The Age of a Man -- Reflection on the Advancing Years

May 29th, 1940.  That was a long, long time ago.  At least it seems so to me at this point in my life.

Life has been an adventure, with many opportunities to learn and to do.  It has come with its share of challenges and sorrows, but also with many experiences over which to rejoice.  I've made my share of mistakes along the way, but for the most part I have learned from  them and have become a  better person.  As the years have gone by I have tried to lose myself in the service of others, of late this has been to those living and those who have already gone ahead.  Sometimes it seems to me that there is very little, if any difference.  There is still much to learn and much to be done and I am grateful that these processes never end.  I strive each day to be a disciple of the Lord and do what he wants me to do.  I know that I come up short more often than I should, but I also know that in conforming my will to his brings me the greatest joy.  This year I reached the ripe old age of 72.  I was reminded of the visit of the Savior to the Nephites in ancient American as recorded in 3 Nephi: 28:1-3.

1 And it came to pass when Jesus had said these words, he spake unto his disciples, one by one, saying unto them: What is it that ye^adesire of me, after that I am gone to the Father?

2 And they all spake, save it were three, saying: We desire that after we have lived unto the age of man, that our ministry, wherein thou hast called us, may have an end, that we may speedily come unto thee in thy kingdom.

3 And he said unto them: Blessed are ye because ye desired this thing of me; therefore, after that ye are ^aseventy and two years old ye shall come unto me in my ^bkingdom; and with me ye shall find ^crest.

 I find my self in much the same frame of mind as they did.  They were given a promise that when they had lived unto the "age of a man" they would be taken into his kingdom where they would find rest.  Sometimes, I too feel like I am ready for this state of rest.  I have my share of the common aches and pains that come with the advancing years.  I also feel a sense of joy to know what I know and to see what I see, especially as it pertains to my children and their families, who are doing such a marvelous job of teaching their own children (my grandchildren) to do what is right and to make the most of life's experiences.  I appreciate their love for Iris and me as their parents and rejoice in the fact that we yet live and can enjoy so much of what they do from day to day.

     I know not how many years remain for me on this earth.  I have reached "the age of a man".  Each additional year I shall cherish as a bonus, a chance to make up for some of the mistakes I've made along the way.  I hope I can put my remaining days to good use, and especially that when the time comes for me to move on, I will not be looked upon as a detriment or a stumbling block in the lives of those I've come to know  and learned to love.   There is so much I would like to do and so many I'd like to help, if only I could or they would.   I am reminded of a line from the book/movie,

ARiver Runs Through It.

Reverend McClain:

Each one of us here today will at one time in our lives look upon a loved one who is in need and ask the same question: We are willing help, Lord, but what, if anything, is needed? For it is true we can seldom help those closest to us. Either we don't know what part of ourselves to give or, more often than not, the part we have to give is not wanted. And so it is those we live with and should know who elude us. But we can still love them - we can love completely without complete understanding."

This approaches the greatest of all virtues, Charity, the pure love of Christ. My desire is to develop this great attribute so that when my day of rest shall come it will not be said: "He lived and died in vain."

Bear Lake Monster Run Tribute to Mothers

This article appeared on KSL.com recently. Written by Amy Donaldson

GARDEN CITY, Rich County — As we pushed up the dirt trail, a hot wind blew past our faces.

The sun was beating down on us and it promised to make the latter part of our half marathon much tougher than even the hills around Bear Lake could. I felt the altitude difference right away. We started the race at about 5,900 feet and ran up and around 6,900 feet. I was huffing and puffing and trying desperately to keep moving one foot in front of the other for the first couple miles of the race.

As often happens in long-distance races, I had met a friend whose company was making the miles (and hills) much more enjoyable.

Candice Eborn and Amy Donaldson finish the Bear Lake Monster Half Marathon, held over the Memorial Day weekend. Eborn ran for her mother, Cathy Pope, who died in 2010. (Photo: Extra Mile Racing)

Candice Pope Eborn hadn't planned to run the Bear Lake Monster Half Marathon, but some gentle prodding from her brother-in-law, the founder of the race and the friend who'd invited me to run, convinced her to upgrade from the 10K to the half marathon just minutes before the race.

Her original plan was to run the Bear Lake Half Marathon on June 9 to honor her mother, Cathy Pope, who'd passed away in October 2010. That was a road race that traveled around the shores of the lake, while this was a trail run — her first trail run of this distance. (And there is another version of the trail half marathon on Sept. 1.)

Candice didn't mention her plan or her mom until we'd finished most of our first loop (about six miles). That's when the run starts to hurt. That's when the tank starts to feel so empty you consider sucking down Gu, a food of questionable consistency but absolute necessity in endurance sports.

That's when the reasons for running become as important to me as the training and preparation. I told her about the first race I ran for someone else and how I didn't dare walk because of the name I'd scrawled on my bib number.

That's when we started to talk about Cathy. First it was her flower garden, and how it needed some attention. Then it was the fact that Cathy had decided she needed to get into better shape at 58 so she gave up Diet Coke and started walking on her lunch break.  Her children were impressed when Cathy and Howard Pope purchased bikes and began navigating the small town on two wheels. And then she had an accident on her bike that required ankle surgery. Cathy was at home alone on a Sunday morning in October 2010 when a blood clot ended her life far too early.

A runner enjoys the scenic beauty of the Bear Lake Monster Half Marathon, held over the Memorial Day weekend. (Photo: Extra Mile Racing)     Candice gave me pieces of Cathy along the 13 miles that helped me more than I expressed to her. Some things runners feel together more than discuss with each other, especially when the miles are hard. She painted a picture of Cathy Pope as a strong, dedicated and loving mom. She spoke of how proud she was of her father for learning to bake bread and keep house after losing his wife.

But what impressed me most about my mother-in-law was how she held onto her sense of humor under the most difficult circumstances, how she valued her friends and family, and how she expressed gratitude for just about anything and everything, including the ability to share a soft shell taco with her harried daughter-in-law.

Her gratitude overwhelmed me and still inspires me. And so I thought of her as we approached the last big hill of what was a scenic but challenging course. "One more beautiful hill," I huffed. "Let's do this one for your mom." I didn't wear a watch, so I think the hill was around mile 10 or 11. At least that's what it felt like. Candice said nothing but we both picked up the pace a bit. Our breathing was labored, our steps deliberate, and as we approached the halfway point, I realized I would be walking right now if I hadn't suggested we dedicate this stretch to Cathy Pope. I thought of Marge and how she showed me the way gratitude can transform the mundane into a gift. And I silently asked for her help.

"Thank you, Marge, for loving me and now, if you don't mind, I need a little push," I said in my mind.

We got to the top and Candice's husband took our picture. We high-fived, had some Powerade and headed back down the hill, which we viewed as our reward for climbing the 800 feet to the top.

And somewhere in the downhill, as we reveled in our "desert," we both admitted we wouldn't have made it to the top if we hadn't dedicated the climb to Cathy.

It is fitting, I think, that we gave her mother the hardest part of the race because clearly she inspired her daughter to find beauty in life's challenges.  Candice said she chose to run a half marathon for her mother because her mother was getting into shape, she was changing her life for the better and she was encouraging her children to live healthier lives.

Cathy offered her children a gift, even as she faced her own struggles, and Candice wrapped her heart around it. I know she would be proud of how tough her girl is, just as I know Marge would be proud to know that I am grateful every day that I have the strength to tackle any hill life may offer.

A Wonderful Temple Birthday 2012

For the past several years I have not really looked forward to my birthday except for the fact that it comes in May, which is one of my favorite months.  I have always loved the spring time when the sun is warm, the flowers are blooming and the birds are singing.  The years, however, seem to pass all to rapidly, and lately they tend to bring with them a few more aches and pains than when I was young.  Getting old is not all that fun, but then again even that has some advantages.

This year was a little different though.  For the past several weeks I have been looking forward to May 29th,  not because it's my birthday, but because JT's bride to be was coming to the beautiful Logan Temple to receive her Endowment prior to their wedding on June 1st.  Last night we had the great opportunity to be with Jason and Rene, JT and Amber, and her parents and grandparents.  It was a wonderful night in the Temple and when we came outside the weather conditions were perfect and the Temple and the Cache Valley were just spectacularly beautiful.  The only thing that could top it was they way we all felt inside.  It was wonderful for us to be with our eldest son and his eldest son, (three generations) in the House of the Lord.  We are so blessed.  We all had a wonderful night. Now it's on to the Bountiful Temple and the beginning of the rest of eternity for JT and Amber.  We are well pleased that they are apart of the family.

JT and Amber on their way to TOGETHER FOREVER.

Bear Lake Monster Run

The fabled Bear Lake Monster has grown legs and multiplied and can be seen these days not plying the frigid waters of Bear Lake, but running in the foothills overlooking the Bear Lake Marina just a couple of miles north of Garden City.  Today runners could be seen enjoying a beautiful Bear Lake morning before the afternoon storm hit and cooled everything down and veiled the lake in misty shrouds of clouds.  There was a half-marathon division, a ten K and also a 5 K run.  Something for everyone.  The reports were that everyone had a great time and were thrilled with their Bear Lake Monster Shirts and Medallions.  The best news was that their were no serious mishaps along the course of the runs.

Jared was the mastermind of this event and from all reports, he did an outstanding job of putting everything together and making this a great memory for all the participants.  We caught him, just after the events concluded at the Worldmark Resort.  He has several other events scheduled for later in the summer and the fall.  We think it's great that he has taken the initiative to encourage physical fitness, family memories, and appreciation for the beautiful Bear Lake Valley in this way.  We hope he can enjoy the efforts he puts into this.  He's been in many races and other events like these so he's not going into this little enterprise not knowing what it takes to make an outstanding experience for everyone involved. He didn't want to pose for a picture, but we at least got this one.  Thanks, Jared.

Shana and the kids were there to support and assist.  Stepehen came and manned a station as a volunteer.  Candice ran the half marathoin, while, Mason, Halle, and Gabi all particiapted in the shorter events.  TheY looked mightY cool wearing their Bear Lake Monster Shirts and nice medalions for having participated.  We were happy to catch what little bit of the action we could.

Three Little Bear Lake Monters, Sam, Melissa, and Emily

The next big event in The Bear Lake Monster Century, a 100 mile bike ride through some of the scenic and historic areas around Bear Lake in both Idaho and Utah.  This event will be held on June 30, 2012 beginning and ending in Montpelier, Idaho.  BE THERE.  YOU WONT REGRET IT.

Sights of Sunday, 20 May 2012

Across parts of the western United States a rare occurrence int the early evening sky took place.  It was an Annular Eclipse of the Sun, the first to be seen in the continental United States in more than twenty years.  The sky was mostly clear  so I thought I'd like to try my luck at a picture of this wonder in the heavens.  I found a spot on the bench in River Heights where the view of the Logan Temple and the soon to be setting sun lined up and went out to try my little experiment.  I knew what it would look like already because it has been all over the Internet for a week or so, but I wanted to see for myself.  Unfortunately I wasn't really well prepared and not wanting to follow quite in the footsteps of the great Galileo, I was cautious not to risk my eyesight for a momentary visual thrill.  We did make some pin holes in a piece of cardboard and were able to see the eclipse taking place at least to some degree by looking through these tiny holes at the bright sun.  I have long been amazed at the beauty and the power of the Sun, and have come to realize in pondering it's power and majesty an even greater power and majesty, The SON, even the Son of God.  How grateful I am for the Sun and the SON from whence light and life come.

These pictures show what I went to see.  The Annular Eclipse of the Sun, The Ring of Fire.

I could see it vauglely through our little pin hole viewers, but photographing something this bright proved nore difficult, at least with my amateur equipment.

Unforseen heavenly beauty.

These pictures are my best effort at capturing this special event.  The bottom photo shows the Logan Temple in the shadows of the Solar Eclipse at about 7:30 PM early Sunday evening.  It seemed like the sun was getting a false start in its nightly setting on the western horizon  The wonders of the Earth and sky never cease to amaze me and gratitude fills my heart and soul each day for the blessings of sight and things so beautiful to see.  The picture was not just what I had hoped for, but nonetheless very beautiful in my view.

The sky has been full of wonders  this month.  The full moon in May 2012  was a "Super Moon".  Here you see a picture of the Logan Temple whith the moon rising beside it into the night sky.  I waited up until nearly midnight for this photo. Beauty next to beauty.

Happy to Be Together

They say, "You can't pick your relatives, but you can pick your friends.  Here are a couple of relatives who are friends and enjoy being together.

Ada and Annika, Happy girls.

A Day with Ethan and Hayden

Friday night we had Justin and Chalisa's sweet kids spend the night with us.  It was fun to have them around.  On Saturday I took Ethan to his soccer game.  He said they hadn't won a game all season.  Well, such is no longer the case.  They won 7-4 and Ethan was the go to guy scoring four goals all by himself.  It could have been six with just a little bit of luck.  I thought he did awesome and I was very glad to be there and see him do so well.  He seems to have all the right instincts for the game.  I was proud of him.

Our budding soccer star.

In the afternoon we went looking for fossils.  I'm not all that familiar with the fossil sites around Cache Valley so we did a little  Internet research and decided to go up Spring Hollow.  It is located up Logan Canyon about six miles.  We made a short hike and found that the bridge along the trail was out so we just looked along the stream and hillsides below the bridge.  I wouldn't say that we made a killing as far as found fossils are concerned, but we did find some and we had a good time in the outdoors together.  They are good boys and fun for Grandpa to be with.

Ethan and Hayden resting in Spring Hollow.

Samuel's Baptism

Last Saturday we had the opportunity to go down to Murray and be with Jared and his sweet family for Samuel's baptism.  The time has flown and it hardly seems possible that he is already eight years old.  He is a bright and energetic young man and has three adoring sister.  Of course, his parents are very proud of him too.  He does well in school and is even learning Chinese.  I found out along time ago that learning a new language is best done at a young age.  Who knows another ten years might find him sharing his testimony of the gospel in Beijing or some other Chinese city.  He is growing and progressing in so many ways.  That's what all of us strive to do, I think.  We are proud of Sam and happy to be his grandpparents.  Jared and Shana appreciated those who went out of their way to make this day a special day in Sam's life.