In the flow

This is what the children of Israel were aiming for. 
 

The next big thing?

There seem to be a lot of contestants vying for the title!

*I am a little disturbed by the unfortunate placement of my signature.
 

Goes both ways

It’s been a long time since I’ve done a Star Trek gag! I think I’ve spent too much time recently proving that I’m not a robot. 
 

What can go wrong?

So the children of Israel covenanted three times that they would do everything that Moses said. And then he went away for a few weeks.

Oh, how thing can change!

I remember one of my teachers said that the phrase "Forty days and forty nights" is an idiomatic phrase that means "a long, long time." Either way, Moses was gone long enough that the kids got themselves into trouble.
 

Sketchbook: Of local interest

I read an article about former U.S. President Harry S Truman, how he had a sign on his desk that said, "The Buck Stops Here."

That somehow reminded me of how fast offerings in the Church are used locally. If a ward or branch has more than they need, it goes to the stake or district. Local needs are addressed first. And I think that's kind of cool.
 

Captcha

I had to do a lot of agreeing and proving recently as I worked on my taxes. I likened the scriptures like unto myself. 
 

Thou shalt not scratch

I can totally see this happening.
 

Tantalizing the tastebuds

A few weeks ago, the Ward Cartoonist ran a few strips about the challenges missionaries have with food — especially dinner appointments that don't go so well. 

That got me to thinking about some of the interesting meals I had as a missionary. In particular, the ones we made for ourselves. Sometimes they were the most frightening of all! 

All three of these made it to our table at one time or another — and I don't think Paul Hollywood would approve of any of them!

What are some of the strange dishes you made as a missionary?
 

It’s all uphill from here

Wasn’t it Pres. Kimball who said, “Give me this mountain!”?
 

Sketchbook: No leftovers

Our Easter treats don’t last long!

Easter Week: The Resurrection

"And when she had thus said, she turned herself back and saw Jesus standing, and knew not that it was Jesus.

"Jesus saith unto her, Woman, why weepest thou? whom seekest thou? She, supposing him to be the gardener, saith unto him, Sir, if thou hast borne him hence, tell me where thou has laid him, and I will take him away.

"Jesus saith unto her, Mary. She turned herself, and saith unto him, Rabboni; which is to say, Master.

"Jesus saith unto her, Touch me not; for I am not yet ascended to my Father: but go to my brethren, and say unto them, I ascend unto my Father, and your Father; and to my God, and your God."
 

Easter Week: The Burial

"The man went unto Pilate and begged the body of Jesus.

"And he took it down, and wrapped it in linen, and laid it in a sepulchre that was hewn in stone, wherein man never before was laid.

"And that day was the preparation, and the sabbath drew on."

 

Easter Week: The Crucifixion

"And it was about the sixth hour, and there was a darkness over all the earth until the ninth hour.

"And the sun was darkened, and the veil of the temple was rent in the midst.

"And when Jesus had cried with a loud voice, he said, Father, into they hands I commend my spirit: and having said thus, he gave up the ghost." 

 

Easter Week: Gethsemane

"Then said he unto them, My soul is exceeding sorrowful, even unto death: tarry ye here, and watch with me.

"And he went a little further, and fell on his face, and prayed, saying, O my Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from me: nevertheless, not as I will, but as thou wilt."
 

Easter Week: Jesus Teaches His Disciples

"Then shall the King say unto them on his right hand, Come, ye blessed of my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world.

"For I was an hungered, and ye gave me meat; I was thirsty, and ye gave me doing; I was a stranger, and ye took me in;

"Naked, and ye clothed me; I was sick, and ye visited me; I was in prison, and ye came unto me.

"Then shall the righteous answer him, saying, Lord, when saw we thee an hungered, and fed thee? or thirsty, and gave thee drink?

"When was we thee a stranger, and took thee in? or naked, and clothed thee?

"And the King shall answer and say unto them, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me."

 

Easter Week: Jesus Teaches

"Master, which is the great commandment in the law? 

"Jesus said unto him, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind. 

"And the second is like unto it, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. 

"On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets."

Easter Week: Cleansing the Temple

"And Jesus went in to the temple of God, and cast our all of them that sold and bought in the temple, and overthrew the tables of the moneychangers, and the seats of them that sold doves,

"And said unto them, It is written, My house shall be called the house of prayer; but ye have made it a den of thieves."

 

Easter Week: Palm Sunday

"And a great multitude spread their garments in the way; others cut down branches from trees, and strawed them in the way.

"And the multitudes that went before, and the followed, cried, saying, Hossana to the Son of David: Blessed is he that cometh in the name of the Lord' Hosanna in the highest."
 

Gather ye manna where ye may

There were lots of rules about gathering and using manna. This one wasn't codified, and therefore did not make it into the Book of Exodus.
 

A mighty change

That's a question I often get asked when I'm cooking dinner: Can't this be something else — like takeout pizza?
 

It’s in the water

Food was probably one of the last things on the minds of the Children of Israel as they passed through the Red Sea. But water was one of the first things they wanted once they got to the other side!

On a side note, at my drawing table I keep a stash of various coins from around the world. Sometimes I use them for reference, sometimes I use them to help me draw circles. 

I grabbed a coin that I felt would be the right size for the wagon wheel. I placed it on the paper, grabbed my pencil — and then I laughed when I saw what it was: a one pound coin from Egypt!

The registrar is in

Aren't you always surprised at how quickly after their liberation the Children of Israel started to murmur and complain? Good thing we're not like that today...unless you've seen what's posted on social media right after General Conference. 
 

Sketchbook: Following the prophet

What an amazing General Conference! It's hard to choose a favorite talk — but Pres. Nelson talking about spiritual momentum has to be right up there.*

Now that General Conference is over, it's time to start reviewing the messages. I've compiled my notes into one downloadable PDF to assist in that review.

Which talks were most meaningful to you?

*Internet research indicates it was Alex Barcello who lit it up during a BYU game to turn the momentum. Go Cougs!
 

Sketchnotes: Sunday Afternoon Session

 

Sketchnotes: Sunday Morning Session

 

Sketchnotes: General Women's' Session

 

Sketchnotes: Saturday Afternoon Session

 

Sketchnotes: Saturday Morning Session

General Adventure

This is an example of how an idea can evolve. The original scribble in my notebook had a couple of missionaries getting dressed. But they do that every day; there's no special uniform for General Conference. 

Then I thought about making the characters general authorities. That might have been funny, but then again it might just look like two older gentlemen putting on suits. And I don't think I'm brave enough to start drawing caricatures of Elder Bednar or Elder Gong.

That brings us here. I'll leave it to your interpretation on whether he's changing out of play clothes to watch a session, or if he's getting ready for action and adventure!