Faces of Innocence

Reflections on the last 5 years

TOP 10 LESSONS I LEARNED AS AN L.D.S. BISHOP

I decided I need to document some of the lessons I have learned as I served as Bishop in the Thornydale Ward.  I was released the 2nd Sunday in December, but the lessons will remain with me for the eternities, just as Missionary Service has done.

1.  There are ALWAYS at least two(2) sides to every issue.  This becomes especially evident when dealing with marital issues. This also holds true in dealing with various quorums or organizations and their leaders.  We have the male perspective, the female perspective, and sometimes we have the Truth as a whole different version of either.  Often the difference is easy to discern, but sometimes this lesson must be applied in less than ideal circumstances. 

2. Every person is a Son or Daughter of God.  I had a member suffering from Paranoia and Borderline Disorder, and I had to remember that even though it was hard to believe everything she told me, it was important to treat her with the respect and dignity that every daughter of God deserves. I firmly believe some or all of her mental issues were caused by abusive behavior, meaning that she may not be fully accountable for her actions. IF she is not accountable, then by default, she is a better person than I.

3. Its easy to offend others.  As a Bishop, I knew that I stood as a messenger to my congregation.  I depended upon the promptings and revelations to teach me what I should say.  I sought to feel the love that the Savior feels for these same people, knowing that if I could convey that love, there is a better chance of the message being properly received.  Oftentimes, the members don't want to receive that message, and hence the profess to be offended.  It is important to have confidence we are doing the Lord's will.  That became my overriding desire in every prayer and every decision - to do what my Master wanted me to do.  If the members were offended, they would be offended by the Lord Himself.

4.  Children are a delight.  It is fun to watch a child learn and grow up.  I would go into the nursery as often as time allowed, to spend a few minutes with the children and to shake their hand and call them by name.  I think Father must look at us in much the same way, giggling at our follies and feeble attempts to be perfect.  I also think he sees us more for our potential than our present character flaws.  I have felt for sometime that it is much more important to Him of where we are heading than where we are now.

5.  Don't put the constraints of mortality on God.  When I was young, my aunt was dating a guy who declared, "God lives in the 7th dimension."  I mocked him behind his back, saying how does he know and what in the world does the 7th dimension look like?  I have come to understand, much like Moses did, "that man is nothing, which thing I had never supposed."  We cannot begin to understand His world and His life, if we base our thoughts and conclusions on this fallen, mortal world.  "...my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways saith the Lord. For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways, and my thoughts than your thoughts." (Isiah 55:8-9) We view life as we know it, from birth to death.  God sees everything in an eternal perspective.  We are limited to be able to think of only one thing at a time.  God says that all things are present before Him. 

6. Character matters.  Our thoughts determine our actions. Since we can't really do something unless we think about it, the actions begin with our thoughts.  Actions become habits, habits form our Character.  It is our character that will be judged, not our individual thoughts and actions.  We must repent in order to change our character.  Merely not repeating the sin does not change us.  We must go through the steps and pain of change, in order to reap the benefits of change.

7. Repentance is an opportunity and a blessing.  Our Savior suffered so that each one of Father's children could avoid the pains of hell, and be brought back into His presence.  The process of repentance applies the Savior's atonement to our specific and individual sins and misdeeds, leaving us clean and pure.  I remember the countenance of a 19 year old women, as she exclaimed, "Bishop, I am a different person.  I feel have felt the cleansing of the Holy Spirit.  I know that I have been forgiven. I know that I have done my best to change, and I am clean before God."

8. Accepting Jesus as our personal Savior means a lifetime of discipleship.  Lip service does not bring the Savior into our lives. Of those He says, "Depart from me, I never knew you."  Only those who come to know Him through seeking to 1) have faith in the atoning sacrifice, 2) repenting of our transgressions, disobedience and misdeeds, 3) making and keeping sacred ordinances, 4) following the guidance of the Holy Spirit, and 5) endure to the very end.

9. Anyone that the Lord calls can be a Bishop.  He knows us and our abilities. He is able to bless any person with the gifts necessary to perform in their callings.  One afternoon, early in my Bishopric, I was feeling very inadequate. I was reading in the scriptures, and came upon the verse that says, "I will be thy light in the wilderness."  It hit me that I didn't have to know everything, to be everything and to do everything.  I just needed to do what Father wanted me to do, and to delegate the rest.

10. Jesus Christ lives and is the Savior and Redeemer of all creation.  I was a Bishop in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints.  He personally stands at the head of the church.  We hold the Priesthood and we serve in various capacities in this work.  Our success is only possible through His power and His mercy.  This is His work, and we are but servants to Him and to His children. Any and all kudos for success go to Him, not to me or to any of His servants.  We are imperfect, and we only succeed because He leads us by the hand.  Don't tell me that God does not exist, because I KNOW differently.

Christmas 2011

Four Grandsons and a Wedding

I was driving back to work from the bank and was forced off the road by police cars going the wrong way on the road.  The cars blocked off our lanes and went into the other lane. Soon some more police cars came my way followed by a truck carrying a Rocket. I didn't find out if the rocket was going to the Air Force base or to the Boneyard. It doesn't really matter. The fact is that I was in the pathway of an ICBM (inter-continentel ballistic missle) and I survived to live and blog about it.

We were going to Maui for Continueing education this year, but through a series of events, we decided to cancel those plans. We went to Las Vegas instead, which gave me a better menu of classes to take.  We walked around a lot as we usually do, and took a few pictures. Here we have the Fountains at the Bellagio,

 And some of the sculptures inside the Bellagio. This one is made from some live shrubs or plants. It was a fall / harvest theme.

This tree spoke to words of wisdom to me.

These are real squash and pumkins. The big one here was 71 lbs.

The day we had originally planned to fly to Maui, we flew to Utah instead.  We got there Friday and were able to immediately spend time with our grandchildren, while Laurel made covenants in the Temple.  Saturday we witnessed the sealing of these two exceptional youngsters.  The spirit was overwhelming as these two made eternal covenants with each other and with God. Here they are coming out of the as DJ and Laurel Dorff.

Saturday evening we went to a big dinner to celebrate the marriage.  Here we see Peter and Kennedy playing in the hallway. I really like the way the cousins know each other and like to spend time with each other.

Hunter and Ben playing at the Tim Bishop home on Sunday.

Little Rock was looking rather dapper and charming just about everyone with whom he came in contact.

And little Cameron.  She loves to cuddle, but only for as long as she can sit. Otherwise, she has to be down and doing something.

That brings me up to date with what has happened, of significance, in my life.  I love my family and the receive great joy in watching the children grow in knowledge, experience and wisdom.  I feel greatly blessed by the promises eternity, pronounced in the temple, that are already entering into my life through the Gosple and through the family.  

Around the Bend comes Number 10...

A different Kind of Day

This morning as we woke up, Kayleen asked if I wanted to do something different. It turns out, an old steam locomotive would be coming through and would be scheduled to leave the train station at 9:00 AM.  So we packed up some chairs and books, and found a place to look for the train. At 9:15, sure enough, the arms come down and a train passes.  It didn't appear to be anything different than a diesel powered engine. 

 So we waited and 15 minutes later, another train passed, but from the other direction.  It also was not the steam locomotive.

After an hour, Kayleen said, "is today the 12th?"  I said, "No, it is the 8th.  This is my five year anniversary of being ordained a Bishop in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints." She realized that the train was supposed to come through on the second saturday of the month and that was to be the 12th.  I told her that sounds like November.
We had a very enjoyable morning. It was cool and crisp, and I was in the very best of company.  And we scouted out a very good place to watch the Steam Locomotive come through in five weeks.

Education Week

We did go to education week.  We did attend classes, but the best part of the week was spending time with family.  Cameron seems happy to see Grandma too.

This is a great picture, Big Rock with Little Rock.  Little Rock was holding court with Grandparents. Seems he approves of all four.

We spent Wednesday afternoon at the pool. Kennedy puts on her water wings and becomes part fish.  She loves the water.

We went to a photo shoot.  I managed to annoy the professional photographer by taking a few pictures for myself.  Here the family seems like a normal, happy family ...

The boys seem to be all polite smiles and best behavior .....

At least until the water sprinkler comes on ....

The boys get soaked in their Sunday best.  The smiles now seem a little more devious than polite...

And soon the whole thing deteriorates into an all out war. Hunter in packing two heaters looking for anyone he can.

The next morning, Peter shows his skills at Soccer

 In Ben's first ever game, he scores a goal early in the first half...

 And Hunter managed to get some frosting on his face.

Lecia Dawn's 85th Birthday Party

We flew up to Idaho for a short weekend to celebrate Kayleen's mother's birthday. All of Kayleen's siblings were there, along with many of the grandchildren and great-grandchildren.  We had a lot of food and some very good conversation.  Here are some pictures of my grandchildren just being cute.

Rock had a hard time, but he was able to chill somewhat.  

Kennedy and Cameron played outside a lot.  Kennedy spent a lot of time in the pool, even when she was in clean pajamas and wasn't supposed to get in the pool

In order to eat the corn, we had to sit around and shuck the corn.  Hunter supervised the process.

Kennedy enjoyed the fruit of the labors, along with everyone else.

Peter and Ben payed "that tennis" game. It was the first time they played, so they each used two paddles in an attempt to gain some advantage.

After playing hard, it was only right that they were at the front of the line for dinner.

Cameron, on the other hand, mostly looked cute and won over the hearts of many.

Its nice to remember that there are areas of the country that can grow things. I really do love Idaho.

Todd is getting married this week. I need to let his future wife know that he was hanging out with another women. But then Cameron did win over the hearts of many.