Merry Christmas

Since my mother's passing, I have been under quite a bit of stress and pressure from work and time commitments at the Church. I did not get a Christmas letter out to family and friends. I would like to discuss a bit of these last four weeks.

Week 1

The week of Thanksgiving was wonderful. Matt, Lecia and Kennedy were here. It ended way too soon, although the trip to the zoo was a pleasant way to end the trip.

Week 2

The next weekend was Inventory. I had to work the weekend. I didn't do too much as far as actual inventory work, but it was important for me to be at work when every other person in the company had to work. (No Pictures)

Week 3

The next weekend was quite busy. In the morning we had "Breakfast with the Bishop" as a Primary Activity Day. I thouroughly enjoyed talking to the Primary Children. I had to leave early to head for Mesa. Congratulations to Tanner and Jessica.

We had to leave Mesa right after the sealing to attend the Ward Party.

Week 4

We again went to Mesa. This time we spent Friday evening looking at the Christmas lights at the temple.

After the lights, we went back to the hotel and, for the first time in our married lives, we had room service together. (I had had it before when traveling on business). In the morning, we attended the temple and came home. On Saturday evening we went to the Holiday Party for work. It made for a late night and harder day at Church the next day.

Work

During this time, I had been behind at work because of being gone for Mother's Funeral. In addition, we were working on next year's budget, which meetings and projects took up about 50% of available working hours.

Tithing Settlement.

I really don't need to say much more than those two (2) words. Although it was often fun and I do enjoy the time with the members, it does take a lot of time.

BUT==> We finished the budget on Thursday the 23rd. I handed November's financial package to the owners on Friday the 24th. I am almost caught up with miscellaneous projects. I am all but done with Tithing Settlement. The stress is gone, and I am at peace.

So, to all of my friends, family and any lurkers on this blog,

MERRY CHRISTMAS

Bonus coverage - I will not do a 2010 recap yet, as I will surly miss something important. But pictures of Hawaii are always good.

Here is a picture from the top of Diamond Head Crater. Yes, we did the hike.

On what was supposed to be our last day, we experienced a Tsunami. It was interesting, but not dramatic.

Miles to go, before I sleep

Stopping by Woods on a Snowy Evening

by Robert Frost

Whose woods these are I think I know.
His house is in the village though;
He will not see me stopping here
To watch his woods fill up with snow.

My little horse must think it queer
To stop without a farmhouse near
Between the woods and frozen lake
The darkest evening of the year.

He gives his harness bells a shake
To ask if there is some mistake.
The only other sound's the sweep
Of easy wind and downy flake.

The woods are lovely, dark and deep.
But I have promises to keep,
And miles to go before I sleep,
And miles to go before I sleep.

My mother used to quote this poem to us, sometimes several times a day. I think the poem gave her strength. She knew that there were places along life's path, that seemed to long for us to stop, to think, to ponder, and to perhaps lie down for lack of ability or strength. It helped her at times, to stop and to enjoy peace and beauty in places where we would not normally think of peace. And the poem gave her a reminder, that in spite of fatigue or conflicting options, the call of duty and responsibility moves us onward, towards fulfilling our mission.

I had a good day today. I met with several families for Tithing Settlement. But there was one sister that needed words of help and encouragement. I had felt that I needed to meet with her. My first question set her to tears. We talked of life, of imperfection and of parental duty. I saw some of my mother's fatigue. Yet this sister will go on, for she loves her children. I asked her to go to the temple, alone, without family or friends, and to just spend time with Father. The words that came from my mouth, that I had never before thought of, were, "As you help Father with His children, He will help you with yours." She has miles to go before she sleeps. She has faith and hope, and she wants the best for her family. She knows that she is imperfect. Where and how do we find the strength to continue?

The Master issued this invitation, "Come unto me all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light." (Matt 11: 28-30)

So we accept the invitation. We turn around and face Him. We strive to change our actions, our habits, and yes, finally, our character. As we try to live as He did, his actions become ours. His habits become our habits. His character becomes our character. And just as we have been "graven on the palms of [His] hands", we have the image of Christ graven upon our countenances.

That is our goal. That is our end, if we endure well the mortal experience. For most of us, we "have miles to go, before we sleep."

Light vs. Dark

The Savior declared, "I am the Light of the World. He that believeth in me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life.

In DC 93, the Lord gives us 5 things to work on, and when we have done those 5 things, He promises that we shall "see his face..." The section then talks about how Jehovah achieved His current stature, by growing from grace to grace, until He achieved a fullness. We are then promised that we can receive the same blessings, if we grow from grace to grace until we fill the measure of our creation, just as He did. We are then taught that we grow and gain truth and light (A) as we obey. The devil tries to keep us from being obedient, and he therefore, taketh away truth and light (A) Vs. 31 - Here is the Agency of man, and here is the condemnation of man. Because that which was from the beginning is plainly manifest unto man, and they receive not the light. (A) Vs 32 And every man whose spirit receiveth not the light (A) is under condemnation.

Question ... Should light (A) be capitalized -at least in our minds ? Are we not really seeking to add Christ like characteristic to our lives through obedience. Is not this contrary to what Lucifer's goal? Has Christ been so plainly manifest, through the creation, through out history, and through the witness of the Holy Spirit, that we become condemned if we do not receive Him?

I am not suggesting that we change the scriptures. They are as they have been established.

Any thoughts?

The Time has Come...

Season of Change

"The time has come," the Walrus said,

"To speak of many things,

Of shoes, of ships, of sealing wax,

Of cabbages and kings."
And why the sea is boiling hot,

And whether pigs have wings."
(Louis Carroll)

I have been thinking of changing the direction of what I am doing with this blog. I'm not sure exactly where we will go with the posts. I love my family and the pictures, but I am thinking I need to use this partly to organize my thoughts on various subjects, mostly related to LDS doctrines. Bruce R. McConkie became a great gospel scholar by writing church talks in his head as he walked each day to and from his law school classes. It’s probably too late for me to become a great gospel scholar, but I do enjoy reaching the point of greater understanding by organizing the eternal truths in my mind.

I have toyed with the thought of doing this entirely in private, and then with a thought of perhaps allowing, or inviting others in for additional perspective. But do I draw a line, or should I allow free access? I’m not here to start my own missionary site, nor do I wish to invite negative remarks on doctrines or on Priesthood Leaders.

In case I decide to go private, please send your name and email address to gjbtucson@msn.com.

Thankgiving 2010

Four Pies & a Funeral

Just a few lines and pictures to catch up on events of the last two weeks. On November 16, we got a call at 4:05 AM that my mother had passed away. So I went into work for a few hours to write a few notes and take care of a few items. Needless to say, Utah was chilly, or down right cold at other times.I stayed with Tim & Tiffany. Hunter showed me his skills at camera awareness.

Friday evening, we had a viewing at Walker Mortuary in Springville. Mom looked peaceful, for one of the few times since her stroke in October 2007.

I got to visit with people I had not seen in years. My two older sisters, Ann (on the left) and Bonnie on the right.

My two younger sisters played an amazing piano duet during the funeral. Mary (left) and Barbara (right). Mary's son decided he needed to be in the picture as well, so he came up in between the two ladies.

I drove over to look at the home place. I had not been there in a few years. We are renting it out now. I suppose it will be sold in due time.

After the funeral, we flew back to Arizona. Lecia, Matt and Kennedy came with us. Kennedy immediately became Queen of the household. For Thankgiving, Nate, Julie, and their 4 children came down from Chandler. We ate a lot and visited while the Jacobs children played the Wii.

A good time was had by all.

On Saturday after Thanksgiving, we visited Phoenix Zoo as we were taking Matt's family back to the airport. The lioness's attitude of been the queen reminded me of someone - maybe kennedy?

The Tiger must have eaten turkey, based on his habit of laziness.

Kennedy showed her adventerous side by climbing inside the tree and looking out of the peep hole.

We went over to the temple visitor's center. I caught kind of an eternal perspective with Matt, Lecia, Kennedy and Baby Melville. It was a Kodak moment (literally)
Kennedy showed us how to truly focus while playing boggle. Yes, we were playing "Five Crowns" while she was playing "Boggle," but that did not stop her.

Goodby Mom

My mother, Cleo Thorpe Bishop passed away on November 16 at 2:00 AM. She had suffered a stroke 3 years ago, and her quality of life has not been up to par since that time. She could hear and understand, but had a hard time communicating her thoughts and desires. She has wanted to move on for the last 2 years. About 18 months ago, shr asked me why she couldn't just die so that she could be with Frank. I told her that the value of her life had been re-assessed, and that her manson was too small. The workers in heaven had to tear down and rebuild her manson. She just laughed.
She was a good woman who did the best she could. She was loyal to her family and to God. She loved life and tried to let others feel of her joy of waking up every morning.
I will miss her, but am glad that she does not have to suffer anymore. I am glad that she can be free from pain and other mortal constraints. I am proud to be her son.
I was not always a good son, but I did and do love my mother. She was not a good cook, but she did the best she could in raising 8 children.

10 things

I shortened the list and changed the questions.

1. Now that the children are gone, what activities do you look forward to?
Spending time with my children and grandchildren. I try to think up new ways to create memories for them. I also enjoy sitting for 6.5 hours in an airplane next to my most favorite travel companion, because it means I am on my way to Hawaii. Even the trips home from Hawaii are comfortable because she is next to me.
2. What do you like most about your spouse?
She supports me in my responsibilities, whether it is as an employee or a Bishop. She never complains about the hours I put in, and just happy when I come home.
3. What do wish you would do better?
I am probably not a very good brother or son. I know that some things happened when I was younger, and emotional walls go up when I have dealings with my siblings as a group, or with my parents. I do try to visit mother every time I am in Utah. I am also not a very good Home Teacher and could be more diligent in that area.
4. What cause is most important to you?
I have a theory, that everyone must have a cause. A life without cause is a life without direction or without goals or meaning. Some people look to improve the environment or to enforce animal rights. I have given myself to the LDS church. As the primary song says, "I belong to the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints." My cause is to move the work forward. I have made a covenant with the Lord Jesus Christ and I will fight to keep that covenant. I believe that society must be improved from the inside out, starting with individuals who live according to morals and virtue. Living a life of descipleship to the Redeemer of the world is designed to improve the individual. This improvement can spread to the family, and from families into society. I love the Lord and what He has done for me.
5. What makes you angry?
Abuse of any form on children. Children want and need to be loved and nurtured. A child who knows that he / she is loved, has a much greater chance of living a full and enriched life of love and happiness. In a recent study, this was the greatest predictor of children growing into "happy adults." Children cannot defend themselves against verbal, emotional, physical or sexual abuse. Adults who bully or abuse children, or even other, weaker adults, sometimes do not realize the full extent of what they are doing, but they know it is wrong.
6. What makes you happy?
I love my children and grandchildren and love spending time with them. I remember that my Dad was probably a better grandfather than he was a father. I understand that progression more than I did when I first noticed the change. I love seeing my grandchildren and watching them grow and develop, just as their parents did.
7. What are the most life changing events in your life.
In February / March of 1973 I read the Book of Mormon, which completely changed my goals and my behavior. That lead to my serving a mission in Germany. The Mission was not easy, but I learned to depend upon the Lord. In 1997 I had an experience in the Temple that let me know with full assurance, just as the boy prophet Joseph found out, that God is our Father, that He does exist and that He loves each of His children as individuals. In October 1983 two of my sons gave me a priesthood blessing, and the promises of that blessing stay with me everyday.
In June 1977 I met Kayleen DeCoursey, and we were married in February 1978. We had 4 children, each of which have brought great joy and changes to my life.
8. Are there things on your "bucket list" that you would like to do before you die.
Yes ... I would like to visit the Sacred Grove. The only other thing I think that I would yearn for, is to take 3 or 4 weeks driving from Minnasota through the Mississippi river valleys, down through Missouri perhaps even into Louisanna. That is a beautiful part of the country, and I have seen very little of it. Oh yes - I would like to be a temple worker.
9. What unusual things have you experienced in your life.
Kayleen doesn't like me to talk about this much, but I have watched the C-section births of all four children. Witnessing these surguries were some of the most profound experiences. When I was in the Mission Home (Before MTC days) we were in the temple one day, and Elder Hinckley came and talked to us. The Elders I was with talked me into asking one of their questions, so I was rebuked by an apostle for that question.
In February 2010, we were in Hawaii and lived through a Tusnami. I have it on video. It wasn't dramatic 15 foot surges or anything like that, but the waters did change and it was definately a different kind of day.
10. You are a Bishop of the LDS church. What is this Mantle that people sometimes talk about.
Now wait, that is not a generic question that anyone can answer. One cannot truly know about the mantle of a Priesthood calling until he has experienced it. The day I was set apart, I walked out of the Stake President's office, and the mantle settled and I knew that things were different. There is a confidence that comes with those keys. Over the years, I have been taught and re-taught that the Lord is in charge, and that the Bishop is merely a servant, sitting in a temporary calling for a short time. I have recieved very real revelations and promptings. I have felt a very real love for people that I barely know. These spiritual manifestations are gifts that come with being a servant of the Most Hight God. There are great time, emotional and spiritual demands on the life of a Bishop. But the Lord compensates with knowledege, wisdom, insight, and yes, discernment. I have developed a trust in the Lord, and I hope He can trust me. My only desire is to seek out His will and follow what He would want. More often than not, the answers are clear. Early on, He pointed me to a verse in 1 Nephi where it says, "I will be your light in the wilderness," and that He has. I know the Lord will provide, just as He did for the children of Isreal wandering in the wilderness for 40 years.

So, is there anything else you would like to know?

Update-including Education Week

Kayleen rightfully pointed out that true repentance requires a change in behavior, and I have not posted in over a month. So here is what I have been doing lately. I will try to organize this under the Major Headings, as much for me as for any readers.
General

I spent some time in Utah Valley for Education Week. I flew in on August 13 and stayed in Kennedy's basement. Saturday we went to Best Buy for a power cord for the laptop. I expected a $20 price tag. It was about 4 times that amount. And since I was spending that much, I got Matt his birthday present - but I asked Lecia first if I could. We went to a ward Luau, but ended up at Applebees for dinner. On Sunday we went to Church. I got to spend an hour in the nursary with a crying child. No, Kennedy went from toy to toy, person to person, and did not utter a peep. She was great. High priest group was much like most priesthood quorums - someone was assigned to teach just prior to the meeting. We went to Jim & Becky's for dinner and yes, Kennedy did prefer Grandpa Jim. I am okay with that. During the week I taught Kennedy how to eat Oreo cookies in the time I was not on Campus. I got to Spend Tuesday evening with Kennedy so that Matt and Lecia could go to class, and Wednesday evening so that they could go to the Temple. I flew home Friday evening.


Education Week.


On Monday I went to a series on the Life and Mission of Jesus by David Christensen. Two ideas came out of those series that I have been pondering alot. First - Eternity goes both ways. I will not try to expound on that concept much, other than after the Infinite and Eternal Atonement was completed, it was if it had always been completed - thus, the Savior was "Slain from before the foundation of the World." The second is that From the moment when Jehovah stepped forward and said "Here I am, send me." (Which is a whole 'nother topic for pondering and committment) the atonement had begun. He had to hang on, from that moment on, to not do one thing that His Father would not want, or will. When He was 11 years old and being tormented by a younger brother, He could not say or do anything that make Him less than acceptable in Father's kingdom.

Then I went back to Kennedy's and played with Kennedy.

On Tuesday I started off with a lecture series on the Law of Consecretion, Then a series on Prayer. I skipped the devotional, but went to one on teaching youth. For the rest of the week, I attended a series on the Temple during the "devotinal hour". After those classes, I inevitably went back to be with Kennedy. The week was very edifying.

The Class on the Consecretion helped me to see that consecretion, though a covenant we make in the temple, is also a process. If we are in tune with seeking God's will, He will help us move towards giving more of ourselves and giving up those things that would not be in harmony with being a Son or Daughter of the Most High.

Leadership Training

That Saturday I attended a meeting with Elder Christofferson, Elder Rasband, Elder Kerin (?) and Elder Pickard. Eighty-four Bishops and Branch Presidents attended, along with 13 Stake Presidencies. The message was not new or negative in any way. It was uplifting, but also presented in a way that each leader could take appropriate notes that he needed for his stewardship. We concentrated on the Leadership Emphasis, that has bee around for about 20 years or so. We spent some time on Helping the Elder's Quorum President, on Teaching in the Family, on Missionary work and Rescuing the less active. They also took alot of questions, and we spent some significant time talking about immigration and our approach to the controversy in Arizona. There were also so moments I would consider sacred, and will only talk about those times during appropriate conversations.

Other

The following weekend, We flew up to Provo again, this time for my 38th High School Reunion. It was good to see old friends, old flames, and to see that I am not the only one who has grown old. And yes, it was dissappointing to see that some people have not moved past High School. In that way, I have been blessed to have lived outside of Utah County since I graduated from college. I have been pushed out of my patterns of behavior that were set during HS, and have been able to grow past those habits.

Health

I finally set appointments for my back pain again. The Doctor nuked the nerves on the right side of my back on August 26, and was supposed to do the left side on Sept 9. He had marked out Sept 16 as Rosh Hashashana, but it was Sept 9. So the left side nuking has been rescheduled for Sept 16.

Summary

As of now, I am excercising 4-6 times a week on my stationary bike for 30 - 40 minutes. Life is pretty good. We don't have any further trips scheduled to my happy place until March, but we should be in Utah in January when Kennedy's sister is born. For the most part, I find joy in my calling as Bishop, but there is also a lot of heartache and pain involved. I love my Savior and will continue to offer my meager 5 loaves and 2 fishes, trusting that He will magnify and expand my offering to be sufficient for those whom I serve.

I Repent

Repentance means that one must go back and do what should have been done. So here are the pictures that should have been posted after the last trip.

First is my traveling companion, my wife and best friend. I am happy to be traveling with her through the eternities.


Mike and Tara came with us. At first, she was afraid that she would slow us down. I think I probably slowed her down, despite her cane and crutches.

Kennedy may have been too young to appreciate a week in Paradise, but she did appreciate having lots of people around.

I showed these guys once before, but they are amazing.

The scenery was wonderful, as usual.

We spent a morning at Pearl Harbor. We took the boat ride out to the Arizona Memorial.

The battleship Missouri, or "Big MO" rides at anchor here too. We did not take the tour as it would be too trying on my back and Tara's knee.

The Arizona Memorial, as seen through the tines of the the anchor of the sunken battleship.

We sent Mike, Tara, Lecia and Matt off the the Polynesian Cultural Center, and we kept Kennedy for ourselves the whole day. We had a great time together.

We hike up to a waterfall. I thought I had put Mike and Tara under the waterfall, but this picture will have to do, as it is one of my most favorite I have ever taken.

The whole group starting out on the hike to the waterfall

Lecia and Matt at the waterfall.

Yes, we did have a great time. As of this posting, we have no definite plans for return. Not that we won't go back, because we will. We just don't have it planned yet.

Little Bunny Foo Foo

Kennedy likes to sing songs. Mostly she likes others to sing while she observes.
So I taught her a new song on Thursday. In the video she doesn't laugh out loud as she did when we first taught it to her.

The Cure for Back Pain

From a social perspective, Kennedy seems to be fitting in well. She gets lots of compliments on hour cuteness. She did leave the flower in her hair for the picture, but likes to pull it out, mostly to frustrate her mother.

The days are long, and the sunsets are beautiful. For the most part we have had good times. Kennedy does seem to want her Grandpa to hold her or to walk with her, which leaves him in some level of pain most of the time. It is relaxing, but the cure for pack pain is not merely watching the sunsets.

We drove out to the north shore. The traffic was a little tense which definitally was not the cure. We were able to see a couple of large green sea turtles getting their own beach therapy. Although this was very thrilling, this also was not the cure.

We have seen some amazing areas.

We went snorkeling at hanauma Bay. The water was rough, as you can see in the video below. Still, we saw some fish we had not seen before. I was looking for some eels, and apparently one swam right below me. I was snorkeling in water that was less than 2 feet cover over the reef, and it swam between the reef and me, but I did not see me. The healing waters help, but they did not provide the cure.

We took a ride out to the USS Arizona Memorial. This was a very moving and sacred time, but it did not help my back.

This is the cure. Kennedy spent a lot of time with Grandpa, but having her lie on my tummy while I enjoyed the ambience took away the pain for a short time.

Its called ...

I messed up at work. It actually happened in March or April, but I found out yesterday afternoon. I didn't sleep well. I have enough insecurities at work anyway, without this hanging over my head. I developed some options to deal with the mistake, but the fact is it cost the company several thousand dollars in bonuses that should not have been paid. Do we take them back? Do we take it out of my pay? do we suspend me for two weeks and use those savings to pay for the unearned bonuses? Do we just let the thing go, and learn from the mistake?
I feel bad for myself ('cause I'm no longer perfect), I feel bad for the my boss, ("cause he paid money out that should have been his') and I feel bad for those around me because I am morose and hurting and in a grumpy mood.

When people come into my office and talk about this kind of stuff, I usually say something like, "Its called being mortal and human. So you're not perfect, so what? If God expected you to be perfect, he would not have provided a Savior."

It still hurts to encounter something like this.

QUESTION ==> Do the healing waters of Hawaii also heal this kind of hurt?

Birthday wishes

Today is my dad's Birthday. Happy Birthday, Dad. He passed away 16 years ago, but I think of him often and the of the lessons he taught me. I remember once walking into the house with him. He was ahead of me, but he paused, turned and said daid, "I am proud of you."

Dad was not a man of many words of that sort, so those words have stuck with me for a long time.

I hope I can continue to not shame him in any way.

Getting Older

This is a picture of me when I was just a few months older than Ben is now. The picture was taken 53 years ago.

When I returned from my mission to Germany, I attended BYU. This was taken for my BYU Picture ID. I was 1/4 inch short of 6 ft. tall. I think I weighed about 165. I had my tonsils out when I was five and knee surgery when I was eighteen, Other than that, I felt pretty healthy. I was married in 1979 to Kayleen. We lived in Boise, ID for a few years and moved to Tucson, AZ in 1986. This picture was taken shortly after I moved to Tucson. I had a "procedure" for prostitises in 1989, and had my appendix out in 1996. I still felt pretty healthy.

I went back to school in 1992, and graduated with a Master's in Organizational Magement in 1994. This is my graduation day with Phillip and Timothy. We left a few days later for Disneyland.

We did not travel at all (other than to Utah, Idaho or Disneyland) until our 25th anniversary. We traveled to Kuai to celebrate. Lecia got sick (Tianna took care of her) , but Kayleen and I enjoyed the time together. We seem to have traveled a lot since that time. I like to experience the sunsets from the beach.

Our children have grown to become respectible members of society. We have 7 wonderful grandchildren. I have good employment. I try to serve the Lord. Unfortunetly, I do not have the energy and stamina that I had when I was Ben's age, or even Mike's age. I live with chronic back pain, which is a pain. I can not do many of the things I used to enjoy doing. I still spend time and energy with my grandchildren. Maybe it helps me capture some of the exuberance of youth.

So now that Geoff has become a reality. Oh, many of you do not understand the connotation. In the movie "Men in Black II", there is a 600 ft worm named Geoff, that lives in the New York Subway. I was going to title this post "A Hemroid Named Geoff," but thought better of the title.
Kayleen still loves me. I'm not really sure why. I've lost my looks, my trim figure, my athletisim, and my hair. But she goes with me still, and we will walk together. SOmetimes I look forward to going home to see Father. But there are places in Hawaii and other tropical islands that I have not seen. I wish to spend more time with my grandchildren. I want to change a few things still in my life. Getting older is not for wimps, but we are doing what we can.

BONUS

Kayleen and I went to the ballgame last weekend. On Saturday, the Diamondbacks were losing. But I did get this Homerun on tape. We were cheering so the video is a little shaky, but it is a home run, cutting the lead to 6-3. That was the losing score.