Family Update

Recently, our Stake Seminary students gathered to present a re-enactment of the Kirtland Temple dedication. With the help of their seminary teachers and other Stake leaders they presented both a historical narration explaining the events that occurred at the original dedication on March 27, 1836, and they presented some of the original events that took place that day. Scott was asked to play the role of Joseph Smith Jr. Prior to his reading selected parts of the Dedicatory Prayer, he had to give, in his own words, what the Prophet Joseph might have said prior to his giving the Dedicatory Prayer. The words that Joseph actually gave are not recorded and so Scott had to consider and deliver what he thought Joseph might have said. Three other boys playing the roles of Hyrum, Oliver and Sidney also gave their ideas of what might have been said.

Here are Scott's words:
Brothers and Sisters, I welcome you to this most joyous occasion, the equal of which has not been seen since the days when our Beloved Saviour Himself walked the earth. For nearly two millennia, our Lord has had no building to call His Home, no place to come visit His people and comfort them with His Spirit. I thank you for the many sacrifices laid down at the altar to complete this immense undertaking, and assure you that you will be blessed for doing so. The saving ordinances necessary for salvation may now be performed in a sanctified House, one that will shortly be dedicated to the Lord's Kingdom here on earth, as well as in the Spirit World. These blessings will not be received by us alone, but also by the many souls who have already left this life to live in the next, and by the millions throughout the world who will learn of the Gospel of Christ and come to be saved. The building of temples will continue as this church grows, and I would remind you that our sacrifices are not done. We will have no rest given us by the adversary, but we may be comforted in the knowledge that the darker the night, the more glorious the day. And how glorious that day will be, when all of us gathered here can stand before the Lord and testify that these hands built His Sacred House, and this heart served him for all our days.

Doug recently participated in the United States Open Music Competition. This was something new for our family, so here is a short synopsis of what took place. The competition lasted for 5 days with several events and hundreds of participants each day. It took place in Oakland, California at the LDS Temple site. There is a multi-stake building there with multiple chapels, an auditorium and lots of space and parking. Seven Steinway pianos were brought in and set up in various rooms. The participants were primarily Chinese American. We saw only one other Caucasian boy and when looking through the list of competitors I could not identify many names other than Chinese. My guess is that is was 95% Chinese. His teacher indicated that while many students are American, there are some who come from the mainland of China for this event. Doug chose a difficult category and competed at the intermediate level. He played a Scarlatti Sonata and Liszt' Liebestraum. He was rewarded with a 4th place finish. Immediately afterwards he was disappointed. But I sat in and listened to the other participants and was amazed that their talent. His teacher was very please that he was recognized and so I think Doug is now happier with his accomplishment. Doug practiced several hours each day for the past few months and he plays so beautifully. My video of him playing wasn't in focus - but here is a picture of him sitting at the piano playing Coldplay and duets with his cousin Ty.

Thomas completed his competitive soccer league a couple of weeks ago. We have never had our boys play on a traveling team, but at the end of the regular soccer season, Tommy wanted to try out and we felt like he needed to have something that was special about him, something that he was good at. So he tried out, made the team and we have had practices all winter. The games are played up and down the Valley and into the Foothills. I really enjoyed traveling on Saturdays with Tom and watching his games. Matt and I applied the "divide and conquer" method of parenting and so each had some days with just Tom while the other parent took care of the rest of the gang. He played really well, if fact his team was so good they made it to the championship game. Unfortunately, it was on a Sunday. Although Thomas was sad to miss the game, he was great about missing it and going to church instead. This has happened to him twice now and I'm glad for him to be experiencing what it means to make a righteous choice. Kudos to the Primary counselor who showed up later that afternoon with a plate full of soccer sugar cookies just for Thomas and congratulated him on his good choice.

There were only a handful of entrants but Emily won the kindergarten speech festival. About a week later, she stood up in a school assembly and repeated her poem for all the students. She looked so nervous but she stood right at the microphone a said it perfect. I laughed out loud all day long.

I don't have any wonderful accomplishments to share about Matt and I and you can check out Karin and Ben on their blog. Here is a true story: the other day I was so tired after getting the kids to school that when I pulled into the garage I sat in the car and closed my eyes. I woke up 40 minutes later with a terrible kink in my neck and wished that I had at least stuumbled into my bed for a 8:30am nap.