Tony's First Major School Project

Tony made a diorama for his first grade class.  It was suppose to be of a story, and Tony chose Jack in the Beanstalk.  He made two levels, Jack's house, with a twig going from there to a higher level where you see the giant and his castle, as well as the harp and the chicken who lays gold eggs.

I LIke Bascom Library

A year ago I wrote about the waste of having unopened libraries.  However the library has now been open for over a year; and I love it.  I make it a point to visit once a week, and usually have about 30 items checked out, books, DVDs and CDs.  It is a pleasant walk from work.  The are open four days a week, Wednesday 11-8, and Thursday to Saturday 10-6.  The facility also boasts a community center with full size gym, exercise room, dance studio and other rooms.  There is a Cafe opening soon.  The artwork is an interesting mixture of culturally significant pieces with a tree with people on the branches.

http://billywardlefamily.blogspot.com/2012/04/what-waste-bascom-library-and-community.html
by previous blog

http://www.mercurynews.com/top-stories/ci_22641889/bascom-library-san-jose-open-feb-23-after
San Jose Mercury News on the opening

Ace Train 51: Earthquakes Arena Progress

The outer metal beam frame for the Earthquake Stadium is pretty much done.  This is opposite the Santa Clara Stadium and is going to be off of Coleman.  This puts it on the backside of the airport.  The San Jose Earthquakes are the MLS soccer team.  They have had some successful years, but have always had to borrow stadiums; most recently Santa Clara, which coincidentally is on the other side of Santa Clara Station off of The Alameda.

This last pictures shows a different structure in front of the stadium.  This must be where tickets are gong to be sold, and possible office buildings.

Mormon Movie Review: The Tree of LIfe: Animated Stories from the Book of Mormon

This is a movie from Nest Entertainment and Rich Studios.  He portrays in animated fashion the dreams of Lehi and Nephi, and the pursuit of the tree of life.  It compares and portrays those who push forward and take of the fruit, those who get lost in the mist, those who reach the fruit, but turn away because of the mocking of those in the spacious building.
This isn't my favorite of the Book of Mormon series.  It is trying to dramatize a dream, which is hard to do, and subject to opinion as to what should be included or left out.

Life in Manteca 99: Memorial Day 2014

Memorial Day 2014, Woodward Park, Manteca

Early morning clean-up at Woodward Park.  Note, we no longer wear the yellow vests, but just do services.  As a family we got a pretty good trash bag full.  They served donuts and drinks, and had the sticker I scanned at the top for those who wanted one to take.  This is Tony's now that I have scanned it.  Miranda and Tony went to the fireworks show last night.  Randi has a movie to post.

Old Testament: Joshua: Walk His Way

https://www.lds.org/media-library/video/2011-03-056-walk-his-way?category=old-testament/joshua-song-of-solomon&&lang=eng&order=chronological

Joshua said, "As for me and my house, we will serve the Lord.  See if this song doesn't capture that essence, a commitment to serve God.  

Walk His Way

Seminary Music: Old Testament
1. The images men worship are not just of stone and clay.
They make idols of their own success and walk their way
Day by day they wander with hearts set on the world;
Their pride and greed replace the need to trust the Lord.
But we could have faith, we would be strong
If he was the pow`r we relied upon
He’s the only one with pow`r to save,
So we pledge today that we will walk His way
Beginning now, we vow.  To walk His way.

2. He is the path we follow.  He’s the only one we serve;
We find happiness in His success and trust His word.
He is our loving Father,
With strength and power to save,
With all our soul we choose this day to walk His way.
And as we have faith we will be strong,
For He is the pow`r we rely upon
He’s the only one with pow`r to save,
So we pledge today that we will walk His way,
We vow to walk His way.

Text:  Steven K. Jones

Music:  Sam Cardon

Arranged By:  Sam Cardon

Artist:  Joel McCausland

Joshua's commitment was independent, not dependent on others.

https://www.lds.org/media-library/video/2011-03-057-full-commitment?category=old-testament/joshua-song-of-solomon&&lang=eng&order=chronological 

Temple Pageant Reunion

http://www.templehillevents.com/pageant.html

Summer plans to include August 2 Oakland Temple Pageant Reunion.  This is going to be a fun event.  We as a family were in pageant one year, on stage about 2 years ago.  Caleb was a younger brother to Joseph Smith, Natalia, Jeremy and I were in the chorus.  Mark was a dancer and had a dance duet.  Charity and Miranda and Caleb were with the children and cast.  Sheri helped backstage with changes and make up and etc.  It was a fun experience.
I learned that Aunt Carol was involved with the original temple pageant as choreographer.

Santa Clara County ERT Training

I completed the Emergency Response Team Training, which was a three-Tuesday training.  The first day we learned of heart attacks, certified CPR and studied first aid.  The next Tuesday reviewed CPR, more first aid, and the triage methods.  This last Tuesday we had a lot of situations to deal with, using triage and search and rescue techniques.  We also talked about clearing a building, and how to respond in an earthquake.  When to go into a home and search and when to stay out.  At the end of the training they gave us a plaque, a hat and a vest; so I'm legit.

Tony is a Seven-year-old Van Gogh

This is the book Tony illustrated at school for his mother.  I like the way for some of the pictures he puts in a neat background.  It reminds of Van Gogh's "Starry Night."  I also like the emotion he puts into Mother's face.  Sheri's favorite picture is the baby getting his bum changed.  Tony's seen that plenty of times.

Sunday School: Old Testament: Caleb

The Lord gave Caleb the land of Hebron as an inheritance because of his faithfulness.  "Hebron therefore became the inheritance of Caleb the son of Jephunneh the Kenezite unto this day, because that he wholly followed the Lord God of Israel.  (Joshua 14: 14)  What a great thing to be said of someone, he wholly followed the Lord. 

Of course the instance referred to was when Caleb, with Joshua brought back a positive report, while the other spies provided a false negative report.  This experience is related in Numbers:

 6 ¶And Joshua the son of Nun, and Caleb the son of Jephunneh, which were of them that searched the land, rent their clothes:

 7 And they spake unto all the company of the children of Israel, saying, The land, which we passed through to search it, is an exceeding good land.

 8 If the Lord delight in us, then he will bring us into this land, and give it us; a land which floweth with milk and honey.

 9 Only rebel not ye against the Lord, neither fear ye the people of the land; for they are bread for us: their defence is departed from them, and the Lord is with us: fear them not.

 10 But all the congregation bade stone them with stones. And the glory of the Lord appeared in the tabernacle of the congregation before all the children of Israel.

 24 But my servant Caleb, because he had another spirit with him, and hath followed me fully, him will I bring into the land where into he went; and his seed shall possess it. (Numbers 14: 6-10, 24)

One of my sons is named Caleb.  He has a tremendous namesake to live up to.  One of our modern prophets talked of Caleb of old.

President Spencer W. Kimball stated his admiration for Caleb and suggested some lessons we can learn from him:
“From Caleb’s example we learn very important lessons. Just as Caleb had to struggle and remain true and faithful to gain his inheritance, so we must remember that, while the Lord has promised us a place in his kingdom, we must ever strive constantly and faithfully so as to be worthy to receive the reward.
“Caleb concluded his moving declaration with a request and a challenge with which my heart finds full sympathy. The Anakims, the giants, were still inhabiting the promised land, and they had to be overcome. Said Caleb, now at 85 years, ‘Give me this mountain’ (Joshua 14:12).
“This is my feeling for the work at this moment. There are great challenges ahead of us, giant opportunities to be met. I welcome that exciting prospect and feel to say to the Lord, humbly, ‘Give me this mountain,’ give me these challenges” (in Conference Report, Oct. 1979, 115; or Ensign, Nov. 1979, 79).

Caleb is 19 and Weekend in Review

19 years ago today, after Caleb kept us waiting all night (a long night) Caleb was born.  I guess he had his arm up, which kept him from proceeding through the birth canal. 

Today that same Caleb is serving the Lord in Iowa City.  I hope he had a good day.  Sheri sent him a package, with a cake mix and frosting and etc. for his cake.  We also all sent cards.  He told Sheri (it is his p-day) that he was going to the zoo.  Growing up we often went to the zoo in San Francisco, so he should have had a good time.
As for the weekend, Friday started with clean the church.  This was interesting because we wer following he carpet layers, and they didn't yet have their stuff out, so we didn't get very far, other than the chapel.  I guess they had to call another team in Friday.  We also had pulled pork sandwiches made by the scouts for their fundraiser.  I enjoyed mine, and even Toy like the sandwiches.  I also enjoyed the pickles and the potato salad.  Tony really like the cookies.
As for the rest of the week, lots and lots of weeds.  The worst part about that is there are lots and lots of more weeds to pull.  But little by little we hope to get ahead of the weeds. 

Portrait: Jesus Christ

I think this picture may be from temple square.  On the back it says:
We hope you enjoy this beautiful depiction of the Savior, titled The Lord Jesus Christ.  The original oil painting on canvas was completed in 1983 by American artist Del Parson.
As members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, we add our witness to the solemn testimonies of millions from the past and present that Jesus of Nazareth is the Son of the Living God, the Redeemer and Savior of the human race, the Eternal Judge of all people, the Chosen and Anointed of the Father--the Christ.
If you would like to talk with representatives of the Church about the Savior's teaching, call 1-800-622-5595, or write:
Teachings
50 East North Temple Street, 3rd Floor West Wing
Salt Lake City, UT 84150
USA

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints

You can also learn more about the church at Mormon.org

The District and Caleb's Companion

Caleb is the district leader of the Des Moines district.  He says they have about 16? missionaries, including the assistants to the President.  They also have an older couple, Dr. Richley Carapo and his wife.  Dr. Crapo taught anthropology at USU.  Turns out that in his class Mark and Liz (brother and sister-in-law) met. 

Elder Standage and Elder Wardle

I fell asleep on the couch at lunch.  I am not sure how I got into this position.

Andrew Elbe, our recent convert

The Des Moines District l-r Elders Zabriskie, Monson, Hensley, Bowden, me, Dutson, Bates, Standage, Sisters Call and Brown.

Elder Wardle

Elder Standage, trying to use the red detector on his face

I baptized Maryama, the girl right behind me.

Caleb Helped at a Basketball Tournament

Caleb and his companion spent the day helping at a basketball tournament, an outdoors event.  He and his companion kept score on a court all afternoon.  Someone kept asking him if he was OK, and he kept saying yes, but when the event was over he was a pretty lobster color.

My sunburned arm

Caleb's Views of Des Moines

Caleb forwarded some pictures, and these are his views of Des Moines.

Crazy clouds in Des Moines

The state capitol building

Downtown Des Moines

Cool bridge looking over Des Moines

A lake by our house

Our favorite picture spot