I listened to this week were about the primary and how some love it, and others feel isolated, some challenged and feel disconnected etc.  how some feel like they need a break from kids and don't want to be around them. If we all had a better understanding of the underlying doctrine of the family, and the realization deep in our hearts that we are here to become fathers and mothers, then the hard feelings would not appear because we would find joy in the eternal roles of father and mother and relish in the opportunity to be in that role. 

It struck me how we constantly are admonished to teach the doctrine and how it links with what I just described. If we teach the doctrine, it will be more understood. When it is understood challenges and difficulties become lessened and we ride through them with an eternal perspective since we know the doctrine. It is like at work. We can treat symptoms all day, we can try to overcome issues, but until we get to root cause, all we do is chase ghosts. They appear and reappear as fast as we think we get to them. But when root cause is identified and treats, then the issues are eliminated and we move to other things. 

Learn and teach the doctrine. It will serve yourself and others now and forever. 

I had an epic fail in trying to serve and surprise mom. Lys and I drove for a few hours down into the countryside east of Cincinnati to buy a replacement truck bed to fix the rust on the one we have. I found a great deal for a reasonable bed. Then I negotiated a body shop to fix the small issues, paint it to match and even remove the old and install the new one. I was supposed to get the bed, take it to the shop, and next week it would be done and mom would not have to see it at all. All the arrangements were lined up, perfect!  

Then we stopped at home for a few hours until I could take it to the body shop and get Ty to pick me up ( he was at the music conference ). I got anxious and went to check the AC clutch bearing that was causing more and more noise. So I decided to pull it, and if it really was bad I could get a new one and get it all fixed and have the AC working right. Well, in pulling the clutch pulley off the pulls actually came off the bearing instead of the bearing coming off the shaft. So now I have a bearing that is pressed into the shaft, with a clutch coil around it that is help in place by a snap ring that is behind the bearing that is stuck. So I have no option. It's dead. And I have to order a new compressor, orifice, and receiver/dryer. And the truck can't run because the belt is off. So I am dead in the water. And mom sees the truck in all its glory!  And it will be like that for a week while I get the parts. Such a great try though!

Love you all forever, 

Dad

3 John 1:4

Self Analysis

Wow have I had that point driven home today. As I have talked with and counseled with different people, I have sure seen that when people are honest, and when they open up, they are quite perfect at self analysis and able to determine for themselves the things they need most to do. Either they come to talk because they know they need to change, or when talking anyway, they come up with the things they need most to do to help them get where they want to go. It's amazing how they can analyze self so well when they open up and are honest with themselves. To excruciating detail.  I am able to just encourage and support but they make their own path forward. 

I was also struck today by how much others seem to fight against what the church tries to do when all we are trying to do is help others and encourage all to come unto Christ and live up to the privileges available to all as we qualify for them. But many spend significant energy and time fighting against it. When I think someone or something else is way off the mark, I give them no time or mindshare. I go on with that which is most important. It has been so for long periods of history that fighting against that which is right consumes some while those who are just trying to do their best quietly move along and try to better themselves. As I have said before, too often we focus on improving others and serving ourselves instead of serving others and improving ourselves. How wonderful would the world be if we all did the latter?

While listening to a talk this week I was struck again by the way the power in the priesthood is exercised by women and men alike, and only by being together to complete one another can we really live up to all in store for us. An eternal partnership that is wonderful now and forever. If we form it under the proper authority and live worthy of those promises. 

Remember daily the qualification to enter the temple and never let them out of your sight as you go through your day. They will keep you happy and progressing forward. There is so much to be learned there and I am just beginning to realize how much more there is for me to learn. 

Love you all forever, have a great Labor Day tomorrow. 

Dad

3 John 1:4