Thursday, August 29, 2013

check out some Ed Week "gems"

signs on the tables at the library on campus--check meowt
Ed Week was completely amazing, but I have to say, I don't think there were as many "one liners" this year as I usually seem to have to make it to my "gems" list. I have several lectures that I want to completely type up my notes--like the gospel teaching and the writing family histories classes, but brief recaps don't seem to work. Check out what I have for 2013 (my favorites are in bold type):

Family History:

2a-Search the US top 4 primary records in this order: census, vital, probate, land

2b- When scanning items use photoshop elements and use the de-screen filter option for newspapers, magazine photos, and photocopies to make for a better, smoother copy

2c- When scanning objects, put a white cloth over them to cover them

3a- The you tube channel has "The Google Genealogist" series by Devin Ashby, which, among other things, will teach you how to set up so you can get google notifications about content added for things you are searching for

3a- rootstech.org has video recaps for some of their seminars the past few years. Especially check out “Google Search and Beyond” in 2013 by Dave Barney 

17b- archive.org (not archive.com) has lots of digital out-of-print books available.     books.google.com also has many

19c- A to Zax: A Comprehensive Dictionary for Genealogists and Historians by Barbara Jean Evans

19d- U of U library searchable newspapers database: www.lib.utah.edu

31a- When you write a family history, put in not just what they did, but why they did it.

31c- Mark Twain said, “I notice that you use plain, simple language, short words and brief sentences. That is the way to write English - it is the modern way and the best way. Stick to it; don't let fluff and flowers and verbosity creep in. When you catch an adjective, kill it. No, I don't mean utterly, but kill most of them - then the rest will be valuable. They weaken when they are close together. They give strength when they are wide apart. An adjective habit, or a wordy, diffuse, flowery habit, once fastened upon a person, is as hard to get rid of as any other vice.”

Financial:

1a- personalfinance.byu.edu  has finance lessons including a videoed series (go to “tools and resources” tab and then click on “MoneyWise financial workshops” and then videos)

1d- Bro. Sudweeks advice to all his college students is to save 20% of their gross earnings once they are out of college

5a- Scott C. Marsh’s #1 book recommendation is The Millionaire Next Door by Thomas J. Stanley and William D. Danko. They have a few things wrong, but most of it is right.

15b- A possible pension strategy to maximize the amount you get--think outside the box: If option 1 gets you $4,300 a month until the spouse dies and option 2 gets you $3,590 to last until both spouses are dead ($711 less)--take out a 20 year level life insurance policy out on the main spouse for $500 a month. You still have $211 more than you would have.

28a- You should only withdraw a maximum of 5% a year from your retirement fund in order to have it last as long as you’ll probably need it.

28d- It’s not timing the market but time in the market that counts.

Gardening:

12b- If you don’t want the hassle of a compost pile, just dig a hole in your garden and “plant” your kitchen vegetable scraps

12b- Plants should not go into the night with wet leaves. It will attract bugs and diseases.

12c- Homemade weed killer that will kill the tops but not roots: 1 quart vinegar + ¼ c salt + 1 t dish soap


Gospel Teaching:

13a- The barometer of whether a class was successful should be how edifying it was--was the Spirit there--and not if you got through all the lesson material.
13a- It is more important to prepare yourself spiritually than it is to prepare a lesson outline. (Preach My Gospel p 17: If we spent more time in personal preparation rather than lesson prep, we will be a far more effective teacher)

13a -He who sees me, sees the teaching. --Buddha

13b- Three keys to teaching:
1) understand the context and content of the scriptures and the inspired intent of the author
2)  identify and articulate the converting doctrines and principles
3) consider the relevance and application of those doctrines and principles

13d- Always model for youth when teaching--give them something they could cross-stitch or hang on the fridge.

13e- Don’t teach only the behavior, but teach the doctrine and the principles

26a- Thomas S. Monson said, “The calling of lecturer does not exist in the Church. A lecturer merely imparts knowledge. But a teacher invites class members to learn, in part by teaching one another. One sure way to transform a dull lecture into a lively, Spirit-filled lesson is by asking effective questions.”

Gospel Topics:

6a- We had faith in Him in the pre-mortal world--that He would do what He said He would do, the atonement. Now our faith is in that He did what He said He would do.

6c- As you wrestle with your righteous desires that aren’t being realized, please be patient. God knows your desires and the correct timing.

6d- The Holy Ghost is not always comfortable. Sweet peace of the Spirit comes after the obedience (which may not be comfortable).

Link to an article on Elder Russell M. Ballard’s Devotional talk on Tuesday August 20, 2013
http://www.lds.org/church/news/elder-ballard-speaks-about-the-role-of-women-at-education-week?lang=eng

8a- Elder Marvin J. Ballard’s final words: “Above all else Brethern, let us think straight!”

8b- Men and women are equal in the eyes of God and the church, but equal does not mean the same. We have the same importance and influence, but different responsibilities and divine gifts.

11d- To find Hebrew tools (and Greek) go to lib.byu.edu and in the center click on the arrow in the “choose a subject guide” and then choose “ancient studies.” In the tool bar, go to “Hebrew” and click on “biblical studies” from the drop down menu. Then click on the link for “biblios interlinear” and from there click on Hebrew (or Greek)/English Interlinear

14a- The whole point of the Gospel is to change us. We too often use our weaknesses to define us.

14b- God is not Santa Claus. We get what we need, not what we want.

14c- When talking about the bad conditions in Ethiopia, Elder Ballard said, “We ought to do what we can do. We can’t do everything. It’s too big; it’s beyond the membership of the Church. But we ought to do what we can do.”

14c- Who do we hope to become by doing the things we do--our rituals in daily life? What is my routine and does it really reflect my values?

14c- Our agency is best expressed through intentional living.

14d- What does your typical day look like? There is greater peace and clarity when our values and daily behavior are congruent.

14d- What is my divine errand? Life has greater meaning and purpose when we know.

14e- King Benjamin’s people were already good…but they still had a mighty change of heart.

14e- When we live with intention we are more aware of the spirit and more fully use the atonement.

22b- Elder Dallin H. Oaks in his talk “Our Strengths Can Become Our Downfall” said: The idea that our strengths can become our weaknesses could be understood to imply that we should have “moderation in all things.” But the Savior said that if we are “lukewarm,” he “will spue [us] out of [his] mouth” (Rev. 3:16). Moderation in all things is not a virtue, because it would seem to justify moderation in commitment. That is not moderation, but indifference. That kind of moderation runs counter to the divine commands to serve with all of our “heart, might, mind and strength” (D&C 4:2), to “seek … earnestly the riches of eternity” (D&C 68:31), and to be “valiant in the testimony of Jesus” (D&C 76:79). Moderation is not the answer.

How, then, do we prevent our strengths from becoming our downfall? The quality we must cultivate is humility. Humility is the great protector. Humility is the antidote against pride. Humility is the catalyst for all learning, especially spiritual things.

22e- When breaking your fast, you should first drink some water, then juice, and then have a simple soup. Many overeat after fasting.

23 c- hasteningthework.lds.org has a series of videos to help missionaries. Soon they will be adding videos to help members be better missionaries, too.

25c- When trying to decide which project to work on (in family history, in this case), decide what is “eating on your soul” and start there.

32c- The Jewish people believed that the Sabbath day was an intimate day with God…. It isn’t a lazy day; it’s a fine-tuning day.

Health:

30d- Be cautious with the internet. You’ll find what you want to hear.

30d- Deep breathing exercise for relaxation: breathe in for 4 counts, hold for 7, and slowly let out for 9.

Marriage:

18a- A marriage ritual is repeated, coordinated, and significant to both (ie probably not watching football together unless both are really into sports)--or it’s just a routine and will lack emotional significance. Often these rituals we had when we courted, end when we marry.

18b- An example of a ritual is a greeting rituals (ie do you go and find your spouse-or vice versa-whenever you get home?).

18b- Love begins with paying attention. Make time for personal talk (talk that’s not about the kids or the bills, etc).

18b- Marriage is the sun and the children are the planets, not the other way around. More for you means more for them.

18c-Levels of communication: 1) superficial (as in coordinating schedules)   2) personal (sharing ideas, beliefs, passions)   3) validation--rule #1 it must be specific and rule #2 you share who that makes you feel--engage in a talk ritual daily

Misc:

12a- In the pursuit of happiness, one should just stop and be happy.

24c- The more you learn, the less you forget. Reaching a “critical threshold” of mastery seems to confer an immunity against forgetting.

24c- “Practice makes perfect” is incorrect. “Practice makes permanent” is more like it, so make sure you are doing it correctly. “Perfect practice makes perfect.”

27b- Pres. Spencer W. Kimball said, “Your journal should contain your true self rather than a picture of you when you are “made up” for a public performance. There is a temptation to paint one’s virtues in rich color and whitewash the vices, but there is also the opposite pitfall of accentuating the negative. Personally I have little respect for anyone who delves into the ugly phases of the life he is portraying, whether it be his own or another’s. The truth should be told, but we should not emphasize the negative. Even a long life full of inspiring experiences can be brought to the dust by one ugly story. Why dwell on that one ugly truth about someone whose life has been largely circumspect?”

29d- Leslie Probert’s “easiest homemade bread recipe” demo on you tube:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I3MGZYidDpc

Youth:

4a- Teach them the allowance the atonement makes--don’t be focused on “be thou perfect.”

4a- The atonement gives us peace while we continue to strive; it does not give us permission to sin.

4b- In the adolescent brain, the part in charge is not the reasoning part, but the emotions and impulses part.

4c- Do for them what Nephi did for himself--drag them out of the abyss by remembering the Savior.

4c- The first thing we need to teach over and over and over again is the abiding witness of God’s love, of, that in the process of time, they (we) are being sanctified by Christ.

Sunday, August 25, 2013

a few photos of my week at BYU

I will write about Ed Week later, but for now, just a few photos.

My bus arrived Saturday evening. After church on Sunday, I went over to Andrew and Heather's to visit and to eat. It was a wonderful way to spend the day.




On Sunday, Heather and Andrew made noodles for chicken noodle soup


Heather, Andrew, and me in their apartment


Out of my dorm room I saw a doe and her fawn snacking on BYU's bushes


Monday night games at Jacob's (Jacob, Calista's brother, Brandon, Calista's sister, and Susan)

Baby Owen! Susan and Jacob's little boy
Calista's sister, Sarah (standing), Calista's sister


Michell, my roommate in 2013 and in 2004...her son was in Eric's mission


Gorgeous flowers are all over the campus
The Tree of Life sculpture on campus is in front of the Joseph Smith building now

A fun sculpture in the Harold B. Lee Library

library on the right, the "Y" on the mountain straight ahead
my favorite bulletin board on campus--it's in the Jesse Knight building

Sunday, August 11, 2013

trampoline tent and a new oven

Well, when we got back from vacation, our 20 year old oven was acting up. I have been waiting for YEARS for it to die...but first the dishwasher had to die, and then the fridge, and then the washer and dryer. These were all replaced before I finally, this week, got to get a new oven. Only it won't get hooked up until Tuesday as we have to wait for the propane company to come out and convert it from natural gas to propane. That's OK. I can wait a few more days.

But it's a stainless steel convection oven with 5 burners that we got for half-price. Right now it's sitting in my dining room. It'll look even better when it's hooked up and working.



Another happy thing from this week is that Glen finished his special project of taking an old parachute and turning it into a tent for the trampoline. You can buy a trampoline tent for around $150. Glen paid $18 for some pvc pipe and rigged up this:

view from the outside

view on the inside
Alex, Glen, and I even slept out in it the other night. Hannah declined. It wasn't too bad, but next time I'm going to angle the sleeping bag differently and sew up the rip in the zipper that kept letting the cooler air in.

Glen and Alex climb the 90' silo occasionally and yesterday they took the camera with them:

Glen looking down while climbing

looking southwest

looking west

looking northwest to our house hidden by trees--see the trampoline tent in the yard?

looking east--see the new milk barn they are building? part of the framework is up
Well, that about wraps it up for this week. Only 2 weeks left of summer and then school starts on the 26th. I don't even want to contemplate it...

But before that happens, we have the Perseid Meteor showers the next few days. We always look forward to that. Then we have haircuts and shoe shopping still left to do. And I have Ed Week in a week!

It's been a wonderful summer.

Wednesday, August 7, 2013

photos from visiting my folks in Brookings

First off, Ryan's email from yesterday says he's being transferred to a new area today...we'll have to wait till next week to see where they sent him. This'll be his 3rd area--one for each transfer. Wow.

We spent a week in Brookings, Oregon visiting my folks and also got to spend some time with my sister as our vacations overlapped. There were several fires going on in Oregon. This was part of our journey to the coast:

One of the big events of the week was going with my dad to Klamath, California to fly some RC (radio controlled) airplanes. First, we all practiced on the simulator on dad's computer. It was tough. Alex was definitely the best at that. Dad has a friend, Mike, who hooks his RC unit up to dad's...then Mike can take over the flying if it looks like you are going to crash. He took over a lot for my flight.
Denise, Dad, Glen, Hannah, and Alex getting ready--the airfield is in the middle of a hay field

Alex is in charge and needed next to no help from Mike

Hannah's turn

Denise went next (look toward the upper edge in the middle of the cloud to see the plane)
My plane is really hard to see. Look for the white dot in the clouds up and to the right of my head. My flight was named the most exciting--since I was such an erratic pilot.
my turn...but statistically speaking, Mike was probably doing the flying
Glen's turn
Dad's taking a turn, too

Mike flying one of his special planes...it's hovering vertically here

Mike getting his next plane ready for a flight
this bi-plane has a really cool smoke feature

did you catch that Snoopy is the pilot of the bi-plane?
Another big happening while we were there was the Festival of the Arts which was held at the Manly Art Center this year. Mom was a big part of the planning, setting up, and cleaning up since she's so involve in the art center. Ignore the white vendor's tent in the middle and focus on the textile work on the tree. It's called "tree bombing" and it was super neat. The trees were given sweaters of sorts. This bomb was my favorite because it had neat sea creatures on it...and I love the jellyfish hanging from the branches.

 Inside they had tables set up with quotes and crayons. I'd bet my bottom dollar that this stick figure is my mom's drawing.

Oh, for part of Thursday's drawing class at the art center, Hannah and Alex were the models. Often the artists give their drawings or paintings to the models. Here are some that Hannah and Alex got:


One year when we were visiting my parents there was only 1 day of sunshine. This year we didn't see the sun peek out even once in Brookings--lots of fog and cloud coverage and a bit of drizzle, though we did see the sun when we went to Klamath to fly the rc planes. That's OK, though. We left behind 100º heat in Fallon and 60º was OK with us.

We didn't go to the beach as often as we usually do, but here we are just north of Chetco Point. Hannah already owned a ukelele and then bought another one at a yard sale (one of our favorite things to do when we go to grandma and grandpa's house is yard saling and thrift storing). Here she is giving Alex a lesson while we were at the beach, the cold beach.

Glen is serenading me with a made up song about whales (btw, he doesn't know how to play the uke).

 Now, the reason Glen was singing about whales is...we actually saw one! It's not "whale season" but there was one spouting and flipping his tail. It took a while, but we managed to get photographic evidence [and in order to see it as anything besides a dark smudge on the ocean, we have to blow up the photo so much that the quality really stinks, but I declare it g.e. (good enough)]:
;
here's a different photo that's cropped

OK, so that is the blown up and cropped photo. This is what the original looks like--the whale is off the the left near the horizon...the photo above makes the whale seem so close to the shore, but he wasn't that close:
One big surprise for us was one day we bumped into former Fallon residents Rick and Katie Hammer and their family. They used to be in our ward here and Rick taught at the high school with Glen, too. That was fun.

So, we had a wonderful week as always. Thanks mom and dad and Denise!