on the rim

As 2019 rolls  to an end, and Troop 103 ceases to exist, I wanted to take a moment and think back on the interaction between the Troop and camp, and in particular, the Tribe of Mic-O-Say.  That is the reason the Troop started going to Geiger back in 1998, after all. Troop 103 is sponsored (until December 31, 2019) by the Paola Ward of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints.  The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints (referred to as the Church from now on) has been, until next year, one of the largest national chartering organization of the Boy Scouts of America since their association began in 1913.  Nearly 20% of BSA's membership stems from that relationship, but  this isn't about that. For those that don't know, the Church has a rule regarding camping on Sunday.  You don't normally do it.  Many people find ways around it, but by and large, what Troops in Heart of America had done going to Bartle is to pack up their stuff on Saturda...

I wanted to write before the General Conference of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, so as to speculate what might come from it.  I didn't get a chance to, to much homework but that was probably for the best.  I loved conference, it was amazing!  It is interesting writing a blog to go along with a podcast, but am trying to make the best of it.  There was something that came up in Conference and that President Nelson had spoke on before, in his BYU devotional that I wanted to address. Of course, these are my views, and do not reflect the views of the church, or anyone else, just me. It feels weird what I am about to write, (and say) but even though most who read or listen are members of the restored church of Jesus Christ, in the event that some are not, I do like to give some explanation.  So please bear with that, but it does serve a purpose. If you want to communicate with the church for answers, which I do strongly encourage, you may seek...

Homework done, and while I had this post mostly written, I just, intentionally, deleted it, as I had a different path to follow. Disclaimer, the views expressed are my own, and do not necessarily represent views or doctrines of Larice Music or the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. As part of this post, I wanted to engage the way back machine for me personally back to Spain, the city of Almería, and my first companion on my mission. He was teaching a lesson regarding music and the impact it has on us, whether we want it to or not. Music frequently is the key to our soul, it can allow the Holy Ghost to enter in, testify of truth through song, and prepare us to hear truth through the spoken word. It can also be the gutter to allow filth into our soul. I didn't realize until this morning how spot on Elder Wynn was. Which brings me to the point of the post. We have been given guidance from a prophet of God, Russell M. Nelson, President of the Church of Jesus Chris...

I was originally going to post an Epilogue Part XXXVIII regarding camp, but thought I would deviate a bit from that.. This post will mostly be directed to members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, but for those who are not, let me explain a few things. Disclaimer, I write for myself, and the opinions are my own. All are welcome into our churches for Sunday worship, member or not member, all are welcome.  We encourage all to come and see.  I hope you do and that you will be loved by those that you visit.  This is where we worship every Sunday, partaking of the Sacrament, and by so doing renewing our baptismal covenants.  Want to know more?  Ask, PM, I will tell you.  We also are instructed in our main service called a Sacrament Meeting, and that is followed with more instruction either in Sunday School, or where we split for specific instruction into men and women groups.  These buildings are also used during the week for activit...

So, now I am home from Webelos Weekend.  Trading Post is cleaned up, and ready to set up for Pow Wow when I go back on Friday.  Goetz was cleaned out, ready for me to take a bed Friday and Saturday nights.  Like I never have left.  Will this ever stop? Technically, I am done being on staff.  I volunteered for Pow Wow, and as I will be going to Brandon's ward on Sunday for Rachel's blessing, that actually makes it somewhat convenient.  But I did want to write a little more on my time on Staff this past year. I first want to express gratitude to Brandon and Dave, both of whom took a chance on a first year staffer to take a fairly significant role by running the Trading Post.  That was a pretty big job, bigger than I realized. I missed more than a few meals just trying to get everything done that needed doing.  I was only able to get everything done because of Roger. Roger stood in at the last minute, simply because he was available.  He h...

I made it.  Sort of. I am surprised, though I can't talk much.  My throat has been in a constant state of hoarseness for the last several weeks.  Congestion, with no right to whine, I worked in AC everyday, which just made walking outside that much worse. I wanted to be full throttle to the end, but truthfully, I think the tank may have ran out and I just coasted over the finish line.  We cleaned the store today, I cleaned Goetz this afternoon while the rest of the staff had their party at the Legends (some place in KC, never been, nor desire to go) which included that elusive movie ticket to see Endgame (or the movie of their choice) it was a running Wednesday night campfire thing.  Me, I had to work in the store on Saturdays and never got the chance to help my building mates clean, so I worked on it today. So, review for the summer?  Well, technically, it isn't over.  Next week, starting Wednesday (yippeee two plus days off IN A ROW) Webelos ca...

I write with very mixed emotions today. My good friend on Staff at Camp Geiger received his White Paint as a Sachem last night.  I don't have mixed emotions on that, it is long overdue.  The accolades given him prior to his elevation were appropriate, and fitting.  Eagle Scout.  Long term on staff.  Veteran who put it all on the battlefield for his country.  None deserve it more. Part of the mixed emotion is that Week 4 included girls that are Scouts in camp, about a 5th or so of the total number of youth camping.  I struggle with this a little, not so much because I am a sexist pig, but more because I try to understand the mission of BSA by including girls.  BSA has always been about taking young men and teaching them how to be responsible adult men.  That was Lord Baden Powell's vision in the beginning, to have soldiers that knew how to do stuff, and how to take care of themselves.  It is not simply teaching how to tie square knots...

For those that don't know, Mic-O-Say is an Honor Camping Society of Scouts BSA in both the Pony Express Council, based in St. Joseph, Mo, and the Heart of America Council, based in Kansas City, MO.  I can speak on a very limited basis regarding the group in KC, and do NOT speak as an official spokesman for the group in Pony Express.  Wow, a disclaimer for something other than The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints.  How odd. The tribe, to which Mic-O-Say is referred, and will be here as well henceforth, holds its induction and advancement ceremonies on Thursday and Friday nights during summer camp.  While the exact procedures are not "secret", in keeping with Scouts BSA policy, they are held as a mystique for the young men, and soon, young women, as an incentive.  What is known by all is that these activities go late into the night.   For those long time members of the tribe, if any read this, they know that in the old days (yup, jus...

Here we sit like birds in the wilderness... Oops, can't sing that...  No, really, that is a thing, can't sing that one any more.  So while most of my friends on staff would really be glad that I am where I should be later, doing what I should be, let me explain.  I definitely should not be there tonight, but the truth is that I could run for miles on my feet right now.  Those that have served on  the Camp Geiger Staff don't know exactly what I am talking about. Today Cub Camp ended, the trial run for the store ended, and the real thing begins tomorrow morning. How did I end up on Staff?  Especially this one?  Camp Geiger's Staff is considered nationally one of the best.  I ask that question all the time. I am not an Eagle Scout.  Most here are.  Most of those hired are either Eagle or darn close.  I am not, but I have been consistently involved in Scouts since I turned 8, not that that counts for anything. Pony Express has...

Well.  Tomorrow is day 7 of Staff Week.  Or, Day 4 as most reckon time.  It is short, ending noonish.  We get to have a blessed time off, back on Thursday to prep for Cub weekend.  Then the main event.  Sunday morning, Week 1.  Scout camp begins. I would be lying to say that the overall enthusiasm that permeated my social media posts leading up to last week have persisted to this day.  Lying would be an understatement.  I wondered, truthfully, if I would even go back on Thursday.  Of course I will, but that is the place that I am in.  I won't lie on the Lib, and I won't lie in this place of introspection, or the look within. From time to time a dark cloud settles over me.  It is not one of anger, or really sadness.  It is apathy.  Severe apathy.  To me, this feeling is far more dangerous than a feeling of anger, or sadness  It has an affect on those around me, after all, people notice when I am not my ...

So, the first post from staff 2019. While this is the first official day of staff week, at least for another few minutes, for me it is the end of day four.  The store was functional on the day of feast, with inventory nearly finished being entered into the system today, we have a lot of work to do to get set for cub camp.  I have a lot of work to do to get set for uniforms on Wednesday. This year, I am running the Trading Post.  I have, at the last minute, an assistant manager, who will be working in the mornings, giving me mornings to do as I will, which will be to insure that all is working, run to the bank, etc, etc.  I thought it odd that I would be selected for such a position, essentially making me an area director in only my second year on staff.  It reminds me of what someone said about callings in the church.  Let me explain. In the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, with the exception of a relatively few general authorities of the ...

Mañana, se celebra cincuenta años que la Iglesia de Jesucristo de los Ultimos Dias ha estado en España. When I stop and think that I was a teeny tiny part of that work, (casi cero) my heart fills with joy for los españoles.  They have a temple in their midst, and very soon in next door Portugal there will be a House of the Lord dedicated for members to serve.  What a blessing. I am feeling somewhat down, but I am guessing that it is mostly to a very emotionally charged weekend, and it isn't even finished yet.  Let's see what I can recount. I graduated.  I have been working on a degree for decades, though it was mostly from 1985-1988, and I started back up in 2010.  Working full time made studies difficult.  In 1985 my thought was to get an Ed Degree, and to teach.  In 2010, my thought was Political Science, as it was and is something I am passionate about.  I was a federal manager, and a degree, particularly in something along the line of po...

Boy I sure hate to put the Mother's Day Talk on page two, but you can always scroll down to see it. "Upon you, my fellow servants, in the name of Messiah, I confer the priesthood of Aaron which holds the keys to the ministering of angels, and of the gospel of repentance, and of baptism by immersion for the remission of sins; and this shall never be taken from the earth, until the sons of Levi do offer again an offering unto the Lord in righteousness."   D&C 13 It was on this date in 1829, when Joseph Smith and Oliver Cowdery were praying in regards to baptism.  The verse counts the visit of the resurrected John the Baptist, who conferred upon Joseph and Oliver the keys of the Priesthood.  After millennia, the Priesthood of God was again on the earth.  Wow, 190 years.  And to think that next year, 2020 will be the bicentennial of the First Vision, when God the Father and His son Jesus Christ appeared to the boy Joseph Smith.  No date known for that...

I had the opportunity to speak in church today, and so I spoke on Mother's Day, and in particular, Eve, the mother of all of mortality.  Here it is. I would be a terrible son, if I did not start my talk on Mother’s day by paying a tribute to my mom. My mom set a tremendous example for me, to show how to serve both as the mother who was always there, and how to help others. She was the best at managing the home. She made clothing. We had a garden, and she canned everything that came out of it. She cooked, she cleaned, she was the best mom taxi ever. All the while, she served in many callings including Relief Society President, and I remember many times going shopping with her to buy food for those that needed it, as there was no storehouse. I don’t speak for my brothers, but I know that while at times I wavered, I never doubted. The footing she provided has kept me on solid ground, and the iron rod was and is always within grasp. Indeed, I would quote from Alma reg...

As a follow up to the previous post, and also to fulfill an assignment, I am writing this one. So, the class that I am taking is Personal Finance, in the Self Reliance class set.  These courses are provided to members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints to cover a wide variety of courses from Personal Finance which is what I am currently enrolled in, to starting a business, and other subjects.  They are designed to help members to be able to take care of themselves, and to help others. In this chapter we discussed the idea of prioritizing debt, and focusing on paying debt off.  It is unfortunate that these kind of  things are not being taught as part of a High School curriculum.  I had just finished reading Dave Ramsey's Total Money Makeover.  I am fascinated by how many of the principles taught cross over.  From assessing your financial state, to setting up emergency funds, to paying off debt, they are nearly step by step.  On ...

Okay, so technically, this is a follow up assignment for Personal Finance in the Self Reliance Class that Sarah and I are taking. This is where we make the big leap, to attempt to become Gazelle intense (those that have read Dave Ramsey's Total Money Makeover know what that means).  Or at least getting ready to do so. We were given a list of statements that we needed to answer from 1-4.  No way are you getting the answers from me, this is a very personal exercise.  Statements like these make me glad that Christ provided a way for us to return, as I would be locked out otherwise.  Here is the list. I keep all my promises, commitments, and covenants I am completely truthful in things I say and records I keep I do not exaggerate to make things better than they are I return everything that I borrow and do not take things that do not belong to me I am completely faithful to my spouse in my words and actions I never cheat, even when I know I won't be caught...

The world seems to want to have its cake and eat it too.  Our leaders think they can spend their way into prosperity, and to not worry about the future.  Sex without consequences is being sold as the norm.  When the future hits us in the head we feel that it is unfair, that we don't deserve that.  Maybe that is a little extreme, but is it really? Sadly, no. It isn't.  Too often in this world, we forget that actions have consequences.  I am focusing on the Honor Code at the colleges of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, but this applies to all aspects of life.  For example, if you are skydiving and you jump without a parachute, you will find that no matter your sorrow at having forgotten the chute, the laws of gravity don't really care.  As Ben Shapiro would say, "Facts don't care about your feelings". The following is solely my opinion, and while I refer to certain policies of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, I am...