Dear Santa

Can you guess what I want for Christmas?

Posted to Dale's Thoughts

Freedom

Today I spoke with a man who arrived in this country after spending eighteen years in a refugee camp. They had been driven away from their homeland by communist insurgents. Eighteen long years he and his family were not free to go where they wanted, to live as they chose.

Freedom...

Do you really understand the meaning behind that word?

I used to work with a young man who spent 6 years in prison. He was beaten. He was tortured. His crime? Passing out flyers speaking out against the government. The place? Myanmar (Burma, if you still go by the old name). He now works with a refugee agency helping others attain their freedom.

Oh but that's half a world away you might say. What difference is Myanmar to us?

Ok, how about we move the discussion a little closer to home. Let's talk about Cuba.

But isn't Cuba the land of pretty girls, salsa bands, and fine cigars? What about their wonderful healthcare system? I mean come on, Michael Moore seemed to think the place was alright.

A dear friend of mine spent some years in a Cuban prison. His crime? You guessed it, speaking out against the government. And don't for a minute think that what happens in a Cuban prison is any different than what happens in a Burmese prison.

Did you take your freedom for granted before today?

Don't ever let that happen again.

When we start taking our freedom for granted is when they start taking our freedom away. It starts out with little things. Things that you didn't think would matter but before you know it, your freedom,

Is gone.

Posted to Dale's Thoughts

You're Crazy!!!

I must have heard that phrase at least 5 times this morning as I was carrying my helmet out to the parking lot.

I did ride my motorcycle to work last night. What I didn't count on was a clear sky that dropped the temperature down to about 15˚F (Wind Chill Index on a motorcycle at 50 mph puts it at -10˚F).

All of me is still COLD!!!

Except my feet. Love those wool socks.

I'm sure to do it again. So long as the roads are dry. I need a snowmobile suit though.

Posted to Dale's Thoughts

Homesick

I haven't ridden my bicycle in months. Time to change that I think. I've recently started riding to work. Crazy you say? No, this is crazy. And inspiring. If she can go riding in Alaska in the winter then surely I can handle a little bit of winter riding in Utah.

I don't really drive much anymore. I mean, how can I drive a car and contribute to the ever growing problem of global warming.... Ha Ha Ha!

I can't say that with a straight face.

I don't drive because I'm saving up for a Jeep Wrangler. A good Jeep isn't cheap. If I buy a new car it's going to suck away my money in monthly payments and if I buy an old car it's going to suck away my money in repairs. And, since the snow and ice have come my motorcycle, Honey, isn't so safe on the roads. So for now I bus and bike it around town.

I know of some really cool jeep trails in Wyoming that will take me to some incredible photographic opportunities. Places like Pilot Butte where you can see for miles and can visit the wild horse herd that makes it's home on White Mountain. Old volcanic cones and desert sand dunes, these are the things I want to photograph. There's a place where you can see an old rail spur to South Pass disappear into the sand with the snow capped Wind River Mountains in the back ground. It's just beautiful.

But I need a good trail Jeep!!! I've needed one for a while now and I'm not going to settle for anything less. Some of those old dirt trails (I can't really call them roads) can get a little rough without either a jeep or a horse.

Now I'm homesick for Wyoming and her vast emptiness. There is no other state in the union so beautiful. Mountains, deserts, prairie land...Wyoming has it all and I want to see it all again.

Posted to Dale's Thoughts

Observation

A couple of Sundays ago I went to what I call a Protestant Evangelical church service with a friend. They just call themselves Christian but the way they say it implies that they are and I (the Mormon) am not.

I'm not surprised by this though. The whole purpose of this congregation being located in SLC is to convert the Mormons over to "the truth" of their particular brand of Christianity.

I didn't go because I'm thinking of leaving The Church. Far from it. I was curious about this particular group. Since I had been invited to attend, it worked out as a good opportunity to observe.


The good:

The sermon on making Christ the foundation of your beliefs. No disagreements here.

The table in the back with refreshments. Mormons need more of that, in my opinion, but it would play havoc with Fast Sunday.

At least 3 of these people were in attendance. One of whom invited me in the first place, two I met.


The bad:

No choir or gospel music. I'd have to go to a Southern Baptist service for that I guess. Instead of hymns there was Christian Rock with a band, drums and all. Too loud, and drives away the spirit if it was even present to begin with. Sorry but I just wasn't feeling it. Christian Rock just isn't my thing.


The Ugly:

Right now they are meeting in a charter school rent free but that arrangement is coming to an end in the summer. They are trying to raise money for their own building.


Conclusions:

Another friend of mine, who wimped out on the invitation, describes them as too modern for her. But she is a traditional Catholic girl in her heart despite having drifted away from the Catholic church.
I think that they come from a sincere place and their intentions are good. I wouldn't label them anti-Mormon but they definitely aren't pro-Mormon, obviously. I hope they get their new building. I may go back from time to time for the sake of friendship. But I am not naive. I was invited out of more than just friendship. I am no doubt seen as a potential convert. That's not ever going to happen but there's no harm in understanding the beliefs of others. In fact, I consider it essential.

Posted to Dale's Thoughts