Truth
Dear Family and Friends,
Welcome to this week's "Thoughtlet."
These words are my personal diary and a weekly review of ideas,
beliefs, thoughts, or words that will hopefully be of some
benefit to you: my children, my family, and my friends.
"I received an e-mail on Saturday, 18 June 2005, which was where
the title for this week's Thoughtlet came from. All of the times
Despite having used the word truth 247 times since starting to
write these Thoughtlets, I had never labeled one with this word.
Amazing, since TRUTH is most certainly a Prime Word:
<![CDATA[ `2.VI.B.83. Truth: The knowledge of things
As they are and as they were
And as they are to come(a)
Often recognized by a seer
(a) 27 July 1990, Claude, TX, return from
Philmont Scout Ranch, Cimarron, NM.']]>
Anyway, as mentioned in the previous Thoughtlet, I received
a new call on Sunday, the 12th of June. The following e-mail
confirmed the calling Sunday evening:
<![CDATA[ `From: Jeff Jurinak
Sent: Sunday, June 12, 2005 7:54 PM
To: 'Chris Schmidt'; 'Royce Nelson'; 'Dave Williams'
Cc: 'Vaughn Camp'
Subject: Nottingham Country High Priests Group Instruction.
Chris Schmidt
Roice Nelson
David Williams
My thanks for your willingness to help with HP Group instruction.
The Teachings of the Prophets discussions are the 2nd and 3rd
Sunday of the month, except when preempted by conference. The
lesson schedule is in the back of the 2005 Stake Directory and
Calendar. Roice has lesson 12 next week, and the lessons follow
in sequence through the end of the year.
I know that all of you have busy professional and personal lives.
I would appreciate it if you would work out a schedule between
you that has these two monthly lessons covered without intervention
on my part. Candidly, I would like to leave it to you to ensure
that on these two Sundays each month I can just show up at meeting
with confidence that instructor will be there with a discussion
prepared.
With three of you in the rotation, if it should happen that any
of you should feel underutilized, let me know, as there are two
other lessons every month to cover.
I believe the Lord will bless us all for your service.
Jeff Jurinak']]>
I do believe this is the first time I have received confirmation
of a church calling via e-mail. Certainly it is the first time
I received a second e-mail, within a day, regarding having received
a new church calling:
<![CDATA[ `Delivered-To: 'Roice Nelson'
From: "David G. Williams"
To: 'Jeff Jurinak', 'Chris Schmidt', 'Royce Nelson'
Cc: 'Vaughn Camp'
Subject: RE: Nottingham Country High Priests Group Instruction.
Date: Mon, 13 Jun 2005 09:12:19 -0500
My good brethren, I am out of town next week, in Arizona for
Father's day. I can be available to teach on either the 10th or
the 17th of July. Chris, just let me know which one you want
and I will take the other one.
Thanks.
David Williams, President
Humatech, Inc.
website: www.humatech.com']]>
The world has really changed since we built the first X-Windows
UNIX, client-server, hypertext software system in 1988. It is
hard to imagine what the future holds. And I guess we just take
on the changes one day at a time.
Tuesday was the next day in my life. Andrea and I took Matt to
the airport early in the morning. Change keeps happening.
This is certainly one truth. Change started out when I first
got to the office with a call from Dave Johnson in Algeria. His
first question was, `Are your kids OK?' My response was, `No.'
He said he would have to tell me about his kids some day. He
has already told me about an adopted son who is in prison in
Huntsville, who has plucked the hair out of his eyebrows, and
tattooed little Satan's in place of eyebrows. I should have
nothing to worry about. However, his question brought up
buried emotions, and for the next several hours, as I made
maps in my office, I would slip off into tears. Amazing how
hearing truth, even as a single word from your own mouth, can
create such strong emotions. Oh well!
Sam LeRoy referred one Brady Brown to me in my role as President
of Dynamic Resources Corporation and because there is a potential
of investment by Rick Zimmerman (0523.html). Brady has 27,000 acres
in Maverick County with several prospects, which he is offering
for a one well commitment plus a $100,000 prospect fee. For
this, he keeps 1/4th revenues after payout, and provides first
right of refusal on a second property, with no upfront costs
and 50% after payout. Nothing has happened since Memorial Day,
and so, using the language of the industry, it appears `someone
is blowing smoke.' And, in terms of truth, it is probably me,
not maliciously, rather specifically because of my optimism.
For instance, Tuesday evening I had to send the following to
my friend John Bennett, whom I baptized years ago in Ipswich,
and whom I was looking forward to spending next weekend with
in Calgary:
<![CDATA[ `From: 'Roice Nelson'
Subject: Re: Houston and Calgary
To: 'Johns Bennett'
John,
I finally got a commitment from my company concerning the
AAPG convention that starts Saturday in Calgary. No, they
will not pay for me to attend, and we can not afford to pay
to come ourselves.
Our lives have been very busy. Matt, Andrea's youngest
graduated from High School, passed his Eagle Scout Board of
Review, and left yesterday to go to school in Cedar City.
There is so much else going on I don't know where to start,
so I'll save it until we get together, by which time I will
probably forget what is running through my mind now. Oh well!
Andrea and I look forward to to when we are next in Calgary
and when we are able to meet your bride. Hopefully it will
be sooner rather than later.
Best Regards,
Roice']]>
Tuesday I also sent the following e-mail to Rick Zimmerman,
which I don't think he ever received because of his spam filters:
<![CDATA[ `Date: Tue, 14 Jun 2005
From: `Roice Nelson`
To: 'Rick Zimmerman'
Subject: Panorama and Next Steps
> Rick,
>
> Thanks for inviting us to visit your ranches. They are wonderful.
> Attached is a panorama from the top of the lookout tower at the
> Lake Travis property, which I hope you will enjoy. Matt had a
> great time on his river trip, and we had him to the airport this
> morning at 5:30 for his move to Utah. Not having a child in our
> home is going to be a big change for both Andrea and myself.
>
> Now you have had some time to review the spreadsheet and the
> accompanying box of full of opportunities, I would appreciate the
> opportunity to sit down and to understand in more detail your
> plan, and your timing.
>
> This past week the AVO work GDC has been doing in China has
> caught significant interest of the Chief Geophysicist of Da Qing
> Oilfield, the largest oil company in China, and I'm being
> pressured to move to China to manage the project. My boss is
> flying from Algeria to China tomorrow, and I anticipate he is
> going to be requesting me to make some long-term commitments by
> the end of this week. He did not have me go to China on this
> trip, I think partly because of our discussions. For your
> information, I get an override on all business generated in
> China, and Andrea and I have bills which this work in China
> will provide a way for me to get paid off.
>
> Based on how busy you are, I have not been able to make a
> reasonable determination of how real your plans are for me, and
> I have no idea of timing, actual responsibility (other than
> being a Figure Head), budget, decision authority, staff, etc.
> I made what I consider to be a reasonable suggestion in my e-mail
> of May 31st, and I have not yet had confirmation of receipt by
> you of this e-mail. Also, you made two statements saying you
> would call back to talk things through on Friday evening, and
> something kept this from happening. If your plan is truly to
> use me as a Figurehead, I do not think it will work based on
> how busy you are and how hard it has been to communicate over
> the last two weeks. Figureheads have to have very high
> bandwidth communication if they are going to keep their bosses
> happy. Otherwise they have to have authority to make decisions
> and be willing to take responsibility for those decisions. As
> you know, I am looking for this type of responsibility, and
> believe I can do a very good job for you.
>
> There is also the issue of the Tiles book I loaned to you on
> Memorial Day. I need to return it to the GDC sales staff, or
> they are going to want to send you the CD, which goes with the
> book, and a $35,000 invoice. I don't think the shelf fits your
> exploration strategy.
>
> I talked to Dick Coons and told him you want to get together
> towards the end of this week. Dick has promised to go slow
> with Devon if they call to pursue the southern block before
> we get together. I would also like to be able to give a status
> report to Bob Ehrlich about the Illinois projects, as they are
> getting ready to drill, and to Parker Gay, as he has sold his
> first 9 locations in West Virginia and they are interested
> in a partner. As you know better than anyone, timing in oil
> exploration is everything.
>
> Look forward to hearing from you.
>
> Best Regards,
>
> Roice']]>
I'm not sure why I am sharing this e-mail, other than to share how
disappointed I am at someone else's good intentions, which they
don't seem to be able to follow through on. Oh well! Maybe this
is just a natural consequence of not telling the truth to ourselves
and being blinded by optimism. I guess it is part and parcel of
being an explorationist. I left work early to be at a town
meeting at the Cross-Point Lutheran Community Center across the
street to the west of Taylor High School. The following article
appeared in The Katy Sun on Thursday, 23 June 2005 on the front
page regarding this meeting:
<![CDATA[ `RESIDENTS TRY TO GET SENSE OF SECURITY
by Claudia Richter, Editor
A SERIES of violent crimes in Katy drew about 500 residents to
a town meeting at Crosspoint Community Church June 14.
The group sorted through what some are calling a recent crime
wave, trying to get back a sense of security.
Green Trails resident Katherine Collins organized the meeting,
she said, to "help us, as a community, to know how to spot and
prevent crime before it happens."
The crimes include the May 21 shooting death of 18-year old
Katy resident Alan William Thielmier and separate incidents in
the same area involving three teenage boys robbed at gunpoint
and a couple and two women robbed while walking close to
their homes.
One suspect is being held in Harris County jail in connection
with the shooting and two other suspects are being sought.
Harris County Sheriff's investigators have said the suspected
shooter, 27-year-old Benjamin Wright, has not cooperated with
them.
In another incident, Mark Korenek, 33 of Katy was shot and
killed on June 10 during an armed robbery in the parking lot
of the Fry Road WalMart. Two suspects, a Hispanic male and a
white male, were seen leaving the scene in a beige Ford
Windstar. no arrests have been made.
The violent incidents caused authorities to ask for the
community's help.
"These senseless killings are tragic," said Capt. John Laine
of the Harris County Precinct 5 Constable's office." "We need
your help. If you see something out of the ordinary, we need
you to call; we will answer every call we receive."
Laine said that, while police are working hard to solve the
homicides, they are not releasing any new information on either
case to the public. He would say, however, that they have
"increased patrols by placing additional units in the area in
marked and unmarked cars to create more visibility and to
reduce crime."
During the question-and-answer session, police officials fielded
questions from several residents asking if the crimes were related
to any specific gang or gang activity in the area. The officials
responded by saying that while gang activity is something they are
concerned about, they could not say if the killings were in fact
gang related and that gang problems are concentrated more to the
east of Katy.
Harris County Sheriff's Capt. Paul Cordova said that total calls
to police from the 216-square mile area of U.S. 90 to Alief were
7,877 from January to May of 2005, while during the same period
of 2004 totaled 5,716; however, he said that the spike in calls
did not automatically mean an increase in violent crime.
"While this is a 38 percent increase it does not necessary (sic)
reflect an increase in crime. It includes anything from a snake
on the back-porch to a lot more traffic stops," he said. "We're
really a small community, we all know each other and need to
share information."
Collins said that she was happy with the outcome of the meeting
and that to continue the "positive momentum," residents can
join Katy Crime Watch, a board at yahoo.com to post suspicious
activity in their neighborhood.
The address is http://groups.yahoo.com/group/katycrimewatch.
"Each time someone posts something, you will receive an e-mail
alerting you to what's going on. It will connect neighbors to
neighbors and the police will receive the emails as well,"
Collins said.']]>
There has been no real news since the meeting. They have not
even arraigned the 28 year old they arrested for the shooting
yet, and I'm writing this on the 13th of July. Oh well!
When we got home from this meeting on Tuesday evening I learned
about the send off for the Triple-Duces at the SUU Centrum that
was going on this Tuesday evening, Matt's first evening back in
Cedar City. They are off to Iraq. It seems like things are
just going faster and faster. Hopefully things will turn
out OK. I do strive to remain optimistic.
I certainly do run around with folks who are somewhat blinded
by optimism. For instance on Wednesday, I received the following
from one of Christian Singfield's new backers (0526.html):
<![CDATA[ `Date: Wed, 15 Jun 2005 15:52:07 -0400 (EDT)
From: 'Fred Strong'
Subject: Background
To: 'Chuck Edwards'
Cc: 'Roice Nelson'
Dear Chuck and Roice,
It was a pleasure being able to speak with you both today,
albeit separately. I enclose a couple of links that should be
useful for background purposes.
I helped with the business plan for Titan Oil Recovery. We are
finally getting technical data monitored by Ryder Scott from
reprofiling an old oilfield in Indiana using the patented
microbiological waterflood EOR process www.titanoilrecovery.com
Titan shares some "post- peak oil" characteristics with FSI. It
is (also) looking for a longer term CEO.
The group I was put in contact with - unfortunately in Pakistan!
- is Nutech. They look like a worthwhile stop:
www.nutechsolutions.com I am also a project finance advisor with
a financial company in Seattle www.capitalaccessllc.com
Unfortunately CA is getting out of the venture capital area.
The core project as described by Roice may, however, be of interest.
Looks like we will be able to keep Chris on the road for the next
little while. I hope that together we can help put him in the
position to garner his first contract and position him for
follow-up. If you have any ideas for Calgary, please send them
along prior to June 22.
Regards,
Fred Strong']]>
Thursday I stayed late and worked with Tony Traweek. He helped
me build a well database with all of the wells located in it. I
received an interesting phone call from John Benard. He and his
partner Ken Swan have just about closed a deal to sell 24,000
acres of Barnet Shale mineral rights to Detroit Edison.
Detroit Edison has $14 billion in assets, and I talked to two of
their people about their exploration plans. There is a reasonable
chance to get a good contract for GDC and Quantum helping them
with their exploration plans.
Friday we received an invitation to a baby shower for Carlos
Venegas's wife Paula Lin. Their baby will be named Audrey.
We never know how our babies will grow up, and this is certainly
the truth. For instance consider the following e-mail:
<![CDATA[ `> From: 'heather nielson'
> To: <rnelson@walden3d.com>
> Subject: mom, Just wanted to clear something up....
>
> Hi,
> I wanted to talk to you about something last Monday after I'd
> dropped Matt off but I guess didn't know how to approach the
> subject - so I thought I would just e-mail you.
> Matt told me something on the way up to Cedar that greatly
> disturbed me.
> In passing conversation, he mentioned that Roice has said
> that i hated you (which is the reason for my siblings' choices
> etc.). This upset me greatly because not only was Roice making
> a very brass assumption about my feelings-of which he knows
> nothing about-but it's also incredibly hurtful to you and
> confusing to those who hear it. I want you to know that I don't
> hate you! In fact, some tender, love-feelings are beginning
> to arise as time goes on. The anger, resentment, etc that I had
> long felt toward you in the past is all but gone. Like I've
> said before, it's all a process. That doens't mean that we
> won't hurt each other in the future sometime, I just hope that
> I had learned enough about myself to choose to react differently
> when the time comes.
> Anyways, hope all is well and you're not feeling too much of
> the empty-next syndrome yet?! take care~call if you want to talk.
> Love you,
>
> Heather']]>
And my response, which I was later told was never received, and
so I post it here to be read someday by someone looking for truth:
<![CDATA[ `Heather,
Mom had jury duty this morning and did not see your e-mail yet.
However, I did, and since it directly involves me, I will send
a response without giving Mom an opportunity to read and soften
my response.
I don't know what context Matt's comment was pulled from. I'm
sorry it hurt you. I attempt to be open with my perceptions,
at the same time striving to not denigrate others. It is my
perception that you have set an example for your siblings of
attacking your Mom unfairly and blaming her for things for which
she has no control over. Audrey does this less than you do,
Rachel less than Audrey, and Matt less than all of you. However,
you each are extremely hard on your Mom.
Mom is not perfect, and has brought some problems on herself.
Certainly your father's example is a factor. I do not know
what Matt heard, nor what he said to upset you. However, this
is the only context I can recall which relates to what you wrote.
On one side I'm very sorry something I said and attempted to
teach hurt. Oh the other side, I hope you can see the truth
behind what was said and that it will lead to a better relationship
with your Mom, and with me.
I've lived with your Mom for 6 years now. She is a wonderful
person, and she deserves to be treated like a queen, all the time.
I don't, because of my own weaknesses. And hopefully I do better
than others whom she loves and who have treated her so poorly
over the years.
With love,
Roice']]>
Saturday morning was my first time to mow the lawn. Not my
favorite job. And not the only reason I will miss Matt. This
was the day of the AAPG Conference on the `Origin's of Petroleum'
in Calgary, and I was not there. Oh well! It was a day when I
received a nice note from Roice, and wrote him the following:
<![CDATA[ `Date: Sat, 18 Jun 2005 09:09:24 -0500 (CDT)
From: 'Roice Nelson'
Subject: Truth
To: 'Roice Nelson'
Cc: 'Roice Nelson'
Roice,
Thanks for your nice note.
Regarding your statement: "One thing I would be interested in
investigating more with you is the many meanings of the word
truth." I did a search through 9 years of weekly Thoughtlets and
came up with 247 references I have made using the word "truth."
This list is up through my last posting, which was April 10th 2005.
So in the proper directory I did a
grep truth */* > 050617_truth.html
and then did some substitutions to create a reference page for
you, which I placed at]]>
http://www.walden3d.com/thoughtlets/searches/050617_truth.html.
<![CDATA[ It seems reasonable to me to jointly investigate the word
truth. Especially once you have reviewed the context of each of
my references so you have a better understanding of where I am
coming from, how much I have deviated in my search for truth over
the last 9 years I have been writing the Thoughtlets, and how
flexible you can expect me to be in accepting relative truths.
In my studies I have not been able to find a better definition of
truth than that revealed to Joseph Smith as recorded in the 93rd
section of the Doctrine and Covenants (specifically verse 24, and
in context verses 21-40) and as also referenced in Mosiah 8:17 in
the Book of Mormon.
It also seems like I should write a few words regarding those who
like reading my mind and who claim to know when I am calling them
a name in my mind. The phrase that comes to mind is that "if it
walks like a duck and talks like a duck and dresses like a duck
it probably is a duck." In my mind I prefer to see in my mind
the ugly duckling as the swan I know it will become. Yes, I
will strive to strongly warn the swan that by swimming in the
duck pond with the ducks the swan might believe it is a duck,
or might catch a terrible disease and never become a swan in
this life. This fear is enough to scare any parent, and attempts
at tough love are natural reactions to this kind of fear.
Despite my weaknesses and my farm upbringing "grossness," I know
I am a child of God, and I know you and each of my other children
are a child of God. I know He created me in His image. I know
He personally appeared to Joseph Smith and restored truth and
brought light and authority to the earth. I know my children
and Andrea's children were born in the covenant of an eternal
family as sealed by His restored priesthood authority in His
holy temple. I know that to receive these eternal blessings
Andrea, myself, and our children must freely choose to keep
His commandments. I love Him, and despite my weaknesses,
knowing He has forgiven me through the sacrifice of His Son,
it is a truth that to my last breath I will strive to follow
Jesus and will cry out "repent" to those I love. After all,
there is nothing I want more than to be able to share eternity
with my entire family.
Love,
Dad']]>
On Saturday I also wrote the following e-mail to my Nigerian friends:
<![CDATA[ `Jude, Basil, Vince, and Emmanuel,
I have not heard from any of the four of you for a long time.
Don't love me anymore?
Seriously, I am interested in knowing what has happened with
OPL-229 and with your other activities. Les told me that Jude
had a serious car accident and that Basil has been ill. However,
he had little else to pass on. I worry about the four of you,
because I know, "heart to heart," that you and your families are
wonderful people.
When I saw the message below in an e-mail on church news I
received this week, I thought of each of you and wanted to
encourage any of you who happen to be in Nigeria between today
and July 2nd to go to Aba and spend a couple of hours in the
temple. I promise you will be spiritually blessed, and you
will come to a better knowledge of our elder brother Jesus
Christ. This temple is like King Solomon's temple in Jerusalem,
and once it is dedicated only those who have a temple recommend
will be able to enter. I believe you should take advantage of
this momentous opportunity.
=====
CHURCH MEMBERS EAGERLY AWAIT TEMPLE IN NIGERIA
See http://allafrica.com/stories/200506130908.html
<a href="http://allafrica.com/stories/200506130908.html">Link</a>
ABA, Nigeria - Between June 18 and July 2, 2005, friends, families,
and members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints will
converge on Aba for the open house of the Aba Nigeria Temple. The
temple, which is the third in Africa, is the first of its kind in
Nigeria. Speaking about the purpose of the temple, Church member
Cornelius Tay said, "To members of the Church, the temple is
literally the house of the Lord."
=====
Even if you can not make it, I hope you will each send me a note,
tell me how you are doing, how your families are, and how your
work is going.
Best Regards,
Roice
cell: 713.542.2207']]>
I have not heard from any of the four of them. Oh well!
Saturday night Andrea and I joined Dick Coons and his girlfriend
Cheryle Johnson. As we were driving downtown, Andrea made a
passing comment, which has been on my mind since. She referred
to the truth that it is important to love the sinner and hate the
sin. Many of my good friends do not share common values with me,
and I still love them. We got to the Hobby Center a little bit
early. There was a Batmobile parked out front. It was the
original vehicle used for the Val Kelmer Batman movie. We had a
wonderful dinner with Dick and Cheryle and Cheryle's law classmate
and her husband from San Antonio. Then we laughed and laughed as
the Houston legal profession made fun of their profession in
`The Legal Superheros' in Night Court 2005. This is the second
Night Court we have gone to (../0325.html) and I'm sure it won't
be the last. Next year the them is `The Wild West.' I will
send the program to anyone interested. The lyrics and the
biographies are really funny.
Sunday, June 19th, was nice. Even though I don't remember the
talks or the lessons a month ago, it was a two possible stanza's
for Prime Words day, which is nice:
<![CDATA[ `Daily prayer and
Scripture study open
The portals of heaven
Along with a tith and service'
From Sacrament Meeting talk by Jeff Jurinak
`The Israelites put
Blood over their doorway
So the destroying angel -
Infected mosquitoes - passed them by'
From Gospel Doctrine Lesson by Brother McBride]]>
I do remember the priesthood lesson, because I taught a lesson
on `Priesthood Power,' an eternal basic truth. I also remember
spending the evening at Carlos' Mom's place for the baby shower.
It was really interesting. Carlos was born in El Salvador and
Paul is from Taiwan. Their relatives were there, along with
several friends of Mexican origin. As I watched the interactions
and ate the food and listened to discussions, in Chinese and Spanish
and English, I remembered one of John Lienhard's Engines of Our
Ingenuity programs where he described several Chinese Junk's
being recorded as shipwrecked on the Pacific Coast of America since
Europeans settled the west coast. I felt like I was watching the
ongoing merging of two cultures, and specifically the relationships
and similarities between Asian and Latino Cultures. The fact we are
all part of one common family is another eternal basic truth."
Since the 38th week of 1996 I have written a weekly "Thoughtlet"
(little statements of big thoughts which mean a lot to me).
Until the 43rd week of 2004 I sent these out as an e-mail. They
were intended to be big thoughts which mean a lot to me.
Over time the process evolved into a personal diary. These notes
were shared with my family because I know how important the
written word can be. Concerned about how easy it is to drift and
forget our roots and our potential among all of distractions of
daily life, I thought this was a good way to reach those I love.
It no longer feels right to send out an e-mail and "force" my kids
and my family to be aware of my life and struggles.
Everyone has their own life to lead, and their own struggles to
work through. I will continue this effort, and will continue to
make my notes publicly accessible (unless I learn of
misuse by someone who finds out about them, and then will
aggressively
pursue a legal remedy to copyright infringement and I will put the Thoughtlets
behind a password).
The index to download any of these Thoughtlets is at
http://www.walden3d.com/thoughtlets,
or you can e-mail me with
questions or requests at
rnelson@walden3d.com
(note if you are not on my e-mail "whitelist" you must send 2 e-mails
within 24 hours of each other in order for your e-mail to not be trashed).
With all my love,
Dad
(H. Roice Nelson, Jr.)