So today was "Banner Day" for our Battalion. It was fun. I played two softball games and we won the first one but lost the second game in the bottom of the last inning with two outs. It was a close game. I played left field. As most of you know I have a bad right knee. I told Tiffany I was playing and she just shook her head at me. I guess turning 40 is the last straw, but boys will be boys!!
I did really well. Three doubles, a homerun and two walks. So this 40 yr old still has it. HAHA Even though I did come home and take some Ibuprofen. HAHA I feel better but I will be sore tomorrow. Jessica also mentioned to me I got a little red from the sun. No matter what I had a great time.
So yesterday I got a great a computer since mine died last Friday night. It was nice to have access to email and be able to work. I found out that I have a Hail/Farewell with 125 BSB on Thursday. It will be good to finish up with my old unit. I did really enjoy my time there, just didn't do a lot of Intelligence work which frustrated me.
Until tomorrow,
JP
Tuesday, October 26, 2010
Friday, October 22, 2010
What I want to be when I grow up
I think sometimes, what if I had to do it all over again. What would I do different? I think I probably would have stayed closer to home for my career. Don't get me wrong, I love my country and I do enjoy being able to stand with my brothers and sisters in arms to protect the freedoms that we all enjoy.
I feel think sometimes I would have been a great electrician or going to a trade of sorts. I like working with wood (not that I have time for it). I also think I would have been a great teacher. That is what I wanted to do, but having 6 kids being a teacher doesn't really pay the bills. I believe when I was a young boy I wanted to be a firefighter. I think I chose the dangerous path going military and police officer.
I have been really thinking about choices lately, and how those choices affect our lives weither good or bad. I know I am not perfect, but I believe to an extent that I have many things that I have made great choices on. I believe I made a great decision to go on a mission to Korea. That was a great but challenging time for me. I believe I served well and learned many things about who I am and what I stand for. It was not easy, but so worth it. I believe I also made the best choice of my life when I married my sweetheart. She is an amazing woman and does so much for me and the kids. She is also very strong. Everytime I look in her eyes I see heaven. Don't get me wrong, she has her imperfections, but I have more then her, and she makes me want to be a better man each and every day. I believe I struggle in that from time to time.
Today has not been a very good day. I went into work and found out that somehow my work computer went down. So without a computer I tried to do what was needed. At lunch I went over and relieved Tiffany at CO-OP so she could go over to her appointment. William, Ryan, and Emma were playing soccer. Jaden was over on the playground enjoying burying himself in the sand. It was pretty funny to watch. I also had a good talk with a sister from the ward about life. She has a full load with multiple little ones.
I have grown to enjoy listening to others (which happens a lot being Bishop) talk about their lives and what is happening. It is amazing to me what others lives are like. Many of them hard either financially, emotionally, physically, or spiritually. I am amazed how far a kind work or to let them know I love them goes in this day and age.
Well I better go for now. Tiffany is making homemade pizza for dinner. I always love her pizza. Hopefully the littles ones, and Tiff and I have a great relaxing night. Scott and Jessica are doing Cheer and Band tonight. I can't wait until Cheer and Band are over, then we get our kids back! Have a great weekend.
I feel think sometimes I would have been a great electrician or going to a trade of sorts. I like working with wood (not that I have time for it). I also think I would have been a great teacher. That is what I wanted to do, but having 6 kids being a teacher doesn't really pay the bills. I believe when I was a young boy I wanted to be a firefighter. I think I chose the dangerous path going military and police officer.
I have been really thinking about choices lately, and how those choices affect our lives weither good or bad. I know I am not perfect, but I believe to an extent that I have many things that I have made great choices on. I believe I made a great decision to go on a mission to Korea. That was a great but challenging time for me. I believe I served well and learned many things about who I am and what I stand for. It was not easy, but so worth it. I believe I also made the best choice of my life when I married my sweetheart. She is an amazing woman and does so much for me and the kids. She is also very strong. Everytime I look in her eyes I see heaven. Don't get me wrong, she has her imperfections, but I have more then her, and she makes me want to be a better man each and every day. I believe I struggle in that from time to time.
Today has not been a very good day. I went into work and found out that somehow my work computer went down. So without a computer I tried to do what was needed. At lunch I went over and relieved Tiffany at CO-OP so she could go over to her appointment. William, Ryan, and Emma were playing soccer. Jaden was over on the playground enjoying burying himself in the sand. It was pretty funny to watch. I also had a good talk with a sister from the ward about life. She has a full load with multiple little ones.
I have grown to enjoy listening to others (which happens a lot being Bishop) talk about their lives and what is happening. It is amazing to me what others lives are like. Many of them hard either financially, emotionally, physically, or spiritually. I am amazed how far a kind work or to let them know I love them goes in this day and age.
Well I better go for now. Tiffany is making homemade pizza for dinner. I always love her pizza. Hopefully the littles ones, and Tiff and I have a great relaxing night. Scott and Jessica are doing Cheer and Band tonight. I can't wait until Cheer and Band are over, then we get our kids back! Have a great weekend.
Thursday, October 21, 2010
Trials of life
As I went through yesterday I realized that I didn't have much to do at work. So that is why I started the Blog. It gives me an understanding on what I need to do in my life and how to keep a record of it. If anyone has teenagers you realize that the trials that they go through in life are greater then we as adults have ever had it. They are being pulled in so many directions that they do not which way they should follow. Over the lives of my oldest two children we have tried to teach them to be trustworthy and that choices have consequences. I think that lesson will continue to be taught for a long time to come. I think the greatest test for a parent is to step back and let your children make choices weither good or bad. Then watch them deal with the consequences. I think that is the hardest thing that I have had to deal with them. I have heard before that if you teach your children all you can when they are young in what is right that when they turn 13 and start believing that you do not know what you are talking about as a parent, that sooner or later they will come back to the realization that you have gone through a lot of what they have gone through and know what you are talking about.
Over the past year and a half Tiffany and I have met a lot of challenges weither in home, work, or church. It has not been easy. I find as I counsel youth how much they do not know of the basic principles of the gospel. I guess at my age I didn't either, but in this day and age we have to teach our children at an earlier age what is right and wrong and how to deal with the temptations of Satan.
Even with knowing that Satan is there, it is hard for our youth. With peer pressure, school, and trying to understand who they are and what path they want to follow. We as parents need to put our arms around our children and keep them true on the path. I know that I struggle with my own trials of life, but the most important thing is my family. A friendly reminder from my mother occasionally stating that we want no empty seats in Heaven reminds me that we are our brothers keeper. It doesn't mean to control them but it does mean to help them along the path of life with our love and hopefully our example.
Yesterday, I chose to go to the church activities with out a shirt and tie (first time since being called Bishop)on thinking that I wouldn't sit and counsel with anyone last night. I wore a button down shirt. It looked good but wasn't what I really should have done. I arrived at the church last night to find that the Stake Presidency was at the church to do temple recommend interviews. So I definitely felt out of place right off the bat. Thank goodness Tiffany was at home and was about to head to the church. She brought me a white shirt and tie. I felt better. I guess I learned a valuable lesson that my responsibility as a Bishop is never done and I need to be ready for the unexpected. It is a humbling responsibility and one that I continue to learn about and grow from.
I must have turned off my alarm clock this morning becuase I slept right through Seminary. Tiffany had to go into to get some blood work done from her appointment last week. I get the opportunity to go hang out with the kids tomorrow around lunch time so Tiffany can get another exam done tomorrow. I enjoy spending time with the kids. It never seems like I have enough time with them. Especially the older two! They are always gone, but what can I expect from two high schoolers. It still amazes me that we have a 17 1/2 year old son. Amazes me even more that he will go on a mission in a year and a half. That will be a great thing, but one that will be hard to get use to not having him around. I remember him as a little boy, I would come home for lunch and we would walk across the street and get the mail. It because a routine. It was a great thing, and a great memory.
I was able to read scriptures with William, Ryan, and Emma this morning. It is an amazing feeling to read with your kids and that they enjoy to learn about Jesus Christ. I am sure it is the feeling they get when they read about him that brings them back for me. I know it does for me.
Over the past year and a half Tiffany and I have met a lot of challenges weither in home, work, or church. It has not been easy. I find as I counsel youth how much they do not know of the basic principles of the gospel. I guess at my age I didn't either, but in this day and age we have to teach our children at an earlier age what is right and wrong and how to deal with the temptations of Satan.
Even with knowing that Satan is there, it is hard for our youth. With peer pressure, school, and trying to understand who they are and what path they want to follow. We as parents need to put our arms around our children and keep them true on the path. I know that I struggle with my own trials of life, but the most important thing is my family. A friendly reminder from my mother occasionally stating that we want no empty seats in Heaven reminds me that we are our brothers keeper. It doesn't mean to control them but it does mean to help them along the path of life with our love and hopefully our example.
Yesterday, I chose to go to the church activities with out a shirt and tie (first time since being called Bishop)on thinking that I wouldn't sit and counsel with anyone last night. I wore a button down shirt. It looked good but wasn't what I really should have done. I arrived at the church last night to find that the Stake Presidency was at the church to do temple recommend interviews. So I definitely felt out of place right off the bat. Thank goodness Tiffany was at home and was about to head to the church. She brought me a white shirt and tie. I felt better. I guess I learned a valuable lesson that my responsibility as a Bishop is never done and I need to be ready for the unexpected. It is a humbling responsibility and one that I continue to learn about and grow from.
I must have turned off my alarm clock this morning becuase I slept right through Seminary. Tiffany had to go into to get some blood work done from her appointment last week. I get the opportunity to go hang out with the kids tomorrow around lunch time so Tiffany can get another exam done tomorrow. I enjoy spending time with the kids. It never seems like I have enough time with them. Especially the older two! They are always gone, but what can I expect from two high schoolers. It still amazes me that we have a 17 1/2 year old son. Amazes me even more that he will go on a mission in a year and a half. That will be a great thing, but one that will be hard to get use to not having him around. I remember him as a little boy, I would come home for lunch and we would walk across the street and get the mail. It because a routine. It was a great thing, and a great memory.
I was able to read scriptures with William, Ryan, and Emma this morning. It is an amazing feeling to read with your kids and that they enjoy to learn about Jesus Christ. I am sure it is the feeling they get when they read about him that brings them back for me. I know it does for me.
Wednesday, October 20, 2010
New Blog
As I sit here in my office on Biggs Army Airfield in El Paso, Texas there is literally hail coming down the size of grapes. Pretty impressive considering I live in a dust bowl, with a collection of sand mixed in. I have been here in El Paso for the past year and a half and have never seen it hail at all. Something new today. Just to give you a run down of my life let me start by saying it has been quite a ride.
I was born in Salinas, CA on September 18, 1970 to William Edward Porter and Janet Yvonne Heard Porter as their second son. I was born into the LDS Church and have been a member all my life. I great most all of my younger years until the age of almost 17 in California. Living in Salinas, Mountain View, San Jose, and Gilroy, CA. My teenager years in California where spent mostly in Gilroy, CA. Right before I turned 17 my family moved to Orem, Utah where I finished my last two years of High School at Mountain View High School.
After high school I prepared to go on a church mission. I went looking for a job from north Orem to north Provo to work at Wendy's where I met my future wife, Tiffany Ann Jacobson. Wow!! That is all I can say. We fell in love that summer, only one thing stood in the way and that was that I wanted to fullful a full time mission for the LDS church. So in June of 1989 right after my senior year of high school I recieved a mission call to the Seoul West, South Korea mission. I left October 4, 1989 to fulfill that responsibility. Those two years where the most important two years of my life. What an awesome experience. Hard but awesome! When I returned from my mission I started dating Tiffany again. We where engaged two months later and two month after that on January 2, 1992 we where married and sealed together for time and all eternity. We have been married for almost 19 wonderful years. As normal we have had our own trials and struggles but we stay strong in knowing we where meant for each other.
After being married for 6 months we found out that Tiffany was pregnant. (Interesting story- ask me about it I will share it with you individually) I went in the next week and joined the active duty for 4 years leaving October 15, 1992 to go to basic training. I wasn;t able to live with Tiffany again until July '93 after finishing that training. In March 1993 Scott (currently 17 1/2 years old) was born. I missed the birth but I arrived a few hours afterward and of course cried when I held my son in my arms. What an amazing experience. My first duty assignment was at Ft. Huachuca, Sierra Vista, AZ. We loved the area and the dry climate. Jessica (currently 15 1/2) came into our family. After two years in AZ, I was sent to Korea for a year hardship tour. It actually was only 10 months due to the fact I got out of active duty and went into the Utah National Guard and worked in a civilian job for a few years. I worked as a Deputy Sheriff in Utah County for 3 years during which time William (currently 10 1/2) came into our family. (don't worry I cried when each of my kids came into the world. The Utah National Guard had a full time opening so I left the Utah County Sheriff's Department and went full time with the Guard. About 6 months after the move Jaden (Currently 8 1/2) came into our family. I felt that as I was going to stay military I better get a better retirement so I went through Officer Candidate School (OCS). I completed that training right before Ryan (Currently 7) joined our family. Let me just stop and say that I think pregnant women, especially my wife are just amazingly beautiful. Something about it. So I had a few month after my OCS completion to revert back to my Non-Commissioned Officer (NCO) rank until I went to my Officer Basic Course (OBC). My course didn't start until January, but due to my Grandfather's passing who served in WWII, Korea, and Vietnam, I wanted to give the flag to my Grandmother. So I took my commission and was able to present my grandmother with the flag. That was a great experience as well, and I remember being so nervous. I wanted it to be just right.
I went to OBC and after those 4 1/2 months I was sent to Charlottesville, VA for 4 years to work for the Army on full time orders at a Strategic Facility. While in Virginia our caboose Emma (Currently 4 1/2, do not say for or she will correct you) came into our family. In January 2008 my National Guard unit pulled me back to Utah to prepare for a deployment to Afghanistan. I returned to my family 13 1/2 months later in Virginia and requested to go on active duty full time status. In May '09 I drove from VA to El Paso, Texas to join the 1st Armored Division. I have been here for a year and a half. Interesting that during this last year I was called into the Bishopric and then made Bishop May 30, 2010. It has been quite a ride especially the last almost 6 months.
I have been thoroughly blessed in my life and give all the glory to my Heavenly Father. I will write more later but wanted to start by telling you about my 40 years of life. I am sure there will be many other posts. Till next time.
I was born in Salinas, CA on September 18, 1970 to William Edward Porter and Janet Yvonne Heard Porter as their second son. I was born into the LDS Church and have been a member all my life. I great most all of my younger years until the age of almost 17 in California. Living in Salinas, Mountain View, San Jose, and Gilroy, CA. My teenager years in California where spent mostly in Gilroy, CA. Right before I turned 17 my family moved to Orem, Utah where I finished my last two years of High School at Mountain View High School.
After high school I prepared to go on a church mission. I went looking for a job from north Orem to north Provo to work at Wendy's where I met my future wife, Tiffany Ann Jacobson. Wow!! That is all I can say. We fell in love that summer, only one thing stood in the way and that was that I wanted to fullful a full time mission for the LDS church. So in June of 1989 right after my senior year of high school I recieved a mission call to the Seoul West, South Korea mission. I left October 4, 1989 to fulfill that responsibility. Those two years where the most important two years of my life. What an awesome experience. Hard but awesome! When I returned from my mission I started dating Tiffany again. We where engaged two months later and two month after that on January 2, 1992 we where married and sealed together for time and all eternity. We have been married for almost 19 wonderful years. As normal we have had our own trials and struggles but we stay strong in knowing we where meant for each other.
After being married for 6 months we found out that Tiffany was pregnant. (Interesting story- ask me about it I will share it with you individually) I went in the next week and joined the active duty for 4 years leaving October 15, 1992 to go to basic training. I wasn;t able to live with Tiffany again until July '93 after finishing that training. In March 1993 Scott (currently 17 1/2 years old) was born. I missed the birth but I arrived a few hours afterward and of course cried when I held my son in my arms. What an amazing experience. My first duty assignment was at Ft. Huachuca, Sierra Vista, AZ. We loved the area and the dry climate. Jessica (currently 15 1/2) came into our family. After two years in AZ, I was sent to Korea for a year hardship tour. It actually was only 10 months due to the fact I got out of active duty and went into the Utah National Guard and worked in a civilian job for a few years. I worked as a Deputy Sheriff in Utah County for 3 years during which time William (currently 10 1/2) came into our family. (don't worry I cried when each of my kids came into the world. The Utah National Guard had a full time opening so I left the Utah County Sheriff's Department and went full time with the Guard. About 6 months after the move Jaden (Currently 8 1/2) came into our family. I felt that as I was going to stay military I better get a better retirement so I went through Officer Candidate School (OCS). I completed that training right before Ryan (Currently 7) joined our family. Let me just stop and say that I think pregnant women, especially my wife are just amazingly beautiful. Something about it. So I had a few month after my OCS completion to revert back to my Non-Commissioned Officer (NCO) rank until I went to my Officer Basic Course (OBC). My course didn't start until January, but due to my Grandfather's passing who served in WWII, Korea, and Vietnam, I wanted to give the flag to my Grandmother. So I took my commission and was able to present my grandmother with the flag. That was a great experience as well, and I remember being so nervous. I wanted it to be just right.
I went to OBC and after those 4 1/2 months I was sent to Charlottesville, VA for 4 years to work for the Army on full time orders at a Strategic Facility. While in Virginia our caboose Emma (Currently 4 1/2, do not say for or she will correct you) came into our family. In January 2008 my National Guard unit pulled me back to Utah to prepare for a deployment to Afghanistan. I returned to my family 13 1/2 months later in Virginia and requested to go on active duty full time status. In May '09 I drove from VA to El Paso, Texas to join the 1st Armored Division. I have been here for a year and a half. Interesting that during this last year I was called into the Bishopric and then made Bishop May 30, 2010. It has been quite a ride especially the last almost 6 months.
I have been thoroughly blessed in my life and give all the glory to my Heavenly Father. I will write more later but wanted to start by telling you about my 40 years of life. I am sure there will be many other posts. Till next time.
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