Not just Utah

Orlando Sentinel reports on some local businesses who choose family, values and worship over profit. Floridians can't blame the Mormons here. Read the story here.

And, one from Utah here.

My church buddies

Aher, Josh and I

Excellent tips for better talks

With a lay clergy and a congregation who teaches one another, sometimes our worship service, Sacrament Meeting gets off focus. It is important to remember that those who attend are there for a spiritual feast. It puts a lot of pressure on the speaker, but we need to remember why we are there and make sure nobody - member, nonmember visitor, investigator, etc. - goes away hungry or feeling like they didn't attend the sacred meeting it is. Read here for the good tips.

Some words of wisdom from my friend, Melody Pope: "Do not waste your time contemplating contempt or the pain caused by others but move forward enjoying what is crucial to your happiness."

Sabbath Day Observance Punished?

Remember the movie (what was it called?) where the athlete refused to compete on Sunday? It's sad that such values as portrayed in that film are now considered even more obsolete.

For the Southern Virginia University women's soccer team, the choice of whether or not to compete on Sunday is clear — even when the outcome is not.

SVU, a liberal arts college in Buena Vista, Va., that embraces Mormon values, has always chosen not to play on Sunday. This year, as the women's soccer team prepares to play at a United States Collegiate Athletic Association-sponsored tournament at Vermont Technical College, the school has a difficult decision.

According to school officials, SVU has been notified by the USCAA that if it chooses to forfeit a Sunday game at the tournament, the entire athletic department could face sanctions. Such sanctions may impact SVU's ability to compete in future tournaments and receive postseason recognition. (Read the article here).

Family

Chris and family with "Papa" when they came to visit last month.
Karla, Jon & girls after church
So big!
Helping Grandma
By Christmas I will have 17 grandchildren, God willing!

My Dad's birthday and Sunday pictures

My parents look so young. I guess they WERE young - younger than I am now by a long shot I'm afraid.
My Dad almost two years ago
The boat we co-owned with my dad's brother. I learned to waterski with this boat and my dad's help. He also got me snow skiing when I was in the fourth grade. It turned out I loved the waterskiing but since I hate cold, downhill didn't stick past high school.

Some fun photos as we arrived home from church on Chinese New Year. (Noah, me, Adam). Are these boys getting big or what?). On that day the kids wear the clothes Fred brought from China.
Emma and her dad. Well, someone still looks little - at least by Fred - of course at 6 ft. 4 they're not apt to catch up with him so soon.

Cherry Hill

More Kudos for a local business. Our family loves Cherry Hill water park. They have a campground which is open 7 days a week, obviously, but they close the water park on Sundays. This is commendable in a business that caters to recreation. It takes guts and determination to do this but because of it I will continue to support this facility every chance I get.
"...If there is anything virtuous, lovely, or of good report, or praiseworthy (italics added), we seek after these things." (13th Article of Faith - Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints)

Sunday Father's Day

Happy Father's Day to all who are, who wish to be, who act as....

The father of our country ~ my favorite Friberg.... Prayer at Valley Forge
This is a fun web presentation style (and it features the art of Arnold Friberg along with some nice hymns as background, beginning with my favorite one, Be Still My Soul). Click on this blog title, Sunday to see it and don't forget to put on the white gloves as any art/museum curator will tell you. The Apple Frame Gallery on Main Street in Bountiful is also having a show of his art June 6 to 27 (evenings from 6-8 pm).

Other Sunday thoughts.... This verse says it well.

First verse of Mayberry by Rascal Flatts

Sometimes it feels like this world is spinning faster
Than it did in the old days
So naturally we have more natural disasters
From the strain of a fast pace
Sunday was the day of rest
Now it's one more day for progress
And we can't slow down, cause more is best
It's all an endless process

I also like Craig Morgan's, That's What I Love About Sunday.

Raymond's in his Sunday best,
He's usually up to his chest in oil an' grease.
There's the Martin's walkin' in,
With that mean little freckle-faced kid,
Who broke a window last week.
Sweet Miss Betty likes to sing off key in the pew behind me.

That's what I love about Sunday:
Sing along as the choir sways;
Every verse of Amazin' Grace,
An' then we shake the Preacher's hand.
Go home, into your blue jeans;
Have some chicken an' some baked beans.
Pick a back yard football team,
Not do much of anything:
That's what I love about Sunday.

I stroll to the end of the drive,
Pick up the Sunday Times, grab my coffee cup.
It looks like Sally an' Ron, finally tied the knot,
Well, it's about time.
It's 35 cents off a ground round,
Baby. cut that coupon out!

That's what I love about Sunday:
Cat-napping on the porch swing;
You curled up next to me,
The smell of jasmine wakes us up.
Take a walk down a back road,
Tackle box and a cane pole;
Carve our names in that white oak,
An' steal a kiss as the sun fades,
That's what I love about Sunday,
Oh, yeah.

Ooh, new believers gettin' baptized,
Momma's hands raised up high,
Havin' a Hallelujah good time
A smile on everybody's face.
That's what I love about Sunday,
Oh, yeah.

That's what I love about Sunday,
Oh, yeah.

You gotta love country music....

Sunday

I taught R.S. today and we focused on the inspiration and spirituality of the leaders of our nation at its founding - George Washington in particular. What an amazing man he was! I have gained a great appreciation of him in preparing this lesson. I also got some special help.

The Bishop received a confirmation and so, much to my surprise, I will continue in this calling a while longer after all. It's kind of a first for me (and probably others too) to see this. I have served for two years now and it's nice reassurance to have this confidence and affirmation.

I have also had some additional work-related responsibilities so life continues to be quite hectic. I enjoy friends and family to spend time with.

Sunday

It's a nice, quiet Sunday and I want to do something different than usual. With the holiday, we decided to do a family barbecue on Monday so we didn't do the traditional Sunday dinner. Now here I am with a free day and nothing to do. What's wrong with this picture?

Weekend's here!

Some miscellaneous photos...

I cook on Sunday (This photo was shot at Easter, 2007). Flowers from Jenn.A day at work (Ask a nurse anything you want about reproductive health - I answer phone and email questions, interview clients, and miscellaneous other health-related "duties as assigned").

Emma and Jenn going to a mother-daughter tea at LaQuaille
Emma is a natural on the horse (she says she will take riding lessons when older)
Adam was not so sure about it
The look of sheer terror on Noah's face!