One of the main reasons that I started this journal blog was to allow myself some time for pondering as I write. In General Conference, President Eyring said that through our journal writing we can see more clearly the Lord’s hand in our lives. As President Eyring put it:

“When our children were very small, I started to write down a few things about what happened every day. Let me tell you how that got started. I came home late from a Church assignment. It was after dark. My father-in-law, who lived near us, surprised me as I walked toward the front door of my house. He was carrying a load of pipes over his shoulder, walking very fast and dressed in his work clothes. I knew that he had been building a system to pump water from a stream below us up to our property.

He smiled, spoke softly, and then rushed past me into the darkness to go on with his work. I took a few steps toward the house, thinking of what he was doing for us, and just as I got to the door, I heard in my mind—not in my own voice—these words: “I’m not giving you these experiences for yourself. Write them down.”

I went inside. I didn’t go to bed. Although I was tired, I took out some paper and began to write. And as I did, I understood the message I had heard in my mind. I was supposed to record for my children to read, someday in the future, how I had seen the hand of God blessing our family. Grandpa didn’t have to do what he was doing for us. He could have had someone else do it or not have done it at all. But he was serving us, his family, in the way covenant disciples of Jesus Christ always do. I knew that was true. And so I wrote it down, so that my children could have the memory someday when they would need it.

I wrote down a few lines every day for years. I never missed a day no matter how tired I was or how early I would have to start the next day. Before I would write, I would ponder this question: “Have I seen the hand of God reaching out to touch us or our children or our family today?” As I kept at it, something began to happen. As I would cast my mind over the day, I would see evidence of what God had done for one of us that I had not recognized in the busy moments of the day. As that happened, and it happened often, I realized that trying to remember had allowed God to show me what He had done.

More than gratitude began to grow in my heart. Testimony grew. I became ever more certain that our Heavenly Father hears and answers prayers. I felt more gratitude for the softening and refining that come because of the Atonement of the Savior Jesus Christ. And I grew more confident that the Holy Ghost can bring all things to our remembrance—even things we did not notice or pay attention to when they happened.

The years have gone by. My boys are grown men. And now and then one of them will surprise me by saying, “Dad, I was reading in my copy of the journal about when . . . ” and then he will tell me about how reading of what happened long ago helped him notice something God had done in his day.

My point is to urge you to find ways to recognize and remember God’s kindness. It will build our testimonies. You may not keep a journal. You may not share whatever record you keep with those you love and serve. But you and they will be blessed as you remember what the Lord has done.”

It has been 6 months since my femur break. Looking back over the time since the accident, I can certainly see how the Lord has blessed me in so very many ways. I missed running, but am able to run again. In olden times with inferior medical resources, I may not have even lived. More likely though is that I would have lived out my life as a cripple, hobbling around with a crutch for the rest of my life. It is in many ways a miracle that the very day of the surgery (in which they pieced together 11 pieces of bone fragments with a 12 inch titanium plate and 9 screws) I was getting around on crutches in the hospital. I missed a few days of work but did not miss a single dollar of my paycheck. Little Jack was born 5 and a half weeks after my accident. I was able to carry Jack around even with the crutches and help care for Dalliene and her C-section without incident. I and my family have been truly blessed.

About 2 and a half weeks ago, Dr. Creig Macarthur cleared me for running and said that the x-rays showed that my femur was every bit as good as a normal healthy person. From experience, we know that it is still a bit more prone to breaks for a period longer, but all in all, it is pretty darned amazing that I no longer walk with a limp and am not impeded or encumbered in any way. I can tell that the muscle is not as strong yet as it was 6 months ago but hope to fix that with a lot of running and strength training through the winter. In fact, I am running with Larry again tomorrow morning for about 5 miles.

The Moab Half Marathon Registration opens on the 15th of this month. I really hope I can make it in. If the lottery does not get me in, I think I may write a letter and plead my case of special circumstances. I am sure that would get their attention.

I talked to Tara earlier this evening. Tara just arrived from Memphis to help Mom. Mom went to physical therapy today and got a good workout. From the sound of it, it was an exhausting day for her. I do hope she is able to work hard and fully recover. Having gone through my fair share of rehab, I know that it can be quite difficult. I am sure that it is even more difficult if you don’t start out in good shape. The X-factor is the way that stroke affects the body. It is not evenhanded nor wholly predictable in the way it doles out its injury. It would be a true challenge to work to fix things when it sometimes appears that we have no control over the things we are trying to affect. Having to relearn and reconnect nerves and reflexes is not something that we have ever done consciously. Trying to force ourselves to do things that we have only done unconsciously and learned over many decades would be tough. I pray that Mom is up to the task – and I pray that Dad also is up to the task to assist her.

Lizzy and I are getting up early tomorrow morning at 6:30 to read scriptures. I get to vote tomorrow also. The big issue is Referendum 1 regarding private school education vouchers. I am pro-voucher in concept, but I don’t think that this bill accomplishes what we need with vouchers. Dalliene is decidedly against Referendum 1.

A couple of weeks ago I took Alex to a “Celebration Concert” in the Conference center in SLC. “Celebration” is a concert put on by all of the Suzuki music students in the state of Utah. After the the concert we swung by my office in the University Club building. It’s always fun to take the kids there because they don’t often get the opportunity to see where I work. They like to grab treats and candy and the view of the Capitol and the downtown SLC area is spectacular from the 23rd floor with the huge windows.

Anyway, Alex is a very talented Violinist but is a real sports nut. It doesn’t matter the sport – he’s interested. Soccer, baseball, hockey, football – he loves them all. He is a big fan of BYU football and when he saw a framed, hanging Y from the BYU Cougar Club, he immediately recognized it and asked me if I ever played any sports for BYU. I told him no, I wasn’t good enough to play any sports for BYU. I asked him why he asked. He explained a bit sheepishly that he was going to tell me I was his Hero for having played for BYU. However, he said that it didn’t matter if I played for BYU or not, I was still his Hero. He said it with a big smile on his face.

Made me feel good inside.

Got out today for 7 miles running along the canal with Larry and Jo. Saw Rusty on the canal returning from his run. This is the longest run I have done since the femur break in March. It was slow (about a 9:15 min.per mile pace) but felt good.

With slightly sore muscles from the run I spent the rest of the day finishing the foundation of the new shed in the backyard. Lizzy stayed with me till 10:30pm laying pavers and helping me dig and level it all out. Andrew stayed with us for most of the day also helping as much as he could. Both are such good kids. It sure was fun hanging out with them all day.

Alex got some Baseball cards today. We bought a “classics” pack including Nolan Ryan and other baseball stars of years past.

Still worried about Mom and the collateral damage from her stroke last week. I am going to call Dad or Tonya to get an update.

Little Jack is such a joy to have. He is my youngest, at 6 months old now. I can hardly put into words how he makes me feel when I walk into a room and he responds. He tracks me with his eyes, arches his back and leans towards me. I love how he pats my face when I first pick him up. I feel a connection to him that is much bigger than this mortal life. I love to just hold him and breathe in his essence.

However, I realize that I am, in many respects, basic transportation. I like holding him and taking him with me wherever I go and no matter what I am doing. I park him in the nook of one arm and cook breakfast or do dishes or clean up the house. He likes to be with me because I take him wherever I am going and give him a perspective that he doesn’t get from others. Dalliene loves to hold him and talk to him and play with him, but she is largely stationary whereas I am constantly moving.

I have never been a big fan of writing in my journal but have been recently impressed to do so for a variety of reasons. This blog will be my online journal.

It happens to be Halloween today and so I must show a picture of my cute kids in their costumes.

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year from the Jessops! Here’s a bit of our family’s news:

Kate just turned 14 and spends her time away from school practicing her upright bass, playing soccer or doing ballet. She and her sister, Elizabeth, traveled to Russia in September with me and Grandpa Butler to perform in a ballet in Moscow. Kate is a fantastic cook and could have a career as a pastry chef! She has several demanding honors classes this year as well as an intense orchestra teacher. She is looking forward to playing in the Jazz band next year. Kate has a wonderful group of friends and it’s fun to see them all growing up together. Our gorgeous Kate has started wearing makeup and it’s taking us a while to get used to our growing-up girl.

Elizabeth is 11 and loves being in her last year of elementary school. This is her sixth year of Spanish Immersion. She’s fluent and sounds like a Spanish native! Lizzy is a math whiz, consistently appears on the honor roll, sings in the school chorus and serves on the student council. She and her sister, Kate, got their own rooms this year and they’re loving the space and privacy. Lizzy also plays soccer as a defender. She reads voraciously and plans to start a band with her cousin, Madeline, who, coincidentally, also got a guitar for Christmas! Lizzy is soooo ready to graduate from primary and move to Young Women’s in June.

Alexander is 6 and in the 1st grade. He adores school and his teachers, especially his music teacher. He absorbs information like a sponge. He remembers everyone’s names and says “hi” to all the kids at school (we’re convinced he’s going to be a politician!) He and his brother, Andrew, play soccer together on a city rec. team coached by their Dad. His hero is his Dad and he tries to do everything just like him. Alexander, Andrew and Kevin spent three weeks in July watching the Tour de France and memorizing names, stats, etc. Alexander has a wonderful violin teacher who motivates him to practice and perform for everyone. He’s taken up jumping rope as a hobby to burn off some of his 6-year-old energy – thank goodness!! Alexander is starting Spanish Immersion this fall.

Andrew is 4 and in preschool this year. He’s a bright little boy and a very good reader. He loves to put together puzzles and fight grand light saber duels with Alexander. Andrew worships the ground Alexander walks on and proudly tells everyone that he’s his best friend. He loves his Sunbeam teacher and storytime at the library. Andrew is a sweet, loving boy who freely gives out kisses and compliments. He regularly volunteers to help his Daddy stir the waffle batter on Saturday mornings. He’s looking forward to Kindergarten this fall, though I’ll miss him.

Kevin has been very busy this year since his calling to a bishopric in a BYU singles ward. Our family loves the time we get to spend with these remarkable students! He loves his job despite his long commute and managed to squeeze in time to coach our boys’ soccer team and watch as many of the girls’ soccer games as possible. Kevin ran a couple of marathons and loves running and road biking with friends from our neighborhood. This year he fit in a few biking trips, including a trip to Moab’s slickrock with our girls. Kevin’s newest toy is a great digital camera and he’s taken hundreds of great pictures this year. And, while his Ipod is jammed with music, he still plays our stereo deafeningly loudly. 

We’ve been immersed in everything that goes along with a busy family. Dinnertime at our house is always entertaining and, one day, we’ll have a table full of polite, well-mannered children who happily eat the nutritious meals that are prepared for them. For now, we’re just working on keeping Alexander from making gagging noises whenever he sees certain veggies and legumes! Last minute requests for soccer laundry, signed practice cards, posterboard for projects, show-and-tell items, and help with Spanish book reports keep Kevin and me hopping!

I recently finished up a two year stint as Spanish Immersion Parent’s Association (SIPA) president for our elementary school and if you want to know anything about early foreign language immersion, I’ve done enough research to last a lifetime! This school year I been spending a few days a month volunteering in my kids’ classrooms. I also advise the SIPA board and have begun writing grants for our outstanding elementary school programs and teachers. I volunteer as a storyteller at the local library and was recently called to be a cub scout leader (I know absolutely nothing about cub scouts!) Lizzy and I have started doing yoga and we found a great yoga studio ten minutes away. We love the “rocket” class and I wish that I were as flexible as Lizzy!

Our family is excited to announce that we are expecting another Jessop baby boy to arrive at the end of April. Alexander and Andrew plan to expose him to the entire Star Wars universe and want to show him how to do the “victory” sign on his bike at the end of a winning Tour de France stage. Kate and Lizzy have already sworn to never change a “boy diaper.” Kevin and Lizzy are going to try speaking 100% Spanish to the baby while the rest of us speak English. . .
and I’m looking for a car big enough to hold everyone and their gear (including an upright bass!) I’m also looking forward to a quiet, uneventful summer while we all adjust to a new member of the family!

We feel very blessed and happy this Christmas season. We’ve gotten to visit with lots of family and friends around the country this year. We’ve attended weddings and had new babies join our extended family. We hope that this letter finds you all well and that you have a wonderful Christmas and New Year!

love,
the Jessops