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.