Musings of an Aging Man

My title of the blog is kind of weird but is how I am feeling tonight. I have been fighting a cold for the last week or so and also have a sore right shoulder. For the last few nights, I have been sleeping wrong or something and my shoulder and neck are quite painful. I think I am sleeping wrong because of my cold and all the drainage associated with this cold.

So, after five months of not blogging, I have been musing about some things. I thought I would share my thoughts.

A week ago, I attended the Saturday afternoon leadership meeting. One of the speakers spoke about accountability and stewardship. He shared a story about growing up on a farm. One Monday morning, his Dad had all three of his boys in front of 668 rows of peanut plants. "Boys, this is a peanut plant. Next to it is a weed. By the side is some grass. Pull everything out except the peanut plant. Today is Monday. By Friday, you should be completed with all these rows. When you think you are done, come get me and I will check your work." What a great story. It is even better because I knew the father and two of the sons. That was a wonderful story on stewardship and accountability.

Another speaker asked a question Saturday night, "What is the number one challenge to the family." I thought about it. I remembered a comment my daughter Rachel had on one of her blogs. She was quoting another person who was asked the same question. That response is the same I would give. "I am the number one problem or challenge for my family." Why? Because if I am not doing what I should, then I am a danger to my family. I read an article recently asking where all the fathers are in America. I know we have some really good fathers and we shouldn't over generalize. But, we have lots of fathers who are missing in action. Their absence weakens the family, the community and the nation. At some point, fathers need to make a decision. What is more important to me? Being with my family or watching sports or TV all the time? What is more important to me? Playing games on the computer or surfing the Internet or my family? What is more important to me? My family or going out with the guys for a night out? I think my message is easy to understand. This applies to me too. Where do I value my family with all of my interests, tasks, duties and responsibilities?

Sometimes when you do family history, you are shocked with the results. Did that skeleton really exist in my family's past? Yep--it sure did.

My wife is beautiful. She is the strength of our family. Boy, was I lucky and blessed she said Yes.


Sometimes when young men or women want to go on missions, they face tremendous obstacles or hurdles to get to that wonderful day of being a full time missionary. We need to pray for all who are striving to go on missions. The adversary will do everything possible to be a stumbling block or roadblock.

I told my wife recently that I worry more now about my children than when they were in our home every day. Lesson learned--parenting never stops and challenges always come and seem to be getting more difficult. Stay faithful girls. Don't yield to pressures or challenges.

I am so grateful to have a job. Better yet, I am so grateful to have a job that I love.

Walking is good for the spirit, the body and the mind. I prefer to walk without any headset (or iPod, etc) so that I can think and ponder about issues I am currently facing. No music or words to disrupt. Amazing what solutions I have come up with while doing this.

Popcorn better be in the next life or I will be disappointed beyond belief.