on the rim

What a time to reflect.  BaconFest 2016, it was so good to connect with family long not seen.  I love all of them.  Kathie, Lucy and Paul, and Leslie and Scott.  Brandon and Jessie.  and Paul!  To be surrounded by family is the best thing to be.  Way better than figuring out how to not be alone and yet being alone in Twin. One week in retirement.  Still trying to settle in, and figure things out. I have a lot of work to do around the house, and that actually makes me happy. What has the year wrought?  The end of a 28 year career.  That is a no brainer, and have written already about it. How about a nation more divided than any time since the Civil War?  I really do think it is that bad.  People protesting the President Elect, and yet he is probably the most apolitical candidate to run since who knows when.  What does the gay community have to fear from him?  Absolutely nothing.  For that matter, what do t...

So, day two of being unemployed.  While retirement began on Saturday, yesterday was day one of not being at work when I otherwise would have been.  Thought about work as I was driving twelve hours.  Realized that it didn't matter.   Got to Kansas, and checked my work email.  No access.  Good.  That will be a hard habit to break. Today I unloaded most of the truck.  I went and walked at the track like I had done for ten years before leaving.  So what was the point? I won't lie here.  I am feeling a little down.  Partially, I am sure, is because I have no plans.  School, yes, two classes.  But I managed setting up my successor, day to day work, and two classes, so two classes, and nothing else?  Boring. Renewing my relationship with Sarah.  We spoke daily for the time I was gone.  We visited frequently, but it is not the same as being there for each other.  I look forward to that time.  Of beco...

A quick note.   Having left Twin, no longer looking out over the Snake River Canyon.  So the blog will probably continue, in the spirit of what I have been doing, but it is sad to be leaving. Since December 1, the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints has been promoting the project #LIGHTtheWORLD to promote service as Christ served.  Each day had a focus, and suggestions for how each of us could #LIGHTtheWORLD .  On many of those days I posted, either here or simply on Facebook, a way that I lit the world.  I did it, not to brag, or to say "look at me!"  I did it to show people that it was easy, and that they were probably already doing lighting the world.  I hoped to spread the word, to get people to realize that they too could #LIGHTtheWORLD . I have been stuck in Rexburg for two days longer than what I expected due to weather.  Stuck is a really bad choice of words.  I have been with Callie, and so it has been okay.  After ...

As the Savior lifted those whose bodies were disfigured from sin, and gave hope to all around him, we have the same opportunities.  Will our actions ripple across generations, centuries, and continents?  As individuals, probably not.  But here is the thing.  If we each lift one person, then it certainly can span continents, and have an impact not just today, but the future as well. How can we lift people?  It is so incredibly easy, that most are probably doing it, they just haven't connected their words and actions to doing as the Savior would do.  Here are some things that maybe you do. Smile at people you meet. Say thank you for actions on your behalf. Commit a random act of kindness. Give a compliment. These are so simple, and used to be very basic common courtesy.  Maybe still? Of course there is so much more that is done, and that we can do.  people serve selflessly.  They seek out ways to serve.  We all do our own thi...

Day 18.  Honoring the Sabbath through Song,  No surprise, right? Today was my last Sunday in the Twin Falls 10th Ward.  The choir sang, I will comment in a moment on that.  I wanted to focus first on the Sacrament Hymn that we sang.  It is  #185 in the LDS Hymnbook.   Reverently and Meekly Now , by Joseph Townsend.  In my experience, this song is not commonly sung, so I made a point of reviewing the words.  While I was doing that, it occurred to me that the song is not like most Sacrament hymns, singing of Jesus, and the Atonement.  It is sung as the voice of Christ preparing us to partake of the Sacrament.  The lyrics are so thoughtful, so feeling,  His love is apparent.  Read  them for yourself. 1. Rev'rently and meekly now, Let thy head most humbly bow. Think of me, thou ransomed one; Think what I for thee have done. With my blood that dripped like rain, Sweat in agony of pain, With my body on the...

As I write, it is 9:21 MST.  A week from now, hopefully, I will be in a hotel in Nebraska.  Heading home. With the exception of property transfer, I no longer have a need to be at work.  Depressing in a way. To be no longer needed.  Although as an ATM, I really haven't felt needed for a  while.  I can honestly say that I have been working up to now, and have some things that I do need to do next week.  Twin Falls has been a wonderful place to work, maybe even to make a difference. however small. The choir sings Sunday.  I will no doubt write on that. More oppressive is the WHY?  I really did feel that it was right for me to come out here.  More than just because of the job, please don't ask for an explanation, I probably can't give it to you.  Suffice that I felt like it was what I needed to do. Three years later, having spent money traveling back to KC a few times a year, rent, etc.  the question still is, WHY?  Be...

Me pregunto, como voy a través de los días que preceden a la Navidad, y pensando en el #ILUMINAelMUNDO iniciativa, estoy haciendolo? Hago algunas cosas. probablemente muy pocos. Escribo mucho, para cualquier propósito que sirve. (No estoy seguro de que hay uno), pero he estado pensando... Es así de fácil? O, ¿estoy perdiendo algo? Como reflexiono haciendo lo impensable mañana, en honor a la fecha "adoremos a través de la canción, como el Salvador hizo" https://www.mormon.org/spa Me pregunto, soy realmente tratando de seguir estas iniciativas como se pretende? O me estoy tomando un camino fácil. El primer pensamiento que tuve fue que las cosas que yo elija hacer no son obras dignas de El Salvador. Estoy en honor a él? Sé de dónde vino ese pensamiento. La verdad es... Es fácil! . La canción Little Drummer Boy es todo acerca de eso. Cada acto de bondad es notado por aquel que lo ve todo. Cada palabra de alabanza. Cada ¡Aleluya! Todas esas cosas que la gente dic...

I have been pondering this all weekend and today.  Wondering how I should express it.  Here goes. This past weekend was mostly wonderful.  Three nights. Three concerts.  Each with challenges, numerous mistakes, but an excellent spirit.  Truly the Holy Ghost testified of the Savior's birth through song.  While Come to Bethlehem was put on by the Twin Falls Idaho South Stake of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints (LDS). it was and has been a community event.  The bell choir was from the 1st Presbyterian Church,  many denominations making up the orchestra.  Invocations and Benedictions were offered by Pastors of various faiths.  Orthodox, Baptist, LDS.  The music was traditional Christmas fare,  Messages from the First Presidency of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints were standard Christmas. Thursday night was sparsely attended. (heavy snow and ice)   Friday and Saturday were full.  Beautifu...

Night two of Come to Bethlehem is done.  Lots of people tonight. Last night we were in a pretty good snow storm, and so while the chapel was full, The overflow seating wasn't.  Tonight, yes.  One more night.  and then a solo at church on Sunday.  Singing Hallelujah and other songs three nights straight, and then a solo?  probably should have thought that one out. So many times, we hear people quote scripture, quote apostles, prophets, CS Lewis,  Me?  I am just as likely to quote Handel, Phelps, Snow.  Testifying through song.  I listed a few of my favorites, but the list is certainly not exclusive. This morning, I shared a video of O Holy Night , by GENTRI.  The message is too important to not share, and share, and share.  Especially today!  As we #LIGHTtheWORLD today, it was to reach out to the poor, to aid those in need, as the Savior did https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g4fvMgNfN0I Please watch. I wasn't wri...

Seventy Five years ago, the Japanese bombed Pearl Harbor, drawing the United States into World War II.  A war that literally spanned the globe.  Hundreds of millions of people with their lives directly impacted.  An attack that its architect knew would doom his homeland, and yet out of duty to country and to his Emperor, planned and executed it. This is very important to understand. While I know that it is extremely unlikely that the actions that I take will impact more than a handful of people, I have come to realize that it is those small interactions, replayed billions of times the world over every day, by billions of people, that make a lasting difference.  It doesn't matter whether we pay attention or not, the mere actions we take do ripple across the world. So much hatred in the world. So much fear.  So much anger.  It was these emotions that resulted in such destruction.  But what can I do?  What difference can I make? Right now...

There are so many ways that we can worship God, as many as there are people on earth.  While I worship God the Father, through His Son, on this day I encourage all to turn to God,  recognizing that there are many different faiths.  What matters is that we all turn to a power greater than ourselves, to join with humanity in worship. Today, I will attend church, I will participate in the ordinance of the Sacrament, to renew my covenants with God.  I join with millions around the world in participating in this specific ordinance. I also had the opportunity of putting together a musical number for our annual High Priest Quorum meeting.  You knew it would be a song, didn't you?  I find music to be one of the purest forms of worship. I will sing praises to the Father all the days of my life. #49  Adam-ondi-Ahman 1. This earth was once a garden place, With all her glories common, And men did live a holy race, And worship Jesus face to face, In Adam-on...

To this day, the best man that I have ever known is my father.  He was self sacrificing, both for his family, and for God.  He served willingly.  A very dedicated Home Teacher. A man who magnified his callings, and his Priesthood in ways that stand as a testament of him.  He took shifts that were inconvenient for him.  This was compounded by his dedication to us, his family. When I was eleven years old, it was tradition at the time that those scouts could go on camp outs with the  Troop, if their father's went.  My dad was working the swing shift, and so often I would go on the camp out, set up the tent, and would go to bed, and wake up with my dad in the tent.  He helped by providing leadership, and helped me, even though I was somewhat inept when it came to the outdoors.  He was always there.  My heart aches that he is not here on earth, but know that he will be waiting for me. As my dad worked, the responsibility of taking care of...