Learning from unexpected places

So through a series of events I had this brought to my attention this week. So let's start with the quote. It is from Elder Andersons talk from this conference. 

When my wife, Kathy, and I were in Africa a few weeks ago, we visited Mbuji-Mayi, Democratic Republic of the Congo. Because the chapel was not large enough for the 2,000 members, we met out of doors under large plastic coverings supported by bamboo poles. As the meeting began, we could see dozens of children watching us, clinging to the bars on the outside of the wrought-iron fence that surrounded the property. Kathy quietly whispered, “Neil, do you think that you might want to invite the children to come in?” I approached District President Kalonji at the podium and asked him if he would welcome the children outside the fence to come join us inside.

It is interesting how much I learned from this, that was not related to his talk at all. So I learned a few things, or at least reinforced things I have known. 

1. Notice how it was his wife who reviewed this revelation and not the apostle sitting there. That regardless of calling all can participate equally and everyone has something to contribute. 

2. All activity is best handled through the proper use of keys. She did not invite them in, but she gave counsel to the one holding keys and let them act upon it. 

3. It is so wise to listen to the counsel you receive. Many have input that they are genuinely interesting in providing to make things better. And you are not so cool that others cannot have really great ideas that can make you better too. 

All these are things I would not have pulled from this story if I had not been reviewing conference talks and also counseling with others who shared this and started me down a path of pondering. 

I had a great week. I was in China and had productive meetings and time spent. I wish I could beam myself back and forth, but at least it was useful time there. Most days I went until around 9 or 10 PM. Then back at it around 7:00 the next morning. One day we did not leave the office until 9:30 then had a further discussion around diner until about 11:30. I am so sleep deprived :). I had an aggressive agenda and we did many of the items, but we also missed about 1/3 of them that we just ran out of time. For that late dinner we went to a less than fancy, but still great restaurant. A nice change for me and much more comfortable for me. It was a Chinese hot pot style you can see in the picture. You cook the food right there in the broth of your choosing. I spent my time in the highest level spicy pot. It was great. 

My return trip took over 36 hours from office to home. It was grueling. But I wanted to get home earlier rather than spend another day there. Everything went according to plan except the final flight had three mechanical issues so we spent an extra hour plus in the plane until we could leave. 

I learned how to tally counts in Chinese. I showed those at home but in the picture you can see the way they tally. It goes from 1 to 5 and they would do that over and over as needed. Interesting how different it is from how we make our 4 marks the. A crossover for the fifth. 

You can just enjoy Lys crazy hair!

Love you forever,

Dad

3 John 1:4

Dorothy Had It Right!

Meander back with me in time. Come to your childhood years and bask in the loving memories. Now pull out from the memory bank watching wizard of Oz. remember Dorothy?  She clicks her heals and says ....?

"There's no place like home."  

Well, she was right. All this week it has been crazy. The days at work long, but I feel I have made progress in getting things off my plate. Closing out more things than I opened. Which in all is a good week. 

Each evening has been packed but fulfilling. Monday was FHE. We had fun playing a new game and trying to figure it out. And Ty's lesson was a blast and very inventive in its approach. It made for a great night. But short on sleep (the theme for the week :-)). 

Tuesday was mutual and my plans to participate went out the window and I ended up spending the full time plus (just ask Lys about the "plus") in interviews. Surprising but fulfilling nonetheless. 

Wednesday we spent over at Spencer's doing repairs to their house that are required for their sale to go through. They are moving within Centerville but out of their house. Ty, mom, Lys and I helped fix railings, decks, concrete, painting and toilets. Service is always a great thing when you will engage in it with a willing heart and mind. 

Thursday was a wonderful stake auxiliary training meeting. All about improving teaching. Mom and I were able to sit next to each other for the first hour!  So cool. Great instruction and training and I'm glad we got to go. 

Friday we went to Harper's and had ribs for dinner. She always does them so nice and there is soooooo much. We ended up staying long and talking with them. 

Saturday was global youth service day in the morning, then Ty, Sam White and I went back to Spencer's to break out and replace a small section of crumbled concrete. We had to chisel and air hammer it out until it was strong again. Then put in new concrete patch material and finish it with cement trowel to match with the existing. 

They had quotes for nearly $2,000 do do the work we did in about 4 hours. Crazy!  I am so glad my dad and brothers taught me so much along the way. It has been a treasure and a gift to have from them. 

In the afternoon I had a meeting with the sisters and zone leaders for a BVR and we had a great monthly check up and plan forward. Then a great dinner from mom et al and it was delicious. As always. 

A great week but in it all, I see again how much I love to be home. 

And now I am in transit to China again. Have hardly left and I wish I were home. I am gone this week and coming home Saturday. I actually travel the China night Friday, then the US night Friday to get home a few hours earlier than other option. 

When you are down, frustrated, or feeling shorted, go out and serve others. It does amazing things. Go figure since the ultimate example of service is our Savior and showed the way. 

Thank you for the good you are doing in your lives. It brings much joy to your dad!

Love you forever,

Dad

3 John 1:4

Cold Again

In so many ways that's true. We woke up Saturday morning to a couple inches of snow. It was a surprise to say the least. But then again, we are not the best Ohio weather watchers. And for me personally I got a cold again and was miserable Friday as it got worse and worse through the day. 

Saturday was way fun. We saw Ty at science Olympiad state tournament and the. Went to lunch with grandma and grandpa. After that we went to the temple and did initiatory for names Ty and mom had found. 

The weather was crazy and the roads were typical Ohio response to it. Car after car, semi after semi was off the road, spun around, in the ditch, or overturned. I have to be careful and not jinx it, but I am unclear how they can be such crazy drivers. There were dozens between here and Columbus. 

At work I had a good week and worked on so many things. I worked with a group to do what's called a value stream map. We laid out what we see as what happens now, then we map out what it should be. With those two in hand, we can find the gaps and start working projects to close those gaps over time. For this one, we have challenges with how we take our own designs and get them manufactured for electronics. Our last one took nearly 18 months and it should be more like 3-4. So it's a great tool to find the ways to improve while involving the group to get wider buy in. 

We had a great church today. Really good testimonies including a declared hate of pickles by Matthew Crouch. Skjelse, you should appreciate him!  It was really cute but he pulled it into a great gospel lesson. I wish e rest of you could have been here. It was also so nice to have grandma and grandpa here. 

I love working with the councils in our lives. Ward council was great, we have been having lots of family councils. 

I hope Ty tells you all of his good news on two fronts. He has lived an exciting week!

Reflect on conference, re-read the talks and learn from them. There are so many good ones this time. I was amazing at it. I had so many promptings that Bro. Crouch started making fun of me. I sent him so many texts of things or people I needed to meet with. It's a great day when we will listen and follow. 

Gavin, we sure hope you are feeling better. We have been praying for you all week. 

Do your best to serve others this week. When we get outside ourselves we find things to be so much better. 

Love you forever,

Dad

3 John 1:4

The hope of Easter

I love today being Easter and reflecting on the hope it provides. There is so much more than just a short life here. I hope you all can remember that today. 

We had fun watching the virtual hallelujah chorus video. Pretty awesome. I cancelled morning meeting and had a wonderful sabbath day. I got to see Ty and Lys before church which was wonderful. 

I had a good question asked of me today, and I would appreciate your responses. Please send me an email with your thoughts. "Why do we bless babies?"

I got to have Friday off and spent the day very relaxed and really enjoyed it. Then Friday night I had fun with the priests quorum sports night. My knee is not quite as happy as the rest of me, but it was a fun night. First time in years I have played basketball. I really stink!  But it got a bit better as time went on. Then I learned the concept of chair soccer and that was a new experience. Trent and his family also came unexpectedly and Trent came up for a couple of the last hours of the sports. That was fun to have him there. And it was really fun to see them all and talk with them. 

They spent a lazy morning and left around noon. Mom and I went and did service for a family needing help and then we painted the front door and back door. They are yellow now. I still really enjoy the door we got. I love how it brings in light and reminds me of the beauty of the temples. 

The evening was terrific as we watched the women's meeting broadcast. I really liked Sis. Marriott and Sis. Burton as they spoke of service and hope. I wish you all would read them again. It's amazing that when we get outside ourselves the world around us along with our happiness expands. 

Work has been hard in dealing with people and their different perceptions and assumptions. It's hard not to offend or cause others to make harsh judgments in some ways. But I am learning in both work and church to be patient, try me best, and then teach kindly as I keep moving forward. We all have to deal with tough people and we can't just run away. We have to face our challenges and work through them. Even when it can really take us out of our comfort zone. Perhaps especially when. It is then that we grow and learn new things we never thought we could do, learn and become. 

Love you forever,

Dad

3 John 1:4

It's the most wonderful time, of the year

Sing along with me. But it's not Christmas, it's conference. This one was just amazing. Totally. If you missed any session including last weeks general women's meeting, you just have to listen to it. I loved it. I had so many revelatory instances I wore out the executive secretary. He had to write back wondering what was going on :)

Attached is a picture you may have seen on Instagram but I know Gavin did not. And he is the star!  I loved the photo, what it represented, and how the quote went so well with the picture, and so well with missionary work. 

I also really loved all the talks on temples and the covenants there. Elder Kearon talking about refugees and humanitarian needs. What a powerful lesson and I loved how it cross referenced in my mind to the talk yesterday of the further the distance between the giver and the receiver, the greater the feeling of entitlement. How true that is as we give personal service to those around us, it becomes meaningful to both in such deepening ways. 

I cannot wait to listen to it all again. 

Yesterday was great with conference and I sprinkled in a bit of repairs and work. I "think" I got the riding mower to stop leaking gas again. I have thought that before, but each time brings more confidence. And after I mowed a bit more and it ran so much better. I am learning much about carburetors and I now have another talk object lesson. The main issue was a "pin" that holds the needle and float in place. It is about half the size of a sewing needle so it is so thin. But I had it turned the wrong way. It does not appear it should matter but in research and now in experience, it does. What an amazing thing that such a small and simple thing can bring about great things, like mowing and running so smooth. It is such a tiny thing but matters so much. 

Plus I love that we still have a riding mower for the cost of a better and two tires off Craigslist. If you recall Ty found it in someone's spring clean up and we got it free. I love a bargain!

Friday we went together and helped McBee's get the rest of a tree down that mostly fell in the massive storm. Then we also took down a major branch at Rush's yard. It was a fun night of service. I even started to teach Lys how to use the chainsaw. Much to her dismay and disgust. But she did amazing and was a natural lumberjack (or is it lumberjane?)

It really is amazing how the Lord will direct your life if you let Him. If you are willing to listen and then act. So many small things that come into my mind that I can act on and follow His guidance. 

I was so pleased today to get a text during the talk on fathers. It made me happy to be a father and I love that so much. There is no match to being a father. No other thing, activity, or investment can measure up. Thanks for making me so happy to be your father. 

Love you forever, and our covenants give us the promise to be together forever based upon our faithfulness. 

Dad

3 John 1:4

Week of Wonders

This has been a remarkable week. Really remarkable. 

First I have, yet again, increased my love for your mom. What would I do without her?  She is a pillar to me and I lean on her so much. She is irreplaceable. 

Next, I was privileged to give temple recommend interviews to a member of the temple presidency and the assistant matron. That won't happen again I my life!  

Then I had the most amazing day of training and inspiration imaginable. 

Last I had a wonderful Sabbath and found it yet again to be a delight. 

So today was wonderful. I have great councilor a who operate so close to the spirit. Bringing up difficult things and helping us work through them. Then church was really cool, great speakers and that is saying a lot when one of them makes Ty grin from ear to ear for a loooong time. It was fun!  Then. Had really meaningful interviews with many members for all sorts of reasons and it is a pleasure to work with them. Lives can change for the better when we just believe. And give Him a chance to work in our lives. Then tonight we had a great BYD where the youth shared all they learned from the special youth meeting the night before. They have great comments, great notes, and great attitudes. 

Yesterday was a day to learn and be tutored. I went from morning to night with a bit of break. I left at 8:45 and went to Cincinnati to attend a leadership conference. It was led by Elder Anderson of the quorum of the twelve apostles, and had Elder Gong from the presidency of the Seventy, Bishop Waddell of the presiding bishopric, and Elder Sinclair our area authority. Now add to that 2 mission presidents, and 3 temple presidents. Wow!  And I got tutored for 4 hours, then a break, then we went back for a special youth meeting in the evening. 

I have so much I learned and felt. It's just too much to write. If you want more let me know and I can send more notes. I appreciated the learning in my mind and heart of seeing the unseen. In the sense of the gift of discernment to see the unseen things people are not talking about in interviews. To discern the heart. In general we heard of passing the log of the gospel to the next generation, sabbath day observance, the law of the fast, and working in councils and quorums. You have had letters from me before on that last one!

We had about 30 youth from the Ward that went down to the youth meeting, and Ty invited a friend from science Olympiad to go with him which was such a great missionary success!

With that busy day, I got little else done this weekend. Mom and I did go down and help tear out a large entry and close of tile with the air chisel and compressor. It was messy, loud, and went nicely and quick for what it was. But we got it all out for them and it was so quick compared to doing it by hand. Go destroy something tomorrow (that is appropriate). It's great therapy!

I did finish the brake job on Max, well Ty did anyway, while I watched. He did great and we fixed it right up. Now we have done the entire car brakes. 

Use the atonement daily, it brings personal power. Remember the power of the infimate atonement. The more far reaching the effect, the more personal the impact. 

Love you forever, 

Dad

3 John 1:4

The Temple and the Atonement

What a fantastic sabbath today. It was Ward conference and I loved it. Early early day with daylight savings, but worth it. I got up at 5:30 and finished at 9PM. But a delightful day. Sacrament meeting was just myself and president Valencia speaking. I talked about the connection between the temple and the Atonement and he talked about sabbath day observance and the Atonement. 

I have learned much more about the atonement and the role of it from the learning in the temple than anywhere else. You use the atonement to qualify for the temple, and when you are in the temple you learn to use the atonement. It's a cycle. 

I also shared thoughts about both the redemptive side of the atonement which brings us back to whole, and the enabling side of the atonement which is for all of us to move us forward, to help us become what He wants us to be and knows we can be. 

I also shared the concept of the infimate atonement. It is both infinite and intimate. The more far reaching the effect, the more personal the impact. It is a wonderful doctrine that can really bring it home to in personally if we let it into our hearts. 

Then tonight we had our first ever OSYD. Optional Sunday youth discussion. I had just the priests and laurels and we had round table discussions. We reviewed a few of the questions from the recent face to face for YSA. I figured since they are there soon, it would be good. We had a great time, wonderful comments and insight, and good feedback that they want it more often. It was valuable to them. 

We had a really wonderful sacrament too. The priests did a remarkable job of bringing the spirit with that covenant prayer. 

Saturday mom and I went to the temple and, wow, is it awesome. I still find so many things to know, learn, understand, and discover. Mom helped me too in thinking about how God deals with us, and how we can deal with others. We picked up some family file names we had left before, along with the ones we completed ourselves. 

Right before we left for the temple, we had the missionaries and zone leaders over for a bishops vision meeting. We go through the results of last month, and then they get direction of what we need in the Ward to focus on. We really see that as they increase lessons taught with members present, they got more to sacrament meeting, better progress, and have more members will I to go out. As we finished that, we had lunch which the marvelous mom had prepared. Then when we ate, they wanted to hear our engagement  story. Mom tells it sooooo good. But we only got part way before time ran out!  

I was frantic as I tried to fix the front brakes on the car. Ty had one car at the school while he was at science Olympiad regional competition. (He did very well and team took first overall as well, state here  they come). The mountaineer takes so much gas I didn't want to drive all the way to the temple. But I had the car apart doing the front, and of course it has to have issues. One one side the caliper pin was rusted in a locked position, so the. Rakes would not work right. After beating on it, and working it with PB Blaster, I finally got it out.  It took like 20 mins just for that one pin. I had to run and get a new set of pins so it will slide correctly. I finally get it back together and start on the other side. I get it apart and then it's time to come in for the missionary meeting. I try to compress the caliper and guess what, it's frozen, locked in place. I sprayed it and went in. I called to get the part (not like I wanted to spend the money but.....) but no one has it in stock, and it would take 3-4 days to get it. Sigh!  So I do the meeting and eat. The. I run out while mom is finishing the story and surprise, the PB Blaster has loosened it enough that I can get the caliper to move a little. Not perfect but it begins to free up. Solved problem number two. Then on this side both caliper pins are rusted and going nowhere. I had to beat on this one even more. I put it in the vise to try and break it loose. Of course I finally did, but it was a pain. But replace the pins, and it's magic how it all works right now. I would have had to pay a fortune to get that done. But the parts were not much at all. I am so grateful to my dad for helping me learn so much. 

Make sure you believe inside yourself each day that it is a fantastic day. Then make it that way. 

Love you forever,

Dad

3 John 1:4