Compression

So I work all day everyday on developing new compressors. We take a gas and compress it changing the composition so it can perform different functions to help heat and cool. I hear all day about the parts and features that help make compression efficient. 

Yesterday I had to use those skills in a way I have not for decades. I was assigned to speak at stake conference and so I got ready as usual. Now you know I usually don't have a problem filling the time given and usually have extra stories, scriptures, thoughts etc to fill the time. Well, welcome to the surprise!  There was a stake presidency member, and three others assigned. Stake for 20 mins, the rest of us 10. That left 45 mins for the visiting authority. 1st speaker' 30 mins. 2nd speaker, 15 mins. 3rd speaker 25 mins. That meat we were already about 15 mins past my end time before I even got up!  So I took my talk and compressed it into just 6 mins. A new personal best!  I had some great stories and examples that I just shortened and raced through. But I know it was the best to do, and after such long talks it actually was very memorable. So many, more than usual by a long shot, talked to me about it. And even today more people shared comments on it. I guess we can learn to just get to the point. 

I spoke on family councils and started off with the story of Skjelse and Koeren in the back seat with Barbie. Not having a "Ken" they started playing mom and dad, and when wondering about the father figure simply said "let's pretend he works at Taco Bell and is never home!"  That first "back seat" family council was the start of a major change for me. Thanks Skjelse and Kieren!

On Saturday Ty and I went and finished painting a barn for a guy I work with. 1800 ft2 of wall space, 2 coats, and it looks great. It was fun to work with Ty and has good memories for me of other times we have all worked together to "create" things together. Like you have been doing Skjelse!

Thanks for all the calls on Father's Day. It is a great thing to be dad. It was fun to hear from everyone. 

Gavin, you almost made me cry with your comments in your letter. Thank you for the tender comments and words that make me want to be better. 

I used some of Gavin's earlier letters in my talk as he has given us family council input even while serving full time. 

Love you all forever,

Dad

3 John 1:4

Epic Crash

I had a great birthday on a camp out with the priests. They were going on a high adventure but leaders had last minute conflicts and had to back out. So to fill in I took Friday from work and went with them. Their original plan was shortened and we went closer, but it was great. We had the traditional Ohio rain, but it worked out fine. We went out Thursday night and enjoyed being in quite cool weather. Friday morning we had rain nearly until mid afternoon. But in the morning we went off on the bike trails and had a great ride. Sloppy and slippery it was, but fun. We then spent some time at the bike "skills park" where I witnessed many crashes but none so epic as Ty. He went up the tallest ramp, and on the down side his tire went off the edge and he did an end over and it was so fantastic. He was not hurt too bad and I feel sad I did not get it on video. But you can see this one that was pretty good in a controlled crash in style type of way. 

IMG_1148.MOV

 

After this we played disc golf. They only had two holes installed, so we made outer own and used stumps. That way we could get 4-5 holes in a row. I sure am not consistent in any way. Finally we played ultimate in a new way called "box" that becomes more hectic and involved. Which was fun with only 7 of us. It worked out well. I had fun being with Ty all day. We relaxed in the afternoon when it stopped raining and then in the eve we had a campfire and had marshmallows plus mom had packed us apples and brown sugar cinnamon mix. So we stuffed the apples and baked them in the fire. They turned out fabulous. Many people wanted some and they smelled and tasted great. 

It started to rain again in the night and never stopped. Finally we packed up, ate breakfast at Young's Jersey Dairy and then came home around 11. Everything was totally wet and so it still hangs in the garage drying out. 

I am in wonder at the things in life we pass by because we do not give them a chance. I was talking today with a youth and they had never been involved in a certain type of event. They always say "next time" but let everything get in the way. And yet for all others this event is a highlight for them they will never miss. It made me realize how we pass things by, giving judgement, but never really try them to see how much we could gain. It would be like Gavin passing by all the Mango but never trying it, just saying "not interested."  

I had a good Father's Day. Call from Skjelse and Jeff, wonderful dinner and eve with those here at home, and a nice uplifting day. I had good interviews and it is pleasing how He puts into my mind the things to ask or say that can help each person have a unique interview that can help them each take steps closer to Christ. 

Ty put up the yard lights this week along the front sidewalk and they look great. I am so happy to finally have them up. 

Thanks for making me one blessed father. I hope you all will take the time to thank your Heavenly Father today for all he does daily for you. 

Love you forever,

Dad

3 John 1:4

So Little Time, So Much Help

This week feels like it has been sooooo long. But has gone soon fast. I have had much to do at work, and have had a number of things come out of nowhere as the Bishop. At work I have learned much about allowing others to have a plan and work it through. And to trust them to make it happen. And they are. To an extent that exceeds my expectation. I use that same approach at church. Trust the people will receive and act upon revelation and let them accomplish great things. I use church skills as I counsel to help others find their own solutions to their own problems. So in reciprocation I use the same at work. Instead of just saying what should be, I am trying to help them find the solutions to their own problems, and helping them be better along the way of their careers. It has been a nice give and give to the two sides of life outside the home. 

I also have had so much to do that I feel like there has been so little time to do anything. But I have seen so much help just come through blessings in my life. From spiritual help in challenges and questions, to clear impressions on how to handle situations, to others stepping up to help in various ways, to people getting things finished that contribute to the work that I had not even asked yet. It has been so much help in so many ways. 

We went to the zoo Saturday with mom, Kieren and Alysia. It was Emerson's work event. It was hot, fun, and learning. We saw animals in ways I had not before. Alysia got to feed the giraffes and so did Kieren. I think they both couldn't contain the smiles!  

Then we went to the birds and I saw Gavin and Ty together! 

 I hope you capture the photo references. 

The zoo also has a water park so after lunch we went there for a few hours and got lobster fried. As mom and I exited the lazy river I got a chunk of glass in my heel. So off we hobbled to first aid and they surgically removed it. Not too bad and it was fine once we got it out. 

Due to that I got zero accomplished on Saturday in the traditional sense. But it was a great day. On the way home we picked up Ty from mini-mission and heard all about it from him. He did the most fantastic talk during sacrament meeting. He even extended it to 13 minutes as the other speaker went short. And had such a marvelous talk of stories, scriptures and testimony of truths he learned last week. 

Skjelse made me proud as she is making he own coffee table and painting it. It looks cool and I am excited to see the finished product. She is doing so much DIY!  I wonder where she got it from?

We went to the temple Friday night and did family file names at the baptistery together. It was so great to be there together. We had such a great time. 

I am so ready for bed. I recognize daily the need for nightly rest. Then I am up and going for the day. But it is night and I am wiped. It was a long day today too. Lots of interviews before and after church. Then a great dinner by our master chef. And we finished off the evening with a wonderful BYD with the youth. Many indicated they learned a ton as we answered questions they had submitted last week.  So really good questions that indicate they are asking questions of the soul. Or deep questions that they are honestly seeking true answered to. It went very well with mom as the moderator. I just love being with her in anything we do. 

I hope you use prayer every morning and night this week. It's like air, we need it constantly. 

Love you forever,

Dad

3 John 1:4

PRO

Are you a PRO?  One who has a deep and abiding habit of Personal Religious Observance?  I have been tutored over these past few weeks about what a difference it makes in helping anyone be truly happy. Inside and out. 

Those I speak with that are happy, doing well, looking forward in life, seeing the best, and upbeat are having their daily scriptures and prayers in a meaningful way. Those that come with heavy burdens, sin, sadness, depression, or a lack of hope are not making these simple things a part of their life. 

It is just remarkable how by small and simp,e things great things are brought to pass. Even if someone has a hard life, and is in situations that are heavy to bear, their habits and outlook can make them see the miracles that God puts in their lives.

And then when others listen to the counsel given, and try it, they send me unsolicited notes explaining how much better things are and how much happier they are. God's plan is perfect!

I remember on my mission and being in Lillehammer (yep, the Olympics town) and being so down with the work, my companion, the lack of funds for decent food, the difficulty of the work since no one was interested and all.  It was a hard time. But when I look back now I realize that albeit weird then, going to visit a senior sister across the lake brought her so much joy, and really it did for us too. I realize that serving her with a simple visit also served us, and brought us purpose and happiness in seeing her joy. 

Even thinking back now I realize that one of the fun "world" times was after visiting her.  As I said she lived across the lake. The bridge was over a mile long and we would often ride bikes in decent weather (no snow, massive rain, or frigid cold) and would walk the other times. So this day was dead of winter and of course this is inland. So it was bitter cold. We walked over to her and had a nice visit.  Including smorbrod and saft (drink) that she always had. After an hour or so we left to return back. We just decided to do it the Norse way and did not use the bridge. The water always froze over for the winter and we had head it was think enough to walk on. So we trudged down the bank to the ice edge and just began the adventure. It was a nice day but really cold. We were a bit timid at first but gained confidence along the way. Before we knew it, and with lots of sliding and slipping along the way, we had made it nearly across the whole lake. It was so cool to look back nearly a mile, look up at the bridge, and just take in the wonders of the frozen beautiful land we were in. It brought a s,lie to our faces and our hearts. 

I reckon that Gavin, you will have no such opportunity with ice and lakes!

It has been a great week. This calling truly is a great blessing in my life. The eternal joy that comes from trying my best to help other in His way is pleasing, very pleasing. 

I had a good week at work, many significant meetings but each went very well. Smooth, good discussions and useful outcomes. Even at work He gives me help. I even was able to get a handful of things done off a long list I have not been able to get to. 

Saturday was a special day .......(did you hear the music in your mind?)

I got a ton of things fixed on the cars that had gone wrong. Even the Mountaineer had the AC stop working on mom. And it was not comfortable. But I did some digging, lots of checking, attached my diagnostic tools, and found it was equal pressures. A clue!  In the end it was only a blown fuse.  I got the scratches on Buzz buffed out and they look waaaay better. Not disappeared but nearly so. I also got the squeak gone that had been bugging mom. The Honda had been having issues on the front brakes. I replaced the pads and in only 2 days they had been cracked and bent. Very weird. I ended up replacing the pads, calipers, brackets and guide pins. For about the cost of a basic brake job at a shop I replaced everything in the brakes but the rotors. And now they work fantastic. And the gas mileage is up!  Bonus. I cleaned and waxed the Honda too since Ty had Buzz at some testing when I had the energy to do that work. I even find the antenna with lubing it up etc. 

I spent some morning hours weeding nearly the whole hillside from everything but the monkey grass and hostas. It looks so good. But my back was a bit stiff!

In honor of Gavin I attached some pictures of the flowers mom has been tending. Don't you think she is doing a marvelous job?

I continue to learn so much every day. I hope you learn from the spirit daily also.

Dad

3 John 1:4

Many Hands

We had the annual church spring cleanup yesterday. I was a bit worried that we would not have people there to help. But many hands make light work. We had a large number from Kettering and Centerville and it looks great. We cleaned up a bunch, weeded an amazing amount of junk from the beds all around including around the trees, and spread mulch from a monster pile. We ran short of mulch though and still have to get more. Then we removed the weeds in the back that were taller than many of the primary kids. It was a great service job by all. 

Last week the AC was out in the building. It turned out to be a bad leg of 3 phase power and DP&L had to replace it. While drilling the new line they broke the water line so we were then also without water on the mutual nights. They got it working but we were still under a boil advisory. This continued through Saturday until the service project was nearly over when the water people gave us the all clear. 

In church we had the 5th Sunday about having a missionary mindset while we go about our normal and natural lives. It's about distinguishing between full time work which is to teach, baptize, etc. and member work which is to live our lives in such a way we hope to share principles that bring us joy, and to extend an invitation to help other further their steps to Christ. In what ever way that step may be. 

I started it off talking about my lapel pin of the Norwegian flag. Why I wear it and what it reminds me of. It really is the most frequent question if get whenever I wear it. So it opens a lot of doors to just simply explain it is where I served my mission. Then some ask more questions, some don't. But at least I get to share. 

I remember in many cities I would play basketball on P-day often, and that always gave us an opening to talk to others why we were there in Norway. It was a great time to play, as well as to open doors of understanding.  

I finished putting the storm door back on the back door so it is all back together again. New door, same storm door. 

I took the opportunity to do an extra fast today. I am really trying hard to be one the Lord can trust in His interviews and I just feel I don't know enough. So I fasted for extra help today as I had many interviews. True to His support today was a wonderful day. Some surprises, some not, but I felt His help as I talked to people about all sorts of different circumstances and was able to guide them to make their own personal choices about how they can move forward. So many times thoughts come to my mind of scriptures, stories, or talks that illustrate a principle that could help them. I know that doesn't come from no where. I have things brought back to my mind at the very moment I need them. He is really good to me. 

Gavin, we love your letters and pictures. It is such a pleasure to read them each week. I am so pleased with your thoughts and desires and attitudes. 

Skjelse, we are happy you found a place to make your home for now. We hope to see more and talk to you soon. 

Kieren and Gavin had friends over for a Saturday movie party down on the patio. I believe they had fun. It was so late and I was so tired I was laying in bed. 

And Alysia helped Kieren teach at the mini-MTC. Ty was at that while mom and I helped with the spring cleanup. 

In Bishopric meeting the spiritual thought was about husbands and wives and how the complete each other, not compete with each other. The hand book says it this way:

The nature of male and female spirits is such that they complete each other. Men and women are intended to progress together toward exaltation.

Sis. Burton the General RS president said it this way after talking of the handbook statement:

Please note that it does not say “compete with each other” but “complete each other”! We are here to help, lift, and rejoice with each other as we try to become our very best selves.

I know mom sure completes me. But she has had to work hard and continues to do so to make me more of who I can be. 

Love you forever,

Dad

3 John 1:4

Getting Old

Getting old is not for the faint of heart.  I have no clue what I did but my knee is killing me the last two days. I have a hard time standing up and walking is a challenge. My life is getting better and better, but my body is not playing along!  

Mom and I spent most of Saturday painting the front and back doors. We had to use a Kilz primer to get over the old, then painted the trim white and doors a color. Check it out!

It doesn't seem like it would take long but it took us quite a while. But nice to get both painted. Especially the back door so we can get the storm door back up. I like the new look since it makes it stand out much more and it gives the house just a small splash of color. 

While we were waiting for some to dry, mom is looking out the window and behold!  Rudolph as his friends out for a spring stroll. It has been a while since I have seen them so close in our yard. 

I tried to spend some time Saturday getting my church stuff organized. I had tons of separate agendas and such with various notes. So I took them all and build a few electronic methods to stay organized. Notes, commitments, action items, and callings plans. It feels good to know I have them all with me with any device I have. I just have to get better at ensuring I follow up on it all. It's amazing to me how much crosses my mind as to what should be done. I am working hard to utilize the full ward resources to get it all accomplished. Including the full time Elders who are wonderful to work on any assignment we give them. I hope you are soliciting assignments from your Bishop Gavin. Bless the ward by seeking assignments and then be sure to return and report. 

It was a pleasure today to see in the Ward some people who have been inactive for some time but they are trying to change their life for the better and they were there today. It's so nice when they come seeking for better and best and work to make changes to enact that in their life. 

I had a fantastic training class at work this week. Two days  learning to better manage myself during "crucial conversations". These are ones where the stakes are high, or there are differing opinions, or there are strong emotions present. It was interesting that a huge premise of theirs is that you cannot change others but you can change the way YOU respond. Sounds just like the Gospel and agency. It was good to see how I can better recognize when the conversation is escalating and some mental tools to use to "check" myself and get more to a position where there can be constructive discussion instead of words that will bring regret. As well they talk about "start from the heart" meaning be sure you have your motives clear and pure so they guide what you really want from the conversation. And to find mutual purpose so it can be a win win situation instead of one getting their way and one just giving in. It was interesting to reflect on myself when they discussed "silence or violence" as the two spectrums most go to when there is a problem. We either give in and say, like "what ever then", or "sure, what ever you want."  That is "silence."  Violence does not mean physical but can be aggressive tones, elevated voice, lack of willingness to discuss etc. If you think about challenging conversations and how you respond I bet you will see those traits. The goal is to recognize that and take action to bring neither into play but to manage yourself so that you can keep you and the others in a constructive discussion. You may not agree on all points but you can still have discussion that can lead to better outcomes. It was a good class that will help at work, home, and church. 

I hope all enjoy Memorial Day. Remember those who have given their last full measure of devotion. 

Love you forever,

Dad

3 John 1:4

God's Love

Another remarkable week.  I got to visit with President Ward this week at work!  He is over the development program and so annually I visit to discuss progress and plans for the next year.  This is the first time with him so that was fun.  It was also enjoyable to catch up on his plans to retire by Bear Lake where we had such a fun summer trip.

I had a few frustrating moments at work also, when people agree to one thing in meetings then you find just a few days later they are doing just the opposite.  I guess life does not change much as that happens throughout life.  I get challenged by it and have to work hard through prayer to just realize everyone is trying their best in their own way.  At home, at church, at work.  

This is like a discussion we had at ward council.  Among all those that are not like us, (everyone is someone else's weirdo!) we have to realize that to God, we don't look so different.  We all have a long way to travel.  Then as we discussed I had a great feeling come over me that built greater love for all those we were discussing like God's love for them.

Then later as I was doing interviews with the youth, I had such a strong feeling of how he loves all, in their various states, but is especially pleased with those that love Him and put Him first in their lives.  It was a remarkably strong impression that those that sacrifice and work through challenges to draw closer to Him, really bring a strong spirit and He is so pleased with their choices.

I finished putting all the trim on the back door and it is looking really good.  Kieren helped me finish the inside and even Alysia helped to cut off the expanding foam I used to seal the cracks.  

We had a great time at Skjelse and Jeff's before they left.  We will miss them.  They made great kabobs and i even had the last few leftover today as mom brought them to me at church so I could eat during the day.  They were delicious.  Well done Jeff and Skjelse.

Ty competed this week at Science Olympiad national tournament.  He is remarkable.  He and partner took first place in WIDI for the entire nation.  WOW!  The Centerville team took 4th overall.  They did so well.  

Mom is so good to me, from making me kjotteboller for Syttende Mai today to loving me enough to just want to be with me at Seminary graduation even though Ty is away.  I love being with her.  Everywhere we go is a great time with her.

I though so much about Norway today. I loved the parades, the graduating class that makes up the main part of the parade, the Bunads on men and women, each with their distinctive designs representing where their heritage is from.   I loved seeing the way the architecture is done with the buildings right along the waterfront.  And especially in Trondheim to be close to the ward members and their families as they had graduating seniors and how we tried to help them prepare their minds to stay close to the Lord as they moved to the next stage of life.  We worked so much with the youth under the direction of the bishop there.  It was a remarkable time to build a program to help the youth find strength in each other and to build upon a foundation of the Gospel of Jesus Christ.

I wore my flag lapel pin proudly today.

Love you forever,

Dad

3 John 1:4