Ok, so it's my turn for a good solid post. I have decided to mix it up a little - I will not rant and rave about sports, I will not share message board insights, I will not strain to write something witty or humorous. I would like to share a little experience/realization I had recently that I think we can learn a little from.
Before I share that, let me just say this - this experience has taught me that our father has a keen ability to capture moments and reflect on them; he has a unique talent to turn experiences into gospel lessons - testimony building lessons, at that. Well, if the name Richard carries any bit of that, I only hope that I can learn to capture such moments half as well as our father does. Moreso, I hope that I can learn to share those experiences in a way that will be beneficial to those who may hear it. So this will be my first attempt...
Part 1: When Erin and I very first started moving in to our apartment, one of the first things she did was put lightbulbs in all the sockets that didn't have one. You know the light fixtures in a kitchen or living room that have two or three lightbulbs, usually you can get away with only one bulb and you'll still have sufficient light for the room - this is what was done by the people who lived there before us. So Erin went through the house making sure that all the light fixtures were fully stocked with all the lightbulbs it would need, and making sure that all the lightbulbs worked properly. As she did it I thought to myself, "we could probably get away with 1 or 2 lightbulbs instead of all three in the living room..." and other such things, but it wasn't a big deal.
Part 2: Personal confession: recently I found myself getting way too uppity about having too many lights on around our house. I remembered a big push around our house once when we were all growing up, to turn lights off after we left the room, etc. and I thought to myself "this is how dad must have felt" as I tried to turn off all unnecessary lights around the apartment. Well, it was wrong of me to grumble or think, "we could do with a few less lights on in the house - we don't need the hallway light on, or both kitchen lights, etc." (sidenote: I confess that it was wrong of me to place blame/accusation on Erin in any way for something so silly as leaving a light or two on. I don't do it any more - but at that point, that's what went through my head) Then something occurred to me...
Why the heck was I complaining about Erin wanting to have MORE light around our house? Why should I have ever thought twice about putting in more lightbulbs and trying to provide as much light as possible for the most important place for our family (outside the temple and maybe the church building)?
Here is the gospel lesson my wonderful wife has helped me learn: we all know that light is VERY symbolic in the gospel, right? We hear scriptures about Christ being the Light of the world, how we should let our Light shine, and how the birth and death of Christ was marked by abundance and absence of light, respectively, in the Americas.
Well then isn't that an extremely valuable quality that we should all be striving for? To fill our lives with as much light as possible, to eliminate as much darkness as possible, and to give ourselves the opportunity to quickly illuminate our lives and the lives of others who may cross our paths. This is essentially what Erin has done for our home - she's provided us with ways to easily keep as much light as possible, and as little darkness as possible.
So I now have a stronger, growing testimony of the principle of light. May we all fill our lives and hearts with as much light as possible (which will in turn chase out the darkness) and may we help and encourage others to do the same. May the light of Christ burn brightly within us so we don't just feel as though we have "just enough light to get by" but that we can say we will always try to have "as much light as possible."
Wednesday, January 31, 2007
Tuesday, January 30, 2007
California Anyone
Hey there Kidos Its been way too long since I've posted so I apologize for that. I thought the California run down would be the perfect chance for me to post. I am going to try to add some pictures too but I forgot my camera so that will have to wait. So here we go...
Thursday we left the Alumni house at about 3:30ish and guess who I got to ride with... Cassie and RUSS. Hooray for 3 people in the small car. Yep, I got stuck in the small car and you all know how I am while driving... Just give me a big red bowl, play the beach boys and I'll take care of my business. Anyway, we arrived in Vegas about 9:30 and headed out to explore the strip. It was nice cause it wasn't very crowded. Not as much people watching but it was nice still. We walked around for a while then headed back to the hotel about 12:45.
Friday morning we left the hotel about 11:00, yes in the same car arrangments, and we headed to this guys business. Jed and Richard were their names and they are both U of U grads so they talked to us for a while. By about 1:30 we were on the road again, making out way to San Diego. We stopped in Barstow... Classic I think. We didn't do any shopping but we did stop at the In-and-Out burger... this was a first for me and let me just say, it was amazing.
We arrived in San Diego at about 6:30, checked into our hotel, and headed out to go grab some dinner. We went to this cute little italian place called Giovanni's. One of the guys knew the owner of the resturant so they totally spoiled us. They kept bringing out pizza after pizza, of all kinds too. We ended up having probably 5 salads, 10 pizzas, and about 8 pitchers of soda between all of us. I've never been treated so well at a resturant before. Oh and they had ESPN on too so I was loving life. After dinner, we took a nice stroll through Old Town. It would have been more fun if anything was open but it was still fun.
Saturday morning Cassie, Sarah Tingey, Liz Bitner, Me, Russ, and Doug Peterson all woke up super early to go do baptisms in the San Diego temple. That was probably one of the best times of the trip. We met back at the hotel and got ready to head to the beach. We had about an hour long training there, wandered around for a bit, then headed out to the basketball game. I honestly don't know what to say about that game... thats going to be a whole different blog. We went to the cheesecake factory after the game and while we were waiting, cassie and I explored the amazing mall.
Once we finally sat down at the cheesecake factory, John Fackler (one of the greatest guys I know by the way, oh and he absolutely loves the Ence family.) informed us that dinner was on the Alumni Association so we should get whatever we wanted. The bill was HUGE. we had all sorts of different appetizers, I had the salmon and potatoes for dinner, and a piece of brownie sunday cheesecake for dessert. I had to get the cheesecake to go though cause I was so full from dinner. That night wasn't so fun after we got back to the hotel... after doing some research, given to me by skitt, I got a virus and was super sick which was no fun.
The Sunday drive home wasn't as bad as I thought it was going to be. I drove home in the Van with Kevin Stoker, Sarah Tingey, and Cassie. I just slept the whole time in the back seat. Thats the run down of the trip... and sorry its so long. This is just how slow it has been at work today so I needed something to do.
Oh and just so you all know, I'm determined to learn how to surf. During the training on sat at the beach, I may have tuned out for most of it because I was watching the surfers... oops. Sorry Russ.
Thursday we left the Alumni house at about 3:30ish and guess who I got to ride with... Cassie and RUSS. Hooray for 3 people in the small car. Yep, I got stuck in the small car and you all know how I am while driving... Just give me a big red bowl, play the beach boys and I'll take care of my business. Anyway, we arrived in Vegas about 9:30 and headed out to explore the strip. It was nice cause it wasn't very crowded. Not as much people watching but it was nice still. We walked around for a while then headed back to the hotel about 12:45.
Friday morning we left the hotel about 11:00, yes in the same car arrangments, and we headed to this guys business. Jed and Richard were their names and they are both U of U grads so they talked to us for a while. By about 1:30 we were on the road again, making out way to San Diego. We stopped in Barstow... Classic I think. We didn't do any shopping but we did stop at the In-and-Out burger... this was a first for me and let me just say, it was amazing.
We arrived in San Diego at about 6:30, checked into our hotel, and headed out to go grab some dinner. We went to this cute little italian place called Giovanni's. One of the guys knew the owner of the resturant so they totally spoiled us. They kept bringing out pizza after pizza, of all kinds too. We ended up having probably 5 salads, 10 pizzas, and about 8 pitchers of soda between all of us. I've never been treated so well at a resturant before. Oh and they had ESPN on too so I was loving life. After dinner, we took a nice stroll through Old Town. It would have been more fun if anything was open but it was still fun.
Saturday morning Cassie, Sarah Tingey, Liz Bitner, Me, Russ, and Doug Peterson all woke up super early to go do baptisms in the San Diego temple. That was probably one of the best times of the trip. We met back at the hotel and got ready to head to the beach. We had about an hour long training there, wandered around for a bit, then headed out to the basketball game. I honestly don't know what to say about that game... thats going to be a whole different blog. We went to the cheesecake factory after the game and while we were waiting, cassie and I explored the amazing mall.
Once we finally sat down at the cheesecake factory, John Fackler (one of the greatest guys I know by the way, oh and he absolutely loves the Ence family.) informed us that dinner was on the Alumni Association so we should get whatever we wanted. The bill was HUGE. we had all sorts of different appetizers, I had the salmon and potatoes for dinner, and a piece of brownie sunday cheesecake for dessert. I had to get the cheesecake to go though cause I was so full from dinner. That night wasn't so fun after we got back to the hotel... after doing some research, given to me by skitt, I got a virus and was super sick which was no fun.
The Sunday drive home wasn't as bad as I thought it was going to be. I drove home in the Van with Kevin Stoker, Sarah Tingey, and Cassie. I just slept the whole time in the back seat. Thats the run down of the trip... and sorry its so long. This is just how slow it has been at work today so I needed something to do.
Oh and just so you all know, I'm determined to learn how to surf. During the training on sat at the beach, I may have tuned out for most of it because I was watching the surfers... oops. Sorry Russ.
Thursday, January 25, 2007
Hey guys
What? Could it really be that I am posting on my first blog ever? What fun this is.
Dave, wow that's passion buddy.
I don't really have much to say I'm just proud of myself for finally figuring this darn thing out.
Dave, wow that's passion buddy.
I don't really have much to say I'm just proud of myself for finally figuring this darn thing out.
Wednesday, January 24, 2007
6 days is too big a space.
Aight Sibbs, lets get to it then.
If Mim and Did are the party poopers(which is why we invited them) then it must needs be that we pick up the slack and run with it.
As stated in the title of my WebLog this week, I think that 6 days inbetween newly posted WebLogs is too long a time. So I am breaking the ice.
I don't have much to Log this time around, but I will say this:
1) I still have a passionate loathesome feeling toward zoobies. It gets me angry just to talk aboot them. I'd better leave it at that.
2) It has come to my attention that Claudio Reyna, formerly of the US Mens National Team, was cut by his club in Manchester (not United), England and has signed a contract with the New York Red Bulls. I say la-dee-freakin-da. Reyna isn't that great a player. The only reason he went to Red Bulls and didn't retire, is that Bruce Arena, also formerly of the US Mens National Team, is the coach. You know what they say...Old coaches like their old players. OK, you caught me, only I say that...and that was the first time I've said it, but you get the idea.
3) While I'm still thinking about soccer (you're right, when do I not think about soccer?) I'd also like to comment on David Beckham coming to the US. Here I go. Becks is possibly the most overrated player and best used marketing tool the MLS has and will ever see. MLS has made a change to the payroll regulations of each team so that each team can accomodate the salary of a bigtime EuroStar. Becks is the first of these, and New York wasted their Star-Spot on Reyna. The Chicago Fire almost lured Zinedine Zidane (who? you know, the headbutt guy). But the keyword there is almost. Like Becks, Zidane would definately put butts in seats and pump money into the Fire's finance department (which would then go straight to Zidane). However, Unlike Becks, Zidane was smart, stayed in retirement, and is still worshipped as one of the best of all time. Becks will diminish his legacy 1) in Europe because he actually came to the US instead of an English club and 2) in the US because fans will realize the golden foot of King Beckham is only there for freekicks (kicks after a foul) and crosses. He's not that fit, he may do well his first season but then teams will start to figure out that all he can do is cross and "bend it" like only he can. Becks=Bust.
I will only be convinced that the MLS is comparable to any Euro league only if Real Salt Lake wins the Cup this year, and Freddy Adu stays. Until then, I will have my sights set across the Atlantic (no Scott, not to China, the other way) and the best and smartest US players will too.
That all I have to say aboot that. Contact me or my assistant(to the) regional manager, Dwight Schrute, for further commentary.
If Mim and Did are the party poopers(which is why we invited them) then it must needs be that we pick up the slack and run with it.
As stated in the title of my WebLog this week, I think that 6 days inbetween newly posted WebLogs is too long a time. So I am breaking the ice.
I don't have much to Log this time around, but I will say this:
1) I still have a passionate loathesome feeling toward zoobies. It gets me angry just to talk aboot them. I'd better leave it at that.
2) It has come to my attention that Claudio Reyna, formerly of the US Mens National Team, was cut by his club in Manchester (not United), England and has signed a contract with the New York Red Bulls. I say la-dee-freakin-da. Reyna isn't that great a player. The only reason he went to Red Bulls and didn't retire, is that Bruce Arena, also formerly of the US Mens National Team, is the coach. You know what they say...Old coaches like their old players. OK, you caught me, only I say that...and that was the first time I've said it, but you get the idea.
3) While I'm still thinking about soccer (you're right, when do I not think about soccer?) I'd also like to comment on David Beckham coming to the US. Here I go. Becks is possibly the most overrated player and best used marketing tool the MLS has and will ever see. MLS has made a change to the payroll regulations of each team so that each team can accomodate the salary of a bigtime EuroStar. Becks is the first of these, and New York wasted their Star-Spot on Reyna. The Chicago Fire almost lured Zinedine Zidane (who? you know, the headbutt guy). But the keyword there is almost. Like Becks, Zidane would definately put butts in seats and pump money into the Fire's finance department (which would then go straight to Zidane). However, Unlike Becks, Zidane was smart, stayed in retirement, and is still worshipped as one of the best of all time. Becks will diminish his legacy 1) in Europe because he actually came to the US instead of an English club and 2) in the US because fans will realize the golden foot of King Beckham is only there for freekicks (kicks after a foul) and crosses. He's not that fit, he may do well his first season but then teams will start to figure out that all he can do is cross and "bend it" like only he can. Becks=Bust.
I will only be convinced that the MLS is comparable to any Euro league only if Real Salt Lake wins the Cup this year, and Freddy Adu stays. Until then, I will have my sights set across the Atlantic (no Scott, not to China, the other way) and the best and smartest US players will too.
That all I have to say aboot that. Contact me or my assistant(to the) regional manager, Dwight Schrute, for further commentary.
Thursday, January 18, 2007
Huge Blogger Fan!!
Okay really... this is way too much fun! I talked to Diddy about this last night and honestly, he seemed less than impressed!! We just need to get him on to see what fun it is and I'm sure he'll be ready to sign right up!! Mim, I'm sure she'd love to do it but we need to get her an email address first. And the Midzo... she's ready to do it but she also needs an email address.
Now as for Divy's comments about being Utes through and through... right on!! Our family hasn't ever really struggled with that but lets be honest, this has been a hard season! I have stuck with them and I know others have too. But according to Ashael, I'm more of a Ute now that one other member of our family but we won't name names, skitt, just so no one feels bad!! If any of them come into the Ucard office, I'll get the down-low of whats going on with the team and let you all know what I hear!!
Now as for Divy's comments about being Utes through and through... right on!! Our family hasn't ever really struggled with that but lets be honest, this has been a hard season! I have stuck with them and I know others have too. But according to Ashael, I'm more of a Ute now that one other member of our family but we won't name names, skitt, just so no one feels bad!! If any of them come into the Ucard office, I'll get the down-low of whats going on with the team and let you all know what I hear!!
Wednesday, January 17, 2007
HA HA HA see I told you! oh, what fun we're having!!!
Dave - congrats on a) joining the blog (which is indeed short for "Web Log" as you so astutely pointed out), b) going crazy with posts and comments over the last couple days - keep up the good work, and c) enlightening us all with a word of warning against prunes (or are they dried plums?) BUT WHAT THE HECK IS A PINEAPPLE TANGO?
I heard a rumor that Wednesday really is named for the many who "Wed" on that day... so I'm extremely proud to be part of a family who appropriately uses the middle day of the week. Good for us - "HEY HO, HERE WE ARE!!!"
I spent a lovely few minutes with Connor and Andrea yesterday, and if you all don't mind, let's please encourage Connor to say "Yummo" about the food he's eating. Not only does he enjoy it, but you can't help but smile yourself when you say it to him in a low, scratchy voice.... which reminds me (imagine me singing in a low, scratchy, rock star voice...) "Her name was Lola, she was a showgirl..." hehehe
Now, just a couple features we can use in this little blog of ours:
1) Each post allows for "Comments" perhaps that's where I should have posted things directly to another "Author" but I wanted to make sure everyone heard what I had to say - so how about everyone get in the habit of reading all the comments related to the post, that way we can comment specifically regarding someone's post, and it will still be enjoyed by all.
2) Dave, I'm not sure how you labeled your post with "Cry for Assistance" but it was simpy genius... I think that directly below the box to type your post is where you label it, no? I'm glad the examples they give are "scooters, vacation, fall" has anyone else noticed this?
Keep up the good work folks. Have a wonderful day!
I heard a rumor that Wednesday really is named for the many who "Wed" on that day... so I'm extremely proud to be part of a family who appropriately uses the middle day of the week. Good for us - "HEY HO, HERE WE ARE!!!"
I spent a lovely few minutes with Connor and Andrea yesterday, and if you all don't mind, let's please encourage Connor to say "Yummo" about the food he's eating. Not only does he enjoy it, but you can't help but smile yourself when you say it to him in a low, scratchy voice.... which reminds me (imagine me singing in a low, scratchy, rock star voice...) "Her name was Lola, she was a showgirl..." hehehe
Now, just a couple features we can use in this little blog of ours:
1) Each post allows for "Comments" perhaps that's where I should have posted things directly to another "Author" but I wanted to make sure everyone heard what I had to say - so how about everyone get in the habit of reading all the comments related to the post, that way we can comment specifically regarding someone's post, and it will still be enjoyed by all.
2) Dave, I'm not sure how you labeled your post with "Cry for Assistance" but it was simpy genius... I think that directly below the box to type your post is where you label it, no? I'm glad the examples they give are "scooters, vacation, fall" has anyone else noticed this?
Keep up the good work folks. Have a wonderful day!
Close...yet so far away!
Seeing as it will become my name in just a few short months...let's have a spelling lesson! Repeat after me! MCDONOUGH! Just teasing divid! My heavens you get so worked up!
Any word from did or mim? (get it...word? this is a blog! Ha! Ok...so it has been a long day!) I know the didzle is anxious to join!
I sure do appreciate all the congratulations sent our way! It is pretty exciting if you ask me! Make sure to block off May 9th on your calendar for the biggest party of the century! (after June 11 2003, and July 19, 2006 of course!) Let's hear it for those Wed. weddings!
Well, that is all I have! Good night now! (if you don't get it listen to AM700 from 11:00 Am to 1:00 PM)
Any word from did or mim? (get it...word? this is a blog! Ha! Ok...so it has been a long day!) I know the didzle is anxious to join!
I sure do appreciate all the congratulations sent our way! It is pretty exciting if you ask me! Make sure to block off May 9th on your calendar for the biggest party of the century! (after June 11 2003, and July 19, 2006 of course!) Let's hear it for those Wed. weddings!
Well, that is all I have! Good night now! (if you don't get it listen to AM700 from 11:00 Am to 1:00 PM)
No Title
I think I am finally good to go on this Web-Log thing. I too would like to add my congrats to the future Mr and Mrs MacDonough. I hope I didn't butcher Brett's last name, sorry.
Anyway, I'll begin this Web-Log with a few recommendations:
1) I'm not sure but I think that dried plums and prunes are the same thing. I was totally stoked about eating a dried plum because I like plums. Little did I know that all that excitment would flow right through me in a very short and unnatural amount of time. Dried plums: Not So Good. I would however recommend the "Pineapple Tango" if you ever get the chance to sample it.
2) As we all know, the Utes beat Air Force (#11 in the Nation). Once again proving every doubter wrong, myself included. Today's Final Recommendation: We may be inconsistent, but that makes a victory taste even sweeter when it happens. We are Utes, so lets show it.
Through thick and thin, good times and bad, upsets and blunders, beating the zoobies and... oh wait we never lose to the zoobies... We are Utes and will be forever and ever.
Anyway, I'll begin this Web-Log with a few recommendations:
1) I'm not sure but I think that dried plums and prunes are the same thing. I was totally stoked about eating a dried plum because I like plums. Little did I know that all that excitment would flow right through me in a very short and unnatural amount of time. Dried plums: Not So Good. I would however recommend the "Pineapple Tango" if you ever get the chance to sample it.
2) As we all know, the Utes beat Air Force (#11 in the Nation). Once again proving every doubter wrong, myself included. Today's Final Recommendation: We may be inconsistent, but that makes a victory taste even sweeter when it happens. We are Utes, so lets show it.
Through thick and thin, good times and bad, upsets and blunders, beating the zoobies and... oh wait we never lose to the zoobies... We are Utes and will be forever and ever.
Tuesday, January 16, 2007
CONGRATULATIONS!!
I guess Skit beat me to it but I also wanted to congradulate Michelle and Brett on their engagement!! May 9th is gonna be so much fun!! Brett is one lucky guy to be with Michelle forever!! Brett is so great... I can't wait to have another brother in the family!! I love you guys!!
Monday, January 15, 2007
So, uh, Michelle - How was your weekend? :)
HA HA HA - what a silly question - of course it was a great weekend, she ate a sat-upon for lunch on Saturday!!!
Alright, alright, all joking aside (for at least the next sentence or two...) -
May the first, official great purpose of the Ence Family blog be this: On behalf of the Scott & Erin Ence family, I would like to congratulate Michelle and Brett on their engagement this weekend, and express to them our love and appreciation for them. Seriously, Michelle you definitely hit a home run - and we all knew that whoever was lucky enough to end up with you would be one luck son of a gun. It just so happens that son of a gun's name is "Bett" and we couldn't be happier. Congratulations you two.
I'll have to put in some paperwork in the very near future to try to get that day off of work - our HR guy is super stingy and lets NOTHING slip through the cracks...
Clearly it was too much to ask to carry on a semi-serious blog posting for very long...
Alright, alright, all joking aside (for at least the next sentence or two...) -
May the first, official great purpose of the Ence Family blog be this: On behalf of the Scott & Erin Ence family, I would like to congratulate Michelle and Brett on their engagement this weekend, and express to them our love and appreciation for them. Seriously, Michelle you definitely hit a home run - and we all knew that whoever was lucky enough to end up with you would be one luck son of a gun. It just so happens that son of a gun's name is "Bett" and we couldn't be happier. Congratulations you two.
I'll have to put in some paperwork in the very near future to try to get that day off of work - our HR guy is super stingy and lets NOTHING slip through the cracks...
Clearly it was too much to ask to carry on a semi-serious blog posting for very long...
Friday, January 12, 2007
Did my post work this time??
I think I finally figured out how to make my own post... but I guess we'll have to wait and see if it really works or not!!
New little Blogger!
Well look at this would you! Here we are....blogging! Ha! Now we just wait for everyone else! Come on guys!
Thursday, January 11, 2007
Welcome to the Ence Family blog!
After some tinkering around with different things, I've decided to make the leap and form an Ence Family blog.
Hopefully you'll get a chance in the near future to sign up and become an author yourself!
I'll administer the blog - let me know if you have any questions, problems, or recommendations!
Let the fun and games begin!!!
Hopefully you'll get a chance in the near future to sign up and become an author yourself!
I'll administer the blog - let me know if you have any questions, problems, or recommendations!
Let the fun and games begin!!!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)