A Few Thoughts

While logging on I noticed that I had 50 blog posts. Hard to believe that 50 days have passed since I started this expedition in the blogosphere. Actually, we may just be 48 days or so as there were a couple of extra posts. Still the time has passed quickly. I am amazed that we are starting the last week of 2010. Anyway, it has been a fun adventure thus far and I have enjoyed recording thoughts and experiences from my life in this format. It has changed a lot of my habits, primarily falling asleep in my journal and writing illegibly. I am also out of the rut of writing the same thing everyday. At least I think I am out of that rut, those that read on a regular basis may feel differently.

As I went to sit down in Sacrament meeting today I saw my good neighbor Ken Betritch. He told me that he had missed me this week and asked when I would be home. Then he invited me to bless the Sacrament. It has been a couple of years since I have had that experience, well more than a couple. I love to participate in that ordinance and appreciate very much the invitation. The balance of Sacrament meeting was made up of a variety of members discussing a few thoughts on their favorite Christmas hymn followed by the congregation singing that hymn. I enjoyed the singing and worked on the bass line for the majority of the hymns. I have learned the bass for most of these songs from my mission days and other choirs that I have participated in. My first day in the mission field my companion said to me, we are going to choir practice. I mentioned that I would be happy to watch them practice and Elder Mayer told me I did not understand, I would be participating in the choir. This was in the Bellville Ward in Cape Town. That was not something I was really comfortable with and then I met Brother C.D. Roode. Brother Roode was the 1st counselor in the bishopric of the Bellville ward and was also the choir director. He was one of my favorite people on my mission. If you've ever seen the movie Mary Poppins you can get a pretty good idea of Brother Roode by picturing the uncle who loves to laugh and is stuck on the ceiling. He was such a lovable and good man. I knew nothing about singing, reading notes or anything and he stuck me in the bass section and helped me learn. I will ever be grateful that I was not allowed to be a spectator of the choir. I have loved singing in the choir since that time and when I am able to do so I do. Well, it was fun singing the Christmas Hymns today.

We wrapped up the Old Testament in Sunday School today and Malachi was a large part of the lesson. One of the most well known scriptures in Malachi is the discussion on Tithing. My thoughts turned to the last year that I did not pay a full tithe. I was roughly 14 years old and we met with Bishop Sakamaki in the Hawaii Kai 2nd ward. I remember gathering in the Bishop's office and having to tell the Bishop that I had not paid a full tithe. I was a bit embarrassed and determined that I would not have that conversation again. I have never had to and am very grateful for the blessings that have been a part of my life because of that decision. I have seen dollars stretched and miracles occur and at the end of this year when expected compensation did not come over the last half of the year we have somehow made it through. I have had to make some hard decisions and we have had to go without some of the luxuries of the past but that is okay as they are only things. My family is what matters most and I am most grateful for them.

I was happy to have Heidi come and sit by me in Sunday School today. She looked beautiful as always. I didn't really have an opportunity to talk with her and hope that she is well.

The week has been long in many instances and yet it has also passed rather quickly. Not many of the things I had hoped to do this week materialized but I did quite enjoy going to the Temple. I have enjoyed being with family. I have missed being with my kids at home. I go back home at 3 AM. That is weird I know but it gives Rachel a chance to put the kids down and get a little sleep before she has to head to Vegas. It will be interesting to go through the adjustment of mom being gone again with the kids. Hopefully it all goes well. The next visit will likely not happen until the summer time and that may consist of the kids going to Alaska for 6 weeks. I am not overly excited about that but it is what was agreed to in the divorce.

Well I have not much more to say, actually there is a lot on my mind but I will keep it there for the time being. I am grateful for and love my kids and family.