Apply This Unto Yourself

I learned a great deal this week from studying the account of the Savior on gethsemane from the four gospels. I was comparing them and likening them to our lives. In each of the first three I learned that when we have hard things, it is good and wise to surround ourselves with good friends, a support network. That is what He did. But even though we have a great support team, in the end we are the ones that individually have to face the trials. We have to change in ourselves, or overcome within. To gain the true strength to be captain of our souls. 

Then I saw in Luke a few other interesting things. When we decide to turn our wills over to God, when it is tough He will send added help. And then as it gets down to the worst, the best thing to do is to intensify our prayers. To plead more earnestly. Elder Baxter said it in this way, "prayer is ignored in the very hour it needs to be intensified."  Finally even though our friends may "sleep" they still want our best and try to be there for us. We have to recognize that people are pulling for us always. 

I had a great week. We had such fun for Alysia's birthday. Lys and mom shopped away while Ty and I shopped for about 5 minutes then worked on homework or other things to be done. It was great!  But we did have fun. Then we stopped for lunch and I happened to just take a nap while they continued. It was a great success.  I did not do much around the house as we spent time doing other things. It was kinda weird for me. Work was busy and we have some current major issues that almost made a guy travel next day from China, but we got enough info late on Saturday that we got ahold of him at the airport so he could cancel the flight before he got on. 

Ty did wonderful conducting BYD and wrapping up with a great message. He is a fine leader as many of you have shown also. I am so grateful for the good influences you are and hope you will always work to inspire people to be better. 

It is tax season again and I have been gathering documents and data to file taxes. I don't like it but like it at the same time. I like the challenge to get it all together and find the best savings I can get. And it plays so much into our budget each year as we make so many decisions about taxes, savings, witholdings, spending, retirement, and such. Such joy!  And mom does not experience that same joy that I do:). 

Love you forever,

Dad

3 John 1:4

Stop The Train

I want to get off this runaway train!  What a fantastically crazy weekend. I took the day off Friday since CHS was out of school. So what do I do??  Don't everyone respond at once. I get up and go crazy on things to accomplish. I worked on the car and removed the radiator fan, heat shield, and coolant hoses so I could finally get at the air fuel sensor to break it loose. After the oil change place could not get it loose I had to take all that out so I could get the special tool on it so well I could break it loose. But I did get it, cleaned it in a last ditch effort before I replace it, and put it back in. This time I put anti seize on the threads so if I have to pull it out to replace it it will be much easier. Mom moved a bunch of furniture and of course I helped where muscle was required. We moved the old stuff out and put the new in. We had gone and picked up the new Thursday night. 

Saturday I mowed the lawn, saw the riding mower break again, and did the rest by the walking mower. Then I got bit by the "once a year whether it needs it or not" car cleaning bug. Lys helped get the insides clean and I spent all my muscles scrubbing the wheels clean on Buzz and Max. Buzz was so bad I was worn after. I spent a couple hours on the wheels trying to remove years of build up. Then since it was once a year I washed them both, dried them and then waxed both. I am a karate kid awesome!  Wax in, wax off!  And make my arms like jello. 

Sunday was fantastic and exhausting. I started at 5:30 since we had missed some interviews last week. The coordination of councils was uplifting yet again and we got good actions to offer to others to help them if they will accept it. We had the primary program today and after it ended early (that has to be a record) I ended up speaking for a few minutes and no planning. But all is well, He gives me so much help just when I need it. 

I had some frustrating interviews after church with some who are not interested in change for the better. I respect what they want but it is disheartening to see them give up on so much that they could have. So much joy that could be in place now and for eternity. 

In the afternoon we had our first youth teacher coordination meeting following the "come follow me" curriculum.  Sunday school, YM and YW, seminary and other leaders joined together to determine what strengths the individuals have and where we can better combine efforts to support them. It was a very good discussion and many chances to receive revelation to help individuals. I again got a chance to talk without warning and mom said it was wonderful. I trust her. 

Finally in the evening we had a family history consultant meeting to prepare for our new youth family history Sunday meetings. They are voluntary but we hope many youth will want to be involved in searching out our ancestors. There are so many treasures to find. I know it will be a fantastic change and blessing for the Ward. 

Do all you can to focus your life on drawing close to the Savior. He is the central part of joy in this life and eternal life to come. The more we will engage in activities that draw us close to Him the more miracles we will recognize in our lives. 

Love you forever,

Dad

3 John 1:4