Josh's letter Oct 12

First off, so I dont forget: Dad I enjoy getting your letters. They come either Monday after my email or Wednessday. I really like gettting them on Wednessday because It is always fun to have a letter halfway through the week. I might not do a good job at answering your questions though because I read it and then several days go by before I respond. I enjoy hearing about your work. Good job on the summary judgments. I hear David is thinking about going into law...someting I was actually thinking about the other day.

Next in importance come the matters of the heart. I hear Brian and Dia are pretty much...what is it called...oh yeah, falling in love, as it were, if you will. Anyhow Brian expressed to me that she is similar to me in her ability to carry on intellectual conversation and in her writing...in which case, if this were true (or even possible) I would have to strongly urge against continuing the relationship. As someone who knows myself, no one deserves such a fate as being married to someone like that... So for what its worth, If you continue the relationship dont say I didn't warn you. But sense that is not possible I have nothing against it. It sounds like there is more passion in this relationship than there was with Arisa and that is probably a good thing. Probably the most important thing in relation to future happiness is her testimony so I'll let you be the judge of that--and maybe he mother. She is fairly young but I have come across alot of people here in Brainerd who are 18 and living together and even have a baby so... If the winter’s cold enough, I guess age isn't as important. We are actually going to be teaching one of these couples. They were very nice and didn't go to church. They seemed mainly courious and missed our first appointment but what can you say, they are only 18. I still have faith that something good might happen with them.

That is one of the real blessings of the mission so far. I have been givin a chance to see intimately different cross sections of people’s lives that have been formed from different choices. I use to think, not to long ago, that I could think hard enough and discover truth. I think we dont realize how influenced our thoughts are by society and family and friends and things that we have taken for granted. An example would be The Bible being the ultimate source of knowlege. This idea was started by some reformer and has become a given in so many people’s minds. They dont even realize that they are putting faith in something that has no substance. Another example is the renaissance that was invented by 17th centry historians in France I believe. Now we assume that the dark ages were dark and then suddenly the renaissance came and everything became modernized and a boom in learning and the arts etc. This is something we don’t realize we have been putting faith in something that someone told us that is not true. So it is with our own development of philosphies. It has been so interesting to me to hear different people’s philosphies of life. I wonder how long their philophies will last them. I talk to people who are doing what too many kids and adults out here in the country do. Smoking, living together, just having "fun" in what can be a boring and cold place. I was talking to a LA last night who says that he doesn't like being told what to do by a prophet who says he talks with God so he can controll people. He says he perfers a freer life style. This is such a sad pittiable statement. Could anyone in their right mind truly imagine the prophet of Christ's church, President Thomas S Monson, trying to gain power over people and control them? Fair is fowl and fowl is fair. The truth is that Christ's way, The prophets way, the church’s way, Mom and Dad’s way have always been the way of freedom not chains. It is the freedom of the rope swing in the back yard. It is the freedom of gravity. It is the freedom of standards, of self respect, of happiness. It is the freedom to choose eternal life rather than giving away your choice to someone who would have you his.
It is a sobering thing to see people put faith in a philosophy that is as insubstancial as the freedom they seek. It is not hard to know that this church is true. It is not hard to see that it is the way to ahppiness. Just look at people around us. Be observers of the world. Be part of others lives and we will easily see who is happy and who is not. The hard thing to do is do it. I dont really know why but I think it must have somthing to do with our greatest fear--that we are powerful beyound meausre.

Last off, Happy Bday David. You’re old. So is Brian and so am I. I don’t like it. You and Brian will probably be all married when I get home. Lame. But I guess I can put my greif behind me for one second and express my gratitude to you. You have always been the frame of the siblings. You held us all together. Who can be mad at David? I could a few times but for the most part David is the Sam-wise-gamgie of the Sabey family. Thanks for being the friend that is the hero behind the scene. If everyone in the world had a friend like David It sure would be hard for people to feel alone and misserable. Let us all strive to be a friend to those who need it. A friend like Mr Scrooge became, (insert the last lines of a Christmas carol--something about he was true to his promise, he became the best friend the best man the world had ever seen.) I glad you'll be with me,dave, there at the end of all things

Brian's Brimhall Essay

Mountains

I climb mountains. Eugene L. Roberts did too, and encouraged others to do so, organizing some of the first Timpanogas climbs. In my grandma’s words, he did it because “Mountains are there to be climbed.” This recalls the famous answer George Mallory gave when asked why he wanted to climb Everest: “Because it is there.” Mountains are there and they are meant to be climbed. That is why I climb mountains. Of course, the next question is “Why are they meant to be climbed?” Why is it good to climb mountains? Because of the view? Because of the challenge? For the exercise? For the experience of nature? Because mountains are like temples, sacred and revelatory? Take your pick; none of these answers satisfies me. Yes the view can be incredible, yes the challenge and exercise and experience of nature is enlivening. Yes there is absolutely something about the high places of the earth that commands reverence, and brings us closer to God. But the experience itself is the only complete answer for this and a thousand other “whys” about doing good things. Experience is what we gain on our earthly mountain climb, replete with soul-stilling glory and pied beauty, as well as heart-wrenching suffering and monotony’s deadening trudge. And when a Job or Joseph asks God why, He does not answer. He merely affirms that He is God, we are His children, He is in control, and all these things shall give us experience—“Just keep climbing,” in effect. That we should ask “why” is human. But we must be careful not to value the abstracted, objectified, speakable explanation of reality more than reality itself—which we simply experience.

There is, I believe, value in being able to ponder, put into language, and discuss our experience—it allows us to connect with other people and identify patterns and meanings. But there is a certain point at which this system simply fails. Poetry, art, and music are all languages that greatly expand our ability to express human experience, but even these will never be entirely sufficient. And even if we could find a way to express through some form of language the totality of human experience, still the expression would be no substitute for the experience itself. And reading about climbing mountains will never substitute for climbing them. Those of us who spend a lot of time and energy reading, learning, discussing, classifying, and systematizing need to balance our focus by remembering to experience the indefinable, irreducible world, and to stand in awe. I am not suggesting that we should live unexamined lives. I have recently read Plato’s stunning Apology of Socrates, and as I read, Socrates renewed his status as a great hero of mine. But if he had done nothing more than examine life, his legacy would have been as a tickling cymbal. He was a man of action, and his examination of life was not a merely cerebral exercise. He acted out his philosophy to his death. He also asked difficult “whys” and came to few conclusions. But despite his self-acknowledged ignorance, when his life’s mountain was climbed, he was not afraid to walk into the valley of death—and he had a bright hope that there was another more glorious mountain on the other side of the valley. We should examine our lives, but we should examine courageously and not questioning fearfully; and we should stay planted in the life-giving soil of experience, of the real world. So to those who sometimes get bogged down with difficult “whys,” I would simply respond with a smile: “Go climb a mountain.”

Joshua's letter Sept 28

Joshua's letter Sept 28

I did receive a very nice letter from Brian. He told about a conversation he had with a teacher where little of the initial question was resolved but that the teachers sincerity of generosity and caring left an untellable mark on him. This true caring is the whole law of moses and the new law as well. True concern for another's well being and existence is the antithesis of sarcasm and shallow selfishness that is quite prevalent in the world and in myself. To purify our selves is the quest of life. Thank you Brian for the letter.

I had a miracle this week. Her name was Karla. She is a 23 year old women from Mexico. She has the Mexican black hair and Dandy's eyes. She is short and has the kind of sincerity that Brian talked about. She had received the missionary Discussions in Mexico but had never been baptized. She came to the US to be a nanny through some sort of program. Last week she found out that her parents would be separating. "No surprise" she said "but it doesn't ease the pain. My mom doesn't deserve this. I was really angry with my Dad but I can't judge him, my parents aren't perfect. I miss my family" She continued to explains that the day we knocked on the door was the day after she had found out. She knew that God was looking out for her. I knew that that was true. As Nephi knew, I do not know the meaning of all things nevertheless I do know that God loveth his children. I was sobered by the realization of who I represent. I hadn't wanted to track that street because I didn't think we would find anyone home. But we had planned it the night before and so we went ahead and did it. I do no know what would have happened if we hadn't. I wonder how many people we haven't been there fore that we could have. We are in the work of saving souls it is a sobering and serious task. It is the profession of our profession. Hurrah for Israel! She came to church on Sunday and we are meeting with her Tuesday.

There is a family in the ward that is struggling financially. They still have us over for dinner and are willing to do anything for us. I hate to ask them to do anything for us. All I can see is what it will cost them to help. I see the money each mile will cost and each "pork chop". But the ward is promised blessings as they help the missionaries. I am caught in a catch 22. Do I ask them for help and be another burden or ask for nothing and deny them the ability to help. I don't know what to do a lot but I do love this family. they are the Baks. I hope and know that God will bless them for their goodness. I understanda little bit more about the women that gave a penny to the temple and Christ says that she has given more then all the others for she has given all she hath. This is true of the Bak family. they serve with all they have. If they can they will help and will do all they can to help. They give their all, and there is nothing less ask of us all and may we all truly give our all every time we serve or pay tithing or fast offering or anything (not all our money but with our blessing, with out reservation--all we hath.)

To answer Dad's question about food. I eat spaghettia lot. Sometimes lasagna. It depends on the meal. Breakfast I normally have cereal. Lunch I have a sandwich or something else that sounds good at the time. Dinner is normally at a members house. It is often some noodle thing unless it is a wealthierfamily then it is anything from hamburgers to orange chicken. I haven't eaten anything crazy yet. Most of the members are originally from Idaho or Utah anyhow.

I can't remember the other questions, sorry I'll try and remember to bring the letter with me next time. I do really enjoy your letters. I also like hearing about your work and cases. Have you gone further with Vilo Pueblo yet?

WE ran into a guy who wanted us to find him some legal help. I wished you were there. He is a nice guy but from what I gathered he pulled over to the side of a road because he was having cat troubles. A teenager was looking for a book in his back seat while driving and rear ended him. I assume this man named Dave didn't want to accept any settlements and he didn't have very good representation and probably had some sort of temper or exaggerated something and so he lost credibility in front of the jury or judge and so lost on some technicality about he didn't have his emergency lights on (which he swears he did).That's my diagnosis. I feel bad for the guy. Both he and his wife have hospital bills and he is fighting trough a recent diagnosis of some kind of cancer. He had the police report and everything. I think he is a nice guy and feels he didn't receive justice and now cant get back on his feet. I pity him and wish I could help some how. But I assume he did receive justice maybe not Justice but I'll bet he brought it upon himself.
thats my court case for the week.
Well good bye family--god be with you tell we meet again.
Elder Sabey
ps how are things with Rachel and Pierce. and how is Tennis and Track going
pps I haven't heard anything about ali. We are trying to teach someone from Iraq but there is a very largelanguige barrier. (maybe we could fly him out... jk)

Joshua's letter Sept 28

I did receive a very nice letter from Brian. He told about a conversation he had with a teacher where little of the initial question was resolved but that the teachers sincerity of generosity and caring left an untellable mark on him. This true caring is the whole law of moses and the new law as well. True concern for another's well being and existence is the antithesis of sarcasm and shallow selfishness that is quite prevalent in the world and in myself. To purify our selves is the quest of life. Thank you Brian for the letter.

I had a miracle this week. Her name was Karla. She is a 23 year old women from Mexico. She has the Mexican black hair and Dandy's eyes. She is short and has the kind of sincerity that Brian talked about. She had received the missionary Discussions in Mexico but had never been baptized. She came to the US to be a nanny through some sort of program. Last week she found out that her parents would be separating. "No surprise" she said "but it doesn't ease the pain. My mom doesn't deserve this. I was really angry with my Dad but I can't judge him, my parents aren't perfect. I miss my family" She continued to explains that the day we knocked on the door was the day after she had found out. She knew that God was looking out for her. I knew that that was true. As Nephi knew, I do not know the meaning of all things nevertheless I do know that God loveth his children. I was sobered by the realization of who I represent. I hadn't wanted to track that street because I didn't think we would find anyone home. But we had planned it the night before and so we went ahead and did it. I do no know what would have happened if we hadn't. I wonder how many people we haven't been there fore that we could have. We are in the work of saving souls it is a sobering and serious task. It is the profession of our profession. Hurrah for Israel! She came to church on Sunday and we are meeting with her Tuesday.

There is a family in the ward that is struggling financially. They still have us over for dinner and are willing to do anything for us. I hate to ask them to do anything for us. All I can see is what it will cost them to help. I see the money each mile will cost and each "pork chop". But the ward is promised blessings as they help the missionaries. I am caught in a catch 22. Do I ask them for help and be another burden or ask for nothing and deny them the ability to help. I don't know what to do a lot but I do love this family. they are the Baks. I hope and know that God will bless them for their goodness. I understand a little bit more about the women that gave a penny to the temple and Christ says that she has given more then all the others for she has given all she hath. This is true of the Bak family. they serve with all they have. If they can they will help and will do all they can to help. They give their all, and there is nothing less ask of us all and may we all truly give our all every time we serve or pay tithing or fast offering or anything (not all our money but with our blessing, with out reservation--all we hath.)

To answer Dad's question about food. I eat spaghetti a lot. Sometimes lasagna. It depends on the meal. Breakfast I normally have cereal. Lunch I have a sandwich or something else that sounds good at the time. Dinner is normally at a members house. It is often some noodle thing unless it is a wealthier family then it is anything from hamburgers to orange chicken. I haven't eaten anything crazy yet. Most of the members are originally from Idaho or Utah anyhow.

I can't remember the other questions, sorry I'll try and remember to bring the letter with me next time. I do really enjoy your letters. I also like hearing about your work and cases. Have you gone further with Vilo Pueblo yet?

WE ran into a guy who wanted us to find him some legal help. I wished you were there. He is a nice guy but from what I gathered he pulled over to the side of a road because he was having cat troubles. A teenager was looking for a book in his back seat while driving and rear ended him. I assume this man named Dave didn't want to accept any settlements and he didn't have very good representation and probably had some sort of temper or exaggerated something and so he lost credibility in front of the jury or judge and so lost on some technicality about he didn't have his emergency lights on (which he swears he did). That's my diagnosis. I feel bad for the guy. Both he and his wife have hospital bills and he is fighting trough a recent diagnosis of some kind of cancer. He had the police report and everything. I think he is a nice guy and feels he didn't receive justice and now cant get back on his feet. I pity him and wish I could help some how. But I assume he did receive justice maybe not Justice but I'll bet he brought it upon himself.
thats my court case for the week.
Well good bye family--god be with you tell we meet again.
Elder Sabey
ps how are things with Rachel and Pierce. and how is Tennis and Track going
pps I haven't heard anything about ali. We are trying to teach someone from Iraq but there is a very large languige barrier. (maybe we could fly him out... jk)

Ideas on teaching

Having taught in a public school for going on 2 years, I've started to see feel great about some things and concerned about other things. I love the idea of the 21st Century Learning. Its core concept is to help facilitate students learning, to motivate good questioning, to catalyze passion for subjects and to make the classroom student oriented, not teacher directed. I love these ideas. However, I am very concerned about public education. There are several things that I worry me. First, teachers are not happy. I walk down the halls and most of the teachers' heads are down. Inside our office, the teachers are focused on computers, correcting and grading. I think they are all wonderful people, but they are worn out, overworked and caught up in the daily requirements of a teacher. The second concern I have is the bureaucracy without vision. I had an interesting experience.

So, here is what I'd do in an ideal world of teaching:

• No teacher would teach more than 3 days a week. They would work a full week, but two of the days would be time to create, prepare and organize. The students would have "computer" days or hands-on days where the teacher is not present in the classroom, but the students are still in class. The days the teachers work would be staggered so the students each day would have some classes with teachers and some classes as work times.
• All administrations would have a goal to help teachers with innovative ideas. This would include having grant writers at every level of education to help write grants, and to help find organizations who would be interested in grants. This would encourage thinking of projects that the teachers would be interested and thus naturally increase not just the passion of the teachers, but also the energy. When creativity is increased, energy increases.
• Classrooms would be arranged so the students can move around easily. The goal would be to have students sit for less than 20 minutes at a time. The teachers would work in roat

Girls 4th year Backpacking 2008

With backpacks on our backs, and excitement in our hearts, we started up the Wheeler Lakes trail.