A Mission Rememberance

I had to refer to journals to fill in a couple of bits of this account. Good thing we have those. Wish I didn't write like a 19 year old back then.

We had a mixed district in the LTM. Some of our guys went to Australia. A couple others went to different missions in Italy. So, only part of our district flew with me to New York, and then even fewer on to Milan with us. I do remember that I was the only one at the Salt Lake airport who didn't have family there to greet them.

I remember Alitalia counter attendants and flight attendants expressing benign, but somewhat annoyed, amusement at our attempts to speak any Italian with them.

The jet lag was horrible. That, accompanied with the first evening's session of tract-ing, I'm sure was designed to see if any of us would crack. None of us did. That first evening I was paired with Elder Ronald Manning. He was visiting the office because he was to go home shortly. He said to me, “I have fewer days than you have years.” I haven't seen him since. Throughout my mission I looked forward to being able to use at least a variation of that phrase with someone.

Later in the mission I made it a point to go back to the area we had visited that first night and take a picture of the dreary apartment building. I'm not sure how I found the place. I don't think I have the address written down anywhere. It must have been a missionary homing sense that kicked in.

My first city was Torino and I went to the apartment in Via Baiardi 2. Steven Smith was my trainer and Elders Jorgensen and Wallace were the other missionaries there. It was a great group. They probably helped facilitate a fairly smooth transition into Italian Mission life.

June and July in Torino were amazing. Torino is WAY further north than where I grew up. It was very interesting how late the sun set in the evening. It was still light when we would go home at 9:30. the squares during the late summer evenings would fill with happy, festive congregations. It was a party atmosphere almost all the time.

I also recall the pretty consistent afternoon thunder showers during this time. It's a good thing they (usually) occurred when we were inside the apartment for lunch.

Cogito

My bank is being hacked. My country is being invaded with plagues, physical and spiritual. We refuse to employ any means to protect ourselves from moral and physical onslaughts. We have turned over our fate to the lowest common denominator among us, people with no sense, no morals, no will. We refuse to deny anything to the immoral, punish the criminal, or positively instruct the young.

This country was once a bastion. We cannot back away from that role and expect the world to flourish. The US must lead out on all fronts. We guide, we support, we sustain the rest of the World. Today's problems aren't the result of a flawed system. They are the result of abandoning founding principles. Unfortunately, we diverged so long ago there is very little still shining through the intervening fog.

I have faith that, “Everything will be all right in the end... if it's not all right then it's not yet the end.” But, I am starting to wonder and fear how bad things become before that marvelous end.

Other than that I am having a great day. That is all.

Yesterday

Had a very nice and busy weekend (despite the rain). Temple shift Saturday morning was longish because the Temple closed after the 10pm session. So we were the only shift and had to stay till noon to get it all done. I'm really new to all this and nobody really was telling me what to do. I could have hung back and not done much. But, at every opportunity I stepped right in and did the job. Nobody told me not to. It was a good shift. I was tired in the middle. But, at the end I was fine.

The neighborhood “Chili cook-off” got somewhat squelched because of the rain. So, it was held in the Schipper's garage. Only five entries. We enjoyed the time and got to see the new re-models in their home.

Our Sunday meetings involved missionary farewells for two kids in the neighborhood: Brooklyn Brewer and Dallas Anderson. Their talks were very nice and sweet and they will make great missionaries. The occasion of their farewells brought in a large crowd for our Sacrament meeting. I was asked to help pass the Sacrament. Halfway through the Bishop and first counselor came and joined us because we needed the help. I realized that my whole old bishopric was passing the Sacrament together. A neat moment.

I reluctantly attend the occasional Sunday evening church meeting. We had a Stake Youth Standards night Yesterday. I am really glad I went. David Archuleta gave a very nice presentation. I am a bit of a music snob. He has a great talent and is one of the most personable and engaging people I have ever seen. A very sweet spirit was there as he bore testimony of the Savior Jesus Christ through his comments and beautiful song.

San Clemente 2014

We had another lovely family vacation to San Clemente recently. I've mostly posted pictures. And I'll kinda give a rundown in bullet points.

Leading up to the trip there was a lot of concern about how Poppa would do. He even tried to back out at the last minute and have us go by ourselves. But, nobody really wanted to do that. He was mostly concerned that he would fall because he has done so a lot lately. All in all he did pretty good. I don't know of any falls. He did insist on medicating himself (and over medicating himself) at times. I think he forgets what he has taken. It's really hard to tell an ex-doctor what to do about his health. A couple of days he did quite a lot of sleeping, even on the beach.

So in the run-up there was kind of a general feeling that "our" San Clemente was in for a change, possibly drastic, and likely soon. I don't think Poppa will go again and in that case the extended family probably won't go together again or often or much of it. There is too much range in what people expect to have to pay and contribute in the way of helping out. Some people won't go unless it is "free."

This and the fact that Jensen and Ameer weren't there made me somewhat depressed about the whole thing. I think Lenore felt the same. Ailsa had to leave after only a little more than one week. Orientation for Law School started on the second Wednesday. So, we drove her to the Long Beach airport early Tuesday morning. It meant there was one less person for me to do my things with.

I didn't do a ton of cycling this year (just a total of 152 miles in 7 rides.) Took Ailsa, Shazia, Sajid, and Daniel on the tandem. The ride with Daniel was quite good. I think his water polo training has helped him learn to exert himself. I'm pretty sure we had a record run on the out-leg going south. I told him on the way back I didn't care if he fell asleep. (He didn't fall asleep.)

Weather was very nice pretty much the whole time. I think one day it threatened to sprinkle in the morning. But. Most of the days had plenty of sunshine. Surf was generally high the whole time. This doesn't mean it was good the whole time. I only went surfing four times. Ailsa was my only partner and after she and Daniel left, it was pretty much just me and I don't often go board surfing by myself. It's sort of a social thing.

The water temperature was VERY nice the whole time. It was usually in the low 70's, got up to 74 once or twice. A day or two they said it was 68 or 69. But, it felt very comfortable.

Last year the surf was VERY small the whole time. Now I see that as probably a good thing. Sometimes this year I was getting into some trouble. I was especially wary when body surfing. The first week and a half were fine and I didn't have too much problems. I really notice getting winded now. So, I just have to take it easy. The last three days the surf was quite strong and conditions were red flag. The last Thursday I considered going out. But, stood on the shore with my fins looking at the conditions for a while and concluded it wasn't worth it.

The shoreline current that is almost always present in Southern California (and almost always flows north) was very strong. The lifeguards were having a rough day. One group of swimmers got taken out by a rip and the lifeguards went out to help them. Rather than bring them right in they took them further out and then through the pier (even though they were almost 100 yards from the pier to begin with) because it would be safer to help them in after the pier. Even if I had gone out there wasn't much shape to the waves.

Friday conditions were a little better. So, I went out for a try. I figured if I can get to where I want to be and stay in one place against the current using just my fins, I might try a wave or two. I couldn't keep from drifting north and would have had to be stroking with my arms all the time. I didn't want to have to work that hard for what weren't that good of waves.

We had a visit one day from "Teagon" the SCpier cat. He was very nice and has his own Facebook page to deal with his fame. Look at those long forearms.

For a long time I have wanted to do a sort of mass get-together of friends while on vacation in California. I often try to get with Stuart or Chris and Toni Trumbo likes to come see us. I have a lot of friends and acquaintances in California. So, I arranged to use the Lake Road Irvine LDS building. this actually worked out quite well. We didn't have a ton of people come. Mostly it was Orange III ward and Orange Stake friends. But was had a really good time catching up with one another. Toni wants to do it again next year. We'll see. I'm not averse to it.

Since Aunt Joyce passed away, Stuart has been wanting to do a little tribute for Uncle Jay. This was nice to do. He had such a great influence on all of us. It was especially nice that since I had gotten in touch with Reid Pieper and he came to my get together, we were able to let him know about it and have him come as well. Also through my FB contacts we were able to get nice tribute letters from Bruce Nielsen, Gerry Sanders, and Kevin Wilson for Jay.

The old house on Shasta Way. I think that is the Ash tree we transplanted from the Bangert's yard.

Don't Ordain Women

The fundamental flaw of all people like Kate Kelly is that she has not/will not take counsel from the very Church she claims is true and yet she wants to change on a very basic level.

Another Salt Lake City Marathon Bike Tour. Near Disaster Averted.

Some weeks back I asked Jeff Barton if he was game for this ride. We've done it together a couple of times in the past. He didn't seem overly enthusiastic which is understandable considering the cycling deaths of his daughter and Craig Buchi.

I did manage to recruit a FB friend Daniele Reni and also Leana Freebairn. I was hoping to meet up with them at some point.

The ride starts at 6am, so I was planning on awaking at 4:30am. I went to bed at a fairly good time having taken a sleeping pill early enough, which often times means I am going to wake up 8 hours after taking.

Well, I've been having some trouble with my alarm on my phone. I have it set to use my music files as the alarm sound. Some of my music files aren't working correctly. It didn't dawn on me that I was inviting disaster. Lenore woke me up abruptly at 5:40am. I scrambled frantically out of bed and dressed and gathered up my stuff. The bike and almost everything was already in the car. I raced to the UofU and got on my bike and started riding at 6:13.

However, the course was new this year and I was unacquainted with it. I went 1.5 miles and several minutes out of my way until I made my way back to the correct route and threaded my way slowly through the runners who were starting to gather for the marathon.

This was a new course and it was a LOT more turney and climbey than in the past. But, once I got out on the course I felt pretty good about my strength and speed. I had wanted to finish around 1:08. But, that would require my falling in with a fast group and riding with them. They were all long gone. Also they want you finished by 1:45:00 because of the runners then coming through on the course. With my late start the Bike Marshalls I passed (and I passed a lot) probably could have told me to get off the course. (At least the ones near the beginning.)

I'm pretty sure I was the last cyclist to start and I passed a lot of riders. Maybe half of those who were in the event. I came in with a time of 1:15:45 which I feel fine about under the circumstances. I had fun and got to meet Daniele and then also spend several minutes chatting with Leana and catching up with her. I'm not sure I have seen her for about 25 years or more.

Hmmmmm

In light of recent events surrounding the issue of same sex marriage, I would like to make a prediction/suggestion for the Church.

Without admitting defeat or compromise on the issue, I think the Church needs to make a big distinction between civil marriage performed by Bishops and the Temple sealing ceremony. The Church should discontinue allowing Bishops to perform any marriages. In many areas of the World the Temple sealing is completely separate from the Civil ceremony. We need to make it so here in the U.S. as well.

Here is why: before long a same sex couple is going to ask to be “married” by a Bishop. When he refuses, the Church will be sued and eventually found to be discriminating against same sex couples. Unless the Temple sealing is “divorced” from civil “marriage” our rights of Temple worship and ordinances will be in jeopardy. If the move is made by the Church proactively beforehand to distinguish between the two, then I think all our Temple rites will remain protected for some time still. Otherwise, we will lose our tax exempt status (maybe for the best anyway) and may lose some control over how we choose to worship in the Temple. In such case, U.S. Saints may for a time have to travel to foreign Temples to be sealed.

We need to stop calling it a Temple wedding or marriage and call it what it is, a Temple sealing.

Update: 13 Feb reports of rumors that the Church will do away with the one year wait period between civil marriage  and Temple Sealing. This is being seen as a removal of the "penalty." I rather see it as preparing for the above.

Cycling 2013

Among my cycling highlights for 2013 were 4041.99 miles at 19.83 mph average for the whole year. You can read more here.

Christmas 2013

Christmas 2013

The weather has officially changed here in Utah. That must mean Christmas is nearing and I need to write something. I find myself at work often standing up from my desk to stretch. I make my way over to the south facing windows to catch a glimpse of the Sun low in the horizon and gaze out over the permafrost. I imagine the look on my face probably approaches that of a pet-store animal longing for liberty and the warmth of some other clime. It is often during these moments of quiet introspection that I receive inspiration on a new hair comb-over technique I should try.

Lenore's time this year has mostly been consumed with being fabulous. She excels and there's not much left after that. We have the whole Salt Lake Smith family together weekly for dinner. Lenore cooks every other week and does a wonderful job as hostess of these lovely get-togethers. She is still teaching and cleaning and sometimes gets a paycheck.

As a family we have enjoyed a couple of trips to Saint George (to visit grandma and grandpa Lillywhite) and our annual vacation in San Clemente pretending that we are still Californians. When we stop at the Agricultural Inspection checkpoint in Yermo on our way into the Southland, the agents look over our papers with the assiduity of a former Soviet era border guard and examine us and our belongings thoroughly with a steely eye. It is getting increasingly harder to prove we are cool enough to enter. Maybe if we ditch the 18-year old car for something newer and make sure we top off our suntans before vacation.

Earlier in the Spring Ailsa signed with a literary agent. And, once again we have high hopes that she will soon be joining the published set. She is a prodigious writer. So, whoever eventually gets her has a bunch of editing and marketing to look forward to. She is applying to law school for next year. She already thinks she is smarter than the rest of us. Maybe soon she will have proof. Unfortunately she has fallen victim to the malaise of the “X” Generation. Meaning eXcept for our lousy economy she could have a really good job by now. She's working as a barista, and we like to tease her by ordering strange decaf chai lattes and such from her drive-up window... then we don't leave a tip and instead leave a note about how we are religious people and don't approve of her lifestyle.

Jensen is set to graduate from BYU right before Christmas with a major in Theater Arts and a minor in Illustration (what was I saying earlier about a good job?) In reality she has had some great experiences along the way. She has worked with a BAFTA award winner and on a show that was EMMY nominated and also on an animated short that won a student EMMY. We are planning on contacting the world record folks because she will end up with 221 college credits, no kidding. She could have a PhD with that much school attendance. Early in the New Year she plans to begin her missionary service. We REALLY will miss having her around. She comes home often from Provo and always brightens up the home like a flood of sunshine. She belongs to Generation “Y”. “WHY are you still in school?” But, we love having her around.

Laney actually is smarter than the rest of us and would really like us all to just accept that fact and submit humbly and peacefully to her rule. She completely enjoyed daily surfing sessions on our vacation this year. She was quite game even on the gloomy cold mornings. “Kiddo” is Generation Z, as in video game Zombie. She is fully-plugged-in-tuned-out-victim-of-the-blue-pill matricized. We could feel more justified in curbing these extracurricular activities if she weren't otherwise such a good student.

As we move each year through the tedious, the trivial, and the mundane we often find real gems of love and beauty and aspect. They surround us always, although they are usually met with our ignorance and inattention. We take this moment to step back and recognize that we have seen breathtaking views of the heavens and the wonder of the earth. We have been made to reflect on the greatness of those who have lived among us and have slipped our grasp. We believe these experiences are common to man. Thus, you have also seen that sunset during that same time of evening and that same time of year. You have breathed the scent of salt water in the air. You have felt the loss of people great and dear. You have felt the blessing of being His children and heirs to His glory. We hope you feel as abundantly blessed in these events as we do. We don't know what awaits us from God. But, know it is even better than this.

“At the end of things, The Blessed will say, “We have never lived anywhere except in Heaven.” C.S. Lewis

The Lillywhites

Jensen Costume Pictures

Click here.