Wouldn't you know, I talk about turning stumbling blocks into stepping stones, acting like an all wise know it all, and what happens?  That's right, I get a bunch of rocks!!   Oh, well, as I said, it's all part of the package we all signed up for to get a ticket to come down here.  The great part of the picture is that if we are doing what we are supposed to, or at least trying to, then we get to have the help of others in our labors, to see if they also will use these experiences as building blocks in their own lives.  In my case, I have been given some fabulous kids who have, for the most part, married fabulous partners and who now usually help out when needed.  Such was the case this weekend.  About mid-week I was informed that our washer had gone on strike.  After a bit of serious negotiating, the strike turned into a full blown refusal to work at all.  So much for minor negotiation skills.  My wife decided that even though the budget is totally shot, we needed to get a new (new for us, at any rate) washing machine.  She also informed me that while we were at it, we might just as well get one that had a matching dryer as the one we were using was about to join its friend, the washer.  Since they came as a pair, worked as a pair and were obviously going as a pair, my options were somewhat limited.  Besides, I may be a bit slow in some areas, but I learned a long time ago that its usually to my advantage to agree with my wife in such matters.  Long story short,  with the help of my kids and some other lucky breaks (code for "blessings") we are now back up and running in our family laundry endeavors.  THANKS, KIDS!!!

Well, after thousands and thousands of Saints and friends and admirers of President Hinkley filed through the
Assembly Hall in Salt Lake City to pay their last respects and honors to him, his funeral was held (being broadcast, from what I understand to hundreds of t.v. and radio stations throughout the world), and then President Hinkley was laid to rest next to his wife.  The media has had several hours of programming paying homage to this great man and telling many stories about incidents throughout his life to show how well he lived the life that he encouraged all of us to live, and how he has affected the lives of so many millions of people in so doing.  I hope that you took advantage of your opportunities to watch and listen to these broadcasts.  I hope that they inspired you to take a fresh look at your own life and to reaffirm to yourself and to the Lord that you will try a bit harder to serve Him as we have covenanted to do. 

Sooner,

Badger Bill