Ramblings

Me again, from halfway across the world.

2011-04-13T05:07:00.000-07:00

Apparently I keep forgetting about this. Too much going on my life, I guess. I choose to write in my real-world, physical, pen and paper journal instead. Additionally, I go stretches without internet accessibility, so even I remembered, it's not possible to update. I guess I really am rambling now. I should go to bed.

So much for consistency

2010-10-17T11:59:00.000-07:00

Apparently, I mentioned in my last post that I was going to try and write something every week. Didn't happen. It's been a busy summer, and somewhat exciting in some regards. I spent three weeks in Hawaii (on assignment with the Navy). I really enjoyed many aspects of that assignment. I liked most of the people I worked with; I liked my shifts, and the time off; and I mostly liked my job. I was home for a week, and then off to Korea for two and a half weeks (once again, on assignment with the Navy). I did not enjoy most aspects of that assignment. I liked a couple of the people I worked with; my berthing (billeting, for you Army types) situation and my shifts left a lot to be desired; and I sort of liked my job. (If for some reason, you seek specifics or details, feel free to ask; of course, that would imply that someone is actually reading this.)

I wrapped up all my paperwork for my Navy Chaplain package, and then was told that there was more. I am trying now to meet an Oct. 20th deadline to have all my paperwork looked at in November. I have completed all the things I need to do, and even a few things that others are supposed to do. The three final things that I know of are:

the paperwork on the interview I did on Friday, which is supposedly in process,

the Conditional Release, which is supposedly in process as well, lost at BUPERS,

and my CO's recommendation, which I just wrote and is now signed and just needs to be delivered to the recruiter's office.

I am losing faith that it will all happen by this Wednesday. I guess there's always next month, which delays everything else, including and most importantly, my paycheck. I guess I won't get one of those for several months still.

Nothing really.

2010-06-06T08:03:00.000-07:00

So I don't really have much of interest, but I figured I should make a habit of writing something here every week so I don't forget about it again, especially since I have so much time on my hands these days. First, that picture over there on the left: I was going to post a picture that we took a few weeks ago in front of our house, but it's either still on the camera, or on the other computer, and I am too lazy to fix the situation right now. As you can see, this is a low-resolution proof not intended for distribution. I was regretting not having ordered a copy of this picture, but realized that it's out of date anyway. Kind of makes me think, what's the point of paying money for a family portrait that will be outdated upon the arrival of the next child? Next, update on jobs and Navy stuff: there is no real update. I am waiting on letters of recommendation to flow in, and trying to figure out if I can just send them a copy of my most recent health assessment thing or if I need a new one for some reason (the recruiter and civilian processor share the same apathy for my situation and do not respond to my inquiries in a timely manner, or any manner for that matter, come to think of it, neither one has responded to an email or returned a phone call). I started looking into ADT (Active Duty for Training) opportunities (basically, it's a different pot of money beyond my "two-weeks a year") and was initially encouraged at the many opportunities that were listed, including one in Panama for 45 days. That position was already filled and I have not heard back on any others, we shall see what the future holds. Last, the mundane activities of the last week or so: The yard looked really nice for a few days, but the grass grows quickly and now it's just nice, not really nice. We had fun on Memorial Day playing softball up in Salt Lake with my brother's family. We had a flag ceremony here in the morning, did some stuff around the house, then drove up there for a picnic and softball. Belle's urologist thinks her problems are caused by repetitive UTI's. After we clear this one up he wants to maintain her on a low dose of antibiotics as a prophylaxis (a preventive measure). We had fun playing on the ward coed softball team last night as well. We are preparing for our trip to California and Disneyland, but it's hard because Amy and I have very different opinions of what makes a good vacation (fill every waking minute of every day with some scheduled activity or event: Amy, v. kick back, relax, do a few things here and there as the urge comes: me).

As Promised

2010-05-23T12:54:00.001-07:00

So, I said I would say something about my drive down. I drove all the way to the California border without stopping. No food breaks, no restroom breaks, and most importantly, no stops to get gas. One tank, all the way to Primm, NV (right on the CA border). Pretty cool, huh?

Okay, while that is cool, that's not what I really wanted to say about the drive. I was listening to the CDs of the most recent LDS Chaplains' Seminar (and by the way, Carrie, thanks for you words, I obviously did not hear them when they were delivered) and based on what a few different speakers had said, I felt like I needed to talk to my Heavenly Father and explain my current frustrations and confusions. So I stopped the CD and started praying. I explained that I knew I had been called to the chaplaincy, but was doubting if the details of my call were of my own choosing, or part of the call. I wondered if I should start looking for a primary career and be a chaplain in the reserves instead. I even wondered if I should look into the Army since I know they are still hiring. I got the distinct impression that I should "Stay Navy" (it's a slogan from the Navy Reserve). I also felt like I should pursue an appointment as an active duty chaplain. I almost felt like the Lord was telling me "I have a spot for you." I am still trying to figure out if these are my own thoughts and feelings talking to me, or if this really is inspiration. I really want it to be what the Lord is telling me, but often when we are so attached and emotionally involved in the situation it is easy to confuse our own feelings with what the Lord is telling us. It would take a miracle for me to be headed to school before next March, but all things are possible for God (by definition, that's what a miracle is). President Boyd K. Packer said that he once had a question and President McKay advised him how to proceed. He did not see how to go forward and President (then Elder) Harold B. Lee told him that the problem was that he (President (then Elder) Packer) wanted to see the end from the beginning and he replied that he just wanted to see a few steps ahead. President Lee told him that "you must learn to walk to the edge of the light, and then a few steps into the darkness; then the light will appear and show the way before you." Ether 12:6 concludes "dispute not because ye see not, for ye receive no witness until after the trial of your faith." Nephi relates that he "was led by the Spirit, not knowing beforehand the things which I should do" (1 Nephi 4:6). I apologize for rushing through here and not crafting my thoughts better, but I have to go stand watch soon. I am reminded of one of my favorite hymns, "Lead, Kindly Light." The first verse says basically, I used to like to see the whole thing, but now I am fine with You just showing me one step. That sounds like where President Packer was. Sometimes we don't even get that one step. That makes life hard sometimes. So, even though I have no idea when I will actually be an active duty chaplain, and if I will have to be a reserve chaplain for awhile first, I do know that Heavenly Father knows. And even though I wish He would tell me, I know that it will all work out in the end. Gotta run.

Playing War in San Diego

2010-05-20T22:51:00.000-07:00

Well, I nearly forgot I even had this blog. I am in San Diego participating in a Navy exercise called Terminal Fury. Fun stuff. I'm in a pretty nice hotel. I stand watch from 1600 to 2000 (4 pm to 8 pm) so I don't go in until 1100 or 1200. This morning I went golfing before work. It was an executive-type course (nine short holes, all par-3), and I was all over the place. I managed several pars even though I didn't drive the green (land on the green with my first shot). Ironically, the only hole that I did drive the green was a 200+ yard hole, the longest hole on the course. I used my seven iron. Not only did I dive the green, but I was eleven feet from the hole. It was beautiful! Unfortunately I was not able to make the put even after I dropped a second ball after the first missed put. I figured two misses must be legitimate. On one hole, I got a four three times. When my "drive" went off the the left I dropped another one. When my chip flew over the green, I dropped another one. All three went in on the fourth shot. Destiny. On the last hole my "drive" went about thirty feet in the air ... and only thirty feet forward. As was my pattern since there was no one behind me and I was playing by myself, I dropped another ball and drove it right next to the green. Okay, not right next I was several yards off (but had the length). I chipped it into the bunker so I dropped another one, and chipped it into the bunker on the other side of the green. Then I chipped the first bunker ball out of the bunker, across the green and right into that same bunker that had my other ball. Then the ball that had only been in one bunker didn't make it out of the bunker, so now both balls had two shots out of a bunker (plus the drive and the chip into the bunker makes four shots). So now they are both finally on the green in four. Then I went back to the one that had originally gone only thirty feet but then hit right up to the green, and chipped it up a few feet from the cup and putted it in for a four. So the best ball was actually the original ball that only flew thirty feet. Go figure.

After the round of golf I came back and went swimming for a few minutes before showering and heading out for work. The first half of work was a little boring, and the second half was sort of fun (but I can't talk about it). I can say that I sat in a room that looked sort of like a small control room from a shuttle launch or something. There were LOTS of screens up front with various status boards and maps and stuff. Even as cool as it was, the novelty wore off soon and it got boring by the end of my shift.

I had meant to write about my drive down, but I guess that will have to wait, it's late and I need to be in bed.

Washingtont state

2009-08-22T13:03:00.000-07:00

So, here I am in Washington (state). I do have a bit more free time on my hands so I figured I should update the world (or the two or three people in the world that read this blog). I flew in Monday. Drove around Seattle a little and then up north to NAS Whidbey Island near Oak Harbor. It was about a two hour drive or so. I checked in and vegged a little that night. (Wow, spellchecker did not underline "vegged.")

Tuesday morning I went to the chapel early and met Chaplain Schmidtlein (as in, said hello to, not introduced myself to) and the other chaplains and chapel staff (as in introduced myself too, I had never met any of them). I followed Chaplain Schmidtlein around some the first day and attended a class that he facilitated on suicide awareness and prevention. It was determined that I would preach this Sunday, so I worked on my sermon most of the day Wednesday. I worked on my sermon some more on Thursday (I'm a slow sermon writer, that will have to change soon) and started working on an outline of a book (as in outlining what the already written book says, not outlining what a book I will write will say) with the intent of teaching a marriage seminar someday. Friday I tagged along to a command meeting.

Friday night I saw in the base paper an announcement about a 5K/10K that would be the next day, Saturday. I decided to think about it and then went to a movie at the base theater. Well, I woke up Saturday and decided that I couldn't spend ALL day driving around Oak Harbor and/or Burlington. So I decided to run the 5K. As I was checking in I saw all the kids and people with dogs and strollers checking in for the 5k so I felt shamed into running the 10k instead. Wow! It was long. Who would have ever thought that I would run a 10K, period. Not to mention, on a whim, with no training. And all of that, while on a pseudo vacation. What was I thinking? My feet hurt. And my knees.

I started running with a couple of guys that I met before the race (I never actually "met" them, we just talked some, I still have no idea what their names or anything about them). I asked what there supposed pace was and they said ten minute mile. I decided to stick with them even if it was a little slower than my goal, especially since I haven't been running a lot recently. We did the first mile in about eight minutes, and the second as well. We went single file to run around the turnaround point and I never hooked back up with them. I ran a little bit with another guy but he was not talkative and kept the same pace as them. Then I ran with this lady for a little bit that was a little more friendly. We ran about 3/4 of a mile together but she was running about the same pace as well. I backed off a little and let her keep running. I walked a couple of times between mile marker three and four, and then this other lady pulled up behind breathing hard (like I do, I'm a very loud breather when I run), and she said "I hate running!" I said "I'm with you! I don't like it, but I like eating ice cream, and I like the way my uniforms fit better when I run." I ran the last two miles with her and she was just as chatty as I was. (One of the things I hate about running is how boring it is. I can never find running partners as slow as I am though.) I even had a little left to turn on the after burners the last little bit. I think my time was about 30 seconds shy of an hour. It was brutal. Next time I will train. Better yet, next time I'll just do the 5k (we get the same t-shirt anyway). Or, there may not be a next time.

Blah blah

2009-07-26T15:58:00.000-07:00

I'm pretty sure I don't have any birth announcements or anything to announce, so the "Blog Title Police" (aka: Carrie) shouldn't be able to assess any fines or reprimands. The last two weeks have been mostly school. I suppose there were a couple of things that happened. Once again it was mostly papers and school. They seem to dominate my life. (One indicator that you are writing too many papers is that your natural instinct when typing is to un-contract all contractions, even when writing something as informal as a blog.)

I was invited to apply for a job as a recruiter last weekend. It would mean a full time job, and of course a full time salary. I would have to slow down my schooling, which would be a good thing for my sanity, but it would mean I graduated later and of course would have to wait an extra year and a half to become a chaplain. Normally that would not be such a bad thing, but I've been in this pipeline for five years now, so I kind of want to just be done with it. Those are pretty much the pros and cons of the situation, so now it's up to us to make a decision (after praying for some guidance if there be any, of course). I'll keep you posted.

We are almost done watching the Avatar series on DVD. We stumbled across a rerun on TV and the kids liked it so we checked it out from the library. Each season is on four DVDs (except the first season which only had four episodes on a DVD, so it had five DVDs), and we just watched the last episode on the second to last DVD earlier today. We have the next DVD on hold at the library and will hope to get it in the next week or so. It's actually a really fun series and has unexpected humor throughout. We all like it (and may but them some day when we have money again). Oh, and look, I included a picture. :-D

Blah

2009-07-12T20:02:00.000-07:00

I really need to get another picture on here. Three in a row without pictures makes for a boring looking page. Who cares whether or not the page is actually boring, it's all about looks. If it looks cool, I can write whatever I want, but if it looks boring it doesn't matter how good a story I have.

So, I was getting the world (aka: Peter and Rachel) caught up on our events the last couple of weeks. After the last weekend I wrote about came last weekend, the Fourth. We crammed as much in on the Fourth as we could. Amy got up at 0430 to save a spot for the family for the parade. I relieved her at 0700 and she returned at 0915 with the kids. The parade was fun (I would have preferred to watch it on TV though, too much hassle). After the parade we stopped by the house briefly, rested a little, and then drove down to Springville for Amy's annual family reunion. We actually bought a bucket of KFC this year, so we fit in with everybody else (that wasn't why we did it, it was a merely a statement of cause and effect, not the purpose behind the action). Of course the kids wanted to swim, so we did. Amy didn't this year though. She was concerned that her belly would show, and since we had not announced to the family that she is expecting, she didn't want anyone to think anything, I guess. (Btw: we are expecting in January, well, we are expecting now, but we anticipate the delivery will occur in January.) Anyway, after the reunion we came home, ate some dinner eventually, and then went to Stadium of Fire with the two older kids. I got some tickets through the Navy. It was fun, but a very tiring day.

I had school this week. I was reading every hour that I wasn't sleeping or eating, or in class; just like the week before. This weekend we had a few unanticipated events. On Friday night we went to a planetarium show at BYU with some friends from South Carolina (who live in Washington now). On Saturday we had dinner with one of my chaplain candidate friends at an undisclosed location near sheep and cornfields. Today, Sunday, we went to church at Amy's folks' ward (our old ward) because her little brother returned from being a missionary this week and he spoke in church. There was the usual extended family lunch at her folks' house afterwards. That was probably more than anyone cared about though. It was peculiarly fun, as are most family events. Later in the evening we went back for an open house and Amy and I spent a good amount of time talking with her brother. Interesting stuff. Are you bored yet? See? If I had a cool picture you wouldn't care that I was just babbling on and on.

Take two.

2009-07-10T10:14:00.000-07:00

So, the Returning Warrior Weekend was a really good experience. We (just Dan and I and our wives (one each), not part of the workshop) went to a minor league baseball game on Friday night after checking in and eating dinner. It rained on us and the game was delayed an hour. "Our" team lost, and we left early; but it was a fun evening. The next morning started early, breakfast was at 0600 and the first event was at 0700 (that's 7 AM). They served us lunch (well, it was a buffet, so we served ourselves) and then there were more meetings and stuff. Sunday they had an ecumenical church service and we only met until lunch. Like I said, it was a good weekend. I enjoyed it and wished that I had done it last year sometime.

I need to thank Amy's brother, Randy, and his wife, Tiffany, for coming and staying out our house with the kids for the weekend. (They will likely think twice before having a second one after that weekend with their one, and our four.) I need to get back to my reading now. More to come.

Getting caught up.

2009-07-09T20:46:00.000-07:00

So, I realized I should have written about the Returning Warrior Workshop a few weeks ago. I also just realized that this particular spell-checker thinks I'm British. It wants me to spell realized "realised" instead. (Yes, I'm aware that it is not a sentient being and does not "think" or "want" anything--it's just an expression.)

Anyway, back in June (the last weekend of), Amy and I attended an event sponsored by the Navy Reserve Region Southwest. It was fun. I invited a couple of my chaplain candidate friends, but one of them got the flu and couldn't go.

Amy just turned out the lights, so I guess I need to go to bed now.

School

2009-07-03T12:29:00.001-07:00

I was thinking of several things as I was on facebook for a few brief moments this morning and they were all too long and potentially boring to put on my wall or whatever (I'm losing interest in that site, it keeps changing, and I am lost each time I go back), anyway, I realized, oh yeah, I have a blog, maybe it should go there.

First a little update. I have two classes this term (but they are both four credits, and at BYU spring and summer terms are supposed to be half as many credits to be full-time because you are in class for just a handful of weeks, plus graduate credits are supposedly more time consuming than undergraduate -- as a matter of fact, if you do the math on the university's guideline of three hours outside of class for each credit hour, or hour in class, we should be devoting 64 hours to school each week (8 credit hours X 2 because it's summer school = 16 hours in class, 16 hours X 3 = 48 hours outside of class, plus the 16 hours in class = 64 hours), or over ten hours a day, six days a week, but I digress), Book of Mormon and New Testament. Besides the Book of Mormon and the New Testament themselves we have 500+ pages to read for the BofM class, and somewhere around 1800 pages for NT. I'm actually looking forward to a few of the books for NT though. Only one is by an LDS author. (I finished that one already, Dean Hughes' The Cost of Winning: Coming in First Across the Wrong Finish Line, it was decent.) I'm in the middle of Phillip Yancey's The Jesus I Never Knew. It's a good book. I'm also looking forward to John MacArthur's The Gospel According to Jesus. I don't particularly like school, and am only semi-interested in many of my classes. Why do I have to take two classes that I'm actually very interested in, and that I'm looking forward to during Summer Term when we speed through everything twice as fast? I would much rather be doing some of next semester's classes right now allowing me to spend more time on these two classes. (This is part of the reason, I'm not a big fan of school in the first place, I dislike being told what I have to study and especially when I have to study it, et cetera. That was a big complaint of mine in college the first time, having to take six classes on art and literature and history, and only having room in my schedule for two or three grammar and linguistics classes, which is what I really had more of an interest in anyway.) Oh well. Anyway, I should get back to my book now, if I remember I'll leave more specific recommendations at the end of the term on which of the books I particularly enjoyed.

Oh, and here's a random picture from our trip earlier this summer. (I don't know why my father-in-law can't the horizon to be level, it might have to do with the fact that he insists on taking the pictures with one hand. And he may have better software for manipulating the picture after the fact, but I lack the ability to rotate the picture in anything but 90 degree intervals, sorry. Next time I'll just have to take my tripod I guess.)

Golf Balls

2009-06-30T12:47:00.000-07:00

My golf balls came in the mail yesterday! I found a place called GolfBalls.com that sells all types of golf balls and many of them are what they call "logo overruns." They printed logos on golf balls and somehow ended up with extras (perhaps the company that ordered them went out of business, or they printed too many). Anyway, you get a buck or two off the price of a dozen, plus sometimes you can buy "clearance" golf balls that are last year's model or something. Anyway, it was six bucks shipping no matter how many dozen you bought so I ended up buying six. Partly because I wanted to have a bunch of different ones so that I could see which ones I like, to see if I even notice a difference, also because some of them were so cheap. Well, they came, and I'm happy. I can't wait to go try them out somewhere. I was particularly pleased because the Titleist balls (pictured) didn't even have any logos on them, and while they website said that the overruns come in bulk packaging instead of sleeves, the "bulk packaging" was a clear plastic box with a dimple for each ball and a reclosable lid. I thought they might just come in a plastic bag or something, or even loose in the shipping box. Plus, my Nike golf balls, even though they are logo overruns, they came in sleeves and all are the same logo instead of a variety of random logos. (I know, I'm weird, but that's life.)

I should get back to school now, I'm already a little behind this semester. We are supposed to read a book every week, and I didn't finish my first one last week even though it's the smallest one. :-(

Memorial Day weekend.

2009-06-02T18:00:00.000-07:00

Here's a picture from our trip. You can't see Delicate Arch all that well, because it's big and we're small. If I would have cropped it so you could see it better, then you would not be able to see us. If you want to see the arch, Google it.

Mid week we made last minute plans to go out of town with Amy's folks for the weekend. The girls had a dance recital Friday night, so we couldn't leave until Saturday morning. We got down to Cortez, CO around noon and had lunch in a park then checked into our hotel. Amy's folks met us there and we drove into Mesa Verde National Park with them. Mesa Verde is the one with the cliff dwellings from several centuries ago. Most of the cliff dwellings require a tour (and extra $$), so we only saw one. It was pretty cool. The kids earned their Junior Ranger badges and then we headed back to the hotel. Sunday morning we went to church in Cortez and then drove to Monticello (the city in UT, not the building on the money). Nicer hotel in Monticello (too bad it was Sunday and we couldn't use the pool--or rather, we opted not to).

Monday morning we drove into Moab (the city in UT, not the biblical area/people) and ditched our car and drove into Arches National Park, with Amy's folks again. We all hiked out to Delicate Arch and took some pictures, had a mini-lunch, and hiked back. Then we drove up to a different trail head and Amy and I, and Bob and Amy's dad hiked up to Landscape Arch. I had never been to Landscape Arch. It's long. Then we drove home. As we were loading into our car back in Moab it started to rain and then it rained fairly hard on the way out of town. It almost reminded us of the rain in South Carolina, okay, it did remind us, but it wasn't as heavy. The drive home was uneventful, for the most part.

PRT (Physical Readiness Test)

2009-05-19T11:26:00.000-07:00

This DWE (Drill Weekend) was the make-up PRT for those who missed it last month. Even though I had completed it last month, I decided to go partially to be "with the troops" and partially because I thought maybe I could do better on my push-ups and sit-ups than last month. I did 80 sit-ups, and 60 push-ups this time. Which gave me 10 extra points in each category (or two levels higher, increasing from Good Medium (65 points) to Excellent Low (75 points) in each category). I was doing the math while running, realizing that I could score 5 points less on my run this time and still get a better overall score than last time. (Or, I could score 10 points better and get an even better overall score, but that wasn't looking very likely.) Then, as I ran, I realized I was nearer the front of the pack than before, and after the turnaround point I was one of the leaders. Coming down the home stretch I somehow ended up out front and I was the first one done. I had shaved 18 seconds off my run-time and made it to the next level by one second. While I didn't get the full ten points needed on the run for an overall increase of two levels, I did go from Good High to Excellent Low, and Excellent Medium is within my reach, maybe even Excellent High. If I keep this up, I may actually get an Outstanding on my PRT someday. Who would have thunk? Certainly not me.

Not much of anything.

2009-05-11T15:50:00.000-07:00

I had something interesting and/or fun happen to me in the last few weeks and thought, I should post that on my blog that no one reads. Unfortunately, I have no idea what it was. So here is a generic post updating cyberspace on my life.

I ran my PRT (Physical Readiness Test) last month, in the rain. I did decent on my run (12:02 for a mile and a half), but only so-so on my push-ups and sit-ups.

I helped Bob with his pinewood derby, and he won every race except one (but in the lame new culture that we live in, there were no individual awards for winning races--that's right, there was no "First Place" or anything, just lame awards like "Brightest Colors," or "Most Aerodynamic (looking)," whatever). He even beat the kid that beat him later in their second race, who was at least two years older. I was proud of him (but in a good way, not a President Benson, Nephite/Lamanite way).

Summer term will be busy, but fun. We're already two weeks into it. I've got a Christian Theology class (zzz), and a Leadership class. Plus, five of the chaplain candidates are taking a golf class this term. I'm looking forward to improving my skills in that area.

Running

2009-03-19T13:27:00.000-07:00

So, yesterday I ended up running five miles. I ran last week with a friend, but had to cancel Monday AM to do homework, and he couldn't run on Tuesday because of a schedule conflict. So Wednesday (yesterday) morning I woke up unsure if we were running. When he didn't show up at my house I thought maybe he was expecting me to drive again (despite having told me we'd trade off, but I politely refused, so I was unsure where we stood) so I was about to drive over to his place. When I stepped outside it was surprisingly warm (40 degrees, Fahrenheit) so I dropped my keys and wallet and jogged over to his place. Porch light was off. No answer. Anyway, I started running from his place and quickly decided that I wanted my iPod, and maybe an extra shirt. That ended up being one mile (I was pretty sure it was a mile because it was eleven blocks and I had earlier mapped 11 blocks to one mile), then I ran down to Center Street and all the way over to State Street (500 West) which is 22 blocks (starting at 700 North and 1000 East, that's 15 blocks west and 7 south). Add the return trip: 44 blocks. Plus the initial 11: 55 blocks. After I got home I mapped it on GMaps and sure enough: 5.1 miles.

So, all day yesterday the outside of my knees hurt. So what did I do this morning? Run another 3 miles. Why?? I hate running! (Why? Because I like ice cream.)

Another Sermon

2009-02-25T20:12:00.000-08:00

I was excited to post my sermon here after I read someone else's (while preparing mine) on their blog, but then the printed version didn't turn out all that great. Oh well, it's more of an outline, or conglomerate of ideas, than a well crafted sermon. The finished product, as delivered, can be viewed here (http://ldschaplains.blogspot.com/).

Earth Has No Sorrow

2 Corinthians 1:1-11

1Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God, and Timothy our brother,
To the church of God in Corinth, together with all the saints throughout Achaia:
2Grace and peace to you from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.
The God of All Comfort
3Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, 4who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves have received from God. 5For just as the sufferings of Christ flow over into our lives, so also through Christ our comfort overflows. 6If we are distressed, it is for your comfort and salvation; if we are comforted, it is for your comfort, which produces in you patient endurance of the same sufferings we suffer. 7And our hope for you is firm, because we know that just as you share in our sufferings, so also you share in our comfort.

8We do not want you to be uninformed, brothers, about the hardships we suffered in the province of Asia. We were under great pressure, far beyond our ability to endure, so that we despaired even of life. 9Indeed, in our hearts we felt the sentence of death. But this happened that we might not rely on ourselves but on God, who raises the dead. 10He has delivered us from such a deadly peril, and he will deliver us. On him we have set our hope that he will continue to deliver us, 11as you help us by your prayers. Then many will give thanks on our behalf for the gracious favor granted us in answer to the prayers of many. (NIV)

I'm sure when some of you read the title, you may have thought "Oh, yes it does!Open a newspaper. Does Earth have sorrow? To quote a recent vice presidential candidate: “You betcha!” What Thomas Moore really said, was “Earth has no sorrow that heaven cannot heal.”

Mail comes six days a week, and we look through, make sure it really is for us. It’s mostly bills, but sometimes (less and less, these days) there’s a plain envelope with a handwritten address and return address. Immediately we ask ourselves: Where is the letter from?, Who is writing?, and Why are they writing . . . especially, to me?

A few moments ago we read from the first chapter of 2 Corinthians, and these are the questions we might ask of a New Testament epistle. Who wrote this letter? Why? and when did he write it? To whom is it addressed, and what does it say? Do I have a reason to read it? If so, is it just for scholarly or historical interest, or am I somehow involved in its encouragements and warnings?

These questions are answered in the opening verses of this letter. The writer is the apostle Paul, and the readers are members of a congregation in an ancient European city, plus many others. Every Christian in the area is being invited to read this letter too. “To the church of God in Corinth, together with all the saints throughout” the region (v.1). In other words this is an open-ended invitation to every Christian to heed this epistle. Obviously we don’t have time to look at the whole epistle today, but it contains such matters as principles of conduct, teachings about who God is and how people can become disciples of Jesus Christ. It presents to every Christian the possibility of learning much that is helpful - almost 2,000 years after it was written. It brings to us some of the clearest parts of the Bible on such themes as handling difficulties and trials, and on how Christians should use their money and possessions in the service of God. It also tells us how to exercise a vibrant and God-honouring ministry. This letter more than any other reveals to us the heart of its writer, Paul the Christian. You will get an insight into this apostle’s heart and how it ticks and how it feels. You will be confronted with His passion, and his heart.

I think Paul knew a little of sorrow in his life. He went about persecuting the Saints, he was one of the ring-leaders indeed. After Christ, himself, came to Paul and essentially told him to “knock it off,” . . . [Read some from Acts 9?] As he spent three days without sight, I think he experienced more sorrow than you or I can ever know, as he realized (and contemplated for three days) that he had been persecuting innocent people and he was the one in error. I think Paul also knew a little of mercy and grace, and of heaven’s healing power, as the Lord sent Ananias to restore his sight, both literally and metaphorically as well.

The story is told of an old New England church that had entered into dissensions and backbiting. People were constantly involved in petty feuds, even starting to doubt if the pastor really was a servant of God, or some fake. Recognizing their un-Godly walk, one day they consulted a former pastor on how they could fix these problems, and he agreed to think on the matter for a few days and write them a letter. A few days later he sat down to write the letter. He wrote a letter, full of Bible verses, beautifully crafted, and sincere. He then proceeded to write another letter to a friend of his who was starting a farming endeavor and was having particular trouble with one of his bulls. The pastor sealed the letters and put them in the post. I’m sure you have already guessed what happened. So, the elder stood and read the letter to the congregation: [*Read from letter in pocket*]
You had better see that your fences are put up well in the first place. Plow your ground deep; and sort your seed; be careful not to sow foul seed; and take care of that great, ugly bull. I think you had better poke him. The rest I will tell you when I come.
The congregation sat in silence for a long time, contemplating the pastor's strange message. Finally, one man stood and attempted to interpret it. The putting up of fences must refer to the rules of discipline in the church. The people had neglected these rules of discipline for too long. And plowing up the ground must be another way of saying the people need to open their hearts, to allow the good seed of brotherly love to be sown. The warning against foul seed was obvious: the members had an obligation to sort the truth from the untruth, and not believe every morsel of gossip they heard. And the great, ugly bull could only symbolize the devil, who had come into their midst and stirred up so much strife among them. The people realized this was the most wonderful letter they had ever heard. The people were so moved by the pastor's advice that they began confessing their sins and offering forgiveness to one another. They opened up their hearts and prayed for each other. And peace reigned in the once-feuding church. Unfortunately, the story doesn't tell how the farmer reacted when he got his letter.

Such was the situation when Paul wrote his first letter to the Corinthians. We see from that epistle, that they had problems, with a capital P. Indeed, I am reminded of the song of Professor Harold Hill from the Music Man when he declares that “You’ve got trouble! Right here in River City. With a Capital T and that rhymes with P and that stands for Pool.” Such was the situation in Corinth. People getting drunk at the Lord’s supper, people who did not believe in the resurrection, divisions in the church, . . . pride (pride in their spirituality no less, and boasting that their gift was better than somebody else’s). Pride, that also starts with P, which rhymes with T and that stands for trouble. Yes, sir they had trouble. Right there in Corinth City. Division, Degradation, Distrust.
After returning to Ephesus, when he received word of the returning problems in Corinth we can imagine that he felt hurt. These were people he knew and loved. Earth has no sorrow . . . (?)
However, there is no possible trouble for which God is not able to provide the most perfectly suited comfort. For different trials need different comforts. And as we read here, he is “the God of all comfort.”
He says in Jeremiah “I will turn their mourning into gladness; I will give them comfort and joy instead of sorrow.” (Jeremiah 31:13).

We just sang the hymn “How Firm a Foundation, its third verse comes from Isaiah: “Fear thou not; for I am with thee: be not dismayed; for I am thy God: I will strengthen thee; yea, I will help thee; yea, I will uphold thee with the right hand of my righteousness.” (Isaiah 41:10) Earth has no sorrow . . . (?)

I came across a verse in Hebrews “Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need.” (Hebrews 4:16) That reminded me of a poem by Thomas Moore that has been set to music and I can’t do it justice without actually singing it, so I've invited my wife to help me finish today:
(Sang "Come, Ye Disconsolate" Words: Thomas Moore, Thomas Hastings, and Rob Gardner; Music: Rob Gardner; published by Spire Music)

Other material, time permiting (didn't use any of it this time):
“I called upon the LORD in distress: The LORD answered me and set me in a large place. The LORD is on my side; I will not fear; What can man do unto me?”
Psalms 118:5–6

“Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.”
Matthew 11:28–30

Come, Ye Disconsolate
Come let us reason together – God lives and continues to invite us to repent and to find comfort in him whether it be as a consequence of our own sin, someone else’s agency, or simply things that happen in life.

One of the ways God comforts us is driving us to prayer. (v.11)
The Arabs have a saying, “All sunshine makes a desert.” The danger of prosperity is it encourages a sense of false independence.

Abraham Lincoln: “I have often been driven to my knees in prayer because I had no where else to go.” Often, it is in times of misfortune that we find out who our friends are and we find out who God is and what God is able to do—just how dependable God really is.

Draper Temple Open House

2009-02-13T14:21:00.001-08:00

I had the opportunity to attend the Open House of the Draper Utah Temple this morning with my family. For those of you unfamiliar with LDS Temples, normally only adults who have confirmed that they are trying to live up to God's commandments (by way of an interview with your local ecclesiastical leader) are allowed to enter the temple, but when a new one is built they offer the opportunity for the public to walk through the building before it is dedicated. I believe this was the first time my children had the opportunity to do this, and see what the inside of the temple looks like. It was a very beautiful building and a good reminder that my family is the most important thing in this world, or the next. I was reminded of this in two different ways: one, I was there with my family, taking time from my schedule to spend it with my wife and kids (and mother-in-law); and two, because the nature of the temple work is all about helping families be sealed together in eternity. It was a good experience (yet, the kids managed to fight in the car on the way home anyway). Here's a link with more information about the temple (that's where I stole the picture from): http://www.ldschurchtemples.com/draper/. The open house runs until mid-March, I believe; and I would highly encourage anyone who can go to do so. Tickets are available online (or through your ward usually).

Good news is always good to get.

2009-02-12T07:51:00.000-08:00

Good news on the financial front: I got an assistantship on campus. As I was looking at the budget and forecasting how bad it will be, I realized that if I can keep this thing next year, when the new GI Bill kicks in, things won't be so bad. While being grateful for that blessing, I got a letter informing me of a half tuition scholarship for next year. With some of Amy's piano money (we use it for all the "fun stuff" that normally doesn't fit in such a tight budget: eating out, dance lessons, etc.), we might actually break even next year. Anyway, I've got to get back to school work and being productive.

I forgot I had this.

2009-02-03T06:47:00.000-08:00

I completely forgot I set this up. I suppose I should ramble every now and then if it's called ramblings.

Nothing really

2008-10-13T08:27:00.001-07:00

No time to start this for real, but I wanted to have it setup so I can scribble here when I want. School's plugging along, and I need a job, more for the self respect (and respect from the wife and kids) than for the money, as deployment paid off (then again, if my GI Bill doesn't come through, then I will need it for the money).