HAPPY ANNIVERSARY

March 20;
Today is the day I married my sweet heart 39 years ago.
We were married in the Salt Lake Temple for time and for all eternity
We have had good times and we have had bad times but we have always stuck it out together, knowing that there is a brighter future that awaits us.

We have 4 wonderful children and 8 of the best grandchildren in the world, and we hope more to come (grandchildren not children).

So happy anniversary Karen, and may we have many more years together as we set in our recliners together and watch the world go by. And everyone but us getting older, Because we are timeless and look just the same as we did 39 years ago.

I love you more than words can say. THANKS.

NO TAKERS

I can't believe no one wants a free dinner!
Karen, try as she did, never got it. Now she is disqualified because she knows where it is.

So, a clue........or 2.
The picture was taken just off I-80 somewhere between the 2 Utah borders
At the base of the sign is a pile of cinder block that was once a gas station, and with the pile of block you will find assorted other garbage like; old mattresses, tree stumps, carpet, etc. because everybody knows "1big pile of garbage is better than 2 little piles".
So for any regular reader of this blog, that is not a total stranger, to identify where this photo was taken, wins dinner at the Rio Grande Cafe of course I get to go with you.
All you have to do is identify the freeway exit where this sign resides.

DIESEL OR NO DIESEL

Does any body else have a case of spring fever. Utah is beautiful after a spring snow storm. It cleans the air and makes everything look fresh and clean. Today was one of those beautiful days. Not much going on at work so I took the afternoon and went to do a little geocaching. Just found one cache, but I can't tell you were it is. You have to guess that one.
So for any regular reader of this blog, that is not a total stranger, to identify where this photo was taken, wins dinner at the Rio Grande Cafe of course I get to go with you. The picture was taken on 3/12/09 and is within a 50 mile radius of Stansbury Park.
This is a test to see if anybody really is reading my blogs, ever!

NO FREE STUFF

Nobody has free stuff anymore. Unless you count toothpicks at restaurants.
I remember going on long road trips as a kid and all the gas stations had "free" maps. They were printed and distributed by the gas companies as a way to get you to patronize their establishments. Some also had "free" popcorn and of course you did not need to get out of the car. there was an attendant to fill your car with gas, wash your windows, check your tires and oil. And all without being asked, it was called "service" which is why gas stations were known for years as service stations.
As a kid I used to walk to the service station that was close to our house and check out all the new maps. I had quite a collection of maps, for places I had never been or would never go. But hey they were free. It is probably guys like me that brought and end to the free maps. I still love maps and love to plan road trips that I might still never take. I love road trips. I even went by auto once from Chicago to Salt Lake City. Not by choice. I was in Chicago on 9/11 and it was the only way we had to get home 23 and 1/2 hours from downtown Chicago to the Salt Lake Airport.

OUR PRIVILEGED PLANET

Last week Karen and I watched a documentary called "The Privileged Planet" I wasn't sure what to expect but it turned out to be very interesting and spiritually moving.
The documentary was put together by a couple of scientists that have examined our planets place in the universe. they embrace the concept of intelligent design and refute the theory of evolution, this intriguing video puts forth the premise that Earth was created not by a series of random events but by a "creative designer" who knew exactly what he was doing. Several proponents of intelligent design, including philosophers and scientists, share their views about this controversial theory and provide evidence that supports their premise.
It is very in depth look at all that had to take place in order for this planet to be habitable by life as we know it. they then point out that the planet is also in the perfect location in the solar system for us to discover and learn of the rest of the universe.
At the close of the video I almost expected one of them to bare testimony of the plan of salvation.

Not only has God provided for us a perfect place to live and be tested, but the perfect place to learn of His wonders. God wants us to understand His works that we can gain a greater testimony of His miracles, and His love for us.

Check out the video, it is available at Netflix.

BIG ROCK CANDY MOUNTAIN; FYI

Driving down highway 89 in central Utah, you will pass the Big Rock Candy Mountain. Have you ever wondered what significance if any this place has to the old hobo balled of the same name?

Well the song was first recorded in 1928 by "Haywire Mac", and again in 1949 by Burl Ives, but it has been recorded by many artists throughout the world. It is probably best known today for its use in the soundtrack of the 2000 movie O Brother Where Art Thou? (One of my all time favorite movies).

Shortly after the release of the original recording in 1928, some local residents, as a joke, placed a sign at the base of a cluster of some brightly colored hills a short distance from Marysvale, Utah, naming it "Big Rock Candy Mountain". They also placed a sign next to a nearby stream proclaiming it "lemon Springs" The names stuck and the location is currently home to the Big Rock Candy Mountain Resort.

I remember as a kid stopping here when ever we went to southern Utah. We would by rock candy and there once was a sort of "zoo" there with foxes, coyotes and rattlesnakes.

LEHI'S DREAM OF THE TREE OF LIFE

The youth of church have been challenged by the general Young Men and Young Women's presidents to read the Book of Mormon at least 5 minutes a day.

As a bishopric we have challenged the youth of our ward, along with their leaders, to read 6 and 1/2 minutes a day. Our goal is to read a total of 1,000 hours by the end of the year.

Accepting this challenge I have been trying to read the Book of Mormon each day.

Sunday night while doing my reading I happened to be reading Lehi's dream for perhaps the 99th time in my life. There was one passage that made a very strong impression on me as I read the story of the dream it was I Nephi 8:28

"And after they had tasted of the fruit they were ashamed,

because of those that were scoffing at them;

and they fell away into forbidden paths and were lost".

My heart bleeds for those who have tasted the fruit and then because of the influences of the world or peer pressure or the scoffing, become ashamed of the things they know to be true and fall away.

It is not enough to just taste of the fruit and then go about our lives. We have to hold tight to the rod. We have to continue to feast upon the word of God, every day for the rest of our lives.

I pray everyday for my family and for my ward members, that we might all remain strong, endure to the end and do all that we can do to build our testimonies and those of our families.

Today Karen and I took the day of and toured the new Draper temple. what a beautiful edifice that has been built and will soon be dedicated to the Lord. The new temple is filled with gorgeous art work and murals. beautiful furnishings and stain glass windows. Nothing is to good for the Lord's house.

CHANGE?

So it's a new day, we have a new president who has promised to "fix" everything. If any fix comes at all I believe it will take years for us to feel any real effect over what happens in the next four years.
This picture was taken in 1937, and shows a group men and boys lined up, hoping to get some food. Look at their shoes and clothes. I think we would probably not find this level of poverty and hopelessness in our country today. With that, though, the buzzword of our day appears to be "Change". Its change we want, and, I fear, it is change that we are about to get. My word of caution is, be careful what you wish for.

thanks to http://old-photos.blogspot.com

STRAIGHT IS THE WAY

Even if you think your on the right track. You better watch where you are going!!!

FAMILY CHRISTMAS PARTY

Every year as part of our family Christmas party we do the annual exchange of "dweebie" gifts, there really just white elephants but years ago when Tracey was a kid he dubbed them "dweebies" and they have been that ever since.
This was my contribution this year the "joker baby", I had a vision about it on the way to work one day, stopped at DI and got a doll for $1.00, add a little paint and presto, Dweebie. It kind of creeped Drake out a bit when he saw it (Michelle was the recipient).
Of course we had the return of the fruit cake that has been back every year for about 4 years now.