Banners and Ensigns

Day 22 - Home

2011-12-11T20:44:00.001-07:00

A year ago today my family made a heart-wrenching move from the family home to a new home several miles east. Both my wife and my oldest daughter have posted about their feelings about this move. (Dulcinea's blog can be read here.)

The experience of getting here was intense. In fact, it was like going through a fine strainer at high speed. When we got to the other side of the strainer there was just us left. And so we picked up and moved on.

I cannot express enough how much we love our new home, the ward we are in and our new neighbors. We have felt like honored guests here from day one.

I am grateful for the opportunity to be here, however long that may be.

Day 21 - Trains

2011-12-11T20:38:00.004-07:00

If we are talking about Christmas gifts, the quintessential gift is an electric train. I remember getting one for Christmas and thinking it was the best thing since sliced bread. Yesterday I took my four youngest children to Dennis Sirrine's house (on 24th St. just south of McKellips in Mesa). He has 4 acres of yard filled with over 2500 feet of garden scale train track. The landscaping is phenomenal and the train setup is beyond belief. Tailgunner's jaw dropped. I could not believe the attention to detail that went into this guy's hobby. There was a roundhouse, bridges, a lake, observation platforms, several train stations,a hobo sleeping underneath one of the miniature bridges and even a derailed train. He will be opening it up again this coming weekend (Friday and Saturday) from 5:30pm - 8:30pm. You gotta see this.

Day 20 - Noel

2011-12-11T20:27:00.001-07:00

My sweet Dulcinea is a member of a phenomenal choir. How that all came about is a story for another time (told by her) but, suffice it to say, it is a tremendous blessing for us.

Friday night the choir visited the home of a sweet lady who is dealing with a debilitating illness, and is not able to leave her house very often. I got to tag along, and was overwhelmed by the beauty of the music they sang. To my ears their pitch was perfect, their timing impeccable and their harmony divine. Their music filled that home with a beautiful spirit that complimented and amplified the sweetness of their sound.

I felt the Christmas Spirit touch me in a way I haven't felt for years. It wasn't an excitement for Christmas and seeing the kids open their presents. Rather, it was a calm assurance that He lives. That He really did come to earth. Angels did announce His birth. And His promises are sure.

During their opening number, "The First Noel", I couldn't help but watch their audience - this wonderful lady and her husband who were facing a grim future over the weeks and months ahead. Their hope and faith in the Savior was radiating from their faces as they listened.

The Christmas Spirit was in that home - because the choir was giving service and because their audience was echoing their song with faith in the Savior.

My heart sang.

Day 19 - Decorating the Home

2011-12-08T12:22:00.001-07:00

The Christmas season is replete with creativity. People go to incredible lengths to sell their products or to proclaim their enthusiasm for the holidays, and we get to see some pretty cool things as a result.

At home we are not extravagant but we get into the spirit as well. This morning I took time to notice some of the decorations my wife has been putting up. She filled a glass bowl with pine cones from the tree outside with several of the burned out Christmas lights mixed in for a little color. A new wreath hangs on our door (mostly red - my favorite color), and a poinsettia plant is peaking out of a large vase in the entryway. Mistletoe hangs from the entryway light, and pine boughs cover the edges of bookshelves and music cabinets. A small village of Christmas themed objects grace the top of the bookshelf, and a Santa Clause figure joins a menorah and a glass jar of Christmas ornaments on one of the decorative shelves in the living room. I am sure I will see more things set up as the season progresses. Why do we do these things? Well, it seems to me that decorating our homes with Christmas paraphernalia is one of the ways we express the

this season brings to our hearts.

The Catch-Up Post

2011-12-07T17:27:00.001-07:00

The busyness of the season has hit our household with full force and I am now a week behind in my posts. (Which my wife pointed out with a subtle - "You need to get back to posting." this morning)

Without further ado -

Day 12 - Christmas Lights
Christmas would not be Christmas without the lights that ring the house. My wife pulled out and sorted the various strings of lights into "working" and "not working" piles. We decided on what we were going to do and then I dutifully climbed the ladder and began stringing lights. My wife handed them to me and gave me great encouragement like: "You look cute while you string Christmas lights."

Day 13 - Mesa Temple Lights

Going to the Temple to see the lights is an annual family tradition. We went this past Sunday and thoroughly enjoyed it. This year we had some really cool 3D glasses that acted like prisms with each point of light. It made tens of thousands of lights look like hundreds of thousands of lights. Way cool.

Day 14 - Ward Party
This is our second Christmas in our ward (we celebrate our first year here on Sunday) but we moved the weekend after the ward party last year and so we missed it. We thoroughly enjoyed it this year. The theme was "Christmas Around the World". Centerpieces were made out of different artifacts from countries around the world and the cultural hall was festooned with flags (my kind of decorations). Members of the ward who had lived or who were from other countries told stories about their Christmas experiences in those countries. I told the legend of the Poinsettia from Mexico. Dulcinea played a flute solo, Teeney Bopper and Sweet G sang in a youth Choir, Dulcinea, Sweet G and I sang in the choir and Dr. D was Joseph in the nativity. We made centerpieces with stuff from Mexico and Chile and Dulcinea and her friend Naunee made empanadas. Yum!

Day 15 - December's Testimony Meeting
Our monthly Fast and Testimony meetings are generally inspiring and uplifting, but there is always something special about the one in December. We come to Church with tender hearts, reviewing the year and remembering the true meaning of Christmas. Fast and Testimony meeting this past Sunday was a feast. Each person who stood up bore their simple witness that Jesus is the Christ. The diversity of experiences and stages of life that were represented during the meeting added to the spirit that was there. We heard from two members of our ward who have recently lost their spouses, a sister missionary who had just completed her mission three days earlier and a mother who had just sent her only child off on a mission to her home country of Japan. Each person gave their witness and their perspective on the Atonement of Christ and the great gift of his life. I was grateful for the testimonies that were shared.

Day 16 - Christmas Concerts
Friday we attended Sweet G's dance recital, Monday night we went to Blondie's orchestra concert and tomorrow we go to Teeney Bopper's ballroom dance recital. Seeing our children perform is one of the things that warms our hearts in December. We have fun trying to find parking, then seats and then cheering for our favorite performers (who share our last name and DNA, of course).

Day 17 - Jacket Weather
Although I bragged earlier about the lovely AZ weather in the winter time, we have been going through a cold spell lately that has required jackets to be worn when outside. I actually had to brush dust off my coat before I put it on. We even had snow in some parts of the valley this week that stayed on the ground until around noon. (For those of you who routinely have to shovel the stuff I realize that this is no biggie, but for us it is almost the event of the year.)

Day 18 - Freedom
70 years ago today the United States was attacked at Pearl Harbor Hawaii. In the years that followed, a generation of men and women stood up and faced a determined enemy, ultimately winning the war. I realize that war is the antithesis of Christmas, but the themes of loving something more than oneself, sacrifice and preserving freedom run through both topics. And, of course, there is the promise that when He comes again war will end and we will live with real peace on Earth.
I am grateful for the men and women who have stood up against tyranny to defend freedom. And I am most grateful that, because of their sacrifice, I have the freedom to worship according to the dictates of my own conscience. Above all I am a grateful for the ultimate freedom that the Savior provides to all of us - freedom from death and sin.

Day 11 - Time and Reckoning

2011-11-30T22:10:00.001-07:00

In just a couple of hours it will be December 1, 2011. Although I have 11 months to prepare for its coming, December always catches me off guard. A year that I still consider almost new marches inexorably towards its end. In a few short days 2011 will be nothing more than a memory and, without skipping a beat, a new year will begin to run its course.

This intersection of old and new naturally invites reflection. We look back on the changes we experienced during the year and look forward to new changes with anticipation. December usually finds me in a poignant state of mind as I think back on what the year has brought and ahead to what the future might hold.

At the beginning of 2011 I knew there were two milestones my family would experience: Little Miss getting baptized and Teeny Bopper's getting her driving permit. Of course my wife and I would celebrate another year of married life together, and each of us would get a year older during this time. Other than that, I didn't know what 2011 would hold. The possibility of losing a close family member each year is always there, but 2011 took two members of the family I was not expecting. One in an instant and another in a short but intense span of 35 days. Both losses were keenly felt, and both taught me about forgiveness, personal growth, faithfulness, enduring to the end, and priorities. I am grateful that a kind Heavenly Father provides comfort, growth and understanding in all of life's experiences - including the most difficult ones.

Although there is still a month to go before 2011 is "in the can" and, obviously, there are still experiences to be had this year, I am already looking forward to 2012. My oldest daughter will be turning 16, become a Laurel at Church and a Junior in High School and begin dating (oh the horror!). My second daughter will start High School and become a Mia Maid at Church. My third daughter will turn 12, become a Beehive in the Young Women's program, go to the Temple for the first time to do baptisms and start Junior High. Daughter number 4 doesn't have any major milestones this year, but she will be starting a new year in school and will be attending a new school. Dr. Destructo will start Kindergarten and Tailgunner will be an only child for each day of the week. I will hit a couple of anniversaries that are significant over the course of the year - 20 years since I went on my mission, 18 since I returned and 18 years of marriage. Where did that time go?

That is what I know about 2012 - what I don't know is what will make it an adventure. Just like all of the years before it.

Day 10 - My Bride

2011-11-30T06:25:00.001-07:00

My sweet Dulcinea and I were married 17 years ago this month. We had a reception here in Mesa the day of our wedding and then went down home to Mexico for a second reception right after Thanksgiving. My Uncle Bob graciously allowed us to hold our reception in his Hacienda (pictured below courtesy of my Prima Camille). About halfway through the night my wife realized that her wedding dress was not well suited for the energetic dancing typical of Mexican receptions and quietly slipped away for a few minutes. When she reappeared she was wearing a pair of jeans, one of my button down shirts and her wedding veil. We danced until 1am and had a blast!

Dulcinea absolutely loves Christmas! If she hears a Christmas song in the middle of the year she lights up and gets excited. During the season itself, her enthusiasm will not be contained or dampened. (Believe me - I've tried!)

She loves to sing with her beautiful voice and is anxious to decorate the house. In fact - I'm pretty sure we are hanging Christmas lights today if she hasn't already done it by the time I get home from work. As I mentioned on Day 3, she loves to find/bargain for/make presents for the Children. She has a gift for loving our children, and it shows in her enthusiasm for Christmas. Some of the many attributes I love about my sweet bride are:

Her eyes - I can't get over how beautiful they are
Her smile - lights up an entire room
Her modesty - both physically and personally. A very attractive feature in such a beautiful woman
Her voice - absolutely beautiful
Her love for our children - I knew she would be the kind of mom she is, which is why I married her
Her love for me - I am still in awe

Christmas would not be nearly as much fun without my wife. Love ya Dulcinea!

Day 9 - Music

2011-11-28T20:25:00.001-07:00

Where Christmas music is concerned I find that I am somewhat of a traditionalist. Although I enjoy the "modern" Christmas songs, it is the old Christmas Carols that move me the most. They are the essence of Christmas to me.

Some of my favorite songs are:

Angels We Have Heard on High
I Heard the Bells on Christmas Day
Silent Night
Mary's Lullaby
Joy to the World (I know - this is an Advent song - I still like it for Christmas)

Christmas would not be Christmas without music. I'm grateful to have music in my holiday celebrations.

Day 8 - What I Love About the Temple

2011-11-28T19:56:00.001-07:00

One of the many blessings I enjoy is the opportunity to serve as a Temple Ordinance Worker in the Mesa AZ Temple every Saturday morning. Before the start of our shift all of the workers gather in a preparation meeting where we receive instruction and counsel from our coordinators and a member of the Temple Presidency. The meeting helps set the tone for our shift.

This past Saturday Brother Palmer, one of the coordinators, shared a few of the things he loves about serving in the Temple. President Hatch then stood up and invited each of us to go home and write a similar list down in our journal so that our children would have it for future reference. Here are some of the items from my list:

I love seeing small children in the Temple who are being sealed to their parents. It never fails to bring a smile to my face.
I love walking up to the Temple in the early hours of the morning when it is still dark outside and the Temple's lights are brightly lit.
I thoroughly enjoy associating with the other workers on my shift.
I enjoy our preparation meetings at 5:45am each Saturday
I love putting on the white suit that I wear in the Temple. It reminds me who's house I am in.
I enjoy eating breakfast in the Temple cafeteria with the Camerons.
I am grateful for the opportunity to learn more about Heavenly Father's Plan for his children
I love the Spirit that I feel every Saturday
I am thankful for the "softening" effect that Temple work is having on my character.
I love working with the four members of my ward who work on the same shift.
I love seeing people who I know inside the Temple
I love sharing my experiences in the Temple with my wife when I get home.
I am grateful for the clarity I experience in the Temple. This was especially comforting during the past couple of months as our family has dealt with the sudden illness and death of a beloved uncle.
I am profoundly grateful for the sacred covenants I have made there with my sweet bride.
I appreciate the other members of my ward who serve in the Temple.
My testimony of Jesus Christ and His love for each of us is increased when I serve in the Temple.
It is a privilege to officiate in the ordinances of the Temple.

Mesa Arizona Temple - Photo taken by Seth Seaman

Day 7 - Family Visits

2011-11-26T22:20:00.001-07:00

Yesterday I didn't get a post in, and I have been up since 4am, so this post is going to be short and sweet.
My parents came up from Mexico and brought my baby sister and her husband with them from El Paso.
My two sisters that live on opposite sides of the valley came to visit us twice in the last couple of days.
My brother-in-law came down from Utah for not even 24 hours so he could see us and say "hi".
My wife's dad and his siblings got together for a visit with Grandma Goodman.
I had a very good father-daughter visit with one of my girls last night
Each sentence in this post is smaller than the preceding one.
Visits from family are pretty awesome.
I am really grateful they happen.
This time of year is wonderful.
I really love my family.
This post is done.

Day 6 - Shooting

2011-11-26T22:19:00.001-07:00

OK - shooting has nothing to do with Christmas or Thanksgiving, but it is a DeWitt family tradition. After Thanksgiving we all go out and shoot clay pigeons till the cows come home. Lots of fun.
This year we didn't go to Snowflake, but I was determined to keep up the tradition here.

Guess what?

It didn't happen.

:-(

Day 5 - Memories of Thanksgiving

2011-11-24T19:39:00.001-07:00

One of the things most associated with the holidays are memories of holidays past. Today we had the blessing of hosting my parents, my sisters and their families as well as an aunt and a cousin and her family. As Dad offered the prayer before we began eating I thought back to my first Thanksgiving in Col. Juarez - 30 years ago this month.

My uncle John and his family along with our family, the Duncans, the Toscanos and Myrna Salgado all went over to Grandpa and Grandma Whetten's house. Long tables were set up end-to-end in Grandma's front room with seats all around it. I don't remember the conversations we had, but I do remember Grandpa Whetten's prayer. It was a long one for an 8 year old boy to sit through, and I remember thinking "Grandpa sure is thankful for a LOT of stuff!" I loved hearing Grandpa pray. I know that he had tremendous faith, and when he prayed I knew that he was actually talking with God.

I felt that way while my Dad was praying in our home today. He is thankful for a lot of stuff, and I know that he talks to our Heavenly Father when he prays. I hope my children picked up on that so that it will be a memory they can have of their own Grandpa Whetten when they are adults.

After the dinner was over at Grandpa and Grandma's house all of the neighborhood kids would go out to Grandma's yard and play endless games of hide and seek, werewolf, kick the can and who knows what else. Grandma's yard was the best place for these games and we could stay there for hours on end playing.

Today after our meal we went out to the greenbelt in front of the house and played Frisbee, threw footballs and had a good time. When it got dark we came inside and played a card game and then gathered around the piano to sing songs. It was wonderful!

I am most thankful for my family. I am grateful they were able to come today and love being around them.

Happy Thanksgiving!!!

Grandpa and Grandma Whetten with me on my 1st B-Day

Day 4 - Employment

2011-11-23T21:56:00.001-07:00

Employment is probably not one of the first things you think about when you are contemplating Christmas, but tomorrow is Thanksgiving and this is something I am definitely thankful for.

Until I had been there myself I had no concept of the despair that comes from being unemployed. I had frequently imagined what it might be like, but until you live it you can't fully grasp it. Now that I have "been there, done that, got the t-shirt" I have a new found appreciation for employment.

Almost two years ago a wonderful neighbor that I have looked up to for years called and offered me a job working for one of his companies. At the time I was catatonic with worry and didn't have a clue where I could go to find a job. The pay wasn't spectacular but it met all of our basic needs and, more importantly, helped me feel like I was contributing once again. I know that this kind man did not need to fill the position I took, but he knew that I needed a job - both to provide for my family and to get me back in the game of life. During the course of my employment with him I had the opportunity to work with a very knowledgeable accountant who taught me several principles of accounting that I now use in my current job. There were so many tender mercies extended to me during my 7 months with that company. I will be forever grateful for my neighbor's unselfish concern for the welfare of my family and me.

A year ago this week another friend invited me to work for him. The pay was a significant step up for me and it put into practice the training I had received over the previous 7 months at my other job. It has also given me the opportunity to collaborate with other individuals as we have worked to build a business. Being able to provide for my family while working in a stimulating environment has been a huge boost to my confidence. I love my job and am grateful for my employer.

I am so grateful for my job. I acknowledge God's hand in inspiring good men to give me a chance and allowing me to stand once again on my own two feet. During this season of Thanksgiving I express my gratitude for God's tender mercies. He is ever mindful of me, even when I don't always recognize it.

Day 3 - Children

2011-11-22T21:08:00.001-07:00

Christmas would not have nearly the magic it does without children. They take delight in so many things about the season and see things from a perspective we once had but, in some instances, have long forgotten. My own children are a constant reminder of the importance of keeping the big picture in mind when dealing with Christmas.

If you know me personally or have read previous posts on this blog you know that my family, like so many others, has had some frightful financial struggles recently. During this time I frequently allowed my expectations of Christmas to needlessly stress me out. Several Christmas miracles (one of which I recorded here) helped me regain my perspective, but far and away the greatest miracle to me was my wife and my children.

My wife would somehow come up with presents - trading things with friends, doing pedicures or taking on other projects to earn a little money - and she relished doing it. She still does. Although I would frequently retreat into my grinch alter-ego, it is impossible not to feel the excitement my wife has about doing something for her children. And that is always the focus - the children. She doesn't spoil them with fancy presents, but she has a talent for making our kids feel loved on Christmas morning. And it is so fun watching her feel sneaky about the presents she gets for them. She calls me up the minute she has put a plan into action.

On Christmas morning the children don't disappoint either. They squeal with delight at every little thing and, oddly enough, it is the little things that seem to make them smile the most. Last year Tail Gunner would not leave his stocking to open his other presents. I watched my kids get excited about toothbrushes and their own personal tubes of toothpaste two years ago - and it wasn't a put on, they were genuinely thrilled. Somehow my children know that it really is the thought that counts, or maybe it is the sheer joy they see in their mom's face as they open their presents, but they just bask in the love on Christmas morning and their smiling happy faces make even an old grinch like me smile.

Children fill a home with the Christmas spirit, because children have a natural ability to detect love. During this sacred season they instinctively react with joy as we celebrate the greatest love ever manifest to mankind.

I am grateful for my children, and the love they bring into my life.

Day 2 - Arizona Winter Weather

2011-11-21T19:21:00.001-07:00

While the rest of the country dreams (or digs out) of a white Christmas, here in AZ we wear shorts. In fact December weather is one of the great blessings of living in Arizona. (We won't mention May thru September)

The days are absolutely beautiful!

I love being outside, going for walks, enjoying the winter rye grass lawns and just plain enjoying the freedom of lower temperatures.

While I do miss the dramatic changes of the seasons I enjoyed growing up in Mexico, the change in temperature is dramatic enough to keep me smilin'.

Yep - Arizona is mighty fine in wintertime. Just ask half of Canada, 3/4's of Minnesota and all of the Dakota's.

Season of Distraction or of Inspiration?

2011-11-20T16:55:00.001-07:00

From the first day of our marriage, my sweet Dulcinea and I have gotten along famously and have had very few serious disagreements. That being said, we do have pet peeves, and of all the little pet peeves my wife has about me, there is one that really gets her. Fortunately it only comes out once a year:

My alter ego - November 1 through December 24th

My list of things I don't like about Christmas is very cliche, and boils down to how much the commercialization of Christmas bugs me. I know - very original (I said it was cliche).

What a self-righteous rant!

The scriptures and God's prophets are constantly counseling us to "be in the world but not of the world." Certainly this counsel should apply to our attitude towards one of the holiest days in the Christian calendar. If I allow my own self-righteous indignation to crowd out the Spirit of Christmas, don't I trivialize it far more than the retailers whose advertisements drive me nuts?

To help me overcome this fault and fill my heart with the Spirit of Christmas this season I am embarking on a project of personal improvement. From now until December 25th I will spend time each day writing about Christmas. It will include memories of Christmases past, Christmas stories, family traditions or simply an expression of gratitude for my Savior and His great gift to me.

Day 1 - Longing for Home

I love how the hearts of so many people grow more tender towards their family during the Christmas Season. Something about the Christmas Spirit draws us closer together as a family. We long to be with those we love, and often we long to be with them in our old homes or home towns. Gifts given or received may briefly cross our minds, but mostly we remember being around our family.

I am thankful for my family, and I have been blessed with a large one. My wife and children, my parents, grandparents, brothers, sisters, nieces, nephews, uncles, aunts and cousins are all a joy to be around. I love each one of them and the promise we have of being a family on into the eternities.

I am thankful for the central role that families play in the Gospel of Jesus Christ.

Uncle Clifford

2011-09-14T22:16:00.000-07:00

On Sunday our family lost a cherished member. I have tried to write about the feelings I have had as our family has exercised our faith on Uncle Cliff's behalf over the past five weeks, but I feel that perhaps they are too personal and sacred to share here.

I sure am going to miss Uncle Cliff. I'm grateful for his example and wish I could be with the family this weekend as we remember him.

Godspeed Tio.

Clifford Leon Whetten
(February 10, 1946 - September 11, 2011)

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Clifford Leon Whetten

Clifford Leon Whetten left this mortal existence on September 11, 2011 surrounded by his loving family. His passing was sudden yet sweet, due to complications from pancreatic cancer. At the time of his diagnosis, Clifford was serving as the MTC President for the LDS Church in Lima, Peru.
Clifford was born February 10, 1946 in Colonia Chuichupa, Chihuahua, Mexico to Glen and Ada Whetten. He was the seventh of ten children. His siblings were his best friends throughout his life.
After graduating from the Juarez Stake Academy, he served his first mission in Northern Mexico. He married Rosalyn Hatch in the Mesa, AZ temple on December 21, 1968. Together they were blessed with four children.
After earning degrees from BYU and UTEP, Clifford moved his family to College Station, TX. Upon earning his PhD from Texas A&M, he remained at the university as a professor of education administration and multi-cultural studies. They spent many happy years in Texas raising their family. During that time, he served as a branch president, bishop and as a member of the stake presidency.
Clifford retired from teaching early, at the age of 59, when he was called to serve as president of the Mexico Tuxtla Gutierrez Mission from 2005-2008. Upon completing their mission, Clifford and his wife settled in Utah to be closer to their children and grandchildren. But their love of missionary work was put into action once again when he and his wife went to serve at the MTC in Lima, Peru in January 2010. Clifford received an honorable release from his earthly missionary service on September 7, 2011, four days before his passing.
Clifford is survived by his eternal companion, Rosalyn; their children Diana Windley (Ryan), Carolyn Smith (Jacob), Renee Christensen (Gary), and David (Natalie); their grandchildren Jett, Lauren, Luke, Jenna, Tommy, Carter and Sammy; and his siblings John, Velma, Amanda, Robert, Edward, Earline, and Don.
He is preceded in death by his parents and two brothers, Glen and Bert.
Funeral services will be held Friday, September 16, 2011 at 11 a.m. at the Valley View Ward, 2455 North Valley View Drive, Layton. Friends may visit family Thursday from 6 to 8 p.m. at Lindquist’s Layton Mortuary, 1867 No. Fairfield Road and Friday from 9:30 to 10:30 a.m. at the church.
Interment, Croydon Cemetery.
The family gives appreciation to Dr. Mark Ott and the many nurses at IMC who provided our husband and dad with compassionate care during the last five weeks.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to the LDS General Missionary Fund.

I love you but...

2011-09-05T21:47:00.000-07:00

A couple of days ago my oldest son, Dr. Destructo, was tap dancing on my very last nerve. Someone had come home from Jamba Juice a few minutes earlier and the remnants of a smoothie were being shared between the three youngest members of the family. (I know, gross, but they didn't care so who was I to insist on hygiene? They're related anyway.)
Inevitably there was a screaming match going on between the youngest one and his two older siblings as they took to the smoothie like a school of piranhas. I had a massive headache at the time and had watched the two older ones take sip after sip without letting the little guy get his head in there for a chance. This, of course, set him off.

(Before we go any further you should know, if you don't already, that two-year-olds of both genders have been blessed with the most piercing high-pitched wail known to man. If you happen to have a headache when the wail goes off it will instantly reduce you to a blubbering pile of goo on the floor.)

Tailgunner was getting his wail worked into a fine crescendo, so I stepped in before he did irreparable harm to my head. I had just told the two older ones to back off when Dr. Destructo swept in for one more shot of smoothie, setting off Tailgunner like an air raid alarm. I lost it.

Nailing my oldest boy to the floor with a look of death I began the roaring for which I am known (unfortunately) in my house. As I looked at him the most interesting thing took place. I could see from the look on his face that he was about to argue with me that it really was his turn at the smoothie. "Dad..." he began saying, but then he caught the expression on my face. His eyes widened and then his voice got very small and said: "Dad, I love you Dad."

His expression (undoubtedly one of self-preservation) took almost all the steam out of my boiler, but I was still too worked up to completely think through my response:

"I love you too son, but you have to be obedient."

I was irritated that he had been disobedient and because his actions were aggravating my headache. No doubt my son needed correction, however by putting that conditional "but" in the middle of my sentence I'm afraid that I communicated a very damaging message to my son. It no sooner came out of my mouth than I realized I had failed the test of that moment.

There are no "buts" when it comes to the love a parent has for their child. It is not conditional on their performance, they do not have to be constantly earning it and they should never feel that they are in danger of losing that love.

Could I re-do this moment I would have said "I love you too son, and because I love you I want you to learn to be obedient."

"Dad, I love you Dad"

In my mind's eye I can see Heavenly Father saying: "I love you Paul, and because I love you I will give you another opportunity to take this test down the road. Be sure you don't forget the lessons you learned from failing this test."

Stereotypes Rule!

2011-09-01T07:10:00.001-07:00

Last night our ward had its annual swim party at a local pool. In the weeks leading up to the party several of the men commented on the cannonball contest that was held at each party and asked me whether or not I would be competing. (I guess they were expecting something spectacular due to my rather portly figure)
I really didn't want to compete for a few reasons:

Heights terrify me and the contest was to be held off the high dive
I always worry that the diving board will snap off when I get out on the end
I didn't want to prove the stereotype that the fat guy ALWAYS wins the cannonball contest (it is technique, not size, that wins)

Well...

Hats (or crowns) off to the previous holders of the Salt River Ward Splash King title:

2006 - Brian O'Barr

2007 - Jay Coombs

2008 - Tim Green

2009 - Brian O'Barr

2010 - Gregor McHardy

2011 - Yours Truly

Aqui 'toy

2011-08-31T17:44:00.000-07:00

For well over a year now I have not posted anything on this blog or my other one. As much as I enjoy writing, I haven't had the time to do so, and those few times I have sat down to write things I have suffered from pretty serious writer's block. (In fact, I am having trouble figuring out how to end this post).
I guess the whole point of this post is that - I'm coming back. I flatter myself that some people who read my blog in the past will take up reading it again but, regardless, I will begin writing again. If nothing else it will help me "untangle the webs in my head" which is the original reason I created this blog in the first place.

Independence Day!

2010-07-04T20:58:00.000-07:00

I am not ashamed to admit that, hands down, Independence Day is my favorite holiday of the year. I usually follow that statement with a tongue-in-cheek comment that runs somewhere along the lines of: "You gotta love any holiday that is celebrated with explosives!"

All joking aside, Independence Day is inspiring to me on so many levels. I marvel at the miracle of so many brilliant men not only belonging to one generation, but living in the same country. These men were men of means and reputation who had the most to lose if their venture failed. And yet they didn't waver. Of all the Founders, George Washington is the most inspiring to me. When we think of 1776 we usually reflect only on the fact that that was the year we became our own nation. But 1776 was a very bad year for the patriot cause, and we very nearly lost everything during the battle for New York. Any other man would have been crushed by the disaster of that battle and given up, but General Washington stayed true to the cause he had embraced. He met emergency, disaster, rank recriminations and treasonous cabals with fortitude,courage and absolute faith in the rightness of what he was doing. When others had given up hope, he embodied the spirit of the Revolution and kept it alive. Because of him and the brave men who served under his command, the American Army lived to fight another day and eventually secured, in fact, the liberty we had proclaimed for ourselves at the outset of the struggle.

We are fond of saying that "freedom isn't free". Truer words were never spoken. The fight to become free and remain free has always cost the blood of the best amongst us in every generation. Yesterday, at the Arizona Celebration of Freedom event I got the opportunity to visit with men who fought at the Chosin Reservoir during the Korean War. The stories they told me were amazing, and I felt humbled by the sacrifice they made on behalf of our country. Even as I sit here and write this in the comfort and security of my own home, the best of our nation's men and women are standing between us and "the war's desolation." They fight to stop those people who would do us harm and threaten our way of life. They give up time with their loved ones so we can safely enjoy time with ours. And, over 3000 times since September 11, 2001, some have actually given their lives for this freedom we love so much.

I haven't written very much about my own cousin, SFC Jake Whetten, because the feelings are still very near the surface and so intensely and personally felt that I can't fully express myself yet. But he has been on my mind all weekend. When we sang America the Beautiful in church today I could't get through the third verse. When we stood and sang The Star Spangled Banner I couldn't get through the third verse. These things mean more to me now, and I am just a member of his extended family. I can only imagine the sorrow that his immediate family feels at this unwanted honor they now bear.

My heart is so full of gratitude for my freedom that I can't completely express myself tonight, but I wanted to put down in writing how grateful I am for the privilege of being a US citizen. God bless this country, God bless the memory of our Founding Fathers, and God bless and protect our men and women in uniform this glorious 4th of July. Happy Independence Day!

The Price of Freedom

2010-03-15T07:21:00.003-07:00

Since September 11, 2001, I have lowered the flag in my front yard on numerous occasions to honor the sacrifice of a soldier, sailor, marine, or airman who had recently paid the utmost price for my freedom. In each instance I have said a prayer for the family of the departed hero as my flag lowered to honor their sacrifice. During the official period of mourning, the sight of my half-masted flag was a quiet and eloquent reminder of the fact that "Freedom Isn't Free".

On Friday night I went out to my flagpole and, once again, lowered my flag to half mast. But the prayer I offered that night was for my own family this time. Earlier that day my cousin, SFC Glen Jacob Whetten, joined the ranks of those who have given the last full measure of devotion for their country.

The flag in my front yard flies at half mast, and I see Jake now every time I pass it. When the official word gets out and flags across the state lower to half mast, I will see Jake. And I will cry. I am more intimately acquainted with the price of my freedom now. The Hall of Heroes is no longer a nameless, faceless group of men and women from ages past. It now has the name and face of someone I know and love, someone I looked up to and prayed for.

SFC Glen Jacob Whetten, United States Army
March 19, 1978 - March 12, 2010
Operation Enduring Freedom

Changes and Challenges

2009-06-02T17:08:00.003-07:00

Stake Conference has come and gone, and with it a new calling for me. I was called to serve as 1st Counselor in the Stake Young Men's Presidency. I am stoked for this new calling and the opportunity it will give me to work with the Varsity Scouting program in our district. While I was attending Trader Joe's funeral on the 23rd, I thought to myself: "I hope that my next Scouting Assignment involves me with the Varsity Scouts. These guys look like my kind of people, and they sure do seem to have a ton of fun." Three days later President Porter called me in for an interview and extended this calling to me.

I am looking forward to learning a ton from the amazing leaders in this district and working with our great team coaches, giving them the support they need to have a world class program for our boys.

My blood now begins to change colors from a deep red to blaze orange. Wah Pilgrim!

Brothers

2009-05-26T11:27:00.005-07:00

On Friday my beautiful wife gave birth to a little boy, bringing our family count to 6 children (4 girls and 2 boys). I love having babies in the house. They bring a special joy all on their own, and add to the joy we feel for each of our other children. One of the things I especially love about adding a member to our family is the reaction of the older children. Seeing their excitement at a new sibling just increases the happiness in our home and gives us new memories to cherish down the road.

The response I am always most interested in is the one from the next youngest child - the one whose position as the baby has just been passed on. When our second child, Sweet G, was born Teeny Bopper was thrilled to have a real live dolly to play with - until she had been home for a couple of days. At the end of the second day home she kept telling my wife that "It's time for the baby to go home now" and "Take the baby back to its mommy." We thought it was hilarious. Fortunately Teeny Bopper got over her jealousy in about a week, and her and Sweet G. have been the best of friends since then.

Two and a half years ago our family was blessed with our first boy. He has been so different from the girls, and has received a lot of attention from his four "other mommies" as a result. We were hoping that Baby Bean would be a boy so that he and Dr. D. could be buddies growing up. Our wishes were granted, and we now have two little boys in our home. Yesterday we brought mommy and Baby Bean home from the hospital, and Dr. Destructo began bonding with gusto. Just a few minutes after we had settled down I was holding Baby Bean on the couch when Dr. Destructo came running up with some of his toys to show Baby Bean. Then, in the most earnest and sincere voice he could muster he looked directly at his new brother, called out his name and said: "Play ball, me?"

Memorial Day

2009-05-25T22:42:00.003-07:00

I couldn't let the day slip away without acknowledging the tremendous debt I owe to the brave men and women who have fought and died for my freedom over the 200+ years of this nation's history. I am grateful not only for their tremendous sacrifices, but for the sacrifices of the families that they left behind. It is fitting and proper that we should take a day each year to remember those who paid the last full measure of devotion so that we could enjoy the freedoms we do today. One of the headstones we looked at today described the RAF cadet interred there as his parents "much loved and only son". This inscription really touched me as I realized how much this particular family had given up in defense of freedom for themselves and their countrymen. This young man never married or enjoyed all of the wonders of parenthood. He didn't have a career, finish his education, or live to ripe old age. Instead, he was cut down in his prime while doing his duty.
I am grateful for the opportunity Memorial Day gives me to take my children to visit our local cemetery and pay our respects to brave soldiers, sailors, airmen, and marines who have put it all on the line so that we could enjoy the life we now have. I am thankful for this wonderful land we live in and those who have fought to establish it and keep it free. God bless their memory!

The cycles of life...

2009-05-14T15:28:00.014-07:00

Earlier today I was scanning some pictures of my children, my wife, and I as babies. Aparently my wife is putting together some sort of collage of all of us. The only picture we had of me as a baby was firmly pasted into a baby book that my mom put together for me when I was, well, a baby. Since the book is as old as I am and carries the only copy of my birth certificate, it is seriously beat up. After scanning the picture my wife wanted, I proceeded to scan all of the pictures of in the book so that I wouldn't lose them. (OK - not all of them, one of them involved nudity so I left that one to rot in the book)

I had a blast scanning these pictures and then reviewing the memories associated with them. What stood out in my mind as I looked at these pictures was how many cycles of life are represented in these pictures and the people in them. Several of the people in the pictures are no longer with us and I have moved up the "generational ladder" as a result. I thought it would be interesting to post of few of these pictures, showing how the cycles of life keep rolling around.

The first picture here is of my parents family right before we moved to Mexico in 1980. This is only half of us, four more siblings would show up over the years in Mexico, but it is a good representation of my parents when they were just a little younger than I am now. (In the picture of my family I am only two years older than my Dad would have been in the first picture.) In case you are wondering, yes - I am the good looking boy in the picture.

I have to say that Dad looks pretty distinguished in his checkered vest. And, not to be outdone, Mom looks great with her 'fro.

As I was scanning these pictures and reviewing them one really touched me. It is a picture of me and my Grandpa and Grandma Whetten who were visiting me on my first birthday in California. Fortunately I am old enough to have a lot of memories with my Grandpa and Grandma Whetten, but in all my memories I am an older child that is too big to be held. In this particular picture my Grandpa Whetten is holding me. Although I don't remember it, I like the thought of Grandpa Whetten holding me in his arms when I was little.

Seeing this picture reminded me of a picture I have of my son spending time in his Grandpa Whetten's arms. I hope when he is as old as I am that this picture brings him the same warm feelings of love for his Grandpa Whetten as the one above does for me. And I look forward to holding each of my grandchildren and continuing the cycle. (When that time comes, of course. I am not in a big hurry for that just yet!)

This picture was taken of me with my Grandpa and Grandma DeWitt on my blessing day in California. I was nine days old in this picture. The painting you see behind my Grandpa hung in our home until we moved to Mexico. I remember thinking of all kinds of adventures that I could have in the woods and the river depicted in that painting. I wonder what happened to it?

Although he isn't a baby in this picture, here is a picture of my son being held by my Grandpa DeWitt. It is cool that my son has been held by my Grandpa just like I used to be.

Last but not least, this picture is of me with my Great-Grandpa and Grandma Lamoreaux in front of our home in South Gate, California. Because I am one of the older members of my generation (and because the Lamoreaux's have a thing for longevity) I knew my great grandparents. I have always felt blessed by this association with Grandpa and Grandma Lamoreaux. Being first definitely has its privileges when it comes to memories of people. Grandpa Lamoreaux was a World War I navy vet. Grandma Lamoreaux was a little girl during what is known as "The Exodus" from the Mormon Colonies in Mexico during the Mexican Revolution.

My daughters are fortunate enough to know their Great Grandpa and Grandma DeWitt. They will carry their own memories of these great people with them and will be able to tell their children about their great-great grandparents. Grandma DeWitt passed away just a few days before my boy was born, so he didn't get to know her here. He does know and love his Great Grandpa DeWitt however, and I am grateful for this gift.

I am grateful for the memories I have of my family, and I look forward to the cycles of life that still lie ahead of us all.

The Publicity Dilema

2009-03-10T16:56:00.003-07:00

The producers of Big Love, a fictional depiction of a polygamous family living in Utah have recently stated that they will be portraying "secret Mormon temple ceremonies" in an upcoming episode. The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints put out the following statement in response:

SALT LAKE CITY 9 March 2009

Like other large faith groups, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints sometimes finds itself on the receiving end of attention from Hollywood or Broadway, television series or books, and the news media. Sometimes depictions of the Church and its people are quite accurate. Sometimes the images are false or play to stereotypes. Occasionally, they are in appallingly bad taste.
As Catholics, Jews and Muslims have known for centuries, such attention is inevitable once an institution or faith group reaches a size or prominence sufficient to attract notice. Yet Latter-day Saints – sometimes known as Mormons - still wonder whether and how they should respond when news or entertainment media insensitively trivialize or misrepresent sacred beliefs or practices.
Church members are about to face that question again. Before the first season of the HBO series Big Love aired more than two years ago, the show’s creators and HBO executives assured the Church that the series wouldn’t be about Mormons. However, Internet references to Big Love indicate that more and more Mormon themes are now being woven into the show and that the characters are often unsympathetic figures who come across as narrow and self-righteous. And according to TV Guide, it now seems the show’s writers are to depict what they understand to be sacred temple ceremonies.
Certainly Church members are offended when their most sacred practices are misrepresented or presented without context or understanding. Last week some Church members began e-mail chains calling for cancellations of subscriptions to AOL, which, like HBO, is owned by Time Warner. Certainly such a boycott by hundreds of thousands of computer-savvy Latter-day Saints could have an economic impact on the company. Individual Latter-day Saints have the right to take such actions if they choose.
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints as an institution does not call for boycotts. Such a step would simply generate the kind of controversy that the media loves and in the end would increase audiences for the series. As Elder M. Russell Ballard and Elder Robert D. Hales of the Council of the Twelve Apostles have both said recently, when expressing themselves in the public arena, Latter-day Saints should conduct themselves with dignity and thoughtfulness.
Not only is this the model that Jesus Christ taught and demonstrated in his own life, but it also reflects the reality of the strength and maturity of Church members today. As someone recently said, “This isn’t 1830, and there aren’t just six of us anymore.” In other words, with a global membership of thirteen and a half million there is no need to feel defensive when the Church is moving forward so rapidly. The Church’s strength is in its faithful members in 170-plus countries, and there is no evidence that extreme misrepresentations in the media that appeal only to a narrow audience have any long-term negative effect on the Church.
Examples:
During the Mitt Romney election campaign for the presidency of the United States, commentator Lawrence O’Donnell hurled abuse at the Church in a television moment that became known among many Church members as “the O’Donnell rant.” Today, his statements are remembered only as a testament to intolerance and ignorance. They had no effect on the Church that can be measured.
When the comedy writers for South Park produced a gross portrayal of Church history, individual Church members no doubt felt uncomfortable. But once again it inflicted no perceptible or lasting damage to a church that is growing by at least a quarter of a million new members every year.
When an independent film company produced a grossly distorted version of the Mountain Meadows Massacre two years ago, the Church ignored it. Perhaps partly as a result of that refusal to engender the controversy that the producers hoped for, the movie flopped at the box office and lost millions.
In recent months, some gay activists have barraged the media with accusations about “hateful” attitudes of Latter-day Saints in supporting Proposition 8 in California, which maintained the traditional definition of marriage. They even organized a protest march around the Salt Lake Temple. Again, the Church has refused to be goaded into a Mormons versus gays battle and has simply stated its position in tones that are reasonable and respectful. Meanwhile, missionary work and Church members in California remain as robust and vibrant as ever, and support for the Church has come from many unexpected quarters — including some former critics and other churches.
Now comes another series of Big Love, and despite earlier assurances from HBO it once again blurs the distinctions between The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and the show’s fictional non-Mormon characters and their practices. Such things say much more about the insensitivities of writers, producers and TV executives than they say about Latter-day Saints.
If the Church allowed critics and opponents to choose the ground on which its battles are fought, it would risk being distracted from the focus and mission it has pursued successfully for nearly 180 years. Instead, the Church itself will determine its own course as it continues to preach the restored gospel of Jesus Christ throughout the world.

Getting Old(er)

2009-01-10T18:40:00.005-07:00

January is a busy month for our household with three birthdays, all within the first twelve days of the month. We began this past Monday with my 36th, moved on to Sweet G's 11th on Tuesday, and will finish up with Teeny Bopper's 13th this coming Monday. Earlier today I came home pretty wiped out from a Republican Party meeting that seemed to take forever and crashed hard into the recliner for about an hour. (I have been sick all week, and then made the additional mistake of wearing boots to a "standing room only" meeting that lasted from 8:30am until 2:30pm - if I sound like I am rambling it might be the drugs I'm taking)

Anyway, during my semi-conscious sojourn in the recliner I began thinking about having a teenage daughter, being closer to 40 than to 30, having our sixth kid a little later this year, and all of the events that I have participated in over the last 36 years. I remembered friends and family members who have left us, counted the number of nieces and nephews that have arrived, and reminisced on how quickly time flies by whether you are having fun or not.

All in all, I have enjoyed my life up through today, feel blessed by all of the experiences I have had and am looking forward to the new ones this year is sure to bring. As I "age" I hope that I learn to appreciate the moments that make up my life, and find the joy that is waiting to be discovered each day

Thank you...

2008-12-06T11:00:00.008-07:00

A little over a year ago I took a leap of faith and left a good job for an opportunity to own my own business and try to develop my talents in different areas. To say that the last year has been extremely difficult is a gross understatement. On several occasions I have gone to bed not knowing where our next meal was coming from or how I would keep a roof over my family's head. On those nights sleep has not come of its own accord, and I have had to pray my anxieties down to a manageable level several times throughout the night, pouring my fears and desires out to my Heavenly Father. Last night was one of those nights, and at 3:00am this morning, I found myself kneeling at the foot of my bed, pleading for help for my family and guidance for me. After receiving a measure of peace, I was able to lay down and go back to sleep.

When my wife got up this morning she found an envelope someone slid through our mail slot containing the following note:

Dear ...,

Many years ago when we had small children at home and very little money (no extra for Christmas) there was a knock at our door. A stranger handed me an envelope and said "Merry Christmas" turned around and walked away. To my surprise and relief there was money inside that envelope. We were able to provide SANTA for our children that Christmas due to someones inspiration and kindness. Now as parents we want our children to believe in Santa for as long as we can (and it doesn't hurt us as adults to believe in him too). We vowed that some day we would PAY IT FORWARD to a family we felt inspired to help if we were ever in a position to do so. So PLEASE accept this gift so that you can provide SANTA for your children. You are a very special family and we know that you have given service in so many ways yourselves. Have a very Merry Christmas!

This is the second anonymous letter we have received this week containing a gift that has come at a time when we have really needed it, and as a very direct and specific answer to prayer.

This past year has not been fun, and I don't know that I would willingly choose to go through these struggles again. But in spite of that I have learned and been reminded of some things through the experience that perhaps I could learn in no other way.

Our Heavenly Father is not an absentee parent. He is very mindful of us and our struggles and is always willing to accompany us in the midnight hours and give us peace and strength.
He can turn all of our life's experiences to our benefit and blessing if we will let him.
He blesses us through the generosity and spiritual sensitivity of others, who serve Him and are in turn blessed by the service they give.
We are only alone if we choose to be so.

Whoever our two anonymous benefactors are have brought the Christmas Spirit into my heart this year. More than meeting an immediate physical need, their thoughtfulness has touched our spirits with their generosity and kindness, increasing our testimony of God's love and our faith in His help. God's choicest blessings be with you and yours for this precious gift. From the bottom of my heart, thank you!

Stuff I have done...

2008-12-02T09:59:00.003-07:00

I read my sister-in-law C's blog today and was tagged as a result. Here is my response:

I have done the things BOLDED and in BLUE.

1. Started your own blog. 2. Slept under the stars 3. Played in a band 4. Visited Hawaii 5. Watched a meteor shower 6. Given more than you can afford to charity 7. Been to Disneyland 8. Climbed a mountain 9. Held a praying mantis 10. Sang a solo 11. Bungee jumped 12. Visited Paris 13. Watched a lightning storm at sea 14. Taught yourself an art from scratch 15. Adopted a child 16. Had food poisoning 17. Walked to the top of the Statue of Liberty. 18. Grown your own vegetables 19. Seen the Mona Lisa in France 20. Slept on an overnight train 21. Had a pillow fight 22. Hitch hiked 23. Taken a sick day when you’re not ill 24. Built a snow fort 25. Held a lamb 26. Gone skinny dipping 27. Run a Marathon 28. Ridden in a gondola in Venice 29. Seen a total eclipse 30. Watched a sunrise or a sunset 31. Hit a home run . 32. Been on a cruise 33. Seen Niagara Falls in person 34. Visited the birthplace of your ancestors 35. Seen an Amish community 36. Taught yourself a new language 37. Had enough money to be truly satisfied (ha!)38. Seen the Leaning Tower of Pisa in person 39. Gone rock climbing 40. Seen Michelangelo’s David 41. Sung karaoke 42. Seen Old Faithful Geyser erupt 43. Bought a stranger a meal at a restaurant 44. Visited Africa 45. Walked on a beach by moonlight 46. Been transported in an ambulance 47. Had your portrait painted 48. Gone deep sea fishing 49. Seen the Sistine Chapel in person 50. Been to the top of the Eiffel Tower in Paris 51. Gone scuba diving or snorkeling 52. Kissed in the rain 53. Played in the mud 54. Gone to a drive-in theater 55. Been in a movie or on a TV show 56. Visited the Great Wall of China 57. Started a business 58. Taken a martial arts class 59. Visited Russia 60. Served at a soup kitchen. 61. Sold Girl Scout Cookies 62. Gone whale watching 63. Got flowers for no reason 64. Donated blood, platelets, or plasma. 65. Gone sky diving 66. Visited a Nazi Concentration Camp 67. Bounced a check 68. Flown in a helicopter 69. Saved a favorite childhood toy 70. Visited the Lincoln Memorial 71. Eaten Caviar. 72. Pieced a quilt. 73. Stood in Times Square 74. Toured the Everglades 75. Been fired from a job 76. Seen the Changing of the Guards in London 77. Broken a bone 78. Been on a speeding motorcycle 79. Seen the Grand Canyon in person 80. Published a book 81. Visited the Vatican 82. Bought a brand new car 83. Walked in Jerusalem 84. Had your picture in the newspaper 85. Read the entire Bible 86. Visited the White House 87. Killed and prepared an animal for eating 88. Had chickenpox 89. Saved someone’s life (I tried, but he didn't make it) 90. Sat on a jury 91. Met someone famous 92. Joined a book club 93. Lost a loved one 94. Had a baby 95. Seen the Alamo in person 96. Swam in the Great Salt Lake 97. Been involved in a law suit 98. Owned a cell phone 99. Been stung by a bee. 100. Been held at gunpoint

Now, copy and paste this into your own post, and BOLD the one's you've done.

Aaaaaaaauuuuuuuuggggggghhhhhhhhh!!!!!!

2008-11-05T13:08:00.001-07:00

Need I say any more?

The River, the Wagon Bridge, and the Catapult Tree

2008-10-29T09:08:00.007-07:00

When I was growing up in Colonia Juarez, there were two bridges that crossed the river. An ancient suspension footbridge known as the Swinging Bridge, and a single lane cement bridge known as the Wagon Bridge. The Swinging Bridge got its name from the side-to-side/up-and-down movements it makes as you walk across it. (I still take my kids to walk across it everytime we go visit my parents)

The Wagon Bridge was the bridge we used to cross the river when we walked home from school. It was made entirely out of cement, and was supported by two cement pillars that were built on the riverbed. Watching the water flow under the bridge was hypnotizing, and we wasted a lot of time standing on the bridge throwing sticks and rocks into the river below. More often than not, we would wind up climbing down the bridge to get to the river itself, where we would waste more time, get wet, filthy dirty, and destroy our shoes.

There were several ways to do get down to the river from the bridge: Walk down to the river from the east bank, take a running jump off of the west end of the bridge to the bank below, and (our favorite) climbing down the pillars that supported the bridge. When the river was flooded, we couldn't actually get down and play in it, but when the waters started going down again, it broke into two channels around a large segment of land in the middle of the river bed, creating an island. Our inner pirates couldn't resist playing on the island, so as soon as the island looked dry enough to walk on without sinking to our hips in muck, we went over the side of the bridge and down to the island.

The only way to reach the island was to climb down the easternmost pillar on the bridge. Looking at it now it isn't so big a deal, but when I was ten that was quite a distance to go down for short little squirts. Fortunately for us, there was a young elm tree that grew right up against the pillar. However, we were much more creative than simply climbing down the tree. We grabbed the top of the tree and jumped off the pillar. The tree would bend all the way down to the ground letting us off gently onto the island. When we wanted back up, we jumped halfway up the tree, bent it down, and then jumped again holding onto the top of the tree. It would fling us onto the pillar and we would then climb the rest of the way up onto the bridge. We called that elm the Catapult Tree, and enjoyed jumping back and forth off the pillar almost as much as we enjoyed the island.

Once on the island we would make mud/sand castles, cut river willows and have sword fights with them, throw mud at each other and sticks into the river and have a grand old time. 1983 was the best year for flooding while I was growing up (I was 10 that year), and we seemed to live on that island. I know that I got in trouble several times for coming home so late, wet, and dirty, but it didn't stop us. I must have gone through about 8 pairs of shoes that school year and, if I remember right, that was the year my parents got their first grey hairs. It was awesome!

Next up - tubing, body surfing, and other stupid stuff.

Lawnmowers, Gas, Gopher Holes, and Third Degree Burns

2008-10-17T08:23:00.005-07:00

Our steady supply of gasoline came to my brother and I because of the enormous lawn that we had to mow each week. We had three different lawns that were mowed - two side lawns and the orchard out back, and it required a lot of gas to keep the mower running. Dad always seemed to have at least two or three 5 gallon gas cans for us each Saturday, and away we went. It was kind of mind numbing work, but it did give you a lot of time to just think about stuff and several hair-brained ideas were hatched as we made the trip around and around the lawn with the mower.

One of the more idiotic ones was how to deal with the large number of gopher holes that kept popping up all over one of the side lawns. Each week we set traps and caught three of four of the beggars, but they just kept coming back. Dad gassed a couple with a special poison gas bomb that he buried in their burrows and that gave us a great idea. Why not burn the critters crispy by pouring gas down their hole and then dropping a match?

OK - gopher control had nothing to do with the idea because we knew that they were far enough down in their burrows that we probably wouldn't do any lasting damage to them. Besides, we had already done the ditch experiment and were still dissapointed with those results. Still, it would be a good story if Dad asked us what we were doing. DK and I started pouring gas down the holes and then dropping matches. The result was pretty cool - a quick flash of flame shot out of the hole and sometimes blew dirt out as well, but it wasn't so spectacular that we did it all the time. Every so often, after we had finished mowing the lawn and we had gas left, we would flash gopher holes.

On one particular Saturday it was DK's turn to mow the side lawn. He got it finished and then decided to flash a few gopher holes. He had already flashed one and liked the effect so much that he decided to pour more gas down the hole and flash it again. Unfortunately something in the hole was still burning, and the fire flashed back up into the plastic gas can as DK was pouring. He didn't realize it at first, but when it started to burn his elbow he saw that the can was on fire and dropped it. Burning gas splashed up through the opening and all over his clothes, lighting him on fire. He took off running at first, but then remembered his cub scout training of "Stop, Drop, and Roll" which probably saved his life. He executed the maneuver and then ripped his clothes off. His shirt, which was made out of polyester, had already melted to his skin in a couple of places.

I was inside the house when this happened, but heard him yelling and ran out with my mom. DK was in the driveway wearing only his underwear and his socks and was limping towards the house. Behind him the gas can was melting away, and the fire grew to an enormous height - well above the level of our roof. Mom helped get DK in the house while I ran over to the fire to try to put it out or at least keep it from spreading. There was nothing I could do but wet down the lawn around the perimeter of the fire, and the heat was so intense that I couldn't get close enough to really even do that. The fire was right by a tall elm tree and I could hear the sap boiling and popping in the trunk. It was a jaw-dropping awesome fire. (And I mean "awesome" in the original sense of the term - not "cool")

The top of the tree caught fire, but the whole thing only lasted about 10 minutes and it was all out. The tree was a total loss and had to be chopped down later that year.

DK was soaking in the bathtub inside the house as Mom dumped ice into the water. While Mom watched, DK's skin started bubbling and boiling right before her eyes as if he were a chicharron. We carried him out to the car and Mom took him to Dr. Hatch's. He returned a few hours later wrapped like a mummy and wearing very loose fitting clothes.

DK still has a rather nasty scar on his leg and a more minor one on his belly. (You can just make it out on his left leg in this picture.) It is painful to see him in shorts, but other than that he doesn't have any other ill effects from flashing that gopher hole.

In terms of coming close to tragedy, DK pretty much takes the cake. He was very fortunate to get off as light as he did. I would like to say that this little event kept us away from gas and fire, but it didn't. We had several other close calls, one explosion in particular almost knocked me on my fanny (about a month after DK's brush with death) but we somehow avoided serious accidents after DK taught us not to flash things twice.

Next up - The River

Matches, Gas, Fire, and Other Wonderful Elements!

2008-10-14T10:44:00.005-07:00

I don't remember when my fascination with all things combustible came into being but, almost 36 years into this mortality thing, I am still intrigued by burning stuff. I think I am more rational about it now than I was earlier in life, but I sure had a lot of fun with it before I became rational.

Learning how to burn oleander bushes

My first experience with matches outside of the home came as my brother DK and I walked home from Alta Vista Elementary School in Phoenix. Just a few feet from school there was an alley with tall oleander bushes lining one side. As DK and I walked by the alley this afternoon there was a group of about three other boys huddled around a rock looking at something. They invited my brother and I to join them and showed us a book of matches that one of the boys had brought to school with him. They were trying to strike the matches on the rock without success. I had watched my Dad light the BBQ with these types of matches so I showed them how to light them on the book. I lit my match, showed them, and then put it out. Everybody got a match from the book and waited their turn to light it. DK lit his and put it out and then the rocket scientist that had been trying to light paper matches on the rock lit his and threw it into a pile of dead oleander leaves at our feet. They caught fire and everybody started throwing more leaves on the fire to put it out. That didn't turn out so well. Pretty soon the oleander bushes caught fire and five little boys came out of the alley at a dead run. We didn't stop till we got home and as we ran we could hear the fire trucks come to douse our experiment.

A letter was sent home with us from school the following day, but DK and I tore it up and didn't tell our parents about it until about three years later. (And then only after our Dad promised he wouldn't spank us.)

Matches + Gasoline Makes a Bigger Fire

Soon after the incident with the oleander bushes, my family moved to Mexico. This not only saved me from prosecution for the wanton murder of innocent oleander bushes, it also gave me a much larger "field of fire" to play with. Soon after arriving, my Primo H. introduced me to the absolute wonder of gasoline. Not only did you get a much bigger fire, it created a real cool whooshing sound as it exploded. As an added bonus, if you added enough of this magical stuff, debris would fly into the air when you lit the pile. I was hooked!

Road Blocks

Our home was at the edge of town, and trucks were constantly speeding by our house on the way to their orchards. Dad was always worried that someone would run over one of his daughters, so he hauled in some dirt and made a speed bump or tope on the dirt road. (For the gringos reading this post - tope is pronounced "topeh") All this seemed to do was encourage younger drivers to hit the gas as they approached the tope so they could catch some air as they went over. Dad dug a small ditch on one side of the tope to remedy this new behavior, and this time his system had the desired effect. Once that was in, any driver who took the tope too fast would lose teeth when their wheels hit the ditch.

Dad was pretty satisfied with this arrangement, but the neighborhood boys (me, DK, Primo H, Primo R, L. and E.) felt that we could improve on the concept.

We filled the ditch with gasoline and waited for the next speeding truck to come along.

We were sure that the resulting fireball would stop the speeder dead in his tracks. After all, we had been watching the A-Team for some time now and that was how they did it.

To our great dissapointment, no trucks came for awhile and our gasoline soaked into the ground. We decided to test the ditch and were rewarded with a very brief and very nonspectacular "poof". (If we had done it at night it would have rocked)

We knew that we needed more gasoline for this to work, but we also knew we didn't have enough money between the six of us to get what we needed, so we gave up the project.

Instead, we took the gasoline over to our wall and filled up one of the pipe/posts that were used to shut the gate. We lit that up and got a great explosion.

Being the careful pyros we were, we had a hose handy to take care of things if the fire got too big. We had just filled up the pipe again and were lighting it when Grandma came around the corner and asked us what we were doing. (ALL of our parents were out of town and Grandma was riding herd on us)

We called out in chorus "Nothing Grandma" just as I aimed a strong burst of water into the pipe full of burning gasoline to put it out. Instead, the water flushed all of the gas out of the pipe, into the air, and onto our front porch with the spectacular fireball we had hoped to have over at the ditch. Grandma about had a stroke and we all scrambled around trying to figure out why water wouldn't put out burning gas and was instead pushing the fire closer to the house.

Fortunately the gas gave out before our stupidity did, and the house didn't catch fire. Grandma promptly confiscated our stash of matches and gasoline and made us do something productive.

I don't remember getting in any serious trouble when all of our parents got back, so Grandma obviously didn't tell our parents. She was pretty cool even though we all deserved a good cowhiding.

To be continued...

Stupid Stuff I Have Survived

2008-10-14T10:21:00.005-07:00

So, I haven't posted anything for quite some time now. I have been busy and I confess that my interest in blogging comes and goes in waves. The other day I was having lunch with one of my childhood friends when we started talking about some of the incredibly dumb things we did as kids and somehow managed to survive. As we reminisced about our youthful adventures I thought that I really needed to record these things before I get too senile to remember them.

Before I get started with this I might as well provide a couple of disclaimers:

Most of this stuff happened well over 20 years ago. My memory may leave out details on some of the stories or add details from other stories. If you were an eyewitness to some of this foolishness, I would welcome your version of the events.
Some of the stories may not be all that exciting to you, but they sure bring a smile to my face. If you don't think they are that big a deal, just indulge me in recounting some of my youthful "adventures". At the time they happened I thought they were pretty dang cool.
Some stories may be beyond belief, but I swear that I am being absolutely honest in my retelling of them. Any omissions or additions are the result of a faulty memory, not an unholy desire to embellish the truth.
I am not going to say that I was a professional at the time I did some of this stuff, but I definitely wouldn't recommend that you try to re-create some of these stories. How I made it to adulthood with all of my digits attached and my skin where it is supposed to be is a mystery to me. On several occasions I could have been killed, seriously hurt, or worse (in my mind at least) grounded for the remainder of my natural life.

Maybe you'll be entertained by my stories, or maybe you'll think my stories are stupid. I don't really care. My interest is in recording these memories in a way that my kids can access them even after I am too old to remember them. I'll start with the most appealing of all childhood menaces - FIRE.

A nod to my three home countries

2008-09-19T08:19:00.023-07:00

During my lifetime I have lived in three different countries. I was born and currently live in the United States, I was raised in Chihuahua, Mexico, and I served a two-year mission for my Church in Viña del Mar, Chile. These different places have each had an impact on my life, and I have fallen in love with each country for its own reasons. I love their heroes, their flags, their traditions, and their holidays. Patriotic holidays are my favorite ones, and during one 7-day period each year the three countries that have been my home celebrate significant national holidays. Beginning on September 13th and running through September 19th I usually go into sensory overload - and enjoy every minute of it. (It probably drives my wife nuts at times!)

September 13th - Dia de los Niños Heroes (Mexico)

On September 12-13, 1847 soldiers and marines from the United States attacked Chapultepec Castle, home to the Heroico Colegio Militar, in Mexico City. (This battle gave the Marines "The Halls of Montezuma" for their hymn) The castle was defended by the cadets of the college, with six cadets in particular showing magnificent bravery in the face of a superior fighting force. I grew up learning about these six young men (ages 13-19) and have always admired their bravery. During one Independence Day parade I was chosen to be one of the six boys who represented each of the Niños Heroes (I was Fernando Montes de Oca) and was thrilled by having that honor. An impressive monument/tomb was erected to their memory in Chapultepec park, just below the castle they died defending. In March of 1947, just a few months before the 100th anniversary of this battle, President Harry Truman laid a wreath at this monument, showing reverence for their sacrifice and helping to heal years of bitterness between the two countries. (President Truman is still Mexico's favorite U.S. President as a result)

For more information about each of the Niños Heroes click here.

September 14th - Anniversary of the Star Spangled Banner (U.S.)

On the night of September 13, 1814, a young lawyer named Francis Scott Key witnessed the nightime bombardment of Fort McHenry by the British fleet at anchor in Baltimore harbor. Throughout the bombardment, Key could see the storm flag being flown over Ft. McHenry, knowing by its presence that the fort was still holding out. When the bombardment stopped later that night however, he could no longer tell what was happening. As "dawn's early light" broke over the harbor, Mr. Key searched through the "mists of the deep" to see if the "flag was still there". His search was rewarded at the sight of an enormous flag that had been put up during the night - bearing testimony that the Americans were still there and there was still fight in them. He was so inspired by the sight of that flag that he began writing a poem on the back of an envelope he was carrying - calling it "Defence of Ft. McHenry". This poem later became known as "The Star Spangled Banner", and went on to become our national anthem. The large flag that flew over Ft. McHenry is now a revered national treasure, housed in the Smithsoniam Museum of American History.
For a better telling of this story click here.

September 15-16 - Independence Day (Mexico)

Growing up in Mexico - this was the best day of the year. We celebrated with fireworks, parades and the "Grito" during the night of September 15th. On September 15, 1810, Father Miguel Hidalgo called his parishioners to arms against the Spanish conquerors who had dominated the land since the early 1500's. Calling out for armed rebellion against the hated "Gachupines", Hidalgo and his armed band quickly ignited a fire that ended 11 years later with Mexico winning its independence from Spain.
I loved to participate in the Independence Day parade through our little town each year, and enjoyed the patriotic speeches and John Hatch's re-enactment of the "Grito" as fireworks went off behind him. Guadalupe Zelaya, one of my grade-school teachers would tell us all kinds of stories about the war for Independence and the names of Hidalgo, Allende, Morelos, and others entered into my conscience as worthy members of humanity's pantheon of heroes.
More info here.

September 17th - Constitution Day (U.S.)

On September 17, 1787, 39 of the 55 delegates to the Federal Convention in Philadelphia signed the new Constitution of the United States that they had spent the last five months creating. This day is one of the most significant days not only for our own country, but for freedom loving people the world over. This document has preserved our freedoms, made us the most prosperous and powerful nation in history, and is an absolute miracle. Constitution Day and Indepedence Day are my two favorite days of the whole year. I am so grateful to the men who argued, debated, compromised and crafted this magnificent document. I read the Constitution several times a year, and frequently discuss it with good friends who share the same love I have for it. As a nation we are blessed beyond measure by this incredible, miraculous document.

(I am not always able to celebrate each of the holidays I love this week, but I ALWAYS celebrate Constitution Day with my family)

Additional info here.

September 18-19 - Independence Day/Armed Forces Day (Chile)

On September 18, 1810 a Junta declared Chile an autonomous republic under the Spanish crown. (1810 was a real bad year for Spain). The fight for independence would last 8 years, culminating with Generals Bernardo O'Higgins and José de San Martin crossed the Andes to defeat royalist forces in.

While I lived in Chile I was told that it was the law that each home have a Chilean flag which was to be flown on the 18th of September each year. Whether or not it is actually the law - it certainly is the practice. Every home I passed on the 18th and 19th of September flew a Chilean flag. It was impressive!

Information on Chile can be found here.

When President Truman visited the monument to the Niños Heroes he said: "Brave men don't belong to any one country. I respect bravery wherever I see it." That about sums up my feelings for the celebrations this week. I am an American to the core, but I hold a great love in my heart for the other two countries that have been my home.

Meeting a TRUE American Hero

2008-09-01T09:53:00.008-07:00

As my wife and I were getting off the elevator a few minutes ago I spotted an elderly gentleman and his wife seated right next to the elevator banks with this around his neck:

I discreetly pointed him out to my wife, not wanting to interrupt him, but then I couldn't resist and had to go pay my respects. His name is Cpl. Hiroshi H. Miyamura, a Medal of Honor Recipient and WWII/Korean War Veteran. I told him what an honor it was to meet him and his wife and how grateful we are for his service and others like him. He was very gracious and allowed my wife to take this picture of the two of us:

Mr. Miyamura is from New Mexico and is also a first time attendee at the Republican National Convention. He told us that he wanted to make an appearance at the convention to tell people who he was voting for and why. He said we needed real American men to lead our country and that he was there to honor Sen. McCain's service in the military and encourage us to vote for him.

After chatting for a few minutes I walked away, with goosebumps running up and down my arms. It was such an honor to meet this man and personally thank him for his service to our country. After running our errands I had to run back up to the hotel room to look up Cpl. Miyamura's Citation. After reading it aloud to my wife I once again got chills. I would rather meet and visit with one of these authentic American heroes than a President of the United States. I couldn't wait for tonight to get this post put up on my blog. It is too exciting for me!

Here is Cpl. Miyamura's Medal of Honor Citation:

MIYAMURA, HIROSHI H.
Rank and organization: Corporal, U.S. Army, Company H, 7th Infantry Regiment, 3rd Infantry Division. Place and date: Near Taejon-ni, Korea, 24 and 25 April 1951. Entered service at: Gallup, N. Mex. Birth: Gallup, N. Mex. G.O. No.: 85, 4 November 1953. Citation: Cpl. Miyamura, a member of Company H, distinguished himself by conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity above and beyond the call of duty in action against the enemy. On the night of 24 April, Company H was occupying a defensive position when the enemy fanatically attacked threatening to overrun the position. Cpl. Miyamura, a machine gun squad leader, aware of the imminent danger to his men unhesitatingly jumped from his shelter wielding his bayonet in close hand-to-hand combat killing approximately 10 of the enemy. Returning to his position, he administered first aid to the wounded and directed their evacuation. As another savage assault hit the line, he manned his machine gun and delivered withering fire until his ammunition was expended. He ordered the squad to withdraw while he stayed behind to render the gun inoperative. He then bayoneted his way through infiltrated enemy soldiers to a second gun emplacement and assisted in its operation. When the intensity of the attack necessitated the withdrawal of the company Cpl. Miyamura ordered his men to fall back while he remained to cover their movement. He killed more than 50 of the enemy before his ammunition was depleted and he was severely wounded. He maintained his magnificent stand despite his painful wounds, continuing to repel the attack until his position was overrun. When last seen he was fighting ferociously against an overwhelming number of enemy soldiers. Cpl. Miyamura's indomitable heroism and consummate devotion to duty reflect the utmost glory on himself and uphold the illustrious traditions on the military service.

Convention-al Entertainment

2008-09-01T08:05:00.006-07:00

We had some really cool experiences yesterday, starting with a reception for the Arizona/Minnessota Delegations at the Landmark Building across the street from our hotel. We heard opening comments from our State Party Chairman, Randy Pullen as well as our Secretary of State, Jan Brewer, and then from several "luminaries". Our speakers were:

Keeper of Banners addressing the Delgates

Governor Tom Pawlenty - Governor of Minnesota

Governor Jon Huntsman - Governor of Utah

Senator Norm Coleman - (R) Minnesota

Robert "Bud" McFarlane - Former National Security Advisor to President Reagan

Ambassador John R. Bolton - Former US Ambassador to the United Nations

Meg Whitman - Former President/CEO of eBay

I was especially excited to hear from Senator Coleman and Ambassador Bolton - two great Americans who have led the charge against the U.S. being involved with and taking orders from the UN.

Ambassador John Bolton and I (me engaging in a little hero worship)

Later that evening we ran over to the Minneapolis Convention Center for the Civic Convention. It was a blast! They had several displays on the presidency, including mock-ups of Air Force One, a large-scale model of the White House, two presidential limousines, and the most awesome collection of historic US Flags (not just replicas - these were the real deal!).

Me Achieving Nirvana

I thought I was going to go into sensory overload, and Dulcinea had to cool me down from spending too much dinero on campaign kitsch. We got some souvenirs for the kids (and for us) and walked until the bones in my feet started popping (it might be time to lose some weight). My favorite acquisitions were a copy of Barry Goldwater's The Conscience of a Conservative and a baseball cap from the USS John S. McCain - a destroyer named after Sen. McCain's father and grandfather that is currently depolyed in the Persian Gulf.

We have been interacting with delegates from all over the country, and have made some great friends. There are so many good people here. It gives me a lot of excitement and hope for this election cycle.

The First Lady and I returning to D.C. after bringing peace to the Middle East

All in all, a great day. I am looking forward to some actual political action today when the convention officially kicks off.

Tell the Joint Chiefs that the bombing of Iran starts NOW - not five minutes from now! And get that little crap-head Putin on the phone - I'm about to open a can of whoop and pour it all over his sorry hide.

Greetings from St. Paul Minnesota!!!

2008-08-31T11:28:00.006-07:00

Just a quick post to update you on our trip to Minneapolis-St. Paul for the Republican National Convention. We made it safe and sound to our destination yesterday evening and are staying in the fabulous St. Paul hotel just a stone's throw away from the Excel Center and the Mississippi River. It is awesome to be here with Dulcinea and we are enjoying each other's company sans children. (Thanks for taking care of our little ones Mom!)

I will be posting throughout the week - mostly on my Adams and Jefferson Blog as well as a blog for the Arizona Republic (more information on that to follow). My blog posts will be almost entirely political in nature, because I don't think I will have time to make two entries each day and I have some obligations for political commentaries. For the tourist perspective of our journey, please check out Dulcinea's Blog.In the meantime, here are three pictures of our journey so far.

Dulcinea and I in the Sky Harbor Airport

The Welcome Sign at the Minneapolis Airport

A View of the Mississippi River from our hotel room window.

McCain-Palin '08!!!

New Adventures

2008-08-28T08:15:00.004-07:00

The last few weeks have been interesting ones. I have spent two Sundays with my family, sitting on the bench with them and pretty much spending the entire day with them. I thought it would feel real weird, but it feels like I never left. (OK - not having meetings all day long did feel a little weird) Watching Bro. Griner on the stand is cool and it is neat to look back on the bishopric as an experience that I have had in my life.

I am now serving as Secretary in the Stake Young Men's Presidency and am real excited about the opportunities this calling will give me to learn and grow. We have a fantastic presidency, and I will learn a lot from each one of them. This is going to be great!

I was also called to be one of the two Gospel Doctrine teachers in our ward and gave my first lesson this past Sunday. I have always wanted to serve as a Gospel Doctrine teacher, so I am going to enjoy this and learn a lot in the process (we've got a great class).

Day after tomorrow my wife and I fly out to Minneapolis-St. Paul for the Republican National Convention. I was elected as an alternate delegate earlier this year and am in awe about this opportunity to see and participate in one of America's greatest political events. It is also going to be really cool to spend a full week with my wife. I'm sure we'll miss the kids, but we have never spent more than three consecutive days with just the two of us since we were married almost 14 years ago (including our honeymoon). It is going to be like one giant, enormous date with Dulcinea! Cool!!!

Patriot Guard Mission

2008-08-22T14:26:00.004-07:00

Yesterday I rode with other Patriot Guard Riders as part of an honor guard escorting a fallen Marine to his final rest. It was an emotional, moving event and I was grateful for the opportunity to participate in rendering honors to a local hero. Standing in the blistering heat for 4+ hours made me reflect on what the last few months of this Marine's life were like and the discomfort he endured in Afghanistan so that I could be free and safe here in the States. I couldn't help but imagine what it was like for his parents when they received the news that their son was gone. My heart was completely full of gratitude for this wonderful young man, his family, and the brave men and women who are still in the fight over there "in the sandbox."

When I got home last night, I held my own son close and thanked God for Lance Corporal Juan Lopez-Castañeda and his parents. As a father I would be proud to have my son serve, but I don't know if I could bear to lose him. My heart goes out to the Lopez-Castañeda family.

God Bless our military and their family members!

For a short video on yesterday's ride click on the following link:

http://www.azfamily.com/video/?z=y&nvid=275051

For information on the Patriot Guard Riders go to:

www.patriotguard.org

An end and a beginning

2008-08-10T09:16:00.004-07:00

My four and a half years in the bishopric of the Cornerstone Ward concluded this afternoon. Karl Griner was called into the bishopric to replace me and he will do an absolutely fantastic job of it. I am excited for him and his family as they begin serving in this sacred calling.

One of the greatest joys of this calling is the association with the other members of the bishopric. The bonds of fellowship in that group are sacred and powerful. There are a lot of things I am going to miss about this calling, but far and away the biggest thing I'll miss is the brotherhood. I am grateful that I can still associate with these great men but I recognize that things will be different now and I am sad about that.

Most of the feelings I have had today are too personal and too sacred to share on this blog, but it reminds me of other times when I have left a calling I have loved to move on to a different sphere of service.

At the conclusion of my mission, when I was experiencing some of the same feelings I have right now, I got an insight into a scripture that had puzzled me for years. In Alma 29:1-3, 6 it says:

1 O that I were an angel, and could have the wish of mine heart, that I might go forth and speak with the ^atrump of God, with a voice to shake the earth, and cry repentance unto every people!

2 Yea, I would declare unto every soul, as with the voice of thunder, repentance and the plan of redemption, that they should repent and ^acome unto our God, that there might not be more sorrow upon all the face of the earth.

3 But behold, I am a man, and do sin in my wish; for I ought to be content with the things which the Lord hath allotted unto me.

6 Now, seeing that I know these things, why should I desire more than to ^aperform the work to which I have been called?

I couldn't understand why Alma considered it a sin to desire to declare the gospel with angelic zeal. But then I realized it was because he desired something more than the calling he had, and that he should be content and grateful for the privilege to serve.

I am grateful for the time I had to serve in the bishopric. The time I had was more than I deserved and I was richly blessed far beyond any contributions which I may have made during this stage of my life.

I am especially grateful to Bishop Lindblom and Bishop Huber for their kindness and consideration to me and my family during our service together. I learned so much from them both. They are outstanding men of God, and I am better for having served with them. I have a deep and abiding love for both of them that will be with me for the rest of my life. I am also profoundly grateful for the wonderful friendship I have established with Jon Albright. I have always come away from our conversations uplifted and enlightened.

Above all else I am grateful to my sweet wife and our children who have supported, encouraged, loved, and prayed for me during this time. The main reason I received this calling was because of the magnificent woman I am married to. Thanks Dulcinea!

And now a new stage of my life begins. Next week I return to the bench with my sweet family to enjoy our sacrament meetings together. I also begin a calling that will take me outside of my comfort zone, create new associations to enjoy, and bless my family in new and exciting ways. It is so great to be involved in this work!

Finding Silence in the Kingdom of Noise

2008-08-03T09:32:00.006-07:00

In The Screwtape Letters C.S. Lewis makes an interesting observation about noise in a fictional letter between a senior devil and a new tempter:

"Music and silence - how I detest them both! How thankful we should be that ever since Our Father entered Hell ... no square inch of infernal space and no moment of infernal time has been surrendered to either of those abominable forces, but all has been occupied by Noise - Noise, that grand dynamism, the audible expression of all that is exultant, ruthless, and virile - Noise which alone defends us from silly qualms, despairing scruples and impossible desires. We will make the whole universe a noise in the end. We have already made great strides in this direction as regards the Earth. The melodies and silences of Heaven will be shouted down in the end. But I admit we are not yet loud enough, or anywhere like it."

Noise - as described above, is more than just a loud cacophony of discordant sounds. It is all thoughts and distractions which make it impossible for us to hear the sweeter and more important melodies of life that constantly surround us. This noise is found in many forms and, interestingly enough, assumes the quality of being noise not so much by the sound it makes as much as by the setting it is found in. What might be beautiful and uplifting in one setting becomes noise in another.

In my own life, several examples come to mind. When I have been surrounded by unsettling circumstances, listening to classical music or hymns calms me down and helps restore a sense of peace in my life. If I am trying to study something or read my scriptures, the same music that calms me down distracts me and makes it impossible to get the in depth knowledge I am seeking. I also enjoy watching movies and find that they relax me, but if I watch a movie on Saturday night it makes keeping my thoughts focused on spiritual things almost impossible on Sunday.

For some time now I have been bothered by the effect that noise has in my life and the way that it seems to invade my thoughts regardless of where I am or what I am doing. This morning a song that I haven't heard in years suddenly started playing in my mind and I have had a devil of a time getting it to shut up! It is not a bad song, it just isn't what I want to be hearing in my head on Sunday. A couple of weeks ago I had a similar experience in the Temple. An innocuous song I had heard earlier in the day kept playing over and over in my mind when I should have been focused on where I was and what I was doing.

One of the more insidious aspects of noise is that it becomes addicting. Whenever I get into a car I turn on the radio. When I get home either the kids are already watching TV or I turn it on myself. In my office I like to have music playing in the background. If a newspaper or magazine shows up in my office I have a hard time focusing until I have read them. The experiences of distraction I have had seem to illustrate just how consistently I allow noise to be a part of my surroundings.

All of this seems innocent enough, but what is it costing me? When noise becomes my natural environment, I struggle to hear the whisperings of the spirit. If I favor noise to human interaction, I am missing out on the conversations and experiences that will bind me closer to my family. And, the more immersed I am in noise, the more my inner core becomes attuned to the frequencies of the world. When I stop to think about all this I am convinced that noise is one of the many subtle tools that Satan uses to create distance between us and our Heavenly Father.

All of us are like the soundboard of a piano, reverberating and amplifying the sounds that we are associated with. By putting ourselves in close proximity to our Heavenly Father in our thoughts, actions, and surroundings, we can tune ourselves to the appropriate heavenly pitch we are meant to echo and reflect. Fortunately for us, these divine influences surround us every bit as much as the noise does. The difference is that we must be properly tuned to hear and experience them. Once we learn to identify these uplifting influences they can become so powerful that they eliminate the distractions of worldly noise. (The difference between the sounds of Heaven and the sounds of Hell are that one relies on true power and the other on volume.)

To be properly tuned we need to recognize the role of noise in our everyday life and eliminate its influence as much as possible. This doesn't mean that we can never listen to our favorite music or watch movies again (unless they drive the Spirit away by their very nature). It means recognizing when these influences become noise and then being prudent with our time and resources. The natural result of this exercise will be to fill our time with worthwhile activities that are more in line with what our Heavenly Father wants for us, and this is the second half of the solution. These worthwhile activities will expose us to heaven's sounds and make them easier to hear and recognize.

If we do not eliminate noise from our life we risk becoming as Laman and Lemuel who were described as "past feeling". On the other hand, as we eliminate noise we will begin to recognize that our Heavenly Father is not an absent parent. He is always there for us, as long as we have eyes to see, ears to hear, and a heart to understand. We will then join the ranks of those who realize that "every bush is aflame with the light of God, but only those with eyes to see take off their shoes."

An Item for 14 Years!

2008-07-29T15:05:00.002-07:00

14 years ago today I proposed to Dulcinea on a love seat in the Celestial Room of the Mesa Temple. We picked that spot because most of our dating was doing sessions in the temple and it was where we both felt most at home.

I simply told her that I loved her, that I didn't have a whole lot in the way of worldly possesions, but that I would work hard to support her and promised to be faithful to her forever if she would have me.

Then, after an appropriate pause, she paid me the highest compliment I have ever been paid.

She said: "Yes!"

Thank you Dulcinea! I love you the mostest!

Tradition!

2008-07-17T17:16:00.003-07:00

Today we weren't as active as yesterday, but we did have fun with some traditional activities

We started out by talking about the Glen and Ada Whetten reunion for next year (see entry below), and creating a blog for it. Once this was done I took the kids to the swinging bridge for a death-defying walk across. Then we went up "the hill" in front of Mom and Dad's house and I drove the kids through the orchards on top to educate them on where fruit comes from. The peaches are just ripening up right now, and the apples will be following soon. Yum!

On our way down the hill I jumped out of the Whettenmobile and ran up to the money rock. I can still find it, and it is still topped by the rock I put over it during the Whetten reunion in 1980. (Not bad for 28 years)

Unfortunately my camera was a casualty of the descent down the hill, so these pictures might be the last ones I am able to post.

We just got back from Casas where we bought my son some cowboy boots. (I am tired of him digging out my daughter's high heels so he can clump around the house making noise. Now he can make noise and retain his masculine dignity - and mine.)

Now we are watching a spectacular thunder storm roll through the valley and having the lights flicker on and off. Boy this sure brings back the memories! See you all tomorrow.

OK - that last thunderclap just about gave me a stroke! Ay carray!

Calling all Glen and Ada Whetten's

2008-07-17T08:45:00.002-07:00

Grandpa and Grandma Whetten were born 100 years ago next year and we think that a celebration is in order. Please join us in Colonia Juarez during the summer of 2009 to have a great big family reunion estilo Whetten. Tentative dates - last week in July or first week of August. (best time of year for good weather, plenty of fruit, beautiful green grass everywhere, cool evenings, etc)

Ed and Gayle have their "Motel 3" in fine form and can put up mucha raza.

For those interested in a longer stay and more adventure, come early for an expedition to the Basaseachic waterfall and Copper Canyon. Who knows? We may even get up to Chupe and the other mountain colonies. Plan on a service project and tire rolling down the Caracol. Zip line is greased and ready to go, teeter-totter now complies with OSHA standards, and the swing has the ropes pre-attached for maximum altitude. Volleyball, rattlesnake taming, and counting Aunt Louise's cats thrown in for free. We'll drive you in from El Paso if you need to fly in, and meet you at the border if you want to caravan down.

Spread the word, start making the plans and reserve the time - 'cause this event will only happen once in our lifetimes.

We have set up a blog so we can have a central clearing house for all information relating to the reunion. Please visit: www.glenandadawhetten.blogspot.com for more information, answers to your questions, and links to useful sites.

Uncle Ed says: "Many of you have not been back in years, and this is an excellent time to repent."

She thinks my tractor's sexy...

2008-07-16T21:06:00.003-07:00

Day three of the vacation has come and gone and we have had a lot of fun with it. I started the day by going to Dad's office at the church and setting up some agendas and form letters for him. We had a good visit while we were doing this and I just enjoyed being around my dad. When we got home we were both starving but Dulcinea and C ran out of the door with Little Miss telling me that we had to get down to Casas right then to check Little Miss' hearing. (End result - moderate hearing loss in the lower ranges. I had some cool looking ear wax pulled out of my ear and got to see my own eardrums) Thanks Carnal!

By the time we got down there I was fainting with hunger so I ran over to Tortas Chuma and got some muy delicioso tortas and a Mexican Coke (arrrrrrrr - Mexican Coke).

My hunger abated- we returned home via the liquado store where we all got liquados. Mine was the best (and biggest). Melon baby!

Got home and pushed the kids on the swings/teeter-totter, then hopped on the tractor to take the kids for rides. Dr. Destructo did not want to get off and kept grabbing the steering wheel for the whole ride. Little Miss also steered through town. Unfortunately my lap wasn't big enough to let Teeny Bopper, Sweet G, or Blondie sit on it and steer, so I just moved over and let them drive it. (OK - true confessions, my lap is big enough, it's just covered by a very large belly)

I ended the day going to the temple with Dad. It was a great experience and he led me into the
Celestial Room. All in all, a fantabulous day. Stay tuned for more updates mañana.

Driving Miss Daisy (Teeny Bopper)

2008-07-15T16:25:00.003-07:00

One of the fun family traditions we have when visiting Mexico is underage driving. In keeping with this fine family tradition I took my daughter Teeny Bopper out on the streets to terrorize the innocent. I was actually pretty proud of her - there was only one fatality, and that was a bird on the side of the road that was already dead anyway. We went all over town and then out past San Diego to Mata Ortiz. She got the suburban up to 50 mph and passed and got passed by cars. All in all a pretty reckless afternoon. More tomorrow.

Teeny Bopper at the end of her journey. I took over for the drive home at this point.

I'm Home!

2008-07-15T07:54:00.004-07:00

My family and I are spending the week down home in Colonia Juarez. It has been raining, so everything is green and beautiful, and the weather is absolutely wonderful.
We will take in an endowment session at the temple tonight, do some baptisms with Teeny Bopper later on, and end the week by baptizing Blondie down at the "Nick".

I love being home, and will hate going back next Tuesday. In the meantime, I will enjoy this:

Tactical Advantage

2008-07-13T21:50:00.004-07:00

Just a quick post to show my newest acquisition in the pistola department. I have had a compact Glock 23 in .40S&W (top picture) for the past two years and have absolutely loved it. Unfortunately it isn't the easiest pistol to conceal on my large frame, and so I have been looking around for a smaller alternative. My first thought was a Ruger SP101 in .357 Magnum (middle picture), but it only holds 5 rounds, reloading on the fly is a dog, and concealing speed loaders just adds to the headache. I also don't have a very steady trigger pull when shooting DA revolvers, so I would have difficulty hitting the broad side of a toilet. Since theoretically my life could depend on the little smokewagon I want to diminish the complications as much as possible. I know, I know - practice makes perfect. But if I could find a gun that I could shoot well right out of the box and then improve my ability from that vantage point - life would be better.

The obvious solution to this issue is a sub-compact pistol. After visiting several gun stores I found the perfect solution for me - The Glock 27 in .40S&W (bottom picture). I found a good used one with Trijicon Nightsights at Bear Mountain Sports, and am now the proud owner of a sub-compact pistol.

This little beauty is a breeze to carry and has the added advantage of being able to use the higher capacity magazines I already own for my Glock 23. I can now go armed with greater frequency and comfort.

I still think I will eventually pick up that little SP101, because I've admired them from afar for a long time. But for right now I am very happy with my purchase.

"God created man. Colonel Colt made him equal. Gaston Glock gave some a tactical advantage."

Banners and Ensigns

2008-07-05T14:04:00.002-07:00

My flag display for yesterday's Ward Independence Day breakfast turned out so awesome I just had to share it. The flags are in chronological order from left to right with the current US flag and the Arizona Flag on either side of the table. (You can't tell what it is in this picture, but the white square on top of the table is a framed copy of the Declaration of Independence flanked by two brass eagles.)

I printed out a bunch of handouts with pictures of each of the flags along with a short history of the flag and its significance in US History. I was thrilled to see several adults and even a few children walk down the line of flags with the handout, holding each flag out from its pole to get a better look. The feeling it gave me made all the sweat, blisters and expense of putting the display together worth it.

Although this wasn't the first time I have done this display at our ward party, it was the first time all of my flags were on their own poles. It was a fulfillment of a long-time goal I have had of putting my flags together in this type of a display. I had a blast doing it and look forward to future opportunities to share my love of our flag with other groups. (Next up - Rotary Club on September 16)

Independence Day!!!

2008-07-04T16:08:00.006-07:00

Hands down, Independence Day is my favorite holiday of the year. I am inspired by the events that led to that momentous day, the courageous men and women who paid the price for us to become a nation, and the brave Americans who have fought to keep us free over the last 232 years.

My family and I have a few different traditions associated with July 4th that I love to participate in. (Some of it drives my kids nuts, but I hope they will appreciate it as they get older)

We get matching flag shirts to wear throughout the day
We listen to patriotic music all day long
We read the Declaration of Independence out loud
We put a larger than normal flag on our flag pole out front
I buy a new flag to fly on the flagpole until my birthday the following year.
We go to our ward's Independence Day breakfast
I put up my historic flag collection for display at the Ward Breakfast
We go to watch fireworks at Mesa Community College (which we will change this year since I no longer work in the area)
I read books about the Founding Father's, the Revolutionary War, or famous American quotes
We all get an overwhelming feeling of love for our country.

Happy Birthday America!!!

God Bless the USA!!!

Remembering My Carnalito

2008-06-30T10:07:00.003-07:00

Last night my mom, and two of my sisters were over for a visit. We always enjoy each other's company and talk until the cows came home.

After dinner we started talking about our memories of my Grandpa and Grandma Whetten and the different experiences our family had as they reached the end of their lives. It was good to hear Mom's perspective on the events and understand a little more how our family character has been shaped by these experiences.

Eventually the conversation got around to Timmy, and we each shared our experiences leading up to the day he passed away and the tremedous sorrow and comfort we felt during that eventful week. We all had a good cry as we remembered our feelings, and it was good to be together while we remembered him.

I don't really have a whole lot to say, just that I miss my little brother and am grateful for the opportunity I will have to be with him and the other members of my family who have passed on.

Love you Tim!

Tagged by Dulcinea (aka Salsa Mama)

2008-06-24T09:12:00.005-07:00

OK - this is the first time I've ever been tagged, so we'll see how it goes.

Here are the rules for playing the game: Post these rules on your blog; List 3 joys, 3 fears, 3 goals, 3 current obsessions/collections, 3 surprising facts about yourself. Tag 5 people at the end of your post by leaving their names.

- Joys

1) My sweet wife.

2) My wonderful children

3) Long motorcycle rides

- Fears

1) Losing any member of my family - physically, spiritually, etc.

2) Surviving a major motorcycle wreck (I'd rather die than be maimed for life)

3) Barack Obama becoming President (Heaven help us!)

- Goals

1) Be debt free and financially secure

2) Own a Harley-Davidson Ultra Classic Electra Glide (Rock On!!!)

3) Build a very nice house for my family

- Current Obsessions/Collections

1) Politics

2) Motorcycles

3) Firearms

-Surprising Facts

1) I am left handed but right eye dominant so I shoot a rifle/shotgun right handed but a pistol left handed. I also bat right handed but catch and throw left handed.

2) Heights terrify me

3) I think I talk too much

OK - I tag Armed Citizen, C, Jon, Teeny Bopper and Sweet G

(I don't know if any of them actually read my blog so this may be an exercise in futility.)

¡Viva San Carlos Baby!

2008-06-23T09:32:00.003-07:00

OK, this post is a week overdue, but better late than never.

Last Thursday, June 12, my Dad called me up to tell me what a great time he was having in San Carlos with two of my brothers and their families. He rubbed it in for a little while and then offered to pay for my gas and my hotel room if I picked up and left right then with my family. I hesitated for a couple of seconds and then jetted out of there like I had my hair on fire.

The trip was a blast! We stayed in two different hotels right on the beach and played and played and played. It was my little boy's first time at the beach and he was scared at first, but then thoroughly enjoyed the water.

It was a great weekend with my folks and it sure did re-charge the batteries.

¡Gracias Jefes!

What goes around...

2008-06-17T21:51:00.004-07:00

Several days ago I was having a real heart-to-heart discussion with Teeny Bopper about obedience. During the discussion I explained to her that my demand for obedience was not a power trip for me. I am larger and stronger than her and, if it came down to it, I could force her to comply with my requests by brute strength (at least until the cops came). My desire for her to be obedient was much more important than my personal ego. I explained that her mother and I have been around the block a few more times than she has and can see things that are beyond the horizons of her personal experience. More importantly, if she learned to be obedient in the small things that we asked of her (i.e. pick up your room, do your homework, stop beating your sister with a board, etc.) then obedience would be easier for her in the big moments of decision. (i.e. - chastity, word of wisdom, tithing, no dating till your 16, etc.)
In the middle of this discussion I had a flashback to when I was 12 years old and my dad was telling me: "Obedience is the 1st law of Heaven, and the sooner you learn that the easier your life will be."
Here I was, 23 years later, having the same discussion with my daughter. As I remembered that talk with my own dad the whole lesson he was trying to get through to me came together in a blinding moment of clarity. I understood why it was so important to be obedient, and how it really does make life easier once you have that lesson learned. I understood what Dad was saying and why.
Another revelation to me was that my dad's lessons actually got through my thick head and were still there to help me as an adult. I felt an overwhelming love for Dad and all of the times he taught me life's lessons and then repeated them over and over again. It also gave me great hope that the things I am telling my own kids are getting through to them and will one day help them out when they need it. Who knows? Maybe Teeny Bopper will have this discussion with her oldest child and remember her dad saying: "If you learn to be obedient in the small things, then it will be easy to be obedient to the big things." And maybe, just maybe, she will feel like saying what I am saying to my Dad in this post: "Thanks Dad!"

The Price of Freedom

2008-05-26T16:07:00.004-07:00

Today is Memorial Day, and while I would love to wax eloquent about the meaning of the day and the price paid for our freedoms, the picture above says far more than I ever could. Marine Staff Sergeant Marcus "Marc" Golczynski was killed on March 27, 2007 during his second tour of duty in Iraq - a tour he volunteered for. This picture shows 8 year old Christian, receiving the flag that covered his daddy's casket from Lt. Col Ric Thompson at the conclusion of Marc's funeral services on April 4, 2007.

As we relish the "freedom" of a three-day weekend, let's remember the real meaning of freedom and the price paid for us to have that freedom.

God bless our Veterans and their families.

Oh, what a beautiful morning...

2008-05-16T12:39:00.006-07:00

I spent this morning in the Temple with Teeny Bopper (top secret blogging code name for my oldest daughter) and young women from our ward and two others in the stake. Although we had to get up really early it was a great experience for both of us. I baptized about thirty young women for between 10 and 15 people each and had a wonderful time. For four of these young ladies it was their first time doing baptisms and I could see that they were impressed by the spirit they felt.

This wasn't Teeny Bopper's first opportunity to do baptisms, but it was her first time in the Mesa Arizona Temple. It was neat to see her there and to talk with her afterwards about how she felt, the meaning of the ordinances, why we have temples, and how come all of this is important.
I would love to go on and on about my experience this morning, but I don’t have the time or mental energy right now (this is two days in a row getting up at 4am). I just wanted to record this experience before I got too busy to remember what a great morning I had.

I am grateful to live so close to the Temple, and thankful for a young lady who shared a very early morning with me in a holy place.

Confessions of a Scrapbooker's Husband

2008-05-10T22:52:00.004-07:00

My sweet wife has an addiction to rubber stamps, paper cutouts, brads, hole punches, picture layouts, colored paper, ink, toner, ribbons, scissors and tape. All signs indicate that she has contracted that life-altering infection commonly known as "Scrapbookus Giganticus Obsessium" or "Recordum Lifeus Largo" Some of the more obvious signs of this addiction include a dizzying array of colored ink pads, enough paper to make the environuts go postal, and photographs scattered from heck to breakfast throughout the house. An ever increasing number of scrapbooks seem to absorb an ever diminishing supply of bookshelf real estate, and the one thing in the house my wife can always find is her camera.

Like most clueless husbands, I originally ignored the increasingly obvious signs of my wife's affliction with this bug. "This is just a fad." I would say. "She will enjoy this for a little while and then everything will return to normal." I was so naive, so innocent, so blind.

In its current state, my wife's affliction has ratcheted up her creativity (already impressive) to heights never explored before. She has become much more tech saavy with her digital camera and the computer that organizes a plethora of pictures each week. She can turn ordinary events into a celebration of family life, and records them in a way that drive us back to the books time and again to relive fun times and remember those moments which help shape our family's character.

In the not so distant past, my wife took her scrapbooking out to the blogosphere where she has not only recorded images of our life, but written her own thoughts about the images shown there and how they have affected her. I confess that I look at her blog daily, to see what has happened with our family and to get her wonderful perspective on life and parenting. I also confess that, while I personally am not addicted to scrapbooking, I am addicted to the way that my wife is recording our family history. My children and I are indebted to her for taking the time to record our lives and her observations on them. I enjoy her talent to capture our family activities and turn them into permanent exhibits on who we are and what we do.

I am grateful for my wife and her attention to the details that make up our experiences here. I thoroughly enjoy her hobby and am glad that she has found something exciting for her to work on during the few quiet hours she gets at home.

Thanks Dulcinea!

Riding to Victory! OK - Riding A Victory

2008-03-29T22:27:00.007-07:00

(Pictured in the order I rode them - Hammer S, Kingpin, Vision Tour, Kingpin Tour)

The Victory Motorcycles Demo Fleet is in town today and I spent a good chunk of my day test riding these beautiful bikes. I started out with a Hammer S and was immediately impressed with the, shall we say, "frijoles" this bike has. Rolling on the throttle rocketed me down the road, especially when I got on the freeway. Hitting 90mph took seconds.

The Hammer seemed to be appropriately named. I felt like my kidneys got the whey beat out of them by the time I got back to the launch pad, but this might be more of a comment on the size of my posterior than the ergonomics of the bike. Other than my tail end not feeling too welcome, it was one sweet ride. It handled like a dream, cornered with ease, and accelerated like a real thoroughbred.

My next adventure in Victory-land was on the Kingpin. Again - "frijoles". The saddle accomodated my "assetts" much better, the forward controls were in perfect position and I shot down the rode with my fists in the wind and a maniacal grin on my face. Hands down, it was my favorite bike.

I couldn't keep doing this alone, so I ran home and cajoled my lovely wife to join me on the next two rides. She hopped on the back of my current ride and we went back for our next adventure. We decided to try the Victory Vision for our first two-up ride. This behemoth looks like something straight out of Star Trek. I was a little apprehensive at first, because I have never ridden a bike that big, and I started out with the wife with me, which makes it a little trickier to ride. Other than taking my first two turns a little wider than I would have liked, it worked out all right. It had good get-up-and-go, but not quite as much as the other two I tried. (The additional weight of the bike surely had something to do with that.) The saddle was wonderful, the stereo rocked, and the controls were in intuitive locations. There were a lot of displays and gauges up front, the most interesting being the gear indicator. It didn't tell you what gear you were in, it told you what gear you should be in. Sally and I both enjoyed the seats. Very roomy and comfortable. Unfortunately the passenger floorboards weren't high enough to do Dulcinea any good. She said that the ride wasn't as smooth as she expected and I would have to agree with that assesment. Crossing the railroad tracks was fun - we were hauling and Dulcinea caught air as we road over. (She didn't like that as much as I did)
While the bike is beautiful and impressive, I can't see myself ever owning one. It just wasn't my style. I didn't like not being able to see my front wheel, the fairings blocked so much wind that I couldn't cool down very well, and I felt like I was riding a two wheeled convertible more than a honest-to-goodness motorcycle.

After a quick bite to eat we hopped on our last bike of the day - the Kingpin Tour. The floorboards were perfect for both of us, and my saddle was comfortable, but Dulcinea didn't like hers that much. She didn't have very much room. (She did, however, have it better than the girl that was riding right in front of us on the back of the Hammer S. That poor girl didn't have a saddle much bigger than a postage stamp and had to hang on for dear life.) I was dissapointed that the ride wasn't comfortable for Dulcinea. If she isn't comfortable on the back, it pretty much shoots the reason for getting it.

Victory motorcycles are beautiful machines. The paint schemes are eyecatching, the engines stand up and deliver great performance, they handle like a dream, and they feel authentically American. My only dissapointment was that they weren't very comfortable for my wife. If I were to buy one it would be either the standard Kingpin or the Vegas Low. But it would have to be a 3rd motorcycle for me. After today's test rides I am thoroughly convinced that my next 2 (yes, 2) bikes are going to be Harley's. Right-on Baby!!!

Final note - My current bike, my lovely Honda Shadow A.C.E. Deluxe, felt small and weak after riding these bikes. I am afraid I will have to upgrade soon just to keep my manly pride intact. :-)

Behold the Wounds in Jesus' Hands

2008-03-23T19:46:00.002-07:00

These are the lyrics to one of my favorite Easter songs. It was written by John V. Pearson and put to music by David R. Naylor.

Behold the wounds in Jesus' hands,

The Marks upon His side.

Then ponder who He meant to save

when on the cross He died.

We cannot see the love of God

Which saves us from the fall,

Yet know that Christ from wood and nails

built mansions for us all.

Behold the outstreched hands of Christ,

Our God, who came to save,

Whose love and grace redeems our souls

And lifts us from the grave.

Though bruised and battered as we stray

His loving hands caress,

He washes and annoints with oil

Then in His arms we rest.

Behold the wounds in Jesus' hands,

Look to your Lord and live

He yearns to bless you with His love

And all your sins forgive.

Oh empty is the heart of man

When it is filled with sin.

Come open wide your broken heart

And let your Savior in!

Behold His wounded hands and feet!

Come touch and see and feel

The wounds and marks that you may know

His love for you is real.

Then as you fall to worship Him

And wash His feet in tears,

Your Savior takes you in His arms

And quiets all your fears.

Your Savior takes you in His arms

And quiets all your fears.

The Stone Cut Without Hands

2008-02-04T10:09:00.001-07:00

When I first started my mission in Chile, I had the privilege of serving with an elder who was completing his mission just a month and a half after my arrival. The day before Elder Araya's departure we had picked up my new companion, Elder Drake, and had settled him into our apartment. The next morning, I bid Elder Araya goodbye and went out into the area with Elder Drake to continue the work we had been called to perform. When we came back for lunch, Elder Araya had gone home.

Two short years later my last companion, Elder Zuchel, walked me to the bus stop with his new companion where he helped me load my luggage on the bus before giving me a farewell abrazo. As the bus pulled away I turned to look out the back window and watched these two missionaries begin their work for the day, continuing where I had left off and not missing a beat. When the bus dropped down the hill and I lost sight of the two missionaries, I remembered that morning two years earlier when I had said goodbye to Elder Araya and then continued the work I had been called to do. I remembered how, later that day, I commented to my new companion that the church was like an enormous merry go round. People get on and off of it, but it never stopped moving.

Looking back now, I realize that there is a much better analogy of this phenomenon of continuity:

"The keys of the kingdom of God are committed unto man on the earth, and from thence shall the gospel roll forth unto the ends of the earth, as the stone which is cut out of the mountain without hands shall roll forth, until it has filled the whole earth." (D&C 65:2)

These keys are with the Church today, and are held by our new prophet, President Thomas S. Monson.

The calling of a new prophet has always been a renewal of my testimony that God lives, that He loves us, and that He is directing the work of His Church. He never leaves us without leadership. Even when the First Presidency is dissolved upon the death of the prophet, the keys are not taken away from us. They continue with the Church and, as a result, the work of the Church continues towards the fulfillment of its divine mission. There is never a pause in this work, it is too important.

I am grateful for President Monson and his two able couselors, President Eyring and President Uchtdorf. These men, together with their associates in the Quorum of the 12, are prophets, seers, and revelators. They hold all of the keys to bring the gospel to the whole world, to govern the affairs of the Church, and to open the doors of salvation to all of us through the Atonement of Christ

I know that President Monson has been called of God to be our prophet at this stage of the world's history, and I know that the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is God's kingdom here on the earth. This stone that is cut out of the mountain without hands will roll forth until it has filled the whole earth, and each of us has the privilege of being a part of this great work.

Let us each square our shoulders to the tasks that are before us and join with President Monson, his counelors, and the other General Authorities in rolling this Church onward towards its divine destiny.

Farewell President Gordon B. Hinckley (1910-2008)

2008-01-28T08:03:00.001-07:00

President Gordon Bitner Hinckley, 15th President of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints passed away at 7pm on Sunday, January 27, 2008. He was 97 years old and had served as President of the Church just shy of 13 years, beginning his service on March 12, 1995.

President Hinckley's accomplishments during the past 12+ years are amazing. The following is just a partial list:

Temple/Family History Work

- Built and dedicated 87 temples with 12 others announced and/or under construction. (The Rexburg, Idaho Temple will be dedicated on Sunday, February 3rd)

- Among the Temples dedicated were: Nauvoo, Illinois (Rebuilt); Palmyra, New York (Next to the Sacred Grove); Winter Quarters, Nebraska (Next to a Pioneer Cemetery); Accra, Ghana; and Abba, Nigeria (West Africa's first temples).

- Every Spanish speaking country in South America now has a temple.

- The numer of temples in Mexico went from 1 to 12.

- Family history website launched - http://www.familysearch.org/

- New.Familysearch.org established to greatly improve our Family History Work

- The Record Indexing project started to make obscure records available in formats that are easier to read/understand and are much more accessible

Missionary Work

- Worthiness Standards for Prospective Missionaries raised

- "Preach My Gospel" published and used by missionaries throughout the church

- Number of missionaries increased from 47,311 to 53,164

- Number of missions increased from 303 in 1995 to 344 as of 12/31/2006

- Membership of the church increased 3,975,431 to approximately 13 million from 9,024,569

- Number of Stakes grew from 2,008 to 2,745

- Number of Wards/Branches grew from 21,774 to 27,475

- Church website http://www.lds.org/ launched

- Celebration for the 150th anniversary of the Mormon Pioneers entering the Salt Lake Valley

- President Hinckley's numerous interviews with the press and appearance on shows such as 60 Minutes and Larry King Live

Perfection of the Saints

- The Perpetual Education Fund was established, giving hope to worthy young people and giving them an opportunity to break the cycle of poverty.

- Millions of dollars and thousands of man-hours given in service during natural disasters all over the world

- Building the Conference Center so that more of us could attend General Conference

- Changing Ricks College to BYU Idaho

- Traveling more than any other prophet to visit the saints where they live

- Publishing "The Family - A Proclamation to the World"

- Publishing "The Living Christ - The Testimony of the Apostles"

- Writing several books on moral values and "Standing for Something"

- Establishing the 3rd through 8th Quorums of the 70 to help administer the Church throughout the world.

- Beginning Area Conference Broadcasts so that we can more regularly hear from general authorities

- Issuing new Temple Recommend designs to better safe-guard the sanctity of the temple and to help leaders better keep track of when recommends expires so we can follow up with the members.

- Lengthening the validity of recommends to two years to help ease the interview burdens of bishoprics and stake presidencies.

Although I have never met President Hinckley, I have been personally blessed by his life, his example, and his great desire to make all of our lives be better. For my family, one of the most direct blessings of his service is the Colonia Juarez, Chihuahua Mexico Temple. During the dedicatory prayer for that temple President Hinckley said the following:

"It was here in Northern Mexico, that Thou didst reveal the idea and the plan of a smaller temple, complete in every necessary detail, but suited in size to the needs and circumstances of the Church membership in this area of Thy vineyard. That revelation came of a desire and a prayer to help Thy people of these colonies who have been true and loyal during the century and more that they have lived here. They are deserving of this sacred edifice in which to labor for themselves and their forebears."

I think that the phrase "That revelation came of a desire and a prayer to help Thy people" exemplifies the life and mission of President Hinckley. He would visit us in our communities and see what our needs were. Then he would study, ponder, and pray about those needs and then receive a revelation that would become a tremendous blessing to all of us.

He has watched over us all with the tender and loving concern you would expect from a servant of God. I can't even begin to express my love for this wonderful man who I have gladly sustained as our prophet for the past 12+ years. I thank my Father in Heavan for sending His servant, Gordon B. Hinckley, to lead our church in these last days. God bless the memory of President Hinckley!

I Know That My Redeemer Lives!

2008-01-04T16:38:00.001-07:00

While going through my computer files yesterday I found the text of a talk I gave on Easter Sunday – April 16, 2006.

Brothers and Sisters, I am grateful today for the opportunity to share some thoughts and feelings about the greatest event that has ever occurred. I earnestly pray that we may all have the Spirit so that we may be edified together as we discuss the Atonement of Jesus Christ.[1]
Taking his 11 remaining apostles, the Savior of the world left the upper room, crossed the Kidron brook, and walked over to a small grove of olive trees known as the garden of Gethsemane. With Peter, James, and John at his side, the Lord entered the garden. An eternity of preparation had led him to this moment in time, and the Father’s Great Plan of Happiness depended entirely on what was about to happen in this sacred place.
Turning to Peter, James, and John the Lord said: “My soul is exceedingly sorrowful, even unto death: tarry ye here, and watch with me.”[2]“And he went forward a little and fell on the ground, and prayed that, if it were possible, the hour might pass from him. And he said, Abba, Father, all things are possible unto thee; take away this cup from me: nevertheless not what I will, but what thou wilt.”[3]
“And there appeared an angel unto him from heaven, strengthening him. And being in an agony he prayed more earnestly; and his sweat was as it were great drops of blood falling down to the ground.”[4]
In a way that is not comprehensible to us, the Lord then took upon himself the entire weight of the world’s sins, and faced alone all of the terrors that Satan could inflict.
He suffered “pain of body, hunger, thirst, and fatigue, even more than man can suffer, except it be unto death; [and], blood [came] from every pore, so great [was] his anguish for the wickedness and the abominations of his people.”[5]
Later that next day, after an illegal trial and much physical abuse and torment, the Savior of the World was lifted up and crucified on a hill outside Jerusalem. He finished his mortal mission and died an ignominious death, having been slain for the sins of the world.
Three days later, as the Jews measure time, Christ rose from the dead with a perfect and glorified physical body.
These three sacred events, Christ’s suffering in Gethsemane, his death on the cross, and his triumphant resurrection from the tomb, are what constitute the atonement. It is the most glorious event that ever has or ever will occur in all of eternity, and it is the central doctrine of our faith. It is important for us to understand the atonement, what it is, what it cost, what it provides for us, and how we can access it. It is a sacred subject that we treat with reverence.
The story of the Atonement of Jesus Christ starts in the pre-mortal council with our Father in Heaven. It was there that our Father’s Plan of Salvation was presented to all of His children, and it was there that Christ’s pivotal role in this Plan was explained for the first time.
An earth would be created for us where we could experience mortality and come to know for ourselves, through our own experiences, the differences between good and evil. In Abraham we read about the purposes of this mortal life:
And there stood one among them that was like unto God, and he said unto those who were with him: We will go down, for there is space there, and we will take of these materials, and we will make an earth whereon these may dwell;
And we will prove them herewith, to see if they will do all things whatsoever the Lord their God shall command them;
And they who keep their first estate shall be added upon; …and they who keep their second estate shall have glory added upon their heads for ever and ever.[6]
For this plan to work, a Savior was needed. This chosen Son of God would take upon Himself all of the consequences of man’s mortality, allowing us an opportunity to grow from our own experiences without being permanently shut out of God’s presence. Our Father asked:
…Whom shall I send? And one answered like unto the Son of Man: Here am I, send me. And another answered and said: Here am I, send me. And the Lord said: I will send the first.[7]
Lucifer, the second individual who spoke up, had a different plan for us to follow. If God would give him all of His authority, glory and power, there wouldn’t need to be an atonement because we wouldn’t be allowed to sin. In Lucifer’s plan of salvation all of us would surrender our agency so we could receive a form of salvation that was far short of what our Father in Heaven intended. Indeed, this salvation was a form of compulsory damnation that would be universal for all of God’s children. We wouldn’t achieve much, but we wouldn’t risk anything so Lucifer argued that this was a fair exchange. Because he was sure that he could do this, Lucifer demanded that God give him his honor.[8]
It was here, at this moment in eternity, where we all witnessed the tremendous love that our Father in Heaven has for each one of us. He knew that the only way for us to achieve our highest potential was to experience complete moral agency during our mortality. We would all sin and be separated from God here on Earth. And although we would have a way back to Him, He knew that some of us would not take advantage of this great gift and wouldn’t return home to His presence. He loved us so much that he was willing to risk losing some of us so that all of us could have the opportunity to return to live with Him and become exalted. We had to have the freedom to choose to succeed or to fail. It is only through the experiences we would have by struggling against temptation and choosing righteousness that we would learn to become like our Heavenly Father. He knew that Lucifer’s plan would not work because it did not give us these opportunities, and so he rejected it. Tragically, fully 1/3 of our brothers and sisters rejected our Heavenly Father and chose the mediocrity and damnation of Lucifer’s plan instead. They were cast out of Heaven for their rebellion, and lost everything!
Our Savior understood that the Father’s plan was the only one that could work and humbly said:“Father, thy will be done, and the glory be thine forever.”[9]
It was at this point in our spiritual development where we first exercised faith in our elder brother, Jesus Christ. We chose to remain loyal to our Heavenly Father because we loved Him and because we had faith and confidence that Jesus would come to Earth and open the pathway back for us to return home. We accepted God’s Plan of Salvation and sustained Jesus as our Father’s Chosen Son, the Savior and Redeemer of the world.
Adam and Eve, two of our Father’s noblest children were the first to come to Earth and receive physical bodies. The bodies that our Heavenly Father created for them were perfect and immortal and while they lived in the Garden of Eden, they lived in a childlike state of innocence. This type of creation, now unknown to us, was the only way to provide for the fall.[10] They were given their agency and two commandments: Not to eat fruit from the tree of knowledge of good and evil, and to have children. They were told that if they ate the forbidden fruit they would surely die.[11]
Satan, who didn’t understand God’s plan and sought to destroy the world, tempted Eve to partake of the forbidden fruit. She succumbed to this temptation and got Adam to partake of the fruit also.[12] This event is known as the Fall of Adam, and is an indispensable part of our Heavenly Father’s plan. It is impossible to fully understand the Atonement without understanding the fall.
When Adam and Eve partook of the forbidden fruit several changes came upon them immediately. First, their bodies became mortal, which means that they could experience all of the challenges of pain, hunger, thirst, sickness, and fatigue. As mortals they could also begin having children, and these children would inherit all of the effects of mortality. As a result of this mortality Adam, Eve and all of their children would eventually die.
The other significant effect of the fall was that, because he had broken a divine law, Adam was shut out from God’s presence. Sin had entered the world, and now Adam and all of his posterity could learn from their own experiences to choose good or evil.
Once the fall had occurred, the Atonement became absolutely necessary. The prophet Jacob taught us what would have happened without the Atonement when he said:
“For as death hath passed upon all men to fulfill the merciful plan of the great Creator, there must needs be a power of resurrection, and the resurrection must needs come unto man by reason of the fall; and the fall came by reason of transgression; and because man became fallen they were cut off from the presence of the Lord.”
“Wherefore, it must needs be an infinite atonement – save it should be an infinite atonement this corruption could not put on incorruption. Wherefore the first judgment which came upon man must needs have remained to an endless duration. And if so, this flesh must have laid down to rot and to crumble to its mother earth, to rise no more.”
“O the wisdom of God, his mercy and grace! For behold, if the flesh should rise no more our spirits must become subject to that angel who fell from before the presence of the Eternal God, and became the devil, to rise no more.”
“And our spirits must have become like unto him, and we become devils, angels to a devil, to be shut out from the presence of our God, and to remain with the father of lies, in misery, like unto himself;”[13]
These are terrible consequences, but our Heavenly Father had anticipated the fall, and made provisions for it by including a Savior in his plan. Lehi taught his family that:
“…behold, all things have been done in the wisdom of him who knoweth all things.”
“Adam fell that men might be; and men are, that they might have joy.”
“And the Messiah cometh in the fullness of time, that he may redeem the children of men from the fall.”[14]
As Lehi prophesied our Savior was born into this world a little over two thousand years ago.
He came with special divine attributes that were necessary for him to be able to work out the Atonement.First, He was the Only Begotten Son of the Father. He inherited power over death from his Father. From his mother he inherited the ability to die and to suffer pain, but he had to voluntarily die. Nobody could take his life from him without his consent.The second attribute he had to develop and prove throughout his life. He lived a perfectly sinless life.By not sinning and being the Only Begotten of the Father, Jesus was the only person who has ever lived that was not fully subject to the effects of the fall. It had to be this way so that he could meet the demands of justice during the atonement.
While he was here among us, he lived as a mortal and had all of the experiences that come to mortal beings. He was tempted; he felt hunger, thirst, and fatigue. He felt the sting of ingratitude and the loneliness of abandonment.He spent his time doing good, teaching the way back to our Father in Heaven and blessing the sick and the afflicted. He showed compassion on the widow and the fatherless, and organized his church so that the work of salvation could continue once his mission on earth was completed.
And, when the time fully came, he suffered for our sins during the awful agony of the atonement.
And what was it that he suffered?
Brother Stephen E. Robinson described it this way:
“All the negative aspects of human existence brought about by the Fall, Jesus Christ absorbed into himself. He experienced vicariously in Gethsemane all the private griefs and heartaches, all the physical pains and handicaps, all the emotional burdens and depressions of the human family. He knows the loneliness of those who don’t fit in or who aren’t handsome or pretty. He knows what it is like to choose up teams and be the last one chosen. He knows the anguish of parents whose children go wrong. He knows the private hell of the abused child or spouse. He knows all these things personally and intimately because he lived them in the Gethsemane experience. Having personally lived a perfect life, he then chose to experience our imperfect lives. In that infinite Gethsemane experience, the meridian of time, the center of eternity, he lived a billion billion lifetimes of sin, pain, disease, and sorrow.”[15]
In a way that we do not fully understand, this suffering beyond compare satisfies the demands of justice and allows Christ to show us mercy when what we really deserve is justice for our sins. By taking upon himself the consequences of our wickedness, he opens up the way for us to repent.
As his suffering in Gethsemane came to an end events were set in motion that would culminate in his death on the cross the following day. Judas and the evil denizens of an apostate High Priest came to take him prisoner and lead him away to be “judged of the world.”[16]
There, in quiet dignity, the great giver of the law experienced its most vile perversion as false witnesses testified against him. Every aspect of that mock trial was illegal, but it did not stop these evil men from abusing their offices in an attempt to destroy the Son of God. As the Lord had said earlier that night in Gethsemane: “this [was their] hour and the power of darkness.”[17]
Christ was sent to Annas, to Caiphas, to Pilate, to Herod, and back to Pilate. He was insulted and beaten, mocked and spit upon.
Following his examination by Pilate the Lord was scourged with a multi-thonged whip of braided leather that contained bones and shards of metal. It was an instrument of the most inhuman cruelty that was designed to inflict the most severe pain in its subjects. And our Lord endured it.
In solemn mockery the Roman soldiers platted a crown of thorns for His head and beat him with a reed.
Finally, when Pilate asked the crowd what they should do with Jesus, the crowd cried out “Crucify Him”.
Taking his cross, our Savior made his way through the streets of Jerusalem,towards the hill of Calvary. There the soldiers stripped him of his garments and drove great spikes through his hands, wrists and feet. And then they lifted him up, for all to see.
The elders of the Jews, not content with their evil deeds, came to mock Jesus as he hung in agony on the cross. This they did, as inspired by Satan, in a last ditch attempt to get Christ to forsake his divinely appointed mission.
While on the cross, all of the pains and terrors of Gethsemane recurred, and our Lord paid the utmost farthing of our debts. He cried out in agony “My God, My God, why hast thou forsaken me?”[18] It appears that our Father in Heaven left Jesus alone for the final three hours of his torment so that he could win the victory alone.
At the end of those three hours, Jesus knew that he had done what he had been sent to do. In a cry of holy triumph that echoed his speech in the great council in Heaven, he said: “Father, it is finished, thy will is done.” And he voluntarily yielded up the Ghost.[19]
Christ then went to the Spirit World where he was greeted by all of the faithful saints since Adam. There they rejoiced in the hour of their deliverance and worshipped Christ as their Savior and Redeemer.[20]While he was there he organized these righteous saints to go and preach his gospel to the spirits of the disobedient and those who had died without a knowledge of his gospel.[21]
At the end of three days, Jesus’ spirit returned to his tomb and took up his body again. He resurrected with a perfect and glorious body, and broke the bands of death. Again, in a way that we do not fully understand, the effects of his resurrection will be passed to all of us, and we too will return to life with a perfect and immortal body.
These wonderful things, these glorious truths, are known to us by the account of eyewitnesses. Shortly before his death the apostle Peter wrote saying: “For we have not followed cunningly devised fables, when we made known unto you the power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, but were eyewitnesses of his majesty.”[22]
These things are essential to our salvation. They provide the way for us to return back to our Heavenly Father on conditions of repentance. And they do so much more.
Because of what our Savior suffered, his heart is filled with love and mercy towards us. Amulek testified that: “…he shall bring salvation to all those who shall believe on his name; this being the intent of this last sacrifice, to bring about the bowels of mercy, which ovepowereth justice, and bringeth about means unto men that they may have faith unto repentance. And thus mercy can satisfy the demands of justice, and encircles them in the arms of safety…”[23]
Salvation from physical death is a free gift given to us by our Savior. Death did not come to us by choice, so we are freely given a pass back to immortality.Sin, however, comes because of choices we make. Forgiveness requires an effort on our part. It requires that we have complete confidence in the saving powers of Jesus Christ and that we repent.
To repent we recognize that we have done something which has offended God. We feel remorse for this action and confess our sin to our Heavenly Father and, when needed to the appropriate priesthood leader. We make restitution for our actions and change our lives so that we stop sinning. The true essence of repentance is change. It is leaving the imperfections of our lives so we can become more godlike.Repentance is returning to who we really are – leaving false hopes and counterfeit promises to receive that “more sure word of prophecy”[24] – the promises that we were given before the foundations of this world were laid – when all the sons of God shouted for joy.[25] It is the process by which we leave the old man or woman of sin behind and become a new creature in Christ.
If we fully repent, then we have the promise that “…though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they be red like crimson, they shall be as wool.”[26]
The fruit of repentance is joy, a clean conscience and a greater measure of faith and love for our Savior. It will eventually lead to exaltation in our Heavenly Father’s presence together with our family members who qualify.
But there is so much more. The power of the Atonement of Christ provides us with hope for a better world. Last week Sister Anita Quinn said it beautifully when she said that she loves to speak about the atonement “because it gives me something wonderful to look forward to.”This hope can be a means to cope with the challenges of mortality. Because our Savior has suffered all of our feelings of inadequacy and self-doubt, he is in the best possible position to succor us. He knows and feels after us.
Even when we have difficulty believing, Christ can help us. He has sent prophets and apostles, men with a sure knowledge who can help us in our unbelief.[27] Bishops and Stake Presidents, teachers and friends are all there to guide us. We have the scriptures, especially the Book of Mormon, where we can turn to hear the word of the Lord. We have the Holy Ghost which will guide us to all truth and remind us what the scriptures have said.[28]
Christ lives and he loves us! We do not need to go through life unnecessarily holding on to our guilt. We can be free!
We must each cling steadfastly to our Savior, and he will take our burdens from us.In the end he will make everything all right. Not only does he atone for our sins and transgressions, He bears our infirmities and the sorrows we experience because of the choices made by those around us.
In God’s mind we are all worth the price. When we don’t choose Him, he grieves. He is not an angry father that constantly seethes with rage because of our sins, he sorrows for us. He knows that our choices that lead us away from Him lead us towards heartache and suffering. He is anxious to prevent that.
We do not need to carry our burdens alone. He has already carried the whole load for us. He invites us to allow him to carry us through our trials.
One of Satan’s most insidious falsehoods is that somehow we have sinned to the point that we are beyond Christ’s power to save. This is a diabolical lie!
Brother Truman Madsen spoke of this when he said: “Men have stood at pulpits and elsewhere - great men – and have testified that their knees have never buckled, that as one said of another, ‘He had nothing to hide.’ We have had monumental men who did not need redemption as much as they needed power, and who never fell very far from the communing light of which I have spoken. I cannot bear that kind of testimony. But if there are some of you who have been tricked into the fiction that you have gone too far, that you have been weighted down with doubts on which you alone have a monopoly, that you have had the poison of sin which makes it impossible ever again to be what you could have been – then hear me.I bear testimony that you cannot sink farther than the light and sweeping intelligence of Jesus Christ can reach. I bear testimony that as long as there is one spark of the will to repent and to reach, he is there. He did not just descend to your condition; he descended below it, ‘that he might be in all and through all things, the light of truth’ (D&C 88:6)”[29]
As this world sinks deeper into sin, the teachings and mission of the Savior will prove to be our only refuge and the one sure foundation on which we can build.[30] We must make sure that we receive Him to receive the tremendous protection that he provides for all of us.
We must each learn to rely on our Savior. Our time is now. We are here experiencing all of the blessings and challenges of mortality. Our test is running, but while it is running we can correct all of our mistakes. We have been given the answers, and the Master Teacher is there to guide us through. He is anxious that we pass this test and take full advantage of his great gift.
In a coming day each of us will stand before our Heavenly Father to be judged of our deeds in this life. On our own we will never be able to return to Him clean and spotless, but if we have become one with Christ we will have Him at our side and we will hear these wonderful words:
“Father, behold the sufferings and death of him who did no sin, in whom thou wast well pleased; behold the blood of thy Son which was shed, the blood of him whom thou gavest that thyself might be glorified; Wherefore, Father, spare these my brethren that believe on my name, that they may come unto me and have everlasting life.”[31]
In the past several weeks I have personally felt my Savior’s interest in my happiness and well being. I have felt his sweet comfort as I have sorrowed for the loss of a much loved brother. I rejoice in the promise that Christ has indeed broken the bands of death, and that this separation from Timmy is only temporary. I have also come to rely more on Him for forgiveness from my own sins and imperfections. I want to go home to Him so badly, and I know that only He can help me.
I am so grateful for the knowledge I have about my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. I am thankful for the testimonies of prophets and apostles, parents and teachers, leaders and friends, who have helped me learn about the Plan of Salvation and the Savior’s role in that plan. I am thankful for the Holy Spirit of Promise that gives me hope and confirms that what I read in the scriptures and what I hear in Church is true. I am thankful for the opportunities I have had to grow as I have preached the Gospel to others and helped them learn about the way home.
Let’s each of us strive to gain greater faith in and a testimony of our Savior Jesus Christ. Let’s take advantage of all of the blessings of His atonement. Let’s live with greater peace and love in our lives because of the magnificent gift of God’s Son. Let’s learn of Him and walk in the meekness of his Spirit so that we may have peace in Him.[32]
Let us follow the admonition of Moroni to: “…come unto Christ, and be perfected in him, and deny yourselves of all ungodliness; and if ye shall deny yourselves of all ungodliness, and love God with all your might, mind and strength, then is his grace sufficient for you, that by his grace ye may be perfect in Christ; and if by the grace of God ye are perfect in Christ, ye can in nowise deny the power of God. And again, if ye by the grace of God are perfect in Christ, and deny not his power, then are ye sanctified in Christ by the grace of God, through the shedding of the blood of Christ, which is in the covenant of the Father unto the remission of your sins, that ye become holy, without spot.”[33]
Brothers and Sisters, for oh so many reasons there is sweet joy in the comfort this sentence gives. “I know that my Redeemer lives!”[34]That we may each come to feel that sweet joy and precious comfort daily is my prayer in the holy name of Jesus the Christ, Amen.

[1] D&C 50:22[2] Matthew 26:38[3] Mark 14:35-36[4] Luke 22:43-44[5] Mosiah 3:7[6] Abraham 3:24-26[7] Abraham 3:27[8] Moses 4:1[9] Moses 4:2[10] Bruce R. McConkie – The Purifying Power of Gethsemane (http://www.lds.org/)[11] Moses 3:15-17[12] Moses 4:6-13[13] 2 Nephi 9:6-9[14] 2 Nephi 2:24-26[15] Stephen E. Robinson, Believing Christ: The Parable of the Bicycle and Other Good News (Salt Lake City: Deseret Book Co., 1992), 121-23[16] 1 Nephi 11:32[17] Luke 22:53[18] Matthew 27:46[19] JST Matthew 27:50[20] See D&C 138:11-19 See also 1 Peter 3:18-20 and 1 Peter 4:6[21] D&C 138:30-35[22] 2 Peter 1:16[23] Alma 34:15-16[24] 2 Peter 1:19[25] Job 38:4-7[26] Isaiah 1:18[27] Mark 9:17-24[28] John 14:26[29] Madsen, Christ and the Inner Life, 12; emphasis added. As quoted by Tad R. Callister in The Infinite Atonement (Salt Lake City: Deseret book Co., 2000), 100-101[30] Helaman 5:12[31] D&C 45:3-5[32] D&C 19:23[33] Moroni 10:32-33[34] Samuel Medley, I Know That My Redeemer Lives, Hymns (Salt Lake City: Deseret Book Co., 1985), 136

Who would send a baby?

2007-12-22T12:57:00.001-07:00

The writer E.T. Sullivan once said: “When God wants a great work done in the world or a great wrong righted, he goes about it in a very unusual way. He doesn’t stir up his earthquakes or send forth his thunderbolts. Instead, he has a helpless baby born, perhaps in a simple home and of some obscure mother. And then God waits. The greatest forces in the world are not the earthquakes and the thunderbolts. The greatest forces in the world are babies.”

The birth of Jesus Christ is the most perfect example of this principle. His birth set in motion those events which would forever alter our relationship with God. And what a miracle that birth was! For just a moment, let us ponder some of the significant aspects of the Savior’s birth:

His birth was a gift of love from our Heavenly Father: “For God so loved the world that he gave his Only Begotten Son that whosoever believeth in him should not perish but have everlasting life.” John 3:16

Christ, who had created this earth and countless others, did not come as the creator he was, but as a helpless baby boy. Of all kings that have ever lived or ever will he was the most high, but no king was ever born in the humble circumstances that he faced. In this, He shows us that the circumstances of our birth have little to do with what we can accomplish in this life, and that out of small and simple things proceedeth that which is great.

His parents couldn’t find any lodging better than a stable, heralding the type of rejection He would face throughout His life.

Shepherds and Kings came to adore and honor him, symbolizing both the loving care he would have for all of us, and his role as King of Kings. Their visits also teach us that our stations in life are of no consequence when coming to the Savior. All that is required is a willing heart to go and find him.

A new star shone, celebrating this wonderful occasion and symbolizing the new light that had come into the world with the birth of the Savior.

In the western hemisphere there was a night, a day, and a night with no darkness, symbolizing that the light and life of the world had come.

One of my favorite Christmas images is of the angel announcing the birth of the Christ child to the shepherds.
“Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord. And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger. And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying, Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men.” Luke 2:10-14

I imagine that, if I had been there that night, I would not have been able to contain my joy and would have joined those angels in their songs of praise.

During this special time of year, let us remember the many gifts that we have been given as a result of our Savior’s life and mission:

Peace in the midst of our afflictions.
Strength to bear life’s infirmities and deal with our losses and sorrows.
Trust, that He knows us and cares for us.
Hope for a wonderful and glorious life that can come to all of us.
Gratitude for the small and simple blessings that give us the assurance that we are not alone in this life, and that he will not leave us comfortless.
Joy in our redemption and in the knowledge that the way is open for us to return home to our Father in Heaven.
Love for our Father and for our Savior who first loved us.
Humility in the realization that, in spite of all our frailties and imperfections, He counted the cost of our redemption and still found us worth the price that He paid.
Faith that our experiences in life are for our good and will bring us closer to Him.
Charity for each other as we draw closer to Him and become more Christlike.

As Christians we are not following “cunningly devised fables.” Jesus Christ is real! And at some future day we will each become “eyewitnesses of His majesty and glory.” In the meantime, let us walk and grow in the light of our faith until that perfect day when we will know as we are known, will see as we are seen, and will witness for ourselves with a perfect surety that Jesus is the Christ.
God be thanked for the gift of His perfect Son, of whom I testify in the name of Jesus Christ, Amen.

Of Faith, Failings, and Cosmic Anvils

2007-11-30T19:17:00.000-07:00

Earlier this week I discovered an interesting characteristic about myself - I'm human.

Before you zone out because I am being "Master of the Obvious", hear me out.

I frequently make mistakes, I am not as discreet as I should be, at times I say things that I regret, on several occasions I do things I know I shouldn't, and most of the time I just plain screw up. (I know, I know - master of the obvious - blah, blah, blah...)

My issue with my frequent failings is that perfection is my goal and it is honestly and sincerely where I want to find myself eventually. Each time I fall I castigate myself for not being perfect and spend a lot of time and energy on the useless exercise of mental self flagellation. It is almost as though I believe that there is some enormous cosmic anvil that God is waiting to drop on me everytime I mess up.

This thinking is very dangerous, and gets in the way of my ultimate goal of perfection.

Of course God doesn't want to drop an anvil on me. That would defeat both His purposes and mine. He is my Heavenly Father, and His first inclination is to help me. He never hates me for being human, and the only time I have really failed in every sense of the word is when I stop striving for perfection.

In our life we are given weaknesses, not as stumbling blocks, but as stepping stones towards the ultimate perfection our Heavenly Father has in mind for us. In fact these weaknesses are a fundamental part of the Plan of Salvation. Lehi taught that there must be opposition in all things or there could be no progress. A seminary scripture we are all familiar with shows how this opposition helps us become more like Christ:

"And if men come unto me I will show unto them their weakness. I give unto men weakness that they may be humble; and my grace is sufficient for all men that humble themselves before me; for if they humble themselves before me, and have faith in me, then will I make weak things become strong unto them." (Ether 12:27)

Our weaknesses are given to us so that we can learn to rely on our Savior. As we humble ourselves before him by acknowledging our weaknesses and relying on the "merits, and mercy, and grace of the Holy Messiah" (2 Nephi 2:8) we learn how to control ourselves when facing temptation, and are given extra help and strength to overcome these challenges each time we face them.

In 2 Nephi 31:20 Nephi invites us to follow the Savior, encourages us to be hopeful and helpful, gives us a key for facing our challenges, and points out our final destination.

"Wherefore, ye must press forward with a steadfastness in Christ, having a perfect brightness of hope, and a love of God and of all men. Wherefore, if ye shall press forward, feasting upon the word of Christ, and endure to the end, behold, thus saith the Father: Ye shall have eternal life."

By feasting on the words of Christ, we are given added strength and instruction in the way we need to face our challenges. Another side benefit of this exercise is found in the Doctrine and Covenants. If we let virtue garnish our thoughts (which is the natural consequence of feasting on the words of Christ) then our "confidence [will] wax strong in the presence of God". (D&C 121:45). We can live with hope for our future!

Which brings me around to my first observation about God and the whole cosmic anvil myth.
If I am continually striving for perfection and doing all in my power to become like my Redeemer, I can have confidence in God - even in my failings!

Now, knowing that I can have this confidence, what role does sorrow play in the perfecting process and how is my current "sorrow" counterproductive? After all, isn't remorse a part of the repentance process?

Not just any remorse will satisfy this crucial piece of the repentance process. In the scriptures the proper remorse is referred to as "Godly Sorrow". Godly sorrow is not self centered abasement. It is a genuine acknowledgement that we have not lived up to our Heavenly Father's standards and a recognition that this action has separated us from his presence. It is heartfelt mourning for our own spiritual separation from our Heavenly home and Parents. It is knowing that we have hurt the Person who loves us the most and, in many cases, other members of His family who we should also love and respect.

The problem with the shallow type of sorrow I have been splashing around in is that it is a sort of false humility. I am not mourning my separation from God, only the fact that I might be punished for my mistakes. And therein lies the danger. This self-centered and counterfeit sorrow acts like a spiritual novacaine. I think that my self imposed suffering is filling the requirement that only Godly Sorrow can satisfy. In the process I also abase myself and negate my worth as a son of God. Most importantly, until I experience real Godly sorrow there will be no change in my behavior, and I will continue to suffer needlesly. This deceit is a subtle snare that I am all-too-often caught in.

Godly sorrow is cleansing, uplifting, and full of hope. It doesn't demean my status as a son of God, it affirms my divine nature and puts me in touch with the One who loves me enough to have redeemed me.

God be thanked for the gift of adversity, the cleansing power of the Atonement, and the strengthening grace that helps bring us hope in the midst of our difficulties!

Veteran's Day

2007-11-15T10:25:00.001-07:00

My favorite holidays have always been the patriotic ones (i.e. Independence Day, Memorial Day, Flag Day, Constitution Day, Veteran's Day) Each of these days gives us an opportunity to remember and be grateful for the wonderful freedoms and opportunities we enjoy, and to remember the sacrifices which have brought us to this point in our national history and the individuals who made those sacrifices. On Independence Day we celebrate our nation's birth and the brave patriots who answered the call of history and stepped into the battle lines that freed us. We remember the brilliant men who framed our government and pledged their "lives, fortune and sacred honor" to the concept that God has given us the right and the ability to govern ourselves. On Memorial Day we honor those who have made the ultimate sacrifice so that those ideals of self determination which we cherish can continually experience a "new birth of freedom." And on Veteran's Day we honor all of the men and women who have served our country in uniform. I love Veteran's Day! How appropriate is it to take a day each year to thank the men and women who have served in our Armed Forces. What I especially like about Veteran's Day is that we get to not only remember those who died for our freedom, but also those who served, survived, and have continued to contribute.

Each of these Veterans has given a part of themselves for us and deserves our undying gratitude. It is only fitting and proper that we take at least this one day to honor them. And in honoring them, let us never forget to honor and thank their families who also sacrificed for our freedoms in less visible ways.

God bless our Veterans and their families!

Reflections on my son's 1st birthday

2007-10-11T15:04:00.002-07:00

My little boy, my only son, turns 1 today. Three hundred and sixty six days ago we didn't know him, but in one sacred moment he became as much a part of our family as my wife and I.
This experience of instant bonds and connections is unique to families. In any company, team, neighborhood or even church organization there is always a period of adjustment where you get to know others and they get to know you before you find your "niche". Not so with a family. Upon arrival there is instant acceptance and love. What an awesome phenomenon!

Love is an interesting aspect of the human experience. There isn't only so much to go around, it is created with every new relationship we form. I first learned this on my mission when I began to care so deeply about the people I was interacting with on a daily basis.

The experience became even more powerful as I began dating the woman who would eventually become my wife. I was amazed at the heart's capacity for love. When my wife and I got married I felt like a new door in my heart was opened. A room I didn't even know existed was suddenly thrown open for me to explore. I had no idea that so much love could be felt for another person. During the ensuing 13 years I have found that not only is this room always new, it is always growing. Thirteen years from now I will look back on my feelings for her today and say "I didn't know anything about love back then."

With each of my children's arrival this experience has repeated itself. The love I feel for each child is not taken away from anyone else, but a new room in my heart is built for that person and the door is thrown wide open for me to enter.

I am personally grateful for the blessing of love in our lives, especially the love that is found in families. It adds a sweetness and flavor that colors our entire existence.

So, as I celebrate my son's birthday tonight I will also celebrate the love that each of my family members brings into my life. Life is worth living because of the love that is in it.

Comienzos

2007-10-10T11:25:00.000-07:00

Why Banners and Ensigns?

Throughout my life I have been consistently intrigued by the power of symbols and symbolic communication. Whether it is with carefully crafted words, brilliant artwork, or the standard of a nation, symbols can quickly and succinctly communicate a multitude of messages to us. Of all the symbols that are in the world around us, few elicit the emotional responses that a flag does.

The flag communicates so much with such elegant simplicity. It represents the history of a nation, its values, its hopes for the future, and the highest ideals that move it toward its ultimate destiny in the world. The flag brings back memories of victories won, of accomplishments achieved, and of challenges overcome. It reminds us of the foundations upon which we are built, and then impels us onward to new achievements in the ongoing chapters of our nation's history.

Our flag graces the tops of our most important government buildings and monuments, and greets us each morning in classrooms around the country. When we come home from abroad, the flag waves its welcome to us from the port of entry.

The flag leads our young men in battle, reminding them of home and the loved ones they are defending. In honored glory it also accompanies our dead, reverently covering them in its folds as they make their final journey home.

In moments of celebration, the flag is a bouyant and cheerful symbol of national pride and joy as it is waved from the hands of children and from the homes of each proud citizen. In moments of mourning, nothing speaks so eloquently of national sorrow as a flag at half mast.

So again, why Banners and Ensigns?

Because symbols move me, and this name is symbolic of two very important aspects of my character - my religious faith and my feelings of patriotism.

In this blog I hope to explore some of my thoughts on these subjects. My goal is mostly to clarify and develop my own thinking on them, but I also want to solicit the feedback of my good friends and family members who can enhance my learning with their own thoughts and opinions.

A final note on the name - Banners and Ensigns:

Earlier this year I was given a Hopi name by one of my close friends in a rather moving ceremony. The name he gave me, which is intended to be a unique reflection on my personality, is: Oyi Yta Tuvoyla.

It means "Keeper of Banners".