Good People

On Sunday evenings while I am organizing my week I tune into the BYU channel on the internet. I know it is available on cable, but since I don't have cable I get it on the internet. There are a couple of shows that just touch my heart.


One is "Turning Point" - it is fascinating. It highlights ordinary people from all walks of life and the extraordinary things they do. The show description says "Turning Point is a collection of inspiring stories about people whose lives have changed irrevocably due to one pivotal decision." I have seen so many of them (and they are all excellent - there are so many good people in the world doing good things for others, it is very inspiring):

Colin and Karen Archipley created the Veterans Sustainability Agriculture Training program to offer newly returned veterans an intensive 6-week course in farming skills.

Wynona Ward travels around rural areas in a mobile truck/office to offer domestic abuse victims a chance for a better life.

World-champion kayaker Brad Ludden takes groups of young adults suffering from cancer on week-long adventure camps; Linda Myers provides support for elderly Native Americans living traditional lifestyles on reservations.

Learn about Homeboy Industries--an organization that assists formerly gang-involved youth become positive and contributing members of society through job placement, training, and education.

Then last night Jordan wanted to watch The 5000 Day Project: Two Brothers.

This is the show description:

Meet Luke and Sam Nelson, two brothers who struggled to develop a positive relationship in childhood. The Nelson boys are just two of 60 kids documented over a 5,000-day period by filmmaker Rick Stevenson.

Oh my, I cried. It was a moving documentary. Seeing their spiritual and physical growth was moving. I can't even imagine editing film to make a 90 minute movie out of 10 years worth of material. But I digress........it was excellent. It was uplifting and inspiring and truly a wonderful way to spend the evening with my boys.

So, in short, I see a lot of bad things during the week. And that just isn't when I read the news. A lot of my students live in terrible circumstances. But then I uplifted when I see that there truly are a lot of wonderful, good, kind, and charitable people in this world. There really are. One of BYU tv's slogans is "See the Good" and I am trying, because there is still a lot of good to be found.

Until We Meet Again

Megan, Brian and the kids are taking off today. We are very sad around here. We had such a good time with them. I love have little ones around the house again. We are going to be very lonely without them.

We spent some time at the park yesterday after watching General Conference together. It is so nice in the evening we stayed out past dark (i.e. big ring in the bathtub).

Quasi-Family Picture

The next time I need a family picture, I think I will call the paper and tell them we need to advertise for a fund-raiser.....

Phil, Ethan, Jordan, Quinn and Journee were all present when the newspaper came to take a picture for our "65 Roses Tour" - it is an annual bike ride we sponsor for cysticfibrosis. We have a 65 mile ride, a 30 mile ride, and a 10 mile family fun ride. Last year we raised $7,000. Our goal this year is $10,000! Hopefully the weather will be great this year - last year it was pouring rain, lightening, wind, and cold.

So....if you are free on April 21st, come join us for a great day and a great cause!