204 lbs.
Shooting for 180 by Thanksgiving. Anyone else want to play?
Sunday, October 05, 2008
Friday, May 16, 2008
Monday, April 07, 2008
Edith Hoag Drake
It's been much too long since I last was in church,
And may God forgive how selfishly search.
Trying to find excitement and fun,
And turning my back on all that He's done.
The ways of the world seem to be my delight.
I live in the dark, I shut out the light.
To all that is right, I quickly rebel,
Knowing this life leads only to hell.
It seems nothing matters but doing what's wrong,
To put Satan first, to sing loud his song.
I know there is something deep within,
Letting me know, I can never win.
There's one thing I know I will do,
For I do believe God's love is true.
My daughter, I swear, will so live for him.
His light in her life will never grow dim.
To know in my heart she's held in his heads.
I must make her life a part in his plans.
As long as she's young this promise I give,
She'll always know God, and for Him to live.
Written By: Edith Hoag Drake, 1964
Edith Drake was one of my employees, the on-site manager for Riverside West Apartments in South Seattle. I will never be able to replace her. I was privileged to know her here on earth. I attended her memorial service last Wednesday where her poem was read. From deep despair of her past she not only lived for Him for her daughter's sake but she also was an instrument in His hands for countless people. I am humbled and have an admiration for Edith that words do not express. Person after person stood at Edith's memorial service and thanked her family and God for putting her in their path. Numerous times did I hear "I would have been homeless if it were not for Edith." She gave everyone a second chance when they needed it. No matter what their past she would say, "prove it", she would always explain that "Words could tell you anything but until you prove it with actions I will not believe you." Edith knew that God had placed people in her path and she would do everything in her power to help them. Like a scene straight out of a movie, the mailman stood and spoke and expressed a thought that everyone there agreed with; "Anyone that ever crossed Edith path is a better person." She will be missed.
And may God forgive how selfishly search.
Trying to find excitement and fun,
And turning my back on all that He's done.
The ways of the world seem to be my delight.
I live in the dark, I shut out the light.
To all that is right, I quickly rebel,
Knowing this life leads only to hell.
It seems nothing matters but doing what's wrong,
To put Satan first, to sing loud his song.
I know there is something deep within,
Letting me know, I can never win.
There's one thing I know I will do,
For I do believe God's love is true.
My daughter, I swear, will so live for him.
His light in her life will never grow dim.
To know in my heart she's held in his heads.
I must make her life a part in his plans.
As long as she's young this promise I give,
She'll always know God, and for Him to live.
Written By: Edith Hoag Drake, 1964
Edith Drake was one of my employees, the on-site manager for Riverside West Apartments in South Seattle. I will never be able to replace her. I was privileged to know her here on earth. I attended her memorial service last Wednesday where her poem was read. From deep despair of her past she not only lived for Him for her daughter's sake but she also was an instrument in His hands for countless people. I am humbled and have an admiration for Edith that words do not express. Person after person stood at Edith's memorial service and thanked her family and God for putting her in their path. Numerous times did I hear "I would have been homeless if it were not for Edith." She gave everyone a second chance when they needed it. No matter what their past she would say, "prove it", she would always explain that "Words could tell you anything but until you prove it with actions I will not believe you." Edith knew that God had placed people in her path and she would do everything in her power to help them. Like a scene straight out of a movie, the mailman stood and spoke and expressed a thought that everyone there agreed with; "Anyone that ever crossed Edith path is a better person." She will be missed.
Sunday, April 06, 2008
General Conference Thoughts
So it is Sunday night after general conference. I watched a total of 10 hrs between yesterday and today consisting talks and singing. As usual I have been spiritually uplifted. Tons and tons of information, suggestions, list, how-to's, and commandments. I was trying to explain to Aubrey today that I would be better off just with one session of general conference and then at least I would be able to remember what was spoken about and try to apply it to my life. With 4 sessions and the priesthood session I sometimes feel overwhelmed. Although there is a simple solution as presented in our elders quorum a few weeks ago;
Added weight in the right area will give us balance and stability. Let me try to explain. At the beginning of the class a paper airplane was folded and the teacher asked for a volunteer to try and fly the plane. When the volunteer tried to throw the airplane it did not take flight, it just flopped to the ground. The teacher then produce a paper clip which he then added to the front of the airplane. Once again the volunteer put the airplane in flight and it flew all the way across the room. This was used as an example of positioning weight in the correct area to give us balance. It took someone with the knowledge (a Boeing engineer) to properly place the weight, anyone else might have thought that adding weight would have only added to the problem of the airplane not being able to fly. We then discussed a conference talk from the October general conference that gave 8 or 10 things that we could do bring balance to our lives. Just as the airplane, this list of 10 things could be perceived as added weight or as weight in the right area so that we can receive balance and stability in our lives.
As I watched general conference this weekend I could not help but think about that lessons from Elders Quorum. As our Prophet and the Apostles continued to added "things to do" to our list I knew that I needed to view them as added weight in the right areas of my life and not run screaming with my hands in the air giving up. I pray that I will do those things that I have been taught to do this weekend and I know that I will receive added balance and stability in my life.
Added weight in the right area will give us balance and stability. Let me try to explain. At the beginning of the class a paper airplane was folded and the teacher asked for a volunteer to try and fly the plane. When the volunteer tried to throw the airplane it did not take flight, it just flopped to the ground. The teacher then produce a paper clip which he then added to the front of the airplane. Once again the volunteer put the airplane in flight and it flew all the way across the room. This was used as an example of positioning weight in the correct area to give us balance. It took someone with the knowledge (a Boeing engineer) to properly place the weight, anyone else might have thought that adding weight would have only added to the problem of the airplane not being able to fly. We then discussed a conference talk from the October general conference that gave 8 or 10 things that we could do bring balance to our lives. Just as the airplane, this list of 10 things could be perceived as added weight or as weight in the right area so that we can receive balance and stability in our lives.
As I watched general conference this weekend I could not help but think about that lessons from Elders Quorum. As our Prophet and the Apostles continued to added "things to do" to our list I knew that I needed to view them as added weight in the right areas of my life and not run screaming with my hands in the air giving up. I pray that I will do those things that I have been taught to do this weekend and I know that I will receive added balance and stability in my life.
Sunday, February 10, 2008
Our Land
Nameless died as an assasin but was buried as a hero.
I recently watched Master and Commander and Hero. I love both these movies and have come to find out that all the movies that I enjoy the most have the same underlying theme. Devotion to God and Country. I am blessed that I strive for God and Country each day and have family and friends that do the same. Thank you for all of your great examples.
Quote from the movie Hero "One person's pain is nothing when compared to the suffering of all."
"This scroll of Broken Sword's isn't about sword technique but about swordsmanship's ultimate ideal. Swordsmanship's first achievement is the unity of man and sword. Once this unity is attained even a blade of grass can be a weapon. The second achievement is when the sword exists in one's heart when absent from one's hand. One can strike an enemy at 10 paces even with bare hands. Swordsmanship's ultimate achievement is the absence of the swordin both hand and heart. The swordsman is at peace with the rest of the world. He vows not to kill and to bring peace to mankind."
Tuesday, January 08, 2008
Monday, May 21, 2007
Wednesday, February 14, 2007
for my Love
I really love you more then words can describe. You are constantly in my thoughts. I always want to be at your side. I love your touch. I love each and every moment that I have to talk to you. You are everything that I dreamed plus more. I am blessed to have you in my life. Each and everyday I love waking up by your side and can't wait to get home to see you. You motivate me and give me strength and faith. Thank you for your example of service, it brings the spirit into our home and reminds me what life is all about. Our home that you have constructed so carefully is where I feel most comfortable and can relax. Thank you for your hard work. I love you and I will love you forever.
Tuesday, January 23, 2007
The mystery has been solved!
To all that do not understand my likes and dislikes when it comes to food I present you with "Paul's Food Theory". Remember a theory stays true until proven false.
"Hurry up and eat so that we can have dessert"
I only crave desserts. I am not interested in eating unless it is followed by dessert. I will eat anything so long as it is followed by dessert. I have never met someone that hates food so much and loves dessert as much as I do. I finally have an answer to questions about food that people constantly ask me.
"Hurry up and eat so that we can have dessert"
I only crave desserts. I am not interested in eating unless it is followed by dessert. I will eat anything so long as it is followed by dessert. I have never met someone that hates food so much and loves dessert as much as I do. I finally have an answer to questions about food that people constantly ask me.
Wednesday, January 17, 2007
Is El Nino to blame for this?
Snow in Seattle again. Who is to blame? Each night that I put my daughter to sleep she now gets excited and says, "Maybe it will snow tonight." With the weather that we have been having it is easy to believe it. Maybe a long cold wet winter will be paid off with a really nice summer.
Thursday, December 28, 2006
I think my beautiful wife is Superhuman
Have you ever wonder if your spouse has super powers? I am past the wondering part, I know that my wife has super powers. She could put Wonder woman away. For example please see http://aubreyannie.blogspot.com for her modest explanation of her surgery, power outage mayhem, Christmas prep, Christmas Eve and Christmas Day. Then please read the following to see what really happened. Only someone with super powers could go through this, I was just hanging on for the ride.
Surgery-- Not only did she have surgery she had at least two very painful occurrences of twisting of the cyst that she had. First is Denver on the 4th of July when she ended up in the emergency room and then another time here and she ended up spending the afternoon in a Dr's office figuring out what the problem might be. I am sure that there were more uncomfortable times but those are the two major ones. Then the surgery. Drs. And Nurses are casually blunt about surgery. **Warning blunt and not for someone with a weak stomach** e.g. "Ok, we will cut you open, then pull out your ovaries, find and slice off the cyst, put everything back in place and the sew you back up." The actually surgery went as good as planned. Cyst removed and recovery started. They tried everything but the way that her body reacted to being invaded and trying to put itself back together again was worse then the surgery. Nausea set in on the way up to her hospital room. They were able to settle her stomach some through medicine via IV enough for her to rest a little and eat and drink some. Each time she would try and get up the nausea would come back. The day after she got enough strength and we felt that the recovery would be more comfortable at home, so we went home. After she ate dinner she decided to get in bed and rest, but that did not happen. Pain killers and two different nausea meds were not doing the trick. Days without rest and nights without rest until the surgeon, drs, and nurses decided to stop all drugs, drink ginger tea (to clam the stomach) and rest. It did the trick, she was finally able to sleep through the night and start eating. So let me put my perspective on it. After major invasive surgery my wife, lets call her superwomen, does not rely on medications for the pain or for the nausea. She just deals with it. During this time she still managers to coordinate many different things that were going on in her home, with friends and with church. Maybe ginger is her kryptonite?
Power outage-- Ok, big storm, lots and lots of wind, trees falling down, etc... Our power went out in the middle of the night on Thursday night. Our daughter came into our bed and at that point now one got much sleep at all. Friday I came into work and my super human wife entertained the kids all day with no electricity, fed them and continued to go on even without power. That night we all slept by fire to keep warm. The next morning at about 6:30 am our power came back on. When we started to get up, the phone started to ring, people came to the door. Many of our friends were still without power. Rather then saying, I am sorry I hope your power comes on soon, my wife said "Come on over, we have power, do you want breakfast?" Families started to pour in. I am not sure how many people Aubrey made breakfast and lunch for that day, but I know that she fed 16 for dinner, then another 7 came for after dinner activities. 16 people stayed the night in our 3 bedroom apartment. Again she fed them for breakfast. As power came on for people they started to leave. Are good friends stayed with us until Tuesday night when their power finally came back on. Also on Monday 3 friends showed up from Bend, OR. That same evening/night she prepared a huge thanksgiving type feast for us, two other families and another friend. During all of this our home stayed picked up and clean. I don't think there is a hostess as a super hero, but my wife deserves those honors. (Please see hotess in the dictionary, you will find my wife's picture.)
Christmas prep-- My sometime 8 hrs in the office to not compare to the 24/7 career of my wife. Thank you cards, christmas cards, presents for family, friends, primary teachers, and primary children, holiday activities, fudge, sugar cookies, cinnamon rolls, and peperiment bark, shopping for meals and treats, all happened during the aforementioned activities. Are you serious? Please no questions, my wife is superhuman.
Christmas Eve-- Although things changed at the last minute and we switched our Christmas feast from Eve to actual day, she still managed to make a wonderful Christmas Eve feast of Raspberry Glazed Pork Chops.
Christmas Day-- With the last minute changes our friend had to go to the hopsital, so plans were changed again. Best of all the feast that she made for our small family or four, was quickly motified for our friends family because they had just got out of the hospital and did not have dinner ready so my wife after talking to them on the phone when they got out of the hospital that is five minutes away and letting them know that they could eat with us, she had the table set for them and when they came to pick up there son insisted that they eat with us. Do superhumans perform miracles?, because my wife did.
I know know what it is like to live with and have a superhuman as a wife. Power, courage, boldness, meekness, pure love, charity, optimism, without guile are a few of the laundry list of charateristics that I love about my wife.
Surgery-- Not only did she have surgery she had at least two very painful occurrences of twisting of the cyst that she had. First is Denver on the 4th of July when she ended up in the emergency room and then another time here and she ended up spending the afternoon in a Dr's office figuring out what the problem might be. I am sure that there were more uncomfortable times but those are the two major ones. Then the surgery. Drs. And Nurses are casually blunt about surgery. **Warning blunt and not for someone with a weak stomach** e.g. "Ok, we will cut you open, then pull out your ovaries, find and slice off the cyst, put everything back in place and the sew you back up." The actually surgery went as good as planned. Cyst removed and recovery started. They tried everything but the way that her body reacted to being invaded and trying to put itself back together again was worse then the surgery. Nausea set in on the way up to her hospital room. They were able to settle her stomach some through medicine via IV enough for her to rest a little and eat and drink some. Each time she would try and get up the nausea would come back. The day after she got enough strength and we felt that the recovery would be more comfortable at home, so we went home. After she ate dinner she decided to get in bed and rest, but that did not happen. Pain killers and two different nausea meds were not doing the trick. Days without rest and nights without rest until the surgeon, drs, and nurses decided to stop all drugs, drink ginger tea (to clam the stomach) and rest. It did the trick, she was finally able to sleep through the night and start eating. So let me put my perspective on it. After major invasive surgery my wife, lets call her superwomen, does not rely on medications for the pain or for the nausea. She just deals with it. During this time she still managers to coordinate many different things that were going on in her home, with friends and with church. Maybe ginger is her kryptonite?
Power outage-- Ok, big storm, lots and lots of wind, trees falling down, etc... Our power went out in the middle of the night on Thursday night. Our daughter came into our bed and at that point now one got much sleep at all. Friday I came into work and my super human wife entertained the kids all day with no electricity, fed them and continued to go on even without power. That night we all slept by fire to keep warm. The next morning at about 6:30 am our power came back on. When we started to get up, the phone started to ring, people came to the door. Many of our friends were still without power. Rather then saying, I am sorry I hope your power comes on soon, my wife said "Come on over, we have power, do you want breakfast?" Families started to pour in. I am not sure how many people Aubrey made breakfast and lunch for that day, but I know that she fed 16 for dinner, then another 7 came for after dinner activities. 16 people stayed the night in our 3 bedroom apartment. Again she fed them for breakfast. As power came on for people they started to leave. Are good friends stayed with us until Tuesday night when their power finally came back on. Also on Monday 3 friends showed up from Bend, OR. That same evening/night she prepared a huge thanksgiving type feast for us, two other families and another friend. During all of this our home stayed picked up and clean. I don't think there is a hostess as a super hero, but my wife deserves those honors. (Please see hotess in the dictionary, you will find my wife's picture.)
Christmas prep-- My sometime 8 hrs in the office to not compare to the 24/7 career of my wife. Thank you cards, christmas cards, presents for family, friends, primary teachers, and primary children, holiday activities, fudge, sugar cookies, cinnamon rolls, and peperiment bark, shopping for meals and treats, all happened during the aforementioned activities. Are you serious? Please no questions, my wife is superhuman.
Christmas Eve-- Although things changed at the last minute and we switched our Christmas feast from Eve to actual day, she still managed to make a wonderful Christmas Eve feast of Raspberry Glazed Pork Chops.
Christmas Day-- With the last minute changes our friend had to go to the hopsital, so plans were changed again. Best of all the feast that she made for our small family or four, was quickly motified for our friends family because they had just got out of the hospital and did not have dinner ready so my wife after talking to them on the phone when they got out of the hospital that is five minutes away and letting them know that they could eat with us, she had the table set for them and when they came to pick up there son insisted that they eat with us. Do superhumans perform miracles?, because my wife did.
I know know what it is like to live with and have a superhuman as a wife. Power, courage, boldness, meekness, pure love, charity, optimism, without guile are a few of the laundry list of charateristics that I love about my wife.
Thursday, November 16, 2006
Did I ever tell you about my beautiful wife?
As we approach one week after surgery things are going well and my love for my love has been expanded to new levels. She is amazing. She is powerful. I love her.
Monday, October 30, 2006
Mortal Turf
"Conscience warns us not to sink our cleats too deeply in mortal turf, which is so dangerously artificial."
--Neal A. Maxwell
--Neal A. Maxwell
Friday, October 20, 2006
Crab anyone?
Does this look like someone that loves crab? Ava loved it. I could not get the meat out fast enough for her. The ironic part is three days later she didn't want any crab. I guess she is still trying to aquire an expensive taste.
Tuesday, October 17, 2006
Failure
Failure is not the falling down, but the staying down.
We all have mistakes, we all fall, but do we all get up again?
We all have mistakes, we all fall, but do we all get up again?
Monday, October 16, 2006
Children's books
Why do I learn more reading children's books then I did reading all throughout high school? It either proves how dumb I am or how pathetic high school was.
Tuesday, October 03, 2006
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