Monthend Update

My goodness how this month (and summer) has flown!!! Not one entry in August and lots to catch up on.  Quite a few details in pictures so will be brief in words...maybe.  

An early month highlight was having Gavin come and stay with me while he went to BYU Sports Camp.  We had a great time...eating at In-n-Out Burger, riding the trike, riding the motor scooter in the BYU Stadium parking lot and hauling trees from Grandma Kathe's house (she's now home from her mission in Nauvoo).  Monday was soccer, Tuesday football, Wednesday baseball, Thursday "training with Cosmo" (gymnastics) and Friday basketball.  Great to spend time with him...even if it was a little past his bed time!

Speaking of basketball, David attended Jimmer Camp with his friend Cody.  David said he was standing in line when Jimmer walked past and all of a sudden, he stopped, turned and gave David a big hug.  In David's words, "He must have thought I was Downs Syndrome...." 

Wonderful fair weekend and thanks to all of you that came up--really enjoyable!!! We'll try and make that an annual gathering and the place will always be available for whoever wants to come and stay.  I really enjoyed playing baseball with the three amigos - Kai, Joe and Andrew.  A few shots attached. 

So exiting that Zan and Ricky are getting married---the time:date is 9(ish) am, on 10, 11, 12 (October, 11, 2012) in the Salt Lake temple.  I understand reception plans are underway!  Zan and Ricky also each bagged a buck in the bow deer hunt! 

I stopped in to Steve & Shannon's on the way back from Idaho last week.  They were gone but had a great time talking to Spencer, Jamie, Alyse and Tyler.  Spence & Jamie had just been to Seattle to take their Johnson O'Connor aptitude tests and were discussing results and how they might affect their life work plans.  I so hope that everyone can find a job that they enjoy!!! The JC tests say it starts with doing what you have an aptitude for. 

I had a fantastic week of vacation.  It started with painting the deck on the Suncrest townhouse.  Brandon (one of the guys that lives with me) came and helped and we spent about 10 hours on it.  Kind of theraputic to paint and a sense of accomplishment at getting it done.  Then I headed to Idaho for a day and on Monday met my friend Jim and his boys Wilson, Matthias and David in Pinedale, Wyoming and we backpacked into the Wind Rivers until Friday.  It was perfect with beautiful weather (although a little smokey due to forest fires), no mosquitos and some good hiking and playing in the water.  After a week, my back didn't bother me at all! The boys even caught a couple of fish.  We came back Friday night, closed down the Hot Pots in Lave and they headed back on Saturday and me on Sunday.  See shots here: http://techmarketingink.com/photos/120818_WindRivers/index.html

Before I left Idaho, I investigated the basement in Mom & Dad's house to find that the sewer pipe had broken and there was standing water underneath the living room floor.  Kent marshaled contractors and the help (including Jordan and Flint) and installed a completely new pipe to the septic tank.  A special thanks to him for taking time out of his hectic harvest schedule to make that happen! 

Ben was there on Saturday with boys at the canyon and pond.  He had ridden his motorcycle around Ant Canyon and down Cheatbeck.  He and I rode to the top of the Power Hill and walked the new pipe project.  Kent has contractors putting in pipe from the Collins head to the top of the hill.  Pretty impressive as they had a dozer level the ditch to 14 feet wide, then one shovel dug the trench and placed the pipe while another shovel backfilled. 

The relaxing, refreshing effects of my vacation had pretty much dissipated by the end of Monday but on Friday, we interviewed a full time security person and gave an offer which he accepted so that should make my life a lot better.   We're all doubled up and I'm now sharing an office until we can move in to our new building in October.  Hoping to work from Idaho a week or two until then. 

Today I made an other attempt at climbing Cascade Peak and was rebuffed.  There is just no trail with brush and growth everywhere! I need to find a different route.  But, I got a really good workout and tonight my legs are feeling it a little.  

Another highlight this week was that my friends the Germanns came to visit last night and we went to dinner.  David just returned from his mission in Toronto, Canada and they brought him out to school at BYU.  He looked great and had a wonderful mission.   A very interesting coincidence...  He was walking past an office in Toronto, Canada and saw a brochure on employment with a man on the front.  He thought, "That looks like Uncle Pete!"  He picked it up and the more he looked at it, the more he was convinced it was me so he took it home to his apartment.  Just before he left on his mission, his brother Eric got married and he had pictures of the wedding party (I was there) so he pulled out the picture to compare.  As he held them up, the person was wearing the SAME TIE!!! So he concluded it was me.  I haven't seen the brochure yet but several years ago, I did do some stock video for someone that was putting together some collateral on employment--they wanted an older "boss looking" guy.  I never saw the work but apparently, it got published somewhere! Such a coincidence, so far away and kind of a cool connection--since I didn't write him much at least we connected.  I told him that his vocal CD was one of three that I have in my truck and always forget to get more so listen to him every time I drive to Idaho.  Anyway, wonderful to catch up with the Germanns--such good people and great friends.  Eric & Lauren have been in Seattle all summer working for Boeing on an internship and loved hearing about that.  

Well, tomorrow is the first day of the new fall semester church for Young Single Adult ward.  It will be a frantic couple of weeks trying to get organized and everyone documented, records in and callings.  We're much better organized than we have been in the past--probably because this will be our last year! 

Love, 

Peter 

"Then Shall Thy Confidence Wax Strong."

The other night after returning from Blackfoot where we met Hayden and Madeleine for an enjoyable walk and supper together at Rupe's, Boston asked me to join him on the trampoline as Gordon turned the sprinklers off for the night.  It was late and the stars were out.  After positioning myself next to Boston on the trampoline  I looked up into the night sky and watched a small shiny satelite  glide slowly through a myriad of stars across the sky towards the horizon.  "I want to tell you my worries." Boston said as I lay next to him. I could feel my jaw tensing in anticipation of what was to come; school, football, friends.  All these topics carried with them challenges and I could only guess what they would be. "What are they?" I asked bracing myself a little. 

 

 "How am I going to make enough money to support a family?" He asked.  It was even bigger and deeper than I imagined.  

 

Up to this point in my life I have never had to support a family financially or worry about the complex system of coming up with money for insurance,  a mortgage, food, car payments or even money to pick up the tab at Rupe's in Blackfoot.  What could I say to a young man who would, in a couple of years, shoulder the financial responsibiltiy of college, a mission and eventual marriage and family? 

 

As I looked up into the vast expanse of space billowing out into endless time, the Law of Tithing came to mind: "Bring ye all the tithes into the storehouse, that there may be meat in mine house, and prove me now herewith, saith the Lord of hosts, if I will not open you the windows of heaven, and pour you out a blessing, that there shall not be room enough to receive it."(Malachi 3:10)    Was this the answer to Boston's question? 

 

 From the first dollar I made as a child cleaning house, babysitting and sorting potatoes it's been impressed on my mind from my parents and grandparents the importance of giving 1/10 of all I earn.  As a little girl, I once left my tithing, consisting of thirty pennies, on the bench during church.  When I came back and found them gone I was about to shrug it off. But Aunt Donette Young who was standing next to me when I made my discovery was upset. She opened her purse, pulled out 3 dimes, and told me to give them to the bishop.  While I was confused at who's money was really going to the Lord, I sensed from her that paying tithing was important. 

 

Lying there on the trampoline with Boston looking up into the night sky it was clear to me that the great burden of providing may be divinely lifted through the Law of Tithing.The inspiration, opportunities and confidence needed to carry on the work of each individual will come regardless of their station, whether provider or provender (those making sure the food is prepared and served (which would probably be me).  Taking one tenth of our increase and giving it back to the Lord may afford abundent blessing for anyone willing to observed the Lord's law. 

 

His next question:  "How do I get girls to like me?"   Hmmm...let me see...for that one?  "Let virtue garnish thy thoughts unceasingly. Then shall thy confidence wax strong in the presence of God." (D&C 121:45).

 

I love each of you.  Love Paula