Monday, June 18, 2012

Father's Day

I love being with family! I love being a Dad and Papa.
Sunday I was able to sit by Nat and Boo at Church (doesn't happen all the time now) Able to see Boo go up to the front of the chapel full of energy and confidence and sing with the rest of the primary kids. Her smile down to me was the high light.
In High Priests group, at the very end the door opened and they said can the primary come in, in walks Boo and heads straight to me. Not many (only 2 others) in that room have young ones in Primary. She handed me a package of M&M's and a hug followed by a kiss. Priceless.
After Church we went over to my folks house and we saw the rest of the family including the other 3 kids and the grand kids. I love being a grandpa almost as much as being a dad. To have the grand kids smile at me and be happy to see us is great.
I am not one to want a lot of presents (no really I'm not) but I had a great day. I got a Church book I have wanted for months but have been too cheap to buy myself, got a mug that says Grandpa's prove that all hero's don't wear capes" (or something really close to that, and then I got a instant message with the following:
Patience that is unmatched and a heart larger than life. He lives his life in the service of others and knows no other way, supportive in all things even if he doesn't fully agree. A shoulder that is always there to lean on and advice that is given when asked for while making you choose your own destiny. He may not change the world but he has indeed changed and bettered mine he is my father he is my hero and true example…scott bradford
(I did not write this)

Doesn't get much better than all this. For having the privilege of being able to be called the most glorious name of Father...I am truly grateful.

Friday, June 8, 2012

Did you say S*()&

I have been working up at the Church tearing apart a room where we had Emergency supplies and making it to be converted into a new Mothers room.


In demolishing a young man’s eagle project from years ago, (tearing out the shelves that were bolted into the cement wall) I scrapped my arm up pretty good. That night Boo noticed my scrapped up arm and the conversation went like this:

Boo: where did you do that at?

Me: Up at the Church tearing out shelves

Boo: Did you say shit!

Me: NO! Where did you learn that word?

Boo: From you daddy.

Talk about being instantly humbled. I do not remember ever swearing in front of her but I must of. I vaguely remember once out in the yard but then once is all it takes.

If my wonderful, 4 year old can pick that word and meaning up from just one or two times I wonder what else she picks up from me. I know I did not like the sound of that coming from her.

For a very sobering lesson, from a sweet 4 year old I am truly grateful



Wednesday, June 6, 2012

5 Stars out of 5 (Not often I do this)


I do not often give 5 out of 5 stars to a book but this one I did. 
I found this book to haunt me since I have finished and begging me to do better with myself.
What higher praise can I give than this.

Read my thoughts on my other blog, link listed at the side or direct link below


http://scottiesbooks.blogspot.com/2012/06/jacob-t-marley.html

Monday, June 4, 2012

How Do We Marinate Our Spirits

My wife is a great cook, and lately she is striving to be a healthy one as well. It is amazing the amount of things she can do with Chicken.


Part of her magic I think lies in a process called marinating. She will take the chicken or steak or whatever meat and place it in a bowl with different liquids in it. I always love when she use soy sauce as part of it, I love the smell.

This process of marinating is different depending on what result she is trying to get.

I have learned that you can leave the meat in too long as well as too short. That the items used in one recipe may not work with another. It is all about what you want the end result to be.

I got thinking about this process and how it changes the actual texture and flavor of the meat. It is a neat trick.

I wonder how we are marinating our spirits every day.

What formula are we using to change the texture of our souls?

Do we surround ourselves with things that will enhance the overall recipe?

I have come to enjoy my MP3 player. I love music and have it on around me as much as possible.

On my player I have several playlists, one is entitled “Mini Power” or mini marinated.

It has 4 songs on it, whenever I feel like I need that extra push or reassurance or the extra kick in my Spirits seat of the pants. I hit play on this list. This is my list and my not make sense to others, but it is mine and I gladly claim it.

The songs are:

Bring him home from Les Mis as preformed by the Piano guys

Be Still My souls as sung by the group Eclipse

Abide with me as sung by David Osmond

And Let Me In by the Osmond’s.

Lately I have added one more to my list. Today is you day by Shania Twain

I have a much larger play list called Greatness that includes these songs as well as a lot of others.

The spirit that I feel when I surround myself with these tools is priceless.

I don’t watch a lot of TV just for me. As soon as I walk in the door my 4 year old seems to think that it is my job to keep her entertained.

I have seen bits and pieces of some Reality TV and I am so glad that I don’t have time to watch TV just for fun.

In the”For Strength of Youth” put out by the LDS Church we read:

Satan uses media to deceive you by making what is wrong and evil look normal, humorous, or exciting. He tries to mislead you into thinking that breaking God’s commandments is acceptable and has no negative consequences for you or others. Do not attend, view, or participate in anything that is vulgar, immoral, violent, or pornographic in any way. Do not participate in anything that presents immorality or violence as acceptable. Have the courage to walk out of a movie, change your music, or turn off a computer, television, or mobile device if what you see or hear drives away the Spirit.

Sounds a lot like reality TV show descriptions to me.

What does this do to our spirits? What are we willingly choosing to marinate in?

Some have told me, “It’s only a few hours a week that I watch this show, it’s not that much. Well, we are only in Church a few hours a week and see how that effects us. I have also heard, well it’s only a few words in a few songs, or these songs are great to dance to and sound awesome with my head phones.

If we go back to my marinating the meat example,

I have never seen my wife use gas to marinate with. Not even a quick dip. Now gas is awesome and powerful item when I use it in my car or lawn mower but I think it loses some of that awesomeness when it is used for something it was not meant to be used as.

One time My wife bought a knock off brand of sauce to use as a marinade. It smelled close to the real thing but the overall effects just simply lacked the power of the original.

The same can be true with the media we choose to surround ourselves with.

My wife is getting ready to go to girls camp. She has been asked to teach the girls 2 songs that they need to know for camp.
For a few days I have come home from work, opened the door to find my wife and Boo singing along with the music to these songs. I cannot adequately describe the feeling I get as I enter into he house on those days. It is warm, and so inviting and something I wish was there every time I walked through the door.

For the knowledge and direction I get from leaders on the media and for a wonderful wife you helps my home be a place of warmth and where the spirit feel comfortable I am grateful.