Winter Has Arrived

So I woke up early to go to bishopric meeting and at 5:30 it was 48 F. When Ward council started someone walked in with big giant flakes all over them. I was so excited. After all of church and my interviews I walk out and the car is covered with snow. It was a winter wonderland. Except that an angel had scraped my windows and made it simple easy to drive home. That was sooooo nice. And it was 23 F. So a 25 degree drop in just a few hours as the day went on. Amazing what weather can do. We just have no clue the effect it can have. But it is beautiful and I am glad to have some snow. It is now only 14F. 

I had a great day. Sacrament was the bishopric talking so I spoke again. I enjoyed having a prompting to share a story about me and my grandpa (TO Smith) and irrigation pipes. It only came to mind as I was sitting on the stand just before my talk. It related to the acronym PIPE which the covenants of the temple give us Power, Influence, Protection, and Endurance. Then I shared stories and doctrine that relate to each one and the temple. I then taught priest quorum lesson on relationships with our earthly and Heavenly Father and how we can improve them. I left them with Elder Ballard's challenge to work with their fathers.  

After some interviews I got done early and actually got a nap!  It was heavenly. I have not been able to do that for so long. Then off to the youth family history class and we had 27 youth plus about a dozen adults. All come of their own choice and even with the poor weather we had more than ever before. It was great. Mom is getting to be a wiz at it. I spent time helping a little, talking a lot, and then prepping for the BYD next week on the miracles that happen during new temple construction. 

This week I went back to work and it was fought to go daily for long days after I had been off for two plus weeks. It's so nice to be home. And spend time with mom and y'all. But it was good, I got much done, and got back in the flow of how much needs to be done and pushing so many things one more step forward. I also got some really nice feedback from my boss on my performance and a plan to give me development opportunities to grow more. Nice on one hand, and a sarcastic yipee on the other since that will mean more work to fit in. But it will give me learning and experience in aspects that I don't now have and will make me more prepared for things in the future. 

Tuesday the priests had a unique activity. We melted chocolate and dipped things in or made chocolate creations. They were pretty gnarly looking but fun. But it was a great tie in to a gospel principle. Enoch told us we all are like the various items we brought. All different, each good, all bring things unique. But when we dip ourselves in chocolate, or the gospel, we are just so much better. I thought it was a good and tasty tie in. 

Enjoy Ty and mom playing chess tonight. We tried to stream the CES devotional but it's having issues tonight. So we will try that later and did this instead. 

Remember that the Atonement has remarkable power. It enables us to say, 'twas I, but 'tis not I about our past shortcomings. 

Love you forever,

Dad

3 John 1:4