Primary Song Learning

It was awesome at Ward council today. We were talking about various topics and the concept of reverence came up. After a bunch of comments and great insight it became clear that we all learned what we needed in primary songs. "Reverence is more than just quietly sitting."  It was great how everyone realized that and it all tied back to such basic principles that we learn through music in primary. 

Ty and I made some more progress on the arbor. We got all the top cross beams dadoed, and then the ends routed. The frustrating part was I had worked through all of them and was on the next to last board, the last end. I put the template on it and started routing it. Before I could realize it the template slipped and the bit went way too deep off track and it ruined the board. I was sooooo close!  It was disheartening. But Ty helped me pull out and we quickly dadoed the extra I had and then the next two ends went well. So we got them all up. Not anchored yet but up. Ty also used geometry and match to figure out how to put the right size and shape arc in some corner pieces and I cut out two samples that worked great. 

It was such a fun week to be in Indy for a meeting then go down to girls camp for Ward night. We talked about creation and how the scriptures remind us of God's creations and what we see brings those scriptures to mind. I used Helaman 5:12 building upon the Rock and my experience with hiking Prekestolen. Skjelse, you should know that well!  Then mom and I went back to stay my last night in the hotel, and the next day had a wonderful day date. We went to an imax, and went all over white river state park. Beautiful place and fun to be there. We went to breakfast at first watch and enjoyed that too. Then we ended the day at the Indy temple. It was wonderful.  So amazing with the light coming in the windows at sunset and just at the right time. It was so fun. 

I had a great Saturday morning also with a PPI with Pres. Valencia. He is great to openly discuss this with and get new ideas and help to work through challenging things. As we listen to others, and take action on things they help us with, we can get more accomplished than if we try to do it on our own accord. Try it!

This week has brought great joy, for many reasons. Keep it up. 

Love you forever,

Dad

3 John 1:4

Single Most Important Skill

We had a wonderful bishops youth discussion tonight with just the priests and laurels. I asked the seniors to consider what is the most important skill they can take with them as they venture out on their own. So the first person had two, the next seven, and the next three!  Ty had just one with several sub parts of why it relates. "Doing laundry" was his item. It was funny but remarkable how he tied in so many things that do relate physically and spiritually. I never knew until tonight how vital laundry was!

I had a fantabulous sabbath. Morning meetings were good, church was awesome, had a great lesson with the priests where we had a powerful witness from one who just returned from a mini mission, and then had wonderful interviews that totally makes a bishop pleased. 

Ty and I have made progress on the arbor over the patio. We had prepped a bunch of the boards, I showed you before the concrete pillars we poured, and then we finished by doing the total layout assembly and bolt together. Then we had Lys and Mom help us erect it and then we tied the cross beams to hold it steady until we can finish more of the rafter parts. Then trim it out and stain it. It will be great. 

My car went wacko last weekend, so I ordered parts and then this week Ty and Lys helped me take off the intake manifold, replace the knock sensor, coil packs and spark plugs, then work it all back together. For about $120 in parts we completed about a $1200 job. Quite the work. And it runs great again. The main issue was a coil pack going bad. But when one goes, the others often go soon. 

Everyone is scattering this week. I am going to Indianapolis for meetings, mom and Lys to Indiana for girls camp, and Ty to Gatlinburg for high adventure. Crazy week but everyone will have fun. 

Love you all forever,

Dad

3 John 1:4

Memorable Memorial Day

I just love getting extra time off of work to be at home. I took a couple days end of last week and then have tomorrow off for Memorial Day. It was nice to have time to do things around the house and have time to hang with mom to boot!  

It was a great week that started Tuesday as we went to the temple with Ty. It was extremely nice and we had a wonderful time. Then Wednesday mom, Lys and Ty came up to work to get a scholarship award and then we went to eat at the Senegalese restaurant. Very different flavor but very delicious. Thursday I mowed, sprayed weeds, other sundry things. On Saturday Ty and I worked to pour the concrete footings for the arbor we are building on the lower patio. We are excited to keep that going. We framed out the whole thing so it will be square when we build it up. 

Skjelse is also amidst a builder project. It's a wonderful thing to create. 

Saturday was also the graduation party for Ty. Along with 7 other graduating seniors. It was crazy busy but a wonderfully planned event (because mom led it!). We have so many meatballs left over. I think I will turn into a meatball. 

I was reflecting today about how related hymn #85 (How Firm a Foundation) is to Prekestolen in Norway. Especially verses 1, 3 & 7. We have to build on a sure foundation to enjoy the best in life. Tie in Helaman 5:12 and you have it.  Don't forget that Prekestolen overlooks Lysefjord. Or fjord of light!  That's for you Alysia!

Remember this week those that have gone on before you and left a legacy of faith. 

Love you forever,

Dad

3 John 1:4

Reversal for Fortune

Note it is not a reversal OF fortune. I realized today a new understanding as I went through bishopric meeting. As a regular human weakness, and in a way we mistakenly think will make us happy, we seek to improve others and serve ourselves. But when you do a reversal we get fortune and find true lasting joy. This happens when we seek to improve ourselves and serve others. 

It is telling that both of these things bring about improvement in things we can control.  Things we can act upon. We cannot improve others no matter how much we complain, gripe, encourage etc. they have to want to change themselves. We can certainly support and help when Ray want to but often we frustrate ourselves in life when we try to change others instead of ourselves. This also turns our thoughts away from selfishness and towards wanting to be better that we can make lives better around us because of who we have become. And as we serve others, we get outside ourselves and seek to relieve some aspect of another's life. Whatever that may be. One great way is to service in our callings and to engage in temple and family history work. As we serve others our own problems diminish, our own cares melt away, our focus turns to bringing joy to others and as we do, joy comes to us. The more we give away the more we get. It's an eternal truth. 

So yet again we are blessed in ways we never expect, never really "need", and completely out of the blue. One of the evenings this week I got a call from Home Depot. I thought it strange but told Alysia to answer as she was close to the phone. They asked for Dan or Val Smith. So Lys gives me the phone and the man indicates an anonymous donor has left a gift card for us to buy a new mower. No other words, just a plea to come get it soon. So I did later that night in bewilderment as to why this would be. It is enough to get a new mower to replace our gem Ty found in the garbage at citywide cleanup 3 years ago. And has been serving us well but has been giving us real issues this year. I think I had it figured out as a bad carburetor float but now it is not getting fixed. 

We listed it in Craigslist and it was gone in 15 mins. I hope it can serve someone well. We get blessed for doing right by God with all our hearts and minds, and being pleased with what we have at all times. 

I had a new MBA intern start this week that is undergrad from BYU. He and his wife and baby came to dinner today and it was nice to meet them. It was fun to talk to them and find out more about them. I think mom had fun taking care of the baby a lot. She was cute. 

I have been way busy at work with new kinds of things. New meaning the usual I have done is now being done by other planners and I am spending more time on longer range things and building the right organization to support the regular projects we have. It is always a new challenge and helps me be better. But it sure keeps me hopping. 

I challenged all the youth tonight to read The Living Christ and I extend that same to you. It's only one page but if you do it with real intent, it will touch you about those who testify of Christ and especially of he whom they testify of. 

Love you forever,

Dad

3 John 1:4

Family Reunion

It was so nice to have a virtual family reunion today. Thanks to everyone especially Gavin for making time to talk with us. It made mom's day so great. Do all you can to serve her. She wants you to have eternal joy more than anything else. 

We had a great weekend. Friday I was able to leave work a couple hours early and we went to Austin's wedding reception and helped set up, serve, stock food etc. a long night but great evening. 

Saturday we spent trying to make the yard nice for mom. It's what she wanted. Unfortunately the riding mower decided it did not want to cooperate and I can't figure it out. It's just fuel delivery but I am lost. And I have no truck to deliver it to a guy who can fix it. So I am thinking through how to do that. Later in the morning a family just called up and said we are coming over, put is to work for an hour. It was so nice. We got done almost the day's work in that time. Tons of lawn, weeding, honeysuckle harvest etc. it was such a blessing. Then we finished up other things and mom and I drove around a bit while I extended callings etc. we changed recently the YM, Elders quorum, primary, RS counselor, Ward clerk and executive secretary, and others. It's been crazy. But it's all in a good days work!

Sunday was a very special Mother's Day. The talks were great and highlighted the eternally significant role of women and mothers. Mom and Lys helped get together a nice gift for all and people seemed to like it. A couple of great quotes, small chocolate, and a set of heart shaped measuring spoons with little quotes engraved on them. 

I only had a few interviews so I got to be home a lot with mom. That makes my day. We fixed her dinner and Lys made rolls for her. They were great. 

Mom and I are teaching the temple prep class for 3 people with calls or waiting for it in the mail. It's an exciting time. It's also nice to reflect on the temple and the remarkable experience it is. With knowledge, learning, blessings, insights, etc from that wonderful place. Go often and qualify yourself always. It is sooooo worth it. 

I had a nice experience at work this week. We had a major program review I was in charge of. We had to present the findings to the president and his executive staff. As always I asked for help I prayer as we prepared and pulled everything together. That went well and smooth, good discussions that helped the business. But the real nice thing was two fold. First we approached this different from other groups and I was a bit nervous in that. But in the beginning we explained what we were doing and the president et just came back with "so you are doing this the right way?"  Which made me pleased. Then later during a discussion he paid me a compliment that he didn't intend, and no one realizes it was, but for me it was a huge compliment far above any work type reward I could get. It was a tough discussion, and he brought up an idea to float around. It would have been very painful and difficult and so I breathed heavy a great sigh. He just looked at me with surprise and said basically, for you I think that was a cuss word. You don't ever cuss. To me that was a compliment that everyone realizes I would never do that and yet I don't overtly proclaim it. I just try to do what's right. It made me happy. 

Love you all forever. Thanks for making us a family. Please do what is required to stay together forever. 

Dad

3 John 1:4

Tired feels like this

I know I have been tired all my life since repo days, but today I am soooo tired. It's another wonderful but long day of great things. I taught the priests quorum lesson, or more aptly led the discussion that the priests were wonderful in sharing scriptures that had affected their lives. 

Saturday was another busy day. I got up early and dug holes in preparation of getting a bunch of hostas to plant. The. I woke up Lys and we went over to Andrus's and split off their hostas. We didn't get beyond the front of their house but we filled the back of the mountaineer stuffed and we filled the hillside and then put others in the forest. I think it looks great!

By evening Ty was being a wonderful big brother and took his little sister to bed!  So cute. 

After Ty got home he helped us plant the hostas. Then after a few minutes break Ty and I went to a house and tore out a bathroom. In preparation of a complete remodel we will help do. It took a couple hours and we had to wait for new shut off valves since the old connection had no shutoff. Crazy builders. Who would do that!  

Finally we got home, Ty slept and we got ready to have the Sisters over for dinner. We were just starting when they said they will be late, but soon they arrived and we ate tons. We got all filled when Owen called and said he would come over for dinner. Augh!  We just ate. But we wanted him to come so we cleaned up, removed evidence, restocked, and then ate again when Owen came. So we had a two for one dinner!

The week at work has been tough. Many things, not enough time. I keep trying to do my best to get as much done as I can. Some things I have to just realize are good, but not most important. So they fall off the get it done lost. I did have to work a $135,000 negotiation to pay some old invoices that had never been sent. And our finance team bought in easier than I thought. So with my homework and help from above, that one gets closed. It has been a challenge for the past 5 months. 

I continue to be in awe of those that exhibit great faith and trust the Lord. One is a great family that accepted a new call from one they had been enjoying. But with faith they are embracing it full on. And another is a new convert of just a handful of months. She is called into the relief society presidency but is excited and embracing things she doesn't fully understand but has faith to move forward. 

We can all trust in the Lord with all our heart and just press forward. We can. 

Love you forever,

Dad

3 John 1:4

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