Building
Yep, I am back. I mentioned in church today that if feels like I have been completely disconnected from everything going on around here. It has been a week. I was just getting warmed up to a new month on Monday and then got up Tuesday and flew to New York. It was a crazy trip. I had a good time with old friends and made some new. We ate a great deal, spent some time on a bus, and did our best to avoid rain drops. In the end, I came away with a grand prize. It required a little dance off in front of the streets of Manhattan, but well worth it.
I then got up bright and early Wednesday morning and started the journey back home. For me, that was the pinnacle of the trip. I have been working hard the past two weeks. I have been out of the house. I am associating with people I don't know. I have been taking the opportunity to converse with all those who will converse with me, that has been the most challenging. Not many are willing to converse.
Any who, there was a small group of us that were catching early morning flights. The trip out of the city was far less consuming that anticipated, the airport was not really too crowded, so once we made it through security, we had like 2.5 hours of time on our hands. Those I was traveling with offered me entry to one of the club rooms, but I wanted to just have some time alone. I bid them farewell and made my way to a quiet gate space to ponder, read, and study. It was a nice way to start the journey.
About an hour before my flight was to depart, a young family of four entered the gate area. The two tweenish boys sat down were taught a lesson from their mother on punctuality. I am sure they were completely unaware of my presence. It was not a harsh lesson, it was kind, loving and instructive.
As the lesson concluded, the father took orders for breakfast and headed for the nearest fast food joint. It was not long before mother followed to assist. The two brothers sat there for a while talking about their up coming, but then the oldest decided he needed to do some exploring. He gave instructions of the importance of watching ALL the bags and saving ALL the seats in the gate area before leaving his overwhelmed, wide-eyed brother to the task.
After a few panic filled moments, the young man was joined by his father. It was obvious that he had seen his older son leave and lassoed him into helping his mother with the food order. He sat down with his youngest and comforted him. It was a great moment of one on one before the food arrived and all settled in to indulge themselves.
It was at this point that I started moving towards my departure gate. However, I had the overwhelming impression to stop and visit with this family. I was given a glimpse of who they were and who they could become. When I stopped, I could tell by the look of discouragement that they thought I was going to ask for something, but before they could object, I explained that I was impressed to stop and say something to them. I rehearsed that I had been watching and how refreshing it was to see such strong bonds of family in today's world. I let them know that their actions were impressive. The parents looked at me in disbelief, but were touched. I encouraged them to continue and turned toward the gate.
Though I should have had more to give them. The feeling and impression of the spirit was great. All the way to the gate I was trying to figure out how I could give them a copy of "The Family: a Proclamation to the World". I wondered how I might share with them a website or something, but I was unprepared in that sense. Then, too late, I noticed that I had a single pass-along card in my wallet as I walked through the jet way door.
Next time...
This experience has had me thinking and pondering all week about "The Plan". Though I was unprepared to share completely, the desire was great. I wanted to add to what this family already had. I wanted to let them know they were doing a great job and provide for them resources to make it better. Isn't that what it is all about? We are here in mortality to help build one another along the journey. Some of us are further along the path than others, but that does not mean we can't help them catch up. Aren't we here to help as well as be helped by others?
Sometimes I think we get so caught up on our own personal pride, that though we are seeking ways to help others, we shut out those who are trying to help us. I was just touched and lifted by the experiences as I knew this young family was. Isn't that how it is supposed to be in all of our associations with family, friends, and loved ones. Shouldn't we allow and be allowed to lift one another? Without each other, we are nothing.
I know it is just a bunch of rambling, but I am not eloquent with words. Read the article in this months Ensign by Elder Wirthlin. I know he is talking about ward councils, but I feel the principle applies to all aspects of our lives. Ward councils are just big family councils. We should always be looking for ways to lift, build and strengthen bonds of brother/sisterhood, whether it is one on one with friends and companions, in work/district meetings, or even strangers we have never met. Think about it.
Enough of the ranting:
This week has been busy.
While I was gone, the Queen held down the fort. She juggled dinners, bed times, councils, callings, school and work. It was not an easy task. At the tail end of it all, her back, shoulder, and foot started acting up again. She finally gave in and made it to a doctor. Results will follow when we have them.
The Professor spent the week battling a cold or sinus infections. To make matters worse, the microphone in her classroom stopped working so she came home every night with less and less of a voice. She has done her best to endure.
We have not seen much of Tall Man. It has been strange to know that he is around, but not at the same time. He is settling in to his new place. He invited us over on Friday for a game night and as feared, we found ourselves being tortured at that little Leather joint near by. It was a great evening.
SnackPack is officially a Senior. He said that graduation was bittersweet, but he is glad the school year has come and gone. We dropped him off at the school Saturday morning to board a bus for tour. We look forward to hearing of his adventures upon his return.
That is it for this week. Until next, keep on riding.
I then got up bright and early Wednesday morning and started the journey back home. For me, that was the pinnacle of the trip. I have been working hard the past two weeks. I have been out of the house. I am associating with people I don't know. I have been taking the opportunity to converse with all those who will converse with me, that has been the most challenging. Not many are willing to converse.
Any who, there was a small group of us that were catching early morning flights. The trip out of the city was far less consuming that anticipated, the airport was not really too crowded, so once we made it through security, we had like 2.5 hours of time on our hands. Those I was traveling with offered me entry to one of the club rooms, but I wanted to just have some time alone. I bid them farewell and made my way to a quiet gate space to ponder, read, and study. It was a nice way to start the journey.
About an hour before my flight was to depart, a young family of four entered the gate area. The two tweenish boys sat down were taught a lesson from their mother on punctuality. I am sure they were completely unaware of my presence. It was not a harsh lesson, it was kind, loving and instructive.
As the lesson concluded, the father took orders for breakfast and headed for the nearest fast food joint. It was not long before mother followed to assist. The two brothers sat there for a while talking about their up coming, but then the oldest decided he needed to do some exploring. He gave instructions of the importance of watching ALL the bags and saving ALL the seats in the gate area before leaving his overwhelmed, wide-eyed brother to the task.
After a few panic filled moments, the young man was joined by his father. It was obvious that he had seen his older son leave and lassoed him into helping his mother with the food order. He sat down with his youngest and comforted him. It was a great moment of one on one before the food arrived and all settled in to indulge themselves.
It was at this point that I started moving towards my departure gate. However, I had the overwhelming impression to stop and visit with this family. I was given a glimpse of who they were and who they could become. When I stopped, I could tell by the look of discouragement that they thought I was going to ask for something, but before they could object, I explained that I was impressed to stop and say something to them. I rehearsed that I had been watching and how refreshing it was to see such strong bonds of family in today's world. I let them know that their actions were impressive. The parents looked at me in disbelief, but were touched. I encouraged them to continue and turned toward the gate.
Though I should have had more to give them. The feeling and impression of the spirit was great. All the way to the gate I was trying to figure out how I could give them a copy of "The Family: a Proclamation to the World". I wondered how I might share with them a website or something, but I was unprepared in that sense. Then, too late, I noticed that I had a single pass-along card in my wallet as I walked through the jet way door.
Next time...
This experience has had me thinking and pondering all week about "The Plan". Though I was unprepared to share completely, the desire was great. I wanted to add to what this family already had. I wanted to let them know they were doing a great job and provide for them resources to make it better. Isn't that what it is all about? We are here in mortality to help build one another along the journey. Some of us are further along the path than others, but that does not mean we can't help them catch up. Aren't we here to help as well as be helped by others?
Sometimes I think we get so caught up on our own personal pride, that though we are seeking ways to help others, we shut out those who are trying to help us. I was just touched and lifted by the experiences as I knew this young family was. Isn't that how it is supposed to be in all of our associations with family, friends, and loved ones. Shouldn't we allow and be allowed to lift one another? Without each other, we are nothing.
I know it is just a bunch of rambling, but I am not eloquent with words. Read the article in this months Ensign by Elder Wirthlin. I know he is talking about ward councils, but I feel the principle applies to all aspects of our lives. Ward councils are just big family councils. We should always be looking for ways to lift, build and strengthen bonds of brother/sisterhood, whether it is one on one with friends and companions, in work/district meetings, or even strangers we have never met. Think about it.
Enough of the ranting:
This week has been busy.
While I was gone, the Queen held down the fort. She juggled dinners, bed times, councils, callings, school and work. It was not an easy task. At the tail end of it all, her back, shoulder, and foot started acting up again. She finally gave in and made it to a doctor. Results will follow when we have them.
The Professor spent the week battling a cold or sinus infections. To make matters worse, the microphone in her classroom stopped working so she came home every night with less and less of a voice. She has done her best to endure.
We have not seen much of Tall Man. It has been strange to know that he is around, but not at the same time. He is settling in to his new place. He invited us over on Friday for a game night and as feared, we found ourselves being tortured at that little Leather joint near by. It was a great evening.
SnackPack is officially a Senior. He said that graduation was bittersweet, but he is glad the school year has come and gone. We dropped him off at the school Saturday morning to board a bus for tour. We look forward to hearing of his adventures upon his return.
That is it for this week. Until next, keep on riding.
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