Oh How Embarrassing!!!

     
Called to Serve?

So here I am this morning sitting at my desk working on getting one of our out-dated applications retired.  Not a complex job, so I decided to listen to one of the podcasts that I have on my iPhone.  It's Michael Moody, and during the course of the interview there is a recording of the Tabernacle Choir singing Come Thou Fount of Every Blessing inserted.  So, I get all caught up in the music and start to hum along with it and then to sing softly along.  That is followed by a bit more interview and an insert of Called To Serve also performed by the Choir.  This time I'm totally caught up and begin to sing along, not just softly but fairly loudly in my very pitiful voice.  With earplugs in place, I'm not aware that I'm sharing my efforts with all those around me until I turn around in my chair and see about a dozen people standing outside my cube.  Oh, color my face red.  If only I had a decent voice I would NOT have been at all embarrassed.  Hmm.  Oh well, they can just live with it!!!

I Was Thinking Today

     
Ramblings of a History Major....

I was thinking about Abraham Lincoln today. Now I know that many of you might wonder why in the world I would be thinking about Lincoln. Well, that's easy. History majors always think about people they would love to have met but will never get the chance. And Lincoln is right near the top of my list. If there is one event that in my mind most defines who and what he was, that would be when he delivered the Gettysburg address. I love reading it and never fail to be moved by it.

What you may not know is that Lincoln was not even the featured speaker that day. The keynoter was Edward Everett, a politician from Massachusetts, and he spoke for two hours or more (13,000+ words!) before it was Lincoln's turn to offer the dedication of the graveyard. Can you imagine, the President of the United States playing second fiddle to another speaker. Bet that wouldn't happen today!

Take a moment or two and read what Lincoln had to say that day. It's only 10 or so sentences and took him just about 2 minutes to deliver on that day in November. Then when you have finished reading it, take a few minutes and think about how we can apply this to ourselves.

"Four score and seven years ago our fathers brought forth on this continent a new nation, conceived in liberty, and dedicated to the proposition that all men are created equal.

"Now we are engaged in a great civil war, testing whether that nation, or any nation, so conceived and so dedicated, can long endure. We are met on a great battle-field of that war. We have come to dedicate a portion of that field, as a final resting place for those who here gave their lives that that nation might live. It is altogether fitting and proper that we should do this.

"But, in a larger sense, we can not dedicate...we can not consecrate...we can not hallow this ground. The brave men, living and dead, who struggled here, have consecrated it, far above our poor power to add or detract. The world will little note, nor long remember what we say here, but it can never forget what they did here. It is for us the living, rather, to be dedicated here to the unfinished work which they who fought here have thus far so nobly advanced. It is rather for us to be here dedicated to the great task remaining before us—that from these honored dead we take increased devotion to that cause for which they gave the last full measure of devotion—that we here highly resolve that these dead shall not have died in vain—that this nation, under God, shall have a new birth of freedom—and that government of the people, by the people, for the people, shall not perish from the earth."

Isn't that wonderful!  We are now ten score and four years from when that new nation was brought forth, and Lincoln's call to action is as imperative today as it was when he spoke these words. I'm not sure I've ever read anything quite so eloquent. His words speak to us today, and we must make sure not to let those who have given their lives that we might enjoy the freedoms we do to have done so in vain. We must remember all who "gave the last full measure of devotion" on our behalf, and ensure that we too "resolve" that this government shall never perish. May we also "be dedicated here to the unfinished work which they who fought here have thus far so nobly advanced."  And may our God always bless America.

Mormon Channel

I don't know how many of you have done any listening to the Mormon Channel. It is something that I discovered a few months ago. Most of the content in which I am interested can be loaded to you computer in the form of podcasts. I find that I'm listening to them as I travel to and from work and at home at night when I first go to bed. Some are, of course, better than others. But I really do encourage you to listen in and then comment about what you have gleaned or how you feel about what you are hearing. If you find some of them to be "duddy", let us know. If you find some gems, let us know that too!

Another picture from Phoenix. The look on my face truly captures the sublime pleasure I was finding during this trip.

Love, Dad

Update from the Baloney Monster

Just a quick note to let you all know that the chemo treatment went well yesterday. Felt great all day and went to work when done at the chemo center. Did get a bit tired after dinner and chose to plant my backside in my recliner for the rest of the evening. Feeling great today and expect to have a productive day at work. I'll try to keep you up to date on how things go during this next week. I appreciate the fact that you are now using my new e-mail address. Makes life a lot easier. However, I think that I will post many things here and encourage all of you to take a look regularly. But you will get at least some information by e-mail. You won't HAVE to come here!

Yup. I've added a picture from the Phoenix trip. You can tell by the very serious look on my face that I was quite displeased with yet another split. Somehow my Baloney Monster T-shirt did not push me into the winner's circle at the end of the day. Now that was just wrong!

I want all of you to know how very much Mom and I enjoyed the trip to Phoenix and are grateful for all who were able to be a part of it. For those who were not, we do understand, and we love you too. Know that you were missed. I love being with my children and grandchildren more than I can tell you. You make Mom and me rich beyond measure. The bank account may not be much, but there are treasures laid up in other places, and we find them of far more value.

Coming Soon from the Pen of the Master

Well, Ok, not from the pen but the keyboard of the master. Just wanted to let you know that I've about completed the first installment of the journey on which we have traveled over the last year and a half. It only covers the last have of December 2008, but there is a lot in it. Mom and I have gone over it a time or two, and will do so once more before I post it. It's pretty long, and I suspect that other segments will be equally long, though some of them will cover much more time time than this one. After you have had a chance to read it, and I'll let you know when it hits the blog site, I would appreciate your comments. I already know that it is not great writing, and anyone who would like to help me clean it up (as in comma blunders, grammar, and other such things) is welcome to do so. In time, I want the entire account to be a well written one. Thanks for humoring me! As you can see, I'm hard at work on getting this account completed. I just hope I can get back to it soon. Right now I'm having too much fun with my iPad.