Raindance, freezer, and a closed lobby

Dear Family,

As I write this email entry, I am sitting outside the kids' bedroom doors (they're not sleeping, or anywhere close to it) and Mom and Abbie are downstairs chatting with Mark.  So some of you can read this in near-real time together! :)

Looking forward to a great day tomorrow clearing out the tomatoes etc. and giving the lawn its final mowing of the year.

Love to all!

Dad

Friday, October 30, 2020
8:46 pm

Today was not a good COVID day – there were over 2,200 new cases in Utah, and the state issued an emergency alert that the state's ICU usage is dangerously close to capacity.  For the past several days I've wondered why our lobby was closed all summer when the cases ranged between 300-500 per day, but now that the cases are four to six times as high the lobby is open.  I was thinking about closing the lobby and had actually started an email the Board sharing plans to close next week when the alert came through.  That pushed me over the edge, and we closed the lobby today at 4 pm.  I don't think it will reopen until Utah County is out of the "High Transmission" range, which probably won't be until spring.

In other news… Julie noticed yesterday that the freezer under the fridge was not working well.  This morning I checked it and it was essentially a fridge.  The ice cream was melted and everything was cold but thawed.  I called Peter Jordan (ward member who owns an appliance repair business) and asked if he would take a look at it.  By lunchtime he had diagnosed and fixed it.  He told Julie, "I usually charge $350 for this service, but I'm okay if you pay me whatever you think is right."  I so appreciate that generosity and goodness, and I also appreciate the fact that without having to talk to me about it, Julie knew it was "right" to pay $350 for the repair, and that we have the money to do it.  It's all fixed again and things are getting cold.

Tonight the kids were wiggly, so after dinner we played Raindance while listening to fast music.  We decided that it works best to have Emma and Camilla on a team. Everyone had fun, and only Camilla needed an ice pack when she bonked her head on the couch.

One funny thing – I had a dream last night that I was laughing at something funny.  I laughed and laughed and laughed, until my sides hurt and I couldn't breathe.  I woke up smiling, enjoying the memory of a wholesome laugh, even if it was only in a dream.  I wouldn't mind that dream every night.

Thankful: I am so thankful for modern conveniences, and for the means to provide for the needs of our family.  When something needs to be done, we can do it.  That was not a blessing we enjoyed when I was young.  I only hope that my kids don't grow up without understanding the need to budget, sacrifice, and delay gratification.

Ministering: Sadly, the woman I mentioned in yesterday's entry is still struggling with great uncertainty and a scary future.  I spent about an hour working on her situation today.  We didn't get anything resolved today and won't have some of the information we need for about a week.  It's not a good situation. 

I also received a text today from Guy thanking me for the note I sent him earlier in the week.  Tomorrow I need to check in with the Briggs family again.

More later…

Some photos of tonight:

Trying to see Nathaniel's tooth.  Epic fail.

Reading scriptures while wearing undies on your head...  What?  Don't you do that?

Nathaniel found a great chew toy.

Getting my feet under me

Dear family,

I'm getting to bed closer to on time tonight!  I spent a fair amount of time today trying to get things organized for Bishopric stuff.

Mark, I haven't forgotten your request for a photo of me as a missionary.  I'll get that to you soon!  I've also been thinking about you today as you get your new companion and begin training.  Please know that we are praying for both of you.

Off to bed.  Love to all!

Dad

Wednesday, October 28, 2020
10:37 pm

Dad Woodward is here visiting, and all the big people are in talking to him and playing instruments instead of sleeping.  Silly people! 😊  I've been in the living room working on Bishop stuff, trying to get things organized.  Tithing settlement needs to start right away, we have two YW class presidencies to set apart, and I'm trying to figure out the best way to organize ourselves.  We will get there!

This morning wasn't terribly effective at work, but the afternoon got much better.  After the crush of two audits and the strategic planning meeting, it feels really weird to have all those things done.

I sent an email to 25 people today asking for feedback on how I can become a better leader.  It's the first assignment from a business coach I'm working with for the next 90 days.  It will be interesting to see what I learn and how I change.  He's a Christian who spent the first 15 years of his career as a pastor.  I told him he doesn't have to keep his Bible closed when we are working together.  Truth is truth, and I'd love to have it straight.

Thankful: I am thankful that everyone went to sleep reasonably well tonight so I could work on the Bishopric items that needed to happen.

Ministering: I sent a thank you note to each of the members of the outgoing Bishopric today, thanking them for their service.  I also sent a sympathy note to the Briggs.

More later…

Today's photo is a tribute to our beautiful flower garden this summer.  It froze on Sunday, and mom and the kids tore it out today.

Love you all

Tuesday, October 27, 2020
10:50 pm

Great day.  Julie had an ultrasound and the baby appears to be growing perfectly.  What a wonderful, miraculous blessing.  Visited w/ Bishop Lewis to discuss what needs he has been addressing in the ward.  Met online with a business coach I am going to start working with.  I feel good about that.  It's going to stretch me and help me become better.

After dinner we had a nerf gun capture the flag activity.  No one got hurt or felt slighted.  Double win! 

Had our first bishopric meeting tonight.  It went really well   I am going to enjoy working with these brethren.  We are already working on our first callings to extend on Sunday.

Thankful: A perfect, healthy pregnancy.  Huge, huge blessing.

Ministering: I texted Laurie Briggs and worked with Sis. Hansen on the funeral arrangements for Brandon.  Sounds like the family is going to work through the funeral home for everything.  I want to be available to help as needed.

More later…

This photo isn't from tonight's nerf gun war, but it looks the same.

Late again

Sunday, October 25, 2020
9:30 pm

Need to type fast to record my ideas and get to sleep, and because my laptop battery is almost dead.  Today was a nice day.  I started at High Council meeting and got to share my testimony with the members of the High Council.  They are good men and I was uplifted serving with them.  We had some stake sustainings to do today, and I was instructed that I was not to attend the Fourth Ward, but should instead spend the morning with my family.  Bro. Ells took care of the business.  I appreciated that small act of service for me and my family.

We got the first snow of the year today, and built our first real fire.  It felt really nice.

Church today was nice.  Pres. Brinkerhoff said some very nice things about me and our family, and encouraged the members of the ward to pray for our family.  Bishop Lewis shared his testimony and reiterated the Be-attitudes from Pres. Hinckley. He finished by sharing a recent experience in which he dreamed of the importance of the temple, and encouraged us to strive for excellence in all we do.  That was particularly meaningful for me, because over the past week as I have pondered what to say to the ward as the new Bishop, I felt impressed to focus on those same two themes.  It was a witness to me that the Lord is in charge, and that this transition is His will and will accomplish His purposes.

I rejoice in the blessings Pres. Brinkerhoff pronounced as he ordained me a Bishop and set me apart to this calling.  I tried to remember the specific things he said, and Spencer did a great job making notes and sending them to me.  His list is here:

·       Spirit confirmation that this is the right time for you to be bishop.

·       Spirit of discernment

·       Know that family is first.

·       Ability to delegate responsibilities

·       Know the ways in which to help Aaronic Priesthood holders

·       Ability to bear testimony

·       Understanding on the Atonement

·       Love of repentance

·       Ability to repent daily

That is quite comprehensive and is almost everything I remember him saying.  A couple additional points that I remember him saying include:

·       I will be blessed with the gift of prophecy and revelation.  This exact phrase is in my patriarchal blessing.

·       God will bless me in my profession, and I will recognize miracles that I would not otherwise see.  I wasn't sure if this blessing was that I would see miracles that I otherwise wouldn't notice, or receive miracles that otherwise wouldn't be given to me.

Monday, October 26, 2020
9:46 pm

I ran out of battery last night before I could finish writing.  Today was another good day.  I had a nice visit with Mark before lunch…..

And now it's almost 11:30.  Nathaniel wouldn't go to sleep, Abigail needed help with calculus, and the kitchen was a mess.  Good night!

More later…

Nathaniel looks good in a bow tie!

Good night

Saturday, October 24, 2020
11:12 pm

Really happy with how today's strategic planning meeting went.  We accomplished the things I wanted to and laid a good groundwork for next year.  Now I need to identify leading measures that will enable us to accomplish what I really want, which is growth in the number and quality of service we provide.  (Terrible sentence but that's what I'm aiming for.)

After the meeting I went to David and Lisa's house for James' birthday.  David and Lisa had cancelled the event but forgot to tell us, so we joined them for chili for dinner.  Julie and Jessie drove the Clarity home; I took Bertha with everyone else.

I picked the ripe tomatoes, peppers and pumpkins tonight – in the dark by the light of a headlamp – because we should have a hard freeze tonight or tomorrow.  There are hundreds of green tomatoes on our vines, and many that are unripe are larger than any that ripened.  About two weeks ago I turned off the water, making me think that I was over-watering all summer, and that with less water I would have gotten larger fruit.  I'll try that next year.

Thankful: I'm so thankful for a good job, and that the strategic planning meeting was a success.

Ministering: I helped David move a large hutch into his living room.  I also had a nice visit with Don Vinson while I was driving.  It was a joint ministering to each other.

More later…

James blowing out the candles on his birthday cookie.

Neil and Isaac went fishing with grandpa.  Isaac is a better fisherman than his dad!

Medium or charred?

Dear family,

Time for sleeping.  I love you all!

Dad

Friday, October 23, 2020
11:07 pm

I think everything is ready for our strategic planning meeting tomorrow.  Had dinner at Ruth's Chris with the Board tonight.  Dinner was delicious.  My filet was perfectly medium, Julie's was appropriately blackened.  Finished with berries and cream for dessert, and I didn't eat too much.

It was funny – Nathaniel came with us.  I carried him in to the restaurant and greeted several Board members.  I introduced Nathaniel to someone and they asked, "Is this number eight?"  "No," I responded, "Number nine."  "Oh, when is number ten coming?" they asked.  "In February," I replied.  "Wait seriously?"  Ha ha ha ha!  It was classic.

Thankful: I'm so blessed to have a good job that lets me do what I am good at and make a difference for others.

Ministering: I hope I am ministering to Stacy and Suzanne by giving them opportunity and responsibility to present tomorrow.

More later…

I didn't take any photos today.  Can't remember if I already shared this one.  I love it.

Dos!

Hi family,

It was a good day today.  Jessie made taco soup for dinner tonight and it was delicious.  And it doesn't have anything her body disagrees with, so she got to have it too!

Mark, I forgot to mention I read the cat drama email last night.  I'm so sorry.  En verdad, los gatos SI son basura! 

More laundry to fold, scriptures to read, and a bed that really wants me to visit a little more frequently.

Love to all!

Dad

Thursday, October 22, 2020
9:12 pm

This morning started with a howling baby.  I was up packing lunches when I heard Nathaniel start to cry.  I made a bottle for him and took it up to Julie to feed him.  He ate most of the bottle, then protested any attempt to put him back in bed.  Julie handed him off to me at 6:30 and went back to bed.  I finished packing lunches, tried to feed Nathaniel some cereal, read a few stories with the little girls, and folded a load of laundry with the help of Neil, Isaac, Emma and Camilla.  Then Julie came down, showered and dressed, we prayed, and I went to work a little late.

Work today was really productive.  I revised a plan for how we pay for our employees' insurance benefits, worked on some presentations for Saturday's strategic planning meeting, and had a marketing meeting.

After dinner I played Dos with Spencer, Neil and Isaac.  I got clobbered but had fun doing it.

Tonight Julie had a primary presidency meeting.  I did the best I could to put the kids in bed solo.  That is not easy!!  I tried putting Nathaniel in the red backpack while reading scriptures, but that didn't work too well.  I ended up asking Neil to finish reading scriptures and Isaac to read a chapter of Wild Robot while I fed Nathaniel a bottle and put him in bed.  And it worked!

Thankful: I've made good progress preparing for this weekend's meeting. I'm glad for that and look forward to our meeting.

Ministering: I worked with Stacy today to help her prepare to do part of our presentation on Saturday.  I want to help her build skills and have experiences that help her.

More later…

Yesterday's lunch.  I really don't think you can go wrong with avocado, bacon, and blue cheese.

I have counselors!

Dear family,

I am blessed and love you all!

Dad

Wednesday, October 21, 2020
11:12 pm

Folded three loads of laundry last night and one more this morning to minister to my family.  Also unloaded both dishwashers, reloaded one, and got two loads of laundry cycled, all before going to work this morning.  Not a bad start to the day.  I love leaving love notes all over the house for Julie to find!

Work today was really productive.  I was able to stay focused.  If I can use tomorrow as effectively, I should have everything ready for my meeting on Saturday.

Tonight my counselors were called and accepted.  I visited with each of them after their call, and it was delightful.  Pres. Brinkerhoff told each of them that a priority is for them to protect my time.  That was so kind.  Both of my counselors expressed a willingness to do whatever I ask, and want to serve.  I am so grateful for them and look forward to working with them.  Also, Mom came over for a couple hours while I was at the self-reliance class tonight to help with bedtime.  I feel that the Lord is sustaining me and our family already.

Thankful: See above.

Ministering: See above.

More later…

For Christmas, Mark received a leadership quote calendar.  Now that he is on his mission, I inherited the calendar.  I love it.  Here was a recent quote I liked.

Learning wisdom

Hello wonderful family!

I love you all and hope your day was terrific.

Love,

Dad

Tuesday, October 20, 2020
8:54 pm

I got lots done today in preparation for my strategic planning meeting this weekend.  I feel good that I accomplished several of the priorities I identified this morning.  I hope to do the same tomorrow.

I also had an experience that left me feeling frustrated.  Without going into details (they aren't important and just sound whiney), I felt like I was taken advantage of.  As I've thought about this, I am learning two lessons:

1.       Don't complain about something if I haven't been clear in my communication.  Looking back, I did not do a very good job communicating expectations.  I assumed one thing, while the other person thought something different.

2.       I want to be very careful not to do the same thing to other people.  I know this situation was not intentional, but I feel frustrated anyway.  Do I ever behave in a way that is insensitive or that takes advantage of another person's generosity inappropriately?

Instead of being irritated, I am going to choose to make this a positive experience.  Not only will this help me as I implement the two lessons listed above, I can also help the other person become better by communicating clearly and with kindness, challenging them to elevate their sights and become a better person.  (And getting enough sleep would probably also be a positive development!)

Tonight we trimmed the wings of the three chickens that continually fly out of the chicken yard, then had dinner.  I read several books to the little girls, then Wild Robot at bedtime.

Thankful: I am thankful that I am becoming more even keeled.  In the past I would have reacted differently to the frustrating experience I had today, and it would not have been productive.  I would have vented and rehashed all the details to many people, replaying the situation over and over in my mind.  That's a bad use of emotional energy and doesn't help anyone.

Ministering: I am going to minister to my family by folding a load of laundry before going to sleep on time tonight.

More later…

Jessie and Abbie both left me notes years ago when they came to work with me as part of job shadow day.  I've left those notes where they posted them, and I smile every time I see them.

The cannibal queen with the big nose ring

Dear family,

Mark, I loved your email tonight.  Thanks for your good insights and for teaching others about the Book of Mormon. Sorry I missed talking with you.

Much love to everyone,

Dad

Monday, October 19, 2020
8:48 pm

Dad and I went to lunch today and had a nice visit together.  We talked about my new calling and the experience receiving and accepting that calling.  Also talked about some ideas to make my service effective and to wisely use time.  I am very hopeful that this will be a good experience for our ward, my family, and me personally.

After work Julie, Nathaniel and I went to the high school with Abbie for the induction ceremony to the National Honor Society.  Nathaniel was well behaved, but noisy.  It was cute when it wasn't time to be quiet, and he was a little distracting when everyone else was quiet.  Fortunately there was a lot of clapping, so he could be himself.  Then we got home and did FHE.

Thankful: I'm thankful that the High Council is approving the names I submitted to serve as my counselors.  It has been kind of funny watching emails from my fellow High Councilors approving these names, and even funnier adding my own email "approving" them too.

Ministering: Dad and I ate our lunch at the outside dining area at Guru's today.  As we were finishing our lunch, two young ladies came out and sat at another table but were struggling with the umbrella because it was broken.  We offered them our table with its already-set-up umbrella, and they gratefully accepted, saying that was "very sweet."  I didn't mean it to be "sweet," just kind.  Good enough.

More later…

Abbie's NHS induction

No caption needed.  Just smile...

Searching the scriptures

Dear family,

I enjoyed our scripture study today with everyone.  Based on mom/Grandma's comment, I added a few more people to this daily email list.  I hope each of you know how important you are to me.  I hope you feel that love through this (mostly) daily email.

Much love,

Dad

Sunday, October 18, 2020
9:00 pm

Today I joined the 4^th Ward Council.  They do a great job watching over their ward.  I was glad to share a couple ideas that hopefully will help them.

Most of us family attended another ward in the area to watch Spencer and a friend from school do a special musical number.  Spencer accompanied on the piano as Donna sang Reaching Out (I think that was the song).  They did a great job.  As he played, I realized how proud I am of my children.  Each of them is talented in his or her own way, and uses those talents to bless others.  I stand in awe.

We attended our ward remotely today since Abbie is still technically in quarantine.  (Don't bring up the fact that she attended the other ward with us this morning.)

This afternoon Dad, Mom and Randy came over for a scripture activity.  We talked about searching the scriptures.  I pointed out that searching often implies that we are searching for something. We don't search aimlessly; we have a purpose, objective, or question in mind.  Julie suggested that another way to search the scriptures is to make time to ponder after studying.  Sometimes a quiet mind provides the opportunity for the Holy Ghost to answer questions we didn't know to ask.  Both approaches are good, and are better when done intentionally.

After this discussion, everyone wrote on a slip of paper a reference to a scripture that is meaningful to them, then hid that paper in the house. We then all went and "searched (for) the scriptures."  Each person was supposed to find the scriptures hidden by another person.  When we found them, every person shared their scripture and why it was meaningful to them.  It was a really meaningful exercise.

After dinner and dessert we read Boxes for Katje.  I can never read that story without crying.  It makes me appreciate generosity and hate war.  And now everyone is in bed and I'm writing in my journal on time! 😊

Thankful: I am thankful for so many things.  I'm grateful for the sacrament and the chance to think about what I am doing and how I can improve with God's help.  I'm thankful for good experiences with my family.  I'm thankful that the Holy Ghost can change me and is changing me.  (I just wish I was better at my part of it…)

Ministering: I hope I ministered to the Fourth ward through my calling.  I also worked with Evan Clements to get a better mic setup for the sacrament meeting broadcast today, and it helped all three wards in our building.  And I tried to say "yes" to my children as much as possible today.

A birthday note from Emma to Lila

S’mores

Photos of yesterday's fun. More details in a proper journal entry tonight. 

Ken

Sent from my mobile device

Please forgive any strange auto-corrections! 

Rocks rock!

No journal tonight. Tummy feels queasy. Maybe I'm Pregnant? A couple photos of today's rock hunting expedition. Good night!

Ken

Sent from my mobile device

Please forgive any strange auto-corrections! 

My car is quiet!

Dear family,

I love you all, and am heading to bed!

Love,

Dad

Wednesday, October 14, 2020
10:50 pm

Spent a lot of today in meetings.  The exam is going mostly well, but they pointed out some areas we need to improve.  It's amazing how we can go through a BSA audit a dozen times, and then even though there are no changes to the regs, they point out something that we should be doing.  Ugh, I dislike the BSA requirements.  I've got one meeting with the examiners tomorrow morning and two on Friday, then this exam should be done.

I got the Clarity back from the Honda dealership this afternoon.  The grinding noise was coming from a bad wheel bearing.  The car is now as quiet as I thought an electric car should be.  It's amazing.  Now I really like this car! 😊

Tonight I attended the self-reliance class again.  The topic is on retaining customers, and I came away with a couple more ideas I can try to implement at the credit union.  It is nice to listen to the other members of the class; it sounds like this is really helping several of them actually come up with ideas they can implement.  I also visited with Jay Young.  He was recently released as the bishop of his ward and was called yesterday as the new stake self-reliance coordinator.  We had a good visit about what the calling entails.  He's got some good ideas and even joined our meeting tonight via Zoom.  I think he'll do a great job.

If I hurry, I can get to sleep at a good hour tonight.

Thankful: I'm thankful that Julie is laughing with Addie tonight.  Addie is over planning our fall break activities, and it sounds like they are having a lot of fun together.

Ministering: I reached out to Josh Barwick. He's a member of our Self-Reliance group but didn't make it tonight.  He said it had been a rough day.  I tried to offer encouragement and help.

More later…

Playing at David and Lisa's last week.

Nathaniel likes my hymns

Dear family,

Always remember that I love you!

Work today went super fast.  I got more docs for the auditors, fixed some computer stuff, and finished a loan or two that got started last Friday while Stacy was gone.  I left work right on time – 4:45 pm – to pick Spencer up from marching band.  Nathaniel and I took a walk before dinner.  He enjoyed that, singing over the bumpy parts of the road in the stroller.  He's having a hard time sleeping tonight, hence the late entry.

Almost forgot - we also put up 7 quarts of tomatoes.  The kids picked, Jessie, Spencer, Emma and Camilla were great helpers.

More later…

sunset

We have 2 missionaries again!

Dear Family,

It was an eventful day today.  I'm grateful that I got to spend it with (most of) you.  Mark, I look forward to talking to you tomorrow.  Have a good night and remember how much I love you!

Love,

Dad

Sunday, October 11, 2020

10:02 pm

This afternoon Jessie was set apart as a full-time missionary again to fulfill a service mission in Utah Valley.  Pres. Brinkerhoff gave her a beautiful blessing.  I am grateful for his worthy and inspired exercise of the priesthood keys he holds.

I got to teach the EQ lesson today via Zoom, and I really enjoyed it.  The technology worked well enough, and it was delightful to interact with members of my quorum.

David and Lisa came down for dinner tonight.  They looked at a house that is for sale in Hobble Creek Canyon.  The price is in their range, but the property is literally on the edge of the canyon, and they didn't feel safe raising their small children there.  Totally understandable.  Dinner was yummy.  Then they left and we sang some hymns together.  It was nice.

Thankful: I am thankful for the many good things that happened today.  I'm thankful for the gift of the Holy Ghost that I felt more clearly as I fasted today.  It was a good day.

Ministering: I'm going to minister to Sis. Pike with a "thank you" text.  She was released today as RS President after serving faithfully for several years.  I really enjoyed working with her both as a member of the Bishopric and as the EQP.  Sister Jolene Hansen was called as the new RSP.  I look forward to working with her too.

More later…

Camilla drew this picture of Mark (far left), herself holding Nathaniel's hand (middle), and Neil/Isaac (on the right; the person changed a couple times).  "Don't you love this adorable picture I drew?"

Happy birthday Lisa

Dear family,

I love you all!

Love,

Dad

Saturday, October 10, 2020
9:40 pm

Well, Friday's entry was a dud.  I just sat down to write and Julie asked me to do something.  By the time I finished helping her and then worked with Abbie on some homework it was nearly midnight again.  Friday was a pretty normal day.  Two employees had the day off, including Stacy, so I was involved in several loans again.

Today I took Spencer to the high school at 5:45 this morning for a marching band competition. Then I went back to sleep.  I got up about 7:30 and started helping with chores, then got a text that Eirik at work was sick and needed to go home.  No one else was available to cover, so I went to work for a few hours.  Then we finished a few chores at home, made two apple spice Bundt cakes and took them to David and Lisa's to celebrate Lisa's birthday.

Thankful: I'm thankful that I have a good job and that I am healthy.  I'd way rather be called in to work to cover for someone who is sick than be the one who is sick!

Ministering: I ministered to Eirik today since he was sick, and our family ministered to Lisa with delicious birthday cake.

More later…

Icing Lisa's cake was a three-person job.

Singing together!

Photo

I went on a walk with the younger kids tonight. Afraid that's all the entry I can muster tonight. Love to all!

Ken

Sent from my mobile device

Please forgive any strange auto-corrections! 

Exposed to the rona...

Dear family,

It was fun playing together tonight.  I'm looking forward to talking to Mark tomorrow (if schedules allow), and to going to sleep on time tonight!

Love,

Dad

Thursday, October 8, 2020
9:16 pm

I did more loans today than I have done in a long time.  Stacy and Reyna were both at a mortgage training in the morning, so I covered all the loans and Spanish phone calls until they got back.  It was nice to be "back in the trenches" in the morning, and nice when they got back so I could get out of the trenches again! 😊

Tonight Abbie found out that she was exposed to someone who tested positive for COVID, so now she is quarantined for 14 days.  The timing isn't bad – fall break is next Thursday and Friday, so she will miss fewer days of in-person class.  She's got a pretty good attitude about it, and Camilla thinks this is great!  I'm afraid she's in for a rude surprise when she realizes that being home doesn't mean she can play all day long.

After dinner we did a bit of work on the new flower bed on the north side of the house.  We also loaded nerf guns and had a nerf gun war in the house.  No major injuries and everyone wanted to keep playing when it was time for bed, so I think that was a win.  The "bedtime-snack-meltdown" was not a win.

It took until after midnight for Nathaniel to fall asleep last night, so I was up way too late again last night.  I'm going to try to be in bed by 10:15 tonight and get a better night's sleep.

Thankful: I feel like some of the priorities I want to work on at work are starting to come together better in my mind.  I am thankful for that.

Ministering: Tonight after the kids were in bed I helped Erik Watkins (brother I minister to) with some Excel manipulation he needed help with.  I hope it helped.

More later…

Our mighty nerf gun army!

Short note

Wednesday, October 7, 2020
11:35 pm

Late.  Had many meetings at work, got lots done.  Call report finished, everything for our upcoming exam is uploaded.  Saw a demo of a cool software reporting package that is way out of our price range.  Got info on a video banking platform that is not, want to demo that with the Board.  Went to self-reliance class tonight and it was really good.  You get out of it what you put in, and I'm trying to put in real effort to get real results.  I feel like I've got good opportunities.

Thankful: I love accomplishing things.

Ministering: I hope I ministered tonight to the other members of the self-reliance group.  I felt like they ministered to me too.

Love,

Dad

This might be the world's smallest ping pong table.

One egg, two yolks

Dear family,

Mark, I hope your visit with Susie yesterday went well.  We're all looking forward to hearing about it on Friday.  I hope you have a great couple of days until then!

Love,

Dad

Tuesday, October 6, 2020
8:45 pm

I spent a lot of time on the phone today with tech support getting a software problem fixed.  Somehow the config files for one of the programs I used quarterly got corrupted in late July, and we didn't realize it until yesterday when we needed it for some quarterly reports.  Fortunately some really smart people were able to get it all fixed for me.  Suzanne nearly has the Call Report finished, so we will have it done in time for our audit that begins next week.

Tonight Abbie and I moved one of the fences for her goat pen to keep them way from the apple tree.  They have decided that they like apple tree bark almost as much as they like chicken food and have been helping themselves to as much as they can get.  We tried wrapping the tree in many layers of chicken wire, but that didn't help much.  Hopefully we are in time to save the tree.

Thankful: I'm thankful for people who like to help.  Austin and Marcus from Solzorro, the IT company we are using, came over today to help with some computer configuration.  They really want to help and never make me feel like an inconvenience when we ask them for help.  That's the kind of company I like to do business with, and I hope we similarly provide willing service to others.

Ministering: Tonight I ministered to Abbie.  Even though I don't really love her goats, I do love her.

More later…

Our chickens are laying, and we got a big egg with a double-yolk in it!

Work gloves!

Dear family,

I love you all.  What more can I say?

Love,

Dad

Monday, October 5, 2020
8:33 pm

I wish I had gotten more done today at work. I closed the GL and hoped to get lots done on the Call Report but somehow the morning raced away.  Because we replaced a bunch of our computers we are now having to troubleshoot some configuration issues that are slowing us down.  We'll get it all figured out, but I wish we could get it all figured out immediately.  Wow, do I sound impatient!

I had a nice visit with Mark today at lunch.  I'm so glad for the joy he is finding in his missionary labors.  I also enjoyed visiting with Jessie this evening while fixing dinner.  I'm a lucky dad.

Thankful: I'm thankful for the scriptures.  In Come, Follow Me this week I am reading about the sacrament and finding some new ideas.  I'm trying to make notes of what I'm learning.  In a couple days I'll paste in my ideas.

Ministering: I'm glad I followed a prompting this afternoon.  I am a little frustrated with one of our vendors.  I asked them for some information over a week ago and they are not being very responsive.  Tonight one of their employees emailed and apologized that no one had gotten me the info I requested.  She mentioned having to leave early on Friday for a family emergency.  I sent a reply expressing concern, and we exchanged a couple emails.  Her grandpa passed away on Friday, and I'm glad I took a few minutes to offer condolences.  Everyone needs a little extra compassion from time to time.

More later…

I bought the little kids work gloves today.  They were supposed to be to plant some flowers tonight for FHE, but I bought the wrong kind of potting soil.  So we'll have to use them tomorrow.

General Conference is SOOOO good

I love you all!

Dad

Saturday, October 3, 2020
11:03 pm

The first two session of General Conference today were outstanding.  I felt called to be better and encouraged that with the help of the Holy Ghost, I can do it.  It was a great day and I can't wait to reread these talks and understand more what I need to know and do.

Between conference sessions we had everyone over for soup to celebrate Abbie and Spencer's birthdays.  The food was great and it was nice to visit.  Dad, Mom and Randy came, as did Scott, the Allbertsons, and David & Lisa and their kids. 

After the afternoon session I mowed the lawn, then Julie, Jessie and Abbie went to mom's house to watch the general women's meeting.  We made homemade pizza to finish the crust that we made yesterday.  The kids took a bath, then we read BoM and Wild Robot Escapes.  They were all up really late last night, so after they got in bed everyone fell asleep pretty quickly tonight.  They were pretty good for me tonight.  After they fell asleep, Spencer and I played a game of gin using his oversized playing cards.  I got the dishwasher reloaded and started it running for the fifth time today.  I'm so glad we have two dishwashers!

Thankful: Two dishwashers.  A lawn that looks nice when mowed.

Ministering: We ministered to the family today.

More later…

My mowing buddy this afternoon

zzzzzz

Thursday, October 1, 2020
11:30 pm

Two nights in a row.  Not cool.  Work was good.  Figured out a computer problem.  Made very good progress getting ready to close the month, hope to do that tomorrow.  Went to Spencer's final soccer game tonight.  They won the championship game 5-3.  It was fun to watch, and I'm glad the season is over.  Folded laundry and worked on physics homework again.  More later…