Life continues

Dear family,

Some days there are memorable things to write about.  Other days simply keep moving very fast.  The last two day have been the latter.

This weekend I hope we will have time to watch a documentary film I learned about yesterday in a webinar I attended.  It focuses on people around the country who are trying to do good things to help other people; it sounds inspiring.

I hope you have a great Saturday.

Love,

Dad

Friday, January 29, 2021
9:04 pm

I'm really not sure what to say about the last couple days.  Work has been good.  I'm working on projects, trying to identify ways we can provide better experiences for our members, and working to solve problems.

Thankful: I think this will turn out to be a very good month for the credit union.  Loans posted good growth, we posted some good recoveries on previously charged off loans for the first time in a while, delinquency is looking very good, and we've been opening accounts at a good rate.  We got a couple more 5-star Google reviews this week.  I'm pretty optimistic that we're on a good trajectory.  I look forward to finalizing our financial statements next week and seeing how things did.  I am so grateful to have a job I enjoy and that I am good at.

Ministering: I spent some time working on ministering to the needs of ward members.

More later…

No new pictures for a couple days, so I grabbed this one from the archive.  We're now burning the firewood Spencer helped cut in the fall.

No subject

Got to go rock Nathaniel to sleep.  Love to all!

Dad

Wednesday, January 27, 2021
9:31 pm

Today I joined Board meeting for the Utah Credit Union Association by Zoom.  Zoom meetings can get tedious and I miss seeing people in person. But avoiding 2 hours of driving for a 90 minute meeting is just fine with me!  Today we discussed the retirement of three of the individuals serving on the Board.  As I looked over the remaining Board members, I realized with surprise that I have now been on the Board for ten years and am one of the "senior" members now.  I think there are only three Board members who have been on the Board longer than I have, and that will be down to two in April.  I can't believe I've been in this industry for twenty-five years.  Where does the time go??

I think I am making really good progress on our future staffing structure that will help the credit union serve our members, and will also help my employees develop.  This is version 4.0.  Each version has had a different focus.  I'm going to let this one simmer for several more days before I make any decisions or public pronouncements.

Tonight Calvin Crandall and I visited most of the Priests in the ward to drop off an invitation to join an activity next Wednesday.  We are doing a virtual game night – Pictionary, I hope – so we took a bag of microwave popcorn and a flier with the web address/QR code for them to join.  I sure love and appreciate him; he's a great man and will be a blessing to the youth in our ward.

It was interesting driving around the ward with him.  Even though he's been in the ward longer than I've been alive, I had to give directions and let him know who lives where.  For most of the last two decades, and the entire time we've lived in the ward, he has had callings at the Stake level or in UVU stakes.  I'm glad Pres. Brinkerhoff agreed to release him from the High Council and let him engage with our young men.

One other item – last week in Bishopric meeting we discussed how we will carry out YM activities.  We decided to stick with virtual meetings twice each month.  Bro. Heiss sent out an email to all YM advisers with this info.  The email arrived in my inbox; as I read it I realized that although it was exactly what we had discussed in our meeting, it was wrong.  It was not the Lord's will for our ward.  So I touched base with Bro. Heiss and then sent a follow up email to everyone explaining my experience and giving what I feel is the Lord's direction for us.  It was a sweet experience.  There was no rebuke, just a gentle correction and improved direction.  I love it when I can act with confidence.

Thankful: Pretty much everything listed above.

Ministering: The visits Bro. Crandall and I made tonight were good, especially to the Puckett's.  Richard insisted that we come in for a few minutes and visit.  People need to be acknowledged and valued.  That is what the Gospel of Jesus Christ does for people.

More later…

What's EBAR?

Dear family,

We had pizza for dinner tonight before my staff meeting.  It wasn't bad, but I think I hear a bowl of cold cereal calling for me. I love you all and hope tomorrow is amazing!

Love,

Dad

Tuesday, January 26, 2021
8:56 pm

It's been a couple of good days.  Yesterday was Mark's birthday and his P-day.  It was nice to visit with him.  He's developing so many attributes and skills.  It's a delight to see, even from several states away. He's dealing successfully with challenges and learning to rely on the Holy Ghost in ways that I'm still trying to figure out.  Nice.

Last night before FHE Jessie was helping the little kids try to do headstands.  None of them were proficient, but it was fun to watch them work together, laughing at their attempts and celebrating the small successes.  FHE was nice.  Spencer asked me to tell how I proposed to Julie for our family story.  That was fun and extended into a longer tale with both of us sharing some memories.  Good times.  We didn't get to sleep until late, so I slept in until 6:00 this morning.

I spent most of the day today getting ready for this evening's staff meeting.  I am pleased with how it went.  We focused on a management/leadership technique called EBAR – Experiences influence what we Believe.  What we Believe influences our Actions, which then drive Results.  And none of us can give beliefs, actions, or results to another person.  The only thing we can do is provide experiences, trying to provide them in a way that reinforces the beliefs that will lead to desired actions and ultimately results.  There were several good comments from some of my employees.  It was interesting to me to see how people engaged differently.  This will help me as I work to design our staffing configuration with our new Springville office.

Everyone at work was very pleased when our meeting ended 8 minutes ahead of schedule, and everyone at home was even more pleased when I got home 10 minutes early.  Under-promise and over-deliver.  Key to happiness.  Mom spent some time here this evening since I was gone late.  Everyone seemed very happy to have her here.  I'm sure glad she could spend time to help Julie.

Thankful: I'm grateful that tonight's meeting went well. I think it helped lay a foundation for changes we need.

Ministering: I can't identify anything special I did today, but I tried to be an example of consideration for my employees.

More later…

We're going to have TWO pipers!

I love dinner, it loves me...

Dear family,

Happy Birthday Mark!  (I assume it will be your birthday by the time you read this.)  I hope you have a wonderful day today.  What a treat to have your birthday on p-day!  Your replacement speaker should arrive on Feb 1.  Have you been able to drop the old one off at Kohl's?

Everyone else, I think you're really awesome.  I love you all!

Love,

Dad

Sunday, January 24, 2021
9:26 pm

Stake Conference today.  The general session today was excellent.  Nothing "new," but a definite feeling that God is in control, is very aware of our circumstances, and loves all His children.  I am grateful for the Spirit I felt.

In the afternoon we talked about the attributes listed in D&C 4:6-7 and compared them to tools that we can use to build things.  Just like a hammer is necessary but not sufficient to build a home, any single worthy attribute is necessary but not sufficient.  Likewise, there are times when one attribute is needed more than another.  When you need a saw, pliers won't do and sometimes we need to exhibit patience more than knowledge.  But every tool in the toolbox is required and will be a blessing when we need it.  I think the lesson meant more to me than some of the younger kids.  After discussing we each picked one attribute to work on this week and drew pictures to help us remember.  They are hanging up in the hallway now.

This afternoon Emma was having a rough day.  At one point she went to her room and lay sadly on her bed.  I asked if she wanted to do something, but she declined.  I offered to lie next to her for a few minutes so she wouldn't feel so sad.  She accepted… and left sometime after I fell asleep.  I think I needed a 45-minute nap.  😴

Dinner tonight was amazing.  Rachel made "blistered beans" while she was here last week.  I'd never had them before but thought they were good, so I found a recipe and tried them tonight.  I will never look at green beans the same way again.  And the best news is that they are probably okay for Julie to eat – no carbs!  They will likely be a staple in our Sunday dinner fare going forward.

Nathaniel the picky eater has entered a new phase.  He usually doesn't want to eat unless I am singing to him.  Lately the song of choice is "I love mommy she loves me…"  He was totally fighting Julie tonight until I started singing, then he ate his dinner without (much) more complaint.  🙄

Ministering: I counseled with a member of our ward who is dealing with some ongoing challenges.  I also texted Pres. Kent and Sis. Hansen to counsel about some other members of our ward in need.

Thankful: I'm thankful for Stake Conference and good ward members who care for others.

More later…

Some of our tools from our Come, Follow Me discussion.

Sleep is not optional

Dear family,

Good night!

Love,

Dad

Saturday, January 23, 2021
9:42 pm

Met with two employees yesterday, getting more complete ideas about how to arrange our staffing for the Springville branch.  Still lots up in the air.  Had board meeting yesterday, went really well.  Finished the year with $312k in net income.  Given everything that happened in 2020, that's pretty great.

David and Lisa came down last night to join us for dinner and for David to receive a priesthood blessing.  He's leaving tomorrow for Airborne Ranger school, and he also was let go from his job on Thursday.  Fortunately they have followed prophetic counsel to avoid debt and save for a rainy day, so they're in good shape.

Today was hard.  The kids were up far too late last night and we felt it today.  Lots of complaining about meals, chores, rules, everything.  Julie is trying to figure out how to follow a diabetic-friendly diet.  As she describes, it takes all the joy out of food.  Pray this only lasts as long as her pregnancy.

Thankful: I'm grateful that our "hard" is what it is.  Even our least-enjoyable days are far better than what so many people have to deal with.

Ministering: David and I gave Julie a blessing last night.

More later…

Emma last night with the "horse bridle" she fashioned out of two belts and a carabiner.

Palindrome Day

Dear Family,

Mike Christensen pointed out that today's date is a palindrome - 1202021.  He loves those things.  

I didn't watch the inauguration today, but was glad that there were no major disruptions.  On part of my drive home I listened to a press briefing, I presume from the new White House press secretary.  I was impressed by the candor of the press secretary.  I felt like she answered the questions she was asked reasonably directly - much more so than many politicians seem to.  I got the feeling she was trying to answer the questions as honestly as she could, based on what she knew, and wasn't trying to push an agenda.  There was also an atmosphere of civility to the whole affair that was refreshing.

Regardless of how the world goes and whether people can get along, I sure love each member of my family and pray for you daily!

Love,

Dad

Wednesday, January 20, 2021
8:50 pm

No journal entry yesterday, but it was a day.  Work was really busy; Reyna had the day off, and the first day after a 3-day weekend is always especially busy.  Julie had a doctor visit and a non-stress test.  The baby was moving almost enough to pass the NST, but they want her to go back on Thursday for a follow-up check.  She will be at the doctor every weekday this week except Monday.  Yesterday checkup and NST; today visit with a nurse about gestational diabetes; tomorrow another NST; and Friday to see a dietitian.  Glad we have people who know all about these things, and that Julie can receive the care she needs. 

Today while Julie was at her doctor's appointment Camilla and Nathaniel joined me at work for lunch and some fun.  We ate lunch, then read a book and watched a Cat in the Hat PBS show.  (I decided that is one of my least-favorite shows.)  Then Camilla wanted to play hide-and-seek.  The rule was that you couldn't open doors, but there were several good places to hide, and we had fun doing that for probably 30-45 minutes until Julie was done.

Thankful: I'm grateful that Spencer and I have been on time for seminary every day since the semester started – both of them!  I go straight to work after dropping him off, which gives me time to read scriptures and get some work done before other people start showing up.  Yesterday I left work a little early, and today I got a longer lunch.  So far it seems like it's working okay.

Ministering: I have also started using my commute home to call ward members or others who might need a little ministering.  I did that yesterday and today, and it seems like that might be a good idea.

More later…

Camilla's hiding places

Aebleskivers

Dear family,

Much love to all.  Hope you had a great MLK Day and are read for the rest of the week.

Love,

Dad

Monday, January 18, 2021
9:32 pm

This month is racing past.  Today I made aebleskivers for breakfast. They were a fair amount of work and were too oily.  I probably need to refine the technique, but I'm not sure they are worth the effort to perfect.  But the kids loved them and want them for birthday breakfasts, so maybe I'll keep working. 

Did some cleanup around the house then watched the live-action Aladdin.  I remembered again that I just don't enjoy sitting down to watch a movie.  I saw bits and pieces of it, then sat down for the last 15 minutes.  I can handle the climax and resolution phases, but all the build-up drives me nuts.

Tonight Julie and Rachel went to Provo for Amy McKinney's wedding ceremony.  I played Twister at home with the other kids, then we went to the reception together. 

Early morning seminary starts again tomorrow, so I'm going to bed (possibly before Spencer!)

More later…

Playing Twister.  How fast is Emma moving to be so blurry??

At the wedding reception.