Family History

We started an amazing effort to help the youth find names and do family history. We had 26 youth voluntarily come and we indexed and started to do family history searches. 6 youth started the work to search names and in just the first hour, with most of it being teaching about family search, we found 5 names. And Ty found 3 of those. Norwegian ancestors at that!  Heia Norge. 

It was fun to see so many doing the work and having fun together. We will be doing this each week as we take on the #templechallenge. 

It was a good day at church. Good messages on teaching in the home and in the church. And just good learning for teaching in general. We started the effort to plan and set goals for the coming year in Ward council. It sure is interesting how so many different perspectives can come out in just one Ward council. But I feel strongly what the Lord wants the wad to accomplish, so taking what He has provided, and listening to the Ward council, I will come up with a vision for the Ward, and then we will work goals to support that vision.  I know it leads us to the temple but still working on the rest. 

It has been a long week at work as there has been much to do. I am trying to do the regular and work with many different groups across the globe, but also I am undertaking a major effort to gather learning from our latest product launch so we can improve our efforts next time. I spent nearly 20 hours last week alone on that. And this week will be similar. Then I have to make sense of it all and develop action plans to make a difference. I also am preparing for a major 4 day seminar to help us map out the future condition we want to be in, and find the gaps compared to today. It is all taking a lot of time but we can't wait too long or the experiences of everyone get stale. 

I spent a chunk of Saturday putting together a table Ty is making for JP. He had all the cuts, and I put it together while he was spelunking in Kentucky.  The Priests quorum went down there Friday and Saturday. The table has to be just the right height to fit under her bar, and above the stools she bought. So we had to custom make the base. We will paint it black and then there is a black top to put on it. But we will just screw it down to the base so we just have to paint and then affix the top. 

You can see also that Ty is doing the same class as Gavin. Gavin did a catapult, Ty is doing the trebuchet. He is now looking for heavier weights. Gavin, he is even using e same base you did!

Mom is preparing for an amazing YW in excellence coming soon. She has done tons of work and it will be a phenom. She always does amazing things. 

Mom and I went on a date to see a home show house that was nearby. It was fun to see the trends and styles of what they are doing recently. We still really like what we have done here. 

Join Ty and Lys and search your ancestors so you can take names to the temple. I know Kieren also has lots of names she is working through. It's great to have us all working to unite family. 

Love you forever. 

Dad

3 John 1:4

Fantastic Sabbath

This week I turned my world upside down. Or more likely backwards. I worked from home on Wednesday Thursday Friday only because on Tuesday night Wednesday night and Thursday night I worked third shift so that I could be on meetings with Asia.
I would be either on the phone from nine until one or so or I would get up at 12 or one and be on until four or five in the morning to be able to participate in meetings and get good information. It was quite crazy and kind of confused my body but not as much as if I traveled over there.  Each morning I would pretty much go back to bed after family scriptures and prayers and Ty and Lysi were off to school.  Mom would walk or do other things and I would sleep for a few hours and then I would get up but I'd be able to have a great and fantastic day all to myself was my best friend, mom.
Sunday was a pretty awesome day this week. We got to have President Porter of the Cincinnati Ohio Michigan come and he and his wife talked at sacrament meeting, then I met with him and the ward mission leader during the second hour and then he did a group lesson and discussion during the third hour with all the adults and youth. It was amazing how he could take the doctrine of Christ and be able to wrap it in for such a long discussion but kept everybody engaged and beautiful to have everybody learning new things.  I really like how he made a connection of the letter C going from keeping commitments to keeping the Commandments to entering and living covenants to taking upon us the character of Christ. It was a great progression as you think about how you go on the path from where we are now back to perfection and eternal life.
After that wonderful day I only had a few interviews and then I was able to come home and work on a bunch of follow-up things to be able to keep some new initiatives in the ward going. Working really hard on family history, the temple and missionary work. Everyone of them has really good people doing great things as well as reaching out to less active and teaching in the ward and the homes. It's really awesome to be a part of the work of salvation.
For bishops youth discussion we had a conference review but I had given handouts to all the youth to read a conference talk to be prepared to share some specific learning especially a quote that they would put on a poster and if they were going to make a conference poster.  They all did a really remarkable job and many of them shared some great insights and learning that they had had with the others. We probably shared about 15 different talks that came from Conference and amazingly enough none of them were repeated.  I got that idea from somebody I know that is in our family that happens to be serving in Hermosillo Mexico. Thank you Gavin for your great idea and it worked out really really wonderful.  I think it was a great experience for all of us that were there.
Recently I have also learned more directly the power of fasting and prayer. I was amazed as I had a specific topic that I was considering as I went in earnest prayer and started my fast and carried that into the Sabbath day how much I learned from that as I went through today. But the biggest miracle was how fast my request for help through prayer and fasting came to be as I received answers that very day. I don't think it's usually supposed to work that way but I felt very blessed and it was so amazing to be able to have answer so quickly and in such a strong way.
Whenever you need that extra help and support to be able to take care of a challenging problem or concern that you have, please remember that prayer and fasting are remarkable tools that you can employ at any time in your life.  You don't even have to wait for a fast Sunday.
Love you forever,
Dad
3 John 1:4

A Week Of Firsts

Wow, a week of firsts I have never done before. Not things I really want to have experience with but nonetheless I now have these behind me. So end of last week Cindy Johnston in our Ward passed away unexpectedly. I found out while attending a baptism and went directly over after. First time to comfort and meet with a family after a death. First time to be there before the coroner had done their work and carried away the body. First time to meet with and plan services for a member when all of the remaining family is not a member of the church. First time to coordinate with a funeral home, first time to arrange the dressing of the body. First time to conduct a funeral service, first time to give a plan of salvation talk at a funeral, again to mostly non members. First time to dedicate a grave. Many firsts but not so exciting!

Now it was also a first today when Kerry's brought over a treat for "clergy appreciation day" which I have never heard of but turns out to be a national day. That was fun!  

It actually was a good experience to ponder so much about the gospel and how it really influences lives. She was a member since she was 20 when she discovers the full truth of the gospel. She was very involved, serving in the stake primary presidency. And she was a temple worker and loved to be there. It was neat to witness of the eternal covenants made in temples and the way they fit into the plan to bind families together after this life. 

On Friday, the day of the funeral and burial, mom was so nice and came with me all day. But it started great as we went to seminary that morning and went to Lys class. Great day where I recognized new types of Christ in the Joseph of Egypt story. There were tons of them. We then had the comparative religions classes at CHS and we had the sister missionaries present. They did fantastic at summarizing our beliefs in a brief way and then fielding all sorts of questions from every angle. But the students were very respectful, inquisitive, and at the end of the day more that 30 took up the invitation to take a Book of Mormon on their way out if they would like one. And it was fun to help answer some of the questions. 

The work week was one with not a moment to spare. I really had meetings and commitments from 7 AM to 5 or after everyday last week. Good things. It just not a moment to catch my breath. And with the funeral, viewing, mutual, etc. I had no evenings either. Crazy!

Saturday was a day of rest. I slept in, yes I really did!  I did odd jobs with everyone or with myself during the day except for an hour for a PPI with president Valencia. Gavin, I rode the motorcycle up, it was too nice a day not to!  He is a great one. Always helpful to me. 

We cut up all the wood that had fallen in the forest from storms etc. all of us worked together and in less than an hour had it all cut up, broken up, and stacked ready for use. It will be nice to have the fire for the winter. We mowed, fixed, checked etc. rear defroster that had one line bad, a chair seat that had broken through, hoses put away, broken chairs etc put in garbage and just a good day of lots of little jobs to be done. 

Today was another amazing day. I had to get up to church a bit early to make copies etc because my executive secretary is out this week. (Skjelse, it's brother Crouch, they still miss you!). So I was up there at 5:45 to be ready for bishopric meeting, then PEC, then Ward council. I will say it again, councils are phenomenal. They bring out so many perspectives that help to create a better end result. I am so appreciative for them and all those who serve. 

I had one interview set when the day started but by the time I went home, I had 6 that "created" themselves out of nowhere. But they were very positive and lead to great results with improved lives. The minute we decide to want a change from something we have done wrong, that is the instant the Atonement has claim upon us to move us forward. 

I would send you my funeral talk but this is already long. I want the best for each of you. 

Love you forever,

Dad

3 John 1:4

Best Weekend Of The Year

I love conference weekend. Always a great chance to relax, focus on what is most important, and to spend extra time with everyone. We missed Gavin at the priesthood session but thought lots of you while there. I have cherished the times to be together. Ty seemed to have a stubborn streak with me and I think we both won. Neither wanted to choose where to sit!  So in the end we both made partial decisions. I while aisle, Ty which row, then I did the side. He made me laugh as we were trying to choose as time was winding down to the start. I love being with all of you. I find it fun and best use of time. 

I had a crazy week at work, a major review for two of the big programs to get ready and present the material to ban agreement to move on. But in the end it went well and we are progressing on. There is always more to do than can ever be done. But I just try to go after the more important and work down from there. And communicate when something can't be done or will be later so everyone knows. 

On Saturday we went to Tabitha Whites baptism and that was really nice. I enjoyed seeing the spirit affect those there. While waiting for them to dry and change clothes, I got pulled out and a sister in the Ward had passed away. She is the only member in her family. So right after it ended mom and I went to visit with the family. It was very unexpected and she is the first to die in their family even thought they are all older. But not real old so a surprise to them. The funeral will be late this week. 

We also get to do the comparative religions class at CHS this week. The elders and sisters will be leading that and we will be there for support and questions. 

I really enjoyed Elder Hollands talk on mothers and women. I hope you all listened to that. Mom is the best example. I feel like I need to simplify and center my life from the talks given. 

Here are two quotes I really liked:

1. If you want to be more than you are now, reach up not over. Elder Hales

2. The future of your faith is determined by choose, not by chance. Elder Anderson

Since we got sisters back in the Ward I have been trying to make sure we get them into the workings of the Ward as soon as we can. They have gone out with some sisters already and been here twice for meetings and dinner. It is nice to be trusted with two sets of missionaries again. We need to put them to work. We have plenty we can do. 

It was really nice to be with Ty at the recognition assembly for national merit semi finalists and commended scholars. 

Saturday was also the traditional pumpkin giveaway. We went early and it was fun to watch Lys wander and wander the whole patch to find the one calling out to her. Then we had to go back around the building so she could get a donut. She is fun to race and goof with. 

Work hard at doing what is not good, or even better, but what is best this coming week. 

Love you,

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

Centerville Ward Awesomeness

I just wanted to share some wonderful news from our Ward. And realize you can help this happen where you are serving as you work hand in hand with the Ward leadership and use the whole Ward council. It really is an inspired way to go. 

We had a part member family, where the father is inactive and a priest in the Aaronic priesthood. We had tried to reach out and the missionaries had taught the wife for over two years. So normally this is a situation like so many others that everyone gives up. But they didn't. The missionaries and the Ward kept going, inviting, reaching out whether they responded or not. 

Fast forward to now. The father has been working to prepare to receive the Melchizedek priesthood, the wife finally decided to get baptized and yesterday she did. Guess who did the baptism?  Yep, the husband. It was sooooo cool. He even gave a remarkably great talk about the holy ghost in the baptism program. It was so neat. Today she was confirmed by her father in law who came out for this event. After she was confirmed we even had extended a calling so she is now a Sunday school teacher and is totally stoked to do it. She can't wait. 

A turning point came when they attended the Indianapolis temple open house. After that the dominos began to fall. And now she is meeting with the family history consultant to prepare names so they can go to the temple to do baptism for the dead. This is just too good. In reality we know who is the author of this goodness we get to observe!  

So keep working, reaching out and don't give up. Realize He is the one in control and its on His timetable. So just keep working hard and praying hard. 

Thank you all for your work and service that blesses so many lives, including ours here in Centerville. 

Bishop Smith

Sabbath Day Observance

We have had a bunch of discussions recently on how to heighten our worship on the sabbath day. It has been most instructive and enlightening to participate in them. We have done this at the stake, Ward, Ward council, bishopric, and tonight with the youth. It has been fun to see all the different inputs, large and small, that can lead to action. We have been putting some of them to work. We made small adjustments to how we get ready for sacrament meeting and what we do the last 15 mins leading up to the start. And today was a massive difference in the reverent attitude prior to sacrament starting. It was neat to see. 

We had the youth at our house for BYD tonight. We had 51 of them and some adults so over 60 in the house. Whew. But we broke into smaller groups and had them discuss ideas on how to improve the sabbath day for the Ward, then next level for the home and family, and then next level for them personally. I had 5 youth lead the discussion, and I had adults taking notes but not allowed to participate in the discussion. So I could get the real feedback from the youth and we got 6 pages of notes to find ideas and try to make changes to improve. It was a great night. We also answered more questions they had submitted and we had some good ones again. "Why are there so many chapters on wars in the Book of Mormon when they could have included better things?"  Or "I don't understand heaven, like who was Heavenly Fathers dad?"  Really good questions. 

Saturday was a special day it was the day I got ready for Sunday. (Did you hear the primary music in your head?). I got up earlier than the others (duh) and I went to get gas for the mowers and trimmers. Then I trimmer, edged, blew, and mowed all the lawn but the main portion Ty did on Thursday night. I had to finish before we went to Kirstie's baptism and it was supposed to rain right after that. Which it did, so I was glad I got it done. I also took the pole saw and cut down two large branches that had died and we're hanging out over the lawn. All before 9. Good work dad!  I replaced the steering wheel controls this week so the maxima now looks like it should instead of a gaping hole in the steering wheel controls. Ty and I reset some of the pavers on the patio that had been made askew from the freeze and thaw cycles. We found one area where drainage had eroded a hole beneath it so we found a big rock and then poured concrete around it to firm it up. It look much better. I cleaned all the front wheels that get so black on each car. So fresh and clean!  The Buzz had a frozen caliper on the rear so I broke it free with some serious work and then Replaced the guide pins. With those cleaned, and greased, it make such a difference and now slides easily for better breaking power and even wear. So instead of paying someone $300, or even buying a $80 part, I spent $5 and one hour and poof. So fun for me. 

Look what Alysia tried again last week and she is amazing. Really a natural. So consistent and on the mark. 

I love you forever, nothing stops that, it is always there. 

Get ready for conference. We get two new apostles this time. General women's meeting is this Saturday!  

Dad

3 John 1:4