What's In This Blog

I created this blog for my journal. I am a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. In this blog I keep many of the things I come across as a member of the church. I also share my experiences on the ACE Train and getting to work, my experiences in Manteca where we have lived for three years, and other things I think are noticeable.

Thursday, November 30, 2017

Light The World for Children

This handout was presented to all the children in Primary (children's organization) at church this last Sunday.  Starting tomorrow they will doing an act of love everyday until Christmas.  Won't you join them?  For more information and alternative activities check out Mormon.org.  This comes from AYEAROFFHE.net

Light the World

December 1 marks the beginning of this years #LIGHTTHEWORLD campaign.  I thought I would share a calendar.  However for ideas and details, please go to Mormon.org or LDS.org.  I invite you to join my family and I as we provide 25 acts of service in 25 days.

Tuesday, November 28, 2017

The Binghams Brought Us Thanksgiving Treats

This is very unique and a great Thanksgiving idea I thought I would share.  The Binghams rang our door bell and brought us sweetened popcorn with lots of additives.  It was a very nice gesture and much appreciated.  Here is the explanations:

Monday, November 27, 2017

Oakland Temple Hill Christmas Events

Temple Hill is active with Christmas activities now through the end of the holidays.  I have not seen a brochure, but you can checkout the events at the Temple Hill Events Website.  Everything is free, many professional quality entertainers, etc. 

Friday, November 24, 2017

Preserving Agency, Protecting Religious Freedom


Elder Hales challenges us to stand up for our own religious liberty, and respecting the free agency of others. He gives some simple guidelines:
First become informed of issues in your community with regards to religious liberty. 
Second join with others who share our commitment to religious freedom.
Third live your life to be a good example in word and deed. 
Lastly, run to receive the blessing of agency by following the Spirit.

O Come, Little Children (Music Video) - Mormon Tabernacle Choir


This song is beautiful and is overplayed on the story of a cancer patient which adds even more.

Sheri is Proud of Her Rose

Sheri pointed out her rose, while we were all taking pictures yesterday.  She is proudest of the bright yellow bloom.

Thursday, November 23, 2017

Thanksgiving 2017

After we were done eating, I thought I hadn't taken very many pictures.  However I made up for it later.  Miranda did a photo shoot with everyone, so I stepped in and took some of my own pictures.  Only one decorating picture, sorry.  Here for Thanksgiving meal were Jeremy Kayla and the boys, Charity Anthony and the girls, Kayla's friend Monique, Miranda's roommate Melanie, Miranda home from school, and Sheri Tony and I.  We had a good time.  We had to wait a while before eating pie.  Anthony and I watched football and grand babies, while the rest played a game.  Annie, Todd and Caleb returned for pie, picture shoot and games. 

Miranda Has Brought Her Roommate Home for Thanksgiving

Melanie is Miranda's roommate at BYUI.  She is from Delaware and also happens to know the McNeil family.  I mentioned that Ken was a very good man, and she agreed and said she enjoyed him as her bishop.  It is a small world sometimes.  Ken is buried in Modesto.  We placed her between Rorie and Walker in terms of age.  She didn't live very close; It must be a very big ward.  However she was familiar with the ice cream shop where the McNeils had taken us when we visited.  She also said Liza does her hair.  She has done ours as well.  I am sure she motivated Charity to study cosmetology.  I don't know why Melanie was doing the dishes.  I guess she volunteered.

Santa Clara Sheriff's Office: Tribute to the Fallen Officers

I attended a disaster drill at the Sheriff's Office and Younger.  Tis is the first thing I saw while going in.

Neighbors were Baptized this past Saturday

About a year ago our neighbor asked Tony if he were Mormon.  He had heard Tony or myself singing Primary songs.  He admitted he himself is Mormon and wanted his son to be baptized.  This began a period of missionary teaching; and then waiting for his younger sister to turn eight so they could be baptized together.  They were baptized by their uncle this past Saturday.  Sheri bore her testimony and I said the closing prayer.  It was a very spiritual occasion. 

Saturday, November 18, 2017

Pretty Sky Over San Jose


Snapped a couple pictures while at the bus stop near the Southwest Light Rail Station.  This is a break from the storms last week.

Thursday, November 16, 2017

Wednesday, November 15, 2017

Special Edition: 9/11 Rising Above - Music & The Spoken Word


This Music and The Spoken Word which commemorated the 10 year anniversary of 9/11 if truly inspirational.  The songs by the Mormon tabernacle Choir and the narration by Tom Brokaw really set a tone.  I especially like "Homeward Bound."  This is followed by
Amazing Grace."  Between those two songs there is magic which makes your senses stand on edge with enjoyment.

Sunday, November 12, 2017

Manteca Park: Palmer Memorial Park

Palmer Memorial Park is new to Manteca; and the walk way with exercise equipment is even newer.  There is a plaque honoring a veteran killed in action during the Vietnam War who was from Manteca, Joseph Anthony Lewis.  This park is south of Woodward between Union and Airport, closer to Union.  Just a few weeks ago, a walkway starting at Woodward and continuing a couple blocks south, connecting with the park was opened.  Tony did not give the park very high marks.  The playground is geared toward younger children.  There were no good climbing structures, other than the net.  What this park does have is three exercising apparatus.  They seem to be very effective.  I am sore today, the day after visiting.  I did notice was we were getting through that the suggested age is fourteen and older.  One of the apparatus is wheel chair accessible.  The park is still new, and lacks trees.  It does have a large grassy area, as well as a half court basketball area (no three-point line.)