Nat Castle

So Natty hit me with a few school projects all due on Wednesday.  Oh my goodness.  I am exhausted.  She was rather concerned about this castle she has to build.  At first she kept talking about using my tools.  Happily I reccomended using something that doesn't require wood - Rice Kripsee treats. 

So tonight I bought 120 Rice Krispee treats and I took care of the base.  There is still painting to do., well frosting anyway.    And that is all I have to say abut this. 

Here is what I came up with.  Hope Natty likes it.  I am off to bed now. 

o oOOOO OOOOo o o o o o o o o

Confused? Wondering what the heck this title is all about? Any guesses? No, it is not a freak binary code, it has nothing to do with the Mayan calendar or the end of civilization as we know it. It is really quite simple. It's the 4 8 8 4 wheel pattern of the Union Pacific Big Boy Steam Locomotive followed by the 14 wheel centipede style tender. I found a picture of this on the Internet yesterday that was beautiful. I will see if I can add it here. 

Some of you may remember Jack's Big Boy Testimony from a couple of months ago.  It was a favorite and when I wrote about that I discussed a need to tie this train thing into the gospel.  Today I had an assignment to instruct the Elders Quorum.  I was given the topic of taking the lead in our homes.  I have known of this assignment for a couple of months now and have pondered it some.  A few days ago I had the impression that I should talk a little bit about the Big Boy.  I thought a lot about it and I saw a direct tie into the gospel.  As Jack could eloquently report, the Big Boy can pull a five and a half mile train on level track.  The Big Boy is a strong leader that leads its cargo down a course or track that has been laid before it that when followed is safe and leads to the right destination.  Strong leaders in the Church are easily identified as the Prophet, his counselors and the quorum of the Twelve.  In today's lesson we discussed a more personal responsibility with leadership.  We talked of prophetic priorities and then discussed our responsibility as holders of the priesthood to be strong leaders and Patriarchs in our homes.   I really enjoyed this lesson not only because it opened my eyes to the Big Boy but because it reminded me of my duty to God and to my family. 

We didn't just talk about the big boy.  I did get up and draw the series of circles on the chalk board just like they are shown in the title.  I asked the brethren what it was.  There were a few guesses that were not even close.  I then read them the Jack's Big Boy testimony and many had a good laugh as they remembered it well.  The meat of the lesson came from Elder Bednars conference address from April 2012.  It is called The Powers of Heaven and in it Elder Bednar beautifully explains the authority and also the power of the Priesthood.  Members of the church who hold the priesthood do so with authority.  It was conferred upon them by one who has the authority and can be linked back to the restoration of both the Aaronic and Melchizedek Priesthood to the earth through the Prophet Joseph Smith by John the Baptist and also by Peter, James and John.  Those who hold the Priesthood have a responsibility to act and to exercise that Priesthood in the building up of the kingdom of God and the work of salvation. 

I remember sitting in conference and while listening to this talk having the impression that it was the material I would use in my lesson.  What a powerful reminder to me of what my responsibility is to my family and to the Lord.  I am grateful for the opportunity to learn and I hope that some were strengthened in the process.  I am grateful for the restoration of the Priesthood of God and to hold that Priesthood.  I am grateful for that authority in my life and hope to live worthy so that I can strengthen my family and others through the Power of the Priesthood.      

Bested by the Soda Fountain

I've got a sleeping Andy in a chair behind me.  He just had one of those falling dreams and jolted pretty good in his sleep.  He woke up and with eyes wide open he told me he just fell in a hole in his dream and was laughing a bit.  Sure do love my kids and the simple things in life that get them excited.

So tonight we were hard at work at the Little Brick House in an effort to get the new walls and everything up by Monday AM.  It is going to be tough but I believe we can do it.  Anyway, as part of this effort we needed to remove the Coke machine.  We will be moving to Pepsi but cannot wait for their equipment install to make these changes. 

Anyway, Dave and I were starting to move the coke machine and one of the legs fell down into a hole in the top of the counter.  It smashed my right hand pretty good and also managed to hit my Jaw.  Those things are extremely heavy but we managed to move it but it wasn't without a bit of a beat down.  It's not everyday that I am bested or beat up by the soda fountain.  I am certainly feeling it in my Jaw right now but alas I will survive. 

Got No Time

I believe it is The Guess Who that sings a song about having no time.  No time for a summer friend, no time for the love you send, seasons change and so did I, you need not wonder why, need not wonder why.  Wow, I think I may actually have some of those lyrics right though I really had no intention of writing them in this blog.  I was only thinking of the line in the song that says; I got, got, got, got no time...  Anywho, great song.  Love The Guess Who. 

The point to all of this is that I often lack the time to do all that I need to in a day.  That makes life very busy and leaves me exhausted at night when I sit down to type this.  I usually end up fighting to stay awake.  Oh my goodness.  Well, fail.  I just woke up and have not finished this post.  It is now 1:30 AM.  Perhaps I could come up with some sort of a 30 minute energy drink that would allow me to make it through a blog post with plenty of energy and the ability to focus solely on the task at hand.  I could call it Got No Time.  I'm sure it would be wonderful.  Who really wants 5 hours of energy at this time of night?  30 Minute Energy would be perfect.  Oh to dream.   

 

Like a Wild Pony

I was trying my hand, or hands at Punch Out on the Wii tonight and could not beat Soda Popinski.  He whooped my trash a few times.  I am not one that likes to give up real easy but the time for bed had arrived and so we shut it down.  Jack was excited to hear about it and when I told him I was getting my  trash handed to me he gave me a little pep talk.  "You need to get in there and fight like a wild pony".  I don't know about you but I am ready to get in that ring once again to take on the big Russian.  I am not completely clear on how a wild pony fights but I imagine it could be pretty fierce, it would definitely be, well, wild.  It's going to take that kind of a pony to get me past Soda Popinski. 

In other exciting news I rode a long board skateboard for the first time today.  It belongs to Amy and so we, meaning Amy, Dave and myself, tested it in the LBH parking lot.  I then decided to go up 400 a little bit.  I got a nice little ride in.  I think I caught Amy and Dave by surprise.  Not so sure they had any confidence, but really, who could have confidence when you see that you're going up against a wild pony? 

Cub Scout Jack

I was floored this evening when Jack and Andy and I went over the the Brinkerhoffs home to learn more about Cub Scouts.  Jack of course just turned 8 and is officially a Cub Scout or will officially be one soon.  We went over to learn more about the program and to get acquainted with the leaders.  It was a good visit and I think Jack is pretty excited.

It became quite clear that the most important part of Cub Scouts, at least for Jack, is the Pinewood Derby.  He requested that the derby not be held in the months of June or July when he will be up in Alaska.  He provided insight on his cousin Clayton's Garbage Truck derby car.  He also decided that we needed to make his derby car now, two of them in fact, so we could start training them.  Sounds like we will have the best trained derby cars at the derby whenever it comes about.  So exciting.

Jack had several fun comments throughout the conversation.  He was also very excited about getting his uniform.  He was ready to go and get it.  Tomorrow perhaps.  Anyhow, welcome aboard Cub Scout Jack!

Who am I?

Natty had a bad experience today when some kids at school said some pretty mean things to her.  She was upset and hurt.  I had some thoughts about this and how painful certain things can be.  At the same time, when we know who we are there is strength beyond measure. 

I don't mean to over simplify and I certainly don't want to set the hurt aside because that can be a very real thing.  When we are in those moments of hurt and pain we need to remember who we are.  We are children of our Heavenly Father who loves us.  He knows who we are.  He knows our needs.  He stands ready to receive us if we will come unto him.  When we know who we are and have a firm testimony that we our a child of God, we are strengthened against those who would have us believe otherwise.  

I am grateful for a loving Savior.  I am grateful for the experiences I have had in my life that have brought me to my knees and helped me to gain a testimony of the Savior.  I know that he lives and that he loves each of us.  He knows who we are and knows our individual needs.