Good, Great, the Best....My Grandpa

I know that I promised some pictures, they are coming (go to my facebook to see the latest, but I will post some on this blog). The last couple of weeks have been such an emotional up and down.
My Grandfather (Wayne Olen Phillips) lost his wife. my step Grandmother about 8 weeks ago. My Grandpa was having some issues with his health and so my Mom asked if I would go pick up my grandfather. What a pleasure that was. I rode over with my Dad in a blizzard of a trip, we only stopped to drain liquids (pee) or pick some up (mountain dew and gas...for the car). It was a good chance for my Dad and I to catch up. How often are you allowed to just spend 13 hours with you parents anymore. It was awesome and we had some good conversations.
I was only in Oregon for one evening (Friday). My Grandpa did not seem the same, he was happy to see us but when you were not in direct conversation he would slip off to some state that seemed as if he was not even tied to this world anymore. We had some good times and watched a few baseball games, which he always loved. We got up Saturday morning and did a few things around the house and then we headed toward Portland. My Grandpa seemed a little sad, I wonder now if he knew that this would be the last time he would see the ranch, if he knew that this would be the last time he would pass the fields where he raised my mom and uncle, the last time he would drive into the town that he himself was raised. Anyway, I am starting to tear up. We went to the airport in portland where we said goodbye to my Uncle, Aunt, cousins, and my Dad. Grandpa and I proceeded into the Airport where we got all our luggage on as well as his medical devices (breathing and Diabetic stuff). Looking back at this time, I loved it. My Grandfather and I talked for an hour before the flight. He would tell some stories and I would share some thoughts. We laughed and we loved, it was great. Although I knew that my Grandfather was being kind he never talked about himself or how hard it was, he never talked about the elephant in the room (his failing health), he only talked about good times and about his love of family and friends. We got on the plane and continued our, what I will call, bonding. By the way, we flew first class...My Grandpa loved that, thought that he had finally arrived (he was so funny).
WE landed and made our way to the Gate where we found Scott and his Family. Scott and Grandpa have always been close, they are so similar that it is only age that seperates them (no wonder that these Men are two of my Heros, they truly are giants among us). Grandpa was so excited to see Scott, Sharon, and his Great Grand babies. Soon my mom and Ryan showed up in the Car to pick us up, Although my Grandpa had left the place he called home he was coming to live with his daughter whom he has always loved. I love watching my Grandpa look at my mom, he has such love for his only daughter. He would always comment that he was so proud of his beautiful girl, once again this is another one of my heros...my Mom (she is one of the few people that I would describe as Celestial). We then made our way to my Mom and Dad's place. We talked that evening and then made Grandpa feel at home.
My family arrived the next day and I enjoyed seeing the reunion of Julie and the boys to my Grandpa. To them this may have just been another figure in the family that they had only meet a few times but I hope someday that they will get to know Grandpa the way I know him, one of the best men to walk this earth. I have told my children that I love their Great Grandpa and that he practically walks on water.

Over the last couple of weeks Grandpa has gone in and out of the hospital. We never knew when we would see him last so we made the most of it. I will always cherish the moment of having 12 people in a little hospital room talking about Grandpa. Good memories that I am sure Grandpa keeps close to his heart as well. Grandpa was such a trooper, even though he had been up all night being poked and prodded he was always so happy to see us. He would always put on a smile and laugh with his signature laugh that was so infecteous that it made everybody happy. I would always leave with tears that that my have been the last time I saw him...The heart can only heal so many times. Finally the call came, I was at work and it was Friday morning. My dad called and could hardly get two words out, but was able to communicate that Grandpa was about to leave us and that I should call all the kids and get them up to the house. I called Julie and she came and picked me up from work with all the boys. We got up to the house right after Grandpa had passed away. It was a tough time, people were crying and I would even say wailing for the passing of Grandpa. At the time I was sad and my heart ached but I was able to keep the tears at bay, I don't know why but they just did not flow at the time but in time I would fill my eyes with enough moisture to make the Sahara a rain forest. It was a time where we could hug and cry, talk about Grandpa and just sit by the body he once possessed.
Julie, the boys, and myself stayed for several hours and then we came home. It was decided that the funeral would be in Oregon the next Friday. Julie and I decided to take the long way to Oregon and make some fun out the long drive. We spent some good time going up to Northern Idaho, Washington (Seattle), and Finally Oregon, We did everything from the Space Neadle, Couer D'alane, Mt Raineer, Ferry Ride, Multinomia Falls, Sea lion caves...It was fun.
We made it to Oregon and we spent a lot of time with family talking and walking the roads of the ranch. It was fun to see cousins and other family. I went for walks with several people and just talked how this place has a lot of memories but it just is not the same without Grandpa. I used to look forward to pulling around the corner to the house and seeing Grandpa on the porch, but now that he has gone coming around the corner just is not as sweat as it once was. We woke up the next day for the funeral and my family and I got there a little early. So I got to go and sit in the viewing area we just Grandpa and I, that is when the first tears came. I cried but I could control it. We participated in the viewing and I was able to give the Family Prayer, it was an honor. We then all went to the Sacrament room where we my Uncle gave one of the best talks I have ever heard. It was of a Son who was so proud of his father, I was touched and could have listed to him all day. Then my Mom stood up and gavc THE BEST TALK I have ever heard. She talked as if my Grandpa was right beside her (which I believe he was. She testified of the Gospel and bore her love for not only her beloved father but for a Heavenly Father that lost his son so that we can all be together again. My mom bore her sole to us all in a display of Daughter to Father. SHe told stories and gave character references to a man that she has an eternal love for, she was proud of Grandpa and she knew that he was proud of her. I love my Mom, I closed her talk and I felt like I wanted to request an encore. She could have talked for hours and I would still have been glued to her. I am so proud of her, she knocked that one out of the park. We then listed to the bishop and wrapped up. I was blessed to carry the coffin out to the car...This is when I lost it. I cried like a little baby, I just remember at that moment I could not hold back the wall of tears that came crashing down. My sole ached for my Grandpa, I missed him. My testimony is solid and I know that the Gospel of Jesus Christ is true. With this knowledge come the understanding that my Grandpa is in a better place and that someday we will all be together...but for that moment I wanted to see my Grandpa, I wanted to hear his laugh, I wanted to smell his distinct lumberjack smell....but I could not and for that I cried, for that I was sad.
We wrapped up the funeral and then went out to the Grave site....He recieved a soldiers burial, as he served his country. We said our goodbyes and that was that. We spent the rest of the day with family and just talking. It was a good day, a day I will never forget.

Julie and I woke up the next morning and made our way back to Utah. It was a long drive, we did not get home until 2AM. We spent some good time together and I know my Grandpa was proud of us all.
Wayne Phillips is a man who will be missed. He lived a life that we are all proud of, now he returns to loved ones that have gone on before him. I know he is with my Grandma and they are united once again. I hope he looks down on us once in a while and that he knows we look up with thought of him very often. My Grandpa grew up with very little, he had parents that loved him and married a beautiful women, who he would later care for when she could not take care of herself. Was a Dad to two wonderful children and a Grandpa many more (11, and a Great Grandpa to many, many more. I love this man, he was the best. He was one of the few I call my hero. I shall see him again and our reunion will me so sweet, until that time my memories and prayers will continue. Love ya Granpa...

Just a few thoughts in my words,

Lance

I am Back

Sorry for not writing in almost a month. But I promise that I will follow up within the next week with some pictures of some recent adventures (southern Utah, 4-wheeling, and just working in the yard). We went down to Moab and Goblin Valley, that is such a beautiful place on this rock we call earth. I was amazed and we enjoyed hiking all over the place, of course we did not do enough hiking for Colbyn. He wanted to keep going but we still have a couple of little guys that tuckered out after a little while, plus I am out of shape and I used the little guys as excuses.
We have been busy fixing up the yard. Our house is two and half years old (I can not believe we have been there that long) and we are still working on the yard. We planted some more trees and added a bunch of mulch. We still have a bunch more to do but we are working on the eternal plan...little bit each year until it is done (which will never happen).
I do want to say that I love working outside. It is hard work but I enjoy planting and beautifying the area in which I live. It kind of gives you an idea of how God must have felt when the world was done and he could look down upon it and admire its beauty. God loves us, the evidence is in the detail and beauty around each one of us.
I was just planning on writing something small so I will leave but promise to get more details in Photos.

Just a few thoughts in my words,

Lance

Count You many blessing

It has been a few weeks since my last entry. Getting the summer fever, between work, kids, finishing the basement, I barely have time to work outside in the yard. We went to Moab and Goblin Valley last week, I took a few days off of work. I will post pictures and tell more about the trip later.
While I was at work I received and email with this link http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gqantZJ6WwM. You have got to watch it, it will make you cry. This may help a lot of people that are feeling down and out and give them something to reach for, something to inspire them. We often get lost in the pitty of our own bad luck, but when we take a minute to think about what we have it all seems so in our favor. I only have a few words, so this will be short but I hope you enjoy this video, it made me cry (and I am very secure in my manhood).
Just a few thought in my words,

Lance

Church and State

While I was getting ready for work this morning I watched a report about some Government meat heads who are introducing legislation to control the finances of a Catholic Church back East (http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/29595611/). This scares the (#)@@ out of me. What this does, if it passes, is precedent for the government to come into any religion and dictate what they spend their money on. And if you think that it would stop there you are mistaken, they would then try to dictate church policies and practices. I, like most Americans, hold my God in high standing and I do not want anybody telling me what or how to worship.

What is the world coming to, what is going on, What are we going to do about it. I do not like to preach and very rarely am I concerned enough about government to actually speak out. I usually just keep my actions to the polls and let the majority speak. But this is too much, we have to speak up and if necessary take the appropriate action and let the government hear us. The Government is getting too big and now it is starting to bleed into areas that the constituion forbids it.

How do we make ourselves heard. For one we can write letters (I know that a lot of people think this does not work, but it does), Polititions are lap dogs and will do anything to keep their master (the people) happy. However, they often disguise their intents with "We are doing this to protect you", "We are looking after you because you can not look after yourself", or the one I like the best "Religion is out of control and we are going to get it under control". We need to wake up and start pushing back.

Now to address the article in detail. Sen. Andrew McDonald of Stamford and Rep. Michael Lawlor of East Haven that raised this bill and said that there were some parishioners that asked them to step in and help out. To those people, why do you have to go the Government for everything. The way you show the church that you are not happy with how they are spending your DONATED money is stop donating. Don't ask the State to go against the Church because you do not like the way things are going. We can blame the Government but the people need to act for themselves, when the Government gets involved then they try to make things even and by so doing take away liberties. To the polititions, why must you use this excuse (improper use of funds) to enter into the business of a Church. If you do this to a Church will you not do this to a private company, and if you are allowed to do this where will it stop...It will not stop.

I have gone on long enough but I feel like we have to be more active, we have raise our flags of freedom and declare the enough is enough and let the government know their place. George Washington put it best "Government is not reason; it is not eloquent; it is force. Like fire, it is a dangerous servant and a fearful master." Fire has its place and we must use it with control but I am afraid that our fire has grown out of control and may soon consume us, I can already feel the unwanted heat.

Just a few thoughts in my words,

Lance

Grateful For what I have

I was reading an article (

http://www.saltlakemagazine.com/Salt-Lake-Magazine/February-2009/The-mountain/)

and they have this quote “I cried because I had no shoes until I met a man who had no feet.” How this hit home. I am so blessed that I often sit in AWE. In another part of the article is states "During this new year and every day you live, thank God if you can see the sunlight when you wake, as there are many who are blind. When you sit down to a meal, give thanks, for there are many who are hungry. Give thanks for your family and friends, for many are alone. Thank the Lord for your job and co-workers, for there are many with no job." During these troubled times we are often wondering why US, why ME, why not somebody else. We always need to evaluate our situation and seek the learning that this trial will bring or the sweetness we will enjoy later because we know the sour. Life is hard but we do not have to become hard. If you look down and see your feet, do not complain because you do not have shoes but praise God for the feet you have and the ability to put one foot in front of the other. To all those that dont have shoes, we should seek after shoes but do not lose site that you have feet. Improve your life so that you can improve others, once you have a pair of shoes be happy help those that don't have shoes or feet.
I am rambling...I hope you get the point of what I trying to say.

Just a few thoughts in my words,

Lance

Fender Bender

This morning on my to work I got in a little fender bender. It was my fault but it was just a little tap on the bumper in front of me. That is why we have insurance. It is my first accident, if you really can call it an accident. The only harm done was a "Scratch" to an older model car bumper, and I have my doubts that I did it. The scratch was black, my Durango is blue, the scratch was way low and my SUV sits up higher. Oh well, I had to get that off my chest, this writing thing is really therapeutic. I am just glad that nobody got hurt or that there was not a lot of damage...I can only pray that my rates do not go up. You would think that for all the years I have paid for insurance and never used it that I would be able to mess up a few cars now and then and not have my rates go up. We will see.

Just a few thoughts in my words,

Lance

Shortest Month

I am getting bad, I went an entire month without writing (on a good note, it is the shortest month of the year). Things I missed commenting on.. entire Month of Bachelor, Tracy's B-day, Biggest US Bail-Out in history, Snow Days, and Most important Valentines Day (Julie Forgive me). Now that February is over and the days are starting to get longer I am excited for Spring and Summer. Since this is the first Spring in a couple of years that I have not had School I want to Play. Southern Utah is calling my Name.
Every Year or two we have taken a family Trip to Zions, Bryce, and our favorite Arches. I am going to spend the evening working late at work but I might take a gander at the map and plan a trip. I want to go and see Goblin Valley and the Slot Canyons. Utah has so many cool places to visit.
The last time we went to Moab was a couple of years ago and we had a good time. We went at the end of February and it snowed, it was beautiful but very slick on the red rock.
In addition to hiking we now have 4-wheelers and we can really see the country side.
I love thinking back to all the cool little (2-3 day) trips we have taken. We always discover a new place or find something that we never expected. With a short 4 hour drive we end up in an entire different world full of red rock, beautiful rock formations, and WARMER weather.

I know I have rambled on but this is just a few thoughts in my words,

Lance

Temple Visit

I took last Friday off and we took the family up to the Draper Temple. The Church is putting on an open house for the next couple of months until the dedication at the end of March. It was good to take the boys through the temple, they have not been before and it raised a lot of questions for them. We talk about the temples and families are forever in Family Home evening and Church but actually being there made it sink in for Colbyn (12) and Alix (9). The younger boys just like the really cool hot tub (baptismal font), which was gorgeous.
While we were in there some people bore their testimonies on eternal families and the work that is done in the temples. How inspired I was and thankful that we live in a time of the fullness of the Gospel. How grateful I am to live in a place that has so many temples in just a couple minutes driving distance. COOL Stuff.
As my boys get bigger and I get older, the reality of how short life is sinks in. It seems like I was just turning 12 and playing soldier in my back yard. Now I am watching my boys turn the ages that I remember vividly. I am glad that I can be with my family forever. What peace it gives me know that if anything every happens that in the end we will all be together. Life is short but Life Eternal is forever.
Just a few thoughts in my words,

Lance

Old Photos

We are in the middle of building a couple of bedrooms and a bathroom in our basement for the move in of Cecile (mother-in-law). In the effort of doing this we have been forced to do some cleaning. While I was looking into old boxes and trying to figure out what to keep, chuck, or give to DI, I fount a ton of old photos. Some from when Colbyn was a baby and others from my mission and Julie's high school years. I love old photos, it brings back such a rush of emotions from that one instant caught in time. I am so glad that I caught a lot of those moments on film, I can not imagine living before the camera when all you had was your memories and once they were lost there was nothing to retrieve them. Photos remind you of those memories that have faded, it was a good time and it showed me how blessed I really am. I know that this blog is ironic, figuring that I dont have any photos up yet. But I will get some up soon.
On another note, I just found out that my sister Tracy is going to have a baby. That is awesome and I look forward to having another NIECE/nephew. Tracy is a great mom and Matt is a proud Dad and this one will be lucky to call them Mom and Dad. With this good news we also are reminded of some in our family that are having a tough time having childen. I dont know why this is, why Father in Heaven has blessed some with children and others with the challenge of not. But I do know that He loves us, and all things are possible. I could go on and on about this but I dont think I know enough to shed any more light on the subject. But I do want to say this. I pray for those in my family that can not have kids every day. I pray for their faith to continue and the hope to endure this time of trial. I can not sympothize, for I have no idea what they are going though. But I have felt pain, pain of the spirit and there is no cure besides the light of our Savior. May God Bless.

Just a few thoughts in my words,

Lance

It has been a few weeks since my last entry...Please forgive me. We are now in 2009 and January is 2/3 over. What has happened lately.
Alix had is 9th birthday on the 10th. He is such a ham. He is playing basketball, I need to work on his skills. And he did a good job for his first game. There are some older boys on the team that are pretty good and so he thinks that he is not that good. I told him to give it some time and some effort and he will be just as good. I just love his sweet attitude on life, he is a love muffin. I am proud of him. He is always coming up to me or Julie and telling us how lucky he is to have us as parents and how much he loves us. He is a good brother as well, he tends to be over lovey with his baby brother and the Ian lets him know it.
In other news, we got to see a little of Obama's inaugeration. It is cool to see the first Black president of the united states. I am a hard republican but I hope Obama can pull this economy around without hurting the constitution or our God given rights of freedom. I am happy to see Barock as president but the leftest media keeps pushing it down our throat that he is black. I know he is and I am proud of this milestone but lets conentrate on what he is doing and not his skin color. Lets look upon the "Character of his heart and not the color of his skin". Sorry to vent but I am tired of all that he is an not what he has done.
On a better note, I am glad to be an american with the fullness of the gospel. Times are tough but we are a blessed people with a loving God...That is the reality of it.

I will try to write more often..

Just a few thoughts in my own words,

Lance

Holidays Are over

Well it is back to work. It seems like you can take a vacation but the work just piles up. Things are starting to back into their routine.. School, work, and church callings.

Colbyn has been doing home school for the last couple of months because he was getting sick a lot. We took him into the doctor and we were not able to figure out what was going on. So we think it has to do with anxiety (going into Junior High). He is going to be starting back up in a few days and he is really excited.

I can not blame him. When I was a kid, JH scared the crap out of me. I remember catching the bus at 5:30 Am in Willow, AK for 6:55 AM class at Wasilla Junior High. I would wake up around 5 AM to the sweat voice of my mom telling me it was time to start the day. We were 30 miles from the school so the bus ride took about 45 minutes. Junior High was a lot of fun, I did not have to stay in the same class with the same kids. So many more things to do, but that dang locker. To this day I get frustrated with those stupid combos.

One of the reasons we started so early was because there was only one Junior High for our area and we had to double shift. That made is so I would get out at 12 and home by 1. The rest of my brothers and sisters did not get home for a couple more hours. So Mom and I had some good moments together, we even got hooked on a soap opera (one life to live). And to this day that is still a close thing between my mother and me...I love her so much.

That is just a few thoughts in my words,

Lance

9 AM church, 4 kids ready in 90 minutes

Today we started Church at 9am. This used to be a lot harder then it is now. But our kids are getting older and more self sufficient. Colbyn even helps out getting the other kids ready, that means I can sleep in an additional 5 minutes.
I am teaching the 11 year old class. We got some new students today and they are a good group of kids. My last bunch were 6 boys and they all had ADD (not really but I swear they could all use some drugs). The hard part about today was that our baby (Ian) is now in Primary. We no longer have any kids in nursery. In a way it was hard but it is good that a this chapter of our life has closed and the next one opens.
Colbyn and I did fast offerings today in the zero degree weather. It was cold but I love going out with Colbyn and watching him exercise his priesthood. He truly is a good kid and so much better then his Dad was at that age. I was a good kid but was clueless as to the deep secrets of life, Colbyn aspires to know all things and practice that which is good.
Julie substituted with me today, I still do not have another person called to teach with me and the church has a policy that you can not have one teacher. I love having her by my side.
After Church I took Norma (our golden retriever) our for a walk. It was cold but I had to get her out so that she could get some exercise. While I was out I took a moment to look at the lake and there was such a peace (freezing peace but a peace nonetheless). I truly am grateful for all I have. I give thanks to my Father in Heaven for the small things that often go unnoticed, they are countless.
Just my words, Lance

2009, so far so good

Today was the second day of 2009. I had the week off and I enjoyed the time with my wife and boys. We are in the middle of building a cool snow fort and will finish it up tomorrow. The fort reminds me of when I was a boy in Alaska and we would spend days building the awesomest forts. Sometimes I wish my boys could taste a little bit of my childhood. Don't get me wrong, I am glad that my boys have what they have and are growing up with lots of family and friends here in Utah. But I had it good as a boy. We lived in Willow, Alaska next to a big blue lake. We had four wheelers and a canoe to explore many of the lakes that Alaska has to offer. If you had any type of adventure in you then it was your paridise, and how I basked in it.

Enough about that, I will reminis later. Tomorrow should be fun. I am going to go shooting with the boys. My dad gave me a new gun a couple of months ago and I have yet to shoot it. The boys are going to take their 22s and BB guns out. I am going to try and get Julie to fire a shot or two.