Gordon B. Hinckley

Much has been said about our prophet and the good he did here on this earth but I wanted to add my two cents. As I think back on my youth, the first prophet I remember is Harold B. Lee. For some reason I link the importance of paying tithing to him. I don't know why or if it was even something he might have said when I was young. Maybe it was a conference talk or something. I don't know but I do have a testimony of tithing and faith that it is from God.

I also remember shaking President Spencer W. Kimball's hand in the St. George Temple rededication. Never in my life have I felt a rush of the spirit like that. I was 12 yrs. old and can remember that day like it was yesterday. I did not want to let go and remember that he finally had to pull his hand away. In that moment, I knew prophets existed on the earth and I could never deny that.

I didn't get to shake President Hinckley's hand but it seems like he was every where. He worked so tirelessly and had such a love for the people, you couldn't deny that he again was a Prophet of God. I hope that I can emulate just a little of his faith and dedication to not only living the gospel but doing it in such a way that people would know what I believe and they could feel a desire to have what I have.

It would be great to hear your thoughts and/or experiences. I have posted a link to a 2 min tribute that Glenn Beck of CNN gave regarding President Hinckley. When you get to the link, there are other tributes but I have not looked at any of them. Beck's tribute is well worth your time.

Back to School

I traveled to Gulfport for my next class (1st of the semester) last Wednesday. I am taking three classes this semester like all the rest of the past semesters but should finish up my classes this fall. I am very excited about that. Then the dreaded dissertation. So far, the classes have been exciting and at times, very very challenging. I need to decide what to write my dissertation on. I am considering something to do with leadership but will see.

It has been fun comparing grades with the kids. So far I have come out on top. Now if I could get paid for all those A's like the kids do.

List of the day blog

This had me laughing like crazy. I think I remember some kids from high school who looked just like these pictures. My little brother Greg had one of those blue leisure suits. I don't think he was even 10. I think he needs to sue our parents for child abuse! Crazy Olan Mills photos

What's the right choice?

So imagine that you traveled 2 hours one way on the last Saturday before the end of the holidays to watch your son play in a school soccer game against a team that is not even in their district. It is in the middle of the day and so it will pretty much take the whole day. The halves are usually only 30 minutes long and even though he plays the entire game, the four hours of drive time will result in watching him for a total of one hour. Should you go? Does he really care if you are there or not? There are a million things to do around the house and the Christmas lights are still up and need to be taken down, the cars need to be washed and the new faucet needs to be installed. But in the end you decide watching your son, who just happens to be one of the most scrappy and tenancious players on the field, is better than all of that other "stuff" so you go.

The first half is fun and you see him make lots of stops, some great passes and even some nice runs up the side. He even gets an assist and amazes you every time he mixes it up with some pretty big guys and comes away with the ball. Impressive! He is also surrounded by other great players on his team and so by the end of the first half the score is 4-0.

The second half starts and you look at the defensive line and don't see your son. You begin to question your decision but as you look towards the front line, you see him line up as a striker for the kick off. Well, this should be interesting since he has never played that position before. Defensive players rarely get an opportunity to score a goal from their position so playing up front is a rare opportunity. The ball is kicked off and they play it up and down the field and he digs it out from an opponent, pushes it up field but has no shot. He does however see the other striker making a run to the goal and passes the ball across the field and the other striker runs on to it and scores.

Everyone cheers and you think man that was a well played ball but will he get that rare chance to score one for himself? Time ticks on and he makes lots of runs but can't convert. Suddenly, you see him fighting for the ball from two opponents when suddenly, he digs out the ball, pushes through his opponents and drives down the field with no one but the keeper standing at the goal and two opponents in hot pursuit. You realize this might be it and you are silently saying please go in, go in - don't hit the post, don't go over the net, just go in. Your adrenaline is pumping (and your just watching), you see him strike it with his left foot (even though he is right footed) as the ball sails low and to the left. The keeper dives toward the ball but it is too late, it has already hit the back of the net and the goal has been scored!

So tell me, was it the right choice to go? Now if I had just remembered the video camera!!!

Bree goes home today

Well, Bree flies out today. It was a great visit and it was a lot of fun to hang out with her. For Christmas I told the kids all I wanted was lunch or dinner one on one with them and I would even pay. Bree and I went to Sonic yesterday. It was nice to just talk. As the kids get older, that doesn't happen quite as often. The days of funny comments and "cute insight" (click here for a hilarious example from our friends the Zimmermans) don't happen as often.

Now you just hope they have "grown up" insights (click here for a grown up example from Jill) about what life has to offer and how you should behave around others (I am so dead for that last example but Breeann made me a quilt last year and the couch is soft so - I'm good). I am happy to report that the Stewart children seem to be making good choices and we are very proud of them.

We will miss Breeann but she is doing great and we will get to see her in a few months on our family vacation. We can't wait!!!