20 Too Short 50 Too Long

             My favorite way of teaching is not so much to teach but to conduct.  Ask questions and see where the class members take it.  I learn so much more if we feed off of each other.  So I was excited to learn yesterday that we are expected to teach that way.  In just 20 minutes?  We were told to keep our answers brief.  My examples are NOT always brief.

            We are supposed to study at home.  We were always supposed to study at home.  But not everybody has or does.  It’s crucial.  So I’ve started.  In addition to reading and trying to understand, I study better watching “Come Follow Me” videos – and there are quite a lot of them on my plate and I don’t always get to all of them.

            This week I started with “Teaching With Power” by Ben Wilcox.  He gave three suggestions on what one might teach if prompted to do so.  His first lesson idea is called “Trust, Don’t Lean”.  He starts out with an analogy of a guide for repelling.  My thoughts started flooding in – so much that I could easily fill the 20 minutes by myself. 

            First thought I had was the one and only time I had gone repelling with my two brothers.  I think Steven was only nine at the time.  Frank was the name of the guide who was at one end of the rope as we made our way to the bottom.  As he prepared each participant with gear and instructions would ask, “Do you trust me?” 

            Steven would yell, “I trust Frank” .

            With each participant Steven would raise his voice in hopes that Frank would hear him.  When it finally came Steven’s turn to be dropped over the side (and I do mean drop) Frank asked, “Do you trust me?”

            Instead of his enthusiastic yell, Steven quietly said “Well, sort of.”

            How many times do we seek the advice of the Lord but are hesitant to follow his council?  Where is our faith?

            I thought about two talks given in conference of April this year. One is this week’s assigned reading for Relief Society is “Jesus Christ Is the Way” by Elder Brian J. Holmes of the Seventy.  The other one is “Choose Jesus Christ as Your Guide” by Edward B. Rowe.  Both such powerful talks.

            I thought about the TV program called “Wagon Train” where experienced guides lead pioneers from Missouri to California.  

During their three or four month travel sometimes there are those who don’t understand why they would lead the wagons one way as opposed to another or don’t have the patience to wait when the wagons come to a halt and they are asked to set up camp until the weather changes or the danger passes or what have you. Some choose to leave the wagon train while others allow their prejudices to take over and con others into following them rather than the experienced guides. 

            There are so many movies made about those making bad decisions based on their own understandings rather than putting their faith in the guide.  I thought of two – One called "The Mountain Between Us" which I describe here 

I don’t remember the title of the other but I think it was based off of one of Jack London’s books, A guide in Alaska take a spoiled couple to unfamiliar territory or attempts to.  They never make it to their destination as the weather becomes unbearable and the guide turns the team around.  They offer more money but there are certain things that can’t be bought – such as wisdom. 

So many examples!  I don’t know how short I can keep my comments so I don’t know how much I may contribute to either lesson.  It will be interesting.

Thunder, Rain, Bonnie

 

I remember having feared thunderstorms when I was a child.  I quite like them now – although the lightening still creates concern as of the many fires we’ve had in this state and I guess across the nation.

This morning the thunder was quite loud and the lightening looked close.  Perhaps too close. 

I am no longer afraid of the sound produced by the thunder.  Even though it disturbed my sleep I did enjoy the sounds.  I was in awe that Bonnie didn’t seem bothered by the storm.  But something else was ailing her.  She had an upset stomach.  But she inhales her food.  Something disagreed with her.

She’s an insecure dog.  Doesn’t like to be alone.  Didn’t react to the thunder.  She doesn’t like the rain.  Neither does Richard.  Missed two vendor set ups because of the rain.  We did go to the park yesterday.  It was slow but we did make some profit.  We have now added these Halloween decorations.

Motorcycle Ministry

           A few weeks ago we were finishing up our day as vendors in Myrtle Creek.  A consumer had talked to Richard about setting up as vendors in a church parking lot in Canyonville.  We were told it was open on Fridays. 

          We had gone on a Friday and saw one vendor set up and one waiting for direction.  We were finally told to set up in the dirted area if we planned on leaving before six but could set up in the parking lot if we planned to stay until six.  We chose the part day option.

          Richard traded the first vendor an amplifier for a large bag of figs and grapes.  I believe we got the better deal.  I think that vendor stayed only a few hours before he left.  Meanwhile another vendor set up camp next to us.  We were so far back it’s a wonder we made any sales.  We were told that we could vendor on Wednesday when they had better sales.  Uh, no.

          There is a food truck that gives out free produces.  They were in the parking lot and we were near the fence hoping to sell product.  We had a few lookers but no buyers.  After the food truck ran out of produce, they left and Richard and I could see no purpose in remaining in the lot – the ONLY vendors there. 

          As we were packing up we met Tony.  He presented us with 22 dollars and told us to allow others to take product at his expense.  I did not notice his motorcycle that day.  But he talked to us again yesterday.  He rides his motorcycle from Coos Bay.  I don’t know how often.  I did give away a tea light stand (which I’ve dubbed as a Jack-O-Lantern. 

We still have more items to give at Tony’s expense.  But we will be doing it at Myrtle Creek or Seven Feathers.  I don’t expect we will be returning to the Church.  It was worth a shot and we did meet some fine people.  But it doesn’t work for us as vendors.

Sold product as Myrtle Creek today and will still fulfill the passalongs at Tony’s expense. So nice to meet such a kind hearted man.

Missing Fruit

           The first counselor of the bishopric has been conducting the meetings for this month. It was fast and testimony meeting on August first.  He invited youth to come share their testimonies with warning if they did not do it that week that they would be called upon to share the following week.

          I have been in some wards where when speakers were not present the bishop has called speakers out of the audience.  Some are gifted enough to pull it off.  I would like to be one that can.

          Two years ago I would study the “come follow me” lessons as though I would need to teach.  And last year our bishop used the outline for sacrament meeting talks.  Thus I would study the lesson with a certain topic in mind that I could prepare a talk.  This year?  Sometimes I can find something to share from the Old Testament.  But not every week.

          When the youth were sharing testimonies about their time at camp, I tried to reflect on past activities that I had done as either a youth or youth leader.  Of course the leader ones stood out better as they happened more recently.  I had served the two years prior to my engagement and then marriage to Richard.

          One of the experiences that stood out was a reenactment of Lehi’s dream.  We were asked to hang onto a rope which represented the Iron Rod.  If called upon I would have given a talk relating to that experience as found here. 

I Won’t Be DWTS

           I had signed up for a dance class in my junior year of high school.  It was not on my schedule of classes.  I still wanted to take the class and tried to transfer in.  Nada.  And then I got my report card.  They had me failing this class that I wanted to take but wasn’t taking.  Apparently my name was on the role.  I was so mad!

          The office had a different schedule than the one I had.  I had tried to transfer into the class and the instructor didn’t even recognize my name as her absentee student?  I was angry.  I let every faculty member know how I felt.  It was wrong!  Their failed system was not my fault. 

          Grade retracted.  I did not fail the class I hadn’t taken.  I still wanted the class . . . or so I believed.

          Almost 50 years later I am watching the talents of the pros on Dancing With the Stars and the need for two other dancers to join their team.  I am amazed at what their bodies can do as they learn and create routines and get thrown around and learn new steps and perform in such a short time.  Wow. 

          Start while you’re young.  Even before high school – which I did.  Mom had enrolled me in various dance classes but it is not something I pursued.  It was probably better for me in the long run to not have been part of the class.  I was on the skinny side and may have been one of the dancers that was thrown.  But it’s in the past.  It’s a forgotten desire.

          When I look at the dancers performing on Dancing With the Stars I am in awe.  What talent.  What creativity.  What excruciating hard work!  Probably why it is only on twice a year.  The dancers might need the four to six month rest.  How does that even work?  Do they get a break?  They are putting their bodies in jeopardy every bit as football players who land on each other or hockey players who may sometimes slide and fall or any other athlete of so many different sports.  Dancers are athletes in a sense as it is physically demanding and teamwork is very important.

          I think it’s a great opportunity for those who have that desire and ambition.  I don’t know that I would have had the desire.  I’m not competitive for one thing.  I do have a heart murmur which I’m guessing I’ve had since childhood and thus I do get easily wiped out just walking.  And to be able to dance in heels.  Forget that!

          I appreciate dancers.  I appreciate performers.  I enjoy the music and talents of those who play instruments and sing.  My talent doesn’t lie in singing either.  But I do like to sing and I do like to dance almost as much as I enjoy watching dances and listening to music.

Never Too Early for Halloween

 Jaime's favorite holiday.  New sale introduced yesterday.

Queen Anne's Lace

 Since Sugar and Cocoa have left, Queen Anne's Lace seems to have taken over the yard.  Overall I don't miss the goats.   It would be nice to have a weed free yard.  Dream on!