Tuesday, March 31, 2020

A tale of two cartoons

With General Conference coming up and the whole COVID-19 fallout, I've been thinking that Sis. Kerry Jo might have something to say. I played around with a few ideas and came up with this:


I was getting ready to ink it, but something just didn't sit right. It was too negative, too pessimistic. That didn't fit with Kerry Jo's character, and it wasn't the message she wanted to deliver.

There's no other way to describe what happened next. I was hit with inspiration that made a lot of sense — and the message was pure Kerry Jo.



A lot of times we as a people get caught up in the pageantry of General Conference. Thousands of people flock to downtown Salt Lake City. We fill the Conference Center with the faithful. Tickets are a prized commodity. We wait to hear the statistical report to tell us how many millions of members we have, how many thousands of missionaries. We can't wait to hear where the next temple will be.

This General Conference, it's not about the numbers.

As Pres. Nelson told us, it's about having a personal experience, just like the young prophet Joseph Smith.

When Joseph retired to the woods, his concern was to find out which church would help bring salvation to his soul.

His answer came personally.

We see it so often in Jesus' ministry, tending to the one. His interactions are personal. It's all about the one. It's about having your own personal experience coming unto Christ. What better way to do that than through removing the distractions: the crowds, the protestors, the huge (and amazing) choir.

The settings will be intimate. The First Presidency and the speakers in a small meeting room. Each of us in our own home — alone or with friends or family. No large crowds. It will be a personal experience.

Just like Joseph had in the Sacred Grove.

Our Sacred Grove moment can be wherever we are. As a friend recently told me, "All groves are sacred."

Take care. Ask, pray, and be ready to receive.

I think it's going to be a good one.

Monday, March 30, 2020

Sketchbook: Church at home. Again.

It's been kind of a tradition in our family to wear...comfortable clothes when watching general conference on TV at home.

However, as we've been holding church at home the past few weeks, we've been dressing up in our Sunday best. I don't think we've quite figured out yet what we're going to do for a dress code for next Sunday!

The good news is, if you want to help prepare your family for General Conference next Sunday, the Ward Cartoonist has his Spring Conference 2020 Activity Packet ready for download. In addition, you can also sign up for an activity page that corresponds with each week's Come Follow Me lessons. It's a fun resource — especially when we all get to spend so much time at home!

Take care and wash your hands.

Saturday, March 28, 2020

The second hour

How are you doing your Sundays at home? We usually have our sacrament meeting, then take a break, and then have Sunday school. Then it's nap time!

Friday, March 27, 2020

Thy days are numbered

It's one thing to have faith in the doctrine that families can be together forever. It's another thing to be forced to experience it for a couple of weeks!

Here's hoping you and your family are doing well!

Thursday, March 26, 2020

Wednesday, March 25, 2020

Tolkien Reading Day with a COVID-19 twist

We at the Oregon DOT traditionally run some public service messages on our social media accounts for Tolkien Reading Day.  Usually the messages are about work zone safety or traffic laws. This year, in conjunction with the Governor's Office and the Oregon Department of Health, we're incorporating some of the COVID-19 safety messages.

These are draft of what we have scheduled — the messages may be modified a bit or preempted. Join us in celebrating Tolkien Reading Day: read The Hobbit while you're sequestered at home!





Tuesday, March 24, 2020

He that hath clean hands and a pure heart

It's such a challenging time to be a missionary! So many missionaries are being transferred, released or reassigned. One of our missionaries said that her mission was reduced by about a third with all the people going home! 

Monday, March 23, 2020

Sketchbook: Keep your hands to yourself, but less so

That would definitely be going on in the back seat of my car!

Be careful out there, and keep your hands out of everyone's faces!

Saturday, March 21, 2020

History time!

There are lots of things to do while you're huddled up at home. Why not try your hand at a little family history? The extra time will be handy if you need to do a little detective work!

Friday, March 20, 2020

Get it to go

Restaurants here are on drive-thru, pick-up or delivery only. We're worried about some of our favorite dining places and local small businesses, so we're doing what we can.

Meanwhile, our missionaries are pretty much confined to quarters: no in-home teaching, no street contacting. They're supposed to get outside for at least an hour each day for exercise and exposure to sunlight. I really hope they get along with their companions!

They've found some creative ways to teach: delivering messages in-home via technology, live streaming lessons, and doing whatever they can given their protective restrictions. Keep your local missionaries in your prayers!

Thursday, March 19, 2020

Wednesday, March 18, 2020

Dress for your guess

Bright, sunny, clear and cold is the forecast today. Jacket weather? Sweater weather? Who knows?

Tuesday, March 17, 2020

The wearin' o' the greenie

Soooo... for the next week or two I am going to be occupied as a member of a response team at work dealing with the COVID-19 Coronavirus. Rather than overload this site with the corona-related gags that would inevitably result from that, I'm digging into the archives.

These are some old favorites from Marches past — none of which are related to the current pandemic.

Take care, be well, happy Saint Patrick's Day. And wash your hands, please!

Monday, March 16, 2020

Sketchbook: Church at home

How was your experience with having church at home? We had some great talks, followed by a good Sunday school lesson. It was almost like regular church — Grandma fell asleep during the lesson!

Saturday, March 14, 2020

Feeling that social distance

I imagine there are a bunch of NCAA basketball teams thinking this same thing.


Friday, March 13, 2020

No prom, no problem!

As I was coloring this last night, we got a message from the district superintendent. It said that spring break would be extended starting Monday — three days early for the kids — and that all activities over spring break are canceled.

Thursday, March 12, 2020

The Quiet Game

Suspended NBA season. Empty NCAA tournament venues. A European travel ban. Conference via electronic media only. Remoting in for the MTC.

Wow.

The good news is, at least we get a cartoon double header today (even if No. 2 is only a sketchbook).

Take care, wash your hands. Pray for Sorella Brock, our neighbor who is supposed to be returning from the Rome Mission next week (we hope!).



Wednesday, March 11, 2020

Tuesday, March 10, 2020

The whole hazmat armor

Instead of a plate of cookies, they're giving each of their families a package of toilet paper.

Monday, March 9, 2020

Sketchbook: Childs’ play

Time to let my fan colors fly as BYU has its first game in the WCC tournament tonight! We showed love to Jimmermania, so how about a little for this year’s team? 

Saturday, March 7, 2020

Each in her own language

That's one of the most difficult things when one returns from a mission — no one else seems to speak the same language. Whether it's missionary jargon, carry-over colloquialisms, accents or language blends, it's challenging when nobody gets what you're saying.

Friday, March 6, 2020

Oh, how lovely was the back yard

It's been about five and-a-half months since Pres. Nelson invited us to review the Restoration and the First Vision. How are you doing with that?

Thursday, March 5, 2020

Carpe Primarium

This is one of those quotes that can sound completely different depending on context.

If the Primary President said it in ward council, it would be inspirational. If a couple of rowdy kids were bouncing off the walls in sharing time, it would be time to call their parents.

Wednesday, March 4, 2020

The things that count

If you ever talk to a ward clerk, they can tell you lots of stories about the things they see in the pews as they do their count.

Monday, March 2, 2020

Sketchbook: Vitamin fortified

I think the actual quote was, "Eat your vitamin pills. Get some rest. It's going to be exciting!"

I don't know about you, but I've started taking my vitamins!