Kyle Golightly's Thoughts

New Endeavor

2011-12-12T14:51:00.002-07:00

In pursuit of all things good, I will begin a new task that will hopefully drive me closer to my core. For so long my writing has taken the back seat.It is strange because writing brings me joy, personal inspiration, and revelation. Life distractions have become my normal daily routine. When I sat to write, like I wanted to do so badly, my mind drew a blank. My mind was overloaded with static. I think most people experience this in one form or another. Not one single undertaking can be blamed for the problem but a combination of everything. We need to reboot much like a computer. No information is lost however we are refreshed. The static and chatter disappears and our mind is clear to input new information faster and more efficiently. I've been trying to do this for a couple months now and couldn't figure out why I have fallen short. Whether it was laziness or any other sin I cant say. I'm still not sure what is happening but I will ride the wave while it lasts.

Today the ruts dug into the dirt roads of my mind will be leveled for ease of travel.

With that said I had this crazy idea to become more spiritually minded by writing about scriptural topics each week. I've heard it said that the person who learns the most in sacrament meeting and the classes are the teachers. Opportunities are opened, direction is given, and the teachers are more keen their surroundings. There is no better way to come closer to my core Jesus Christ than by studying him and his teachings through Apostles and Prophets both ancient and modern. A promise was given me that my life will change the second I begin to read the scriptures daily. I pray the Lord will bless me in this task and those around me.

Power in Feeling

2011-07-20T15:10:00.003-07:00

God works in a miraculous ways. I believe by the forces of nature, he is able to lead us towards him. I am experiencing something powerful this moment that is not done playing out. Whether you get anything out of it, it matters not. Sharing it helps me sort through some of the complexities. It will come in parts but I will start with the most recent and chain it to the beginning...if I can find that.

I had a dream last night that is somewhat recurring. It is of a person I haven't seen in over 10 years and the outcome is always the same. We both part on somewhat sad notes. My dreams are vivid and very real to me. This dream, although slightly different each time, causes an altered mood throughout the day. I cant help but wonder why I still have them. Without too much thought I went about my business thinking very little about it. I drove to lunch and was telling my coworker why I always take the bumpy road to get where we were going. “Less stop lights” I said when I approached the 4 way stop. Crossing the road right in front of us was a lady and what looked like her granddaughter. She was old and was crossing really Slow. Then it clicked. I felt like the neck of a funnel and the top was instantly full of information. There was a pull like in a science fiction movie. I was having a hard time processing what was happening. What was coming out were only the things that made sense. My mind was churning like a computer trying to find a file. I found a file (I know her but I don't know who she is) each though was another file. (This cant be happening) (I know who she is)(she is the mother of the person in my dream the night before.) (I cant move)(Whats her name?)( I haven't seen or thought about her in 10 yrs.) (Oh my, I know her name.) All these thoughts entered my mind at the same time yet in order. Nervously I called out to her, “Shelly”. She looked at me and cocked her head. I saw her mouth my name “Kyle” as if in slow motion. Not knowing what to do, I placed the truck in gear and drove off trying to explain to my coworker what had just happened. What led up to this event is what boggles my mind.

2010-12-27T11:58:00.011-07:00

My goals for 2010 were not all accomplished as I set them. Do I feel it was a loss? Not at all because goals can be modified. One of my goals was to read 12 nonfiction book by the end of year. This was the first year end goal I had ever made. I ended up reading 8 non fiction and 4 fiction. Plenty more were started, but they didn't speak to me so they were never completed. I am a different person today because of what learned.

This is a list of books that I actually finished...not necessarily in order.

1. Who moved my cheese

2. The Law of Success

3. The Alchemist

4. How to win friends and influence people

5. The Noticer

6. Lectures On Faith

7. More than enough.

8. The dip

9. Tribes

10. Harry Potter 7

11. I am number 4

12. Fearless

One other accomplishments I had in 2010 was learning the Rubik cube. Will Smith said you can achieve anything you put your mind to. The cube was one thing he put his mind to and so I felt inspired to do the same. Not for glory of others as it is such a geeky thing but for putting my mind to something and accomplishing it. I did learn it and my best completion time was 2min 9sec from a full scramble. This seems like something small but it was huge for me. It unlocked a few doubts I had in my mind about what was actually achievable.

I have other 2010 accomplishments of note that are kept in my heart where they will stay. I call them my "Silent victories". The ones where you are the only soul who will ever know what has taken place. If you speak them to others they lose their value. The accomplishment will become tainted and thought by others as seeking praise. I hope to have many more silent victories and other victories I will share.

The Greatest

2010-11-08T16:26:00.006-07:00

I took it upon myself to take a self analysis test and have been astounded at the results. It was said that those who do it and do it honestly will know more about themselves than the majority of the population. Who knows more about ourselves then...ourselves right? Exactly right, but when was the last time we really asked ourselves how we feel about something? What questions should we ask ourselves? The following are a few sample questions I picked from about 100 that touched me and made me reflect.

-Do you deliberately avoid the association of anyone, and if so, why?

-Could it be possible that some person whom you consider to be a friend is, in reality, your worst enemy, because of his negative influence on your mind?

-To which do you devote most time, thinking of SUCCESS, or of FAILURE?

-Are you gaining or losing self-confidence as you grow older?

-Are you easily impressed by other people's business or professional titles, college degrees, or wealth?

-Which do you value most, your material possessions, or your privilege of controlling your own thoughts?

And one of my personal favorites which happen to be the source of most intense reflection.

-Whom do you believe to be the greatest person living?

-In what respect is this person superior to yourself?

I ask you, whom do you believe to be the greatest person living? My guess would be the majority of the world world would say their parents or a close family member (spouses and children included). The majority of Christians would say Jesus Christ which I would also agree with. Those are the easy answers. The answers we don't have to think about or worry about others disagreeing with. That is why the follow up question is there lest we learn nothing about ourselves.

I believe the greatest person living would have to be ourselves. Funny huh? Well, not really. I have thought about this for a while I will give you an insight to my thought process behind this assumption. Each of us go through phases and our greatest person living changes. Certain religious leaders, family, friends, recording artists, and children have all made the list at one point. The only constant is our perception of what greatness is. What makes them great? We do. They are nothing unless we make them something. So who makes you and I great? We do. God and others work through us to create a better person, but it's essentially up to us to take action. We have the opportunity to move on what we are inspired to do. To sum this up we have the potential to be the greatest person living. To become superior to our old self each and every day. Something to reflect on and urge us to become...the greatest people living.

If anyone wants the full self analysis let me know. Very telling I admit.

The need to feel noticed

2010-10-29T11:27:00.003-07:00

I have observed for many years the need one has to feel they are relevant in the world. Its a pull and an inner desire for greatness. The need to feel special and noticed will draw us to do the strangest things. Recently an increased number of people are installing programs to see who is browsing for them on networking sites. On the outside they may hide behind curiosity and security for their personal information. The truth is secretly they want to believe people care enough about them to look into their life. We are all a little guilty of that. There is nothing better than feeling important. I have discovered the best way to feel important is to help someone else feel important. My challenge for you today is to make someone feel important and think about the positive impact it will bring in their life. Forget yourself and make someone elses life relevant and you will find a treasure filled with love and appreciation.

G.G's first duck hunt

2010-10-08T11:02:00.014-07:00

That's the pole I told her to look at in the next picture.

Dad and GG...obviously not posed. hahaha. I told her to look at the pole near the waters edge. I guess she was looking at a different one.

I love this picture. I will treasure it. Big smiles, minus a few teeth.

I took this picture on Jerusas First Duck Dunt. I wanted to get the beautiful mountains and clouds in the back ground. you can tell how far we are out by the Great Salt Lake by how small the eastern mountains look. We had so much fun. Jerusa said to me a couple times, "Its ok dad, I dont care how far we walk as long as we can take breaks like you said". She was a trooper and a hoot. We walked of the dike to another spot and the marsh was a little too deep. When she said her feet were wet I knew it was time to go. She didnt complain one bit though. I was only able to get one shot off. Although we went home empty handed. My heart felt full. We picked up 63 spent shells people had left. Gave us something to do on the long walk back down the dike. You can see from the picture we walked quite a ways.

Opening Day of the hunt. The first shot of the day I took a goose. That was amazingly fun.

I got a good entry coming up. Look for it soon. It will be a 3 part entry. The following is an excerpt from it:

"Is it ever too late? Fortunately the answer is no. Opportunity is much like rain. Metaphorically speaking, there are those of us who stay inside because its cozy love cuddling up to the sound of a rainstorm. There are those of us who put on rain coats and walk around in it because the smells and sounds are to die for. Lastly, there are those of us who experience the rainstorm a different way. We soak up the sights, the sounds, the smells, the feeling, and the taste of the rain. We look to the sky with outstretched arms and open mouths to catch as much rain as possible. We leave the coats inside and experience the most exhilarating opportunities known to man. We are not afraid to get wet."

The people we associate with

2010-09-07T15:56:00.006-07:00

Where our dreams and desires are, there will our hearts be also. What is a dream? I'm not talking about the ones we wake up and cant figure out how it even connected or even better the ones we cant remember, but the ones we consciously dream up in our waking hours. The ones that make sense to us without being reasonable. We get the butterflies thinking about them. The ones where others are inspired because of our passion for it. Hopefully this feeling isn't something foreign to us. Hopefully this feeling changes us, and those around us. There may be others but that one dream gives us hope. That dream is created by us and achieved by us. No other person on earth can realize this for us. We are glorious human beings and have been given this chance to be something. We can piggy back others but need to form our own.

Most people in America live for the weekends because they lack the vision. The realization of ones dreams are constantly under attack. There are those around us who would rather stagnate than built. They will treat us the same way they treat themselves, filled with doubt and unbelief. Look around at the people who spend more than they make, they are superficial. They are temporal people. Concerned more about the now then the future. Study those who are un-employed and see how often they are serving. Why are they unemployed and not staying busy? Because they lack self respect. Depression has set in and their dreams are fading. Praise the man who has self worth and the love of his family.

Surround yourself with people who have your same goals in mind. Rather easy because we gravitate to those who share our ideas and goals. We have always done this but it worked against us before. We gravitated to people who had no goals because we were just like them. This positive group will strengthen you. You feel better from being around them. Tell them your dreams. They are your support. By surrounding yourself with these people you have created your own life line. The dream becomes real and takes root.
No one will do this for us because they cant. We are as unique as our aspirations and those could never be accomplished by another. There is power in numbers. There is more power in numbers when they are good people of character, who have one major purpose, and are achieving it. That is when it is becomes a formidable combination. Truly, we create our own destiny.

Peace

2010-07-21T14:01:00.003-07:00

“A political victory, a rise of rents, the recovery of your sick or the return of your absent friend, or some other quite external event raises your spirits, and you think your days are prepared for you. Do not believe it. It can never be so. Nothing can bring you peace but yourself. Nothing can bring you peace but the triumph of principles.”
~Ralph Waldo Emerson~

We are responsible for our own happiness. The truthfulness of this principle has become very apparent to me. Like many of you, I am a living, working example. God speaks to me in various ways and through means I am not always aware of. One thing I do know is writing inspires me. When I am not writing, my inspirational guidance is down. This leads to a lack of motivation to seek more truth. When I am not seeking, I am not finding. When I am not finding, I cycle deeper and deeper. I would guess I'm not the only one who has been so down they have felt lost. Whose responsibility is it to find me and bring me back? God, family, friends...myself? All guidance will fall upon deaf ears if we are not willing to put forth an effort to listen. Many times I am “called” to do something, know its right, want to do it, but don't. I limit myself. Does that bring me peace? God has given us a way to find peace. If I don't follow through, the only one to blame is me. This is the premise I use to establish, “We are responsible for our own happiness”. I am the keystone to my happiness. My mental outlook can only be decided by myself regardless of the outside forces beating down on me.
Our whole conscience is in a constant battle of mind. The will to be positive does not lie in others, but in ourselves. This song by Fort Minor caught my attention the other day and I wrote it down. The chorus goes: 10% luck, 20% skill, 15%concentrated power of will, 5% pleasure, 50% pain, 100% reason to remember the name. Modified to reflect my feelings; 0% luck, 5% skill, 50% concentrated power of will, 35% pleasure, 10% pain, 100% reason to remember the name. The name I am referring to is the Lord Jesus Christ.
I make my decisions alone. It is all up to me. I put forth the effort to write. I pushed when I didn't want to. What has been my triumph of principle this day? You don't have to hit rock bottom to bounce back. Am I egocentric? Not at all. I realize we are individuals who are in the process of becoming like our Father. Making decisions and making them to benefit others makes us more like him. With this I also recognize, and feel humbled by the army of individuals and angels surrounding me, pushing me forward, helping me keep my chin up. I want to impress how big of a role we play in our own life. No matter how big the army of counselors surround us, we are our bodily commanders in this mortal existence. We make all the decisions good or bad. Let us be the kind of commanders that surround ourselves with great minds and good council. When good decisions are made, peace will follow.

"Done it unto me"

2010-05-31T20:27:00.003-07:00

Something very good has happened to me. I have come across a most interesting epiphany. Earlier this week I felt very prompted to write about seeking approval. The need to be recognized for our deeds and accomplishments. It was very apparent I am surrounded by these characters, myself being the chief among them. I made my blog private for reasons known only to me and sent out many invitations to view it and only received 8 back(my wife being one of them). Yes a very intimate group I agree. I felt a little sad at the reality so few wanted to be apart of my intimate thoughts. I reread my posts and sometimes wonder who wrote them and felt inspired by them. To show you how shallow I became with the need to feel my blog posts and ideas were important to others I began to ask a few people what they thought of them. Very nervous at the prospect of them saying they never read them I asked anyway. Funny thing is I already knew they weren't being read by more then 8 people so why worry?
I keep coming to the conclusion, if it touches only one life for good, it is a success. Since my life has been changed for the better I can say with an honest heart, IT IS A SUCCESS!
As was mentioned earlier I really wanted to write about this topic because I was feeling the need for recognition and there was something missing. I couldn't place my finger on it until Sunday. I received the answer. I received it as if a flood gate had been opened. My Bishop chose his words carefully and outlined a new summer program aimed at service. (Acts of planned service daily) As part of the preparation for this program he and his family followed the regiment as outlined. He spoke of an experience where a service was performed with great difficulty. The act was so out of the ordinary and difficult for him, he expected praise and recognition would follow. There was nothing. The minute he started feeling bad this thought came into his head and it is the answer and closure I have been searching for. The thought was this, "...Ye have done it unto me."(Mat 25:40) It was as if the Savior himself was in the room saying this line to me. Instantly my eyes teared up. I knew it was for me. It felt like a locked door had just been opened. I knew a servant of God was doing his bidding that day and unknowingly offered the most precious truth. What a great blessing.
I issue the same challenge for all to do random acts of kindness. Serve others above and beyond your normal labors. Serve others without recognition and hear the words of Christ say to you, "That one was for me buddy, thanks". It will happen I promise. Search for the opportunities and they will find you. I testify this is true in his name, Jesus Christ Amen.

Guided Fight Vs.Flight

2010-05-11T15:41:00.006-07:00

I am reminded of one of the most frustrating and hopeless times I have ever experienced. It barely lasted half a day, but it stung so bad I will always remember it. One Fall, with weather much like today we went hunting. It was cold, the wind was blowing, we were soaking wet because of the rain and snow. We had hiked to the top of the mountain and were told to meet up with the rest of our group around the next ridge. We would have to go off the well worn trail. It was rugged and miserable but we figured it would be easier to get down the hill from where they were.

After much struggle, and I emphasize much, we got to the next ridge. Looking back it only took about 45 minutes to fandangle our way through the tangled mess. When we were able to see the other side our hearts sank and knees became weak. We looked back from where we started and out hearts sank deeper. I closed my eyes and pictured home because that's where I wanted to be more than anything. I wanted to give up, never open my eyes again and die. No exaggeration. We were in the middle of the rugged, thick, wet, cold buck brush and we were committed to either go back the way we came, push forward and meet up with the group, or stay put and wither away. The last not even being an option.

At the time the only thing I had on my mind was my current condition. I was spent, worn out because of the full day of hiking. My feet blistered, my clothes soaked through, my hands were cold and stung, I was hungry, I didn't know the exact way back to the truck, and we hadn't even seen a deer. I was depressed and I wanted to quit. All my emotions were centered on the problems. I closed my eyes and managed to see the my new goal. HOME. I knew I wanted that more then anything and that is what kept me going. We were far off the worn hiking trails and no where near any deer trails. So we did the only thing we could...bushwhack. Straight, on course, dead ahead. The more progress we made the more I could envision relaxing in a hot bath. We made it back and I had my relaxing bath. I experienced it, saw it, and achieved it.

We all go through similar difficulties in life. Some physically taxing like mine and others are more spiritual in nature. Often, we know the direction we are headed will cause us pain, but fail to realize how much pain it will bring until its too late. When we come to a turning point, the point of giving up or moving forward, remember the goal. Remember your goal. It will navigate you through places in your mind never before tapped. You have stores of uncharted matter to pull from. You too will find the energy to bushwhack your way out of any mess. I can promise you that. Your mind will go into fight or flight mode and achieve wonders. Have a goal, and your fight or flight will be guided. Guided fight (or flight in the right circumstance) will double the efficiency in reaching our end games.

Destiny is Calling

2010-05-10T11:24:00.005-07:00

I was listening to the radio this morning as a change of habit while driving which turned out to be a good thing.

“...but its just the price I pay, destiny is calling me, open up my eager eyes, cause I'm Mr Brightside.”
The Killers, “Mr Brightside”

Realizing the negative message this song contains, once taken out of context, these few words are awe inspiring. For some unknown reason I am going to reverse the line of text and see what happens:

“I'm positive; therefore, I open my eager eyes as destiny is calling me. I WILL, pay the price.”

Wow this surprises me. I like that line...a lot. I think I am drawing a blank because I believe it to be a bit profound. I want to sit on that idea for a while....

Its interesting how the simplest of ideas can transform into something so beautiful. with a little effort.

Prophets and Thugs

2010-05-05T11:12:00.003-07:00

I'm feeling good today. So much power in that statement. Ive been wanting to discuss this for some time and I am spilling over with desire today. It bewildered me how I can be inspired by an Apostle of the Lord Jesus Christ and a thug Rapper all in the same hour. Let me express this in the most humble way I know possible. We are but the dust of the earth. No one person is above another in the plan of happiness. All fall short of perfection, but not all of us fall short of true greatness. People who have achieved true greatness are in abundance and surround us daily; Those that are righteous and those on their way to righteousness. They follow a plan that many of us see as a secret and unattainable. Something along the lines of a scroll unearthed in an ancient archaeological find. I have discovered achieving this greatness is no mystery or secret but understood when we have the desire to know. Many of our parents have obtained true greatness. Are we not obligated to match and surpass their achievements? There is an endless trove of understanding and information to be learned and I must say I have only scraped the surface. However, if I could impart just a fragment of understanding right now with this knowledge, it could fill a hall of sad people. I want to give it away by the handfuls and plan to do so one day.

The following is excerpts from the thug rapper Maino, “All the Above”. Any modifications to fonts and punctuation done by me to add emphasis:

"Chorus [T-Pain]:
Tell me what do you see, when you looking at me. On a mission to be, what I'm destined to be. I done been through the pain and the sorrow the struggle is nothing but love... I'm a soldier, a rider, a ghetto survivor , And all the above ...

Verse 1 [Maino]:
Listen, Really, what do you see when you looking at me? See me come up from nothing, To me living my dreams. I done been to the bottom, I done suffered a lot, I deserve to be rich, headed straight to the top. Look how I ride for the block, Look how I rep for the hood. I get nothing but love now When I come through the hood. Getting this fortune and fame Money make all of us change...
How the hell could you stop me? Why in the world would you try? I go hard forever, that's just how I'm designed, That's just how I was built, See the look in my eyes? You take all of this from me, and I'm still gon' survive. You get truth from me, But these rappers gon' lie. I'm a part of these streets Till the day that I die. I wave hi to the haters, Mad that I finally done made it. Take a look and you can tell That I'm destined for greatness.

(Chorus)

Verse 2: [Maino]
It's easy to hate, It's harder to love me. Ya'll don't understand, Ya'll quickly to judge me. Put your foot in my Nikes, Picture you livin' my life, Picture you stuck in a cell, Picture you wasting your life, Picture you facing a charge, Picture you beating the odds, Picture you willing to bleed, Picture you wearing the scar. Thank you for making me struggle, Thank you for making me grind. I perfected my hustle, Tell me the world ain't mine. You've been seein' me lately? I'm a miracle baby. I refuse to lose, this what the ghetto done made me. I put that on my father, Tryna hope for tomorrow. When I think that I can't, I envision O----a, I envision the diamonds, I envision Ferraris. If the world was perfect, all my niggas behind me.
Ain't you happy I made it? That I'm making a statement? Take a look and you can tell that I'm destined for greatness.

Verse 3 [T-Pain]:
...I hustle hard cause it's all the same and you know that grind don't stop just 'cause I rose to the top and everybody knows my name. Still grindin...Still hustlin...No more pain...No more sufferin...For my ladies and my shorties and my thugs, keep that task, and the shine, and the love...ALL THE ABOVE..."

Take what you can from all the "good material " in life where ever it can be found.

The following is excerpts from Lecture 6 from “Lectures on faith”:

"...An actual knowledge to any person that the course of life which he pursues is according to the will of God, is essentially necessary to enable him to have that confidence in God, without which no person can obtain eternal life...

...Having the assurance that they were pursuing a course which was agreeable to the will of God,

they were enabled to take, not only the spoiling of their goods and the wasting of their substance joyfully, but also to suffer death in its most horrid forms; knowing (not merely believing) that when this earthly house of their tabernacle was dissolved, they had a building of God, a house "not made with hands, eternal in the heavens"...

...For a man to lay down his all, his character and reputation, his honor and applause, his good name among men, his houses, his lands, his brothers and sisters, his wife and children, and even his own life also, counting all things but filth and dross for the excellency of the knowledge of Jesus Christ, requires more than mere belief or supposition that he is doing the will of God, but actual knowledge; realizing that when these sufferings are ended he will enter into eternal rest, and be a partaker of the glory of God....

... It is in vain for persons to fancy to themselves that they are heirs with those, or can be heirs with them, who have offered their all in sacrifice... unless they in like manner offer unto him the same sacrifice..."

I Love this stuff so much it makes my joy full to the brim. These two instances of inspiration are just that; Instances and not a source. The source cannot be quantified by one thing but a string of events that lead far back beyond my birth. Are we not destined for greatness? Are we not all pursuing a course which is agreeable to the will of God? I KNOW it is Gods will that I find this out for myself and I would venture to say it is His will you do so too.

What a beautiful morning

2010-05-04T10:41:00.003-07:00

I sat there quietly on the toilet this morning trying to wake up. It was amazingly quiet and then I heard it. Bees were humming sweet birds singing. I knew right then it was going to be a glorious day. The birds told me so and it has been and will be. What a sweet feeling. After I showered and got dressed, I watched the testimony of the book of Mormon on youtube. I re-committed myself to a more diligent lifestyle full of prayer and study each night and I will accomplish it. Why? the birds told me so. For some reason they sounded so happy chirping in the predawn. Wow.

Lofty Talk

2010-04-26T15:39:00.005-07:00

I have been a bit apprehensive to talk about this but I think I am ready both physically and spiritually. http://loftytalk.wordpress.com. I hope to get my own domain name soon so I can get rid of the wordpress.com and just have it plain old loftytalk.com. I will let you know when that happens. The last few months of posts I'm sure you've noticed they have been a bit different in nature. I have proven to myself I am ready to move my "Lofty" ideas to the forum I have been planning on since the first of the year. Its been almost 5 months of planning and research. I am confident in the ability and competency I have been given to accomplish the task at hand. I'm not sure what will happen to "kylegolightly.blogspot.com. I will go private and anyone wanting the more personal side of me will have to be added. I will add everyone that is currently in my email contacts. If you've sent me an email I probably have your address. Don't be shy and ask to be added if you are in question no matter who you are, even if you are a secret admirer...blush blush. But seriously you can catch me on the other site if you like to read anonymously.

We are on a journey and I'm totally excited about it. Something is learned each time I post and this site is going to have a positive explosion. I am convinced it will. I can see it now as clearly as I can my past. It will happen, as if it already has. I am inspired by a quote I recently heard. "What others think of us, is none of our business". (Author not assigned.)
I might add, it only matters what we think of ourselves. The benefits from that alone will increase our self worth and bring us closer to our potentials. You need a motivational pick me up? Go to Loftytalk.wordpress.com and you will always find a way to pick yourself up. There's more to the story and it will take a team effort so you will have to see what it is all about. See ya there.
Kyle

Bleach

2010-04-22T11:22:00.001-07:00

Heres a little insight into a side of me I don't wear on my sleeve as much but am super passionate about. MANGA! Those Japanese writers are able to crack open my head, find out what makes me tick, and write stories that cater to ME. My 2 favorites are Naruto and Bleach. They both have the same characteristics but different story lines. I identify with Bleach a little more. Ichigo is the main character. A teenager who has a power of constant persistence. I have been following this series for 4 years now and it just seems to get better and better. Lately I have dug into the character more to pull out principles I can use in my life. It seems every time he falls, he always has a tiny reserve in him to keep going. He fights to physical exhaustion...then keeps going. His purpose for doing so is to protect his friends from Hollows or those who will eat your soul. It this series, Ichigo is a Shinigami or a soul reaper which is equivalent to a grim reaper in our culture but a positive thing in this series. He, through what he just found out, was born into a powerful Shinigami birthright. He is at a level other shinigamis will never reach in a lifetime and he did that in a couple years. He had purpose and goals. He had his doubts, but his persistence kicked in and his desire and knowledge that he could do it returned. He is one of my heroes. His attributes can be attained by any of us. Constant persistence, never giving up, attaining things others will never have, goals to be the best, to do everything we do with excellence. If you want an attribute, assume it, and you will become it. Easy as that.

Beat that Sponge bob.

Practice makes Progress

2010-04-21T11:10:00.002-07:00

I'm in the process of compiling positive and motivating wigits. It is a fun thing to do because history is being made by what we do today. What could be better than having a positive happy feeling EACH DAY. You cant look at Roundy's face right there without crackin a smile. That's positive. A quote for the day I read focused on the eye of the beholder. What we see is what we want to see. If we want to see negativity we will see it and the same is true for positivity. When we feel positive, we see positive, and when our love of life is overflowing others will be caught up in the wake. Man I love this stuff. What we do today effects our childrens-childrens-children. For example, practice makes progress. We never reach perfection in this life because we can always improve. This concept is weighing heavily on my mind. What do I want to progress in? What do you want to progress in? Think about it. If it takes you more than 2 seconds to respond, you are in trouble because you have no goals in life.
Of course you have expectations, but expectations are our way of saying we are average. I admit I took more than 2 seconds to answer the question. What do I want to progress in? After 10 seconds I remembered what I wanted and I want it bad. In fact I am writing up a “Life Outline” a for a lack of better words. I may post it if it doesn't become too personal, but I'm willing to share with anyone who wants to know what it is. What better gift can we give our children than having a plan for ourselves. Showing them what can be had in life, what can be accomplished by a willing heart and mind.
I said earlier that practice makes progress. Zig Zigglar said “The more you know about anything, the more creative you become when you add information to that”.
I can see this in the lives of those who excel around me. Crafty nieces, resourceful nephews, musically talented friends, and most importantly my wife. One small example is Sara can take a recipe and enhance it with her knowledge of tastes and results. Thank you Sara I love you and you make my belly large. This is my wish to expound and create, to add and inspire positivity, and do so with the love of God leaning on Him for all I do.

Bending Your Universe

2010-04-19T11:19:00.005-07:00

My title corresponds to a quote I took from Will Smith.
"Our thoughts, ideas, feelings, and dreams are physical...the Universe is not going to push us around. We are going to bend the Universe and COMMAND and DEMAND the Universe to become what we want it to be". Out of context it sounds pretty radical. In context, it too sounds radical. Will just jumped up 2 notches in my mind. He said what I've been thinking this past year.
Let me expound on the way I took what he said. We are emotional creatures. We are governed by our emotions and thoughts. Our actions are decided by what we are feeling. We are controlled by our own thoughts. Our thoughts are placed in our minds by a mixture of external and internal forces. They have substance. We can choose to act or react to what ever this life throws at us. We have the God given ability to change "Our Universe", "My Universe". It cant be done if we are on the defense. Napoleon Hill was a great thinker. He capitalized on how powerful the mind is.
The ideas he taught are universal and wonderful. I added my personal flavor to what I got out if it. We ARE only what we imagine ourselves to be. Our imagination is created by what is input to our minds. Our imagination is increased by an increase of input. The more connections we make through various inputs, the more able we are to create NEW ideas.- I've always thought our ideas came from someone else, period. They still may, but I can't prove that. I do know matter is never created or destroyed. Ideas are physical and therefore matter. (unverified but you get my point)we can assemble, disassemble, and reassemble matter in unlimited ways. I can honestly say I feel the same about ideas.
Many people have used Thomas Edison and airplanes as examples. Who could even conceive we could walk into a room, flip a switch, and have light??? Thomas did. (side note I need to read his bio) It was a dream 200 years ago to think we could bend metal and make it fly. Not only that, but make it fly over the oceans! These things are crazy and to think I want to be an author.....Unbelievable.
Serious this is mad scientist stuff that we can be a part of. I speak to myself and anyone reading. We are too precious to waste away our time on this Earth in constant defense and in sway to what whatever the Universe throws our way.
Enough is enough and I see more to life than the same old. I love writing and feel inspired by it. I see things and receive answers I would normally miss. I've said it before and I'll say it again, sometimes God speaks to me though my hand. Its interesting how that happens but it does and I can testify its true. Find how God speaks to you and do it over and over. I study and make connections I have never before made as stated above. I - see - a beautiful place, - and I'm going there.

Blessed People

2010-04-14T11:19:00.002-07:00

We are a truly blessed people. I don't say that as if crying from a rameumptom saying we are a more blessed people, but as an individual giving thanks for the mercies bestowed upon me and my family. Sometimes I feel like Ammon, overjoyed at the feeling even to the extent I cannot verbalize the smallest part I feel.

What ARE we but a product of what we have learned from others. True we can learn from mistakes made but to be inspired and motivated to move forward always comes from an external source... even if it is the Spirit within. I heard a good thought today. (by-product of someone of course but made my own) Information doesn't change our life. Thats simple right? I believe some of the most profound and even life changing truths are simple. The catch is they are hard to put into action. Information will change our life when it is accompanied by emotion and inspiration. Those are the essential elements of progress.

One thing that inspires me more than written word is the spoken word in song. I have a list of songs I listen to daily. Some what of a habit and I can feel it if I slack. The list often changes but there are three songs I have listened to daily for the last month.

All the above by Maino (rap/hiphop)

This song drives me crazy. I have listened to it like 20 times a day for the last 4 weeks. I sit here and pick it apart and analyze the crap out of it. I could write 10 pages just on what I discovered from that song. Very motivational for me.

Confines of Gravity by Play radio Play(electro-pop)

I love it. Its poppy and makes me want to get up and dance. To me it has deep meaning. More than talking about going into space so he can beat the confines of gravity. “Want to be free, from the confines of gravity” man I want to run after hearing it.

Forever by Aaron Marsden ( I don't know Aaron you define...good wholesome music?? Isn't that a genre?)

Different genre than the other two. I am at a loss as what I could say. This song motivates me in multiple ways. I love this guy. He is a great artist and friend. This guy is LIVING his dream. Ever since the mission he has talked about making his own music. I always knew he would. That is how he was designed. Music minded. I loved his renditions of hymns and trendy music. He has ideas and music in his head that he puts on paper and implements them. Not only does he do it, he does it well. I look to that as an example.

So these motivate me. We encounter so many things and pay no attention to them. I know God works through these “things” (people, places, music, feelings) to make us more than we can be on our own. Let us pay attention to these gifts. Let us pray and ask to recognize them because they are all around us. When they are recognize, let us give thanks.

WOOOOORD UP!

2010-04-01T11:06:00.005-07:00

"I can do nothing about the past. My future is immediate..."
Live in this instant. Not the yesterdays, not past months, not past years, but in this moment.

"My constitution is strong and my pathway clear..."
It is a necessity to have a clear understanding what the path is and how it is going to be achieved. Our constitution must be forthright and unchanging.

"My activity will be consistent..."
Through consistency we open the doors of trust and admiration.

My Consistency is active, my Constitution is bold and my Future is alive, in this moment. I'm not worried what I'll be later.
Take hold and run or you'll get passed up. See ya TV. By by Farkle. Hello knowledge.

Fear and procrastination are vapors and have no visceral consistency. Let go of it as you would a hot iron, fast and forceful. Throw it, be done with it, and clean up the mess you made.

Roundy the Mighty

2010-03-26T10:38:00.003-07:00

Roundy is a Golightly, through and through. I leave him alone for a second and he walks out of my dads room with a badge and fishing pole. He is a force to be reckoned with. He is in training to be the biggest, baddest, 1 year old around. He kicks wooden poles to strengthen his knees, he tries to break boards over his head to show his might. He wrestles his family to gain strength. He tests his balance and agility on skateboards. Because of his intense training he cry's out at night for his mommy and daddy to massage his legs and feet. When he's 2yrs old he will move onto his next phase of training as a mighty hunter. He will camp and be shown the ways of the wild. To gather, to kill, to prepare, and eat. We look forward to this little guys presence this summer.

Book 6 down

2010-03-23T12:12:00.002-07:00

I've been slacking on the reading lately. Thank you for letting us borrow "Who Moved My Cheese". I have been wanting to read that for 6 months but forgot about it.
For those who have read it, I consider myself Haw on the borderline Scurry and like to dabble with Sniff. When a good Idea happens I am at first skeptical then study it out as to not get totally jacked. If it pans out then I'm on it. That's where my scurry kicks in. Someone sniffs, I haw, then scurry. Right now I am doing some sniffing on my own not to be confused with Huffing.
Like my code, well pick up the book and find out who you are. It's a quick read (1 hour) that will totally categorize you and maybe spur you into doing something different.

O.C.

2010-03-11T12:34:00.000-07:00

Movies, and other media sources make huge impacts on our way of thinking and value systems. Advertising companies have confirmed this through multiple studies and business practices. The latest of issues weighing on my mind is gun issues in the media.

I openly carry my gun where ever I can as a deterrent as well as a readily accessible way to defend myself. I have been told a couple of times to make sure my gun is covered at work by my office manager. He is afraid of guns and even made the comment guns “should be taken away from everyone like they do in Korea”. The stabbing, rape, pick pocket and other petty crime numbers are higher but the gun crimes are virtually non existent. More in depth study shows people who want a mass killing will do so with or without a gun. I will respect my coworkers decision and keep it casually covered to the best of my ability.

The latest fallacy is the common referred to situation where criminals will single out and target the person openly carrying a firearm. This is nonsense and baseless. This scenario only plays out in movies and has no documented evidence supporting it. I will pay someone $10(I'm on a budget) to find me one documented situation this holds true for the regular, run of the mill citizen (non law enforcement, or military, or any other uniformed guard). There is however multiple documented cases where concealed carrying citizens have been victims of crimes. This would validate the idea where the perpetrator singled out the person because they weren't carrying a firearm. There is one story I found where a crime was stopped because people were openly carrying. http://www.examiner.com/x-5619-Atlanta-Gun-Rights-Examiner~y2010m2d18-Open-carry-deters-armed-robbery-in-Kennesaw.

I watched one interview of inmates in a state penitentiary who were offenders in violent crimes. They were asked how they chose their mark or victim. They said they would chose victims based on their likelihood of getting away with the crime unharmed (ie the old lady or the less athletic type). They are less afraid of the police then they are of the mark. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RR9RN_iSKtg.

Another study from some college( I'll find reference later) indicated the percentages of criminals who are less likely to commit a crime on someone carrying a gun. 60% are less likely when a gun is visible. 40% are less likely when they think the person is armed. That means if you are not openly carrying, you are 20% more likely to either be a victim or witness a crime then when you are openly carrying. Other percentages can be found here http://www.nraila.org/Issues/Articles/Read.aspx?ID=117

I have devoted hours upon hours of research on gun laws and case studies. I have personal experience in carrying a firearm. Based upon these studies and experiences I have formed an opinion and included them in my value system. These values include, right to life, right to defend ones self, right to defend others, right to carry the way I want, when I want unfettered by others opinions.

Not a day goes by...

2010-03-10T13:07:00.002-07:00

After watching the latest episode of House I realized I need to blog it up and tell everyone about my poop.
Honestly, not a day goes by in my life where there isn't something noteworthy to write about. Without exception. I have a bunch of entries in my drafts folder. They were deemed either too sacred, disgusting, or just plain negative by the editing department...myself. They may make it into my book. I'd like to thank everyone for the requests that have been made to continue posting often. I have had three official requests to date. Me, Myself, and I. Actually, like my last post "Turning away" talked about, I had gone the way of the dog and went back to the vomit and went a step further and sniffed other dogs butts and ate their vomit. OK enough analogies but seriously I am back on track with a positive attitude and starting a new book. No more Mondays by Dan Miller. It is on par for a good read. Insights will be posted soon.

Turning away

2010-02-26T21:40:00.004-07:00

I have been troubled as of late. The thought of turning away from evil then going back to it. Nephi had it right when he said, "...six years had not passed away since the more part of the people had turned from their righteousness, like the dog to his vomit..."(3 Nephi 7:8). What makes a dog do that? I could understand it if was ice cream throw up but corn, carrots, and beef? We all do it to some extent. We have these pet sins that plague us. We are exactly like the dog, we just can't help it and rationalize our actions.
Okay so let's say we make a second quarter new years resolution to conquer a bad habit and develop a good one. How long will it take us to rationalize and go back to the bad habit while maintaining the good habit? Oh about 3 weeks I would imagine. I have justified it in the past by saying, "at least I picked up a good habit, right?" At the same time we unjustify it by saying, "but my heart was changed, I had no more desire to do that thing I once did regularly".

Take a deep breath and relax. Just because you go back to the vomit doesn't mean it's permanent. Your heart is still changed, you just had a fleeting moment of failure. "...the spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak"(Matt 26:41). Pick up where you left off and move forward. We all make mistakes and that is what the Atonement is for. This is the war we call life, tighten your bootstraps because we are all combatants. We all chose to enlist and have been stationed according to our faith and diligence in the premortal. We are a team and have the same end Goal. Let's make the best of it, help others along the way, and find Eternal Glory.

Fearless

2010-02-23T12:38:00.004-07:00

Just a quick story from this book I'm reading. It's not perfect but is the feeling of the story.
This father let his 5 yr old son watch wolfman with the family one night. He recounts that it was his worst decision he had ever made with his son up to that point. His son didn't sleep that night. Other nights his son slept in his daddy's bed. The boy believed the wolfman lived in his basement and it just so happen the stairs leading to the basement was between him and the rest of the house. One night he really needed to go potty but was terrified of passing the entrance to the wolfmans lair. He called for his daddy and heroically he came. His daddy was able to walk through the darkness right by wolfmans lair and rescue him. He wondered how his dad could be so fearless.

There are plenty of examples one could pull from this, but I believe we are much like this boy. We fear things that don't exist. We look in awe at others who are fearless. I gain strength from them. I even want to be like them sometimes.
Here's a list of things I fear:

Making eye contact when talking.
Public speaking. (classes at church or sacrament)
Being a disappointment/obsolete.

This list could probably go on. These were the first few things that came to mind. Try this, make a list of your fears and be honest with yourself. What do you fear? Are they things that don't exist? Then forget about them. Are they things that really exist like making eye contact, confront it and get over it. We mean too much to Heavenly Father to go through life fearing things. Do you think He fears? I don't think so. Did Jesus fear when the storms were on the verge of sinking his boat? He looked at the storms like the daddy in the story above. Like there was never a threat. He said "Why are ye fearful". He did his thing and rebuked the storm.
Let's be more like Jesus and rebuke the fears in our life. I have made a decision to make more eye contact. Did you see that? I just shuddered but I'm going to do it.

Parents teach your children

2010-02-18T20:57:00.006-07:00

The Proverbs Chapter 22:6 Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old, he will not depart from it.

I love this verse and have heard it since I was in my youth. I always heard it in the context of teaching our children about the ways of God. Get this, the very next verse reads,

7:The rich ruleth over the poor, and the borrower is servant to the lender. (italics added by me)

Is that saying we should teach our children about debt when they are young? Yes! That is exactly what it is saying along with grace and truth and humility also found in the chapter, but I want to focus on the finances. Some have said there are over 800 Bible verses that talk about money. If you believe that the canonical scriptures are greater than just the KJV Bible, then the number of verses just increase. That is incredible. We as a society must be skimming over these super important verses right? Wrong. We were never taught. A connection was never made between the words on the page and the paper or plastic in our wallets. I never understood the gravity of them until we lived them.

We all know our pocket book has a mysterious connection to our heart. Like some kind of umbilical cord. When the wallet is pinched our heart rate goes up and our stress levels heighten. We are scared and officially go into panic mode. We all handle it different. I get angry and upset, others get sad and depressed. Angry, upset, sad, depressed. Not fruits of the Spirit. When we are giving like we want to, saving like we want to, spending like we want to and have money for emergencies, our heart is in a good spot. I feel confident, grateful, and happy. Sara feels safe, grateful, and calm. Confidence, grateful, happy, safe, calm. By their fruits ye shall know them.

Example: 9 months ago Sara and I discovered she was pregnant. In years past we didn't own our children until they were at least 1yrs old because we were on payment plans for the doctor and hospital. We decided to do things different this time. We put aside money each week and all overtime was saved in a "baby fund". We saved about $3,000.00 in that fund. A feat we were surprised we could accomplish. When the financial director of the hospital came by last week to discuss payment we told her we are going to pay cash. It just so happen the hospital would accept a 20% discount if we paid on discharge. That was a $300.00 saving and we were already expecting to pay it anyway so there was a bonus for our hard work. There was no anxiety and stress added to our liferecovering mommy at discharge. Mommy can recover and feel peace so she can focus her attention on the new baby and not barrage of bills to come.

What causes a wallet pinching? lack of funds. A lack of funds comes from a lack of planning. A lack of planning comes from never being taught. A lack of teaching becomes perpetual in some families. I think it's time to try and change our family trees. We can start by recognizing there is a problem. Second we need to stop the bleeding. Third we need to fix the problem. Look to those who are succeeding and follow their plan. Don't take advice from a broke person. Ive heard it said that it would be like taking advice from a shop teacher with missing fingers.

Start teaching your children when they are young. Unprompted I asked my 6 yr old what the fastest way to get money was. Her response was, "Work". I about crashed the car I was so excited. We have had many teaching moments with our kids but this was never one of those questions we have asked. She must have picked it up from the hard working examples around her. We need to work so our children will learn to work. The Golightly children don't get an allowance. We have taken the Dave Ramsey approach and call it a commission. They work, they get a commission. They don't work, they don't get a commission. They paid their first tithing the other day. 88 cents and they were so excited because it was money they earned. They weren't messengers for mommy and daddy's tithing envelope. Cute little Ava happily says on the way home from church, "daddy, we gave our money for the bishop" I smiled real big and said we gave it to God and his church to say thanks for the other money he has given us. I am a grateful daddy.
Proverbs 22:6 Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old, he will not depart from it.

The Elect Of God

2010-02-14T20:44:00.006-07:00

THE
DOCTRINE AND COVENANTS
OF THE CHURCH OF JESUS CHRIST OF LATTER-DAY SAINTS

SECTION 84:34

"They become the sons of Moses and of Aaron and the seed of Abraham, and the church and kingdom, and the elect of God".

How do we become a spiritually "elect"? By elect I mean someone like Joseph Smith, Lehi, or Abraham. The Oath and Covenant of the priesthood tells us how and makes it plain and simple. If we believe the scriptures we were all foreordained to the priesthood (and other callings) based upon exceedingly great faith or lack of in the pre-mortal. Does it mean we are destined to be great or not-so-great because of the choices we made in the life before earth? Not sure. These thoughts keep coming to my mind as I study. How can I be like the sons of Mosiah? Like Aaron, Ammon, Omner and Himni. I want the same blessings, I want the same promises. If I can't be like the spiritual elect how can I even begin to think I could inherit the same places they will?

I'm conflicted.

Life is much different now than in ancient times and I wonder what they would say if we could hear them now. Some may long to be back in the earthly fight. Some may be actively involved in our lives helping us achieve great feats. I would be willing to bet some of them had the exact same temptations you and I have experienced and would give us advice on how to overcome them. How might their decisions be effected by the technology we have today like cars, airplanes, telephone, television, youtube, and electricity in general.

My opinion and take it for what it is worth is, the people in ancient times were the same as we are today. They had leaders and followers. There were righteous people who sinned and sinners who repented. There were believers who wondered if they were good enough and converts who didn't care if they were good enough because they had faith. Even the elect who sacrificed everything had there moments of doubt. Lehi while in the wilderness was chastised for losing sight and complaining to God. He lost the spirit for a period of time and had to repent. He was then able to get the inspiration and show Nephi where to hunt and obtain food. Lehi was old and hungry. We could justify everyone of his actions. "Well, he was hungry and all his kids were fighting, that's why Lehi was complaining". There was probably more to it then what was written, however, we would do the same thing with similar circumstances...or would we?

I believe we are more alike then we think. That is a paradigm shift for me? These people were always the untouchables. Their faith was never attainable for a kid like me. I have always thought that I could never come close to having the same faith as one of them. I understand now I was just plain wrong. God doesn't want us to feel discouraged and distant to Him. He wants us to know Him better and more intimate like an earthly fathers relationship. He wants us to come to Him. I realize we are carving out our own destinies by our daily choices. I know we can become elect. We can be what God wants us to be, but we have to make the decision to do so. We have to do it for the right reasons. There is only one way to become elect and that is to do Gods will, but when we say we are doing Gods will when we are not is to take His name in vain.

God is very aware of all our actions and as much as I would like to think he shows more mercy than justice I know both have to be satisfied. Do I fear His judgments? Hard to comprehend the extent of an eternal punishment when using a mortal mind. Fear it? No. Respect it? Very much so, enough to keep me in line. I was warned as a teenager to change my ways and to realize the most important work form me to do is for the Lord and His church. I believed it when my patriarch told me and I believe just as strongly today. Have I slipped up since then? Yes, terribly, a few times, but a testimony was developed in my heart about the power of God and it has continued to grow.

If I may share something personal that happened to me the other day as an answer to my prayers. I came to the Lord with a troubled heart. So many questions, so many options, so many possibilities. One morning as I was writing in my journal I had a stupor of thought. It was different than not having anything to write about. I said a small prayer to know what to write about and I put the pen to paper and wrote my testimony. In the middle of writing the testimony I wrote,

"...sometimes He speaks to me through my hand and guides me to know what I am to do. I guess that is part of my answer, keep writing and my hand will write what it is suppose to".

It came as a surprise and when I went back and re-read it I felt inspired. In a strange way I get more out of my writings then others do. I know the answer I received about my writings comes with all sorts of strings attached, but the message was true and I have gained a lot of insight as I write. I usually keep the more sacred topics for the journal but I thought I would share a part of my experiences and testimony.
In conclusion, I want to say becoming elect is simple. A decision needs to be made by you and followed. God already made His decision and He wants us to return to Him. The decision we need to make is,
Will I do Gods will?

Positivity

2010-02-07T20:49:00.003-07:00

I want to be really transparent with my feelings right now. The short story, if you are negative or have a negative impact in my life, your time with me will be limited. This will happen formally or informally.
When I surround myself with a positive people I feel good, and post mission, I have never felt better. Imagine that. I have never been in control of my actions more. I have never placed as many compliments. I have never opened my mouth to strangers more. I have never cared about someones successes more. I have never wanted to help people succeed more. I have never exercised more. I have never volunteered more. I have never listened more. I have never read the Book of Mormon more. I have never prayed more. I've never planned more. I've never made written goals more. I've never had such good communication with Sara. I have never loved more than I love now. I've never had such a strong testimony of our Lord Jesus Christ.

Why such a change of heart? I asked myself the same question tonight as a result of an attack on my values. I believe it stems from Sara and I finally being in control of our finances. It has rocked our world. When we started telling our money what to do and not letting it tell us what to do we became empowered. Sara doesn't want to run away and close up when finances are discussed. We are able to communicate on a whole new level and our love has grown as a result. We are proud of how far we had come and wanted others to join us on the journey...for free. Nothing in it for us. No commission, nothing. We have the materials and the money we put into this has been the best investment we have EVER made, barring children. At first I wanted to shout it from the rooftops. We wanted everyone to take the fruit. When the shouting and preaching didn't work, we tried logic. When logic didn't work, we tried example. When example didn't work, we quit trying to convince. We realized we are stewards to ourselves first and if we don't give up, we will succeed, and have. Praise be to God because without Him we would not be learning the lessons we are.

So why has that made me want to be a better person????
Because success is like a stinky fart in your life. It will start in one room and seep into the next, and the next, and the next. Anybody whose lived with me knows by the end of the day the whole house can smell. When you feel in control of one thing you gain power. My confidence is increased and I want to be someone. Someone more than I am today. I want to crop dust and pick people up in the wake who want to succeed. I want to maximize my audience and as a group help each other reach new heights. Do you have to do what I do? No. Do you have to be positive? Yes.
I will not be brought down by detractors and those who haven't made the committed to improve their lives. Family or friend. All I did was suggest a book that could help a friend in need. "48 days to the work you love" just in case anyone is out of work and needs some career coaching. I am deeply committed and emotionally involved in my goals and future. Calling my hero Dave Ramsey a sickness brings negativity into my life.
Keep up with the good fight and realize God is not on my side but I fight like hell to be on His.

What's the new trend?

2010-02-05T12:22:00.005-07:00

Boy, this topic has been on my mind quite a bit today. What IS the latest trend and how can we avoid being sucked into it? I don't believe I really see the newest and latest trend until they are past. Life happens and trends are the result.
Trends are created, grow, and die. There are certain aspects of our lives that need not be changed by the latest trend like, spending less than we make, and keeping our honor and virtue. I have wondered at what point will people stop asking me what I'm going to do with my life like they have some sort of authority to even go there. "So are you going to finish school?", Or "are you going to go back to school?". I have a career that supports my family (thank God). Although I don't accept "my career" as a final resting place I shouldn't be placed in the category of a loser because there is not a college degree under my belt. I have potential and am in the process of reaching towards it. Watch closely and things will begin to happen this year and be prepared for something big. Anyway the completion of school to me is a part of a mormon trend and not an automatic job voucher.

Life is hard work and it needs to be dealt with like any household chore. If the dishes are dirty, clean them. Why, cause it needs to be done. If you decide that dishes and house work is too hard it will pile up until what? Well, eventually they always seem to get cleaned. At some point you pity yourself enough or you just get fed up with your mess and it gets cleaned. YOU take initiative and do the job that needs to be done. At least those with any self respect. We don't have to hit rock bottom. I've said it before and here it is again, that when the pain of not doing is greater than the pain of doing, you will act.
Who knows what a messy life, one without written goals, feels like? It feels a little like a home with 3 weeks of dishes in the sink a full kitty litter box and spilled sticky kool-aid on your kitchen floor. I've been there. Who knows how a clean house feels? I do. There's no better feeling than having a clean home and a life with goals and vision. Get up and grab life. Let the trends that bring us down pass. I'm taking hold of those trends that lift. I'm drinking the Kool-aid, how about you?

1 follower

2010-02-03T22:35:00.003-07:00

I just noticed I have 1 follower. My niece Lindsay. I don't even know how you did that or what that means but it made me feel like there was someone out there that actually liked my writings so I thank you. I stole the picture from her blog. I didn't choose her most flattering of picture but it is one that always makes me smile. Shes the one in the green beret she made. Let me plug her blog and why I didn't have it in my list before now is a shame. She is not only hilarious but anyone who likes creative yarn and wool workings will love what shes about.
Now I believe she is a true artist with a skilled hand. If I'm correct she is able to read knitting code. "Patterns" but either way they are super confusing to me, and she creates her own patterns and writes them down for others to figure out. If only the little children in China didn't sell their crafts for so cheap she could make a great living by her hand doing what she loves with them darn needles. Right now she could probably sell a sweater for $40 but she would make like 5 cents and hour by the time shes done. I might add she is also working on the most important degree. The MRS degree for all you single men. http://lindsaysfabulousknits.blogspot.com/ or you can go to my links. You and Sara are a lot alike with your skills so I hope you took this posting in the right spirit and with pride for your handy work. What you do daily matters and you need to be recognized more for your great influence. So there you are. Thanks Lindsay, and that's what you get for being a FOLLOWER. Anyone else want to follow me? I promise you won't be singled out...wink wink.

Change

2010-02-01T12:49:00.006-07:00

A concept from The Noticer by andy Andrews crept into my mind last night and I decided do go and reread the chapter. I was again amazed at the simple truth that change happens immediately. The decision to change is what takes time. We can spend our entire lives deciding to change and never do it. I'm reminded of the people who choose not to live to their potential. They stop progressing. They are always on the defense, waiting for things to happen to them. I want to firmly grab them by the shoulders and speak into their lives. There's more to life, there's more to life, there's more to life. Have you forgotten why you are here? Although I cannot do that, I can do my best to mentor from a far. Let us do what we can to mentor those who need mentoring.

Making the decision to change is scary. That means we have to admit we are doing things wrong. The self evaluation process is difficult when we are actively evaluating others. It's easier to see the faults in others long before we can see them in ourselves. You are all guilty of it. So am I. The difference is I have changed the way I am thinking about others. I feel and think more positively. Which leads me to my next thought.

We are remembered and scrutinized for the way we were before we changed. Although our hearts have changed, they way others see us hasn't. This is the most difficult process of change. You are changed, you have faith in what you are doing. The rest of the population continues to have the same opinion of us and if we are weak will get pulled back by their negativity. Think positive, move forward, see, and become changed.
(By the way BIG things are about to happen in my life. It is still in it's infancy, but growing. When I launch this, I will make sure all my blog readers will be the first ones to know about it. I am very humbled to have a wife who inspires and motivates me to for my dreams.)

Leadership

2010-01-24T21:55:00.002-07:00

I haven't been too impressed with this book I'm reading until now. He describes leadership so plainly I felt like it was pure unadulterated wisdom. "The secret of leadership: Do what you believe in. Paint a picture of the future. Go there. People will follow". I have been trying to find something to validate what I am doing. We are often scared to try new things unless someone before us has gone there and succeeded. I am ready to try something new. I am doing what I believe to be right. I am in the process of painting my future with a plan to go there.
There is a term Seth Godin coined and it is "Sheepwalking". I've been doing that way too long and am ready to wake up from the mediocrity.

A beacon of hope

2010-01-21T19:20:00.003-07:00

I just finished book two of my quest for further light and knowledge 2010! Lectures On Faith originally prepared for the school of the elders in Kirtland Ohio.

Dave Ramsey challenged all readers in his book More Than Enough to find a beacon of hope. These beacons will keep us going when there is darkness. We need to choose them carefully and they must be placed on things that will not fail. Many times in our lives we need these beacons to give us a little push back on the right track. We know Jesus Christ and Heavenly Father will always be a beacon we can look to and should not forget. In his book, Dave looks to lighthouses for inspiration. They represent a myriad of lost soul and sailor metaphors. He buys the little figurines and paintings of them and puts them up everywhere. He recommends we find personal beacons that are special and specific to each of us.

I've been pondering things I feel are special and discovered I had created one a week ago...or at least found a lost item I consider a treasure. "RWH". It is a ring I bought before I went on a mission to Pennsylvania. It means Return With Honor. I found the ring the other day when cleaning and decided to wear it. This phrase brought me so much hope and strength while serving but even more so when I struggled after the mission. The "Return" can represent anything from temporal to eternal. "RWH" will stand as my beacon and I will do my best daily to Return With Honor.

I have chosen a second beacon and that is "Lecture 6" from the Lectures on Faith. This one lecture has changed my family tree. It is why I am married to the woman I am with today. I am in awe thinking about what has happened in the last 10 years since I first read and memorized it. It is about sacrifice and why it is necessary. The lecture describes what and why we sacrifice. It's all about faith. Faith is the power that allows us to sacrifice and to have joy while doing it. We all have sacrificed but more often than not it is forced and circumstantial. I call that "suckrifice" because it sucks!... and it has no benefit. Lets do it because we want to be better people and better stewards. It is this reason I chose "Lecture 6" as one of my beacons.
You will see these two symbols of hope often and will have to learn to ignore them if not accept them. Let us all Return to our pillows each night With Honor.

Decision #3

2010-01-20T12:50:00.002-07:00

I'm thinking about starting a motivational FB page. My pool of friendies will start out real small for those who like my blog posties. Love you all, I am a person of action.

Becoming Self Reliant

2010-01-17T13:53:00.004-07:00

(Thank you Sabrena E. for the thoughtful words of encouragement. I started this entry earlier in the day and placed it in the drafts because it felt incomplete. After some time and discussion throughout the day I was able to tie my thoughts together.)

I look forward to the day when I am completely self reliant. The visit teaching message this month gives me hope and something to look forward to. We as a family are on our way to becoming what the Lord desires us to be, self reliant. I have been given a blessing with a warning about frugality and self reliance. I was told to become self reliant so I can accomplish the responsibilities the Lord has for me to do. What does that mean?

To me it might mean something completely different than you.
To me it means having a job where my wife can be at home with our children. I've heard it said that love is spelled T-I-M-E and my wife has plenty of it with our children. Sara has so much to offer the kids and I am grateful shes there with them. Like many mothers, it is her responsibility and from personal experience I know she would go to the depths of Hell to find work before anyone could take that from her...including debtors. I have been blessed with the ability to provide her the means to accomplish that responsibility.
To me it means becoming debt free.
To me it means relying on hard work for my family's temporal needs.
To me it means food storage.
To mean it means knowing how to cook a meal. Many meals.
To me it means raising plants and killing beasts in season.

To me there is actually no such thing as self reliance because we are always reliant on the Lord God Almighty, our Heavenly Father. He is the person who gives us sustenance. It is He who allows my mortgage to be paid and the food to be placed on my table each night. It is because of Him I am feeling overcome with blessings. Because God is no respecter of persons, I know the decisions we make play a big part of where our family's sit today. Our household has a long way to go and we know that we are merely His servants and earthly caretakers.

Robert D Hales says, "our ability to serve is increased or diminished by the level of our self reliance". When we are not calling on others for help we are able to help those who are calling on us. That is the point. When we are debt free and have surplus we are able to serve God in divers ways. Some people in this life will never know that service. They will continually be on the receiving end. We don't have to be though. It just takes hard work... consistently. It's a proven fact that people who want to work will work.
We have many people in our ward out of work and it gets me thinking. When the pain of not working is greater then the pain of working, they will find work. They will network in ways that are unconventional to get the desired result. It's the same for people who want to repent, get out of debt, or serve God. If you want it bad enough and the pain becomes too great, you-will-act. It will be like walking on coals. Let us serve God before we are compelled to. I mean really serve God by serving our fellow men with hearts filled with love and compassion. Give where we can. Lets be prepared for adversity when we will have to walk through the coals of life by becoming self reliant and frugal today.

More than enough

2010-01-13T21:20:00.003-07:00

I completed my first book on the journey of 12 by reading Dave Ramseys "MORE THAN ENOUGH 10 keys to changing your financial destiny". I can't say it was more of the same stuff you hear on his show and find in his book because there are a lot of new ideas. It was very inspiring and motivating to learn the many new nuggets of wisdom.
"When I counsel with myself, I can only make decisions according to what I already know. By counseling with a wise man, I add his knowledge and experience to my own and dramatically increase my success." Andy Andrews.
After reading this book I am starting to understand why the average millionaire reads 1 non-fiction book a month. Because they are not average or common. They don't live their lives by reacting to their circumstances. These people don't go through the motions and then change when a crisis hits. They change before the crisis hits. They are constantly growing and are more often than not, givers.
I can't remember which book said it but "an army of sheep led by a lion will always win an army of lions led by a sheep."
I think we need to be actively seeking wisdom and knowledge.
I am so excited to implement these new discoveries and want to start an Eagles Alliance. It's basically a group of like minded people who meet and lift each other to greater heights. People who care about each other and want to see each other succeed in their business, spirituality, relationships, career, and finances to name a few. People who can bring new insight to the table through their studies and life experiences. Whether you are on the top of the mountain or climbing, you are required to make forward progression and there is accountability. There are valley sitters and there are hurdle jumpers. We need to choose to take action on our own. An Eagles Alliance is what we should be doing anyway and it's called Elders Quorum but this is a little different and includes those who are self motivated.

Hope Quote

2010-01-09T21:47:00.002-07:00

"When we walk to the edge of all the light we have and take that step into the darkness of the unknown, we must believe that one of two things will happen, there will be something solid for us to stand on or God will teach us how to fly."
Patrick Overton

This statement could also be defined as a quote on faith. It caught my attention because at some point in our lives we have all felt this. The scary feeling of being at the edge of something great and knowing the decision we make will either sink us or force us to fly. Most of the time we back off and never step past that point and on to greatness...or failure. I say if we never take that step, whatever it may be, we have already failed. Let us look forward. Let us not look back and dwell on past failures, but onto future opportunities that will prove ourselves worthy. A worth while goal that will push us to our limits and beyond. Many worth while goals that bring us closer to family and God.

VISION

2010-01-06T19:42:00.006-07:00

How many of us have a vision? Really. How many of us have a vision? When you reach a point in your life where you have everything you looked forward to when you were teenager, where do you go from there? You keep up with your neighbors right? Wrong, because your neighbors are broke. 7 out of 10 of your neighbors are living paycheck to paycheck. If fact they are much like we are in most cases...normal. I don't want to be normal anymore and neither do you. I have goals and I'm going to achieve them. By the end of 2010 we are going to be debt free beside our mortgage. We made huge progress in 2008 and and going to kill it this year. That is one vision Sara and I both have. Jerusa surprisingly told us that we need to finish the Book Of Mormon by next year. A family goal she is the author of.

in 1956 Earl Nightingale explained the "you are what you think" idea we have all been taught for so many years. He calls it the Strangest Secret. He calls it that because it's not really a secret. Many great philosophers and prophets have written about it through the years. Proverbs 23:7 For as he thinketh in his heart, so is he. Caesar Marcus Aurelius said "a mans life is what his thoughts make of it". I guess I wasn't ever really prepared to hear it before so it never hit me the way it did today. We are what we think.
We physically feel the emotions of our thoughts and become effected by them leading us to action or captivity. I know that and have always known that but now I can use it to my advantage. If I keep pumping my thoughts with positive motivating things will it not lead me to positive motivating actions? Of course. Will Satan be reading my blog and try to thwart my progressions? Oh ya! I'm preparing for a battle of will this year and I know who will be victorious. It will not be perfect but I will move forward.
One last thought. starting this week $10/week for a year is $500. Christmas 2010 here we come.
$20/week for 2 years is $2000 Disneyland *edit*early 2013 here we come.

Decision #2

2010-01-04T12:42:00.002-07:00

Here is the Second Decision. I looking at #3 right now and will post it next week.

A few Thoughts

2010-01-04T11:45:00.003-07:00

I have been overwhelmed recently with inspiring things. Where could I start? I had confirmation in Elders quorum the path I am following is the right one. I don't believe there is ONE path that is right for everyone. I do believe most paths leading to action are good.
I find it really interesting when someone is succeeding or trying something new there are others out there trying to drag them down. Let's ask ourselves if we are dream builders or dream crushers.
In E.Q. There were some statistics from a neighboring stake for active members. 35% have family home evening, 40% have scripture study and family prayer, 48% feel the influence of the Holy Ghost. These are active members. What percentage do we fall in?
I've thought about this and what I've struggled with in the past and I' remember going months maybe even years without feeling the influence of the Spirit. (maybe it was more I didn't pay attention or recognize) There weren't any notable inspirations.
The last couple weeks I have taken the advice of Elder Eyring and write at least one blessing I've noticed throughout the day in my journal. I've come to the point where I find myself trying to pick which one I want to write about. Because of the quantity of blessings whirling around in my head, I feel what gets written down on the pages are personal inspiration. I feel in that quiet time, in the morning when everyone is a sleep, as I write in my journal, I am actually communicating with Deity.
Many more things are felt that cannot be written properly. Let our walk with God lead us in the right direction, through debt, through crisis, through emergencies, through parenting, through our good times, and through life.

2009 Firsts

2009-12-29T20:26:00.006-07:00

I have had a lot of firsts this year. This year I have read over 14 books that I can think of(childrens books don't count), completed Financial Peace University, First time we ever had a budget...that worked, visited Jackson Wyoming and went hiking/hunting, first time buying a truck, first time canning chicken and deer and beets and chicken stock and peaches, served as a sunbeam teacher, sent my fist child to public school, bought our first poinsettia, first Christmas as a married adult without a credit card, survived almost one whole year without using a credit card(we have decided debt is dumb), bought my first bow, first time using mechanical broad heads, first time I have spent the night camping in the wilderness all by myself(not as scary as I thought it might be), first year I cooked with onions and am loving it, the year I first started carrying my gun, first time I have ever worked out to a video(P90X and loving the burn), and many more things I can't think of.
This was MY year for firsts and I hope next year will be as exciting and as fruitful as this year has been.
For those who do not know what financial peace university is, ask me about it. It has changed our life forever and I am not even exaggerating a bit. Take my advice and it may be the first piece of advice you have ever taken from me and that is to go through FPU. It does so much more than teach finances, it kick starts your life so you can have one. If your sick of being sick with money than it's for you.

Princess Vs. Pioneer

2009-12-22T12:27:00.005-07:00

*

There was a little blurb in the book I've been reading about balancing the princess-pioneer in our daughters.
Princess' get everything they want. They are pampered and sheltered. They don't know what is out in the real world. They have no appreciation or responsibility. They care about nobody but themselves and look to other for approval etc.
Pioneers are giving and loving. They work hard for their gain. They are tough. They know about the world and know how to combat it. They understand responsibility etc.

I got to thinking about how I treat my daughters and I'm not sure what to think yet. I know my responsibility as a father is to prepare my daughters and son for the world. I have to make sure they are not a burden upon society (welfare) or their spouse. By the sweat of their brow I say. My girls are princess' in the eternal scheme as a daughter of God. They are loved and protected by a loving father (me) and that will never change. They will not burden their husbands but become one of their greatest treasures. I will teach them respect and responsibility. This is a heavy burden but I will do my best.

Strong Father Strong Daughter

2009-12-16T12:47:00.003-07:00

Holy cow men and grandparents who have daughters and grandchildren. This book should be required reading before the doctor allows you to take a girl home from the hospital. If you care about your daughters future then invest some time in learning how to help them develop properly. We are taught to learn from the good books and this is one of those. I have been led to some really good learning tools recently and just want to share the wealth. I'm only half way through and realize I have an eternity to go. Love your children well. More to post about this later.
-banki-

Travelers Gift-First decision

2009-12-16T12:00:00.006-07:00

I have been doing this experiment and it has been working. After I read the book I was inspired. I discovered I wanted to make these decisions my own. I wanted more information and found a program on Andys website that will guide you in transforming your life. It's the 21 day program. You start with the first decision and read it in the morning. Then you read it it in the evening to see how well you incorporated it in your daily activities. Do this for 21 days then move to the next decision. The first decision is, "The Buck stops here". There are so many nuggets in the statement that have already blessed me. I love it and like the Gospel of Jesus Christ I want to share it with others in hopes it will enrich their lives too. Read the book it will make so much more sense too.
Just a simple example of one thing I would've totally screwed up the other day. Sara and I kind of have an agreement. The agreement is she does the laundry and I have clean clothes in the morning. She's really awesome that way. There are times I wake up and the agreement was not met. I either wear dirty clothes or the clothes I don't wear because I don't like to, either way it ends up being a bad day at work and no matter what, it seems I am grouchy when I get home. Well the other day the agreement was not upheld and my day started off like any other day where I get to wear dirty clothes. Bad. I when to work a frustrated and not looking forward to sitting in dirty clothes. I got to work and read the first decision. The second paragraph said,' Never again will I blame my spouse for my present situation. Since I agreed with the buck stops here I Instantly felt responsible my clothes were dirty and there was no reason I had to blame Sara. I also felt instantly guilty for blaming her for my bad day. My day became brighter from that moment on. Something little, yet really big, and it all started with the decision I made, and no one else. I am where I am because of the decisions I make. Self centered? Maybe, but I am the only person I can control. I love you Sara and thank you, thank you for washing my clothes...when you do, and I say this while sitting in dirty underwear because she forgot again.
But, I am not letting it ruin my day.

The Travlers Gift

2009-12-07T12:04:00.004-07:00

Have you ever wanted to better your life? We often get relaxed and don't recognize something needs to change. We are inspired to do certain things that leads us in the right direction. I had heard about this book months and months ago and never felt the need to read it. I knew the author was awesome because of his other books I read. Anyway I happen to be listening to the radio when Dave talked about books that have defined who he is. The Travelers Gift by Andy Andrews.
The story kind of blew me away. It inspired me. The Author Andy Andrews is Christian and masterfully guides you through seven decisions that will lead you to success. I can see a vision already and will make that my goal.

Winter Meat

2009-11-23T12:37:00.003-07:00

I am grateful for the winter meat we have stocked up in our freezer. Between chickens, chicken breast, fish, shrimp, elk, and deer we probably have over 100lbs of meat. I guess that counts as short term food storage and we thank God for these animals. As long as we have a meat we can cook up nearly any meal. Cooking a tasty meal is one thing Sara and I love to do.

Girl, Girl, Girl

2009-10-21T12:03:00.002-07:00

I rarely ever get a chance to post things cause I'm busy with my research on OCDO and UCC. For those of you who know little about our day to days and get your updates from here, it's official. Kyle Golightly has produced yet another girl. This may be our last edition to the Kaysville Golightly faction. Unless by divine inspiration or unnatural occurrences we are happy with 4. You know what they say multiply and replenish. We got the multiply down.
I bought a voice recorder as an added protection my civil rights. Sara and I felt it was important especially with the current climate and the lack of knowledge there is going around the country today. Being a gun carrier and a budding gun activist I haven't felt more involved in civil duties than I do now. There is an open carry event at Fuddruckers in sandy on November 5th for anyone interested in carrying their gun in a gun friendly environment. Basically it is just to meet others and put faces to names. They say it is around $10/plate. Never been there but I hope to attend.

Why I carry

2009-08-26T11:47:00.003-07:00

I found this great article/poem on OCDC.

PEOPLE ASK WHY?
Why I Carry a Gun.
My old grandpa said to me son,' there comes a time in every man's life when he stops bustin' knuckles and starts bustin' caps and usually it's when he becomes too old to take an ass whoopin'.
I don't carry a gun to kill people. I carry a gun to keep from being killed.
I don't carry a gun to scare people. I carry a gun because sometimes this world can be a scary place.
I don't carry a gun because I'm paranoid. I carry a gun because there are real threats in the world.
I don't carry a gun because I'm evil. I carry a gun because I have lived long enough to see the evil in the world.
I don't carry a gun because I hate the government. I carry a gun because I understand the limitations of government.
I don't carry a gun because I'm angry. I carry a gun so that I don't have to spend the rest of my life hating myself for failing to be prepared.
I don't carry a gun because I want to shoot someone. I carry a gun because I want to die at a ripe old age in my bed, and not on a sidewalk somewhere tomorrow afternoon.
I don't carry a gun because I'm a cowboy. I carry a gun because, when I die and go to heaven, I want to be a cowboy.
I don't carry a gun to make me feel like a man. I carry a gun because men know how to take care of themselves and the ones they love.
I don't carry a gun because I feel inadequate. I carry a gun because unarmed and facing three armed thugs, I am inadequate.
I don't carry a gun because I love it. I carry a gun because I love life and the people who make it meaningful to me.
Police Protection is an oxymoron. Free citizens must protect themselves. Police do not protect you from crime, they usually just investigate the crime after it happens and then call someone in to clean up the mess. Personally, I carry a gun because I'm too young to die and too old to take an ass whoopin'
...author unknown (but obviously brilliant)
I am armed about 98% of the time and the other 2% is in church and God is bound when we do what He says. I to young to die and too old to take a beaten.

Open Carry

2009-08-07T14:04:00.005-07:00

I don't have a real good support group for Open Carry (OC) besides my wife. Everyone seems to accept it but not support it. I found this awesome website devoted to open carry and I went and joined the forum at opencarry.org.

Every time someone asked me why I carry I have always felt defensive. I didn't know how to answer because I honestly didn't know why I carried...but I do now. I OC because I like it. I feel it is a privilege extended to me as a citizen of the United States of America and as a resident of Utah. I carry because I love my family and would do anything to protect them. I love my life and need to protect it for my family. I carry because I respect life in general and if needed would use it in protection of others. I carry as a deterrent to BG's. I OC because I want to stand for a cause, to make a political statement. I want to educate the public what is legal and what is not. you can open carry as young as 14(certain restrictions apply) but I didn't know that because I wasn't educated. Educate yourself about Utah and federal gun laws at opencarry.org. With 8,000 members strong, you won't be asked why you carry but why you don't carry. We'll see ya there. My screen name is ichigo.

I swear

2009-08-05T10:32:00.003-07:00

the Government should inject a temporary sterilization drug to anyone who is receiving government assistance. I was talking to a Mexican co-worker from California who has rental units in Oakland. He told me about one of his tenants who is a young single mother. The State pays for her rent and food. He seems to think all people who work to make a living are good people and those who don't are trash. In his book, Mexicans are the hardest workers so they are the best and blacks are the laziest so they have the lowest mark...according to him. The young woman (black) came to him and asked if he had a unit that was a two bedroom apartment. Why? because she is pregnant again, unwed, and needs more room. "The state has already approved me for it and I can move in right away". He and I agreed that this becomes a cycle that is hard to break. Mother has child as a teenager, raises child, then teenager becomes pregnant and so on and so forth. A temporary sterilization would be two fold. Stop the cycle and save the taxpayer money.
Not all situations are perpetual in nature, however all situations do require someone other than the responsible parties to pay for their children.
When people know a requirement for getting assistance is (temporary) sterilization, they may think again. Maybe it's not worth the risk. Maybe it's totally worth the risk. Having children is a part of the Plan of Salvation and requires sacrifice. Having children is one of the greatest sacrifices ever. It builds character. It empowers you and frightens you at the same time. It takes a lot from you and gives more back. It gives you worth. Most importantly, it gives Gods children an opportunity to take part in the Plan of Salvation. The Scriptures say multiply and replenish the Earth. My Grandma says multiply is 4 kids and replenish is 5 and up.
For those of you who don't know yet we are pregnant again. We may not meet the replenish requirement if this is our last one. but we have made a good run at it.
I am not sure about sterilization but at least free birth control or other protection.

Back by popular demand

2009-07-27T11:14:00.005-07:00

Or should I say at the behest of my wife. I was going to give up on the blogging commentaries I've been doing for the last year and abandon the site altogether. She said don't do that, there are people who enjoy reading it. LIKE WHO? Me she says. Good enough for me. So here I am giving in yet again to pull of confrontation and editorials that get us all excited. Someone once said "the difference between you now, and you, a year from now, are the books you read and the people you meet". I may have botched the saying but it true. The context was for reading Non-Fiction books. In fact most studies have shown millionaires read 3 non fiction books a year. You want to be like rich people then do what rich people do. Anyway this is not the purpose of my rant. I know very little about the Civil War so I decided to pick up a book on it and gain a little knowledge. The book is called "April 1865, The Month That Changed America". I find it fascinating. I feel torn between the Confederates and the Union and what transpired to create the Nation we enjoy today. I am only a quarter of the way into it because the book is a really hard read. I am sure I will have plenty more in the future to write about.
The one thing that really makes me think is what and who caused the war. Abraham Lincoln said it kind of like this. The confederates are causing the war because they will not give up slavery and the union is causing the war because they will not stand for the confederates position on slavery. So both are to blame. There was even political correctness in the 1800's. I believe there was more to it than just slavery and I believe the confederacy in whole didn't want to answer to the larger body. They wanted to be their own entity, small and self governing.
The thing I have really been struggling with is when the Union finally beat the confederates, how the confederates accepted the defeat? I don't think I could ever do it. I will never know the beaten down state of mind they were in, but I don't think I would ever be able to come to terms with having to answer to a government that I didn't agree with.
Then I ask myself if I'm in the same predicament today with our body of governing. Well are we? At what point do we bow our heads in defeat. I believe the more reliant we become on the government, the more we are strengthening it, or weakening it depending on your social situation.

Upset at my welfare abuse views?

2009-07-20T12:35:00.007-07:00

For those who are upset at my welfare comments please see my previous post. http://kylegolightly.blogspot.com/2009/02/dole.html Am I a little too judgmental....uh....um.....ah.....no. Probably a lot judgmental and in my little world I understand everyone has excuses to justify their behavior. I Kyle Golightly have so many excuses for the things I do. I know and will tell anyone who cares face to face there is no excuse for my behaviors except for the weakness of the flesh. When you are accountable by knowledge you are judged buy it. What was I taught about Welfare as a child? Nothing. Did I accept welfare as a viable option growing up in a less privileged family? Yes. I assumed I was entitled to whatever the government felt I qualified for. My father did not partake in it because it embarrassed him? Why, because it meant he was not providing for the family he created on earth. Being able to provide the essentials for your family is Biblical. 1 Timothy 5:8. If you can't provide for your family your worse than an infidel. I know you can quote scripture condemning me for the various crimes against humanity I commit all day long. My purpose is to vent my pet peeves and frustrations and instruct. Who can follow a principle that is not taught to them. I am very fiscally conservative and liberal in my giving. (Sounding Alms in public yes, judge me some more) I believe God is very liberal and forgiving. I know that to be true and that it is the only way I will return to him one day. He wants all of us to have what we Need, Desire, and would love to give us all He has. I believe we need to put our best hat on and work our hardest for that blessing. Taking from others in the form of welfare without working our hardest does not bring us closer to that goal. Take from it what you will and no I don't plan on running for office. There are much more qualified people out there willing to give away my money to SCUM.

Hurry up welfare recipients

2009-07-14T11:17:00.009-07:00

If you haven't gotten your $40.00 government welfare coupon you're running out of time. I'm speaking of the Digital converter box. I am telling everyone who redeemed a government coupon for a converter box should be ashamed of themselves.

Here's my premise. TV is a luxury item. It is not essential to sustain life. You want to vegetate in front of a TV then you should pay for it. Why do I, through tax dollars, have to pay for a luxury item for low, middle, and high income households? It's a freaking scam and if I hear another person say, "Well I pay my taxes so I don't feel bad about it" I'm going to punch you in the mouth. That mentality is ruining our country. It's the entitlement syndrome. A lot of people feel the government is there to give, lift, and sustain. Some of these people are close to me and are using (or will use) these programs to the fullest extent. I feel these programs have become something much less, a machine that takes, depresses, and reduces. Have some self respect and live to a higher standard rather than the lowest common denominator. Do it on your own and build some character. The climb will be very slow and very long. But it's the right one. Work, work, save, work, work, save, work and save more and more leaving the take, take, take, for those who have no standards for crying out loud please less take. I forgot to add Give because you may lose your soul in the process if you don't.

Getting deals, in the right places, in the right way

2009-07-13T11:29:00.004-07:00

I have been getting a little something for nothing a lot lately. It just takes a little negotiating. The more you do it the better you get at it. In general, people do not like confrontations. I am one of those types. I have discovered a secret. If your in the other seat where you are not concerned with confrontation you win financially. Some of my recent victories are with Dish and Verizon. Who knew you could get a new phone for free without paying monthly for a warranty. I have yet to negotiate with bishop and my calling :)
In all seriousness, I not out to rip people off but to be a better steward of the money we are given. In my Patriarchal blessing I was told to be frugal so I could accomplish all the things the Lord has for me to do. What could all THOSE things the Lord wants me to do be? It could be as simple as being able to care for the children the Lord wishes to bless us with. It could be something else, but I testify the Lord sent Dave Ramsey into my life for a reason. His plan may not be the best and there are plenty of other ways to accomplish the same goals. the one thing I recognize is there may not have been another person on this planet who could've inspired me the way he does. With his plan I Give Save and Spend in a way I believe is pleasing to God. I think we have more financial peace now than we have ever had and we. I say peace and mean it literally. As we have been more wise with our money we have been blessed with more. When I say blessed with more I say blessed with more means to get it. More overtime, odd jobs, bargain hunting and finding, negotiating. The opportunities became available not by chance.

Looking back at the last 6 months we have really been committed to this cause and have made huge strides and are grateful for them. I have also realized in my zealatious attitude I have become full of pride. I tend to get and attitude of "if your not with me your against me". That is not my real intention I guess I am just looking for a support group because it is really hard to do. It's like going on a diet and everyone around you is eating like crazy. Kind of sucks. When we are able, we will be the ones enjoying our money and not the stinking creditors!

The Noticer

2009-06-18T20:18:00.006-07:00

I just finished this book called the noticer. This book is all about perspective. It teaches you what real wisdom is. Lessons for the old, young, and middle aged. It's definitely a life altering book if taken seriously. It's a great read. I laughed and cried. Well at least got misty eyed and probably would've if no one was around. One chapter focused on worrying. How much time we spend in our lives worrying about stuff that need not be worried about. It was something like 40% of worries will never happen, 30% is about the past, 12% health, 10% petty things like what other people think about you, 8% for legitimate problems that should occupy your mind. The book talks about all the wasted time and destructive things that happen when our focus is not on productive things. So last night I was in bed trying to sleep and was having a hard time. My mind was racing about where I was as a husband and father. Guilt started flowing into my head. Negativity, mistakes I've made, things I said that I shouldn't have, and the consequences of all of the above. I got to the point where I was done. I had enough. I tried shaking my head to get the thoughts out then remembered the lesson the book taught. Jones told one young man to start making a list of the things he was grateful for. Simple little things. When you step back and look at the little things (like brush strokes) from a distance you find a masterpiece. There are people out there right now that have nothing. So I started listing things off in my head and it worked so much better than a shaking it. I believe this is also a spiritual exorcise. Try it the minute you wake up see if it doesn't change your morning.
"I say to you that as you lay your head down tonight, you are on fertile ground. Think, Learn, Pray, Plan, Dream. For soon...you will become" (Andy Andrews)

FPU week 2 Marriage and Money

2009-03-24T11:02:00.001-07:00

This program never ceases to amaze me. It has lit a fire in our lives. We go to the supermarket and pay cash. It feels different. It feels awesome. We don't have the embarrassement of buying groceries on the credit card. What did we change? Not much, we just cut up our credit cards. We have an emergency fund so when an emergency comes we no longer have to rely on our good ol friends at Visa. Fun fun Fun.

About the picture above.

I came in the room after Roundy was taking a nap and he was whimpering. I looked over and saw this little tassel coming out of his crib. Picture him standing in his crib a little sad with this crazy little outfit. I wish I had come in with a camera and caught it on tape. I loved it. He wore it like this all day.

On the swing

2009-03-17T19:16:00.001-07:00

The camera loves these kids and is indifferent to myself (posing with new appendage.)

FPU Seminar week 1

2009-03-16T17:55:00.001-07:00

It's as good and inspiring as thought it was going to be. Very spiritual, funny and worth the $300.00 dollars we invested. You will probably appreciate it if you have ever been angry, upset, tired, fought, felt sadness and pain because of money. Spending money on stuff like this is HAAAAAARD. Who wants to spend money on something we already know. Oh ya that's right we are all broke and have mortgages? Study it, understand it, believe it, and jump on the bandwagon. You can get it through the church down the street. Through them it is like $98. It gives you a package and lifetime membership. Or buy it from the website for like $130.

We will keep you updated...

$1,000.00 emergency fund (funded)

FPU

2009-03-14T09:25:00.002-07:00

“In this world there are the Haves, the Have nots and those who Have Not paid for what they have”.(Author unknown)
I thought that was hilarious and true so we are taking steps to change the family tree. We purchased the Financial Peace University (FPU) home study package. I don't think it will give us much more info than we already have but we believe it will inspire and lead us in the right direction. Dave says finances are 20% knowledge and 80% behavior so we will need to change behaviors. It is a 13 week course or rather 13 DVD seminars and you watch 1 per week. We will not be loaning or burning copies of the DVD's for anyone. Here are a few Promotional thoughts. On average during this program people pay off $5,300.00 in debt and save $2,700.00 in 13 weeks. Add it up, $8,000.00 difference in 91 days. That is the average of course so they may be way higher and way lower. Never take financial advice from broke people including myself. That's why we want Dave to teach you and I.
If you are comfortable where you are financially keep your course. I think we are comfortable too, however I do not have financial peace. If I lost my job today, I would be in a world of hurt. That is not peace. We believe in this and so we are going to follow Dave's financial plan. If you don't want to participate weekly, watch us do it. Ask us how it is working for us. Call us out when you think we are overspending and be advised we may not do all the fun activities/vacations this summer if it's not in our new budget.
Dave quotes this regularly “ Live like no one else so you can live like no one else later”. It's a way of saying stop keeping up with the Jones' and go against the normal with your money because the Jones' are broke.

Listen to the whisperings

2009-02-27T11:35:00.000-07:00

This happened to me on the 10th of February.
"Yesterday was normal for me waking up a little groggy nothing out of the norm. Took a shower, got my lunch ready, and went clean the snow off my car. I got into my car to turn it on and sat there for a minute. Like I said nothing was out of the ordinary except it was snowing. The thought came into my mind I shouldn't go into work today. I shrugged it off and then it came again and I jokingly thought if I came in to work today I would probably wreck the car. I have that thought from time to time especially in the winter. I didn't continue to argue with myself because a day off is a day off.

This morning driving in my car was acting a little funny. It seemed like the gears were slipping(automatic car ,so weird). I continued driving but started to get real nervous. As I was exiting the freeway in Bountiful my car shut off. My engine stopped. Lost power steering and power breaks. Thank God there was no traffic in front of me and the light was green so I was able to turn and coast my car to a safe place at the curb. Neil and I pushed the car to a safer place until I can figure out what to do. I still don't know what is wrong with it at this point.
My joking attitude about not coming in yesterday became serious fast. I have no doubt had I come in yesterday something ugly would've happened. The car problems compounded with snow and frigid temperatures scares me to think about the possibilities in rush hour morning traffic. I have no doubt God was directing me yesterday and that without Him things today could've been a lot worse. This is one of many examples that testify to me that we have a living, loving Heavenly Father. I know I am thankful today to be alive".

I shared this with my boss(cause that's how I am) and he didn't respond to me until yesterday. He tried to talk me out of it like it was a subconcious decision I made because of some subliminal thing I noticed my car had been doing. Then he tried to question why would God help me and not someone else, deosn't he love everyone equally?

Brothers and Sisters

2009-02-20T11:52:00.001-07:00

These girls have so much fun playing in the snow. We got about 6" this day.

BROTHER AND SISTERS: meaning everyone on this Earth.
We live in a day where people cannot speak the truth without penalty. This countries judicial system has infested our way of thinking.
A guy in church the other day brought up a good point. People in ancient times threw rocks to stone the prophets into silence. How do we stone the prophets today? We stone them by not listening to their words, criticizing their words and teachings, not sharing our testimonies, not spreading the truth. When we are in good standing with the church and we are offended by comments take a step back and ask yourself, is this because it is true. Am I the wicked taking the truth to be hard for it cutteth me to the very center like Nephi says? I found that to be true when Sara questioned my double standards. Testify often of your beliefs. In a conference talk an apostle quoted Scriptures about Jesus Christ. He "claimed" those words as his own. As someone who read it and gained testimony of it through the Holy Ghost. He didn't write it but he claimed them. We can do the same and should, even if it is not "OUR" words per say. This is the case with all truth or aspects of life we have gained testimony of. Let us be more outspoken. Let's not be burdened by fear. God has not given us the spirit of fear, but of love and of a sound mind...
TODAY I choose not to stone the prophets by bearing my testimony to at least one person. This MONTH I choose not to stone the Prophets by doing home teaching. TODAY I choose not to stone the prophets by loving my neighbor and telling my wife and children how much they mean to me. Choose ye this day whom ye will serve.

FICO score

2009-02-12T12:08:00.001-07:00

Does any body know what a FICO score is comprised of?
According to my financial advisor the FICO score is comprised of five elements:
35 percent of the score is based on your debt payment history
30 percent is how much debt you have
15 percent is the length of your credit history
10 percent is the type of credit/debt you have
10 percent is any new credit

Does this make anyone else feel uneasy, maybe a little sick. FICO is used for a variety of useful and not so useful programs. But for the most part FICO score means, debt is a part of my life and I'll prove it. How much better off would we be to have a low FICO score? 55% is based on current debt, so if we have no debt our score is worse. That would prevent us from going into more debt which is a good thing.
The idea of having control of finances and being slave to the lender is so important Jesus himself taught his disciples about it. Financial problems are the number one cause of divorce in America. Do you think God knows that? We are counseled to steer clear from it. Debt destroys families and hope. Peace is replaced by fear. We have all seen Star Wars and know what fear leads to.

I can testify this is all true. I am living it now. Hindsight is 20/20 and I am so grateful we didn't have to hit rock bottom to see some of the errors we have gotten ourselves into(which are many). Would we have bought a house when we did, knowing what we know now? No. Would we have been more diligent in living within our means? Heavens yes. We as a family unit have turned a new leaf and are dedicated to become completely debt free and to remain that way the rest of of our lives. We are teaching our children to do the same. Work for what you get, no handouts. You want dinner, go make your bed. You want me to take the toys out of the garbage sweep the kitchen.
People, there's always hope, even when you're down. God has prepared a plan and it's called the plan of Salvation. Our purpose here is to learn how to control our physical bodies and put off the natural man. Easier said then done I know. Let this be a call for everyone to take a step forward out of debt and not one back in to debt to be able to call ourselves free. This is my prayer.

Dole

2009-02-01T20:42:00.001-07:00

Read at your own risk. Let me preface this by saying (at least for the LDS folk) I believe only in the church welfare program and only under certain circumstances *

Many LDS people struggle week to week to pay bills including myself, at least at this juncture of my life. We enjoy some luxuries we could do with out such as phone, basic dish, and basic Internet.
Sara and I had a small miracle this month.We made a budget of $35 a week for food that's $140 per month. Sara said there is no way we are going to be able to do that unless we stock our pantry with the basics (Pasta, canned veggies-fruits and other misc). My reply was we have to, we have no choice. Here we are a month into it and today I asked her how she thought we did? Sara was amazed that first we didn't starve and second we made some of the most delicious meals I've eaten to date. Are we proud of ourselves? Heck yes. The funny thing is we didn't do it to save money, we did it out of necessity. I know, I know cry me a river. Don't tell Sara but we probably could've made it on less.
How often do people take advantage of the system saying their situation is different. They believe they are exempt and no one really understands their details (except the specialists within the government program they are associated with). Are they carefully taking care of their financial responsibilities in every aspect before they begin to ask for help. Are you planning on going on welfare in the future? If so, start saving now so you won't have to. Do you have cell phones, dish, and Internet. Do you eat out? Are you lights on all day, the temp of your house at 75º all day and night? Is your lifestyle expenditures more than your income? Think about it before you ask for help.
What are we taught? When in need the first resource for providing for the family is the father. The father may need to take more than 1 job to keep his house in order. The wife may need to pitch in too. How much respect would a wife gain for her husband coming to her in humility, "honey I need to take another job so we can keep food in our kids bellies".
I gained a huge amount of respect for Sara. In 2007 Sara was selling her blood to help pay for groceries. We were in a new house and the mortgage was high. Talk about degrading for me as a husband. I stood by and watched my poor wife do that for 2 months or so. She insisted on helping out. She didn't want to feel like she wasn't doing her part. When the phlebotomist perforated her vein I had enough. Although I respected her desire to help out my pride took a huge hit. She was worth more to me then the blood she was selling. I found another job, then another until we didn't need the extra $100 a month.
The second resource after exhausting the first is to go to the family. Third, friends. Who wouldn't help a friend out. Last resource is the Bishop/church. I have never read in any circumstance that taking dole from the government is healthy. On the contrary, it is destructive spiritually. I know your situation is different, I've read about it.
We are a society of we want it and we want it now. We can't put off our future because we want it now. Give me everything now. No I don't want to save I want it now. I don't care if I have to go in debt, I'll go on welfare but please don't put me out and make me wait. Marriage, kids, home, computers, vacations, school, career. Get a job, get two. Sell some things, have some self respect, gain respect from your wife. Save up, then put your plans in action. I know I am preaching to the choir but man o man things are tight and it hurts to see people on the dole, people taking church welfare, people on any kind of welfare buying things I cannot afford. I work my butt off and see little progress sometimes. I can honestly say when I go to bed I have a clear financial conscience, I pray to God in thanks every night for my job that allows me to have a home to call my own for the means to keep my family fed and warm and the few small luxuries we have.

Be frugal.

*Unplanned circumstance such as divorce, death, loss of job, accident, or those who do not have an understanding of provident living.

Awesome Family

2008-09-20T21:18:00.001-07:00

My family is Awesome with a capitol A. Sometimes it's the little things that mean the most with family. Saying things like you look real nice today, maybe you can say thank you for things you usually take for granted. I always have my skivvy drawer stocked with folded personal underpants. If I wake up in the morning and have to wear day olds I get real bent out of shape. I expect Sara to take care of that for me without thanks most times. Well the seasons are changing within the Golightly household and I will make a better effort to see all the family feel needed and appreciated.
The pictures were taken this last week during a meltdown with Jerusa. She cut her Dora doll hair and like most kids lied about it. To teach her a lesson, I cut the rest off and gave it back to her where she was hiding. I egged her on a bit but she was mortified about her bald Dora. I said she looked like a man so I drew a beard on it. (Dry erase so it came off) She went nuts. Funny side note Ava didn't know what I had done and picked up the doll. She looked at it, screamed, and threw it back on the ground. It scared her. So..... I chased her around with it for a bit. I couldn't hold back. Even though Jerusa was angry with me I told her to sit next to mom for a picture and her countenance changed. Everyone has their vanities.
I bet you couldn't tell she had been crying for 35 minutes straight.

Sara recently got a hair cut. I think it looks great.
Roundy is still growing bigger and thicker daily. Sara is trying to give him a lot of tummy time to strengthen him up and maybe he'll learn to turn over soon. Within the first two months he tricked us and made us think he had learned to turn over. Since he hasn't done it again we figure it was accidental...twice.

Ava had her third birthday and I will have to do another post for that.

Jerusa is learning to read. Some days I think we push her too hard and we all get frustrated. Bad bad bad. She is doing very well in spite of our teaching methods. Her hardest word has been "Cash". I asked her to spell parachute but she didn't even want to attempt it. Try to teach a kid the sounds "th", "ch", and "sh". It's dang hard. When and how did we learn how to do it? Sara and Grandma got "My baby can Read" for our kids. Came in the mail today. We'll keep everyone posted on how it works.

These were taken today at Bountiful bird refuge. The stinkiest most beautiful place I've ever been. I got a new pair of waders so I had to try them out to see if they worked before the hunt started. I absolutely love them. Hey if anyone has some extra time and wants to see some of these places let me know and we can take you out. We don't have the best luck with weather though. We got caught in another rain/ lightning storm and in another precarious position(in water). We found some vegetation to hide under that kept us pretty dry. This trip we called in 1 goose and 2 ducks that landed in our decoys. We don't know what we are doing wrong. There were hundreds of ducks flying around but they wouldn't land by us. We think we are going to set up our decoys and go to the other side of the pond where ALL the ducks avoid our decoys and land. ha ha ha. Who knows, we are still learning.

Hunting update

2008-09-13T21:57:00.001-07:00

I know the background is kind of crazy but I couldn't pass it up. I have had a pretty awesome season deer hunting. Most of my deer stories have sounded a bit like fish stories. We have been out so many times and I never got one shot off. I feel bad every time I have to come home empty handed to my family. One of the most memorable times I went out was wen I was sick. We got up early to get the morning hunt in. The weather was breath taking to say the least. I'll explain. It was gorgeous but Darek kept pushing me and pushing me. I thought I was going to die. I wanted to lay down and die. We climbed so high into N. Canyon I had to stop like 50 times. He got me within 100 yards of the top and then we looked back. The darkest black clouds at eye level. Threw some grass in the air to see the wind direction and it was coming directly for us. I said a little prayer and asked if we would be in trouble if we continued to the top and felt we weren't in danger. Pretty stupid seeing how they were lightning clouds. Right as we made it to the top the rain started. It was bad. We hiked down this draw until we decided we should curl up under a tree to try and stay a little dryer. That's when I pulled out my camera and took a few pictures. I only wish Sara was there to experience it. This is one of those experiences when you know God exists. The feeling when you are hunkered down under some branches during a bad Thunder and rainstorm. (under a tree , yes I know you're suppose to stay away from them during storms). Very hard to explain with words the feeling and scenery. Every time we go out I think of God. What else do you do when you are alone with your own thoughts?

Today we went out to Farmington Bay to check out the Waterfowl hunting grounds. We got there just in time because they were having a youth day to educate young people about hunting. They were giving Airboat rides. The ones that look like airplanes. I tried to Get Jerusa and Ava out on one with me but they were too scared. They were pretty load so I can see why they were terrified. They had ear protection you could wear and they would've slowed down with the kids but n go. So Darek and I jumped on one. Wow. That's all I can say. If I ever get $50,000 extra dollars to spend I'm getting one. We were riding over weeds, water, mud and it made no difference. The water depth where we were was about 2 inches deep and the guy started doing donuts on the slick mud. It felt like we were skidding across a glassy sheet of ice. I was in heaven. We need to find a friend that has an airboat and go out the the places they took us. So if anyone knows a friend of a friend that's willing let me know. When we got back to shore Jerusa gave me the crustiest crusty. She was so ticked off I left her to go on that boat. She told she didn't know if she could forgive me for it. There was more to why she was so mad but her comprehension floored me. She ended up telling me " Sorry for getting mad at you earlier". Maybe her Spirit is really old because she seems to be far beyond her years in knowledge. Enough said.

Hunting Season

2008-08-31T20:40:00.001-07:00

I've been spending a lot of time in the mountains. Some with Sara and the kids and some with Darek and my dad. Most of the pictures were taken in Farmington Canyon. We went up there and had hot dogs and roasted marsh mellows. I don't know why but I've never really liked eating them but I always end up doing it. Tansy showed us this awesome way to make smores. First you get the mallow roasty toasty them you slip the chunk of chocolate inside the mallow them put the mallow between two grahams. That will be the way we do it from now on.

Bow hunting has started and is the reason I'm in the mountains so much. So far I've hunted at Main Canyon and sourrounding areas of Strawberry Reservoir, North Canyon (above N. Salt Lake), North Willow (Above Grantsville). We have had the time of our lives and even feard for them a bit. Every time I hunt with Darek he has to tell me something doesn't feel right and he's a little scared. He loves nature but is terrified of it, Cougars, Bears, and anything that could rip him apart. It's always fun the feed the fire a bit. Now that I have my concealed weapons permit I can carry during the Archery hunt. Somehow it even makes me feel safer when I'm packin in the woods.
Niel my brother in law shot a deer the opening weekend. Lucky for us his family doesn't eat venison. Every time we cook up a portion of the meat I get more exited to get my own and stock up our freezer. For some reason I never liked deer growing up. I think it has a lot to do with the preparation (no offense to my dad). He always made it taste like...deer. We ground a bunch maybe 5lbs of deer with a pound of bacon. Those were some tasty smokey burgers(no hint of deer). We picked up about 5 lbs of beef suet (fat) to mix with my deer for burger when I get one. I hear it tastes a lot like Hamburger. Go figure. I'm sure I'll let everyone know when I get one.Millie and Jerusa. As much as her cousins tease her she is a glutton for punishment. We all know Jerusa can be a little snot. It kinda comes with the territory of being my offspring. She'll have to learn some social skills the hard way I'm afraid. She sure has a lot of love to give.
This is my dad. He didn't take his Prilosec and has heartburn
Tansy and her stitched up knee. Pretty active for a cripple.
Sara and I. One of the very few pictures we have together. I'm always busy piddleing around with something.
Jerusa and Avala in Tansy and Niels tent trailer. Jersa and Ava slept in there with their cousins. They loved the whole trip. The trailer was apcked that night too. Let's see. From oldest to youngest. Niel, Tansy, Darek, Ilish, Conner, Avala, Millie, Jerusa, and Ava.
Ava looking cute and innocent .

2008-08-13T11:03:00.001-07:00

When mom was at the shower the kids and I went exploring. This picture is in Farmington above the front runner tracks.
We recently found out when the Hot light is on at Krispy Creme you can get a free donuts. Fresh out of the oil is very satisfying
Another shot from the donut shop.
I went fishing the other day with my dada and caught the better part of a bucket of white bass. I fillet'd nearly 80 fish...by myself. My shoulders killed after that. It was worth it because they were tasty.

June 14th Family Picture

2008-07-14T11:20:00.002-07:00

I stole this picture from my sister. It was taken at My nieces backyard during her reception. There are a few missing members of the family, but most of us were there. The girls were as beautiful as ever thanks to Sara and Roundy was still cooking.

2008-07-02T11:17:00.002-07:00

My new found passion is duck hunting. It is nearly 4 months away but I get butterflys everytime I see one overhead. After last season I bought a duck and goose call. I like to call on it a couple times a week. Jerusa hates it. She complains about it everytime and it has become a joke everytime I reach for the cupboard I store it in. I took this picture At the bird refuge in Bountiful. Beautiful evening. We were trying to call in some geese. All we found were muskrat carcasses. The geese were already coupling up and weren't interested in us. Oh ya the picture is of Darek my nephew.