Derek's Fixer-Upper Article

Derek had an article he wrote featured on the Church website. Shane grabbed a screenshot of it when it was on the main menu. It's the Do You Have the Guts to be a Fixer-Upper? And yes, that IS Derek as the model ;) Derek has been doing a ton of home improvements (with Covid canceling so much, it's been something many have turned to). He said he had written up this article and submitted it a few months ago, and didn't even know it had been published to the church page until someone mentioned it to him. 

The link to the church article is above, 

but Mom wanted a copy on the blog and in Dropbox... so here it is ;)

Do You Have the Guts to Be a Fixer-Upper?

You could say I’m almost addicted to all things house flipping (as in: home renovations that fix up a deteriorating property and culminate in a jaw-dropping reveal.)

I love all TV shows in this category, whether it’s the more recent shows or the classic ones. To me there is something noble, beautiful, and irresistible about finding a home that is run down, falling apart, and fraught with issues but seeing its hidden potential and investing the time to “flip it,” restoring it to its former (and future) glory.

One of the most popular of these hit shows starts every episode with the husband-and-wife dynamic duo stating their objective: “We take the worst home, in the best neighborhood, and turn it into our clients’ dream home.” Then they start that episode’s story by asking: “Do you have the guts to take on a fixer-upper?”

I’ve often wondered why these shows are so ridiculously popular. Why are there so many of them? There’s a whole network dedicated to giving us as many house-flipping reality TV shows as we can take!

I remember asking a friend this same question years ago about sci-fi, fantasy, and superhero movies. “Why are we so obsessed with these stories?” I asked. “What is it that keeps us coming back for more?”

My friend’s reply was dripping with the wisdom of someone with decades more time than I have spent in the scriptures (and also within worlds like Asgard, Tatooine, and Gotham.)

“The reason these stories are so popular is because there is something deeply ‘true’ about the fight between good and evil, and the need for a hero to save us. It resonates with our spirits. We’re drawn to these fictions because of their similarity to the very real nonfiction we live every day.”

I recently realized that this same answer also applies to my other question: “Why are home renovation stories so popular?”

I believe there is something familiar about the process of recognizing potential, restoring virtue, and revealing beauty that speaks to our souls.

Isn’t it inspiring when someone can recognize the dignity of something that is so badly broken? Someone with “eyes to see” who can look past the neglected exterior and the injured insides, and with a confident smile can say, “I can work with this.”

Fixing up a damaged and decaying property takes a huge investment of time and labor. Sometimes the foundation needs to be reinforced. Often the roof requires repair. Sometimes there are significant structural issues. Some days are demo-days, where rotten walls and termite-ridden floorboards are ripped out, exposing the home’s fragile frame. Other days are for rebuilding, where stabilizing support beams are placed to strengthen the home and ensure that it remains safe for years to come.

When the bad parts are cut out and cleared away, it’s time for the designers to truly transform the space. They slowly walk through and look carefully at the various rooms, envisioning what they can become. They take notice of the flow, and how the light hits the walls. They visualize the people who will live there and begin to mentally place a fireplace here, a dining table there, and porch swings facing the sunset.

When the home is just about ready, the designers add the finishing touches to make sure every detail is in place: the landscaping is complete, the pillows are perfectly positioned and fluffed, and candles are positioned to accentuate the unique beauty and character of the home.

At this point the designers ask the homeowner, “Are you ready to see your fixer-upper?” The renovation is revealed. Jaws drop, tears flow, and homeowners say things like “It’s not the same house!” and “Thank you for seeing what this home was capable of becoming!”

Do you recognize this restoration process? These stages are similar to the steps of the Atonement of Jesus in our lives.

I realize that it is inappropriate to compare the most precious gift ever given to mankind by the Savior of the world to a home renovation. One is supernal, the other mundane. One is God-given, the other man-made. I do this only to say that on some level we intimately know and recognize this process, and it resonates with our spirits.

The scriptures are replete with examples of the Jesus’s “renovations.” I imagine Him at the Sea of Galilee looking at the rough and impulsive fisherman Simon Peter and envisioning the “rock” upon which He would build His Church. Then with a confident smile, saying, “I can work with this.” I imagine the resurrected Lord seeing the powerful potential of Paul in the small-in-stature Saul, and the yet-to-be-born Jehovah recognizing the determined drive in Alma the Younger that He knew He could “flip.”

The process of cutting away the spiritually rotten and decaying parts of a person is painful. It takes work to create a masterpiece from mangled and missing pieces. I believe the ingredient that makes this possible is mercy.

The scriptures describe this process of investment, love, and work many times. Here is one of my favorites: “And thus did the Spirit of the Lord work upon them, for they were the very vilest of sinners. And the Lord saw fit in his infinite mercy to spare them” (Mosiah 28:4).

Transformations require tools. Mercy, love, and grace are among the tools Jesus uses to renovate our lives. In all the scriptures, never did Jesus turn away from a fixer-upper. Never did He look at a potential restoration project and say, “That one is too far gone.” No matter how cracked the foundation or how abused the interior, our Savior always takes the job. The woman taken in adultery. The blind man. Jarius and his daughter. The woman with an issue of blood. Lazarus. Mary. Me. You.

If we allow Him to take us on, and to design our lives, we’ll find that He—as the Architect, Designer, and Builder—can do so much more with us than we can with ourselves.

Do you have the guts to be a fixer-upper?

Memorable Memes ~ Bountiful Bernie

 

Back in January, Derek posted this picture to Facebook. Showing off their new chair, and a certain special someone sitting in it. While it will likely fade into a forgotten memory, Bernie Sanders - sitting cross-legged with unique mittens on ... was the subject of MANY memes following the inauguration of President Joe Biden January 2021.

Here's just a small sampling of what was invading the internet ...

 

Photoshopping Bernie into classic scenes with hilarious results!

... and a few more!

Mitten memes ... until the next big thing comes along!

Covid 2020

 Oh, the memes!

I titled this post "Covid 2020" ... although of course it's actually Covid-19, as the first cases were documented there at the end of 2019. But it was 2020 when most people realized that this coronavirus was going to impact everyone and everything. Shall we start off with some poetry?

COVID Limericks: (by Scott Westra 2020)

Because of the virus Corona

I’ve adopted a different persona

It’s not all that great

To self-isolate

And spend way too much time alona.

It is critical that we all get checked

To insure were not poised to infect

Be up to the task

And wear the darn mask

Or the economy’s sure to get wrecked.

Forgive my cough and my wheeze

Heaven forbid I will sneeze

Just don’t duck for cover

And you will discover

It’s just seasonal allergies!

It was just a little ironic ...

As the year started, "Coronavirus" and "Covid-19" was something many people had heard of, but it was something that was a world away. It got closer. It was January when the news announced that the first case was here in the states. In March, there was a case in Utah. Still, it didn't seem real. 

It was March 11 when Rudy Gobert of the Utah Jazz tested positive, and the NBA shut down. (All other sports would follow suit. There was no "March Madness" and the NFL draft was done virtually, no school or community competitions allowed. The 2020 Olympics were postponed). In the following days, everything changed. Schools attempted to move to online learning, churches and temples shut their doors, missionaries came home and countries closed their borders. Employers transitioned to "work at home" for all who could. For a time, playgrounds were taped off. Funerals and weddings could only allow limited attendance. No big graduation ceremony for college/high school seniors. Drive-by parades became the only sort of celebration.

Restaurants were open only for take-out (this was encouraged, to help keep the economy going). Movie theaters, gyms, libraries, salons ... all closed. Disneyland closed and the Las Vegas strip shut down. Only "essential" businesses are allowed to remain open, and most would offer "contactless" shopping (order online and pickup). "Essential Worker" was a new buzzword, as was "social distancing".  Other phrases: out of an abundance of caution, super-spreader, uncertain times, flatten the curve, contact tracing, bubble, quaranteam, remote learning, new normal, "blursday" (as time lost its meaning), Zoom and P.P.E (personal protective equipment).

Stores and supplies were hit hard. There were shortages of sanitizer, disinfectant ... toilet paper. Many food items would be very hit and miss, and there were limits placed on most items. Pasta, yeast, flour, sugar, milk, bread. You never knew if you'd be able to get what you wanted/needed. Stores that had previously been open 24-hours now closed for cleaning, rest and restocking. For a time, the number of customers was capped. There were lines outside Costo. There were arrows indicating one-way aisles. Soon masks were mandatory, and there were plexi-glass dividers between workers and customers. Home delivery became very popular! There were other shortages ... bikes, trampolines, game systems, home gym equipment. Almost everything was affected, timelines for manufacturing and shipping were much slower. There was an aluminum shortage that affected cans of soda. Even money ... a coin shortage!

Masks, gloves, face shields, respirators ... there wasn't enough to go around. There was a lot of back and forth about masks. First saying that PPE should be preserved for the medical community, that they weren't really effective for the general public. Many doctors/dentists shut down ("telemed" appointments were encouraged) for all but emergency services, as much to control materials as contact.  People started sewing handmade cloth masks, but there were then shortages of elastic and fabric and it was still questioned if they provided protection. The thought was that wearing a mask may not protect the wearer as much as those around them. "I wear my mask for you, you wear your mask for me."  A few months in, and masks were mandatory and were being sold everywhere. Reusable (washable) fabric masks and disposable - the more protective N95 masks continued to be in short supply. SO much contention and politicizing of masks and procedures.

As things escalated in March, the Governor of Utah issued a "Stay safe, stay at home" directive for two weeks. Only essential movement outside of the home. This was an attempt to "flatten the curve", knowing that there still would be spread, but trying to control/slow it so that the hospitals would not become overwhelmed. Some obeyed, some pushed back. 

Restaurants, gyms and salons opened up again, with restrictions and safety protocols in place. Many people went back to work, but "work at home" will likely never be as limited, often still an option. Some businesses did not survive the shutdown, and unemployment/layoffs were issues for many. A stimulus package put money into most American's bank accounts ($1200). The NBA finally finished the season, with the players staying in a "bubble" with no contact with the world outside. School started up again in August. The Salt Lake School District was only online, but all the other school districts offered options for online or in-person learning. The kids had to wear masks. There were many quarantines and school shut-downs as positive cases were tracked. 

In the Spring, everyone watched as the numbers of cases increased ... in Utah, cases topped 100, then 200. Then there were 500 cases in a day. At first, testing was limited. Specific criteria had to be met; certain symptoms, travel from certain locations or contact with a positive person. Still there were long lines for an uncomfortable test (nasal swab). Soon there were options for a saliva test. Tests were required for travel and before medical procedures. As school started, there was required testing (every two weeks) for college students and student-athletes. Now, the norm for daily positive cases was in the thousands (2000-5000), with a number of covid-related deaths reported daily as well. Controversy and conspiracy theories were everywhere (the "plandemic", it's all a ruse, EVERY death is counted as Covid, people are testing positive who didn't take the test, it's all so the government can take away all our freedoms, the virus was made in a lab and released, everything should open/herd immunity, masks are dangerous or just don't work, this medication or that could be a cure, it's just the flu, etc, etc.) There was some good too though, as people attempted to work together, and there were many stories of environmental recovery. 

As time went on, most hospitals were at capacity and doctors and nurses were exhausted. Some states had crises earlier on (New York was hit hard in April/May) and every state was attempting control in their own way (as were countries around the world). The Governor of Utah set a second two-week shutdown mid-November. People were encouraged not to gather with family for Thanksgiving or Christmas.  As the year ended, a few companies had come out with vaccines, which were starting to be distributed (more controversy), but no one really knows how effective they will be, or if people will even remain immune after recovering from the virus. But there is a feeling of hope ...

Some days, life still felt normal (especially for introverts) ... 

Other days you'd open your eyes and see how odd it all was!

Check out this TIMELINE.

... did I mention the memes?

See my Meme Album here.

Almost 400+ hplayful peeks at the pandemic.

The cousins put together a little production at the start of the pandemic...

Cousins Covid

2020 ... Do We Really Want a Recap?

Family - this IS supposed to be a complete recap! 

If you have additional memories/thoughts for your family, 

or for Utah/US/World that you'd like to add, just email me and I'll update!

2020 ... a year that will be remembered, but one that many might like to forget. There was the Westra Christmas Newsletter and the Annual Slideshow for 2020 which gives a pretty good look at what everyone was up to. The annual Father's Day party still happened ... but Covid canceled a family reunion and the Christmas Eve party. 

There were three weddings ...

One pre-pandemic, one RIGHT before things shut down, and one right in the middle of it all.

Several of the younger generation became homeowners... and this year there has been planning for a new home for Shane&Alicia with a G-suite (section for Margie/Lamar). There was also new baby news!

There were the annual ouchies!

Cal broke his foot ... the FOURTH time. Scott had to have surgery on his spine. Derek decided to try a trip to the ER. Kim had surgery on her ear and Conner ended the year as Cal had begun, except he managed a bigger break that required surgery.  Covid was an issue for a few of the families (Camden was the first, then some of Scott's and all the Jensens) but happily no extreme cases.

Ah Covid ... that has its own blog post, with thoughts and memories (and memes!) from the year (Covid 2020). There was also the EARTHQUAKE in March, with aftershocks afterward. There were worrisome wildfires here in Utah, and worse ones in nearby states, causing smoky skies ... and spooky red skies. There was a night of wild winds that left some Utah residents without power for weeks. The airport was redone, Derek's old boss bought the Utah Jazz, a mysterious "monolith" appeared in the Utah desert and Jupiter and Saturn aligned to create the "Christmas Star"...

The year started with fires across Australia. Kobe Bryant and others died in a helicopter crash. The  Black Lives Matter movement made a mark, and there were protests and riots, in Utah and across the US. There was a plethora of politics and a presidential election. Whew!

Back to the Westra Clan...

Trying to add a little extra to what was in the Christmas Newsletter blurb.

Most snapshots are also in the slideshow.

Scott and Amy ... fun to have Mckenna and Spencer back in Utah. Some boating and razor riding, and S&A cheering on the cheerleaders. Amy and Taylee took a trip to Disney World. Kemery and Mitch got a house, a dog and now a new baby on the way!

Yea, a new and complete family photo for the Chris and Kim crew! A marriage, and a missionary home (temporarily). Lots of hiking, doting on a granddaughter and photo fun. Chris is good at keeping in touch with weekly email updates. 

Wendy sends email updates fairly often and keeps a family blog with all their activities as well as an annual Christmas post to recap their year (see it here). A wedding, a missionary home, college graduation and so much more!

The Blackham's also had a wedding, and once they moved Callahan out, there was a bunch of renovation (new carpet and paint). Gray got a new truck, and some new gadgets for his kitchen/cooking. Jen sent out monthly email updates (and adds them to the family blog as well). 

Shane and Alicia have celebrated being back in Utah/snow with several ski trips. There was a new family car (Kia Telluride), a driver's license for Adria, as well as teaching her to drive a stick in Grandpa's little blue truck. Dancing and biking and home improvement projects ... as well as exciting home plans for the future!

Derek and Danielle always have oodles of adventures going on! So many fun photos to feature. Many home improvement projects, music and art enterprises and their summer went to the birds (with them documenting both a robin's nest and a hummingbird's nest). If you follow Derek on Facebook/Instagram you'll be pretty connected with all that's going on. 

Christmas Inspiration

From Scott, December 2020

The words of one of my favorite poems (and hymn), I Heard the Bells on Christmas Day, by Henry Wadsworth Longfellow, came into my mind and I pondered again those words and the feelings they conveyed.

As I pondered my thoughts, I penned two additional stanzas/verses to this poem. I shared them with my family on Christmas and share them with you now.

Merry Christmas.

Scott

Text: Henry Wadsworth Longfellow, 1807–1882; verses 6 and 7 by Scott Edward Westra, December 25, 2020

Music: John Baptiste Calkin, 1827–1905

I Heard the Bells on Christmas Day

1. I heard the bells on Christmas day

Their old familiar carols play,

And wild and sweet the words repeat

Of peace on earth, good will to men.

2. I thought how, as the day had come,

The belfries of all Christendom

Had rolled along th’unbroken song

Of peace on earth, good will to men.

3. And in despair I bowed my head:

“There is no peace on earth,” I said,

“For hate is strong and mocks the song

Of peace on earth, good will to men.”

4. Then pealed the bells more loud and deep:

“God is not dead, nor doth he sleep;

The wrong shall fail, the right prevail,

With peace on earth, good will to men.”

5. Till, ringing, singing, on its way,

The world revolved from night to day,

A voice, a chime, a chant sublime,

Of peace on earth, good will to men!

6. And now I’m blessed, my mind can see

Each day when humbly bow my knee

And in my heart, my course I chart

Of peace on earth good will to men.

7. I feel so blessed to see the Light

And know wherein to find the right

With joy I sing, my heart can bring

More peace on earth good will to men.

Christmas Slideshow ~ 2020

It started back in 2006 ... it was Grayson who made the first family slide show, featuring photos from the past year set to music. Then it became a tradition. Gray continued making them for a few years, then Jen took over in 2010. So here's 2020, which for the first time is not making its premiere at the Westra Family Christmas Eve party (Covid Cancellations!) But thanks to youtube (and a backup in Dropbox/GoogleDrive) the family can still watch and relive the year ... masks and all!

Link to Westra2020 on YouTube

Soundtrack this year is: "Wonderful Life" by Zendaya, "Better Things" by Dar Williams, 

"Let Me Live" by Kehlani, "Falling and Flying" by Mindy Gledhill and "We Are Brave" by Shawn McDonald.

Here's a look at the previous years too ...

2006

2007

2008

2009

2010

2011

2012

2013

2014

2015

2016

2017

2018

2019

Christmas Newsletter ~ 2020

The annual, official, Westra Newsletter going out from Mom/Margie and Dad/LaMar. Derek put it together, after asking for updated pictures and "blurbs" from everyone. Jen thought she was so fast, and asked if she was first (and if she got a prize) and got the surprising reply that SCOTT had been first with a photo ... and Scott replied that he had sent his update to his family for approval before sending it on, but that he might have sent it in too if he'd known it was a competition ;)  For the actual PDF (with working links and enlarging capabilities) check out Westra 2020. 

Check out ALL the previous Christmas Newsletters ...