DC Day 5

Sabbath Day. Went to Church, personal study time, enjoy the rainy day, dinner, spoke to family, and bed.

Talked about the Allegory of the Olive Tree today. I don't know why it hasn't "clicked" before, but the discussion made me think about the time spent working in my grandfather's vineyard (see image below). For several summers, I pruned the vines, collected the branches that were cut off, checked for signs of pests (rabbits, gophers, squirrels), kept watch for "bad fruit" (places where the vine yielded the original "green" grapes instead of the small, deep purple Merlot variety that had been grafted into the root stock, and helped with the harvest. I'll have to share some thoughts about the process of being a "husbandman" in the R&E Ranch vineyards.

But the ranch offered other things for me during my teenage years. Our family had recently returned to California (after a 5-year or so stint in Eagle, ID) and was located close to the Ranch. One year, I received paintball guns for my birthday, so I would play with friends in the riverbeds and cattle pastures. One time, we wanted to have some "urban assault" practice, so we used the upper lawn as our playing field. The doll house, tree house, and open ground provided a challenge for taking and holding a building. We also played a "stealth" game as the afternoon got darker, where a team would take up certain vantage points, and then a "lone wolf" operative would try to infiltrate the camp -- creeping silently without a weapon, in a sort of reconnaisance mission. Unfortunately, some shots went stray and a few ended up making their mark on the white walls of the Spanish (or mission-)- style home. I went back early the next afternoon to clean up our traces, but the foreman had already seen them as he went up to water the horses, and told grandpa. I got a phone call for that...


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Besides the work and the paintballing, the Ranch offered a place to expend pent up energy and to find some quiet time (and place) to myself. On several occasions, I lugged my saxophone up a hill on the property and serenaded the cows, birds, and other wildlife. Other times I brought a rifle and practised some marksmanship.

[[Aside: I'm not a "lifelong hunter" by any stretch of the imagination. I went deer hunting in Idaho with my father and some friends once; none of us got anything. I've taken out some varmints--jack rabbits and ground squirrels--around the Ranch to keep them away from the vines. But most of my targets have been paper, wood, aluminum, or clay. In fact, some of my favorite targets as a young boy were wooden pencils stuck in the lawn that I would "snap" from a distance with my Red Ryder bb-gun, or aluminum cans that would turn to shreds (then placed in our recycling bin). I also really enjoy shooting trap, which I haven't done in quite some time. It is typically a part of our family Thanksgiving activities when we're at the Ranch.]]

But, often, I'd just go for a hike around the property and enjoy the quiet outdoors and be alone in my thoughts. I have lots of great memories of time spent at the Ranch.



Here are a few pictures from the backyard where I'm staying. Unfortunately, my Blackberry's built-in camera can't quite do the colors justice from a distance.

The sound of the rain was relaxing as I sat by the fire and read for the better part of the day.

DC Day 4 and Dinner

UPDATED

- Ate breakfast with a zone-full of Elders and Sisters.
- Visited two more condos.
- Went to a softball game and got a little sunshine on my skin.

Went to the BYU Management Society (DC Chapter) dinner at the Georgetown Marriott.

BYU Management Society Dinner

Elder M. Russell Ballard, member of the Quorum of the 12 Apostles in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, received the Distinguished Public Service Award, and was accompanied by other General and Area Authorities: Elder Quentin L. Cook (Quorum of the 12), Elder Earl C. Tingey (Presidency of the 70), Elder Clayton M. Christensen, and Elder Matthew Eyring.

Notable US government leaders included Senator Harry Reid (Senate Majority Leader, D-NV), Senator Orrin Hatch (R-UT), Senator Bob Bennett (R-UT), and Senator Gordon Smith (R-OR). Also in attendance were members of foreign delegations (I caught name tags of "Director of Mission" for the Phillipines, among others) and the Ambassador from China.

Other names (sponsors from the program, mentioned during the announcements, or seen in the crowd) were names that I recognized from my time at RFP. I won't take the time to list them now, but they are well-established LDS business leaders and others at the "pinnacle of their professions;" many were senior fundraisers.

Elder Ballard spoke about how much press the Church has received over the last several years--much more so than in any other time in our history. While reaffirming the Church's stance of political neutrality in his remarks (this he did amidst the chuckles that came as he named off prominent LDS politicians and adminstative officials--from both parties--who were in attendance, seated right in from of him), he mentioned the interest in the Church that came about becuase of Mitt's candidacy. He cited major newspapers, other groups, and bloggers as he discussed the potential impact of Mitt's "Mormon" faith on his candidacy. I'd like to search out some of the quotes he used; one prominent news site wrote to the effect that the religious bigotry exhibited in this presidential race didn't hurt Governor Romney, it really hurt all of America; going even further to assert the evils of both religion- and race-baiting.

Elder Ballard cited the large amount of false, misleading, and otherwise ill-intentioned information about the Church that is available, especially on the Internet. Then he asked this group, leaders of business, government, and Church, chapter members and special guests: "What are you going to do about it?"

He encouraged members of the Church--explicity emphasizing even Church leaders--to join in the public discussion and defense of the faith. He spoke of his travels with Elder Cook, meeting with heads of major newspapers and other media companies, urging them to be accurate and fair in their reporting. He spoke of a 6-page letter that a missionary friend of his had written to a news provider, refuting many points of a recent broadcast with facts and strongly urging them to step up into "real" journalism by taking the time to examine the facts, and then report those.

Referencing the writings of Paul and the Articles of Faith, he spoke of "seeking after" things that are virtuous, lovely, and of good report. Elder Ballard stated that "seeking after" implies active participation, not passive acceptance. Returning to a theme (which I believe he spoke on at a BYU-Hawaii devotional or graduation), he encouraged those in the room to use the Internet--whether through your own blog or by contributing to others'--to not only correct error, but to share experiences. By this, he mentioned that there are certain times and places for testimony (Church, teaching, private conversations), and we are to share it, especially when in a setting where the other people involved are receptive to that witness. He then spoke about what we should say and write in public settings--not forcing our religion upon anyone--to help contribute to the growing wealth of good, correct, and positive information about the Church. He mentioned speaking/writing about (1) how Church service has blessed you, (2) how Family Home Evening has strengthened your family relationships, (3) the impact of family councils, prayer, and/or scripture study, (4) where you learned to respect the beliefs of others, and many other things (I wish I could remember all his examples!) of that nature.

Although the previously mentioned things might not be the typical "Fast Sunday" testimony topics, I think these are great examples of personal witnesses of what the Church has done for me and my life. Often, as a missionary, I would meet people who would say, "Oh, I knew a Mormon once. S/He was such a wonderful person; I really respect and admire him/her." I think what Elder Ballard was trying to tell us is that we need to "close the gap" for these people -- they see our examples and in many ways admire the things we do. But do we positively assert that we are that way or that we do those things because of our Savior, His Church, and his teachings?

Elder Ballard also spoke of those who faithfully fulfill Church service, while serving their constituents in the public office to which they have been elected. Of those people, he said that they deserve our deep respect.

It was a great evening.

DC Day 3 and Descartes

Proud of myself...actually got up early (meaning, only hit snooze once when my alarm went off at 6:30am), got ready, drove to Vienna, and got on the 8:18am train. Received a phone call before I got on the train from a California congressman -- cool, huh? He was in a plane on his way to California, but said we could meet up next week.

De-trained at the Capitol South metro station and walked over to the Capitol lawn. Made some phone calls (to the condo guy, Jill, and set up another meeting) and enjoyed the sunshine for about 45 minutes. Walked over to my appointment at the Rayburn office building; met with 3 different people there.



Came back, filled out a rental application, got some cash from the bank, and then met the condo guy to deliver the application. He was great -- hopefully I was charming and convincing in my plea that we'll both actually be working, despite the fact that we don't have jobs yet. It's quite the catch 22, our potential employers want us to be in the city; we need a place to live; our potential landlords are hesitant that we don't have employment; but we can't stay in the city without a place to live ... ugh.

After that, I kicked back in a lounge chair outside, enjoyed the sunset, listened to the birds chirping, and read the next section of Descartes. I'll have to fill in more later about what I thought, but here are a few quotes and brief commentary:

When talking about examining his own opinions and trying to learn from others, Descartes writes,

"It seemed to me that to learn people's true opinions, I should pay attention to their conduct rather than to their words, not only because in our corrupt times there are few who are ready to say all that they believe, but also because many are not aware of their own beliefs, since the mental process of knowing a thing is good or bad is distinct from, and can occur without, the mental process of knowing that we know it."

Later, he says that his second maxim is "to be as firm and determined in my actions as I could be." His words relating to this maxim made me think of our move to Washington, DC.

"In this matter [of firm and determined actions] I patterned my behavior on that of travelers, who, finding themselves lost in a forest, must not wander about, now turning this way, now that, and still less should remain in one place, but should go as straight as they can in the direction they first select and not change the direction except for the strongest reasons. By this method, even if the direction was chosen at random, they will presumably arrive at some destination, not perhaps where they would like to be, but at least where they will be better off than in the middle fo the forest. Similarly, situations in life often permit no delay; and when we cannot determine the course which is certainly best, we must follow the one which is probably the best; and when we cannot determine even that, we must nevertheless select one and follow it therafter as though it were certainly best. If the course selected is not indeed a good one, at least the reasons for selecting it are excellent. This frame of mind freed me also from the repentance and remorse commonly felt by those vacillating individuals who are always seeking as worth while things which they later judge to be bad."

Then, he returns to some thoughts about truth (I've discussed some of his previous insights earlier in my blog), and about the need to examine things for one's self.

"For as God has given each one of us some ability to distinguish the true from the false, I should not haev been content for one instant to rely on the opinions of others if I had not planned to use my own judgment at the proper time; nor could I have followed those opinions with a clear conscience if I had not hoped to take advantage of every opportuniy to find better ones, if better ones there were. ... "

Then, later about the relation between judgment [distinguishing true from false] and behavior [application of knowledge].

"[G]ood judgment is sufficient to guarantee good behavior. Judging as best one can therefore implies that one acts as well as one can, ...."

Were I a little more verbose and lucid, I'd write some more about it. For now, why don't you just mull those quotes over in your own mind and see what you think about -- then let me know by commenting below!

Later, helped make some casseroles for a big breakfast tomorrow -- each quarter all the missionaries in the stake get invited to a member of the stake presidency's home for breakfast and to discuss the efforts in the stake. Tomorrow is "missionary day" here; they'll be showing up at 8am en masse for breakfast.

Wrapped up about 10:45pm, wrote this quick post, called Jill, and went to bed.

Congrats to Jill

for her last day of work .... for now

Day 2

Got up, pretended to exercise (few hundred jumping jacks and some pushups), had breakfast, looked up phone numbers for some apt complexes and set some appointments.

Visited an apartment community near Lake Fairfax, then went to another community in Reston. Took a bunch of pictures, wandered around, then drove around the park at Fairfax Lake and took some more pictures. Ate lunch, then saw two more condos -- one in Oakton, the other back in Reston. Really liked the last one.

Came back, checked email, got caught up on some news, played the piano and talked to Jill, then decided to send in some job applications ... but Blogger delayed me. :-D

Mr. Condo-for-let, Won't you please let me be a neighbor.