A recent Priesthood lesson in our Ward, brought clarity to my understanding of what it means to “endure to the end”.
The lesson was given by Mel Larson. It was the first Sunday of 2009. Fundamentally, he asked what we could “do” to improve our temporal and spiritual lives in 2009. The discussion was vigorous. There was discussion about our need to pray…to read the scriptures…and to be found doing good…through all our days.
But Bart Cardon, who can always be counted on to clarify an issue, reminded us that “all will die” and ”the end” for each of us can come at any time. “Enduring to the end” has the same meaning for someone who dies at age 20 or 50 or 90. “Enduring to the end” simply means…maintaining our faith in the Lord Jesus Christ… to the end.
In Moroni Chapter 8, Moroni recorded an epistle which his father wrote to him. The words are beautiful. They are the heartfelt last words of a father to his son. Verse 3 is a poignant introduction.
“I am mindful of you always in my prayers, continually praying unto God the Father in the name of his Holy Child, Jesus, that he, through his infinite goodness and grace, will keep you through the endurance of faith on his name to the end.”
There is a lot packed into that verse. It is also my prayer that each of our children and grandchildren, in your own way, in your own time, will come to understand the importance of gaining a sincere testimony of the Lord Jesus Christ…and work at maintaining that testimony…to the end. Endure well!
Sunday, January 25, 2009
Tuesday, December 30, 2008
Dancing Girls
We attended the Aggie basketball game at the Spectrum last night. Our son Dan and our 6 year old grandson Asher were with us. The half-time entertainment was provided by the "High Steppers", a dance group from Bear River High School. During the performance Asher leaned over to Dan and said:
"Dad...those girls make me nervous."
"Dad...those girls make me nervous."
Friday, December 26, 2008
"Austraila" - The Movie
I asked two friends in Australia, what they thought of the movie. They were not overly impressed. Incredibly...both of them reported that their fathers were in Darwin during the first Japanese air-raid.
My friend in Adelaide offered superficial criticism:
"The movie wasn't about Australia...only about the Northern Territory."
"Look...I've seen lots of cowboy movies made in the USA, but I've never seen a cowboy actually shown brushing his teeth. I can't imagine what in the world the Australian director of this movie was thinking when he had Hugh Jackman, "The Drover", brush his teeth...was it to tell the world that OZ cowboys practice oral hygiene and have sweet smelling breath?"
He also said..."Then there was the camp-site bathing scene, where Jackman gives himself an upper body lathering, then pours a bucket of water over himself, failing miserably to rinse himself, but succeding only in wetting his pants...in which he presumably slept...if he was a cowboy. Who actually showers with his pants on? If they wanted to show what a stud Jackman really is they should have done the job right."
My friend the reporter in Melbourne had a more political point:
"Forgot to warn you that film Australia was a crock historically re this stolen generations/super racist theme. Someone finally found two Northern Territory aborigines who wanted compo for having been stolen. There was a court case. The judge eventually found:
a. there was NO policy in the Northern Territory to steal kids for racist reasons (as distinct from rescuing them from life-threatening squalor) and
b. one of the two 'stolen' kids as a baby had been left on an ant-heap by the mother (no kidding).
At highest level, the ex-governor of South Australia, Lowidja ODonohue, (aborigine) claimed to be a member of this 'stolen generation' and eventually admitted that her white father had taken her to a mission boarding school for an education (which obviously worked for her). And would you believe, there are MORE ab kids being removed from their parents by the govt now (for welfare reasons) than there were during the so-called 'stolen generation' period."
My friend in Adelaide offered superficial criticism:
"The movie wasn't about Australia...only about the Northern Territory."
"Look...I've seen lots of cowboy movies made in the USA, but I've never seen a cowboy actually shown brushing his teeth. I can't imagine what in the world the Australian director of this movie was thinking when he had Hugh Jackman, "The Drover", brush his teeth...was it to tell the world that OZ cowboys practice oral hygiene and have sweet smelling breath?"
He also said..."Then there was the camp-site bathing scene, where Jackman gives himself an upper body lathering, then pours a bucket of water over himself, failing miserably to rinse himself, but succeding only in wetting his pants...in which he presumably slept...if he was a cowboy. Who actually showers with his pants on? If they wanted to show what a stud Jackman really is they should have done the job right."
My friend the reporter in Melbourne had a more political point:
"Forgot to warn you that film Australia was a crock historically re this stolen generations/super racist theme. Someone finally found two Northern Territory aborigines who wanted compo for having been stolen. There was a court case. The judge eventually found:
a. there was NO policy in the Northern Territory to steal kids for racist reasons (as distinct from rescuing them from life-threatening squalor) and
b. one of the two 'stolen' kids as a baby had been left on an ant-heap by the mother (no kidding).
At highest level, the ex-governor of South Australia, Lowidja ODonohue, (aborigine) claimed to be a member of this 'stolen generation' and eventually admitted that her white father had taken her to a mission boarding school for an education (which obviously worked for her). And would you believe, there are MORE ab kids being removed from their parents by the govt now (for welfare reasons) than there were during the so-called 'stolen generation' period."
Friday, December 19, 2008
"Australia" - Bombing of Darwin
We went to the movie "Australia" Monday night. One of the key scenes was the WWII Japanese bombing of Darwin, the largest town in the north of Australia. I was asked if the portrayal was historically accurate. It looked overly dramatized to me, so I looked it up on the web. I was shocked!
The attack portrayed in the movie, occurred on 19 Feb 1942. I was just one year old at the time, but growing up in Australia, I certainly learned that the Japanese had attacked Australia at Darwin. It was historically important, since it was the first time that a foriegn power had invaded Australian shores, since it's settlement in 1788. What I did not know was that the Australian government had censored reports of the severity of the Darwin event(s) in order to prevent panic, or morale problems, among the Australian populace in the southern states.
For example...there were two separate attacks on Darwin on 19 Feb 1942. Between that date and 12 Nov 1943, the Japanese conducted 64 separate raids on Darwin. Who knew? I had no idea.
On 19 Feb 1942, 188 Japanese planes were launched against Darwin. There were 27 allied ships in the harbor...8 were sunk, the rest were badly damaged. It was the largest Japanese air attack since Pearl Harbor. The first two raids killed 243 Australians and allies...400 were wounded. 10 Australian fighter pilots managed to get airborne to mount a defense, but only one survived the first attack.
Local sources estimate that between 900 and 1,100 people were killed and many more injured during the 64 Japanese attacks. The Japanese reportedly lost 131 aircraft during these engagements.
What I did know about the history of Japanese attacks on Australia, was that Japanese midget submarines shelled Sydney Harbour during WWII, but that was more symbolic than militarily effective. What I did not know was that there were serious Japanese attacks much further south than I had ever imagined.
Two weeks after the first attacks on Darwin, the west coast town of Broome was bombed. That was Australia's second worst air-raid. Again...who knew? That attack killed 70 people and wounded another 40. Other Australian towns hit by the Japanese were Townsville (3 times), Katherine, Wyndham, Derby, Port Hedland, Exmouth Gulf, Millingimbi and Horn Island.
So the movie was historically accurate.
I do recall my uncles (mother's brothers) telling war stories one time. One of them was stationed up north near Exmouth Gulf. He said that he and a companion saw two Japanese sailors on a beach one night. It was well known that the Japanese were conducting reconaissance from submarines along the coast. They watched them for a while, then shot them. They said that they never reported the incident, because such events created more trouble than they were worth for enlisted personnel. The military tried to cover them up.
The attack portrayed in the movie, occurred on 19 Feb 1942. I was just one year old at the time, but growing up in Australia, I certainly learned that the Japanese had attacked Australia at Darwin. It was historically important, since it was the first time that a foriegn power had invaded Australian shores, since it's settlement in 1788. What I did not know was that the Australian government had censored reports of the severity of the Darwin event(s) in order to prevent panic, or morale problems, among the Australian populace in the southern states.
For example...there were two separate attacks on Darwin on 19 Feb 1942. Between that date and 12 Nov 1943, the Japanese conducted 64 separate raids on Darwin. Who knew? I had no idea.
On 19 Feb 1942, 188 Japanese planes were launched against Darwin. There were 27 allied ships in the harbor...8 were sunk, the rest were badly damaged. It was the largest Japanese air attack since Pearl Harbor. The first two raids killed 243 Australians and allies...400 were wounded. 10 Australian fighter pilots managed to get airborne to mount a defense, but only one survived the first attack.
Local sources estimate that between 900 and 1,100 people were killed and many more injured during the 64 Japanese attacks. The Japanese reportedly lost 131 aircraft during these engagements.
What I did know about the history of Japanese attacks on Australia, was that Japanese midget submarines shelled Sydney Harbour during WWII, but that was more symbolic than militarily effective. What I did not know was that there were serious Japanese attacks much further south than I had ever imagined.
Two weeks after the first attacks on Darwin, the west coast town of Broome was bombed. That was Australia's second worst air-raid. Again...who knew? That attack killed 70 people and wounded another 40. Other Australian towns hit by the Japanese were Townsville (3 times), Katherine, Wyndham, Derby, Port Hedland, Exmouth Gulf, Millingimbi and Horn Island.
So the movie was historically accurate.
I do recall my uncles (mother's brothers) telling war stories one time. One of them was stationed up north near Exmouth Gulf. He said that he and a companion saw two Japanese sailors on a beach one night. It was well known that the Japanese were conducting reconaissance from submarines along the coast. They watched them for a while, then shot them. They said that they never reported the incident, because such events created more trouble than they were worth for enlisted personnel. The military tried to cover them up.
Monday, December 15, 2008
Snow Shovel
We had the first big snow storm of the season last Saturday. Bought a new snow shovel today. The sales lady noted that I had bought myself a top of the line shovel. I had to correct her..."Oh, it's not for me...it's for my wife...nothing but the best for the little woman."
I'm a real man!
What is sad about that story, is that it is true. Think I'll buy her a vacuum for Christmas.
I'm a real man!
What is sad about that story, is that it is true. Think I'll buy her a vacuum for Christmas.
Wednesday, December 10, 2008
8 Things Tag
I've been tagged by Angela
8 Shows I Watch
1. O'Reilly Factor
2. Hannity (and that other bloke)
3. History Channel
4. Animal Planet
5. Old movies
6. CSI
7. Mentalist
8. 24
8 Restaurants I Love
1. Market Street Grill
2. Hamilton's
3. Ruth's Chris
4. Fredrico's
5. El Sol...on a Monday
7. El Sol...on a Wednesday
8. El Sol...anytime
8 Things I Did Yesterday
1. Woke up on the Coral Princess in Fort Lauderdale, at the end of a 10 day cruise through the Panama Canal. It was tough duty...your Mom made me do it.
2. Hugged and kissed goodbye four lovely senior black ladies from New York, who were delightful dinner companions....Ann, Adele, Audrey and Delores. Those four have seen the world. I asked Ann how many cruises they had been on together. She just said "Two a year...at least."
3. Said goodbye to Allen and Lisa Smith, from Kentucky...our other dinner companions. Wanted to hug and kiss Lisa, but thought better of it. Lisa was a tall, drop-dead gorgeous blond who claimed to have been a teacher for 21 years. When I saw her in a bikini by the pool I knew she was lying to us. Her body was only 20 years old. Kathie And I were amazed to see her luggage...one small carry-on size bag. Kathie said that she did not need a large suitcase because bikinis do not take much room. Following a more up-close and personal encounter with Lisa by the pool one day, I reported to Kathie that Lisa was showing her age...I actually saw a few wrinkles and dimples. I'm real smooth...I know what women want to hear.
4. We were to fly stand-by to Atlanta, but we were on the bottom of the wait list. (Your pilot brother has no seniority you know) Everyone but Kathie and I boarded, then our names were called and we made it. It was really close.
5. Same story in Atlanta...only our chances looked even worse. At the last minute the gal at the gate said "They are closing the doors...if you run you can make it". She did not even give us a seat assignment. As we ran she yelled..."take any open seat you can find...there are two on row three in first class". So we flew home first class. I tell you Ang...that little brother of yours is OK...seniority or no seniority...he's a keeper.
6. We talked with a missionary in Atlanta who was flying home to Salt Lake on medical leave...by himself. He was seriously spooked about being alone...even more spooked because he had a girlfriend at home. He was a tall handsome kid...had been a boxing instructor at the U...should be able to punch his way out of a clinch. Hope he gets his back fixed.
7. We were picked up by Park'N'Jet at the Salt Lake Airport. When we got to the parking lot, the driver asked each passenger which area they parked in. Then he wanted a description of each car. The first person said "Grey Cadillac Crossover", the next said "Black Lexus". It got annoying, because we were in your Momma's old van. When it was my turn I said "Silver Cloud Rolls Royce". That got the attention of the remaining passengers. The driver said "We don't got one of those". I said "Neither do I...see if you can find an old grey van with an Aggie plate." He said "Got it!"
8. Weighed myself before I went to bed...it was not pretty. But it was worth it.
8 Things I look Forward To.
1. The next cruise.
2. Christmas
3. Retirement
4. Did I say retirement?
5. OK...retirement.
6. Following your Mother around the house. (her worst nightmare)
7. Buying roses for your Mother.
8. Loving your Mother, our children and grandchildren...forever.
8 Wishes
1. I'm with you Ang...I wish Obama was not the President-Elect
2. I wish either Sarah Palin or Mitt Romney was the President elect.
3. I wish "Californians Against Hate"...were against hate...ie not so hateful.
4. I wish San Francisco would slide into the Pacific.
5. I wish I didn't hate.
6. But I wish I had a hand gun...Nate is taking care of that for me (and your Mom)
7. I wish I could travel and do family history for the rest of my life....and shoot straight.
8. Did I say that I wish I was retired?
8 People I Tag
1. Kathie
2. Andy
3. Jeff
4. Shelly Babe
5. Nicole
6. Missy
7. Kimi
8. Shane
8 Shows I Watch
1. O'Reilly Factor
2. Hannity (and that other bloke)
3. History Channel
4. Animal Planet
5. Old movies
6. CSI
7. Mentalist
8. 24
8 Restaurants I Love
1. Market Street Grill
2. Hamilton's
3. Ruth's Chris
4. Fredrico's
5. El Sol...on a Monday
7. El Sol...on a Wednesday
8. El Sol...anytime
8 Things I Did Yesterday
1. Woke up on the Coral Princess in Fort Lauderdale, at the end of a 10 day cruise through the Panama Canal. It was tough duty...your Mom made me do it.
2. Hugged and kissed goodbye four lovely senior black ladies from New York, who were delightful dinner companions....Ann, Adele, Audrey and Delores. Those four have seen the world. I asked Ann how many cruises they had been on together. She just said "Two a year...at least."
3. Said goodbye to Allen and Lisa Smith, from Kentucky...our other dinner companions. Wanted to hug and kiss Lisa, but thought better of it. Lisa was a tall, drop-dead gorgeous blond who claimed to have been a teacher for 21 years. When I saw her in a bikini by the pool I knew she was lying to us. Her body was only 20 years old. Kathie And I were amazed to see her luggage...one small carry-on size bag. Kathie said that she did not need a large suitcase because bikinis do not take much room. Following a more up-close and personal encounter with Lisa by the pool one day, I reported to Kathie that Lisa was showing her age...I actually saw a few wrinkles and dimples. I'm real smooth...I know what women want to hear.
4. We were to fly stand-by to Atlanta, but we were on the bottom of the wait list. (Your pilot brother has no seniority you know) Everyone but Kathie and I boarded, then our names were called and we made it. It was really close.
5. Same story in Atlanta...only our chances looked even worse. At the last minute the gal at the gate said "They are closing the doors...if you run you can make it". She did not even give us a seat assignment. As we ran she yelled..."take any open seat you can find...there are two on row three in first class". So we flew home first class. I tell you Ang...that little brother of yours is OK...seniority or no seniority...he's a keeper.
6. We talked with a missionary in Atlanta who was flying home to Salt Lake on medical leave...by himself. He was seriously spooked about being alone...even more spooked because he had a girlfriend at home. He was a tall handsome kid...had been a boxing instructor at the U...should be able to punch his way out of a clinch. Hope he gets his back fixed.
7. We were picked up by Park'N'Jet at the Salt Lake Airport. When we got to the parking lot, the driver asked each passenger which area they parked in. Then he wanted a description of each car. The first person said "Grey Cadillac Crossover", the next said "Black Lexus". It got annoying, because we were in your Momma's old van. When it was my turn I said "Silver Cloud Rolls Royce". That got the attention of the remaining passengers. The driver said "We don't got one of those". I said "Neither do I...see if you can find an old grey van with an Aggie plate." He said "Got it!"
8. Weighed myself before I went to bed...it was not pretty. But it was worth it.
8 Things I look Forward To.
1. The next cruise.
2. Christmas
3. Retirement
4. Did I say retirement?
5. OK...retirement.
6. Following your Mother around the house. (her worst nightmare)
7. Buying roses for your Mother.
8. Loving your Mother, our children and grandchildren...forever.
8 Wishes
1. I'm with you Ang...I wish Obama was not the President-Elect
2. I wish either Sarah Palin or Mitt Romney was the President elect.
3. I wish "Californians Against Hate"...were against hate...ie not so hateful.
4. I wish San Francisco would slide into the Pacific.
5. I wish I didn't hate.
6. But I wish I had a hand gun...Nate is taking care of that for me (and your Mom)
7. I wish I could travel and do family history for the rest of my life....and shoot straight.
8. Did I say that I wish I was retired?
8 People I Tag
1. Kathie
2. Andy
3. Jeff
4. Shelly Babe
5. Nicole
6. Missy
7. Kimi
8. Shane
Sunday, November 23, 2008
Big Bang
On Friday, November 21, while heading to work, I was involved in an auto collision. I was headed downtown past Utah State University, on cruise-control, at 40 mph, when a woman came off the USU campus, at the old library location and nailed me...or T-Boned me. She was attempting to cross the the highway to head east. A witness told the police that I did not have a chance. She reported that the driver did not stop at the stop sign...just accelerated out across the four lane highway and hit me broadside. The driver admitted that she did not look in my direction. Why not? Who knows, but you would think that she would have been extra careful, since she had a four month old baby with her. Remarkably, neither of them was hurt. But she was given a citation. Apparently that campus exit has been the site of many accidents and at least one death. USU ought to make it a right turn only exit.
When Jeff Miller, the auto-repair man, called to report on the condition of my Charger R/T...he said "You were hit really hard Tony...the impact even wrinkled the roof." The front right quadrant and right door were destroyed. He thought it was probably repairable.
I did not see the accident unfold. Most people say that such accidents happen in slow-motion...but I did not see anything until the BANG. After that I don't recall much. I was wearing my seat belt and the air bag deployed, so when I came around the car was full of smoke and two women were at my door asking if I was OK. I was not sure. I could not breathe and there was blood dripping off my fingers. Nate later suggested that the air-bag gasses probably contributed to my breathing problem. The blood looked worse than it was. The skin had been peeled back on the back of my hands...still don't know how.
I was trying to get out of the car when the police arrived...it was more difficult than I expected...things weren't responding normally. The police asked me to stay in the car until the paramedics arrived. I could hear conversation about my age and my difficulty breathing. I was telling them that I thought I was OK. They convinced me that it would be best under the circumstances if I was transported to the emergency room for observation. It was probably a good move, but it was a most uncomfortable ride. I was on a board with a neck brace, and I swear the ambulance had no shocks...and one paramedic was trying to stick an IV in my arm...which is never easy at the best of times. I was impressed that he did it.
Prior to that another police officer had talked with me. It was James Gale, a pilot and friend of Andy's. Kathie and I had been to James' home with Andy and Missy a few weeks before. He drove a six cylinder police version of the Charger. Mine was an R/T with a HEMI engine. So like boys with their toys, I said to James..."My Charger will go faster than your Charger James." He thought that was pretty funny. But last Friday, after determining that I was OK, or that I thought I was OK, James poked his head in the car and said "My Charger will go faster than your Charger Tony." Now that's funny.
The best part about the emergency room experience was the warm blanket. For some reason I was chilled. Kathie arrived, Steve and Dan came...and I was wheeled off to the x-ray room by a young tech who knew Steve. They took all sorts of chest images and at one point this young lady said "You know...you have really long lungs"...I responded..."You know... I have never had a girl tell me that before." She laughed and said...."I'm glad to see that you still have a sense of humor...It is obvious where your son gets his from."
Steve asked how I was feeling. It was hard to describe. I felt like I had had the stuffing knocked out of me. I just hurt all over. Steve suggested that it might be like the day after a really hard workout. That was appropriate. The doctor suggested it would only get worse, before it got better. He prescribed some pain pills. He was right.
Then George Knapp showed up. George is a friend from California, whom I met in Sydney in 1965. He and his wife Bonnie dropped in on us last year. George called last week to say that he would be in Logan on the following Friday and we had planned to get together. So When George arrived at the office, our receptionist Beth, informed him that I was in the Emergency Room. George stayed with us until I was released and then followed us home where we had a good chat...mainly about his experiences campaigning for Prop 8 in California.
Then I slept...and slept some more.
When Jeff Miller, the auto-repair man, called to report on the condition of my Charger R/T...he said "You were hit really hard Tony...the impact even wrinkled the roof." The front right quadrant and right door were destroyed. He thought it was probably repairable.
I did not see the accident unfold. Most people say that such accidents happen in slow-motion...but I did not see anything until the BANG. After that I don't recall much. I was wearing my seat belt and the air bag deployed, so when I came around the car was full of smoke and two women were at my door asking if I was OK. I was not sure. I could not breathe and there was blood dripping off my fingers. Nate later suggested that the air-bag gasses probably contributed to my breathing problem. The blood looked worse than it was. The skin had been peeled back on the back of my hands...still don't know how.
I was trying to get out of the car when the police arrived...it was more difficult than I expected...things weren't responding normally. The police asked me to stay in the car until the paramedics arrived. I could hear conversation about my age and my difficulty breathing. I was telling them that I thought I was OK. They convinced me that it would be best under the circumstances if I was transported to the emergency room for observation. It was probably a good move, but it was a most uncomfortable ride. I was on a board with a neck brace, and I swear the ambulance had no shocks...and one paramedic was trying to stick an IV in my arm...which is never easy at the best of times. I was impressed that he did it.
Prior to that another police officer had talked with me. It was James Gale, a pilot and friend of Andy's. Kathie and I had been to James' home with Andy and Missy a few weeks before. He drove a six cylinder police version of the Charger. Mine was an R/T with a HEMI engine. So like boys with their toys, I said to James..."My Charger will go faster than your Charger James." He thought that was pretty funny. But last Friday, after determining that I was OK, or that I thought I was OK, James poked his head in the car and said "My Charger will go faster than your Charger Tony." Now that's funny.
The best part about the emergency room experience was the warm blanket. For some reason I was chilled. Kathie arrived, Steve and Dan came...and I was wheeled off to the x-ray room by a young tech who knew Steve. They took all sorts of chest images and at one point this young lady said "You know...you have really long lungs"...I responded..."You know... I have never had a girl tell me that before." She laughed and said...."I'm glad to see that you still have a sense of humor...It is obvious where your son gets his from."
Steve asked how I was feeling. It was hard to describe. I felt like I had had the stuffing knocked out of me. I just hurt all over. Steve suggested that it might be like the day after a really hard workout. That was appropriate. The doctor suggested it would only get worse, before it got better. He prescribed some pain pills. He was right.
Then George Knapp showed up. George is a friend from California, whom I met in Sydney in 1965. He and his wife Bonnie dropped in on us last year. George called last week to say that he would be in Logan on the following Friday and we had planned to get together. So When George arrived at the office, our receptionist Beth, informed him that I was in the Emergency Room. George stayed with us until I was released and then followed us home where we had a good chat...mainly about his experiences campaigning for Prop 8 in California.
Then I slept...and slept some more.
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