Our house is a little cramped, so I’ve been trying to solve that problem. Along the way, I opened up the wall between the dining and family rooms on the main floor.

I feel like the change has given us a little more space, but it’s only the beginning.

So, I met an older gentleman in Costco a few weeks ago name Barry. It turns out he’s a builder. I started talking with at the store cause I remembered playing basketball against him and his sons years ago in a Lehi city league. Barry came by the house last night to give an estimate to make my opening wider and taller, and opening another passage to the kitchen where the ovens now sit.

During our visit Barry maintained a confused look on his face. Eventually he shared his concern with me. He said he felt confusion about the project; in his heart he felt what I was asking him wasn’t solving the real problems my family has with the space. He invited me to start over with my plan and take the situation Father in Heaven for help. This isn’t what I expected when I invited Barry over, but I was open enough to listen.

Barry was right; there is a lot of confusion between Paula and me as to how to make the house more functional. I appreciate Barry being sensitive to the Spirit of the Lord in this situation and sharing his unorthodox recommendations with me. I feel like the Lord spoke through Barry to me. I’m going to start over and let the Lord lead.

After Barry left, Paula asked why he had come over. I told her about my desire to get an estimate. She was confused as she thought we weren’t doing those changes. I was confused because I thought Paula’s desire to change the flooring meant continue with the other changes to the main floor. I’m going to focus only on the floor for now and see where that leads us.

Molly graduated from Westlake High School this year. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, all the fun celebratory events a senior looks forward to were cancelled; prom included. What a sad ending to all the years of hard work. Molly crushed all her classes high school classes and finished with a 4.0 GPA, top 5%, and top 23. She is truly amazing.

It was decided (I can’t remember whose idea it was) that we would celebrate Molly’s awesomeness by hosting a backyard prom. She invited 10 couples, arranged to use the Mitton’s backyard, and worked with the Pitchers to decorate. Paula was in charge of the food and desserts. I was assigned renting a dance floor, hanging lights, and providing a sound system with karaoke.

Prom was held Saturday evening, 23 May 2020. It was a huge success. We setup all afternoon and the couples arrived about 5p for pictures. Dinner, catered by Mo’ Bettahs, started at about 6:30p and was delicious. Karaoke broke out before the meal ended and dancing was enjoyed until cleanup at 10p.

I’ve been thinking about goals for a number of weeks. This morning, I wrote them down. It’s like they aren’t real until you do that; at least that’s my experience.

The impression I had in regards to Walker this morning is to not respond to anything he does. I need to start by learning to catch myself before jumping in ferociously into situations. I think this is the first step.

Walker and I bought groceries today at Costco. We got out to the car to load all the items in the van and the thought came to me to check the receipt for the items on the bottom of the cart. Those items were boxes of milk jugs. Sure enough, none of those items were on the receipt. We then loaded all the paid for items and marched back into the store to pay for the rest. We paid and as we were leaving the store the Holy Ghost witnessed to me with a warm feeling in my heart that what we’d done was right.

Recognizing the Spirit

We arrived at church today as the opening hymn of sacrament meeting was being sung. We slipped into our middle section bench saved early by Walker as we always do. The meeting was nice. I felt and recognized the warm comfort and peace of the Spirit as we sang the hymns and listens to the speakers. I felt the Spirit amplified midway through when a young girl sang a special musical number. It was lovely.

Future of the Young Men’s Program

During the second hour I met with the leaders of the YM, including the bishopric. The discussion was led by our new YM President, Dan Duckworth. It was great. He want to take a new approach to running the young men’s program; more adult leader hands off. It seems like a great idea. He’s definitely the right guy to help lead this kind of change.

The conversation was humbling and revealing for me as it led me to see the errors of my approach over the last year or so working with the Deacons. I’ve not mentored how or let the boys lead like I should. What portion I’ve done, I didn’t let happen long enough for it to be meaningful for the boys. I’ve expected too much in the wrong areas and not enough in others. I wish I knew then what I know now. That’s obviously how we learn in life. I’m sorry that the boys have to suffer as I learn.

Dan presented the YM program in this way:

On the Ecclesiastical side, we need to help the boys learn to exercise their priesthood keys and fulfill their duties now. One eh Development side, we need to provide them opportunities to grow so they become great missionaries, husbands, and fathers in the future. Mentoring on both sides is required along the way.

Ministering

Willy and I went to minister to the Kirby family this afternoon. They are a nice family. I’m excited to get to know them better. Today there seemed to be something in the air, but I couldn’t discern it. We’ll keep trying to get to know them and trust that will lead us to being able to help them more in the future.

President Nelson taught:

1. Find a quiet place where you can regularly go.
2. Humble yourself before God.
3. Pour out your heart to your Heavenly Father. Turn to Him for answers and for comfort. Pray in the name of Jesus Christ about your concerns, your fears, your weaknesses—yes, the very longings of your heart.
4. And then listen!
5. Write the thoughts that come to your mind. Record your feelings and
6. Follow through with actions that you are prompted to take. 

https://www.lds.org/general-conference/2018/04/revelation-for-the-church-revelation-for-our-lives

Paula started having contractions at 11:30pm on Wednesday night, 18 April 2018. I was fast asleep at that point. At 3 am Paula woke me up and said it was time to go to the hospital.

We arrived at the American Fork hospital at about 3:40 am. Paula was checked and admitted as she was 5 cm dilated. Some antibiotics were administered at 4:10 M because Paula is strep-b positive. Dr. Lamoreaux wanted the medication to take affect so we had to wait at least an hour. At 5:10 am Paula had progressed to 9 cm so the doctor broke her water.

At 5:29 am, baby girl Jensen was born. Paula had to push very hard as the baby was posterior. She was 8 lbs 1 ounce and 19 inches long. She came out screaming and a nice pink color. Paula screened with excitement when she saw our new little is a girl. She is eating well already and doing very well.