Monday Memory Moment

It was the summer of 1999. I had moved into into my first apartment. (yeah, that was ten years ago) I needed a desk. I had a jigsaw book shelf. I want to say my sister had just made a jigsaw table (or two). With those in mind I designed a desk that would use one 8'x4' piece of plywood.

My father suggested I should use a thicker piece of particle board. Knowing mee I would want to sit or stand on it. I need something that would support my weight.

With supplies in tow to Granddad's house we go...he had all the good tools in his garage. These tools included a straight edge for cutting 4'x8' boards. How sweet is that?

In one afternoon my particle board turned into a desk. A very heavy, sturdy desk at that.

I still had some pink and purple paint left over from painting my shelves. I did want my room to be color coordinated. So... here you have it....

While I was in Moscow the desk maintained this look. Since that time the pink and purple polka dots have been covered with different patterns contact paper.

As for being sturdy. It has not only been used to stand on sit on, but also supported one end of my bed for 9 months. It is about the height of two cinder blocks. This provided for a high bed and good storage in small places. I mainly used the shelves for food storage items. My roommate Tracy found this humorous and would show people on their tours of the house. I don't she was laughing when I was able to produce what she needed from them...

2009: With roommates moving in I decided to move the desk from the "office" into the front room. I was also done with the contact paper.  It was time for a paint job.

As I was preparing the desk for painting I thought of making it those ten years ago. The opportunity I had to work along side my dad, and his dad. I have a better desk than I had planned because of there experience earned wisdom. I also realized that was the last real time I got to spend with my Granddad. Thanks Dad and Granddad...

Who you know...

The phase "It's now what you know, it's who you know that matters", use to really irritate mee. One of the most important thinks I learned is college, it is true.

Although it still irritated mee, I was a little more comfortable with the concept. I have also seen the benefits of knowing the right people.

As I recently reflected on this thought a new one came to mee.

St. John 17:3 And this is life eternal, that they might know thee the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom thou hast sent.

 

A couple of verses on how we come to know God and Christ:

Mosiah 5:13 For how knoweth a man the master whom he has not served, and who is a stranger unto him, and is far from the thoughts and intents of his heart?

St. John7:17 If any man will do his will, he shall know of the doctrine, whether it be of God, or whether I speak of myself.

Monday Memory Moment

I don't recall when it started. I cannot say he was perfect and read everyday. For the effort, and the blessings, it was worth it. Each morning before school my dad read to us from the scriptures. I remember him Reading from The Book of Mormon. I don't know how many times he read it to us.

After one time of finishing The Book of Mormon he decided he wanted a change. He decided to read us The Bible Story.

We had a ten Volume Set. The Bible stories were beautifully told and illustrated. As you might imagine we were not very awake, if at all, as Dad read to us at 6:00 every morning.

There is one morning I remember well. I believe I was in high school. Although I am sure the whole family was around, I remember Dad and my older sister. The story he read:

"Stories of Queen Esther."

That morning, while sitting around a kitchen table, I learned to love Queen Esther. Her beauty, her faith, her courage tell us that with God nothing is impossible. And maybe, like Esther, I came "to the kingdom for such a time as this."

I am grateful Dad took the opportunity to read The Bible Stories to us. As a missionary I had the opportunity to teach Bible stories to companions who were as new to Christianity. I believe I wouldn't have loved the Bible Stories if it wasn't for this time.

Thanks, Dad