here's an interesting exercise.
If you're interested, you may contribute to mine here.
Or should you prefer, you may also choose this anti-version, and contribute to my version of that one here.
Come on - you know you want to. Contribute anonymously and get it out of your system.
-jake
Friday, October 27, 2006
Tuesday, October 24, 2006
poetry and thoughts worth thinking
a quick one today.
i do have several draft posts which I hope to finish soon, but i'm curious about your thoughts (bloggers and lurkers alike) on the "pain quotidien" section of the blog. for those of you who don't speak french, "pain quotidien" translates in english to "daily bread". A very literal translation, and not the one used in the scriptures, but that's intentional on my part.
i've been throwing random stuff there that has caught my attention in some way - has it caught yours?
i do have several draft posts which I hope to finish soon, but i'm curious about your thoughts (bloggers and lurkers alike) on the "pain quotidien" section of the blog. for those of you who don't speak french, "pain quotidien" translates in english to "daily bread". A very literal translation, and not the one used in the scriptures, but that's intentional on my part.
i've been throwing random stuff there that has caught my attention in some way - has it caught yours?
Thursday, October 19, 2006
Tuesday, October 17, 2006
what i did over uea
last week we made our annual family trip to park city. we used to go to california, but with all the football we live now, that's not really an option anymore, but park city, while no dizneeland, is a great alternative for us.
we stayed at the marriott's mountainside resort, quite a nice little place right at the ski resort, just steps away from the baja cantina and the rocky mountain chocolate factory.
la reine and the 2 youngest spent the whole week up there but came down on tuesday and wednesday for games. after the phs game on wednesday, we all went up for the balance of the week.
i must say it was about the best family vacation that i can remember. a great blend of lounging, exploring, playing, conversing, eating, and just enjoying. T had friends come up for short periods of time here and there, but for the most part we all just hung together and had fun.
i was impressed at how well the kids all got along with one another, at the patience everyone had with each other, and even the work ethic to keep the condo clean when we needed to.
the highlights ranged from having a great time just playing in the pool, playing pool, watching movies, riding the alpine slide & coaster, and the 4 boys riding the "worlds longest zipline", taking the whole fam to dinner at baja cantina, and la reine and i enjoying our first dinner at prime steakhouse - taking advantage of the off-season 2 for 1 entree special, finding a new artist and a specific piece that we're considering (don't worry la reine, i won't just run out and buy it... this time...).
sorry for not posting last week, but even though we had internet connectivity, i found much better things to do.
respectfully,
-jake
p.s. - neglected to mention shopping, see comments for more details, and here's a pic of the bag la reine picked up...
we stayed at the marriott's mountainside resort, quite a nice little place right at the ski resort, just steps away from the baja cantina and the rocky mountain chocolate factory.
la reine and the 2 youngest spent the whole week up there but came down on tuesday and wednesday for games. after the phs game on wednesday, we all went up for the balance of the week.
i must say it was about the best family vacation that i can remember. a great blend of lounging, exploring, playing, conversing, eating, and just enjoying. T had friends come up for short periods of time here and there, but for the most part we all just hung together and had fun.
i was impressed at how well the kids all got along with one another, at the patience everyone had with each other, and even the work ethic to keep the condo clean when we needed to.
the highlights ranged from having a great time just playing in the pool, playing pool, watching movies, riding the alpine slide & coaster, and the 4 boys riding the "worlds longest zipline", taking the whole fam to dinner at baja cantina, and la reine and i enjoying our first dinner at prime steakhouse - taking advantage of the off-season 2 for 1 entree special, finding a new artist and a specific piece that we're considering (don't worry la reine, i won't just run out and buy it... this time...).
sorry for not posting last week, but even though we had internet connectivity, i found much better things to do.
respectfully,
-jake
p.s. - neglected to mention shopping, see comments for more details, and here's a pic of the bag la reine picked up...
Friday, October 06, 2006
why we believe it
In President Faust's Priestood session talk he related the following account:
Many spiritual nutrients come while serving on a mission—from being totally involved in the work of the Master. They come from helping people become spiritually awake so that they can accept the gospel. Over a century ago when Elder J. Golden Kimball presided over the Southern States Mission, he called for a meeting of the elders. They were to meet in a secluded spot in the woods so they would have privacy. One of the elders had a problem with one of his legs. It was raw and swollen to at least twice the size of his other leg. But the elder insisted on attending this special priesthood meeting in the woods. So two of the elders carried him to this meeting place.
Elder Kimball asked the missionaries, "Brethren, what are you preaching?"
They said, "We are preaching the gospel of Jesus Christ."
"Are you telling these people that you have the power and authority, through faith, to heal the sick?" he asked.
They said, "Yes."
"Well then," he continued, "why don't you believe it?"
The young man with the swollen leg spoke up and said, "I believe it." Here is the rest of the story told in Elder Kimball's words: "[The elder] sat down on a stump and the elders gathered around him. He was anointed and I administered to him, and he was healed right in their presence. It was quite a shock; and every other elder that was sick was administered to, and they were all healed. We went out of that priesthood meeting and the elders received their appointments, and there was a joy and happiness that cannot be described." Their nutrient of faith had been replenished and their zeal for missionary work revived.
I was in staff meeting this morning when my phone rang. I glanced down and saw that the call was coming from my younger brother. I was prompted to leave the meeting and answer the call, so I stood from the table, excused myself, stepped outside of the room and answered my phone.
On the other end was Matt. I could not at first understand his words through his tears and his broken voice. After a moment or two, he was able to regain sufficient composure to ask if I would be able to come to the hospital and assist him in administering to his newborn son, my newest nephew. He proceeded to tell me that he'd not wanted to disturb me at work, but he'd tried to get ahold of our Dad and had not been successful.
I stepped back into the meeting, asked for everyone's understanding and informed them that I would need to leave to handle a family emergency, gathered my things and dropped them in my office on the way out.
As I drove to the hospital I prayed to the Father to allow his Spirit to be upon us as we prepared to bless this new little one in his hour of need. I prayed for my brother and his wonderful wife. I prayed for their other children, my sweet neice and nephew, who at 4 and 2 were struggling to understand why they couldn't come and see their new little brother or why both Mommy and Daddy had to be away from them. I prayed for myself that I might be ready and able to assist.
When I arrived at the hospital I was pleased to see that our dad had pulled in to the parking lot just before I, and together we met my brother for the walk upstairs. We first went to my sister-in-law's room for a family prayer, and then proceeded down the hall to the nursery for the blessing.
Tears filled our eyes as our Matt placed his hand on the wire covered stomach of his new little Caleb, with my father's hand on his, and mine on both of theirs, he proceeded to pronounce a blessing.
We are at peace in our faith now. We know that the Lord has the ability to make whole those things which are incomplete. I have experienced it many times in my life, as I'm sure you have.
Dear little Caleb Asher, be well and strong and whole. And may the Lord bless each of us to be the same, through the Atonement of His only Begotten, is my constant prayer.
- jake
Many spiritual nutrients come while serving on a mission—from being totally involved in the work of the Master. They come from helping people become spiritually awake so that they can accept the gospel. Over a century ago when Elder J. Golden Kimball presided over the Southern States Mission, he called for a meeting of the elders. They were to meet in a secluded spot in the woods so they would have privacy. One of the elders had a problem with one of his legs. It was raw and swollen to at least twice the size of his other leg. But the elder insisted on attending this special priesthood meeting in the woods. So two of the elders carried him to this meeting place.
Elder Kimball asked the missionaries, "Brethren, what are you preaching?"
They said, "We are preaching the gospel of Jesus Christ."
"Are you telling these people that you have the power and authority, through faith, to heal the sick?" he asked.
They said, "Yes."
"Well then," he continued, "why don't you believe it?"
The young man with the swollen leg spoke up and said, "I believe it." Here is the rest of the story told in Elder Kimball's words: "[The elder] sat down on a stump and the elders gathered around him. He was anointed and I administered to him, and he was healed right in their presence. It was quite a shock; and every other elder that was sick was administered to, and they were all healed. We went out of that priesthood meeting and the elders received their appointments, and there was a joy and happiness that cannot be described." Their nutrient of faith had been replenished and their zeal for missionary work revived.
I was in staff meeting this morning when my phone rang. I glanced down and saw that the call was coming from my younger brother. I was prompted to leave the meeting and answer the call, so I stood from the table, excused myself, stepped outside of the room and answered my phone.
On the other end was Matt. I could not at first understand his words through his tears and his broken voice. After a moment or two, he was able to regain sufficient composure to ask if I would be able to come to the hospital and assist him in administering to his newborn son, my newest nephew. He proceeded to tell me that he'd not wanted to disturb me at work, but he'd tried to get ahold of our Dad and had not been successful.
I stepped back into the meeting, asked for everyone's understanding and informed them that I would need to leave to handle a family emergency, gathered my things and dropped them in my office on the way out.
As I drove to the hospital I prayed to the Father to allow his Spirit to be upon us as we prepared to bless this new little one in his hour of need. I prayed for my brother and his wonderful wife. I prayed for their other children, my sweet neice and nephew, who at 4 and 2 were struggling to understand why they couldn't come and see their new little brother or why both Mommy and Daddy had to be away from them. I prayed for myself that I might be ready and able to assist.
When I arrived at the hospital I was pleased to see that our dad had pulled in to the parking lot just before I, and together we met my brother for the walk upstairs. We first went to my sister-in-law's room for a family prayer, and then proceeded down the hall to the nursery for the blessing.
Tears filled our eyes as our Matt placed his hand on the wire covered stomach of his new little Caleb, with my father's hand on his, and mine on both of theirs, he proceeded to pronounce a blessing.
We are at peace in our faith now. We know that the Lord has the ability to make whole those things which are incomplete. I have experienced it many times in my life, as I'm sure you have.
Dear little Caleb Asher, be well and strong and whole. And may the Lord bless each of us to be the same, through the Atonement of His only Begotten, is my constant prayer.
- jake
Monday, October 02, 2006
and everything after
There are days which call to the soul, questioning the measure, generating a sense of wonder, of looking askance at the living of life to ascertain whether we are fulfilled, happy, and receiving joy.
Today was such a day for me. I think it had something to do with the weather over the weekend which changed today into one of our first true fall days. That, likely coupled with the time spent in conference sessions. Conference is one of those times when I do a lot of self-evaluation against the metrics put forth by the Lord's chosen.
I've found myself more introspective than usual. It's happening more and more lately. La Reine has observed a veritable multiplicity of times over the past few months that I am "in a funk." Mid-life crisis? Nah. Am I planning on walking away from it all? Nah. I suspect that I'm simply being a tad bit selfish and doing a lot of "I wish..."es. But it's just as likely that I'm being prompted to evaluate and make necessary course corrections in order to better align myself to the things I should be doing. This doesn't mean though that I'm unhappy, in fact, it's quite the opposite, and simply likely that I'm paying more attention to the process as I get older I think.
I do know that I'm subtly unhappy at work. I've blogged about that before. That's one of those “I wish...” items. I wish that I were teaching history and literature somewhere rather than playing politics with a bunch of engineers. It gets awfully tiresome being the bad guy enforcer. I've had a few calls about jobs which sound awfully nice over the past few weeks, but they'd all involve either a) tons of travel or b) relocating to another state. I'm simply unwilling to do either. I keep hoping that something local will come up eventually. I remain sure that it will if it should.
My family is gloriously wonderful. This is what it's all about for sure. The I love yous, the games and play, the hugs and kisses, the prayers – all of it is truly grand. In that same vein, my friends are also a true joy to be around. These are the things which build and strengthen the soul.
Pardon the rambling, and thanks for reading.
- jake
Today was such a day for me. I think it had something to do with the weather over the weekend which changed today into one of our first true fall days. That, likely coupled with the time spent in conference sessions. Conference is one of those times when I do a lot of self-evaluation against the metrics put forth by the Lord's chosen.
I've found myself more introspective than usual. It's happening more and more lately. La Reine has observed a veritable multiplicity of times over the past few months that I am "in a funk." Mid-life crisis? Nah. Am I planning on walking away from it all? Nah. I suspect that I'm simply being a tad bit selfish and doing a lot of "I wish..."es. But it's just as likely that I'm being prompted to evaluate and make necessary course corrections in order to better align myself to the things I should be doing. This doesn't mean though that I'm unhappy, in fact, it's quite the opposite, and simply likely that I'm paying more attention to the process as I get older I think.
I do know that I'm subtly unhappy at work. I've blogged about that before. That's one of those “I wish...” items. I wish that I were teaching history and literature somewhere rather than playing politics with a bunch of engineers. It gets awfully tiresome being the bad guy enforcer. I've had a few calls about jobs which sound awfully nice over the past few weeks, but they'd all involve either a) tons of travel or b) relocating to another state. I'm simply unwilling to do either. I keep hoping that something local will come up eventually. I remain sure that it will if it should.
My family is gloriously wonderful. This is what it's all about for sure. The I love yous, the games and play, the hugs and kisses, the prayers – all of it is truly grand. In that same vein, my friends are also a true joy to be around. These are the things which build and strengthen the soul.
Pardon the rambling, and thanks for reading.
- jake
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