Fish Story

A week ago Anna wouldn't let me bare my testimony in church on Fast Sunday. We both thought it would be a little strange to shre how my faith in Jesus is increased by fishing. I thought I would do it here instead. Let me just say that it is a true story, every bit.

(For those of you who are not Mormon, on the first Sunday of each month church members will go to the pulpit and share their personal knowledge of how Jesus is their Savior and other aspects of their faith. They typically share a story from their personal lives of how their faith was strengthened. Sometimes you get some real weirdos up there talking about some off the wall subjects. Anna didn't want me to be included in that crowd.)

Since this isn't an official church meeting, I'm going to go ahead and tell this story as I would have liked to have heard it told if I were in a Testimony meeting. I hope this doesn't offend anyone, but you have to admit to yourself that you've already heard worse at a real testimony meeting.

Brothers and Sisters, I want to tell you how the Lord helped me catch 5 fish with my bare hands yesterday.

Now, I'm the Scoutmaster for the Young Men in our Ward, and I was asked to teach the Fish and Wildlife Management merit badge up at Scout camp this next week. One of them requirements was to either get the stomach contents of 3 fish or some scales from 5 different fish. Well, seein' as there weren't gona be no fishing ponds up at the camp, I figured I needs to get these fish guts or scales for the boys before camp and bring them up with me.

I went to the local fishin hole over at Desert Oasis park and tried to catch me some fish. I brought the wife and kids, figurin I'd have better luck with 4 pairs a hands rather than just one. But we had no luck. All I caught me was a sunburn.

I went back a few more times, but no luck. I even got to the point where I figured I would just ask folks if I could take a few of them fish scales from their fishes, but no body else caught none neither. Exceptin some catfish, but them don't got no scales (and I wasn't gonna ask if I could take their guts).

I was getting desperate. I had been prayin each time that I would be able to get me some fish, then that I might just get some scales. I wanted these Scouts to be able to have a good experience and to be able to learn about their fish. I thought the Lord would want them to be successful as well.

The final Saturday before camp had come. We left before dawn on Monday, and I wasn't gonna do no fishin on a Sunday. So this was it. It was well over 100 that day. My daughter and I went to the park and walked around askin folks about their fish. I found one guy who had caught a small Bass and was able to get a few of his scales. I was very greatful, but I prayed even harder- because 1 fish is not 5 fish, no matter how many of its scales you take.

That evenin I took my wife out to celebrate our 15th anniversary early, see'n as I would be up at camp the next week. After our date, around 10 pm, I asked if she wouldn't mind goin' to the park one last time to beg for some more fish scales. She was a good sport and was willing to give it a try.

As we were walking up the path, she tells me she don't want to bother folks for their fish scales. I told here I was right there with her, but what else can you do?

"Well," she says, "why don't you just use those fish?"

"What fish are you talking about, wife?"

"Those fish, right there!"

I turned and looked, and there were 5 fish lying right there on the shore that we walked up to. Now, I don't know if some fisherman caught them earlier in the day and threw them back or if the Lord commanded those fishes to come up and wait for me right there. I knowed He did it with His friend Peter, so maybe He'd done it for me too. Either way, they were fish and they had scales! I picked them up with my bare hands and got me my scales.

I went home rejoicing and amazed that the Lord would provide so miraculously just so his little deacons could finish their fish class.

All kidding aside, I do want to acknowledge the Lord and give him the credit for this. It really was an answer to prayer.

Brothers and Sisters, I also learned from this that the Lord has a good sense of humor. Because when I was pullin' scales off of one of them fish, I felt some water drip on my toes. (I was wearin my flip-flops.) It wasn't until I got home that I realized it wasn't water that dripped on me it was actually a giant fish turd that by now had run down all over my foot. Whoooweee - if you think fish by them selves can smell funny, just try a fish turd. Now that's a powerful stink!

Christmas 2009

Here is the quick summary of what happened in 2009 for the Smith family: Brent finished the Ironman triathlon, Anna gained 6 inches in height, Alycia once again had straight A’s, and Joseph has learned to speak Latin without an accent. What a year! If you are not confused right now you must be thinking of some other Smiths, because this year was fairly ordinary for us.

In March we went to LA and saw Universal Studios, the tar pits, and the beach. A surprise gem for the family was the Getty museum, which had many amazing works of art and was completely free. July was spent first in Utah at Brent’s family reunion, then up in Yellowstone. Anna was a good sport and put up with two night of camping, complete with bears, buffalos, and a thunderstorm that seemed determined to destroy our tent. We are ending the year here at home, but have Brent’s parents coming to escape the snow.

Joseph, 10, began this year cutting the cheese. His pine wood derby race car was shaped as a triangle block of cheese, complete with holes and mice. Both he and Brent were surprised to see it take 4^th place out of 30 or more boys. He earned his Bear in Cub Scouts and is now working on his Weblos. Besides Scouts, Joseph continues to keep busy with piano, and various therapies. He is in 4^th grade now and misses his big sister who has moved on to Junior High.

This was a big year for Alycia. She left Elementary School and Primary and has moved on to 7^th grade and the Young Women organization at church. This is her third year in the CATS (smartypants) program, but the first year that she has really been challenged. It has been a painful adjustment for everyone. She was able to get her ears pierced when she turned 12 in August, but it took a couple months for her to build up her courage and get poked. She has gained several inches in height and has now passed Anna as the tallest girl in the house.

Anna began the year with two of her favorites: Chemistry and Algebra classes. There is nothing better that she likes than having those beasts out of the way. She did well, but put her schooling on hold in the fall to focus on helping the kids with their schooling. Some need more help focusing, doing work, and meeting deadlines than their brother does. (I’m not going to say who.) Anna also started the year as a Cub Scout Den Leader, where she spends an hour each week teaching up to 10 boys various skills. She really enjoys doing this, although there are usually one or two boys that challenge her.

Brent received a similar challenge in August when he was asked to be the Scoutmaster for the local troop of a dozen 12-13 year old boys. He worked with the youth once a decade ago and has dreaded having to do it again ever since. It was a struggle to get organized at first, but it has become enjoyable for Brent to go on campouts and hikes again. Before scouting, Brent had been teaching Sunday School for a couple years. Anna misses hearing his lessons, but has been very supportive of his new responsibility. He is still working at Global Crossing, where he designs the backbone of the Internet.

We miss all of our family and old friends and are glad we can keep in touch (or at least keep tabs) with many of you via Facebook and blogs. We are constantly surprised to see you and your kids getting older. That might happen to us one of these days if we aren’t careful, but not yet. We hope that you are all doing well and enjoying the Light of Christ this Christmas season.

Love,

Brent, Anna, Alycia, and Joseph Smith

Oh so busy....

This is week 3 of my kiddos going back to school. They're doing well. There hasn't been one complaint about it starting so early...I wonder if they were tired of the many chores I had for them to keep them busy.

Alycia's in 7th grade and is not thrilled about the many projects she has to do. The workload and expectations can be a bit overwhelming for her at times. She's doing 9th grade Algebra now and hasn't really struggled with it...yet. She came to me the other day and asked a question on her math homework...

"ahh...I just finished up my Intermediate Algebra just last semester..I should know how to do this"....were my thoughts.
...click....I was actually able to help her. After I answered her questions, I directed her to Brent...the math wiz...He enjoyed helping her, and they even had a few laughs. It's so nice when she comes home from school and tells me about her day. I don't remember having these conversations with my mom, she was always at work and I was a latch-key kid. I think I'm a hip mom, since she likes to wear my t-shirts and jeans. Yes...she can fit into my clothes. She's taller than my 5 foot self and my jeans are getting to be too short. Scary, huh? The one thing we're thrilled about is, we now have full access to her grades via the school's website. Missed or late assignments...hah! You can't hide that from us missy! She is not happy about this...and I personally wouldn't be either. I'm so glad they didn't have this fancy technology back in my day. Well, she missed the bus this week. You may ask yourselves why? Jamba Juice. Jamba Juice was at the Jr. high after school, so she decided to buy herself a smoothie. I have a very resourceful little gal...That morning she gathered up all her pennies, stuffed them into a ziplock bag and paid for her smoothie with her change. Yes...$2 whole dollars worth of pennies. She said the guy behind the counter's jaw dropped, gave her a look like "what am I supposed to do with this?" and proceeded to count the 200 pennies. Mind you, there were a ton of kids waiting anxiously to order their smoothie. Well, by the time she got her smoothie, ran to the bus area, her bus was leaving. She even ran alongside the bus...oh that mean bus driver! (were my thoughts).. I hope she learned that time doesn't stand still when you need it to, and neither does the bus....

As for my little guy Joseph, he's really enjoying school. No complaints so far. His teacher is a very kind and patient lady. Joseph's best friend is in his class and they're both happy about that. He'll be turning 10 tomorrow and just had a birthday party. It was a swim birthday party with 6 of his friends attending. I seriously thought I was going to cry this morning, not over the fact that he'd be turning 10, but the rain...There was a monsoon storm that hit last night (I spent all morning yesterday cleaning and spraying the deck in 108 degree heat)...Grrr...When I woke up this morning it was raining. What was I to do with all those boys if it continued to rain? It almost NEVER rains here! We live in the desert! (sniffle, sniffle) ...Well, great news! The rain stopped and the party went as planned... I wish I remembered to take pictures. Brent took a video of the birthday cake festivities...what a great hubby I married...

As for an update on Brent, he's enjoying being the Scoutmaster. He plans on taking the boys camping late September, once he's done with training. It's been weird not having him at home some weeknights and weekends due to training and 0ther youth activities...I guess I didn't realize how much I miss having him here at home 'til now...

As for myself...I'm finished with Joseph's birthday party and Alycia's is next! It's going to be a sleepover/swim/birthday party. The stress is on! We have a theme, but I just need to get the party supplies. I start school on Monday...Anatomy and English 101 are the courses I'm taking for the semester. I think Anatomy will be interesting as well as very difficult. As everyone knows, I'm all about getting great deals. Well I must boast a bit. At the campus bookstore they were selling my Anatomy textbook for $215, I found the international version online for $80...and that included shipping. Hah! Take that campus bookstore! As for my English class, I'm not happy I have to take it since it will require a lot of writing. I do enjoy writing, just as long as the subject interests me. A thought just occurred to me...English 101 is a freshman class. ugg...I'll be dealing with freshmen...they can be soo annoying! Okay okay, I will stop my grumblings. (deep breath...exhale) Much better.

I hope this next week goes well...It will be utterly stressful and busy... I have enjoyed the break from school to spend time with the family and getting to know them better. My family is what's the most important thing in my life...and I have treasured these brief 3 months I have had to spend one on one time with them... Now I need to get back into school mode...not fun...

Wish me luck! I will seriously need it!