Beneath the Wraps

        My first week at the Myrtle Creek Ward was on Father’s Day.   Several members introduced themselves to me and Roland.   During Relief Society I was sitting with a sister who thrives on family history.           A sign up list had been passed around for an activity that would take place in a three weeks time.   The sister asked if I had pioneer ancestry and would I be willing to share something from my history.   Sure, I guess.   I do have pioneer ancestors.           When a received a reminder call, I realized that I didn’t have any stories.   As mentioned on previous posts, family history is not my forte – and I don’t do all that well at Church history either.   There is definitely need for improvement.         I do remember my mom telling us about an ancestor named Priddy Me...

Recently my brother Corey experienced a problem with his car.   Instead of complaining about it, he wrote a list of   things that he was grateful for about his situation.   He posted his list to facebook.   I tried sharing his post with my friends – though I think the only ones who might actually have an opportunity to view it are those that Corey is friends with already.   I just really like the attitude he has incorporated into his life. He was grateful that his car had died in the parking lot and not on the crowded streets of Las Vegas. He was grateful that the break down didn’t happen on the way to taking Joh or himself to work.          He was grateful to get roadside assistance through his insurance. He was grateful that the weather was not typical of this time of year, but much cooler to wait in than the normal July heat. Neither he nor Joh were on a schedule in which they had to b...

The Monument: God, Before He sent his children to earth Gave each of them A very carefully selected package Of problems, These, He promised, smiling, Are yours alone, No one Else may have the blessings These problems will bring you. And only you Have the special talents and abilities That will be needed To make these problems Your servants. Now go down to your birth And to your forgetfulness, Know that I love you beyond measure. These problems that I give you Are a symbol of that love. These monuments you make of your life With the help of your problems Will be a symbol of your Love for me. Your Father                                intro thought to Charlie's Monument by Blaine Yorgensen How many of us know 11-year-olds who willingly place themselves in front of the learning channel?   and enjoy it?   Jenna has always enjoyed lea...

       Being in Oregon still feels so surreal to me – like at any given moment I will wake up and be in that cracker box house in West Valley.   Take this morning for instance.   It was definitely cooler than any day that we’ve been here since we had come out for spring break.         I had dropped by the middle school to ask a few more questions.   The front door was open, and there was a light on one of the offices.   I think I heard a vacuum cleaner in the distance. It was before 9:00 am and perhaps was too early and so I decided to return at a later time.         I drove to the pool which was still closed. I decided to sit on a bench and read until the instructor and lifeguards started filing in, and then walk down to do some water aerobic workouts.   I took a few pictures from my cell phone (as I had left my camera at home by the computer) befo...

There is a pool in Myrtle Creek.   We have been there a few times. As I have mentioned several times before, Jenna LOVES the water.   She would like to live in the water 24/7.   We went there yesterday, but I did not get in with her.   I sat on the side lines and mostly read, but every once in a while I would look up to see how she was doing.          Public swimming is from 1:30 to 4:30.   I was surprised to see her willingly get out of the pool and wrap a towel around her and met her on the side.   It wasn’t until then that I learned she had NOT gotten out willingly, but had been kicked out along with everybody else.   I decided to sign her up for swim lessons.          As I stood reading over the schedule, I noticed that water aerobics is taught 5 days a week.   3 days offered Mon, Wed and Fri at 5:30 (which is when the sun is still blasting down) a...