Today happened to be Family Day at the Feast of Tabernacles here in Redmond, Oregon, and for rather personal reasons Family Day, and the subject of family in general, is a pretty melancholy sort of matter for me. Of course, the Feast of Tabernacles in general (and the Eighth Day in particular even more so) is a celebration of the invitation of all humanity to join God’s family through conversion. It is therefore no surprise that family should be of such importance, even to the extent that those who are far from their physical families, as I often tend to be, have to be told explicitly that spiritual family is meant less we feel too alienated by the focus on family.

Today had two particularly strong messages, one of which I wish to write about shortly, and after services were over I quickly changed into less formal clothes so that I could help set up volleyball. That went well, and the person in charge of the volleyball event was using the event as a way to scout talent and determine what kind of practice needed to take place to make the volleyball team better for the Portland congregation. I was happy to help out in that efforts, and enjoy a game in an audience where I was among the better players. While I am not necessarily immediately thought of as a skillful athlete, I have to say that volleyball is probably my best sport, and one whose tactics I enjoy heartily. I also managed to participate in the field games, which was also enjoyable, and played some bingo during my hour off of volleyball duty.

In between the volleyball and the family fun show, about which I have at least a little to say, I managed to watch quite a few funny videos with some new acquaintances that I met today. I have to say that some of these videos may become added to my repertoire of videos to watch to make me laugh (a necessary task at times, when I am feeling particularly pensive or fraught with worry). Included in these is a video of a woman who loves rainbow sponges just a little bit too much than is entirely appropriate, and whose comments about her love of making colorful designs have rather off-color connotations. Likewise, the animal crackers episode was very humorous, and the man on the buffalo was pretty amusing as well. Finding new things to laugh about is always a good thing.

When it came time to watch the Family Fun show itself, I felt rather mixed feelings. I enjoyed quite a few of the comedy acts, including a humorous duet from two young ladies whom I know that was an Italian operatic piece for two cats. In general, I enjoyed the comedic acts and quite a few of the musical acts as well, being particularly impressed with the level of creativity in some of the musicians who wrote their own music as well as a group which included one person I know pretty well and two others I know a bit who sang the last number very well. One of the singer-songwriters wrote a piece inspired by the attitude of the late UCG president Dennis Luker whose rousing chorus urged us to “smile, raise your voice, and go out singing” when we found ourselves in difficulties and troubles, advice that I certainly do my best to take to heart. For me there was a mixed feeling between my own rather pensive and reflective mood about some of the subjects of the songs and skits along with the uplifting and humorous tone of other numbers.

The general goings on of this particular feast certainly give me a great deal of food for thought. Some of that food for thought is positive, while some of it is certainly a bit less so. Nevertheless, to the extent possible, it is my intention to keep smiling as best as I can, to show my absence of ill will for others and my desire for friendly relations with anyone who is willing to be friendly with me. Likewise, I will do my best to raise my voice to let myself be heard and understood as best as I can express those thoughts and feelings, with full willingness to listen to anyone who raises concerns reasonably (especially as they relate to the person in particular) as well as a lack of hostility and anger to those who might not appreciate everything that I say or do or write. Likewise, to the greatest extent possible I will do what I can to keep singing, whatever happens in the course of my rather dramatic life. Hopefully the best that I can do is good enough.