Well, with Matthew gone, we are empty nesters again. Interesting how life works. This month's high C topic was repentance. It was interesting, as I was going over the "talk" that was the basis for my talk I really felt like instead of the big things we need to repent of, I should talk about those day to day things that sometimes just "get us down." The story I shared was when I was working for Home Depot and they sent me and another guy to Atlanta for training. We spent three days there and returned home on Saturday. Our flight was in the afternoon, but we were finished in the morning. Rather than entertain us, they just took us all to the airport. The guy I was with and I were trying to decide who got to sit by the window. To resolve the dispute, we went to the ticket counter and had our seats changed so we were each sitting by a window. If you have ever been through the Atlanta Airport, you know what a challenge that is, because the ladies don't speak english (long live ebonix). After about 1/2 hour I gave up, but was surprised to see that although I couldn't understand her, she understood me. We were both excited to fly now that we each had our window seat. Finally, it came time to board the plane. We were flying to Phoenix and then in to Salt Lake.
When I finally got on the plane, I went to my seat and found a young mother and baby in my seat. She gave me a sad look and asked if she could have the seat because of her little boy. Well, what am I supposed to do--I sat in the middle. The kid was not having happy time on the plane and the mom was trying really hard to get him to settle down. I finally asked her if she would like me to hold him. She agreed and gave me the kid. I took him and held him on my shoulder getting him to sleep. Well, "mom" now babyless went sound to sleep as well. After about an hour into the flight, my shoulder was soaking wet with baby drool and my arm was asleep and aching at the same time. I was getting pretty upset about the whole deal--I lost my window seat, I am taking care of some kid while his mom is fast asleep and my arm is killing me and I have slobber all over my shirt. When the mom woke up, she thanked me over and over and then told me that before she got on the plane, her family all got together and had a prayer asking Heavenly Father that someone would help her while she traveled home. Needless to say, I felt like I needed to repent--I was doing the right thing but having some pretty bad feelings about it. Well, we got to Phoenix and I grabbed the kid while my friend grabbed the stroller and we ran as fast as we could to the next concourse getting her there just as they were closing the doors.
Like that little experience, there are many thing we do which are right, but we need to "adjust" our attitude do we are doing the right thing for the RIGHT reason. Repentance is what we do each week when we partake of the sacrament. I believe that is the real reason we go to church each Sunday, so we can repent of all those little things which don't seem to make a difference, but really do.
The "bottom line" is that we all have daily experiences that make up who we are, and sometimes we let those experiences define us rather than being the person we want to be and know we should be and then using those experiences to reflect who we are instead of vice versa.
Sunday, January 10, 2010
Sunday, November 29, 2009
Thanksgiving
It is amazing to me to count my blessings at Thanksgiving. They are not measured in dollars and cents, but in family. I have never experienced being "rich" so I can't say I don't like it, but I do have a rich heritage of family and I "like" it. So, what does that mean? In terms of "eternity" it means everything. I remember the story of the man who had it all and he wanted to take it with him. In his will he stated that all of his wealth should be buried with him. After the funeral, a close friend asked his wife if she was angry with the request. "No," she replied, "it was a good thing and I was happy to comply." Her incredulous friend couldn't believe that she was okay with putting all his wealth in the ground with him, so she pressed; "how will you manage?" "I will be okay," she responded. The friend, still bewildered, queried, "You put every penny he had in the casket with him?" "Every penny," she responded. "Then why are you so happy?" the friend snapped. "It's simple," she said, "I wrote him a check." The great thing about family relationships is that they go with you and are truly eternal.
I believe in simplicity and this all seems very simple, but obviously there needs to be some requirement from members of the family to make sure that happens. I guess that is why it is important that we accept covenants and live according to them. I have watch "policy's" and "leaders" come and go, but the constant is that family relationships are constant and eternal. In the D&C 132:19 it says: "...if a man marry a wife by my word,which is my law, and by the new and everlasting covenant, and it is sealed unto them by the Holy Spirit of promise, by him who is anointed, unto whom I have appointed this power and the keys of this priesthood; and it shall be said unto them--Ye shall come forth in the first resurrection...and shall inherit thrones, kingdoms, principalities and powers, dominions, all heights and depths...which glory shall be a fulness and a continuation of the seeds forever and ever." (You should read section 132 completely so this comes in context. This section is also about the plurality of wives.) Seeds is defined as an eternal family.
So, what does all this mean? In a nutshell, when we are sealed by the Holy Spirit of Promise, we are an eternal family. That "family" is two, but with each additional sealing and new families created, there is the relationship between the families that cannot be broken as long as we keep our covenants. WOW! That is so awesome. It is my hope that we can all do what is "important" vs. what is "wanted" so we can continue on forever--and not hope for a "check" in the casket that may bounce.
Pop
I believe in simplicity and this all seems very simple, but obviously there needs to be some requirement from members of the family to make sure that happens. I guess that is why it is important that we accept covenants and live according to them. I have watch "policy's" and "leaders" come and go, but the constant is that family relationships are constant and eternal. In the D&C 132:19 it says: "...if a man marry a wife by my word,which is my law, and by the new and everlasting covenant, and it is sealed unto them by the Holy Spirit of promise, by him who is anointed, unto whom I have appointed this power and the keys of this priesthood; and it shall be said unto them--Ye shall come forth in the first resurrection...and shall inherit thrones, kingdoms, principalities and powers, dominions, all heights and depths...which glory shall be a fulness and a continuation of the seeds forever and ever." (You should read section 132 completely so this comes in context. This section is also about the plurality of wives.) Seeds is defined as an eternal family.
So, what does all this mean? In a nutshell, when we are sealed by the Holy Spirit of Promise, we are an eternal family. That "family" is two, but with each additional sealing and new families created, there is the relationship between the families that cannot be broken as long as we keep our covenants. WOW! That is so awesome. It is my hope that we can all do what is "important" vs. what is "wanted" so we can continue on forever--and not hope for a "check" in the casket that may bounce.
Pop
Wednesday, November 18, 2009
Fatherhood
Bill Cosby once said, "Gray hair is God's graffiti." I wonder where that leaves me? So much graffiti, my hair is vanishing. It is interesting to be in a place where I am now watching my sons raising children of their own. Sometimes, I think I should offer some nuggets of wisdom, but realize it would quite simply be interfering. So, rather than interfering, I thought I would just "blog" about fatherhood and related topics. Watch for my first "thoughts" very soon. I am new at this blogging thing, so bear with me.
Sunday, February 15, 2009
Friday, April 27, 2007
Podcast Reflections
Reflections of Podcasting, Blogging, and Vlogging
April 27, 2007
I have a two-fold reason for taking the podcasting class. First, I am required by the state for my licensing, and more importantly, second, I really want to add this not only in my class work, but for my school. My first introduction to podcasting was in St. George at the UACTE conference. It was interesting, but only enough to wet my appetite. It seems that a 45-50 minute class is not very effective. It did, however, spark an interest in perhaps doing something in my high school so kids could get announcements, assignments, etc. on their i-pods.
I was also concerned that even though the kids can do this, they are out there on their own because our district is blocking blog sites. With the announcement that UEN will be giving blogging sites on their web sites, this would be a great tool in my classroom. Now, I just needed to figure out how to use it. Hence, this class.
The class has given me the ability to take these concepts back to my school and teach them to my students and my colleagues. I have already talked to other teachers about taking these UEN classes with me, unfortunately, it takes a substitute and principal approval. My principal has decided that one teacher can take the class and teach the other teachers.
This class has helped me to be a better and more informed teacher, and more importantly given me insights into what many of my “my space” students already are doing.
April 27, 2007
I have a two-fold reason for taking the podcasting class. First, I am required by the state for my licensing, and more importantly, second, I really want to add this not only in my class work, but for my school. My first introduction to podcasting was in St. George at the UACTE conference. It was interesting, but only enough to wet my appetite. It seems that a 45-50 minute class is not very effective. It did, however, spark an interest in perhaps doing something in my high school so kids could get announcements, assignments, etc. on their i-pods.
I was also concerned that even though the kids can do this, they are out there on their own because our district is blocking blog sites. With the announcement that UEN will be giving blogging sites on their web sites, this would be a great tool in my classroom. Now, I just needed to figure out how to use it. Hence, this class.
The class has given me the ability to take these concepts back to my school and teach them to my students and my colleagues. I have already talked to other teachers about taking these UEN classes with me, unfortunately, it takes a substitute and principal approval. My principal has decided that one teacher can take the class and teach the other teachers.
This class has helped me to be a better and more informed teacher, and more importantly given me insights into what many of my “my space” students already are doing.
Flowers
The tulips were very pretty this year (2007). It is now the end of April and they are starting to fade. They have been very nice
Independence High School
This is Independence High School. I teach Word Processing, Computer Technology, and Financial Literacy.
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