Goofing up again and the Sacrament Prayers.

So you are probably wondering what the two have in common? I will get to that; first let me review my weekend.


On Friday my loving wife informed me that I had “once again” flooded the basement by leaving the sprinklers on too long. She wasn’t mean about it. She wasn’t super nice about it, simply justified frustration I think. (I am grateful for that even if I deserved the worst.)

Saturday we had Mother’s day and Nat’s birthday at my moms. It was great to see family and to see the grandkids, they make me so happy and feeling old.

Saturday afternoon I had to go to the Stake House and set up for the meetings we were having for Stake Conference. The meetings were great. It is not very often that I get a “Oh Wow” moment from a Church talk but each of them had a oh wow. Talks were on Single parents, faith, grace enduring to the end, doing the little things.

The 1st counselor talked about grace and how we know we are saved by grace, 100% but we do the works to practice since once we make it, there will be a lot of work.

The 2nd counselor talked about doing the little things and having them add up to great things. He told the story of what would you chose to take 1 million dollars or a penny. If it is the Million you get in right away, if you choose the penny you get it after 31 days. During those 31 days it will be placed in the bank and will double every day until 31 days is over. What would you chose? Do the math it is a Oh Wow moment.

The President talked about marrying up and how that means that someone married down. He said he likes to think he married up and his wife took on a long term project…I like that thought especially when I flood the basement. He also talked about how the charge to be perfect is a couple thing and without your spouse you will not do it easily…(Nat never floods the basement I might add)

So this got me thinking on the atonement. Several years ago our Stake studied the atonement for a whole year and the guide went into some deep items, but the more I study the simpler it is.

I liken it to a priest kneeling down to bless the sacrament. He knows, as we all know, that the prayer has to be word perfect, nothing less. He begins and goofs up, then, he simply starts over. If he goofs up again he once more simply starts over. There is nothing in scripture or the Church Handbook that says he is only allowed X number of times to get it right. There is no giant arm that will reach down from the ceiling after goof #5 and throw him out of the Church. There is no number of times that will cause the Bishop to get up go over and kick him away from the bench. (I have seen Bishops’ who have lovingly put their arms around a priest and coached him, word by word). I have seen where, after a few times the whole congregation is silently praying for the priest to have divine help. (I have done this even before some start the first time).

I think the atonement and grace are a lot like that. As long as I still have life and breath, when I goof up I simply take a big breath and start the prayer again trying my best to get it right. When I need it the Lord, or Bishop or Stake Leader is there to put their arm around me and coach me word by word. I know that I have a loving wife who is not only my #1 fan and support but also prays for me daily. That thought alone makes me want to be better. I cannot comprehend any part of heaven or eternal happiness, where she is not present.

For this knowledge I am grateful.

A good and accurate article in the news

Not often do we see a polite and accurate news story about Mormons. I have seen 2 in the past 6 months and am happy that they are there.

Local reporter in Ohio attends Stake Conference and interviews members

http://www.ohio.com/news/local/local-mormons-committed-to-their-faith-1.305067


Female Pastor tours the Temple open house
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/mobileweb/danielle-tumminio/inside-a-mormon-temple-a-female-episcopal-priest-visits_b_1430206.html

I am grateful for the tech that allows me to see that there is good along with the bad reporting that happens

Been awhile

So it has been awhile since I have posted anything.
Life has been normal and busy. Boo is growing like crazy and so much more "grown up". She tells me that she is grown up all the time now.
She gave the scripture in Primary last Sunday. We had been working with her on it all week and she knew it pretty well. When it came time she went up to the pulpit, the President said is she going to need help, we said we will see. Boo then started to just talk. So Nat went up and started her on the right path. She was great.
Nat has been working on memorizing the Living Christ with  the Young Women. She is doing a great job on it. I have tired but not doing as good of a job. The other day Nat asked where I was and I said I was having trouble, Boo, who was sitting a few feet away playing with the dog piped up with the first 2 paragraphs, she then said "it's easy dad see!"
I am so grateful for the spirit that is in our home because of this

Miracles of a PFR

Miracles happen, even where we don't think they would. Case in point.
As some of you know, I have spent the last 4+  years serving on the High Council of our Stake. I started next to last and moved around the table (A very foolish tradition of our fore fathers in my opinion) and now sit at the #1 spot. I have watched several under me come and leave to be replaced by others who have then left as well. I would not have it any other way I love my calling and the following might help explain why.
I see miracles happen all the time. A few examples:

• I get a call saying that the mic is not working at a sacrament meeting. I drive up to the building and get the thought that a button was pushed when I took down the equipment from a satellite broadcast earlier that week. I arrive at the Chapel just as they are singing the opening hymn, sneak into the sound room sure enough the button was hit so I turn it on. The person giving the prayer approaches the "dead Mic" and as he starts the prayer stops for a second as his voice is heard over the sound system. Several people looked around. I had no idea that button worked the system.
• I get a call saying it is too cold in the Chapel and then get a call that it is too hot in the same chapel, during the same meeting, I arrive, step into the doorway, look at the ceiling and around seeing that the heat and air are working then leave. I get notified later that whatever I did worked just great form those that complained. (OK not really a miracle but I think it is funny)
• Often I have been prompted to know just where the right breaker might be, or the right shut off knob. I have learned to be an expert on sound systems and have been told exactly where a problem is with an issue without any verbal communication.
• I have opened up the workings of a pulpit, with several standing and looking over my shoulder, and have been enlightened as to the problem without anyone telling me. This is the best miracle of all to me, since no matter what the problem, if I don't fix it quick I will get 4-5 experts offering up exactly what I should be doing.
• I have been prompted to stop by a building to find that there is a problem, get that fixed, and no one ever knowing what might have been.
• I have been blessed with peace and a calm voice when I want to scream at members that seem to ask and do the most stupid things.
• Cutting locks off of lockers thinking there are cleaning supplies inside.
• Using bleach to help get a spot out of the carpet.
• Letting their children take a knife to the classroom door thinking it's ok.
• Taking apart a classroom door (removing the grill so some one can crawl through) to rescue a 10 year old locked inside instead of calling me or pulling the hinge pins, or having the kid crawl out.
• Deciding that the nursery toys really belong in another room that is easier to have nursery in for her kids only.
• Trying to unclog plumbing by shoving more towels down the toilet
• Demanding to have a key to play basketball at 10 pm since they pay their tithing and basketball is such a great missionary tool.
• Wanting to use the Church Audio equipment since it really belongs to everyone for a family party.
• Wanting to know the Internet password so they can get sport updates during Bishopric meetings on their new ipad.
• Not understanding why You Tube does not clear the firewall from the Church since they will only be playing church videos.
• And the best...why we cannot support their request to have the gym look less a gym and be more like a reception place for their daughters wedding reception. Meaning lights, sound equipment, get rid of the basket ball hoops. (I kindly remind them that they are not paying anything to use the building and we are not a reception center.) Then leaving it a mess thinking someone will come and clean it up before Sunday.

The reason I mention all this is that if God cares about a stove working correctly for a Ward dinner He cares about each individual and the problems you might have going on.

Yesterday we had the funeral for Elder Hillam a member of the 70 who lived in our Stake. The prep started on Saturday making sure the building was cleaned, chairs setup, the new motor in the Podium worked correctly, the parking lot cleaned as well as the entryways cleaned. Several Wards helped me with these tasks which I am always grateful for.
Monday Morning started early with cleaning the windows, quick run through of the building, meeting with Church Security, Secretary to the 70, Secretary to the 12 to discuss the visitors that would be attending.
We had 4 members of the 12 there with their wives. I was able to meet them while they were in the Stake Presidents office. When they were told my calling, that of PFR, they got a special smirk on their face that only comes to people that truly know what PFR means. We had approx 20 of the current 70 there as well as their wives and many of the emeritus members of the 70 as well as some widows of past General Authorities.
Add to that the marvelous family of Elder Hillam some I knew most I did not. What a great feeling in the building.

As Elder Perry (who was the presiding authority) walked into the chapel, passed by me standing by the door, he reached out and slugged my shoulder saying something to the effect "Hang in there!" To me that was a miracle that he would take that brief second to give me that.
I talked with Sister Hillam on Saturday night and assured her all would be ready for Monday. (I had dealt with her when she was our Stake Relief Society President). Monday morning I met her at the building went over her requests to which she said thank you. I also went up to the family dinner that was at another of our buildings, to make sure all was well. She saw me come in, gave me a hug and said thank you. These things make all the headache worth it.

Boo was able to go up to the lunch with me and she got a quick hug from Sister Hillam as well. They had met many times before as I set up items for the Relief Society.
Another blessing of this calling is that Boo can tag along on a lot of the things I do and is known by all of the Bishops in the Stake who all spoil her with treats whenever they see her.
She also knows and feels very comfortable in the 3 building we have. So much so that as we enter the Stake House she goes directly to Bishop Rapps door knowing that "fishies and Diet Pepsi" are inside. Over on the other side of the building she knows "cookies and peanuts" are in Bishop Briscoe's office.
She will go in and start to shut doors even if we are there on a Sunday during meetings.
As we were looking at the Ensign a few weeks ago she pointed to a picture of the prohet and said "Daddy, he's your prophet too." I said yes he is. We turned the page and saw more pictures of the 12 and Boo said, "Daddy they are your churchs prophets!" it took me a minute to figure out she was talking about their pictures being on the wall of the High Council room.
For all of this I am grateful and even happy to stay in this calling for however long I am needed.

A Child's Prayer

Lately Boo has decided that she wants to be the voice for Family Prayer. It has been interesting to hear her go through her prayer from start to finish without any help.
She has some set phrases that she is using but I do not think they are vain repetitions since she truly means them.
Here are a few.
Bless Mommy, daddy, carterman, jo, josh, jaxon, ian, carterman,randy misty, baby quinn, baby addie, chloe,ally, papa, mimmi, cody, heidi, spencer carterman, wyatt.(this sentence is repeated at least twice) and yes Carteman gets blessed the most.
Bless them to follow the prophet and love Jesus. (Follow the prophet is mentioned at least twice)
Bless our family, bless Jesus and the prophet. Bless us with the temple

Last night she said "Bless Cody to go to the temple and feel the spirit and bless Randy misty to drive safe (they were heading to Ceder City and I didn't think she picked up on that but...)

How I love this little girl that never ceases to amaze me and her mom that still rocks my world every time I see her same as she did the first time she walked into that meeting room.
I am grateful for a child's prayer and the tears it brings to my eyes each night, (even thought my knees sometimes kill me cuz she will not end it. She prayers longer than some High Priests I know)

No real problems, really.

I work in a call center environment. I have 9 people who work for me here in the US, some are on the phones others doing other tasks. I have 5 people in Juarez as well as 18 more in India. The office where I work is in Sandy and in a building that has over 1000 call center employees on various contracts.
I worked for 10 years int he full call center world, I am grateful I do not do so now.
I say all this as a preface to the comments I will bring up now.
As I walk the halls at work or over hear my own employees I hear all sorts of stories. It seems that the younger cell phone ease generation thinks that if they are yelling on their cell phone no one else can hear what they are saying. I have over heard things ranging from, dead beat spouses refusing to pay their share, excuses why payments will be late, check in calls with the probation office, calls to Doctors, Dentists, Baby sitters, family members and even a judge.
Personal problems range from spouses under arrest, family being sick, kids not listening and on and on.
I am grateful that my problems pale in comparison to those I over hear. My wife loves and supports me and wants me to come home when I can. My kids are decent members of society.
My health and that of my family is basically good.
For all these blessings I am grateful.

Small and Simple things

Last night Boo wanted to say family prayer all by herself, and she did. She went from Start to Finish without any help from Nat or I. She stood up at the end and was so proud of herself, her smile was a perfect one of self joy.
Now before the prayer, we had come out and said lets do Scripture reading, Nat was so so with it since we were interrupting her show but she agreed. Boo wanted to read so Nat would read then Boo would repeat. Hearing her say the big words of Jerusalam, Ama;ekites, Lamoni, Middoni was priceless, she did OK on most. She did 3 verses then it was only Mommies turn then the last 4 verses were Daddy's.
Then we had prayer. The feeling of, "We have to do this and no mater the pain we have to do this" from a few moments before was gone. Instead the sweet spirit  filled our home from a 4 year old doing the small and simple things we all should do.
For that i am grateful