7 Deadly Sins and country in trouble

Hi Reader,
I am still reading Steven Covey's Principle Centered Leadership and one of the chapter's is titled: Seven Deadly Sins. He quotes Mahatma Ghandi in this chapter and it seems eerily prophetic with the problems we are facing today.
7 Deadly Sins
1. Wealth without work
2. Pleasure without conscience
3. Knowledge without character
4. Business without ethics
5. Science without humanity
6. Religion without sacrifice
7. Politics without principle

I love the last quote from the chapter: "The Seven Habits will help you avoid these Seven Deadly Sins. And if you don't buy into the Seven Habits, try the Ten Commandments."

It's like Jay Leno said, and I'm paraphrasing here; with all of the natural disasters, the crumbling economy, and everything else that is going wrong, is now really the best time to take God out of our Government?

Take Care, Vote according to your conscience and know that God is in charge. He alone can provide the peace we are all searching for.

Hapy Birthday Brandon!!

Happy Birthday Brandon. I hope that this year will bering you success in your schooling, career and family. I want to thank-you for being a great uncle to AJ and Emma. They both love you and your sweet wife Lisa. Thanks for always playing with them and making them feel important. Happy Birthday!!

So Sad

I just thought I would let everyone out there that I am not able to post a new blog with pictures because my computer is broken :-( I hope that nothing is lost for then I would cry.

Blogs and self-improvement

So, I originally started this blog with the intent of sharing my deepest, innermost thoughts and Dani turned it into an online scrapbook. Thank goodness. My deepest, innermost thoughts usually revolve around self-improvement (I would not profess to be a disciple of Stephen R. Covey, but definitely a believer), religion and again self-improvement.
I have been trying to plan the rest of the year and frighteningly, the year is almost all planned. Being bishop requires me to try and plan ahead and make minor adjustments along the way.

I have been reading two books lately: Principle Centered Leadership by Stephen R. Covey (I know) and Broken things to mend by Jeffrey R. Holland.
In Covey's book he mentions 8 characteristics that people possess who live principle centered lives:
1. They are continually learning
2. They are service-oriented
3. they radiate positive energy
4. They believe in other people
5. They lead balanced lives
6. They see life as an adventure
7. They are synergistic
8. They exercise for self-renewal

I don't know who exactly will read this, but just in case you find yourself wishing you lead a more principle centered life. . .

Have a great day!

Disneyland 2008

The middle of Sept. Dave and I took the girls to Disneyland. Aj had been saving for a long time to go and we finally said "Let's just go" so we talked my mom into coming, not very hard and left a tearful grandpa Butch behind with the other aunts and met up with Chris and Treasure and their cute kids. We went to the beach and spent two days at Disneyland. We had the best time in the world. We love you Chris, Treausre and Madison and Jackson for all the fun that we had. We miss you all so much. Thanks for all the memories that we will always have in our hearts. Thanks Mom for coming with us to help with the babies. We truly appreciate everything that you do for us. Thr girls had so much fun getting autographs in the special books that grandma Jessie had made for them. They also had some fun eating lunch with the pricesses becuase they truly are princesses of ours. WE love you girls.

My little Angel Emma

Emma is growing like a weed. She is so much fun and such a joy to have in our family. She is now 16 months old and is all over the place. We call her monkey, because she is all over the place and all over everything, and Tigger, because on the rare occasion that she is in one place, she is bouncing up and down. Emma, I love you so much. You are a precious spirit and will do great things. I hope and pray that you keep your rosy cheeks and your love for your mom, sister and most importantly your daddy. You will go far with that happy countance.

Happy 31st Birthday Dave!!!

Happy Birthday Sweetheart!!! I am so lucky to have you in my life. I hope that everything you want will happen and that you will be happy this next year. You work so hard to provide for us and we truly appreaciate it. WE love you!! Thanks for belonging to us!!!

AJ's first day of school

I know that I am about a month late on this posting but I am just starting. I hopw to get caught up so that it will not take all my time. Anyways, Austyn started Kindergarten this last Sept. She was so excited to go. Her teacher's name is Mrs. Smith (shouldn't be to hard to remember right?). Three of her very best friends are in her class, Hannah, Olivia and Kyrie. She was so excited to go to school with friends that she knows. It has been a month now and she is improving everyday. She even was chosen by her teacher to be on the Student Councel because she thought that AJ was the most resonsible out of the whole clas. Austyn I am so proud of you and what you are doing. I know that you get frusterated when you don't do things exactly right the first time, but that is okay. You always make me laugh. You are a great big sister and a wonderful daughter. I love you so much.

Conference Weekend

So Conference has come to a close and for those of you who know anything about this, that means enough food to put you in a turkey coma, somebody is snoring on the couch and great council from our Church's leaders.

Conference is definitely a highlight that I look forward to every 6 months. I always use some of the teachings and lessons in my counseling at work and as the Bishop of my ward.

There were a couple of talks on reverence and being better where you are no matter what the calling that really hit home. This afternoon when Pres. Packer spoke about Patriotism I felt especially humbled by that.

For those of you out there reading this and know me personally, know that I am applying for the Air Force. I am applying to work as a social worker for them and counsel military personnel and their families. I expect to hear sometime this week or next whether or not I was accepted and where we will be stationed.

Dani and I requested 7 different bases around the Western United States. We will see if any of those show up.

I have a lot of family, friends and ward members who do not want to see us move. Whatever happens, it is sure to be interesting to say the least.

Dani is having family come over today for cake and Ice cream for me, happy 31st on Wednesday.

Well, gotta run.

Dave