Kirkland

This past weekend we road-tripped to Kirkland, Ohio; a small town just east of Cleveland which from 1831 to 1838, was one of the first gathering places and headquarters of the saints. Significantly the first temple of this dispensation was built, key revelations received and organizational developments occurred, as well as a financial fiasco resulting in early apostasy. It became a stepping stone as opposed to a stumbling block for the young church.

It is a beautiful part of the country and ideal for a fall weekend jaunt. We visited near by Morely farm, and the stone quarry, and the pleasant little town of Kirkland

Johnson's Farm

About 30 miles south and a trifle east of Kirkland is found the Johnson Farm, which played a significant role in the early church. Several sections of the Doctrine & Covenants came forward from here while Joseph Smith stayed there.

Mayfield Ward

Sundays are glorious days.
A day of rest, a day of replenishment, a day of Spirit, and a day of atonement.

A beauty of Sundays is that they faithfully reoccur every seven days and each one offers the hope, the vitality of the one before, fresh and anew. We’ve long discovered and reveled in the global sway of the Sabbath; one can be lifted wherever the saints gather to worship on any given Sabbath.

As such, this Sunday, October 12, 2008 found us attending the Mayfield Ward of the Kirkland, Ohio Stake. The Mayfield Ward is universally emblematic of one of the strengths of the LDS faith while still being unique. The chapel was full to overflowing in the lounge with a fairly homogeneous congregation of dozens of young couples 26 – 34 yrs old with 3- 5 children apiece. Few if any gray hairs, a pair of 12 yr old deacons, and a matching set of beehives defined the outlaying age groups. We discovered that the bulk were graduate students: medical, dental, podiatry, and law schools of the Cleveland area. One sister made it sound as though there were three similar situated Wards in the area around Cleveland. Speaking of threes, they had three nurseries and its associated cacophony. What a great Ward; they are a living example of the family centered focus of gospel living and the outpouring of the Spirit on any given Sunday. Reinforcing the need and benefit of attending church, wherever you might find yourself, the gospel of Christ works in a very practical sense – back to the meeting; what a great sacrament meeting.

The youth speaker was a disheveled deacon, barely12, with tie askew; shirt oddly tucked in, and scrambled hair. He paused of fear, of reflection, of effect for a very pregnant pause of 2-3 minutes at least before in a singular expulsion of thought and breath taught of deepening the effectiveness of our prayers and ability to connect with God. His was a rapid delivery but he delivered content and meaning that come of the Spirit and not from 12 years of living. He was followed by a Filipino convert of 3 years who in structured, constructed, and practiced English bore a simple testimony of prayer. The concluding speaker was his dynamic wife with strong doctrinal theology mixed with practical experience on the power of everyday prayer. A wonderful blending of young, new; the learning and the learned teaching and sharing.

“It is pleasant for the Saints to meet together to commune with each other, to listen to the words of life, to reflect also upon their position and relationship to God, to His Church and Kingdom, as well as to examine into their own feelings, and, under the guidance of the Lord and of His Holy Spirit, try to find out what relationship they sustain to their Heavenly Father, and whether they are performing the various duties devolving upon them and are seeking to carry out the word, the will, and the law of God” John Taylor
The Sabbath spirit is the spirit of helping, loving, lifting, and teaching family, friends, and neighbors. Sundays are for family worship, Sundays are a wonder time to gather and feel the Spirit. Mayfield, Ohio is but one of many places where this can occur and be enjoyed.

Fall Fun

A great weekend, unfortunately not totally photographically documented, but fun nonetheless.

Friday we went to our first Naperville North High School football game against in-town rival Naperville Central. Both are extremely large high schools though only a 5 minute drive from one another. The game is such a large draw that they rent the local community college football stadium, which holds thousands, for the competition. It was a brisk fall evening perfect for high school football. We sat with a group of 20 - 30 from our Ward enjoying the game. More than the victory the highlight was Parker, as part of a quartet, singing the national anthem. It sounded grand and he enjoyed the experience; even though 2/3's into the song the crowd cheered louder than the song after all it was the start of a game.

Saturday we watched morning Conference in the comfort of our home and then drove up to Kenosha, Wisconsin for the wedding Nick Oxborough and Sara - long time friends of Blair from Armstrong High School days. Blair was truly blessed to have a good group of friends though out high school and then staying friends through college and into their married lives. A great group of people. Mackey drove up with us, attended the wedding, and then baby sat during the reception.

She stayed the night and then drove down with Julie, Blair, & Eden as they visited for conference, meals, a game, and hanging out. It is great to be so close that we can regularly enjoy their company and the delight of a grand daughter.

Mission Prep

In the tradition of his older brothers who developed barbering skills on the missions, Evan took razor to head and a new style resulted. Or maybe, in the tradition of his cousin Eric C's famous college Freshman christmas break family famous blond dye-job; or perhaps his older brother Blair's cut and color soccer hairdo with Rich co-conspiring with his grandfather to unveil; or perhaps going back to times of yore when his father came home with an Afro; or perhaps his 2nd cousin Evan Carlile's famous blog entry (see june 1, 2008) dedicated to the hair history of Evan - same name different story - our Evan looks styling today and is feeling proud.

French Park Anyone

Having a few minutes open Saturday, and not wanting to search adventure downtown, but rather explore something near to home. The weather was grand, a beautiful fall day; not hot, not cold, sunny and just plain overall pleasant - FALL in all its splendor. As such we chose to go to the local community park for a walk and frisbee. It is close, convenient and all that a local park in the nature of French Park in Plymouth would offer. Rindy goes to the park regularly with women in the Ward for a brisk 4-mile morning walk. We took a rather leisurely stroll around a small lake while Parker and Evan played frisbee - a grand time at the Herrick Forest Preserve.

Forever Strong

One would not characterize Rindy and I as heavy movie goers but given the invitation from friends at church to go watch the newly released Forever Strong we jumped at the occasion. The movie intrigued us for several reasons: one being Rugby and our emerging interest as a family in the sport, the second being the film is based on the life of Coach Larry Gelwix, the brother of a friend in our Ward.

A quick recap: we find a strong-willed and skilled, but undisciplined high school rugby player from Arizona sent under court order to live in a JD Center in Salt Lake City where he eventually starts playing with the Highland Rugby team; a team with an incredible winning record and a coach who is focused on building boys not just championship teams. The story leads to the conflict of his old Az team, coached by his father, meeting his UT team in the national championship.

When the team dances the Haka, I am immediately brought back to Max Leo leading our Medicine Lake Ward boys in this same dance, and reminisce of the Peniata boys. The dance is symbolic of the cultural bonding and warrior spirit of the Maori of New Zealand.

The story errors on predictability, yet was enjoyable and a good evening's entertainment. Clearly, not as well written, produced or classic as Remember the Titans and Hoosiers, yet I see this joining the home collection of repeat viewing with a sport-based story that lifts .

Hearts of Generations

I have a few women who mean so much to me. The following photo includes the generations of my family while missing my dear sweet sister sj.

Part of a relevant poem whose sentiments I share:

Women of courage, women of strength, Women of faith and devotion.
Mothers of children with spirits so strong
Who may have unbridled imaginations.
They are women, women of courage
They are Christians, towers of strength.
They are women who put Jesus first in life Show’ ring His love on all those they greet.
Women with losses, women who love,
Whose strength and whose courage comes from above,
Whether they're mothers; or loving Aunties, It's plain to see love shines through them.

Neighborhood Culture

Since early in our marriage we have frequented the Uptown Art Festival and enjoyed the ambiance, the art, and the fun stroll. Imagine our delight to find the Neighborhood Art League sponsors an Art Fair right along the River Walk no more than five blocks from where we live. Rindy, Evan and I strolled along and enjoyed the small but tasteful festival. Crazy given that just last week the area was under water from the effects of Ike.

New Beginnings

Fall is a traditional time of new beginnings as summer ebbs, autumn flows, and students flock to schools as migrations set in.

In addition to Brigham being a senior at BYU, Parker a junior at North(?), and Mackey an 8th grader at Washighton(?). Those later names raise an eyebrow after decades of 281- TLC and Armstrong. Back-to-school happened in Naperville, Illinois. First day of school started at the hotel.

After more than a year of Tim commuting the family took the leap of faith and pulled up roots and landed together again. Leaving old friends and family has been a challenge but new friends and new opportunites have been wonderful

The family together prior to the move in a summer shot.