Technology is really amazing. I use a number and set up my phone and I can text blog.

I Don't Lose a Son - I Gain a Daughter

Can I tell you how glad I am that I am gaining such a wonderful daughter - AND she has already gone through her teenage years so bless the family who got her through that!

I have been asked several times if I have any problems over losing my son, and I can tell you right now, I don't feel like I am losing him. I am doing the same thing I have done throughout his life...I am sharing him with a whole new family. Already he has set appropriate bounds for what we talk about - and I am proud of that. I rejoice that he has found a woman whose life so closely matches his own educationally, spiritually and economically.

I have watched him for the last several years as he has matured into a man, and although I still see the baby, toddler, child, youth, young man and now the man at different times, I know that he has successfully worked his way through the stages of life in appropriate ways. Was he perfect? No. Will he be perfect? No. But I do remember when he received his blessing as an infant, he was told that he would be a joy to those who know him, and for the people I know who know him, this is true.

What do I know about my new daughter? She too has been raised to live a good life. She is from a good family, meaning they are active in their religious beliefs and share with those around them. She is a talented dancer and recently appeared in the BYU Christmas Around the World program.

The best part is our families live close enough that we can share all of Jon & Mykin's moments without fear of them having to choose. That is a great blessing.

So, don't fear I have lost my son. Rejoice that I have gained a daughter!

jon Mykin Ean

giggles and grins

jon Mykin Ean

giggles and grins

The first snow of the year is always hard. Drivers are not prepared for the change, although we go through it each year. This year the flakes were big and fluffy, but there were still something like 30 accidents just in the valley.

It is officially winter, no matter that December is considered the winter month, Utahns have to change gears now. We have to slow down and stay alert. Complacency kills more than any other emotion.

Here's hoping that your winter driving is safe and accident free.

Zooing it....

There is not enough time in the world to do everything I want to do, but I want to do the most I can.

There is probably no chance I will do anything to save the world, but I will do my part by saving my little corner in it. I visit my zoo so that an animal stands a chance at survival.

I have been around the block enough times to realize that greed can destroy faster than war because greed is packaged to look good. War can never be anything but distruction. It does not matter the war.

By donating to the zoo, eating the over-priced food ($3.00 for a hamburger - only!) and enjoying the opportunity to see things you may never see anywhere else, you are providing jobs for many industries, and a place where those who care about keeping animals alive for the next 100 generations to enjoy work hard at ensuring species are protected.

Visit your zoo. Watch it. Be active if it does not live up to your expectations. Volunteer! But most of all, enjoy.

Staying Busy

 
As a 'doer' it is sometimes hard to sit back and watch others 'do.' The trust it takes to let others do their jobs, or take care of their responsibilities comes from deep inside the person watching. It not only works with adults, it works with children.

There are many ways to accomplish the same task. If one of them is the way we would do it, we usually call that 'the right way' without thinking what this does to others around us. In their minds, they have a solution plotted. Talking through the 'doers' solution usually will set the watcher's mind at ease --- especially if the 'watcher' is also the 'listnener.'

Use time today to be a watcher and listener and see if the world around you can really get things done without always doing them your way.

Cute, Aren't they?

 

I was at the zoo when a family of geese came walking by, minding their own business. Mom was leading the little family and Dad was staying between me and his family. He watched me for a while and I worked my camera as quickly as I could.

It was interesting because Mom did not necessarily do things the easy way. I wondered how she was going to get her family across a wire cable that was strung across her path. As I watched, she bent over and went under the cable, although she probably could have walked over it as easily. Each of her goslings did just like she did: walked under the cable.

Dad was doing his best to stay between me and his family: protecting them for all he was worth. He and I did ok until I really wanted to get close (like 3 feet!) - and then he hissed and stretched his neck out. I understood his warning and decided not to see if he would attack me...can you imagine - photographer attacked by goose!

How many times do we ignore the obvious warnings we are given? It is hard to listen, especially if the warning is about something that you want really badly...like I wanted the picture of the goslings. The consequences of not listening can often be earth-shattering. I still got a really cute picture and I stayed within the bounds that the Dad has set.

Joy doesn't always come in the form of going beyond the limits that others set, but sometimes in the enjoyment of living within the rules that everyone can enjoy (that's what zoom lenses are for!!)

Thoughts for Easter

 

I thought about the beauty of the peacock and the wonder as I was able to take so many pictures of them with their tails open yesterday. It is Spring and it is Easter. A search of the internet found no link between Easter and the peacock. I am not even going to pretend that I can come up with one. This was just one of my favorite pictures from yesterday's outing.

Easter as a Holy Day is a wonder for all to behold. One man gave his life freely for all mankind. In return he was resurrected as the example for each of us to work for. Though we don't offer our lives, we can offer all that we have to better those around us.

Saying this and doing this are hard. Imagine how hard it would have been to see the evil of the world, yet know that you were going to be asked to give up your very life so that they might have a chance at eternal life.

Is it hard watching as some around do not 'earn' what they have. They depend on public or church services for what they have. Am I no different? Do I not have to depend on a man who died almost 2000 years ago for my eternal salvation? After all my sins, how can I say I have earned the precious gift of eternal life and the resurrection that he as promised?

The peacock is a reminder of my own arrogance. His feathers are elegant and he struts around drawing all eyes to himself. When focusing on the things of the world, we can not focus on the things of God (not original, but still true).

May your Easter find you trying to focus on the things of God.

The first of many, I hope

I learned a lot growing up, although I didn't realize it at the time. Unfortunately, what I learned I didn't practice. I wonder if I do now. It is amazing what opportunities we are given throughout our lives, and just how quickly those lifes seem to pass.

I'll see how this goes, but I want to share a little everyday and maybe someday the information will be valuable to me...because I don't always seem to learn.