Happy birthday to Gavin.
Happy birthday to mom.
What a fun week.
This past week I spent most of my time facilitating special events for our company. An adjacent group was starting some major projects and we have a process to gather the correct foundation starting points that help everything be better along the way. Normally our development takes around 2 years so the right starting point and direction is important. So I spent nearly 3 days helping guide them through that. It was draining for me because I have to be front and center so much, but I think it helped them. I got good feedback from my "customers" so it worked well for them. Too bad I can't charge them consultant rates for my time (since I replaced the consultant they regularly use.) I actually did the same for 2 days over in China for our groups there. For some reason I am becoming a source for many groups. Not sure why but at least it is another skill set to put in the bank for educations, skills and learning.
I got the motorcycle back over to the repair guy and he rebuilt the carbs again. It is running again and I have trouble shot the warning lights etc. So I think I know all the issues. It runs OK, just have the plug fouling issue still to deal with then it will be great. I think it is the choke plungers. Now I just have to figure out where those are, what they do, and how to fix that. So much for knowing what's wrong when I have no clue how to fix it. But hey, it's the first step. I rode it back home in the dark, on a freezing night. Augh, COLD!. It was biting being in that wind. But I thought that would make you happy Gavin! I do want it running well if we are going to have it around.
Friday was a wonderful anniversary. Skjelse called from England where she is visiting and that was a highlight that was unexpected. Mom poted a wedding photo on instagram celebrating our 25th and she got more likes and comments than ever before. She is now a social media titan. And by titan I mean tiny little mouse since we have like no reach on social media since we don;t build up any networks etc. I think Skjelse is queen on that side of life! We went to the temple and did sealings during a session that was at the exact time as our marriage 25 years ago. The sealer was really fun, and made sure we got back to the alter one more time so we could celebrate our 25th. He commented that he really enjoyed watching us at the alter as we looked at each other and loved each other. Even he can see how much I love your mom! We were overcome during the last couple we were proxy for. I am just so blessed to have mom. I am so excited that we have 25 down, and like 25 bajillion gajillion more to go together.
We then shopped for mom's recital snacks, some Christmas wrap up things, and cooked dinner at home which is what we wanted. During the recital I was the kitchen help. Quite a turn for me but I did OK to keep things cooked and stocked, and everyone eating and happy.
Ty was home sick and had to miss his laser quest lock in with science olympiad. He still is not really back to health. I feel bad for him. But I have tried to be extra kind and helpful to him.
Mom had her recital open house and it went fantastic. It was fun to hear all the songs especially from Ty and Alysia. It made me want to have all 5 of you here and playing songs you know on piano, brass, strings, or recorder. It's always fun to have music ringing through the house. You have brought much joy to me through the years. Thank you. The greatest joy is when you make choices that take us on the path back to Heavenly Father as a family. I cling to the covenants we have in the temple that allow that to be a real event, based on our faithfulness.
Speaking of temples, last Sunday I had a temple revelation in Sunday School. We were talking about Israel and how he got his name. I have never dissected his name but it ends in ...el. If you consider that he called the name of the place he had his temple experience Bethel, or Beth...el. Meaning house of God. And Israel meaning one who is with God. The common thread here is ..el. Elohim, or God. And when you are with me in the Temple someday remind me and I can tell you more about that ..el. It just came with great power and clarity that the "mysteries of the kingdom" and the eternal truths I have learned all my life are based on truth and that I again got a witness of the plan of happiness' reality.
So, to the point of the subject line. This week at work I heard of a neat story that they were awarding to an employee. Here is the true story. A few years ago a group of friends were out in the Netherlands searching for metal scrap with metal detectors. One of them came across what turned out to be the top of a mess kit from WWII. They were in an area where the allied forces had been. On this piece was the stamped name of the soldier that this belonged to. They could have just tossed it as junk but instead took it home and tried to research who this was. They got back to the Sidney area and spent two years trying to work with the city and county governments to find the owner or family of the soldier. After two exhaustive years they still had no answer. Then they decided to post this situation on Facebook. In two DAYS they had come in contact with the family of the recently deceased soldier. The son works at Emerson in the plant. They arranged to send it to him. And when Emerson heard about it they asked if they could help and they framed this piece in a shadow box and awarded it to the employee in a ceremony honoring the soldier (who had worked at Emerson also). I just found that amazing how the social media can be used for such good in the world if we harness it for that good. I like how Gavin included that in his last letter, Sending friends to the #sharethegift site.
So there you have it, more than enough to read this week. I look forward to talking to all of you on Mom's birthday.
Love you forever, really, that came so true in the temple this week. FOREVER!
Dad
3 John 1:4
