Fireworks: Man vs. Nature

I am standing out back late at night when I got to see something simply amazing . . . lightning during a Days of '47 fireworks show. It was like a contest between man and nature - who could light up the sky in the coolest way. Both were very impressive!

So what's your vote? Which is more awesome?

Fallen

I have succumb to the darkside. . .I joined Facebook. . .Aaaaaaaaaaaah!

A couple of wows and woahs. . .

Wows:

How cools that so many people have hooked up with me in forty-eight hours, its almost like I

have friends! This could boost anyone's morale. But truly, I like everyone who has asked to be a friend, very cool!

FarmTown, the one and only (fingers crossed) game I play on Facebook. Low maintenance, principled, and simple . . . love it.

I got to show my family off to my Facebook friends, including David.

Woahs:

Gotta get used to the chaotic wall format. Information like a paintball machine gun sprayed at a wall. . .

A ton of quizzes, polls, and causes. . . hold the cards close to my chest on those items.

See ya, I gotta go post on Facebook. . .

Four down, twelve to go. . .

A quarter of the way through the year. . .

Are you smarter than fifth grade student?

It is getting weird when my daughter Havalah is bringing me homework that I have to study the chapter myself in order to help her. As a confession, sentence diagramming was my weakest link in the subject of English. Frankly, my fanciest diagramming terms come from the movie Oscar. Oy!

The laborer. . .

Today they had neighborhood clean up which meant they deposited dumpsters throughout the area for folks to dispose of their junk. And boy do we have junk! I kid you not, four hours later and the six closest dumpsters to my house were full. I managed to get all the stuff I needed out into one of the bins but what a goat rodeo. I'm just happy it is done.

DUP

I interpreted for Daughters of Utah Pioneers. It is really an interesting group and a history nerd's paradise.

A great ad. . .

My sister's blog had this and I loved it.

I love Shabbats with my children. . .

My Irish twins are so funny. They can play for hours at a time and keep each other entertained the whole time. They play with boats, balls, blocks and whatever else their small hands can grasp. Most of the time they pass an object between each other. They also squawk and babble at each other. You wouldn't think they are really communicating anything except once in a while they will start laughing like they just told the funniest joke in the world. This always makes me wonder. . .

My Ma's cool photo. . .

My mom has an awesome photo blog. If you haven't, you should totally check it out. Anyway, she recently posted a photo near and dear to this blog's heart so we had to share. . .

Bring your children to work day. . .

My company does a great job when they put on the "Bring your children to work day". They make badges for them, gift bags, activities, T-shirts, the whole nine yards.

This year Havalah and J-Bo were able to go. They both had a great time.

Happy Earth Day!

Holocaust Remembrance Day

One of the more moving experiences I have had was visiting the Holocaust Museum in Israel, Yad Vashem.

On the last day of basic training of the IDF (Israel Defence Force), they bring the new soldiers to the eternal flame of Yad Vashem. There, the Chief Minister of Defence reminds the recruits of what they fight for.

The most powerful experience was seeing the shoes, thousands of shoes. And then to realize how many were children and baby shoes.

Always remember. . .

Faster than a speeding train. . . part 2

Faster than a speeding train. . .

Here is more of my new found love. . .

My dream car. . .

All good things come to an end. . .

Hag HaMatza ends tonight at sunset but Shabbat begins. Meshiac ha shalom. . .

MY 200TH POST!

This is my 200th post! YAY!

I have a great family. . .

I am really grateful I have a really great FOO (Family of Origin). I'm glad my siblings are some of my best friends and that we like hanging out together. I love my Parents!

I hope my children will feel the same way when they grow up.

My DVD classic list. . .

Here is my list of DVD classics. . .

1. The Emperor's Club
2. Dead Poet Society
3. The Man Without A Face
4. Mona Lisa Smile
5. October Sky
6. Finding Forester
7. Front of the Class
8. Akeelah and the Bee
9. Amazing Grace
10. King Arthur (2004)
11. The Last Samurai
12. The Secret
13. What the Bleep Do We Know
14. Pride and Prejudice (2005)
15. Mansfield Park
16. Little Women
17. Anne of Green Gables
18. Anne of Avon Lea
19. Sound of Music
20. Rudy
21. Chariots of Fire
22. Braveheart
23. Remember the Titans
24. The Karate Kid
25. Good Will Hunting
26. Princess Bride
27. V for Vendetta
28. Edward Scissor Hands
29. Gladiator
30. Glory
31. Seabiscuit
32. Dances with Wolves
33. Fiddler on the Roof
34. Count of Monte Cristo

There is my current list. Let me know if you think I have missed any. . .

Love it, Hate it . . .

I love Google. And all things Google. One of those applications is Google Reader. My sister had promoted the service for a long time and I didn't bother (old dog, new tricks) but I finally tried it and I love it.

It is really great for a bunch of blogs on publishing and writing I follow but never comment on.

It is not so good for my family or friend blogs that I do want to comment on. I will still usually read them in the Google Reader but then if I want to make a comment I have to stop, go to their blog and make my remark. . .

Google Reader please find a way to comment from thy application!

A meeting to miss. . .

Skipped Ishtar worship service today and hung out with my family. Loved it!

Pookah for Passover

I had Pookah for Passover. She and all the other children seemed to have a great time!

The meal and the Hagadah went really well and the Spirit was great.

Then today the children had a bunch of fun collecting quail and manna (Peeps and Ritz crackers).

Yom tov!

Time to PARTY old school, really old school. . .

Tonight at sunset begins Hag HaMatza or Feast of Unleavened Bread. Yom tov!

Spirit Week. . .

Most schools have a spirit week in which the different classes compete with one another for a trophy.

I have had the privilege to teach Seminary at a private parochial school, Mountain Valley High School. At this school, they have a Spirit Week. It is a week where they have different guest speakers, devotionals, and lessons about the Scriptures and the Messiah. This year they asked me to teach about the Sacrament.

I shared Joseph Smith's teaching that all ordinances are eternal and showed scripturally how the Sacrament had been observed before, during, after, and to come - in the Messiah. I also shared how the Sacrament renews our covenant and makes us one in Messiah.

Happy Birthday!

Happy Birthay Bro!

Dale, all the best and many more!

Devotional. . .

My children attend Benjamin Franklin Academy for their schooling. I was surprised and impressed when I was asked to come and give a twenty minute morning devotional regarding the Feast of Unleavened Bread (Passover). I guess they learned from my children that our family observes the Biblical Feasts instead of the typical holidays.

I talked about three central themes.

1) Although we have nothing to offer Him, He redeems us from our slavery and lost state

2) Freedom is found in obedience to God's commandments

3) We are chosen when we choose God

What amazing students. They seemed very open and understanding. It was also fun when I heard my children telling their friends I was their Abba.

A favorite from a classic. . .

One of the best movies ever made is The Court Jester starring Danny Kaye. Here is a great lullaby from that movie. . .

Happy Anniversary

When it rains, it pours. . .

Wow. I have been asked to do a bunch of talks, devotionals and firesides of late. I'm grateful for each opportunity and it has really been interesting to have different schools and groups asking me to do it. I hope what is shared really connects to the different audiences and impacts them in a meaningful way.

I am also really lovin' my Sunday School class. We are having a great time going through the Torah (first five books of Moses).

I'm just grateful and want to say so.

Fireside. . .

Gave a Fireside on the topic of "Blessed are the Peace Makers" in a Hebrew context. It was a tremendous opportunity to share what a Peace Maker is and what that means in regard to the covenant. It was an honor.

Friday, the sun is setting. . .

From outside the box. . .

All this worldly wisdom was once the unamiable heresy of some wise man.

Henry David Thoreau

Ahh spring. . .

Fourth of the way there. . .

A chance for service. . .

I have not done ASL interpreting in years but I was asked by a Sister to come and interpret for the Daughters of Utah Pioneers. It was really interesting and fun. I was glad for the opportunity. . .

Life is lovely. . .

Had Pookah and all the children yesterday. We had a lot of fun together. . . loved it!

A true gentleman . . .

President Ronald Rasband (former CEO of Huntsman Chemical Corporation) was mission president for the NY North Mission. He would occasionally share stories about John Huntsman. One story he related was about Mr. Huntsman definition of a gentleman. John believed a gentleman was a man who could make anyone in any situation feel comfortable in his presence.

This is best definition I've ever heard for a gentleman. It's something I strive for and want to teach my boys . . .

Wedding fo the century. . .

Too cool!

If you would convince a man that he does wrong, do right. But do not care to convince him. Men will believe what they see. Let them see.

- Henry David Thoreau

Face off with Facebook. . .

Everyone I know has gone over to facebook! I heard buzz about it but never bothered with it since I am a devoted bloggernaut.

I confess I have been fascinated with everything you can do on facebook. Games, quizes, chatting, goofy surveys, pictures, etc.

Fear not BlogSpot! I yet hold out faithful and true!

Speaking of perspective. . .

Given my last blog, I thought this might be appropriate. . . Monty Python's Universe Song sung by Stephen Hawking. . .

Perspective gained at passions expence. . .

As any or many devoted readers may know -- I have been playing catch up on my blog. Part of the reason is due to my New Year resolution, I want to actually keep one or two them this year.

The experience has been interesting.

You gain some perspective on past events as time goes by. . . but some of the passion and details are obscured in the misting of time.

Reference

See previous post

Eh?!

I went to Deaf Mentor conference this weekend. It was awesome! Even though I have native langauage ability in ASL - I learned so much!

I loved catching up with all the people I know in the deaf community. I loved meeting a ton of new families and professionals. Great to network and learn from each other.

They had some great classes. My favorite was Minnie May on how to teach your deaf child to read. Another good one delt with strategies for teaching the whole family sign. Just awesome!

Primary colors are 1 2 3 . . .

Tonight I went with Natali to her Primary dance. The theme was "Mission Possible". We dressed as spies and had a great time. It was a bunch of fun and Natali is an accomplished dancer for only eight years of age.

A man may tell but never teach . . .

Being is the great explainer.

- Henry David Thoreau

A favorite of mine . . .

I have grown up with this picture over my mantle.

Honestly, I mostly took it for granted and ignored it. Certainly I studied it once or twice but never really made an effort to consider it, understand the story behind it. I did learn early on it was George Washington but where and why he was praying was not even a question.

Later, at GWU, I learned about the man and the circumstances that inspired the painting. Then later I had the opportunity to see the original - that did it - I absolutely love the painting.

If you have not seen the original, the first thing you need to know it is huge, almost life size. That is incredible considering the detail. Oh! and the detail! I kid you not . . . it is like 3D! The framed copy just doesn't capture it. It feels like you are in the woods with General Washington. Its almost like you are a soldier out to gather wood for a fire and accidentally stumble across your commander in prayer.

Seriously cool! It now hangs in my home. . .

An oldie but a goodie. . .

Happy Patty's Day to ye!

Riverdance 2002
Uploaded by Juliajulia.

Gadday mate!

Happy Canberra Day! Canberra Day is a public holiday held annually on the second Monday in March in the Australian Capital Territory (ACT) to celebrate the official naming of Canberra. Canberra was named at a ceremony on March 12, 1913 by Lady Denman, the wife of the then Governor-General Lord Denman.

If you were wonder why that's cool enough for a holiday. . .

Canberra (pronounced /ˈkænbrə, ˈkænbərə/[3]) is the capital city of Australia. With a population of over 345,000, it is Australia's largest inland city and the eighth largest Australian city overall. The city is located at the northern end of the Australian Capital Territory, 280 km (170 mi) south-west of Sydney, and 660 km (410 mi) north-east of Melbourne. The site of Canberra was selected for the location of the nation's capital in 1908 as a compromise between rivals Sydney and Melbourne, Australia's two largest cities. It is unusual among Australian cities, being an entirely purpose-built, planned city. Following an international contest for the city's design, a design by the Chicago architects Walter Burley Griffin and Marion Mahony Griffin was selected and construction commenced in 1913. The city's design was heavily influenced by the garden city movement and incorporates significant areas of natural vegetation that have earned Canberra the title "bush capital". Although the growth and development of Canberra were hindered by the World Wars and the Great Depression, it emerged as a thriving city after World War II.

As the seat of the government of Australia, Canberra is the site of Parliament House, the High Court of Australia and numerous government departments and agencies. It is also the location of many social and cultural institutions of national significance, such as the Australian War Memorial, National Gallery of Australia, National Museum of Australia and the National Library of Australia. The federal government contributes the largest percentage of Gross State Product and is the largest single employer in Canberra.

So there you go. . . it is amazing what you can learn from your day planner calendar!

Beware the ides of March . . .

HAPPY BIRTHDAY POPS!

Thanks. I love you Dad. I really believe your one of the best! Hope you enjoy the historical reference.

For Ki

Check it out. . .

I added pictures to the slide shows of the other leaves of my tree. So take a second and watch.

A hope. . .

If one advances confidently in the direction of his dreams, and endeavors to live the life which he has imagined, he will meet with a success unexpected in common hours.

Henry David Thoreau

For the joy. . .

Enjoy!

Don't forget to sing and dance. . .everyday!

Brazilian Jui Jitsu Bombshell. . .

Kyra Gracie is without a doubt one of the coolest women of Brazilian Jiu Jitsu. She is very accomplished and innovative in her sport.

A short list of her achievements include:

-2 World BJJ Titles (2004, 2006)

-5 Pan American BJJ Games Titles (2001, 2002, 2003, 2005, 2007)

-5 Brazilian BJJ Titles (1998, 1999, 2000, 2001, 2004)

-6 New York State BJJ Titles (1998, 1999, 2000, 2001, 2002)

-2 ADCC (Abu Dhabi Combat Club) Submission Wrestling World Titles (2005, 2007)

-1 Asiatic BJJ Title (2006)

Despite being a fierce fighter and competitor, she is reputed to be very generous and feminine.

You may want to turn off your speakers because of the cheesy sound track but here are some great clips of her in competition. Kyra is the one in the blue jersey during the no gi matches.

Leaves on the trade winds. . .

Not like the brazen giant of Greek fame,
With conquering limbs astride from land to land;
Here at our sea-washed, sunset gates shall stand
A mighty woman with a torch, whose flame
Is the imprisoned lightning, and her name
Mother of Exiles. From her beacon-hand
Glows world-wide welcome; her mild eyes command
The air-bridged harbor that twin cities frame.
"Keep, ancient lands, your storied pomp!" cries she
With silent lips. "Give me your tired, your poor,
Your huddled masses yearning to breathe free,
The wretched refuse of your teeming shore.
Send these, the homeless, tempest-tossed to me,
I lift my lamp beside the golden door!"

Immigration is a topic that passes across the political stage periodically but doesn't seem to get any real progress or reform. I am going to throw out some of my ideas on immagration.

> Toss the current system - too complicated, too expensive, not enforced and doesn't work

> The door is wide open - Anyone who wants to come, be an American and persue life, liberty and happiness are welcome. The only requirement is you must have no criminal record.

I know many are saying that America would be overrun. I believe there would be an initial surge but it would eventually balance out. Additionally, our country is abundant enough to handle any productive addition to our society. Historically there have been immigration surges that the cynical were certain would destroy America and yet here we are.

> Provisional Citizen - All immigrants are provisional citizens. They have the same rights as regular citizens except that if they commit a felony at any time - they lose citizenship. Additionally they have two years to file a tax return or they lose citizenship.

> Enforce, enforce, enforce - The first key is to give NO BENEFITS! No drivers license. No food stamps. No long term hospital care. No social services. No schooling. NONE! At first blush this may sound harsh, but we have made citizenship accessible to everyone who will play by the rules. We should give no incentives or benefits to those who do not.

The second key is to arrest, deport or imprison those who are in violation.

These ideas may sound simplistic, and I understand many things would still need to be worked out (including a process for handling exceptions) but I think these reforms have merit.

It is easy to criticize somebodies ideas, much harder to come up with your own . . . I invite all comments but encourage your to throw out an idea or two.

What's with all the Vampires?

I thought Buffy was clever and fun, wouldn't deny the genius of Anne's Vampire series. . .but what is with all the vampire craze! Really!

Everywhere I turn there is a new show, movie, book, play. . .about Vampires. It's over the top!

. . .but the public must be hungry for it because they wouldn't keep churning it out if it wasn't making money. . .

I think a wooden stake should be driven through the heart and be done with it.

On to werewolves. . .

Confession

I love watching Ninja Warrior. It is a crazy show out of Japan where one hundred contestants gather at the foot of Mt. Midoriyama to conquer a four stage obstacle course.

The obstacles are crazy and deep muddy water awaits to receive those who fail to safely traverse them.

Much of the time my children love watching with me.

Falling off and getting back on the horse. . .

If there is anyone who reads my blog with any regularity, they may have noticed it has been a while since I last posted.

Life happens.

My work restricted "social sites" from access. I won't complain but it is annoying when a few abuse a good thing and ruin it for the rest. That dealt a tough blow to my blogging habit because I did most of my blogging at lunch or breaks. Then when I get home I am usually exhausted or busy with family so I don' t sit down and write.

It also got busy at work, school and family.

I have really missed posting to my blogs and getting feedback from my 1 and 2/3 fans. Also I took a strengths test at work and one of my strengths recommended I write regularly. I do want to accomplish some of my new year goals.

To every Blogger. . .

How vain it is to sit down to write when you have not stood up to live.

Henry David Thoreau

Breakfast: Religion with milk please. . .

I think most people shop religion the way they shop for cereal. Some just pick the cereal they were fed growing up, others pick the one that had that recent clever ad and is all the new rage, others pick the bright happy box with the tasty and easy to swallow sugar sweet cereal on the inside, and a few, a very few - look at the nutrition panel on the side and compare nutrition, price, and value.

Religion like cereal, when a regular part of your diet. will have a lasting impact on your overall spiritual health. So what's on your nutrition panel? Is it what you really want to buy?

Here is what I think is on the back of my huge bag. . .

Mormon Oats and Granola NEW LARGE Family Size

Nutrition Facts

Serving Size: feeds large eternal family forever

Note: No matter what %

milk you bring to the table,

you will be short - God will

make up the difference.

                       % of daily value

Doctrine                          100%

Prayer                          100%

Practicality                   100%

Service Opportunities   100%

Scriptures 4g                100%

OT 1g

NT 1g

D&C 1g

PGP 1g

Covenants                     100%

Ordinances                    100%

Gifts of the Spirit           100%

Faith in Messiah Req     100%

Repentance Req.           100%

Commitment Req.          100%

*comes with Grace:

enabling power of God

Ingredients: Messiah, Atonement,

Covenants, His Teachings, The Spirit,

Our Heavenly Father's Plan, Creation,

Fall, Final Judgement, Resurrection,

Justice and Mercy, Grace, Personal 

Revelation and Relationship, Prophets,

Priesthood, Ordinances of Salvation and

Exaltation, Ordinances for blessing

His children, Redemption for those who

had no chance to accept the Messiah,

Faith, Hope, Charity, Choice, Joy,

Eternal Progression, Eternal Family,

Eternal Life

If you're happy with your choice, great! This was just food for thought. . . 

Recast. . .

Today Pookah went under for a replacement cast. The doctor said the left joint looks great and it seems to really be taking this time. 

Good news and good job Pookah! Now sleep off the anaesthesia. . .

Just a little irreverence. . .

I use this when I teach my Sunday School about certain Halacha (legal judgments) in the Torah. This Monte Python skit cracks me up every time. . .

The Sister Armstrong Ice Cream Principle

The MTC cafeteria is a well oiled machine. It feeds three thousand missionaries three times a day in three, three hour blocks. It is amazing to see how quickly a line of a few hundred will snake through and get their food. Along the way there are strategically placed bins with different snacks, one of them had various ice cream treats.

One day I was standing in line and noticed Sister Laurel Armstrong eating a Mississippi Mud. At first blush this may seem unremarkable, however, given that she was a 5'3" very petite spiritual powerhouse it was a strange sight to see her indulge in a

 frozen confection roughly the size of her head. So I strolled over and signed (everyone was required to use their language at all times). . .

"Sister Armstrong, what are you doing? If you eat that, your heart will seize up and you will die! That thing is huge!"

Smiling she replied, "Yes, it is a huge ice cream sandwich but it helps me get the Spirit"

"Huh, I don't get the connection. . .helps you get the Spirit? What do you mean?"

"Let me explain Elder Dilts, when I eat ice cream it makes me happy - when I'm happy, it's easier for me to get the Spirit. Simple really."

Wow, that makes sense. I walked over to the bin, got a Mississippi Mud and . . . it worked! I used the Sister Armstrong Ice Cream Principle throughout my entire mission. When my companion and I were struggling, I'd pull in to some place and buy a couple frozen yogurts or ice creams. Then we were happier, it was easier to get the Spirit and move forward. I still use this principle today. 

If you're in a funk and need the Spirit, find something - anything that brings a smile to your face, makes you happy and then it is much easier to pray and get the Spirit. 

2 outta 10

2 months down 10 more months to go . . .

PS I just thought this was a cool picture

Open house fo the Almighty . . .

For Shabbat we went up to the Draper Temple open house. It was just wonderful to take the older children through and have a concentrated gospel teaching moment. 

It was really great to show Havalah and J-Bo the sealing room and share with them my testimony of eternal families.

What a blessing that Heavenly Father gives to His children.

In light of our current economy. . .

Goodness is the only investment that never fails.

Henry David Thoreau