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

A Fresh Start

So March 1 brings with it a review of how well I have done since Jan 1 on goals and such.
The report Card..."Can use iimprovement"

But never fear! As long as I am still breathing I can still strife to become better. I am grateful for that.
I am also grateful for a 4 year old that keeps me on my toes. last night before going to bed she had to actually watch me brush my teeth. ( No Drink dad BRUSH!!! she demanded referring to mouth wash I use to get rid of a metal taste form a prescription)
She also gave me a scolding since I did not do the dishes. All this without being prompted by mom.

Well, one goal I had was to post more grateful items here and as you all know I failed there...here's to the future

Little AJ

So I now have a grand daughter and could not be happier.I will not post pictures of her on her out of respect for her parents wishes.
She came in at 7lbs even and 21 inches long. She is a real cutie and Boo loves her. Boo is a bit nervous but that will pass.
I love the idea of being a Papa. I love the family growing.

4 Years of Boo!

 

Fours years ago my life was forever changed.

After alot of years trying to increase our family and 3 years working/praying/waiting in the process of adoption. We finally got our miracle.

Boo came suddenly into our lives. She was born on a Friday, On Saturday afternoon we got a call that still makes me tear up thinking about the events that followed.

We got the call that a very courageous and special birth mother had picked us to be the parents of her daughter and that she had been born the day before and was waiting to meet us.

We drove up to the hospital and met Boo and her special birth family. There was a immediate connection that still is there today. It is hard to explain unless you have been through it. Other families touched by adoption fully understand what I am saying.

Well we met them Saturday night and the plan was for Boo to go home with them for Sunday and placement to happen Monday night.

Those memories of that weekend are sacred to me and always will be.

Feb 1-4 is always a touching time for me because of this.

I am so grateful for a birth mother and her family that are true heroes in my eyes for allowing their love for this little bundle of energy out weigh any needs of their own. For placing the needs of Boo ahead of their own and allowing her to come into our family.

It is very hard to remember the many years before Boo came into our life and what we did day to day.

We were happy but still something was lacking.

I am so grateful for this little 4 year old that attaches herself to me the moment I come into the house and doesn't want to leave mine or Nats sight at times.

So is truly a blessing to me.

I have special and sacred memories of all my kids and grand kids. I am so excited to be PaPa (grandpa) as well as a father of a toddler.

We are about to welcome another grand child any day now (Misty I still say it is 2 more weeks) and this will be a girl to go with the 2 boys we already have been blessed with.

People give me a funny look when I tell them that I have 4 kids 28, 25,22 and 4 as well as two grand kids 2 and 1 and one more on the way. The look is "oh my" quickly followed by a smile.

My family means everything to me and is forever.

For that I am grateful most of all.