Notice anything odd about this picture?

We saw this picture in the hallway when we were at parent teacher conference. 

Safe and Sound

Check out this fun video.

Levels of Offendedness

Yoda on Star Wars warns about the path to the dark side.  He states "fear leads to anger, anger leads to hate, and hate leads to suffering."  I've applied this knowledge to my current Jedi skills and learned that there are other paths to the dark side.   One of them is being offended.  I've identified 8 levels of being offended as follows:

Offended
Off-ended
Appall-off-ended
Depth-ended
Deep-ended
Sunk-ended
Cemented
Stuck-ended


Be aware of being offended!

Spiritual Dashboard (Liahona)

I was recently listening to 1 Nephi chapter 16 on the way to work the other day.  It talks about the Liahona.  It gives us enough detail to know what it was and what it did.  It's also interesting that the Liahona is not described in intricate detail.  Below are verses where Nephi mentions specific details about the Liahona: 

Verse 10 points out that there are two spindles and that one of the two pointed the way for Lehi and his family to go.  (First Spindle)

Verse 26 points out there there were writings on the ball that Lehi and his family were able to read. (Message Center)


Verse 28 points out that the pointers worked according to faith and diligence. (Second Spindle)

It occurred to me that the Liahona is more than just compass of curious workmanship.  To me it appears to be more of a spiritual dashboard and navigation system.  The first spindle Nephi describes points the direction in which to go.  The second spindle appears to be a gauge of faithfulness and diligence.  In addition to the two spindles are the writings that can be seen and read. 

Knowing these three things got me thinking.  We see many aspects that are described about this curious ball workmanship through modern technology.  Dashboards show the appropriate gauges to let you know how your vehicle is peforming.  Dashboards also have message centers stating which services are coming due for routine maintenance.  Navigation is built in so we know where to go if we don't know how to reach our destination. 

Is it any coincidence that Heavenly Father is always giving us ways to determine how we're doing, performing, and if we're headed in the right direction?  We don't have a ball of curious workmanship but the our Heavenly Father works through curious ways to guide us.  Heavenly Father leaves much of the traveling up to us but if our faith and diligence are in line with our Heavenly Father's will we'll get to where we need to go. 

Bradleys Piano Recital

   

Things I learned while at Omniture / Adobe

Questions to frequently ask myself:

Why do I care?
What is my plan?

Lessons Learned:

Always be looking for a job while I have a job.
Always have the right attitude even when everything about the situation seems to be working against me.
Laugh at things that make me upset or stressed.
Everything is simple.  Things are always complicated when I don't take the time to learn.
Knowing how to breathe effectively allows me to better control any situation.
There are no trials.  Trials is the Lords way of telling you to stop what you're doing so he can show you where to go.
Take time to do what I need to do for me.  I can't let anyone be the excuse or result of frustration when I'm not doing what you need to do for yourself.
Don't be complacent with current skill sets.  Take them to the next degree, certification, or position.
Less is more.
Let the Holy Spirit guide.  Don't let human emotion be your guide. 
Say thank you and always express appreciation for the kind things others do for you.

Comic description of my current work situation

My Personal Creed

I will trust God and not be afraid.

I will show the world that I’m not afraid.

If I hit a wall, I’ll push through it.

If I run into a mountain, I’ll climb it.

I will learn success by learning to see success through Gods eyes.

I will turn regrets into learning opportunities.

I will embrace my deepest fear by acting on the fact that I’m more powerful than I could ever imagine.

I will not be afraid of my own light.

I will use my light to free myself and liberate others.

I will not be afraid of me.

I will not waste my time waiting for praise or blame.

I will speak in such a way that people will remember it.

I will measure my capability by my ability to make right choices.

I will rise each time I fall as failure will never be an option to consider.

Gifts from Caleb part II

Having an eye single to the glory of God

Caleb has kept us in places where our feet are shod

With a sparkle that shines towards eternity

Caleb shines a light giving us the gift of certainty

With little hands to heal our weak and weary hearts

Caleb has reached out and touched us with Christ’s healing art

A master who painted a portrait oh so magnificently

Caleb’s presence has greatly strengthened each of our testimonies

Increasing our faith and making us sure

Caleb reminds us of a love that is so pure

Reaching out with arms open to embrace

Caleb with no doubt had Christ’s countenance upon his face

Inspiring greatness seeing the world with different eyes

Caleb has taught us that each of us can be a living miracle in each other’s lives

Reminding us the abundance life has to offer

Caleb showed us the power of family with loving siblings, a mother and father

Oh little Caleb we are so grateful for all that you give

We’re grateful for your life and the way that you lived

Your life will always remind us of a greater love

With all the gifts you’ve brought from above

The world saw you with little but we saw you with so much more

Our understanding of miracles is now greater since you’ve opened the door

Oh dear Caleb we’ll always love you so

Your love helps us to understand a love we all know

Oh dear Caleb be it known unto you

That your life showed Gods miracles to more than a few

Thank you for fulfilling your mission and for bringing peace to our lives

May we all continue to see the world through your eyes

Caleb

My nephew, Caleb Joseph Moody, died on February 10th, 2012,

at Primary Children's Hospital

due to complications from pneumonia

Caleb was born January 6th 2005,

to Dallan Richard Moody and April Baadsgaard Moody.

He is dearly loved by his parents

and his brothers Joshua Aaron, Matthew Dallan and Mitchell Ross,

his grandparents, and Janene and Ross Baadsgaard of Spanish Fork, Utah

and T. Dean and Patrice Moody of Kennewick, Washington,

as well as 30 uncles/aunts and 38 cousins. Caleb's spirit radiated pure love.

He brought the love of God and Light of Christ into the lives of all who knew him.

Caleb's life was a precious gift and a tender miracle.

His winking eye was a daily reminder of Caleb's deep love for all of us.

Caleb could have quickly returned to heaven but,

instead, he brought heaven to us for seven years.

If you'd like to learn more about Caleb and his sweet family, 

visit http://winkfromheaven.blogspot.com/

We love you, Caleb. We're going to miss you.