Chinese Sunday Services 11/22/2015

Sunday was a wonderful day for us. It was the Primary Program at Sacrament Meeting in the Logan 5th Ward. The Primaries form the English speaking ward (Logan 5th) and the Spanish speaking ward, and our Chinese speaking branch were combined. The kids speak better English than their parents in many cases. It makes for a very interesting meeting,with a mixture of English, Spanish, and Chinese during the meeting. It is astonishing to me, to see how well they all work together and I am impressed with all of the Primary workers and how organized and really polished they are. We had an overflow crowd, as usual on this occasion. I'll give a rough estimate of between 500 and 600 for the Sacrament meeting, families from the three different units as well as friends, and family visitors, along with a goodly number of nonmembers who came as investigators or out of curiosity for what was happening this past Sunday. It fills my heart with joy to see different people, nationalities, and cultures all bearing witness of the Savior, Jesus Christ, in word and in song. Certainly members of the Church are " no more stranger and foreigners, but fellow citizens with the Saints in the household of God."

On Sunday evening the Chinese Branch sponsored a Chinese Musical Fireside. It was well attended, probably 150 people or more. Many of these were not members of the Branch, but had been invited by members to come. Not bad at all for a Branch that was created officially only about six months ago. There was an outstanding assortment of musical talent, including a choir, violin, piano, children's chorus etc. Everyone did a marvelous job and all who attended were well rewarded for their efforts in coming. We had a special speaker, President Scott Waterson, who is a former mission president in Taiwan. We even had a visiting guest from the People's Republic of China. I certainly felt the Spirit there very strongly and I hope that all who came were able to feel that same Spirit. I, of course, didn't take pictures of the Sacrament Meeting, but I did snap a few of the Fireside and some of those who attended enjoying some light refreshments following
the Fireside.. These were all candid shots, mostly taken from a distance, but I think they will help you to experience some of the wonderful moments Iris and I shared with our friends and fellow Saints this past Sunday.

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Cache Valley Gloaming

Cache Valley Gloaming! 11/14/2015

Cherishing Freedom

These immortal words of Abraham Lincoln came to my mind during the night as I wrestled with the horror of the news of the terrorist attacks in Paris and so many other places around the globe in recent years. "..........with firmness in the right, as God gives us to see the right, let us strive on to finish the work we are in, ........." I know that this comes from Lincoln's Second Inaugural Address given just after the US Civil War, but it should apply as well to the greatest of all conflicts, the Battle of Good over Evil. We are all enlisted 'til the conflict is o'r. We all choose every day what side of this battle we will take. We have three choices, fight for the Good, fight for the Evil, or stand on the sidelines and be spectators. The latter choice is, in reality, a choice sympathetic with the Evil cause. May we always see to CTR (Choose the Right) and be active in the cause of all that is Good.
The eagle represents freedom. The eagle sees the big picture clearly. The eagle focuses on the things that matter most at the moment. The eagle bravely defends its own, and fearlessly seeks to acquire those thing that are needed to assure continued freedom for itself and its offspring. Simple, but profound lessons from every eagle you see.

Physical Fitness and the Blessing of Good Health

My annual physical exam is scheduled for tomorrow. I just got off our incline trainer and am reasonably pleased with the results. I have a distinct feeling the visit at the doctors office will be rather routine again this year. Knock on wood. I truly do work at it, but I know not to take things for granted. After all I'm going on 76 and no longer classify as a young colt. When I finish counting my blessings, I think I will sleep just fine tonight.

Veterans Day Commemoration

When I woke up this morning and looked out the window, I saw a beautiful American Flag flying in the breeze, courtesy of the ward Boy Scout Troop. My heart was filled with gratitude for all of those brave men and women over the course of our nation's history who have defended our rights and freedoms. These are among our very greatest blessings and we must never forget that freedom isn't free. We are especially grateful for our Marine grandson, Tanner, who is currently serving and are very proud of him and all he is and does for us all. We miss you Tanner and love you more than mere words can express. May God bless you and all of our servicemen always.

Westward from Steamboat Springs Toward Home

Our last night out we stayed in Steamboat Springs. We have always been impressed with Steamboat. It is in a beautiful setting, is clean and neat, and also filled with wonderful restaurants and many things to do. This time we mostly just stopped here to get a good nights sleep. Our accommodations at the Worldmark Resort were outstanding. From Steamboat Springs we left and headed home to Logan. The views on this segment of our trip are not quite as impressive as they were on some of the other days of our little trip, but if one is in the right frame of mind there is beauty to be found in all of God's creation and in a certain way it is easy to recognize the interplay and perhaps even interdependence among all things created by the hand of our Father in Heaven. Below are just a few of the pictures I took on this leg of our journey. When we can see the Temple we know we are home. I had the best company, the most glorious views, and home here near the Logan Temple is the best place of all. We are blessed beyond measure and very grateful to the Giver of it all!

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Homeward Bound Through the High Rockies

We left Pueblo for home and traveled by way of Buena Vista, Leadville, and Minturn along US Highway 24. Leadville is the highest incorporated city in the United States at just over 10,200 feet above sea level and home to around 5,000 people. This highway leads past the highest mountains in Colorado, Mount Elbert being the highest at 14,439 feet. The air is always invigorating at these elevations, although somewhat cool already at this time year. Snow has already fallen and on the heights will not leave for another six months or more. The contrasts produced by the changing seasons are remarkable. I am always impressed by the thought of those intrepid early settlers who came to settle in these high valleys in search of fame and fortune, and no doubt inspiration from the God-given beauties of nature which surrounded them on all sides and at every turn. We, likewise, were inspired by the views that fell upon our view and are grateful for this beautiful world and also the fact that we could enjoy them, mostly from the heated interior of our vehicle. Below are just a representative few of the photos I took as we traveled through this beautiful stretch of the Rocky Mountains.

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Visiting the Colorado Eborns

Our real reason for taking a trip to Colorado was not to see the beautiful scenery between here and Pueblo, but rather to see Philip and Megan and their dear family. We miss them, but we know they are doing well, living a good life, and being a force for good wherever they are. We are so proud of each and every one of them and were very happy and blessed to spend some time with them in Colorado. The scenery, both coming and going was awe inspiring, but nothing to compare with the beautiful family we found waiting for us and who treated us like royalty while we were there. Love each and every one of them more than I can ever express. We are very happy to claim them as a part of our family. The pictures below or just a random selection from those taken while we were with the Pueblo Eborns.

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Across the Great Divide

Across the great divide. Our travels took us from the Black Canyon of the Gunnison along US 50 high into the Rocky Mountains and across the Continental Divide at Monarch Crest Pass at 11,312 feet above sea level. It was still October, but the high peaks were covered with a fresh blanket of snow from a few days before. The air was fresh and invigorating. The beauty was so great "I scarce could take it in." And so it continued down through the Valley of the upper Arkansas River. Magnificent country. Oh, how I love the mountains!

Every view brings the words of this song to my mind.

How Great Thou Art

Oh, Lord my God! When I in awesome wonder
Consider all the works thy hand hath made,
I see the stars, I hear the mighty thunder,
Thy power throughout the universe displayed;

Then sings my soul, my Saviour God, to Thee,
How great Thou art, how great Thou art!
Then sings my soul, my Saviour God, to Thee,
How great Thou art, how great Thou art!

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Halloween Visitors 2015

I'm going to interrupt the photo journal of our travels of late with a quick post about some very special "spooks" who came to our house on Halloween. We were sure glad we got home in time to see our favorite "scary" visitors for the evening. We do love our grand-kids, even the ones who thought they were to "big" to be out trick or treating to end the month of October. You all know how to put smiles on our faces and probably cavities in your teeth. I'm wondering: Is there a conspiracy between the candy manufacturers and the dentists. I think they make a real haul about this time of year. We'll take it. Love those Halloween "spooks."

Black Canyon of the Gunnison

The Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park is not the most visited or best known park among the National Parks of the United States. As its name implies, it does not compare well with the myriad of beautiful and changing colors of the Grand Canyon, in Arizona, the red rock formations of the Utah National Parks, or the golden hues of the Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone in Wyoming. It is relatively short. its total length is 48 miles and the length of the segment within the park is just 14 miles. It is deep and narrow. The deepest point is more than 2700 feet below the canyon rim and its narrowest point is a mere 40 feet at the river in the bottom of the canyon. The Gunnison River in the park is a very swift river. The average descent over the length of canyon:in the park is about 85 feet per mile, The greatest decent: occurs in the park at Chasm View , where the river descends at 240 feet per mile. That compares to a descent rate of 7.5 feet per mile for the Grand Canyon. One of the most interesting things to us was that the river was tapped for irrigation water in the early 1900s by blasting and digging a tunnel nearly 6 miles long through the basaltic rock to divert a significant portion of the river's water into the Uncompahgre Valley near Montrose, creating thousands of acres of productive farmland, a monumental feat considering the times in which the tunnel was created. The canyon has been a mighty barrier to humans. Only its rims, never the gorge, show evidence of human occupation - not even by Ute Indians living in the area since written history began. We didn't spend a lot of time in the Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park, but we came away with a sense of awe at its beauty, its ruggedness, and the intrepid pioneers who first explored and tamed it, if only a small part of it.. We are grateful that our nation has had the foresight to set areas such as the Black Canyon of the Gunnison and other National Parks aside and helps to preserve them for future generations to enjoy. We truly enjoyed our short visit to this magnificent place in God's creation.

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A Day at Arches National Park

Arches National Park is a must-see for anybody who wants to experience rocks like no where else on earth. Utah has an abundance of rocks, but perhaps nowhere else are they so intricately carved, delicately painted, and majestically set as they are in this unique part of the state. We got a late start due to foggy conditions, but the fog eventually lifted and the skies then ran the gamut from heavy overcast to nearly clear blue. It made for a great day behind the lens. Loved it. Below are just a few of the scenes we were blessed to see while visiting this scenic part of the ever changing landscape of eastern Utah.

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Canyonlands Visit

As we approached Canyonlands National Park last week, it was surrounded by lowering clouds. As one who enjoys taking pictures, my mind was just a little torn. It's difficult to take quality pictures in the fog, on the other hand, I know that the right kind of clouds can add immeasurably to the composure and beauty of most any landscape photograph. Some times, as the atmosphere around us changes from moment to moment, little windows of opportunity seem to open up, even if it is just for a second or two. One must always be ready and have an eye out to the beauties being unfolded to our view by the Master Artist. Other times our patience is tested, sometimes rewarded, and occasionally we must walk away knowing that another day will surely come, and with it another opportunity. So it is in life, whether we are seeking just the right photo opportunity or searching for an opportunity to touch another's life for good by a kindly word or deed. We must ever be vigilant, keep our eyes open, and have a heart overflowing with gratitude. I am reminded of the words to the song "As I Have Loved You"

As I have loved you,
Love one another.
This new commandment:
Love one another.
By this shall men know
Ye are my disciples,
If ye have love
One to another.

Lessons From Canyonlands

Photographic Food For Thought

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