The Sublime Roundabout

So, today is my birthday. I am 34 today. That makes about 12410 days of my life. I can't help but think about some of the things great men have done in the course of their lives, especially those that have been tragically cut short. I know it's not fair to compare my life with theirs - they were great men and had unique opportunities and challenges that they responded nobly to. I just wonder how I measure up. It's not a self-depreciation thing - it's a self-evaluation and motivation thing. Dr. King was only 39 when he was tragically killed in Memphis. He changed the world. He touched all of us whether we know it or not. Joseph Smith was 38 when he was killed in Carthage, Illinois. He founded one of the world's great religions and had a name and a fame which cannot be extinguished. He had done more than any other man for the salvation of men in the world save Jesus Christ. He translated the Book of Mormon. He restored the priesthood authority. He reintroduced temple ...

I am one of the luckiest men alive. I know this. I have been blessed beyond comprehension by a loving Heavenly Father and I am very grateful. Nothing I could have done or will ever do could merit the quality of life that I have. Even my struggles are turned to joys by His matchless power and mercy. Ammon played the piano yesterday in sacrament meeting - that's what the song is in the video. The fireworks are from an Astros game we attended a little while ago and were shot by Ammon (not the best, but it's his work). Also this last weekend we went to a Boy Scout camp. He's only 11 and rarely gets invited to these and this was his first chance. It was so fun! I was proud of his work on so many levels that I am busting! What a great son he is - what a privilege to be his dad. Also, yesterday I had the chance to participate in a Stake Disciplinary Council. This was my first time experiencing this kind of thing. I had known that they existed (of course) and generally what ha...

What is a friend? Last night I had a discussion about people with Brett. Brett and Marnie Talbot have been staying with us for a little while. He's a great guy and has a lot of really good insights into things. I mentioned to him that I think there are some people who you will not ever be able to like. I don't know why that is the case, but I have noticed that it is true. Most people in my life I am able to get along with in some fashion or another, and achieve at least a passable working level of respect. But some people, and they are very few, are just completely despicable . They are the complete opposite of anything and everything that I hold near and dear. On the other hand, I mentioned, there are some people who are your friends forever. Across the reaches of space and time, these friends know you and love you. And even after not having any acquaintance for YEARS sometimes, the thought of them is like a warm embrace. One of the joys of the Internet is to be able to ...

One of the most fun parts of being in the bishopric (thus far) has been the people I have been able to meet with to extend callings to. There are some incredibly faithful people in our ward, and it is truly an honor to be able to serve with these people. Sure, people struggle. I struggle. But there is a power that comes from seeing people struggle and overcome their own trials and become cleansed and stronger as a result. It's inspiring. It's also inspiring to see people serve in so many ways in the Church and Kingdom. Maybe someone wants a particular calling or doesn't want another calling. But when they are called to something unexpected and less desirable and still willingly fulfill their responsibility, it is then that the blessings of God are manifest in their lives. Brother Robertson, our ward mission leader and all-around good guy was talking about this with me last night after choir practice. He felt like I did when I was called to the bishopric when he was called t...

This one makes me mad. This is my sweets. She's six. First grade and all that. She thinks she's 18. Or maybe 21. Or 30.... She really wants to be involved, and she's really smart. I am very proud of her. Yesterday in the evening we gathered around the radio to listen to the presidential debate. She noted my reactions to some of the comments and perceived that I was leaning toward Obama. After chiding me for my disparaging remarks about McCain, she asked if I was going to vote for Obama. I said yes, I probably am (I know that comes as a bif shock to all of you). She said, "Dad! You can't vote for him! He put a circle around the flag (?) and he didn't put his hand on his heart when he says the pledge of allegiance!" I said that I had heard that too, but where did she hear it? Yep, you guessed it - her school teacher. She was so mad and frustrated that she stormed off to her room in tears. Well, I calmed her down and told her that the great part about livi...

President Monson is incredible. I am so grateful to be alive on the earth when there is a prophet to lead us and guide us. I know that he is God's prophet, and I am grateful to have been able to hear his words this past weekend, as well as the other words that came from our inspired leaders. I liked President Eyring's plea for unity. It reminds me of how important it is not to be the same but to be one. There is a strength that comes through synergistic combinations of various points. We are a varied and multi-faceted organization of saints, but we are united in our purpose of opposing evil, promoting good, and loving each other. We are the same flock of children, all harkening to the voice of the Shepherd. I also appreciated greatly the plea of Elder Scott in the Priesthood Session regarding the respect that we MUST have for the faithful women in our lives. As a son, brother, husband, and now father of beautiful, faithful women of integrity, I am overcome with the joy it is to...

OK, that worked! Sweet! Here's another one: These were taken from my house the morning of September 13th. This was AFTER most of the storm had passed over us and I felt safe enough to head outside (or near a window) to see what I could see. This was after the scary night was over and the sun was coming out... Things to note - in video 1: the water is in my front yard and is probably 3 feet deep in my ditch (which is where the water belongs) - in video 2: the fence was leaning over probably about 30 degrees off straight up (it doesn't really come out right in the video). And I took these from my digital camera which is why they aren't very good quality... But it gives you an idea of what it was like.