"There is no change!"

It's always great when people show some initiative and try to make things better for themselves. Sometimes this is forced out of necessity, occasionally it's when someone has a brilliant idea that's just to good to pass up, but more times than not it's a proven idea that just different people take turns giving it a try. My wife loves to pull-over every time she see's some little kids selling something on the side of the road. Most of the time it's some sort of lemonade, but once in a blue moon it's something else like:  popsicles, cookies, rocks, and one time it was their artwork - these would have looked great on the fridge if you know the kid, we passed that one up.The other day there was a six year old that had set up a lemonade stand just around the corner from us, now just so you know the younger the entrepreneur the more likely I am at stopping. This little girl was great, not only did we know her but she had a big sign that she was waving and everything. As we pulled over Lori asked if I had any money? I didn't have any change but I knew I had a couple of dollar bills in my pocket. As I rolled down the window we told her we would like some lemonade. She came over to get the money I had stuck out the window and said did you want one glass or two. Boy this little girl was a salesman. It's then that I noticed that it cost .50 cents a glass. We told her one and she walked over to the table to get our drink. Now occasionally I'm a generous guy and leave a good tip, so I decided that this would be one of those times. As she brought us the drink back I told her to keep the change. "Oh I know, there is no change" she said. Unbeknown to me the decision had already been made, the question wasn't if I was going to get any change or not it was just weather I wanted one or two cups. Now if I was at a restaurant I would have paid three dollars for a lemonade, yes it would have been bigger and come with free refills and wouldn't have tasted like it was made by a six year-old, but that day I met the world's next great salesman - and the dollar was worth the laugh and smile my wife and I had on the way home.

Boat Races

Traditions are events or circumstances that are repeated over and over, was the first time a mistake or was it planned and just turned out in a way we wanted to duplicate such a wonderful event. If it wasn't wonderful, we wouldn't try to duplicate or do it again. Families, neighborhoods, friends, any group or individual has some type of traditions. We could talk of hundreds of examples over the years. There a couple of families that we have done things with for ever. Every year, usually in the later part of the summer, we meet for a picnic and and then the competition begins - boat races. Now these aren't your normal boats - even though style doesn't count it does make an impression. In reality which boat gets to the finish line first doesn't matter much at all, there isn't a prize, just temporary pride or boasting. There are a few people in the group that would say they usually finish first - the problem is there are more of those than is possible for the number of races that have taken place. What the boats are make out of is left completely up to the participants. Only a couple of times has someone thought another persons design was unfair, I'll get to that in a second. Doll parts, hollowed out fruit, make shift sails - you name it, it's probably been tried. The two most common materials used are glue and duck tape! Duck tape is the best, because if you use enough of it your boat is most likely waterproof. Everyone try's to get a little extra nudge or boost to start - but our location is a slow moving cannel that runs through a local park on it's way to water some families gardens. I'm not an engineer, or have been accused of inventing a design that will change nautical production forever. Honestly most of the boats are put together fifteen minutes before we're suppose to be at the park in the first place. During my frantic rush to produce a boat I came across my secret weapon. Another one of our families traditions is a 4th of July picnic and firework show. These same three families are involved, but we have a whole lot of other families that participate as well. Some times we have so many people and fireworks being lit that we don't use them all. That was the case the summer before this particular boat race, the left over firework was about eight inches long and a couple of inches wide - just right for the top of my vessel. With that spraying out the back my boat I would have to be propelled way out in front of the competition. At least that was the intent. I needed to be in the water so it could be lit just at the right moment. That all worked alright, for that matter it started to off OK as well, the problem started shortly after - I guess when the top of the boat is heavier than the bottom it corrects it's self. Who know that the firework would continue to go off for a while under water? It sure wasn't faster! Maybe putting an engine on the top of the boat would be a good idea if it was designed properly - in this case it made it slower. I didn't come in first - not even close, but it definitely gave everyone a good laugh. I think that next year there might be a bunch of new ideas as a new precedent has been set. I just need to think out the options at least an hour in advance.

Mario Kart

I don’t understand how some things work – cell phones, internet, face time, by the time I figure them out - chances are there are a bunch of new things that would work better. I needed to send a text to my brother-in-law to thank him for a favor he did for me, after about ten minutes I asked my son to do it for me. This worked much faster and the words were now spelled correctly. As a family we have most of the gadgets, I just don’t know how to use them. The other day my kids and some of their friends asked me to play Mario Kart with them. This is a Wii game that your character races around on different tracks in cars or motorcycles with tons of obstacles all over the place. Four people can play at once as the screen is divided into four different sections. I was confused which buttons to push and when to do it. When you get off the track you either fall into the black abyss or have to try to find your way back through the obstacles. After one such event I found my way back to the track – but I couldn’t figure out where I was. There was a little U on the screen that I had never seen before. I didn’t know what it meant, nor did I care, I needed to catch the leaders. I was taken off guard when the other cars almost hit me head on, then my son asked me why I was going the wrong way. I didn’t even know that was possible! I was already in last place and this sure didn’t help things out. To paraphrase a quote I once heard – “How fast your going makes little difference if you’re going in the wrong direction.” I’m sure this was a variation of the famous conversation Alice in Wonderland had with the Cheshire Cat. Alice said – “Would you tell me, please which way I ought to go from here?” The Cat answered “That depends a good deal on where you want to get to.” “I don’t much care” said Alice. The Cat’s answer is understandable - “Then it doesn’t much matter which way you go.” Now I believe there are very few people that really have no idea where they want to go. I would bet that most of us even have some sort of vision or goals that we want to achieve. Sometimes that goal or vision is different than those around us think that it should be, or it could even be something that isn’t in our best interest. Spiritually that end should be exaltation. Financially it should be to have what we need. We may even be on the right track or have the proper plan in place. That makes little difference if we don’t know how to use the proper buttons or follow the warnings or caution signs along the way. Another thing I didn’t understand while playing, that after all of the other racers have finished the race the time has expired and no matter where I am the game is over. Satan is a master of making us think that we are on the right track, the fact we aren’t progressing isn’t that important. He encourages us to leave the track to experiment and enjoy the journey along the way. When we listen to his prompting it doesn’t take long to realize that his joy is fleeting and hollow. We may even try to steer back and find in reality that we are going in the wrong direction or that the addictions or obstacles we have acquired are far harder to over come than we had ever imagined. He will try to make you think you have entered that black abyss - that it's hopeless and not worth the effort to come back. This, like the game, isn’t true or real. The Savior has provided the way for us to return to the right track, that little U was a warning sign trying to tell me to u-turn and go the other direction. These U’s are given to us thorough the scriptures, prophets, righteous church leaders and loving parents. They are placed before us as warnings and encouragements to try a little harder. If we ignore them, like I did, we will find ourselves not knowing where we are or how we got there. But unlike the game, the Savior through his atonement has provided the way the truth and the light to guide us back to the proper location.

Martha

I don't know much about Martha Champlin, I probably never will, at least not in this life. At this point it's unlikely anyone will ever know very much. She was four years old in 1870, at least according to the censes in southern Mississippi of that year. I've never found any other documentation that she ever existed. She was the oldest child of Zachary Taylor and Virginia White Champlin, who happens to be my great-grand parents. If I figured it out correctly that makes her my great-aunt. Normally to be a great aunt you would have to shower someone with a lot of love and treats, or be quit old, Martha didn't have the opportunity to do either one, not even my father knew she existed. In the 1880 censes, Zachary and Virginia were listed as the parents of four children - William, Margaret, Nellie and my grandfather Walter. Martha was no where to be found. She could have gone to live with relatives, but more likely she passed away. Being a Latter-day Saint the linking of my ancestors is a important responsibility, we believe that families can be together forever. The binding of the fathers to the children's and the children's to the fathers. This binding is possible by the power and authority of God through the priesthood. This power is what the Savior gave to Peter in Matthew chapter 16, - "whatsoever thou shall bind on earth shall be bound in heaven." When my father joined the LDS church, one of the first things he did was make sure that the temple work was done for his extended family. Making sure that the saving ordinances of salvation were preformed for his forefathers. He had the access to the 1880 censes, the records of the life of this family, except Martha. For 75 years this family seemed complete. In August of 2011, I was in a training meeting with Elder Bednar of the Quorum of the Twelve. He encouraged us to find our ancestors and take them to the temple. I sat there knowing that I had never found someone to take to the temple. I had a strong impression I needed to change that. Not knowing how to do that didn't slow down my resolve. Under the heading of Zachary T Champlin I found the 1880 censes that was available to my father so many years before. There was the family we all knew and have known for decades, but no Martha. About a third a page below the link to the 1880 censes, was listed a 1870 censes with the heading Zach Champlin. Computers now can make the decision to find similar possibilities, a event not possible to my father so many years before. That link was indeed to my great grandparents small families' information, but the oldest child was Martha, someone none of us had heard of before. At first I thought there was a mistake - that was quickly replaced by excitement. She was the first of what has turned out to be hundreds of names that we have been able to find. When I called the temple to set up an appointment to do Martha's baptism - they asked how many names I had, I told them just one. I guess I could imagine they may have laughed, but they treated us like royalty as I took my twelve year old daughter to do the work. I envision for all of those years Martha was prayed and anticipating the time someone would find her name and help her to receive the ordinances of salvation. Allowing this family to be complete.

Sponge Bob?

Perhaps I could be mistaken for someone that is famous. Now if I am, it's not going to be someone that's super cool, I would be more in the category of Curly from the three stooges. Honestly It would be more likely my actions were mistaken for their behavior than my looks are to theirs. Let it be said, no one has ever mistakenly asked me for my autograph. The other day someone for the first time called me Sponge Paul - playing off the Sponge Bob fame. He's pretty immature so I was glad my actions weren't the same as his were. Working in the service industry I'm aware sometimes things go wrong. I was required to go to a conference for a couple of days. Most of these conferences are a waste of time. They usually have plenty of high calories, high carb treats - water, coffee or soda intended to help you stay awake. Occasionally they are awesome and really help your peace of mind and productivity. This was a two day conference so I needed to stay over night. I didn't get to chose the location or hotel, but normally it's in a nice facility. This happen to be in the Downtown Salt Lake City Marriott. It's really is a nice hotel - the beds were wonderful. Since all of the meetings are in the same location, I knew exactly how long I could stay in bed and still make it down stairs in time to make my required appearance. When I dragged myself out of bed, I went into the bathroom to start the grooming and hygiene process. I was a little surprised and disappointed when I found out that the shower wouldn't turn on. Really, the shower handle was broken and wouldn't turn on. I thought how I didn't have time to call and get someone to fix it - there probably isn't a empty room to close, then there's the fact that I'm standing nude in the bathroom. Now I've been camping a lot over the years and would have loved having hot water for a quality sponge bath, maybe in the Wind Rivers - but thats not my idea of excitement at a "luxury hotel." Out of necessity I made due and did the best I could. It still wasn't that pleasant, nor was the way I wanted to wake up. When I went down stairs I went to the service desk to take care of my bill and inform them of my discomfort. Now I had no expectation of possible results - everyone that travels knows that if your discontented at a Hampton Inn they guarantee that your stay is free - well in this case my stay was free anyway since my company was giving the conference in the first place. I was a bit disappointed that my morning torment wasn't as big of concern to the man at the desk as it was to me. There really wasn't that great of an apology rendered, but he did ask me if they could make it a little better by buying me a Starbucks coffee that was located just off the lobby of the hotel. Really, a Starbucks Coffee! First of all I don't drink coffee, second I'm at a convention at their hotel that has fifty gallons of it at the back of the room all day. I could have showered with that earlier in the day. Now I wasn't excepting anything, I just wanted them to know that there was a problem - and hoped that they would be a little more concerned about my feelings or discomfort. Many years ago my wife and I had a problem that was even worse at a Ritz Carlton resort in Naples Florida. Through work I had won a trip to Florida, and this resort. This was the greatest thing ever. There were meetings and a lot of events and parties planned for both my wife and I. We had brought with us our new baby that was to young to leave at home. Upon arriving at the resort we found out that there were no more rooms available - like many locations they had over booked for the evening. To make things right they put us up in a different hotel a mile down the road and had told us if we needed to come to the Ritz they would send us a car. They told us we didn't need to pay for the room - well they didn't understand I wasn't paying the bill in the first place. Not only was it a dive compared to the Ritz - but I also had spent the past year qualifying for this experience. My wife couldn't just go back and forth with a new baby, she needed a private location to feed the child. To say it mildly, we weren't happy. The next morning we found out that our sponsors weren't to happy either. The hotel made the arrangements necessary to move us back to the resort. It was a wonderful experience. The Ritz was so concerned about our happiness that later we received a letter from the management of the Ritz inviting us back to their resort at a different time. The most amazing part of their invitation was that they would not only pay for our stay but our airfare as well. Hopefully I don't have to be taking a sponge bath again anytime soon, but things occasionally go wrong - but when they do it's so important that they are taken care of in a quality friendly manner. The gentleman at the Marriott just made me mad.

Campfire Stories

I'm not some Grizzly Adams or Jeremiah Johnson - but I've lived in the middle of the Rockie Mountains all my life - With so many years of association with scouting and youth camps, I've sat around hundreds of campfires in my days. There's always a couple of concerns or objectives when it comes to the fire - whoms the pyromaniac in the group? Its usally easy for me to watch him - since it's me! That doesn't make it better - I've always been my own worse enemy. (Read story called Fire.) I'm sure these kind of events have been happening since the dawn of time. The caveman talking about the one that got away - the pioneers or trappers entertaining each other and relaxing after a trying journey. This was their stage, their entertainment, an opportunity to share their views, goals and dreams - mixed in with a few tall tails.

This is a time to get to know each other in a different setting, it's also a wonderful time to teach and have a memorable moment. Since most of my experience around a fire are with church groups or family - I have always used stories from the scriptures - the ones where fire is part of the story are always the best. Shadrach, Meshach and Abed-nego - and the fiery furnace of King Nebuchadnezzar, that's a keeper. Elijah challenging the priests of Bail, it's great when a prophet mock or makes fun of his competition - of course he backs it up when he calls down fire from heaven burning up the sacrifice, this material is priceless, you just need to use some emotion for the presentation. My favorite campfire story from the Old Testament is the story of Elisha and the chariots of fire in the mountain - "they that be with us are more than they that be with them." The lesson is that those that are righteous are given assistance, and that angels of God - are watching out over us." This is when their eyes get about the size of saucers. What little kids wouldn't like to envision chariots of fire surrounding their campsite.

There are great visuals when it comes to the fire it's self - but make sure that the other leaders are on board. I had one lady at a girls camp that wasn't so happy I was playing with the fire. After the fires is blazing and there are a lot of glowing embers - I put another stick or thin log on the fire, but you need to make sure it's longer than the rest and that half of it isn't in the fire at all. Like I said - this isn't normal and can be dangerous - and she wasn't very happy with me. As it begins to burn like the rest of the wood you can talk about how each of us in a group are like this fire. The logs share their heat and flame and keep the fire burning - then you pick up the part of the stick that isn't burning (that's an important part - I'm sure you can understand why) and talk about when one of you step away from the group the fire starts to die - as the stick loses the heat around it - it starts to go out. This also happens to each of us - we need each other and the fellowship and support of our family and friends to stay strong and bright. There are a lot of references of the fire of the spirit and how it burns within us.

Most of these stories are the enders - the ones that you tell just before you go to bed. You always want to end on a good note. The ones before are the funny ones the scary ones the one that are the tall tails. There is just no better setting to shot the breeze and pass on some of your heritage - this was all most of our predicessors had, no TV, cell phones, video games or I-pods - by the time someone reads this who know what else will be around. But we should always take a step back and try to make a moment or two where the simple thing of the past come shinning through.

Infirmities

During our time here on earth, all of us individually or through someone close to us, will be burdened with difficult afflictions or imperfections. Those that suffer aren't the only ones that have a hard time with these circumstances. Many times these difficulties bring sorrow or worry to those that love and watch over the afflicted.

Some of our friends just found out that their twenty-year-old daughter has thyroid cancer. The success rate for a complete cure with such an early detection is extremely high – but any kind of cancer is a concern and there is always a possibility of side effects, something that could hinder her ability to live a normal life or to have a family. My mother-in-law experienced sorrow and discouragement when her last child was born with Down Syndrome. If we had only dwelt on the fact that there are certain things he would never have the opportunity to experience, we could have missed the wonderful loving qualities that he has brought into the family. Now he is a great blessing to all of us. These positives were hard to recognize twenty-five years ago when she and her two oldest daughters were expecting children at the same time.

These infirmities are difficult and taxing to the individual or a family. How we face and handle these challenges can change the possible outcomes and its eternal consequences. A friend became mad at God because his daughter was stricken with diabetes. From a medical standpoint this disability doesn't seem as devastating as the other two examples – but it doesn't minimize the difficulties that could be imposed upon his child. This raised questions about her future and the possible complications that could follow this condition. Another man questioned the existence of a just God as his wife was diagnosed with cancer for the second time within a few short years.

In both of these cases they allowed the trials to drive them away from the Savior, becoming less-active in the church. Because of the sorrow or fear of the unknown it can be understandable that such difficulties could in reality make someone move away from the greatest source of truth and relief. Often it happens at the point when heavenly assistance and direction is needed the most. Why do some individuals react this way when others with similar or even harder circumstances draw closer to the Savior and the peace he offers? It’s not my intent to criticize or demean such reactions, sadly they are normal and heart felt emotions that all of us have experienced

These weaknesses may in reality be the lessons or blessings that we need or that will prepare us for the missions we're assigned to complete. These buffetings can give us the strength and guidance we need to succeed.

Paul to the Corinthians talked about the thorn or weakness that he was given and despite his attempts at pleading for relief, the Lord told him that these weaknesses would help him to be stronger.

2 Corinthians 12:7-10

And lest I should be exalted above measure through the abundance of the revelations, there was given to me a thorn in the flesh, the messenger of Satan to buffet me, lest I should be exalted above measure.

For this thing I besought the Lord thrice, that it might depart from me.

And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me.

Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in necessities, in persecutions, in distresses for Christ’s sake: for when I am weak, then am I strong.

I don’t know how many times you have gloried in your infirmities, or “most gladly” accepted them. He did, and it brought him the power of Christ. These weaknesses helped him grow in a manner he couldn't have in any other way – “for when I am weak, then am I strong.”

This viewpoint or perspective is the first step in handling or accepting the difficulties we face: That an all knowing and loving God is in reality allowing us to experience these trials as part of our earthly test and progression. But as stated by Paul, we must remember the Saviors grace is sufficient to get us through our challenges and that his strength is adequate in making our weaknesses strong, enabling us to receive the power of Christ in our lives.

We must understand that our attitude will influence our perspective and direction in all facets of our lives. We may have all of our worldly possessions taken away or even lose our liberty, but how we react and what we do with our thoughts is our choice. Just think of the life of Job and the trials he faced in his life.

To ignore this process is also to ignore the continual blessings that the Lord has given to us. Our loving Father in Heaven has indeed given us all that we have and are. A lack of gratitude and thankfulness in such situations shows a selfish and greedy attitude. No wonder King Benjamin said the natural man is an enemy to God (Mos. 3:19). Such recognitions are made know unto us through the power of the spirit. Paul stated they are spiritually discerned and not available to the natural man, indeed they are foolishness unto him (1 Cor 2:14). Despite the fact that our challenges seem overwhelming and unfair – a closer look would reveal our continued indebtedness to our Father in Heaven. In the church song we are told to "count your many blessings, name them one by one and it will surprise you what the Lord has done."

This recognition of the Lords hand in our lives can be the root of the faith and hope that we need and the assurance that He will continue to guide and direct us in our times of need. Despite our best effort, there are times that discouragement and doubt overtake our feeling of hope, bringing us down. Using the analogy that faith is like a seed (Alma 32), that assurance may start out small, then as we nourish it, it will begin to grow even to a perfect knowledge that God's purposes will be done and that we will not be allowed to suffer more than we have capacity to bear. During such moments of despair it’s difficult to take the opportunity to list the blessing we have received in your life. Even if we serve him with our whole souls yet we would be unprofitable servants (Mos.2: 21). Indeed, we will always in debit to God for the blessing we have received.

This action many times is easier said than done. In Paul's confession he admitted that he asked that his thorn in the flesh might be removed thrice. Thrice seems like a small number for the majority of us, there have been times I have seemingly prayed for years for the guidance and direction I felt that I needed. After his declaration he said of the Lord, "and he said unto me." Then is when he received his answer, no it isn't always the answer we thought it would be. But his grace is sufficient, and our weaknesses are strengthened as His will is achieved.

As I talked with the father of the young lady diagnosed with cancer, I was overwhelmed with an assurance that she would be all right. I marveled at their courage and faith in the power of the Savior, He was in control of the situation. This event was in fact a miracle, as a medical exam was being given in preparation for a possible mission. An opportunity to serve will need to be put on hold - but her strength and testimony has been multiplied as the power of the Savior's love has rested upon her. My testimony has grown by the manifestation of the spirit and the dedication of this wonderful family. Infirmities and challenges are a part of each of our experiences in this life, how we accept them and use them to draw closer to the Savior and his love is how our weaknesses are made perfect in Christ.

Russian Scout Knifes -

The Boy Scouts were started in England when Robert Baden-Powell decided there needed to be an organization that helped young men in their physical, mental and spiritual development, so that they may play constructive roles in society. Since that time there has been millions of participants world wide. Scouting is indeed a wonderful program that has helped the development and progression of young minds to change the world. I've either participated, served or sat on committees in scouting for more that thirty years. As an adult the hardest and most rewarding time I've served has been when I was a Scout Master. It's kind of like herding cats. For the most part Scouts love to finish awards or merit badges - but they would much rather eat and play games. So this required a little creativity and motivation to help them reach the final goal. When we were working on a merit badge I would announce that if we finished we'd go get a treat. Now quality isn't as important as quantity. A few scout could down a dozen donuts in nothing flat - they would put up with just about anything if there was a possibility of gorging themselves on some kind of high caloried creation. That worked every time - but then we found the ultimate motivation! I need to give a little more background - all great scout programs have multiple leaders and it's great if each of them have different talents. One of our assistants traveled for business all the time - now that isn't advantageous for meeting, but he had tons of great stories and trinkets. For some reason he went to Russia all the time. Of course every twelve year old thinks that someone that travels to Russia must be a spy or work for the CIA. When they asked him if he was a spy he would never deny it. One week he brought a Russia hat and the trinket of the year - Russian Scout Knifes! That wasn't what they were called and they weren't made for Scouts - but man they wanted one of those. When Scouts go camping they use knifes, axes, matches and a bunch of other stuff their Mom's wouldn't let them use at home. What if there was a knife that did it all? Well it didn't do it all - it had a two inch blade - was also a cigarette lighter and then it was a switch blade! To top it off it had some sort of Russia insignia attached - man I wanted one! Now the other assistant happened to be the chief of police - he told us that a switchblade is legal as long as it's blade is two inches or shorter. They would be legal once they earned them - and the blade could be used for the woodcarving merit badge, or what I can the thumb carving merit badge. I don't have to point out how many of the kids would want to start the fire every night. Our traveling assistant didn't see it as any kind of problem bringing them home on his next excursion - I'm sure that's because spy's can get through security without any problems. Now for the negotiations! There had to be at least one rank advancement and multiply required badges. The more we talked the more we required - the most important part of negotiations is to not let the other party know how bad you want your side of the agreement. It worked like a charm and they all worked themselves to death and all got the Russian Scout Knifes - now we had to explain to the parents that they were OK!

Friend or Foe?

I’ve done more to get people mad at me in my life - than they have for me to be mad at them. All of us have had people that we could consider our archenemies – man, I want to do better than or beat that guy. One of my biggest faults is that I’m to competitive. Sports were one of my greatest joys and vices. People on my team always seemed to like me – but apparently it wasn't as fun to be my opponent. Some people we played against so many times that the competition often was carried over to the next encounter – and was always more intense with friends. There was one group of friends that were great players – a couple of brothers we had known forever. I had a couple of my brothers on our team as well. When we played each other – I remember that we won more than we lost, but they might remember it differently. I don’t know who wore blue and who had on gray – but it definatly was a civil war. Most of our teams knew each other quit well – this association wasn’t just on the hard court, but just about in all aspects of our lives. But I had never considered what the newcomers or newbie’s thought was going on, honestly I think I didn't care. That’s where Eric comes in. This battle, war, competition had gone on for years. When he got involved we were in our twenties and trying to hold on to our youth. The brothers on the their team were guards as were my brothers – but Eric and I were a little bigger and liked to bag it out under the basket. None of these games were lopsided affairs – we were the two best teams in the league and every position was critical to the outcome. After the game we were once again the best of friends - well at least I thought so. I’m sure it was that way with my old friends, but the newcomers apparently didn’t share the same opinion. I had no idea this guy hated my guts! I heard later that there was no one he liked to play against less than me. This wasn’t the same feeling that I had – he was nothing more than an extension of the rivalry with our greatest foes of the hard court. The trash talk, banter and aggressive play had continued from one encounter to another forever. He was just getting some of the ash or fallout from the frequent eruptions. Now, I’ll admit I kind of have a Dr. Jackal and Mr. Hyde personality when it comes to sports. I actually thought I was a nice guy most of the time. Years later I heard that we both moved away - I went just a few miles south and he went to Washington D.C. . While in D.C. he met and fell in love with Amy, a young girl from New Mexico. After they were married they made their home together back in Logan. Amy was a convert to the LDS church in New Mexico, which was one of their greatest common bonds. One day one of the missionaries that had taught her the gospel come to Logan and looked her up. It was a great reunion, one of reminiscing and reflection of those early days in the church. The missionary pointed out that the other missionary that had taught her was originally from Logan. This was of great interest to Eric – who was that? Paul Champlin! No, not the evil foe – the devil of the hard wood, his most hated opponent. Could it be true that this beast had introduced, taught and baptized the love of his life? Their faith was part of the glue that bonded them together. I remember a few years later when we moved back to Logan, at a church function he approached me and thanked me for being a faithful missionary. He then explained our connection. I see Eric and Amy quit often and now we have a friendship – connection - a common bond. Our encounters are pleasant and cordial; of course we haven’t played basketball against each other for years!

Pioneer Trek Practical Joke

It's usually a bad idea to play in an intersection or announce to a bunch of people your doing something wrong before you do it. Under the same concept of DAAA.. you really shouldn't play a practical joke on someone who has more authority or opportunity to get you back. If you make your boss look like an idiot - they better have a great sense of humor or your a great employee they can't do without and hopefully both. Otherwise their act of revenge could make your life miserable. I guess I shouldn't have used the word idiot - you shouldn't pull a joke if it makes them look that bad.

One such occasion was on the golf course - in what many organizations call a team building experience. It's more like an opportunity to get out of the office and play. Now I wasn't the one that had the perfect prop - but I was willing to use it. In all there were close to twenty people from our group on the course that day. Word got out what was going to happen and most of them wanted to see it go down. On many golf courses a number of holes come pretty close to each other and the boss was about to tee off in one of those locations. The majority of us pulled our carts off a short distance away and walked to the tee box - kind of like let's talk and let the boss show us what he's got.

I'm usually one of the vocal ones, I approached the ball making some kind of comment that I needed to know what kind of ball he was using in case I got hit later in the round. Insinuating that he couldn't hit straight and we were in danger. But the true reason for my approach was to change his ball. Now the new ball looked real and unless you looked closely it was hard to tell - we just hoped he didn't check it out. After the switch others joined in, encouraging him to show us his stuff and let it rip. Now this guy was as competitive as the rest of us and he was going to make the greatest shot of the day, perhaps his life. Stepping up to the ball, he went through the shacks, twists, turns and practice swings. Then with all he had - swung for the fences. The next part was classic, hitting the ball it exploded into a cloud of dust, powder - I really don't know what it was made of. There was a definite expression of confusion in his eyes and body as he wondered what had just taken place - of course as the cloud cleared he was met with laughter from the rest of us. After a second or so he understood what had taken place and joined in - the perfect presentation.

Another event that would make this list took place on the plains of Wyoming. This was with a church group and I couldn't have been fired - but it was done to someone that had plenty of opportunities to get me back. My victim was one of our fearless leaders, a member of the Stake Presidency. We were on a pioneer trek with about two hundred teenagers. In order to keep track of the kids and make it fun we split them up into families of eight to ten with two adults that acted as their parents for a couple of days. These parent was what our position was - they called us Ma's and Pa's. In our group was my victims own kid, thus the reason he wanted to spend time in our group. As we were preparing to make the five mile hike back to the camp ground - President Larsen the Second Councilor in the Stake Presidency came up to me and asked if it was OK to walk back with our group. Of course that would be great! He had to go to the restroom and would be ready to head out when he was done.

This gave me just enough time to set the stage and prepare the troops. I pulled everyone together and told them about our visitor. I instructed them that while on the trail when I said who's turn is it - they should respond "I've done it - I've done it." Then I turned to his son and said "you need to make sure you do it as well." He chuckled and agreed to participate, now I had accomplices. It takes a while to walk five miles, so I just had to wait for the perfect opportunity. When I thought it was there I said OK who's turn is it? None of the kids knew what was going to follow their assigned lines - so each of them gladly joined in, if for no other reason than to see what would follow. "I've done it, I've done it, each person joined in the baiting of the hook! President Larsen wanted to know what they were talking about and what they had done. To understand this event I need to point out that for years each of these kids had been part of the primary organization and one of the things they do is sing songs about faith, worship and their heritage. One song tells the story that as pioneer children walking across the plains they passed the time by singing songs as they walked.

I turned to President Larsen and said "Oh you know the song - primary children sang as they walked and walked - we are each taking turns singing a solo. It must be your turn!" He asked what he should sing - "anything you want." He thought for a moment and started into his song - it was a great performance. After he was done we all clapped, then I turned to the kids and said - "now something else you need to know is that when you sin - you need to repent. President Larsen none of us sang a song." We all had a great laugh then he turned to his son and said "you didn't sing either." Depending on the way you look at it that wasn't the end of the story. A year or so later President Larsen called me as the new Stake Young Men's President, that was in charge of planning the next trek - a huge job. When the Stake Presidency was released he was called as the new Stake President and I was called as his counselor. He hasn't made me sing in public yet - but I've had a lot of other assignments. Just be careful who you pull a trick on or get to close too - they may keep you busy for years.

Brother from a different Mother!

The benefit of being a brother with different DNA is that you would have more hair, a smaller head and no heritage that includes an uncle that died on bad Mexican whisky in the arms of a senorita that wasn't his own, or a grandpa that hit on girls at his own wife's funeral. I'm sure we could come up with a lot of positive reasons that our DNA doesn't match on both sides of the fence. I guess both of us would agree that our differences are more than the normal biological maladies that siblings would possess. For the most part this has been a positive that we don't have too much in common!

Technically we're all brothers and sisters in the eternal sense - but if I understand it correctly that doesn't mean we have the same mother. It's safe to say that our greatest bond isn't because of the fruit of someone’s loins, but is a kinship that has evolved or has been forged because of events, circumstances and situations that can't be coincidences. These events have come through joy, sorrow and service that have woven a tapestry that is inseparable over approximately a third of our lives.

So much for first impressions - you put me in the same category or character as someone we have talked about often, and if I was like him I would be nauseous from the radical swings of extremism's. (That's a whole different story!) It took Lori to make sure I considered your placement in the new ward's bishopric. Then the spirit made sure it took place - this is one of the greatest tender mercies in my life. It took a while before we started to click in a way that you would know what I was thinking and start the process to take care of things before being asked. This was always done in the proper order and authority. That was even more obvious when we were released and would look in each other’s direction when something wasn't being done the way we thought it should be.

The one time calling a president was the only time I can remember we didn't click at the same pace. I had some fun with that one - but in the end the Lord's will was accomplished, and the rest of the ward sat in shock needing to receive their confirmation. My Sunday morning rituals were enhanced by our companionship discussions that weren't planned but just seemed to evolve. That relationship was founded on a service foundation has never left those precious roots. Blessings, decisions and strength have always been drawn from this relationship - the byproduct has made it stronger and more dependable.

This has evolved into other aspects of our lives: travel, parties, dinner and games. Our families have an extended relationship and closeness. I still don't know how you beat me at basketball on the high seas! I think that the ship was swaying so that your normally off center shot became straight and sure. At least I didn't lose to Curtis. Golf is nothing more than a diversion for a higher purpose. We both seem to be a little too competitive -- I've never broken my hand in frustration or in an attempt to motivate, or was it both. But you haven't been kicked out of a church basketball game - one of the few fights that begin with prayer. Both of our lives haven't followed the format we would have chosen or thought was in our best interest. Ashley was your miracle that you wish would be duplicated over and over. Your influence on our children is greater that you will ever realize. If you were to give any of them advice - they would think it's closer to thus saith the Lord than anyone else that doesn't have the title of prophet seer and revelator. I know that last part is hard for you to hear - but I agree with it. It's not to make you feel awkward - it shows the process you have of including the Lord in your daily life. Thank goodness for football to bring you back to earth.

Before I get to mushy and build you a monument in the back yard - I cherish the fact that you have become a brother, mentor, example and friend. It's hard for me to have such things - I had two different dogs that ran away the first chance they had.

Over the river and through the woods!

I don't know when or who wrote the song - but going to grandma's house has always been an adventure. Since we've been married we have lived about a six or seven hours drive from Lori's parent's. The younger the kids the more often we made the journey to grandma's. Now that their older it has become a once or twice a year event - but it's usually been on Thanksgiving. I don't know how many rivers we've crossed, there are a number of canyons or woods - but most of the way is covered by sagebrush and then at the end even cactus. When people ask what we're doing for Thanksgiving I always love to see their faces when I tell them were going to Vegas. "Hey baby let's go to Vegas" and "What happens in Vegas stays in Vegas" might be the themes of the parting crowd, but when we go it's the same as any other visit to the in-laws in a normal suburbia neighborhood. We never go to the strip or see much of the glitz and glamor - except occasionally we go to the casino's, because they have the best movie theaters or bowling. Most of my wife's family lives there, so it's no big deal to them that we come - but its a highlight for our family. Since most of these stories are for historical remembrances there are a couple of memories I should point out. After Lori and I were married we were making our way to Vegas on a unorganized honeymoon to make it to our wedding reception. In a small town named Meadow we were at a gas station and a little bird flew into the store window and died. For years I've turned off the radio or TV and had a moment of silence as we pass Meadow in remembrance of the little bird that lost it's life as we were beginning our life together. On the way there we always eat in Nephi and gassed up in St. George. On the way back we eat and gas up in Cedar City. It's almost like we're creatures of habit - everyone is fine as long as we don't change the agenda. We always need to switch seats at each stop and we had a portable TV that with the help of bungee cords and a makeshift stand made it nice to pass the time. I'm just glad we never got into and accident and that would go fling thought the windshield. When they would say how much further - the answer was in the form of how many more movies they needed to watch. For the first ten or fifteen years we would stop in Kannaraville to see Lori's Grandmother. When we make it to Vegas then the fun begins - well that depends on who you ask, we do do some things that we can't do in Logan. Spencer was the one that had the hardest time at grandma's - all of his cousins were girls and sitting around and visiting only made it fun for a couple of minutes. SO we went to the go-karts, Red Rock canyon, movies etc. Now the girls always want to go shopping and spend time with thee cousins. No matter what way you look at it - being with family was always the highlight of the trip.

Fast Track

We moved to Logan in the Spring of 1994 - this was coming home for me. One of the first things we did was start building of our new home. So I convinced a friend to rent us part of his house during the construction process, this worked out great for both of us since he was single and had more room than he needed. Since I was coming home there was a real possibility that there would be a number of people that knew me from before - good and bad. Also because I came from a large family there was the reputation of those whom associated with the people I was forced to live with as a child. Now you would have to agree it was forced - but in my case that wasn't bad at all, I actually liked my family. Church wise we lived in a different stake than I grew up in and I had a brother that a few years before had been on the High Council and served as as the first Bishop of the Crockett Ward in our new stake. Apparently he had done a wonderful job - which was good for him, but kind of put me on the radar when I showed up. Within a couple of weeks I was called to visit with a member of the stake presidency and was called as a stake missionary. This can be a hard job especially when there are only a couple of people in the area that don't belong to our church. This was a calling I had held a couple of years earlier in Ogden where there was a little more possibility of success. Lori was called with me and it was the first time we worked together in a church calling. It didn't last very long. After we moved into our house - I received another opportunity to meet with the stake presidency. This time it was all of them not just one of the three. So after only serving a few months as missionaries I was called to the High Council and both Lori and I were released from the stake mission. The greatest blessing of being called to the High Council was that my father was able to ordain me to the office of High Priest - he was in failing health and I'm sure this is the last ordinance he preformed during his great life of service. That was one of the tender mercies that I am so thankful for. Now I met with the stake presidency a couple times a month - but not one 0n one like those two interviews. If that was my goal it didn't take long before I had another opportunity. After a few months on the High Council I was called to be a member of the Bishopric in the 40th ward - a singles ward in our stake. I was the second counselor and had a wonderful experience for a couple of months at which time the first counselor was called to a new position. Well guess who became the new first counselor? There isn't a lot of difference except you get another interview with the stake presidency. They never meet with you along - at least not for all of the time. Lori was always asked to come along, to make sure that she could support what I was doing. We had a lot of little kids and it's hard when your husband is off playing around and your left to fend for yourself. She was great and always said the right things even if it wasn't easy to accept. The hardest part for her was that we didn't go to the same meetings and if the kids were acting up I couldn't give them the evil eye of - shape up or else. Oh well - that didn't last much longer as we received a call in October of 1995 to come meet with the stake presidency again. This would be the fifth interview in less than a year and a half. Like all but the first one, there were all three members of the presidency in the room. After we all shook hands, which is definitely and Mormon necessity - Lori made a profound statement, "don't you guys know anyone else in the stake?" Now having served in the stake presidency later, I know that they had other interviews during the year - but that's what it felt like. At that time I was called as the first Bishop of the Eastridge Ward, that was formed a couple of weeks later. This was another sacrifice for the family which Lori supported - but at least now we were in the same meetings and I could see what the kids were doing.

Nunheimer

What's in a name? When you think about it your first name really shouldn't say anything about you. It was given before your parents knew your personality, likes or moods. Now the last name that could bring with it some baggage - I guess a first name could too if your named after an extended family member. Your last name shows your heritage - comes with the DNA, looks and possible weaknesses or deceases. My father had Alzheimer's, studies show that it can be hereditary. My mother and her father both had heart attacks which run in curtain lines. The mom's side of the equation usually doesn't pass on their name, but the DNA is just as powerful. I can't do anything about the DNA or the possible problems - it's the heritage that I hope I can live up too. Each of the boys in my family have middle names that are part of our heritage. My two oldest brothers have my mothers maiden name. The next one has the name of the family that took my father in at a young age and raised him as one of their own, they gave him a home and the love that he had never felt up to that time. Both of these names have extended meanings and should give those that posses them the desire to honor and carry it on with pride. My middle name is Nunheimer - as you can tell it is defiantly German. This is my grandmothers maiden name of, the one that died from complication giving birth to my father. The ultimate sacrifice, she died a few days after he was born I hope she had the chance to hold him and tell him she loved him. At least that's how I envision those few critical days after his birth. Her death set off a series of events that would challenge anyone - but they weren't fair for a child. My father was the only link to the future for the DNA of Nell Nunheimer, these were passed on to each of his children. So with-in my veins and make-up are strands of her DNA, physical straights and weaknesses. I could have some of her mannerisms, looks and who knows what else. We don't have a lot of information about Nell and her family, they lived in Indiana and her parents were immigrants from German that used the name of Nunheim on the journey. Theres a poem about Nancy Hanks the mother of Abraham Lincoln who died when he was nine - believed to be written by Rosemary Benet. Nancy Hanks came back as a ghost wanting to know how her son turned out. "Wheres my son? What happened to Abe? Whats he done?" My father never turned out to be a President or freed millions of slaves - but he was a huge success, he was the father of ten, an attorney, a public and church leader, I'm sure Nell would be pleased to know what he made of his life. Now it's my turn - what would she think of her name sake?

Doctor -Teacher - Mentor - Friend

There's tons of titles in life, some are achieved others are earned. The term Doctor is earned with a lot of education and dedication. For the purpose of my story this title can be used for both a father and a son. There was a family that just lived around the corner from us during the growing up years. The father was a professor at the local University and had his Doctorate - thus earning the title. The son was one of my friends and went on to medical school and then specialized in Orthopedics. When curtain people meet them on the street they would address them as Doctor. I've learned a lot over the years from these two great men and would consider each of them a great influences in my life - but neither of them has ever served me in their doctoring capacities. The son's first title of the listed possibilities was friend - but he's taught me a lot as well. He's the young man I mentioned in the story "Fish" that beat us all to the draw, thus receiving the coveted prize. More as a hobby this family had a farm about twenty minutes outside of town and once in a while I would go there to help. The first time I went my friend told me to pick up a stick and follow him. We went over to a grain bin and when he opened it up there were three or four mice running for cover - we proceeded to use the stick before they could escape. On that same visit we both happened to need to take a pee at the same time. Instead of going back to the house he said let's just go over here out of the way. Now why in the heck would I bring this up - well he forgot to tell me that we were standing in front of an electric fence. Of course he knew, making sure that he was really careful. It didn't take long for me to understand that liquid is a great conductor of electricity. I didn't go to the farm that often, and there were times the family went and my friend stayed home as well. I don't know all of the details but he didn't think his parents were coming home one night. When they did, they decided to make sure he was in bed. As they looking in him room, in a half unconscious state, he thought someone had broken into the house. Instead of running past them or opening the window - he just did a swan dive through the glass on to the bushes and made a mad bash for our house. Back in those days no one ever locked the doors and he came right in and woke us up. So two of my older brothers, myself and my friend started for his house with bats and what ever else we could find as weapons to see what was going on. As we were crossing the street his dad drove up trying to find the sleeping escape artist. The father was always a great teacher and mentor for all of us kids - he was one of the scout leaders mentioned in "Nude People" and was always finding a way to let us know what was right, but more importantly he always made us feel good about ourselves and the accomplishment we archived.

100

Ya - the crest, the climax, the reaching of a lofty goal. When I started this hobby, quest or dream I had decided to write a hundred entries - stories or what ever you want to call them. This is it! When I look over the titles there are only a few that I'm not proud of - I have a feeling of accomplishment and satisfaction. There are approximately fifteen or twenty that I would consider my classics - the ones that make me laugh just thinking of them. This quest started when my loving wife told me that my church talks needed some more spice - that I needed to add personal experiences so they wouldn't be so boring. Then I realised that many of my stories aren't the one's you'd tell in church - I wanted them to be recorded as well. It's also been said that I' m not as funny as I think I am, so I'm not offender that others don't like my stories as much as I do. As far as my fleeting memories allow - all of them are true and happened just like they are written, minus a bit of humor. I have sent copies to many people that are involved and asking them to make corrections if they thought it needed to be done. As I was talking to Lori and my daughter Kamie about the number 100, my mind went to the classic movie scene in the the movie "You've Got Mail" when Tom Hanks and Meg Ryan are talking about the e-mail address of her pen pal or secret admirer. Unbeknown to Meg Ryan that person is Tom Hanks and the movie is approaching the time in which this fact will be made known to her. That e-mail address is NY152, they are trying to decide what the number 152 stands for - "he's a 152 years old, he had 152 moles removed and he has 152 pockmarks on his face, 152 people that thinks he looks like Clark Gable, 152 people that think he looks like a Clarke Bar." She then says "152 insights into my soul." Indeed writing stories about your life and experiences is like bearing 100 insights into my soul. Many of these are spiritual experiences, others are poking fun of my shortcoming and mistakes. But for the most part this is who and what I am. The experiences that each of us have are what make us the kinds of people that we are. Not only has this been a journey but in a way it has become a obsession, I have had five different entries printed in the local paper and many others sent to friends and family. Most of them still need to be edited and I'm not the greatest orator. I want to take some time to add pictures and correct the spelling and grammar. I also have decided that the reaching of this goal isn't the end of my journey, but it will continue - hopefully for years as I continue to write and make a fool out of myself.

What did you say?

First things first - some of you might find this one to be a little offensive, that wasn't my intent and if you feel that way I'm sorry. We all say things that are stupid or use a word that doesn't mean the same thing it once did, hows a person suppose to know? Some people are masters of speech and languages, they are able to speak volumes with only a few words or ideas. This doesn't always mean that what they are saying is correct or worth listening too. I've heard politicians give a discourse or presentation that was concise, eloquent and full of crap. Maybe that's why they were elected in the first place. I guess if someone tells you what you want to hear you may vote for them weather or not they have the ability or desires to fulfill their promises. Others use a word that they didn't intend to use or even know what it means. An acquittance told me that his toddler was begging him to watch the movie 101 Damnation's - now this is a more realistic concept than someone having 101 spotted dogs. Just let the kid watch cable TV for a couple of hours and they will see more than 101 things that someone would view as damnable offences. We took a group of teenagers on a pioneer trek to understand their heritage and what sacrifices where made in their behalf. There is a wonderful place in central Wyoming ran by Mormon missionaries where a number of pioneers lost their lives trekking to their Zion. During the orientation an Elderly missionary kept telling the kids that they shouldn't wear thongs because of the roughness of the trail, snakes and the dirt. That's what we use to call flip flops and this poor woman was as clueless as the kids were as to why she was spending time talking about such an embarrassing topic. At least none of the them slept through the presentation. This isn't the only word that has changed meaning - when I was a kid and went to church they had a separate meeting for the kids called Primary. The best part of it was singing time, we sang hundreds of songs. There were two that parts of the song aren't in the book anymore. One went something like this, "I am gay tra-la-la, night and day tra-la-la. The other one said, "I'm so glad when grandpa comes, when grandpa comes we're gay." I don't think these are songs they want your children singing at church. If a little boy walked down the street singing about his grandpa - there might be an investigation. A co-worker didn't feel so good the other day and took some medication, it kind of did some things to her, as she was laying down she made the comment that she was feeling a little queer. That's a blast from the past. I'm sure the medication wasn't making her question her sexual preference. My grandmother use to always say when someone make a mistake that they puller a big boner - I looked it up in the dictionary, it said a blunder or mistake. That might be true, but still don't say it in mixed company. All of these examples are because of changes in society or interpretation - but that doesn't change the fact that some people just don't have tact or don't care what people think. I was given the opportunity to serve as the head of our congregation at church. This is a big job and takes a lot of your spare time. This is a volunteer position and so you don't get paid. Right after I was sustain a lady came up to me and said she couldn't believe I was called to such a position. She stated that I was the most immature and irreverent person she knew - how would you like to start out with those expectations? Luckily for me she wasn't a member of my congregation, she has never brought up the topic again and I have long since been released. The other day my brother and I attended a viewing for one of our old friends that grew up in the neighborhood. There were a number of people from what we could now call the hood. One elderly couple was there that has know us for ever - he started to comment on how well we turned out and how proud he was of us. She decided to join in and said "I didn't think you guys would amount to anything." Well at least she didn't tell us that back then - maybe we would have believed her. I guess we need to remember that each of us have different opinions and some of the time what we are saying isn't looked at the way it was intended to be.

General Conference Tradition –

Some traditions are so embedded that who knows where they started or why we keep them going - we just need too. As a kid our Mom use to make rice pudding every Christmas - no one liked it but Dad. I'm sure there were some deep seeded memories - or it was just a chance for him to have something he liked without ten kids devouring it. That's the reason he bought Maple Nut Ice Cream - it would last longer than the twelve seconds it took us to realize there was Ice Cream in the house. Other times everyone knows when a tradition started - we had so much fun at an event that we're just trying to recreate the memories. Occasionally that's like trying to get lighting to strike in the same place twice. When there's a large difference in ages between the kids, we just want the younger ones to have the sames experiences. Growing up Lori had Easter egg huts - that works great in warm Las Vegas, but in Logan it's still cold and there could still be snow at Easter. So we decided to do it inside. Now the Easter Bunny is great at hiding eggs, so good that we've found some months later. Because there's a thirteen-year difference between the oldest and youngest children it's hard to make it fair and keep the older ones enthused. One of my co-workers gave me the perfect solution. Midst all the eggs, baskets and candy he placed plastic eggs filled with money. Tell a couple of staving college kids that there is money involved and someone could get a bloody nose. Thus began a new tradition. One year one of our daughters decided to bring along a kid that thought he wanted to be part of the family - what in the heck was she thinking? He came from a great family - but apparently they don't believe in candy or treats. He had never had an Easter basket let alone a free-for-all egg hunt. Well if he still wants to be part of the family after this? I guess I shouldn't put it all on one tradition - we have plenty of things that might drive away a possible suitor. He was defiantly hesitant and reserved. It didn't drive him away so the next Easter when he was part of the family, watch out - he was part of a starving college student dual. I have a feeling that our grandchildren will be hunting Easter eggs for years to come. This isn't even the story I wanted to tell. A tradition I've continued from my youth happens at General Conference. After the general Priesthood meeting all of the men would go out for dinner or a treat - this was just about the only time we went out, why wouldn't I be excited about that? Only having one son this would be great and not that expensive. He wasn't invited until he turned twelve - that's old enough to decide where he wanted to eat. Living in a predominantly Mormon community there are a lot of people that go out for dinner after, sometimes the lines at the restaurants are quite long. Well here we go his first opportunity to choose - really Panda Express? Well it didn't cost very much and there was only one other group there so we didn't have to wait very long. Over the years we've never gone to the same place twice - but for some reason the food has gotten better and more expensive with each visit. Panda Express, Fire House Pizzeria, Copper Mill Restaurant - then we went to some Japanese place with my brothers. The last one was a testosterone heaven, now that 's not it's name - but it could be since it's an all-you-can-eat meat fest. Rodizio's is a Brazilian restaurant where they walk around with big skewers of meat to cut off a slice at any table where people haven't passed out yet. I'll admit it was good and expensive. This time one of my son-in-laws decided he wanted to be part of the tradition, this isn't the same guy that never had an Easter basket, it's the other one - oh sure decide to become part of a tradition when we're going for the mother lode! My son has been on a mission the past couple of times and I'm sure we'll start the tradition back up when he gets home. I don't know where we'll go - but I know it will be expensive and worth every penny!

Selfish?

Dinner with six adults, two teenagers and seven kids eleven and under – that’s fifteen in all. There was two pans of lasagna – stacks of garlic bread, bread sticks, green beans and ceasar salad. I guess I should have known it wasn't going to be a normal meal when the four-year old that blessed the food prayed that we would be able to go to Disneyland. Ashley took a heaping helping of salad, it probably wasn’t half of it - but it looked like it. I questioned her on it –“excuse me there are a lot of people that want salad, you don’t have to be so selfish!” She answered – “I’m not trying to be selfish, I just wanted it.” Is taking more than you need or more than your fair share selfish, or is it just taking care of your wants or perceived needs? That’s a stupid question; I guess those that are selfish or self-centered don’t see it that way. Latrell Sprewell a professional basketball player was offended when his team offered to resign him for only eleven million dollars a year – after he had been making more the year before. I think in his explanation he stated that he “wouldn’t be able to feed his family.” Now if I had to feed the group I mentioned for every meal and we had steak, lobster – what in the heck are they eating? “Bernard Madoff, the author of the biggest Ponzi scheme in history, told inmates at the Butner prison where he is serving his 150 years jail sentence that his victims deserved what happened to them, because they were rich and greedy, according to an article in New York Magazine. One evening a fellow prisoner kept asking Madoff about the victims of his $65 billion scheme and Madoff, angered, said: (blank) my victims. I carried them for twenty years, and now I'm doing 150 years." (CNBC.com 6/7/2010) Madoff – what a great name for a scammer, he “made off” with a lot of other peoples money. I guess it’s not selfish if you think your entitled or those that suffer deserved it. But who gets to be the judge – those that check your kids height, weight and write them a prescription now and then are ten times more important than those that teach them to read. At least you would think so if you checked their pay stubs. Boy - I’m being a lot more political than normal. When it comes to our children, each of them seem to have a different opinion of what they are entitled too. Some don’t ask for much when others seem to have their hand out while the other one is in my back pocket. Now I shouldn’t be throwing the first stone – I think about what’s best for me before those around me all the time – I definitely have more pity parties than birthday parties and that includes all of my families as well. I guess what I’m trying to say is that we should stop once in a while and think of how our actions affect those around us. I’m sure not all of Madoff’s victims could afford to lose their money. All I know is that the lasagna was great - but I didn’t get any salad!

Filler –

There are a number of things that people are scared of: Death, I think we all know why - we’ve never done it before. Taxes, this is especially true when you get a letter or call from the IRS. I’ve never received a call but I have gotten and couple of letters. Both times I was right, but I had to prove it. After a couple of faxes of a birth certificate and social security card they decided to let me keep one of my kids. The next year I think the computer hadn’t gotten all of the bad information out – so I had it do it all over again. It wasn’t that big of a deal, it just delayed part of my return. I think we could go on forever discussing what people are afraid of. They say that one of the most common fears is public speaking. My little sister thought public speaking was talking to anyone other than our family. I think that for the first half of her life she hid behind our mother whenever we left the house. We were only a year apart in school and when we got to high school hardly anyone knew I had a little sister. Maybe that’s because we didn’t look or act a bit alike – it was easy for her to hideout as I was in front of everyone trying to get attention. I was willing to speak anytime – anyplace, whether I was suppose too or not. That doesn’t mean I don’t get nervous or crash and burn once in a while. The scriptures say that if ye are prepared ye shall not fear. I don’t think they were talking about public speaking. But it’s my experience the more prepare you are the better it usually turns out. Normally I’m obsessed when it comes to preparation for talks or presentations – usually I go over it so such you’d think I have it memorized, that may be true if I was twenty years younger – but at my age I don’t remember what I had for dinner yesterday. When most people are speaking they need to have fillers of phases when they change ideas or try to collect their thought. When done right this is a valuable tool – but when it’s not done right it can be quite distracting and detrimental to the presentation. Quite often I need to listen to a speaker or attend a seminar where those that are suppose to be in the know impart of their wisdom. One presenter seemed to be a little disorganized and used the word uhh, is that a word? He used it more than forty times in a fifteen-minute presentation. Now the reason I said more that forty times is because it took a moment before I started counting – that’s when it became obvious it was going to be the theme of his remarks. Now if your audience is counting uhh’s I promise you they will not remember what you wanted them to know. I really don’t think he even knew that he said it once. There are hundreds of words or phrases that people use in this way – but normally they don’t use it that often, or to be honest if they do their not presenting very often. In many religious congregations they call each other brother or sister. This is because we are all part of the family of God. The other night I was asked to give a talk to the male member of our stake – which is a group of wards or congregation. I guess I was a little distracted or was looking for what to say next - as three times during my talk I said “brothers and sisters.” Now this is s phrase I use quite often when there is actually men and woman in the audience. The next speaker trying to bring a little humor into the meeting stood up and said I still can’t see those sisters. Everyone had a laugh at my expense – well except me, I didn’t know what he was talking about.