Tim in English

Five Smooth Stones

2012-02-05T20:32:00.000-08:00

A wonderful blessing today:

I had the occasion to teach the young men today, and our topic was "Faith in Jesus Christ." Part of our lesson was to read and discuss the fight between David and Goliath. In 1 Samuel 17:40, we read that David picked up five smooth stones to use with his sling.

We discussed the rest of the story. I wanted to apply it to our lives, equating Goliath to any challenge or obstacle we face. Spontaneously I asked our bishop about his work with members who face "Goliaths," or in other words, challenges or obstacles. I asked him: What is the difference between those members who successfully overcome their challenges versus those who don't? His answer: the successful ones do five things:

1) study the scriptures daily
2) pray daily
3) attend church regularly
4) attend the temple regularly
5) hold Family Home Evening regularly

On the spot, it came together in my mind. The five smooth stones David picked up have symbolic significance. They can represent the five things the bishop mentioned that help members overcome challenges or obstacles. If we are to conquer our Goliaths, we need those five stones in our pouch.

This was a spiritual experience for me. Unplanned for. Unanticipated. Wonderful.

Great Service from Shoe Carnival

2012-01-08T13:20:00.001-08:00

Letter I wrote to Shoe Carnival:

Dear Shoe Carnival,

I just wanted to send a shout-out for your West Jordan, UT store.

Last month I bought a pair of Doc Martens from there, and didn't realize how tight the right foot was in the ankle until a week or two later, when I noticed that the skin on my heel was rubbing off because of it. I tried to fix the problem on my own by stretching out the heel, but that didn't work.

Although I had thrown the box away a long time ago, fortunately I still had my receipt. Yesterday I returned the shoes, and your employees were nothing but professional, cheerful, and helpful. They immediately took back the pair and had me get a new pair.

When I got the new pair home, I realized that in my rush I had inadvertently gotten a size too large. Ugh! So I returned back to the store a couple of hours later. The employee who greeted me was not the one who had helped me earlier in the day, yet he still recognized me and immediately helped me switch to the right size, saying in essence, "We just want you to find the right shoes for you and for your feet to feel comfortable."

I have bought my last four pairs of shoes from Shoe Carnival, and have experienced nothing but excellent service there. I intend on buying there over and over again. Your West Jordan store definitely deserves recognition for outstanding service.

Just thought you'd like to know.

The Terks have a new album out

2011-12-28T16:09:00.000-08:00

Give this awesome band a listen: http://www.reverbnation.com/tunepak/3522219

Mormon Scholars Testify

2011-11-03T21:00:00.000-07:00

This evening I came across a fascinating website where scholars share their belief in the truthfulness of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (Mormon). Check it out: http://mormonscholarstestify.org/

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Hey! I'm a Mormon!

2011-10-25T20:01:00.001-07:00

http://mormon.org/me/6X4F/#

Are you looking for the Gospel of Jesus Christ?

2011-10-11T20:28:00.000-07:00

If you are, try here: http://lds.org/general-conference/sessions/2011/10?lang=eng

Here you can read the words of modern-day prophets, speaking under the inspiration of the Almighty God.

Leaders of the Church of Jesus Christ (Mormon)

2011-10-02T13:07:00.000-07:00

Every time I sit down and listen with an open heart to the speeches of the leaders of the Church of Jesus Christ (Mormon), I am touched. Their words speak inspiration to my soul. They emanate truth. I believe their words. They make me want to do all I can to please God, to keep His commandments, to repent, to forgive others, and simply to be a better person.

http://lds.org/?lang=eng

Do you know about the Book of Mormon? I have read it many times. It speaks to my soul, and rings of truth. It teaches so many of God's truths with clarity, simplicity, and power. Here's the book: http://lds.org/scriptures/bofm?lang=eng

Hear a Living Apostle

2011-09-06T20:06:00.000-07:00

Elder Holland's words move me. He is an Apostle of Jesus Christ:

http://lds.org/general-conference/2011/04/an-ensign-to-the-nations?lang=eng&media=video

Havoc. Insanity.

2011-09-03T18:25:00.000-07:00

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Havoc.

Insanity.

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Don't look at me.

2011-09-03T18:20:00.001-07:00

Napoleon Dynamite's House and the city of Preston, Idaho

2011-08-04T16:53:00.000-07:00

Last week our family toured the sights and sites of the great film Napoleon Dynamite:


Napoleon's house


Pedro's house (vote for him, by the way), where Pedro got about three feet of air on his bike jump.


Napoleon's high school. These steps probably gave him inspiration to draw a liger.


The bike rack, where Napoleon's bike was nearly stolen until Pedro's cousins offered their protection.


Where Napoleon bought his sweet suit for the dance.


King's Store, where Uncle Rico dissuaded Napoleon from buying the 24-pack of markers because they could only afford the 12-pack.


Why didn't Napoleon want Deb's hair styling services? Because he already had his hair done at the Cuttin' Curral!

There is so much garbage to sift through...

2011-08-01T15:08:00.000-07:00

possessions, emails, voice messages, junk letters, invitations, sales pitches...

priorities.

Why I Love Portugal

2011-07-11T19:33:00.000-07:00

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I will not follow you

2011-07-04T15:36:00.001-07:00

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I will not follow you on Facebook.

I will not follow you on Twitter.

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17 Miracles

2011-06-19T10:47:00.000-07:00

I saw the movie 17 Miracles over a week ago. An amazing movie.

Here is their website: 17 Miracles.

And here is the journal of Levi Savage, narrator of the movie: Levi Savage's Journal.

Believe.

2011-06-18T19:00:00.001-07:00

Believe in God, and believe God. Shake yourself; humble yourself so that God doesn't have to. Be an instrument in His hands. Go out and do. Serve others; help others.

Friendship

2011-06-12T14:51:00.000-07:00

If you cannot tolerate my opinions or values, you are not my friend. If you criticize me with disparaging remarks, you are not my friend. Leave my presence then.

Funny Dog

2011-05-17T20:19:00.001-07:00

New You Tube account: elephantnavel

2011-05-01T19:37:00.000-07:00

Due to changes in the way You Tube is insisting upon me, I will no longer be posting on my "Umbigoelefante" You Tube account, which was http://www.youtube.com/user/umbigoelefante.

As of today, all of my future You Tube posts will be on my new "Elephantnavel" account.

My new You Tube account is:
http://www.youtube.com/user/elephantnavel

Please stay with me on this incredible journey.

- T.

....

2011-04-30T20:21:00.000-07:00

Who cares.

"Empty Soul," by The Terks

2011-04-27T17:03:00.000-07:00

Ladies and gentlemen, I give you THE TERKS - a great band - a great sound. Give them a LISTEN.

Peace.

"This is My Letter to the World," by Emily Dickinson

2011-04-10T13:30:00.001-07:00

This is my letter to the world,
That never wrote to me,--
The simple news that Nature told,
With tender majesty.
Her message is committed
To hands I cannot see;
For love of her, sweet countrymen,
Judge tenderly of me!

E-mail

2011-03-11T19:46:00.000-08:00

I am caring less and less for my personal email account. So much of it is cluttered with unnecessary communication. Weeds. And I sometimes feel this obligation to answer every email personally. I am fading away from emails.

I am strangely enjoying the connections established with Facebook. I like the idea of throwing up a few words, catching up with good friends, and the sort.

But, no, email is not enticing me much any more. Less of a priority.

I love the feel of the pen in my hand, and the real paper of a journal or a book.

"Shaving," by Unshaven Abrasion

2011-02-12T21:50:00.001-08:00

Homosexuality, again

2011-02-05T19:58:00.000-08:00

My family and I just completed a trip to Disneyland. Compared to our last trip in 2008, I noticed more homosexual couples than ever before. It caused me to contemplate this topic once again. As those in favor of homosexuality are quite vocal, and those who are opposed to it seem almost mute, once again I feel a need to assert my position.

The practice of homosexuality is not natural. It does not follow what nature intends. Male species are not designed to copulate or propagate with other males; nor are females with females. (See Harry Jaffa's excellent article on this premise.)

The practice of homosexuality promotes the spread of sexually transmitted diseases, including AIDS.

If the practice of homosexuality were to become widespread, it would eventually kill off the human race, because it does not allow for the propagation of our species.

The practice of homosexuality confounds gender roles. Men and women, fathers and mothers, fulfill specific roles in the raising of children, and children need both.

While I do believe there are those who are born with homosexual tendencies, most homosexual people I know have somehow been groomed toward that lifestyle; they have either been molested at an early age, or had a gay peer or role model. In other words, most have been taught to be gay.

There are those who argue that it's OK if two adults willingly enter a homosexual relationship. But if our society continues to approve of homosexuality as a viable, alternative lifestyle, we are condoning a practice that will harm our entire race.

I have several friends and acquaintances who are gay. I consider them my brothers and sisters. I care for them. I do not want to hurt them, and I condemn the practice of any hate crimes against the homosexual community.

But I cannot sit back any longer and act like it's OK to be a practicing homosexual -- because it's not OK.

There are those who would label me as narrow minded, a bigot, prejudiced, stupid, etc. If you feel that way, look at my arguments and show me where I have erred. There needs to be an open dialog on the issue; but to just say my argument is "stupid" accomplishes nothing.

Elder Oaks Regarding Speech on Religious Freedom

2011-02-05T16:36:00.000-08:00

Here is an Apostle of God steeped in constitutional knowledge:

Backwards Video... these guys copied us!

2011-01-27T18:58:00.001-08:00

Here's theirs:

Feel free to compare to my backwards videos: http://www.youtube.com/user/umbigoelefante

One More Reason Why I Like Neil Diamond

2011-01-26T19:45:00.001-08:00

FAIR LDS

2011-01-25T20:37:00.000-08:00

With all the bashing against the LDS faith,... well....

If you want a great site that refutes the numerous accusations levied against the Mormon Church, check out FAIR LDS. It's a site like Wikipedia. Click here. Very interesting, useful, and informative.

The Role of an Apostle

2011-01-21T19:37:00.000-08:00

I loved viewing this:

Disco Parents

2011-01-19T16:41:00.003-08:00

Personalize funny videos and birthday eCards at JibJab!

High School Musical

2011-01-19T16:41:00.001-08:00

Personalize funny videos and birthday eCards at JibJab!

Disco Kids

2011-01-19T16:40:00.001-08:00

Personalize funny videos and birthday eCards at JibJab!

Diving

2011-01-19T16:39:00.001-08:00

Personalize funny videos and birthday eCards at JibJab!

The Terks

2011-01-16T16:09:00.000-08:00

My buddy Adam Reader is lead vocalist for an up-and-coming band, The Terks. Check out their You Tube Channel!

Click here to see them on You Tube: THE TERKS

Click here to learn about them: Terks Bio and Other Info

I was in a car crash on my birthday....

2010-12-31T14:22:00.000-08:00

on the way to a Jazz game. My buddy and I came out OK, but the car didn't:

Drive slowly.

Call me Senator

2010-11-01T14:45:00.000-07:00

"Twilight: Honeymoon Over" spoof

2010-10-14T20:46:00.001-07:00

My buddy Lance Caselman made this:

Articles about Homosexuality

2010-09-19T14:15:00.000-07:00

1) "The Hypocrites of Homosexuality," by Orson Scott Card: http://www.nauvoo.com/library/card-hypocrites.html

2) "Homosexuality and the Natural Law," by Professor Harry V. Jaffa: http://inclusion.semitagui.gov.co/Subjects/SexualImmorality/Homosexuality/HomoAndNaturalLaw.htm

3) http://elephantnavel.blogspot.com/2008/11/homosexuality.html

The Beatles in India

2010-09-16T21:04:00.001-07:00

Check this out.

George Brooks (1845-1930): web sites about him

2010-09-07T21:50:00.001-07:00

View buildings he helped build in St. George, Utah: http://wchsutah.org/index.htm

Specifically, read about his participation in building the Dixie Academy Building: http://wchsutah.org/buildings/dixie-academy-building.htm

See historic pictures of the St. George Tabernacle he helped build (scroll to the bottom for the full list): http://wchsutah.org/churches/st-george-tabernacle.htm

Even more pictures of the St. George Tabernacle: http://memory.loc.gov/cgi-bin/ampage?collId=pphhphoto&fileName=ut/ut0100/ut0146/photos/browse.db&action=browse&recNum=0&title2=St.%20George%20Tabernacle,%20Main%20Street%20and%20Tabernacle%20Streets,%20Saint%20George,%20Washington%20County,%20UT&displayType=1&itemLink=r?pp/PPALL:@field%28NUMBER+@%28ut0146%29%29

Read about the ship he sailed on in 1856 in order to migrate from Wales to Utah after his family joined the Mormon Church: http://www.lib.byu.edu/mormonmigration/voyage.php?id=327

Download/read a very rare book Juanita Brooks wrote about him: http://www.autobahnsoftware.net/Autobahn/MS2.htm (scroll down to Brooks)

See where he's buried at Find a Grave: http://www.findagrave.com/cgi-bin/fg.cgi?page=gr&GSln=brooks&GSiman=1&GScid=109372&GRid=111286&

See/download a picture taken of him late in life with his wife and extended family in front of the St. George Tabernacle: http://elephantnavel.blogspot.com/2010/07/george-brooks.html

More pictures on the Dixie Academy Building he helped build: http://www.gly.uga.edu/railsback/BS/BS-SGU.html

Read about his participation in the construction of the St. George Temple and Tabernacle: http://library.dixie.edu/info/collections/temple/temple.htm

Edward Lloyd Parry (1818-1906): web sites about him

2010-09-07T21:19:00.000-07:00

St. George Temple quarry, which (as master stone mason) he would have accessed frequently during the construction: http://www.sonsofutahpioneers.info/hs/a11-templequarrytrail.html

Historic sites of St. George, many of which he helped to build: http://www.dostgeorge.com/historic-sites.html

My blog entries:

* His patriarchal blessings: http://elephantnavel.blogspot.com/2009/12/patriarchal-blessings-of-edward-lloyd.html

* The Edward Lloyd Parry Papers: http://elephantnavel.blogspot.com/2010/08/edward-lloyd-parry-papers.html

The U of U Library info for the "Edward Lloyd Parry papers": http://content.lib.utah.edu/cdm4/item_viewer.php?CISOROOT=/UU_EAD&CISOPTR=1910

Search this site for newspaper articles about him, particularly in the Manti newspapers: http://digitalnewspapers.org/

Allen Hackworth wrote a book about his family line, which you can purchase or peruse on line: http://www.blurb.com/bookstore/detail/1163840

Download an article Hackworth wrote about him: http://www.autobahnsoftware.net/Autobahn/MS2.htm (scroll down to Parry)
or
Read it on-line: http://allenhackworth.com/prose/parry.htm

Read about his grave site, as well as other biographical information at Find a Grave: http://www.findagrave.com/cgi-bin/fg.cgi?page=gr&GSln=Parry&GSfn=Edward&GSmn=Lloyd&GSby=1818&GSbyrel=in&GSdy=1906&GSdyrel=in&GSst=47&GScntry=4&GSob=n&GRid=34630527&df=all&

Read about his participation in the building of the St. George Temple and Tabernacle: http://library.dixie.edu/info/collections/temple/temple.htm

Read about his participation in the burial site for Martin Harris: http://www.rootsweb.ancestry.com/~utcache/clarkston/harris/index.htm

Order pictures of him from the photo department of the Daughters of the Utah Pioneers: http://www.dupinternational.org/

See historic photos the St. George Tabernacle he helped build: http://memory.loc.gov/cgi-bin/ampage?collId=pphhphoto&fileName=ut/ut0100/ut0146/photos/browse.db&action=browse&recNum=0&title2=St.%20George%20Tabernacle,%20Main%20Street%20and%20Tabernacle%20Streets,%20Saint%20George,%20Washington%20County,%20UT&displayType=1&itemLink=r?pp/PPALL:@field%28NUMBER+@%28ut0146%29%29

Read about his trek across the plains with the Joseph W. Young Company of 1853: http://lds.org/churchhistory/library/pioneerdetails/1,15791,4018-1-14326,00.html

See photos of buildings he helped build in St. George: http://wchsutah.org/index.htm

See historic pictures of the Manti Temple he helped build: http://lcweb2.loc.gov/cgi-bin/ampage?collId=pphhphoto&fileName=ut/ut0000/ut0065/photos/browse.db&action=browse&recNum=0&title2=Manti%20Temple,%20Main%20Street%20%28U.S.%20Route%2089%29,%20Manti,%20Sanpete,%20UT&displayType=1

Finally, read his autobiography on-line: http://www.welshmormonhistory.org/index.php?/resources/view/2397

Finally, if you are a member of Facebook, search for the group "Descendants of Edward Lloyd Parry" and join!

Dad Life - the video

2010-08-11T16:16:00.000-07:00

This is hilarious, clean, clever, and creative:

Do you know of a baby in need of adoption?

2010-08-09T20:45:00.000-07:00

If you do, or know of someone who does, please refer them to this web site: https://www.itsaboutlove.org/ial/profiles/24857992/ourMessage.jsf

Thank you!

The Edward Lloyd Parry papers

2010-08-07T06:16:00.002-07:00

(Edward Lloyd Parry (1818-1906), master mason of both the St. George and Manti Temples)

Recently I came across some fascinating documents of my ancestor, Edward Lloyd Parry (1818-1906), at the University of Utah Library. They detail the construction and dedication of the Manti Temple, as well as the construction of the St. George Temple. They were compiled by his son, Edward Thomas Parry (1859-1938) in the 1930s. If you are interested in obtaining a transcript of them, and are a descendant of these men, please email me at elephantnavel@gmail.com.

(Edward Thomas Parry (1859-1938), son of Edward Lloyd Parry, who also worked on the stonework of the Manti Temple)

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2010-08-07T06:16:00.001-07:00

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Sometimes I don't think enough.

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I'm a Believer

2010-08-07T06:09:00.000-07:00

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Though the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is frequently slammed in the media, particularly here in the Salt Lake Valley, I believe the Church is true. The more I study its doctrine, particularly in the scriptures, and the more I listen to the speeches given in General Conferences, and the more I listen to Church music, and the more I learn of Church history, and the more I sit and think about it, and the more I sit and mull over a particular passage of scripture, and when I learn about temples .... the more I believe, the more I know it is true. Its doctrines are profound, touching, and comforting.

The Church offers so much of goodness, and light, and hope. And in this world spiraling out of control in every aspect, I need that.

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George Brooks (1845-1930) & Emily Cornelia Branch (1855-1929) family photo

2010-07-27T06:50:00.000-07:00

This picture was taken in front of the St. George Tabernacle, probably in the 1920s. Click on it for a better, more detailed resolution.

Peterasaurus vs. Weeterasaurus

2010-07-26T19:41:00.000-07:00

One of my former students, the brilliant Adam Hawker, has made a three-part movie that you just might find entertaining:

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2010-07-24T19:57:00.001-07:00

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I tire of inhibition.

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President Eyring, "Act in All Diligence," April 2010 General Conference

2010-07-24T19:47:00.000-07:00

"I close now with this counsel to the Lord’s priesthood servants. Ponder deeply and diligently in the scriptures and in the words of living prophets. Persist in prayer for the Holy Ghost to reveal to you the nature of God the Father and His Beloved Son. Plead that the Spirit will show you what the Lord wants you to do. Plan to do it. Promise Him to obey. Act with determination until you have done what He asked. And then pray to give thanks for the opportunity to serve and to know what you might do next."

1830 Book of Mormon

2010-07-23T21:54:00.000-07:00

Recently I had a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to hold an 1830 first-edition of The Book of Mormon. This one was owned by a woman named Vienna Jaques ((see DC 90:28) one of only three women mentioned in the Doctrine and Covenants -- the other two being Emma Smith and Eve), who in 1832 received it from the Prophet Joseph Smith himself.

Underneath her name and the date it reads: "The writing above is Joseph Smith own handwriting which he wrote the day he gave the book to me Vienna Jaques on the 22nd of November 1832."

While I am fascinated with a book that collectors value at $250,000, for me it was a holy, faith-promoting privilege to hold the book in my own hands, because I knew that it had been held by the Prophet of the Restoration of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. That made it priceless.

I went to the Paul McCartney concert in Sandy 7-13-2010

2010-07-23T21:44:00.001-07:00

The concert was splendid. Here is the t-shirt I decorated and wore to the concert.

Here is what his "Live and Let Die" song was like (this version was recorded in New York City):

Commune-icate

2010-07-23T11:54:00.000-07:00

We reach out, to know that we are not alone.

'Trololo Man' Eduard Khil online now! Skype song session with fans

2010-07-10T19:47:00.000-07:00

This... needs no explanation:

Youth

2010-07-09T16:17:00.001-07:00

Visit from President Thomas S. Monson, our prophet

2010-06-30T23:48:00.000-07:00

Cool stuff:

http://crazycluffcrew.blogspot.com/2010/05/we-thank-thee-oh-god-for-prophet.html

I love his inspired spontaneity.

John Daker

2010-06-19T12:43:00.000-07:00

Here he is live:

And here he is subtitled, in cartoon form (totally classic!):

Tralalalalalalalala

2010-06-03T08:29:00.000-07:00

Behold the union of Lawrence Welk, Slim Whitman, Engelbert Humperdinck, and Communism, conveniently combined in one solid performance:

Too long

2010-05-01T19:09:00.000-07:00

Too long to go without publishing to the world
Too long to go silent
Too long to allow myself to be squelched

Let this funk, this doldrum, dissipate in this arid climate

Let this not be the end to expression, to Voice, to speaking out and up

For silence is grave-bound, and death

BLA BLA BLA!

"Annabel Lee," by Edgar Allan Poe

2010-03-20T15:17:00.000-07:00

I like this poem, and the voice with which the narrator reads it:

Television, Roald Dahl

2009-12-29T20:55:00.000-08:00

Speaking broadly, I am sick of television. It wastes my time. It does not awaken my brain. It lulls me. It bores me. It does not depict reality. It distorts values. It promotes vanity and selfishness.

This poem, by Roald Dahl (author of Charlie and the Chocolate Factory), details many of my feelings on the issue:

The most important thing we've learned,
So far as children are concerned,
Is never, NEVER, NEVER let
Them near your television set –
Or better still, just don't install
The idiotic thing at all.
In almost every house we've been,
We've watched them gaping at the screen.
They loll and slop and lounge about,
And stare until their eyes pop out.
(Last week in someone's place we saw
A dozen eyeballs on the floor.)
They sit and stare and stare and sit
Until they're hypnotised by it,
Until they're absolutely drunk
With all that shocking ghastly junk.
Oh yes, we know it keeps them still,
They don't climb out the window sill,
They never fight or kick or punch,
They leave you free to cook the lunch
And wash the dishes in the sink –
But did you ever stop to think,
To wonder just exacts what
This does to your beloved tot?

IT ROTS THE SENSES IN THE HEAD!
IT KILLS IMAGINATION DEAD!
IT CLOGS AND CLUTTERS UP THE MIND!
IT MAKES A CHILD SO DULL AND BLIND
HE CAN NO LONGER UNDERSTAND
A FANTASY, A FAIRYLAND!
HIS BRAIN BECOMES AS SOFT AS CHEESE!
HIS POWERS OF THINKING RUST AND FREEZE!
HE CANNOT THINK – HE ONLY SEES!

"All right!" you'll cry. "All right!" you'll say,
"But if we take the set away,
What shall we do to entertain
Our darling children! Please explain!"
We'll answer this by asking you,
"What used the darling ones to do?
How used they keep themselves contented
Before this monster was invented?"
Have you forgotten? Don't you know?
We'll say it very loud and slow:

THEY... USED... TO... READ! They'd READ and READ,
AND READ and READ, and then proceed
TO READ some more. Great Scott! Gadzooks!
One half their lives was reading books!
The nursery shelves held books galore!
Books cluttered up the nursery floor!
And in the bedroom, by the bed,
More books were waiting to be read!
Such wondrous, fine, fantastic tales
Of dragons, gypsies, queens, and whales
And treasure isles, and distant shores
Where smugglers rowed with muffled oars,
And pirates wearing purple pants,
And sailing ships and elephants,
And cannibals crouching round the pot,
Stirring away at something hot.
(It smells so good, what can it be?
Good gracious, it's Penelope.)
The younger ones had Beatrix Potter
With Mr. Tod, the dirty rotter,
And Squirrel Nutkin, Pigling Bland,
And Mrs. Tiggy-Winkle and –
Just How The Camel Got His Hump,
And How the Monkey Lost His Rump,
And Mr. Toad, and bless my soul,
There's Mr. Rat and Mr. Mole –
Oh, books, what books they used to know,
Those children living long ago!

So please, oh please, we beg, we pray,
Go throw your TV set away,
And in its place you can install
A lovely bookshelf on the wall.
Then fill the shelves with lots of books,
Ignoring all the dirty looks,
The streams and yells, the bites and kicks,
And children hitting you with sticks –
Fear not, because we promise you
That, in about a week or two
Of having nothing else to do,
They'll now begin to feel the need
Of having something good to read.
And once they start – oh boy, oh boy!
You watch the slowly growing joy
That fills their hearts. They'll grow so keen
They'll wonder what they'd ever seen
In that ridiculous machine,
That nauseating, foul, unclean,
Repulsive television screen!
And later, each and every kid
Will love you more for what you did.

Patriarchal Blessing of William Henry Branch, Sr. (1820-1889)

2009-12-29T09:29:00.000-08:00

The following is a scan of William Henry Branch, Sr.'s patriarchal blessing. As it is extremely difficult to read, I would be glad to email you a transcript of the blessing, which I obtained with the help of a professional handwriting analyst. My email address is elephantnavel@gmail.com.

Also, if you have any history or photos of him, would you please send them to me?

Thanks!

Patriarchal Blessing of Emily Cornelia Branch Brooks (1855-1929)

2009-12-29T09:07:00.000-08:00

The following scans are of Emily Cornelia Branch Brooks's patriarchal blessing. If you would like a transcript of it, email me (elephantnavel@gmail.com) and I will send it to you. I also have some photographs of her that I could send to you. Direct descendants only, please.

Also, if you have any photos or history of Emily, would you be willing to send them to me? Thanks!

Patriarchal Blessings of Edward Lloyd Parry (1818-1906)

2009-12-29T08:55:00.000-08:00

The following are scans of the three patriarchal blessings that Edward Lloyd Parry received during his lifetime. They are difficult to read, but if you email me (elephantnavel@gmail.com) I would be glad to send you the transcripts of them (which I obtained with the help of a professional handwriting analyst). I also have some rare photographs of him that I could email to you. Direct descendants only, please.

Also, if you have any photos or history of his, would you please send them to me? Thank you.

Funny videos!

2009-12-24T11:55:00.000-08:00

Silent monks singing "Halleluia" from Handel's Messiah:

Straight No Chaser singing "The Twelve Days of Christmas," along with anything else that drifts through their transom:

Nick Pitera singing both sides of "A Whole New World":

My Dearness Nearness Yearning You

2009-12-14T15:41:00.000-08:00

My dearness nearness yearning you,
With hopeful shoulder nestle do.
Become, be with, be helping me;
Bespouse, bedraw, be make-me see.

Year turns a glass, year lives life by,
Year hopes to see thee by my side,
With emblems hid but still intact,
Rem-embers burn within God’s pact.

Cruise Control

2009-12-14T15:40:00.002-08:00

The way cruise control ruins things,
turns off the mind, promotes numbness, reduces the wonderful stimulus of variety, stabs creativity, and eliminates the opportunity for wisdom.

Live life deliberately.

A Clay Thought Moves my Open Hand

2009-12-14T15:40:00.001-08:00

A clay thought moves my open hand;
I shape it, round it, trim it, stand
And publish-throw it toward the skies,
Accessible to public eyes.

Some glide, fired, yet never truly fly,
A downward finger (gravity) rebukes their good-faith try:
Wingless clay pigeons ensured to surely die.
Others, praised, soar as the reader sings;
Such white doves ascend by angels’ wings,
Shed the earth that held them fast,
And flutter from a time-bound clasp.

Cease to worry,
Start to be —-
And hover in eternity.

Three Words for You to Circumscribe

2009-12-14T15:39:00.001-08:00

Three words for you to circumscribe,
Three words to speak around;
To tell them sideways, navigate
The turn until they’re found.

Three words were said, by my desire,
To fan my wind, and cool my fire;
They weren’t said to find hitched grace,
Or mobile latitude their place.

For those three words escaped my lips
And slipped away from tongue;
They brushed my thigh and drained away;
What they were for I cannot say.

So recompense blows nightly wind
For seedstorms sown in haste;
We cannot stand, we can’t see them,
Their place has been displaced.

I am to trees what you surmise
Some others are to plants;
They grow; I watch; I knock; I wait;
The lesson moves at other gait.

And wisdom round the ring of rise,
Up-sun through melted golden skies,
I perjure up-word journey through
Undaunted by my eyes;
For they send messages ill-willed,
And journey to the end;
And bringing such I never will
See beauty for a friend.

Night Time, Right Time, Astro View

2009-12-14T15:38:00.001-08:00

Night time, right time, astro view;
Remove the planks from off your eyes,
Remove the planks o’erhead;

Shaking dreams cobweb-in-bound,
To soak the night instead.
Fathoms deep, I fathom not
The debt that I’ve incurred;
I’ve barely started to believe
That I can reach the Word.

Delicious Night, So Sweet to Me

2009-12-14T15:37:00.000-08:00

Delicious night, so sweet to me,
I’m packaged for eternity;
The winds may blow around my head,
But I decide when I am dead.

There is no glutton for my eyes,
When sugar spins to my surprise;
like cotton, floating wisps away,
I can’t consider tooth decay;
And brine and spit, naught with ease,
Are blowin’ through my soul disease.

Thoughts on Max Hall and forgiveness

2009-12-01T14:04:00.000-08:00

Thoughtful article from Deseret News writer Amy Donaldson on 11/29/09, in regards to BYU quarterback Max Hall's postgame comments:

"Speak when you are angry and you will make the best speech you will ever regret."
— Ambrose Bierce

Somebody did Max Hall wrong.

He says it was the University of Utah. He also said it was the BYU fans who doubted and criticized him.

"I don't like Utah," said Hall after he threw the game-winning pass to Andrew George in BYU's 26-23 win against Utah in overtime Saturday. "I hate their program. I hate their fans. I hate everything."

He hates everything?

I don't know Max Hall, but I hope that is not true. Unfortunately, that is the treachery of anger and hate. You can't isolate those toxic emotions. Eventually, more quickly than you realize, they contaminate everything around them — including your own heart.

"Consider how much more you often suffer from your anger and grief, than from those very things for which you are angry and grieved."
— Mark Antony

For more than year, he apparently swallowed bad feelings about an incident involving his family. He said Ute fans threw beer on them during last year's game at Rice-Eccles Stadium. It was, indeed, a disgusting act that apparently ate him up inside.

And then there were the critics.

Apparently he listened to what they had to say about him — his inconsistency; his inability to win big games — and he hated them for it.

Life isn't fair. People do bad things and they get away with it. If these are your adversities, Mr. Hall, fall to you knees in gratitude.

"Holding onto anger is like grasping a hot coal with the intent of throwing it at someone else; you are the one who gets burned."
— Buddha

It happens a lot in sports. Talk of revenge, pronouncements of redemption. Winning, it seems, makes everything right. The end, too often, justifies the means.

Saturday night, after being carried on the shoulders of teammates and fans, Max Hall proved that is an illusion.

Winning doesn't change the past. It doesn't erase anything. It doesn't make you a better human being.

He got his revenge. He beat the "classless" Utes and disappointed their "classless" fans.

The win won't change what his critics believe. It won't change the unpleasant experience his family had last year. It certainly will not engender thoughtfulness in those prone to call names and throw beverages.

What winning can do is show the benefits of hard work, discipline and teamwork. It can take you in a new direction and it can offer you hope and joy.

Max had a moment to praise his teammates, to thank his coaches, his family and those fans who believed in him, even when statistical evidence didn't support him.

Instead, he used his moment to belittle players who are, in reality, not that different from him.

"He who loses control, loses."
— Det. Frank Pembleton, Homicide: Life on the Street

Max Hall won.

It wasn't the perfect game for either team, but it was important for them in many ways. And he was blessed with a win.

Seeing him throw that pass, watching Andrew George hold up that ball in the end zone was a moment of triumph. It was pure joy. They earned one of those historic wins in fairytale fashion.

Instead of allowing himself to bask in happiness, in gratitude, he chose to spew venom at his perceived enemies.

Please don't tell me this is part of sports. Do not try to convince me that anger and hatred are motivating.

They are debilitating. They are corrupting. They are not what sports, especially college athletics, is about. Every single football team is filled with young men trying to earn an education, hoping to represent their schools well, praying they won't let their teammates down.

They are not the enemy. This is not a war, and there is no place for hate.
"Resentment is like taking poison and waiting for the other person to die."
— Malachy McCourt

Sadly, his comments will cause a lot of people to believe athletics are not a good place to learn integrity, dedication, commitment and hard work. The games are the best place to learn these things because you are not always expecting it.

Each game is a new opportunity. An opportunity to test yourself, your preparation, your abilities and your skills.

Life is just a string of opportunities. Some of them will come on football fields, some will come on a freeway when someone cuts you off and then flips you off. Will you respond in kind? Will you allow their anger to contaminate you? Or will you be who you are, even in the face of unprovoked, undeserved anger?

This is another opportunity. Max Hall can teach us all a lesson. We can learn from it, or we can rationalize it. He can learn from it. Or he can hate everyone who tells him he's made a mistake.

Max Hall really was betrayed. But it wasn't by strangers in red. It was, instead, his own heart that led him to a place of pain.

Forgiveness, someone once told me, really is a gift you give yourself.

"Mirror" by Syliva Plath

2009-11-21T12:49:00.000-08:00

I am silver and exact. I have no preconceptions.
Whatever I see I swallow immediately
Just as it is, unmisted by love or dislike.
I am not cruel, only truthful-
The eye of the little god, four cornered.
Most of the time I meditate on the opposite wall.
It is pink, with speckles. I have looked at it so long
I think it is a part of my heart. But it flickers.
Faces and darkness separate us over and over.
Now I am a lake. A woman bends over me,
Searching my reaches for what she really is.
Then she turns to those liars, the candles or the moon.
I see her back, and reflect it faithfully.
She rewards me with tears and an agitation of hands.
I am important to her. She comes and goes.
Each morning it is her face that replaces the darkness.
In me she has drowned a young girl, and in me an old woman
Rises toward her day after day, like a terrible fish.

I am curious why she compares the woman to a fish in the last line. Any thoughts?

Hello

2009-11-18T19:36:00.000-08:00

I uh... well, never mind.

Paul McCartney's music

2009-11-09T20:03:00.000-08:00

I cannot understand how people don't listen more to Paul McCartney's music! I have been on a serious kick of listening to his music lately. His tunes are catchy, full of hope, span and toy with numerous genres, and contain, soul, passion, energy, and the poetic unconscious. His lyrics are catchy, and for the most part quite decent and appropriate. They speak of hope, love, and imagination.

Songs of his I currently dig on in a very serious way: "No More Lonely Nights," "My Love," "Junk," "The Long and Winding Road," Footprints," "Listen to What the Man Said," "For No One," "Day Time Night Time Suffering," "Ballroom Dancing," "Wanderlust," "Every Night," Heaven on a Sunday," "Tug of War," "Take It Away," .... and now I trickle off, but there are many more.

YouTube his stuff. Get an earful of joy!

A Beautiful Message about LDS (Mormons), Race, and the Priesthood

2009-10-22T18:59:00.000-07:00

Friends at the Break of Day

2009-09-29T17:57:00.000-07:00

There comes a time when young neighborhood children release their joy through facial expression.

A new writer's web site: IPF Cubed

2009-09-01T19:36:00.000-07:00

I have joined a writers' web site: http://ipfcubed.com/. Take a look! It should be up and running by September 10, 2009.

Holmes Homes

2009-08-12T10:36:00.001-07:00

My family and I have also been extremely pleased with our home builders, Holmes Homes. Not only did they build us a beautiful home, they have been eager and prompt to address any concerns, make repairs, answer questions, etc. They were also very easy to work with during the purchasing and building of our home. They are friendly, helpful, and professional.

Hats off to Holmes Homes as well!

Rollins Sprinkler & Landscaping

2009-08-12T10:28:00.000-07:00

Hats off to a business that cares more about their customers than to make a quick buck.

Rollins Sprinkler and Landscaping installed our sprinklers last winter (2008). Unfortunately, they accidentally left off a part of the installation. A few months later, when it came time to begin watering our lawn, our sprinklers didn't work. When I called them, they came quickly, apologized profusely, offered us some restaurant gift certificates as a good-will gesture, and immediately fixed our sprinklers. Their owner, Quentin Rollins, was also quick to add that he wanted to know whenever we might need his service, and that he would send somebody immediately (he has subsequently been true to his word).

I would recommend their business to anybody.

I Hate Spam

2009-07-27T20:34:00.001-07:00

I hate spam. I hate spam. I hate spam. I hate spam.

I am sick and tired of spam senders sending me sexual stuff. I don't need that.

Stroke Identification

2009-07-27T06:35:00.000-07:00

(Passed on from my sister)

Remember the 1st Three Letters of the word stroke....S.T.R.

A neurologist says that if he can get to a stroke victim within 3 hours he can totally reverse the effects of a stroke. He said the trick was getting a stroke recognized, diagnosed, and then getting the patient medically cared for within 3 hours, which is tough.

RECOGNIZING A STROKE

Sometimes symptoms of a stroke are difficult to identify. Unfortunately, the lack of awareness spells disaster. The stroke victim may suffer severe brain damage when people nearby fail to recognize the symptoms of a stroke.

Now doctors say a bystander can recognize a stroke by asking three simple questions:

S *Ask the individual to SMILE.
T *Ask the person to TALK and SPEAK A SIMPLE SENTENCE (Coherently)
(i.e. It is sunny out today.)
R *Ask him or her to RAISE BOTH ARMS..

If he or she has trouble with ANY ONE of these tasks, call emergency number immediately and describe the symptoms to the dispatcher.

New Sign of a Stroke -------- Stick out Your Tongue

NOTE: Another 'sign' of a stroke is this: Ask the person to 'stick' out his tongue. If the tongue is 'crooked', if it goes to one side or the other, that is also an indication of a stroke.

Today's Revealization

2009-07-20T20:54:00.000-07:00

The key word is replace. I cannot uproot a weed and leave a gaping hole, for another weed will grow in its place. I must plant a flower there.

Same with sins. I cannot say, "Stop doing or thinking that sin"; I must do or think something good to replace it. Replace sin with goodness. Don't just stand there and try to think evil away. do things that occupy your time, attention, and heart with goodness. Good music, friends who influence you to do good, serving others...

Wonderful Timelines and Map for LDS (Mormon) History

2009-07-16T20:40:00.000-07:00

Check these out:

LDS & World History: this one is produced by the Church itself.

PBS also created a very useful timeline, as well as this extremely informative map.

Wonderful resources! Enjoy.

In Defense of Mormonism

2009-07-12T18:16:00.000-07:00

.

Fair Wiki (like Wikipedia) is a wonderful site dedicated to clarifying and defending the doctrine of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. It is not sponsored by the Church itself.

Check it out.

.

"Africa" by Perpetuum Jazzile

2009-07-06T07:15:00.000-07:00

Death to Cell Phones!

2009-07-04T07:11:00.000-07:00

How many times have I been in a grocery store or in line somewhere, heard someone talking to me, and I begin to answer – only to discover that they are on a cell phone. How rude! How ridiculous!

I don’t have a cell phone, and I barely know how to use one. When I tell that to people they become incredulous, discombobulated. “What?! No cell phone? How is that possible?”

Apart from being extremely dangerous when used by motorists, cell phones seem to me to be one more inadvertent effect of technology separating us from our immediate life and surroundings.

There are times when I need to be alone, when I don’t want to be accessible. It is those uninterrupted times when I can be more productive, or introspective, or live in the moment and place where I physically am. Cell phones pull you away from such times, acting as an electronic leash.

While cell phones can of course be wonderful in times of an emergency, they are usually nothing more than a huge crutch. They take you away from the need to associate with those who are in your immediate vicinity; they also free you from the responsibility of planning or forethought; you can just call someone to get it for you.

In general, I vote against cell phones. They are a distraction, a leash, a crutch, a fracture in conversation and relationship building, a separation from our immediate life, another bill, and another thing to lug around. I suppose if you have to have one to make sure to use it judiciously.

================================

Thanks to my good buddy Jason for pointing out this article to me, which goes hand in hand with my cell-phone thoughts:

"More Better Faster!": How Our Spastic Digital Culture Scrambles Our Brains

Taken from http://www.alternet.org/media/140982/%22more_better_faster!%22%3A_how_our_spastic_digital_culture_scrambles_our_brains/?page=entire

By David Bollier, On the Commons. Posted June 30, 2009.

The digital communications apparatus is crowding out deeper relationships and more deliberative modes of thinking.

One of the more pernicious enclosures of the commons is the enclosure of time and consciousness. It's pernicious because it is so subtle and rarely discerned. When commercial values such as productivity and efficiency become so pervasive and internalized, they crowd out other ways of being. Our very sense of humanity -- full-bodied, spontaneous, spiritual -- leaches away.

All of this was brought home clearly in a provocative lecture that I attended yesterday evening. It was called "No Time to Think," by David M. Levy, a professor at the Information School at the University of Washington. Levy gave a chilling historical overview of how American society has become enslaved to an ethic of "more-better-faster" and is losing touch with the capacity for reflection and intuitive thinking. In an overweening commitment to constant doing and making, analyzing and thinking (which, let us note, are important human activities), we can too easily close off access to an entire realm of consciousness that is at least as important, our capacity for reflection.

Levy's research is focused on why the technological devices that are designed to connect us also seem to radically dis-connect us. As Levy puts it, "We now have the most remarkable tools for teaching and learning the world has ever known. How is it that we have less time to think than ever before?" Although our society supposedly prizes creative thought, it in fact gives little respect to the intuitive and the contemplative.

The "information society" has a certain frenetic mindlessness to it, one that takes Henry David Thoreau's famous line in Walden to a new level entirely: "We are in great haste to construct a magnetic telegraph from Maine to Texas; but Maine and Texas, it may be, have nothing important to communicate." Twitter may be all the rage, but surely there is something pathetic about the ascendance of Twittering as our unstructured, person-to-person social time dwindles away.

This trend has only accelerated, and become more internalized, as more and more digital technologies have become incorporated into our daily routines. Email, cell phones, text-messaging, voicemail, Facebook, instant-messaging, Twitter, and of course the World Wide Web – they all serve useful roles. But I also realize at times that the digital communications apparatus has transformed our consciousness in some unwholesome ways. It privileges thinking that is rapid, productive and short-term, and crowds out deeper, more deliberative modes of thinking and relationships.

According to Thomas Eriksen of the University of Oslo, author of Tyranny of the Moment, the electronic environment systematically favors "fast time" activities that require instant, urgent responses (email, cell phone calls, etc.) Such stimuli tend to crowd out "slow time activities" such as "reflection, play and long-term love relationships," said Levy.

Levy pointed out that this dynamic has an especially perverse effect in academia, which is supposed to be somewhat insulated from the larger society so that students and scholars can think more broadly and with longer range perspectives. But in fact, universities mirror the rest of society, and the dwindling time to think is as much a problem within the academy as anywhere else. As instrumental, short-term, applied goals take center-stage, our society has less access to the wisdom and complexity that deep, reflective thinking can provide. This is a major loss.

The ancients had a word for it: "leisure." In the original sense of the word, leisure was not a consumer-oriented activity like golfing or movie-going, or even "relaxation." It involved having time to ponder and reflect on the world. The words "school" and "scholar" have their etymological roots in the Greek and Latin words for these activities, Levy noted.

According to Josef Pieper, a German Catholic philosopher, "leisure is a form of stillness that is the necessary preparation for accepting reality; only the person who is still can hear, and whoever is not still cannot hear." Pieper, writing in the 1940s, worried about a world of "total work" that would make a "total claim upon the whole of human nature."

It's safe to say that that future has arrived. The very coinage of the term 24/7 and "real time" (usually as a virtue!) confirms the ubiquitous social reality of "total work." Fast-time activities absolutely crowd out slow-time alternatives. The now eclipses the timeless. And we are becoming diminished creatures in the process.

By coincidence, this week's issue of The New Yorker has a major article by Margaret Talbot on the use of "neuro-enhancing drugs" that are increasingly being taken to boost one's cognitive performance. There is apparently a large underground culture of people – students, business executives, poker players and others seeking a competitive mental edge – who take drugs like Adderall and Modafinil to stay awake, alert and mentally engaged, especially for tasks that require sustained attention. The whole idea is to prolong one's productivity and efficiency.

Taking drugs to prolong one's productive engagement becomes a new way to adapt one's very body and mind to modern demands for "efficiency." Why remain a normal human being when one can use chemicals to super-charge one's metabolism in order to meet the harsh imperatives of a college education, business negotiations, international travel and general multitasking? Defenders liken the neuro-enhancing drugs to drinking coffee. But that's a rationalization; no one really knows how safe these productivity boosters are over the long term.

The scary things is that we are slowly "papering over" the forms of human consciousness that we regard as gratuitous….yet which history has shown are essential to a meaningful life. We are sabotaging those inner capacities of consciousness that we need to be present to others and ourselves.

Yet this is no Brave New World imposed by a totalitarian state; we are "voluntarily" doing it to ourselves. While there is certainly a voluntary aspect to using neuro-enhancing drugs, in other respects our cultural norms of efficiency and busyness are encouraging this abuse. When your everyday life is saturated by email, cell phones, voicemail and texting, it's not a big leap to take a drug that will help you survive the "fast-time" norms of modern life.

In his lecture, David Levy called for an "information environmentalism" to help educate people about the myriad and aggressive forms of mental pollution afflicting our lives: advertising, telemarketing, junk mail, radio and TV, and various digital media. Perhaps we can begin to push back on the cognitive overload, he suggested, and recover some modicum of silence. That's the purpose of the "Do Not Call" list to prevent unsolicited telemarketing calls, for example.

We might also begin to design physical spaces with contemplative needs in mind (think of the Library of Congress' reading room, for example). Many businesses have discovered that they can make money by offering consumers the opportunity to "buy back" the quiet that has been taken from us. The Bose noise-canceling headphones are marketed in this fashion.

I liked how Levy put it: "We need the equivalent of old-growth forests and marshlands in our mental lives."

For more about David Levy's work on the topic of information overload and the need to recover contemplative mind, it's worth chasing down a special issue of the journal Ethics and Information Technology that Levy guest-edited in December 2007 (vol. 9, no. 4). Entitled "Information, Silence and Sanctuary," the issue contains six thoughtful essays on a topic that deserves far more awareness. Unfortunately, the journal is locked behind a paywall, so you may have to use university access to read it. Another person worth consulting is Ivan Illich, who wrote about silence as a commons.

Given the powerful economic forces that have a self-interest in colonizing our consciousness (marketers routinely talk about seizing "mindshare"), devising effective ways to protect our contemplative consciousness is going to be a formidable challenge indeed. But on the other hand, this is not a struggle we can avoid. The alternative is a jittery, jagged postmodern insanity.

Cheap music: MP3 Panda

2009-06-25T15:28:00.000-07:00

Check this out:

Songs are only 5 cents each, and albums are generally 50 cents each at MP3 Panda.

Huge selection. Rare stuff. Bootlegs. Out of print.

Is it legal? They say so here.

Bill Moyers learns about the powers of Chi

2009-06-25T06:48:00.000-07:00

This boggles my mind:

Visit to Iosepa, Utah

2009-06-22T00:12:00.000-07:00

Two days ago, at the suggestion of my brother, our family piled into our car and drove to an old ghost town: Iosepa, Utah, which is located southwest of Tooele. It was an old Hawaiian Mormon settlement from 1889 to 1917, having been inhabited by several hundred Polynesians. It was raining fiercely when we arrived, and although the settlement is situated in the remote desert of Skull Valley, there were actually a dozen or so people there. Apparently these were descendants of the original settlers, and they were just finishing up a meal and party they had had at the adjacent pavilion.

As my mom and dad usually do, especially with Polynesians, they began asking the people questions and soon found out that they knew who they were, and that they knew relatives and friends of theirs when our family lived in Hawaii from 1971 to 1976. It was amazing that my parents could find connections with them. Despite the rain, we had a good time getting to know these people and the settlement of their ancestors. It was a memorable day excursion.

<>

2009-06-17T19:22:00.001-07:00

to live life deliberately, and purposely avoid the trite

Proof of Joseph Smith's picture

2009-06-17T13:57:00.001-07:00

This moved me immensely:

I got to meet Lyle from Napoleon Dynamite

2009-06-17T13:52:00.000-07:00

This nearly changed my life.

Daybreak Scare

2009-06-15T16:04:00.001-07:00

Playing for Change

2009-06-15T16:02:00.001-07:00

My daughter told me a funny joke

2009-05-27T20:06:00.000-07:00

.

It goes like this:

Why did the chicken cross the playground?

To get to the other slide!!!!

Ah hah hah hah hah! Ha ha ha ha ha ha! I love this humor! Agggggggghhhh hah ha ha ha ha! Keep it coming! I can't get enough!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

.

Singin' "Sweet Caroline" at Eastmont

2009-05-19T17:28:00.001-07:00

My nephew Sammy wrote this to me

2009-05-19T17:20:00.000-07:00

"Sometimes God has to roll you down the river some more to get all the rough parts out of your life. We are just rocks in a stream! God is just trying to get you smooth!!"

Shay the Baseball Player

2009-04-30T17:22:00.001-07:00

A great story somebody sent me:

What would you do?....you make the choice. Don't look for a punch line, there isn't one. Read it anyway. My question is: Would you have made the same choice?

At a fundraising dinner for a school that serves children with learning disabilities, the father of one of the students delivered a speech that would never be forgotten by all who attended. After extolling the school and its dedicated staff, he offered a question:

'When not interfered with by outside influences, everything nature does, is done with perfection.
Yet my son, Shay, cannot learn things as other children do.
He cannot understand things as other children do.
Where is the natural order of things in my son?'
The audience was stilled by the query.
The father continued.
'I believe that when a child like Shay,who was mentally and physically disabled comes into the world, an opportunity to realize true human nature presents itself, and it comes
in the way other people treat that child.'

Then he told the following story:
Shay and I had walked past a park where some boys Shay knew were playing baseball. Shay asked,

'Do you think they'll let me play?'

I knew that most of the boys would not want someone like Shay on their team, but as a father I also understood that if my son were allowed to play, it would give him a much-needed sense of belonging and some confidence to be accepted by others in spite of his handicaps..

I approached one of the boys on the field and asked (not expecting much) if Shay could play. The boy looked around for guidance and said,

'We're losing by six runs and the game is in the eighth inning. I guess he can be on our team and we'll try to put him in to bat in the ninth inning.'

Shay struggled over to the team's bench and, with a broad smile, put on a team shirt. I watched with a small tear in my eye and warmth in my heart. The boys saw my joy at my son being accepted.
In the bottom of the eighth inning, Shay's team scored a few runs but was still behind by three.
In the top of the ninth inning, Shay put on a glove and played in the right field. Even though no hits came his way, he was obviously ecstatic just to be in the game and on the field, grinning from ear to ear as I waved to him from the stands.
In the bottom of the ninth inning, Shay's team scored again.
Now, with two outs and the bases loaded, the potential winning run was on base and Shay was scheduled to be next at bat.

At this juncture, do they let Shay bat and give away their chance to win the game?
Surprisingly, Shay was given the bat.

Everyone knew that a hit was all but impossible because Shay didn't even know how to hold the bat properly, much less connect with the ball.

However, as Shay stepped up to the plate, the pitcher, recognizing that the other team was putting winning aside for this moment in Shay's life, moved in a few steps to lob the ball in softly so Shay could at least make contact.

The first pitch came and Shay swung clumsily and missed.
The pitcher again took a few steps forward to toss the ball softly towards Shay.
As the pitch came in, Shay swung at the ball and hit a slow ground ball right back to the pitcher. The game would now be over.

The pitcher picked up the soft grounder and could have easily thrown the ball to the first baseman. Shay would have been out and that would have been the end of the game.

Instead, the pitcher threw the ball right over the first baseman's head, out of reach of all team mates.

Everyone from the stands and both teams started yelling, 'Shay, run to first! Run to first!'
Never in his life had Shay ever run that far, but he made it to first base.
He scampered down the baseline, wide-eyed and startled.
Everyone yelled, 'Run to second, run to second!'

Catching his breath, Shay awkwardly ran towards second, gleaming and struggling to make it to the base.

By the time Shay rounded towards second base, the right fielder had the ball . the smallest guy on their team who now had his first chance to be the hero for his team.

He could have thrown the ball to the second-baseman for the tag, but he understood the pitcher's intentions so he, too, intentionally threw the ball high and far over the third-baseman's head.

Shay ran toward third base deliriously as the runners ahead of him circled the bases toward home.
All were screaming, 'Shay, Shay, Shay, all the Way Shay'

Shay reached third base because the opposing shortstop ran to help him by turning him in the direction of third
base, and shouted, 'Run to third! Shay, run to third!'

As Shay rounded third, the boys from both teams, and the spectators, were on their feet screaming, 'Shay, run home! Run home!'

Shay ran to home, stepped on the plate, and was cheered as the hero who hit the grand slam and won the game for his team

'That day', said the father softly with tears now rolling down his face, 'the boys from both teams helped bring a piece of true love and humanity into this world'.

Shay didn't make it to another summer. He died that winter, having never forgotten being the hero and making me so happy, and coming home and seeing his Mother tearfully embrace her little hero of the day!