Weekly Talks

I seem to remember hearing an apostle (I remember Elder Boyd K. Packer) saying in a CES training session that one way to learn the gospel well is to write a talk every week. I looked for a reference for that, but couldn't find one. If anyone else has heard that, or better yet, knows where I can find the reference, that would be wonderful.

All the same, I never forgot that. I have always wanted to do that, but never could bring myself to such a commitment. I finally decided that I'm ready to try doing just that. I haven't quite succeeded in writing one talk weekly. However, I have written two during the past month (I started a third, but it didn't turn out like I had hoped). It has really improved my study time. I have thoroughly enjoyed coming to know the Savior by finding the words to teach the doctrines He has taught through His holy prophets.

As soon as I post this, I will post my two talks that I have written. I hope that everyone who reads them will feel the Holy Ghost testify of the truth of the Gospel. It is true. There is no possible way that it can't be true.

The joys of change

Last General Conference (October 2008) was a week of change for us. The Sunday before conference, the Bishop called us in and gave us callings. Eliza was called as a Visiting Teaching Supervisor. I was called as Sunday School President. That calling for me was really a shock. It was a week of reflection for sure. I studied, pondered, and prayed all week long for help in this calling and to find counselors. And if you haven't read the conference talks from Priesthood Meeting, do. They seemed as if they were directed to me. They all talked about new callings.

This General Conference (April 2009) was another week of change for me. Two Sundays before conference, the Stake President met with us. I received a new calling as the Stake Music Committee Chairman. Fun! Eliza had heard once just before Stake Conference that the current chairman would be released. Soon after that, our high councilman (who happens to be in charge of music) came and chatted with me about my music background. After that, Eliza told me about what she had heard. Hmmm......we kinda had a feeling this would come. But we are really excited. This is one calling that I have always looked forward to.

So, this last Sunday, I was sustained, and next Sunday, I will be set apart and begin my new calling. I wonder what next General Conference will bring.....

Usefulness of Blogs

I just finished having a colloquium with Kim Obbink from Montana State University, working with Distance Education in the said university. She gave a lot of good information about connecting with students using technology. It was a very wonderful presentation. But there was one thing in particular that hit me.

A couple of nights ago, I began thinking about where I am in my education and what other great professionals have done. I realized that almost all great professionals have kept a journal as they study their field. So I thought that perhaps I should do that as well. But today, Kim gave me an idea that I thought would be great. After all, what good is the stuff I learn if it doesn't help somebody else?

One technology that I realized in today's presentation as useful for classes is a blog. I need to look into using a blog for the next class I teach. I figured that in the meantime, that this would be a great idea for a new blog. You can see my new Teaching Journal at http://teachingmeo.blogspot.com/. I hope that this idea as well as those to follow become useful to some who browse through this blog.

My claim to fame

Erin is a good friend of mine and Eliza's. She just posted a very good metaphorical blog:
http://redheadedalto.blogspot.com/2009/04/for-one-single-moment-my-eyes-are-held.html

This is my response to one thing I think she was referring to:


(Last complete row to the right, right in the middle in a red shirt with red hair.)

Great job, Erin. We enjoyed your singing!

Update

Hello, everyone! Yes, it's time for my January blog post! Wahoo!

I figure that since there was a lot of change for me last year, I should change my title bar. So, first of all, the title. Yes, I am a Weather Weenie. However, I have sadly not been able to envelop myself in weather for almost a year since I graduated from the U. So, now I'll classify myself as what I really want to do: Space Weather Forecasting.

Since January 2007, I have been looking forward to this field. It's the entire reason I'm here at USU. So I found it fitting that the picture is one of Space, but a clear view also of the weather on Earth. I got this picture from APOD (Astronomy Picture of the Day). If you want to browse there, it's at http://antwrp.gsfc.nasa.gov/apod/ap080412.html.

Santa's Frozen in Carbonite!!!

He's been frozen in carbonite!  He should be quite well protected--if he survives the eating process, that is...

Christmas

Ok.  We had fun with our Christmas Tree this year.  I am proud to announce that Eliza and I have caught ourselves a beautiful, 100% pure, genuine plastic tree!  Sad.  I really wanted a pine.  But, when you're gone for 2 weeks straight, we figured that the plastic was easier to take care of.

If you look closely, you will find our 4 favorite ornaments.  The first 3 are ornaments that we bought from a Fund Raiser for Emma's school.

The first three pictures are the ornaments, and the last is what we did to them.  It was a rather cool effect!  We liked it.

But most importantly, we put up our must-have ornament:

For those who don't recognize it, this was the ornament that Joe and Lacey put on our wedding cake last May.  We only thought it fitting that the temple take its place at the top.

Yes, we love our tree.

Merry Christmas, everyone!!!