Here's a joke I like:
Ancient Artifact?
A little boy opened the big, old family Bible with fascination, looking at the old pages as he turned them. Then something fell out of the Bible and he picked up and looked at it closely. It was an old leaf from a tree. The leaf had been pressed in between pages. "Momma, look what I found," the boy called out. "What have you got there, dear?" his mother asked. With astonishment in his voice, the young boy answered:"It's Adam's suit!"
Wednesday, November 7, 2007
Dear Family and Friends
Dear Family and Friends,
It was an inspiring Sunday starting with but going beyond fast and testimony meeting. Bishop Bagley spoke of his mission and how it shaped and directed his life. He spoke of how not a day goes by that he doesn’t reflect on his mission in some fashion. I agree so much with that sentiment. I sat there and thought to myself how the same was true in my life. It is an experience that truly serves as a foundation in life giving guidance and direction to all that occurs afterward. It truly is a map to what lies ahead. I served my mission in Los Angeles and as I have shared before, I treasure the opportunity I had to interact with so many different cultures.
Some of the challenges we face in life feel like pushing against a wall. I myself wonder sometimes if progress is made but when I look back I am amazed at the growth that is experienced. Brother Toy drew that analogy in Sunday school. He is always so inspired in what he shares. I couldn’t help but think of the pioneers as they crossed the plains. So many gave their all and kept pushing but didn’t have the opportunity to reach the Salt Lake Valle
y. It was not in vein though. They truly pushed down the walls of adversity and it is upon their devotion, faith and obedience that the some much of what allows the gospel to flourish is built. Brother Toy selected Come, Come ye Saints as the opening song in Priesthood. I felt it was inspired and very fitting to sing that song. The last verse to me says it all:
And should we die before our journey's through, Happy day! all is well! We then are free from toil and sorrow, too; With the just we shall dwell! But if our lives are spared again To see the Saints their rest obtain, O how we'll make this chorus swell-- All is well! all is well!
More often than not it is more about the journey than the destination.
Spent the latter part of the week gathering leaves. One of the piles was absolutely gynormious! I couldn’t help myself, and dove right into the pile. Spent some time cleaning out the garden as well; it produced well into October. The leaves of the strawberry patch turn such a wonderful shade of red. I think the colors of fall are almost as beautiful as those of the Spring. With that thought I bid you adieu and wish you all well. I pray your families are safe and prosper and flourish.
Love,
Steve
It was an inspiring Sunday starting with but going beyond fast and testimony meeting. Bishop Bagley spoke of his mission and how it shaped and directed his life. He spoke of how not a day goes by that he doesn’t reflect on his mission in some fashion. I agree so much with that sentiment. I sat there and thought to myself how the same was true in my life. It is an experience that truly serves as a foundation in life giving guidance and direction to all that occurs afterward. It truly is a map to what lies ahead. I served my mission in Los Angeles and as I have shared before, I treasure the opportunity I had to interact with so many different cultures.
Some of the challenges we face in life feel like pushing against a wall. I myself wonder sometimes if progress is made but when I look back I am amazed at the growth that is experienced. Brother Toy drew that analogy in Sunday school. He is always so inspired in what he shares. I couldn’t help but think of the pioneers as they crossed the plains. So many gave their all and kept pushing but didn’t have the opportunity to reach the Salt Lake Valle
y. It was not in vein though. They truly pushed down the walls of adversity and it is upon their devotion, faith and obedience that the some much of what allows the gospel to flourish is built. Brother Toy selected Come, Come ye Saints as the opening song in Priesthood. I felt it was inspired and very fitting to sing that song. The last verse to me says it all:And should we die before our journey's through, Happy day! all is well! We then are free from toil and sorrow, too; With the just we shall dwell! But if our lives are spared again To see the Saints their rest obtain, O how we'll make this chorus swell-- All is well! all is well!
More often than not it is more about the journey than the destination.
Spent the latter part of the week gathering leaves. One of the piles was absolutely gynormious! I couldn’t help myself, and dove right into the pile. Spent some time cleaning out the garden as well; it produced well into October. The leaves of the strawberry patch turn such a wonderful shade of red. I think the colors of fall are almost as beautiful as those of the Spring. With that thought I bid you adieu and wish you all well. I pray your families are safe and prosper and flourish.
Love,
Steve
Sunday, October 28, 2007
Dear Family and Friends
Dear Family and Friends,
My beloved Rockies appear to be down for the count but have come a long way as an organization. It is part of life to challenge ourselves and see how we measure up against the best. It allows for growth and maturity. He who does not participate in a fear of failure has already lost and if you must always win to feel satisfaction with self, that speaks more to ego than character. My hats off to the Boston Red Sox, a class organization, who owe much of their success to the talent developed within their farm system. For almost three weeks I let my beard grow afraid to shave less the Rockies lose. Having lost on Monday, I shaved my beard. Rocktober has been a blast and will be filed away with all of my other wonderful baseball memories.
About a month ago, Senator Harry Reid spoke to the student body of BYU during their monthly forum. I think well of the Senator as he is a fellow alumni of Basic High School in Henderson, Nevada. Basic was actually the original name of the city of Henderson, named after the Basic Magnesium plant which brought the town into existence during World War II. In his address he spoke of J. Marlin Walker, a wonderful man with a booming voice, who taught Spanish at the high school when Harry was there as well as I. He was the stake president of my youth and I have vivid memories of listening to him speak, a figure larger than life who didn’t need a microphone to be heard. Memories are wonderful things.
I have been applying for library jobs as spring will be here before we know. The Weld Library District in Greeley is opening up two new libraries: one in Fredrick and another in Erie and UNC has a library technician opening. I have applied for all and hope I get some bites.
With that, I pray all is well with each of you.
Love,
Steve
My beloved Rockies appear to be down for the count but have come a long way as an organization. It is part of life to challenge ourselves and see how we measure up against the best. It allows for growth and maturity. He who does not participate in a fear of failure has already lost and if you must always win to feel satisfaction with self, that speaks more to ego than character. My hats off to the Boston Red Sox, a class organization, who owe much of their success to the talent developed within their farm system. For almost three weeks I let my beard grow afraid to shave less the Rockies lose. Having lost on Monday, I shaved my beard. Rocktober has been a blast and will be filed away with all of my other wonderful baseball memories.
About a month ago, Senator Harry Reid spoke to the student body of BYU during their monthly forum. I think well of the Senator as he is a fellow alumni of Basic High School in Henderson, Nevada. Basic was actually the original name of the city of Henderson, named after the Basic Magnesium plant which brought the town into existence during World War II. In his address he spoke of J. Marlin Walker, a wonderful man with a booming voice, who taught Spanish at the high school when Harry was there as well as I. He was the stake president of my youth and I have vivid memories of listening to him speak, a figure larger than life who didn’t need a microphone to be heard. Memories are wonderful things.
I have been applying for library jobs as spring will be here before we know. The Weld Library District in Greeley is opening up two new libraries: one in Fredrick and another in Erie and UNC has a library technician opening. I have applied for all and hope I get some bites.
With that, I pray all is well with each of you.
Love,
Steve
Saturday, October 20, 2007
Just a Thought...
So many of us make a great fuss of matters of small consequence. We are so easily offended. Happy is the man who can brush aside the offending remarks of another and go on his way.
President Gordon B. Hinckley
October 2007 General Conference
President Gordon B. Hinckley
October 2007 General Conference
Sunday, October 14, 2007
Dear Family and Friends
Dear Family and Friends,
It is cold and dreary here on the front range. It is perfect sleep in weather. The kind where you cozy up under a pile of blankets and make like a bear. See you in the Spring! The boys of summer are still on the field so Summer isn’t completely gone, at least in my heart anyways. How ‘bout them Rockies. As we speak they are currently up 4-1 in the seventh inning of game three. If they hold on we’ll be up in the series 3-0. Nice! Oh yes, and no flying water bottles at Coors Field.
Wasn’t conference inspiring. I have been listening to the sessions again on my mp3 this week; it amazes me how conference always feels tailored just to me. I think I’m in love with Sister Beck. I’ve listened to her speak a few times and I an just so impressed with what she has to say. That was quite the empowering, “tell it like it is” address on motherhood. Some in the world don’t know what there are missing out on. It made me want to be a Mom except for that whole giving birth thing.
Registered for Spring class today. My last! Oh, Joy! I will so be looking forward to Spring. Graduation and Baseball! Does it get any better? For now, I am mired in the heart of the Fall semester. I have a whole Gloria Gaynor vibe going on. I always like to keep a few steps ahead, which has served me well.
Oh yes, and Friday marked my 36th birthday. Mom made a yummy coconut cake for the occasion. Good eats. I took a picture and will post it on my Weblog. Come on people please look at my blog and listen to my podcast. I beg of you, it won’t be hazardous to your heath to listen to my soothing tones. There’s lots of primo stuff. Received a brand new set of scriptures for my birthday. A moment of sad failure has come upon me as I retire my scriptures of almost 15 years. They have served me well and have been worn out. Goodbye faithful friend. My new set for not at least feel like an interloper. That shall pass.
With that, I wish you all well and pray this finds you healthy and happy. Go Rockies!
Love,
Steve
It is cold and dreary here on the front range. It is perfect sleep in weather. The kind where you cozy up under a pile of blankets and make like a bear. See you in the Spring! The boys of summer are still on the field so Summer isn’t completely gone, at least in my heart anyways. How ‘bout them Rockies. As we speak they are currently up 4-1 in the seventh inning of game three. If they hold on we’ll be up in the series 3-0. Nice! Oh yes, and no flying water bottles at Coors Field.
Wasn’t conference inspiring. I have been listening to the sessions again on my mp3 this week; it amazes me how conference always feels tailored just to me. I think I’m in love with Sister Beck. I’ve listened to her speak a few times and I an just so impressed with what she has to say. That was quite the empowering, “tell it like it is” address on motherhood. Some in the world don’t know what there are missing out on. It made me want to be a Mom except for that whole giving birth thing.
Registered for Spring class today. My last! Oh, Joy! I will so be looking forward to Spring. Graduation and Baseball! Does it get any better? For now, I am mired in the heart of the Fall semester. I have a whole Gloria Gaynor vibe going on. I always like to keep a few steps ahead, which has served me well.
Oh yes, and Friday marked my 36th birthday. Mom made a yummy coconut cake for the occasion. Good eats. I took a picture and will post it on my Weblog. Come on people please look at my blog and listen to my podcast. I beg of you, it won’t be hazardous to your heath to listen to my soothing tones. There’s lots of primo stuff. Received a brand new set of scriptures for my birthday. A moment of sad failure has come upon me as I retire my scriptures of almost 15 years. They have served me well and have been worn out. Goodbye faithful friend. My new set for not at least feel like an interloper. That shall pass.
With that, I wish you all well and pray this finds you healthy and happy. Go Rockies!
Love,
Steve
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