Jake's talent is used to touch lives in our tiny little neck of the woods.

Click picture to enlarge and see detail

Jessica and Thomas are in the picture

Recently our Relief Society President asked me if I would ask Jacob (my 14 year old son) and an individual that I home teach to paint a mural on a 4X8 piece of plywood to share at our Christmas event (Visions of Bethlehem) to be held at our Ward building but was open to the whole valley. She also wondered if they could cut out holes where the heads were so kids could put their faces in the holes and pictures could be taken at the event.

I mulled the idea around in my head.

I waited 3 weeks and with 2 weeks until the event I sprang the idea on Jacob and Jack Koonce (the person that I home teach). They gladly accepted.

Jack is not a member of our church. He is a professional artist that belongs to a family that I home teach. 6 months into visiting this family, Jack, who had been absent began sitting with his family as Jake and I presented our lesson each month. Jake and Jack became quick friends due to the commonality that Jack and Jake have for art. Jake would bring some of his art over and Jack would nicely critique. Jake would send his claymation videos and Jack would laugh and marvel. When approached with this project Jack indicated that he would instruct Jake on how to paint a mural but would not do it for him. Painstakingly, and with just 2 weeks to spare, Jack taught Jake how to paint a mural.

When I saw the mural for the first time I was flabbergasted and could not speak! The mural that I saw before me, which started out as an idea in our Relief Society presidents mind, was stunning. I was told by Jack, that Jake had painted 95% of the painting. Those who know me know what happened next...

We took the mural to the social event where it was the highlight. Hundreds came through our building to see nativity's from around the world on display in our cultural hall and then to see this nativity mural painted by Jacob. Our local Albertson's supermarket used a picture of the nativity mural in their hour-photo as an example of the season.

On a recent visit to Jack's home I was humbled as I thanked Jack for helping and mentoring my son to make this beautiful work of art. I told him that this mural would be used for years to come as a show piece for the annual "Visions of Bethlehem" event, that hundreds have seen it and will continue to see it and that words could not express the gratefulness in my heart for his time and effort.

He told me that the pleasure was all his. That working with Jake was one of the great experiences of his life. Then in mid-sentence he teared up. Then those of you that know me know what happened next...

Jake and Jack's perfect example of selflessly sharing their talents to build the kingdom and bring others closer to Christ shined as an example to me.

New Favorite Website: HOW TO WRITE BADLY WELL

Get as much detail into your opening sentence as possible

No more than three feet away from Julius (but certainly more than two feet away; perhaps thirty inches – or, in the system preferred by Helen, Julian’s wife, of whom more later, seventy-six point two centimetres – although needless to say, it seemed less) a dog which seemed to be a cross between a doberman and some kind of beagle – its appearance certainly seemed to fit the original meaning of the Old French word “beegueule” (literally, open-mouthed) from which “beagle” is derived – was barking in the key of E-flat and pawing the air in a way which, had there been an invisible miniature piano beneath its claws, might have produced a melody not dissimilar to a free jazz composition of the early sixties or, more likely, a discordant jumble of sharps and flats which, had this been the case rather than being merely a fanciful possibility (which is what it was), would have put Julius’ teeth on edge in a way which the dog’s barking, in the absence of the more musical set of noises just touched upon, was already managing to do.

Narrate every scene in a matter-of-fact tone, no matter how exciting

At this point, the dragon, which was larger than a single-decker bus but smaller than an articulated lorry, breathed some fire out of its mouth (or, more properly, exhaled a mixture of flammable gas and liquid which was ignited by a spark from a gland in its throat). This burned several people quite badly, although the knight who is the subject of our story remained largely unharmed.

Naturally, this incident caused a reaction of fear and surprise amongst the local population. It also caused a not insignificant amount of damage to property, which would take local residents many weeks to repair. Aside from this immediate inconvenience, the subsequent disruption caused by reconstruction efforts would also have an adverse effect on the local economy in the medium term. The knight then hit the dragon with his sword, killing it, which was probably for the best.

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Cute but naughty Felix

Random Madness

Hate this.

Old Family Photos: Just found!!

Pictures found at my Grandmother's house

These pictures are of my Grandfather and Grandmother Colyar

and their three oldest children: Duane, Leilani (my Mother) and Larry.

See any resemblance to me or my children??

My Uncle Larry

My Mother, Leilani

My Uncle Duane

Grandfather and Grandmother

Earl and Eileen

Cutest Ever!!

Jessica and I run on MWF at the YMCA in the AM.

They have a free daycare, so she brings Thomas and Felix to play while we run on the treadmill.

This is a picture of Felix whilst in my arms taken with my camera phone.

Soooooo Cute!!

How about a little non-verbal message to my....

Here's a non-verbal message to all of my: "Hyper-Political/MLM/Narcissistic/Know-it-all/I'm from Montana/Against using the word: Christmas/$4 dollar a cup coffee drinking/Network TV watching/Reality Show loving/telling a story without a point/coffee breath/chronic complaining" friends out there.

Did I miss anyone?

Christmas List - Item #5: Yodeling Meter

I've gotta have one of these babies for Christmas.

I've joined the "Holy Sisters Convent firefighters of the hazmat suits in ordinary habits....of Guadeloupe.

Mother Superior HATES it when I do this.

Threeepio Nooo!!

I've got the Tin Man in this epic matchup