I am back into teaching at OCC. The Fall Semester started last week and I am settling into my routine. I did not have as many "first-day-of-school-late-to-class-no-clothes-or-lesson-plan" nightmares during August as I have in the past. I think it is due to the fact that I spent a good deal of time on campus during August (finishing a special project for my VP, learning our new online course management system, assembling my tenure application material, etc.) so I never really had to "go back" to school - I was already there.
Hurricane Irene ruined our last best chance to hit the beach before school started back up. The boys are in swimming lessons every Saturday morning through October and my schedule does not have a "free" day until late September (right before my tenure application is due!) Therefore, our beach going is likely over until next Summer.
One positive note about Irene...we cleaned out our garage the weekend before she hit. As it became apparent that she was headed our way, we decided to try to fit our minivan in the garage (just in case a tree fell on the driveway.) With some minor organizing (and by folding in our van's side mirrors) we got it in the garage rather easily. Up until this point, we had "eyeballed" the van and garage and decided that it wouldn't fit. Now that we know it will fit, we can keep it safely locked up whenever we need to.
Once again I am dealing with troubling issues at work - it seems that September is the time for those lately - and once again I am finding my only comfort as I turn to my Heavenly Father and Savior. Perhaps September is the "humbling" point in my own Nephite-like pride cycle. Even if it isn't, I am grateful to know that I have a loving Heavenly Father and Savior who are there to comfort me when the world cannot provide comfort.
Brad
Showing posts with label Church. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Church. Show all posts
Monday, September 12, 2011
Monday, December 6, 2010
Can I be "proud" on Sunday?
Yesterday was Fast Sunday (if you're not LDS, you may have to look that up on wikipedia or something) and my family had a pretty impressive day. I have regularly fasted for the standard two meals (Saturday dinner and Sunday breakfast works best for me) while my older son fasts for just Sunday breakfast. My wife has not fasted since early 2008 due to pregnancy and nursing. Well, yesterday she joined us in fasting for Sunday breakfast. It was an awesome experience overall. None of us complained or acting like we were hungry, tired or miserable through the entire experience. I even think we had a noticeably more positive spirit in the home while we were fasting.
Another part of Fast Sunday that I am "proud" of is the testimony meeting part. We have been sharing our testimonies with each other as part of Family Home Evening for several months now. My wife and I have been encouraging our boys to share their testimony in church. We have tried to set the example by having at least one of us share our testimony each month. So Sunday I tried something a little different...I asked if one or both of them wanted to go up with me so we could share our testimonies "together." My younger son eagerly accepted my offer and we went up together. Once we finished my wife repeated the offer to my older son. One of the young men in our ward (who was sitting in front of us) got in on the "let's go up together" discussion (reverently of course) and so all three of them went up and shared their testimonies one after another.
Overall, it was an amazing day! My boys are growing up so fast. It's a good thing to see them growing up in righteousness too.
Brad
Another part of Fast Sunday that I am "proud" of is the testimony meeting part. We have been sharing our testimonies with each other as part of Family Home Evening for several months now. My wife and I have been encouraging our boys to share their testimony in church. We have tried to set the example by having at least one of us share our testimony each month. So Sunday I tried something a little different...I asked if one or both of them wanted to go up with me so we could share our testimonies "together." My younger son eagerly accepted my offer and we went up together. Once we finished my wife repeated the offer to my older son. One of the young men in our ward (who was sitting in front of us) got in on the "let's go up together" discussion (reverently of course) and so all three of them went up and shared their testimonies one after another.
Overall, it was an amazing day! My boys are growing up so fast. It's a good thing to see them growing up in righteousness too.
Brad
Saturday, November 20, 2010
A day of transition...
Well, my escapism and avoidance only lasted so long. I had nightmares most of last night - all of them involved being stalked or hunted down by some ominous hunter (not Hirogen, though, that would have been at least somewhat cool.) I woke up feeling agitated - and it showed in how I dealt with my family. I think that may be why my oldest has had such a sassy/moody day - he's keyed into his dad's mood a little too much.
Well, I was able to break out of my mood through raking leaves with the whole family. We threw ourselves into the front yard with 3 rakes and 2 garbage cans. My boys had already filled 11 bags before today and we got at least another 15 before we ran out of bags. We didn't even get to the leaves on the smaller side of our driveway - and that's just the front yard. The back yard is at least twice as big and has not been raked this Fall. Hard labor is ahead!
After finishing the leaves my younger son and I went over to Rich's II for their "last day of the season 1/2-price sale." We got 1/2 gallon of vanilla (for Thanksgiving pies) and 1 quart each of their pumpkin and egg nog ice cream. We had some for dessert tonight and it was wonderful!
Tomorrow I am teaching both the 12-18 youth in Sunday School and the Elders Quorum. The youth get a lesson on Eternal Marriage (we just finished the lesson on Chastity last week - so a natural segue) and the brethren get a lesson on Baptism. I love teaching, so it hardly seems like a burden to do so at church. I just hope that the Spirit will be with me - because that's who really teaches.
Brad
Well, I was able to break out of my mood through raking leaves with the whole family. We threw ourselves into the front yard with 3 rakes and 2 garbage cans. My boys had already filled 11 bags before today and we got at least another 15 before we ran out of bags. We didn't even get to the leaves on the smaller side of our driveway - and that's just the front yard. The back yard is at least twice as big and has not been raked this Fall. Hard labor is ahead!
After finishing the leaves my younger son and I went over to Rich's II for their "last day of the season 1/2-price sale." We got 1/2 gallon of vanilla (for Thanksgiving pies) and 1 quart each of their pumpkin and egg nog ice cream. We had some for dessert tonight and it was wonderful!
Tomorrow I am teaching both the 12-18 youth in Sunday School and the Elders Quorum. The youth get a lesson on Eternal Marriage (we just finished the lesson on Chastity last week - so a natural segue) and the brethren get a lesson on Baptism. I love teaching, so it hardly seems like a burden to do so at church. I just hope that the Spirit will be with me - because that's who really teaches.
Brad
Saturday, April 25, 2009
Satan, potholes and New York...
Last Wednesday I planned to go to the Manhattan Temple. I hadn't been to the temple in over a year (even longer for the last time I was there for something besides a wedding or youth activity) and was looking forward to the experience. Well, add this experience to all the other "Satan will do anything to keep you from going to the temple" stories you have heard (btw - they're all true!)...
At about the corner of 8th & 42nd (in Manhattan - of course) my right front tire caught the edge of a pothole and blew out. Fortunately, I had turned wide and was in the right-hand lane - so pulling to the curb was easy. I was able to change the tire in about 5 minutes. Unfortunately, the donut tire had only 15 psi of pressure (60 is the recommended psi) and I didn't have the bike pump in the trunk. I was directed to one of only 3 gas stations on the entire island (or so the guy said) and was able to inflate the donut and get back on my way.
By now I was late for the session. To make matters worse, the GPS did not know that several ramps had been closed for construction/repair. I seriously considered calling it a day and heading back to Jersey. However, I pressed forward (saints, with steadfast faith...) and made it to the temple. I was able to help in some ordinances before I had to leave. The experience was great, and I am glad I made the effort to get there.
I then drove home (again, the GPS did not know that several access points to the Lincoln Tunnel were closed - but I finally got out of New York) going no more than 60 mph due to the donut and the downpour all along the Parkway. I spent about 2 hours at the tire place. The original blow-out could not be repaired; the other front tire was showing significant uneven wear; the two rear tires were cracking on the sidewalls and wearing as well; plus both front axle shafts had torn cv boots. I just had the r/f axle replaced, so I didn't get it fixed (I'll go back to the other place and make them do it right - and at no charge!)
I now have a very vivid and personal experience of Satan's effort to keep me from the going to the temple. I also have the wonderful feeling of overcoming difficulties and doing what I know I should. I can also view the tire issue as a blessing - it was much easier for me to have been by myself when one of the tires went out than to have the entire family with me, or have my wife alone with the kids. It was also better that it blew during a low-speed turn in downtown Manhattan than going 70+ on the Parkway. I now have four new tires and know I need to get the axle cv boots fixed. Fortunately, my tax refund will cover all of that.
Amazingly, I feel quite blessed and loved right now,
Brad
At about the corner of 8th & 42nd (in Manhattan - of course) my right front tire caught the edge of a pothole and blew out. Fortunately, I had turned wide and was in the right-hand lane - so pulling to the curb was easy. I was able to change the tire in about 5 minutes. Unfortunately, the donut tire had only 15 psi of pressure (60 is the recommended psi) and I didn't have the bike pump in the trunk. I was directed to one of only 3 gas stations on the entire island (or so the guy said) and was able to inflate the donut and get back on my way.
By now I was late for the session. To make matters worse, the GPS did not know that several ramps had been closed for construction/repair. I seriously considered calling it a day and heading back to Jersey. However, I pressed forward (saints, with steadfast faith...) and made it to the temple. I was able to help in some ordinances before I had to leave. The experience was great, and I am glad I made the effort to get there.
I then drove home (again, the GPS did not know that several access points to the Lincoln Tunnel were closed - but I finally got out of New York) going no more than 60 mph due to the donut and the downpour all along the Parkway. I spent about 2 hours at the tire place. The original blow-out could not be repaired; the other front tire was showing significant uneven wear; the two rear tires were cracking on the sidewalls and wearing as well; plus both front axle shafts had torn cv boots. I just had the r/f axle replaced, so I didn't get it fixed (I'll go back to the other place and make them do it right - and at no charge!)
I now have a very vivid and personal experience of Satan's effort to keep me from the going to the temple. I also have the wonderful feeling of overcoming difficulties and doing what I know I should. I can also view the tire issue as a blessing - it was much easier for me to have been by myself when one of the tires went out than to have the entire family with me, or have my wife alone with the kids. It was also better that it blew during a low-speed turn in downtown Manhattan than going 70+ on the Parkway. I now have four new tires and know I need to get the axle cv boots fixed. Fortunately, my tax refund will cover all of that.
Amazingly, I feel quite blessed and loved right now,
Brad
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