Today has been a rather wonderful day. Not a whole lot was done in the way of productivity, but that is fine. I suppose the most notable thing that happened today was going to a friend's house to go swimming, which was miraculous in this heat. The rest of the day was reading some more of East of Eden and writing a bit more for Sunshine Farm, playing Wii with the brothers, watering the plants with the youngest brother, and taking a half of a nap.

I don't remember having a day like this in a while - or perhaps I haven't looked around enough to see them. I'll enjoy these while I still have them.

Today was such a fabulous day! The weather was perfect for anything to be done outside. There was a breeze that cooled you down and it was sunny with clear skies.
I also heard from a great friend today - quite unexpectedly. I thought that they had lost my number, but I got a text right as I was preparing my hair to go out to the wedding today. I didn't get much of a conversation due to time I suppose, but it was very nice to hear from them.
The wedding was nice that I went to today. She wore a silver silk gown and he wore a grey top. The ladies were dressed in a coco color and the men matched the groom. The ceremony was simple and lasted only a few minutes. It was followed by a concert by the Planet-tones. (A big name band with the guy who started Stealy Dan(sp)) Then DJ dances and cake. My mother actually caught the bouquet but handed it to another girl who's bf was there with her.
That's it for now. I'm off to download the pics and see how I did.

I just woke up from an entirely-unplanned and impromptu nap on my beautiful Aeron chair. My neck has an indented crick in it, but the body and mind are rested – better, indeed, than they would feel had I indulged in a real nap on some bed or couch somewhere.

Today's goal:

2 Nephi 2

2 Nephi 3

* * *
MEN ARE THAT THEY MIGHT HAVE JOY. It is funny how powerful this idea can be; I have used this thought to answer some situations of complaint and lament lately, and continually find that the reminder to myself that I am here to experience joy is a powerful tool to convert my murmuring to a perspective of gratitude. It is amazing how happy we can be when we do not listen to the voices that tell us that we have reason to be unhappy – and instead listen to the Spirit that reminds us that there is a lot in our life that could make us feel happy indeed, if we allowed it to.

Two Game 6s tonight. Both have a No. 1 seed up 3-2 on a No. 4. None of the teams have won a road game yet.

For some reason, I get the sense that one of these series is going to end tonight. But which one? Does a schizophrenic Celtics team have the guts to win on the road, or do we bet against the rock-solid-at-home Jazz?

Another day at the office. I spent the entire time gathering Material Safety Data Sheets and organizing them together. Tomorrow will probably be more of the same, which is neither good nor bad. It just is for the moment.

Tonight gatorbuoy and I are at the D.'s house, watching over everything so they could go to a wedding. Buoy and I ended up playing Guitar Hero for a little while, which was a lot of fun. It was nice to spend some time with just him; I suspect that these chances will become fewer as the weeks pass by. Hopefully I'll be able to just make the best of it.

Last night, we met with the bishopric of P2 in preparation for their upcoming ward conference. For the first few minutes, President H. seemed very preoccupied about the fact that Dave G. had two very taxing callings: ward clerk and ward mission leader. President H. kept emphasizing that we did not want to wear Dave out, and continually suggested that a new ward clerk be called. Finally, Bro. G. answered, "I have multiple personality disorder, and this just keeps us all busy."

* * *
Whenever I hear myself complaining that my testimony is faltering, I should ask myself: Have I been doing the work to replenish it?

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Today's goal:

2 Nephi 1

* * *
I have had only a few opportunities to converse with individuals who were in the last few hours or days of their life. Not surprisingly, they are as concerned about the welfare of their posterity as they are about their own eternal destiny – maybe more so. Their words are always worth listening to, and pondering.

The fabulocity of today's splediferousness has been overwhelmingly wondermous.


I like it when the sun is shining.

China quake death toll could hit 50,000

( the article from YAHOO )

Today was quite a nice day. I started back at work and got quite a bit done, which was nice.

I have recently started rereading East of Eden once again, and I am finding even more than last time that it is a wonderfully engaging novel. I may not have enjoyed all of the things I read in high school, but I am glad I had the opportunity to read that, at least.

Mom and I started watching Becoming Jane. I am holding my opinion until the we finish it - although I will say I have found quite a few parallels to that movie and the most recent version of Pride and Prejudice, which I love.

I have a couple of house-sitting jobs set up for the week. We already have permission to use one of the family's pools, which will be an absolute lifesaver - it has already one day of heat, and I need somewhere to be able to cool down.

It is just too hot and steamy to even think about something worth writing tonight.

Sorry.

Today's goal:

1 Nephi 21

1 Nephi 22

I have always tended to think about the promises that the Lord has made to the House of Israel in terms of how they will impact those who are of Scattered Israel. But now that I think about it, these same promises of deliverance and protection are extended to me as well – to be manifest in very different ways, perhaps, but still are part of the covenant that the Lord has made with me as well.

A steaming, toasty day, with correspondingly tired results.

* * *
I headed for the chapel this evening, still weighed down by exhaustion and complaints, and wondering if it was OK for me to claim a night off. Something asked me, What makes you do what you do here in this calling...? and while I pondered this, the thought came to me, Steve, you are better off just reacting immediately with obedience instead of thinking about it. Every time you think, you make it harder for yourself to do the right thing.

* * *
I could have predicted the result: a busy evening interviewing a brother from one of the Spanish branches to receive the Melchizedek Priesthood, a PPI with his branch president, a quick touch-and-go with the Stake Youth Committee and a brief chat with a counselor in one of the bishoprics of our stake – and finally, two fine temple recommend interviews with friends who I admire deeply.

I came home feeling eminently productive, useful to the Lord, purposeful and sheepish that I had considered playing hooky.

Today's goal:

1 Nephi 19

1 Nephi 20

* * *
The more that I ponder the Book of Mormon, the more convinced I am that God has foreseen my specific presence on the Earth, and has prepared for my needs here in mortality.

Well, I'm back.

The work trip involved on the trip was actually relatively low-key. It only took me a little bit of time to get the information I needed. The truck we actually came for wasn't ready for service, so the main purpose of the trip was frustrated - but at least I got the information I needed, so hopefully I won't need to come back again for that purpose, at least.

My boss still made me drive back home for most of the way, and I had to go through San Francisco. Needless to say, that was the most anxious part of the trip - but I managed to not get the truck in any car wreck along the way. Whew.

Tonight we went to the Bug's Open House at his school and saw many friends, including my old kindergarten teacher (it still blows my mind that it has been that long since I was in that grade, and yet we still keep in touch with each other). Then we came home and relaxed, which was nice - we never seem to do that enough.