Big Jake & The Gospel

First of all, Big Jake is not a man.  It might have been named after a man, probably an amazing man.  Big Jake is, in fact, an amazing burrito.  The jalepeno sauce I could drink...but I digress.  Our first meeting with Big Jake was because of our home teacher.  We had recently moved across country, were out of money and food, and along comes our home teacher with a bag full of Big Jakes.  Maybe it was the gift of love or maybe because we were all so hungry, but our lives were never the same.  We discovered that Big Jakes were made in the same town where we attend the closest temple (Snowflake).  Now I'm not saying that we go to the temple just to get a Big Jake but they do seem to go together.  In fact, I've shared the experience with our Bishop and the youth of our ward when we do baptisms at the temple, then top of the day with a Big Jake.  We've done it often enough that I associate a spiritual experience with Big Jakes now...all because of a faithful home teacher. 

For restaurant information:  http://web.userinstinct.com/797773-el-cupidos.htm

Werewolf by Night

Last night was rough.  I had a hard time sleeping at all.  And when I did, it was one of those sleeps where your brain is still actively trying to solve all the problems it didn't have time to focus on during the day and you wake up more tired than when you started and there goes your resolution to cut down on the caffeine and then you decide that maybe that day will come but this is not that day.  My wife thinks it has something to do with the full moon, which I think is a bit looney (bad pun).  So then in Pre-Calculus class we talk about modeling the phases of the moon with a Sine Regression and I ask who had a hard time sleeping last night and I was stunned that over half the students raised their hand (but I have no base-line data to compare).  So if you're interested, follow the link below to find out if the phases of the moon do affect our sleep...and other things...
http://www.insomnia911.com/sleep-insomnia/moon.htm

The Lord is Mindful

 "You have done great things.  You will yet do many great things."  The words poured out of my mouth as I gave a blessing.  Sometimes you don't even realize what you're saying before it comes out.  Those words astonished me and were very comforting and thought-provoking to the individual.  The Lord knows us individually.  We are of great worth to him.  I think about how I've felt when I thought I'd lost a child at the store for a few minutes, and how happy I was to find the child safe and happy.  How our Father must feel when we return to him when we have strayed.  We might feel a little chastised, like "Don't you ever do that again!"  But preiminant, I think, is a feeling of love and relief and a need for a hug.  His arms are outstretched. 

From 1st Date to Chosen Mate

So I'm sitting around the table with my boys listening as they are discussing dating strategies.  Since when do teenagers become experts.  Oh, that's right, when they become teenagers they are experts on everything.  I was curious to see if advice was every going to be asked from Casanova Dad --- uh, no.  You would think I would have a little "street cred" when it comes to dating.  After all, I married their mother.   

For 55 creative and cheap dating ideas for teens, click below:
http://www.essortment.com/family/creativeand_siun.htm

Alpheus Gifford - Legacy of Missionary Work

Tonight for Family Night we discussed family history and told stories of our ancestors.  One story I felt had particular significance to Jason leaving on his mission next week --- the story of Alpheus Gifford.  I didn't know anything about Alpheus when I was a boy attending a descendants of Alpheus Gifford reunion.  There were a few hundred people there at least.  The highlight of the weekend, as far as I was concerned, was when they read a letter that had just been received by the family from President Spencer W. Kimball, the prophet of my youth.  He basically thanked our family, saying that if it wasn't for our ancestor, he wouldn't be a member of the church today, for Alpheus Gifford was one of the missionaries that taught his ancestor, Heber C. Kimball, the gospel and baptized him.  It was amazing for me as a boy to think that missionaries had been in my family for generations.  Now, with Jonathan in Michigan and Jason leaving for Mexico, I proud that the missionary legacy lives on.

For more on Alpheus Gifford, read the McGee family blog at http://mcgeefamilyblog.blogspot.com/2008/08/alpheus-gifford-3rd-great-grandfather.html

Be Not as the Hypocrites

Today, as I was reflecting on the principles of fasting, I remembered an experience I had while I was still in high school.  I was working part-time at a grocery store, and often carried out groceries for a minister of another religion.  I went to school with his children and liked him fine except that I knew that he went out of his way to bash Mormons in his weekly religion column in the local newspaper.  Periodically, we would talk and disagree about points of doctrine but it was all good-natured.  One day, he comes in looking absolutely terrible, pale and lifeless.  He made a big scene in the store about how he was beginning his 40-day fast.  I asked him why he was buying food then.  He responded by saying he was allowed to eat after sundown.  I thought that was kind of a cheap way to fast for 40 days, plus it bothered me that he was drawing so much attention to himself, so as I was taking his groceries out to the car I quoted the scripture to him that said,

“Moreover when ye fast, be not, as the hypocrites, of a sad countenance: for they disfigure their faces, that they may appear unto men to fast."  I can't believe what a tactless teenager I was then (okay, it's not that big a stretch).  Anyway, I could tell it really hit him hard.  He never came to the store looking like that again, but was his usual outgoing personality.  We never spoke of it again, though I think that might of figured in to him sprinkling me with Holy Water (but that's another story).  I realize now that I gained a measure of respect for the man that day, as he was able to accept a reproof from the unlikeliest of sources---a know it all teenager.

For principles of faster from a better source than a tactless teenager:  http://lds.org/manual/gospel-principles/chapter-25-fasting?lang=eng

Go Seattle?

Chicago Bears' fans may be the most passionate in sports, at least the ones I've known in my life have been.  They have their little (or not so little) shrines, the flags, the apparel, the personalized plates and the list goes on.  No weather stops a Bears fan.  Through thick and thin, through up and down years they are amazingly loyal.  But to all my Bears friends I have to admit that I'm pulling for the Seattle Seahawks tomorrow.  I've always loved rooting for the underdog, and the Seahawks are historically so.  The are the first team in NFL history to make the playoffs with a losing record.  Last weekend, they dethroned the defending Superbowl Champions, the Saints, with a near-perfect performance.  Because Green Bay won today, the Seahawks can host next week's NFC Championship with a win over the Bears.  They could actually make the Superbowl and still not have a winning record.  Okay, I know I'm getting ahead of myself but I just think that would be cool.  Man, I love rooting for the underdog.

Now if your interested, check out 12 reasons why the Seahawks can't beat the Bears.  Or not.
  http://beargoggleson.com/2011/01/14/12-reasons-why-the-seahawks-cant-win-sunday/

Never Mind

I take pride in my teaching.  I work hard in my craft.  Often it's a thankless job teaching high school kids.  But sometimes, like today, I had more than one "Ah hah" moment as I was teaching my students to visualize trigonometric functions.  I know it sounds awful, but actually, it was awesome.  But this isn't about the awesome or the "Ah hah!"  This is about the girl reviewing for her test next week, who asks me a question.  I come up with a great explanation (if I do say so myself), and she says, "Oh.  I get it.  Never mind."  Never mind?  Wait, I helped you understand a concept that most mortals don't get and you say never mind?  Not thank you, but never mind?   OK, I didn't say that last part out loud but I sure thought it.  It actually irritated me for about 5 seconds until it occurred to me that sometimes my prayers are like that.  "Please, please help me _____________."  Fast forward to when the prayer is answered.  "Oh.  Never mind."

Quote of the day:
“You say grace before meals. All right. But I say grace before the concert and the opera, and grace before the play and pantomime, and grace before I open a book, and grace before sketching, painting, swimming, fencing, boxing, walking, playing, dancing and grace before I dip the pen in the ink.” — G. K. Chesterton

The Way to Pay Your Bills

So I ran into a friend today, who began to tell me of his financial woes.  It reminded me of the story of a man who received a telephone call from a debt collection agency.  "Sir, we need to get a payment from you right away," said the voice on the phone. 
"Well, that just might happen," the man responded.  "I have my own way of paying my bills.  You see, I put all my bills every month into a hat.  I pull one randomly and pay the bill.  Then I pull another and pay the bill and so forth until I am out of money." 
The voice on the phone replied, "That is the most ridiculous thing I've ever heard!  That is so irresponsible!  That is...." 
"Hey," the man cut in.  "Show some respect.  Otherwise,  I'm taking you out of the hat!"

All joking aside, for a slightly better guide to family finances, try:
http://www.providentliving.org/ff/pdf/WE_FamilyFinancesGuide_International_04007_000.pdf

DVD Review - "The Body"

"The Body" satisfies one of the great purposes of any movie; it gets you thinking.  How would your faith be challenged if the scientific community revealed "indisputable" (or at least compelling) evidence that Jesus Christ's bones were unearthed in an archeological dig in Old Jerusalem?  How would you react if you were a priest representing the interests of the Vatican, as played by Antonio Banderas?  How would you respond within the framework of your belief system, or your understanding of the Savior's history?  Perhaps your faith would be shaken, as were those who read the contents of Mark Hoffman's forged "Salamander Letter" years ago.  Regardless of how you respond, "The Body" is a thought-provoking beautifully-filmed movie (on location in Israel & Italy) worthy of an evening.  The only real negative is the sub-standard quality of the sound.  So turn the volume up and enjoy.

The Shroud of Turin is mentioned in the movie.  For a detailed examination of the possible burial robe of Christ, go to http://www.shroud.com/menu.htm.

Comes Great Responsibility

The Power is within us.  The responsibility is to share that power with others and make their lives better, fuller, richer, more abundant.  To lead, to guide, to protect, to teach...whatever is required of us.  Can anyone tell me the original source of the quote, "With Great Power, there shall Come Great Responsibility."?
Hint:  Go to http://www.marvel.com/