Mel's Inktober 24 - Playful Pups

Nothing fancy about this one. Just a nice, simple, feel-good moment of two adorable dogs having some autumn fun together.

Mel's Inktober 11 - Malachi and the High Priest

My main books are Christian fantasy, and my character Malachi is the first faun to become the High Priest of a Christian church. 

This is him in his younger years, at the lowest point he's ever been in his life. 

He's just lost his parents, his big acting career is over, and everything is simply in an awful mess. He only refrains from committing suicide because that would be the easy way out and he doesn't deserve it, and he doesn't want to hurt his remaining family members even more.

With nowhere else to go and no one else to turn to, he stumbles upon a Christian church and somehow manages to set hoof through the doors. At first, all he can do is cry it out, until a special someone comes to him.

The man's name is Joram, and he's the High Priest of the Church at that time and as deserving of the position as anyone else.

Most people avoid Malachi or ridicule him because he's a faun, but Joram knows what this faun really needs and is more than willing to give it to him. A few fauns have joined the Christian sect every so often, but they also keep to themselves most of the time.

For the time being, Joram tries to let this young stag know he's here for him and it's not too late to turn over a new leaf. It takes a long time for Malachi to get back on his hooves and even longer to forgive himself, but this marks the point where his life starts moving in the right direction. In hindsight, he's immensely grateful to Joram and can't think about the man without getting a little teary-eyed.

No, Malachi isn't Joram's immediate successor. He doesn't become High Priest himself for a few more decades. But when that day finally comes, he's truly honored and humbled to put the same mantle on his shoulders and don the same winged ornament below his throat. He also keeps a special photo of Joram in his office, often pauses at the man's painted portrait on the wall in that special hall, and tells his children all about his old friend.

Joram really had no way of knowing just how far his influence would spread.

My First Layton Temple Trip

Today marked the day I got to go inside the Layton Temple for the very first time...since its dedication, that is. 

Mom wanted to go with me and Christine for our first time, and because I've had so much free time from work (hours have been unfortunately cut) and the temple will soon be closed for a few weeks for cleaning, today was as good a day as any. 

It got me out of the house, I could escape from the world for a couple of hours, I wouldn't have to worry about rushing anywhere else, and I could do a bit of service for someone on the other side of the veil. My patriarchal blessing did mention the importance of returning to the temple often, and now there's one practically next door to me.

It was a marvelous experience. Quiet and simple, nothing fancy, but wonderful. We got there in good time, everything went smoothly, we learned the story of Father Adam and Mother Eve (the full story) all over again, and I've no doubt my dad and other family members were right there with us. It was almost a disappointment to leave, so this just means we'll have to make arrangements for another trip as soon as possible, and then another. Of course, you can't go to the House of the Lord at just any old time, but you should be worthy enough (and willing enough) to be able to go on a whim. 

For those who might worry about not being worthy, let me assure you I've had the same problem for years and I learned there's a fine difference between worthiness and flawlessness. You don't have to be perfect, and for the record, I ask Heavenly Father to help me be "worthy enough" to set foot through those doors on that particular day.

I don't remember where I heard it exactly, but I remember one of the Twelve Apostles (I'm 99% sure it was Elder David A. Bednar) saying something about how we can know if we truly qualify for the Celestial Kingdom. He said if we qualify for the temple, then that means we qualify for the Celestial Kingdom, too. I personally like to think of the temple as a sort of "taste test" of heaven. I don't see how it would be much different, if at all.

I can tell this trip meant a lot to my mom and sister, too. We got sodas from McDonald's afterward, and maybe it was just me, but somehow that soda tasted a little extra good.

Layton Utah Temple Dedication

Today, I attended the dedication of the Layton Utah Temple with my family. We chose the morning session because I have a personal preference for mornings. That, and this summer has been pretty brutal already, so I like to do certain things before the weather gets too hot. I also thought I would have a mandatory meeting at work today, which meant there would be less stress about the time if we went to an earlier session. Even after the meeting was rescheduled for next week (with today being Father’s Day and all) I still told my family I’d rather do the 10:00 session anyway.

I thought we would be joining Christine and Joel at their ward. But instead, we went to our own ward, just across the street from our house. That was okay because it meant we could easily walk there and get there a little sooner. The doors would be locked at 9:30, so the sooner, the better. We were lucky that our ward supplied us with our own clean white handkerchiefs for the Hosanna shout, and of course, we had to make sure our temple recommends were up to date.

Electronic devices had to be shut off so we could sit still and maintain a reverent atmosphere. That was fine with me. I did insist on sitting a little closer in the chapel than we normally sit; I sat virtually in the middle of the chapel, in the center of the bench, so the big screen was straight in front of me.

There were a handful of nice talks and plenty of beautiful music. One of the songs the choir sang was “Beautiful Savior,” a personal favorite that always gives me a few goosebumps.

Among the talks, I remember the importance of genealogy, something that was mentioned a few times in my own patriarchal blessing. We received a beautiful virtual message from President Russell M. Nelson, who emphasized how special and sacred the temple is and has always been, all the way up to Adam and Eve when they built an altar and made sacrifices to the Lord. Through the temple, we can escape the outside world and be spiritually rejuvenated, and only through this place do we have access to all of God’s blessings.

We learned how easy it is for Satan to influence us; all it takes is the smallest crack. The matron of the Layton Temple talked about how her own parents became inactive because they’d postponed a temple trip with some friends, and it was many years before they were reconverted. She herself was the only active member for a time because a young friend invited her to Primary. When she was about to marry, her husband asked if she wanted a civil marriage first so her parents could be there. Luckily, she spotted that tiny crack right away and resolved not to make the same mistake. Even when she was finally able to be sealed to her parents in the temple several years later, she noted the “sadness and sorrow” in their faces because her brother and sister were not with them.

We learned the dual meaning of the word “Hosanna,” which serves as both a shout of joy and a cry for help. “When a child is happy, a parent is happy, and nothing penetrates a parent’s heart more than knowing their child is in danger.” We were told there is a time and a place to rejoice out loud. Inside the temple, we must maintain a quiet reverence, only speaking when necessary and never above a whisper. I like to think of the Spirit as a butterfly or a bird—if you’re too noisy, it’ll fly away, but if you stay calm, it will not only stay but come closer and closer.

Finally, we heard from Elder David A. Bednar, the one with the honor of dedicating the Layton Temple today. He said he didn’t have a preplanned talk despite months of pondering and prayer. Instead, he chose to speak from the heart, and I liked that little bit of spontaneity.

He started out by telling us about his childhood, being born in 1952 and growing up in the 60s. He talked about all the turmoil of the 60s (racism, riots, assassinations, threats of nuclear war) and how badly it scared him. He honestly believed this was it, that the world was coming to an end.

Then, when he was 12 years old, he attended the dedication of the Oakland Temple with his mother. David O. McKay was the President of the Church at that time; Elder Bednar mentioned he’d always had a special fondness for him, partly because they had the same name, and the man just seemed larger than life in every imaginable way. At that time, President McKay was 91 years old and had recently suffered a stroke, so he was brought to the Oakland Temple in a wheelchair and needed help to his seat. To everyone’s amazement, he was able to speak at the pulpit (despite bracing himself physically) and give the dedicatory prayer on his own. His son, who was a doctor and in attendance that day, mentioned afterward, “We are witnessing a miracle.”

Elder Bednar said he never forgot that day, and even at that tender, vulnerable age, he recognized the temple as a place where he could be completely safe. There’s something rather poetic about him dedicating a temple in a similar fashion sixty years later, and goodness knows how much of a mess our world is in today. The parallels are uncanny.

Another thing that stood out to me was Elder Bednar telling us that the Book of Mormon is not a history book; it educates us more of the future than the past. And as beautiful as our temples are with their amazing designs and everything, it’s more about the Savior than the actual building. When all is said and done, it’s all about Jesus Christ and Heavenly Father.

Sister Bednar got to speak a few words herself. Aside from bearing her personal testimony, she told us the importance of writing down what we learned today. (That’s what I’m doing right now.) She regrets not doing a better job of recording past events in her own life, like her baptism, even though she can still recall some bits and pieces, such as where she was baptized and getting into a small fight with her brother on the way home and realizing she’d have to repent already.

Then Elder Bednar gave the dedicatory prayer. It was a beautiful, well-spoken prayer and the feeling was so incredible, so calm and peaceful, like everything was right with the world at that time. I felt the presence of my dad and grandparents, among many others. Nothing can convince me that anything else would have kept them away. I half-expected to see Dad sitting right there next to us on the bench and I could almost feel his arms giving me a big hug.

After the Hosanna shout and the wave of the handkerchiefs, we sang “The Spirit of God,” which was the same hymn sung at the dedication of the Kirtland Temple, the very first temple of them all. I never get tired of that hymn and it takes on an extra special meaning at events like this.

It was almost a disappointment to go home. You know you have to leave sooner or later, but you’re still reluctant. Which is a good thing, because it means you have the right mindset. And of course, the only thing to do is make arrangements to do this again another time, and then another. I look forward to attending the Layton Temple with my mom or sister or someone else on a more regular basis from now on. It’s all a matter of when I go, not if. 

Drawing Bluey

I'm finding myself liking Bluey more and more, and I finally reached the point where I decided to try drawing the famous Heelers myself. You'd be surprised at how easy (and not so easy) they are to draw.

Either way, not bad for a first attempt, eh? 

Bandit is by far my favorite. He's got some of the best lines, my favorite episodes are those that feature him the most (with maybe the exception of "Sleepytime") and there's just something so refreshing and beautiful about a father portrayed the right way. He's not flawless by any means but there's no doubt he's one of the fantastic ones out there. 

(All images property of their respective owners.)

Don't get me wrong. Chilli is a pretty fantastic mother, too, and while I enjoy both Bluey and Bingo, I must admit I'm a bit partial to Bingo. She's just so doggone adorable. (Yep, I said it!)

Just in time for Father's Day, too. And happy birthday to Terence today! Hooray! 

Warming Up to Bluey

While I'm a natural skeptic when it comes to movies, books, and TV shows, sometimes I'm in for a very pleasant surprise. Such was the case with The Super Mario Bros. Movie, Puss In Boots: The Last Wish, and now such is the case with the Australian cartoon, Bluey. 

I decided I'd give this cartoon a try since it seemed very family-friendly, incredibly cute, and the episodes are super-short, no longer than seven minutes. Besides, stories about family love are my favorites and serve as much more appealing bait for me.

I can't say I'm an official fan now. But I can tell you that I do like it, that it's a real breath of fresh air. Sometimes the potty humor is a bit much, but at least they don't take it too far. It is a show aimed at preschoolers after all, though you don't have to be a little kid or even a parent to enjoy it. 

My favorite character is most definitely Bandit. I love the way he talks, he's one of the good dads out there, and he absolutely steals the show. 

Bingo comes pretty close, though; she's just so darn cute!

 

I haven't seen all the episodes yet, but I really enjoyed "Unicorse" and it's safe to say that one's my favorite.

 

I also enjoyed "The Pool," "Daddy Robot," "Butterflies," "Yoga Ball," "Duck Cake," "Camping," "Baby Race," "Sleepytime," "Curry Quest," and "Dad Baby" was surprisingly bold but amazingly done. 

"Onesies" also hit home for me because I don't have kids (or a spouse for that matter) and that line, "Because it's not meant to be," almost made me cry. 

If there are any more Bluey episodes in the foreseeable future, I'll be sure to keep my eyes peeled. But for now, I think we really could use more wholesome, educational, humorous, downright sweet shows like this. 

BMM 21 - You'll Never Walk Alone

When you walk through a storm,
Hold your head up high
And don't be afraid of the dark
At the end of the storm,
There's a golden sky
And the sweet silver song of a lark

Walk on through the wind
Walk on through the rain
Though your dreams be tossed and blown,
Walk on, walk on
With hope in your heart
And you'll never walk alone
You'll never walk alone

Walk on, walk on
With hope in your heart
And you'll never walk alone
You'll never walk alone

From Wikipedia: "You'll Never Walk Alone" is a show tune from the 1945 Rodgers and Hammerstein musical Carousel. In the second act of the musical, Nettie Fowler, the cousin of the protagonist Julie Jordan, sings "You'll Never Walk Alone" to comfort and encourage Julie when her husband, Billy Bigelow, the male lead, stabs himself with a knife whilst trying to run away after attempting a robbery with his mate Jigger and dies in her arms. 

The song is reprised in the final scene to encourage a graduation class of which Louise (Billy and Julie's daughter) is a member. The now invisible Billy, who has been granted the chance to return to Earth for one day in order to redeem himself, watches the ceremony and is able to silently motivate Louise and Julie to join in with the song. 

The song is also sung at association football clubs around the world, where it is performed by a massed chorus of supporters on match day; this tradition developed at Liverpool F.C. after the chart success of the 1963 single of the song by the local Liverpool group Gerry and the Pacemakers. 

In some areas of the United Kingdom and Europe, "You'll Never Walk Alone" became the anthem of support for medical staff, first responders, and those in quarantine during the COVID-19 pandemic. The composition is sometimes treated by performers as a religious song, such as with the 1967 version by Elvis Presley, which was featured on several of his gospel albums. 

My own thoughts: While I can hardly sit through an entire Rodgers and Hammerstein musical (with maybe the exception of Cinderella), I do enjoy their songs. Most of their songs, anyway. 

I never saw Carousel, but I always love a feel-good song with the powerful message, "You're not alone."

And I wanted to do something really quick and easy, with minimal detail. Can you believe there's only 10 days left in the month? Time really does fly when you're having fun, doesn't it? 

BMM 20 - Tomorrow

The sun'll come out
Tomorrow
Bet your bottom dollar
That tomorrow there'll be sun

Just thinkin' about
Tomorrow
Clears away the cobwebs
And the sorrow
'Til there's none

When I'm stuck with a day
That's gray and lonely,
I just stick out my chin
And grin
And say, oh

The sun'll come out
Tomorrow
So ya gotta hang on
'Til tomorrow
Come what may

Tomorrow, tomorrow
I love ya tomorrow
You're always a day away
The sun'll come out
Tomorrow
So ya gotta hang on
'Til tomorrow
Come what may

Tomorrow, tomorrow
I love ya tomorrow
You're always a day away
Tomorrow, tomorrow
I love ya tomorrow
You're always a day away 

From Wikipedia: "Tomorrow" is a show tune from the musical Annie, with music by Charles Strouse and lyrics by Martin Charnin, published in 1977. The number was originally written as "Replay" (The Way We Live Now) for the 1970 short film Replay, with both music and lyrics by Strouse. 

The range, volume and repeated interval jumps make it a particularly demanding solo, especially for a younger voice. 

The song has always been prominently featured in productions of the musical throughout its history: several variations of the song were performed in the original 1977 Broadway production, including being the show's finale. Its lyrics are repeated as a personal motto by the character of Annie in Thomas Meehan's 1980 novelization. It was the entry and concluding credits score for the 1982 film adaptation; an acapella version of the song was performed by Aileen Quinn as Annie during the scene at the White House where Annie and Warbucks meet Franklin D. Roosevelt. 

The song pronounces an optimistic view of life through its main themes and the phrases 'hang on until tomorrow' and 'when I'm stuck with a day that's gray and lonely, I just stick out my chin and grin [and say]'. It appears to be in unison with another song in the score, "You're Never Fully Dressed Without a Smile," which again pronounces the importance of smiling, though in a much lighter and cheerful tone. 

My own thoughts: Heard plenty about this musical and this song, though I never saw the musical or heard the song all the way through (until just now). 

Believe it or not, I had a greater struggle to figure out how to illustrate this one. But I think looking out a window at a night sky conveys the message of the song rather nicely, don't you?