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Fun with photography!  These two pictures were taken 6 seconds apart at the same spot, only difference being the camera angle towards the rising sun, along this morning's 3.31 mile walk to work.  Tortoise climbed 214 feet in 1:03:07 hours along the 4.8 tortoise rated path.  Calories burned were 520.  For a map, today's thought from Howard W. Hunter, and more, please click below to continue reading ...

Cheerio!

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2014 Stats:

712.18 miles walked, which is 71.15% of my 2014 goal.

225:12:44 hours walked, which is 71.95% of my 2014 goal

33,733 total feet climbed 

113,743 calories burned
68.37% of the year has passed

I've walked 23 consecutive non-Sundays since my last missed day on August 11, and overall have walked on 202 of the 214 non-Sundays thus far in 2014, a 94.39% consistency rating.

The purpose of the percentages is to have a higher percentage of distance and time walked than of the year. This tells me I am on track. I'm sure this is more numbers than you are interested in, all I can say is I'm really good at setting high goals and having them slip away because I don't do them every, every day.

Here's a thought from Howard W. Hunter that I heard while enjoying the beautiful morning on today's walk:

"As I think of the blessings God has given us and the many beauties of the gospel of Jesus Christ, I am aware that along the way we are asked to make certain contributions in return, contributions of time or of money or of other resources. These are all valued and all necessary, but they do not constitute our full offering to God. Ultimately, what our Father in Heaven will require of us is more than a contribution; it is a total commitment, a complete devotion, all that we are and all that we can be.

"Please understand that I do not speak only of a commitment to the Church and its activities, although that always needs to be strengthened. No, I speak more specifically of a commitment that is shown in our individual behavior, in our personal integrity, in our loyalty to home and family and community, as well as to the Church. Of course, all of these loyalties are interrelated and closely linked because it is the teaching and example of the Lord Jesus Christ that shapes our behavior and forms our character in all areas of our life—personally, within the home, in our professions and community life, as well as in our devotion to the Church that bears his name."

You can watch, listen to, or read the full speech by clicking here:  https://www.lds.org/general-conference/1990/04/standing-as-witnesses-of-god?lang=eng.  It has been fun finding personal connections to many of the people behind the thoughts I have been listening to.  In the case of Howard W. Hunter, I always enjoyed going down the hall to Sunday School class when visiting the Ragozzines in Pasadena, passing the stake offices on the way, and seeing his picture with their other past presidents.  The priesthood line of authority in our family passes through him, which makes it even more special ... I was ordained by my father who was ordained by Elder Hunter when he was newly released as stake president and called as an apostle.  In those days, apostles set apart new bishoprics, so when my father was called as first counselor to Bishop Cheney, it was Elder Hunter who received the assignment.

The tortoise is smiling!