Focus on Important Things

Jose L Alonso of the Seventy spoke this last General Conference on "Doing the Right Thing at the Right Time, without Delay". He talked about doing service to others. He spoke of finding the "lost children" and helping them find their way back. To illustrate, he told a story when he and his young family were shopping for cloths in a very busy city. His youngest son disappeared and was lost from sight. They eventually found him, but he spoke of the urgency they felt to find him and how quickly they acted once they realized he was missing. He emphasizes that they didn't even need a planning meeting. They simply acted with great urgency. 

Elder Alonso's story reminds me of a time when Cedar was lost at a very young age. We were at the beach after my Reach the Beach bike ride. There were thousands of people at the finishing point as more and more people finished the ride and as others waited for family members and friends to finish. After a moment of celebration for having finished the ride we noticed that Cedar was not around. With the same urgency I'm sure that Elder Alonso felt we began to act and search. It took several minutes, but our urgency did not waver. When I found her I was both very relieved and somewhat frustrated with her that she would just wonder off, but my relief greatly outweighed my frustration.

After finding her and picking her up to make sure she wasn't going any where my next urgent feeling was finding Annie (for we had split up to search) because I knew the panic and unpleasant feelings she was feeling (I had just had them), and I wanted to relieve her of those. This is the only thing I would add to Elder Alonso's parallel. After finding someone, there is great joy and relief that one wants to share with others and we should feel some of the same urgency to share it. Similar to the prophet Lehi in his dream, we need to share this fruit with others.

One of the things that stood out to me in Elder Alonso's talk was when he said that "no planning meeting was needed". Anyone that knows me knows that I am more of a planner than an actor. I plan way too much even for simple decisions. A quick example is when I went to the store to get some ground beef for dinner. It took me a half hour of standing in front of the ground beef section at two different stores to finally chose one. In my mind I was debating price vs quality. Do I get bulk because it's cheaper even though we didn't need that much, and bulk at a different store is actually cheaper? With my mind flooded with questions only satisfied by the analysis of data I finally just closed my eyes, held my breath to keep me from hyperventilating, and chose one. ... Was it the best choice? Does it even really matter? Probably more importantly was I lost a half hour of valuable time. Some would say I have a pretty severe case of "analysis paralysis".

Between Elder Alosno's story and the experience that I had with Cedar I realize some decisions in life are easy and more of a reflex even than a decision. What's funny is many times those are the most important decisions. Why then do I spend so much time analyzing things when the outcome has little or no consequence. Anything worth spending the time to make the right decision is either an obvious decision and is probably more of a reflex, or one that Heavenly Father will help us make.

I know decision making isn't what Elder Alonso's talk was about, but this is what stood out to me, and I'm sure it was the spirit influencing my train of thought. "Save time by not wasting it on decisions that don't matter. Focus on important things."

Washing Machine Lives Again

We have recently moved into a new house and I have to say, it was probably our most difficult move ever. I can't say it was difficult for any one specific reason, but for a combination of reasons. We have a lot more stuff now than we have before. We have more kids now. Etc. But with how hard it was, I remember I was finally starting to feel accomplished as I was setting up the washer and dryer that we hadn't used in several years. The hookup was pretty easy, but I did have to change out the plug for the dryer which I had only done once before with the help of my father (who is very good at stuff like that). Well it was a pretty straight forward switch out and I can say I did it without electrocuting myself … yea!

After hooking up the two machines I setup a table/counter that came with the house and sits just above the machines to provide a nice laundry work area. It looked nice and I was excited to use our machines again. They were the first big thing we purchased after I got my first job with Intel so there is some sentimental value to using them. I was excited to put the first load in the washer (yes, I was excited to do laundry) and got it started. The timer said it would be done in about 50 minutes. I watched it for a little bit as the drum filled with water and turned the clothes. Then I went on to unpacking upstairs. About 2 hours later I came back down and saw that the washer still had 10 minutes left. I also noticed an electrical burning smell … which is never a good thing. I turned the washer off, let it sit for a few minutes, then tried just a rinse cycle. It started just fine, but then appeared like the drum got stuck trying to spin making a weird clicking/stuttering sound. Thinking it might be a pulley or a belt issue I took the panels off and saw no pulleys or belts. In fact I didn't really have any idea what I was looking at all. Great! The washer was broke!

I spent quite a bit of time looking at the washer hoping something inspiring would come to me and I would be able to fix it … nothing. I spent some time online and found some not-so-helpful tips. Annie and I discussed our options, none of which we really cared for. We decided to start with the serviceman route. Just finding someone that serviced LG appliances was more difficult than expected, but finally Annie was able to find a couple which charged between $70-$90 to just come look at the thing. Okay, well that's still cheaper than purchasing a new one and a time was set for one of them to come the next day. After some more exploration the washer started giving an error code which was reported to the serviceman. He said it was a pump and would be about $200 to replace. That plus the cost to come out to the house and we're nearing $300. And that's assuming the service man has it right the first time … so we cancelled the visit and started looking for replacement washers.

And then I found it. I don't remember the search terms I used this time, but it lead me to a specific page on the www.fixya.com website. The problem described was exactly the problem our washer was experiencing. There were about 10 different follow-up posts all providing the same solution. Indeed they were all confirming that the initial solution worked and provided additional tips to making the fix easier for the reader. The post even included a link to the replacement part on the www.mcmelectronics.com/ website. The part was $18 and to 2-day air ship it was $25. I thought it was worth the risk so I ordered the part for less than $50. Following the instructions on the www.fixya.com website (which also provided links to the actual service manual and exploded view document which were very helpful) I replaced what is called the hall sensor in about 30 minutes.

After hooking everything back up to the washer, I pressed the appropriate buttons to start a short cycle … Then the heavens opened, angels were singing, and I was doing a little happy dance because the washing machine starting working just as well as it did 3 years ago.

In the end it was a very small part; relatively cheap and simple to replace. It's crazy to me how such a small thing can have such a huge return on investment. And it was almost ignored before I had the knowledge of it even existing. Thank you internet for saving our washing machine.

Eternal Marriage - Sacrament Meeting Talk

Intro

Happiness Factory

I was in Atlanta this past week for a work conference, and one of the events was at the Coca Cola museum.  I was surprised at how much there was to see there.  The big Coke Polar bear was there, which was kind of cool, people were taking pictures with him, though I'm still not sure of the relationship between a soft drink and a polar bear.  There was an exhibit about the bottling processes which, if you can believe it, was actually more complicated than putting coke in a bottle.  The one I was most excited to see though, when I saw it on the map, was the "Happiness Factory".  I had had a long week, and was missing my family so was at a point where I could use some additional "happiness".  The map was a little confusing on how to get there, but once I arrived I saw that the happiness factory was actually a miniature golf course.  I'm not much of a golfer, so was a little disappointed in Coke's version of the Happiness Factory.

 

On this topic of happiness, President James E. Faust taught:

“Many covenants are indispensable to happiness here and hereafter. Among the most important are the marriage covenants made between husband and wife. From these covenants flow the greatest joys of life” (in Conference Report, Apr. 1998, 19; or Ensign, May 1998, 17). 

 

I'm sure there's some that would disagree, but I don't think Coca Cola's happiness factory can hold a candle to the joy and happiness eternal marriage can bring.  It is this I wish to speak on today.  The blessings of eternal marriage … the real Happiness Factory. 

 

God's Plan

Marriage between a man and a woman is a vital part of God’s plan. In D&C 49:15 the Lord said,

 

“Whoso forbiddeth to marry is not ordained of God, for marriage is ordained of God unto man”.

 

Since the beginning, marriage has been a law of the gospel. Marriages are intended to last forever, not just for our mortal lives.

 

Adam and Eve were married by God before there was any death in the world. They had an eternal marriage. They taught the law of eternal marriage to their children and their children’s children. As the years passed, wickedness entered the hearts of the people and the authority to perform this sacred ordinance was taken from the earth. Through the Restoration of the gospel, eternal marriage has been restored to earth.

 

Understanding

Elder Bednar gives us two reasons to help us understand why eternal marriage is essential to the Father's plan.

"Reason 1: The natures of male and female spirits complete and perfect each other, and therefore men and women are intended to progress together toward exaltation.

... The unique combination of spiritual, physical, mental, and emotional capacities of both males and females were needed to implement the plan of happiness … By divine design, men and women are intended to progress together toward perfection and a fullness of glory … The man and the woman contribute differently but equally to a oneness and a unity that can be achieved in no other way. The man completes and perfects the woman and the woman completes and perfects the man … 

Reason 2: By divine design, both a man and a woman are needed to bring children into mortality and to provide the best setting for the rearing and nurturing of children.  The commandment given anciently to Adam and Eve to multiply and replenish the earth remains in force today.  ..."

(June 2006 Liahona)

 

Authority

In order for a marriage to be eternal, it must be performed by one who holds the sealing power, and it must be done in one of the holy temples of our Lord. The temple is the only place this holy ordinance can be performed.

 

In the temple, Latter-day Saint couples kneel at one of the sacred altars in the presence of their family and friends who have received the temple endowment. They make their marriage covenants before God and are pronounced husband and wife for time and all eternity. This is done by one who holds the holy priesthood of God and has been given the authority to perform this sacred ordinance. He acts under the direction of the Lord and promises the couple the blessings of exaltation. He instructs them in the things they must do to receive these blessings. He reminds them that all blessings depend on obedience to the laws of God.

Scripture Example

The Lord gave Nephi, the Son of Helaman, this authority. 

"Behold, I give unto you power, that whatsoever ye shall seal on earth shall be sealed in heaven; and whatsoever ye shall loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven … " (Hel. 10:7)

 

Because of Nephi's "unwearyingness to declare the world, which [the Lord] had given unto [him] … and not sought [his] own life, but … sought [the Lord's] will, … the Lord promised to bless him forever, with great power.  The power to flatten mountains, smite the earth with famine; and  even that all things [should be done … according to [his] word.  But of all this great power, none is greater than that of the sealing power.

 

If we are married by any authority other than by the priesthood in a temple, the marriage is for this life only. After death, the marriage partners have no claim on each other or on their children. An eternal marriage gives us the opportunity to continue as families after this life.

Preparation

This is the most important decision we can make in our lives.  President Spencer W. Kimball taught:

“Marriage is perhaps the most vital of all the decisions and has the most far-reaching effects, for it has to do not only with immediate happiness, but also with eternal joys. It affects not only the two people involved, but also their families and particularly their children and their children’s children down through the many generations. In selecting a companion for life and for eternity, certainly the most careful planning and thinking and praying and fasting should be done to be sure that of all the decisions, this one must not be wrong” (Teachings of Presidents of the Church: Spencer W. Kimball [2006], 193).

 

An eternal marriage should be the goal of every Latter-day Saint. This is true even for those already married by civil law. There are some that aren't provided the opportunity at marriage in this life.  To them Elder Richard G. Scott has said:

"I feel sorry for any man who hasn’t yet made the choice to seek an eternal companion, and my heart weeps for the sisters who haven’t had the opportunity to marry. Some of you may feel lonely and unappreciated and cannot see how it will be possible for you to have the blessings of marriage and children or your own family. All things are possible to the Lord, and He keeps the promises He inspires His prophets to declare. Eternity is a long time. Have faith in those promises and live to be worthy of them so that in His time the Lord can make them come true in your life. With certainty, you will receive every promised blessing for which you are worthy."

 

Happiness

This was actually said in conference this past April.  Elder Scott gave an excellent talk on "The Eternal Blessings of Marriage" and I encourage all to revisit it. In it he also said that

 

"Two of the vital pillars that sustain Father in Heaven’s plan of happiness are marriage and the family. Their lofty significance is underscored by Satan’s relentless efforts to splinter the family and to undermine the significance of temple ordinances, which bind the family together for eternity. The temple sealing has greater meaning as life unfolds. It will help you draw ever closer together and find greater joy and fulfillment in mortality. "

 

Our story

For much of his talk, Elder Scott spoke fondly of his wife Jeanene.  Because my talk is also on the blessings of eternal marriage, I want to talk a bit about the greatest blessing in my life.

 

Annie and I met at what was Ricks college.  She was roommates with several of her friends from Oregon City and my roommate knew them all well because his dad had taught them seminary.  So together, my roommate and I spent considerable amount of time at their apartment.  It didn't take long before Annie and I were best friends and I was doing her math homework.  I remember that being with Annie, I was happy.  I had fun when I was with her, and I could be myself around her. It seemed like we just fit together.  There were times when I wanted things to be more serious, but she wasn't ready, and possibly vice versa, but eventually we did start dating.

 

Fortunately our families were actually in the same stake at home so it was easy to continue dating after we had graduated, which eventually lead to us getting married in the Portland Oregon temple.  There are two things I remember from that day.  The first was how beautiful Annie was in her wedding dress and how lucky I felt that I was going to be with her forever. 

 

The second was how sick I was that day.  I woke up sometime in the middle of the night thinking I had some major pre-wedding jitters.   My stomach did not feel right, and I thought it was due to being super nervous.   It got to the point where finally I was able to relieve myself in the restroom and I thought I was okay.  Not 15 minutes later, my stomach was just as upset and I had to visit the restroom again.  Two or three more times of this I realized it wasn't just nerves and I finally woke my parents. My father and uncle gave me a priesthood blessing.  My mother gave me some medicine (some pills) and a metal bowl to catch what little I had left in my stomach.  I still remember hearing those pills bouncing off the metal bowl. I still joke with my little brother about that as he was assigned catcher duty that night. 

 

The night went on and nothing was changing.  I really did not think I was going to make it to the temple.  How could I.  I could barely move from exhaustion.  I couldn't hold anything in me and it seemed at the time that the best thing for me to drink was bright red Gatorade.  I asked my mom if maybe this was a sign I wasn't supposed to get married and she told me "No Ryon, this is exactly why you need to get married.  Satan is trying to keep you from making the best decision of your life". 

 

Again, as Elder Scott pointed out

"[the importance of eternal marriage] is underscored by Satan's relentless efforts to splinter the family and to undermine the significance of temple ordinances, which bind the family together for eternity."

 

Well I was finally able to hold some liquid down and I made it to the temple … I think I was a little late, but I made.  My father had to help me get dressed and I think out of all the grooms that day, I probably got the most attention from the temple workers.  They were very sweet and I could tell their concern was as much for me as it was for the white furniture I was sitting on.

 

I actually don't remember much of what the sealer said to us.  I was too focused on keeping the temple clean and not falling over.  But as soon as I knelt down across the alter from Annie, I remember, all feelings of sickness left me, I was filled with a strength that I can only describe as a gift of the Spirit, and I could focus on my beautiful wife and how lucky I was that I got to spend my life with her forever.  We then stood and I tried putting her ring, the symbol of our marriage, on her right ring finger. She lovingly guided me to her left hand, and then I was helped back to my seat. 

 

I missed the luncheon my mother had prepared because I slept through it.  At the reception I was permitted to have a chair in the wedding line as we were greeted and congratulated by family and friends.  I was not well that day, but for the few minutes I was at the alter with Annie, I know that Heavenly Father blessed me with the strength I needed to appreciate and recognize the significance of the covenant I was making and the blessing of eternal marriage to Annie that He was giving me.

 

The following years I think are best described by Elder Scott,

"It is so rewarding to be married. Marriage is wonderful. In time you begin to think alike and have the same ideas and impressions. You have times when you are extremely happy, times of testing, and times of trial, but the Lord guides you through all of those growth experiences together. "

 

Conclusion

D&C 132:19 -

 ‘And again, verily I say unto you, if a man marry a wife by my word, which is my law, and by the new and everlasting covenant, and it is sealed unto them by the Holy Spirit of promise, by him who is anointed, unto whom I have appointed this power and the keys of this priesthood; and it shall be said unto them—Ye shall come forth in the first resurrection; …  and shall inherit thrones, kingdoms, principalities, and powers, dominions, all heights and depths—then shall it be written in the Lamb’s Book of Life … and shall be of full force when they are out of the world; and they shall pass by the angels, and the gods, which are set there, to their exaltation and glory in all things, as hath been sealed upon their heads, which glory shall be a fullness and a continuation of the seeds forever and ever’

 

Created with Microsoft OneNote 2010
One place for all your notes and information

Daddy Daughter Day

Annie took the boys up to Washington to visit with Kimmie and Kevin for the weekend, so it was just Cedar and me at home. She spent most of Friday with Sara and Spence so I could work, but we had a great day together on Saturday.

We were up by 7:00am. Cedar doesn't sleep in even on the weekends. I wasn't quite ready to be awake yet so we just snuggled on the couch for a little while. It was very sweet for a little bit, but then Cedar started to get restless and wanted to poke at my eyes and sit on my head. So it's time for breakfast.

Cedar wanted bacon for breakfast. Nothing else. Just bacon. I asked her if she wanted eggs with bacon, or pancakes, or waffles (my favorite). Nope … just bacon. It was turkey bacon, so not that bad, but still just bacon? Well I'm dad so I say … bacon it is. I did make some eggs with bacon in it and some toast for myself to see if I could bate her a little, but nope. I guess it could have been chocolate cake.

After breakfast I asked Cedar if she wanted to go to Costco (we have the worlds largest Costco less than a mile away, he, he, he). She did, and I was able to use that for the next 2 hours while we got ready. I told her she needed to take a bath and she said, "okay … Costco". As I tried to get her hair into a pony tail (which after a half hour still looked pathetic) I kept having to apologize and start over. Cedar just said, "okay daddy … Costco". Finally as I was putting her shoes on she was pretty restless, and I had to tell her to be a helper. She said, "okay daddy, I'll be a helper … Costco". We had a good time at Costco. I was able to get some errands done and we enjoyed a Costco hotdog and some soda.

After Costco it was nap time. That's never a very happy time, but I told her if she would take a nap we would go for a bike ride which seemed to make it a little easier (uh hu … bribery, a fathers best weapon). I was able to take a nap too which was awesome because since Bridger was born the parents sleep has not been so good. But Cedar got up again before I was ready so we repeated some of the morning snuggle adventure.

Our bike ride was somewhat short because it had been rainy and the clouds didn't look very promising. But it was fun and nice to get a little exercise. When we got back I told Cedar that if we got the living room picked up we could wrestle so that was our adventure until dinner time. Wrestling with Cedar is very different than wrestling with Tanner. Sure, she has picked up on many of his moves, her favorite being jumping as high as she can and landing on my gut with her knees, but then she just wants to snuggle. Then she jumps on me again and then snuggles. I remember the first time Cedar joined Tanner and me wrestling. She threw a pillow at my head and I groaned and fell down. My sound effects must have been good because immediately Cedar got very concerned and came over saying "sowry, sowry, kiss it beta". I let her give me a hug and kiss my head better and told her that I was okay and it was just a game.

After we wrestled for a while we made "hot stickers" (again Cedars request) and had a picnic in the living room while watching a "scary" Curious George movie.

When the movie was over we read some stories, looked at pictures on the TV while listening to music and having a dance party (only a 3-year-old can do all that at once), and then it was time for bed. Bed time wasn't too bad because I told her if she was a helper we would snuggle in bed, which we did.

It was a great day to spend with my daughter. She is a lot of work, especially when the other kids are around and she is competing for attention, but she really is a sweet child and I love her very much.

Bridger Layne Jensen

Annie has already blogged about the addition to our family here (she might need to change the url of her blog to ratcbJensen now), but I thought I would write a little about our new son Bridger and post a couple pictures I have. We've had him home for about a week and a half now, and I think we've adjusted pretty well. Of course our nights are a little different, but as Annie pointed out, her mom is here and helping a ton with that. Bridger seems to be enjoying himself ...

Bridger is a very happy baby. The only time he gets fussy is when he's hungry (he gets that from me), or getting tired. He is a very precious addition to our family, and I am happy he is here.

2010 in Review

At work we are at the point in the year where we are required to write a yearly review in which we list some of our top accomplishments for the year. It's kind of a pain to do, however when we're done, it is nice to look back and hopefully feel good about what we accomplish the previous 12 months. I thought I would do the same for my personal life so here are three accomplishments I'm proud of that I did in the year 2010.
Reach the Beach
Earlier this year I participated in a century bike ride from Beaverton Oregon to the coast named appropriately "Reach the Beach". A friend in the ward talked me into doing it and I was able to barrow a bike from my boss at work. Training was hard, but I really started getting into it. I unfortunately was only able to train for a couple months before the ride so it was pretty difficult, but I did it … I reached the beach. The scenery was amazing, and I actually enjoyed most of it. Well up until about mile 60. Then it seemed like the wind was blowing directly against the direction I was trying to go and I wore out very quickly. So for 40 miles I was not enjoying it. Several times I came very close to quitting by choice. There were another several times I nearly quit, not by choice, but by actual physical failure. At the end I remember curled up into a ball in the passenger side of the car while Annie drove us home. I knew that my body needed food to replenish all the energy I had exerted, but the idea of eating made me sick. It wasn't until we got home I was able to down a fruit smoothie and then slowing my body began to recover.
Even though it was extremely difficult and I was hating life for much of it, I am glad I reached the beach and plan to do it again (with a little more training). 

Mt Elbert (first 14er)
In late August I went to Colorado for a weekend to visit Annie and the kids who were staying with Annie's parents for a few weeks. While I was there Mark (Annie's dad) and I climbed Mt Elbert, a 14433ft peak in the Rockies. It is ranked 2nd Highest Peak in the Contiguous United States. The hike is 8.75 miles round trip with about 4700 ft. elevation climb. Yes … another one that nearly knocked me out.
Living at about 200 ft. above sea level, being at 10,000 was a bit of a shock to the system. And that's where we started climbing. Thankfully Mark was very patient with me. As we reached the top I was only able to take a few steps before needing to rest just so I could take a few more. It was slow and only sheer determination to reach the top kept me going. But when we got there it was worth it. The view was amazing. I curled up into the fetal position against a rock to block the wind while I tried to recover some strength because I knew we still had to go down, which turned out to not be much easier than going up.
Again very difficult, but I hope to do it again … maybe with a little more time to acclimate to the elevation

The deck
The final accomplishment I want to list for 2010 is the deck I built on the house we are renting. Yes, renting. The property doesn't really have any backyard because of a steep decline and protected wetland area directly behind it. It has a small (6'x8') deck that Tanner has been playing on with a small sand box. Annie communicated with the home owner that we really like the house, but need more space for the kids to play and convinced him to pay for deck materials and we would build it. (By the way husbands, when wives say "we", they mean you).
I had never built a deck before. In fact I hadn't built much of anything. I remember building a bird house in cub scouts. I had helped my dad build some fences and do some sheetrock work around the house, but I am far from being a Bob the Builder, so I was a little overwhelmed by the idea and still not sure how I got signed up for it. Annie got me a book from Home Depot on how to build decks which was actually really helpful, but it a took a couple readings before I was really even ready to start.
It took me a good couple months to just get the design done. Never done that before either. I used a program I Googled called SketchUp (actually Google developed it). It's a free program that's easy to use yet very powerful. An architect friend said that he actually uses a paid version of SketchUp for his designs.
After the design was done, it took a good 4 months more to build the deck. Spencer helped a bit and so did Annie's brother-in-law Kevin. But I was out there every day after work, and some times before work. All day Saturday and any holidays that came along. I took my birthday off as a vacation day to work on it … fun. But I finished it, and am relatively pleased with the outcome. Unfortunately it took so long we haven't really been able to use it much yet, but are looking forward to it this spring and summer.