Today I decided to do something a little different with my lesson. I was struggling a little bit in preparing this lesson. So I decided to teach a mini MTC lesson on the commitment pattern. Since that is where I learned about teaching after the manner of the spirit. The commitment pattern is not only useful to missionaries but to everyone throughout life. Anyway that's what I did. Here are my notes.
Commitment Pattern
1. Prepare
Build Relationships of Trust
1. Become Acquainted
–Tell about yourself and ask about others
2. Build on Common Beliefs
–Show respect for others beliefs
–Point out common beliefs
–Relate message to common beliefs
3. Show Empathy
–Try to understand others’ thoughts and feelings
–Share similar experiences or feelings
4. Be dependable
5. Meet the needs of investigators
6. Show Christlike love for others
7. Listen to others
Help Others Feel and Recognize the Spirit
1. Bear Testimony
–Avoid words that nonmembers will not understand
–Bear simple testimony that relates to the subject
2. Share Experiences
–Be simple, clear and direct
–Tell experiences that will help others
–Do not share past transgressions
3. Identify the influence of the Holy Ghost
–Ask others to describe their feelings
–Tell others they are feeling the Spirit when the Spirit is present
Present the Message
1. Present with Faith
–Present the doctrines as facts
–Do not apologize for teaching the gospel of Jesus Christ
–Avoid contention and arguing
2. Present the Message Clearly
–Speak clearly by varying the tone and speed of your voice
–Use good eye to eye contact
–Use appropriate body language to communicate your feelings
–Simplify the message
–Change the pace of the discussion
–Give examples and illustrations
4. Present correct doctrine
5. Use audiovisual aids effectively
Find Out
1. Listen
–Look for nonverbal messages
–Restate
–Pause
2. Ask Appropriate Questions
–Maintain an equal relationship
–Do not manipulate the investigator
–Be simple and direct
3. Ask Additional Questions
–Ask a question and listen
–Do not interrogate
–Show interest in others needs or feelings
4. Rephrase questions
5. Respond with encouragement
6. Ask nonjudgmental questions
2. Invite
1. Extend the Invitation
–Explain what the investigator is to do and when
–Ask a direct 'Will you' question
–Show respect and do not manipulate
2. Confirm the Commitment
–Make sure the investigator knows exactly what to do and when
–Ask the investigators to state that they will fulfill the commitment
3. Extend the invitation using two questions
4. Rephrase the invitation
3. Follow Up
1. Arrange to Follow Up
–Explain that you want to follow up
–Plan a follow up visit
–Encourage the investigator
2. Make Regular Contacts
–Ask questions to find out how well they fulfilled the commitment
–Adjust the commitment or give the original commitment again
–Encourage and support the investigator
4. Resolve Concerns
1. Discover the Concern
–Use 'find out' skills
2. Discuss the Concern
–Find out if others know how to resolve their concern
–Help others see the results of their decisions
–Tell them that you know they can make the right Decision
–Encourage them to seek the Lord's Help
3. Help Resolve the Concern
–Use Scriptures
–Give examples or illustration
–Share testimony or personal experience
–Book of Mormon
4. Answer the question
5. Give additional information
6. Give examples and illustrations
7. Show empathy
Sunday, May 27, 2012
Sunday, May 20, 2012
Mercedes' Birthday Video for Grandma
Lisa wanted to post this on her blog but said she was having trouble doing so. I thought I would try to post it on my blog to see how difficult it was to post. Since it was created on this computer anyway.
Mercedes made this video for Grandma's birthday yesterday. She worked on it all day. She did a great job! There were several glitches with computer programs that didn't work properly. But she finally figured it out. Awesome job Mercedes!
Mercedes made this video for Grandma's birthday yesterday. She worked on it all day. She did a great job! There were several glitches with computer programs that didn't work properly. But she finally figured it out. Awesome job Mercedes!
Saturday, May 19, 2012
Monday, May 14, 2012
Wednesday, May 9, 2012
Plastic Brother's Visit
[ I had a long narration dictated but in transferring it to this blog it got erased . :-(]
Saturday, May 5, 2012
HB Michael!
Another Feel Good Article
I read this article in the Deseret news today. I really enjoyed it. So I thought I would post it. It's refreshing to read about someone with integrity.
No-Sunday stance has not slowed success of Costco builder.
By Lee Benson , Deseret News
Published: Saturday, Oct. 30 2010 11:49 p.m. MDT
A mere five words ignited the showdown:
"We don't work on Sundays."
On one side of the table in the worksite trailer sat Firoz "King" Husein, owner and founder of Span Construction & Engineering, a company that specializes in the engineering and construction of large steel buildings.
On the other side sat the executive management team in charge of construction for Costco, the gigantic consumer goods wholesaler.
At issue was a 110-day schedule during which Costco's latest warehouse store needed to be completed.
Span Construction had negotiated the contract to build the project, and a few wrinkles, as they always do, had come up to delay the construction schedule. This would not do. Costco's timetables are sacrosanct. The store had to open at the end of 110 days, as announced.
So the executives were letting Husein know that Costco was willing to pay for overtime, but obviously the hours and the days had to be ramped up or the deadline would not be met.
And King Husein was letting the executives know that he would bring in larger crews and they would absolutely lengthen their days — with the exception of Sundays. Span Construction did not work on Sundays. That too was sacrosanct.
Suddenly the air was leaden. Maybe the 110-day clock was spinning, but in the heavy silence of the trailer time stood still.
Finally, a Costco executive spoke, saying to Husein without disguising his incredulity: "You would not work your men on Sundays even if it means you could lose this entire account?"
Answered Husein, "I hope it doesn't come to that, but if it does, I'm sorry, I will not work my guys on Sundays."
The executive stood up, approached Husein, and, inches from his chest, said, "You'd better meet that commitment."
As he was leaving, he said to an architect outside the trailer, "That is one stubborn Indian."
Truer words could not have been uttered.
The above incident in the trailer occurred 21 years ago. Since that time, Span Construction has become the exclusive builder for Costco worldwide, erecting over 59 million square feet of structures in North America, Asia, Europe and Australia, including 350 warehouses, 16 depots, four office structures, 66 expansions, four additions and 376 gas stations — an average of more than 40 projects every year.
And not a single solitary finger has been lifted on Sunday.
King Husein shakes his head at the memory.
"Though it was not my intent at the time," he says, "since that day, the respect and trust from the Costco management increased substantially. We met our deadline, but we did not work on Sundays. They know we will not compromise our principles in meeting our commitments."
Two decades and all those millions of square feet later, Tom Walker, Costco's executive vice president of construction and logistics, says of Husein, "He's a fantastic vendor for us, an incredible person, and he earns everything he gets. He's on schedule, on time, construction costs are under control and he does it in lightning speed."
Adds Walker: "He's always available, I can reach him anytime, day or night. But not on Sundays. He's absolutely blank on Sundays."
He wasn't always King.
He came into the world in Bombay, India, in 1946 as Firoz Mohamed Husein, born into a Muslim family in the largest Hindu country in the world.
His father died when he was 11, and his mother raised Firoz and his two brothers and a sister on money she earned teaching embroidery on foot-powered Singer sewing machines in their small home in order to send them to a private Catholic school.
All she asked was that Firoz get good grades so he could go to college. He did his part and after graduating from the University of Bombay with a bachelor's degree in civil engineering in 1969 he won acceptance to graduate school in America at Rice University in Houston. A $500 loan from the Muslim Education Trust got him across the Pacific.
He was having difficulty acclimatizing to Houston when a telephone call with the cousin of a friend studying engineering at a school in Provo, Utah — Brigham Young University — changed everything.
"You'll like it better here," said the friend's cousin, and without ever enrolling at Rice, Firoz was on his way to a school he'd never before heard of, owned by a church — the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints — he hadn't heard of either.
At BYU, he got his master's degree in one year, graduating in January 1971. Along the way he met and dated Diane Clark, an undergrad from Star Valley, Wyo. After he moved to Boston for his first job, they continued their relationship long-distance, which ultimately resulted in marriage, four children and, for Firoz, membership in the LDS Church eight years after arriving in Provo. The Muslim was a Mormon, adopting all that entails.
It was in Boston that he got his nickname.
The Jewish owners of the steel company he worked for started calling him "King" for King Hussein, the longtime Muslim ruler of Jordan (this was before another Hussein, Saddam, would enter world consciousness).
"I knew their intent. They were being friendly," says Husein of the Jews who gave him a nickname from a Muslim. "My first name is not that easy — you pronounce it like a rose, fee-rose — so I became King."
King left Boston for California and struck out on his own. He started Span Construction & Engineering out of a storage closet in 1979. One building project led to another, until along came the partnership with Costco. Thanks to that association and other major contracts, for nearly 20 years now, Span Construction & Engineering, with headquarters in Madera, Calif., and a staff that ranges from 200 to 500 employees, has maintained a position as the country's No. 1 builder in the steel building industry.
Span has stayed at the top with worksite policies that in the construction world stretch beyond unconventional into unheard-of.
Besides the no-Sunday mandate, Husein requires that his crews refrain from drinking, smoking or using bad language. He also conducts random drug tests weekly. The strict code of conduct is spelled out in the company policy book that all employees agree to and sign.
At first, Husein says, "we used to lose about 20 percent of employees" to the rules. "Now it's very rare to lose anybody."
And yet, his crews are only about 2 percent LDS.
"It is just what we require, and they know that," Husein says. "It is the way we do business."
Through all the success, Husein, who recently joined the Deseret News Editorial Board, has never forgotten BYU, his unlikely alma mater. He has remained a friend to the university in a variety of ways, as a mentor to engineering students, as a donor — he and his wife provided the endowment for the King and Diane Husein Professorship in Civil Engineering — and as a member of the President's Leadership Council.
"King Husein has been able to give back and give back a lot to BYU and to BYU-Hawaii. He's a great support to both institutions," says Alan Moore, associate director of major gifts for LDS Philanthropies. "He's given his time and his talent. I'd describe him as a happy fellow who is concerned about others."
If you look around the BYU campus, Moore notes, there's plenty of King Husein's signature in the skyline.
It was King's company that built the Gordon B. Hinckley Center when the old alumni house needed to be torn down; it was King's company that built the massive indoor athletic practice facility that adjoins the fieldhouse; and it was King's company that built the student athlete building that borders the practice football field. (Okland Construction of Salt Lake City was a joint partner in the projects).
He didn't build those buildings entirely for free, but it was close. "Let's say he was very generous," says Moore, "and he got others — plumbers, electricians and others — to be very generous, too."
And no one bothered him one bit about not working on Sundays.
Copyright 2012, Deseret News Publishing Company
No-Sunday stance has not slowed success of Costco builder.
By Lee Benson , Deseret News
Published: Saturday, Oct. 30 2010 11:49 p.m. MDT
A mere five words ignited the showdown:
"We don't work on Sundays."
On one side of the table in the worksite trailer sat Firoz "King" Husein, owner and founder of Span Construction & Engineering, a company that specializes in the engineering and construction of large steel buildings.
On the other side sat the executive management team in charge of construction for Costco, the gigantic consumer goods wholesaler.
At issue was a 110-day schedule during which Costco's latest warehouse store needed to be completed.
Span Construction had negotiated the contract to build the project, and a few wrinkles, as they always do, had come up to delay the construction schedule. This would not do. Costco's timetables are sacrosanct. The store had to open at the end of 110 days, as announced.
So the executives were letting Husein know that Costco was willing to pay for overtime, but obviously the hours and the days had to be ramped up or the deadline would not be met.
And King Husein was letting the executives know that he would bring in larger crews and they would absolutely lengthen their days — with the exception of Sundays. Span Construction did not work on Sundays. That too was sacrosanct.
Suddenly the air was leaden. Maybe the 110-day clock was spinning, but in the heavy silence of the trailer time stood still.
Finally, a Costco executive spoke, saying to Husein without disguising his incredulity: "You would not work your men on Sundays even if it means you could lose this entire account?"
Answered Husein, "I hope it doesn't come to that, but if it does, I'm sorry, I will not work my guys on Sundays."
The executive stood up, approached Husein, and, inches from his chest, said, "You'd better meet that commitment."
As he was leaving, he said to an architect outside the trailer, "That is one stubborn Indian."
Truer words could not have been uttered.
The above incident in the trailer occurred 21 years ago. Since that time, Span Construction has become the exclusive builder for Costco worldwide, erecting over 59 million square feet of structures in North America, Asia, Europe and Australia, including 350 warehouses, 16 depots, four office structures, 66 expansions, four additions and 376 gas stations — an average of more than 40 projects every year.
And not a single solitary finger has been lifted on Sunday.
King Husein shakes his head at the memory.
"Though it was not my intent at the time," he says, "since that day, the respect and trust from the Costco management increased substantially. We met our deadline, but we did not work on Sundays. They know we will not compromise our principles in meeting our commitments."
Two decades and all those millions of square feet later, Tom Walker, Costco's executive vice president of construction and logistics, says of Husein, "He's a fantastic vendor for us, an incredible person, and he earns everything he gets. He's on schedule, on time, construction costs are under control and he does it in lightning speed."
Adds Walker: "He's always available, I can reach him anytime, day or night. But not on Sundays. He's absolutely blank on Sundays."
He wasn't always King.
He came into the world in Bombay, India, in 1946 as Firoz Mohamed Husein, born into a Muslim family in the largest Hindu country in the world.
His father died when he was 11, and his mother raised Firoz and his two brothers and a sister on money she earned teaching embroidery on foot-powered Singer sewing machines in their small home in order to send them to a private Catholic school.
All she asked was that Firoz get good grades so he could go to college. He did his part and after graduating from the University of Bombay with a bachelor's degree in civil engineering in 1969 he won acceptance to graduate school in America at Rice University in Houston. A $500 loan from the Muslim Education Trust got him across the Pacific.
He was having difficulty acclimatizing to Houston when a telephone call with the cousin of a friend studying engineering at a school in Provo, Utah — Brigham Young University — changed everything.
"You'll like it better here," said the friend's cousin, and without ever enrolling at Rice, Firoz was on his way to a school he'd never before heard of, owned by a church — the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints — he hadn't heard of either.
At BYU, he got his master's degree in one year, graduating in January 1971. Along the way he met and dated Diane Clark, an undergrad from Star Valley, Wyo. After he moved to Boston for his first job, they continued their relationship long-distance, which ultimately resulted in marriage, four children and, for Firoz, membership in the LDS Church eight years after arriving in Provo. The Muslim was a Mormon, adopting all that entails.
It was in Boston that he got his nickname.
The Jewish owners of the steel company he worked for started calling him "King" for King Hussein, the longtime Muslim ruler of Jordan (this was before another Hussein, Saddam, would enter world consciousness).
"I knew their intent. They were being friendly," says Husein of the Jews who gave him a nickname from a Muslim. "My first name is not that easy — you pronounce it like a rose, fee-rose — so I became King."
King left Boston for California and struck out on his own. He started Span Construction & Engineering out of a storage closet in 1979. One building project led to another, until along came the partnership with Costco. Thanks to that association and other major contracts, for nearly 20 years now, Span Construction & Engineering, with headquarters in Madera, Calif., and a staff that ranges from 200 to 500 employees, has maintained a position as the country's No. 1 builder in the steel building industry.
Span has stayed at the top with worksite policies that in the construction world stretch beyond unconventional into unheard-of.
Besides the no-Sunday mandate, Husein requires that his crews refrain from drinking, smoking or using bad language. He also conducts random drug tests weekly. The strict code of conduct is spelled out in the company policy book that all employees agree to and sign.
At first, Husein says, "we used to lose about 20 percent of employees" to the rules. "Now it's very rare to lose anybody."
And yet, his crews are only about 2 percent LDS.
"It is just what we require, and they know that," Husein says. "It is the way we do business."
Through all the success, Husein, who recently joined the Deseret News Editorial Board, has never forgotten BYU, his unlikely alma mater. He has remained a friend to the university in a variety of ways, as a mentor to engineering students, as a donor — he and his wife provided the endowment for the King and Diane Husein Professorship in Civil Engineering — and as a member of the President's Leadership Council.
"King Husein has been able to give back and give back a lot to BYU and to BYU-Hawaii. He's a great support to both institutions," says Alan Moore, associate director of major gifts for LDS Philanthropies. "He's given his time and his talent. I'd describe him as a happy fellow who is concerned about others."
If you look around the BYU campus, Moore notes, there's plenty of King Husein's signature in the skyline.
It was King's company that built the Gordon B. Hinckley Center when the old alumni house needed to be torn down; it was King's company that built the massive indoor athletic practice facility that adjoins the fieldhouse; and it was King's company that built the student athlete building that borders the practice football field. (Okland Construction of Salt Lake City was a joint partner in the projects).
He didn't build those buildings entirely for free, but it was close. "Let's say he was very generous," says Moore, "and he got others — plumbers, electricians and others — to be very generous, too."
And no one bothered him one bit about not working on Sundays.
Copyright 2012, Deseret News Publishing Company
Tuesday, May 1, 2012
Interesting Article
I read this article last week and thought it was cool. Not sure how many of you know who Alex Boye is, but I know he was in the Mormon Tabernacle choir. I don’t know much about him myself. Apparently, he’s British. J
. Anyway, I was going to tell this story during my lesson. In Relief Society, but ran out of time. I’m not sure it really fit that well anyway. I hope you enjoy it.
Prince Charles and the Book of Mormon
By Alex Boye For the Deseret News
Published: Monday, April 23 2012 4:00 a.m. MDT
As a musician, I spend my days promoting my music and my videos, but nothing comes close to the feeling you get when you’re promoting your faith.
I was sitting in Sunday School of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints a few years ago when the ward mission leader walked into class with a stern look on his face. He had a box full of copies of the Book of Mormon and he gave one to each of us, challenging us to give it away this week and come back next week with a report of whom we gave it to.
My band was on tour that week doing a performance for a charity organization called “The Prince’s Trust.” Every year at this event, they celebrate the accomplishments of inner-city kids.
While on tour, there was a loud bang on my door with a patron yelling, “Quick, hurry! Prince Charles wants to meet everyone.”
We thought it was a joke because someone of his position wouldn't necessarily be expected to show up at this event. I looked out the window and saw a helicopter land in the field and Prince Charles got out with his entourage.
We all dressed and rushed to the reception area to meet Prince Charles. Everybody in England knows what the procedures are when you meet royalty. Women curtsy and men bow, you speak only when spoken to and you don’t extend your hand to royalty unless they extend their's first. We have been taught these things since we were young.
As I ran downstairs to stand “on ceremony,” a thought came to my mind that I should head back upstairs, but I didn’t know why. I told the band to go ahead and wait in line and I’d be back. I went to my room and stood there looking around and asking myself, “What now?” Then I saw my copy of the Book of Mormon my ward mission leader gave me. I grabbed it, stuck it in my back pocket and rushed back downstairs.
There was a long line of cooks, cleaners and celebrities standing on ceremony waiting to be greeted by Prince Charles. While standing in line, I tried to come up with something witty and clever that I could say to Prince Charles so he would never forget me. Finally, he made his way toward me and my mind went blank. My supposed unforgettable comment left my mind. He politely moved on to the next person and my opportunity was missed.
As he approached the helicopter to leave I had a strong impression that I needed to give Prince Charles the book in my back pocket. I thought to myself, “How could I accomplish this?" He had already moved on and you’re not allowed to step out of line until Prince Charles has exited. So I wondered how to grab his attention without being disrespectful.
I did the first thing that came naturally to me. I waved my hands in the air, screamed for Prince Charles, and stepped out of line. I did it. I had broken three rules. I realized what I had done and stepped back in line, putting my head down in embarrassment.
With my head still down in shame, two large feet appeared in front of me. I looked up and to my surprise I saw Prince Charles. Gathering my composure, I said, “On behalf of my church I would like to give you a gift.”
As I reached for the book in my back pocket, security went crazy, assuming I was reaching for something more dangerous. I managed to get the book from my pocket and extend my hand to give it to him, breaking a fourth rule. After looking at the book for what seemed like an eternity, he took it.
He looked at it, brought it close to his chest and said to me that he thought it would prove some interesting reading.
“Yes it will,” I responded. “Perhaps you could read it in the helicopter on your way home.”
He told me that he may just do that. And then he left.
Reporters bombarded me with questions wanting to know what I gave Prince Charles. I told them it was the Book of Mormon, Another Testament of Jesus Christ, and then began teaching the first discussion on national TV.
The following Sunday my LDS ward mission leader asked us to report on our Book of Mormon challenge. I told him I gave my copy to Prince Charles. Nobody believed me.
That night I turned on the TV and saw the footage of me talking about the Book of Mormon. No sooner did my phone start ringing — it was my frantic ward mission leader. I guess he believed me now.
Who would have thought that someone like me, trying to promote my music, would be standing at the feet of royalty in England promoting my faith? The Lord uses ordinary people to accomplish extraordinary things. Thanks to the challenge of my ward mission leader, I had the courage to stand up for my faith and give a royal gift to royalty.
Alex Boye is an international recording artist and his email is alex@alexboye.com. For more information, his music page is at www.facebook.com/alexboyemusic.
Copyright 2012, Deseret News Publishing Company
Prince Charles and the Book of Mormon
By Alex Boye For the Deseret News
Published: Monday, April 23 2012 4:00 a.m. MDT
As a musician, I spend my days promoting my music and my videos, but nothing comes close to the feeling you get when you’re promoting your faith.
I was sitting in Sunday School of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints a few years ago when the ward mission leader walked into class with a stern look on his face. He had a box full of copies of the Book of Mormon and he gave one to each of us, challenging us to give it away this week and come back next week with a report of whom we gave it to.
My band was on tour that week doing a performance for a charity organization called “The Prince’s Trust.” Every year at this event, they celebrate the accomplishments of inner-city kids.
While on tour, there was a loud bang on my door with a patron yelling, “Quick, hurry! Prince Charles wants to meet everyone.”
We thought it was a joke because someone of his position wouldn't necessarily be expected to show up at this event. I looked out the window and saw a helicopter land in the field and Prince Charles got out with his entourage.
We all dressed and rushed to the reception area to meet Prince Charles. Everybody in England knows what the procedures are when you meet royalty. Women curtsy and men bow, you speak only when spoken to and you don’t extend your hand to royalty unless they extend their's first. We have been taught these things since we were young.
As I ran downstairs to stand “on ceremony,” a thought came to my mind that I should head back upstairs, but I didn’t know why. I told the band to go ahead and wait in line and I’d be back. I went to my room and stood there looking around and asking myself, “What now?” Then I saw my copy of the Book of Mormon my ward mission leader gave me. I grabbed it, stuck it in my back pocket and rushed back downstairs.
There was a long line of cooks, cleaners and celebrities standing on ceremony waiting to be greeted by Prince Charles. While standing in line, I tried to come up with something witty and clever that I could say to Prince Charles so he would never forget me. Finally, he made his way toward me and my mind went blank. My supposed unforgettable comment left my mind. He politely moved on to the next person and my opportunity was missed.
As he approached the helicopter to leave I had a strong impression that I needed to give Prince Charles the book in my back pocket. I thought to myself, “How could I accomplish this?" He had already moved on and you’re not allowed to step out of line until Prince Charles has exited. So I wondered how to grab his attention without being disrespectful.
I did the first thing that came naturally to me. I waved my hands in the air, screamed for Prince Charles, and stepped out of line. I did it. I had broken three rules. I realized what I had done and stepped back in line, putting my head down in embarrassment.
With my head still down in shame, two large feet appeared in front of me. I looked up and to my surprise I saw Prince Charles. Gathering my composure, I said, “On behalf of my church I would like to give you a gift.”
As I reached for the book in my back pocket, security went crazy, assuming I was reaching for something more dangerous. I managed to get the book from my pocket and extend my hand to give it to him, breaking a fourth rule. After looking at the book for what seemed like an eternity, he took it.
He looked at it, brought it close to his chest and said to me that he thought it would prove some interesting reading.
“Yes it will,” I responded. “Perhaps you could read it in the helicopter on your way home.”
He told me that he may just do that. And then he left.
Reporters bombarded me with questions wanting to know what I gave Prince Charles. I told them it was the Book of Mormon, Another Testament of Jesus Christ, and then began teaching the first discussion on national TV.
The following Sunday my LDS ward mission leader asked us to report on our Book of Mormon challenge. I told him I gave my copy to Prince Charles. Nobody believed me.
That night I turned on the TV and saw the footage of me talking about the Book of Mormon. No sooner did my phone start ringing — it was my frantic ward mission leader. I guess he believed me now.
Who would have thought that someone like me, trying to promote my music, would be standing at the feet of royalty in England promoting my faith? The Lord uses ordinary people to accomplish extraordinary things. Thanks to the challenge of my ward mission leader, I had the courage to stand up for my faith and give a royal gift to royalty.
Alex Boye is an international recording artist and his email is alex@alexboye.com. For more information, his music page is at www.facebook.com/alexboyemusic.
Copyright 2012, Deseret News Publishing Company
Sunday, April 29, 2012
Relief Society Lesson – The Power of Scripture
The Power of Scripture
Elder Richard G. Scott
October 2011 General Conference
Our Father in Heaven … provided tools to help
us be successful in our mortal probation. One tool is the scriptures. Because
scriptures are …from …the Holy Ghost, they are pure truth.
We need not be concerned about the validity of
concepts …in the standard works.
Scriptures are like packets of light that
illuminate our minds and give place to guidance and inspiration from on high.
Learning, pondering, searching, and memorizing
scriptures is like filling a filing cabinet with friends, values, and truths
that can be called upon anytime, anywhere in the world.
Great power can come from memorizing
scriptures.
Pondering a passage of scripture can be a key
to unlock revelation and the guidance and inspiration of the Holy Ghost.
Scriptures can calm an agitated soul, giving
peace, hope, and a restoration of confidence in one’s ability to overcome the
challenges of life. They have potent power to heal emotional challenges when
there is faith in the Savior. They can accelerate physical healing.
Scriptures can communicate different meanings
at different times in our life, according to our needs. A scripture that we may
have read many times can take on nuances of meaning that are refreshing and
insightful when we face a new challenge in life.
Quote from Juliet
This morning while Juliet was putting my Blair polyester pants on me she said, "We should all be wearing Blair pants. The world would be a better place."
I thought that was a pretty profound statement. I would have to agree with her.
That's my two cents.
I thought that was a pretty profound statement. I would have to agree with her.
That's my two cents.
Thursday, April 26, 2012
I Wouldn't Trade Places...
Yesterday I was watching a DVR. I think it was 20/20. I. thought it was a murder mystery or I probably wouldn’t have started watching it. Anyway, it was about the Sunset strip. I was telling mom about it yesterday along with some of my thoughts and she told me I should blog about it.
So, here you go. If you don’t like it, you can blame Mom. J
I really only saw the first 30 to 40 minutes of the show. But that was enough. It started out
showing the Sunset strip through the decades. Starting in the 50s. When they showed the 70s I thought to myself that that's when I started my earthly sojourn. I made a mental note of how wicked, corrupt, horrible the world had become when I was born. Obviously it's much worse now.
they followed several different stories. one was about a young man who came to Los Angeles from the Midwest. he became a writer for a magazine. he told of going to parties six days a week and rubbing shoulders with celebrities. I use the term party loosely because my definition is different . Hollywood's definition of party involves alcohol, drugs and all kinds of debauchery .
the writer told of being the middle man between drug dealers and celebrities. and he also indulged in drugs and alcohol himself to fit in. he said he was talking to Michael Jackson and Elizabeth Taylor one time and he couldn't believe how great his life was. he also mentioned "partying" with Lindsay Lohan, Britney Spears, Paris Hilton, etc..
I thought to myself, "I would not want to trade places with any of those people.” even with my broken, scarred, imperfect body. I would much rather be me than them. they don't know true happiness. true happiness is only found in living the Gospel of Jesus Christ. the Hollywood writer couldn't have been more wrong. not only was his life not great , it was horrible. but I guess he never realized that.
Doctrine and Covenants 29:39 And it must needs be that the devil should tempt the children of men, or they could not be agents unto themselves; for if they never should have bitter they could not know the sweet—
I suppose the opposite is true also. That if they never tasted the sweet they wouldn’t know that what they had was bitter.
Another story was about an up-and-coming band in Los Angeles that played the Roxy. It reminded me of when I lived in Los Angeles and watched Michael play the Roxy with Trash Wednesday. Anyway to make a long story short (Dragon is not cooperating-- this is taking me all day) I’ve been at the Roxy. It’s like being in H. Yet, the band that was featured acted like it was the greatest moment of their entire lives. And said they could never be happier than at that moment. They looked haggard, worn and older than their years.
was that really the happiest they could ever be? Of course not. why did they think they were happy? because they felt loved, important, and admired. the Problem is that it was by plastic people who didn't really care about them. Hollywood and the Sunset strip epitomizes the great and spacious building. that's exactly what I thought when I started watching this.
sure, there's fame, wealth, and beauty but those things do not bring happiness. so I will continue to wear my Blair polyester pants and clearance shirts and be happy to be me in my broken , scarred, not even close to perfect body. and they can keep their fame, expensive designer clothing , and plastic surgery perfect bodies . and I will live a much happier contented life than they will.
no, I wouldn't trade places with any of them for anything.
that's my two cents.
[ sorry about all the grammatical errors .you get the rough draft. Dragon is not cooperating today . it would take me much too long to try to fix everything. I don’t have the energy to edit it L ]
So, here you go. If you don’t like it, you can blame Mom. J
I really only saw the first 30 to 40 minutes of the show. But that was enough. It started out
showing the Sunset strip through the decades. Starting in the 50s. When they showed the 70s I thought to myself that that's when I started my earthly sojourn. I made a mental note of how wicked, corrupt, horrible the world had become when I was born. Obviously it's much worse now.
they followed several different stories. one was about a young man who came to Los Angeles from the Midwest. he became a writer for a magazine. he told of going to parties six days a week and rubbing shoulders with celebrities. I use the term party loosely because my definition is different . Hollywood's definition of party involves alcohol, drugs and all kinds of debauchery .
the writer told of being the middle man between drug dealers and celebrities. and he also indulged in drugs and alcohol himself to fit in. he said he was talking to Michael Jackson and Elizabeth Taylor one time and he couldn't believe how great his life was. he also mentioned "partying" with Lindsay Lohan, Britney Spears, Paris Hilton, etc..
I thought to myself, "I would not want to trade places with any of those people.” even with my broken, scarred, imperfect body. I would much rather be me than them. they don't know true happiness. true happiness is only found in living the Gospel of Jesus Christ. the Hollywood writer couldn't have been more wrong. not only was his life not great , it was horrible. but I guess he never realized that.
Doctrine and Covenants 29:39 And it must needs be that the devil should tempt the children of men, or they could not be agents unto themselves; for if they never should have bitter they could not know the sweet—
I suppose the opposite is true also. That if they never tasted the sweet they wouldn’t know that what they had was bitter.
Another story was about an up-and-coming band in Los Angeles that played the Roxy. It reminded me of when I lived in Los Angeles and watched Michael play the Roxy with Trash Wednesday. Anyway to make a long story short (Dragon is not cooperating-- this is taking me all day) I’ve been at the Roxy. It’s like being in H. Yet, the band that was featured acted like it was the greatest moment of their entire lives. And said they could never be happier than at that moment. They looked haggard, worn and older than their years.
was that really the happiest they could ever be? Of course not. why did they think they were happy? because they felt loved, important, and admired. the Problem is that it was by plastic people who didn't really care about them. Hollywood and the Sunset strip epitomizes the great and spacious building. that's exactly what I thought when I started watching this.
sure, there's fame, wealth, and beauty but those things do not bring happiness. so I will continue to wear my Blair polyester pants and clearance shirts and be happy to be me in my broken , scarred, not even close to perfect body. and they can keep their fame, expensive designer clothing , and plastic surgery perfect bodies . and I will live a much happier contented life than they will.
no, I wouldn't trade places with any of them for anything.
that's my two cents.
[ sorry about all the grammatical errors .you get the rough draft. Dragon is not cooperating today . it would take me much too long to try to fix everything. I don’t have the energy to edit it L ]
Tuesday, April 24, 2012
Random updates
First --we tried some of my homemade cheddar cheese on our sandwiches today. It was pretty good. It's gratifying to know that we made it. I love to learn how to do new things. I guess I can check cheesemaking of my list. The cream cheese we made turned out really well also. We made some smoke/onion/bacon flavored cheese ball. It was delicious. Sadly, it's all gone.
Second -- birthday season is coming up. We have seven birthdays coming up in the next month. It's always fun to get together as family. We usually have a birthday party here so everyone can attend. Hopefully we will be able to put my new soft serve machine to good use! I am sure excited to try it. (We can't try it until we get the sanitizer) :-(
Third -- Michael has agreed to do another concert in the near future. I thoroughly enjoyed the last one and am excited for the next one. I even gave him a list a mile long of requests. Hopefully he will be able to do a couple of them. I've already got a tentative schedule planned.
It goes something like this: 1:30-3:00 PM -- First Set. Break. 3:30 PM-5:00 PM -- Second Set. For snacks we will have popcorn and soft serve ice cream! Sounds fun to me. We just need to figure out when to do it. Hopefully this summer sometime. Dad is planning on setting up his trailer like a stage. It will be awesome.
Second -- birthday season is coming up. We have seven birthdays coming up in the next month. It's always fun to get together as family. We usually have a birthday party here so everyone can attend. Hopefully we will be able to put my new soft serve machine to good use! I am sure excited to try it. (We can't try it until we get the sanitizer) :-(
Third -- Michael has agreed to do another concert in the near future. I thoroughly enjoyed the last one and am excited for the next one. I even gave him a list a mile long of requests. Hopefully he will be able to do a couple of them. I've already got a tentative schedule planned.
It goes something like this: 1:30-3:00 PM -- First Set. Break. 3:30 PM-5:00 PM -- Second Set. For snacks we will have popcorn and soft serve ice cream! Sounds fun to me. We just need to figure out when to do it. Hopefully this summer sometime. Dad is planning on setting up his trailer like a stage. It will be awesome.
Sunday, April 15, 2012
Michael’s Country Concert
Yesterday was a good day. We had all been looking forward to hearing my brother, Michael, play his country concert ever since he announced it several months ago. Life kept getting in the way, and he finally decided he better just do it, even if he wasn’t totally ready.
He played for about two hours, but it seemed like two minutes. It was the best concert I have ever been to. And I have been to a lot. He played all good songs mostly from the 80s. Reminded me of being back at 852.J
Michael is an incredible vocalist and guitarist. Some of the songs, I thought, sounded better than the original artist. A few tears were shed, and many laughs were shared. It was fun!
Michael learned the gambler on guitar so Rex could sing it. That was fun. The highlight was probably, Meet Me in Montana. Lisa, Chanelle, and Derrinda sang Marie Osmond’s part. They practiced really hard to try to get the harmonies right. Marie Osmond hard to come by. Anyway it was fun. Michael even worked up my favorite Mark Chesnutt song, which was awesome. Even though it didn’t have the greatest message L .
Afterwards, the kids had fun singing a few songs. It’s amazing how Michael can follow along on guitar to songs he never even learned before or practiced. Lisa started busting out singing In the Ghetto, and Michael followed right along and didn’t miss a beat. It was astounding.
Thanks for sharing your talents with us, Michael. You are amazing. It was awesome!
*Update: I worked hard trying to upload the video version of Meet Me in Montana to no avail. I produced it three times in three different versions. It won't load to blogger.
He played for about two hours, but it seemed like two minutes. It was the best concert I have ever been to. And I have been to a lot. He played all good songs mostly from the 80s. Reminded me of being back at 852.J
Michael is an incredible vocalist and guitarist. Some of the songs, I thought, sounded better than the original artist. A few tears were shed, and many laughs were shared. It was fun!
Michael learned the gambler on guitar so Rex could sing it. That was fun. The highlight was probably, Meet Me in Montana. Lisa, Chanelle, and Derrinda sang Marie Osmond’s part. They practiced really hard to try to get the harmonies right. Marie Osmond hard to come by. Anyway it was fun. Michael even worked up my favorite Mark Chesnutt song, which was awesome. Even though it didn’t have the greatest message L .
Afterwards, the kids had fun singing a few songs. It’s amazing how Michael can follow along on guitar to songs he never even learned before or practiced. Lisa started busting out singing In the Ghetto, and Michael followed right along and didn’t miss a beat. It was astounding.
Thanks for sharing your talents with us, Michael. You are amazing. It was awesome!
*Update: I worked hard trying to upload the video version of Meet Me in Montana to no avail. I produced it three times in three different versions. It won't load to blogger.
Wednesday, April 11, 2012
Say Cheese
Monday Juliet came over and we had a fun time making cheese. The last time we attempted it, it didn't turn out very well. Come to find out, the rennet we had purchased was out of date, and therefore ineffective. So, we bought a fresh box, and made sure to check the lot number this time. It worked!
We made Neufchâtel, mozzarella, and cheddar. The cheddar is the one I'm most proud of because it is the most difficult.
Here are the pictures along with the recipes if you would like to attempt cheese making yourself. We doubled the rennet in all recipes to be safe.
You will notice the cheddar cheese is white. We did not add annatto which gives it the orange color.
How to Make Cheddar Cheese
Instructions: Things You'll Need
Thermometer
Cheese press
Cheesecloth (flour sack towel)
2 gallons of whole milk (if using store bought pasteurized milk, add ½ teaspoon calcium chloride dissolved in ½ cup water) the calcium chloride aids rennet coagulation in pasteurized milk.
1/2 cup of cultured buttermilk
1 tsp. liquid rennet or ½ tablet of rennet dissolved in ½ cup chilled water.
4 tsp. non-iodized salt
1
Heat the milk to 88 degrees in a large pot. Stir in the buttermilk. Let it sit for one hour while maintaining the 88-degree temperature. This can be accomplished by letting the pot sit in a sink partially filled with warm water.
2
Add rennet, which contains a proteolytic enzyme, which coagulates milk and divides it into curds (solids) and whey (liquid) into the cool water. Stir the water-rennet mixture into the milk for 30 seconds. While maintaining the 88-degree temperature, let the mixture sit for 45 minutes. During this time, the milk will separate into liquids and solids.[may take up to three hours]
3
Cut the curds into small cubes and let them sit for 20 to 25 minutes. Slowly stir them for 30 to 45 minutes while gradually increasing the temperature to 98 degrees.
4
Strain: Once the curds have settled to the bottom, pour out the excess liquid. Strain the curds in a colander for about 10 minutes. Pour the curds back into the pot, add the non-iodized salt and mix well. Let the pot of curds sit in warm water for one hour. Stir frequently.
5
Line the press with cheesecloth. If you do not have a press, you can make one by cutting both ends off of a large number 10 can. Cheesecloth can be improvised from a clean pillowcase. Pour the curds into the cheesecloth. Place a wood follower on top of the cheese and apply 15 lbs. of pressure for about 20 minutes. To apply pressure, consider wrapping bricks in aluminum foil.
6
Redress the curds in new cheesecloth. Cover with the wood follower and apply 30 lbs. of pressure for two hours.
7
Redress the curds in new cheesecloth, cover with the wood follower and apply 30 to 40 lbs. of pressure overnight or for at least eight hours.
8
Remove the curds from the cheesecloth and allow them to air dry for three to five days. Turn the curds frequently to allow all sides to dry evenly.
9
Coat the curds in cheese wax. Age for two to six months at 55 degrees. The longer the cheese ages, the sharper the taste will be. For very sharp taste, age for approximately one year. Basements, cellars and non-working refrigerators are ideal environments for aging cheese.
2 gallons whole milk
½ cup cultured buttermilk
½ tablet Rennet dissolved in ¼ cup cold water
½ teaspoon calcium chloride dissolved in ¼ cup cold water [if using store-bought milk]
Directions:
1. Sterilize a large stainless steel pot with lid by boiling a small amount of water for five minutes.
2 . Add 2 gallons of whole milk
3. Add dissolved ½ teaspoon calcium chloride-- stir well
4. Add ½ cup cultured buttermilk-- stir well
5. Warm while stirring to 65°F
6. Add dissolved ½ tablet Rennet -- stir well using top to bottom motion.
7. Cover and let sit undisturbed overnight at room temperature (65-70°F)
8. The next morning a soft curd should have formed. If not, let sit for another 12 hours. You should get a clean break. Slice into ½ inch cubes.
9. Line a colander with a flour sack towel. Pour the curds and whey into lined colander.
10. Gather the four corners of the cloth, wrapped with a heavy rubber band. Tie the corners together on a wooden spoon. Place the wooden spoon between #10 cans to suspend curds and allow whey to drip into a bowl. Let hang overnight.
11. Sprinkle approximately 1 Tablespoon of salt, according to taste, on cheese. mix the salt in thoroughly. Store covered in refrigerator until use.
12. Cheese can be molded before refrigerating. Or, seasonings can be added to make cheese balls.
Mozzarella Cheese
Add 1/4 teaspoon calcium chloride diluted in 1/4 cup cold water to 1 gallon of whole milk. Stir thoroughly and let sit 15 minutes.
Add 1 1/2 tsp. Citric Acid diluted in 1 cup cool water to milk.
Heat slowly to 90°F.
Remove pot from burner. slowly stir 1/4 tab or ¼ tsp of rennet diluted in ¼ cup. cool water for 30 sec. Cover and leave for 5 minutes.
Check the curd, it will look like custard and the whey will be clear. If too soft let set a few more minutes.(may take up to two hours)
Now cut the curd into 1 inch squares with a knife that reaches the bottom of the pot. Place pot back on stove and heat to 105° F while stirring slowly. (If you will be stretching in water heat to 110°F)
Take off the burner and continue stirring slowly for 2-5 minutes.
Transfer the curd to a colander or bowl using a slotted spoon.
Notice how the curd is beginning to get firmer as the whey drains.
Continue separating the curd and notice the color of the whey. Drain the whey from the curd while gently pressing to aid whey runoff.
Using a heat proof bowl microwave on High for 45 seconds -1 min. pour off the whey.
Knead and reheat for 30 sec, repeat if needed until the curd is 135°F, almost too hot to handle. add 2 teaspoons non-iodized salt
Now the fun begins, knead the curd as you would bread dough. Remove curd from bowl and continue kneading, return it to the microwave if needed.
At this point, if hot enough, it will begin to stretch, and stretch, and stretch some more this is what makes it Mozzarella.
Now knead it back into a big ball until it is smooth and shiny.
We made Neufchâtel, mozzarella, and cheddar. The cheddar is the one I'm most proud of because it is the most difficult.
Here are the pictures along with the recipes if you would like to attempt cheese making yourself. We doubled the rennet in all recipes to be safe.
You will notice the cheddar cheese is white. We did not add annatto which gives it the orange color.
Instructions: Things You'll Need
Cheese press
Cheesecloth (flour sack towel)
2 gallons of whole milk (if using store bought pasteurized milk, add ½ teaspoon calcium chloride dissolved in ½ cup water) the calcium chloride aids rennet coagulation in pasteurized milk.
1/2 cup of cultured buttermilk
1 tsp. liquid rennet or ½ tablet of rennet dissolved in ½ cup chilled water.
4 tsp. non-iodized salt
Heat the milk to 88 degrees in a large pot. Stir in the buttermilk. Let it sit for one hour while maintaining the 88-degree temperature. This can be accomplished by letting the pot sit in a sink partially filled with warm water.
2
Add rennet, which contains a proteolytic enzyme, which coagulates milk and divides it into curds (solids) and whey (liquid) into the cool water. Stir the water-rennet mixture into the milk for 30 seconds. While maintaining the 88-degree temperature, let the mixture sit for 45 minutes. During this time, the milk will separate into liquids and solids.[may take up to three hours]
3
Cut the curds into small cubes and let them sit for 20 to 25 minutes. Slowly stir them for 30 to 45 minutes while gradually increasing the temperature to 98 degrees.
4
Strain: Once the curds have settled to the bottom, pour out the excess liquid. Strain the curds in a colander for about 10 minutes. Pour the curds back into the pot, add the non-iodized salt and mix well. Let the pot of curds sit in warm water for one hour. Stir frequently.
5
Line the press with cheesecloth. If you do not have a press, you can make one by cutting both ends off of a large number 10 can. Cheesecloth can be improvised from a clean pillowcase. Pour the curds into the cheesecloth. Place a wood follower on top of the cheese and apply 15 lbs. of pressure for about 20 minutes. To apply pressure, consider wrapping bricks in aluminum foil.
6
Redress the curds in new cheesecloth. Cover with the wood follower and apply 30 lbs. of pressure for two hours.
7
Redress the curds in new cheesecloth, cover with the wood follower and apply 30 to 40 lbs. of pressure overnight or for at least eight hours.
8
Remove the curds from the cheesecloth and allow them to air dry for three to five days. Turn the curds frequently to allow all sides to dry evenly.
9
Coat the curds in cheese wax. Age for two to six months at 55 degrees. The longer the cheese ages, the sharper the taste will be. For very sharp taste, age for approximately one year. Basements, cellars and non-working refrigerators are ideal environments for aging cheese.
Neufchâtel Cheese
Ingredients: 2 gallons whole milk
½ cup cultured buttermilk
½ tablet Rennet dissolved in ¼ cup cold water
½ teaspoon calcium chloride dissolved in ¼ cup cold water [if using store-bought milk]
Directions:
1. Sterilize a large stainless steel pot with lid by boiling a small amount of water for five minutes.
2 . Add 2 gallons of whole milk
3. Add dissolved ½ teaspoon calcium chloride-- stir well
4. Add ½ cup cultured buttermilk-- stir well
5. Warm while stirring to 65°F
6. Add dissolved ½ tablet Rennet -- stir well using top to bottom motion.
7. Cover and let sit undisturbed overnight at room temperature (65-70°F)
8. The next morning a soft curd should have formed. If not, let sit for another 12 hours. You should get a clean break. Slice into ½ inch cubes.
9. Line a colander with a flour sack towel. Pour the curds and whey into lined colander.
10. Gather the four corners of the cloth, wrapped with a heavy rubber band. Tie the corners together on a wooden spoon. Place the wooden spoon between #10 cans to suspend curds and allow whey to drip into a bowl. Let hang overnight.
11. Sprinkle approximately 1 Tablespoon of salt, according to taste, on cheese. mix the salt in thoroughly. Store covered in refrigerator until use.
12. Cheese can be molded before refrigerating. Or, seasonings can be added to make cheese balls.
Mozzarella Cheese
Add 1/4 teaspoon calcium chloride diluted in 1/4 cup cold water to 1 gallon of whole milk. Stir thoroughly and let sit 15 minutes.
Add 1 1/2 tsp. Citric Acid diluted in 1 cup cool water to milk.
Heat slowly to 90°F.
Remove pot from burner. slowly stir 1/4 tab or ¼ tsp of rennet diluted in ¼ cup. cool water for 30 sec. Cover and leave for 5 minutes.
Check the curd, it will look like custard and the whey will be clear. If too soft let set a few more minutes.(may take up to two hours)
Now cut the curd into 1 inch squares with a knife that reaches the bottom of the pot. Place pot back on stove and heat to 105° F while stirring slowly. (If you will be stretching in water heat to 110°F)
Take off the burner and continue stirring slowly for 2-5 minutes.
Transfer the curd to a colander or bowl using a slotted spoon.
Notice how the curd is beginning to get firmer as the whey drains.
Continue separating the curd and notice the color of the whey. Drain the whey from the curd while gently pressing to aid whey runoff.
Using a heat proof bowl microwave on High for 45 seconds -1 min. pour off the whey.
Knead and reheat for 30 sec, repeat if needed until the curd is 135°F, almost too hot to handle. add 2 teaspoons non-iodized salt
Now the fun begins, knead the curd as you would bread dough. Remove curd from bowl and continue kneading, return it to the microwave if needed.
At this point, if hot enough, it will begin to stretch, and stretch, and stretch some more this is what makes it Mozzarella.
Now knead it back into a big ball until it is smooth and shiny.
Tuesday, April 3, 2012
GSWC
I just noticed that the Graham Stake Women's Conference website is updated with the schedule. So you can plan which classes you would like to attend and when. There are descriptions of the different classes being offered, along with bios of the instructors on the website.
I've put a link to the website on my sidebar. GSWC is the title. I think at least half the people who read my blog are in the Graham Stake so I thought I would pass the information along.
It looks like they've put a lot of work into organizing the conference. So, hopefully it will be informative and uplifting.
[Sorry for copying your blog, Kelli. I just wanted to make sure everybody knew about the updated schedule.]
I've put a link to the website on my sidebar. GSWC is the title. I think at least half the people who read my blog are in the Graham Stake so I thought I would pass the information along.
It looks like they've put a lot of work into organizing the conference. So, hopefully it will be informative and uplifting.
[Sorry for copying your blog, Kelli. I just wanted to make sure everybody knew about the updated schedule.]
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