Back to School

It's good to be back home and jumping right back into the good life again. I have been helping with some of the orientation for first year students at school which has been a good experience. I have been assigned to mentor a great group of incoming students. In many ways, I feel like I have more to learn from them than I do to offer. Hopefully they won't figure that out for a couple of more days. Today I actually felt rather stressed with all that I still need to do to land a job.

There's something definitely exciting about this time of year when schools open their doors again. It's been very easy to recapture the enthusiasm for my own educational pursuits. But what really caught me by surprise tonight was the excitement that our kids have for returning to school. I suppose it is really pretty obvious, but it is funny to see how they each capture the magic of a new year.

I came home a little early tonight so that we could go to back to school night with the kids. I've grown pretty protective of our Monday nights and wasn't too thrilled to have to go to the school the night before the first day of classes. At our house, school activity nights seem to never end and tonight was no different.

We decided to walk up to the school tonight. Fortunately for us, Josh's legs worked all the way to the corner and only quit when we were just turning to head up the hill. Thank goodness, that I had a firm grip on the stroller so that Kara could push Josh up the hill on his scooter. It never ceases to amaze me how his legs can suddenly start working again the minute he hits a flat or downhill slope. He really has us trained so pathetically well.

Lia and Laura were thrilled to meet their teachers. Lia got to pick out her own desk and I could tell she was a little nervous to be put on the spot for such an important decision. I have always felt like I am a young parent, but I occasionally have wake up calls that remind me that time hasn't slowed for me any more than you. I'm pretty sure Lia's teacher is closer to Lia's age than she is mine. I got nervous when she asked Lia about her summer, but was relieved when Lia reported on the positive aspects of being in Portland all summer. She said that she liked all of the different people that were there. We have talked about always speaking positively of our experiences and I was relieved that a little bit had sunk in.

Once we finally got home and had dinner, wrangled the kids into the house, and then did the same with Kara at least three times before she finally told the neighbors good night, we finally got to settle down for family home evening. Laura's emotions were about 10 years beyond her age as the back to school nerves had her jumping around in a tantrum one moment and chasing Megan and Josh with exuberant laughter the next. Finally things were quelled just enough for a surprisingly calming rendition of I Love to See the Temple.

We did our "back to school blessings" tonight which actually turned out to be very sweet amidst the normal chaos. Josh actually volunteered to be first after telling us that he can't ever hear Heavenly Father talking back when he prays. I was proud of him for volunteering to be first. Laura was next and was concerned about her ability to do math this year. After Laura, Megan started pointing at herself and then at the chair. She marched over and reverently sat down in the chair with her arms folded. Josh was laying upside down on the couch with his eyes closed as tight as possible while Megan bowed her head, closed her eyes, and mumbled in tongues while she waited for her blessing. It was even more adorable than I've described here. After she was done, she followed her siblings examples and gave me a big hug.

As the bell rings tomorrow, I'll offer a little prayer of gratitude for the grounding influence of children. May they each find ambition and experience success this year.

Sensational Summer

After 8 months, I've decided to try my hand at this blogging thing again. It's been a fantastic past few months that have blessed me with new perspective. In May, I moved to Portland, OR for a three month internship.

The first three weeks were very lonely. Kara and the kids stayed in Utah to finish out the school year. I found myself working hard, really enjoying Portland, but hating having to come home at night to a quiet old house to make dinner for one. I went from being about as busy as I've ever been finishing out the school year while trying to hold things together in a busy church calling, all while trying to get our house ready to rent to having virtually nothing to do. Within short span of ten days, I was released as bishop, finished with finals and driving to Portland. I felt very grateful for wonderful counselors, friends, and family whose support helped us reach that finish line.

Suddenly, with nothing to do, I started the summer in the late Portland spring. My job was fantastic and the friends and experiences had there were invaluable. At the end of the long three weeks, I was finally joined by Kara and the kids and coincidentally, the sun came out as well.

Our summer was filled with adventures. From multiple trips to the coast, becoming true Goonies in Astoria, walking to waterfalls, visiting a volcano, making the most of the many museums, and falling in love with new friends in Portland, our summer was one not to be forgotten.

Most meaningful to me though, was the chance to reconnect as a family. Our family had been so blessed with sweet experiences over the past few years, but I don't think I realized just how much we were being carried through it all. This time away from all distractions - both positive and negative, proved to be the perfect opportunity to assess our covenanted commitment to each other and to the Lord. The kids learned to love each other. While they missed home, and could have benefited from an occasional break that friends provide, I believe they're relationship with each other was strengthened substantially.

While the weekend day trips were exciting, I think what I enjoyed most about them were the long drives to talk with Kara. We have been married for 10 and a half years now. It's touching to reflect on where we were as 22 year old kids who had no business getting married and to consider how sweet that life together has become. I felt that our goals and hopes came together this summer in ways that we haven't experienced before. I am grateful for the faith that we share that seems to keep a gentle breeze in our sails allowing us to look beyond the difficult aspects of the decisions we have made together to see glimpses of tender experiences that lie on the horizon.

The summer like life was beautiful and short.

Headlines and History

"History will be kind to me, for I intend to write it."

- Winston Churchill

Earlier this week, it was announced that one of my heroes, Major Dick Winters passed away. I never knew Major Winters, I only know of his heroic story as the leader of Easy Company whose World War II exploits were memorialized in the book and mini-series "Band of Brothers". I am grateful for his service and that of so many others. I suppose I have always felt a connection with Major Winters and other World War II heroes because of a close relationship with my own grandfather who served a "honeymoon to Europe" in 1944. History has been kind to these men because of their commitment to the values preserved in a free society. I have given much thought this week to the influence of my current decisions on my own history.

This week, I had the opportunity to hear former secretary of state, Condoleezza Rice speak at BYU. http://www.sltrib.com/sltrib/news/51045930-78/rice-education-security-condoleezza.html.csp Independent of your political persuasions, Dr. Rice's remarks were profound. Much of the remainder of this post will be based on the thoughts prompted by my notes of her discourse. All quotations are attributed to Dr. Rice.

One of the key points of Dr Rice's address was this statement: "Today's headlines and tomorrow's judgement of history are rarely the same."

This statement has caused me to consider what I must do today to ensure that history's judgement of me is right. Dr. Rice elaborated on the thought that in the United States, the social fabric that binds all Americans together is the promise that anyone can come from anywhere to do anything. We do not share a common religion, nor a common race. However, we do share a common hope in the opportunity that is fostered by freedom. Our nation is one of few who advocates that every man, woman, and child is entitled to make choices in a free state. We hold sacred the "non-negotiable demands of human dignity."

Because of this binding fabric, I too have been blessed with tremendous opportunity. I believe there is a sacred obligation placed upon all of us to first recognize the opportunity that we hold and then, to seek to be excellent in our individual pursuit to fulfill our potential. Like Dr. Rice, I believe that"intellect and faith are not enemies", but stand tall together. I believe in "integrating knowledge of what is, with a belief of what will be."

These opportunities should prompt optimism in each of us. "Optimism eschews aggrievement and entitlement." While our circumstances may be out of our control, however, we are always in control of our response to our circumstances. My experience is that optimism for what the future holds can drive our decisions to make headlines today. My own decision to return to school is based largely on my hope to raise the educational expectations for my children. In this respect, I have been influenced by my own progenitors commitment to learning. My father is a first generation college graduate, the son of a farmer in southeastern Idaho. My mother is a second generation college graduate, the daughter of a World War II hero who found time while in Europe to extend his stay for a course on Shakespeare at Stratford on Avon before returning to earn a bachelors degree.

I see the doors that have been opened for me because of my parents decision to set the bar of pursuing higher education. I now want to raise that level of commitment for my children with the belief that my efforts today will bless them with increased opportunity tomorrow. Along with Dr. Rice, I believe that good times are a product, or the harvesting of good decisions made in very difficult times that have past. I am optimistic that the decisions I am making today will generate continued good times for those influenced by me.