Well this week has been fun! we hope everyone had a good 4th of July. we are so glad to live in a free country! we had so much fun when Emma came down to hang out. We went to a slip 'n slide party, talked a lot about Harry Potter, and played corn hole with the Nilssons. we went and gave Emma a tour of BYU Idaho with the Nilssons in the 98.F weather everyone was sweating and we all agreed it was time to go. we also had a fun time watching the fireworks with emma. They were spectacular!
We've been working hard in the yard and finished a fire pit and the chicken coop. The chickens have done a number on the garden in the last few weeks, so we are hoping to get the run finished before too long.
Ian mentioned the heat in the opening paragraph. Yeah, folks it's hot!!! Meltingly, suffocatingly so. And that Idaho wind that keeps things bearable in the summer? I think it has melted.
I feel like we have been doing a lot of things but not much worthy of note. Trips to the library, sleeper house stuff, home maintenance repairs, mornings at the farmer's market, and lots of time outside. Summer is nice.
Sunday, July 9, 2017
Dad's Wisdom
Dad just came home and told me a story that Elder Holland told the newly called mission presidents at their recent training meeting. I've heard Dad tell the story twice now, both times with great emotion because of his lifelong focus on trying to recognize and follow the Spirit. Here is the amazing story:
"Elder Holland closed by relating a story—being careful to protect the privacy and anonymity of the participants—of a young man from southern Idaho. One night the young man stormed out of the house and set off to join an infamous motorcycle gang. He succeeded in that resolve and for 20 years became immersed in a culture of temptations yielded to and degradations explored, never contacting his parents, who feared that he was dead.
"Eventually ending up in Southern California, he one day was sitting on the porch of a rented home when he saw two LDS missionaries making their way up the street. With a rush of memory and guilt, regret, and rage, he despised the very sight of them. But he was safe, because he kept all visitors at bay by employing two Doberman pinschers, who viciously charged the gate every moment that anyone came near. The dogs startled the missionaries as they passed by and continued on, our man on the porch laughing at the lovely little drama he had just witnessed, wishing only that the gate hadn’t restrained his two dogs.
"Then, the two elders stopped, looked at each other, conversed a little, likely said a silent prayer, then turned around and approached the gate. The Dobermans on cue charged the gate again, hit it, snarling, frothing, and then stopped in their tracks. They looked at the missionaries, dropped their heads, ambled back to the front steps, and lay down. The man on the porch was speechless as the missionaries opened the gate, walked up the path, and greeted him.
One of the elders said, ‘Are you from this part of California?’ The man said, ‘No. If you want to know, I’m from Pocatello, Idaho.’ There was a pause. ‘That’s interesting,’ the elder said. ‘Do you know the [such-and-such] family in Pocatello?’ With a stunned look, our biker paused and then, in very measured words said, ‘Yeah, I know them. They are my parents.’
‘Well, they’re my parents too,’ the missionary said. ‘God has sent me to invite you to come home.’
"The younger brother had been born after the older boy had left home. The elder brother did not even know of him. 'Mom and Dad have been praying for you every morning and night for 20 years,' the younger brother said. 'They were not sure you were alive, but they knew if you were, that someday you would come back to us.'
"The wayward son invited the two in, and they talked for the rest of the day and some of the night. He did return home, returned to Church activity, and, in March 2015, was married and sealed in the Boise Idaho Temple.
“This is a story of the role of Almighty God, the Savior of the World, and the Holy Ghost involved in the work of the ministry to which we’ve been called. The Holy Ghost prompted those parents to keep praying, to keep believing, to keep trusting. … The Holy Ghost inspired that rebellious boy to come to himself like the prodigal he was and to head for California. … The Holy Ghost influenced that younger son to serve a mission and be willing to accept a call to Southern California. … The Holy Ghost inspired one of my brethren in the Twelve, who was on the assignment desk that Friday, to trust his impression and assign that young man for service not a great distance from his native-born state. The Holy Ghost inspired that mission president to assign that young missionary to that district and that member unit. The Holy Ghost led those missionaries to that street, that day, that hour, with big brother sitting on the porch waiting, and, with Doberman pinschers notwithstanding, the Holy Ghost prompted those two elders to stop, talk, and in spite of their fear, to go back and present their message. …
“And through the elders, the Holy Ghost taught repentance and brought true conversion to one coming back into the fold. The young elder, without realizing it, gave the missionary speech of all time, when he said to his brother, “God has sent me here to invite you to come home.”
Message from Dad: Live worthy to have the Holy Ghost as a companion at all times. Listen to Him. Follow His directions.
"Elder Holland closed by relating a story—being careful to protect the privacy and anonymity of the participants—of a young man from southern Idaho. One night the young man stormed out of the house and set off to join an infamous motorcycle gang. He succeeded in that resolve and for 20 years became immersed in a culture of temptations yielded to and degradations explored, never contacting his parents, who feared that he was dead.
"Eventually ending up in Southern California, he one day was sitting on the porch of a rented home when he saw two LDS missionaries making their way up the street. With a rush of memory and guilt, regret, and rage, he despised the very sight of them. But he was safe, because he kept all visitors at bay by employing two Doberman pinschers, who viciously charged the gate every moment that anyone came near. The dogs startled the missionaries as they passed by and continued on, our man on the porch laughing at the lovely little drama he had just witnessed, wishing only that the gate hadn’t restrained his two dogs.
"Then, the two elders stopped, looked at each other, conversed a little, likely said a silent prayer, then turned around and approached the gate. The Dobermans on cue charged the gate again, hit it, snarling, frothing, and then stopped in their tracks. They looked at the missionaries, dropped their heads, ambled back to the front steps, and lay down. The man on the porch was speechless as the missionaries opened the gate, walked up the path, and greeted him.
One of the elders said, ‘Are you from this part of California?’ The man said, ‘No. If you want to know, I’m from Pocatello, Idaho.’ There was a pause. ‘That’s interesting,’ the elder said. ‘Do you know the [such-and-such] family in Pocatello?’ With a stunned look, our biker paused and then, in very measured words said, ‘Yeah, I know them. They are my parents.’
‘Well, they’re my parents too,’ the missionary said. ‘God has sent me to invite you to come home.’
"The younger brother had been born after the older boy had left home. The elder brother did not even know of him. 'Mom and Dad have been praying for you every morning and night for 20 years,' the younger brother said. 'They were not sure you were alive, but they knew if you were, that someday you would come back to us.'
"The wayward son invited the two in, and they talked for the rest of the day and some of the night. He did return home, returned to Church activity, and, in March 2015, was married and sealed in the Boise Idaho Temple.
“This is a story of the role of Almighty God, the Savior of the World, and the Holy Ghost involved in the work of the ministry to which we’ve been called. The Holy Ghost prompted those parents to keep praying, to keep believing, to keep trusting. … The Holy Ghost inspired that rebellious boy to come to himself like the prodigal he was and to head for California. … The Holy Ghost influenced that younger son to serve a mission and be willing to accept a call to Southern California. … The Holy Ghost inspired one of my brethren in the Twelve, who was on the assignment desk that Friday, to trust his impression and assign that young man for service not a great distance from his native-born state. The Holy Ghost inspired that mission president to assign that young missionary to that district and that member unit. The Holy Ghost led those missionaries to that street, that day, that hour, with big brother sitting on the porch waiting, and, with Doberman pinschers notwithstanding, the Holy Ghost prompted those two elders to stop, talk, and in spite of their fear, to go back and present their message. …
“And through the elders, the Holy Ghost taught repentance and brought true conversion to one coming back into the fold. The young elder, without realizing it, gave the missionary speech of all time, when he said to his brother, “God has sent me here to invite you to come home.”
Message from Dad: Live worthy to have the Holy Ghost as a companion at all times. Listen to Him. Follow His directions.
...And Loving It
So actually, this week was pretty great. Tuesday was fun because I got to walk along side the marching band and tell them what to do. My fave (sarcasm folks, sarcasm). They sounded pretty good, but their feet were kind of a mess... and that points to me as their visual/marching/movement/drill instructor. This next week I'll be doing section week, telling them how to do the drill charts and find their spot on the field at any given point. This isn't super hard to grasp, but when I was organizing how I was going to teach, I realized I didn't actually know a lot of the stuff... like the difference between the two sides of the field... Oh boy. #adultingishard
Anyway, besides that, I said goodbye to Carter Martindale after the parade and it was very sad. He'll be serving in Romania Russian speaking and he'll do so good!! He's a pretty awesome kid, even without his afro. Now our unit for We The People is broken up :( But we all good, because Emma and I are pretty tight until she goes to USU this fall...
Speaking of We The People!!! Our AP government test scores came out and I got a 4!! For those of you who don't know, there is a big 75 question multiple choice section, then four free response essays. You're given points for the multiple choice, then graded on the essays. They grade from 1-5, so a four is pretty good if I say so myself. I may be really really happy about that, considering that we only did about three weeks of actual AP government out of nine months, because we focused on We The People so much.... Go us! the other Emma in my unit also got a four, and I'm going to email Carter today and see what he got (I'm sure it's a five, so our unit is kind of legit).
After saying goodbye to Carter, I went to Idaho and spent a fun day with Elise and Ruth. I really love my siblings lots, just so ya'll know. We did lots of fun things and I ate too many sweets and got sick but we all good now. The boys and I had fun listening to Harry Potter on the way to BYUI to look around at the grounds. Ruth and Elise were kind enough to take me to the college to look around and get a feel for the campus. It was 98 degrees which was about thirty degrees too hot in my opinion, but all the kids were great and we had a fun time in the gardens. I felt really good about it, so I think I'll try and figure out how to apply there and see if I'm supposed to go. Thomas's advice was to not go because "You know why it's called BYU I Do don't you?" And maybe it's because he really just doesn't like BYU or something. IDK though...
Sorry, my posts are always super long but I just like to be in touch with my family, even though my life is pretty boring :P love you all. Hope you have a good week.
Anyway, besides that, I said goodbye to Carter Martindale after the parade and it was very sad. He'll be serving in Romania Russian speaking and he'll do so good!! He's a pretty awesome kid, even without his afro. Now our unit for We The People is broken up :( But we all good, because Emma and I are pretty tight until she goes to USU this fall...
Speaking of We The People!!! Our AP government test scores came out and I got a 4!! For those of you who don't know, there is a big 75 question multiple choice section, then four free response essays. You're given points for the multiple choice, then graded on the essays. They grade from 1-5, so a four is pretty good if I say so myself. I may be really really happy about that, considering that we only did about three weeks of actual AP government out of nine months, because we focused on We The People so much.... Go us! the other Emma in my unit also got a four, and I'm going to email Carter today and see what he got (I'm sure it's a five, so our unit is kind of legit).
After saying goodbye to Carter, I went to Idaho and spent a fun day with Elise and Ruth. I really love my siblings lots, just so ya'll know. We did lots of fun things and I ate too many sweets and got sick but we all good now. The boys and I had fun listening to Harry Potter on the way to BYUI to look around at the grounds. Ruth and Elise were kind enough to take me to the college to look around and get a feel for the campus. It was 98 degrees which was about thirty degrees too hot in my opinion, but all the kids were great and we had a fun time in the gardens. I felt really good about it, so I think I'll try and figure out how to apply there and see if I'm supposed to go. Thomas's advice was to not go because "You know why it's called BYU I Do don't you?" And maybe it's because he really just doesn't like BYU or something. IDK though...
Sorry, my posts are always super long but I just like to be in touch with my family, even though my life is pretty boring :P love you all. Hope you have a good week.
Hyde Park Highlights
Dad and I have been having a blast working outside! We cleaned up the grape arbor, unburied the blackberry bushes, made some changes in the "shade garden" and did basic upkeep. Dad's been trying Elise's suggestion of using vinegar on weeds. He got a little spray happy, so we now have brown, dead spots in our grass where the weeds used to be. Give it a try - it works! We had a lovely rainstorm for a couple of hours last night and our flower beds are very happy now! Our list of things to do in the yard grows ever longer and will likely never get finished, but we are loving the process!
We enjoyed going with Thomas and Victoria to the traditional scout breakfast that we've attended for a couple of decades, and to the Lewiston Parade. Emma looked quite official walking beside the band as they marched and played. And, oh, the fireworks!! Spectacular!! They have continued in our neighborhood every night this week - beginning just as we are trying to go to sleep!
Emma is the busiest person in our house, by far. She's working, doing marching band, and has endless invitations to go with friends. This week she went swimming in a reservoir in Ogden Canyon, watched movies, got kidnapped to go get shaved ice, and had a dance practice - all within a couple of days! She's on the go from morning until night. She really enjoyed spending a couple of days this week in Idaho visiting her sisters, getting her haircut and watching the amazing IF fireworks.
That's about it, besides the basic stuff - dentist appointments, visiting teaching, temple attendance, quilting, etc. Well, and I finished the Book of Mormon again. What a great book! The commentary I used had some important reminders at the end. From Ezra Taft Benson: "Every Latter-day Saint should make the study of this book a lifetime pursuit. Otherwise he is placing his soul in jeopardy and neglecting that which could give spiritual and intellectual unity to his whole life." (A Witness and a Warning, pp. 7-8.) Each time I read it I get a stronger impression of the importance of the Book of Mormon for us right now. This is a partial list by Robert Millet and Joseph McConkie of what it can help us with. They ask, "Do we desire to know how to...
- handle wayward children
- deal justly yet mercifully with transgressors
- bear pure testimony
- detect the enemies of Christ
- withstand those who seek to destroy our faith
- discern and expose secret combinations
- deal properly with persecution and anti-Mormonism
- establish Zion
- avoid priestcraft and acquire and embody charity
- have our sins remitted
- come unto Christ and be sanctified by his Spirit... [and a long, long list of things we might desire to know how to do]
If so, we must search and study the Book of Mormon. It is the most relevant and pertinent book available to mankind today."
Obviously, it's really important to study and apply what we read in the Book of Mormon. It has had a remarkable impact on my life, has literally changed the course of my life. I love it! "Too much effort has been expended over too many centuries, too much blood has been shed, too many tears have watered pillows, too many prayers have ascended to the Lord..., too great a price has been paid for the Book of Mormon record to be destroyed. Or discarded. Or ignored. No, it must not be ignored..."
Read it and live what you read!
We enjoyed going with Thomas and Victoria to the traditional scout breakfast that we've attended for a couple of decades, and to the Lewiston Parade. Emma looked quite official walking beside the band as they marched and played. And, oh, the fireworks!! Spectacular!! They have continued in our neighborhood every night this week - beginning just as we are trying to go to sleep!
Emma is the busiest person in our house, by far. She's working, doing marching band, and has endless invitations to go with friends. This week she went swimming in a reservoir in Ogden Canyon, watched movies, got kidnapped to go get shaved ice, and had a dance practice - all within a couple of days! She's on the go from morning until night. She really enjoyed spending a couple of days this week in Idaho visiting her sisters, getting her haircut and watching the amazing IF fireworks.
That's about it, besides the basic stuff - dentist appointments, visiting teaching, temple attendance, quilting, etc. Well, and I finished the Book of Mormon again. What a great book! The commentary I used had some important reminders at the end. From Ezra Taft Benson: "Every Latter-day Saint should make the study of this book a lifetime pursuit. Otherwise he is placing his soul in jeopardy and neglecting that which could give spiritual and intellectual unity to his whole life." (A Witness and a Warning, pp. 7-8.) Each time I read it I get a stronger impression of the importance of the Book of Mormon for us right now. This is a partial list by Robert Millet and Joseph McConkie of what it can help us with. They ask, "Do we desire to know how to...
- handle wayward children
- deal justly yet mercifully with transgressors
- bear pure testimony
- detect the enemies of Christ
- withstand those who seek to destroy our faith
- discern and expose secret combinations
- deal properly with persecution and anti-Mormonism
- establish Zion
- avoid priestcraft and acquire and embody charity
- have our sins remitted
- come unto Christ and be sanctified by his Spirit... [and a long, long list of things we might desire to know how to do]
If so, we must search and study the Book of Mormon. It is the most relevant and pertinent book available to mankind today."
Obviously, it's really important to study and apply what we read in the Book of Mormon. It has had a remarkable impact on my life, has literally changed the course of my life. I love it! "Too much effort has been expended over too many centuries, too much blood has been shed, too many tears have watered pillows, too many prayers have ascended to the Lord..., too great a price has been paid for the Book of Mormon record to be destroyed. Or discarded. Or ignored. No, it must not be ignored..."
Read it and live what you read!
Flake Fun
9 July 2017 - We had a really nice 4th and hope that you all did as well. We had a neighborhood picnic and it was very nice to just sit and visit with good friends and neighbors.
I am liking my new job and finding new adventures every day which keeps me busy. The new health director is a great guy and most of the employees really respect him. There will be a lot of changes to the health department in the next year or so that will take getting used to but I think that almost everyone is willing to try them with a good leader at the helm.
Our house is nearly complete. We posted it to craigslist yesterday and within a few minutes had a couple of responses. We have a showing scheduled for tomorrow so we'll see how it goes.
Cleaning tip of the week: if you have calcium deposits or hard water deposits in your toilet that you can't scrub away, try ZEP Acidic Toilet Bowl Cleaner. It is amazing and it smells pretty good.
Our garden is looking good for the most part. The corn had a traumatic experience when a limb from the willow tree broke and toppled our woodpile right on top of our corn! Only about a third of them got smashed.
Well, I hope that you all have a great week!!
I am liking my new job and finding new adventures every day which keeps me busy. The new health director is a great guy and most of the employees really respect him. There will be a lot of changes to the health department in the next year or so that will take getting used to but I think that almost everyone is willing to try them with a good leader at the helm.
Our house is nearly complete. We posted it to craigslist yesterday and within a few minutes had a couple of responses. We have a showing scheduled for tomorrow so we'll see how it goes.
Cleaning tip of the week: if you have calcium deposits or hard water deposits in your toilet that you can't scrub away, try ZEP Acidic Toilet Bowl Cleaner. It is amazing and it smells pretty good.
Our garden is looking good for the most part. The corn had a traumatic experience when a limb from the willow tree broke and toppled our woodpile right on top of our corn! Only about a third of them got smashed.
Well, I hope that you all have a great week!!
Monday, July 3, 2017
Hyde Park Highlights
I'm thinking maybe my posts won't be as long if I try to write every week...
Harts came down on Tues-Wed to help work in the yard and put the quilt back on that had to be taken down clear back in May for the Gathering. We had a blast at the garden shop, nearly purchasing one of everything, then came home and weeded, transplanted and planted new stuff until it was so dark we couldn't see. We enjoyed an outdoor viewing of several episodes of I Love Lucy that night and Elise helped me get the quilt back on the next morning. We had a very fun time and I am extremely grateful for the help.
We had a fellow come give us an estimate for some repairs and flooring. I'm hoping it will work out as a trade for part of the fee for doing a birth for them. They are nice folks and we hope he does nice work. Things might look different around here next time you come!
I helped with a bridal shower for Emily Ashcroft (who still looks like she's about 14) that was planned for outside, but ended up being a garage shower for a short time while it rained and hailed. We fasted this week for JR Allred, who had a heart valve replaced, and for Rachel Francis, a 15 year old girl in our ward who had brain surgery. They are both recovering, thanks to the faith and prayers of family and ward members.
Dad broke another tooth and is getting another crown put in. The dentist said it's just a sign of getting older, not of poor hygiene (still no fun!). I attended a birth for a mom who wasn't expecting a baby in June. She arrived 12 days early, happy and healthy. This is the second birth this month that went so quickly that no other attendants had time to arrive!
Thomas and Victoria came for dinner yesterday and we watched "A More Perfect Union." Even though it is about the constitution, it still gets us in the mood for Independence Day and helps us reflect on our wonderful country and our gratitude for the liberties and blessings we enjoy.
Happy Fireworks! Have a great week....
Harts came down on Tues-Wed to help work in the yard and put the quilt back on that had to be taken down clear back in May for the Gathering. We had a blast at the garden shop, nearly purchasing one of everything, then came home and weeded, transplanted and planted new stuff until it was so dark we couldn't see. We enjoyed an outdoor viewing of several episodes of I Love Lucy that night and Elise helped me get the quilt back on the next morning. We had a very fun time and I am extremely grateful for the help.
We had a fellow come give us an estimate for some repairs and flooring. I'm hoping it will work out as a trade for part of the fee for doing a birth for them. They are nice folks and we hope he does nice work. Things might look different around here next time you come!
I helped with a bridal shower for Emily Ashcroft (who still looks like she's about 14) that was planned for outside, but ended up being a garage shower for a short time while it rained and hailed. We fasted this week for JR Allred, who had a heart valve replaced, and for Rachel Francis, a 15 year old girl in our ward who had brain surgery. They are both recovering, thanks to the faith and prayers of family and ward members.
Dad broke another tooth and is getting another crown put in. The dentist said it's just a sign of getting older, not of poor hygiene (still no fun!). I attended a birth for a mom who wasn't expecting a baby in June. She arrived 12 days early, happy and healthy. This is the second birth this month that went so quickly that no other attendants had time to arrive!
Thomas and Victoria came for dinner yesterday and we watched "A More Perfect Union." Even though it is about the constitution, it still gets us in the mood for Independence Day and helps us reflect on our wonderful country and our gratitude for the liberties and blessings we enjoy.
Happy Fireworks! Have a great week....
Sunday, July 2, 2017
...And Loving It!
Can I just say making decisions is the worst? College is scary and dating is even worse.
So, I think I need some advice from people that have gone through this whole thing before. I'm registered for USU this fall, but I really don't want to go to USU... I'd kind of like to branch out a little and see a little more of the world... Maybe even as far as BYUI. So, my thinking has been that maybe I'll apply to BYUI for winter/spring semesters, and just work here in Logan until then, maybe taking a couple of Bridgerland classes like sign language and such.
I'd just like it if you'd give me some advice on what to do - stay here and do college here until my mission (I can turn in papers in February!), or maybe work for the fall, then head up to Idaho or something to branch out until my mission. I haven't applied to BYUI, but if by some miracle I got accepted, I'd like to know what you more experienced people would do if you were me. Mostly I just want to go on a mission but I can't until April :P
Anyway, life is good. If all the Idahoans aren't doing anything this week, I may drop by because I don't work at all this week!! Let me know. Love you all. Hope you have a great week :)
So, I think I need some advice from people that have gone through this whole thing before. I'm registered for USU this fall, but I really don't want to go to USU... I'd kind of like to branch out a little and see a little more of the world... Maybe even as far as BYUI. So, my thinking has been that maybe I'll apply to BYUI for winter/spring semesters, and just work here in Logan until then, maybe taking a couple of Bridgerland classes like sign language and such.
I'd just like it if you'd give me some advice on what to do - stay here and do college here until my mission (I can turn in papers in February!), or maybe work for the fall, then head up to Idaho or something to branch out until my mission. I haven't applied to BYUI, but if by some miracle I got accepted, I'd like to know what you more experienced people would do if you were me. Mostly I just want to go on a mission but I can't until April :P
Anyway, life is good. If all the Idahoans aren't doing anything this week, I may drop by because I don't work at all this week!! Let me know. Love you all. Hope you have a great week :)
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