We’re at Mrs. Smith’s grandparents’ farm this week.  They live in a small town in Idaho (Payette) and have an orchard.  Usually there are lots of fruits to be picked but, unfortunately, there’s little fruit this year because of late frosts, excessive magpies, and such.  It’s kind of weird because we usually help pick cherries, peaches, and other delectable fruits for resale from the farm… this year, though, there’s so little it’s heart-breaking.  🙁

For the faithful reader, this will be the first mention on my blog: last week, July 19th, I was sustained, ordained, and set apart as the Bishop of my Ward (for those unfamiliar with LDS terminology, a Ward [and Branch] is the smallest unit within a geographical make-up for the Church; Wards are units within a Stake [Branch is similiar to a Ward and is a unit within a District], and each District & Stake are included within some geographical region; although the smallest geographical area, in my mind it represents the place where the proverbial rubber meets the road, as it’s at the Ward level that individuals meet, commune, worship God, associate, live, love, learn, and experience pain – together).

I’m over-awed with the awesome (and by that I mean crushing, huge, massive, scary – not ‘cool’) responsibilities imposed on Bishops in their meager attempts to love and serve those individuals within their local geographical boundaries.  Nonetheless I thank the Lord (a) that He trusts me sufficiently, (b) provides supporting local members, (c) has given me a magnificent wife and family, and (d) has high expectations of what our Ward should – and will, God willing – be.

I hope to not let Him or those same supportive local members down!

The normal daily routine (Mon-Fri, anyway) is that the kids/wife wake up just a bit before I head out the door for work.  We read scriptures, pray, and they each get a hug/kiss before I leave.  Then as I’m walking away, Cinderalla and/or Doodle often wave at the window, come outside and wave/yell, and sometimes go out to the sidewalk waving and yelling until I’m essentially a speck in the distance – or until I stop turning around and waving back, anyway.  Well, one day last week my cute family decided to shake things up a bit.

The morning proceeded normally: showever, shave, breakfast, scriptures, prayer, hugs & kisses, adios.  This time, though, it wasn’t enough.  Standing at the bus stop – roughly 100 yards away – I look over at the house, where Doodle and Cinderalla are still waving, and I see Eagle tear out of the yard and start toddling over to me.  Mind you, there’s a busy road next to the sidewalk (we have a fence to keep the kids in, which is normally closed) and you must cross an intersection to get to the bus stop.  Naturlich, I’m worried about Eagle and start to walk towards home.  I’m comforted to see Mrs. Smith follow a few seconds later, though, so I figure everything is under control.

Well, Eagle was apparently not to be deterred from his objective.  He rather quickly toddled over the 100 yards – all of the kids sans shoes (no glass, fortunately!) – and gave me another hug & kiss.  The other kids, both of whom arrived before Eagle, also provided additional hugs and kisses.

Instead of my lonely wait at the bus stop, the whole family gathered until the bus came and then waved as I boarded the bus and we drove away.  Some other passengers commented on the adorable family and how much they love their daddy to come out there.

It filled my soul with gladness and was, to me, one of the “tender mercies” of the Lord that He’s given me a loving wife and children.  Hopefully I will be worthy of such devotion.

I don’t know about the rest of you, but I actually got to witness the unfolding events this morning during a historical time. Specifically, at 04:05:06, 07/08/09 this morning (a date/time combination not to occur for another 1,000 years) I was awake, experiencing the second-long moment.

Of course, I was changing a child’s diaper at the time – so I wished I hadn’t been in the moment – but nonetheless, now I’ve experienced life to the fullest. How does it get any better?  ;p

What were you doing during your second?