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