Back tracking...

Old post from 7/3/2008
7/3/2008 (Thursday)
No big diatribe on why I started (again) to write in a journal. Only that I felt I needed to.

Listening to the Holy Bible on my iPod. In two days I have listened all the way from the beginning to Exodus 7 or there about. I have never read the Bible all the way through and doubt that I will. No patience. However, I need to get the word of God out of it and I might as well use the almost two-hour daily commute to work and back for a good purpose. I am beginning to understand how the Jews started out and why they do some of the things they do or why they believe some of the things they do. I am also getting a feel of how the whole feud between Jews and Muslims started. The Bible also gives me an indication of how Jesus Christ is the God of the Old Testament. The word "we" is mentioned or "let us" meaning more than one person. Interesting how some small words could be so important, but for most it is ignored or not understood. Know that Jesus Christ is the great "Jehovah" in the Old Testament and that he created all things at the direction of his father.
I often wonder if God is constrained by certain physical laws such as gravity, electromagnatism, radiation or the speed of light as discovered in the physical world here on this earth. Perhaps is does not matter. Heavenly Father can do what he wills and we should obey. Whether we like it or not God does things for our good even if we do not realize it at the time.

Family matters:
Sondra is being a trooper for me and trying to get along with my mother who is living with us now. Mom has been with us for about a month now and things are going along OK, but not great. I am used to my mother's eccentricities, but Sondra is not. She is often bothered by them and I need to help her cope as best as I can. Right now the plan is to separate them as much as I can and to take some of Mom's care off Sondra. I do not want her to feel burdened. I also want to get closer in my relationship with Sondra. We both talked to Bishop Duty last night about the situation and he felt prompted to find out if Sondra would be willing to serve in the temple once a week. The temple could always use the help. It would also get Sondra out of the house and away from Ma when Ma is not working. Who can doubt the spiritual blessings that can come from working in the temple?
Melody continues to work in the temple for her "mission". She seems to enjoy it a great deal, but I know that she can get tired after a long day of work, even if that is work at the temple. It is not physical work, but she has to be about the temple all day and Melody is not the most physically strong person I know, especially with her physical ailments. She soldiers on and seems to be enjoying herself. She talks through the miracle of the Internet to her beau in England. I do not know much about this fellow yet, but he will visit in October and I know that both he and Melody are very excited about it. I suspect that they will marry, but Melody has said that Matthew (or Matt as he is also known by) must take the missionary discussions to at least know where Melody is coming from in terms of religion and beliefs. Nothing may come of it or the lad may become an elder in the church, a priesthood holder and a leader in the local church ward/branch. Either way, I pray good will come of it, that Melody will be happy, treated well and have a good life.
Sammy is in the Navy at this point about four years. He is assigned aboard the USS Bataan (LHD-5) out of Norfolk VA. Currently he is in Boston for "Fleet Week" and will be participating in the Independence Day parade there. He seems to be pretty happy with his job at the moment, but he is not fond of being an engineer over-all. He works with the steam pipes and fittings. They have to know about the steam, refrigeration, lubrication of machines, etc. He has an apartment he lives in off base and has some room-mates to share the expenses. He is content with his electronic toys but needs some motivation to make more of himself. Sammy was always looking to money as a child so you would think that he would want to be work to be promoted so that he could make more of it. Perhaps money is not enough any more for him. My desire for him is to become active in the church again and raise a family to the Lord. He needs to be an elder and a leader in the church too. He has grown to be a good man and I am proud of him either way.
Christopher is still working down in Tifton/Ty Ty and living with his grandmother. He talks about school, but does not do very well in his classes when he does take them. He was working at the local Ruby Tuesdays restaurant, filling the salad bar and cleaning up, but he is not happy with the management and his job. He recently got a job at a local eatery/pub called "Locos" and he seems a bit happier about it. He is working both places right now until he fulfills his obligation to Ruby Tuesdays. He spends a lot of time with his buddy Hector and they both like working on their cars. Chris has a 2002 Mini Cooper S that cost way too much for him and is expensive to maintain, but his loves that car. It has been reported to me that Chris is going back to church when he can. Apparently a sister missionary got him to go back and although she has moved on to another area, she has sworn to return and check up on him.
The youngest ones are here at home on summer holiday from school. They lounge around the house, watch TV, use the computer and basically do nothing else. Mom and I have taken them swimming or out to the park from time to time. They have enjoyed their break so far, but need to be more active. They have sleep overs, have been to sleep overs at other homes and such.
As for me, I am older, fatter, out of breath from allergy/asthma and am tired most of the time. Other than that, life is pretty good. I should not complain but I still do. Off to take Ma to her foot doctor appointment. Have to get the little Nissan inspected for emissions and Tommy really really wants me to get some fireworks for the 4th. I still like fireworks too. I have liked them since I was a kid.