Smoked burgers

Dear family,

We love Emma, and enjoyed celebrating her birthday today.  It was fun to see how joyful she was with each of her birthday gifts.  Much love to all!

Love,

Dad

Friday, January 8, 2021
9:56 pm

Today was Emma's birthday.  She was so excited that she couldn't sleep past 6:30.  She helped me pack lunches this morning and told me all about her plans for the day. 

Work was a day.  I worked on preparing our new video banking service to be deployed later this month.  Randy and Mom helped me do some testing.  Mostly worked, found a few kinks still to work out.

The roommate of one of my employees tested positive for COVID today.  He immediately left to take one of the new rapid-response tests and we disinfected everything while he was gone.  His results were negative, and the sick roommate moved home until he recovers.

We grilled burgers for Emma's birthday dinner tonight.  They were good.  Julie does such a good job making the patties.  Mom and Randy joined by Facetime since they are still in the final days of Randy's quarantine; Dad is improving, but slowly.

Thankful: I am thankful for Christlike leaders and hope to be like them.

Ministering: I hope I ministered to Emma on her birthday.  I also texted a couple members of the ward.  It feels like that's about our best option during COVID. 

More later…

Everyone loves playing with Emma's birthday gifts!

Clean sheets, but not on my bed

Dear family,

Strange subject line, eh?  I changed the sheets on Isaac's bed tonight, and realized our bed could also use fresh sheets.  Sadly, I looked everywhere I could think of but could NOT find our sheets.  Where could they have gone?  Hmmmm...

I love you all!

Love,

Dad

Thursday, January 7, 2021
8:54 pm

Yesterday was the most disgraceful day of my life.  Midday as Congress was certifying the votes of the electoral college, a mob of Trump supporters overran the Capitol building, damaging property and disrupting the process.  Trump had delivered a speech earlier in the day inciting such action.  The Capitol building was evacuated and put under lock down, and it took hours to secure the building.  In the end, four people died, including one Capitol police officer.  It may be the most shameful betrayal of the Constitution and our freedom in the history of this country.  Not since the British burned the Capitol in the War of 1812 has the building been so desecrated.  And that was by an acknowledged foreign enemy in an act of war, not by so-called patriots acting at the behest of a sitting president. 

Last night we held a Temple and Priesthood Orientation meeting for the incoming Deacons and young women.  Several of us played a role.  I told a parable of a journey and related it to the covenant path we are on.  I think the entire meeting went well and was happy with the results.  Then I met with Brittaney Baldwin and Steven Lewis, a couple for whom I will perform a marriage ceremony on Saturday.  Finished with bishopric meeting.  Sadly I didn't sleep too well because every time I half-awoke, I started thinking about the fiasco in the Capitol again.

Today was quite productive.  I finished dealing with an accounting problem caused when we switched HR providers and closed the GL for December.  I worked on a real estate loan.  As much as possible, I included other employees in the projects to build their skills.  I am trying to work out how we are going to rearrange our staffing in preparation for our Springville branch.  I think I am realizing that I don't want to replicate what we have here.  Rather, I want to reorganize our staff to focus in a different way on meeting members' needs.  But I don't know how to do that yet…

Thankful: I am thankful that extended family members are recovering from COVID.  Mom said that Dad continues to slowly improve.  Scott's wife Stephanie was admitted to the hospital with low oxygen and for monitoring.  She was released today, albeit with oxygen.  I'm glad she was able to come home, and that our family has been spared COVID.  I pray that this blessing will continue, and am trying to be as careful as possible.

Ministering: I sent text messages to a bunch of people today to let them know I was thinking of them and see if they have any needs.

More later…

I wore Mom's favorite tie to work yesterday.

Coconut macaroons

Dear family,

Good night!

Love,

Dad

Tuesday, January 5, 2021
9:43 pm

I had a frustrating start to the day when I realized there is an accounting problem with our employee benefits program.  I tried so hard to get this set up properly, but I realized today that the numbers I was given are incorrect.  That took a couple hours to work on this morning, and will take a bit more time tomorrow to finish fixing.  It's not a show-stopper, but it cost time and will require an adjustment to several employees' payroll figures.

In the afternoon I joined a webinar on strategic planning, and I thought it was quite good.  I'm going to review the materials again and see if I can incorporate some of the good ideas.

Jessie made curry for dinner tonight and it was really good.  Neil made coconut macaroons.  I gave Nathaniel a bath.  That's the day!

Thankful: I'm thankful that Dad is starting to feel better.  Mom said the COVID seemed to develop into bronchitis, so the doctor prescribed an antibiotic to try to knock that down.  He said he's starting to feel better, but still is totally exhausted and sleeps a lot.  I pray for his continued improvement.

Ministering: I set up an appointment for tomorrow evening to visit with the couple whose marriage I will perform this weekend.

More later…

Chef Neil trying out a new recipe.

Wanna Mallow?

Dear family,

I sure enjoyed our brief phone call today Mark and look forward to a better chat next time you call.  Much love to everyone!

Love,

Dad

Monday, January 4, 2021
9:50 pm

FHE tonight was really nice.  Spencer put together a good lesson.  Neil made a (long) Kahoot about the hymns.  Jessie's activity was fun.  We roasted marshmallows for treats.  Everyone else did great with their part too.  It was so nice to be together.

Work today was also good.  I accomplished a lot with the new year, and have a full week ahead of me.

The Odyssey had an electrical problem several months ago that caused the battery to die repeatedly.  This past week the problem recurred, and I finally got it towed to Clegg's in Provo.  The culprit this time – the map lights in the cabin got left on.  Oh brother.  But while it was there they did some other needed maintenance, so we're good to go.

Thankful: I am grateful that the van is fixed again!

Ministering: I needed to get some groceries on my way home from work, so I bought flowers for Julie while I was there.

More later…

Jessie's activity - how many blocks can you stack on your head?

Ordinations and a green beard

Dear family,

Sundays bring a mix of peace, service, and worship, combined with sacrifice, challenge and frustration.  I hope you felt much more of the first and less of the second.

Mark, the Simons said to say hello and thank you for your letters.  They love getting them.

And guess what - I just heard a deep, restful sigh coming from the top bunk.  My youngest daughters are finally sleeping.  Whew.

Love to all,

Dad

Sunday, January 3, 2021
10:10 pm

First day of 9 am Church went pretty well.  We had 66 people in attendance, which is about what I expected.  We ordained seven (?) Aaronic priesthood brethren to their new offices in the priesthood, including two new Deacons.  I was glad at one point to have a solid understanding of the doctrines and practices that are allowed.  There was a question whether a Teacher could stand in the circle to ordain his younger brother a Deacon.  I was pretty certain he could not, and I was correct.  It was nice to know the right answer, and know where to find the answer in scripture.

On a great family note, I ordained Spencer a Priest this afternoon, then he administered the sacrament and I passed it at home for our family.  I'm sure his experience is lots more memorable than my first experience blessing the sacrament.  It was a delight to watch him exercise his priesthood.

Last night, Nathaniel was awake far too much.  I wanted to get up and help Julie take care of him, but my 5:15 am alarm was always in the back of my mind, and she was finally able to get him back to sleep after two hours.  When I came home briefly after Ward Council and before Sacrament meeting, she was sleeping with him on the couch, so even that wasn't ideal.  Tonight after Spencer and I got back from visiting a couple people, Emma and Camilla were still awake, and Nathaniel was crying.  It was a trying evening.  I sang to Nathaniel until he finally fell asleep, and am now writing in my journal in the girls' room to reassure them that they are safe.

This evening we read some of Joseph Smith – History and watched an account of the First Vision.  Last night we dealt with fear at bedtime as a result of watching Narnia.  Tonight I paused the video at the "scary part" and took the girls out.  I hoped that would help…

Spencer and I took two cupcakes to Boyce Simons to wish him happy birthday.  They invited us in to visit, and we chatted with them for fifteen minutes or so.  We enjoyed it very much and hope we made a difference for them.  They spoke very highly of each of our children and were so grateful for the letters Mark sends them.  After home teaching them for eight years we've really grown to love them.

Thankful: I am grateful for the priesthood and that Spencer is now a Priest.  I am also grateful and humbled to be the answer to someone else's prayer.  I visited today with someone who is wrestling with some concerns.  As I shared some thoughts, they teared up and said my suggestions were an answer to prayer.  That is a humbling experience.  I hope to be able to serve the members of my ward in a way that always provides the guidance they seek, but never to become proud or think this is me doing the work.  It is not.

Ministering: I am glad we visited with the Simons tonight, and hope I was also able to minister to Julie by taking care of the kids after bedtime.

More later…

Neil and Isaac found a new use for putty.

Christmas lights are down

Dear family,

It was a great day today.  I'm so glad I got to spend it with some of you, and thought of those that I didn't see.

Love,

Dad

Saturday, January 2, 2021
9:41 pm

We got a lot done today.  All the Christmas decorations are put away.  While I was taking the lights off the house I noticed that a limb from the cherry tree had grown over the house.  Some of the branches were rubbing on the shingles, and part of the limb was beginning to damage the gutters.  With the help of the kids to steady the ladder and support the branches, I cut three large-ish limbs off to keep them away from the house.  The longest part of that project was cutting the branches and twigs off the limbs to get them in the garbage can.

On a somewhat sorrowful note, our artificial Christmas tree was thrown away this year.  We got it from Dad and Mom 15 years ago (or more?) after they no longer wanted it.  I remember setting that tree up for the first time when I was still in high school.  It was close to 30 years old.  Sadly, it had finally lost enough needles that it was time to retire it for good.  I wonder if we'll get 30 years out of our next tree?  Somehow, I doubt it…

We watched Narnia today.  That's a fun movie.  We made homemade pizza for dinner, and it was really good.

Bishopric meeting starts at 6:00 am tomorrow, so I mean it when I say I'm heading to bed.

Thankful: This morning the kids were all so cheerful and helpful.  Isaac made muffins almost entirely by himself.  What an amazing kid.  He cheerfully helped unload the dishwasher without being asked.  Everyone else was good too.  It was such a nice way to start the day.

Ministering: I visited with the Trevenen's and Dianna Abramowski as I was working outside.  The weather today was really pleasant, and it was nice to see people.

More later…

Isaac's muffins are ready to go in the oven.

Off to a good start

Dear family,

The first day of 2021 has been just great.  If we could have 364 more days like today, I would be very content.

I hope your day went well and that this year is one of blessings for all of us.

Much love,

Dad

Friday, January 1, 2021
9:15 pm

For not caring about staying up to ring in the new year, I sure was up late last night!  Julie, Abbie, Spencer and I started to play a new game Abbie got for Christmas.  Just as we were ready to start sometime after 11 pm, Neil walked in.  He had been awake in his bed for well over an hour, waiting for the new year to arrive.  So we invited him to join us in the game.  It's called Droll, and it is kind of like Pictionary on dice.  It was fun.  It was well past midnight when we finished snacking and put everyone else in bed.  Today has been a good day.

I slept in until 8:00, made oatmeal and English muffins for breakfast, and cycled some laundry.  Emma, Camilla and I read some books.  In the afternoon we had a summit to determine which movie, if any, we would watch today.  Neil and Isaac wanted to watch Hidden Figures, but the girls wanted Narnia.  We finally decided to watch Hidden Figures today, and Narnia tomorrow.  Even the little girls stayed to watch Hidden Figures.  It gave us a chance to talk about racial injustice, kindness, perseverance, and other attributes.  I appreciate how hopeful that movie is.  Emma said at one point, "I feel happy when people are kind to each other."  (Or something like that.)

I tried a new recipe for Middle East Beans and Rice.  It wasn't bad, but I think it lacked a little depth to the flavor.  Maybe next time I'll sauté some onions with it and serve it as a sauce over the top of rice instead of mixing the rice in with the dish.

Thankful: This morning I started thinking more carefully about what I want to become.  I have no interest in "New Year's Resolutions" that don't last until February, but I am very interested in becoming a better person.  As I pondered on this, one idea came to me: I want to look for and point out the good in others.  I felt good about these ideas and think I'm on the right track.  One other thought I have been pondering on: The closer we come to the Savior, the more clearly we see our own weaknesses and inadequacies.  It's almost paradoxical – the closer we come to Him, the farther away we feel.

Ministering: This afternoon I ministered to my children by going with them to the park to swing.  We stayed until they were all cold and ready to come home.

More later…

It was so cute this morning.  He saw the Christmas tree decorated for our New Year's celebration and said, "WOW!"  

Neil and Isaac played Spy Alley, and decided it would be even more fun if they dressed up to play the part.  Halloween is going to be great!