I Love The Holy Temple

I did an endowment for Joe Raulerson in the 8:15 session this morning. Joe is one of Willyne's ancestors. she and her mother Floryne did his research.  What a blessing to go to the temple for him today.

This was my first time in the Redlands Temple. I love the spirit here and in all temples. I love the local scenes that are so skillfully painted here, and in many of the temples.

I often like reading the scriptures and praying after a temple session.  The scriptures were all in use today, so I pondered our stake theme carefully ...

"Organize yourselves, prepare every needful thing, and establish a house, even a house of prayer, a house of fasting, a house of faith, a house of learning, a house of glory, a house of God.

"O ye that embark in the service of God, see that ye serve him with all of your heart, might, mind, and strength, that ye may stand blameless before God at the last day.

"Therefore, if ye have desires to serve God ye are called to the work:  To warn, expound, exhort, and teach, and invite all to come unto Christ."

There is so much meaning, and so much good counsel, in every word and every phrase.  And the temple is just to place to ponder that!

Three Cousins, One Chair, Big Smiles!

It's Time For Some (Fantasy) Football! (can you hear the music yet?)

It was fun and very interesting to watch the chief be in action on draft night ... and to help him just a little with his strategy.

Back to the Hospital too soon

This morning I realized another good reason to go to the temple weekly on Fridays.  If I have a week I just can't do that, I have one more day I can still go to the temple before the week ends.  Willyne helped me get to the 6 am session today.  It was a wonderful uplift and I thank her!  (week 4)

I read Ezekiel 39 and 3 Nephi 17 while at the temple.  I like reading there, it makes it feel all the better...

Willyne and I visited Pepper Slater in the hospital again today.  The results came in from his tests.  Bone cancer head to toe.  We haven't had a chance to grieve fully for Boyd yet, now this.  Life can be hard for sure, but I'm glad I went with Willyne to see them.

Here are links to my eating, walking, and listening while walking ...

Jesus lives! And we can help Him help us. http://t.co/X7r5DZf

http://terreeeblay.blogspot.com/2011/08/185.html

The tortoise is smiling.  It is taking a little effort.  But he is definitely smiling and thankful for his blessings.

It Is Great To Be Together!

Today's reading Ezekiel 38 and 3 Nephi 15-16.  My thoughts are at:  http://ibelieve-dougbeecher.blogspot.com/2011/08/ezekiel-prophesies-of-book-of-mormon.html

Doug Jr. walked with me today!  Details and pictures at: http://terreeeblay.blogspot.com/2011/08/184.html Doug liked it so much he wants to come back next Friday morning between 6:30 and 7 am to walk through La Verkin's part of Confluence Park with me.  Josh is going to join us too.  This is going to be great!  (Anyone else out there in the family want to do this?  - if you'd like a sneak preview here is a map and some pictures: http://terreeeblay.blogspot.com/2011/07/142.html )

We are gathering for one final family weekend before the Bostonians head home.  It is great to be together!

The tortoise is smiling!

The Jackson Girls Love Uncle Doug

Not sure how anything I could write could top this picture!

Willyne and I visited Pepper Slater in the hospital today.  To say he is not doing well is an understatement, but  he is in good spirits and has lots of family support there.  I was very glad to see that!

I read Ezekiel 37 today.  There is a lot there and I read it slowly and carefully.  This chapter includes the famous prophecy that one day the stick of Judah and the stick of Joseph would become one ... I think of that often when opening my scriptures that has the Bible and the Book of Mormon (as well as the Doctrine and Covenants and Pearl of Great Price) in one zippered case.

I started on my second hundred miles today by walking up the Bracken's hill and also up the Davis' hill ... read all about it at http://terreeeblay.blogspot.com/2011/08/183.html.

The tortoise is smiling!

Fixing Roads, Setting City Priorities, and I Would Walk 100 Days

Well after making it to 94 consecutive non-Sabbath days of walking and stumbling after April 9, I have made it to 100 days this time!  Several of you know how much I enjoy the quirky sound and the persistence illustrated in what I call the "500 mile song", so give me 3 1/2 minutes, substitute "100 days" in your mind every time you hear "500 miles", click on the arrow in the picture above (and possibly click again if Vevo  makes you watch it directly on YouTube), and enjoy!  (P.S. I walked 153 miles (and change) during this 100 days, so that makes Doug the winner in the "will Dad make it to 100 days or 100 miles first?" competition.)

You can read more details of today's walking (and eating) at:  http://terreeeblay.blogspot.com/2011/08/182.html

I guess today is a typical day of what it took to get this done.  I had city council tonight.  We heard a detailed presentation by the city engineer of what it will take to fix 100 East, particularly the block between Center Street and 100 South where the McKell, Jones, Earl, Price, and other families have been impacted by the last attempt (nearly 20 years ago) to fix the drainage and other issues on this street).  I have a copy of the detailed plans if any of you are interested -- I think we are close to figuring out how to do it, and it hasn't been easy because of the narrow right-of-way and steep slopes involved.  We also had a work session to update our priorities on projects to continue work improving our streets, irrigation water system, and other long-term projects.  It was a good meeting, the city moves ahead at a tortoise pace, but a steady one, and I am glad to be a participatator as my children's grandmother Forsyth would say.

The year is rapidly flying by as they all seem to do, and I have continuing education requirements to meet.  After city council I finished a 16 hour course online and put a good dent in what is needed for the year.  This included passing a 40 question test at 93%.  (Minimum to pass was 85%).

Then, and only then, would I let myself relax by doing the 100th walk ...

I continued reading today, Ezekiel 36 and 3 Nephi 14.

The tortoise is smiling!