“I have not yet begun to fight…”

“I have not yet begun to fight…” Capt John Paul Jones

When I was growing up…I loved history and one of the most admirable individual I have always enjoyed reading about was Capt John Paul Jones.

I do not really know why...but I have always been drawn to him…I do know that I admire his determination and his willing to never give up no matter what the odds are… There is one event in his life that has always inspired me to the point that I believe it has been embedded in me… It was during the naval battle with the British Ship HMS Serapis where he was asked by the British Captain if the USS Bonhomme Richard was ready to strike their colors. Capt John Paul Jones replied…”I have not yet begun to fight” and he went on to win the battle by seizing the HMS Serapis and in the mean time the USS Bonhomme Richard sunk

Through out my life I have always had had a determination not to “strike” my colors…and always fight till the end...for those who live in the gospel of Jesus Christ it is called “endure to the end”.

Well this week was a VERY challenging for me to the point that I came VERY close to striking my colors…it all started on Monday and has not yet ended...however I do see the light at the end of the tunnel and I am sure it is not a speeding train. The challenges I had this week have been spiritual, home, and work…there have been time I was not sure if I can get out of the water without drowning. I have said A LOT of prayers to my Heavenly Father and tugged my wife’s ear and my friends…who all I appreciate greatly...I have felt that my Heavenly Father’s love and strength this week specially the past day.

I know that my Heavenly Father does love me and has blessed my life by having Lyn come into my life and the friends that I have….

I hope and pray as we continue sailing our ship and being the Capt of that ship that we never strike our colors…

Let it all out....from the Heart

I have been going back and forth for some time what to write on my blog. This surprises me that it really has been a HUGE struggle for me…because of many reasons. You ask my family they would tell you in a heart beat that I am not bashful expressing my thoughts and throwing in my 2 cents into the hat...and than there those who will tell you also in a heart beat that I need to kept my thoughts and feelings close to my heart.

This week has been an interesting week for me…

My Kids…
I love my kids very much, which I feel like the most blessed father on earth to have them in my life and I would do anything for them. But there is one thing I cannot do for them is take their pain upon my shoulders so that I can ease their lives so that all they can have is joy. As I type this a thought came to my mind of our Savior… Jesus Christ, and what he has managed to accomplish. He was able to provide an opportunity for us to let him take the pain off our shoulders and carry that load for us. I am SO grateful that he has been able to do that for us. I understand even more so now how He feels when he see us in pain and we do not take advantage of letting Him carry that load for us or even take it away from us for every.

My Beautiful Wife…
She is my strength, joy, and best friend…I am SO grateful for her strength, council, and encouragement that she provides from me. I would be lost without her…and I thank my Heavenly Father very day for blessing my life for letting her have the patience to deal with me and truly understand me. She has been by my side now for just over 23 years…and man oh man she can still deal with me…..LOL

My faith…
I am so grateful that Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ has asked me to serve my fellow brother and sisters in the ward....this past week I have felt the prayers from them (it really hits you hard when you personally hear the prayer than being told that we are praying for you) and have had many opportunities to visit with quite a few of my brothers and sisters in the Gospel this past week. On many occasions, I have felt very humble and honored to be in their presents because of their faithfulness, and dedication they have in loving and following our Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ. It is a wonderful experience to see the Light of Christ in their lives and I REALLY enjoy the children…they really light up my live.

This week has been a week with it positives and negatives…and I have taken a big step publicly sharing my thoughts and feelings. WOW

Give a try....

Hi all....I have been thinking about doing this, not sure how this will turn out.