Party Time on the old Homestead

Thanksgiving was great!!!

Teresa's family invited us all down to Huntington for a Thanksgiving/Christmas celebration and we all had a good time. The turkey was delicious, the pies were delightful and all the activities were first rate.

The only negative was that Josh and Heather were in Virginia visiting her parents and family (they moved there earlier this year after Don lost his job in North Carolina and took another in VA).

A bunch of us went paintballing on Thursday. As I have commented before, I am only good as a target for all the other players. I can't get down low very well and I am much larger than I used to be so it is harder to hide behind trees (they have to be pretty broad to prevent anything from hanging out the sides). The positive thing is that Parker was able to 'kill' grandpa twice in his first escapade with paintball. In fact, I was the only player that 'died' every game so I guess I have the most experience with 'resurrection'. Joel, Kevin and I got into a pretty good 'firefight' and I received my most painful shooting when Joel nailed me in the back as I tried to get away. I can't see the impression but Teresa says it is pretty large and welt-like.

(Different colors are to represent the paintball experience)

Saturday afternoon Joel and I went to the annual BYU-Utah game and had a really fine time. The game was nip and tuck all the way with the Cougars finally prevailing in overtime. It has been several years since I went to a game live and this one was worth the wait. There was a bit of a brouhaha when Max Hall made some comments about the Utah fans and such after the game but I think it has been blown out of proportion by the media and others. What he said was not really much different than the quote I shared from a Utah fan who attended last year's game in Rice-Eccles Stadium. Sadly, these games seem to bring out the worst in some people.

It was a little hard for some of the students to come back to school today. All those days off gave them too much time to forget how to behave. It's only three weeks until they are off again and this time it will be for two whole weeks. January is going to be interesting.

We are only days away from a mission call for Joel.

Birthdays
this month
are Joel, Grandma Grange;
Melissa, and Parker.

And of course, we must not forget that this is when we celebrate the Savior's birth.

(Real birthday is April 6 for those who don't remember)

It's time to start playing Christmas
Music (several stations in town have been at it since October….Not Cool)

Thanks for the Memories

I know what you are thinking!!!

You probably think I am going to share a list of "thankfuls" in my life.

You're right.

But it's not a list like any I have made before. This one will share some of those invisible people

who have done some little thing and never been recognized.

None of the things they did were earth shaking but they were significant to my progression.

See if you can get a little of the drift for why I remember them so fondly.

 

Mr. Hobart Tompkins—probably the first teacher to take time to really help me feel like I was worth something. Mr. Tompkins was my English teacher when I was at Flagstaff Jr. High (9^th grade) and he was a stickler for proper grammar. All that I know of writing and speaking came from the lessons he taught and the practice he demanded. He was also the only person who believed I should run for student body office in that same Jr. High. The vote was not close but the seed of confidence was germinated and it grew from that experience.

Brother Reid—sadly, I don't remember his first name but I will always be grateful for the work he performed as my first scoutmaster. Physically I was a small boy but he encouraged me to be successful…and I felt like I was. He was killed in a trucking accident (my first experience with death) and left our troop to someone else but his influence has helped me have a desire to work in scouting. I have often thought of him while working with the boys in my own troops.

Raymond Beckham—OK, his influence wasn't such a little thing but he is not a person most people think of when looking back on my life. As the Mission President in the Canada Calgary Mission, he was assigned to keep track of nearly 300 19-21 year old young men and a few sisters and couples. As I have grown older, I am more and more amazed at the patience and care he was able to offer, despite what must have been an overwhelming responsibility. He was firm and demanding but those are things I needed at that time in my life. He was also very influential in setting the tone for the rest of my life. The two years he blessed my life have been the foundational years for my adulthood.

Ron Shill—Bro. Shill was my favorite professor during my undergraduate years at BYU. My first introduction to him was from another student who suggested I might want to transfer from his class. He was known to be difficult in his requirements and many were scared away but because of scheduling needs, I had no choice. My classmate was correct…the class was the hardest I had ever taken. But it was also the most interesting and enlightening business class of my years at BYU. I enjoyed it so much that I signed up for another class the next semester. I learned to be prepared and never try to fake a presentation from this marvelous teacher.

There are other people who have helped me along the way but these are the first that came to mind for this post.

Maybe another day I will be able to remember some more names.

Really stinks to get old and forget all the good.

Thank heavens for the Resurrection!!!

East Canyon and No Rants

I am experimenting with new fonts for blogging so be patient with this post. In the past I have found some to be too busy and almost unreadable. It does help to increase the size but many are still too fuzzy to be useful. This one seems to be pretty good so I will use for today.

Last weekend we had our annual family trip to East Canyon Resort. This has become a family tradition and has grown to include all the grandkids and even a friend or two for the single children. The setting is pleasant and there are no real distractions so we can focus on building the bonds that last forever…or at least try not to kill each other. It did help that we were able to use some 'bonus time' and get extra condo's so we weren't all on top of each other. One other benefit: each of our children made one of the meals and all were delightful. It is so nice to have good food when we are all together. Thanks ladies (and those men who helped) for improving the size of our waistline and tickling our taste-buds.

One of the grandkids was ill early on and by Sunday, we had several others who were exhibiting sickness signs. Don't think it was 'piggy flu' but who really knows these days. Even with the maladies, we were able to get in a few paintball games.

It was Bryce's first time and he really seemed to enjoy the action. And I was pleasantly surprised that he made no complaints when he was shot (more than once). He's getting to be a really solid young man. Can't wait to take the rest of the little ones out and take a few pot-shots at them. Reality is that I am so slow and stiff that I am an easy target for them and it makes me feel good to give them success. Or maybe I'm just a horrible player and get killed easily. Whichever, we had a grand time.

No new political or religious rants this time so I guess things must be pretty cool for now. Hope all are happy and praying for wise decisions from those who lead us. See you next post.

Religion and Politics revisited.

Not to beat a dead horse, but I found something today that I really like and can't wait to share. The source was a little surprising but I have verified this and think it sheds some light on the discussion of religion and politics. I was reading

Doctrines of Salvation by Joseph Fielding Smith and he offered the following quote:

"Our government rests

upon religion. It is from that source that we derive our reverence for truth and justice, for equality and liberality, and for the rights of mankind. Unless the people believe in these principles they cannot believe in our government. There are only two main theories of government in the world. One rests on righteousness and the other on force. One appeals to reason, and the other appeals to the sword. One is exemplified in the republic, the other is represented by a despotism.

"The government of a country never gets ahead of the religion of a country. There is no way by which we can substitute the authority of law for the virtue of man. Of course we endeavor to restrain the vicious, and furnish a fair degree of security and protection by legislation and police control, but the real reform which society in these days is seeking will come as a result of our religious convictions, or they will not come at all. Peace, justice, humanity, charity-these cannot be legislated into being. They are the result of divine grace."
(Speech at the unveiling of the equestrian statue of Bishop Francis Asbury, 15 October 1924)

The author of the above is none other than Calvin Coolidge, 30th President of the United States. President Smith was using this to teach about the events that are coming in the near future for our nation. In fact, the above quote was followed by this statement from Pres. Smith:

Well, words like that, I believe are spoken by inspiration. This is a warning to the people of this nation, coming from a former president of the United States. It is in full harmony with the word of the Lord in the book of Ether in the Book of Mormon (Ether 2:8-12),
in regard to this land. We cannot get away from the God of this land, without dire consequences following.
(Doctrines of Salvation, Vol. 3, p. 317-18, emphasis added)

Amazing how far we have come in the leadership of our nation. Just this year we had our current President telling the world that we are no longer a Christian nation. I know that he was trying to illustrate the diversity of our country but his actions and ideals seem to support the other interpretation. And lest some think I am picking on one particular party, I have just as many qualms about the leadership of the Republican Party as I do the Democrats. Neither is in line with the things God has directed us to do. I believe Pres. Smith envisioned this when he said:

Notwithstanding all the warnings the Lord has given us, we are rushing madly, headstrong to destructions, preparing ourselves if you please for the burning…. I can see evil in the trend of the times. I can see anarchy ahead of us. If we are going to permit men, in organized form, to desecrate the sacredness of the laws of this country and the Constitution…without protest, we are going to reap the whirlwind, just as surely as we live.
(ibid, 316-17)

Take all this in the context of the furor created by Elder Oaks message (see below) and we begin to see that things are not well in zion (small z meaning America because I hope we are working hard for the Zion experience within the structure of the Kingdom). But, even some who are searching for truth find themselves distracted (look at the last part of 2 Nephi 28:14 for a hint how this happens) and helping the other side (link to Harry Reid comments).

This is not to say that we are doomed because I do not believe that is true. We have strong people in the gospel and out in the world. And the truth, the Priesthood and the Prophets are with us and will guide us if we listen. But that means we have to do our part and protect those rights we have won with the blood of our ancestors. Sitting on the sidelines is no longer an option. Stand and speak out for the truths of God and let the world have their fits.

OK, that was a bit longer than expected but when I get going, WHEW, it is hard to stop. No offense was intended except to those who take the truth to be hard, so if you feel it, let it go. Until next time, adieu.

Five Great Things

Here is a list of the top five things I have always thought I wanted to do but for one reason or another, never accomplished. Someone with psychology experience (Josh DeMoux?) might look at these things and be able to make a judgment of my mental state but I'm OK with that. These will not be in any particular order so don't take the arrangement too seriously. And who knows, maybe next week I will have a completely different list.

One secret (well not so secret if you have been around me much) desire is to own a Corvette. My guess is that I would probably get bored with it fairly quickly (insurance expense comes to mind) but since I have never had one, it still sticks in my craw that I CAN'T have one.

There will come a day when I will actually make it to Australia and see the Great Barrier Reef. I don't know if it's the name or just the novelty of the location, but I want to swim there and tempt the sharks. Wellll, maybe not the sharks, but at least the reef.

As a child of the 60's, there is the desperate need, born of watching John Glenn and Neil Armstrong, to take flight into outer space. One day there will be a company that offers rides to the moon…I hope I live long enough to blast-off with them. My only concern is the weightless part. I sure have trouble with rides at the amusement park and I worry that I will make whatever vehicle I am in a "vomit comet"; but I'm sure they will make provisions for that. ;-)

If I am to feel accomplished in this life, before I pass to the next life there will be a book with my name on the front cover. Whether fiction or fact-filled, this book will be part of the legacy left for those who may not have known much about me. Primarily, my posterity is the focus for this dream. Remembering me as a grumpy old man is not going to wash. That means there will need to be some humor in whatever is written. I can do that!!!

And lastly, another vision that SHOULD become reality!! Teresa and I will spend a week or two in the great state of Alaska. This is another one of those 'burrs in the saddle' that I really can't explain except to say that it is there and I want to see it. I don't imagine much difference from northern Canada so I am prepared for disappointment but I still want to try.

Unlike my other lists, this one is shorter and leaves me open to second guessing. If you have other things I SHOULD want to do before I pass from this arena of existence, please feel free to add them to my catalog. We are here all week and accept tips as long as they are cash.

Elder Oaks

Hurray for Elder Oaks!!! There are Apostles on the Earth and one has spoken!!

 

For those who aren't aware, last week Elder Dallin H. Oaks of the Quorum of the Twelve was the speaker at a devotional for BYU-Idaho students and faculty. His message was one of truth and power for a struggling world. And, of course, those who are trying to destroy all the good there is in our lives were offended by his words. Reminds me of the Book of Mormon verse that says:

"…wherefore, the guilty taketh the truth to be hard, for it cutteth them to the very center." (1 Nephi 16:1)

Truth is unbending in its force and no amount of persuasion by man or beast can cause a change.

 

I suppose my biggest concern is that most people who comment on Elder Oaks talk seem to focus on the Prop. 8 business. That is only a subset of what he is teaching: he was not trying to speak about gay marriage as the main topic. His biggest concern is the drifting of society from a religion based foundation to one that is anti-religious. This shift is lessening the protections religion has had in the past and could result in a loss of freedoms that have been preserved since the founding of this nation. The adversary is behind this and those who are doing his work are pushing as hard as they can to collapse the ideals offered by religion.

 

Here's how I think Joseph Smith would respond to those who think they can eliminate God and His Kingdom from this earth:

…the Standard of Truth has been erected; no unhallowed hand can stop the work from progressing; persecutions may rage, mobs may combine, armies may assemble, calumny may defame, but the truth of God will go forth boldly, nobly, and independent, till it has penetrated every continent, visited every clime, swept every country, and sounded in every ear; till the purposes of God shall be accomplished, and the Great Jehovah shall say the work is done.

Joseph Smith Jr.—Letter to John Wentworth

 

I am confident that the work of God will continue to move forward. I am certain that the power of the Book of Mormon will be offered to all mankind and those who accept will find something that has been missing from their lives. I have no fear of man or the things they can do to this work. Only ONE matters when it comes time for judgment. I answer to Him and look for the day I will be with Him.

 

Rage on O' worldly ones,

Let your fires burn and scar.

There is a Light that shines on us,

Because of ONE afar.

Nothing much but a little.

This will be short and pictureless but it has been too long without a post. School and work around the house have kept me very busy so I don't have a lot of exciting adventures to report. We continue to dig the "crypt" under the house (that has become our FHE activity for the past few weeks)
in order to make a new food storage area. Encountering water had made the whole thing interesting but solutions have come as needed. Joel is doing well at school (except he has a hard time with his 8 am class) and is now preparing his papers for a mission. The hope is that we will have everything submitted in two weeks so his call will come well before his birthday. For an update on the other kids, check out their blogs (Melissa, Josh, Kevin, Brian).

Spent the day Saturday raking and preparing the lawn for overseeding so we can have better grass next spring. Combine that with my golf experience on Friday (Josh and Joel and I decided to lose a few balls together) and you have the makings for a back ache that creates a bit of Sabbath discomfort. Nothing that can't be dealt with but annoying nonetheless. I guess, compared with the misery Donna is having, this is just a small annoyance that can be ignored. BTW, she is doing a little better and hopes to continue improvement. Best wishes and love to her.

Both the work projects (lawn and 'crypt') required new purchases. Digging a sump pit for the 'crypt' resulted in a broken shovel (blasted thing just snapped in half) and intense raking found the handle of the old rake crumbling from exhaustion. Hardware store visits returned with "25 Year Guaranteed" replacements that better last that long. By then I will be 79 years old and probably won't care if they work or not. Or maybe I will be old and crusty and get angry for their failure. I'll let you know when I get there.

Gotta run for now. Sundays are always busy and today is no exception. Fast day is my favorite so I want to be in my best form. Next week is conference and I expect I will have lots to say. The week after we will be blessing Ellie (Elinor Louise Melissa DeMoux). Fun stuff!!!

Grandkids, Aunts, and Missionaries

One day I am going to find a way to post a blog and not have to insert the photo/pictures from the blog site itself. I use MS Word to create my postings but it doesn't let me post attachments (or at least I haven't found out how to do it). Just a little bother that I hope to resolve in the near future.

This past Tuesday we had the new addition to the family. Melissa was most gracious and delivered Elinor Louise Melissa DeMoux to our family in the early afternoon. Ellie was 7 lbs 11 oz and 20 or so inches long with a full head of black, wavy hair. She is also sporting two double chins and some juicy, rosy cheeks. Teresa and I think she looks a lot like Aubrey but Melissa and Josh aren't sure. Way to go Melissa and little Ellie.

For those who don't follow Josh and Heather's blog, there is a posting showing Matt beginning to walk. He is in the "orangutan" stage (where they walk with arms upraised and totter back and forth for balance) but is getting around very well. I went by their place last night and he was all over the driveway (and into everything Heather didn't want him to get). This is one curious, adventurous little man.

On another grandchild front: Brian and Paula went to see their geneticist about Becca this week. Here are some of the results. We are so grateful that Becca has such wonderful parents. They never give up and they are always so positive in the face of VERY difficult circumstances. The future of this little clan is very bright because they are led by such special parents.

Some of you may be wondering about the aunt part of this posting!!?? When my Dad and Mom got married (many moons ago) my mom had two sisters who were younger than me. Donna and Debbie were close enough in age to us that they were embarrassed to be counted as aunts so they usually introduced us as 'cousins.' It was OK cause I would have felt the same way! Anyways, my AUNTIE Donna has been really sick for the past several years. She is a trooper and has tried to keep things on the quiet side but health matters usually find their way out into the open. This is one special young lady (she is, after all, younger than I) and we are so concerned for her well-being. Any who know her might want to include her in your prayers or even your fasting for this coming weekend. It pains me to see those I love in such pain and not be able to do much. Get well soon, Donna and know we are with you.

Last week I came home from work and Teresa suggested that I take a look at our inbox. Normally she doesn't send me that way so I was intrigued. The first post was sent by someone named Selena and I immediately had a picture of a little girl from Canada flash through my mind. Her family lived in the first area where I served my mission (Stettler, Alberta) and they were the first and ONLY family I had the pleasure to teach and see baptized my whole mission. So imagine my elation when the e-mail WAS from the same young lady (now 35 years older) stating she had been looking for me and wanted to share a little of her life. For once in my life, I was flabbergasted and didn't know what to do. I sat there just staring at the letter and felt something I had never experienced before. Here was a person who was thanking me for helping make a change in her life (at a very young age) that has been a source of strength and happiness for more than 3 decades. I was moved beyond my ability to respond, except to shed a few tears of gratitude.

The next day, at school, I tried to share the experience and found myself choked up and unable to finish the story without a few moments of recovery. Even today, nearly a week later, I am touched by the spirit of what has transpired and cannot fathom the reaction I have felt. Maybe it is like that scripture in the Doctrine and Covenants which says:

"And if it so be that you should labor all your days in crying repentance unto this people, and bring, save it be one soul unto me, how great shall be your joy with him (or her) in the kingdom of my Father!" (D&C 18:15

What a "tender mercy" this has been for me. Heavenly Father has offered me a look at what it will be like if I continue to work and help others find His Son. That little 11 yr old girl, whom I had never forgotten but who seemed so fragile in testimony, has remained faithful and has brought such great joy to my life and the lives of her own family. Who would have guess such a thing might happen? Certainly not me!!! I am forever thankful to Selena for looking me up and for a Father who knows when I need a true boost in life.

(The picture I have posted is from Selena. It shows her family—she is the older of the two little girls—with Elder Gilmore on the left and some skinny elder on the right)

School is coming… so get ready!!

I am getting ready for a new school year and there are several ideas that have been trundling around in my mind. For instance, does it really do any good to change the physical environment of my classroom every year? Unlike some teachers, I have an inordinate number of family pictures in my room so I wonder how affects the students when I change the arrangements. Oh, I usually add some things relating to our course of study (this year it is Book of Mormon) but the essence of my efforts lies in my infatuation with my family. Maybe someone could do a study to see if there is any cause and effect in what I do.

My bougainvillea plant passed on to the spirit world and some of my ivies have given up the chloroform so I went to Home Depot and got a few 'baby' plants for the pots that were empty. Turns out I had six naked receptacles. Didn't know that!!! With new dirt and some TLC (not the Jon and Kate kind), I now have a happy supply of little green things that may or may not enhance the oxygen supply in my classrooms (I have two cause I'm teaching at a Jr. high and a high school). Their success will create an atmosphere (figuratively and literally) where the young people can learn and grow (not unlike the little green things).

Lest you think I am loafing in life, listen to my new teaching schedule. Each morning I will arrive at the seminary early to teach the 0 (zero) hour class (formerly known as Early Morning or OH Dark Thirty). Immediately at the conclusion of that little venture my horse will be saddled and I will traverse the scary 3500 South construction zone (www.udot.utah.gov/3500south) to share the gospel with the citizens of West Lake Jr. High. These fine lovers of truth will enjoy their learning experience for two periods after which my little green pony will scurry right back to Granger High School to finish the classes I am assigned there. It sounds worse than it is--- I really love what I do and I volunteered for the 0 hour class. It's just a very busy schedule, both teaching and prepping.

On a more serious note, I have been watching the news stories on some events in our lovely state. While I am not so naïve that I believe nothing bad will ever happen here, I am of the opinion that good people in the world outnumber the evil ones by a large margin. But, it has become apparent that there are many in our society who have forgotten what it means to stay on the correct side of the line of goodness. Despite warnings and examples to the contrary, a contingent of folk have initiated relationships that are illegal, unhealthy and downright BAD. These soirées are with people they have no business 'relating' to. Teachers who work with young people are taught how to avoid circumstances that will lead to misery, prison, and loss of trust from their own family. Yet they still step into those dangerous liaisons and think they can survive. Businessmen who travel have a mistaken idea that "what happens in Vegas stays in Vegas." Specific events may be hidden but character cannot be covered up. Even religious leaders will find themselves crossing over previously solid lines with the rationale that they are helping. Sadly, all they help is their own downfall. All of these scenarios are part of the work the adversary promotes in his efforts to destroy man, the family and the work of God (For those who believe we make our own karma/choices, you are correct. But the devil sure does his part in opening doors for us). The line is set and cannot be moved one iota. Moral behavior is expected from every one of us. There is no exception for celebrity or political presence or power-broker or any other entity. A life of honest morality is expected. If lines are crossed, then penalties must be paid. God will forgive and some men/women will do the same (though all should, D&C 64:9-10). But the losses caused by the execution of these forms of wickedness will have long-lasting and debilitating effects on the nation, the family and the individual. It makes my heart sad to see the devastation reaped by so many who choose so poorly. May God protect my family and those I love from these things!!!

Next blog I think I will consider how my life will be changed when the new Health Care program is instituted. Or maybe I will focus on what it feels like to have my toenails plucked out one by one. Seems like both will provide the same end result……….lots of misery! See you next time.

Wood Badge and Ears

I know the title isn't what you might expect but it signifies where I was for the past week. Before you get all crazy, I am not a fanatic scouter who wears his uniform everywhere and bleeds green blood (or blue or orange). But I do have a healthy appreciation for the benefit scouting is to young men so I try to be informed. For several years I have wanted to become Wood Badge certified so I finally took the time to go learn. For those wondering if it is worth it, it is. Not the easiest thing to do (I am, after all 54 and not quite as nimble as I used to be) but well worth the effort to become a better leader.

For those familiar with Wood Badge, I am a Beaver (I used to be a beaver, a good old beaver too…). My patrol consisted of five other men besides myself. We are all from differing backgrounds (soldier, engineer, furniture salesman, social studies teacher, not really sure, and me) but we were able to make a pretty good and efficient group. We had the advantage of all being independent so we were able to look at situations and see where we could be of use and get right to work. Other groups had folks who waited until someone told them what to do and lost time waiting around. Some of our activities required creative thinking so the fact that we all were willing to be involved made it more likely we could come up with a good plan. All in all, I enjoyed the week.

The negative is that I lost my hearing aids while we were up there. I had decided to take them out so they didn't get full of dust (I can still hear without them but they help with the high range…women and kids voices) and left them in my truck. After the week was over, I looked for them and discovered they were gone. Nothing else was missing so I can only assume I somehow kicked them out of the truck and lost them. It's not such a problem for me because I can get by without them but it is a big problem for my sweet wife (who has taken to carrying a stick to get my attention) and my students at school (when we go back). I suppose if we don't have some luck finding them soon, I will have to replace the silly little beasts.

I need to make this short because Melissa said my last entry was the "longest blog she has ever read." Bye for now.