Toast to Language

My memory is definitely not what it used to be.  Sometimes I fear that I might be experiencing early symptoms of  dementia.  However, there are some memories that I can remember vividly.  One such memory dates back to when I was six or seven years old.  At least I hope it was before the age of accountability (8).

It was Sunday morning and I was waiting for the toaster to become available so I could heat up my breakfast. I set my bread next to the toaster to reserve my place in line (kind of like we used to do at the arcade with quarters and video games).  When I returned from powdering my nose I found my oldest brother Eric putting his bread into the toaster, which was clearly a breech of kitchen appliance etiquette.  Like only a spoiled little brother could do, I completely lost control.  With steam coming out of my ears I attacked with the first words that came to mind.  Unfortunately, they were words that I had overheard on the playground at school and I didn't fully comprehend their strength.  They landed with a direct hit causing my target to spin around with an expression of shock and disbelief.  Immediately it was clear to me that my response was not commensurate to the crime committed.  Now I was in harm's way, so instinctively I began my retreat.  Eric was in full pursuit and the battlefield, that was our home, never felt so tiny.  I ducked behind an open door of a bedroom and tried to slow my breathing.  Unfortunately, my heaving chest betrayed me as it caused the door to move ever so slightly.  In an instant, Eric had me on the ground and he sat on my chest.  With a finger in my face he commanded, "Don't you ever say those words again!"  In a mode of self preservation I readily agreed to the terms of the treaty.

I don't remember exactly which words I spoke that sabbath morning, but I do remember being scared by their powerful impact.  Thanks to the tough love by an older brother that day and the positive influence of friends and family over the years I can report that I have been true to the commitment I made.  Therefore, in celebration of over 30 "clean" years,  I'd like to raise a toast to the brother that scared the !#*$ out of me.   Giddy up, StevieG.

On My Honor

The BYU basketball team may be having their best season ever.  They reached a ranking of 3rd in the country and were projected to be one of the four #1 ranked teams in the NCAA tournament (March Madness).  The state of UT has been buzzing while the BYU point guard Jimmer Fredette has been receiving national recognition as perhaps the best player in the country.  Then this past week one of the top players was kicked off the team because of an undisclosed honor code violation, virtually limiting the success this team will have in the national tournament.  Now the entire country is buzzing and the focus is on the BYU honor code.

Any disappointment I have as a fan is far outweighed by the pride I feel as a BYU alum and a member of the LDS church. We stuck to our values and in turn gave credibility to the honor code and the life we pledge to lead as members of the church.  Karl Maeser who served 16 years as the principal of BYU academy (precursor to BYU) said this about honor: "Place me behind prison walls - walls of stone ever so high, ever so thick, reaching ever so far into the ground - there is a possibility that in some way or another I might be able to escape;  but stand me on the floor and draw a chalk line around me and have me give my word of honor never to cross it.  Can I get out of that circle?  No, never! I'd die first".

I imagine during times like this that the lifestyle of members of the LDS church and their honor code must seem quite bizarre to the rest of the world.  It reminds me of the words of Peter in the Bible to the early Christians that they were a "chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people..." (1 Pet. 2:9.)   Or Paul's first epistle to the Corinthians where he taught, "...the natural man receiveth not the things of the spirit of God" (1 Corinth 2:14).   Though our actions may seem eccentric, it sounds like good company with which to find ourselves.

As the country gets ready to begin the final tournament to crown their champion I feel like BYU has already won.  They have accomplished something much greater that a sporting championship.  They have stood by their word of honor and in turn they have stood out to the rest of the world.  May I have the fortitude to do the same when faced with my own decisions each day.  Go Cougars, and giddy up StevieG!

Lasting Legacy

I was blessed with wonderful parents.  I don't think I am overstating it when I say they are one of the greatest parenting teams of all time.  I believe the litmus test of a great parent is when their children are more concerned about disappointing their parents than any consequence or punishment their parents might levy.  I know this was true in my case.  If I made a mistake I was worried about what my parents would think not what they might do. In fact, besides being sent to my room to cool down, I can't remember being punished.  However, I do remember clearly feeling awful as I saw my mom crying while she made dinner and knowing that I had been part of the reason why.  Ouch!

They taught me right from wrong and then showed me unconditional love as they watched me try to apply these principles in my own life.  Perhaps the most important trait of any leader is to 'lead by example', and they were the model of "do what I say and do".  I was fortunate to have many positive influences during my impressionable years, but certainly none as profound as my parents.

My father has a very positive attitude and an infectious sense of humor that make people want to be around him. When people casually greet my dad with a "Hi, how are you", he quickly responds with an enthusiastic "Excellent!" that stops them in their tracks.  They can't help but smile as they continue on their way.  I remember during scout outings being around the campfire with my friends while my dad would tell funny stories.  Later, as we laid in our sleeping bags, my friends would all tell me how lucky I was to have such a cool dad.  How right they are!  My dad is also the smartest person I have ever known.  He seems to remember everything he has ever studied and can fix anything that is broken.  Unfortunately, I did not inherit that quality from him.

My mother is the standard of patience, spirituality and self-motivation.  I believe her mansion in heaven was secured when she survived raising us four rambunctious boys.  She showed the patience of Job and the wisdom of Solomon as she faced the daily challenges that we (mostly my 3 brothers) created.  There was never any doubt of her testimony of the gospel of Jesus Christ.  I leaned on it more than my fair share during my teenage years.  She also has a way of getting people to accomplish more than they think possible.  I can remember when she served as the primary chorister she would challenge all the children to memorize all the verses to a specific hymn (Let Us All Press On, There is a Green Hill Far Away) in order to earn a pack of gum.  Each time we sing those songs in church I smile as I think of the great legacy she has left me.

My parents sacrifice so much to be involved in the lives of their grandkids which, fortunately for me, allows my kids to be influenced directly from their great examples.  They are leaving a great legacy to many generations.  As I have mentioned previously I know that "where much is given much is required", so it follows that since I was given the best parents I will be held to the highest standard.  Yikes!  As I am getting older I realize that I have a long way to go and a short time to get there, so... Giddy up, StevieG

Crack-Up Kid

I can clearly remember the day over 30 years ago when I announced at that dinner table that some of the kids in grade school referred to me as the "Crack-up Kid" because of my witty personality. This turned out to be exactly the kind of ammunition my brothers were hoping to hear.  They instantly clued in on this and started using the hard earned title of "Crack-up Kid" in vain.  It didn't take long before an innocent moniker among friends turned into tedious ridicule from my siblings.  In fact, even today, it is not uncommon for my brothers to enjoy a little chortle at the Crack-up Kids expense.

I have only had a few other nicknames over the years.  In High School there was a small contingent who referred to me as Scooter - after the glasses wearing Muppet character.  Also during that time we had occasion to video tape a few "raps" that my friends and I wrote.  I often referred to myself in those raps as "Master G".  Funny how that name never stuck.  During my mission in Italy many of the teenagers didn't like referring to the missionaries as Anziano (Elder) so they were always trying to find out our first names.  However, the mission didn't want us to give out our first names.  So I took the middle ground and told them my first name was Fletch (after one of my favorite movies at the time).  At work I often find myself in the company of several other people named Steve so about 15 years ago when I worked for Hughes Aircraft in Denver I sometimes referred to myself as StevieG to help avoid confusion.  That name has probably gained more traction than any other.

Now you know the rest of the story behind the name of this blog... Giddy Up, StevieG  or should I say... Giddy Up, Crack-up Kid!

Who's Serving Who?

Last month marked the 20th anniversary of the start of my mission to Milan, Italy.  I reported to the Missionary Training Center in Provo Utah on January 2nd 1991.  Wow, has it really been that long?  Growing up I always said I was going to serve a mission, but I remember so clearly the day I decided I was going for sure...

I was about 16 years old and was mowing the lawn for a neighbor while I listened to my walkman (kind of like an iPod, but less cool and much bigger).  I have always enjoyed the isolation that the roar of the lawn mower provides.  I was thinking about the various events on my calendar that week - sports, dance, mutual, church, seminary - and it occurred to me that they were all somehow related to church.  I was immediately overwhelmed with what a blessing the gospel was in my life.  I thought about other kids my age all over the world and wanted them to have the same experiences I was having.  From that point I knew that not only did I have a responsibility to serve a mission, but I wanted to go.



I did not like pasta with red sauce when I was growing up.  In fact, I remember my mom stopped setting a place for me at the table on nights we had pasta.  (However, I do remember enjoying the buttered, toasted hot dog buns we ate with the pasta.).  I was a little worried about what I would eat for 2 years, but I learned to love Italian food and the gelato certainly kept me from withering away.   Now Italian is one of my favorite foods.

I can remember at times feeling very lonely during my mission.  This usually happened at the start of a new area or companionship.  I quickly found that the antidote for those feelings was hard work.  If I sat around feeling sorry for myself it only seemed to slow down time and make me feel worse.  Instead, I would try to remember a poem my Grandma Simonson often sent me:  "Work will win, when wishy washy wishing won't."  Most nights I would reflect on the wonderful experiences and memories of the day.  This habit made it easier to jump out of bed the next morning with the anticipation of what new relationships and adventures awaited me.  The days were long but the weeks went by fast.

The mission was one of the most rewarding experiences in my life.  I thought I was going out to help others, but in the end I benefited the most.  I gained a stronger testimony of the gospel, I learned to serve others, I fell in love with the Italian people and culture, but best of all I made the most important acquaintance of my life.  Through various mission conferences and a visit to the hospital I was fortunate to meet Sorella Bennett.  I didn't know it at that time, but she would later become my eternal companion and the mother of 5

perfect children.  The lesson I learned is that even though something may be scary and/or hard the blessings often far exceed the sacrifice.   I just need to take a deep breath, grab the reigns of faith, give the horse a kick and... 

giddy up, StevieG

I Scream, You Scream...

My favorite dessert is ice cream.  It is not even close.  I adore ice cream!  Although I recognize that some ice cream is better than others, I would rather eat bad ice cream than a great piece of pie or cake.  My favorite ice cream is Oreo flavored Nielsen's frozen custard.  In fact, anytime we are driving through St George, I try to make time to stop and pick up an Oreo Concrete from Nielsen's.  When I am buying ice cream from the grocery store I usually choose flavors like Cookie Dough, Cookies and Cream (Oreo), Cherry Vanilla, Chocolate Chip (shaved not chunks), or Candy Bar (Butterfinger).

Some of my favorite ice cream memories include:
- Drew's in St Louis.  While my family was visiting my Uncle Sutter in St Louis we went to Drew's where they handed you your ice cream upside down to show how thick it was.
- Gelato in Italy: During my mission I had more than my fair share of gelato.  In fact, I became close friends with the owner of a gelateria (Chilly) in Monza and he made me my own batch of Cookies and Cream Gelato from a package of Oreos my mom had sent me.
- Brewster's in Pittsburgh: When Lindsay was just 6 months old we stayed in Pittsburgh for a few months for work.  Even though it was fall/winter, we made frequent trips to Brewster's to get some of their delicious ice cream. They even put candy eyes on the kids cones.
- Homemade ice cream: My mom would make homemade ice cream (and donuts) for us after school dances.  I think it was her way to get us to bring our friends and their dates back to our house so she could get to know everyone.  Whatever the reason, there was no argument from us.
- Soft Serve in Palmyra: While in Pittsburgh we went with my parents to Palmyra to see the sacred grove.  While we were there we had a giant soft serve cone with sprinkles on it.
- Macy's Kong Cone:  The Macy's grocery stores here in Utah have a giant Kong cone for just over $1.  It is more ice cream than 2 people can eat.
- Thrifty Ice Cream: The only ice cream I have had served as a cylinder.  It was very cheap too.  You could get 3 scoops for around a quarter.  My favorite was Double Chocolate Malted Crunch.  Yummmy!
- Priesthood Session: When I was growing up it was a tradition for my dad to take us out to ice cream after going to the Saturday evening priesthood session together.  I have continued that tradition with my family.  Here in Utah the ice cream establishments can get overwhelmed right after conference.  Therefore, we will choose where we want to go for ice cream and then find the nearest church and attend the Priesthood session.

My parents tell me that when I was a toddler and they would take the family out for ice cream they would just order me a cone without any ice cream.  I guess it made me feel like I was having the same thing as everyone else but without the mess.  While growing up I remember my dad would limit me to 1 scoop at night before I went to bed.  When I was away at BYU I remember going to put my bowl away after having a scoop of ice cream and realizing that now I am the man of the house and I am going to allow another serving.  It was liberating!  Ever since then, I think I have been on a mission to make up for lost time by eating a little extra. It is a miracle that I have not put on 300 pounds since that 'a ha' moment.


A few years ago I started to worry that I was addicted to ice cream.  I challenged myself to go a whole month without it. Wow, was that hard!  I craved ice cream more during that month than I think I ever had.  After the month had passed and I had ice cream again for the first time it tasted so good.  It reminded me of the doctrine that Brigham Young used to teach that the only power you can gain in this life is power over yourself.  And how wonderful the feeling is when you succeed. After that month our family decided each month to try to go without something.  Therefore, we did a month without chocolate, soda pop, fast food, cookies, eating after 7, TV...  Sadly, I think the month without TV was the hardest.

So now as I try to consume paradise on a cone in moderation I go armed with the knowledge that I can overcome my physical cravings and desires.

 Giddy Up, StevieG!

A Season of Joy

I have been very blessed!  When I stop and try to count my blessings I am quickly overwhelmed with all that I have been given.  This is a very happy conclusion but it is also quite scary to consider the expectations that must come to someone who has been given so much.  In the Bible we are told, "For unto whomsoever much is given, of him shall be much required" (Luke 12:48.).  And in the Doctrine and Covenants we are warned, "For of him unto whom much is given much is required; and he who sins against the greater light shall receive the greater condemnation (D&C 82:3). 


At the beginning of this year Laura confided in me that she wondered if this might be a difficult year for our family.  I am not sure if these were inspired feelings allowing her to portend future events or rather a recognition of how fortunate we have been as a family over the years and acknowledging that it may be our turn to be tested.  After all, I do believe that this life is a time for us to be tested so that we can grow as we work together to overcome these trials.  So I guess it makes sense that I can't always expect sunny days.  


Recently, I have seen many people suffer through terrible illness, financial stability and even untimely death of a loved one.  I have wondered how they make it through such difficult circumstances.  Laura gave me great comfort when she pointed out the scripture, "There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it' (1 Corinthians 10:13).  Perhaps I have not had to suffer as much because I am not able to bear as much.  However, it is comforting to know that when I do have trials that they will not be more than I can handle and that the Lord will help me escape it.  


I am reminded of the early saints who had to endure so many terrible hardships one after another.  But as they began to rebuild their lives in Nauvoo they seemed to be given a period of rest where they could regain their strength and be ready for whatever lies ahead. They did not worry away this season of joy afraid of the next storm that might be coming.  Instead they worked together to build each other up and enjoy this rare time of peace.  


If there are clouds beginning to form beyond the horizon I need to do all that I can to prepare.  I need to fortify my defenses by building strong relationships within my family.  I need to lead by example in increasing my faith in the Lord.  I need to support others in their trials so that collectively we can be stronger.  I also need to be sure to enjoy the current weather and catch my breath so that when adversity comes I am ready to..."Giddy Up, StevieG!"