Enjoyable week...

What a wonderful week... I am surrounded with family and everyone is getting along really well... Yesterday Scott and Corine went with Venna and I to see "Sherlock Holmes" and the company was great and the movie was wonderful... It was so well written and acted that it was a thrill... Venna and I saw "Advator" the day before and that was a left wing radical movie but the 3D effect and special effects was worth the propaganda that we went through... I would recommend it only with 3D but leave it alone otherwise.... Joshua and I played golf in 25 mph wind and it was cold but we had a blast playing... It was like our private course... Scott would have played but Darin was pretty sick last night and he did the right thing by being with him and Corine... There sure has been a lot of sickness and I wish that we can all get over it... I am doing pretty well, knocking on wood... I sure am enjoying spending time with Venna... I am sure a lucky man to have a best friend like her... We just love doing things together and we love to sit on the couch holding hands and watching TV programs that we have recorded... Wow, she is wonderful and beautiful, I am a very lucky guy to have her with me for the majority of my life... Night... 39

Scott did it!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

We belong to a fantasy football league that Jacob and Scott started about 15 years ago and Rachelle was the only one from our family that won the super bowl... Well Scott just beat Wade Malesich yesterday to be the first one of us boys to win it.... He will receive a beautiful trophy that will stay at his house for a year.... It is nice to see Rachelle and Scott kick that door down... We are hoping that Jacob beats, yes Wade again, in the JB II league... We started that one because the other LA Connection was taken from us, kind of, because I was a Bishop and didn't want to deal with it at the time, so the Malesiches took over and we never got it back... It is okay because they do a great job, but we also didn't like the bidding draft so we started another one where you draft and keep all your players and I think everyone loves it... I know I do... I like the reunion stuff in August with the golfing and bidding with the Wayne Briggs family and the Malesiches but I really love the long draft we do in the JB II league... Brian got his Patriarchtical Blessing yesterday... Scott, Joshua, and I golfed this morning... I don't think Scott liked our icey course but he had more fun when it thawed out... It is great to still be on vacation... Night... 39

Christmas 2009

This has been a wonderful Christmas... The Grandchildren comprising of Scott's, Joshua's, Rachael's, and Jacob's kids were all here and they put on a wonderful Christmas Eve program... All we lacked was Becca's kids so we are blessed for having as many as we had.... We did miss Becca's children.... There were wonderful gifts passed around last night and today, but I really enjoyed Rachael and Taylor's musical video of pictures of our past from the time Venna and I were young all the way down to Briggs Thomas joining our family... Don't worry mom we are making you a copy and will send it to you this week.... I have my own lap top now and I also have a very fun game on Wii, it is golf and is very realistic... Scott and I was playing that today... Venna fixed a wondederful meal and Paul Sparks and his wife and child came and ate with us also... Taylor got us up at 4:15 and that is now documented for all future discussions on what time we get up here for Christmas... Taylor and I had a very tender moment last night talking to one another before she went to sleep... It was our special moment and brought tears to both of us... Bo is so good with the kids, I can hardly believe it... I love my family very much.... Brian is having his Patriarchtical blessing this Sunday... We are excited about that.... Night... 39

I took the Missionairies to the Temple...

I had the opportunity to take the missionaries to the Temple... We left at 7:30 AM and came home at 4:00 PM...I took in a session also and it was a nice experience... It was fun to feel the Spirit of the missionairies in the temple... BYU beat Oregon State in the Las Vegas bowl... I picked Oregon State, shows you how much I know... I studied Moroni 7 in the temple and it was interesting to read about charity in the temple.... I am so impressed with the Savior and how he matches up to charity, especially during the Garden of Gethsemene and the crucifiction... He is the Son of God and was totally dismissed by the ones He suffered for and yet he states "Forgive them for they know not what they have done".... Wow, I get so mad when my kids, students, and players disrespect me and yet the Savior had patience with all the blinded people... I have faith and hope but I am still a long ways from perfecting charity.... No wonder you have to pray for it... Night.... 39

I'm sick, I think...

I have been having weird dreams that are associated with fevers... I woke up yesterday morning with a fierce (no hypebole) sore throat... I thought for sure I was coming down with a bad cold... During the evening time I felt pretty good and I went out golfing with Joshua this morning.. Right now I feel good... There is a lot of sickness in the family but I hope we can get a rid of it all and have a wondeful Christmas... Congratulations to Scott for going to the Super Bowl in our LA Connection league of Fantasy Football... The only one who has won that from our family is Rachelle and now Scott gets the chance to represent our family this coming weekend... Goodbye... 39

I need to figure out holiday writing....

I think that I am going to try and write in the morning, because I get tired at night... Like that was an interesting beginning... Oh well it's my blog and I will be boring if I want to... Venna and I saw "Did You Hear About the Morgans?"... It has Hugh Grant in it and he is my favorite actor, yea, I know he got caught with a cheap hooker in Hollywood, but I still think he is a great actor... Heck, I am going to enjoy watching Tiger Woods play golf again... But, maybe I will root for the field against Tiger, especially when Phil Mickelson (who looks like Hugh Grant) plays, I hope he kicks Tiger Woods butt.... I wonder how Tiger will handle all of the heckling that he is sure to get.... I am home sick this morning, I got Bo's sore throat and cold, I also get to tend Jesse, Billa, and Briggs who are also sick... I am thrilled to do this because Brian and Rachael really want to go to church... All is good in Lake LA and the Briggs family, yea, it really is....

Venna and I... A relaxing Thursday....

Venna won't be teaching seminary tomorrow, so we went to town and did a lot of busy work and prescription filling .... We then went to an early movie... We saw "Everyone's Fine" and yet he movie wss not fine in fact it was a horrible movie... It had Drew Barrimore whom I love to see but she is playing a gay woman so Uch... It was not good.... It was depressing through the whole movie...I had another very nice day at school and I would have to say this is the best week before Christmas holiday that I have ever had... One more day... Bo is staying home from school tomorrow because he doesn't have a test but also the poor boy has a sickness... Yea, right... He was just trying to seal the deal that he gets to stay home... Taylor has a test so she is going.... I guarentee that Bo's illness would not fool my mother.... The only time I got to stay home was to see one game of the World Series that was played during the day on a weekday... Night... 39

Bo got 10 rebounds....

Bo played an interesting game tonight... His team won 58-50 against Desert High from Edwards Air Force base...He only hit one shot and it was a three, but he got 10 rebounds and played excellent defense... He had 5 block shots... It was fun to see him really contribute to the win in other ways besides scoring.... Their team is really good when they play teams that are about the same size as Littlerock... Four out of the five starters in the last quarter came from Challenger... They are Spencer, Bo (whom I have coached), Preston and Nate (whom Jacob coached at Challenger).... They really played great and Jeremy who is there best player played at Lake Los Angeles school... We sure would have had a great team if we had a little Lake LA high school team... Joshua and I went golfing and I really enjoyed my Ipod again... Two more days of school.... Night... 39

Went golfing/used my Iphone to keep score...

I went out golfing today and used my Iphone with a Golf GPS (I believe that is the right acronym) It kept track of my score and statistics on fairways hit, greens hit, and putts... It kept track of my score and it told me how far the hole is whereever at any position on the course... It will email me and send me all the information... Needless to say for this addicted person for golf it is really cool... It is really hard to keep harmony at school right now because the students are recongnizing that we are behind the 8 ball with 35 students and like 6th graders they expected to be switching classes... It just isn't turning out the way that they wanted it to turn out... My class is holding tight and I haven't had to send a single student out of my class all year, yet, but oh my, the 6th grade hall is going crazy with a handfull of students who are causing havoc... Satan is on the loose trying to cause turmoil and contention everywhere you look... 3 more days and we get 3 weeks off.... I believe we will make it....Venna is not teaching seminary Friday and it appears that the Bishop with his whoopee is supporting her.... The gospel is a wonderful thing and it is truly great to be married to my partner and to endure all the things we've had to endure in this life, but we are so happy and especially with a wonderful family that loves the Lord... Peace be unto you... Night... 39

Yancy Rodriguez is going to Brown University...

Yancy came by to tell Venna and I that he is going to Brown on a full ride scholarship on everything.... Everything is paid... He is a fine young man that is one of Bo's best friend... I coached him and Jacob and Venna taught him... Wow, we are really proud of him... I love writing in this blog, it brings a lot of satisfaction to me to do this... I know that it reaches a lot of love ones and I hope that I will never write anything that can be hurtful to anyone who reads it... I love sharing my inner thoughts and I feel a responsibility to think of the Savior as I write that nothing here will ever be contradicting to the teachings that our Lord and church teaches (for they are the same).... I love my family very much and I am thankful for Venna who was willing to have 8 c-sections to have all of our children... Especially when I know that Taylor was meant to come to the earth... Venna will always be my hero for not leaving her behind.... I am thankful for Bo and Venna has some really neat stories about Bo and Taylor from seminary that I hope she will share with us on this blog... Bo reminds me a lot of Becca when she was his age... Both die hards in the church and very Spiritual even when the people would misunderstand them... Bo is going to be there in the end because he really does have a testimony... Night... 39

A nice Sabath Day...

Taylor and I sang our songs from the Ipod today in Sacrament meeting... That crazy thing has all of my scriptures and everything else that you can think of... Church manuels, General conferences talks, hymnbooks, quotes by prophets on all different subjects, all of the proclamations, Declaratation of Independence, and the Constitution Etc. Wow, and Taylor was going through it all in a flash of her fingers and yes all of you we listen to the speakers.... Jared taught a nice lesson in Priesthood meeting... I feel the Brethern are going to do well in home teaching this month and I am very proud to be a part of them... I feel bad for Venna because she is just worn out... She slept the whole afternoon and still went to bed early tonight... She is really amazing... In a selfish way I am looking forward to her being done with Seminary but I am so thankful that she is capable to do it for our youth... I hope the Lord will continue to sustain her... What is amazing is she is the best teacher in Wilsona District and I don't think there are very many people who would argue that... I love her very much... Night.... 39

I got an Ipod....

So did Venna... It has given me a little buzz and I can't figure out why.... I know that it is not necessary to have to receive salvation in the Lord's kingdom, but nevertheless it still gives me a thrill... I put in the scriptures and the hymn book... I will now be tempted to check my Fantasy Football Team scores or other unecessary things at inapproriate times... Jake, Venna and I did a lot of Christmas shopping today... Jake came because he is our resident technology person... We also could have gone with Jared and Scott if he was here.... Jake was so helpful and we appreciate his help as we dive into the technology world... I think, I might be wrong but I think Joshua is a little like me although Joshua knows how to make a computer smoke... Rachael is quite talented in this area also and of course there is Becca... There, I made the rounds with my family and I am quite impress with them.... While Bo was killing alien creatures with Jake and Jared on the computer, Taylor downloaded a ton of things in my Ipod... Venna and I went out with Julie and Jared for yesterday and we really enjoyed that... We are very proud of Julie's accomplishments... We started to head home afterwards and then we decided to see a movie called "Invictus", I believe that is the name of the show... It stars Morgan Freeman as Mandella and Matt Dillon as a rugby player and Clint Eastwood is the director and producer... It's hard to say that any movie is your favorite but this one is right up there, it was fantastic and everyone should see it... We had a fun time at the Ward Christmas party and Taylor was singing a song and McKenna was singing a song and my family and Joshua's family was in the skit that they put on... I the end I was washing dishes and working hard with many brethern in the ward and Venna helped a lot too.... I found out today that Scott and Corine are coming on the evening of December 23rd, that will be a lot of fun....night... 39

I talked to my Mom...

I chased her all over Utah but I finally got a hold of my mom.... It was fun to talk to her and I am thrilled to hear about Travis son Keelan and how talent he is in plays... That was where my mom was last night when I called... Taylor played tonight and her team won 48-28 and Taylor didn't score tonight... Her team did get two players that really helped... They scored the majority of there points... Night.... 39

I went to the Dentist?.....

Is that the extent of my day... I had a great day of teaching, my students really are a special group... We had the thoughts that it might snow, but it only rain... It was a boring Monday Night football game.... Venna and I enjoyed watching a new "Closer" show, but having the dentist clean my teeth was the big news for me... No cavities though.... I did phone call my mom twice but she didn't have her phone with her... Hey, Mom I am going to call you before Taylor's basketball game tomorrow at 4:00... Night... 39

An eerie and weerie Sunday....

I started at 8:00 and I was busy with meetings and teaching with a busy ward that is about to become a two ward building because our hispanic work is starting to move... The mission president is sending two more hispanic missionaries making 6 missionaries in our area... I think things are happening... Sadly, very sadly though a brother in our ward died today with a heart attack... His name is Brother Mark... His wife is our geneology teacher... She told us about taking him to the hospital last Friday and all they did is took his blood and declared that he did not have an heart attack... Well when I found out that he had another heart attack I rushed over to there house but it was to late and he was lying on the front room floor, dead... It was the first time that I saw someone dead that soon after he died and it is the first time I saw someone dead and not in a coffin... That is except for my dad... Sister Mark is a good woman and I hope and pray that the Spirit is comforting her in a big way... Our ward is on it so I feel good about that but it is very tough for me to handle this situation... I got back in time to go to Joshua's house with my family to be with Tanner for his 5th birthday.... I am so tired and worn out.... Oh by the way mom I will be calling you up tomorrow afternoon so have your phone ready... Brian bore a beautiful testimony even though I had to take Bella because she wanted to dominate the microphone... she was really cute.... Night.... 39

Bo and Parties....

Bo played his fourth game in so many days and it showed... He was extremely tired and his legs were not under him.... Even with the new shoes we bought him it just didn't get him through the game... Oh, they did help in the 1st quarter because he had 2 threes and scored 7 points, but he ended up with 12 points and his team loss to Tehachipi by a double digit number... Taylor, Venna, and I went shopping today and we had a blast together, Taylor is a lot of fun... Venna and I had fun spoiling her too... Taylor really loves Brian and talked about him quite a bit... Brian and Rachael have turned out to be major players in our ward... We had a lovely time at Julie's graduation party... We just wish we could have stayed later but we were playing dad and mom by going to Bo's game..... We also had a Elder's quorom party last night at Jason Jay's house and that was a lot of fun even though Venna and I were really tired.... I also stayed up late to see USC lose to Arizona, Alabama beating Florida and the ugly one when Texas beat Nebraska... I was hoping Texas would lose so Texas Christian could have played in the Championship game.... Venna and I also had fun with our weekly, Saturday at 8:00 visit with Becca on the phone... Scott took Darin to Salt Lake to see BYU... I think Scott loves being a Daddy.... Night... 39

Bo was bad, Bo was great....

Yesterday Bo's team played against Rosamond and he missed about 10 three pointers and only scored 2 points... They lossed to Rosamond by 15 points... It looked like his team was going to blow them out in the 2nd quarter and then it seemed that the someone put a lid on the basket... Tonight Bo hit 4 three pointers in the 1st half and had 15 points... The other team (Antelope Valley Christian) was all over him and he only scored 4 points in the 2nd half but the most important thing is they won their game... He hit 5 three pointer all together.... Right now he is averaging 12 points a game... I am also glad that it is the weekend because I needed a couple of days off... Night... 39

Taylor and basketball

Taylor played her first basketball game and they won 8-6... Taylor scored 6 of the 8 points... She hit 2 three pointers... I am getting ready to go to Bo's game and I will be reporting on that... Night... 39

Bo's first game....

Bo had his game today... They played Desert Christian and they won 62-54 and Bo scored 15 points and made 3 three pointers.... Bo also played some great defense... I beat Joshua in golfing.... I was down by 8 strokes after the 7th hole but I came back and beat Joshua.... It is so much fun hanging out with Joshua, he also went to Bo's game with me....

Yes, Mom, I am back....

I had a wonderful vacation last week but I notice that Venna and I had so much fun spending time together.... We love to watch TV programs and we would stay up until we were so tired we just wanted to sleep, thus I fell behind in my blogging... I would think about it but was just to tired... Yesterday was so fantastic, Julie and Kari graduated from CSUB... Marriages and having children are obviously the best things in life but in my book graduations come in next and are very close to the others... I know for myself that that was probably the most emotional day I have ever spent, speaking from early morning all the way until I fell asleep... I appreciated Kari's parents inviting us to come and eat with them and Jacob and Kari's family... That was very enjoyable also.... Kari has a neat grandma from Denver Colorado... Last week was wonderful with the holidays too... I can't help but thinking about Wade Malesich, he is graduating this Friday, I wanted to be there but with Bo's basketball games and all I just can't make it... Bo and Taylor both play basketball this week, so a way we go.... Last week I beat Bo one on one in basketball, 10-8... It will be the last time that I ever beat him or any family member again.... I am 57 and starting to feel my age... I found out today that Scott and Corine are coming down for Christmas... That is very cool... I am looking forward to seeing Darin and Lizzy.... Night... 39

One more day....

I have one more day to wake up and go to school before I get 10 days off... I love being a teacher... Actually my class is great so it is very easy to go to school this year... Not much to say so if someone is reading this then I apologize for being boring... I think I am already in coast mood... Night...39

Special Presidency meeting....

I met with Jared, Jason Jay, and Brian for a presidency meeting.... We started out slowly and then the Spirit came and we were able to come up with some special things to do... The Brethern were great to work with.... I am proud of Brian, I think he is going to be a great leader... Joshau and I went golfing and it was blistering cold with a wind of 30 mph and yet we had so much fun playing... I beat Joshua 89-96 but really the score did not matter it was the head to head and except for a couple of bad holes by Joshua we were really even.... I talked to my mom and it was fun talking to her... I had to cut it short so I am calling her up again tomorrow, so be ready mom.... Night... 39

Shot a 75...

I went golfing by myself today and I shot a 75... Yea, I know, I was all by myself, but what the heck, I have no need to lie in this journal entry.... I also went with the missionaries to teach these twin boys that go to Challenger.... They're names are Chris and Alex... They were kind of aloof at first but by the end the Spirit came in and it was pretty powerful... It felt good to help out... It was a pretty good meeting I went to today to miss teaching my class and that doesn't happen very often... I am going to teach "Where the Red Fern Grows" to the EL students... It is a selected group of students that are hispanic and it will be fun to do that novel again... Note to my Mother: Have your cell phone ready because I am going to try and call you tomorrow.... Night.... 39

7th day out of the classroom....

The state of California is making me stay out of my class for the 7th time this year alone... Tomorrow I have to miss another day outside my classroom... This is just crazy and no one seems to care.... Rachelle is going to teach my class and I told them that the sub is my daughter so I don't want to hear about problems... All they told me is that they really like Rachelle and then it hit me that they might want her rather than me... I am looking forward to a week off next week though... night.... 39

What a service project..... and Lybarger update

Today is the Sabbath Day and we had an ox in the mire... An older, senior couple (yes, older than I) had stacks of shingles on their roof that needed to be taken down because it is to cold to put them on so we asked for help from the brethern and 14 brethern came and took down the shingles and we moved them to Jason Jay's garage and we did the whole thing in 25 minutes.... It would have taken a couple of men hours to do and the weight was heavy.... The weight was not heavy with the help of so many brethern... What a fortunate President I am to have so many brethern who are willing to help... I found out today that the Lybarger line is ready to be taken to the temple and we will be able to do work for many, many connections to Barton Lybarger who is my mom's real father, physically... Obviously my mother was raised by Lewis Rigby and he was her true father and whom I love with all my heart, but the Lybarger line has personally prompted me many times and now I will be able to see their work done in the temple... This journal entry is huge and I am thankful for the help from Heaven in accomplishing this task... Jared has been a tremendous help in this area with me also... I am anxious for the work to begin and be done... I am hoping that we might be able to have family outings to the temple so we can do a lot of work in one day.... It felt great to go to church again and being healthy once more.... Night... 39

I beat Bo one on one...

I mention this because I am 57 and Bo is 17... Bo, actually is a good basketball player but from time to time I can get hot and start flinging off balance, unorthodox shots and can beat someone... Bo took it really well and is always complimentary toward me... I love him very much... I beat him 10-6...I mention this because when I was playing Joshua in golf this morning we were talking about my dad... I am not criticizing my dad but he never played me a game of one on one... My memories with him is the great coaching he did in baseball and basketball... Also he took me to so many Laker, Dodgers, and Angels games... That is the big memory I have of him... I beat Joshua in golf today.... I shot a 82 and Joshua shot an 89... I called my mom and it was so neat to talk to her.... I am lucky to have such a wonderful woman to be my mom... I teased Taylor about how she takes advantage of me because she is my baby, but I told her that I did the same with my mom and we both did it with a smile on our face... Venna, Taylor, and I went to see the new 3D "Christmas Carol".... It was great and the special effects were spectacular... Then Venna and I took Bo to get his letterman jacket... We kept busy but it was a wonderful Veterns Day... Michael Good and his wife and child came and visit our family here at our house last night... Health wise I feel really good and I am thankful for that... News wise we had a Muslim Soildier kill I believe 8 soildiers in a camp in Texas and wounded numerous more... It was a really sad event in our country, but good old Obama wants us all to stay calm and not rush to judgement... Glenn Beck on the Fox News channel is a member of the church and is doing an great job of exposing Obama and his cronies of Socialist... If you are reading this many years from now, history will bear out the evil that is taking place in our government at this time... Night.... 39

Michael Jackson, yep, I saw the movie...

Taylor, McKenna, and mom went to see Michael Jackson movie and it was a wonderful experience... Now, don't get me wrong I think he is really creepy but Oh my, can he perform... If you don't give that to him then your not being fair... Even Venna like it... McKenna was really cute but I really loved seeing it with Taylor... She is my body for things like this...We watch American Idol together and we like to watch biographies on the TV... She is my body in things like this and we really enjoyed watching this movie together... Jacob calls them his boys and Bo calls them his package but whatever name you want to give them mine are giving me trouble... I have blood blisters on them and when they pop then I bleed... I was bleeding Friday morning and I couldn't figure it out where the blood was coming from... At 1 O'clock this morning I was drying myself off from going into the spa and I was bleeding again and this time I figured it out where it was coming from and yep it was my Boys/Package... It scared me enough to have Venna go with me to the emergency and they held me there until 6:30 AM and they said that my blood count was good and that they did not believe it was cancer but they want me to see my Doctor... Theron Billy and myself are now writing to each other and that makes me so happy... Venna and I are hoping that all our family along with Theron and his family will come to Thanksgiving on 2010 so we can have a reunion... Can you all try to put this on the calender... Theron signed off saying Your Son and I can't tell you how the tears flowed, so yes I definately have 9 children and three more grand children... That makes 23 now... I was told in a dream to start blogging and that dream was a no nonsense dream and now I am really seeing the benefits... Night.... 39... Oh by the way Corine I was really touched by your blog entry on wanting to get help for Darin... Our prayers are with you and Scott and especially Darin... 39

Brian did it he is a school board member...

Wow, I am so proud of Brian... He is not even here a year and he got voted in as a school board member... Now, the work is going to begin... I remember when I was made Bishop that it seem like it was just an hour that I felt honored and then I was on a service roller coaster like I have never been on before... Brian is going to have half of the people happy and the other half is going to be angry with him.... Rachael will be watched everywhere she goes and is going to be judged on a different level, but who cares, Brian is there to serve and I hope that he is successful in making decisions with the best intention and the (sorry Jake) hell with the rest of them... Jake is my language monitor and that is because he doesn't want me to say gray words in front of his kids... I admire that... I had a wonderful talk with Bo today about his ticket... I didn't want to talk to him yesterday because I wanted to be rational, it reminded me of a time when I came home from our cruise just to find out that my son Scott who did not have a licence ran into the building at the dairy here... I just went to bed and talked to him the next day... Both times I believe I did the right thing and oh by the way, they both went to bed wondering what was going to happen tomorrow and I think that might be the greatest punishment of all...Tayor and I are going to the movie by Michael Jackson this Friday and we are going to stop and get her a new IPOD that she saved half of her money for.... I love doing things with her... I think that Venna and McKenna is going also, but I know for sure Taylor and I are doing it... My class has finally stopped treating me like a substitute and we got some good things done today.... With all the headaches I really do love teaching... I am lucky to do a job I love... Night... 39

Jake, Bo, and crap!!!

I was officiating a lousy game and my knees were really bothering me... My knees are generally okay but I felt pain in them... What made matters worse is that Eastside is way better than Palmdale and yet in the third game Eastside was ahead 22-14 and ended up losing the game and that meant that I had to spend another half hour at the match... I was wondering why my knee was hurting and then I remembered a four hundred yard run, pushing Jacob's broken down car with Bo and Jacob by my side.... Four hundred isn't so much unless you are running up hill, yep, we were running up hill and I was drained.... Bo got a ticket tonight... I went to find him and when he was late and yes I did find him pulled over by a cop.... I am not happy and I would rather not talk about this event any more tonight... He was driving 78 MPH.... Crap!!!... I did hear from Theron Billy and that brought some excitement to this day.... I love you guys.... Night.... 39

I'm teaching again...

It felt great to go back to school and teach again... My class seem to be thrilled to see me again also... I've got this constant sore throat and it is painful and feels like it is shredding the back of my throat... And yet I am not sick any longer just in pain... I don't want to go and see the Doctor because I don't feel sick and yet it is annoying.... Any ideas out there.... Night.... 39

Thank you, Julie....

Thanks to Julie I now have faith in blogging again... I wrote the last blog and it told me that there was a problem and that it would not be published and I was so tired I didn't want to repeat it but she told me that the draft was still there and she was right... I had a horrible week of math training and it went from 8:00 to 3:25everyday last week... I also did 4 days of volleyball so invaribably I was getting home at 9:00 every night... The math training was okay but being away from my family and students, well, that stunk... Joshua and I did two games together last week... We did it together at Paraclete and Boron... Josh did a great job on a very difficult game at Paraclete and we ate at a really neat mexican restraunt in Boron... I've been fighting a sore throat so I did not go to church today... I think that was a wise idea... I still have a sore throat but I am not especially sick... I am tired but then again who isn't?.... John Beaudette put on his annual Halloween scare at his house... Tanner was scared to death but Andy just walsed right through all the Beudettes trying to scare her and just said I am here to get a lot of candy... Jesse went up there but Lina didn't.... Sorry Lina but I had to tell on you.... Taylor was scared to death with the monkey mask that John Beaudette had us put under her pillow... Brian is two days away from being on our school board... I hope he is ready because he is going to win... USC got crused by Oregon and it wasn't even close.... The Clippers suck again so I am already a Laker fan... I am having no fun with the World Series because I can't stand the Yankees or the Phillies... Good Night.... 39

I'm back....

A lot has happen since I have last written.... Taylor made me cry with her song she sang in Sacrament Meeting... I can't imagine someone singing so beautiful as Taylor, Rachael, and Jared in our family... I cannot sing a lick.... Taylor gave two talks also and she did such a great job... It was Young Women in Excellance in Sacrament meeting...Becca and Brent and company was here this weekend and that was so special... The Boys are just a crack up and they are so smart.... They were quoting Articles of Faith and I didn't learn them until I was 8 and even then I did not know them as well as Becca's boys.... Brent, Joshua, and I went to Cal City to play golf... It was a lot of fun and I beat Joshua by two strokes in playoff golf... We tied after 18 holes... Brent, Becca, Venna and I went and saw a horrible movie together, "Where the Wild Things Are"... The company was good... BYU got smashed by TCU and that really hurt... Julie helped baby sit Becca's kids and we appreciated that and Jared replaced my alternater in my van... See, I am a lucky guy... Friday, we had Jacob's family, Rachael's family, Joshua's family and Julie and Jared for fun and pizza... I am the luckiest person in the world to have such a wonderful family.... Bo played a lot of computer games and the only one's we missed was Scott and Corine and family... I do wish they could have been here.... I just went to my first stupid day of training while I missed teaching my own class... The government is so stupid, I just can't believe it....

Today was sure rich with stupidity!

Our state government who has zero money sent me to a training session today and is sending me all next week, also... I had about 10 minutes when I thought I was getting someting and is that worth being out of my class.... Crazy.... Like a 57 year old teacher who I feel has been successful is really going to change the way they teach... I just cannot understand the logic for it all... I had blood work done today to check my thyroids and I will let you know what happened.... I officiated a Desert Chistian high school game today... It cracks me up that they are sending a Mormon boy 100 dollars to do their game...Night....

My apologies...

I am sorry for sounding morbid by putting up my funeral arrangements but I have decided that I want to put things out there that I feel that are important... And since I am convinced that I am going to be there for my funeral, well, I just thought it would be fun to put down what would be nice for me if I am there.... I really plan on living a lot of years and quite frankly I hope I can live to be an age of a tree and just get ressurected by the twinkling of an eye... I got a life time to live with Venna and a whole lot of golfing to do... I also, yea I really need to, well, do my geneology too.... Well my first day of vacation is tomorrow as they are taking me out of the classroom to go to some stupid training sessions... I will be away from my class all week next week... I am also taking Brent golfing Friday so I will need a substitute for that too.... Everything is going great and I am a happy person.... Night....

My Funeral Agenda will include....

Oh, Holy Night- Mark Gallop
I Know That My Redeemer Lives
Oh My Father
Poor Wayfaring Man of Grief
How Great Thou Art
I'll Go Where You Want Me to Go Dear Lord

A talk on the Plan of Salvation- President Martz if he out lives me

And all of my Grandkids singing "I Am a Child of God"

Night...

Keep the commandments journal entry!

It is really interesting to me how a sickness or other distractions will get you off the path of being consistent with good thing. I got kicked around last week with a lot of physical ailments and I came up weak in the department of enduring and sustaining my writing in this journal. Quite frankly, I am writing this time because I just know I have to or I will spiral out of control and not write for a long time... I enjoyed our Sacrament meeting today because we had our singing testimony meeting going... Taylor and I had many tears shed between us and I even perceived to see Bo shed a few also... "The Poor Wayfaring Man of Grief" tore me apart.... I had an interview with Brian Thomas and it was a high light in my career of interviewing people under the influence of being a Priesthood leader... I believe he and Rachael will be going to the temple soon.... Obviously I cannot reveal what we talked about but I will reveal that the Spirit was there in great abundance... I also gave Jared a Father's blessing and that was a wonderful experience... I love my membership in the Lord's church... Venna was sick today, she is really going through it... And yet she made us a wonderful stew for dinner... Yea, I married a valiant woman that is one of a kind and I know, that I am lucky... Oh, I also started my geneology Sunday School class.... Night...

Venna is sick....

Yep, it was Venna's turn to be sick... She did not go to school today... I am so tired of this stuff... I went to school and was regretting it for the first two hours but then my second wind kicked in and I was alright... Now, I am eating regularly and feeling pretty good... One good news about the sickness was that I weighed myself this morning and for the first time in a long time I weighed in the 160ies... I weighed 168.2 and that has me feeling pretty good... We had a good presidency meeting and I really appreciate Jason Jay, Jared Briggs, and Brian Thomas's counsel as we tried to get a handle on things in the quorom....I sure hope Venna is completely well tomorrow... Bo gave me the slightest and I mean slightest attitude and then we were busting up laughing when I told him that I was pretty lucky to only have 5 months of attitude and that he was late because he should have started 5 years ago... I told him that he will find out how teenagers are when he has his and he told me that he will send them to their room if they give him any attitude and then we laughed some more.... I really am lucky to have Bo and Taylor be my last two children... Not that my first 6 were to bad, well except for the one time that I took down Becca's bedroom door for some, uh, yea, attitude.... But all of my kids were fun to raise as teenagers... I am really going to enjoy watching them raise their teenagers... Night....

Wow, I was really sick!

Sunday at 2:00 I began an adventure that I hope that I will never have to experience again... In the next six hours I threw up fourteen times and it was violent... I was really worried that I had one of those scary flu's but I feel better now and though my stomach is bruised from the upheval yet I feel like I am back... What was really tough is that during my ordeal the Angels were playing a miracle game against the Red Sox... I was keeping up but I didn't put extra time on the taping and I came up short... My recording stopped when the Angels were hitting in the 9th inning, and during that time the Angels scored three runs to beat the Red Sox 7-6.... We finally turned the clock and did a miracle game against them... Revenge for 1986... Jared and Joshua came over and blessed me and that was a special experience.... I had the opportunity to ordain Loyal Dillon as an Elder and Mark Hammel as a High Priest...

Corinne I really enjoy your blog!

Your comment section won't allow me to comment so I thought I would beat it by commenting on my blog.... It is so much fun to see the growth of Darin and Lizzy... Keep up the good work.... Julie thank you for sharing with me yours and Jared's trials and victories... Hey, Joshua and Rachelle I want to hear from you... Mom had a horrible experience at school and if she wants to share it she will but I found it hard to remain stable today and not want to throttle my administrator though she did wake up and smelled the coffee and did what is right on behalf of Venna.... I am so thankful that it is Friday and I don't have to officiate volleyball... I am enjoying volleyball but I never thought they would keep me this busy after being gone so long.... I am making all of my golf money, and in someways it has been fun... I enjoy watching the girls play volleyball... Bo is helping in managing his high school team also... I found out that the feelings for the Anaheim Angels are still really strong... I was on pins and needles during the game last night when they beat the Red Sox 5-0... I am getting ready to take Venna on a date... I really love her and I am so lucky to be able to spend time with her...

Wow, I am inspired!

I am so thankful to hear what my wife said about Becca.... I am so proud of Becca for showing us all that this is not the life to shrink and to fight the battle no matter what.... I am impressed with Julie's comments and the battle that her and Jared has... I am surrounded by great people who help me to know that I want to keep the Lord first in my life...

The Times That Try Men's Souls

This is a new experience for me and I approach it with some trepidation. My life and heart are so full and I am so grateful for the Lord's blessings to me. My children have been on my mind a lot of late, especially with Becca finally able to implant her last embryos. I know how deep her desire to keep this promise has been. I also know that timing hasn't made it easy. I couldn't help thinking of her Tuesday as I was teaching and I knew that she was finally implanting. My class has been studying the Revolutionary War and as a part of the unit we analyze Thomas Paine's The American Crisis I. This time it has a universal meaning and seems so poignant as I watch the world around us and ponder how my children and grandchildren will navigate its evils.

I dedicate this piece to Becca and all the young parents that daily make the unpopular choices on behalf of future generation. (I love you Bec)

The Times that Try Men's Souls
These are the times that try men's souls. The summer soldier and the sunshine patriot will, in this crisis, shrink from the service of his country; but he that stands it NOW, deserve the love and thanks of man and woman. Tyranny, like hell, is not easily conquered; yet we have this consolation with us, that the harder the conflict, the more glorious the triumph. What we obtain too cheap, we esteem too lightly:-- 'Tis dearness only that gives every thing its value. Heaven knows how to set a proper price upon its goods; and it would be strange indeed, if so celestial an article as FREEDOM should not be highly rated.
. . .My secret opinion has ever been, and still is; that GOD Almighty will not give up a people to military destruction, or leave them unsupportedly to perish, who had so earnestly and so repeatedly sought to avoid the calamities of war, by every decent method which wisdom could invent.

In our times I am sure God Almighty will not give up a people to destruction and the calamities of this generation who cherishes His children and protects the family. It really takes courage and strength not to shrink from the demands of this day, but future generations will reverence those who try. I am proud of and grateful for all of my children but this day I salute Becca.

Love Mom

Baseball playoffs starts.... Ho, hum!

This use to be a magical time of the year but it is really quite a ho, hum deal.... I will watch the Angels with care, but if they lose I don't really care what happens.... I have felt this way since the baseball union struck in 1994 and we didn't have a World Series.... I learned that there is life beyond baseball.... I officiated a game that Joshua was going to do before he went to see the Dodgers in the playoffs.... He went with Bruce Galler.... My game was Vasquez at Knight High School... It was a lousy game but I made about 110 dollars..... Night

Weird prayer!

I officiated a game at Paraclete which is a Catholic high school.... Before the game started they had a prayer.... There were some really fun loving fanatics in the stand and while the guy was praying he looked up and was talking about this group in his prayer and while he was still praying they started yelling and screaming.... Then they stopped and said all at once in the name of the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit.... It was really strange to me who has witness many prayers in public before.... I am really unhappy with my class and yet they are doing well but I just don't want them slipping into a bad class.... I am riding them and I am not sure if it more me than them.... I can't believe how the government wants to enter my classroom with all these interuptions in the name of providing a better program... They want to move the weaker students to all these different teachers and programs.... I have a great relationship with them and they are learning and changing there habits and the government wants to mandate things to me.... I can't stand it and I wish the church would allow us to leave the public system so we can just flat out teach but it just isn't going to happen yet so I have to make it do.....

I'm tired...

This is keeping the commandments journal entry.... I know that the Lord is happy with us keeping a journal, but all I can say for today is that I am very tired.... Night

I'm a little embarrassed....

When I saw Dr. See my eye specialist I found out that I am doing better than I did the last time I saw him... I think he tried to make me feel better by saying that sickness my center around my left eye because I lay on my left side.... All I know is that is probably a bunch of bunk, but I am thankful that I am okay and that my imagination can relax for awhile.... Sorry, if I caused any of you to be concern over me.... That was a great conference and I really enjoyed Elder Hollands talk.... Night...

Strange experience last night.....

Josh and I went to the West Coast Baptist College in Lancaster last night to officiate a volleyball game... Any person who has morals would have to be thoroughly impressed with the student body that showed up for the game.... The place was packed with female students who wore dresses and skirts which went below their knee and that was true for every woman... The young men looked and acted with a wonderful morality that could be admired by anyone who believes in those things... They cheered wildly for their team but never showed any disrespect towards the opposing team or officials... And yet if it would have been announced that the officials are active members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints I guarantee that there would have been an immediate change in the aura of the gym.... Why?..... It is simple, these people are blinded by satan (I do not capitalize the name satan) in a way that is more powerful than any other use of this power and he does have an abundance of different ways to blind men from the true teachings of Jesus Christ.... You can hear Nephi saying,"Whoa, unto him that will say all is well in Zion, yea, all is well".... I love these people though because they do love Jesus Christ and will stand up against all of the Anti-Christ that exists today to fight against Lord's teaching.... We are on the same team but our leaders are different.... Now, I am going to sound harsh at times, but I am harsh towards the leaders and yet even they I hope, has the heart to want to do right but are just fooled by the precepts of man.... And yet if their heart screams filthy lucre as their motive then I am very critical of them.... How can people who really believe and love the Savior refuse to read the Book of Mormon.... It doesn't make sense, except again we see the power of satan, it is amazing to me.... The Book of Mormon would be a book of scripture that would inspire them to new heights as it testifies of Jesus along with the Bible.... But, I wish they would read the Bible with an open heart and mind.... The Lords church has the foundation of Apostles and Prophets.... It teaches that there is 3 heavens.... It tells us that there is baptism for everyone and the way that this can be done is by baptism for the dead.... The Bible teaches us that revelation is a necessary part of the gospel plan.... We know that the Lord had other sheep which was not part of the old world fold but another one and they would hear His voice and know it.... The Old Testament makes clear that there are special teachings that are not generally taught but is taught in a place like a tabernacle in those days and a temple in our day.... In reality these good people I was with last night really don't want anything more than what the Terrestrial Kingdom will offer.... In the Terrestrial Kingdom they will dwell with Jesus Christ.... They will be able to dwell with other honorable people just like they were doing last night.... They are not interested in Eternal Families or marriage.... They accept this fate and seem to be happy with it.... Now, this is my doctrine and I do not speak for the church, but I wonder sometimes if they did not seek this glory when they were in the premortal life (which they do not believe in at this time) and not wanting the weight of glory that comes from the Celestial Kingdom.... Let's not fool ourselves who seek the Celestial Glory, that kingdom lends to hard work, suffering, trial of patience and endless glory that we cannot comprehend, but our Father in Heaven had to endure 1/3 of His spirit children reject His plan.... Then he needs to experience many of His children who did take upon them the flesh to do outrageous sins on His faithful and innocent children.... No wonder he rejoices with His children who are faithful and no wonder His Spirit is in great abundance during our visits to the temple.... I love my fellow Christians but like in the Premortal life and now, I plead with them to accept the fullness of Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ teachings and allow the Holy Ghost to bear witness of these truths to their souls... I know that the blessings that come from baptism and going to the Temple will be worth whatever trial that I will need to endure... Please, my friends do not shrink from the greater glory that you can receive.... My Christian friends live in a light of the gospel in a sense, but they need to enter the dark and be tried really tried by the adversary and to stand up for Jesus under the worst of conditions to fully understand our Savior and be able to enjoy the Eternal light of the fullness of the Gospel.... Night...

I'm still not feeling wel....

I am getting through the day alright.... I had parent-teacher conference and I saw parents for about 3 hours and I did a volleyball game but I have to admit that I am anxious to see Dr. See my eye specialist.... This is the problem of keeping a daily journal because you put down things that will probably be stupid by next week.... I have to admit that Janice Stowers my principal has been very kind to me through this ordeal... Taylor is now on Face Book and she is really communicating with her friends... I personally find the sight very adolescent and blogs have more meat to it... Oh, we get silly on blogs but we don't say stupid things like, "I am going to the store" but I hope my daughter enjoys her new found freedom and doesn't do anything stupid.... Night

False alarm, I think..... and Barton Lybarger

Since last Friday I have had pressure in my eye, the one that had a stroke in it.... Today it got quite bad and I was very light headed... Joshua with the encouragement of people at school drove me to the emergency but there was no sign of a stroke... I still feel the eye problem and I am still light headed but I can ignore that if it is not serious.... I am seeing my eye specialist Friday, and I will see if he can give me any answers.... So I am very thankful but I still wonder what is bothering me.... I talked to my mom about her mother's husband, her father, Barton Lybarger... I wanted to know why her name is named after him and his brother.... She did not know..... I wanted to know why Grandma Rigby left Barton Lybarger and she did not know.... I love my mom but she really doesn't know anything and she even admits that she wishes she now knew too.... How did she meet him.... Did she ever get over him and how long did that take.... How did he treat her.... I love my mom but she does not know anything... Grandma Rigby offered to take my mom to see him when she moved to California after she got married, but she had no desire to do that, I don't blame her but I would really like to know more.... Why was my Mom's first name Alma named after Barton's brother.... Why?... We just don't know.... I am going to have a long talk with Grandma Rigby when I die because enquiring minds want to know.... Night....

Another Day, Another Dollar

I had a good day teaching and I really had fun teaching science... I let them know that I am not exactly an enviromentalist like most of their teachers they had before me.... Guess what, they really were mostly brainwashed.... I think they are more concern about glaciers melting rather than bombs from Iran.... Hmmm, has Obama cronies plant a believe the ridiculous chip.... I told them that I would teach them correctly and will try not to be bias either way.... Fair and balance and then I will let them decide, wow, I have seen to much of the Fox Channnel.... I am very tired, I officiated a game at Littlerock... I am sure doing a lot of volleyball, and it is kind of cool to make the extra money.... It is funny but ever since the Anaheim days when Venna and I were broke I just can't seem to relax and say we are making enough... I am getting there though.... Iran right now is really flonting the fact that they have nuclear bombs and Israel is about ready to attack them... Obama really doesn't like Israel and it is pretty clear and scary.... I have often wondered if the prophets of old saw visions with Obama in them... I would not be the least bit surprised.... I want it on the record that this guy doesn't fool me a bit and now he has 49% of Americans approvel and 51% disapprove of him..... He used to be in the high 60ties in approval just 4 months ago.... But he and his cronies seem determined to bring down our country that was created by inspired Founding Fathers.... To Obama they are just old news and ultimately racist, everyone of them, Obama is a sick man and it is interesting see how much damage he can create.... Night....

Oh, Brent you had me rolling!

Not only did my vocabulary increase as I pulled out good old Webster to understand Brent's discription of "Whooee" blog, but I thoroughly enjoyed it.... I wish all Doctors could be so interesting when they write.... Hey, Brent write some more, we need your manly expression on fathehood and house cleaning... You've come a long way from the days of working for Walmart.... See you on October 23rd and get ready to see California City and their golf course.... Why can't we make a comment on your blog?.... Night

Went on a date with Taylor

On Saturday afternoon Taylor and I went to the mall to pick up a Lemonade-Rasberry Julius.... It was delicious but the company was even better.... We had a lot of fun talking about music and American Idol..... We then went and had Mom's car washed... Some people buy roses to make their wife happy, myself, I get the car washed.... Venna and I saw a lousy movie called "Surrogates", it was really weak but I got to hold my wife's hand and we had fun being out together...I had a busy Sabbath day, I had 7 PPI's but we are going to have a great showing in visits in homes this month.... Brian didn't come to church and I really missed him.... He did a great job of setting up my day and many people was impressed with the way he did his calling.... I am going to be doing geneology this Wednesday and I am taking a geneology sunday school class.... It is pretty exciting for me.... President Beazel came to our ward to announce that everyone is suppose to have a 10 minute talk ready for Stake Conference just in case we are called on, because the Presidency is calling people from the stand to speak.... Interesting Stake Conference, I wonder if that might hurt attendance.... We will have to wait and see.... Joshua taught a great lesson in Priesthood meeting.... Night!

It happens every time!

It was the Saturday that I knew was coming but I wasn't looking forward to it.... I love to golf on Saturday morning and our stake had a priesthood breakfast and meeting.... I went because I know the church is true, but I wasn't excited about skipping my golf game.... The stake put on a great breakfast with scramble eggs, pancakes, sausage and bacon.... Then there was the meeting, heck I was even going to speak in it by invitation by President Banfield, but I still was not excited about being there.... But according to D&C 130:20-21 you are blessed for doing good things and that was established even before this world was created and sure enough I left the meeting with tears in my eyes and the warm peaceful spirit of the Lord for being there... While I was speaking and getting ready to bear my testimony I asked President Banfield if I could have two more minutes to say something and he of course was gracious and said that it was okay, well I experienced a stupor in thought and I told the brethern that I experienced that and I told them that I will bear my testimony instead.... I had that stupor of thought until President Banfield talked about the very thing that I was going to talk about but he said it much more profound and obviously with the authority that a Prophet of a Stake has and it hit me wow I was going to say that but the Spirit wanted President Banfield to say it..... He spoke about the fact that doing the will of the Lord (then he promised us) will allow us to feel the Spirit everytime we do the Lords work..... I am now home watching the Cal/Oregon football game and I am really able to enjoy it because I made a wise decision this morning.... I am taking Venna out for a date tonight and we are going to see a movie and wow, she looks good, I am anxious to take her out... She is my best friend.... Night!

Doctor is in a giggly mood!

I went to my cardiologist so he could give me his view of my blood test results.... I showed him the pills that Dr. Grubb gave to me and he was all happy that I get to take these pills.... He told me it will really help me feel normal again... I told him that I feel find, but he assured me that I really didn't know what fine was.... He told me that in one month I will really feel good... He also told me that people like to go on the stuff who really shouldn't because they want to lose weight.... He assured me that I would lose 10 pounds in the next two months.... He was just giddy and it was kind of weird to witness, I guess that I am pretty glad that I have the stuff.... He told me that I will be on it for the rest of my life.... I forgot to mention last night that I saw Taylor run her first cross country meet yesterday.... It is always fun to watch my baby do things in high school... I am very proud of her.... Bo is getting bigger, not taller but bigger and he is beginning to fill out.... Was it not creepy to see those elementary school kids sing that song in a worshiping way about Obama.... I am telling you he would be front page news in the Book of Mormon if he would have existed back in those times.... We aren't going to sing some warped song in my class about Obama.... If you are reading this fifty years from now, then do yourself a favor and look up this ACORN group that exists at this time..... You will think they are fiction but oh my they are real, and really wicked..... I can't understand how people will embrace wickedness like that... Oh by the way Scott can you go over to Wayne's house and help my mom get all the blogs that we have on her computer... I tried but my lack of computer knowledge was just downright embarrassing and I could tell she wanted someone who really knew what he is doing working on her computer.... Thank you Scott.... Night

Obama is Scary

President Obama has been speaking to the UN and he is blantantly doing what Burl Hunting use to warn me about many years ago and that is that the people are trying to get the US to unite with the world to make a world power.... He is using global warming as an excuse.... He tells us that if we don't get global warming under control that disasters are going to hit.... Duh, disasters are going to hit but that is because prophecies have stated that.... But the words of living prophets just cannot stand up to the scholars of today.... I am amazed how satan works, he is actually convincing a good portion of the world of global warming and other things.... I wish that Nuclear Weapons never had to be invented but we live in a time when all knowledge is being revealed and bad people are taking advantage of it.... Why do you think it took so long for the Lord to reveal this knowledge.... Man cannot handle it so it was revealed in the last days and men are stupid enough to really take it hook line and sinker.... We cannot get rid of nuclear weapons because we need them to confront and control bad governments, countries, and people.... But someday they will be used, and we have leaders like Obama to take charge at this time?!!!.... He doesn't even love America or at least the America that we grew up with.... He wants to be the leader of an America that will work with the world.... I am trying to figure out how Obama is going to become a dictator in this country... Don't laugh because if your honest they have brought about things that are just mind boggling and they do not represent the America that we grew up with... I am sure that Obama doesn't want to be 8 years and out.... Do you really think he is thinking that way?.... The election of 2010 is critical and if there is going to be a shift for the good it will have to happen at that time, if it doesn't happen then the wicked people in charge will feel embolden and Socialism will become an absolute fact... The only thing we have going for us is the Book of Mormon and the assurity that this is God's land and the God of this land is Jesus Christ.... All will eventually be well and the wicked will burn as a stubble but how long will this be, it matters not because it will come at the Lord's time.... Night

Hyper Thyroid

I am sorry that I sounded so dire and straight last night... I was in a funk, but I realize that I must have appeared really dramatic.... I went into the Doctors office and when I saw the doctor she asked me how I was feeling... I told her that I was feeling great until they and my cardiologist specialist wanted to see me quickly because of my blood tests.... I told her after that I was feeling prickly and strange... She asked me if I was feeling tired and I told her that I was feeling great and that I was wishing I was playing 18 holes of golf... She then told me that I should be feeling extremely tired because I have hyper thyroid.... I told her that I never felt so good teaching school.... She then said that she hoped that my blood test did not get mixed up with someone elses test.... I thought to myself, "Oh thanks a lot for that tidbit of information to make me worry even more".... She gave me pills to help and she told me that since we found it I should be just fine... I officiated at East High tonight.... Money, money, money!!!..... I also got to baby sit Racheals kids for aboult 15 minutes.... The kids were really cute and excited to show me the house... Brian and Rachael is doing a great job.... Brian went to a meeting to prepare to be a school board member..... Night....

I am afraid that I am not doing well....

My specialist and my family doctor are anxious to see me after reviewing my blood test.... Is it all in my head.... I was feeling pretty good until I was told about this... Now, I feel all prickly and unconfortable.... I hope it is not to serious because I am really enjoying life but then again maybe that is why I might face obstacles.... I love my Heavenly Father and I know this is just a probationary time so what is to be is to be.... I am about to see Brian and Rachael get sealed and I am very confident in Bo and Taylor, ahh, I sound stupid... I am acting like I am about to die.... It would be bad timing because I need to do my geneology work.... There, all of my family and friends who read this can now say he sure is a paranoid old man..... I officiated at Vazquez tonight for volleyball.... I kind of enjoy doing it... My class was so cute at the way they welcomed me back.... BYU football sucks this week but life is good.... I have a classy beautiful bride that I love so much.... Yea, life is good and I am lucky to be who I am.....

I had fun inspite of BYU game....

To Vanessa Billy, it will be our thrill to be able to see you and Theron and your family..... I am so excited that we can read each others blog... Sometimes I want to give technology the Mormon virsion of a cuss word but when it comes to connecting with special people that you have lost contact with well..... God bless technology.... I had so much fun at Utah... I thank Becca for helping me get my airline tickets.... It was great to see Scott, Corine, Darin, and Lizzy and my visit was special, but it was really special to be able to finnally spend some quality time with Wayne.... I think we had a very enjoyable time but I had to share him with his ailing wife who had an operation two days before I came.... I was thrilled to share him.... Mom is doing really well and she has a very nice situtation at Waynes house..... She has her own bedroom and bathroom and the house is a really pleasant place with a peaceful Spirit.... I had my own bedroom and bathroom too.... Wayne and I went to a high school game on Friday night.... We had lunch with Derek, Travis, Ryan, brother in law Steve, and Travis Son Tate.... We then went to the BYU game... We were decked in navy blue for the spirit of the game, but it turned out to be the blue that equals depression because BYU got their head handed to them by Florida State.... They got killed and it was depressing during the game but then reality hit me and I realized that I live with a wonderful family and I am one of the luckiest people in the world.... I really missed my wife.... We do so much together and I wish I could have had her with me.... I am glad to be home and to be able to be around my favorite people, my family...

Ahh, sunglassess

I had a lot of fun with my class when we were doing silent reading.... I put on my sunglasses and could not tell if I was reading or looking at them.... I was also reading the end of "The Christmas Sweater" by Glenn Beck and I knew that I was going to be shedding some tears behind my glassess... I officiated a game at AV Christian HS and it was boring but I got paid so what the heck... Tomorrow I am flying to Utah and visit with Scott and his family and then spend 3 days with Wayne and his family, with the addition of my mother..... I wish Venna could go with me....

Football, football, and more football

I beat Jake in the LA Connection fantasy football league, but got beat by Travis in the JBII fantasy league.... Jared beat Rachael in her first try in FFL.... It is a lot of fun, but I worry sometimes if it will be something hard to explain in the long run... It is fun and I do love the connection with the Wayne Briggs and Janet Malesich families.... If it wasn't for fantasy football I am afraid there would be no real contact between us.... Scott's team was the leading scorer in both leagues.... I got a new student name Amalia and she probably should be in the 8th grade but she hasn't gone to school in the past 18 months... I guess she has an explosive temper and she wants to wear skimpy clothes and she is well endowed too... Oh well, what can I do... My class is practically perfect and now who knows...This girl did a really good job today but we will have to wait and see what is going to happen.... I am looking forward to going to Utah to see BYU play Florida State.... Wow, that is something and the great thing is how supportive Venna is in allowing me to go without a guilty conscience.... Night!

Long day, but a good one!

It started early this Sabbath Day and I got home about 3:30 but the visits were good and necessary.... It is weird because I don't really need to do all this for the sake of man made glory because I would be very pleased to have a calling that would allow me to come home after church and spend more time with my family.... That is the greatest glory to spend time with Venna, Taylor, and Bo at home... But the church is true, it is, and I know it and this is the driving force to do all you can to serve Him... Jared taught a great lesson and so did Rachael Jay in Sunday School.... Joshua is doing a great job as the Mission Leader.... Jacob was called to the youth program and Kari is working with the Primary as the secretary.... Brian did a great job as my excecutive secretary and made some valuable comments about geneology in our class.... I think I am getting revved up again to do geneology work.... I only mention this day because the Glory is His and we are in the Last Days and in my mind it seems like this is the time that we need to kick it in gear and sprint to the end.... I hope that my family will forgive me for my opportnity to relax at home, this is truly my castle and I love it.... We also went to Riley's birthday and she was very cute and Kari does a great job..... My grandchildren were adorable in Sacrament meeting and they were so well behaved, I am proud of the parents...

Golf, BYU, USC, Tyler Perry

This morning Joshua and I went out golfing..... I got my revenge and scored an 80.... I then went to the auto dealer to get a light bulb for our headlight on the Corolla... That was a move that made life easier for Venna so she could drive at night.... When I got home from that I settled in my front room and watched 3 games by alternating channels and they all 3 ended up like I wanted.... BYU beat Tulane by 50 points, UCLA beat Tenneessee, and Notre Dame loss also... There were a number of upsets so I believe that BYU might be in the 7th in the nation range on that polls this week... Then Venna and I went to see the movie, "Tyler Perry I Can Do Bad Enough By Myself".... I always love to see Tyler Perry's movies because they are hysterical one moment and your crying in the next, but what I really love is being in a theatre filled with my black friends and seeing their faces and wondering why Venna and I are there.... Personally, we should not be the only race outside the blacks seeing this movie because the message is great for all of us.... This one may have been my favorite though, but I am not sure because I love them all.... Venna and I always see his movies either the 1st or 2nd night because we want to be amongst the crowd because their reaction is also part of the fun of watching his movies... When we came home I had the opportunity to see a very good USC-Ohio State game on DVR and I thought my Ohio State loving son and law Brent was going to finally have the last laugh.... Nope, he needs to suffer some more because USC barely won in the final seconds of the game.... Now the build up is there for the BYU-Florida State game and I am absolutely lucky to be able to be with my brother Wayne in seeing that game.... I fly out Wednesday night so I can spend Thursday with Scott and Corinne's family and then it will be Wayne Briggs style of living for the next 3 days... I am really looking forward to it... I hope that on Thursday or Friday night one of Derek or Travis kids plays football or soccer.... I am ready to go to church now and I am thankful to be a member of the Saviors church, I can't believe that I have been touched by the Saviors hand and the peace of mind that I experience in this mortal and troubled times..... Night!

I saw Theron Billy's new baby!

Way back when we lived in Anaheim around the time of 1983 we had a Lamanite child who stayed with us during the school season.... His name is Theron Billy and now through the internet I am able to see his new baby and wife Vanessa and I have to say it is a really proud moment to be able to witness this through the magic world that we live in... It's wonderful to be able to share my thoughts and instantly hear from family members also... Wow, this is a great life.... Then there is President Obama speaking to our Congress last night and how ill it makes me to have a president that never talks about how great our country is and the great history that we hold.... I only hear how selfish and wicked we are, that is really crazy and upside down... Oh well, I belong to the Lords church and He promised us that we live in the promise land so let President Obama and his cronies do their best but they will fail miserably in the end.... We have that promise from the Book of Mormon.... I officiated a volleyball game agan at Vasquez and I got paid $113 dollars for 3 hours work.... I worked with Becky Derreck whom I deeply respect as an official.... Pro football started tonight but it isn't nearly as exciting as college football....Steelers beat the Titans in overtime.... Night!

I like this better than Facebook!

I heard from Becky Malesich and it was a very nice message.... I believe this media allows us to be thoughtful and speak with a purpose... I think that other thing that everyone is on seems to be teeny bopper and half of the things I read are the same annoying things I read when my students writes notes to their friends... It is great to read all the messages that I get to read in this blog.... Today was kind of ordinary, I had a good day at school, officiated at Palmdale High, had a Elder Quorom presidency meeting and came home to my wife.... Brian did a great job in the meeting... When I came home and I watched TV with Venna and held her hand.... My favorite part of the day.... I just love to be with my wife, no one and I mean no one makes me happier than she does.... Becca called up Taylor and talked to her about her paper that she wrote about her grandfather and that meant so much to her... That was nice of Becca to do that for her.....

And the beat goes on....

I thought that I was completely done with officiating but I did some scrimmages in girls volleyball tonight and I am going to officiate this season... I think I am doing it because of the money I am going to lose not doing WAA (Wilsona Achievement Acadamy).... Joshua and I are doing it together....I am really having fun teaching my class.... They are a great bunch of kids and they really treat me nice.... I feel like the students are really learning a lot of things.... We were officiating in a gym tonight that was just 2/3 litted... It is amazing to me that we live in a time and age when they can't even light up the gym.... As I am going out to my car afterwards I see girls and boys hanging all over each other.... I just think to myself how scary it is to send Bo and Taylor to school.... And yet I know that I can't pull the plug.... They are the remaining light in the schools with all the other Latter Day Saints.... Now, someone might think that I am arrogant and I would be if the doctrines and church wasn't truly the Lords.... I just pray that they are protected, I believe they are.... We would probably be shocked to see how many administrating angels are on their left and right hands and all about them..... Hmmm..... Did I say that the gym was 2/3 litted, that would mean that it is 1/3 dark.... We are the 2/3 and we need to hang in there no matter what.... Night!

Happy Birthday, Joshua

Joshua and I went out golfing this morning and it was a happy birthday for Joshua.... He shot under 80 for the first time.... He shot a 79 and I shot an 86.... Joshua and I go out quite often and I want to thank Rachelle for letting us go together.... I know it is difficult with the little children but Joshua and I go out at 6:00 in the morning so we can be back before it is to late.... If you ever want to get my wife to say,"Damn it Jeff" just blow an official's whistle in the house without her knowing it.... Pretty dumb thing for me to do... It was really weird having the house without little children here today and it was nice but I know that after a couple of days I will miss those noises again.... Florida State loss to Miami 38-34, so that puts a slite damper on the game next week but it still remains a big game for BYU....Next week is USC against Ohio State, can't wait..... Night!

A tribute To Reed "Pinky" Briggs, by Taylor

This is a tribute that my daughter Taylor gave to her Grandfather, my Dad.

Pinky

The loss of someone is always hard, but have you lost that person, feeling like you didn’t know them at all? I’m the youngest of eight, with my older brother being 18 years older, and through this massive difference of age, I missed out on a lot of experiences. Some experiences include relationships with family members. One of the most profound losses was my grandfather. Reed “Pinky” Anderson Briggs was a very stereotypical grandfather. He would make the good old sports games, make visiting him a blast, and would always be willing to cut our hair. He was a barber which made this a real privilege. But by the time I was born, a lot of this changed, like his blazing red hair, which gave him the fitting name, Pinky. Through those first 13 years of my life, I learned a bitter lesson that you should never let go, because their will come a day that he could be gone.
My most recognizable memories of my grandpa would be mostly vague memories. I was really young when I would go, but I would go often. Every Easter we would pack into our car and the “Easter bunny” would visit their house, leaving lots of toys and candy for us to enjoy. The orange aroma would fill the back yard, the sun would warm my skin, and the toys would get my excitement up so high, I’d feel higher then the sky that warmed my skin. We didn’t just go there for those wonderful Easter Sundays, but also just to visit. We would go and I would often venture the very familiar house looking for anything new. One of the most wonderful things I would discover would be this grass, green harmonica. I would go around the house acting like I could play, when it was obvious I couldn’t. Then, my grandpa would say, “Let me see it.” He would play a tune and I would just jump with excitement. My grandpa would love to spoil us. He would always give us a big ice cream cone, and I would often get little toys from him, like this little red bear that became one of my closest friends for the week I had it. But one of the most memorable things was the Flintstone cards that we would play war and other little games with. This would all be exciting, but what was really memorable was the fair we went to. I was so excited to go, but shortly after we arrived, either it was too expensive or there was just not enough to do, but we decided to leave. But before we left, my grandpa decided to play a fair game. It was short, but one of the last times I would be able to enjoy my amazing grandfather. A few weeks later he had a stroke.
My grandfather’s stroke was a major effect on my life. Because I was the youngest, I didn’t get the tangible experiences, but the memories which were so vivid in everyone’s mind. I remember the day, I heard the dreadful news. My parents just came to my brother Bo and me and said that our grandpa had a stroke. I didn’t know what a stroke was at the time, I just thought it was their way of saying he died. Well, in a way he did. We still went to his house with the luscious, green grass and the wonderful weather of nice comfortable heat in Canoga Park. That comfortable weather never seemed as wonderful. When we entered that tiny but familiar home, I was amazed to see my grandpa on the couch. By amazed, I mean scared. He wasn’t the same man I knew for so long. My Grandpa used to talk and laugh so easily, but it seemed as if his words got lost in the tunnels of his mind. He would forget our names, places. He was lost. This persisted throughout the years, but my fear shortly changed to sadness. I quickly realized that when I finally got to do sports and other activities, he wouldn’t be in the stands cheering in his strong, yet loving voice. He wouldn’t be the first person to cut my hair. Actually, he never would. He couldn’t tell me his grand stories about his many adventures in life. I would have to rely on my own father for that information. But to hear it from the lion’s whispers, that would have been an adventure in itself. My grandpa and grandma moved to good old Vegas to be closer to my uncle and aunt. They had a petite condo that was just as small as their old home, but seemed so large and amazing with the enticing atmosphere! In their old home you got the good old country feeling in a city house. Here you got all city. They lived in this home for years, and in those years we saw improvement to my grandpa’s health. Though he still was still plagued with the brain refusing to communicate with the tongue, his words seemed to find their way out but it was easier to solve a jigsaw puzzle than to know what he was saying. We got a portion of his old self back. The sadness I felt for so long changed to joy by the time I was 13. The Christmas after I turned 13, we went to my grandparents. It was just like any visit, but ended in a peculiar way. My grandpa would sit on his soft, welcoming chair, and would have a large laugh leading into tears that would fog the very recognizable black frame glasses. When he finally removed the glasses to dry his eyes, you saw the tears swallowing his face. He was so happy to see us, and I didn’t realize why. We visited, ate and had a happy early Christmas with them. This occurred a few weeks before Christmas. Finally, our grandpa wanted to give us our gifts. My grandmother always gave us the most elaborate, beautiful things. My grandpa gave the simplest. I opened my present and received a gorgeous china “teapot” that was so alluring and small. Then my grandpa said, “Taylor, I saw this and I wanted to give it to you.” I received a small toy flashlight. Stars shined through it with the patriotic colors, red, white and blue. My grandpa whispered to me, “ You don’t have to keep it. I just thought it was amazing that something so small could give off so much light. You could throw it away if you want.” I replied quietly, “Grandpa, I will keep it forever.” The tears glistened in his eyes and I shortly noticed the tears running down mine. I didn’t realize then, but that was my last Christmas, along with the last time with him.
January 2, 2008, the morning was the same as any other morning. The bright sun shone through the living room window. The Christmas tree that held amazing memories in its hands, stood glistening. The house was as cold as a beautiful snowfall, even though the ground outside was as brown and grainy as desert could be. It seemed like that morning held no surprise. I couldn’t be anymore wrong. I sat in front of the T.V. my mind as blank as a new sheet of paper. My mom walks in with a troubled look and I couldn’t tell why. The stress of the past holiday, maybe? I quickly figured out that wasn’t the case. She looked at me with her weary eyes, which weren’t just tired, but red. I thought of what could have possibly been troubling her, but I couldn’t think of anything. Then, in a soft, almost whisper voice, she said, “Taylor, your grandpa Briggs passed away in his sleep last night.” I couldn’t believe it, it couldn’t be true. I saw him just weeks before, and he seemed fine. Why then, why that second, did it have to happen? Why did it have to happen to him? He never did anything but the most wonderful acts. Why did it have to be him who’s health would have to suffer so much, that it finally led to his last slumber? I couldn’t say I was sad, I was furious. My anger came out as tears. The tears were boiling anger that stung my face as it slid down. This anger was constant for the next week, though I got very good at hiding it. I’d put a smile and everything would seem fine, while on the inside, I questioned whether it would ever be okay. The funeral came fast. The day that it was to be held, it was rainy and windy. The sun seemed to hide, and the warmth was not their like it usually was in Las Vegas. We stood in the building where the service was to be held, and either we were silent, or in tears. My young niece starting crying the second she heard grandpa’s casket was coming. I saw her and told myself I wasn’t going to cry. The hundreds of people their slowly started to lose control of their emotions, so I made sure I was around the young kids who didn’t have a clue what was going on. Then, he came. The second I saw the casket, I lost all feeling. My body grew numb, my emotions took control. I lost it. I cried and cried, feeling anger. Anger about his death, about my loss of control and about how I never would truly get to know that amazing, mystical man, who left only his body behind. My dad walked over and hugged me. His face was close to mine and I could tell that his face was moist from tears. “You’re sad, aren’t you Dad?” I whispered to him. His answer surprised me. “Taylor, I’m sad, but also happy. Grandpa had to suffer for so long. He’s probably up there, talking away. Of course I’m going to miss him, but I’m happy that he’s free.” I didn’t understand it at first. If my dad died, I’d probably not be able to function. How can he be able to be happy that he died? We went to this room where we could view the body. I saw my grandpa lying, so peaceful. I looked at his face closely. I realized he didn’t have his glasses on. The only time I saw him without his glasses was when he was drying his eyes. It was strange. But what really hit me, he wasn’t smiling. That was almost impossible to see him without a smile. I quickly went to sit down, and while I sat, I just hoped that this would be a dream and I would wake up and see my grandpa alive and well. Clearly, I never woke up. I listened to all the conversations, the majority having to do with memories about my grandpa. I heard so many bright, joyful stories, and realized that I never knew that man. I saw my dad, his eyes soaked and I thought about what he said. I realized that it wasn’t that he was happy that grandpa died, it was that he was happy that my grandpa could be the amazing man he was so long ago again. That would be the man people would remember, not the man that was confused and lost. When I finally understood what my dad said, the weight that came from my anger left. I was finally able to laugh, to cry and to feel without anger again. I enjoyed the stories shared instead of feeling envy. We went through the rest of the day, and just felt like, together, we were finally able to have that amazing man back. My family and I had to return that night to our home in Lake L.A., so when the ceremony and dinner was done, we were ready to go. We exited the building and to my surprise, we had a cloudless sky. I guess the Briggs were in control of the weather that day.
I never really looked at death the same way afterwards, neither the way I saw grandpa. Before his death, I felt like he never would die, and that I would always have my grandfather. Right afterwards, I never thought I would recover from the shock and pain. The message I’m left with now is that, even though my time with him was short, he’ll always live long, as long as I allow him too. I know more then I ever did now about the man. I know he was brave, strong, hardworking, selfless, and most of all, he loved me and my family. That will never change.

Wow, BYU beat Oklahoma

Bo and I screamed and cheered and plenty of high fives all around.... BYU football team pulled of the major upset against the mighty Oklahoma team... ESPN constantly told us about how great Oklahoma is but now they have one loss under the hands of the BYU team.... BYU needs to beat Tulane in Louisianna and then they will play a home game against Florida State and I will be up in Provo to see that game with my brother, Wayne..... He has these alumni tickets and he is taking me as a guest... I believe that it will be the biggest game in BYU history, at least the biggest home game.... I love football season, it is just a wonderful time of the year for us sports fanatics.... Today there was major turmoil in our ward in the activities area and it really looked like it was going to burst into a full fledge problem.... Because of the confidentiality of the situation I cannot go into details, but I believe that I was able to help smooth it over by not getting emotional and just coming up with solid plans to take care of emotional issues... The Lord doesn't want us to act out on our emotions but to pause and listen and then act according to the Spirit that we are blessed to have in situations that dictate calmness.... It helps to have wonderful counselors who support me, so much.... Brian and Rachael have there family in there new home.... I think Brian is a little overwhelmed, but the kids are so excited to be in their own home.... Rachael is a real trooper also.... We are all in our own homes and this chapter in our life is over.... It was tough and we had to excercise a lot of faith in the decisions we made because many of them went against what Venna and I believe in.... President Obama is a scary person and I mean to use the word scary.... I have never heard him state that he loves our country, speak fondly of it, or speak with reverance with our Founding Father..... Instead he wants to change our country in the image of Obama and not in the Lord's image.... Oh, our country has never been perfect but it did provide a perfect setting for the restoration of the Gospel of Jesus Christ... It is the light on the hill where the gospel began and now is spreading into all the world, but I am convinced that Satan is working on President Obama in a way that is counter productive to the work of the Lord.... The majority of the nation is fighting him with there words but it seems like a long time before we can vote our voice as wicked men systimatically destroy the fiber of our country.... So, I am glad that all my children have homes as we get set to hold on tight while we ride this wild ride.... The young people have know idea what America is really like.... They cannot possibly know what a blessing it is to live in this land and the freedoms that we have, they are being polluted with the doctrine that our government needs to take care of us.... I am very thankful for the Bible and Book of Mormon that testifies that Jesus is the Christ and especially the Book of Mormon because it helps us to understand how great this land is that we live on and that it is God's land and the only God that will be worshipped in this land is Jesus Christ.... Night!!!

Happy Birthday, Venna

It's my wife's birthday and Kari made her a beautiful cake that looked like a present with a huge bow tie.... Kari can really make those cakes.... She made me one that had a golfer and flag, hole, sandtrap, ect... It was absolutely awsome.... Venna and I are going to celebrate her birthday on Saturday because with teaching school and especially teaching seminary, well she is just flat tired.... I went and saw President Beazel for a PPI and that was a nice experience.... College football started tonight and it was fun to watch games again... I love this time of the year.... BYU plays Oklahoma Saturday and USC plays San Jose State also this Saturday.... It is still smokey outside.... I have never seen anything like this.... Some homes got burnt down, also.... No homes close to us...Night!!!

Still smokey, still played golf!

I thought the air was finally going to get clean and then about 4:00 in the afternoon the whole valley was filled with smoke and it almost look like a fog. Joshua and I golf together though and we both were hot. I shot a 75 and he shot an 81.... Brian and Rachael is getting very close to move into there own house.... I am really tired.... Night

It is still burning!

The area is still burning, oh we are safe here, but the sky is filled with smoke and it is still beautiful in a very eerie way.... My class is not allowed to go outside so they are pretty antsy but compared to my WAA class last year they are still perfect children.... Wow, I had no idea how hard I was working or how much my emotions were frayed.... We are going to go paint Brian and Rachael's house tonight.... It shouldn't take that long and then I believe they are moving in on Friday.... I am really happy for them.... Another High Priest got called to be an Elder's Quorom president in the stake and he called me up to see how it works.... All I can say is that I have a presidency that makes it work.... Namely Jason Jay, Jared Briggs, Alan Watkins, and Brian Thomas.... Night!

Wow, something is burning!

If the view was not causing unbelievable damage, the beauty of the fires that are ravaging the mountains would be absolutely stunning in its beauty.... Our sky today was like a blanket on a bed.... It glowed with an orange tint and I heard many say when they were outside that it felt like they had orange sun glassess on.....There are 8 fires covering the LA County.... It was a tough day at school because the students had to stay inside.... It is now blowing east of us and maybe tomorrow things will begin to become normal again.... I am going to officiate high school volleyball again and tonight I picked up my schedule for the next month.... Joshua and I are doing it together.... One of our officials brother in law died fighting the fires here in Southern California.... It is a strange time and I can't help but wonder if it is a foreshadow to devestation that is yet to come....

35 Years of Joy

I was 18 years old and dating a wonderful girl who was cute and fun to be around with. I had no thoughts of going on a mission and was thinking about the possibility of getting married as soon as she graduated from high school. I was fasting in preparation for a Patriarhtical Blessing. I have never really fast like this before. I went to the Patriarch very sincere in wanting to know the mind and will of the Lord. I was active in the church but I could not say that I understood the immensity of the Gospel in my life. While I was receiving the blessing I felt an overwhelming Spirit. It was an experience that I was not use too. When the Patriarch mention and talked about my future wife the Spirit became acute and peaked in impact at that time. The Patriarh told me after the blessing that he saw who I was going to marry in his mind and that if he saw her right now he would recognize her. He told me that this was a rare experience and he wanted to share this with me. I knew for sure that the girl he saw was not the girl I was dating at that time. Fast forwarding in time, I had a tough time finding a job and was miserable with life and it was in this situation that I recalled my Grandpa Rigby talking about a boy he knew who could hardly read and went on a mission and the difference that took place when he got home from his mission as he became very successful and happy with life. As I reflect what he said I decided to go on a mission and was instantly happy and my life never seem so clear and full of joy. I rode that ride right throughout my mission. While I was on my mission I went to a "Know Your Religion" lecture and the lecturer was John Lund. He gave one of the best talks I have ever heard and I went up to thank him. I was talking to someone and had my back to him. Suddenly, I heard a voice say,"Elder, I need to talk to you." I turned and saw that he was talking to me. He told me that he did not know why he was saying this but he wanted to counsel me to take time on my preparation day to write 3 things that I want from my wife. He told me that this is a good time to do this because I would be thinking about spiritual things. On my next preparation day I wrote these three things that I wanted from my wife. One, she had to have a strong testimony of the Gospel. Two, she had to be a person who would act and dress in a modest way. Third, she had to love children and want children. I was now in Pocatello, Idaho. That was the Celestial Kingdom on our mission. My mission president, President Wright went home and we had a new one came in. The new president was President Frost and he came in on July of 1973. In between the time that the Presidents changed over the Assistants to the President transferred me out of Pocatello and sent me to Lander, Wyoming. I was already a Zone Leader for over a year, but these Assistants put a personal friend in the Celestial area in our mission and sacrifice me. This is not sour grapes but the truth because those Assistants drove me to my area in Lander, Wyoming and they told me what they did. I was bitter but what was I going to do, cause a disturbance, it just didn't seem like the right thing to do. A little note, they were released as Asst. to the President 2 weeks later when President Frost changed the mission to having two assistants rather than 4. Well, they dropped me off in Lander and said there goodbyes and I was in the apartment wondering what to do. I knew that I could not serve properly with a bitter attitude so I got down on my knees and promised the Lord that I would work harder than I have ever worked before and asked the Lord to bless me in this area. I did work hard and I saw a lot of great things take place in Lander. I was baptizing and teaching a lot of lessons. While I was there President Frost sent me a companion that he stated was in his last area if he didn't change, because he had problems of a serious nature dealing with sex and a determined desire not to do the work. He told me that if he doesn't change with me he would have to send him home. I will not mention what his name is, but it was a struggle to work with him at first. The work though was still going well and the missionary seem to catch fire and started to work hard with me. After about a month of working with this Elder we went to a Sacrament meeting. It was the first Sunday in September and it was a Fast and Testimony meeting. While I was sitting there a girl walked in and my Spirit soared, it literally becamed electrafied. I knew with a clarity that this was the woman I was going to marry. I have never seen her before, but I knew I was going to marry her. As my Spirit was screaming with a pure joy, I sat there dumbfounded. She was dressed modestly and was taking care of her two nieces and she was so cute with them. I could tell she loved children. Are you getting the picture, remember my goals for what I wanted from my wife. Then, the testimonies started and I looked at her and the thought hit me that I wish she would get up and bear her testimony. She instantly got up and bore an absolutely beautiful testimony. There she was, my future wife and I have about 6 months left on my mission. She did not know me and I did not know her, but I knew, I knew for sure. The next night after I got home from the work we did, I was worried that maybe I was going crazy and it did not make sense that I would have this experience on my mission and especially with the companion that I had. I certainly couldn't tell him about the experience. So, while I was laying there pondering the possibility that I had seen my future wife, well, I decided to get a second confirmation because it bothered me that this happen on my mission and I wanted to know if what I experienced was true. I knelt down and prayed and asked Heavenly Father if the experience I had came from Him or was it my imagination. I felt myself pleading for confirmation and then through my prayers I found myself chastising myself severely for asking something like this on my mission. Then the Spirit told me to ask once more, I paused and wonder if that was real. Well, I asked once more and then my Spirit soared with emotion and I had a tremendous feeling of peace and electricity combined together in witness that could not be misunderstood. I now know that the experience was real and true. I instantly asked the Lord if I could be transferred and I was, two weeks later I was gone. I told my greenie, Elder Williams about the experience, yea you got it, he was transferred to Lander and well, he had a big mouth and told the girl name Venna about my experience. Now, you made be wondering if I ever talked to Venna about my experience in Lander and the answer is no, I didn't but I did introduce myself and we talked about general things like missionary work. Well, because of Elder Williams she now knows that there is a crazy missionary in Billings, Montana. I never wrote her nor did I ever talked to her after I was transferred. I promised again that I would work as hard as I could and then I would excercise faith that someway He would help me figure out how the rest of the story would take place. I loved it in Billings and the work was great. The day before I went home I had a interview with the Mission President. I told him about Venna and my experience in Lander. He told me that it was a true experience because he felt the confirmation through the Spirit as I told him the story. He then told me to call her up that night before I go home and tell her what happen and ask for permission to come up and see her. I told him that I could not do that because I was still on my mission. He said, "Elder, you have always been faithful and obedient your whole mission. I am asking you to be obedient now and do this for me." I told him that I would be obedient. I called Venna and she gave me permission to come and see her after I got home from my mission. When I got home I talked to my mom and dad and my mom told me to drive up there. So, after spending less than a week home I was off to Lander, Wyoming to meet this girl that I was told by the Spirit would be the one that I will marry. We were married some 4 months later on August 30th, 1974. Now, 8 children and 2o grandchildren later, I recognize that I am the happiest person on this earth and I am married to the most wonderful person that there could be. The Patriarch saw it, John Lund felt it, the Spirit confirmed it and I was thankfully obedient. On this 35th anniversary, I want Venna to know that I love her with all my heart.