I realized when Matthew called me and asked me about my last post on my mission, that I mentioned being a zone leader, this was something that I had not told him or my family. I hope that this does not come across as flaunting or boasting. I had a lot to learn and that gave the opportunity to serve and develop new talents that were unknown to me. I know that our Heavenly Father knows us better than we know ourselves, for He knew us before we came to this earth. He wants us to discover that and have faith in Him that the life circumstances that are ours will maximize our potential if we do.
When I got to Tocapilla, I met Luis Ossandon who picked me up from the train station. I love this man and his family, hermana Yenny, Diego, and Barbarita. They became my Family in Chile.
I also became a trainer in Tocapilla, in my mission lingo I had a son, Elder Torriani, more my brother that I still keep in contact with and give a hard time.He has taught me so much, first and foremost to love life and those you get to share it with. I thought that I would be able to teach him quite a bit about being a missionary. I still remember the first time that we went out tracting and he wasn't afraid to talk to anybody. The other Elders in the zone picked up on his fearlessness and asked him to come with them when we had a booth in the monthly market.When it was time for transfers, I would tell my mission president that I would love to stay in a companionship with Elder Torriani, but understood if he was needed elsewhere. I was able to finish out my mission with him.
one of the last discussions that we had was with a couple that he had met in the market. We had met them once before in their home, but were still getting to know them, we had not been there very long, when the husband remarked that he loved getting to know us, but would we pleas help them have the same feeling that they experienced the last time we were with them.They were beginning to recognize the Spirit in their life and wanted to have it with them as often as they could.
We were also able to tech our Mamita and one of her sons. she approached us after our lunch and asked us what was different about us? She said that she could tell that we loved what we were doing and that we loved eachother too. she wanted that for her family.
Friday, April 25, 2014
Tuesday, April 15, 2014
#I don't want to . . .
Inset whatever your particular "erk" in your life right now.
for me it is change, I get comfortable and want to stay that way. A universal law of physics is, "a body in motion . . ." I wasn't smart enough to even attempt Physics in college, but I do watch The Big Bang Theory. I laugh at how OCD Sheldon is and that makes me realize how ridiculous I am being about my comfort zone, although I do have a valid excuse for not driving, but then again, I find myself at times just as narcissistic. For example at Neuroworx I was working with Brad, a PT student from the U, whose students up at the U coincidently gave him the nickname "Sheldon," and walking around the halls without the use of my hiking pole, when he asked me where my poster was -They have started to put posters up of their clients, I told him that "we" were moving buildings this year and I was shooting for a broze statue of me in the entryway of the new building, at the very least a bust, but now I am thinking about having a fountain. Just at that moment Jan rounded the corner and Brad told her, "Curtis was just telling me how upset he was that he did not have a poster up yet." I quickly told her what I had in mind, to which she smiled and told me that she would be sure to get" right on that."
Life is change. In order to become what my Heavenly Father wants me to be, I still have a long way to go. My plan is to stop fighting against it and live with the faith that He knows best and requires me to do my best, as little as that is.
for me it is change, I get comfortable and want to stay that way. A universal law of physics is, "a body in motion . . ." I wasn't smart enough to even attempt Physics in college, but I do watch The Big Bang Theory. I laugh at how OCD Sheldon is and that makes me realize how ridiculous I am being about my comfort zone, although I do have a valid excuse for not driving, but then again, I find myself at times just as narcissistic. For example at Neuroworx I was working with Brad, a PT student from the U, whose students up at the U coincidently gave him the nickname "Sheldon," and walking around the halls without the use of my hiking pole, when he asked me where my poster was -They have started to put posters up of their clients, I told him that "we" were moving buildings this year and I was shooting for a broze statue of me in the entryway of the new building, at the very least a bust, but now I am thinking about having a fountain. Just at that moment Jan rounded the corner and Brad told her, "Curtis was just telling me how upset he was that he did not have a poster up yet." I quickly told her what I had in mind, to which she smiled and told me that she would be sure to get" right on that."
Life is change. In order to become what my Heavenly Father wants me to be, I still have a long way to go. My plan is to stop fighting against it and live with the faith that He knows best and requires me to do my best, as little as that is.
Monday, April 14, 2014
Top Ten Things to Remember as a Stay at Home Parent:
- there is nothing wrong with survival mode
- Your kids won't live at home forever, you hope and fear at the same time
- That panic feeling that you feel when you close the door to go to the bathroom is normal.
- What you do will be remembered over what you say.
- Every child is unique, so there is no one technique or right way to parent.
- Laugh at yourself and your children
- take care of yourself, so that you have something to give to your family.
- Boring people have clean homes. :)
- You will do no greater eternal work than within the walls of your own home. (Pres. Boyd K. Packer, These Things I know, April 2013 )
- your kids where His before they were yours
Thursday, April 3, 2014
Limbo
That is what life is doing right now as we are getting our home up for sale and looking for one to buy. I apologize that my blogging has taken the brunt of the chaos in life right now.-To everything there is a season/phase-I mentioned to my mother in law that if we could get through this and come out on top things, should settle down. She laughed and replied that "you could spend your life waiting for that day, because there is always something."
How low can you go? or how high and low in my case? UNCLE!
How low can you go? or how high and low in my case? UNCLE!
Monday, March 17, 2014
Meaning
"To the brain meaning is every thing" Neuroscientist Dr. Page Bailey. I am at a point in my recovery that I am worried, shocking I know, about the next step. I know that I have written about my progress and only getting into trouble when I try to take more than one step at a time. In relate-able terms in the workforce. I am looking for the next promotion directly over me not two or three. I am not looking to beat the system.That connection comes from my twin brother Matt's life.
As I am typing the song 'Hanging By a Moment' from Lifehouse: "Desperate for changing, starving for truth . . .Forgetting all I'm lacking, completely incomplete. I'll take your invitation, you take all of me now." It has been on my find for the last few weeks. I am particularly taken with the phrases, "Forgetting what I'm lacking" and completely in complete." There is a sense of peace that comes from such self-awareness of knowing that I am imperfect, but that I am progressing and doing my best. I am CHAMPION
As I am typing the song 'Hanging By a Moment' from Lifehouse: "Desperate for changing, starving for truth . . .Forgetting all I'm lacking, completely incomplete. I'll take your invitation, you take all of me now." It has been on my find for the last few weeks. I am particularly taken with the phrases, "Forgetting what I'm lacking" and completely in complete." There is a sense of peace that comes from such self-awareness of knowing that I am imperfect, but that I am progressing and doing my best. I am CHAMPION
Saturday, March 15, 2014
Spring Clean
This year, Had me
going through our stack/pile of mail. In it I came across the things that I had
up at the hospital, my admittance report, get well cards, rehab schedule and
notes from my therapists. I am reminded of the authur of The Gospel of Second
Chances stating that,” no matter how long or bad the winter is, spring always
follows.” I am a living miracle that this is true.
One of my favorite entries
done by my OT was, “Curtis’ best friend Marc Mckay, surprised Curtis with a
visit today. He was excited to see him.” I have the best friends.They are not just fair-weather friends.
As we get our house ready to sell, yes we are going to move. I have to remind myself that there are good people everywhere. This neighborhood has been so good to us and become our family as we started our family. They will be missed.I am talking myself into being excited for our next adventure as we move.
Wednesday, March 12, 2014
being in love with life
The captain of the Axion on Disney's WALL-E tells the computer autopilot, "I want to do more than survive, I want to live." I have to admit, step one- self awareness -check. I have been in a 'funk' lately and something about spring being right around the corner has me excited about all the little things that spring means,things like: growing a garden, being able to get outside more to just be outside, seeing my kids play for hours outside, riding bikes, swinging, and being kids. I am a blessed man, I wouldn't have chosen this type of life therapy for me, but I know that it is what I need to be the person that I can be. In the words of Art Berg, "My dreams are coming true not in-spite of my challenges, but because of them."
Tuesday, March 11, 2014
A look at gender roles
For me, not anyone else. I have struggled with this my whole life. I have wanted to be what I thought was masculine; take charge, athletic, strong,determined confident guy. I grew up feeling like the 'runt' and was always more prone to practice the piano than to play ball.
I grew up in a family where my mom was able to be home with us and my Pa worked 6 days a week. They both supported each other in the nurturer and provider roles.
I felt successful in my job before and even after the accident at KUED, but because of budget cuts my position was sacked. Lex loves her job as a mentor at Paradigm High School were she teaches Theater and core English classes. I am at home with the Colester, Abby and Maxwell when they get home from school. making them do the things my mom did when I got home:1. wash your hands. 2. Get a healthy snack. 3. Tell me about your day. 4. do homework.I am not as good as my friend Joe Fernandez who does the cooking in his home. Lex still takes that on after a full day at work, Brillancy strikes everyday!
I grew up in a family where my mom was able to be home with us and my Pa worked 6 days a week. They both supported each other in the nurturer and provider roles.
I felt successful in my job before and even after the accident at KUED, but because of budget cuts my position was sacked. Lex loves her job as a mentor at Paradigm High School were she teaches Theater and core English classes. I am at home with the Colester, Abby and Maxwell when they get home from school. making them do the things my mom did when I got home:1. wash your hands. 2. Get a healthy snack. 3. Tell me about your day. 4. do homework.I am not as good as my friend Joe Fernandez who does the cooking in his home. Lex still takes that on after a full day at work, Brillancy strikes everyday!
Monday, March 10, 2014
Thought-provoking, Humorous quotes:
I cannot take credit for the following,the credit goes to a fellow Candeo student, but I wanted to share, especially on a Monday after losing an hour of sleep:
Humorous quotes:
1 – I'd kill for a Nobel Peace Prize.
2 – Borrow money from pessimists — they don't expect it back.
3 – Half the people you know are below average.
4 – 99% of lawyers give the rest a bad name.
6 – A conscience is what hurts when all your other parts feel so good.
7 – A clear conscience is usually the sign of a bad memory.
8 – If you want the rainbow, you have got to put up with the rain.
9 – All those who believe in psycho-kinesis, raise my hand.
10 – The early bird may get the worm, but the second mouse gets the cheese.
11 – I almost had a psychic girlfriend, …But she left me before we met.
12 – OK, so what's the speed of dark?
13 – How do you tell when you're out of invisible ink?
14 – If everything seems to be going well, you have obviously overlooked something.
15 – Depression is merely anger without enthusiasm.
16 – When everything is coming your way, you're in the wrong lane.
17 – Ambition is a poor excuse for not having enough sense to be lazy.
18 – Hard work pays off in the future; laziness pays off now.
19 – I intend to live forever… So far, so good.
21 – Eagles may soar, but weasels don't get sucked into jet engines.
22 – What happens if you get scared half to death twice?
23 – My mechanic told me, "I couldn't repair your brakes, so I made your horn louder."
24 – Why do psychics have to ask you for your name.
25 – If at first you don't succeed, destroy all evidence that you tried.
26 – A conclusion is the place where you got tired of thinking.
27 – Experience is something you don't get until just after you needed it.
28 – The hardness of the butter is proportional to the softness of the bread.
29 – To steal ideas from one person is plagiarism; to steal from many is research.
30 – The problem with the gene pool is that there is no lifeguard.
31 – The sooner you fall behind, the more time you'll have to catch up.
32 – The colder the x-ray table, the more of your body is required to be on it.
33 – Everyone has a photographic memory; some just don't have film.
34 – If at first you don't succeed, skydiving is not for you.
35 – If your car could travel at the speed of light, would your headlights work?
Humorous quotes:
1 – I'd kill for a Nobel Peace Prize.
2 – Borrow money from pessimists — they don't expect it back.
3 – Half the people you know are below average.
4 – 99% of lawyers give the rest a bad name.
6 – A conscience is what hurts when all your other parts feel so good.
7 – A clear conscience is usually the sign of a bad memory.
8 – If you want the rainbow, you have got to put up with the rain.
9 – All those who believe in psycho-kinesis, raise my hand.
10 – The early bird may get the worm, but the second mouse gets the cheese.
11 – I almost had a psychic girlfriend, …But she left me before we met.
12 – OK, so what's the speed of dark?
13 – How do you tell when you're out of invisible ink?
14 – If everything seems to be going well, you have obviously overlooked something.
15 – Depression is merely anger without enthusiasm.
16 – When everything is coming your way, you're in the wrong lane.
17 – Ambition is a poor excuse for not having enough sense to be lazy.
18 – Hard work pays off in the future; laziness pays off now.
19 – I intend to live forever… So far, so good.
21 – Eagles may soar, but weasels don't get sucked into jet engines.
22 – What happens if you get scared half to death twice?
23 – My mechanic told me, "I couldn't repair your brakes, so I made your horn louder."
24 – Why do psychics have to ask you for your name.
25 – If at first you don't succeed, destroy all evidence that you tried.
26 – A conclusion is the place where you got tired of thinking.
27 – Experience is something you don't get until just after you needed it.
28 – The hardness of the butter is proportional to the softness of the bread.
29 – To steal ideas from one person is plagiarism; to steal from many is research.
30 – The problem with the gene pool is that there is no lifeguard.
31 – The sooner you fall behind, the more time you'll have to catch up.
32 – The colder the x-ray table, the more of your body is required to be on it.
33 – Everyone has a photographic memory; some just don't have film.
34 – If at first you don't succeed, skydiving is not for you.
35 – If your car could travel at the speed of light, would your headlights work?
Saturday, March 8, 2014
"Take Strength From Those that Need You."
From Disney's Tarzan Much strength, have I. Lex and I have decided that for our family it is best if one of us is home with the kids, or in the case of our Colester the kid, we are fortunate to be able to do thisIn Tuesday's with Morrie, he explains to Mitch that,"If you want
the experience of having complete responsibility for another human being
and learn how to love and bond in the deepest way, then you have
children. " I draw my strength from my kids, here are some examples:
Abby:I have special one-on-one time with my Abby Girl every weekend in the mornings, she comes and crawls into bed with me and we just chat about anything and everything. I love this time. Helps me do my hair and tie on Sundays, or at least gives me a thumbs up or thumbs down, and loves me even when I am a dork, the t-shirt that she will always pick out for me has it spelled in red, capital letters.
Maxwell: Helps me when he sees me trying to do something with one good arm that he can easily do, claps when I walk in the house without my hiking pole, and is constantly pestering me to tickle him again!
Coleman: Giving me a run for the money, as he out smarts me and he is only three. He does love me, a fact that I am constantly reminding myself and get to see once every week, when my Pa drops me off to therapy and goes to run an errand or two with him. My Pa has told me that he breaks down crying, saying, "I need my daddy!"
It is nice to be needed. I long to belong and in a world of strangers belong here with my family.
Abby:I have special one-on-one time with my Abby Girl every weekend in the mornings, she comes and crawls into bed with me and we just chat about anything and everything. I love this time. Helps me do my hair and tie on Sundays, or at least gives me a thumbs up or thumbs down, and loves me even when I am a dork, the t-shirt that she will always pick out for me has it spelled in red, capital letters.
Maxwell: Helps me when he sees me trying to do something with one good arm that he can easily do, claps when I walk in the house without my hiking pole, and is constantly pestering me to tickle him again!
Coleman: Giving me a run for the money, as he out smarts me and he is only three. He does love me, a fact that I am constantly reminding myself and get to see once every week, when my Pa drops me off to therapy and goes to run an errand or two with him. My Pa has told me that he breaks down crying, saying, "I need my daddy!"
It is nice to be needed. I long to belong and in a world of strangers belong here with my family.
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