My Dad - A Photo Essay

Dad - Solid, Confident

Here is my Dad. He is a photographer and so he is the one who is always taking the pictures. He always claims that he is never in any of them. I have oodles of pictures of the photographer and I am going to prove him wrong. His pictures are better than mine, (as you will see in some that he actually took in this series) but I will do my best to do a photoessay on my Dad. He usually is the one who does photoessays on all the pictures he takes, but now it is my turn to do a photo essay on why I love my Dad. He is amazing.

A Heavenly Curtain in the Sky

He appreciates beauty in all its forms. One thing that my Dad taught me at an early age is to appreciate beautiful things in nature. He used to take me and the boys out with binoculars and a book from national geographic that had every bird that ever existed. So we would spot one, and then we would look it up and memorize the name of it. I loved that. I am grateful for a Dad who teaches me to have fun learning and appreciating nature and beauty. As a photographer, he naturally showed his respect and reverence for beauty in God's creations. I remember one time as we were traveling on I-15 when I was a youngster, we saw a huge light in the distance as if it were a curtain of fire being shaken by some huge man in the sky. It was an anomaly. An Aurora Borealis happening further south than normal. They are called "The Northern Lights" for a reason. Dad stopped the car and we all got out and stared in awe until the heavenly light show stopped. This particular photo is at Cascade Lake in Northern ID and it reminded me of that experience.

Triple Buddies!

My Dad also loves to have fun and to keep traditions going in the family. He always makes it fun to be with him and to be with the family. Here we are making the dough for our ginger bread houses.

One Expression for a Thousand Words Within

Here he is on the steps leading up St. Peter at Gallicantu. He has a deep respect for things that are spiritual and sacred. These steps are original and very good candidates for being ones that the Savior Himself walked up.

Here he is showing reverence and respect for a very holy site for 3 religions. He has that look on his face. That look that says - "My heart is full of thousands of words to say about this ground, but I cannot say it at this time in this current situation." I know what he is thinking inside. He is showing respect for Islam, because of the present stewardship of this ground, but deep inside he is amazed that he is standing on the holy temple mount - the place where history began to write itself. In legend, this is the very center of everything, for from this very spot the first dry land appeared out of the waters of the creation and the gods stood from this spot and began to organize. It is the very place where Abraham came from Bethel to sacrifice Isaac, the place where two temples stood, where the very ark of the covenant was placed, where Nehemiah, Jeremiah, Isaiah, Ezekiel, Daniel, Lehi, Nephi, David, Solomon, and even the Savior Jesus the Christ Himself came here to teach, heal and commune with His Father. This was all in his heart though he did not say it with his mouth. I have seen him with this look in many places sacred like this. From the Sacred Grove, to Gettysburg to Gethsemane. He hungers and thirsts after righteousness and has therefore been filled.

A Deep Brotherhood

My Dad has such a knack for talking to anyone anywhere as if he were a part of their family. And that is something that I have learned from my Dad - everyone is a part of our family. He truly believes this and shows it by talking to everyone as if they were his brother. He shows his love, and they assume the love and reciprocate, and miracles often happen. This is the Western Wall. The holiest site in the world for all Jews. You would think that because you are a Mormon in a site that is so holy to all of Judaism, a person would just sit back and let the Jews alone. But my Dad got out of his comfort zone to show his love and respect. He even offered this man to take his picture at this holy place and email it to him later for free. What a generous offering from a professional photographer.

World Class Shooter

My Dad travels the world to capture light and life. He is an amazing photographer and he takes his job seriously. He has a gift for capturing light and life in the face of those he shoots. He has shot a lot of people. Any any other house, it would be really odd if your dad told you he was going on a week trip to shoot the prophet, but for me, it is just normal. He has shot many prophets and the shots are world class. (this is a picture of him shooting from the walls of the Old City of Jerusalem).

Here he is in Gethsemane.

Some of My favorite pics of my Dad are of him taking pictures.

Good Sport and Goober

My Dad is the most playful goofball jokester you ever knew. From Willie to what have been come to know as "Dad jokes" he is a class act goober. He knows when to be serious and of a sober mind and he knows when it's time to loosen the bow and laugh. He works hard and then he plays hard.

Always There

My Dad has been there in all the turning point moments in my life. He was there when I was born, to give me a blessing from a distance that allowed me to stay on this earth instead of suffocating as my little body turned purple and blue after I was born. He was there and worthy for my baptism and confirmation.

He was there to ordain me to the office of Deacon, Teacher, Priest and Elder. He was there to help me with my Eagle project. He was there with his telephoto lens at my track meets. He was there when I graduated from high school and college. He was there when I went to the temple to be endowed from power from on high for myself. He was there as I left for the mission. He was there when I returned. He even came to Jerusalem to be there as I immersed myself in some of the most life changing experiences I have ever had.

I would like to share one experience I had that is probably the best surprise I have ever received. When I got to Jerusalem He was there for the first time I experienced going to the Western Wall, (which in itself is a sacred experience.) I didn't know he would be there. I did feel a power there that I wished I could share with someone who shared their priesthood lineage with me. And though there were many other great guys (who were priesthood holders) there with me, I just felt things in my heart that I didn't think I could share with anyone who I didn't have a deeply personal relationship with. As these thoughts went through my mind, I started to go toward the place where you can put on the courtesy Kippa (as you see on our heads below). When I looked toward that area, I saw a face that looked a lot like my Dad. It WAS my Dad!! I couldn't believe it! It was amazing to share that with him. Every time after that during my time in Jerusalem, when I went to that incredibly significant and historic and sacred place, I always thought of when he (and my Mom) came and surprised me and my sister. It was the perfect surprise at the perfect moment and he sacrificed much to make it happen.

My Dad is the Man.

As I shared above, my Dad is always there to make special moments last forever. He has done this countless times in my life. The next few photos don't really have my Dad in them, but I wanted to show off my Dad's amazing photography skills along with showing how cool he is. There is an event that happens in Philadelphia every year at the University of Pennsylvania (and has for 116 years).

It is called the Penn Relay Carnival. For anyone who loves track, it is a spectacular event. Track athletes from middle school, high school and college come to compete with their relay team. At the end there is an amazing display as they have a few relays that are run by Olympic athletes - the fastest in the world. They call the event "USA vs. The World". The year that I went with my high school team, the man of the hour was Maurice Greene.

He was (at the time, the fastest man in the world). I was so excited just to be able to see him from the stands. But my Dad wanted to make it an awesome experience, so he went to all the lengths to use his Meridian Magazine power to get ahold of a press pass that would allow him to stand very close to the Olympians. I told him if he was going to stand anywhere, it should be at the anchor leg position. So he did. And you can see the amazing shots he got of this short, yet blazingly fast man. My Dad is so cool, he is the man.

My Spiritual Hero

Here he is at the John Johnson Home in Ohio (near Kirtland). He is standing on the steps where Joseph Smith stood to preach the day after he was torn from his bed, stripped, tarred and feathered and left for dead. The mobsters yelling out: "you won't be preaching tomorrow!" (or something similar). The next morning he did preach, about Charity, the pure love of Christ. And some of the members of the mob were in the crowd, listening to him. An amazing story that my Dad can tell better than I think anyone else. He is, in my eyes, the world's expert on the prophet Joseph Smith. He is the exact build and height of Joseph. He even has a chip in his front tooth (as Joseph did). I love my Dad's love for the prophet. He makes me want to get to know him better. I have come to know the life of the prophet Joseph better because I am my Dad's son.

This last picture is probably my favorite picture that I have of my Dad. I know there is a man holding a walkie talkie on the right (maybe I'll photoshop him out later). Despite the imperfection of the photo, I love it. I love that it is at the Susquehanna River, in the spot where the Holy Priesthood was restored. And the reason why my Dad is holding his hand up the way he is, is because he is declaring his priesthood line of ordination. He has it memorized (down to the day of every single ordination). From him, to his father, to others back to the three witnesses, to John the Baptist/Peter, James and John, who received the priesthood under the hand of Jesus Christ Himself. What an amazing moment this was for me. What an amazing example my Dad has always been. I love his passion for all things Spiritual. The prophet Joseph Said: "The things of God are of deep import; and time, and experience, and careful and ponderous and solemn thoughts can only find them out." (Teachings of the Prophet Joseph Smith, page 137.)

My Dad has taken the time and spent countless hours in ponderous and solemn thought. I love him for this and I will always look up to the example he has given to me. I love my Dad. I love his love the Lord and it will have a lasting impact not only on me, but on my posterity for generations to come.

Garbage in Gethsemane

I am currently writing a book for returned missionaries. One of the chapters in that book is called "How do I make the atonement the center of my life?" Every time I begin thinking about what I am going to write, I am brought back to the many Sabbath afternoons I spent in Gethsemane.

I lived in Jerusalem in the BYU Jerusalem Center for Near Eastern Studies for about 4 months. This spectacular building is located on the northern end of the Mount of Olives. It overlooks the Kidron Valley and Mount Moriah where the Old City of Jerusalem stands.

Some argue that it is the best view of the city from anywhere and it is a good argument considering the hordes of tourists and local visitors who come for this view of the city. Living there was something that very very few people will ever experience. Almost every morning I would wake up before sunrise and go to the spot where President Hinckley was filmed for the first scene of "Special Witnesses of Jesus Christ" (the very spot...on the eighth floor balcony).

Here is a video to show you. (see 0:48 of the video for the exact spot) I would pray and read and write and just think as I did many time lapse videos of the sun coming up on this ancient city of God. That alone was worth the $10,000 price tag for this program. It became my sanctuary and I had some of the most powerful prayers of my life in that spot in the wee hours of the Judean mornings.

The Center was located on the North end of the Mount of Olives, so it was quite close to a garden very special to the hearts of all who call themselves Christians. The Garden of All Gardens - Gethsemane.

While we were there we had the chance to participate in service. One of the things we got to do was clean up the Orson Hyde Memorial Park. This park is also on the Mount of Olives. It was the path the led down to the Garden of Gethsemane. We all got bags and gloves and went to work. There were over 80 people there so the work went fast. I began to move to the bottom of the path closer to the opening to Gethsemane. We finished the whole thing within a matter of about an hour. Students started turning in their gloves and going back to the Center. I was at the bottom of the trail at the opening to where the park converged with Gethsemane. I then remembered that every time we walked past the Garden, there was so much trash. I saw that we had tons of bags left and I still had my gloves on. I asked one of our leaders if it would be okay if we just went over and started picking up trash. They were a little hesitant because it was property which we had no permission to clean. (You may think this sounds funny, but in Jerusalem people get in fights over who can sweep where - Just google "broom wars in the Church of the HS" and you'll get a laugh).

So our leader hesitantly gave us permission to start cleaning. When we got there, I realized there was so much more garbage than I had seen while walking by. In fact, there was garbage everywhere. It was hidden. Beer cans and bottles under bushes that were grown over. Half-buried old t-shirts and lots of plastic. We even found a tire buried in the ground. Some of the things had to have been there for years - even decades. So we picked up all the garbage we could find whether it was left there years ago or just thrown in there the day before.

There was a prickly bush that had a lot of trash underneath. At first I was just going to leave it there because I didn't want to risk getting pierced by the thorns of the plant. But I looked at how much was under it and so I decided to reach in and start collecting the garbage. I rummaged soda cans and clothes and rusty old bottles and more plastic. In the end I did get a little bloody because of the prickles, but the trash hidden under the bush was removed.

It is hard not to think of symbolism when you are in places like Jerusalem, especially when you are in the Garden of Gethsemane. I just began thinking of all the garbage that the Savior found in that same Garden. He got there and realized that there was much MUCH more than He had ever imagined and doubted that He would be able to clean it all up. When he realized the amount of trash He was dealing with, He "began to be sore amazed" or in the Greek "atonished, awestruck". He was dealing with every type of garbage from everyone, every where from every time. I am so grateful that He went to that Garden and cleaned up the garbage. He has cleaned up so much of my garbage. Some garbage had been there for years and was rotting. Some garbage that was just thrown in yesterday. He picks it all up. No matter when it is from or what it is. He doesn't just choose the easy stuff. He digs deep. He cleanses what C.S. Lewis calls "the central self" - the sum of all the decisions we have made.

I am grateful for that experience in the Garden of Gethsemane. I am glad I got to pick up garbage in that Garden. How many people have ever been able to pick up garbage from that place? Maybe it wasn't a very big deal to some, but to one who loves symbolism, it was nothing short of a direct tender mercy. I thought about that experience every time I took the sacrament in that celestial auditorium that looks out over the Old City. It will give me a visual that I can look back on for the rest of my life as I consider "the central act of all human history".

I am grateful that my garbage was picked up in that Garden and that even as I continue to throw it in, He will be there to clean up my trash.

"Come now and let us reason together,

saith the LORD: though your sins be as

scarlet, they shall be as white as snow;

though they be red like crimson, they

shall be as wool."

(Isaiah 1:18)

Dona Nobis Pacem (Give Us Peace)

Outside the Church in Gethsemane with Padre Augusto

What a day this was! I have to tell you about today. I already put this in my journal but I must share this day with you while it is yet fresh on the mind. Wow. Miracles and tender mercies always happen the day after a fast. Part of my fasting prayer was that I would have experiences in these last two weeks that would would satisfy me as having taken advantage of every minute I have left. So here we go...

I sent an email to Father Angelo, a Franciscan monk I met a week ago, to see if we would be able to sing in his church (Terra Sancta - near the church of the Holy Sepulcre.). This church is huge and has AMAZING acoustics. He sent me an email back with his cell number and a time to call him. He said that he was busy with masses most of the morning but we could meet up around noon. So we ventured out of the center in the morning and explored the whole Kidron Valley. I mean the whole thing...from the top where our road begins to the city of David. It was so cool. We saw a bunch of tombs, lots of Olive trees and gardens and passed underneath Orson Hyde Park entering into Gethsemane. We then went in to the Church of All Nations at Gethsemane. Our goal was to sing "Dona Nobis Pacem" in as many churches as we possibly could. So we went in to see how we would fare. On the way in I saw a friendly looking monk. I came back out of the church, saw him happily sitting there on one of the pillars. I asked him if he spoke English. "no english" I then asked: "Hablas Espanol o Italiano?" and he said Si los dos! (Yes both!) So I went on to ask him if it would be ok for us to sing this beautiful Latin Franciscan hymn in the church. He said "Claro!..but not right now...there is a service going on for another 30 min. Come back then and you sing for me..." So we walked to Mary's tomb which also had a service going on because it was Sunday. We also saw Judas' grotto (where they say he betrayed the Lord). After that we came back and sang Dona Nobis Pacem (which means Give Us Peace - significant to sing in a place like this) in the Church of All Nations. It was beautiful! The Acoustics were...wow.

Here we are singing

He complimented us after and said "Dona Nobis Pacem. You did well, but the only thing I didn't like about it was that it was too short! I wanted to hear more!" And he asked us if we would sing for his mass on Thursday at 4. haha. So we said we would but that we would dress in nicer clothes for Thursday. I am way excited. So if the day ended there, it would have already been amazing, but no....it gets better. PS,...Mariah went to Tel Aviv today. I kind of wanted to go, but I feel like I can go to the beach in the US any time I want, but I wont always be in Jerusalem...and I am glad I stayed... though I'm sure Mariah had a blast! I had a feeling I should stay. So I did....Ok back to the story....

We went from there and continued on through the Kidron. We threw some rocks at Absalom's Pillar on the way up to the south eastern corner of the city. We entered the Western Wall complex and walked through the Jewish Quarter looking in a few shops and then met up with FAther Angelo at 12 noon. We then sang for him. He is a jolly little (yet chubby) Philipino Franciscan monk who was very excited to see us again and to hear us sing. He brought us into the Terrae Sancta Church which also has huge vaulted cielings and amazing acoustics and he said: Ok sing! We sang Dona Nobis Pacem again and it sounded wonderful. He liked it so much that he said Oh, I loved it. Please sing another. We said we didn't have any other catholic latin hymns prepared, but he said "well sing something else". So we opened the hymn book and sand "Nearer My God to Thee" but this time all the 8 students joined in and it was very beautiful. He had moist eyes at the end. He said, "thank you for that. I love that hymn even though it is protestant...it was so beautiful it made me cry".

Then he paused, and thought for a minute and said..."I want to show you something." He told us to wait there for a minute as if he were making sure the coast was clear). He checked something and came back. Then he brought the eight of us into this room deep within the Franciscan complex. He opened a door and said we don't really show this to people, but it is something very interesting and important to history. We entered into an old museum looking room that had a 30 foot ceiling and glass walls all displaying some artifact of sort. He explained that all of the things were from the 1100s to the 1700s and that they were robes of kings and priests, many of which were enlaced with gold lace and looked very old and very royal. Many very old crosses. And then He said, "I want to show you something that is very rare here in the holy land. It dates back to the 14th century. A Tifuna..." "It is the original book where the Gregorian Chants were written and sang from..." He then proceeded to open this large cupboard behind which were probably fifteen large books (probably 1.5 cubits by 2.5 cubits when closed).

Here is Father Angelo telling us about the book

He took out a smaller one on top and asked us to help him lift out the larger one. We arranged some chairs to place the large book on. We set it down on the chairs (it was really heavy). And then all just got goosebumps looking at it. It had a brass binding with crusader crosses engraved in it. We were just amazed that we could even look at it and touch the outside. Then...he just opened it up and began turning the gigantic pages made of Vellum. Each page was adorned with music and Latin songs that were the Gregorian Chants.

He said: "this book took a monk like me a lifetime to create". He then let us all turn the pages. Isaac tried to read the music but it was different because it was on four lines instead of five so he was a little stumped. This thing was bar-none the most beautiful piece of art work I have ever seen. This was Pre-Gutenberg and all the notes and words were written in by hand. The first letter of the first word of all the chants was remarkably immaculate. It was an art masterpiece and all of them were garnished with gold leaf! Lots of gold leaf. This was surely funded by royalty. He even let us touch the gold leaf! I was going nuts! If the internet wasn't so lame, I would show you pictures of all this because I took tons and video too. All in due time. Anyways. Just think of it. We were fiddling with a book that predates the Declaration of Independence by around 400 years! AHHH! Holy Smokes. Then came the cool part. He opened it up to a page where he pointed out and said: "look this is what you sang" and pointed in the book on the music where it said "Dona Nobis Pacem"!!!!!! It was one of those moments where we transcended time. 700 years vanished before our eyes. I thought of my favorite quote about books:

"The world of books is the most remarkable creation of man. Nothing else that he builds ever lasts. Monuments fall, nations perish, civilizations grow old and die out; and, after an era of darkness, new races build others. But in the world of books are volumes that have seen this happen again and again, and yet live on, still young, still as fresh as the day they were written, still telling men's hearts of the hearts of men centuries dead."

They still live on. It was an amazing experience to say the very least. It is hard to explain with words. I will tell you more in person, but it was an amazing day. And tonight I am going to listen to some Mozart and Brahms at a cello/viola/piano trio playing at our Jerusalem Center.

The Parable of the Pathway, the Pearl and the Pond

I thought of this while in the Garden of Gethsemane this Sabbath. I got to write a parable for my New Testament class and this is what I came up with. I hope you enjoy...

The kingdom of heaven is likened unto three men seeking treasure. There was a treasure of pearls in a pond at the end of a treacherous pathway. At the beginning of the pathway was a division. One led left the other right. The left was lit by other sources. The right path required that one bring light because it was not lit. A sign was posted in the dark at the division that read “this is the way” with an arrow pointing to the right.

The first man entered without his own light and did not see the sign to direct his path. Therefore, he took the path to the left lit by other sources. He took this path and was overtaken by evil men.

The second man enters and sees the sign because he had brought a light he had borrowed. He goes down the dark path. The path is very treacherous and narrow. On the way, he finds a pearl. When he finds this pearl, he rejoices thinking that he has found the treasure. As he inspects the pearl, he wonders if it really is the treasure he was seeking for. At this moment his light begins to fade and he runs in fear that he will have no light to reach the entrance with the his treasure. He barely reaches the place of division in time for his light to go out completely. He sees the trail that is lit by other sources and takes it. When on this path, he is overcome by evil men and looses the pearl. Believing that the one pearl was the only treasure, he loses hope for any future treasure to be found.

The third man enters with his own light and ample charge. He finds the pathway that is dark and takes it after seeing the sign’s direction. He finds the pearl in the pathway, yet he feels there must be something more. He continues in the path which becomes even more dark and treacherous, but because his lamp is powerful, he finds his way to the end of the pathway. There he sees a pond in which are found countless pearls deep within. The man rejoices at having found the treasure and begins to immerse himself to retrieve the treasure.

Please share the meanings that you think this could have. I already have my own, but I would be interested to know what you all think. If you can't comment on this blog, just send it to my email at hermanoproctor@gmail.com.

LOVE

Throughout my journey here in the Holy Land, there has been a funny rule in which the students in the Jerusalem center program are encouraged not to become romantically involved with each other. I have often been frustrated with this rule/encouragement because I quite enjoy dating and communicating to girls that I am interested in them. Lately this has reminded me of something that one of my religion teachers at BYU taught us in a class about scripture study. He said this:

"Our relationship with the words of Christ determines our relationship with Christ Himself. And our relationship with Christ, determines our relationship with everyone else."

Think about it for a minute. I have been thinking about it the last few days and I often think about it when my scripture study is not at its best. When scriptures are neglected, I can feel it in my life and I can feel it in my relationships with others. I was talking to one of the girls here in the center about this and how one must have Christlike love or their relationship/marriage will never survive. The only way to succeed is having Charity or Christlike love for your spouse. I am not married, but it just seems to make sense.

In a seventeenth century book called The Temple, by George Herbert there is a poem called "Love" that I believe paints a picture of the power of the atonement and the love that Jesus Christ has for us all, and His power to forgive and His allowance for even the vilest of sinners.

-Love-

Green text: the sinner

Blue text: The Lord

"Love bade me welcome: yet my soul drew back,

Guiltie of dust and sinne.

But quick-ey'd Love, observing me grow slack

From my first entrance in,

Drew nearer to me, sweetly questioning,

If I lack'd anything.

A guest, I answer'd, worthy to be here:

Love said, You shall be he.

I the unkinde, ungratefull? Ah my deare,

I cannot look on thee.

Love took my hand, and smiling did reply,

Who made these eyes but I?

Truth Lord, but I have marr'd them: let my shame

Go where it doth deserve.

And know you not, sayes Love, who bore the blame?

My deare, then I will serve.

You must sit down, sayes Love, and taste my meat:

So I did sit and eat.

I think of the vendors here who try to get me to come into their restaurants on the streets of the old city. The image of Jesus saying to me, "come in, eat!", and then I say, "oh I don't think I can afford that, I am not worthy to go into such a place; plus, I am all dirty and your restaurant is white and clean". Then He says, "Andy, don't you know? it's already paid for. Just come in and eat." Then I say back, "but of all people, me?" Then the Lord says, "You must sit down, and taste my meat." Then I sit and eat and taste of the unconditional love of Christ. We must sit and eat of His meat. If we do, all other relationships will be in order and we will not worry.

Shepherds why this Jubilee?

We went to Bethlehem earlier in the semester and tonight we finally went to Shepherds fields overlooking the little town of Bethlehem. We had a little Christmas in July. It was so wonderful. We all dressed up (pictures will come later with better internet connection), and sang Christmas songs and shared Christmas stories as the sun went down. On our way out we were blessed to see an actual shepherd watching over sheep on the slope. This was such a wonderfully vivid trip back in time. I loved it. I love this shepherd's face looking out over the sheep on the hill.

Red Sea / Gulf of Aqaba Snorkeling!

Here is the northern most tip of the Gulf of Aqaba

On the beach
Before the dive
Playing around off the dock

Here are the reefs. (so much more beautiful from under water)
Mariah making faces

Fishy
The Eilat Boardwalk
Looking south toward Saudi Arabia.

It was so nice to have a free day to go and swim and relax after a gruling week of finals.