Go to the Mountain

Oh hi birthday boy,

So how was it? Hopefully it was widely acknowledged by friends and strangers alike.

Here we had a proxy celebration with grandma and grandpa at the Chuck’O’Rama. I had my 1000 calorie salad, various other buffet fare, and the worst banana cream pie I’ve ever had. They did have some bbq pork ribs and red mashed potatoes that were pretty good though.

I posted this on Facebook along with a bunch of random pics of you: This is my kid Ben. He turns 19 today. Up till last fall, he was virtually inseparable from his brothers. He’s nearly six full months into his full-time service to the Lord. This young man has always made me proud. But no more than today. I love you kid, happy birthday.

I figured you’d be you’d be annoyed at me for it, but I meant it. I am so proud of you Benjamin.

This morning I did a really short hike up to a small waterfall in sandy. It was gorgeous. It had been raining and it’s a school day, I had it to myself. I must say, alone in situations like that, one can feel very close to God. I had a good prayer up there, it easy to marvel in his glory surrounded by such beauty.

I applied for two mor jobs today. One freelance in California, pretty sure it would be remote. The other in Lehi, I have two former colleagues that work there, so I’m trying to network my way in there.

In other random news. I need to replace the rear brake pads in the jeep. I really cannot figure out what’s wrong with the pig, my garage set-up is beginning to please me, I’m going to make a work bench, and I started building one of the random model rockets we had laying around. 

Yesterday I did an endowment for the son-in-law of my fourth great grandfather on my dad’s side. He was married in 1749. When I was researching him, I saw that he needed to be sealed to his wife, so Mom and I will look forward to that. I’m still pretty bad at genealogy, but all the new church apps make it so most people can regularly pull down random ancestors who’s work needs to be done.

I’ve kept up with this Go to the Mountain theme I said I was going to try. I think it’s helped, my spirits are up, I have more energy, and I’m less discouraged. Truth be told, while I continue to have my sloppy times emotionally, we have much to be grateful for. To recap, every day I’m alone, instead of wallowing in my fears, discouragement and depression, I’m going to either go to the temple or go on a hike, and do so with purpose. Right now the balance is three hikes and two temple visits a week. Then I try to spend 2-3 hours on the job hunt, do some housework type chores, and do something outside. Along with prayer and scripture study throughout the day. If I don’t strive to do that, it’s much too easy to let self-doubt and dark thoughts creep into a truly joyful life.

One thing I’d like to add is more, or any, camping. Even though my schedule is uncomfortably open, I feel the need to go, and the obligations of life keeping me from it. This Saturday is the temple grounds service project, the night before mom and I get to help clean the temple, and Jacob’s doing windows with Mark.

Toronto won there series over Boston. Gordon monson is speculation a jazz trade for Hayward. That sounds almost a typically Jazz thing to do, but I hope not. I’d rather keep favors, but then you know I can hold a grudge against professional athletes for an uncommonly long time. Also, Lakers fans are starting to demand LeBron be traded. Oh yea, and jace Johnson has officially transferred to Marquette.

Well, I’m getting tired, please let me know what you need.

Love 

Pops