My many names

 
As you may have noted by my signature byline, I have a variety of names.  Dallas is what I started with, recently I've been called Bishop, and sometimes I get called Doctor although that would be incorrect.  I've had nicknames of "Big D", "Cowboys", "Texas", "Fort Worth" and every other major city in Texas.  But the name I've appreciated most has been Dad, or Daddy. 

When I was a missionary in Thailand I got asked repeatedly what my name meant. I replied over and over that American names did not have meaning.  In their language and culture that is so foreign that they couldn't believe me.  I had the impression that they thought I was embarrassed about the meaning of my name.  So I felt the need to come up with a meaning.  Being a young man and a bit insecure I had decided that my name meant 'handsome strong man'.  At first I was a little embarrassed at my brazen distortion of truth (okay flat out lying) but the Thai people had no problem with it and didn't seem to suspect my treachery.  The meaning I chose seemed to be just what they suspected.  So somehow I managed to be 'Humble handsome strong man'! 

I have enjoyed my given name because it is a fairly rare name and identifies me well.  Most often I use just my first name when I am talking to folks.  At work, from time to time, we have staff meetings with people from the various offices present.  When I am called upon to introduce myself I use just my first name.  Often someone says something like "What, you only go by one name like Cher or Prince or something?"  What can I say.  Of course if they were to say that now they might say like "Jimmer or Gunnar".  My first name tends to be memorable and serves me well. 

However, the name that means the most to me, and one I had looked forward to, and enjoy now is "Dad".  Being a Dad has got to be one of the best things ever.  That name has an impact on me that makes me want to be better.  It is a name and a title and it has meaning all wrapped up in one. 

I hope I can wear it well. 

The results are in!

Who is that fellow with my daughter?

As some are aware this last week in our home has been busy and included a number of highlights including Megan's fiance, Josh, coming to meet the parents (us).  Part of that tradition in our family was that Josh had his official "interview" with me.  No application needed to be filled out but because he was vouched for by Megan we moved directly to the interview stage to see his preparation and readiness.

Mike with his prize: Jaime

Dane with his prize: Anny

 Josh was prepared by the two previous interviewees, Mike and Dane.  Although I wasn't privy to the conversations I suspect that they either gave condolences, teased him unmercifully or encouraged him in a manly way to buck up and take his medicine. 

Josh before the interview

One question had him thinking pretty hard.

I couldn't tell if this was a look of relief or disbelief when I ended the interview.
Maybe both.

Josh passed the interview! [This was announced in Priesthood opening exercises to the pleasure of all the Priesthood holders.]  He is officially on the fast track to marriagedom or marraigemania, take your pick.  He has passed one of the last hurdles to getting married.  Having already received the acceptance of Megan and now her father's recommendation, he now can move on to more mundane things like invitations, reception decisions and how to become all that he can be.

Josh's scores?

When all the interview scores were announced the looks were 'precious' you be the judge of what their feelings were

And naturally in the excitement of the victory...

Guest Blog: Breakdown Blessing

On our way home from church Easter Sunday, our mini-van suddenly lost all power.  Everything quit working: the A/C, the dashboard lights, the power windows and power steering--the engine!  We were ascending a hill at the time, and we held our collective breaths and hoped we'd be able to crest the hill, which would allow us to coast to the bottom and turn into the parking lot of a local department store.  Thankfully, we made it.

I'm so grateful for this breakdown!  Well, not the breakdown per se, but more specifically, the timing of it. 

It could have happened seven hours earlier while we were on the freeway, on our way to pick Hilary up from the airport, home for the summer from college.

It could have happened after midnight two nights earlier, on our way home from picking Megan and her fiance Josh up from the airport.

It could have happened as Dallas drove to pick me up from my own flight home from Minnesota, close to midnight Wednesday night.

But it didn't.  It happened here in our little hometown, close to church and friends who were easily able to rescue us and take us home, our own trusted mechanic well within the 5-mile towing limit on our auto insurance policy.

Another of the Lord's abundant tender mercies.

X-Drive

15 Smiles +1

A smile can be such a big lift in your day.  I recall when I was a student at BYU and would walk up the ramp to campus from Heleman halls.  It was a good feeling to have other students smiling at me.  Something about someone caring.  I didn't need help or a shoulder to lean on (well unless there was ice on the ramp then someone to hang on would have been nice until I learned how to walk on ice--since I was from the East coast.)  I am amazed at the happiness and strength not to mention comfort that a smile can bring.  So what I thought I would do is put together some great smiles for you to get you going on a better day.  Feel free to come back and enjoy these smiles whenever you need a lift!

3 Nephi 19:25  ...Jesus blessed them...and his countenance did smile upon them...

So many languages in the world, 

and a smile speaks them all. 

-- Unknown

Competition or cooperation?

Sometimes we have strong competitive feelings.  That is the norm when we talk about sports and one team playing another.  In recent years we have taken that competition to greater heights where we vilify the other team and spend days and weeks identifying their weaknesses in the field of play and unfortunately in their life too.  We try to find any edge to help them play poorly so our team can win.  If we can make them feel too small, too week or too ill prepared, or barring all that if we can just make them lose their focus during the game then we can give them the impression that we are better or bigger than we are. 

That is despicable when it happens in sports but it has grown way beyond sports to life in general.  Anytime someone feels competition with another the field now includes jibes about their personal life. 

I remember when I was a child and this sort of thing was happening back then.  The last resort for a child to say in the school yard when nothing else could be said to gain an edge was "Your mommy wears Army boots!"  That always struck me as funny, even when I was a kid.  Nowadays there are plenty of mother's in the military and they do indeed where Army boots. 


In the video entitled "Same Jersey" we learn about two competitive boys who are quarterbacks on opposite teams.  They both want to win the game but simply by their team doing their best.  They have a very close relationship.  Watch it and be inspired. 

I was visiting a Branch of the church on an Army base a few weeks ago.  This branch was specifically for students in the military who are prohibited from leaving the base because they are at the beginning of their service and haven't earned that freedom yet.  Most of them came dressed in their military camouflage fatigues.  They were all on the same team and they treated each other with respect.  The ladies and the men were dressed the same and both treated respectfully.  

Although I was dressed in a suit I was on their team as well.  The outside appearance may have been different but our loyalties were the same. 

When I used to coach city league girl's basketball a few years ago, sometimes the girls would express that they wished players on the other team would play poorly or be sick for a game so that we could more easily win.  I taught them however that the key was for us to play our best.  And, that we wanted the other team to play their best so that when we beat them then we could say we really had done something meaningful.  The goal wasn't a win, but rather that we did our best.   

So when we sit at church and look around the congregation are we able to recognize that we are on the same team and not trying to out do, out dress, out cool each other.  When we make comments in Sunday School are we able to enjoy and grow from the comments of others or are we busy trying to figure out what we can say that is better than the other guy.  Can we remove competition from church and from the home and maybe find that while we are moving it out that we need to move it right on out of our life?  Can we recognize that all of the people around us are our brothers and sisters, and we can help, can love, can encourage, can support their best efforts instead of trying to outdo them?  Let's not compete with others and instead help all, including ourselves to be the best we each can be.

cooperation

cooperation

cooperation

cooperation

Monday Music #4: Standing in Motion--Yanni

So I am sitting in traffic at a dead stop on my way home from work.  I can remember not long ago that this trip home had minimal traffic and I could cruise through hitting the occasional stop-light.  Now some stop lights take three turns of the green to get me through.  While I'm sitting there this song comes up on my Ipod and I look at the title and think how appropriate.  I like it so much I listen to it three times in a row and think about a fourth but move on.  The song helped me make it through the traffic today and keep a smile on my face!  So see if you like it. 

Yanni--Standing in motion

Manly Man Training # 10: Remember

On Easter Sunday there is much to remind us of Christ.  But to be honest most of the world turns to candy, food, eggs and fun things that as a minimum co-exist with Christ and as a maximum lead us away from him.  We must be the leader in our home to show remembrance of our Savior.  Not just on Easter but every Sunday and indeed every day. 

On Easter we must be sure to attend church and let the Spirit touch our hearts with the reality of Christ and his caring and representation of our Father's caring for us.  We must share our celebration of the Savior's victory with family and close friends.  We must remember who we are and the value that we are to God.  Then let this realization help us live as God has encouraged us to do to follow him, to show our recognition of our value to Him and our acceptance of His ways as our way.  And don't forget because his atonement and resurrection are real, that our ability to repent and be forgiven is real as well. 


We may choose to participate in some of the cultural celebrations of the Holiday, but don't let the candy and the egg hunts and a gift or two take center stage from our Savior.  Let our homes remember Him. 

As a Manly Man we must remember our Savior.  We must recall he was resurrected after living his life as an example and completing the atonement.  What does that mean for us as a manly man? 

How can our example remind our families of our Savior and his life, death and resurrection?  Will our actions assure them that this is what is important to us?  That our values are in line with Him?  Will they respect us enough to desire to follow in our footsteps?  If they follow, will our footsteps lead them to Christ? 

Luke 24: Highlights

2 And they found the stone rolled away from the sepulchre.

3 And they entered in, and found not the body of the Lord Jesus.

5 ...Why seek ye the living among the dead?  

6 He is not here, but is risen...

12 Then arose Peter, and ran unto the sepulchre; and stooping down, he beheld the linen clothes laid by themselves, and departed, wondering in himself at that which was come to pass.

32 And they said one to another, Did not our heart burn within us, while he talked with us by the way, and while he opened to us the scriptures?

36 And as they thus spake, Jesus himself stood in the midst of them, and saith unto them, Peace be unto you.

48 And ye are witnesses of these things.

 49 ... be endued with power from on high.

53 And [they] were continually in the temple, praising and blessing God. Amen.

Easter Dress

Here is a picture of my Mother-in-law in her Easter dress when she was four years old.

What a cutie!