Sunday, August 8, 2021
9:25 pm
Thursday Abbie came with me to attend wedding receptions for both Megan McConnell and Selendra Lewis. I can't believe I am now at the point that I'm attending wedding receptions for my children's friends. Both receptions were really nice. Abbie came with me because Hazel wasn't happy after getting her immunizations earlier that day. Fortunately, it only took a day for her to feel better.
Friday I went to SLC for the first time in a long time for a work-related meeting. It wasn't really a meeting – it was an open house to celebrate Marilyn Pearson's reception since we couldn't do one during the height of the COVID pandemic. The World's Greatest Corndogs food truck was there. It was a tasty meal, but next time I think I'll just get the half-sized corndog. Marilyn is doing well and is now serving in a significant leadership role at a girl's camp in the Salt Lake Valley. I bet she's doing a great job.
That evening we had a ward potluck dinner at Jolley's Ranch up the canyon. It was well attended, and I'm grateful for that. There was a lot of smoke in the air. A low-pressure system has moved into the area and drawn in smoke from wildfires in Oregon and California. It's amazing the devastation and effects we are experiencing.
Saturday morning I worked. Most of the day was slow, and that was great. I was able to watch a bunch of training videos for a new service we are preparing to launch in October. The last 15 minutes got very busy; I did more transactions in that last quarter hour than I did the rest of the morning. In the afternoon we focused lots on cleaning. Isaac was convinced he couldn't do anything, then after a little pep talk, some chastisement, and a little aggravation from the parents, he did a great job cleaning the dishwasher doors.
I hoped to take Julie out for a date in the evening, but it didn't happen. Instead we watched the 4x400 men's and women's relays on the Olympics during dinner. It was incredible to see what the human body can do with dedication, focus, and talent. It was nearly a spiritual experience.
Church today was nice. We had several young men speak about their experience at Aaronic Priesthood encampment. Chase Crandall spoke, and I was the concluding speaker. I didn't write a talk, but made notes of several points I wanted to cover. I was pleased with how it went, and several ward members commented favorably about it. My objective was to testify of Jesus Christ in a way that would reach people, no matter their current level of faith or conviction. I am coming to realize how much we all need Jesus, no matter how strong or faithful we have been in the past. And I'm afraid that some people feel that Jesus can't or won't help them because they are too messed up, too broken, too rebellious, or too far past feeling. None of those are true. I tried to share a message of hope in Jesus that will apply broadly.
After Church I had several good meetings with ward members in various stages of activity and with different needs. Gratefully, everyone I met with today recognizes that the Savior can and will help them. I look forward to continuing to work with them. I was also really pleased to see all of the Puckett family come to sacrament meeting today. I hope we can strengthen them in their commitment to make this a new habit, not just a one-off event. New habits can be hard to make, especially when old habits are deeply ingrained. But the truths in the last paragraph are real and apply to all of us.
When I got home I joined the family in the living room where Julie was leading an activity. I lasted about ten minutes before I was asleep in my suitcoat and glasses. After (or in between sections) of my nap I talked with Emma and Camilla about what they discussed today in Primary. One of the points of their lesson was that holy places include temples and our homes. I shared my opinion that the reason these places are holy is because these are places families are formed.
Tonight, Dad, Mom and Randy came over for dinner. Julie made spaghetti and it was really good. Then we studied from Come, Follow Me and sang hymns together before enjoying ice cream and chocolate chip cookies that Neil made.
I have to acknowledge a great development in our family – Nathaniel has started going to sleep without protest! I feed him a bottle, rock him for a couple minutes, and then tell him I'm going to put him in bed while I finish getting ready for bed. He snuggles down on his pillow and goes to sleep. Hallelujah!
Ministering: Today I felt like I had two significant ministering events. One was delivering my talk in sacrament meeting. I felt guided in the points I made and how I illustrated them. I tried to testify of Jesus Christ and share experiences that would carry that point home without distracting from the point of the message. The second was visiting with a ward member who is really trying to come back to the Savior. Serving as a Bishop is an amazing experience. Ideas, promptings, and guidance come, and I am more confident in saying things that I might have shied away from in other settings. I am grateful that the Lord inspires His bishops.
Thankful: So much.
A lovely bee found our flower bed.
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