MAJESTIC

Photos taken on January 27, 2012 when I went up snowboarding last Friday for my Birthday.

Little did I know that  Brighton Ski Resort was also celebrating their 75th  Birthday/Anniversary.

It was fun to celebrate the day together with Balloons, Free Gifts, Music and Fireworks.

"The voice of the Lord is powerful; the voice of the Lord is full of majesty."

Psalms 29: 4

MAJESTY: Greatness of appearance; dignity; grandeur; dignity of aspect or manner;

the quality or state of a person or thing which inspires awe or reverence in the beholder.

There is a ski run up at Brighton call Majestic. Once a skier/snowboarder has learned all the skills necessary to make it down the mountain safely, the skier/snowboarder advances on from the bunny hill to the Majestic chair lift.  We have taught all of our daughters how to ski. Before you teach anyone to ski, you need to make sure they do not have fear. Usually at the very beginning of learning, I tie rope around my daughter's waist, so I can make sure she does not lose control and go to fast down the hill. Once I feel she is ready to go down by herself, I will ski down first and then have her follow me... that way, I am still able to catch her or cushion her fall. After several times of skiing down the bunny hill and the necessary skills are mastered, we head up to the Majestic ski run. Once you have skied down the Majestic Ski Run, you can then call yourself a skier.

THE START DATE IN MORTALITY

photo taken about 43 years ago of yours truly

Everyone in this world shares one thing in common. We all have a "start" date.. or in other words a Birthday. Due to this mortal realm, we all have an "end" date as well. (There are a few exceptions however). Today happens to be the day I recognize my "start date". I plan to go up on the slopes and go snowboarding today.
However, before I take off, I wanted to share something that I  read yesterday in a book I am reading. I found it very interesting.

From the book the Castaways:

"There's a tribe in Africa that counts a child's birthday from the day it first appears as a thought in it's mother's mind. On that day, the woman sits under a tree and quietly listens and waits until she can hear the song of her child. When she has heard the song, she returns to her village and teachs it to the child's father, so that they can sing the song when they are together and make love, inviting the child to join them.

The expectant mother then sings the song to the child in her womb and teaches it to the midwives, who sing it when the child is born. All the villagers learn the child's song as well, so that whenever the child cries or hurts itself, they can pick the child up, hold it in their arms and sing the song. The song is also sung when the young person goes through a rite of passage, when he or she marries, and one last time when he or she is about to die."

Individualized love, conveyed to each child through "their song" from preconception to death strengthens identity, belonging and self-worth. Could implementing a similiar patten "heal" the problems we see in today's youth?

SHARP CONTRASTS: Black and White

photo taken  on January 22, 2012 up Big Cottonwood Canyon

"Because of the increase of wickedness, the love of most will grow cold."

Matthew 24: 12

 HOWEVER...

“Be of good cheer, and do not fear, for I the Lord am with you, and will stand by you;

and ye shall bear record of me, even Jesus Christ, that I am the Son of the living God,

that I was, that I am, and that I am to come.”

D&C 68:6

The righteous way of life stands in SHARP CONTRAST to the ways of the world:

"The gospel offers us not only the prospect of eternal life, but provides us a whole way of life in mortality. Whereas so many in the world see death as the end and the loss of hope, we testify to the reality of the resurrection. Just as immortality and eternal life stand in such sharp contrast to the world’s lack of purpose, so the righteous way of life stands in sharp contrast to the ways of the world. Let us make certain there is oil in our own lamps. Let us live our lives so we can have the gift of the Holy Ghost operating evermore constantly in our lives."

Spencer W Kimball Dec 1977 "A Gift of Gratitude"



PURITY: Whiteness beyond anything earthly.

photo taken of Big Cottonwood River on 1/22/2012 after a long awaited snow stormn this past weekend

Wherefore, my beloved brethren, pray unto the Father with all the energy of heart,

that ye may be filled with this love,

which he hath bestowed upon all who are true followers of his Son, Jesus Christ;

that ye may become the sons of God; that when he shall appear we shall be like him,

for we shall see him as he is; that we may have this hope;

 that we may be purified even as he is pure. Amen.

Moroni 7:48

 Purity:

• Freedom from foreign admixture
• the state of being unsullied by sin or moral wrong,
• containing nothing that does not properly belong.
• unmixed with any other matter

I will write more shortly.

The Second Comforter

a photo painting that I gave my wife and my parents for Christmas 

And I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another Comforter, 

that he may abide with you for ever; Even the Spirit of truth; whom the world cannot receive,

because it seeth him not, neither knoweth him:

but ye know him; for he dwelleth with you, and shall be in you.

I will not leave you comfortless: I will come to you.
John 14: 16-18

Who is this Second Comforter?

Joseph Smith received the answer to this question through revelation.

“Now what is the other comforter? It is no more nor less than the Lord Jesus Christ Himself; and this is the sum and substance of the whole matter; that when any man obtains this last Comforter [the promise of eternal life], he will have the personage of Jesus Christ to attend him, or appear unto him from time to time, and even He will manifest the Father unto him, and they will take up their abode with him, and the visions of the heavens will be opened unto him, and the Lord will teach him face to face. … “

(HC 3:381.) (Quoted in Ivan J. Barrett, “‘He Lives! For We Saw Him’,” Ensign, Aug 1975, 17)

PANORAMIC VISION SHOWN TO NEPHI BY AN ANGEL

The handout for my Sunday School class on Nephi's Vision. (I Nephi chapters 12-14)

“No message appears in scripture more times, in more ways than ‘Ask, and ye shall receive’”

(Conference Report, Oct. 1991).

Nephi applied the invitation to ask for the “things that [his] father had seen, and believing that the Lord was able to make them known” (1 Nephi 11:1). Nephi’s righteous desires were rewarded, for he not only recorded information that was similar to what we have recorded about Lehi’s vision, but he recorded a panoramic vision of this world to the end of time. In putting this handout together I had a greater appreciation for Nephi as a prophet, seer, and revelator. He saw future events. He preached repentance. He revealed truth.

Sidenote: In reading the student Manual for the lesson, I read the following passage that I liked:

President John Taylor spoke of the necessity of going beyond simply being members of the Lord’s Church if we are to be sufficiently worthy to stand before our Father in Heaven: “There is something that goes a little further than we think about sometimes; and that is, while we profess to be followers of the Lord, while we profess to have received the Gospel and to be governed by it, a profession will amount to nothing unless we have washed our robes and made them white in the blood of the Lamb. It is not enough for us to be connected with the Zion of God, for the Zion of God must consist of men that are pure in heart and pure in life and spotless before God, at least that is what we have got to arrive at. We are not there yet, but we must get there before we shall be prepared to inherit glory and exaltation; therefore a form of godliness will amount to but little with any of us. . . . It is not enough for us to embrace the Gospel . . . and be associated with the people of God, attend our meetings and partake of the Sacrament of the Lord’s supper, and endeavor to move along without much blame of any kind attached to us; for notwithstanding all this, if our hearts are not right, if we are not pure in heart before God, if we have not pure hearts and pure consciences, fearing God and keeping His commandments, we shall not, unless we repent, participate in these blessings about which I have spoken, and of which the Prophets bear testimony” (Teachings of Presidents of the Church: John Taylor [2001], 114–15).

COVERING OF DARKNESS

one more photo of the moon taken on  12/10/11 

For, behold, the darkness shall cover the earth, and gross darkness the people:

but the Lord shall arise upon thee, and his glory shall be seen upon thee.

Isaiah 60:2

Some good quotes about losing light and being covered in darkness:
The titles church of the devil and great and abominable church are used to identify all . . . organizations of whatever name or nature—whether political, philosophical, educational, economic, social, fraternal, civic, or religious—which are designed to take men on a course that leads away from God and his laws and thus from salvation in the kingdom of God” (Mormon Doctrine, 2nd ed. [1966], 137–38).

We have good sources for New Testament Christianity of losing light and entering into apostasy; when the lights go out, so to speak, and we hear the muffled sounds of a great struggle. When the lights come on again a hundred or so years later, we find that someone has rearranged all the furniture and Christianity has become something very different from what it was in the beginning” (Stephen E. Robinson, “Warring against the Saints of God,” Ensign, Jan. 1988, 38–39).

EARLY MORNING WONDER IN THE SKY

photo taken along Fashion Boulevard on Monday January 9, 2012

The moon on my first day of school.

"A wise man will hear, and will increase learning;

and a man of understanding shall attain unto wise counsels."

Proverbs 1:5

To make a long story short, I have felt prompted to take a few college classes. To fit the classes around my work schedule and family responsibilities, I go to work early in the morning and late at night. So needless to say, I have many opportunities to see the moon. Because of my lunar obsession and lack of shaving, my wife thinks I might be part werewolf. :) 

I am taking four very interesting classes.  Pathology, Microbiology, Grief Counseling, and a Microbiology Lab.  For those who are not familiar with pathology, it is the study and diagnosis of disease. The word pathology is from ancient greek, Pathos meaning "feeling, suffering," and logia meaning " the study of".

Going back to school later in life is not easy but I have felt this is something I am suppose to do, it is important for some reason. My perspective is different now that I am older  and see symbolism in everything I am learning. I am not sure I would have learned/discovered these things as a 20's something returned missionary.

Grateful for the support that I have received from my family and friends.

THE WANING OF THE MOON

photo taken last night of the moon rising over Mount Olympus on 01/11/12.

 WANING: To decrease gradually in size, amount, intensity, or degree. To approach an end.

The reflective light we see from moon is constantly changing. It is either increasing or decreasing. Waxing or Waning. Just like the moon's light, we too are either gaining more light/knowledge in our life, or losing more light.  

I like this scripture found in John 3: 30. John talking about the Savior and His mission states, "He must increase, but I must decrease." John was a humble man. He never sought to make a big name for himself, he had followers but led them all to the One True Source. He knew who to look for salvation, and pointed out to others that his role must decrease while the Lord's role must increase. It was a time of "waning" for John and a "waxing" for Christ.

A PATRIARCH: FATHER OF A FAMILY

photo taken of my daughter Eden in my hands

 "..their father spake unto them, and blessed them;

every one according to his blessing he blessed them/"

Genesis 49:28

A priesthood blessing is sacred. It can be a holy and inspired statement of our wants and needs. If we are in tune spiritually, we can receive a confirming witness of the truth of the promised blessings. Priesthood blessings can help us in the small and great decisions of our lives. If, through our priesthood blessings, we could perceive only a small part of the person God intends us to be, we would lose our fear and never doubt again.

Elder John A. Widtsoe stated, “Every father, having children born to him under the covenant, is to them as a patriarch, and he has the right to bless his posterity in the authority of the Priesthood which he holds.”

A few months ago I blessed our baby daughter Eden. At the beginning of every school year, I give a blesssing to each of my daughters. I started school today, and received a blessing from my Dad last night. What a privilege it is to give a blessing, and what a comfort it is to recieve one.

......

Sidenote:

Today is the Birthday of the last sustained Patriarch of the Church, Eldred G. Smith. Born on January 9, 1907, He is now 105 years old. He is the oldest-lived General Authority in the history of the Church. Last year in 2011, he surpassed David O. McKay as the longest-serving general authority in LDS Church history. He deserves more attention than he recieves. Just the fact of his age, he should be given some attention. He is the great great grandson of Hyrum Smith, Joseph Smith's brother. The Church as undergone tremendous changes since Joseph Smith, including the gradual dissolving of the office of Patriarch of the Church. The Patriarch of the Church was used to ordain the President of the Church using the hereditary priesthood line running back to Joseph and Hyrum.

INSPIRATIONAL STORY

I normally don't post things other than original photographs.. but I thought this was very inspirational especially following up on my last post with my daughter's experience in ice skating. If you watch this to the end, it sure will make you appreciate all of your blessings. 

TRYING SOMETHING NEW

photo of Sarah's first time Ice Skating taken on December 28, 2011

"Arise; ... be of good courage, and do it."

Ezra 10:4

It sounds crazy to attach a sharp thin blade to the bottom of your feet and then then try to stand up on a sheet of ice. Not only do you have to worry about falling on your head, but you run the risk of cutting yourself with a razor sharp blade... Yet we do this for fun and enjoyment. Common sense would tell you to not attempt it because you could get hurt. We are told to avoid things in our lives that potentially could harm us. If we only wear rubber shoes and walk on stable ground we will never know what it feels like to glide on ice.. one of the closest things that humans have to flying.    

AT THE APPOINTED HOUR

photo taken on New Year's Eve with my two daughters

"Is any thing too hard for the Lord? At the time appointed I will return unto thee,"

Genesis 18:14

Last night my wife and I spent New Years Eve with our three youngest daughters. Our oldest daugther was with her friends at a party. This was the first time that we stayed home on New Years Eve, since we usually go out to dinner with friends and neighbors. To make the night fun for our girls, my wife had the idea to put treats and games in separate bags that the girls could open up at the "appointed" hour... 7, 8, 9 o'clock up until 12:00 midnight. With anticipation, my daugthers looked forward to the next hour so they could see what was inside the bag. However, around 11:30 they both fell asleep. Approaching the most important hour when a new year would be ushered in, they were not awake... even thought they were faithful up to that point and  they were determined to not fall asleep before midnight. Many parables from the scriptures came to mind. We woke them up just minutes before the "ball fell in Times Square".

Sidenote: 2012 could be an interesting year. Alot of speculation and different theories is out in cyberspace with the whole end to the Mayan calendar. Just something interesting ... the number 12 is a symbolic number... among other things.. 12 is the last number we use on our clocks before we start over again with one.  Adding 2012 together equals 5, which is also a very important number.

Here is an interesting scripture:

"The Lord of that servant will come in a day he looketh not for, and at an hour when he is not aware, and will cut him down, and will appoint him his portion with the unbelievers."

Luke 12: 46

2011: YEAR IN REVIEW

2011 has been quite a year for our family. This is the 13th year that I have put together a family video which I give as a gift to my wife. I posted it up on youtube since it was an easy way to share with other family members to see. Here is the link.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3BEsuh4dOlM&feature=channel_video_title

MERRY CHRISTMAS

photo taken on December 22nd , 2011(Winter Solstice)

May your day be filled with the Light of Christ.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, JOSEPH SMITH

photo taken last night on the Winter Solstice of the Christmas light on Temple Square.

Joseph Smith, the Prophet and Seer of the Lord, has done more, save Jesus only,

for the salvation of men in this world, than any other man that ever lived in it.

 Doctrine and Covenants 135: 3

Today is Joseph Smith's Birthday. Interesting that his birth is on the Winter Solstice marking the beginning when more light starts to break forth after the day of most darkness. We would do well if we studied more in the "Teachings of the Prophet Joseph Smith" and "The Words of Joseph Smith."  

Winter Solstice Sunset

photo taken on top of Ensign Peak as the sun was setting just before 5:00 PM on 12/22/11

 A  BEAUTIFUL CLEAR BLUE SKY DAY!

Yesterday was the shortest day of the year... longest night as well. The sun rose about 8:00 AM and set about 5:00 PM.. only 9 hours of sunlight compared to 15 hours without sun. Starting today, we now begin to get about one more minute of sunlight until the Summer Solstice.  

The Salt Lake Valley usually has along of pollution and smog during the winter from the inversion making it difficult to see the blue sky and the sun. Fortunately a storm passed through clearing out all of the bad air.

WINTER SOLSTICE: Darkest Day of the Year

photo taken of snow/ice on the side of a road taken on the day of the lunar eclipse

I will write more shortly

Miracle of Lights

photo taken on a "movie set" of the doors leading to the Holy Temple in Jerusalem in October 2011

Above is a photo taken of a reconstructed "Jerusalem" movie set. It is being used to create short videos depicting areas of the Temple and other sacred locations at the time of Christ.

I posted this photo because today is important day for over 13 million people in the world or roughly 0.2% of the total world population. The Jews.   I find it interesting that it is about the same number of members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints.  

Today is Hanukkah. or also known as "Miracle of Lights" or "Festival Of Lights" (It actually began last night at sundown when the first candle of the memorah is lit._  

Many do not know what Hanukkah is.. including me. So I did a little research.

The word "Hanukkah," which means dedication, refers to the rededication of the Holy Temple, (the same temple that existed at the time of Christ)  at which time the menorah was lit. According to the ancient story, when the Jews re-dedicated the Holy Temple, there was very little oil remaining to light the Temple menorah (or candelabra) -- as the bulk of the lamp oil had been polluted. But the oil that was only enough for one day, miraculously lasted eight days. This is considered to be the origin of the eight-day celebration of Hanukkah.

It is somewhat ironic that Hanukah is the most widely known Jewish holiday, despite the fact that it is a minor holiday. Hanukkah is not described in scripture, and it does not have the religious significance of Passover, Sukkot, Shavuot, Rosh Hashana or Yom Kippur. Still, the celebration of Hanukkah, the history behind its traditions, and the symbolism of the miracle of the oil lasting seven days longer.. a miracle.

WHITE TAILED DEER

PEACE IN THE CHAOS

photo taken of a billboard at the mouth of Big Cottonwood Canyon

"Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth,

give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid."

John 14:27

While Christmas time should be a time of peace... it usually is the busiest time of year for me. I don't think I am alone when I say that instead of peace and calm.. I feel overwhelmed. This billboard has an important message.. despite the chaos all around us.. may we all find peace.

I read this quote today that I really liked that I wanted to share:

We need to realize that spiritual enlightenment is not something which you are going to achieve or accomplish. You are not going to attain earn or acquire spiritual blessings. You will receive them -if you receive them at all- by being open to Gods gifts. He gives freely. But unless we are quiet enough, open enough, and prayerful enough to be apart, to be alone, to be in solemn, careful and ponderous thought, we will never receive what is freely given to all.

MOON OVER SALT LAKE CITY

photo taken this morning at 7:00 AM of the lunar eclipse

"But, behold, I say unto you that before this great day shall come the sun shall be darkened,
and the moon shall be turned into blood, and the stars shall fall from heaven,
and there shall be greater signs in heaven above and in the earth beneath;
Doctrine and Covenants 29:14

POSTERITY AND OUR WORDS

photo of WWI memorial site at Memory Grove that I went to on Veterans Day.

"There is no permanency to men's lives, nor to the work of men's hands. there are only two things which will endure with any permanency: posterity and our words. Words endure: buildings, even temples, do not. The closer the words are to the will of God, the more likely they are to endure. Revelations are the most enduring of all. But all expressions of faith and hope endure long beyond words of opposition, faithlessness, and anger.

Get yourself in harmony with God, call upon Him and record His voice to you and you will leave something eternal behind for your posterity. the record of your own testimony, and your posterity, will alone endure. It is one of the reasons for the inspired instruction from our leaders to "keep a journal" of our lives.

"Get a notebook, a journal that will last through all time, and maybe the angels may quote from it for eternity. Begin today and write in it your goings and comings, your deepest thoughts, your achievements and your failures, your associations and your triumphs, your impressions and your testimonies. Remember, the Savior chastised those who failed to record important events." Spencer W Kimball

excerpts from Nephi's Isaiah.

photo of the above memorial with one of the names Royal Christenson

THE LIVING VINE

 photo taken near Memory Grove on December 5, 2011

Note: the middle leaf  is shaped like a heart with 5 main veins from the center stem.

Christ uses the example of a living "vine" or branch or description of His Father as a husbandman to suggest you should have a living connection to God. A living connection implies you are in contact with Him. You hear from and listen to Him. He is a part of you and an active part of your life and growth.

How each of us received contact with God, how we hear His voice, and what gifts we possess are unique. There is no single, universal way for one to "hear His voice and know that He is". And so it is a mistake to ignore your own unique talent for "hearing" your Father in Heaven. He did not send you here powerless to hear Him. But it will require you to develop the capacity. Relying merely upon your "feeling" or "emotions" alone is insufficient; you must learn to hear His voice.

UNIQUE COMMUNICATION

photo taken while laying on my back looking at the "heaven's above"

"And they shall see signs and wonders,

for they shall be shown forth in the heavens above,

and in the earth beneath."

Doctrine and Covenants 45:40

"We are unique, and Gods' ways of speaking to each of us is as unique as each of us. We do ourselves a great disservice when we attempt to fit ourselves into a singular, sterotypical persona seeking only a singular way for God to talk with and to us. We make ourselves into something we aren't, in search to find what cannot be found that way. If we demand only the extraordinary before we will recognize His voice, we run the risk of looking in the wrong way for Him. His voice is there. He speaks to all of us. But we can miss it if we are not attuned to listen.

You may never be able to hear God speak to you in the way in which others hear Him. If you determine He must speak to you in a specific way, and not in any other way, you can go a lifetime without ever having a conversation with Him. He longs to speak with each of us. Within each o fus there is something uniquely attuned to Him. How He reaches out to you may be as singular and unique as you are and you can be assured He is reaching out. In fact, God is rather noisy, if you will allow Him to be.

We were never intended to live without a direct connection to Him. Instead, we should hear His voice, and n time discover He is our "friend."

quotes taken from the book... "Nephi's Isaiah"

ONENESS... not SAMENESS

photo taken of Silver Lake on October 9, 2011 near Brighton Ski Resort.

"I am Jesus Christ, the Son of God, who was crucified for the sins of the world,

even as many as will believe on my name, that they may become the sons of God,

even one in me as I am one in the Father, as the Father is one in me, that we may be one."

Doctrine & Covenants 35:2

We need to forget conforming to an imaginery pattern, and allow the unique gifts each of us have been given to mature. Becoming "one" does not require us to become "the same". there is a great difference between the "oneness" God asks us to acquire, on the one hand, and uniformity on the other.

Find out what God want YOU to be. Be that. It is "one of a kind". It will make you free.

CONFIRMATION OF EXISTING FAITH

"And Gideon said unto God, If thou wilt save Israel by mine hand, as thou hast said, Behold, I will put a fleece of wool in the floor; and if the dew be on the fleece only, and it be dry upon all the earth beside, then shall I know that thou wilt save Israel by mine hand, as thou hast said. And it was so: for he rose up early on the morrow, and thrust the fleece together, and wringed the dew out of the fleece, a bowl full of water. And Gideon said unto God, Let not thine anger be hot against me, and I will speak but this once: let me prove, I pray thee, but this once with the fleece; let it now be dry only upon the fleece, and upon all the ground let there be dew. And God did so that night: for it was dry upon the fleece only, and there was dew on all the ground."

The sign was not to produce faith, but was to confirm already existing faith. He used the morning dew, and a sheepskin to confirm God's will for him.  Perfectly ordinary objects (sheepskin, ground, morning dew) get arranged in a way which allows Gideon to confirm the accuracy of his understanding of God's communication with him. This is not "emotion" or a "feeling". It is drawing God's communication into the physical world and seeing Him speaking there.

ORDINARY CONTAINS THE EXTRAORDINARY

photo taken from my office window yesterday of the sun trying to break through the clouds.

You must see the extraordinary in the ordinary before the truly extraordinary opens up to you. You must have faith before you are shown signs.

"But, behold, faith cometh not by signs, but signs follow those that believe."

D&C 63:9

ALL CREATURES GREAT AND SMALL

photo taken tonight at the Birthday Party for our dog, Patch

"And the Lord was with us; and we did prosper exceedingly;
for we did sow seed, and we did reap again in abundance.

And we began to raise flocks, and herds, and animals of every kind"

2 Nephi 5:11

Tonight, my daughters threw a birthday party for our dog, Patch. He turned 2 today. The invited guests were our two other pets... our goldfish named Jaws and our guinea pig named Squeekers. It is the only day of the year that they are allowed to eat on the kitchen table. While having pets is alot of work... they can bring much to my daughters. Sometimes, it is only our pets  and not us as parents that can console them after they have had a hard day at school.

AWAKE AND ARISE

photo of my daughters balloon ride.

(A Christmas gift from Grandma and Grandpa.)

We consider that God has created man with a mind capable of instruction, and a faculty which may be enlarged in proportion to the heed and diligence given to the light communicated from heaven to the intellect;

and that the nearer man approaches perfection, the clearer are his views, and the greater his enjoyments,

till he has overcome the evils of his life and lost every desire for sin; and like the ancients, arrives at that point of faith where he is wrapped in the power and glory of his Maker and is caught up to dwell with Him. But we consider that this is a station to which no man ever arrived in a moment: he must have been instructed in the government and laws of that kingdom by proper degrees, until his mind is capable in some measure of comprehending the propriety, justice, equality, and consistency of the same.

Teachings of the Prophet Joseph Smith, p. 51

VIEW FROM ABOVE

photo taken from my daughters hot air balloon ride. on 10.01.2011

write more shortly

One Moment in Time: 11:11:11 on 11/11/11

ARMISTICE DAY: The Day of Remembrance

I decided to leave for an early lunch today. I left right around 11:00. I took the elevator down and the doors opened up on the 1st floor just at the precise time for me to see out the glass door the crosswalk countdown displaying the digital number 11. Synchronicity.

Thinking I would hike Ensign Peak, I instead decided to park my car and take a walk through Memory Grove. I found myself right in front of the World War Memorial at precisely 11:11:11. This is an important today.  It is called Armistice Day (or Veterans Day, as we call it in the U.S.), marking the end of World War I, when Germany and the Allied nations called for resolution on the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month. In many parts of the world, people take a moment of silence as a sign of respect for the 20 million people who died in the war. The plaque that I was reading was written on November 11th. Lots of number of 11's.

At that exact moment in Time.. I felt I was at the right place at the right time.

I looked at all the names of those who died from Utah form 1914-1918. Only one with the last name Christenson. His name was Royal. Interesting name. I need to do some geneology research with the help of my dad.
..................................................

Sidenotes:
In terms of astrology, we are currently transitioning into the 11th sign of the zodiac—the age of the Aquarius. ( I happen to be an Aquarius myself)  We are entering a time described as progressive and intuitive, a time ruled by technology, humanitarianism, philanthropy, nonconformity and idealism.


You may have to be a mathematician to get excited by the numerical tricks that 11—which is the sixth prime number—can perform: When multiplied by itself, the number 11 equals a palindrome every time—from 11 x 11 (which equals 121) to 1,111,111 x 1,111,111 (which equals a pleasing 1,234,567,654,321) and beyond. Not to mention that eleven is a very desirable hand in Blackjack, causing players to double down and increase their potential winnings.
…………………………..

APPROACHING SEASON OF WINTER

photo taken up Big Cottonwood Canyon on October 9, 2011

I am trying to learn more about how to add things to this blog. Currently figuring out how to upload music. This is some work in progress.  This is a song that I recently heard that I really liked.

 It is by Brandon Heath entitled "Your Love"

“Wherefore, I now send upon you another Comforter, even upon you my friends, that it may abide in your hearts, even the Holy Spirit of promise; which other Comforter is the same that I promised unto my disciples, as is recorded in the testimony of John. This Comforter is the promise which I give unto you of eternal life, even the glory of the celestial kingdom; Which glory is that of the church of the Firstborn, even of God, the holiest of all, through Jesus Christ his Son”

D&C 88: 3-5

Christ is the Second Comforter. We don't talk much about this in church. The hope of seeing Christ face-to-face, of Him ministering to you personally, and of eventually receiving a promise from Him of eternal life in the celestial kingdom, is supposed to be the ultimate goal and aspiration of every true follower of Christ. That promise from Him of receiving your calling and election is something we don't talk much about either. However, you can read alot about it what Joseph Smith taught in the book, Teachings of the Prophet Joseph Smith and/or The Words of Joseph Smith. Either one of those books would be great study manuals for the Priesthood and Relief Society next year.    

I read this quote today that I thought was interesting: 

"When a people collectively downgrades its expectation regarding the necessity of heavenly interaction during mortality, and adopts instead a religion with decreased expectations based on ordinances controlled by man, apostasy sets in and destruction, both spiritual and physical, appears on the horizon. The true standard, to which the Gentiles specifically are supposed to seek, appears to be the only expectation lofty enough to generate the faith required to overcome the world and to prepare for His second coming."

THE SYMBOL OF THE ROSE

photo taken of the roses I gave my wife after childbirth

I will write more, but in the meantime.. please click the following link and watch this.. 

http://vimeo.com/27920977

There is so much symbolism in the watching the flower "open" up to its' full beauty and potential. Amazing.

I really like the song too. It is violin music. I just recently learned that the violin is the one instrument that resembles the vibrations/sound of the human voice.

WHITE AS SNOW: Baptism and Blessing.

taken after my daughter Sarah's baptism and confirmation and

my daughter Eden's baby blessing on November 5, 2011

This morning, we woke up to a white world. It snowed. First snowstorm of the winter where the Salt Lake Valley received several inches on the valley floor. It was symbolic. Today I baptized my daughter Sarah, and also blessed our new born baby, Eden. The number Eight is very symbolic. It is the age that we baptize. Eight symbolizes Rebirth. Seven days of the week.. the 8th day start anew. It was interesting that there were 8 people who were baptizes along with Sarah today.

I really like the above photo my two daughter dressed in white… especially to see the image of the Savior in the background. The picture of my family against the backdrop of the white snow on the red dogwood shrub is also so symbolic. The shrub is related to the dogwood tree – The leaves of a dogwood tree turn bright red in the fall. The dogwood legend says that these red leaves symbolize the blood spilled at Calvary. The leaves turn red in response to the changing season, like many deciduous trees, but the Christian symbolism of the dogwood tree turns the red of the leaves into a remembrance of innocent blood.

HAPPY 8TH BIRTHDAY, SARAH!

Today is my daughter Sarah's Birthday. Born on November 3, 2003.

Daddy Loves you.

CHIASTIC DATE: 11.02.2011

 A new book cover design for my friend, Avraham Gileadi 

"My name is Jehovah, and I know the end from the beginning;

therefore my hand shall be over thee."

Abraham 2: 8 

A new friend of mine commented yesterday on my post that today was 11/02/2011... or 11022011. You can read those numbers from the end to the beginning and it would be the same. It is a chiastic structure. Just like the title of  this book by Avraham Gileadi, The End from the Beginning.  Normally we would say... the Beginning to the End. I have learned alot recently how history repeats itself. What will happen has happened before. We would do well to read and understand history, learn from the past to best prepare for the future... Or better yet, we can read the scriptures, especially Isaiah and the Book of Mormon prophets, who saw the future and has written about it in the past for us to read today.

11.1.11 ......SYMBOLISM OF ONE

Today is 11.1.11

The number One reflects new beginnings, and purity, so I thought is was appropriate to post this picture of Sarah who will be baptized this week. My daughter Sarah's birthday is in two days.. on 11.3.11. She will be turning eight. She will be baptized on 11.5.11 on the same day that her baby sister, Eden, will be blessed.

WORLD POPULATION: 7 BILLION

photo taken of our baby Eden at her first bath at home on October 20, 2011

.

Even before they were born, they, with many others, received their first lessons in the world of spirits and were  prepared to come forth in the due time of the Lord to labor in his vineyard for the salvation of the souls of men."

Doctrine and Covenants 138: 55

A REMAKE and MAKING MEMORIES:

photos taken on our Daddy/Daughter Date on Friday, October 28, 2011

 This past weekend, I went on a daddy/daughter date with oldest daughter, Jessica. We went to a movie (only people in the theatre besides two other people.).It was a remake of a movie that I remember seeing when I was about her age. WOW... interesting to see how in a few years more profanity and provocative things have been put in our entertainment.

I will write more shortly.

EQUAL TIME..QUALITY TIME: Daddy Daughter Date

photos taken on our Daddy/Daughter date on October 21, 2011

equal: Having the same value, degree, being in just proportion

quality: Superiority of kind, Having a high degree of excellence

Both of these word have the root "qual"...meaning "degree of goodness". Lately much emphasis has been placed on the new arrival of our baby daughter, Eden. It is important that my other daughters recieve EQUAL.. and QUALITY time as well from their dad.  Since I have taken some time off of work to be home with our baby, I also took each of my older daughters out on a one-one daddy/daughter date . My daughter Brooke and I spent the day golfing (her idea :)) and then she wanted me to take her shopping. We had a great time. She played all 9 holes, drove the cart the entire time and did really well. I was proud of her. She is alot of fun to be with. I love her. She looks so much like my wife.

TRANQUILITY

photo taken today of Little Cottonwood Creek in Murray Park on October 25, 2011

 Tranquility: the state of being tranquil; calmness; serenity.

I went for a walk today. I have enjoyed this fall season... I am surprised that there are still alot of green leaves on the trees even though it is almost November. The weather has seemed different this year.

Having our newest daughter Eden has been such a blessing. Since she is still sleeping alot, our home has been very peaceful.  You wouldn't normally think having a new born baby would bring calmness and serenity to our life. Well for now, it has... Tranquility is a rare commodity these days. We will enjoy it as long as we can.

Tonight I was called to give a blessing to a friend who was rushed into the ER. He had cut his cornea in his eye. After the blessing all of us in the room felt peace..we felt tranquil that everything will be find. So grateful to feel peace in a world of chaos and uncertainty.

EDEN REBEKAH CHRISTENSON

photo taken of our new baby on October 22, 2011

"And Adam and Eve, his wife, called upon the name of the Lord,

and they heard the voice of the Lord from the way toward the Garden of Eden,

speaking unto them..."

Moses 5:4

THE PROCESS OF NAMING A CHILD

photo taken in the hospital after our baby was born on October 16, 2010

write more shortly