Busy

I like being busy. It seems since my new calling, things have become even busier for our family. I am out doing visits 1-2 nights a week, I have Rotary, we had swimming and now choir, dates, other work obligations, other church obligations, life, etc., it just seems like life is getting busier. I thought it would slow down somewhat with only 1 child still at home but it seems to have become busier. I can't imagine being this busy with 4, 5, or 6 kids at home, but when I think back on the time I was in the bishopric in Chula Vista, I was even busier but it just seems that I am now. I guess old age has something to do with that... I have sales meeting in the morning and I think I am ready for it. In fact, I have been mostly ready with the Power Point for about 2 weeks, a new record for me. I am usually working on it the night before until late. Things are going smoothly at work. I had a great day with my top sales guy. We haven't worked together that much in the past, he has asked me to do some trainings for him and things like that but he asked me to work with him yesterday. Of course we had a lunch that he wanted me to pay but I felt "validated" by him that I bring something of value to the sales team and to him. He also expressed that he has enjoyed the sales meetings that I have organized, at least the part I cover. I appreciated that. Sometimes I am not sure if what I do makes a difference or not but it seems to do so. Time will tell I guess. My boss dropped off his twin boys at the MTC yesterday. I would imagine that he and his wife are wrecks now and for the next couple of days but I can't wait until we take our son there. He expresses his desire to be there now. I just pray that he stays excited and lives worthy to go. Life is good and I like it when I am busy.

Nice

Went to the temple last night and helped couples and families become eternal - nice.
Had a good work day with my rep down in Provo - nice.
Got 3 messages from my oldest daughter 1 worrisome and 2 - nice.
My youngest son is so excited to go on his mission - nice.
I have a wife who loves and puts up with me - nice.
Had a dear friend share something with me that he hasn't shared with others - nice.
Said my prayers and felt comforted and loved - nice.
Finished Mosiah yesterday - nice.
Got 8 miles on my bike this morning - nice.
My mom is still healthy and has opinions - nice.
My children (yes my married into the family are my children as well) and grandchildren are - nice.
I can contemplate all my blessings - nice.
I feel peace in such turmoil - nice.
We get to do HP visits again tonight - nice.
I feel overwhelmed at what my Father gives me - nice.

Late

I am a little late this morning. I slept in until 5:16. It's weird, I have been tending to wake up at 4:43 or right around there, tossing and turning and the waiting for the clock (well, not the clock but the time, you know what I mean...) to get to around 5:15, get up and go do my thing before riding the bike, I was a bit later this morning, hence the later post. I got to see my youngest daughter perform last night in her first group choir event. It was really good. I like music as I have mentioned before, all types, and it was good to go and see her do well. I missed my oldest daughter's performances but I hope she will give me a private audience and sing what she once learned these many years ago... Work was good. I was up in Tremonton and Brigham City. Long drive day but we made some good contacts. I am in Provo today. Lots of miles and I am glad that I am no longer accumulating them on my personal vehicle. I miss the cash flow of the mileage reimbursement, in fact it's a huge adjustment period, but I am no longer beating up my own car. I like that. Time to re-adjust things. My wife and I are going to the temple tonight. I look forward to that just because as we change from street clothes to what is worn there, it reminds me of the constant need I have to do better and to change and to not do it too late.

Changes

I have decided to institute changes in my blog. I am going to start writing in the mornings during the week (we'll see if I get something done over the week end) because I need a cool down time after riding my bike and this seems like the perfect forum for that: I get to cool down and actually attempt to put cogent thoughts together early in the morning. I listen to music (all kinds) during my ride. I find if I listen to slower music, I don't seem to get as far... I wonder why that is. Anyway, we had a peaceful yet semi-eventful week end. We went to some dear friends' wedding anniversary: 62! What a great testament to compromise, love, forgiveness and enjoyment. They are not what they used to be when younger (but then who of us is) but they have grown old together and more in love. It was wonderful to see and a feat that my wife and I desire to equal and surpass. Fortunately for me and unfortunately for my wife, we will be together forever and she will have to put up with me for that long. I am so blessed. Church was quiet and good. There was a strong spirit that helped to renew my soul and prepare to face the week ahead. It will be a busy week both during the day and at night. I love being busy, I love being with family and I love to make changes.

Comfort

I have always found it somewhat comforting to attend a wake or viewing of members of my church who truly understand the Plan of Happiness. One of my wife's leaders from her country, in fact he was the leader to whom she reported her mission, died this past week and we, my wife and I, attended the viewing last night. There was a spirit of peace and hope there. I have been to other wakes where the desperation, despair and hopelessness were palpable. I just want to hug them and help them understand that there is a plan, there is a God and that there is hope of a brighter tomorrow and that, if we have either taken care of the sealing ordinances here or have someone take care of them for us, we can be together forever. It doesn't end here. We "died" from our pre-mortal existence to come here and we die here to continue our progress prior to our resurrection to "go no more out". We feel the pain of loss of our companionship with the person who has passed on but there is, in my mind, a peace and a sure knowledge that we will be together and just as we have excited parents to greet us as we are born here, we have others equally ecstatic to greet us on the other side and to show us around. I am excited for that day but I do so enjoy my time here. I don't want my time here shortened in any way but I do not fear what awaits me (as long as I have finished repenting) or who awaits me on the other side. I look forward to getting to know my dad and mother in law much better. In that, there is comfort.

Inspiration

I am not much one given to inspiration. I get feelings and impressions and I tend to dismiss them. A favorite line in a movie goes, "There is a fine line between faith and concidence". I tend to rely more on the arm of flesh than God sometimes. I know I get inspiration and I try to downplay it to concidence. I am not sure how well that pleases my Father. Case in point: We set up visits about a month in advance. I felt we should go and visit a family tonight a while ago. We had the opportunity to go see them last week but I felt we should go this week. Turns out they, the couple we visited, are moving on Friday up to Washington so they can be with one of their daugthers who is struggling with some incredible challenges right now with a young baby that has heart problems and down's syndrome and another child with severe learning disabilities. She has like 5 doctor appointments a week. Anyway, we visited them tonight, asked if we could help with anything and it turns out we could! It was awesome. We got to help them get packed. Seems their daugther where they are currently living had some sick kids, kids had work, parents had to be places and they were left all alone to cope with heavy totes and trying to do it themselves. We got to help! It was so good. See, I do get inspired once in a while and I do follow it. It, as you all know, takes me a while to understand things and to soften my heart but when I do, my Father leads me. I like inspiration!

Consistent

Being consistent is one of the hardest things to do, period. You tell your kids you are going to do something and then something happens and you want to go back on what has been told them. The reason for my post is not because that has happened but just to get me being consistent on what I am doing here. It's hard to get up at 5:15 and ride my bike but I have done so for just over 4 weeks. It's hard to eat right (and I definitely DON'T do that all the time) but I am trying to do well there. I know I am doing better. My stomach won't allow me to eat as much as I once did although the progress on the reduction of my "orb" is painfully slow. Why can't it go faster?!?! I can tell, however, that progress is being made by the shirts I can now wear that I couldn't before. Yay for me! It's hard to be consistent in reading the scriptures or just doing what is right but I am trying and, succeeding, for the most part. It's hard not to opine in the lives of children and let them decide and have learning experiences but that is something I will never NOT do. I care, I love and I want what is best for them. It's hard being consistent on this blog once I quit. I guess you could say that I am inconsistently consistent. :)