In the short run...

Bethany Home Road

2011-02-17T23:21:00.000-08:00

On our recent visits to Tamara and Jack, I was curious about the history behind some of the interesting street names, including Bethany Home Road. Their ward bears the same name. I finally took some time to look into it.

The Bethany Home Road led to the Bethany Home near what is now 15th Avenue. The home was a tuberculosis sanitarium operated by a religious organization in the early 1900's.

We learn from the Bible Dictionary and the Guide to the Scriptures that Bethany is the village in which Jesus Christ stayed during the last week of his mortal life (Matthew 21:17; Mark 11:11). It is located two miles from Jerusalem, on the southeast slope of Mount Olivet–the home of Lazarus, Mary, and Martha (John 11:1–46; 12:1).

Here is a link to information about the origin of other Phoenix area street names: Name That Street

Another Take on Fairness

2010-05-29T06:15:00.000-07:00

My daughter Jocelyn sent the following to me via Google Reader:

This comic made me think of your wisdom...if it's not fair, it's not over.

Joanne and I are attending the funeral of Maxine Winsor today...a long-time friend and servant of the Lord. I remember her teaching our Sunday School class when I was a boy of twelve, or so. She shared her fervent testimony of the restored gospel and of our Savior Jesus Christ.

Each of us have our own set of circumstances as we progress through this mortal experience, including blessings and adversity.

I am thankful for our Savior's Atonement and the fairness it brings...all things are made right in the Lord.

Goals for the New Year

2009-12-30T22:42:00.000-08:00

Here is a link to a post that might be helpful as you think about goals for the new year: More Tips about Making and Keeping New Year's Resolutions Than You Could Want.

"[O]ne thing I’ve learned from my happiness project: keeping resolutions is a key to happiness. If you want to make a positive change in your life, you need to figure out what to resolve, and how to keep that resolution."

I have been reading this blog for about nine months and have found it insightful...in fact, I just picked up a copy the author's new book.

As thy days may demand...so thy succor shall be

2009-07-21T06:18:00.000-07:00

We just said goodbye to our daughter Jocelyn as she heads out on the first leg of her move to Washington D. C. As she drove off, I couldn't help but feel sad that she is moving so far away from home, but I know the Lord will be with her.

All morning as we helped with the last of loading her car, I had strains of How Firm a Foundation running through my head. I'll strengthen thee, help thee and cause thee to stand...As thy days may demand, so thy succor shall be. Whatever comes her way, she will be strengthened. Whatever she is in need of, she will be helped with. I am so pleased with the changes that Jocelyn has made in her life over the last year. I am thankful for the tender mercies of the Lord.

What a Find!

2009-05-24T19:00:00.000-07:00

We spent much of yesterday rearranging things in the garage...a task that we have been putting off far too long. In one of the boxes we sorted through, we found these photos that had been in ornaments that used to hang on Grandma's Christmas tree. What a precious family!

The Happiness Project

2009-05-19T07:00:00.000-07:00

I ran across a blog who's author shares interesting insights into being happy. I thought that today's post was worth sharing: Life’s Cruel Truth: You Get More of What You Already Have. ...especially with its references to fairness.

Race over

2009-05-09T10:29:00.001-07:00

Jocelyn finished in about 2:40 Congratulations!

No swim today

2009-05-09T07:08:00.001-07:00

Andrea and I are here in St. George to watch Jocelyn race in the tri. Due to high winds today's race is run, bike, run. We're having a great time, but we are a little cold.

Beautiful Music

2009-04-26T21:07:00.000-07:00

I record the Sunday morning broadcast of the Mormon Tabernacle Choir's Music and the Spoken Word so that after we get home from church and have had our family dinner, I can listen to that morning's broadcast. My kids know that often when I say "I am going to listen to the Tabernacle Choir", this is code for "I am going to take a nap". But today was different. For one reason or another, today when I went to listen to the choir, there were four broadcasts in my DVR queue. Although I wasn't especially moved by today's program, the prior three weeks' programs were fantastic! These included the broadcast before the Sunday morning session of general conference and the broadcast from Easter Sunday. What an uplifting treat. I ended up listening to each one a second time and last week's a third time--a total of four hours. One of my favorites was His Voice as the Sound, American folk hymn; arr. Mack Wilburg.

There is something powerful in beautiful music. I was lifted and inspired. I could not bring myself to delete these...I'm sure I'll listen again.

Robertson Family Irish Dancers

2009-03-13T21:13:00.001-07:00

I caught wind of an encore performance of an exciting group...I think they were elves last time I saw them.

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Bed Testing

2009-03-12T21:44:00.000-07:00

I always thought it would be good to get a night job testing beds. It just seemed like a good way to get a little extra cash while doing something meaningful. On the way home Saturday night, I passed the Adult Ed center and thought I saw a sign offering the appropriate training...

What is fair?

2009-03-01T15:41:00.000-08:00

In the process of raising five children--at home, in the workplace, at church and in the world--I have heard the occasional protest that something is not fair! I have come to realize that fairness is a matter of perspective. What seems fair to one group may not be to another. In fact, as we try to make things fair for everyone, we are bound to exclude someone.

I want everyone to be happy. So, somewhere along the way, I came up with the following response:

In the short run, nothing is fair. In the long run, everything is fair.

Think about it.

It helps to have faith in a higher power. I believe in a Savior who took upon himself not only all the sins of the world, but also all the pains, the sickness, the injustice and the inequity of the world--one who makes up the difference, who makes us whole.

My wife's mother recently said that she thought of me when she ran across the following:

all is fine in the end
if it isn't
then it isn't the end

We still try to make sure everyone is treated fairly, but it makes it easier when someone gets the short stick, knowing that in the end it will all work out.