In The 11th Hour, I've Decided To Share My Political Opinion

I've hesitated to publicly share my views on politics, mainly because I don't have enough passion for any of the candidates running. Generally speaking I am a republican, I believe in capitalism, I think less government is better than more government. I am very much against abortion though I'm not sure that I want my government dictating to me what my morals and ethics should be. I'm kind of torn on this because laws should be put in place to protect us, and certainly the unborn should probably have some protection. Either way, I know that there will be eternal consequences for the taking of life (especially when it's done for selfish reasons vs. say negligence). Perhaps the laws should be there in an attempt to protect people from doing something incredibly stupid with their probationary mortal existence. But then that kind of steps on our free agency just a bit... In any case, I'd rather have my freedom of choice on ethics and morals rather than have them dictated to me by my government. I'm grateful to live in a country that gives me such religious freedoms. With that said, I certainly trust and respect a leader a great deal more when his/her morals and ethics are inline with mine.

I work for a government agency and I benefit from the inherent incompetence. With the government, you don't have industry competition to demand higher quality output. It's like a monopoly sort of. I do still have to do a good job but the people I report to don't necessarily have to. But having worked in the commercial industry for most of my career, I see the economical benefits of capitalism which drives lower prices and higher customer satisfaction. Companies have to earn your business, people shouldn’t just have to settle for mediocrity because there are no other options. It pushes everyone to strive to be the best that they can be, and isn't that kind of the purpose of life? If those companies reap the rewards of being competent and competitive, I say “kudos to them”. Hopefully they will become philanthropists and use their great fortunes to help others that are less fortunate. Again, I don’t think our government should mandate this benevolence (maybe stimulate it with tax benefits and other incentives), I believe people should have the right to choose such actions.

I am really struggling with this election because I have great concerns about the candidates. Since I'm not confident in either parties, I have decided that I must allow my morals, ethics and belief system determine the best candidate (and that's not easy to do with hypocritical politicians). I am providing a link to an email sent by a black man, Huntley Brown, who has really put his neck out in exercising his courage to do what he believes is right, despite the fact that his choices are very unpopular among fellow blacks, to the point where he is getting hate mail.

http://www.snopes.com/politics/soapbox/huntleybrown.asp

I believe everyone should vote their conscience and I share this post not in an effort to convince anyone otherwise (especially since there are only like 5 people that read my blog). I just felt I inclined to share my own personal thoughts and reasoning for the choices and decisions that I will make tomorrow. After all, this is my personal blog, right?

I expect Barrack Obama to win the election tomorrow, I will be very surprised if he doesn’t. What this tells me is nothing that I don’t already know, I am in the minority when it comes to my beliefs and values. What does that mean to me personally? Nothing really, I’ll go on believing in the things that I believe in and that's the beauty of living in this free nation, no matter who wins tomorrow.

To Volvo Or Not To Volvo?

2000 Volvo S80

We bought a used S80 a few years back for what we thought was a screaming deal. It’s a beautiful car with the most comfortable automotive seats you'll ever sit in. Everyone who gets in it believes it to be a lot more luxurious than it is due to these titillating seats (genius marketing if you ask me). This is not slouch model, it has all the bells and whistles including heated seats, sunroof, leather, temperature gage, rear seat headrests, etc. It even has wipers on the head lights. It drives smoothly and feels solid, especially when you close the doors. No doubt Volvos are solidly built always scoring very well in crash tests, which is what lured me to this vehicle in the first place. Gas mileage is about 23/24 on average (it’s the non turbo model). The turning radius on this car is deplorable. After driving an M3, the acceleration leaves much (very much) to be desired.

For us, family is number one so safety for the family is obviously pretty important. The price seemed great for a luxury car, and even though it had somewhat high miles (over 80K) we felt being a solid reputable car that it should last a long time. Well, I didn’t do my reliability research very well and the car has been problems from the get-go. The check engine light comes on all the time. For a long time all of the lights, blinkers, etc. were going out one by one, with one headlight going out repeatedly every few months. Oxygen sensors have gone, the ABS unit failed, the throttle module, the rear bearing, gas cap door actuator and front strut mounts have all failed. It has just been one thing after another. So what does being solidly built really mean? I guess it's still structurely a tank, which is good. But not really good if the lacking economic feasibility prevents you from keeping it on the road.

Right now it is in the shop for the throttle module, which has been given an extended warranty to 250K miles because it was poorly designed/defective and because there was a class action suit on it. The problem causes you to go into limp home mode where the car can not accelerate beyond 5 mph. This happened to Cathleen the other day on the freeway, though fortunately right at our exit (after traveling for an hour returning home from Richmond). She limped home with everyone else and their mother honking at her to get off the road.

The bright side to this story is that when you have work done at the Volvo/Mercedes dealer, they kindly give you a loaner car. The one I have is a $45K 07 XC90 with 11K miles on it (despite the fact that the value of my car currently is about $5K). They called me yesterday to tell me the repairs would all be covered under the warranty but that it would be at least another 1-3 weeks depending upon parts availability. In this case, I told them they could gladly take their time and if they felt a more permanent straightover swap was in order, I woudn't complain at all.

2007 XC90 - 2007 XC70

The XC90 reviews are not favorable for reliability and so I would avoid buying a used one based on what I’ve read despite being attracted to their outward beauty (and those heavenly Volvo seats). The XC70 is supposed to have good reliability (prior to the 2008 model) so I might be persuaded to buy a non-2008 one of those used. As of 2008, they no longer make them with optional 3rd row seat (facing rearward) on the XC70 because that offering was cutting into their XC90 sales. But based on my Volvo experiences, I would probably shy away from this badge altogether. They are way too expensive new, and though seeming fairly inexpensive used, you will end up forking out the $$ any way. Volvos seem to have multiple weakness points which are designed to fail at 60K to 80K miles (these are big ticket items that I feel were intentionally designed flaws to generate additional service revenue). It is certainly fair to expect to pay more for a car with the safety/crash ratings that the Volvo enjoys, but I feel it is unethical to knowingly build in failure points on big ticket, or maybe it is ethical but unwise if badge loyalty is your objective (hence why Toyota and Honda lead in repeat customer loyalty).

The estimate for my repairs this go around is $1200. Fortunately is is all covered by the class action suite that was awarded due to the potentially dangerous ramifications of spontaneously going into limp mode while tooling along at 70 mph or trying to turn left at a busy intersection.

Verdict: don’t be enticed by the outward beauty and comfort of these cars unless you have deep pockets. A lease might be safe if you can get an affordable one, but don't plan to own one of these cars beyond 60K miles. People who don't know any better (and there are many) will step right into this as I have and will learn to hate Volvo, where the people who got rid of them before the problems start will continue to sing praises.

After a few hundred more dollars for a new strut mount and coolant flush, I’m expecting my S80 to be problem-free for a good 40K miles. Well, I can hope anyway, but that’s what I keep saying each time I drop hundreds on repairs. My intent is to pass it down to my teenagers to drive because of the safety aspects. I just have to know at what point enough is enough, and to perhaps cut my losses.

What Has Been Consuming All Of My Time?

Well it started back with problems I inherited with our new model home, all relating to a great deal of moisture in my back yard and an over active sump pump as a result. I set out to repair the faulty/broken sprinkler system and a poorly implemented/located drainage pipe across myself. Then came the aeration (fortunately we hired that out) and seeding/fertilizing, which I did do but fortunately I had my ride-on mower and a tow-behind spreader to assist with those tasks. Cathleen dug up the bad spots of the lawn and replaced with good top soil and then we seeded extra heavily in those spots. There is still a lot of crab grass that we'll gradually have to choke out with good replacement grass. The operative word here is "gradually".



Then the fun work began, planting and planting. First was the 8 new varying Maple trees planted around the perimeter of the property for future shade and privacy. Most of them will turn red in the Fall but we did get a few Silver ones for variety (though I think they turn red in the Fall too). Cathleen wanted color along the side of the house since we are on the corner and the side faces out to the main street and is the first thing you see when you approach our house. In went a dozen+ double knock out roses, they bloom 3 of the 4 seasons and they do look nice if I don't say so myself.



I located a hedge of burning bushes (they turn deep red in the Fall, lose all of their leaves in the Winter) at the back of the property plus dug up a new bed of the same surrounding the utilities in our front lawn (they are impossible to mow around and unsightly). When they grow, that yucky utility stuff will be hidden hopefully (at least during the Spring/Summer months).



I dug up another new bed the full length of the side of the house and added another hedge of yellowy "Emerald and Gold" Euonymus shrubs to hide the A/C units. I have more burning bushes slated for the side. The Boxwoods running at the base of the front of the house are not the right kind of petite well-formed Boxwoods that we would like in the front. These get big and unruly. I will eventually move them all (12 of them) to the side and replace them with a dozen double knock out rose bushes for an explosion of color in the front.



I put a hedge of Spring Azaleas plus some additional Lemon Cypresses in to contrast against the deep purple Barberry plants right out in the front bed. A few weeks back we planted a bunch of Mums of all different varieties plus Asters, Daisys, Pansies, etc. and two dwarf Japanse Maple trees and our larger Japanese Maple that we brought with us from GA (which we planted in the ground at our previous home in memory of Matthew). I've also moved existing plants and shrubs all over trying to get the right balance and color combination. These pictures that I'm posting are from a few days ago so much has even changed since then as far as location/placement of plants.




We opted for black mulch this year so all the beds were covered. Of course with new planting came newly turned up soil and therfore more mulching to be done (sigh). I have another few days worth of solid work out there and then I have to take time to clean the garage out entirely and get ready for Winter. I can't imagine it will ever end (thank goodness for pending inclement weather which will force my yard efforts to rest for a season).

TIME OUT!

Why Does It Hurt So Much??? Is it because it was Texas Christian University??? Well yes actually, especially since they share the same conference and this not only destroys BYU's loss-less season knocking them out of the top 10 but worse, it knocks them off the top of the MWC. This was really not a good game to lose, and to lose so badly (32-7)... I know it shouldn't matter, but FETCH (I only reserve such strong language for really deserving situations like this one)!!!! FETCH, FETCH, FETCH, FLIP and FETCH! Now thanks to BYU I have to make an appointment to see my Bishop for excessive potty mouth.




I really thought BYU had something this year... I've only been able to watch one game, against Utah State University where based on stats BYU should have destroyed them but didn't. And now this... I mean I knew they weren't going to the Rose Bowl or anything, their schedule wasn't strong enough. But it sure would have been nice to finish in the top 10!




Kudos to TCU, it will be fun to watch them and the U of U battle it out for the MWC. I guess there is always next year for us Cougs... However, we must beat the U of U, that will save some face. If we don't, I'll hang my head in shame and probably use a lot more Utahrd obscenities...

Did You Know?

Bill Bixby (January 22, 1934 – November 21, 1993) was one of my favorite actors while I was growing up, mostly for his portrayal of the perfect father, Eddie’s father in “The Courtship of Eddie’s Father”. Of course I loved Eddie too because he represented everything that was good (and safe, despite losing his Mom). They had the perfect father-son relationship. Apparently they were close off the set and spent a lot of time together as friends, which obviously helped the credibility of their relationship on the set.

The Dead Kennedy's - That's "Eddie" on the far right

Actor Brandon Cruz who played Eddie Corbett is my age, he retired from acting at age 18 in 1980 to focus on a music career to shed his squeaky-clean Eddie image. He was the lead singer for the hard core punk band “The Dead Kennedys” around the same time that I began listening to hard core punk, yet I never knew it was “Eddie” singing those obscenities until just less than a year ago when I decided to google “The Courtship Of Eddie’s Father”. The Dead Kennedy’s were never my favorite, but I did own one LP (Fresh Fruit For Rotting Vegetables mainly for the song, "Holiday In Cambodia"). Cruz grew up surfing and skateboarding, not all that different from me in my youthful days. Personally, I liked him better as “Eddie”. Of course, I liked me better in my pre-teen years too!

Me when I was a nice boy (notice the tie)

Me (1979) trying hard not be a nice boy

A Tad Bit More Levity Please

My blog requires a bit more levity after a slew of deep thought regurgitation posts. My wife sent this story to me in an email this morning and it put a smile on my face (OK, I lol'd). You gotta love those West Virginians!


C'mon man, yo no fui! No te tire' el pedo!


Dude, that was like HAZMAT-Agent Orange nasty

SOUTH CHARLESTON, W.Va. (Sept. 25) -- A West Virginia man who police said passed gas and fanned it toward a patrolman has been charged with battery on a police officer.

Jose A. Cruz, 34, of Clarksburg, was pulled over early Tuesday for driving without headlights, police said. According to the criminal complaint, Cruz smelled of alcohol, had slurred speech and failed three field sobriety tests before he was handcuffed and taken to a police station for a breathalyzer test.

As Patrolman T.E. Parsons prepared the machine, Cruz scooted his chair toward Parsons, lifted his leg and "passed gas loudly," the complaint said. Cruz, according to complaint, then fanned the gas toward the officer. "The gas was very odorous and created contact of an insulting or provoking nature with Patrolman Parsons," the complaint alleged. He was also charged with driving under the influence, driving without headlights and two counts of obstruction.

Cruz acknowledged passing gas, but said he didn't move his chair toward the officer nor aim gas at the patrolman. He said he had an upset stomach at the time, but police denied his request to go to the bathroom when he first arrived at the station. "I couldn't hold it no more," he said.

He also denied being drunk and uncooperative as the police complaint alleged. He added he was upset at being prepared for a breathalyzer test while having an asthma attack. The police statement said he later resisted being secured for a trip to a hospital that he requested for asthma treatment.

Cruz said the officers thought the gas incident was funny when it happened and laughed about it with him. "This is ridiculous," he said. "I could be facing time."

Copyright 2008 The Associated Press. The information contained in the AP news report may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or otherwise distributed without the prior written authority of The Associated Press. 2008-09-24 20:24:44

BTW, my brothers and I have tested the fanning technique and it is in fact quite effective! (Just ask my sister, and youngest brother Seth)

Three Men On Horses (Revised)

On a previous post I had a discussion with blogger buddy Adam about the sensitive subject of deciding to have children and he claimed that “wisdom” or “using our heads” should be exercised when making such decisions. It is my contention that man’s“wisdom” and “using our heads” is not necessarily always in concordance with God’s wisdom (in other words, “the natural man is an enemy to God”). And that perhaps less wisdom (using our heads) should be exercised…

My wife and I were discussing the wisdom of marriage, and that if people really understood what they were getting into up front (taking away any knowledge of the Gospel plan), they might think again about their decision. Granted, falling in love is a strong motivator, but we’re talking about conventional wisdom here, falling in love doesn’t fall into that category, in fact it often opposes it.

In reality, marriage and bearing children could be lumped in with other less than fruitful to the natural man LDS practices such as paying tithing, serving others, storing food, keeping the Sabbath day holy, etc. If you use the natural man’s wisdom, each of these would likely hinder your success and progress in this life, just citing survival in today’s worsening economy as one indicator of “success and progress”. For example, a recent story in a magazine highlighted a couple who had submitted to receiving free financial counseling in debt reduction in exchange for their story for the article. The very first expense this couple was counseled to get rid of was their $400/month tithing contribution. That has the natural man’s wisdom written all over it.

Going back to the decision to have children, we obviously know there are many and varying reasons why people might still be having children despite the natural man’s wisdom screaming in protest against it. I imagine much has to do with the natural consequences of uncontrolled passion combined with our God-given innate conscience which testifies that this is now human life and should be protected at all cost.

But you also have those who have a belief system which putteth off the natural man. This system demands sacrifice and requires faith, which is a belief in something that one can not actually see or which is not obvious, yet promises to be for one’s betterment. The woman willingly sacrifices her shapely body (in many cases forever more) to become a birthing vessel, she submits to being horribly sick, tired and uncomfortable and to crown the whole ordeal with a crescendo of pain, and that’s just the beginning. The man commits to providing a part of his earnings, personal time, devotion and to emotionally enduring all of his wife’s hardships and trials without ever having firsthand knowledge for himself of what it is like to be “Mom”. And all of this for the sake of the little offspring who will fill its diaper with smelly stuff, need every amount of help imaginable, rarely ever appreciate anything, eventually think you are completely off your rocker having been duped by your imaginations, and then expect your help all over again when raising their own children all the while acknowledging that while you may have done OK, they will do it much better (did I get it right Mom/Dad?)

Another thought about man’s wisdom is the idea that something that holds its value (i.e. Toyota/Honda) is good or wise and that something that appreciates in value is genius. That which depreciates in value is unwise (politely speaking). God’s wisdom isn’t all that different, but one significant variation is the timeline, God views things with a much longer one, eternal in fact. Mortality is but a blink of the eye so His wisdom requires a much longer term value to merit true worth. We LDS believers are taught that we come into mortality with nothing and that we depart with nothing except our knowledge gained from experiences in mortality and our relationships (those bound for eternity in our temples). Knowledge is therefore a wise investment, acknowledging that some types of knowledge are of far greater worth than other types. Of course there simply can’t be enough said with regards to the value of temple sealings and eternal relationships.

I love this quote by an unknown author: Three men on horses riding through the forest. A man stops them, he picks up some stones and gives them to the riders saying, "tomorrow you will be both happy and sad". They awoke the next morning, the stones had turned to precious jewels. Happy with the value of the jewels, sad they did not pick up more. Our experiences and the knowledge we gain in mortality are like the stones that turn to precious jewels. I am of the belief that those jewels with the most value are directly related to the experiences that we collect as parents. God’s primary role is that of Father (parent), and do we not desire to be like God?

What are the things of greatest value or worth to God? The scriptures most often relate “worth” to the written word (i.e. records that were commanded to be preserved throughout the ages). This sounds like “knowledge” to me. But we shouldn’t forget this one: “Remember the worth of souls is great in the sight of God” Also this one: “Children are an heritage from the Lord: and the fruit of the womb is his reward”. And here’s my favorite part: HAPPY IS THE MAN that hath his quiver full of them PSALMS 127:5.

I find it extremely interesting that the greatest gift that God has to offer us (exaltation) involves eternal increase. It’s as though He has granted us these procreative powers temporarily in this test environment (mortality) to see how we’ll do, and will reward those who prove worthy of such eternal blessings.

As for people who are unable to marry and/or have children but desire these things, I know that God is a fair God and that he will provide a way. Maybe not here in mortality but somehow he will make it right. I don’t proclaim to know all of the mysteries of heaven, only to know that God is fair and loves us.

Finally, I view parenting as selfish service, if there is such a thing (not to be confused with “self service”). Service indeed (extremely hard work as anyone with teenagers can attest), for clearly these little ones could not make it on their own without help, without mentors. At the same time and in so doing I am hopefully earning my own rite of passage (after grace/redemption of course) to exaltation. And in addition, these children that we serve can become ours forever too, and all of their posterity forever and ever. But is it really service, if the one serving has as much to gain as those being served???

Paying Respects To The Victims of 9/11

We had a moment of silence today at work at 9:03am. I had to go back to the details of that day to understand the significance of 9:03: when the 2nd (south) tower was hit signaling the first outward indicator to the world that this was not merely an accident, this was intentional.


It is always sobering each year to relive the events of that day but I felt like I needed to. The schools in our district encouraged the children to wear red, white and blue to school and I was moved to heed the counsel as well.


At 9:03 during the silence, I googled up the timeline of 9/11. I then found myself wanting to review once again the many photos for a visual remembrance. I reviewed the pictures online but this one (see above) impacts me most because it makes me recall witnessing the gravity and horror that the victims were faced with and makes me consider the complete despair and hopelessness that they were experiencing. I watched live several people leap to their deaths before it was decided by the media that it was simply too horrible to witness. I read this article with great reverence, always wondering about the details of those people. There is just nothing more disturbing and it so pulls on the heart strings to witness these innocent people who were forced to choose their own manner of death, by fire or by impact.

Most all children have had a discussion with their friends at some point in their young lives contemplating the worst way to die. Of course the various forms of torture come up but barring those, most people tend to agree that death by fire has got to be one of the worst. I fear dying in all forms but death by fire and drowning have always been my “most feared”. Falling to one’s death usually always comes up but is often reduced in horribleness by the assumption that the pain would only last a fraction of split second. I have to think that this is what those people were thinking as the flames grew nearer and hotter.

In the 1974 movie Towering Inferno, some people above the fire were rescued. Any of the 9/11 victims who had seen that film might have maintained the futile hope to hold out until the very end. But at some point if the flames get close and hot enough, a decision has to be made and I’d think that for me falling to my death would be the better way to go (not sure I'd have the courage to do it though). Either way, I’d be praying with all my heart to be translated before actually tasting death.

On September 11, 2001 I was working from home (living in Marietta, GA), my wife was planning to attend a play date at the park with our youngest kids and some of the other neighborhood mothers. When she called next door to Alicen to inquire of the exact time, Alicen replied that she didn’t feel quite up to it any more with all that was going on. And that’s when we tuned in and from that point forward we watched and witnessed the tragic events unfold. The collapsing of the first building (north tower) was devastating, the second was equally as devastating but essentially anticipated, it was just a matter of when it was going to happen. We had no idea how the evacuations were going, no way to offer a hand or to assist in any way. All we could do is watch helplessly from our family room and pray along with the rest of the world.

Happy Birthday To My Brother Duncan

Faith Precedes The Miracle

Being a man with a large family, the subject of “affording to have babies” has come up over and over in my adult life. People love to use this as an excuse to not have children or to condemn others that do. People don’t attack me (in front of me anyway) for my large family because they for some reason think that I can afford it. They think that I can’t afford a TV (why else would anyone have so many children), but I can afford my children. I in contrast believe that I can only afford whatever God affords me…

In response to the “people should only have children if they can afford it” mentality, I say hogwash. I am not familiar with the "multiply and replenish the earth if you can afford it" commandment any more than I am the "pay tithing if you can afford it" commandment. I believe faith precedes the miracle. Else, if I lose my job after I have had children and I can’t afford them, this logic would suggest that I don't deserve them or I should no longer have them... Are there any guarantees that I should have the means to provide for even myself, lest the Lord (giver of all) grants unto me?

Here is what life has taught me, in retrospect:

It seems that I can associate significant financial blessings with and not long after the birth and arrival of each of my children. However, this did not change the fact that I was laid off shortly after 9/11 due to a steep downward trend in IT spending associated with the economic uncertainties of that time. With employment opportunities scarce and the pool of unemployed competition so great, not to mention having a large family and no income (which would last 14 months), I was forced to look outside of the box from a somewhat desperate perspective, and I came to learn a thing or two.

Thoughts of embellishing my resume and/or exaggerating the truth in interviews came to my mind, how was I going to have an edge? I've never been a good liar (thankfully) and of course this would contradict everything that I believe about decency, so after many humbling months I finally realized that I was going about this job seeking approach all wrong. I was trusting in the arm of my own flesh (my perceived strengths and abilities) rather than putting my faith and trust in my God (giver of all).

My wife and I discussed the financial blessings that I mentioned before with the welcoming of each new child and we postulated that if ever we needed a financial blessing, it was now. We were desirous to have another child but would it not be preposterous to consider such a long term commitment under this current zero income financial state and uncertainty in our lives?

I saw the parallel of this “trusting in the arm of flesh” mentality in my job seeking approach to the proposition of having another baby at this time. The scriptures are replete with these “I will go and do the things the Lord commands” perfect faith stories that we all shake our heads and say “amen” to. Yet in real life we are so easily tempted to run in the other direction in fear proclaiming by our very actions that what we really believe is that those types of miracles could only happen in ancient scripture times.

Cathleen and I were somewhat ashamed to realize that we were leaning toward the “logical” world’s standards (arm of flesh) mentality of waiting for a more prosperous and "convenient" time to have children. We didn't share that same doubt in our youth when we were college students and decided we would have children right away despite having nothing and no actual means of affording a child. We certainly didn't have any good reason to stop trusting God now so why then should we not have a child under these circumstances we reasoned? We repented of that fear and doubt that Satan loves to fill people with and decided that we would exercise faith and put the whole matter in the Lord's hands, job, baby, etc.

Our son (#7) was born on 17th August of that year, in December I had two very good job offers (imagine that, I didn't have to settle in desperation for the first thing that came up, after 14 months I had choices). Coincidence? I don't believe that for a minute!

I find it interesting that these blessings didn't come immediately. They came after 3 more months. I believe that we were still being tested to see if we would have a change of attitude, a decline in faith, a loss of heart. We had a precious new spirit sent straight from the heavens, why would we? I was relishing the idea of having time available to focus on the events associated with this new one. We had hope, we had faith and we were happy because we felt we had made the right choices despite difficult circumstances. But it still wasn't easy, we were tested to the end. And when I say end, I mean the very end of all of our savings, every last red cent to our name (and then some), to the point where we were preparing ourselves to find out what manna was going to taste like.

You know you're completely humbled when ward members and old mission companions of moderate means are anonymously dropping generous amounts of $ in your mailbox because Christmas is rapidly approaching. With a lump in your throat and tears in your eyes you get on your knees and express gratitude and humility like you never have before. Does God answer prayers and meet the needs of his children through acts and services of others? I wholeheartedly attest that he does.

Six years and 3 more children later, we are far better off financially now than we were then, but more importantly we are far more spiritually mature from the whole experience.

So my take on having children is, be married first, and then if you want to see real miracles in your life, and witness for yourselves that Heavenly Father is real and that he has got your back, have them. The more miracles you want to see (and the more miraculous), the more children you should have! This isn’t to say that it will be easy and there are sure to be hardships, trials, tribulations and painful growth, but it will all be worth it, of this I am certain.

There is no logic from the world's perspective to having children. There is no worldly logic to paying tithing. In addition, accumulating food storage and serving others (without compensation) will likely adversely affect your portfolio (in the short term). The world measures success and happiness on a monetary scale and investment in these ways will undoubtedly tilt those scales in the opposite direction by all logical reasoning. God's ways are not measured on a monetary scale. Having children is "being about (doing) God's work". It is not only for the rich and/or the middle class, it is for anyone who truly wants to be doing His work. And where there is a will, there is always a way!

I strongly advocate enlisting in this divine service and I would discourage people to wait until "college educations are saved for". Exercise faith, have babies, witness miracles like you never have before and be truly happy!

Happy Birthday To My Brother Kevin

Kevin has come a long way since his long-haired days in France. For a guy who doesn't really like having his picture taken, this was a rare pose indeed.



But lately, it seems like I am seeing his pictures everywhere...




He really seems to have made a name for himself back when he started splashing on the "Lenny" cologne in his Vogue magazine days.




Now, women everywhere desire him for his warmth and congeniality...

The Box - A Better Way???

The next time I move (providing it isn't that last big move to that small pine box), I'm seriously considering craigslisting everything and getting me one (OK, maybe 10) of these. While it still takes two people to lift and carry, you're lifting and moving work are complete after that single (or in my case 10) item(s) is/are moved. Is this an Elder's quorum's dream or what? It's a European dealio that measures 47.2 inches in length, 35.4 inches in height and 31.5 inches in width and is ideal for people like me with sore backs and achy legs, feet and body in general.

The concept is CASULO!

Any college student, who like me moved around a lot in college can get behind this little nifty concept 100%

You see, this little yellow box contains an apartment's worth of furniture. It's the ultimate in frugal living (I'm surprised that my brother Duncan in his small apartment void of most all creature comforts didn't invent this himself). Inside you'll find:

1 wardrobe
1 large desk/table
1 desk cabinet with locking drawers
1 revolving, height-adjustable desk chair
2 stools
1 single (twin) bed
1 mattress
1 tall set of shelves.

Note: The stools and the drawers of the desk cabinet also serve and double as additional storage containers.

You don't believe me do you? Well check the video and photos below. (watch the video before scrolling down to the pics!)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OYCTcPkIIBI

I mean, how much do we really need to live in relative comfort? Admittedly, there's no sofa in the box, no Widescreen TV, no stereo system, and certainly none of the typical comforts of home.

But who really needs any of that junk? If you need to read a book or use the computer, go to the local library and help yourself to whatever you want/need, while enjoying their free air conditioning or heating. Need music? Go to a department store or get on an elevator and enjoy relaxing music free of charge. Need to watch some TV? Sears, Best Buy, Costco, they all have them on display, often with nice comfortable chairs and Bose surround sound. Need to kick back on a couch? Go to your friend's house and feel free to rifle through the fridge and pantry for some munchies while you're at it. What about photo albums and hardbound books for your blogs that you'll never read again? Store your photos on-line (flickr) and don't worry about your saving your blogs, nobody is really reading them anyway. Need a bigger house (you don't once you've heeded my suggestions)? Get rid of some furniture, this will increase your living space immensely! Enjoy never having to pay money to rent a truck, POD or storage unit ever again!

Of course these helpful tips do not apply to the married man now do they?