Oh, the joys of being in the bishopric

This September will be 4 years since being called into the bishopric.  Wow, the time has gone by pretty fast.  For the first while, for what seemed forever, I never had people say no to an invitation to speak in church.  However, recently, I have had a few decline for different reasons.  They are good people, but some just find it difficult to get up in front of people to talk.  I can't blame them.  So, this occurred this past week in which I had a late cancellation early Friday morning.  This happened once before where it was one of the adult speakers who got sick.  This time it was one of the youth.  I felt so bad, because this individual was in tears and just petrified of having to get in front of the ward.  In fact, her mom let me know that her daughter was just unable to do it.  So, with no time really left to find someone else to speak, I felt inclined to be the "youth speaker".  As such, I prepared a short 5-minute talk.  Here it is...

In modern-day revelation we read, "if it so be that you should labor all your days in crying repentance unto this people, and bring, save it be one soul unto me, how great shall be your joy with him in the kingdom of my Father!"

• Of the roughly 30 parables recorded in the New Testament, the Parable of the Lost Sheep is one of my favorites which references the "joy of missionary service" and the rescue of God's children

Luke 15:1-7

1-2: The drew near unto him all the publicans and sinners for to hear him.  And the Pharisees and Scribes murmured saying, This man receiveth sinners, and eateth with them.

• A publican was a tax collector, typically Jewish, for the Roman government, a foreign government which not only occupied their country but was also oppressive at times
• Those who collected taxes for the Roman government were regarded by many as traitors to their own nation and people
• The sinners referred to here were people not accepted within their synagogues
• It is interesting to think that Jesus's message warranted the interest of these types of individuals
• In other words, Jesus was reaching out to people who had been rejected by church and society

3-4: And he spake this parable unto them, saying, What man of you, having an hundred sheep, if he lose one of them, doth not leave the ninety and nine AND GO INTO the wilderness, and go after that which is lost, until he find it?

• Jesus does not leave the ninety and nine defenseless and needing to fend for themselves
• Surely, these ninety and nine are left in the care of another shepherd or perhaps secured in a sheepfold, there to remain safe from outside dangers
• Then, after all the flock is safely secured, he, being the good shepherd, goes into the wilderness looking for his lost sheep
• A flock of 100 sheep, in those days, would have been considered a large one.  Economically, the loss of one would not have been that serious.  However, in his love, the shepherd regards each of his sheep as important, and he is not willing to lose even one
• This is the same with each of us!

5-6: And when he hath found it, he layeth it on his shoulders, rejoicing.  And when he cometh home, he calleth together his friends and neighbors, saying unto them, Rejoice with me: for I have found my sheep which was lost

• There are likely two reasons why a shepherd would carry the lost sheep
• First, because the sheep more than likely would be exhausted and worn out from its wandering
• Second, more than likely, it would have been scared and frightened from being separated
• Isaiah wrote of the tender love of the Lord, who is our Shepherd; "all we, like sheep, have gone astray".  And, He shall feed His flock like a shepherd; he shall gather the lambs with his arm, and carry them in his bosom, and gently lead those that are young:
• In the same way that the shepherd "layeth it on his shoulders" our Savior carries us in his arms when we are lost and are found
• Let us recognize those moments and not forget to thank Heavenly Father and His Son when this occurs

7: I say unto you, that likewise joy shall be in heaven over one sinner that repenteth, more than over ninety and nine just persons, which need no repentance.

• For me, it is easy to understand heaven's joy over the repentant sinner.  However, it is sometimes difficult to comprehend how its joy can be greater with the one rather than with the ninety and nine who need no repentance
• James E. Talmage gave some insight to this by adding, "in the safe-folded ninety and nine the shepherd had continued joy; but to him came a new accension of happiness, brighter and stronger because of his recent grief, when the lost was brought back into the fold
• Another thought...the truth is that we have all sinned and need repentance.  As such, we are all like the one that was lost, needed to repent and did it
• All have sinned, and come short of the glory of God
• The heavens rejoice over each one of us as we understand our true standing before God and try to make things right

In applying this parable to ourselves:

• Each of us can be a shepherd in helping someone just as Jesus did throughout His mortal ministry and currently is for us
• Just as the Apostle John taught in John 10:11-15 that Jesus laid down His life for the flock, we too, can lay down our lives in giving all that we have and who we are back to the True Shepherd
• We will follow Him because we know His voice
• We will seek with all our hearts to be with Him, to set aside our sins, passions and weaknesses,, love him with all our souls.  We will forsake all to be a true disciple (Luke 14:33)
• Then, as members of His flock, we will seek to assist Him in His work to search out and rescue strayed or injured sheep

I gave this talk last Sunday, but it was neat when my neighbor, Patsy, came up to me after church and told me how much this talk helped her that day.  She was feeling alone and not wanting to come to church.  She only did so out of a sense of duty, but she felt close to her Savior as I referenced how Christ carries us on His shoulders when we are tired.  It was neat.  I gave her a big hug as I got all choked up inside

August 22...Jake is 11

So, I always seem to get the dates of Jake's and Brad's birthdays backwards, so I use the scripture "the first shall be last and the last shall be first" as a reference for their dates.  Brad, the firstborn, is the 26th which is last.  Jake, the lastborn, is the 22nd which is first.  Pretty ingenious, uh?!

The day of Jake's birthday, I call up Nichole from work and ask her what everyone had already gotten for him. She responded, but I wanted to get Jake some goggles and hadn't done so yet, so I asked her to go over to Elite Trisport and get him some goggles because every time we go swimming together he wants or needs to use mine.  He had a cheaper pair that wouldn't work too well, so it was time to get him the good kind.

 All in all, this little 11-year old made out like a bandit collecting $148 total in cash from family and grandparents.  So, he wants to go buy an Ipod.  I recall growing up that I was never too interested in electronics or games, but times are different now.  It seems everything revolves around technology

 With school just starting up as well, it was good to get him a few clothes.  Although, at his age, clothes are not the most exciting thing to get

Happy Birthday, son!  I love you!!

Ava's first day of Kindergarten

I can't believe my little 5-year old is now in kindergarten.  As with 2 of her older brothers, I was able to give this special sweetie a blessing.  She was blessed with safety, to keep safe while traveling to and from school as well as during the day.  She was blessed to enjoy learning and that the joy of learning will be a talent for her, that she will be a good student both in the classroom as well as in church and the home.  She was also blessed to know that she is a beloved daughter of her Heavenly Father and that He will be with her when mom and dad cannot, so be sensitive to the feelings of the spirit.  Lastly, she was blessed to be a good example to her friends and that she will help her friends make good choices  

Ava is most definitely not a morning person.  She loves her beauty rest.  She could stay up all night, but boy, watch out when you try to get her up in the morning.  Can you say, "grrrrrrrr"

Baby Eli has to tackle and give his big sister loves and good wishes for the first day

She is all grown up now and a beautiful little princess!  The good thing is that she still likes to cuddle with her daddy...sometimes.  I still get the hugs and kisses and the excited shout, "daddy's home", when I come home from work.  That sure makes my day after a workday.

Labor of love

We have a Saturday off, so let's go help Nichole's parents get some of the front entry remodel done.  The remodel is to make a stone walkway from the driveway over to the front door.  So, the goal of this day was to prep it and get it ready for stone.  I was supposed to go do a 125-mile bike event with Don, but I'm pretty sure if I were to do the bike event I would probably be sleeping on the couch.  Having said that, it felt good to make some progress.  It was definitely a whole family affair and then some.

Poor Uncle Dean got the horrible privilege of grinding all day.  I was glad that it was him and not me.  I just showed him how and got it going for him, then he took over and did the rest.  We had to grind down some high spots to get it ready for the epoxy coat finish.  Dean pretty much turned into Casper the ghost by the end of the day.

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Good 'ol Davy boy, the stud that he is, came over to help out on his day off.  I think here, he is just trying to pretend he knows how to use a shovel.  Dave was huge help.  Lexi's form was picture perfect as well

Little Lexy had some time off from school as she is between semesters in her first year at BYU.  She was a trooper to come over and help

Even all the young cousins got in on the action...Brad, Jake, Dillan and Hunter

It started pouring on us for a little bit, but oh, did it feel so good!

Ava helped by getting us water throughout while Eli helped by sleeping.  He was so funny.  He just walked right over, laid down his little head and was out.  The labor intensive and strenuous activity of the day must have worn his little body out.

Brad's and Jake's first day of school...again

     Brad and Jake will be continuing their journey with the Lakeview Charter School.  Brad will be going into 7th grade and Jake 5th, obviously by their hand signals.  As is tradition, they like to get blessings before starting up. 

     Brad was blessed to enjoy school and to love what he is learning, and that he will be able to understand more fully the material being presented, that he will be a good example amongst his friends and peers, that he will be able to respect the teachers and to be able to do what is asked of him, that he will be able to perform well on tests and quizzes, and that he will be safe traveling to and from school as well as during his tenure there. Lastly, he was blessed to be able to do his homework

     Jake was cute when asking for his blessing.  He said, "I definitely need a blessing".  Jake was blessed to know that he is loved by his Heavenly Father and that he will be watched over and protected while away from his family, he was blessed to continue to have a positive attitude and to enjoy school, blessed to be respectful to his mom when needing help with his homework, that he will be able to perform well with tests, quizzes and homework and to be able to complete homework assignments, and that he will be able to juggle well all his school and church duties, and that he will have good friends and be a light to those other boys and girls.

     I sure feel lucky to be a dad to such awesome sons and beautiful daughter.  I thank my Father in Heaven every day and just hope I can be the kind of dad, mentor and friend that they can rely upon and look up to.  I sure look up to my kids as they are just the most Christlike kids.  Sure, they have their little quirks, times where it seems they are oblivious to scenarios around them, but, they are just pure in heart and so innocent.

My Deseret News marathon

 Don and I did this marathon together.  We've been trying to at least do a couple things since we are basically at the same level and just wanting to have fun.  This event was on Pioneer Day, the 24th of July.  I love the anticipation and adrenaline just before an event.  It's pretty envigorating and exciting.  I started out with big hopes of finishing with a good decent time.  All started off pretty good making a pretty good pace time for the first 13 miles.  At the halfway point, Don and I were at 1:36.  We were on pace to qualify for Boston.  But, then it happened.  My left knee gave out on me.  I could not believe it!  I was soooo disappointed.  This had never happened to me before where I suffered an injury that would pretty much shut off all cylinders and hopes of grandeur.  Was Heavenly Father trying to humble me, because I was shattered.  It was so hard to see hundreds of people go by and not be able to do anything about it.  We were towards the front and then all of a sudden I find myself near the middle of the pack or even further towards the rear.  I had to sit for nearly 20 minutes before I could even walk again.  I had already called for the chaser car to come pick me up.  I was not going to finish.

 But, then I pretty much told myself that I had to finish.  There was no way I was not going to, no matter how I felt.  For the next few miles, I hobbled and walked, and at times even mustered a trot.  The knee was killing me and so was my pride.  The disappointment and realization that today was not the day I wanted it to be was killing me.  But, no matter what, I was bound and determined to finish.  Finally, at about mile 21, I was able to muster a jog again and was able to keep that slow pace to the finish line.  I finished at 3:59...1 minute before 4 hours.  Unreal!!

This face of disappointment basically summed up the day. However, I was happy for Don.  Although not qualifying for Boston, he still finished with a respectable 3:35.  He slowed down a little bit on the last 13.  I guess I am just getting older, and the joints are letting me know it.  For the next marathon in September, I will definitely be wearing my knee brace and compression socks, and maybe even get the cortisone shot beforehand.  Still 1 more shot to try and qualify for Boston.  I'll just try to remain positive and keep trying

Pip and Eli

The dog and the baby go round and round, round and round, round and round.  (nursery rhyme tune).  Pip was doing the funniest thing to Eli.  Eli was sitting down on the pillow, then here comes Pip and starts dragging Eli around while sitting on the pillow. 

Eli loves to mess with Pip's food. He puts it in the water, then in the toilet and throws it all over the ground as well.  He is so naughty, and he knows it, too!  I think he just likes to see the reaction he is going to get from his mama, who is definitely more structured and disciplined than I am.  I'm more laid back.  You know what they say, "opposites attract".  

Bear River Lodge Vacation

We were finally able to head out for a weekend together as a family.  Dale reserved a cabin up at Bear River Lodge in the High Uintas for the whole Ralph family.  However, those who came were Mom and Dad, Deanna, David, Dale, Don and myself with our families.  We were missing Darin and Deborah.  These type of weekend getaways are so fun...just to get away and go do something fun.  These create memories and family bonding time.  That is a good thing with the kids getting older.  So often, I think that these years go by so fast.  It is hard to believe that Ethan is already 16 with the others right behind him.  Two more years and he will be out on his mission.  Even now, it is difficult for him to listen to the advice of his parents.  He tries, but he would rather go out with friends.  It's sad for me, because he doesn't really want to hang out with dad anymore and Brad is starting to get a little like that as well.  I understand this is natural, but it is still sad.

  So, for our little adventure, who would have known that in the middle of August we would be experiencing fall-like weather.  It was down right chilly.  It was funny because when the kids were packing they decided no jackets were needed.  It's a good thing they have a mom who always has their needs in mind.  She would not take no for an answer, which was much to the annoyance to Ethan.  It's a good thing Nichole was persistent

We arrived Sunday afternoon after leaving church after Sacrament meeting.  I typically would not recommend skipping out on church, but we justified ourselves this one time for a little family time.  We had rented some ATV's beforehand with the reservation, and so we started out for the fun.  After one time driving around on these fun machines, they all said, "daddy, we need to buy one of these".  And, daddy agreed!

I love the cute smiles from these precious little girls.  They had a blast going out, especially with the wind in their faces.  Why is it that dad's have a special place in their hearts for the daughter?!  With 4 boys, it is so fun to have a little girl and to witness all her little quirks and corky behavior. 

Here, we went on a walk around the fishing pond.  The fishing pond right behind this handsome group was a catch and release, but we never found the time to go fishing.  Fishing is not one of my hobbies.  I have a hard time fishing, because I lack the patience and hate the cleanup and fixing the line.  My dad did not pass on the fishing gene

Deanna made her, what seems to be, the annual trip to Utah.  She was here for a few weeks.  The cousins love to play together.  Whenever Deanna comes, she fills up the schedule with fun things.  She is a good example of that and doing things to make memories.  For example, we went to the new Provo Rec Center pool numerous times, she took her kids and ours to Lagoon.  The budget seems to go out the window when she comes to town!  Well, what's a credit card bill compared to memories, right?!

This was still part of our walk.  Eli made us carry him...or, was it because he did not have any shoes? 

Brad was so proud to drive.  Technically, is he 16?  No.  But his daddy is a softy and has a hard time saying no.  As his confidence grew, so did the throttle!  35 seemed doable for this 12-year old.

Don and I decided to wake up early on Monday morning and go for a trail run.  He biffed it and we had a good laugh.  Why is it funny to see people injure themselves or do something stupid!

I was blessed with scrawny legs.  I believe there is a scripture that defines why I was blessed with such feminine lower half physique.  And, I the Lord, give unto men weaknesses that they may be humble.

Jake and I made it to Lily Lake with the ATV.  This was such a pretty lake and surrounding area.  It truly is amazing how much God beautified the earth when He created it

Everyone loves Nichole's baking.  She is the dessert queen.  She made a chocolate peanut butter cup cake that was awesome.  And, as typical, she made double the amount of what was needed to feed the whole gang.  

My favorite past time...hanging out at the pool.  Eli loved walking around the bench.  It was the perfect height for him and the water temperature perfect.  Dad hung out with us at the pool.  It was good to just talk to dad for a while.  We just shot the breeze and talked about life.  

Such a cute smile.  We could have stayed in this jacuzzi all day long

More of God's beauty

The kids actually let mom and dad go out together one time.  Oh wait, that was because we borrowed one of Deanna's ATV's.

It was fun to have dad out there with us blowing up the dust.The first time out on the ATV, Dad went with Cody who is only 14.  Cody insisted on driving.  Afterwards, my dad mentioned he was pretty nervous with Cody at the healm.  

These two cuties...Eli sure is growing up.  He makes the cutest little faces

Of my 4 boys, I think Brad looks the most like me.  

Hello, Mr. Chipmunk!

Alexis and Cassidy with their Grandma, Jan, who is Anita's mom.

It was awesome to hang out with the gang!