Wow! What a week. Being sick for the last 6 days certainly hasn't been much fun. Tonight I am keenly aware of how blessed I really am. I am healthy...my kids are all healthy and happy...I have a wonderful wife who teaches me and supports me in all that I do. A kidney stone is no walk in the park, but overall I feel very blessed. My Bishop has come by twice, his counselors, as well the EQ Presidency. And many friends!
Last week, in the midst of my suffering, I found this sticky note attached to my dresser:
This is a note left by my 6-year old daughter, Emilie, last week while I was sick. Now, over last week or so my kids have only seen me either moaning/cringing in pain, or in a Percoset-induced haze on the couch! Needless to say, I have not been a ton of fun to be around. No bedtime stories, no sitting on dad's lap, really no interaction at all. So when I saw Emilie's note, it was hard because I had been so miserable I couldn't interact with my family in a normal way. I get very grumpy when I get sick. I look back with guilt, wondering...even as I was so sick, could I have done anything better? But Emilie's heart emulated that of the Savior...she loved me "even when I was sick". Even when I am not at my best, my 6-year old daughter sees through the "muck" and loves me for who I am.
One of the most cherished lessons that I have ever experienced!
Had quite the week! Things started off innocently enough on Thursday night with a trip up to Spokane with Carl to go see a prospect. On the way from the airport to the hotel, I developed a very intense pain in my lower abdominal flank. It continued to worsen, so shortly after checking into our hotel, we headed to the ER. After a CT scan, a kidney stone was diagnosed. They prescribed some pain and nausea meds, and sent me on my way. I returned to SLC the next day and started to wait things out; these stones usually pass in a few days. After a few days of suffering (the pain meds did help) and throwing up, we headed back to the ER. They recommended a Urologist, who I went to see on Monday. They recommended that I continue to wait it out. Then, this morning, after the pain increased even more (as if that were possible) and more vomiting, I went back in and they decided to go in and get the stone via a procedure called a Ureteroscopy. They basically go up the wrong way down that one-way street, through the uretha, bladder, and into the ureter and grab the stone. The procedure went well; and, it was a good thing they did it. My kidney and bladder were in pretty bad shape from the blockage, and the stone, though only 3mm in size, wasn't going anywhere...it was lodged pretty good. They left a stent in place in the ureter to assist in drainage. I actually feel so much better without all that back pressure on my kidney. 5 days of that was enough for me!
Preparing for an unpleasant precedure, but happy to be getting the stone out!!!
Dominican Republic: Michelle and I have been invited to attend the company trip to Punta Cana, Dominican Republic. It's an all-expenses paid trip that my company does for the sales teams that exceed their sales quota each year. About 1/2 the company gets to go each year. We will be there Feb. 25th - March 1st. Well, maybe it isn't all the way free...so far we have had to spend $400 on passports. The last time I was out of the country was my mission (can you believe it? OK, Mexico, but that doesn't really count). Here is the agenda for the trip:
Wednesday - Take the red-eye to Atlanta, then to DR
Thursday - Snorkeling at an offshore reef; ziplining through the tropical forest
Friday - Deep sea fishing; ride 4-wheelers through the forest
Saturday - Hang out at the beach ALL DAY
Sunday - Fly home
Michelle has never been out of the country, so she is very excited! She served her mission in Oklahoma, so she stayed stateside.
Last night Justine had 8 or her friends over for her 12th birthday party. We took them all to see Inkheart; then we came home for pizza and they did a murder-mystery: Death of a Teen Idol.
Tonight, as I pondered my Sunday School lesson, a thought came to my mind. It was a quote given by Carlfred Broderick, a prominent member of the church in the mid to late 20th century:
The term "savior on Mount Zion" is ordinarily reserved for those engaged in vicarious work. Truly, Saints who selflessly devote themselves to genealogical and temple work deserve the title. They perform Christlike service in lovingly opening the gates of exaltation to others who without their work would not have that opportunity.
But I believe that the term might also be applied to another group of the Saints. These have been called to sacrifice for the sake of saving the living, often of their own household.
Children need not merely replicate the sins of their fathers, but that each generation is held accountable for its own choices. [Ezekiel 18:2-4]
Indeed, my experience in various church callings and in my profession as a family therapist has convinced me that God actively intervenes in some destructive lineages, assigning a valiant spirit to break the chain of destructiveness in such families.Although these children may suffer innocently as victims of violence, neglect, and exploitation, through the grace of God some find the strength to “metabolize” the poison within themselves, refusing to pass it on to future generations.Before them were generations of destructive pain; after them the line flows clear and pure.Their children and children’s children will call them blessed.
In suffering innocently that others might not suffer, such persons, in some degree, become as “saviors on Mount Zion” by helping to bring salvation to a lineage...”
Last week, Michelle and I were able to attend the temple with Justine, her first time. She was so excited! Our ward temple night actually fell on her 12th birthday, and Bishop Woodruff signed her recommend early that previous Sunday so that she could go with us that day. She rode over with the youth (we had around 20 in the temple with us), and we met her in the baptistry. I had been working to prepare some names of my immediate family: My maternal/paternal grandparents, a couple aunts and uncles, a cousin, and others. It was the first time I had prepared names (thanks Stacy and Dessa for helping me get started!). I felt a real spirit of Elijah as we visited Indiana this past spring; my sister and I were able to gather a lot of information while we were there. The Spirit was strong as Justine and I participated in the baptismal and confirmation ordinances. A couple of the young men who I had become close to when I served as the YM President last year assisted me with the male names...it was such a wonderful experience!
I am grateful for my dear sister for bringing the Gospel to me; our upbringing wasn't great, and the Gospel saved us both. For wonderful friends both before and after my mission who helped teach me and bring light into my life. For my wonderful wife who saw the good in me early, and who has helped me become a better husband and father. But most of all to my Heavenly Father, who has blessed me with a wonderful family and has entrusted chosen spirits to come to our home. I feel truly blessed!
We had a wonderful time in the temple last Wednesday! Justine turned 12 on Jan 14th, the same day of our Ward Temple Night and Dinner. We were able to attend together as a family (James, Michelle, Justine) and initiate work for names of several of James' immediate ancestors. It was a wonderful time!
Justine also danced at the halftime show at the Jazz game last week...
Justine is right on the halfcourt line, in the front row
Michelle's aunt and uncle also returned from a mission to Cambodia recently...on New Year's Day, we all got together for bowling and lunch.
This past Sunday I took Justine to visit with the Bishop for her Young Women's interview...she will be 12 on January 14th. It was a time of reflection for me; it seems like just yesterday she was Maddie's age! Some of my memories of Justine....
1. The first time she opened her eyes when she was born.
2. Watching the Bulls together trounce the Jazz in the Finals. I bought her a little Bulls uniform that she would wear for every game.
3. The first time she recognized a color; it was a green light while driving down the road.
4. Getting stopped every 10 minutes everywhere we went by people telling us how beautiful she was. While in the top of the Sears Tower in Chicago in 2000, an Oriental tourist stopped us so she could get her picture taken with Justine.
5. Coaching her in T-ball
6. One of her first words was "Michael Jordan" and "Bulls"
7. Her baptism
8. Coming out of the Bishop's office last Sunday with her first Temple Recommend
We are so proud of Justine. She is very talented and a wonderful young lady. She makes good choices and is a good friend to others. She has a growing testimony of the restored gospel. She is good big sister to her siblings and sets a good example for them.
First snowman - Sandy UT
Justine broke her arm when she was 18 months old. She fell down a window well at Grandma Edna's
Christmas morning we were pleasantly surprised that no one woke us up until 7AM! We had a great day and everyone received the gifts that they desired...
Christmas Eve was fun filled as busy! We had a family party that evening complete with a visit from Santa. After dinner/singing/Santa visit, we headed off to Temple Square (our family tradition), accompanied by Janaye and Austin (Michelle's sister and son). It was a great time, with weather in the mid-30's and very comfortable.
The kids have been playing non-stop with they gifts...singing Wii game, dad got a new guitar, mom a new sewing machine, Justine a Zune (mp3 player), Maddie with a couple princess items, Emilie with a digital camera.
Austin reflecting as he looked at the temple. He sat there for around 5 minutes staring...he is baptized, but not active.
Cute Emilie
Temple
Temple
Rusty
I proposed to Michelle 13 years ago on Temple Square. While we were dating, she instructed me in no uncertain terms that I was not to propose on Temple Square (too cliche, apparently). I figured Temple Square would be the place she would least expect it, so that's what I did. Afterwards, we announced our nuptials to the wait staff of the JB's across the street from the temple.
