John Daker Eulogy Tribute by Jonathan Aigner

Jon Graham Daker, son, brother, faithful Christian, and accidental internet star, reportedly passed away yesterday, February 20, 2022, in Peoria, Illinois. Born in 1939, he was 82 years old. 

For most of you, he needs no introduction. If you’re new to the internet, let me tell you how the world came to know Jon Daker. 

Peoria resident Reva Singley Cooper Unsicker taught voice, piano, and organ lessons for some six decades until her death in 1995 at the age of 80. For most of those years, her studio recitals were held in the sanctuary of the First United Methodist Church in Peoria where she attended. 

Here is Reva in the 1970s with her second husband. 

 

I have never found out how this happened, but at some point in the 80s she was offered the chance to broadcast her recitals on local public access TV station. Reva jumped at the chance, which according to one source, elicited a collective sigh of relief among the church staff, as Reva was, shall we say, a bit particular about these recitals. 

Nobody was ever supposed to see them again, but God in His mercy had other ideas. While a few brief clips from others remain, much of one 1990 recital is preserved on YouTube. 

On Easter Sunday 2009, my life changed completely when my friend Todd shared the Jon Daker video on Facebook. (He is usually credited as “John,” but there was no “h” in his first name, perhaps to distinguish him from his paternal grandfather, John Graham Daker.) 

I’ve laughed, cried, and cringed through many, many viewings since that wonderful, wonderful day. I’ve since introduced Mr. Daker to everyone I love, or even tolerate. It is, in my opinion, the greatest video in the history of the world. The Jon Daker video is enough to justify the existence of the internet. Everything about it is classic. Reva’s nearly incoherant introduction, her expeditious accompanying, Jon’s pleasant voice and his ability to maintain his composure, and the brilliant mashup of the Wesley hymn (very popular nowadays) “Christ the Lord Is Risen Today” with “That’s Amore.” If you haven’t seen it before, here it is. Stay tuned through the brief clip of Michelle Caseyaneye at the beginning. 

There were others in the lineup, George Stanton, Margie Hicks, Bob Spencer, Pearl Gross, and their videos are internet gold in their own right. But Jon was the star that day, and forevermore, world without end, amen. 

Years ago, I wrote a post about the beauty of the church choir. I included the Daker video in one of my points as an example of the good folks who make up these ensembles. My point was basically that Mr. Daker and any of his friends would be welcome in my choir any day of the week. I was shocked to receive a comment from one of the pastors at the First United Methodist Church in Peoria, Illinois, which Jon, Reva, and many of the others attended. 

While the pastor used his best manners, he essentially told me that he was sick and tired of people like me sharing this video in an attempt to humiliate and embarrass Jon, and that my sharing the video in my post was in bad taste. I responded with my earnest disagreement. 

You see, in a world plagued by sin and evil, in which churches increasingly have no room for church musicians without commercial appeal, Jon Daker represents hope, joy, and faith. Here is a regular guy who has managed to lift the spirits of millions thanks to his love of singing and a willingness to crash and burn with dignity. 

And while there were some that made fun of him, a cult following of fans emerged, including some Peoria locals who befriended him and paid him visits in the publicly-funded assisted living home where he lived after his parents and siblings passed away. One in particular, a woman named Heather, stayed with him and advocated for him until the end. Not only did Heather love and care for this man with whom she shared no relation, but through social media she allowed those of us who already loved the legend of John Daker to get a glimpse at the real Jon Daker. And the stories that emerged from these visits painted a picture of a kind, gentle man who loved Jesus and faithfully served his church. 

One source who grew up at FUMC (This person and her husband were actually married by the one and only Rev. Bill Jones!) remembered sitting two pews in front of the Dakers, Jon, father Burton, mother Adeline, and sister Penny. They were by all accounts lovely, salt-of-the-earth people who enjoyed singing REALLY loud. 

 

 

Jon was preceded in death by all of them, as well as an older brother, Burton K. Daker. In addition to other family and friends, he is survived by a countless number of adoring fans. 

At this moment, Jon has joined the saints singing before the throne of God, where the words no longer evade his lips, and the accompaniment no longer leaves him behind. He has fully experienced the scene that Charles Wesley captured in another one of his stanzas: 

Soar we now where Christ has led, Alleluia! 

Following our exalted Head, Alleluia! 

Made like him, like him we rise, Alleluia! 

Ours the cross, the grave, the skies, Alleluia! 

May he rest in peace, and may his memory outlast the internet. 

Remember thy servant, O Lord, according to the favour which thou bearest unto thy people, and grant that, increasing in knowledge and love of thee, Jon may go from strength to strength, in the life of perfect service, in thy heavenly kingdom; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who liveth and reigneth with thee and the Holy Ghost, ever, one God, world without end. Amen.

TSAB is in this video

Funeral for David van Soelen

Trip to Portugal 2023 - Tim and Karin

 Here are the pictures from out trip.

The girl who got shoved into a locker

A group of ninth grade boys had been loitering by a certain bank of lockers in between classes all year long. On numerous occasions, I directed them to move elsewhere. 

Some time later, a ninth grade girl who is new to our school went to her locker along that bank and opened her locker. It was a lower locker, so she was kneeling down. The boys -- none of whom knew her -- were congregating around as they always do. 

One of them, likely on a dare, jumped over her. Either his leg or foot hit her in the back, propelling her face hard into the open locker. The impact bruised her upper cheekbone and left her ear purple. Hurt and embarrassed, she got up and walked away.

When the administration found out, we took action. 

I called the girl's mother to assure her that we were aware of the situation, had administered consequences, and that I could give her the contact info of our school resource officer if she wished to pursue things further. 

I braced myself for her reply. So many times throughout my career parents in this situation often go berserk, accusing the school of utter incompetence, demanding to speak with my supervisor, wanting to confront the parents of the other student, speaking about getting a lawyer, and calling the news. But this mother was different.

“I don't think that will be necessary,” she said. “We're not that kind of family.” And then she paused. “We just want our daughter safe.”

She continued: “This event has actually been a blessing for our daughter. When word got out that she was the girl who had been pushed into the locker, several students reached out to her and befriended her. Before this incident, she only had acquaintances at this school. Now she has friends. It has been a blessing.”

I was amazed at the mother's response. I was reminded once again about the power of forgiveness.

On God in Society

Our society needs to return to a greater belief in and reliance on God.

Most of us (81%, or more than 4 out of every 5) believe in God.

Where is God in society?

We hardly hear mention of Him in public these days, unless it’s in a Hollywood movie, where His name and existence are often defamed or questioned.

We need to make publicly acknowledging God a normal thing again.

Remember that the American Nation’s motto is “In God we trust.” We are reminded of this on every coin! We acknowledge God’s existence, and we declare that we trust Him.

Remember that our Pledge of Allegiance affirms that we are one nation under God.

Remember these lines from great American music:

“God bless America”

“God shed his grace on thee”

Remember from our Declaration of Independence starts with reverential acknowledgement of God:

“We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness.”

I moved that we speak of God, acknowledge God, pray to God, give thanks to God, trust God, depend on God, obey God, and fear God.

As we look to God during hard times, when we need help, or when we feel anxiety, despair, or suicidal feelings, God will help us!

God is the missing part of our equation. We need God.

And He will bless and prosper us.

The Human Mind Is Not Meant to Be Awake After Midnight

 Interesting article.

Interesting perspective on religion, childhood, and trauma

 

Perspective: Don’t believe the headlines. Few people suffer trauma from religion in childhood

Reply to BYU Magazine article "Why Women Don't Speak"

A woman I know sent the following letter to the BYU Magazine editors on June 14, 2020:

 

I found the recent article Why Women Don’t Speak distasteful. It is unfair to men and laced with condescending inferences about women.  It sheds a very negative light on women in circles where they find themselves outnumbered.  Women are portrayed as helpless whiners who pout and throw tantrums to be heard.  Men are characterized as insensitive and deaf, hoping women will be quiet and not make any demands.

I don’t deny that there are cases in which women are not heard in academic, religious and political circles. However, I do not believe this problem is as pervasive as the article implies.  I have been blessed that my experiences as a woman in male-dominated arenas does not come close to the way you have described it.

I have been in multiple Church auxiliary leadership positions for over 30 years.  I graduated from BYU where most of my professors were men.  I served a full-time proselyting mission where there were 30 sisters and 120 elders.  I divorced a man with long-term substance abuse.  I have been a full-time single working mother while simultaneously obtaining my Master’s degree.  I worked for more than 16 years in the Church’s Employment and Welfare department.  I have been a member in many Church councils and leadership meetings.  I have been a participant in pilots, seminars, conferences, workshops, and a host of work organizations where I was one of only a few females among men.  I can’t recall a time when I was marginalized, interrupted or brushed off in those settings.  Men have not treated me that way.  In Church, school, and work, men have sincerely gone out of their way to include and encourage my participation.  They have been respectful and kind and have given me more than my share of opportunities to participate and add value to the common cause.   

 

The article paints a picture of a disgruntled woman who is put-off and put-out when she believes men aren’t listening to or endorsing her ideas. It continues to promote the stale and antiquated argument that after all these decades women are still suppressed, sidelined, and silenced. “The problem, in part, could be you,” says Jessica R. Preece.  That is correct!  Women have placed the responsibility of speaking up on men, but women should take responsibility and not blame men for their fear or lack of speaking. They seem to blame men for not hearing them as the reason why women don’t have a voice at the table.  Nowhere in the article was the word responsibility used. Women have a responsibility to speak up and not passively sit waiting for men to “Protect—even solicit—the speech of women in the room.” Men may fear women saying we do not want “artificial….politeness.” Women want men to solicit their input, but not come across as solicitous. 

How might a man respond to this article?  How does he feel?  Men are compelled to be aware of and sensitive to how women feel, but the same consideration is not given to them.  Women interrupt incessantly--often not even hearing them.  On dozens of occasions I have heard women say, “Men just don’t get it.”  Women can get away with rude statements like that, but if a man said “Women just don’t get it” he would be called out as sexist and likely removed from the table and accused of harassment as well.

I do not at all doubt that some women have been marginalized and mistreated in Church settings—just as some men have been marginalized and mistreated.  That is a shame, but the greater shame is in the woman who passes the burden of responsibility and inclusion to men.

 

The Revelation Of The Pyramids (Documentary)

Beatles records from Donna

Today I received two Beatles records from a seller on eBay. I wanted these specific records because they came with a great story: the lady selling them was their original owner. I asked her if she would tell me their story. This is what she wrote on a card and included with the records:

I remember being in the 6th grade and only 11 years old when the Beatles first made their appearance in America.

The first time I ever saw them was on The Ed Sullivan Show. The date was February 9, 1964. Everyone I knew watched that show! It was just the most exciting thing to ever happen!

We had never seen hair cuts like that or anyone dress the way they did. Their music was so different and they were so exotic! Paul was my favorite...

My friends and I all listened to their songs on the radio. My parents gave me both these albums for Christmas. As you can see, they were well loved and used.

When I got a little older, my best friend and I would take the bus downtown on Saturdays to go look at all the records at Canterbury Records in Pasadena, California. It was located at 805 E. Colorado Blvd. It is still there to this day and is the oldest surviving record store in the L.A. area. It opened in 1956.

We would save our babysitting money and buy a single record when we could!

It is my pleasure to now pass these on to you!

Most sincerely,

Donna

Cinderella play - Paradigm High School 2021

 Here are pictures and excerpts from the play.

Heidi recalls the power of a hymn

 

August 5, 2021

 

In the 1970’s and as a young redheaded fair skinned 11-year old girl living in Laie, Hawaii the year round weather offered very little variety.  On the north shore side of the island, trade winds were the refreshing blessing against the heat and humidity. 

 

Our beloved chapel on Iosepa Street had no air-conditioning which made conditions just right to fall asleep during Sacrament meeting each Sunday.  Sunday school was in the morning, then a break and back to Sacrament in the late afternoon.

 

During church I often folded over and put my head on my father’s knee and fell asleep.  Eyes closed and semi-aware I sensed the trade winds quickly pushing dark and thick clouds over the building.   Occasionally birds would make their way into the chapel and fly high above.  The louvered screen covered windows allowed breezes to make their way through the chapel cooling us off.  I felt the Lord’s Spirit of comfort while on my Dad’s knee.  Personal homemade palm leaf fans dotted the congregation, fanning beads of sweat.  Oscillating fans strategically spaced and mounted on the walls never did reach the center section where we sat—they just stirred the air.  Children stood on the pews close to the walls and faced up to the fans.  With hair blowing and eyes closed they followed the slow and deliberate motion of the fan. 

 

As quickly as the clouds moved in front of the sun and darkened the chapel, the rains loosened and burst forth.  Loud, glorious, and classic Hawaiian torrential rains could be heard on the chapel’s rooftop then gushing through the down spouts.  Puddles accumulated instantly with the heavy and thunderous splashes of water hitting water….hitting water. We listened. The final speaker ended and the organist began playing the prelude to the closing hymn.

 

“Abide with Me; ‘Tis eventide.

The day is past and gone;

The shadows of the evening fall;

The night is coming on.”

 

Lifting my head off of my Dad’s knee, I looked beyond the window screens and felt the awe inspiring Spirit of the living waters giving me respite from the heat.

 

“Within my heart a welcome guest,

Within my home abide.”

 

Please. Stay in my heart…linger. I felt the protecting Spirit and comfort of this moment protect and keep my heart warm and safe.

 

“The darkness of the world, I fear,

Would in my home abide.

 

O Savior, stay this night with me;

Behold, ‘tis eventide.”

Get politics out of sports

 Watch.

Black Father Slams Critical Race Theory

 Watch.

I love this apartment in Porto

Great location, kind landlady. Here is the link.

 

Is it possible to find quick answers to difficult questions?

My brother asked us for ideas about how he can teach the young single adults in his ward. 

 

My brother-in-law gave this reply:

I wish I had time to give you a more thoughtful answer, but for me, the first question each of us has to answer is “Am I able to consistently perceive the promptings of the Holy Ghost?” Without that spiritual competence, we are unable to deal with any significant challenge to our faith. With it, challenges to faith shrink and recede. It’s like a terrible snowstorm: If we are outside in it without proper clothing and far from home, we will struggle to survive. Spiritual confidence is the thick coat, the blazing fire that warms us while the storm rages. 

But the house, the fire, and the coat take a lot of effort to acquire. They require a lot of patience and determination. They can’t be handed to us. 

I think we focus too much on the youth of the church, who seem to want quick and easy answers to difficult questions. Spiritual confidence takes a lifetime to build and is generally unavailable to the young simply because they haven’t been around long enough to be proven. We used to demand so much more of the young before we admitted them to adulthood. 

If I were teaching your class, I would say: “You haven’t earned the right to judge the Church, or God, or history. If these questions shake you, that is evidence that you are not prepared, not mature enough. Go and gain some life experience. Learn to pray. Learn to obey. Learn to hear the still, small voice. Get some skin in the game by actually following that voice no matter how afraid or full of doubt you are. When you have done that consistently—for YEARS—you can then turn to the questions that so trouble you now. And, if you have gained real spiritual confidence, you will find the answers no longer matter to you because you know God and Jesus Christ and the Holy Ghost. Everything else flows from that.”

Unshakeable Jared Halverson speaks to the youth of the Eastlake Stake

Recent puns o' mine

Contrary to the rumors, I have never been in a car with a coffin. It's just a bunch of hearsesay.

I have more sunscreen than you, but I'm not going to rub it in.

Make Men Masculine Again