Time Is Flyin'

Yesterday morning at 6:45 AM, I took Natalie to Bountiful, Utah where the bus was that would drive her to Southern Utah University, in Cedar City, Utah, where she would attend Girl's State for this week. We had a nice visit but it didn't seem real that Becky and I were sending her away for the week. I also rehearsed in my mind the fact that she will be a Senior in High School. We visited and when it was time for her to board the bus, I hugged and kissed her and told her how much I loved her. I watched her walk toward the bus with steps of confidence in her stride. I got into the truck and waited until the bus drove away before I headed to work. I couldn't help but cry as a flood of memories flashed through my mind. Nata was a little girl just the other day. I used to love to get down on the floor and play with her. She was the most enthusiastic kid you would ever know. The day we moved into our home in Magna, Utah, Nat was a year and a half. Now she is a beautiful grown woman. She is delightful and full of life. She has a sincere desire to choose the right. She thinks methodically about the decisions she makes in her life. She has done that her whole life. As I drove to work, I could feel a huge lump in my throat. My emotions were clearly at the surface. I wondered if I would feel better if I would just stop the truck and have a good hard cry. Instead, my heart ached for a few minutes and then I began thinking about the great opportunity she had to learn and grow.
I am thankful for our family. It brings me peace to be surrounded by Becky and each of our children. We love to work hard together. Laughter is a constant in our home. We laugh together in a spirit of love and harmony. We work really hard to guard each other's heart. There is safety inside our home. We don't laugh at someone else's expense. We do laugh at ourselves, however. It one of the many reasons I love to go home.
The time of life speeds onward. The future is bright and we look forward to the adventures that await us on any given day. I will see Natalie in a week and be grateful to hear about the fun she has had. I continue to hang on tight and enjoy the bounty that life so kindly offers me.

Gramercy Court

A couple of weeks ago, our three youngest children--Laurel, Brady, and Danny, and I went to Sacramento,California to visit my family and more specifically, to attend the baptism of one of our neices' baptism.  On Sunday morning, we went and visited a facility for the elderly.  Because my dad is the president of the Interfaith Council of Sacramento, he has been able to 'reach out' to some parts of the community that he feels like he can best help.  This opportunity with the elderly has been a touching experience for him and our family.  It was Mother's day so my dad had asked that we be prepared to share a musical number that would uplift and bless the lives of these wonderful people who have grown accustomed to my dad coming to visit.  He teaches them something from the Bible and prays with and for them. 
It was one of those times when I felt very close to heaven.  The gratitude that these people show for coming to spend time with them was touching to me.  When we left this community (called Gramercy Court) our children expressed their thanks for the chance they had to go and love these people and watch the smiles on their faces as they listened to the beautiful songs that were shared and the words of love and encouragement that my dad shared with them.  They were deeply touched, as was I.
One major responsibility I have is to visit the poor and the needy.  The old and those who are not fully capable to care for themselves.  I hope and pray that I am fulfilling that great responsibility.  One day, I will hope that somebody is there to help me when I cannot do things for myself.
Gramercy Court was a life-changer!

Born Of Goodly Parents

There isn't a day that goes by that I don't think of my mom and dad.  They have always remained a huge part of my life, even if distance separates us.
Let me tell you a few things about my mom that I have admired throughout my life.  She is a very devout person.  When it comes to doing what's right, in life, there is no question with her integrity.  It's like 'right' comes very natural to her.  I have loved that about her.  Her decision-making process is very solid and sound.  The next thing I have loved, (especially as an adult) is that what she says is what she means.  Growing up you quickly realized that when she asked you to do something, there was a very good reason behind her request.  She has a solid, unbreakable 'backbone'.  No matter how long or how committed I was in my endeavor to negotiate, if she already said something, the thought had already been done and there wasn't a way of talking her out of how she felt about something.  As a kid, I didn't appreciate this quality for what it was.  As an adult, that is amazing!  Thanks for teaching this valuable lesson.  The last thing, was her immense ability to love!  When I was serving as a missionary for the LDS church, I would anticipate the weekly letter from home.  I could always identify the letter because it was in a large envelope with various decorative stamps all over the envelope.  I loved it and when I saw that envelope in the mailbox my heart raced with great excitement.  When I opened the letter, it's contents were always uplifting and she knew precisely what to say to me for that particular week.  Even though I was 5,400 miles away from home, I knew of her love for me.
My dad is the best dad in the world. (I hope all of you will be willing to argue with me about this point.)  He is a dad who has always made time for his kids.  There was/has never been a question in my mind of his undying love and admiration for my mom.  He prioritizes his time to be with his family but never neglects the other parts of his life that are important, too.  As a young child, I always remember him being willing to do things that were of interest to me, even if they didn't sound fun to him.  If he wasn't interested in something I wanted to do, he never made that known.  I just felt like he wanted to be a part of my life.  He has an ability to love and accept those people that the rest of the world would rather neglect because of their differences.  He doesn't care who you are, he loves people!  He has always been a terrific example of a follower of the Savior, Jesus Christ.  Thank you, Dad.
My parents are stalwart in the things they believe in and all that they do.  I would put them up against any parents in the entire world.  I'm not saying they're perfect, but they are wonderful people.  My desire is that I can be just like they are in many different ways.  I realize that I need to be myself but great examples are always nice to have. 
Life is great and thanks for your influence, for good, in my life.

I Love When It's Sunny

I awakened this morning to an absolutely beautiful day!  I love to see the sun. 
Several days ago, I was coming out of the grocery store (Smith's) and in front of me was a young mom with her young toddler boy.  As soon as the automatic doors sensed to open, and these two people were outside, the young boy exclaimed, "I love when it's sunny, mom!"  I couldn't help but smile.  I wanted to audibly agree with the boy but opted not to.  I thought it was very cute coming out of the mouth of a youngster but I would have really smiled had that come out of the mouth of an adult.  Children are honest and forthright with their feelings and it was nice to hear.
I love the outdoors and the majesty of the earth on which we live.  There is much to see and it's beauty is breathtaking.
Two years ago, our boys and I went camping up in the High Uinta Mountains, of Utah.  There is beauty all around.  When you're camping it feels like you're the only people around for miles and miles.  That's not actually the case but the vastness of the place makes it feel that way.  We have ventured out for a day hike and we couldn't help but notice the beautiful rock formations that we call mountains.  The surrounding greenery is stunning.  There is a spot called Bald mountain.  It is completely bald of any greenery and because of that, it sticks out as completely different from anything else.  We looked out into the distance and looked at the fluctuating dimensions of mountains in their various shapes and sizes. During our hike we came upon a small brook that had flowing water but very little.  We reached our hands into it and felt of it's cool refreshment.  I wiped the cold water onto my forehead and face.  We looked at how the water had shaped the ground as it ran calmly through the canyon.  There were few clouds in the sky but the sun shone brightly upon us. 
I especially loved the millions of stars that were visible in the nighttime.  The boys and I watched for satellites that are visible as they beam across the pitch-black sky.  We talked about things eternal.  They expressed their opinions on that and the reality of things without number or end.
We are all blessed with the same opportunity to experience life, filled with beauty all around.
I want to be like the young boy and express my thanks, audibly, for all that is given to me, even the honest exclamation, "I love when it's sunny, mom".

On My Wall

I want you to think for a few minutes. Focus on the people that mean the very most to you. Now, think about someone that you haven't thought about for a long time, who has made a positive impact on your life. I want you to think of a person that you would personally put on your 'Wall of Fame'.
I have my own wall of Fame. At the very top of this wall, are pictures of my parents and Becky's parents. These are people who influence my life, in a positive way, every day. There is a beautiful picture of my sweetheart, Becky. She is the person that I care the most about. I try to give my best because I want her to approve of the things I do and the way I act. There are pictures of each of our children. Fatherhood is such a rich blessing!
Below those pictures is a picture of my fifth grade teacher, Mr. Ivan Park. Although he is deceased, the person he was lives on in my life. Let me tell you a little bit about Mr. Park. He was a man in his late fifties or early sixties. He had been teaching school for a long time and he was loved by the kids who were privileged to have him as a teacher. When you walked into his room and sat in your assigned chair, the object hanging on the wall in the front of the class became very memorable. I can still see that large wooden paddle that he has fabricated just for the discipline of his students. I personally never saw him use it on a student, but I will never forget the loud sound it made on the top of one of the classroom desks when he was displeased with our class and demanded our undivided attention. The wood was aged and there were countless holes sporadically drilled in the board as to allow maximum airflow and aerodynamics for the hardest possible hit on a student's behind. That was the story he told and I believed it and wasn't interested in putting his story to the test. As the first few days passed by, I knew, without any doubt, that he would impact my life for good. He was strict but it was because he cared about his students and he wanted us to get the most out of what he could teach us.
He and I got on the topic of pigeons. He raised them and I knew that he had a lot of them. It was he that gave us our first two pigeons and from there we had many more. They were a fun bird to raise.
When Becky and I were first dating, I took her up to where I had lived until I was twelve. Peoa, Utah is the name of the small town. When I was young, many people farmed there. It not that way anymore but it is still a small Utah town. Becky and I drove through Peoa and I showed her around. We made our way through Peoa and drove up the hill that leads out of Peoa and in a short ways enters the town of Oakley. Mr. Park lived on a curve in the road and as we drove past his home, and I told Becky all about him, I saw him on a four-wheeler with a grandchild on the front of the vehicle. I had to stop and see him. We did stop and I reminded him of who I was and I expressed to him my deepest gratitude for the impact he had on my life. I will never forget the tears that welled up in his eyes as he thanked me for saying such nice things to him. They were all true and he deserved to hear them from one of his past students. That was the last time I ever saw him. His memory and character live on and on. I am grateful for all that he did, not only as a teacher but also as a friend.
There is someone, just like Mr. Park, in your own life. Give some deep thought to who that person is and the direct impact they had on your life. Consider putting them up on your 'Wall of Fame'. Their memory will endure and their impact helps to continuously shape who you are.

Are You Alone?

I listened to a young woman as she spoke of a difficult 'window of time' in her own life.  The time of which she spoke, was just yesterday.
Let me share a small part of her trial.  During an assembly, her name was called to come forward and receive an award.  As her name was called, an isolated group of her peers began to 'boo'.  Although her heart was breaking she went to the front of the auditorium and accepted her generous honor with dignity and class.
I can't say that I've ever been 'booed' but I know that all of us, at one time or another, will have an experience that is trying in it's own right and, for a moment, you may feel completely and utterly, alone.
I remember an experience shared with me by my dad.  He was stationed in boot camp as a member of the United States Air Force.  One very early Sunday morning, the entire group of soldiers was abruptly awakened by their superior.  Sometime during the conversation, the commanding officer asked all of the men who would be attending church, that day.  Because my dad had always gone to church, he promptly raised his hand. The commander bid my dad an enjoyable day of worship and immediately ordered all others to ready themselves and report out to the 'field'. The entire group spent the remainder of the day marching, while my dad enjoyed a full day of meaningful worship. Although on that day, my dad was doing the same thing he had done on every other Sunday of his life, the lesson was very clear that you should always do what you know to be right even if it means that you're all on your own. There will be times, for all of us, when it feels like many are working against us. It's during these times that we need to find our inner strength and do what we know to be right and good. Never forget that none of us are ever completely alone. It's in these times that we call upon our Father for His help. He will send His love!

Follow-Up

While I was at work, today, my thoughts turned to the importance of following up on the personal goals I set for myself.  Let me clarify that I am not this goal-oriented guy who sits down and makes long lists of all facets of my life where I might be falling short.  I am a person who has particular expectations of myself and I am always trying to do a little bit better day by day.  Without any sort of 'follow-up' you're not able to measure personal growth.
Two weeks ago, the Mormon missionaries stopped by our home and challenged us to do a couple of things with our neighbors.  Well, tonight, they 'followed up' with us on the commitments we had made with them.  We were able to give a brief report and they challenged us with a couple more things we can do. 
I was grateful that they followed through with their challenges to us and wanted to know how things had gone.
There is some truth to 'follow-up'.  I am going to do a better job of evaluating how I'm doing and what I can improve upon to help strengthen me.
Goals help us progress.