A Parent's Aspirations

This week was really great. So many reasons to realize I still have not hit my prime. 

1. Work is more fun than for a long time, in spite of more challenges than ever

2. Wonderful evidences of God's love coming from my calling

3. Amazing instruction and learning from visiting general auxiliary presidencies from SLC

4. Insight into my aspirations for my children as a result of comments from Sis. Stevens from the RS general presidency. 

First, work is getting more fun. I am spending more time working issues at an organizational level and less as the "grind out the details" level.  It is fun to see the impact and progress that can be had, and to work with, coach, and help others rise to new levels they had not seen in themselves before. Additionally we have more problems than ever, with some very serious, but it is fun to take those on, and to be a spot of positive light amidst the gloomy outlook of so many. It actually becomes fun to try and see what we can solve and work to ensure a strong foundation for the next generation of leaders. 

Next, I have had a wonderful few weeks where evidence of the atonement is clearly working in the lives of others. They have deep and sincere desires to become what He wants them to be. And they are succeeding. There are challenges and setbacks, but overall there is wonderful progress and I work hard to help them see that when they don't always see it in themselves. When we focus on Christ all other things can settle down and get put into their right place. Not be made into an overwhelming problem but to be made to be a challenge we can win. 

Third, we had Sis. Cordon, Sis. Oscarson, and Sis. Stevens from the primary, YW, and RS visit our area Friday. Great leadership training and then a wonderful general women's session. It was a great treat to attend with mom and to spend so much time with her. It is at times like this that I more fully realize the "pleasing word of god" and it's Lon term affect on me and what I truly desire. 

Last, Sis. Stevens talked to us about what our aspirations were for the sisters of RS. As I pondered this it made me go into a revelatory mode that helped me begin a list of what aspirations I have for my children. I have created for myself a vision of values and learnings that have and will guide my life. But this caused me to think about what I want most for my children. So....please think about these and consider how they are in your life. And work to bring further "joy" to your fuddy duddy dad. 

Here they are, my aspirations for my children:

1. Have a bedrock understanding of the doctrine of Christ

2. Know how to qualify for, receive, and act upon personal revelation.

3. Not only be saved by grace, but be changed by grace. 

I am sure that this list will grow over time, and there are others to add, but it is a remarkable start. If you really want to please your dad you will send me a note with your thoughts, personal evaluation, and honest intentions of where you are/will work to be better in these and where you are not currently planning on changing. 

I love you all forever,

Dad

3 John 1:4

A thought this week

As I was working on my talk, and as I was going through this week, I was listening to conference from October. One talk caused me to ponder quite a while.  It referenced the Latin root castus which means to purify, and also is tied to the word we know as chaste. To chasten then is to purify. 

When I pondered on this I eventually rested on the scripture in Hebrews 12:6. Whom I the Lord love, I Chasten. When we think of the Latin root we come to:

Whom I the Lord love, I purify. 

Quite the change in any train of thought I have previously had in my life. 

It is remarkable how we can continue to learn and understand throughout our lives. I hope you never stop learning.

I spent my whole talk discussing our personal journey of conversion. It is remarkably similar to the doctrine of Christ. Faith, repentance, baptism, and the gift of the Holy Ghost followed by enduring to the end. We keep following that path and it continues our personal journey of conversion. 

Love you forever,

Dad

3 John 1:4

Reflection Quiz

I was in bishopric meeting today and as we sang this song it caused me to reflect deeply. I have been very familiar with preach my gospel and the chapter on Christlike attributes. Especially the quiz section as a tool to reflect on how we are in our own lives. Then I thought of the words and how this is another self reflecting quiz that can enable us to reflect and grade ourselves on how we are doing, and where we  could improve. Think of the words in that way. How would you grade yourself?

1. More holiness give me,

More strivings within,

More patience in suff’ring,

More sorrow for sin,

More faith in my Savior,

More sense of his care,

More joy in his service,

More purpose in prayer.

2. More gratitude give me,

More trust in the Lord,

More pride in his glory,

More hope in his word,

More tears for his sorrows,

More pain at his grief,

More meekness in trial,

More praise for relief.

3. More purity give me,

More strength to o’ercome,

More freedom from earth-stains,

More longing for home.

More fit for the kingdom,

More used would I be,

More blessed and holy--

More, Savior, like thee.

Is has been quite the week. Busy as ever at work, and challenging as I shift roles to do very different things and spend more time on leading and challenging and supporting than doing projects as of myself. I have done that in a way before, but it has been some time. 

I got the trim work finished as Kingreys to complete the parts that he could not do, or was not comfortable doing. That was part of Saturday and then we shopped for food storage and hauled that around during a better part of the rest of the day. And my body feels all of it. Getting old has its pros and cons. 

We had BYD tonight and we have so many questions they ask that we are getting behind in having time to answer them. Really good questions and really good discussions from all the youth. It's great to have so many that work so hard to discover for themselves. 

I had a remarkable experience during the sacrament today. The power of the atonement is so real, and the power in our lives to exercise faith for ourselves and others became so real. Sometimes our own pleading can be exquisite as we exercise faith and draw upon the blessings of heaven. They become real in our lives as we step forward with an eye of faith. 

This weekend is the barn campout for the YM. I am suffering parental withdrawals as these things happen and I have no son to go with me. It's a challenging time for me. It's really an adjustment that I am not prepared for. It has been so long. 

Thank you for all you do. The choices you make, the good you do for others, the joy you bring to me. 

Love you forever,

Dad

3 John 1:4

Wonderful Week

This was awesome!  Mom got home from a wonderful week being able to see Skjelse and Jeff and that was so nice. I am glad we have both of you!

I had a fun time with Ty and Alysia as we worked the week without mom. We don't do near as good a job but we made it. Alysia was a gem to cook so much, and she did wonderfully. We sort of kept up on laundry and dishes. Ty helped shop when we needed a few things. We certainly did our best by happy to have the master back. There is so much that happens in a home and I am eternally grateful that mom is such a good one at organizing a home where peace prevails.  I also got to talk to Kieren a couple times since mom was not home I answered the calls. Short calls as she walked home but nice to hear about things in life. 

This weekend was one of the two best of the year. I love conference and all that comes from it. I appreciated many of the talks in many different ways. Some for me personally, some for our family, and some for my calling. It always helps me look forward with a brighter outlook for the future. I appreciated Pres. Uchtdorf's talk at the women's meeting on fourth floor, last door.  And the way we need to keep moving forward regardless of the challenges along the way. Whether a challenge in our life, a question we have, or other things, we need to persevere and the blessing will come. I also liked Elder Stevenson and the challenge to replace some of the screen time in our lives with a study of the Book of Mormon. There were many others with messages that helped me consider what I need to do differently to be a better person. 

It was a crazy week at work also. It is the time of year that we do annual performance reviews. So I had to do mine, as well as add the supervisor comments to 7 others and to deliver the review to those 7 and so it took a huge chunk of the week. Plus the rest of the work does not stop. But all in all it's going well. I see more and more how what I learn in the gospel makes me better at work. To be wiser, more supportive, more of a critical thinker, and more of a leader and follower at the same time. I am grateful to have the gospel that helps in all aspects of my life. 

I have seen this week how we can use the atonement to heal so many things. From small to great it can help move us beyond the dismay or the discouragement to see a brighter future. 

Love you all forever, nothing can change that. 

Dad

3 John 1:4