Brighton’s Baptism
June 12, 2009 | Filed Under Brighton, Church | Leave a Comment
Hey there. I want to share some pictures from late last year, from Brighton’s baptism. I’ve procrastinated putting up more photos on this blog for waaay too long. So here you go. Better late than never. Most of the pics are in black-and-white, because the lighting in the changing room was too yellow, but they still turned out. It was a good day and pretty neat to have Shannon and my Dad speak that day. During the baptism, I had to immerse him twice though, not because of a stray arm or anything, but because I forgot a word or two in the prayer. So I did it over the right way. Brighton didn’t mind and said it wasn’t scary at all. Click here for more pics from Brighton’s baptism.
Space is Good
September 29, 2008 | Filed Under Simplify, Church, Family | Leave a Comment
Maybe I’m just getting older. Or maybe it’s the fact that my family is everything to me. It could be that the state of the world is in shambles, and when I’m walking in an open field or swimming in the ocean, life feels more whole, untouched, and genuine. Whatever it is, I think there’s something to this “open space” thing. Be it land or water. I really like the room, you know? And all those “rural people,” are starting to look a lot wiser than I used to give them credit for, when growing up in Missouri. (I still don’t like the music too much, but there are exceptions. Less twang, less steel guitar…but I digress…)
I’m very comfortable in an urban environment. I crave it sometimes. And when that happens, it’s a good time to go to Taipei or Tokyo or some dense, fluid, concrete-and-glass jungle. That is awesome. And makes for great inspiration as a designer, musician, etc. Some of the best creative juices flow when I’m listening to electronica and hitting the streets in some downtown megapolis. I used to think that’s where I wanted to live, to really live. When I was a teenager and before I was married mind you. Funny how perspectives can be altered huh? I love cities. Gritty, pulsing, strange cities. A good place to visit. But to live? Have a family? When it comes time to think about elementary schools and your kids’ quality of life? I’m leaning more to small and cozy with a lot of space. But I’m a very modern person…so this is something I am going to have to work with. I’m liking the space. And eventually we will get some land of our own.
We had a good experience the other day. One cool thing about living in the midwest is that there are members in the Church that have land with gardens, etc. Well, one Sister M. was generously allowing others in the ward to come and get a couple bushels of apples from her orchard. So after classes and dinner, we jumped into the car and went on over. Sister M. also provided us with a couple wagons, while we were there, so we could pull Keane and the box of apples. Brighton got to touch some very large and colorful goldfish too. And Kuei saw a patch of soybean plants for the first time. Then we all took a stroll about their property while the sun was setting. It was very peaceful, and a great way to end the day. A little walk among the grasslands. (The sky is bigger out here, by the way). It was a good FHE, check it out.
Notes on Notes
April 15, 2008 | Filed Under Simplify, Sheldon, Church | 2 Comments
General Conference came again this month and it was great. One extra reason that it was great is pretty minor, but nonetheless important, at least to me. I was able to take notes this time and feel good about it. You see, my Conference / Church Meeting notes are usually scraps of paper (or even worse, a program) that I end up tucking away between the pages of my scriptures or somewhere not all that accessible later. Sometimes they are really quality notes, only to be forgotten because they were scribbled and folded away.
This time around I decided to change that approach by doing what I do with my creative projects. I have a couple of quality notebooks that I use to jot down ideas, thoughts, quotes, sketches, and I really value them. They are ‘perfect’ stitch bound, meaning they have no rings or holes. I like the flexible leather kind, filled with graph paper. (Grid paper is great for sketching and geometric shapes, and no matter where you write on the page, it’s on a line). I usually get the black Miquel Rius ones at any Barnes & Noble (but you can get some great ones online too). In fact, I had one that I brought with me to Taiwan, and during that time it really was invaluable, because I scribbled so many thoughts and sketches down. I look over them frequently.
Anyway, I bought one to be used only for Sunday and General Conference notes. One thing that I’m also picky about is also the type of pen. I use inky, Pilot pens, technical pens, and pretty much any pen that flows well and doesn’t bleed through the paper.
So far so good.
Passing of a Prophet
February 5, 2008 | Filed Under God, Brighton, Church | 2 Comments
Brighton and I had the chance to go to the viewing of President Hinckley at the Conference Center over the weekend. Brighton said he really wanted to see the Prophet. We headed over there after I got off work and went to the visitor’s center at Temple Square first, watching clips of President Hinckley’s talks, and waited there until the lines let up enough, so we could wait inside the building, as the cold outside was stinging.
After a few hours in line, we made it to the Hall of the Prophets, and walked by the casket. I held Brighton as we passed. Later, we both talked about it, about how President Hinckley was a great man. We both commented on how peaceful he looked. Almost like he was sleeping there. Dressed in white. Brighton and I talked about how it was his body that had died, but that his soul, his spirit, was with Jesus, and also with his wife…and that he was likely watching the services. Brighton thought that was a good thing.
I really like these words:
The Quorum of the Twelve Apostles:
“Members of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles express our heartfelt love and admiration for President Gordon B. Hinckley and the singular life of service he lived. He was our prophet, our leader, our brother and our friend. We feel a deep, personal loss at his passing. He unfailingly demonstrated his devotion to the Lord Jesus Christ, whose witness he was at home and abroad.
“We will miss his wit and his wisdom, his leadership and his love. However, we cannot but rejoice in his reunion with his beloved Marjorie, with his parents and other family members who have gone before, and with the prophets of God, both ancient and modern, among whose eternal ranks he now stands. As the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles we echo the voice of the Master, ‘Well done, thou good and faithful servant. … Enter into the joy of thy Lord.’ “
Pics from Conference
October 24, 2007 | Filed Under Architecture, Church, Family | 1 Comment
Here are some pictures that Kuei took that I think are great. The boys are on a blanket in the living room, looking at books and stuff, while General Conference was playing on TV. Even after living in Utah for a while now, I still think its pretty awesome we can watch it on the local channels. Pretty neat about the new callings, especially Pres. Eyring, by the way.
I took TRAX to Temple Square and saw Priesthood Conference in the Joseph Smith Memorial Building (oddly enough, for the first time there, previously I’d attend at the Tabernacle). While on the train, I ran into my buddy, Hans. We met up with his brother Andy too. It was good talking with them. Hans and I were home-teachers back in the day, and he’s awesome. We had some time to throw around some thoughts on architecture too, which is always good (Andy is doing his undergrad right now, and Hans is a designer).
After the Sunday sessions, we had some time to take a walk around Temple Square. The sun was setting and making some great colors on the buildings. We had a good time, but we had to cut it short because it started getting cold. Have a look HERE for more Pictures.