Spirit animals

Craig has been called as a seminary teacher. This morning he had early morning training before work. 

They talked about spirit animals. He didn't really get it. He thought of his favorite animal - horse. 

He remembered his childhood experiences with horses. He loved to ride them. He felt like he got to know them - their personalities - when he would go on week long riding trips. He remembered Pop and Soda from when we lived in Madras. 

I thought of a panda for him. 

He was wearing a white shirt and black pants.  But really I thought of this panda. 

A total goodball, but somebody who took care of business. Somebody who could capture difficult concepts exasperatingly quickly. Somebody who loves life and his people. Someone who is not intimidated by self-important bullies. He chooses his own path - sometimes the hard way. But he gets where he's headed. He can irritate the Shi-fu's in his life, but they love him and have confidence in his heart and vision. 

For Josh. He chose his own spirit animals. 

First the bear. 

He avoids things he doesn't want to deal with. But he can and does take a stand and says "nope!" When needed. It takes him a while to get angry, but when he does he means business. 

But he also likes the wolf. 

He likes the pack aspect. Josh functions well with his squad, or his people. They are important to him.  

(Yes, I do notice they are top predators. He is after all almost 17. But the characteristics that he chose to discuss are impressively self-aware.)

For Boaz. I said an otter. 

I could picture otters romping through snow - sliding and playing through life. 

Josh said Boaz was a monkey. A small monkey. Boaz laughed and added "throwing poop."

Poking at the bear and driving him crazy and scampering out of the way. 

I had no idea about mine. Craig said a dog. 

I tend to get distracted easily - "squirrel!"  By books, quilts, etc. and then nothing else gets done. 

I thought okay, I am loyal. I love my people. The boys thought about Dug from Disney's Up. I didn't really like that because he was ostracized by his pack and had to wear the cone of shame. Poor Dug. But the boys defended Dug as the best dog of the movie and how important he was to the success of of Carl and Russell. 

I also am not too happy with the connection to the B word. But I can at times get petulant and behave badly. Although I didn't say that out loud. And nobody brought that part up. 

And really dogs were essential to civilization. They allowed early tribes to control important herd animals. They were important for security. Dogs have been callled man's best friend, for very good reasons. They are the most popular family pet. I do love dogs. They become a member of the family. 

All in all a fun Family Home Evening. 

Scripture D&C 117

I find myself here so often. I obsess over silly things and overlook the important and vital. 

How is it that every time I read this verse I still need the reminder?

Somehow life obscures the essential. Or I let life obscure the essential.

Hopefully I'll learn and keep my eye single to Him and His purposes. 

He's free!

We went to celebrate. 

Not too happy that I took his picture. But he liked the froyo. Yogurtland rocks. 

Eye appointment

I don't remember this being part of any previous eye appointments. But it was entertaining for sure. 

Sweet glasses. 

Scripture - D&C 109

I love this idea. I should say image, but I can't see the image that I know it paints. This is quoted from Song of Soloman. I read that book through once, and this is the only verse that I know of that is quoted in other scripture from that book. It is a full out war reference. I love the strength it conveys. The full confidence in the Lord and His Plan. The poetry of the words. 

Individual battles may be lost, but the war is won. 

Treats from the produce section

At the store today they were advertising cherries over the PA system. They sounded good and I grabbed a bag. 

Boaz was very excited about the cherries. I asked Josh if he was going to have some. He told me he wasn't a cherry person. 

I told him I had also gotten some radishes. His eyes lit up and he immediately went to the fridge to get some. 

Radishes and cherries. Both boys pleased by the produce. 

Scripture - D&C 101

I am aware of this in my life. Things go well and I become complacent. When I wake up, I always tell myself that I will be better. I end up disappointing myself and my God. I wish I was better. 

Although I don't totally lose all spirituality and testimony, I let myself drift from where I should be. I forget to rely wholly upon God and I tend to trust myself too much. The cyclical thing is embarrassingly predictable. 

Here is a good reason why life is hard at times. 

Quilt for Reggie

He's a month old already. Hopefully the quilt arrives soon. 

Blues for a sweet man. 

The background contrasted with the front. 

Close up of the quilting. My meanderings with thread. 

The next baby arrives in December, at least as far as I know. 

Time to start planning Boaz's eagle quilt. 

The Performance

It has taken me a while to figure out how to get the phone recording onto the computer so I can get it here.

https://youtu.be/-wg05hsueJA

The file was bigger than blogger liked. So I learned about youtube today as well.

Happy birthday, Dad

Today he would have been 84. It has been over 12 years since I last heard his voice. On Father's Day I had to teach Sunday School. My topic was the Word of Wisdom. It was hard to teach that lesson that day.  That was what he struggled with, to talk about that on the day set aside to remember him. I wanted to remember the best things about him. And, I did. And,there are many best things. 

I remember his sense of humor and his love of family. I remember he loved bread, fresh from the oven. He loved peanut butter sandwiches and BYU football. He loved his brothers and his children. He loved his wife.

His wedding day photo with Joyce. I thought for a while that she would join him this year, but she decided to stick around a bit longer. They were very happy together, and this is a great photo of them.

Newlyweds

We  missed the wedding in Idaho, but they came to Southern California on their honeymoon. We felt blessed to take them to dinner.

For Craig's family I make an apron and give a binder with about 14 recipies that I have tried and know are good. It's not a lot, but hopefully it shows we care.

A pretty in pink apron.

The gorgeous couple. (I hope they don't mind that I got this picture from social media.) :)

Dinner was yummy and it was great to catch up. They have so many blessings right now. A great job, a great place to live, orchestrated by Grandma. Her friends are going on a mission and need somebody to live in thier place while they are gone. Amazing! They are close to both families. And starting off in the temple is the best way to start.

After dinner I got two cousin to show off their beards.

Josh is thinking John's beard is sweet. They both talked about pros and cons and why they love facial hair. It was a good cousin bonding moment.