Some Things are Easier with a View

There has been a lot going on in life and last weekend was a really good chance to try to unwind and make sense of some things. So this isn't going to be very entertaining, so if I were you I would stop right here. Obviously you aren't me. Be thankful. This blog is going to be mostly symbolic, and perhaps enigmatic. And you're still reading. Odd. So here we go. 

 There are times in life when we don't want to be told which direction we should go. This bullet-ridden sign is actually perched right on a cliff. If you fail to turn left, you will plunge down about 200 ft or so. Apparently some people feel upset about being told where to turn (they shot it), when in fact it will save their lives. Moral: Turn where and when you are supposed to, even if you don't want to.

 Rocks are supposedly a rigid material. I'm a geology major and I know first-hand how hard rocks can be. I also know how hard they are because of personal encounters with them while riding a mountain bike. The rocks won those encounters. Pictured here is a fault ( http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fault_(geology) ). A fracture formed as intense forces deformed the originally solid rock. The side to the left has dropped about a half-foot. Moral: Things that seem solid and constant are subject to change. And there is nothing that you can do about that. 
On a drive to the Palisades Reservoir, my friend and I found a dirt road that led down to edge of the reservoir. We were driving a G6, which is not an off-roading vehicle, but the dirt was firm and there were plenty of tire tracks. The dirt WAS solid except for a twenty foot circle. Take a guess how I know where that circle was? Yup, we found it. The only soft spot along the entire shoreline, that we explored. The ground here looked identical to everywhere else, tire tracks included. The point at which I realized that the ground was not solid was the second the tires sunk. Moral: Despite the appearance of solid ground, dirt can be misleading foundation.

 The combination of school and work has been a little intense and its easy for me to get caught up in it all. This reservoir is pretty large, but the waves were very small. Moral: Don't let little things disrupt large things.

 As we headed back to Rexburg, my friend asked to stop at a random pullout. What seemed to be an ordinary pullout without a good view turned out to be one of the most scenic views of the trip. We spotted two bald eagles in their evening fishing as well. Moral: Take time to find the beauty in life even when it seems it is ordinary and bland.

This last picture was the view as we left the Palisades. Moral: God knows what he is doing, just chill.

Why Seek ye the Living among the Dead?

My Grandma passed away two weeks ago. It was not unexpected and in fact it was prayed for, but that did not prepare us for the shock that we felt at her loss. The thought that kept reoccurring was that a great light had gone out in the world. Perhaps "gone out" is not as appropriate as "hidden from us". My Grandma loved two things; her family, and the Lord. All other aspects of her life are encompassed in these two great loves. She loved and supported her husband in the 68 years of mortality that they shared and continues to do so from the other side of the veil. The part of all this that tore at my heart and caused me to sob like a child was seeing my Grandpa, and the ache that he felt at being separated from his sweetheart. He loved her so dearly and completely that all fairy tales and stories pale in comparison to this example of true love. Did they disagree? Of course. Were they different in mannerisms and characteristics? Some might say near polar opposites. But their love and devotion was never a question. This last near decade of their lives, alone,can attest to the love shared by these two. As her health and abilities declined, his affection and service became all the clearer as he constantly put her needs and desires above his own.

So why share this? Because the loss of Grandma is swallowed up the the joy of Christ. His supreme sacrifice and sinless life has made it possible that my Grandpa will one day be able to embrace his sweetheart. Now I don't pretend to understand how this is possible or the workings of the atonement, but I know that it is real. I know that God, the Father, sent His only begotten Son to earth to live, bleed, and die for us. But that is not all, God sent His Son to LIVE for us.

The gospel of Luke, 24th chapter has spoken comfort to my soul these past two weeks. Mary Magdalene, Joanna, and Mary, the mother of James, walked to the sepulchre on the morning after the Jewish Sabbath. As they entered the tomb they were astonished to find the body of Christ missing. As they turned about they saw that they were joined by two men in shining garments.These messengers said to them "Why seek ye the living among the dead? He is not here but is risen.."

Jesus Christ overcame the bonds of death and hell and made a path for all to follow. I testify that because He lives, my Grandmother, my Dad's parents, and all those that have been lost to us will be restored. I witness that as He lives, so to shall all of us live. Death is part of this mortal sojourn and should not be feared as the dark abyss from whence no traveler can return but rather a path that we take, one day, that will lead to a glorious resurrection and reunion of the sweetest kind. I thank my God that I have been given this understanding and offer to any that feel the sting of death or the pain of mortality to come and hear the pleasing word of God and the words of His living prophets.

Idaho Again

 Just a couple of unaltered pics of the amazing skies over Rexburg, Idaho. These don't do it justice at all.

Some things affect you like Scripture.

Out of the night that covers me,

   Black as the Pit from pole to pole,

I thank whatever gods may be

   For my Unconquerable soul.

In the fell clutch of circumstance

   I have not winced nor cried aloud,

Under the bludgeonings of chance

   My head is bloody, but unbowed.

Beyond this place of wrath and tears

   Looms but the Horror of the shade,

And yet the menace of the years

   Finds and shall find me unafraid.

It matters not how strait the gate,

   How charged with punishments the scroll,

I am the master of my fate:
I am the captain of my soul.
-William Henley

Family is Absolutely Everything

For those of you not from my family this may seem rather an odd statement. Let me explain. "Gumper" is the affectionate (and sometimes not affectionate) term for when things just go wrong, or they don't go right. It downpours when your camping. It snows when you are moving. Its cloudy when you go to the beach. A light will be green right up until you get to the intersection. Etc.  This past weekend was spent moving my grandparents, on my mom's side, to Modesto to live with us. The reason for this is because my grandma is not able to care for herself because of health issues, and has been relying on my grandpa for everything for the last 6 years. Caring for my grandma is complicated by her having dementia, a mental condition where she is no longer herself and her reality can be skewed. My grandpa, who is in poor health himself, has been caring for her and attending to her every need even when his strength is gone or he is having a dizzy spell. He has been a spiritual giant and example to me my entire life. His quiet and unfailing love for his wife, family, and the gospel, has been a hallmark of a man that "doesn't want to be a burden" on anyone.

Despite his physical frailness and tending to grandma, he has continued to perform his duties of Patriarch right up until we moved him here. If I can love my future wife as he has loved grandma and if I can be the example of discipleship that he is, then I will have lived a life of happiness. As I came home this evening from church I noticed that grandpa was reading something out loud. As I sat down to eat dinner I saw that he had a small microphone in his hand and that grandma had earphones on. My grandpa was tenderly reading a story to my grandma even though she may not have been even paying attention or understanding it. He was doing it because he loves her. The little embroidery is a memento that will remind me of one of my biggest heroes, my grandpa.

The Undaunted

Ever since the Ensign edition that covered the pioneers who went through hole-in-the-rock I have been rather obsessed with it. It turns out that I have direct ancestors on both sides that went on that incredible passage through the deserts of southern Utah. Even if my mom or dad told me about it before (im sure they did) but it didn't hit home until this past month or so. I went on a trip with school to southern Utah and to the grand canyon. The landscape down there is beautiful and majestic but as formidable a landscape as I can imagine to try to cross in wagons and on foot. Gerald Lund, author of The Work and the Glory, wrote a historical novel about these first saints that forged and carved the road that many would follow to the San Juan mission. Its aptly titled, "The Undaunted."

While the main character is completely fictional, the events of the trip actually occurred and the author cited his sources at the end of each chapter. The Undaunted did more than provide entertainment and a good story, it helped me come to know of the bravery and the faith of those that went before me. It drew me to my fathers and the indomitable spirit that they possessed in following a prophetic call and assignment all the way to the end. I am overwhelmed with the gratitude that I feel. Along the route that the saints took and right next to San Juan hill (it wasn't so much a hill as an incredibly steep ascent near the end of their journey) someone carved into the sandstone, "We thank thee, O God." If men and women who have been pushed beyond anything that I can comprehend can say that then who am I to ever utter a word of compliant? I am humbled by the example of these faithful,willing saints. I thank my God that I have these amazing examples to inspire me to live to a higher call. The Kingdom of God is on the earth and His work is rolling forward.

Who says Idaho is ugly?

One of my favorite ways to unwind after a long day of school/work up in Rexburg is to go for a drive. Like tonight. Granted, I have no money so the drives are rather short, but a 10 mile trip out into the fields does me a lot of good. Here are some shots that I think didn't turn out too badly.

 Rexburg from the top of the northern Menan Butte

 Sunset over a wheatfield.

 I liked the sunshine on the cloud. Sad, i know.

 More wheat.

 Moon rise over the silo. Same silo as moon pic.

 Nearly got the car stuck for this pic.

 A bit of water next to the road.

 Made for a nice reflection.

Another attempt at being "artsy." The end.