A Delight?

So we should all realize the focus on the Sabbath from Pres. Nelsons talk 2 conferences ago. And there has been a lot of training and discussions on how we can improve our Sabbath day worship. But a few have wondered in his talk "is the Sabbath really a delight?"

They may have long days, meetings, church, giving a lesson, visiting people, going to a fireside and such. With it so busy is it a delight?  Well you can count on your dad to be one who declares unequivocally YES, it is a delight. How can that be?  I just got done with a 16 hour day. Started at 5:30 in the morning. But it was invigorating and a delight. A pleasure to be involved with so many who are trying to find the path in life that leads us back to our heavenly home. 

Ask Gavin if his day is not a delight when he works hard, and then has that moment of teaching where the spirit testifies and he knows it. Or ask Kieren when she discovers how much God knows how to direct our loves that "it's embarrassing really!"  Sometimes the hardest things when we give them a chance turn out to be the most foundational to our understanding. Ask Ty as he gets a spiritual insight that just blows mom and I away as we try to follow his thoughts as he explains. Ask Alysia when she serves others beyond the veil and smiles the whole time she is there working that will benefit people she will never meet.  This is all a remarkable work and I for one am pleased to be counted one who can be trusted to carry it forward in a small way. 

So this week I have really struggled to put into words I can share with others, and graphically to try and take them through my words, the vision the lord has given me about the Centerville Ward and what we can accomplish. It has been a tough. It wonderful journey to try and figure out how to put in words the spiritual understand I have been given. When it is all boiled down I realize that "in the work of salvation, all roads lead THE ONE to the temple."  We can all help one person take the one next step to the temple which will bring us to Christ. That step may be a first visit to the temple to do baptisms. But it may be as simple as inviting them to come to our home for dinner, or to pray for the first time. Anyone, member or not, active or not, has a next step to take. (For Gavin and Kieren think of the progress record)

I had a busy work week. There is a lot going on now, and many major events coming up this month. I have seminars this week, a full week of leadership training next week, seminars for 4 days the following week that I am in charge of, and then yea, vacation the week of Thanksgiving. So November is about shot and it has hardly started. One of my peers that I respect and turn to a lot for help was assigned another role and is leaving the group I work with. I am pleased for him, it's good for the business, but I am NOT happy. I like having him around. So due to that I have the opportunity its to take on a large chunk of his role and learn new aspects of the business that will help me long term. It's actually a blessing for putting the Lord first in my life. I don't know if it will be a title change or just a role shift, but it comes at a time when I feel blessed because I have enough people reporting to me that I can shift other responsibilities to them to open up my time. It also is an opportunity for them to grow and learn more. It's important to realize who is really in change and ensure I am willing to let Him lead my life. 

I love your mom, she is fantastic. I hope you realize that. 

Enjoy the pic of Dan Waldron getting his Eagle Scout award. I am pleased he finished it. 

Love you forever,

Dad

3 John 1:4

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