August gatherings

Family,

Today our High Priest Quorum lesson was on "The Sabbath Day - A Delight." I mentioned that I thought the analogy from Genesis was wonderful - this is a day to stop everything, to rest from every care, and to walk in the garden and listen, and call it good.

Taking the time to pause and count blessings - to appreciate the beauty of the places where we live, and they are all beautiful in their way, and to see the hand of the Lord in our lives - is one of the core activities of true religion.

I returned Friday afternoon from a quick trip to Burney Falls Campground where I visited with my brother and his family. The flying time was 2.4 hrs to this remote place east of Mt. Shasta. It was a wonderful time to visit and catch up on things. The flight down and back was just beautiful - over country on the east side of the Cascades going down that I've never seen before. Every time I fly, I think of the words of Isaiah who said "If thou turn away thy foot from the sabbath, from doing thy pleasure on my holy day; and call the sabbath a delight, the holy of the Lord... then shall thou delight thyself in the Lord; and I will cause thee to ride upon the high places of the earth, and feed thee with the heritage of Jacob thy father; for the mouth of the Lord hath spoken it." The Jerusalem Bible reads "...and I will lead you triumphant over the heights of the land." I know its a stretch to apply this to flying, but I always have. It's my personal blessing and sabbath moment to see a view of the earth that few people enjoy. One of the pictures enclosed is a view of forest fire smoke rising high like a cumulus cloud over Mt. Jefferson. I wondered for a moment if the old volcano was erupting - but no, just a forest fire with intense smoke rising, I learned later. I really love this airplane and hope that more of you will have a chance to fly with me and experience the time machine it is.

I returned to bring some food - simple cottage cheese and peaches and some chicken, to Skye and Jared who were in the chemotherapy clinic where Jared was getting his first dose. He was there most of the day. If you haven't already gone there, you can read their blog at www.jaredandskye.blogspot.com.

Prior to this flying trip to California, we gathered at home on Sunday night for a farewell dinner to Bob and Brittany who were about to return to NYC the next day with their little puppy they bought in Washougal. We had some good music moments together and good food and good company. The Sunday prior, we also gathered together for another meal here at home. During the week, Brittany organized a temple trip where all of the endowed members of the family in the Portland Metro area (except Jason who stayed home with Seville) gathered for an endowment session and for some sealings for Bob's ancestors. It was a sweet experience for me and it gave me a renewed respect for the work of sealing our ancestors together in the temple. Thank you, Brittany.

Bryce is working hard at his new job and I am proud of him. He's on a steep learning curve but he has the chops to do the learning and I think he is feeling some reward for the service he gives to Hoffman. Work is sanctifying and I see it working for Bryce.

My car is still in the shop - the engine blown to smitherines by a faulty head gasket repair last year - and I'm wondering what I'm going to drive next. I'm actually enjoying driving the old 1990 740 wagon but it's beat up a little, being loaned out to family and friends in need all the time - and doesn't much to enhance my lawyer image.

Kaaren's garden is amazing. The sunflowers are about 12 feet tall and spouting several flower heads at the top. The beans are climbing up the sunflowers and the tomatoes are thick and tall - with fruit setting. Should be ripe soon. We're harvesting squash, cucumbers, beans and cherry tomatoes and yellow pear (tear drop?) tomatoes.

Well, this is all I have energy for this evening. Blessings upon you all.

Dad