Psyched up for HDTV

The DISH guys were at our house this morning installing a new dish and receiver. I knew we were getting a new receiver but I didn't know that we'd be getting a new dish too. I was very grateful that Steve was working from home and could answer all their tech questions AND that he could bring up our VHL (very heavy ladder) so that they could climb up by the roof to do said installation.

I'm not sure what all the hype for HDTV is about...but I do know that the new seasons of Psych and Monk start tonight - so I'm willing to give it a go.

Mama Bear and Baby Bear

Danny got a "netbook" a couple of weeks ago - it's cute and lightweight. He has been using it to do his schoolwork on this week - which is nice. He had been borrowing Steve's laptop to bring out to the kitchen table - since his desktop computer was not very mobile. Today was the first time I brought my laptop out to the table to work on while Danny was working on his.

Danny's computer reminds me of those cool glasses that cool people wear. You know, the small skinny ones.....

...that would make my computer the equivalent of Jackie O's sunglasses. I'm okay with that, at least the screen size is large enough to let my 49 year old eyes read my email.

It's Raining, it's pouring...

Actually, I think the rain has taken a brief break.

The boys took our wheelbarrow into the back yard on December 22nd - so that they could build a bigger snow ramp for the grandkids. It hasn't moved since. It looks fairly full of water - a combination of melted snow and steady rain.

That same combination of melting snow and heavy rain is playing havoc with Western Washington right now. All the passes are closed. I-5 south is closed. Many school districts around the state are closed. This on top of snow closures. The required make-up days are sure adding up fast.

I wonder if this is Mother Nature's way of voting for year-round school? At this rate the kids who attend brick and mortar schools won't be out of school until July. Not us. Yet another advantage of going to a virtual school.

Object Lesson...

My seminary lesson today included the account of the miracle of the water changed to wine.

John 2
1 And the third day there was a marriage in Cana of Galilee; and the mother of Jesus was there:
2 And both Jesus was called, and his disciples, to the marriage.
3 And when they wanted wine, the mother of Jesus saith unto him, They have no wine.
4 Jesus saith unto her, Woman, what have I to do with thee? mine hour is not yet come.
5 His mother saith unto the servants, Whatsoever he saith unto you, do it.
6 And there were set there six waterpots of stone, after the manner of the purifying of the Jews, containing two or three firkins apiece.
7 Jesus saith unto them, Fill the waterpots with water. And they filled them up to the brim.
8 And he saith unto them, Draw out now, and bear unto the governor of the feast. And they bare it.
9 When the ruler of the feast had tasted the water that was made wine, and knew not whence it was: (but the servants which drew the water knew;) the governor of the feast called the bridegroom,
10 And saith unto him, Every man at the beginning doth set forth good wine; and when men have well drunk, then that which is worse: but thou hast kept the good wine until now.
11 This beginning of miracles did Jesus in Cana of Galilee, and manifested forth his glory; and his disciples believed on him.

We didn't make wine, but we did make purple water. I was not willing to invest in potable beverages...I purchased my "stone waterpot" at Goodwill and while I love shopping there, I won't buy plastic food containers.

"Ah, but your "waterpot" is made of glass," you say...

To that I answer: "yes, but not the spout."

It all goes back to a regrettable incident many years ago involving a Colman beverage thermos (1 or 2 gallon) and a lost kitten.

'Nuff said.

Resolved.

Taking it to 11.

We planned to work on goals for our first FHE of the new year. I decided to grab the bull by the horns and get mine ready. First, a look back at last year's goals. How did I do? Of the 10 that I had, I completed 4, made good progress on 4 and totally bombed on 2. I'll give myself a B- (I'm an easy grader - it's a good thing that I don't have to grade very much of Daniel's schoolwork).

Not only did I type up 10 (new and recycled) goals, but I made up a weekly tracking page (yes, I like quantifiable goals - none of those "be a better person" goals for me), printed them up 4 to a page, cut them, and bound them in a book. It may only be a pathetic attempt to fool myself into thinking that they are more official...but hey, I'll take any advantage I can get.

Our Man in Japan

Seishinryoku

(Spiritual Strength)

Dear Family and Friends,

I already typed this email but right as I was finishing the computer restarted so this will be the shorter version...

This past Sunday Maria was finally baptized. Things went well with that. She should be confirmed next week. If anyone is ever asked to schedule a baptismal service for a convert make sure that you communicate with the missionaries. If the missionaries say `The baptismal service should be at 2 PM` make sure to schedule it then and not at 1:20 PM. It might not seem like a big difference but when people such as the mission president, other missionaries, the person receiving baptism, and investigators were told it was at 2 PM then it causes difficulties. Anyways... It worked out and I`m happy about the baptism but I`m also happy it`s over.

Monday was pretty good. We had a good zone conference. That`s where about half the mission gets together and receives training. Every area/companionship received cell phones. It should be cheaper and more effective. Cheaper because Japan has never heard of free or even cheap local calling but with cell phones we`re all in the same family plan so calling each other should be free. More effective because we`re not in our apartment most of the day.

Thank you everyone for your letters, and the pictures. Any suggestions for a missionary giving a talk on setting goals? Or does anyone know what the sacrament meeting topic is for January 18th, I`m not sure whether it`s the same everywhere or not though. I`d just like to read what the theme and sub-theme are in English rather than Kanji. Alrighty, that`s it I guess. Feel free to ask questions if you ever are curious about things.

Sincerely,

Elder West.

All The World's A Stage...

The whole world may not be a stage, but I have one on my dining room table.

We had a little spare time left when Danny had finished his regular classes this afternoon, so he worked on a model of the Globe Theatre . We haven't had the lesson on it yet - that will be in a day or two, but in the meantime we've got a head start on it.

If you'd like to make your own fancier model check out the one on Papertoys.com.