As my daughters baptism approaches I have been doing some hard reality checks on myself and my worthyness to perform such an amazing ordinance. I am not confessing any major sins here or anything, but it gets you thinking about the sacred nature of the ordinance of baptism and just how special it is.

Baptism is the literal washing away of all unclean things (sins), and a fresh start. It also gives you the ability to be worthy of the holy ghost as a constant companion and guide. That is so amazing. I know my daughter is ready, and I had no problem baptizing people on my mission, so I don’t know why its such a different feeling when its your own family. I guess I just want to be 100% prepared and ready, and its been good in getting me more focused on the things that really matter.

I use to love the feeling I got seeing those I baptized come out of the water, and how fresh and clean their spirit was. It was so amazing to see their face and how happy they were. For that moment, they were the most pure thing on earth.

I am looking forward to baptizing my daughter, and really can’t wait, but I just wanted to share how it really makes you take a step back from your day to day, and makes you want to do everything you can to be even more worthy to perform the sacred ordinances. I am very great full to my Heavenly Father for entrusting us with such power, and that our brother Jesus Chris set the example for us.

Here is an amazing picture of my Father: I took this picture, and did not intend for it to be such a cool picture, but it turned out that way!

I just wanted to thank my Dad for giving us kids everything. I remember growing up, and my Dad never got the “toys” or cool things that I know he wanted. He choose to make sure his kids were taken care of first. If I can be 1/2 the Father he was to me, then my kids should do ok. Thanks Dad, and I love you!

But what seems to be the hard thing is to remember him when things are going well. I was thinking about this the other day as I was pondering mission stories. I recently posted on this LDS Blog that we were looking for returned missionaries to submit stories to us, (and that invite is still open) and thats what really got me thinking!

I remember growing up I had always relied on the testimony of my parents, and I guess I never did a good job enough of getting a solid testimony of my own. I had a testimony, but did I really know for sure beyond any doubt it was true? If my parents knew, that was good enough for me until I could figure it out I guess. I had never read the Book of Mormon until I was in the MTC, and really had never felt that burning everyone talks about. I just knew serving a mission was the right thing to do in my heart, just like I knew the Church was true (even without that amazing burn).

Well I got into the mission field fresh out of the MTC, and found myself in a weird country that smelled like pancakes. That is the best way I can describe it. I got called to the Fiji Suva Mission back in June of 1995. When I first arrived and smelled the weird smell, and looked around at all the weird looking people (at the time I had thought) that return trip ticket that I had not given back yet really seemed like a good deal.

Contrary to what I hear from everyone; “Oh you are so lucky to get called to an exotic Island”, it was a 3rd world country, and the resorts that everyone goes to and talks about (with Fiji) was not where I served. I remember being humbled my very first day because the two things I hated in life the most was the hot (or being hot - no air conditioners in Fiji “bures” or huts) and fish. I found myself hot, and eating a fried fish (with the head attached) the very first day.

I needed to rely on the Lord big time. I remember pouring my soul out that night and praying harder then I had ever prayed in my life for guidance, and that I was indeed in the right place. I soon calmed down, and had a feeling in my heart that I was doing the right thing. The major burn, and gaining my own testimony came about 19 months later during my mission (another story for another post another day), but I got what I needed to finish my mission and survive in Fiji!

The point here is we need to remember to rely on the Lord even when things are going great. He never goes away, so why do we? I think the start of my mission would not have been so difficult if I had that open line of communication with the Lord already.

As I promised I would share more pictures on this LDS Blog, I am living up to my word. I hope you all are enjoying the pictures as much as I enjoyed taking them on all my travels!

During one of our trips back and forth from Arizona/Utah we went out of the way to visit the Manti Utah Temple. This really is one of the coolest Temples that I have ever seen in person. I took quite a few pictures, but this one is the one I like the most. I hope you all enjoy:

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Sorry - didn’t mean to go off like that, but I really do want to connect with the LDS community (Utah or not), no matter what you do online. I look forward to seeing who we connect with through this. Comments are on!

I came across this picture I took a few years ago of my (then) 2 year old son (who is now 5) and every time I see this picture it still almost brings me to tears! It shows the humility and respect of a two year old for the amazement of the Lord (as you can obviously see from this photo) and it is something that needed to be shared with everyone who reads this blog.

Here is the picture:

Little kids are so humble and can teach us so much. We did not tell him to bow down and let us take a picture, he just went up there and did it all on his own. It is such a testimony to me of the power of Christ, and reminds me when he wanted all the little children brought to him. I am sure that Christ really was there with his angles that day my son was in awe during this picture, and they were administering to him.

Everyone knows (who follows this blog) that I was rooting for David Archuleta this year on American Idol, but last night David Cook won. I still am pretty happy for David Cook because I really do feel he has better American “Idol”ness about him. I think David Archuleta is going to be having a huge career in front of him and I wish him and Cook nothing but the best luck!

David Archuleta basically stole the show last night on American Idol. After the way Simon slammed David Cook I do not see how he will get the votes he needs to become the next American Idol. I think that David Cook did an amazing job on U2’s “still haven’t found what I’m looking for”. I would buy that single if it were out today, but overall David Archuleta just sang his young little heart out, and showed America why he deserves to be the next American Idol.

I was pretty sure it would be a nail biter down until they make the winner announcement tonight, but after last nights performances there is no way that David Cook can win, even though I really do think hes such a talented singer. I will still buy his albums and whatever he does in the future.

David Cook changed what he does (his singing style) the last couple of weeks, and I think its his downfall. When he was making songs his own, and doing everything he could to get to the point that hes at, that is the David Cook that America has been voting for! I am not sure why he felt he had to change it up. If it ain’t broke don’t fix it! (right?)

Either of the Davids are winners in my books, and I have really enjoyed this season of American Idol. Its hard to think about the next season when I feel this season can’t be topped at all! Enjoy watching the show tonight, and GOOD LUCK to both the Davids!

Mornings at our house can be hectic (to say the least) with school, getting the kids ready, taking care of the babies needs, and getting everyone out the door in time to pick up the other kids who carpool with us to school.

With that said, this morning was unusually busy as we are having concrete poured in our back yard, and the workers have been hard at it since 6 am. I am super busy, running around trying to get work done, kids ready, and taking care of any needs of (and watching) the concrete guys, but then my daughter asks for the “sunrise toast” she found in the friend magazine a while back and asked me to make it for her. I could see how upset she was when she heard me say that this morning was just way to busy and that she should just fix herself a bowl of cereal.

I took a step back and asked myself; “How long is this really going to take, and I can show her how much I care!” So we made it, and had fun doing it together, and it gave her that time and attention she needs before going to a long day of school with temptations all around her. She was so happy, and she knows that I love her, and care enough to stop no matter whats going on and give her the time.

This life is really about family, its not about concrete, or all the other things we sometimes let take our time away from what really matters. Right now when my kids are young they like doing things with us parents, and I hope because we show them how much we care it will continue to be that way (even when they become annoying teenagers!)

I called this with the two Davids like two months ago, but none of that matters right now.  What matters is that two of the most deserving talented people are the remaining finalists on American Idol.  I am really hoping nothing but good for David Archuleta, but I still think talent wise and American Idol(ness)wise that David Cook is the one who needs to win.

I still will buy anything either of the two put out, but its really going to be interesting to see who wins American Idol this year.  It really is ether Davids victory for the taking.  I don’t think I have ever heard Archuleta mess up, but then again he has not taken the risks that David Cook has with his vocal and (talent) range.

Congrats to the Davids though, and I am very happy it has come down to these two finalists, because I feel like no matter what everybody wins!  Fans win, and these two singers win (even if someone does have to come in second).