Lessons from an old screen door

My grandparents lived in an old bungalow home that they expanded by enclosing the front porch and creating a larger living room. The back door was at the bottom of a few stairs on the back porch. This door had an old wooden screen on it with a long spring that kept it closed. This was long before the days of hydraulic door closers, so if you weren't careful, the door would slam shut behind you.

When I stayed at their home, I would be excited to run outside after breakfast and explore the yard and neighborhood. Every time I ran out that door, it would slam shut. This was invariably followed by the booming voice of my grandfather saying "Don't slam the !#$@ door!". Every time that happened, I would vow that the next time I would be more careful. I would lie in bed at night and promise myself that I would do better the next day, but every day I would run out that door, usually remembering my promise just a split second before the door crashed shut. I never did learn to make sure that the door closed quietly no matter how hard I tried. The few times I did remember, my little brother would follow behind and I still earned the reprimand from my grandfather.

Today, I was released from my calling serving in the bishopric of our ward. I told the stake president that my time in this calling was a lot like my experience with that door. I never felt like I had mastered the ability to serve the way I felt like I had promised the Lord I would. I have loved serving our ward in this capacity. I have loved serving with two amazing men. There is something about counseling with them and being able to receive revelation together that forges a bond of love between us. I will miss the love and trust that I have felt from our ward members during the last 5 -1/2 years. I only hope that the Lord will forgive me for never learning how to keep that door from slamming, and will judge me instead on the intentions of my heart.

A Time For Moving On

The beginning of summer marks the end of the school year. The end of the school year means graduations to attend, congratulations to extend, and good-byes to be said.

 It all began with one our goofiest grandkids. (we have a few of them), Andrew, who graduated from pre-school. I like his graduation cap - and his enthusiasm.

 His teacher is going to miss this little guy. She told about one day when he was playing in the yard. She saw him stand up and suddenly run clear across the yard and into the bushes. She asked him what he was doing.
His answer? "I farted myself all the way across the yard". I think I have an idea who taught him that one, and it wasn't anyone in the Phillips family.

 Cy graduated to a new bedroom and a new basement playroom. No sad good-byes for him.

 It was a different story at the kindergarten graduation for Ping's first class at Muir Elementary. As Janene and I walk through the neighborhood, we see lots of six year old children who talk to us in Chinese. It is too bad that Ping won't be around to see the fruits of her labor.

Sad good-byes as Ping left her little college students and headed back to China and home. We sure miss her. The last time we talked on Skype, we all cried.

Joe graduated from Viewmont and a big chunk of Diane and Dan's family were on hand to celebrate this milestone. After earning his Eagle Scout award, this graduation ceremony at Weber State University was nice way to cap off his high school education. Now he is off to the working fields like the rest of us, before he heads off to college.

I always thought Dan was tall, but now both Mom and dad look up to their grown son

Laura and Isabelle both said good-bye to Valley View (Grandma's Alma Mater) as they graduated to junior high school. Janene and I never got to be in the same class with one of our cousins. These two young women  have been able to share that great blessing

Mom and Isabelle don't seem to have any regrets about moving on. My dad has something he says a lot. "onward and upward". I never really knew why he said that, but as I watch our children and grandchildren each pass these mile markers, I can't help but think about the final gatepost out there in the future. I hope and pray that it will be "onward and upward" for all of our family until that final day when we can all be together with no more sad good-byes.

What are you looking at?

During the recent annular solar eclipse, we traveled as a family to Ground Zero in the center of the path of the eclipse for a once in a lifetime glimpse of what the sun can look like.

 NASA set up some telescopes along with Southern Utah State University to get a better view. With this telescope, I was able to see solar flares and sunspots on the surface of the sun.

 We were only a few miles from Vikki's home in Kanarraville. Julia chose a spot close to the ambulance for her viewing spot. She doesn't look too worried. It was a kind of party atmosphere around here.

 Our first try at photographing this event was not too impressive. Should have brought the tripod.

 We got a little better, but not until after we had reached perfect alignment.

 We did have to wait around for a long time. Amazingly, there was still a wait for the facilities

 What a classic family photograph! It's a good thing they were wearing their glasses.

 They didn't really come prepared to see a half-moon!

 Like I said, a party atmosphere. or is it a carnival?

Once in a lifetime. We were glad we went, even though it took us about 7 hours to get home. Thanks Vikki!