Visit to Santa Cruz Seabright Beach

Traveling from Seattl to San Diego this summer we stopped at Caleb's and spent a day at the beach.  We also swam at the Banks and watched Quincy play t-ball.  It is tradition to stop at a special ice cream shop in Santa Cruz.  However it was so crowded we just went to McDonalds across the street for ice cream.

Wardle Bocci

 

Look at the Snowmobilers

This is Tony and Caleb and Island Park, Idaho

I Have Changed and Decorated My Work Office

Family section.  (I need more wedding pictures.)  But I love the portrait Tony drew of Miranda getting a perm in her hair.

Miranda and Caleb work

Charity's lady bug

My wall of art

The office in general

Stone in Front of the House.

 Caleb had a plan to use his skills from work to rock the pillars in front of our house, and put this plan in action today.  Jeremy came over to help, and Kayla and Miranda and even Sheri and I got into the act.  A bit more to do to finish the second pillar but one pillar is completed and looking cool.

Me and Jeremy and Caleb Singing We Three Kings

Northland Ward Christmas Party 2015.

Hot Spud at Lobo Gold Rally, Nov 2, 2012

This Hot Spud song includes a couple guest performer including their band teach Rick Hammerstrom.

Caleb and Annie singing together: How Like a Winter, Sierra High School In Harmony Choir

Caleb is top right.  Annie is bottom right of the women.  They are now engaged.  And Simon is bottom right of the men.

Guess Who is Engaged: Officially and Finally

Congratulations to Annie and Caleb.  Waiting 4 to 6 weeks for ring delivery is murder on this old man.  Ring is sapphire with encircling diamonds.

Caleb's Report to Stake High Council

Caleb did an admirable job reporting his mission.  Caleb presented to the Stake High Council the Tuesday after he returned from his mission.  He would have been his second day on the job.  We entered the meeting room at 8:30.  Also presenting with us was Emma Hunter who returned from her mission a week before Caleb.  She had been present for both the open house of a new temple in Florida, Fort Lauderdale and passing out Book of Mormon cards after the Musical “The Book of Mormon.”  She compared the reaction of the people at both events.  The people at the temple were very impressed with the influence of the church.

Caleb talked about how he felt the Lord put people where they needed to be to fulfill His plans.  He talked about proselytizing at the Nauvoo Pageant.  

Caleb focused his presentation on several stories of times when for whatever reason people where in the right place to get to the missionaries. Of course this also involved the missionaries being in tune to the spirit to take advantage.  The first was of a man who had been to Carthage jail.  While there he had a vivid vision and re-experienced the events that took place there.  After this he was seeking someone to teach himself about the church, or considered himself part of the church.
The second story was about a young man who embraced the gospel.  However his family was less than enthusiastic.  He wanted to go to BYUIdaho and serve a mission.  His family wanted to cut him off from funds for school.  He had a very difficult time with his parents, and it happened the missionaries had felt impressed to visit him.  They were able to support him through a hard time just by being there.
The last story was about an area in Caleb's last area.  Oquawka is about 30 miles from Burlington, on the other side of the Mississippi and to the north.  Caleb and his companion felt inspired to work there.  There were a few members there, but most were inactive.  They were trying to visit those inactive, but were having difficulty because the addresses were not clear.  As they were feeling so frustrated they prayed as to what to do.  Shortly after a local member, active, observed them.  He was able to help them find many of the people they were looking for.  In that way they were able to meet many families and teach new people.
I feel grateful for Caleb's service, and the Lord's help, and the members' help in providing him with a positive experience.   

Caleb's Temple Trip, Nauvoo

Sister Jensen posts a couple pictures of the missionaries at the temple trip before the missionaries return home.  Here is Caleb with the group of returning missionaries.  Sister Jensen said, "These pictures are from our August temple trip for those missionaries who departed August 14. They are all wonderful missionaries! We miss them. Thank you parents!!! We love them."  I really know Caleb was loved in Iowa, not only by his mission President and wife, but also by many in the church community in Iowa.  Caleb also formed many loving relationships with companions and other missionaries.  So we as parents want to thank all those who touched Caleb in any way during these two years.

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's Selfies on my I-Pad