Task Force for the Family

I sent this to the president, Donald J. Trump today...

Dear Mr. President,

President David O. McKay, president of the LDS Church (serving from 1951-1970) taught that our most precious possession is our family and that home is the chief school of human virtues. Of the home, he declared: No other success can compensate for failure in the home. (This quote was on our family wall when I was a child.)

Home, its responsibilities, joys, sorrows, smiles, tears, hopes, and solicitudes form the chief interest of human life. When one puts business or pleasure above his home, he that moment starts on the downgrade to soul-weakness. When the club becomes more attractive to any man than his home, it is time for him to confess in bitter shame that he has failed to measure up to the supreme opportunity of his life and flunked in the final test of true manhood. The poorest shack in which love prevails over a united family is of far greater value to God and future humanity than any other riches. In such a home God can work miracles and will work miracles.

Our country is being torn apart from its very roots (the family unit) upward. We see it in increased crime, mass shootings, the opioid epidemic, disdain for human life, common decency and upheaval in our schools.

Please create a Task Force for the Family, which could be called The Parent Commission, to encourage mothers and fathers, grand parents and relatives to step up and raise our precious young children in American with values of kindness, generosity, and decency. This task force would be lead by clergy, major service organizations and academia to help American families to reinvigorate our youth with positive values in and from the home. This would be an investment in America, that will save the country billions of future dollars.  It would reduce crime, creating honest, healthy of mind, body and spirit the youngest of our citizens, which are our most impressionable today. 

I would be honored to lead this committee. Please contact me for my resume and references.

With deepest respect,

Gus Koerner

Cam, Joey and the Turtles

This story is by Julia Koerner, about Cameron Koerner and Joey Fairbanks back in 1999. I am posting this today as a birthday present for Cameron, who is unavailable to receive gifts right now, due to his Marine Corps obligations.

Cam, Joey and the Turtles

I took these photos on a day when Cameron and Joe were on a self-initiated,100% official turtle rescue.

There was talk around the (Royal Oaks) golf course that a small alligator had been spotted in the pond just a few hundred feet from our backyard. Groundskeepers had been looking for the Jurassic critter for a couple weeks, but had nothing to go on but golfer tales up in the clubhouse.

That same pond was actually one of Cam and Joe's favorite spots for collecting abandoned golf balls, but this one particular morning they had found a hidden nest of hatching turtle eggs.

When the boys heard tell of the baby alligator from a few golfers, they came running into the house - frantically asking for a bucket they could put their newly hatching turtles in so the alligator wouldn't eat them.

We found a bucket - and I, of course, followed them out to the spot with my broom in hand to retrieve the turtles and assure their safety from any free range gator babies that might be lurking in the rushes...and of course, bash the gator with my weapon, if necessary.

Now, 18 years later, these are still 2 of Joe's favorite photos. He posts them on his bedroom wall with a push-pin wherever we live. Joe can't remember how many turtles they rescued that day. Perhaps Cameron will remember.

That same afternoon, the boys and Mother and I made an official trip to the wildlife preserve so the boys could deliver their treasured find to the appropriate authorities and ensure the safety of the hatchlings.

You should have heard Cameron retell their tale of danger, intrigue, excitement and wonder at having watched turtles hatch; kept a look-out for the mystery alligator; collected their specimen and escaped without harm. He spoke almost all in one run-on sentence...with Joe piping in, "Me, too! Me, too!" as often as he could squeeze it in.

The rangers were amazed and entertained, to say the least! On the drive home, Mother decided the boys deserved ice cream from her favorite haunt, the Moonlight Drive In.

I'm sure you heard this whole tale first hand on the day it happened - but now, nearly 20 years after the fact, here's the photographic proof of the boys' humanitarian efforts.

What is Standing In The Way of You Reaching Your Peak?

Last night I woke up in the middle of the night with this phrase repeating itself through my mind, Don’t let anyone or anything stand in the way of reaching your peak!

I am not one to believe that dreams are special premonitions that come from God or a psychic realm. Yes, I do believe that God can influence our thoughts and dreams, but we may be just as likely to have certain dreams because of stress, past experiences or something we consumed that gave us a reaction, like pepperoni pizza.

I do have some idea of what inspired this post. Recently I received a copy of my Social Security benefits and projected retirement earnings. The summary was very inclusive from the year I first filed taxes at age eighteen until last year. In the chart you could see the gradual increase in annual earnings from then until now. It was very interesting.

Let's look at the following graph. It is fictional and generic, and could represent many different things.

The points on the graph could represent the stock market, home finance spending or the number of tomatoes you picked in the garden. Consider this. Is it possible that the graph could represent even a wider range of ideas for growth and decline? Could it represent human virtues such as happiness, spirituality or self-confidence?  I think it can.  Let us suppose this scenario for an example using the human trait (or way of being), Self Confidence.

Let us say Point A is when I was nineteen years old, and had all the hope and confidence in the world. I climbed through life until point B, where I was laid off from my job. At Point C I found a new source of employment until I discovered I wasn't emotionally fit for that line of work (D). Point E represents another beginning, going toward Point F which represents the future.

This could all hold true, but it is also very subjective. We cannot quantify emotions simply by the numbers, and we could have just as appropriately used Emojis on the vertical axis, like they do now for measuring pain in the hospital - but I think you understand my point.

If we spend some time contemplating our personal (or familial) growth or happiness we can begin to see trends. Using the information that comes to us from within, counseling with others and from the Still Small Voice of God we may be able to make different choices that can stem-off potential future low points in our lives.

Now back to my question. What is Standing In The Way of You Reaching Your Peak? Is it life style changes that need to be made, or relationships that need to be mended? Perhaps a job change or restructure is in order, or you need to re-evaluate your social and family life priorities. I know beyond a shadow of a doubt that doing the same thing over and over brings us the same result, and until we're ready to raise ourselves up to new heights by making new and different choices, we can expect the trends to repeat themselves.


gus

Remembering Mom On April 7

This is a loving memorial to our family Mom, Irene Lillian Johnson Koerner who passed away in 2001. This story contains no special messages, just thoughts and memories...

==========================================

To my kinfolk, :)

Today is Mom's birthday.  Do you have any special thoughts, memories or photos you'd like to share with the group?

Earlier today I recalled to a friend that Mom received her Silver Fawn from Scouts.  Although a precious memory, more so are the memories of how she helped me and my other fellow scouts progress and stay active in Scouts and there was never a critter, cool rock or beautiful stick I couldn't bring in the house and receive the same admiration from her as I had for that "slice" of nature myself. Remember my cactus garden?

I also remember her sitting on my bed in the rain listening to my then favorite song by Willie Nelson, Blue Eyes Crying in the Rain.  She seemed to love it as much as I, and I appreciated that.

Follows are some notes from my brothers and sisters...

​Your brother. - gus
-----------------
Gus,
Thanks for being the first to share your thoughts with everyone.
I always know that around Easter time (next week) and General Conference it will also be Mom’s birthday.
Without her love, warmth, and caring I would be a different person - and not for the better.
I remember in Dayton going on a hike and bringing back a cocoon on a stick early in the spring.  A few weeks later, it hatched to release about 2-300 baby praying mantis babies in my bedroom.  Thank goodness for the Electrolux vacuum.  I was about 11.

Love,
Karl
-----------------

Mom's Obituary

Irene J. Koerner
Sep 2, 2001

INKOM, Idaho Irene J. Koerner, 80, died Aug. 31, 2001, in her home of Inkom, Idaho where she resided with her daughter, Julia Cushman and family.

Funeral services will be held at noon on Wednesday, Aug. 5, 2001, at Cranney Mortuary and Funeral Home in Logan, Utah. A viewing will be held before the funeral at 11 a.m.

Irene was born on April 7, 1921, in Logan, Utah, and lived in Preston, Idaho, until young adulthood. She is preceded in death by her grandson, Mathew Lee Koerner, and devoted husband of 52 years, Karl L. Koerner.

Irene and Karl resided in Ft. Worth, Texas, for 35 years and were members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Ft. Worth 3rd Ward.

Sister Koerner held callings in various church auxiliary programs throughout her life. They included: Relief Society, Young Womens, genealogy extraction, Primary and Boy Scouts of America. Her diligent efforts as den leader and den leader coach for BSA earned her the prestigious Silver Fawn award.

Survivors are: her children, Karl R. Koerner, Kristi L. Bennett, Julia L. Cushman, John A. Koerner, Irene M. Koerner, Gus A. Koerner; 33 grandchildren; 15 great-grandchildren; and two brothers, Carl Johnson and Darold Johnson.

She will always be endeared to her family for her gentle manner, love for God and family and exemplary spirit of good will.

Source: The Herald Journal.

My Scandinavian Roots Appreciated

In 1980 I was a missionary for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, serving in Denmark. I was 19 years old. This was a landmark period in my life where I was able to learn three important things. I learned to look beyond myself and for the first time in my life how to serve others. I learned to be on my own without the protective umbrella of my family, and I learned to appreciate my Scandinavian roots which I'd like to speak to today.

My name is Gustav "Gus" Koerner. I was named after my grandpa "Papa Gus" a Swedish immigrant. The name also belongs to the King of Sweden, Gustaf V (the 5th) (Oscar Gustaf Adolf 16 June 1858 – 29 October 1950) who was King of Sweden from 1907 to 1950.

On my mission I had two name tags, one read Elder Koerner - The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints and the other one I had made was Ælste Kørner - Jesu Kristi Kirke af Sidste Dages Hellige.  When I wore the first name tag, people would say "What??" and when I wore the Danish version, they'd say "Hello" and never ever mispronounce my name - so I mostly wore the second. By the way, the Danish pronunciation of  Kørner in English is Kerner, which is correct.

Today is Summer Solstice (June 20, 18:34 hours ET), the longest day of sunlight during the year and appreciated at northern latitudes which takes me back to my Scandinavian roots and my mission in Denmark. While there, I learned this song and still know and sing it to this day.  It is one of my favorites of all time.  I hope my children can hear and learn it. –  I'll share it with you now, first in English and then Danish, with  YouTube performance link.
 
It was Written by Ove "Bager" Wulff (1917-2004) - Trained as a baker at the patisserie Bryggergården in Odense, Denmark. He was hired as a ship's baker at the East Asiatic Company. Known as entertainer, musician, show author and composer, especially for the song of Lundeborg the Lundeborg Hymn. Warning, the song is not impressive in English.  One needs to hear the Danish version in song.

Lundeborg Hymn
Are you sad, and depressed?
So go with me down to Lundeborg,
for it is the best place on Earth,
there I believe is the end of the world.
there is forest and beach,
there's port and water
there’s fisher girls there's fisher men.
Are you sad, and depressed?
So go with me down to Lundeborg.

Lundeborg, Denmark is a coastal town approximately 55°N 11°E, about 12 miles South of Nyborg. The song is performed on YouTube by Fynsk Harmoniforvirring, 2011. Link here.

Lundeborghymnen
Er du trist og har du sorg i sinde?
Så tag med mig ned til Lundeborg.
For det er det bedste sted på jorden,
Der jeg tror at verdens enden går.
Der er skov og strand.
Der er havn og vand.
Der er fiskerpige,
Der er fiskermand.
Er du trist og har du sorg i sinde?
Så tag med mig ned til Lundeborg.

Call Your Mama

One word daily is better than a thousand words yearly.
Kind words are always appreciated dearly. - gk

Write a note, make a call to a loved one. It will bless your life and theirs.

A Great American Love Story

Every once in a while I’ll run across something extraordinary that is brand new to me, but has actually been around for a long-long time. When that happens I am always so surprised and occasionally dumbfounded that I haven’t come across this earlier in my life. I ask myself, “Where have I been?” or “How did this wonderful thing exist without me knowing about it?”

The story and letter below knocked my socks off when I heard it the first time on public television (PBS).  It is the story of a Union officer and his last days before he was killed in action.  It is a love story in the form of a letter; expressing love of country, duty, honor, family and romance.  At the bottom I included references so you the reader can research further.

One last thought before the letter of Sullivan Ballou. Heroes such as these can be found all over the globe and throughout time.  The difference with this one is that it was recorded, archived, and shared.  I urge the reader to investigate and record your own ancestral stories so as to honor the heroes we have in our own families and in our communities.

The setting is Union Headquarters, Camp Clark, Washington, D.C., July 14, 1861, near the beginning of the American Civil War.  Major Ballou died in battle fifteen days after he wrote this letter. - gk

By Sullivan Ballou

My very dear Sarah:

The indications are very strong that we shall move in a few days—perhaps tomorrow. Lest I should not be able to write you again, I feel impelled to write lines that may fall under your eye when I shall be no more.

Our movement may be one of a few days duration and full of pleasure—and it may be one of severe conflict and death to me. Not my will, but thine O God, be done. If it is necessary that I should fall on the battlefield for my country, I am ready. I have no misgivings about, or lack of confidence in, the cause in which I am engaged, and my courage does not halt or falter. I know how strongly American Civilization now leans upon the triumph of the Government, and how great a debt we owe to those who went before us through the blood and suffering of the Revolution. And I am willing—perfectly willing—to lay down all my joys in this life, to help maintain this Government, and to pay that debt.

But, my dear wife, when I know that with my own joys I lay down nearly all of yours, and replace them in this life with cares and sorrows—when, after having eaten for long years the bitter fruit of orphanage myself, I must offer it as their only sustenance to my dear little children—is it weak or dishonorable, while the banner of my purpose floats calmly and proudly in the breeze, that my unbounded love for you, my darling wife and children, should struggle in fierce, though useless, contest with my love of country.

Sarah, my love for you is deathless, it seems to bind me to you with mighty cables that nothing but Omnipotence could break; and yet my love of Country comes over me like a strong wind and bears me irresistibly on with all these chains to the battlefield.

The memories of the blissful moments I have spent with you come creeping over me, and I feel most gratified to God and to you that I have enjoyed them so long. And hard it is for me to give them up and burn to ashes the hopes of future years, when God willing, we might still have lived and loved together and seen our sons grow up to honorable manhood around us. I have, I know, but few and small claims upon Divine Providence, but something whispers to me—perhaps it is the wafted prayer of my little Edgar—that I shall return to my loved ones unharmed. If I do not, my dear Sarah, never forget how much I love you, and when my last breath escapes me on the battlefield, it will whisper your name.

Forgive my many faults, and the many pains I have caused you. How thoughtless and foolish I have often been! How gladly would I wash out with my tears every little spot upon your happiness, and struggle with all the misfortune of this world, to shield you and my children from harm. But I cannot. I must watch you from the spirit land and hover near you, while you buffet the storms with your precious little freight, and wait with sad patience till we meet to part no more.

But, O Sarah! If the dead can come back to this earth and flit unseen around those they loved, I shall always be near you; in the brightest day and in the darkest night—amidst your happiest scenes and gloomiest hours—always, always; and if there be a soft breeze upon your cheek, it shall be my breath; or the cool air fans your throbbing temple, it shall be my spirit passing by.

Sarah, do not mourn me dead; think I am gone and wait for me, for we shall meet again.

As for my little boys, they will grow as I have done, and never know a father's love and care. Little Willie is too young to remember me long, and my blue-eyed Edgar will keep my frolics with him among the dimmest memories of his childhood. Sarah, I have unlimited confidence in your maternal care and your development of their characters. Tell my two mothers his and hers I call God's blessing upon them. O Sarah, I wait for you there! Come to me, and lead thither my children.

Sullivan

By Major Sullivan Ballou
Union Army, 2nd Rhode Island Infantry Regiment
Born: March 28, 1829, Smithfield, Rhode Island
Died: July 29, 1861, Age 32, KIA 1st Battle of Bull Run, near Manassas, VA
Survived by wife, Sarah Hart Shumway, and children William and Edgar

Buried: Swan Point Cemetery
585 Blackstone Boulevard
Providence, RI 02906
Tel: 401-272-1314
Location: Group 205A, Lot 6, GPS (DDS) Location: (Lat./Lon.): 41.85405, -71.38027

References:
National Park Service Record of Sullivan Ballou
Wikipedia reference
Swan Point Cemetary

A History of Swan Point Cemetary
Find a Grave Site Location

How Bright Is Your Fire?

I am so excited that tonight is the first night of the season for our monthly Men's Group Campfire Meeting!

It is almost fall in Florida.  The days are under 90 and nights in the 60's - one of the cheapest months for utility billing and I like that!  But most importantly, our Men's Campfire group is starting again where we get together for an hour or so, and talk about our life as workers, husbands, dads, and men of the community.  Once a month, and that's it.  Below is the message I prepared, a great story by Zoe Weil.

This is one of my Top 100 Blog Stories that made a difference in my life.  As I read it over and over, I ask myself, How bright is that ember burning in my soul for my calling, my family, my children and all that I hold dear?  Do I need to stoke the fire, or is everything okay?  It is an accountability moment for me.  Here is the story...

Be the Campfire, Not the Forest Fire (click link for the whole story)
by Zoe Weil, November 17, 2010

The content that follows was originally published on the Institute for Humane Education website at
The Institute for Humane Education Blog.

There's a metaphor I like to use when talking to fellow activists. I ask them to imagine two fires. The first is a campfire in an opening in the woods. The fire is warm and bright and draws people toward it. They are eager to find a place around the fire, and their beautiful faces glow in the reflected light. They feel good. There is nowhere they'd rather be. The second is a forest fire. It blazes hot and out of control, everyone - people and animals alike - flee.

Each of us has a fire inside of us. It is the fire of our passions and our beliefs, and all of us who are activists know it well. It is the fire that spurs us to learn about what is happening on our planet - to people, animals, and the environment - and it is the fire that spurs us to action to solve the crises we face and challenge the atrocities that still pervade our world. It is often a blazing hot fire. And sometimes, when we have burned out, it is a barely glowing ember. (There is a reason for the term "burned out" after all.)

As change agents, we have a choice about what sort of fire we will be. Will we be the warm campfire that draws people towards us so that we can share what we know and inspire others to make a difference, or will we be the forest fire that rages too hot, causing people to run from us? This is one of the most important questions we can ask ourselves because the fire we cultivate makes an enormous difference in our effectiveness as change makers.

But as we know, fire is not static, so whatever fire you have been or are today is subject to change. Fires die out if we don't add fuel, and the sparks that fly off of them can ignite infernos if we add too much fuel too quickly. As change agents, we must seek that perfect balance, adding enough fuel in the form of knowledge and resources to burn just hot enough to ignite change without igniting a conflagration. We will know if our fire needs more fuel if we are not doing the work that must be done and aren't inspiring others to join us, and we will know if we need to let up on the fuel if people avoid us. If we've been activists for a long time, we may have noticed that our fiery youth has diminished too much. If we are new to change-making, we may need to take great care in cultivating our fire so it doesn't burn too hot.

Tend your fire carefully. The world needs you to burn just right.

Zoe Weil, author of Most Good, Least Harm and Above All, Be Kind

"Thy Will Be Done". A Hope or a Prayer?

This is going to be a short note, as it hit me at 6:20 am this morning on my way out of the driveway. Here is the scripture I am talking about, that most people know...The Lord's Prayer...as it occurs in Matthew 6:9–13

Our Father in heaven,
hallowed be your name.
Your kingdom come,
your will be done,
on earth, as it is in heaven.
Give us this day our daily bread,
and forgive us our debts,
as we also have forgiven our debtors.
And lead us not into temptation,
but deliver us from evil.

We always pray "Thy will be done."

When someone is on their deathbed or tragically injured, or at the end of their rope, we sometimes pray for their (or our) recovery, but in the end we'll say, "thy will be done".  This final phrase is an escape clause, to tell God that if the person must die, or whatever tragedy, it will be God's will and we'll be okay with it,

Do we say this out of habit or do we really mean it?

I just missed out on an opportunity, and I've been praying this prayer.  When I realized things were not going MY way, I realized I was NOT okay with it, and was very disappointed. I felt abandoned and neglected by God. Then I suddenly realized I was not praying for God's will, but mine under the guise of His.  It was a true ah-ha moment for me that made me sad and happy at the same time.  Sad that I may have lost an opportunity, and happy that I learned a valuable "God lesson".

I hope when we pray this prayer, we'll say it with sincerity and realize God's will may not be ours. Bless you in your walk.

gus

Dads and Their Sons, a Snapshot from 1972

We go through life learning from our parents. In the best of circumstances they teach you how to become a whole human being. In the worst of circumstances, they can also teach you what not to do. - actor Bryan Cranston,

From the TLC show, Who Do You Think You Are, sponsored by Ancestry.com: aired Aug. 2015.

I remember when I was a young boy I had a mixed relationship with my father. (I am speaking of Karl L. Koerner 1918 to 2000.)  I highly respected my dad yet part of me was afraid of him. He most always seemed distant and out of reach, but there were times when he was very supportive and kind and fun to be around. As I look back, the overall memory I have of my dad is a good one.  He was a good example of a man to follow who kept family and professional life balanced and who supported my mother and tried to do the best for us kids. Me being the last of six kids, I think he mellowed somewhat, or he just ran out of energy. Either way I understand how that can be.

My dad had a temper and when he would get angry you did not want to be in the room, but he also had a sense of humor, and could tell a corny joke and laugh at one like the rest of us. That part of me remains from his DNA.

As part of my job at the prison, I have the opportunity to counsel inmates.  Twice this past week, I spoke with incarcerated dads, trying to rekindle relationships with their sons.  After the conversation I thought about my relationship with my dad and sons. I ask myself what did I do right? What could I have done better with?  How can I improve?

Recently I found a notebook in the garage with my Dad's notes from our trip to Philmont Scout Ranch in July of 1972. In this particular slide (left), my dad is commenting on me and Chuck hanging our camp food between trees for the night to keep the bears from getting it.

Some quotes from his notes: July 5, 1972 - Gus and Chuck (Jaecks) putting up a Bear Pack something like this. I imagine if the Bears saw them do these things they would die laughing. I'm sure if they were hungry or they would get it down.

Notes like these from our parents are precious to family history.  I urge all my readers to keep them safe.

So how is this going to make me a better father?  I'm going to keep loving my kids, just how they are and supporting them in the paths their on.  If they want my advice I'll give it to them, otherwise I'll continue to urge them to do their best, stay close to God and honor their spouses and children.  I hope my kids can take my good qualities and emulate them, and my less desirable traits and be careful not to follow them.  Either way, in that way a dad can have a positive influence on his children.

- gus

May is a Time for Florida Hurricane Preparedness

It has been a quiet past few years as far as hurricanes go in Florida.  June 1 is the start of Hurricane Season in Florida.  Now is the time to prepare.

We can never let our guard down however, or think it will never happen to us.

I will be writing more later, but attached are a few resources and my plan to help us be prepared.  It appears I am writing this for others, but it is actually a to-do list for me!  I hope you get something out of it as well. :)

This link from NOAA is to a very good document on how you can keep your family safe.

The University of Florida Disaster Handbook is a great resource.

The Florida Homeowners Handbook to Prepare for Natural Hazards is also very good.

This is what I'm going to do...10 Easy Steps!

1. Get my paperwork together, insurance, home owners documentation.  If my neighborhood is declared off-limits by Emergency Management Services, they will not let me back in without proof of ownership.  Back up e-documents to "the cloud" for anywhere access.
2. Fill my cars up with gas, get ready to evacuate if necessary.
3. Work - Keep in touch with my employer.  I don't want to return home, and find out I was fired for not reporting to work.
4. Housing...Locate my nearest shelter.  Protect my house.  Stash a key in the yard somewhere for a neighbor if necessary.  Know how to turn off home utilities if necessary.
5. Have PRINTED in my files family and friends contact information. Don't rely on e-information.  Google or web services may be disabled.
6. Get 7 days of emergency food ready that will keep NOT refrigerated.  Prepare drinking water, 1 gallon per person per day, and flushing / washing water (prepare to fill the canoe with the hose.)
7. Get my Go-Files ready.  The most important financial files in a grab box ready to go.  Keep my most precious documents and photos secure and ready to grab.
8. Stuff...Get some cash on hand.  $500 to $1000 will cover most emergency expenses for 72 hours. Any cash is better than no cash.  Have books or games ready to keep you occupied for endless hours of shelter time.  Have 30 days of prescriptions on hand for all in your family.
9. Shelter - Pre-arrange for an out-of-state (or harms way) place to stay.  Humm, Who are my friends in Georgia and Alabama?  Your nearest safe-house could be within a few hours drive.
10. Communication - Keep in constant contact with my neighborhood loved ones, keep connected with my church family.  Exchange numbers.  Do they need assistance?  This is a time to connect with our fellow community members.  Keep an emergency radio handy for local information.  

Keeping Tract of our Family Homes

The absolute primary reason for this blog is so that my children and theirs can know something about me.  Not that I am or was the best person to know, but looking back to my own parents and grandparents, I would love to know every detail of their life.  This is important to me not just from an historical / genealogical perspective, but I would like to know their emotions, thoughts, struggles and accomplishments to compare with my own.

Haven't any of you wanted to go back to see your birth home, or that favorite neighborhood you lived in growing up?  If so, can you remember right where it is?  I cannot, therefore I have gone back and recorded the exact location of each.  This isn't a complete list, and it will grow as time goes on.  How did I do it?  In some cases I used a Garmin GPS handheld trail receiver, in other cases I used my smart phone, and the longer distance places away I used Google Earth.

Places I've Lived
Coordinates listed are Decimal Degrees, Basemap WGS84 when possible.

Date: Coordinates by Longitude and Latitude and the general location, i.e., city, state, zip, country

1959: Bountiful, UT, My birth house. N 40.873518, W 111.881625, 29 West 1600 South, Bountiful, UT
1960: Minnesota
1963: Fort Worth, TX
1977: N 32.720033 W 097.462495, 76116, 8404 Bangor Drive, Fort Worth, TX
1979: N 55.569115 E 009.742989, Fredercia, DK **
1980: N 55.640800 E 012.583717, Amager, DK **
1981: N 41.765329 W 111.804760, Little White House, 1885 N. 1200 E., N. Logan, UT 84341
1983: N 41.879454 W 111.989905, Dairy, Newton, UT
1987: N 41.767727 W 111.802645, 84341, Salisburys, 2020 N. 1250 E., N. Logan, UT 84341
1989: N 41.731343 W 111.843606, 84321, Center Street, Logan, UT
1990: N 41.711697 W 111.853128, 84321, Park Avenue, Logan, UT
1998: N 28.647644 W 080.866294, 4325 Caper Court, Titusville, FL 32796
2002: N 28.575609 W 080.806277, 32780, LaCita, Titusville, FL
2004: N 28.555872 W 080.805495, 4700 Sisson Road,Titusville, FL 32780
2005: N 28.641823 W 080.853132, 1665 Saratoga Drive, Titusville, FL 32796
2014: N 28.647644 W 080.866294, 4325 Caper Court, Titusville, FL 32796

* Recorded 2014, Updated Dec. 2017.
** General Area

A Family Prayer

Every family has challenges great and small, but if they come together in faith, the hardships become more manageable and the bond can be made stronger. Even in major hardships such as death and divorce, we need to seek help from our Father in heaven to minimize the hardship and pain, and have faith and hope for a better day ahead. In my poem you'll see how I mention the perfect example Jesus gave to us, how we are all human and need to forgive ourselves and others. That is what I wish to express. I hope you get something from it. - gus

Precious Savior, dear Redeemer,
Please bless our family now.
Relieve us from our humanness,
The ties that hold us down.

As nature reflects Your goodness, love,
Let us see Your loving face.
Upon our needs and deep desires,
Let us feel and share Your grace.

Giving and forgiving is your example shown.
Selfless love for all to receive,
Shown by Your life, and on the cross,
A gift for all who need relief.

And Father one more thing.  Please bless us and our washing machine. It doesn't agitate, but we do. Thank you. Amen

A Tribute To My Girls, In My Daughter’s Eyes

Last weekend my wife and I had the opportunity to have front row seats at the local Martina McBride concert.  One of the songs she sang was, In My Daughter’s Eyes, which I've heard a thousand times and loved ever since it came out, back in 2003.  For your enjoyment I linked a video here* and posted the lyrics at the end of this story.

As many times as I've heard it, I've always thought of it as a mother-daughter song, until the last time when I suddenly realized it was a daddy-daughter song as well. When that thought hit me, I lost it. In that moment, all the love for my little girls came flooding to the surface. My little girls aren't so little anymore, plus the two I started out with was increased when I remarried and gained two wonderful step-daughters, and when my boys married, two more beautiful daughters-in-law joined our family.

There’s something special about the relationship a father has with his daughters that’s different than with sons. Even though my girls were “sugar and spice…” growing up, they were kind of tomboy too, but in a good way - balanced. I’ll never forget the time Melissa and I went 4-wheeling across the pasture in our old Jeep for her first driving lesson or how beautiful she was on her wedding day at Cocoa Beach when we were all dressed in white. Then there’s my Em.  She and I spent hundreds of hours together on the archery range, and she’s grown into a beautiful young woman who’s intelligent, compassionate and kind.

I’m still getting to know my bonus girls – Amber, Savannah, Jessie and Melissa, but what I've learned so far is they are beautiful, hardworking, intelligent and dedicated women who do the best at what they have been called to do right now as wives, moms, students and breadwinners.  They’re daughters of God, and I treasure each of them.

Dads out there, I encourage each of you to appreciate the daughters and young ladies of your life.  Treasure them, tell them you love them, and appreciate the stage they’re in right now.  They need to hear and feel it from you today, and when they do both of your lives will be blessed.  Someday I’ll be writing another story dedicated to my great sons and my beautiful grand kids, but this I had to share with my girls today.  So proud to be your Dad, Step-dad and Father-In-Law. - gus

Here are the lyrics...
 
In My Daughter’s Eyes
In my daughter's eyes,
I am a hero,
I am strong and wise,
And I know no fear,
But the truth is plain to see,
She was sent to rescue me,
I see who I want to be,
In my daughter's eyes

In my daughter's eyes,
Everyone is equal,
Darkness turns to light,
And the world is at peace,
This miracle God gave to me,
Gives me strength when I am weak,
I find reason to believe,
In my daughter's eyes

And when she wraps her hand around my finger,
How it puts a smile in my heart,
Everything becomes a little clearer,
I realize what life is all about,
It's hanging on when your heart has had enough,
It's giving more when you feel like giving up,
I've seen the light,
It's in my daughter's eyes

In my daughter's eyes,
I can see the future,
A reflection of who I am and what will be,
And though she'll grow and someday leave,
Maybe raise a family,
When i'm gone I hope you see,
How happy she made me,
For i'll be there,
In my daughter's eyes

The song was written by James T. Slater, produced by Martina McBride and Paul Worley.  The song features accompaniment from pianist Jim Medlin and string arrangement by Don Hart.  It was published by RCA Records Nashville on the Martina album, November 2003.

*Video - Live performance at the CMA Awards 2003. In that CMA edition, Martina won her third Best Female Vocalist of the Year.

Why Everyone Should Blog (Journal), and How To Do It. #201

For post #201, I needed to write this, to promote blogging and journaling...

I've been blogging from 2008 under the premise of communicating with my distant children, recording events for posterity, historical value, blah, blah, blah.  That is all true, however, I have to admit though, when I get 800 readers in one day and 20 new Twitter followers it bolsters my ego.  Hey, I'm human.  What else can I say!

In reality though, its way more important than that.

I recently read my sister's blog who lives in a far away state from me, and she was relating the story about the birth of my next older brother.  To hear about the day he came home from the hospital and how she loved on him, pampered him and watched over him like a mother duck means the world to me to read about.  Someday I'll post a link to that story.

I've heard all my life about the therapeutic value of journaling, to record our emotions and events, so we can read back, prevent future mistakes and recall blessings and learning events from the past.  Taken from Alan Henry of LifeHacker, March 2014, a popular blogger who wrote a good story about why to journal.  He wrote...

Anne Frank's diary

Some of the most influential people in history kept detailed journals of their lives.  Those journals served two purposes: a permanent record for posterity, and cathartic (emotional) release for the people writing them. Even if you don't think you need either, keeping a journal has great benefits you can enjoy immediately...  the rest of the story...

Let me say a bit about hard copy journaling verses blogging...

Journal
- Completely private.
- Already in print, your hand writing
- Nobody sees it until you die
- 1 copy

Blog
- Private, Semi-private or Public
- Electronically vulnerable, but very secure and completely printable
- Available to others when you want it to be
- Available to as many people as you want, wherever they are in the world.

This is how I do it...

1) Sometimes I blog here directly, and here's how...Google (verb) "how to blog".  220,000 results will come back.  WordPress and BlogSpot are the major hosts.  If you contact me I will (of course) help you get started.  I use BlogSpot or Blogger (the same), because that is the way I started and it's Google friendly.

2) Sometimes, especially at the prison where I work and I cannot have electronics, I keep a little 4 x 6 inch notepad to jot down an idea or thought to later develop.

3) I use my smart phone to record notes and later transpose to paper or this blog.  Lately I am using voice-to-text apps to transpose my thoughts to paper automatically.

I hope you get started writing your own journal, online or otherwise.

A personal note to my children... Melissa, what was it like to adopt a little boy?  Amber sweetie, how are you doing?  Chris, I want to hear all about your experiences in business and with your little ones.  Cam, what is is like to serve in the Marine Corps in the Persian Gulf?  Savannah, how are things going and are you enjoying college?  Ember, tell me about your high school experiences.  I am so anxious to hear!

Finally, I hope you, the reader knows your family cares the same about you.  Let them know what you're up to and that you love them.  You'll never regret that.

On My Honor

When I was 11 years old the only thing I knew of or cared about God was the word itself.  I knew He was important, “God” was a big deal, but had no inkling of more.  I was 11!  In Boy Scouts we sang a song that would later have a profound effect on my life.  I can still sing it to this day – verbatim.

Back Row: Karl and Gus Koerner
Front Row: Charles Buck and David Sturdivant
about 1975

My life priorities in 1970 were 1) being acceptably popular, staying unnoticed at age 11 is a good thing.  2) girls – especially Lisa  from a distance, 3) football, and 4) Boy Scouts.  I loved Scouts.  We did cool things, and I had a Dad that participated with me (a little too much in my opinion).  To his credit I think he tried to keep a distance and tried to let me have a parent-less experience.  We camped, went on canoe trips, hiked in the woods, caught snakes, started fires and shot guns.  What more could a kid want?

In Scouting at the time, they weren't ashamed to say the word God.  After all, it’s still part of our nation isn't it? - In God We Trust and all.  It was the 1970’s and things were different then.  Mentioning God was acceptable in public.

At the weekend campfires which I either participated in or lead we always sang this song at closing, which I would now call a hymn.  It’s called On my Honor, and here it is…

On My Honor
by Harry Bartelt 
On my honor, I'll do my best, to do my duty to God.
On my honor, I'll do my best, to serve my country as I may.
On my honor, I'll do my best, to do my good turn each day,
To keep my body strengthened and keep my mind awakened.
To follow paths of righteousness.
On my honor, I'll do my best.

When I now think of the song I can see plainly it contains the principles of Commitment, Discipleship, Patriotism, Service to Humanity, Personal Physical and Mental Health responsibility.  I’m sure a person could also attach other attributes, but I won’t here.  These are enough.  To this day, even though I may not live this song to its fullest, I certainly know and own the values of the song and do my best to uphold them.  I hope it is continuing in the Boy Scout program.

Train children in the right way, and when old, they will not stray. Proverbs 22:6

The photo above is when we went as a troop to Charles L. Sommers Wilderness Canoe Base for three weeks.  I'm not quite 11 years old there, but we were still singing the Scout Hymn, "On My Honor".  I'd like to give a special tribute to David Sturdivant who was my best friend and passed away a few years ago.

I hope you'll share this with a friend.

-gus

A Word on Grace and Nature

I've been thinking about this story for quite some time, but something came together the other night out on post at the prison that forced me to put my thoughts down on paper.

It wasn't until I was 41 years old that I knew, or at least begin to understand the meaning of the word Grace, in a religious or spiritual context.  At the time I had been attending a local Catholic church and noticed that the word was being used frequently.  So one day I asked a friend specifically what Grace means, and I’ll never forget her words and simple definition.  She said, “Grace is everything good that comes from God!”

Fourteen years later I frequently still think about that simple, yet profound definition.  I've realized and learned though, that with grace comes responsibility.  For example, God blessed me with beautiful children, but I have a great responsibility to care for them.  Dietrich Bonhoeffer, in his book The Cost of Discipleship beautifully describes grace and refers to “cheap grace” and “costly grace”.  Simply put, when we abuse grace of any kind, we demean its value to us.  When we knowing and willingly "sin" like there’s no tomorrow, we devalue grace in our lives (cheap grace).  When we acknowledge and appreciate grace in our lives, take it seriously with gratitude and share it with others we heighten or raise its value toward what God meant it to be, acknowledging "costly" grace.

The other night while out on post duty at the prison (patrolling the perimeter) I came within two feet of an Armadillo rooting in the grass for grubs.  I just watched it for a while, appreciating how its armor can protect it. I saw a Raccoon scavenge for food and climbed a tree when I approached.  I was able to witness for some time a deer family feed.  The Papa was so close I could count his four young antler points in the darkness, and on the fawn I could see it’s faint spots on its hind leg.  Mama was there too.

“This is grace!”, I thought, and suddenly realized the “cost of grace” in this situation.  If we take our environment for granted, we lessen its value.  If we appreciate nature and practice sound conservation, we will be able to share this “grace” with our children and future generations.  This is what stewardship is all about, taking care of the little bits and pieces of grace we encounter daily, and share them with others.  In this way we show our gratitude to God, and bless our own lives and others.

So the next time you see a child, a squirrel, butterfly, sunset or other beautiful thing take the time to appreciate it and thank God who provided it, then say, "Hey Look!"

See my related story All Things Good, (21 Aug 14).  If you like this, share it with a friend. - gus

Angel Friends

Count your blessings though you don't see how.  See the goodness that you have right now.

Angels watching over us when we lose our way. Who're there in the form of friends and family and listen to every word we say.

Angels watching over us when we think all's lost.  Showing the loving arms of our Savior who paid the final cost.

Angels watching over us when that loved one says goodbye.  Who encourages us to keep going when we don't want to try.

Angels showing us daily in the form of children and friends, wrapping their arms around us, as we begin to mend.

Count your blessings though you don't see how. See the goodness that you have all right now.

What Code Do You Live By?

Almost from birth we're instilled with words of wisdom to live by, and eventually they become the foundation and building blocks for our lives.  Some children are raised with parents who teach them to be kind and respectful, as in "Be nice to others, be honest, tell the truth, work hard." To others that is less of a priority.  Some parents teach this with loving kindness, others teach it with brute force, as in "Do what I say!"  What ever the situation, our foundation of behavior, either learned by word or example by our caregivers is established in the early, formative years of our lives.

In elementary through high school we said the Unites States Pledge of Allegiance every day as part of our routine.  This became a code for me, and perhaps a lot of kids from my generation.  When I was a scout, about age 14, I had a respected youth leader once say, "Fake it til you make it." this stuck with me and I so I often put on an air of cheerfulness even when I am not feeling it.  When I was nearing the end of my Corrections Academy I held up my right hand, and pledged to uphold, support and protect my fellow citizens and do my duty as an officer.  These are some of my codes.

The code or codes that we live by establish the people we become and are the formative grounds for our overall character.  We either do our best or we don't.  We're honest, or we're not.  We follow the teachings and philosophies of some people or others. We're the only ones who truly know what our own codes of conduct are, and if they are in alignment with the betterment of society and our fellow man or not.

I say I follow Jesus.  But do I?  Martin Luther King, Jr. inspires me, but do I treat others, especially those of different races with the same respect Dr. King preached about?  This is an area of self examination and reflection for me on a regular basis, as it should be for all of us.  The code that I hold most dear and reflect upon often is from the New Testament, the words of Jesus, the foundation of my faith.  Let me include it here, from the book of Mark, Chapter 12: 28-34. (NRSV)

One of the scribes came near and heard them disputing with one another, and seeing that he answered them well, he asked him, “Which commandment is the first of all?” Jesus answered, “The first is, ‘...you shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind, and with all your strength.’ The second is this, ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’ There is no other commandment greater than these.” - Source: BibleGateway.com

I challenge all my readers, especially family members and my kids to look inward and think about the codes of life you were raised with, taught and adopted.  Are those codes in alignment with your core beliefs?  If not, make new choices to live a life that reflects your core beliefs and that uplifts others.

So what codes do you live by?

Coming next Thursday in a related story, I will write who I am, and will ask you the same question.  Please feel free to leave your comments, and share this with a friend. - Mr. Gus

Welcome to MrGus.net!

I think it's so important to record what is happening in our lives.  This has been a fairly recent revelation to me, because I've realized I know so little about how my ancestors felt about things such as spirituality, politics, family, etc.  I don't want to go another generation without my kids, grand kids, friends and siblings having an access point to my mind, heart and spirit.  Blogging helps me do that, especially with the advent of the smart phone and 2014 technology.  Anywhere, anytime I have a thought to share or important event to record, I can do it directly from my phone by keying in the letters or using voice-to-text recognition.

Back in the early 1990's I built KoernerFamily.net and EmbersWorld.com, primarily to communicate information to family members afar.  For work and fun, I have Mr. Gus Outdoors, and Voice of Truth Ministry to share inspirational stories with others.  The combined readership of those two blogs is over 20,000.  I think that's pretty cool.

About a month ago I was exposed to and positively tested for Tuberculosis.  An air-handling system at the prison I work at failed, and now I have Latent Tuberculosis Infection, or LTBI.  There's a 90% chance I'll be fine, but I am recording events, treatments and thoughts I have about that at My TB Blog, but for legal purposes I am the only reader for that one.

Recently I have been reading some books on Christian theology and one author, Henri J.M. Nouwen, in Seeds of Hope: A Henri Nouwen Reader, ISBN-13: 978-0385490498, Robert Durback (Editor), expressed how important it is to be and show our authentic selves.  This blog is an attempt to do just that.

I hope you enjoy it, and I will read and appreciate all your comments.

Mr. Gus