Carters day with Granparents

This last Friday night Linda and I had our second scheduled weekend with
individual Granchildren. Carter came and spent Friday night and most of
Saturday. Friday night we had pepperoni pizza and took in a late movie(8pm
start). We saw Planet 51. It was very entertaining and Carter stayed
awake through the whole show, while Grandma, having a long day of service
and shoppong with Kelly, fell asleep.
Saturday morning Carter woke up at about 6:30 and started putting puzzles
together. We had pancakes for breakfast, wrestled, played video games,
played chess, played a little basketball, went to 5 Guys Burgers and Fries
for lunch, painted a ceramic Dragon (to be fired this week), played
battleship, and played more chess. It was lots of fun. I want these
experiences with all of my Granchldren.

A Favorite Christmas Present from my Childhood

As a child of about 8 or 9 years old, we did not have video games.  Our play was imaginary but exciting.  The two primary types of programming in movies and on TV were Westerns and War Movies.   Every young boy would imagine himself a cowboy or even a gunslinger.  One of my favorite gifts of all time was a matching set of Mattel Shootin' Shell 45 cap pistols.   These were very authentic revolver like pistols that had spring loaded shells with plastic bullets.  A cap was placed on the rear of the casing.  As a realistic revolver, 6 shells could be loaded.  When the shells were loaded, the gun could be fired either by pulling the trigger, or by fanning on the oversized cocking mechanism.   A firing pin would strike the cap and make the bang sound, and the plastic bullet would be launched through the barrel about 15 feet with some accuracy.   Such guns would never be tolerated today.   They were way too realistic.   But that was a different time.

In my imagination, I would face down another gun slinger and draw.   I was pretty good.   I would even imagine myself participating as my favorite song would come on the radio  El Paso by Marty Robbins.   Of course it was the gun fighting that was the attraction, not the girly stuff. 

  In one of my favorite episodes of Bat Masterson one of the characters pulled out a small derringer (small concealed single shot gun)  

My Shootin Shell holster came with a  belt buckle, that had a derringer as part of the design.   When you would stick out your stomach, the derringer was released and would swivel out and fire one of the shootin' shell bullets.  THIS WAS THE COOLEST THING EVER!!

The Small Plates of Dennis

Take this link to view the small plates. blog,

From the Book if Jacob Chapter 1 of the Book of Mormon

1 FOR behold, it came to pass ....wherefore, Nephi gave me, Jacob, a ^acommandment concerning the ^bsmall plates, upon which these things are engraven.

2 And he gave me, Jacob, a commandment that I should ^awrite upon ^bthese plates a few of the things which I considered to be most precious; ....

4 And if there were preaching which was ^asacred, or revelation which was great, or prophesying, that I should engraven the ^bheads of them upon these plates, and touch upon them as much as it were possible, for Christ’s sake, and for the sake of our people.

Like Jacob, it is my wish to write and share with my family and my posterity the important spiritual and sacred experiences of my life. 

1. That they may know that I have a testimony of the Lord Jesus Christ and of his role in the loving plan of our Father in Heave to help us to become like him and have all that he has.
2. That they might know of the spiritual experiences that have built that testimony
3. That they may see how I have learned and do continue to learn of my Father in Heaven and his plan for us and how it relates to our lives. 

These are the more sacred experienced of my life as I remember them and as they currently occur.    A private blog will permit me an easier media than engraving it on plates or even writing them on paper.    I pray that as you receive these words, that you will take the time to consider them for yourself and prayerfully consider their value and truthfulness.  

Moro. 10: 4-5

  4 And when ye shall receive these things, I would exhort you that ye would ^aask God, the Eternal Father, in the name of Christ, if these things are not ^btrue; and if ye shall ask with a ^csincereheart, with ^dreal intent, having ^efaith in Christ, he will ^fmanifest the ^gtruth of it unto you, by the power of the Holy Ghost.

  5 And by the power of the Holy Ghost ye may ^aknow the ^btruth of all things.

I also ask that since they are sacred to me, that you not share them with just anyone.   My references to scriptures you may share freely, but my experiences should not be shared without permission