One of My Favorites

I thought I would share one of my favorite scriptures from the Book of Mormon. I have been thinking about it a lot recently. This scripture is spoken by Jesus Christ when he visited the American continent shortly after his resurrection. He taught the people of the Americas many of the same teachings He taught in Jerusalem. In 3 Nephi 13:33, He says, "But seek ye first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all of these things shall be added unto you."

I think we usually have this backwards in our lives. Many times, we want to get the things we feel will give us happiness and pleasure in life before we seek after the kingdom of God and his righteousness. We feel we will be much better people of faith after we are not worrying about earning enough money or the fun things we could do instead. So, we tend to put those things first. It needs to be the other way around.

We should seek God first. That should be every day. Then, we don't have to rely on ourselves to try and do everything. God will add it unto us if we have chosen to put him first. This is the question I always ask myself. If I believe this scripture to be true (which I do), why would I not put the seeking of the kingdom of God first in my life? Am I afraid? Is it just easier to put whatever I feel like doing first instead of what God may want me to? I think that may be it.

I believe that as I do what this scripture says, I will have everything else added unto me. I may not know exactly what that everything else is, but I know that God has a better understanding of what I truly need in life than I do and he will bless me with it as I put him first.

Twilight Sickness

If you are reading this you may have the same problem I do. I will keep this brief because I don't want to get started too bad. My lovely wife LOVES the Twilight series. I don't think love is even close enough to describe the passionate feelings she has towards the series. Before the fourth book came out, she read all of the books twice in about a week. I have told her she can tell me about them if she wants because I have stacks books I want to read before I would ever crack the cover of the love story between Edward and Bella. So, I know a little about the story.

I like to see my wife just be sucked into these books. I would get a good chuckle every now and then when I could tell she was picking up the book to read as quick as possible as soon as I left the room. This happened a lot. She would also try her hardest to try and listen to my day while she has the book clutched in her hand. I knew how bad she wanyed to just tell me to go to the store so she could finish the next chapter. I found all of this amusing. I had never seen my wife so goo goo over a book before.

I still had a Twilight free Oasis - my work. No matter how Twilight intense home was, I could always plan on escaping it a little at work where overhearing make up conversations seemed like a blessing as long as the words vampire, werewolf, or Volteri were not mentioned or the names Bella, Edward, or Jacob. It was a good balance.

Then, I made a HUGE mistake. My wife had just finished the last book and I was looking forward to a little reprieve from the series. I started recommending the book to some of the girls at work. A few of them read and I thought they would enjoy it. I had no idea what I was getting myself into. It spread faster than a wildfire in the seventh year of drought. I started hearing the names and the words. I started seeing the books on everyone's desk. I could tell who was reading the books by the dark circles under their eyes. Mainly, they would stare at the computer screen and dream about Edward all day. There was no escape. Home or work - I was trapped.

We have about 26 employees. 2 males and 24 females. 11 of the 24 female employees are reading the books. All of them. I think I may sue Stephanie Meyer for lack of productivity at my workplace due to her books (I am, of course, kidding). I would be lying if I said the books do not have an addictive quality among all who read them. Women seem to forget all other responsibilities and the world around them while they read these books. As an outsider watching all of these people read the books, I don't know whether to laugh because it is quite comical to watch or call for help for these people because their brains seem to fall out of their heads when they start reading the words.

I had to write about this because my therapist said so. Just kidding. I just think it is entertaining more than anything. Before you respond with hate mail (all two people who read my blog - avid Twilight readers), I have no problem with it. I do find it quite amusing though. Maybe some day I will read them.......or, not.

Disclaimer: I purposefully left out many funny events that have taken place in relation to Twilight reading consuming life from home and work. I would not want to point anyone out particularly and possibly embarass someone. Also, my wife approved this blog posting. I love you, Honey.

Communication

I love my kids! They provide comic relief at the most unexpected times. They say the funniest things. What is really funny is that I have to think back to prior conversations sometimes to figure out why they said what they said. Usually, they say something funny and I remember talking to them about something in the past that skewed there way of looking at something. Since they believe every single thing that comes out of my mouth, I have to be very careful. I also have to remember that they love what I love. This post is especially near and dear to my heart.

We have begun over the last month or so to go over to my mom's house every week for our Family Home Evenings. It is a good time for the kids to be at grandma's house and Grandma June (my 91 year old grandmother) usually comes over as well. It has been going very well. Tonight's lesson was on the Be's by President Gordon B. Hinckley. If I was as cool as my wife, I would have a link here to where you could read about these Be's. Someday I will be that cool. The lesson was going well.

April was talking about "Be True" and what that meant. She had explained that being true meant keeping the commandments that we have been given from our Heavenly Father. She then asked who else should we listen to that is here on earth?



I will now take a second to tell you about Haylie. Haylie is our oldest twin (5 minutes). Her gospel knowledge is growing rapidly but most of her answers to questions in these scenarios are "Jesus Christ" or something having to do with him (he was baptized, he lived, he died, etc.). I give her tons of credit because she is 3.5 years old and she is trying.

Back to April's question - I could see that Haylie was about to say one of her favorite answers and I thought I would help her say the right answer to impress her siblings. I leaned over to her ear and I whispered, "The prophet". She smiled and I knew she was going to say it loud and strong because she knew she had the right answer from Daddy.

I could see her open her mouth and out came, "Boba Fett!" We all started laughing very hard. Just the fact that she had said a Star Wars character was hilarious. Then, it hit me that she had heard Boba Fett from my mouth. Proph-et and Boba Fett both end in "et" and that is what she thought I had said. I really started laughing then. I wonder if it ever crossed her mind that Boba Fett would be a weird answer in that setting. Oh well.



Yes, kids! Follow the prophet (President Thomas S. Monson)!!!! Not Boba Fett. He was a greedy bounty hunter who worked with the sinister Jabba the Hutt. Not to mention if you followed him you would be swallowed alive by the Sarlacc at the Pit of Carkoon (Yes, I am that nerdy!). Lesson learned.

Scavenger Hunts and Car Batteries

I am a fan of surprising my wife. I like to send her on excursions, take her places, and buy her things that she is not expecting. It is really neat because she really does not expect anything from me that way (that she expresses, I guess). I had this elaborate scavenger hunt planned for my wife on August 1st. I won't go into all of the details because, like I said, it was elaborate and it would take too much time. I will just focus on one part of trying to make the scavenger hunt happen.

As a prelude to this story, you have to understand my car situation. I have a 1992 Toyota Camry. I love it! I don't need much. It runs and plays music. It gets me back and forth to church meetings and work and that is all I ask. It has its quirks to say the least. Again, I don't mind. April always wants me to get a new car, but I love mine and usually it runs pretty good.

However, as of late it has not run so well. It has been a little picky about when it wants to actually start. This pickiness has caused some inconvenience at times but I have been able to nurse it along so far. Well, the week in question, my car had really been having some problems starting. I had a really busy week and was not able to get it looked at.

Friday came and I had a laundry list of things to do: Go to the store in the morning and buy items for making clues (no suspicion from April because she is asleep when I leave), run errands at lunch to plant clues and buy supplies (again, I had been really busy at work so April was still not suspicious when I said I would not be home for lunch), and some final errands to run after work to plant clues in two other parts of town (I told April I would be late because the first of the month is always busy in my line of work). I successfully avoided any suspicion that could have been brought on by my actions.

When I got in my car, I realized that I needed some gas in my car to drive around town. So, I went to a nearby gas station to get some gas (I only put in about $20 at a time in case my car does not last). I had just finished pumping and went to start the car. It would not start. Keep in mind that I am at one of the cheapest stations in town (was there any doubt?) and I have a line of cars behind me on a Friday night. I tried again. And, again, And, again. And, some more times.

I had a couple of problems. I needed to move the car out of the lane. Even if I could do that I would still need a jump and probably from my wife who thinks I am working late. Hmmm. What to do? I put the car in neutral and released the emergency brake and was able to coast to where the air and water pumps were. Whew! One problem taken care of. I tried to start the car again and I could not. I decided I needed to call my wife and ask her to meet me there. I knew part of the surprise would be given away but I could be secretive still to preserve the fun.

She was there within a few minutes. She was still really curious about what I was doing at the gas station when I should be working. I was able to get her to help me without asking too many questions and was able to start my car. I was just about to leave when a man came up to me and started moving his hands like he needed his car jumped as well. I noticed his car that had been right next to mine the whole time. That is how well I was paying attention. We were having a hard time communicating because he was speaking Spanish and I was talking in English. Then, it hit me. I speak Spanish. Why I am doing this? We then talked in Spanish and he told me he needed a jump. I kept my car running and jumped his car as well (by this time my wife had left). He was extremely grateful. I was extremely happy that I could have helped. I started wondering if my car would not start, in part, so I could help him out. Before he left I was able to share a pass along card about my church with him and invite him to call the number on the back and meet with missionaries to learn more. I don't know if he will, but it was a neat experience.

Isn't this the longest post you have ever read (rhetorical, please do not leave your answer as a comment)? I would love to say that I had everything work out great from there but I cannot say that. My next stop was the Concord PD. One of the clues was going to be picked up there (Thanks, James). I dropped off the clue and headed back to my car not realizing that my car may not start. Guess what? It did not start. Again, I tried over and over and I was jsut not having a good day with the car starting. I was realizing that I would need to call April again and have her come see what I was doing again! Man, it is hard to keep a secret.

At this point, I will say that I have often prayed that my car will start. Like I said, this had been happening quite a bit. I felt like I was out of that blessing and I had neglected my responsibility to get my car looked at. It was nobody's fault but mine. I called April and let her know that I may need a ride. I was devastated. I had a thought that I should try the car one more time. April was at Target with the kids and I asked for something I would not usually ask. I asked her to gather the kids and say a quick prayer with me that the car would start. When we had all said our silent prayers I had this feeling come over me that the car would start. I had no doubts and I turned the key in the ignition. The car started up right away. I thanked my Heavenly Father for this tremendous blessings. I don't deserve it.

At this point I was really excited and humbled. I had one more stop before I could go home. This was the stop I was unsure about it. I had to leave a clue in the Jack-in-the-Box parking lot. I knew I would also not be able to shut my car off while I searched for a good place for the clue. When I arrived there, I also realized what time it was. Dinner time. The parking lot was packed and several people were facing the window that put the whole parking lot in view. I began to sweat.

I could imagine people calling the police to report an unusual person placing an envelope in the bushes and then driving off. But, that was my task if I wanted to pull off the awesome scavenger hunt. I got out of my car and left it running with the doors unlocked. I started pretending I was just walking down the street to get a look at the layout of the parking lot. I decided on some bushes but realized several people would be looking right at me. At this point, I really was starting to not care who saw me. I walked towards the bush that was near the drive thru lane and placed the envelope in the bush. I then turned and headed to my car trying to act as if I did that every week. I think I did a pretty good job. I said hello to a gentlemam who was in the parking lot before I started driving away. Mission accomplished. Clues planted and my car was still running.

I was exhausted when I got home from my very long and stressful day and still had one clue to plant. I took out the trash and took care of that one. It was planted in our car. I was then able to relax mostly.

The scavenger hunt would lead April to Barnes and Noble to get her copy of Breaking Dawn that I had reserved for her previously. She also would receive a letter I wrote her about how much I care about her. I loved writing the letter. April and I have known each other for many years and I was able to share some memories with her, about her, that I don't think I had previously. She enjoyed it immensely. She also read Breaking Dawn all night and stayed up until 8pm on Saturday night when she finished it.

I wouldn't have traded a moment of it. Sometimes it is when everything goes wrong that you realize everything is right. I am thankful for a wonderful family and a Heavenly Father who loves me despite my weaknesses and imperfections. If you made it to the end of this - you are a person of amazing patience. Have a wonderful day!!

The Treasure Inside

Imagine that you are walking along a sandy beach. It is a beautiful day outside and you see something in the sand ahead. It is an old chest. It is made of decaying wood and anything that is metal is covering in rust. Barnacles cling to the sides and bottom of the chest and it is about the grossest and ugliest thing you have ever seen.

What do you do? Do you leave the chest alone because it looks completely disgusting and you are worried about catching some sort of disease? Or, do you figure there is a treasure in that chest and you ignore the ugly shell and rip the chest open as quickly as you can.

What is in the chest? You were right if you ripped open that chest. The chest is filmed to the brim with bright shiny treasure. You have hardly been happier by such a glorious sight.

Would you consider closing the chest and throwing it back in the ocean because, although it is incredibly rewarding on the inside, it is ugly and detestful on the outside?

We encounter these chests every day. Some are fat and some are skinny. Some are black and some are white. Some wear sombreros and some wear turbins. Some wear shredded clothes they have not changed for weeks and others wear the finest threads available on the earth. Some are brand new and some are weathered to the point of breaking.

There is a treasure inside EVERY one of us. Do we take the time to find it or do we keep walking by the chest because of the condition of the chest in which it is found? Can we be quick to open the chest and find the treasure in every single one? We will be the most enriched people in the world if we can do this in our lives. Wealth will have a new meaning and our eyes will be opened to the greatness of humanity.

The Challenge of a Lifetime

I have realized recently more than ever how easy it is to be negative and be mean to people. It may be gossip. It may be judging people. It may be tearing other people down because of a certain way they act, dress, or do things. This is the easy way to live.

What about if we reverse it? Try going through a day without a negative thought. Try getting through a day without saying something judgemental or gossip-like about another person. Try getting through a day where you see people for who they are inside and not on the outside. Try and see the good in every one all day. Assume the best intentions of everyone who may cut you off in traffic or eat your food in the fridge at work.

Why is that so hard? Why is it so difficult to be nice to people? It is easy to love those and care for those people who love us and care for us in return. What about being kind to those who dislike us and may even be plotting against us?

Pride is a dangerous thing. It is even more dangerous if we cannot see it in ourselves. Where to start cleaning out the closet of a whole lifetime of protecting ourselves against being hurt by tearing down others?

I am as guilty as anyone else. However, I am ready to start doing better. I know I will fail miserably most days; nevertheless, I will move forward with faith that I will make progress and I will have unbelievable experiences in my efforts to be better. Wish me luck.

Inexplicable

Have you ever done something completely stupid and not had a good reason at all to explain it? It does not happen to me that often (thankfully); however, on July 5th it did. We had a wonderful day of being out on a boat with some friends and we all got sunburned (oh no - that is not it!!). We had fun on this banana tube that we took out. It was pretty awesome. Of the guys, I think I fell off the least frequently (brief moment of bragging). We had a lot of good laughs during the day as our children and wives also rode the tube. Good company and good times.

We were just about to leave, but we pulled into one of the parking lots to wait for the boat to be all ready to take off. We would be going to a nice quiet dinner on the way home and laughing about all of the fun we had just had. I found an appropriate parking place and started pulling in. Somehow, I got my pedals confused (you totally see where this is going) and pressed on the gas when I thought it was the brake. Basically, I rammed the car that was parked perpindicular to the spot I was pulling into. I was in shock. That certainly had never happened before. I hardly believed it was really happening. I had never been in an accident before.

Luckily, no one was in the car. However, the extremely sun burned and angry fellow who owned the vehicle popped out from the other side of the vehicle and said some things I have not heard since my R rated movie watching days (I gave up that nasty habit when I was about 16). I knew I may be in for a fight so I had my kids get out of the car and beg the angry man for mercy......just kidding. Not like it didn't cross my mind though.

I figured I better get out of the car calmly and immediately let him know I was sorry and what had happened. Luckily, that did calm him down a bit and I was not planning my funeral anymore. I was trying to make conversation and asked him where he was from. For some reason I just knew he was going to say Concord, and....he did. We were 84 miles from home and hit someone from my city. I am awesome.

So, we exchanged the usual information. My writing resembled that of an extremely crippled and arthritic doctor because I was so shell shocked. I think he actually started feeling really sorry for me by the end. We left the scene and did enjoy an enjoyale dinner thanks to some good friends.

I cannot park now without that incident (accident) coming to mind. I mentally think very hard about which pedal my foot is on. It was very fun explaining the circumstances to my insurance company. They were nice and said it happens all of the time. How nice are they?? I also loved receiving the letters from both insurance companies saying I was at fault for the accident. I hope they did not spend too many man hours on that investigation!?

I learned a lot from that experience:

1. Don't be an idiot.
2. Don't be stupid.
3. Don't hit angry sunburned people.
4. Brake is on the left and gas is on the right.

That's all for now - enjoy your day knowing you're not as dumb as me!

Back from Haitus

Hey, three and half months is not that long of a time between posts. Especially when you have only about 2 to 3 readers of your blog. A lot has happened in that time. My Grandpa who I wrote a poem for in my last post passed away on December 20th. We knew it was what he wanted and we found peace in knowing where he was and that he was happy and free from pain and sorrow. He will always live through me. I will never forget him or the many lessons he taught me through out my life. I will never forget the privilege I had as he laid almost motionless in bed shortly before he passed away and my brother and I laid our hands on his head and gave him a priesthood blessing. What an incredible experience! On nights like that, it makes all of the challenge it can be to try and remain worthy to use the priesthood one is entrusted with worth it.

What else has happened?

I took April to go and see Wicked in LA for her 30th B-day!


Logan turned 5 (pictured with race car cake)!!



We had a great Christmas!!


That is the short version, of course. Soon, I will blog about Disneyland and then share some of my great business ideas. Stay tuned!!