Author: Stephen Parker

Tonight I experienced a modern day miracle. I was working late on some servers and one of them was having major problems. I had no choice but to drive across town into the office to do a bare metal restore. I was coming around the last corner to the office when I started to slide on the fresh snow. I was going a little fast because I wanted to get this critical server going again. I slid off the road and over the curb, there was no sidewalk as this is a new construction area. I tried to backup but the wheels just spun. I thought to myself I don’t want to call Jodi at this hour for help.

I jumped out and assessed the situation, I was about 4′ off the road buried in a ice packed snow bank. I was high centered, I thought again I am going to need a tractor or big pickup to get this one out. I got back in the van and without thinking put the car in reverse. This is where the miracle came, when I pushed on the gas pedal the van started to move. I had just tried this seconds ago and it just spun. I kept rocking it and within seconds it backed over the curb and out. I just looked up and said, “Thank you”. I knew I had been helped from a power greater than all.

Comments:

Jodi said…

It is nice to experience moments like that – I am going to have to say thank you too!
Friday, March 14, 2008 1:43:26 PM

Dad said…

Grandpa Parker must have been assigned to you that night
Saturday, March 15, 2008 2:51:04 AM

John said…

Good Job giving credit where it is due.
Saturday, March 15, 2008 7:50:11 AM

June said…

Sounds like a small miracle, but great to have those once in a while to keep us in check. Thanks for being such a great Brother to look up too.
Sunday, March 16, 2008 1:16:05 PM

Me back in 1986But you can’t make it drink. I was so excited last year to see Mason sign up for the Sugar Wrestling team, and do very well at that. It seems the excitement has worn off, he enjoys the practice and spending time with friends. But he just isn’t that excited about the tournaments.

I tried last weekend to make it a fun experience at the Sugar Wrestling tournament. He just had a bad day again, he had 10 guys in his bracket including the state champions from Idaho and Montana in his weight. Needless to say he had a tough time of it. He won 2 and lost 2 and ended up taking 4th. That was the folkstyle round, the next day I was sure he get a better seat in the freestyle tournament. Not so, he wrestled the Montana state champ his first match, he was the same guy he had lost to the night before. Mason held his own but ended up with some sprained fingers.

So today in practice Mason was less than excited about wrestling. I realized that he has been doing it all to make me happy. We had a little heart to heart and decided that, just because I like it, doesn’t mean he has to. He may continue to attend the practices because of the social time he gets, but I decided to let him make the call. He needs to enjoy himself, and be a kid in his own way.

Comments:

Uncle John said…

Do whatever you love! (As long as it it a worthy cause) You are a champ in my eyes Mason!
Wednesday, March 12, 2008 9:22:53 PM

Pablo el non-luchador said…

Try having three older brothers who wrestle and you don’t! You have to make your own choices and do what you want.
Wednesday, March 12, 2008 10:00:55 PM

Mom and Dad Parker said…

Excitement for things come and go in a person’s life. Give him a little time and who knows. How many kids who play the piano really wanted to. Just as long as he still likes to do good wholesome things. He’s a great kid>
Thursday, March 13, 2008 9:43:52 AM

I took my new road bike out for a ride this morning and boy was it a ride. I had to drop off my CRV at Josh Clarks to have him fix the damage caused by that falling tractor tire a few months back. I thought what better chance to ride my bike. I loaded it in the back seat, dropped of the car and mounted up on the bike. Josh offered to give me a ride but I was already in the mind set of do or die. Just as I was leaving I heard on the radio that is was -3F outside, I quickly found that when you ride at around 20 MPH that feels a LOT colder.

After about 3 miles I thought to myself I am going to freeze to death. My chin was numb, along with my fingers and toes. Eventually I made it home, but even now as I write this I am chilled to the bone. Lesson learned, “just because you can doesn’t mean you should.” What is life without a little opposition though.

Comments:

michelle said…

sounds like spring fever has hit, but not spring! We are ready for some outdoor activities too. I can’t believe how cold it is there-and you have a ton of snow!
Friday, March 07, 2008 11:30:26 AM

Dad said…

It looks like a nice bike, just wait till it’s warmer
Friday, March 07, 2008 1:36:38 PM

Stephanie said…

That’s profound, I am going to borrow that in my parenting lectures. Take care of your body, you only get one.
Saturday, March 08, 2008 5:59:08 PM

Steph said…

Come up here with that bike, the cherry blossoms are just budding along the boardwalk in Portland. We would love to go on a bike ride with you and Jo.
Saturday, March 08, 2008 6:00:52 PM

I think I would rather eat Dirt. I just have a hard time giving the lesson, being a man of so many words. I am supposed to give the lesson today in EQ and I am dreading it. For some it just comes natural but for me it is like getting water out of dirt. What makes it even more fun is they all know my Dad who could teach a lesson to a tree and it would be great. I think they expect the same from me…boy are they in for a surprise 🙂 My dad always says, “Good or bad it all gets over at the same time.” Bueno Suerte

Comments:

Steph said…

Seize the moment! You are a great teacher, your kids are proof, I love you.
Sunday, March 02, 2008 11:03:04 AM

Juanito said…

Nothing like a little dirt in your teeth to help them pay attention. I am sure you knocked em dead. I am glad to hear that you are not a natural at everything. Remember strength and struggle go together. Let me know if you ever need a little lesson idea. I certainly hit you up for lots of tech questions.
Monday, March 03, 2008 3:29:40 PM

John said…

I have not seen that picture of Mom in the rodeo for a long time. She sure did bite it hard that day. Isn’t that how she broke her arm :)?
Monday, March 03, 2008 3:32:24 PM

Mom and Dad Parker said…

You weren’t a great builder of homes the first hundred nails you pounded in a log. Keep teaching and you’ll become better than you ever dreamed. Your comments made is laugh.
Tuesday, March 04, 2008 8:02:27 AM

I was very impressed by David Archuleta in his performance of Imagine. Had to share in case you don’t have a TV 🙂

Comments:

Steph said…

Did you vote for him? He’s our favorite so far. We like Brooke too.
Friday, February 29, 2008 2:13:12 PM

Stephen said…

We didn’t vote at all 🙂 we should have though…he is our favorite so far.
Friday, February 29, 2008 11:06:46 PM

Riley said…

I agree!!! Did you know he is morman?
Saturday, March 01, 2008 6:02:32 PM

I will show you just one wall, after all this is my closet.Jodi has gone over the top tonight. While the rest of the family and I were downstairs watching “20,000 Leagues Under the Sea.” We thought Jodi was watching “Becoming Jane” upstairs on the laptop. Instead she had taken on the beast of all beasts. Since we moved in last march I kinda let my closet get out of hand. The day to day items were pretty nice and organized but I had boxes here and there, ties all over the place, computer parts that I just couldn’t through away…the list goes on and on. I think I may be a little bit of a pack rat.

I kept telling Jodi I am going to clean this closet one of these days. Well not anymore Jodi did it for me tonight. I came up to get ready for bed and thought I had taken a wrong turn. My Closet looked awesome and organized! I am still in shock at how much bigger it looks now 🙂 She put everything in it’s place. It looks just great. I am so thankful for Jodi and her hard work. It could be part of that so called “Nesting Instinct” that moms get just before they have a baby. Either way I am happy as can be.

It was an early morning today, I woke up at 3:15 AM to be at the temple by 3:45 AM I was the second person there. I was greeted by the temple security he checked my recommend and then welcomed me to the temple. I then walked back to the temple workers dressing room…it was kinda a fun feeling to have our own special little dressing room. After getting into my white clothes I was met by Brother Boyd Cardon he is our shift supervisor. We were given some instructions and then the workers started to flow in like water. It was amazing to see how many volunteers it takes to get the temple ready for patrons, and how early they have to get there. Most of the workers showed up between 4:30 and 5:30 AM, with the first session starting at 6:00 AM. There was also an entire college ward that came for a 6:00 AM baptism for the dead session. What an amazing place I kept thinking to myself. Everyone there was there by their own free will and choice, with no monetary reward. Every 1 1/2 hours I would get to change from the baptismal entrance to the main entrance. That gave me a little chance for moving around and keeping me awake. The time flew by and before I knew it the time had come for me to leave the temple and enter the busy day. What a great blessing it is to be part of such a great cause. I should update my saying to say, “Most good deeds go unpunished.”

Comments:

Mom & Dad said…

Wish we could of been one of those patrons coming in. What a special way to start your day. We will have so many blessings we won’t be able to count them. We are so thankful you have that opportunity. We are proud of you.
Wednesday, February 13, 2008 9:43:48 AM

Stephen said…

Well thank you, that was a fast response too.
Wednesday, February 13, 2008 9:56:45 AM

Stephanie said…

That’s awesome, Steve. I hope I will see you there someday soon.
Wednesday, February 13, 2008 1:31:58 PM

John said…

Thanks for helping to protect the sacredness of the temple. You are a good man. The early bird gets the worm.

Wednesday, February 13, 2008 2:47:47 PM

Amy said…

That’s totally cool that you’re a temple worker! Were you called by your Ward or by your Stake?
Thursday, February 14, 2008 8:08:18 PM

Stephen said…

I was referred by my bishop and called by the temple presidency.
Saturday, February 16, 2008 4:20:03 PM

Now that is a drift, our house 1500′ aheadThe other morning after a howling windy and drifting night, we heard on the radio that school would be closed. The kids were excited as usual, so we all decided to take it easy and sleep in until 7. I looked out my office window around 7:20 and noticed there were flashing lights from what looked like cars halfway down our lane. I hurried and fired up the tractor to see if I could help out.

By the time I got the lane cleared down to the cars I noticed that it was Joe and Amber our renters. Amber had driven her car off the lane into a huge drift, they loaded their baby into Joe’s car and were just driving off. They couldn’t see me because of all the wind blown snow. I thought I would do them a favor and pull her car out for her. I hooked my tractor to the back bumper and proceeded to pull it out. It was buried pretty deep so it took some pretty good pulling. After about the third time of trying to pull it out the strap snapped and flew right through the back window. I thought to myself “did that just happen?”

I was in shock, I jumped in their car to retrieve the hook from the strap and tied a knot in it. Eventually I was able to get the car out I thought I better park it in the garage since it was still snowing pretty heavy. I finished plowing the driveway out and went inside to break the news to Jodi. I then instant messaged Joe to tell him the good and bad news. I kept thinking of the song from Wicked “No good dead goes unpunished”.

The ironic thing about all this is just the day before Derek our neighbor was snow blowing out my driveway with his big 10′ snow blower. He hit one of my tractor weights that had fallen off my plow earlier this winter. It broke his blower and he had to spend 1/2 day fixing it. I guess it shouldn’t be cheap to help others out.

Barney Dairy Rd

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Comments:

Mom and Dad said…

“It cost something to be a good Samaritan”. It seems like we can spend lots of money and time helping others in need, and that is precisely what makes us more Christ-like. Don’t let it dicourage you from serving others. You’re a good man.
Saturday, February 09, 2008 12:37:28 AM

Anne said…

Wow…sounds like a story for fhe down the road…service teaches us lots of things…keep serving and smiling!
Saturday, February 09, 2008 9:32:31 PM

Lance said…

I did that once but I wasn’t the guy who hooked the strap on, Rick my buddy hooked it to his drag link, I just assumed he knew how to hook up a tow strap it ripped the drag link right off. The only problem was we were up providence canyon 5 miles. So we ran down and picked up a new drag link. Needless to say it was a long night. But a fun one…
Saturday, February 09, 2008 10:07:26 PM

John said…

I was helping a guy pull out his basket ball standard this summer with my truck, and dropped it right onto my tailgate. I still have a nice dent and a good 12″ scratch to remind me of that little good deed. Good work serving. You can’t go wrong doing right. Proud to call you a brother. You do so much for our family in free tech support. Keep on bleesing the world. You are making a difference.
Sunday, February 10, 2008 9:05:20 PM

Stephanie said…

It wouldn’t be a Parker kind of service with out pain or injury. Your the MAN! Keep serving it’s always worth the risk.
Monday, February 11, 2008 12:36:14 AM

I have been listening to the audio book of “Into the Wild” what a story. Part of me thinks it would be a real fun experience to just leave it all behind and live off the land. Sure would be fun at least for a few weeks :-), but I sure would miss my family and all the fun times we share everyday. I am not finished with the book yet, but so far it sure sounds like quite the adventure. Finished it and it is sure a sad one…but also happy at the same time. To see he found himself in the end, and he found that happiness needs to be shared to truly be enjoyed. Here are some songs from the movie soundtrack.

Comments:

John said…

Be careful,you are giving paul some wild ideas! I think I could get into it if I was’nt married or if the family was up to it. Just for a month or so.
Tuesday, February 05, 2008 8:45:31 PM

Steph said…

Maybe we should play survivor in the wild and see who goes home first. We could have some serious fun! I would like to read it too.
Wednesday, February 06, 2008 12:17:34 AM

Paul said…

No worries. I would let my family know if I took off! Maybe London this next year……
Wednesday, February 06, 2008 8:41:27 PM

Magan said…

It is a great book!
Thursday, February 07, 2008 3:57:19 PM

Lance said…

I read that book. I think I got it from Paul’s shelf in his room. I like most of it but it sort of makes you mad at the end he just wasn’t real smart. I think it would be alot of fun to just take off for months at a time, or even 18 months thats what missions are for. A positive adventure.
Sunday, February 10, 2008 11:28:18 AM

I got a call from Gwenn Lee yesterday informing me that I had been recommended by my bishop to be a temple worker in the new Rexburg Temple. I thought no big deal I could be a veil worker whenever I go to sessions with Jodi. But when I met with Elder Charles Frost today I guess they had other plans for me. He called me to be an official temple worker. The Rexburg Temple is run entirely by volunteer labor. I have been asked to work every Tuesday morning from 4:30 until 9:00. Wow, I thought to myself, I am old now. I actually wanted to say I couldn’t do it, but I have never said no to a calling and this would not be a good place to start. I kept thinking to myself now I can follow in Grandpa Sperry’s footsteps, I remember he used to work in the Temple in the early mornings too. I also thought to myself, can I do this? That is quite the commitment, the calling lasts at least 1 year. I love to help but sitting still is very difficult for me, I would rather chop wood for 4 1/2 hours as to just sit and greet Patrons. I am excited don’t get me wrong just a little overwhelmed. Maybe the Lord is trying to teach me patience. I hope I catch on quick in this case. I was touched tonight as Jodi told the kids about the new calling, they were all sad that I would be gone in the mornings and not be there to read scriptures, eat breakfast, and see them off to school. She quickly came back and told them I could always have lunch with them at school. She is quick on her feet. Let the fun begin.

Comments:

Jodi said…

It will be a challenge for you (the sitting still), but you have never let a challenge get you. What a great privilege and honor – glad you are such a great example to our family!
Wednesday, January 30, 2008 2:44:14 PM

Steph said…

You will be so fulfilled. I can’t think of a friendlier face to see in the temple. I will come through one of your sessions and slip you a dough nut or something. Congratulations!
Wednesday, January 30, 2008 9:56:45 PM

Riley said…

I don’t know how to save my blogs,I log-in & press save, but it still won’t save!!! HELP ME PLEASE!!!
Thursday, January 31, 2008 4:14:35 PM

Anne said…

Stephen this will be such a neat thing for you! I have been thinking a lot lately about how I spend my time, you know picking between good, better and best. This is a BEST for you. Time might go faster for you. Good luck!
Friday, February 01, 2008 11:28:13 AM

Jana said…

That is really neat. You are an example to all of us. Thanks for your life that you’ve lived so that you can have these experiences to share with the rest of us.
Friday, February 01, 2008 2:25:55 PM

Dad and Mom said…

I would be happy to see you greet me at the
doors of the house of the Lord. That is so neat. I hope we can work at the temple sometime too!!!
Thursday, February 07, 2008 2:19:15 PM