The Outward Appearance

Today was fantastic as a father. I got to see Skjelse and Jeff as well as the rest of the kids besides you. Gavin gave his farewell talk and did a wonderful job of great doctrine, excitement for his mission, and captivating stories that kept us all interested. 

I was especially touched as a dad in the morning when he was all dressed and ready, and had his messenger bag on his shoulder. He looks the part. Hence the outward appearance. And we know from his talk the Lord can see in his heart he is ready spiritually. He is going to be great. It is so pleasing to know we will have two of you serving 

I spent so much of Saturday cleaning the garage and trying to organize things. I consolidated lots of things and got rid of bulk items to make more room. We hope to fit the motorcycle in there and hope it is fixed soon. I found a slick way to hold the drills by using pvc pipe and so it is free. Ty helped me get it up. 

It has been unique at work to see people so frustrated at so many things and I feel like I was again a psychiatrist this last week. I seem to be one they come and vent at and unload their thoughts. I just try to listen and always keep an even temperament no matter what may go wrong at work. I am not perfect but I do try hard to avoid the Sam frustrations that so many let derail their day. 

We talked about talents in Sunday school today. It made me think about how we use the gifts we have been given and how w share those with others. I have not met anyone who is sad when they honestly help others with the gifts and talents they have. It's that way with service, you always have happiness enter into you when you serve others. Even Gavin has begun to see that as he stated that he loves the people of Mexico and he hasn't even met them
yet. It's just knowing where you are going and who you will be serving and the love begins to develop. 

Love the people you serve, serve those you love. It's magic!

Love you forever. 

Dad

3 John 1:4

The Motorcycle Redeemer

So, this topic is all about Gavin having the idea and us all laughing about how Gavin said he was sure I could find a lesson analogy in the motorcycle, and I immediately did. So he was right. 

We have spent month trying to fix it, diagnose, new parts etc and still no luck getting spark. So I finally broke down and found a guy who works out of his garage that repairs bikes and small engines.   We took it over to him, and he said he could start the next day. Before early afternoon he called and had found the problem, it was a relay that was bad, and recommended to replace that ( and other parts) to have it running great again. And he guaranteed it. He redeemed it from the junk yard fate it might have had. 

So it is with our lives. We try and try, work and work, search and search, but we will always fall short of being in great shape until we turn to the redeemer. He can take something that seems so complex and show us how simple a fix can change our lives and redeem us from the junk yard. And put us back on the joyous journey of life. Happy and running great. 

That was one of the great things this week. Saturday I spent time between mom's list for me, my list, and laying down to try and get energy. I got sick Wednesday and ended up staying home Thursday and Friday from work. I did so nothing the whole time. I was just so worn and miserable. Saturday I was not miserable but still tired. So I had tons of small jobs that I did. Like sealing a leaking gutter corner, fixing the computer cable, cleaning the AC filter, making room in the garage, cleaning the office, mowing and fertilizing the lawn, fix the riding mower so it doesn't drip gas from the carburetor, repairing the seat in Buzz, sending a email and pics to get a quote on fixing the rust on Buzz, etc. Lots of productive small things and rest in between nearly each and every one. 

It has been fun to have Gavin home. He has done so many good things. He is getting ready to leave and gives his talk next week in church. Then conference, fast Sunday, and off he goes. 

We are refinancing the house so we can get Darrin off the loan. I had to wait four years but it seems to be going very smooth. The appraiser came by this week and it will be interesting to see how the value comes out after all the work we have done. 

Love you forever, 

Dad

3 John 1:4

Members & Missionary Work

I spent a chunk of time this week pondering or working with the missionaries. I had some follow up from stake assignments, social media splits and feed ohio day, stake mission correlation, and had the zone leaders over for an unplanned dinner. All of it was great and serves to remind me of the important things here on earth. While I still have to live in the world, the level of stress, care, and concern just remains low when I remember what is most important. 

Saturday was a special day, it was the day I got ready for Sunday (did you sing the tune?) but really I spent the morning with the elders and at the Feed Ohio food pantry collection. I did study hour with the elders and worked on my talk for later this month. Then we had companion study and shared great thoughts on lesson preparation and the love that develops when you serve others. We headed out to the food pantry and helped for a while gather and sort the incoming food from everyone's individual efforts. To date we have over $2000 and over 2000 lbs of food. That is our ward only and this is a state wide effort with all types of faith based groups and businesses. 

I then did a bunch of yard work (it looks good) and we then headed off to pick up Gavin. It is nice to have him home. He looks great and is a joy to talk to. The afternoon I spent fixing the edger (I love the internet and it's tutorials) and still not being able to fix the motorcycle. 

We had three investigators at church today and two stayed for classes. They had really good comments and questions that added to the class. Right after church I had stake mission correlation. Pres. Valencia had to travel so it was the mission and I then Bro. Adams from the high council joined later. It was a wonderful discussion as we shared successes, struggles, and ideas we can all work on this month. They are so agreeable and willing to help in any way. I just hope we can do as well on the member side. We have so much room to grow. 

During the meeting the zone leaders had said they had not eaten today because of meeting and visits etc. so I texted mom to see if it was ok and then we invited them over. We had waffle bar and eggs. Basic but yummy. They are amazing. They have a unique spirit about them and the dedication they have to the work. 

I am talking about cultivating divine attributes later so if you have any insights, please share. 

Be awesome this week. Mom is amazing, be like her!

Love you forever,

Dad

3 John 1:4

The Art of Food

I had a great week. I finished up in China and had a safe trip back. It was a good day at church and productive work days after. Then I dreaded home excited to spend time with mom. She is my bestie. Always will be. I am so glad I have the assurance of an eternal sealing. 

For the last lunch I had in China they took me to a place where they had some plate decorations I thought you should see. So I attached those so you could see the creativity and variety. The white blobs are bunnies if you look close. 

When I got back I spent the rest of the week at home. I worked Saturday and the Labor Day holiday working in China so I "traded" those days for staying home. 

I bustled through the lawn and then edged for the first time in way too long. It looks so much better. And mom was much happier when it was done. I also weeded poison ivy since no one else dared. I double gloved up and was careful. Then tossed the gloves and washed everything I was wearing by itself. Hopefully I will be safe. 

I also got new rope and Ty helped me rehang the rope swing. We now have chain around the actual tree then rope from there. And we cut out a circle seat instead of a left over log. It's easier to use now. 

I didn't want to let the cars feel lonely so I washed, vacuumed, and waxed all three cars. I feel I need to do them every year or two whether the need them or not :). It is nice to get them cleaned up and protected. And they look much better. 

I also did a brake fluid flush on all three. Instead of paying $99 each I paid $8 each for new fluid. Alysia helped with 2 and Ty did one to learn. The old fluid was really bad so it was good to do. I had only one casualty of a wheel cylinder on the Uncle Larry and it was only $25 to replace. So still a big win. Alysia changed the tires and learned lots more as she helped me and did a bunch to learn. We got our hands dirty but it was good. 

I caulked up the porch and patio so now I can call those done. 

I also helped mom by doing the outside of all the windows including the gross bottom tracks and side channels that had tons of bugs growing. Yuck!  

Love you forever. 

Dad

3 John 1:4

Oasis

The longer I live, the more I realize what an oasis the Gospel and Church are in my life. I don't like being away from home, and don't like traveling so far, and even though the Chinese people are very kind and I am well cared for here I just would rather not be here. But among the desire to be home I really had the gift to look forward to going to church while here. 

When we pattern our lives after the Savior, and internally decide to follow the eternal plan of happiness, then going to church brings a peace and happiness that propels you through the rest of the week. I went to the Shanghai branch again today. It was amazing. I witnessed so many examples of the hand of God in our lives. As I participated in the sacrament I witnessed a tall YM exhibit pure charity. As it was being passed there was a fussy baby that the parents were trying to calm. The mom waited so she could partake of the bread and then calmly bolted out the side door. This YM did not see that she had just taken it but in an act of a gentleman and a pure priesthood holder he immediately took his tray and follows her out to ensure she had the opportunity to take the sacrament. 

I also witnessed little children helping each other as we sat through sacrament meeting. Unprompted they just helped one another. 

I listened as they again read a statement that reinforces that no Chinese passport holder is allowed to worship with us. And stressed that no one is allowed to share the truths that we hold so dear and bring peace to our lives. No talking, no social media on Chinese sites, no documents etc. 

during the 3rd hour we had a young member of the branch presidency lead a discussion on doubts in our faith. Using Pres. Uchtdorf's talk as one of the main tools, we had a discussion about how we need to be sensitive to doubts, and to use them as a tool to build greater faith. It is a difficult thing to have real doubts of faith and we need to acknowledge them as we work to resolve them. It made me think of one of the greatest tools we have-prayer. Elder Baxter some years ago said something that I believe fits perfectly with this. He said that in moments of crisis prayer is abandoned at the very hour it needs to be intensified. And I will always remember Pres. Uchtdorf counsel to doubt your doubts before you doubt your faith. 

It was a remarkable spirit today as I witnessed a handful of Rms bearing strong spiritual confirmation just in the way they shared experiences, and testified of things they had learned. It was just neat to see the external impact of the lives they led and how I could see the witness of the Gospel come through even though they did not overtly intend to do that. 

I don't know if it was just a great day, or if I was more prepared since it was my oasis for the week, but I'll take it. I consider it a blessing to have been taught the Gospel in my home growing up and to have had the chance to seek for myself the knowledge of its truth. 

I had a good week at work and learned a lot from corporate board meetings I got to attend. Then on Saturday as we began work on a critical project that was behind, I was inspired to use a certain method to get to more detailed and reliable results from the group. I followed that prompting and it worked out amazing. Many of the people there talked to me one to one during the day and said how effective the work was or how well the thought this was going to get better plans. Revelation is NOT just for church. 

The best part if each day is being able to use the inspired technologies to be able to talk to mom and home each day. It is fun to see them and hear the updates. 

It has been interesting as well as I have stayed here to have a couple small things happen that have not before. At breakfast I had the waitress say "you are Mr. Smith, right?"  I was a little surprised but confirmed and asked how she knew. She said she had seen it written on my receipt when I ate the first day and had remembered. I was shocked. Then as I left the restaurant the hostesses both said "goodbye Mr. Smith" as I left. Weird. It was very nice but very unexpected. 

Then as I checked in at the hotel in Suzhou where our engineering center is (the team I work with internal to Emerson) they got all fired up and brought me a special gift of a Renaissance backpack and told me they were glad I was now staying here for the 10th time. I told them that I had been here too often with a smile. But it's true if I have stayed here 10 times. Too many. 

Love you forever.

Dad 

3 John 1:4

Different But Same

I was struck again yesterday as we attended the temple how the same thing can be taught in different ways, but still be the same.  I saw the third new movie and am amazed at how the identical teaching can be done in a way that can be so different and help me to understand and learn concepts and doctrines in a new way.  It causes me to reflect and realize new angles, deepen understanding, strengthen conviction, and really increase lasting joy in the great plan of happiness.  I continue to be amazed at how others can teach me so much in small and simple ways.  It doesn't have to be flashy, gaudy, high power, or "loud" to teach amazing new things.  In fact some of what I have learned came through near moments of silence.  The temple is just the happiest place on earth!

And......big news......never happened before...... with mom's foot injury she actually let me drop her off and pick her up at the door to the temple.  She has never before in life let me do that (I sure have tried a lot to be nice).  So I have a PB from yesterday!

This week I spoke about the language of prayer.  It has been good to deepen my study on that and to reflect on how it can impact so much of our lives.  I hope you are keeping the commitment to pray twice daily with real intent.  In your true personal inner self to kneel down and really converse with your Father.  

I am sharing some example of when special or unique language is used in aspects of life, and tying that to the special language of prayer, Thee, Thy Thou and Thine.  So 3 examples in my life, 4 scripture examples that teach us the importance, and 5 ways we implement it.  So 3-4-5.  No clue why, just seems good to use 3-4-5.  The 5 ways to implement tie to the 5 aspects of hastening the work.  Including temple and family history work where we learn so well about the special place prayer has in our lives and the power of true prayer when employed appropriately.

Yesterday after we got back form the temple Ty and I helped Craigs replace their water heater that had gone bad.  The hardest  part was getting some dollar parts to allow the piping to fit the new size.  Ty does really well at knowing what to do and being able to do it.  Including copper soldering.

Then after we got home late I tore apart the copier and replaced the laser polygon motor that was failed so we could not use it.  I had to tear to the very center to get to it.  Then after I had it half back together I realized I left out a mirror.  So apart it came again and then back together.  After it was all in place, I gave it a whirl and.......a new fault stops it from even starting.  Aughhhhhh.  So I spent another hour or more until midnight and the Sabbath working it and can;t get it working.  So frustrating.  I have found the service guide so I am able to enter diagnostics modes and the new part is working well, and I found the part that is causing issues.  But guess what?  It is at the very center again!  So I will have to take it all back apart and hope I can find the problem.  The part I am pleased about is although I am very frustrated, I am doing so much better about not letting it sink in, and change me and make me scream out.  It's just frustrating.

Love you forever,

Dad

3 John 1:4

Entertainment Week

This week we had visitors in from Asia and from Europe. We had a full week of longer term strategy discussions around our variable speed business. I had been asking my boss to do this for the last year because we often get caught up in the "now" and the business of daily urgent things and forget to step back, look at the whole, and make sure what we are doing is what is really the most important. She supported it but in the end I had to just push it through, make the week, and make it happen. Lots of great discussion, decisions, actions to move forward etc. but because it was all "your week Mr. Smith" it was draining on me mentally. All day, all evening I had to be in the zone. We did have two nice dinners that I went to and got totally fat. We were going to do other events also but everyone was worn out by then. 

I also got confirmation that I got approved to hire in an MBA for next year to work full time on my small team. Emerson has a special program for targeted high potential MBAs and they come in for a summer internship from top ten schools. Then they recruit from these. So I will be interviewing in the next couple of months and someone will have a job long before their school year is over. I wish I would have had a job waiting for me nine months before I graduated. A lot of stress would have been relieved. But it will be nice to have another person to help with the work load.  I got approved because my boss told the president basically don't you want a new MBA trained by Dan?  He didn't argue that point at all. I guess that is a nice compliment in a round about way. 

I got the back patio tiled last week and grouted yesterday. I am glad to have that done. It makes it look so nice. Aside from that I did a bunch of small jobs and open things since I had done little at home the past two weeks with the visitors in town. 

We also helped the neighbor Audrey sell her van. Pete is in assisted living and she wanted to get rid of it, but really had no idea of how. So Ty got it running (dead battery is all), mom took pictures and coordinated with her, and then we discussed values from my research, she agreed to a low side value to sell it quickly, and I listed it Friday night. I missed a call that night, called them early Saturday, they came within 30 mins, bought it, and poof, faster sold car I have ever done. She was very happy and really appreciated the help. I am happy she would let us help. Helping others always makes you happy. Just one of those eternal truths!

Work hard this week, reach out to others, invite them to know what you know. 

Love you forever. 

Dad

3 John 1:4