Two daughters and a son

For Spring Break, Rachel and I decided to head down south and visit with Aunt Becky and Andrew.  Luckily for us Rebekah had quit one job and would be starting another in Pleasanton on Wednesday.  So early Saturday morning (couldn't leave Friday as I was helping out at Bailey Caperner's Wedding), so we took off on Saturday morning heading to San Diego.  Aunt Becky is having some concerns with her eye and it wasn't a good day to visit, so we went to see Andrew right off.  It is about 8 or 9 hours to San Diego from our house depending on traffic.  If you want a little secret weapon have Rebekah drive down I-5. That girl can weave and punch and get right where she wants to go.  If the needle went around 90 once in a while I'll just let you know we made it from our house over the grapevine in a little over 4 and a bit hours.  Too bad we stopped. Yes stopped. On the freeway in Los Angeles -3 times - and again just before San Diego.  There is a really interesting phenomenon in southern California.  If you are in the far left lane or the one next to it - you will go slower than the right lanes. Lots of people pull over to the left lanes and then go the speed limit or slower - very maddening.
Arriving in San Diego we found our historic Lafayette Hotel - but the entire street was blocked off due to a beer festival which was located - yes - right in front of the hotel.  The Lafayette Hotel has been restored -- it was a western resort in its heyday - probably the 40's or 50's - maybe 30's? Cool.

Easter Rabbits!  Notice, the ears are the first to go

On Sunday morning we headed over to Coronado Beach had a leisurely time. Rachel explored and found little treasures, Rebekah enjoyed a long walk, while Andrew studied his Sunday School lesson. A little dip into the ocean and then we left for church.

Where do the really thick shells come from? We only found bits, no whole shells of the very thick shells. Lots of fun colors. Lots of little shells. The sand in the water had gold glistening like glitter - since real gold is heavy we couldn't figure out why it was so sparkly all along the beach. 

Actually he did study and gave us a little preview - but osmosis is an interesting concept

Nothing like an invigorating dip!

Two daughters and a son

We went to see this veteran memorial, black curved walls held veterans from different wars and all over - even Churchill from England.  Andrew says there is a law suit to take down the cross. The view from all sides was spectacular.

Andrew is in a really good place - physically and mentally.  He enjoys law school, he is close to the ocean, has an interesting law job and a flexible paying job.  He has a very nice roommate and a good ward job. He looks and acts happy and San Diego has so many interesting sites, places, and interesting people. He is challenged and loving it and it was great to see him!

Happy Birthday Nate on Easter Day

I wonder how many times Easter will actually be on Nate's (or Rachel's) birthday?  It was nice that he called us while everyone was together so he could talk to everyone. I'll have to post Jayson's newest clip, we thought he was soooo funny! 

A Really Nice Monday Morning!

Although we can't say that too often - this was great:

Magic Mountain - the girls rode most of the rides you can see

A perfect day to go to an amusement park!  Not too hot, not cold at all and short lines.  The girls got right into the first ride and then the second, third, fourth.....etc......after a while it was hard to tell if they were having fun anymore.  

They said the rides were starting to feel the same and they both had headaches etc.  Maybe there is a reason they have half hour and longer waits at most times. So we left for home early and got home shortly before 10 at night. 

Hope everyone had a good Easter!

April 28, 2014

As I transition into reading the Book of Mormon I have a simple prayer in my heart. Please unfold the things of God so I can learn through the spirit. What if I were left to my own merits to understand the things of God? I would probably end up thinking the Father, Son and Holy Ghost were the same being. That would not be good! I understand that learning comes from God and all power and influence should come from Him and with Him in mind. I stand with Rocky Balboa when I say "its so simple!" I want to join further by saying "yo Adrian, we did it!" but this seems too far out of context so I will leave it out of this message.

 

Elder Baird is so cool. He pays attention to the details. I will learn so much from him this transfer. He knows just enough Spanish to get the Hermanas over to see them. He is from Utah and has a lot going for him. He plays the bass as well. He did a triathlon before the mission so he is hard to get tired on the bike.

 

Hey Mom can you pray that the Alief ward will get a ton of people that will join and be able to strengthen the ward i.e. be able to pay tithing? If you don't feel comfortable doing this I totally understand. I guess I am really literally minded and if it ain't broke don't fix it.

 

I did get the chance to enjoy the short clip Because of Him! Wow it was cool.

 

I love you

Jeremiah

Jeremiah received life changing information early on. The Lord told Him he would be a prophet. This meant he would live a life of luxury and bliss right? Actually in Jeremiah's case it meant the opposite.

 

The chief judge of the temple threw Jeremiah into the stocks. The people later slammed him into a dungeon filled with mire. All because he said what needed to be said and did what needed to be done. Jeremiah ended up seeing the ultimate downfall of his city. He saw lives ruined, possessions broken and families scattered. He never denied his faith.

 

After all this he laments and draws some awesome conclusions. My favorite thought he shares with us is found in Lamentations 3:27. "It is good for a man that he bear the yoke in his youth". It is vital that young people are challenged. They need opposition to grow just as a baby chick needs to break through the prison walls of its shell. If you rob a man of his yoke he will fall into the clutches of apathy and slothfulness. I am so grateful for my mission. God is good.

 

As a side note Jeremiah participated in some awesome revelation while he was in prison, similar to our beloved Prophet Joseph Smith.

 

Israel will be gathered and every family will receive the priesthood (Abraham 2:9-11). It isn't because Israel is righteous (Deuteronomy 9:5). Its because that's what God has said.

 

Basketball is really fun in the mornings. I was on one of my unstoppable sprees when Elder Jones decided to throw me to the ground. This is the only way to play! And of course we wouldn't get competitive.

 

I will find out who my companion is on Wednesday. I pray I will be able to serve him the way the Lord would have me serve. And I'm not going to lie, I hope he plays basketball.

 

I love you very much, I know you're praying for me!

April 14, 2014

Elder McCleve received some world shaking information today. He has been waiting for his visa for the 8 months and found out today he has received it. Wow. He was about to reassign too. He will be leaving next Tuesday for Brazil.

 

So Ladies first has been invited to Carnegie Hall!! That is so cool. This is going to be the start of something big! Go Rachel!!

 

Thank you for the package mom! I got it today.

 

Good times good times.

 

 Y'all are the best, I love you very much

April 7, 2014

Mother, Father-- in behalf of your children (and that includes children in law) I would like to say your welcome (Proverbs 23:24-25). And in return please except our upmost gratitude for the excellent child rearing.

 

We drove by a soccer field the other day and my mind was brought back to my childhood in an instant. Memories flooded in. But most of all I remember sitting in the car with Dad.

 

I'm glad to hear Mr. Smidebush dropped by. He is the best teacher Concord High has ever seen. Seriously. And if you meet him again tell him I can jump over the phone book and I would be happy to demonstrate when I get back. I would love to get an email from him.

 

Every talk in this conference was inspired. Wow. Its too bad I was fighting sleep towards the end. Probably could have got a little more out of them. My favorite talks were the ones about the second coming! That gets me fired up!

 

The testimony of Jesus Christ and the Restoration of the Priesthood is solid ground for us to live our lives.

 

Well I have to get going. I apologize for leaving so soon. Its seems like our conversations are so short. But alas we have a meal to eat and a zone activity to go to. As we depart and go our separate ways I pray that the peace of God will ever be in our hearts.

 

I love you

Nuggets

I went to the Temple yesterday. Thus the late email.

 

As I read the scriptures daily and visit the temple every once in a while I find doctrinal nuggets. Now these nuggets needn't be confused with chicken nuggets. Although chicken nuggets are decent when dunked in ketchup. No, the nuggets I am speaking of today are the kind that don't leave after a mere 48 hour stay. I am talking about the life changing insights that shape a growing man's very character. I'm talking about the thoughts that are whispered through the mouths of Angels on a daily basis.

 

Conference is the best. As I listened to the morning speakers I had the characteristic feeling of being in a holy place. I am very excited to listen to the rest of conference.

 

We play basketball every morning with President Ashton at the Lexington building. At one point he was given the monumental task of defending me. He even told his squad that he would rise to the occasion. Shocked, I asked him very seriously, "President, are you sure you want to guard me?" The response came quick-- "I figured I would have a better chance with you than Elder Jones!" Haha!

 

Allow me to illustrate a glimpse of time to help you see life in Alief. Elder McCleve and I sat in front of Sheila. She is a police officer who works on Sundays. She believes in the Bible and wants to come closer to God, but the whole "Mormon" thing is strange to her. We dove into the doctrines of the gospel which included our relationship with God, Prophets and the Restoration of the Priesthood. As we spoke we didn't recite memorized sentences, rather, we spoke from the heart and were led by the Holy Spirit. Judging by the confused look on her face we have a long way to go when it comes to teaching. But we give it our best.

 

I love you very much! I was reminded of your love for me in the Temple. I am thankful for your prayers!

I'm wondering what the significance of these bundles of branches are? Service project?

Michael and Elder McCleve?

Has anyone actually been to the Houston Temple? (Besides Michael)

March 24, 2014

"Is Sheena Home?" We needed to follow up on the referral within 24 hours but we didn't catch her. So we went next door. Al kept pulling the cord on the lawn mower and the lawn mower kept doing nothing. It would rev up for a second then die down. Fortunately Elder McCleve can fix lawn mowers. Well, at least he can act like it. So in a casual tone he asked for a screw driver or quarter for which he would take the air filter off. He got the quarter. We both prayed silently as he poked and prodded at the sputtering mass of metal. He got up to try and turn it on one last time. One try, fail, another try, one more fail, then finally and beautifully the engine exploded into action. Success!

 

Elder McCleve is from Washington. He has the gift of tongues. He knows French, Portuguese and a little Spanish mixed with a few other languages. He is a really good bass and has learned how to play a slew of instruments.

 

Sorry Karl Marx, I cannot agree with you. Religion is not the Opiate of society. Opium is the Opiate of society. Religion is what's going to save society. Mordecai faced the same religious persecution we see today. He didn't bow down to the king. He thought and acted for himself. So Haman decided to take care of him and the Jews. Thank goodness Esther was there to save the day.

 

Religion is the catalyst of society. The stimulus that gets people to do things they wouldn't normally do for the benefit of their neighbors. The simple understanding that we are all brothers and sisters of our Heavenly Father must be understood for society to function for a prolonged period of time. Simple truths like this change us into men and women with eternal perspectives. Anywho. . .

 

Elder McCleve and I went to the mission choir practice this morning! Fun stuff. I don't think Sister Chang liked the fact that I was sewing Elder Cordtze' shorts while the director wasn't working with the Tenors. What am I supposed to do? Sit there and stare off into space without a purpose? Without an objective?

 

My shirts are actually holding out decently. I've invested in Shout detergent and have witnessed tremendous results.

 

Family -- know that I love you! Be safe now y'all