Early Mornings

So today I started working out again. It's been about three months since the last time. Sure, I've played football and what not since then, but haven't dedicated any time to specifically work out.

Let me premise this by saying that I hate waking up early in the morning. The only time I do it with little trouble is when I have an early morning Church meeting. For some crazy reason, all other occasions are tough for me to get up and ready. This morning began at 5:30. I felt like crying when the alarm went off. Forget the fact that I was out late practicing with Anthony for our first Christmas show, and that Ewan decided to crawl into bed with us somewhere around 3 or 4. I know the old saying "early to bed, early to rise makes a man healthy, wealthy, and wise". Well, now you all know why I am miles away from being healthy, wealthy, or wise.

So I rolled myself out of bed, got into my workout clothes and warm sweats, and waited by the window for my ride. I'm not going to lie, I was hoping John would not show up so I could go back to bed. He showed up. I stepped out into the cold air and woke up a bit. We decided that it would be cool to work out together as a Bishopric. Adam works at USANA and was able to get us access to the facility there. So away the three of us went. We got to the gym, and Adam went about his workout while John and I started the Sparticus routine. It's a circuit style workout that includes lunges free weights etc. I really enjoyed lifting, and had amlost forgotten how great it feels.

After working out, I got home just as the kids were waking up. After Chloe finished her cereal, I decided to try something we have never done as a family in the mornings (I'm a terrible example)... Family prayer and scripture study. Now with young kids (6, 3, and 7 months) it's kind of hard to actually study the scriptures. So we read 1 Nephi 1:1. I didn't just read it, but we actually broke the verse down and I explained what it meant. The kids were great, and it was short enough to keep them interested. As I sat and thought about it, I realized that doing this little "study" with the kids will be very beneficial to me. I have had the feelings to get to know the scriptures better, and I know that by reading one verse, and explaining it so a 6 year old can understand it, will help me to better understand them. I just need to kick myself in the butt and get rolling on my personal study as well.

At any rate, it was a great way to start the day, and I hope it continues. I'm curious to know how all my friends handle family prayer and scripture study. If you feel so inclined, share your ideas and techniques.

Chloe's first day back at school. She is in first grade now and is gone most of the day. She is growing up too fast.

Frozen Custard and Front Yards

Last night we went for a family walk over to the new frozen custard place by our house. After we got our treats, we walked back home and ate them on our front lawn. Chloe scarfed hers down like it was going out of style, Ewan gave himself a chocolate goatee, and Liselle and I sat and laughed at the kids as they ran around looking for 'clues'. As I sat there enjoying the evening, I couldn't help but think about how short this time with them will be. I just had the thought come to my mind that I really need to relish these times, and make sure to take it all in while I have the chance. Can't they stay little forever? I know they will grow up to do amazing things in this life, and I'm glad I'll get to see those things happen as well. There was just something about their innocence and happiness with small things that made me feel bad for stressing or worrying about dumb things.

I hope to get more of that perspective with things I deal with daily. I want to find the awe in just looking up at an airplane flying overhead. I want to be excited to see the moon at night. I want to run in the grass barefoot for hours. I want to drive my hot wheels through an imaginary city on the living room floor. All these things, seemingly little things, bring such joy and fulfillment to my kids. I love them too, but need to be much better at taking the time to get involved with it more. Just thought I'd let you know so that my neighbors wont thing I'm crazy for getting out my toys and playing with them more often. :D

A wee note...

I find it so amazing that the week or so following my entry about dreams, Liselle and I both had some very powerful dreams. I wont go into specifics here, someday I may share them, but suffice it to say that we both had dreams that left us with strong spiritual impressions. I love waking up in the morning with that feeling.

So many things have been on my mind recently, many spiritual things, many temporal things, and all that fun stuff. Can I just say that I am so lucky that Liselle has had the same types of things on her mind as well? This week marked our eight year anniversary, and as we sat at dinner Saturday night, we discussed many things that might seem weird or uncomfortable to many. But as we sat in that crowded restaurant eating our food and chatting, I felt the peace and comfort of the Spirit there with us. Many of you know Liselle. Some might not know her that well. She is one of the most amazing women on the planet. She is shy, but not timid. She really is incredible, and for those who don't know it, you should spend time with her. You will be enriched as she opens up to you.

I'm not really sure where I am going with all this, but I just felt the need to write it here. I love Liselle so much, and I know she will always be with me because of the blessings of the temple. Whether I go first, or she does, we will be together forever. I'm so glad that I took first aid. I knew I'd be learning life saving technique's, I just never knew I'd have my life saved by a fellow student. I love you Liselle.

I know he's in his underwear, but I thought it was cute. He was doing this for a long time. He could've done it for even longer if he wanted.

Dreams

Do you ever have those times when you wake up from a deep sleep and know you were having an important dream, but cannot remember what was going on? That has happened to me the last couple of nights. I wake up, know that a certain person was in it, and that it would be helpful in real life, but I cannot remember any of the details. I hate that. Some people don't take a lot of stock in dreams, but I personally do. I have a couple of dream books, and they have helped me quite a few times to discover some of the deeper meanings of dream symbols. I kinda look at dreams the way Joseph did in the Old Testament. Yes, some are just crazy, but I feel that we can learn many things from them. Some things deal with day to day life, but others can be lessons from above.

I have had several "spiritual" dreams in my lifetime. Many have come at times when I just needed that little nudge. At other times they have been in answer to prayer, and even out of the blue, when I wasn't looking for guidance. On my mission I had a series of what I like to call "Gordon B. Hinkley Dreams". President Hinkley is one of my heroes. During my service as a missionary in Scotland I had several dreams where I would sit and visit with him. Pretty cool just on its own, but there was something extra with these dreams. When we would sit for our next visit, we would review what we had previously talked about. It was almost like he was training me. Had he been dead at the time, I might have freaked out a bit, but alas, he was alive and well, and I loved our 'visits'.

There have been occasions where I have heard a voice and then woke up. I never thought about adding the Samuel response to those moments "speak Lord, for thy servant heareth." I can only imagine what could have followed... Other times I have had words spoken to me. I've heard them as clearly as if someone were standing in the room talking to me. Revelation comes in many many forms, and I feel that we can definitely receive instruction from our Heavenly Father in our sleep. Throughout the ages, prophets have received guidance through dreams. I'm not putting myself on that plane, so don't get any ideas. I just know that I have received instruction and the Spirit in my dreams.

So whether you are being chased by a giant gummy bear with a harpoon gun, or sitting face to face with a spiritual guru, pay attention. There are things you can learn from them. If you need help figuring out meanings, I'll put on my coat of many colors and try to help you out. :D