Me and Elaine Murphy

Five years ago, my new wife and I move in to a new home and re adjusted to our new life of having 5 children together. Luckily, it was in familiar territory, it was near the older neighborhood I used to live in 11 years before that (during my previous marriage).

In the Mormon Church in Utah, that means I still live in the same regional congregation. Same stake, different ward. Fortunately, my new wife at the time had no problem mingling with the same people I had mingled and bonded with years before (with a two year hiatus in between), in fact, I think Stephanie became more friends with my friends then I was. What a blessing.

In my new new ward, I became a home teacher to a woman, Elaine Murphy, who is home-bound because of her health. She has an interesting history and I have had such a joy in becoming acquainted with her. She was a missionary using her nurse abilities to serve in Tonga. I have a place in my heart for the islands because of my study of Niue Island near by. She became the dean for the College of Nursing at BYU.

When we go to see her, she is always beaming with gratitude, and her sweet voice strives to recall things of the past that are slowly becoming a mystery to her. Yet I know in the life beyond she will be met by many who she influenced in her life and her memory will be refilled again with the wonderful things she experienced in her life.

I usually take my son Parke to home teach with me, giving her a short lesson, catch up on what her family is doing and an offer to help when we can. And even Parke, the impatient teenage that he can be (just kidding, Parke) has grown a certain admiration for this little lady. But for Christmas, I decided to bring my lovely wife, Stephanie, who, I feel, has the same type of heart as that of Elaine Murphy, and make home teaching a wonderful experience.

Test, test

This is a test to see how this new blogger works from my iPad.


- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad

THANKSGIVING AND BEYOND...

Just so you know, I might be moving my blogspot to another name.  Not yet, but I will let this blog know.  I am trying to find a simpler way to make blogs from my iPad and this account seems to be problematic in hooking up with my e-mail. It's complicated.  

Anyway, just got back from Vegas (over a week ago).  My mother went home for the week from her cancer treatment center in Phoenix for Thanksgiving.  My dad, who I think can't live without mom, was missing her. So Steph and I drove down to see both my sisters and my parents. It was warm (it's 30 for a high now in Utah... winter has arrived). 

It was a wonderful time.  My mom looked great.  She continued to watch what she ate, even during Thanksgiving.  My sister Connie, who made the whole meal, made a dish just for her.  I am proud of my mom for taking the steps she needs.  I sit and think if Steph or I was diagnosed, I don't know if I could change the eating habit, but I would certainly not take chemo. 

I then got to see my sister Pam for a bit.  Her son, who has autism, is a good kid.  And one thing he has done well is play the drums.  So she got him a drum set for Christmas.  I had fun putting that together and playing on them for a short while.

Steph, my dad and I took a little road trip down to Hover Dam to see the new bridge they built.  I remember taking trips passing the dam.  It took forever because the road was a single lane.  There is now two ways to get through the dam and the engineering is remarkable. 

Now that I am home, business is on.  Steph and I are remodeling part of our home.  I have totally repainted the bed room we are moving into.  We moved Stephanie's girls around, giving them their own room. So we took their room and repainted it totally.  It looks great and nice to see what can be done.  I just wish I had more time to get it done faster.  I don't like living in the middle of messes. 

The Last Eagle Scout is almost done.  Just got a few effect shots today and waiting on the music.  Oh, these artists... they work on their own time (I know, I am just as guilty).  Hoping to make the first showing at the LDS Film Festival.  Then, on to other places (LA, Washington DC, Dallas to name a few).  We shall see.  I am eagerly writing a sequel.