Technology and the Church

The more I think about it, the more I realize that the Lord really did create the Internet for his purposes. We had Stake Conference today and due to the large size of our Stake, we usually have to broadcast the meeting to a second building. In the past they have used a microwave technology, which requires a line-of-site connection between the two buildings. Hard to set up and not terribly reliable.

The Church now sells a little box (which is basically a mini computer about the size of an in dash car stereo system) that Stake Centers can put in their "rack" of equipment along with their satellite box. Vvideo feeds from a video camera and audio from the PA system in the Stake center are piped into the box, compressed and streamed up to Salt Lake over the Internet where it is processed and then available via an internet URL in a .ASF (Windows Media Player) video streaming format. It's about a 2-3 minute delay of what is happening live. I was in charge of the second building side. All I needed was my laptop, a projector and a cable to hook my laptop sound to the PA system in the building and voila . . . live internet broadcast of our Stake Conference. The video quality was practically satellite video quality. You would never have known it was an Internet video stream.

I kidded my wife and told her she could just stay home and watch it on the computer if she wanted to, but she was a trooper and brought the kids. I don't think the day will come when we'll watch Stake Conference in our homes too, but the fact that you could if you wanted to is pretty cool. Heck, maybe we'll just be able to stay home and go to Sacrament Meeting online. Oh wait . . . I guess that wouldn't work.

I can't wait to see what other divinely inspired technology comes out down the road.

Long time, no blog

OK, so I know I'm a bad blogger. Hopefully these pictures will give you an idea of how things have been going for us. Isaac, our goofball child and Jack are the best of friends and enjoy playing with each other.

With Brooklyn and Isaac going to school each week, Jack loves to imitate his older siblings. He wants to go to school very badly too. Keep that attitude, buddy.

Tami and I flew out to San Diego for Valentine's Day to attend my friend Blair's wedding and reception. We left the kids home and enjoyed the few days we had in sunny California. Here we are at the fountain in Balboa Park.

Standing outside the San Diego Temple. Turned out to be a beautiful day. I love this temple.

The kids at their Grandpa Tom's funeral.

Deron Williams of the Utah Jazz shooting a free throw. I did not zoom the camera for this shot. This is how close we actually were thanks to Tami's cousin. It was a good game and a fun evening.

Jack turned 2 in March. He's growing fast. We went to Tucanos in Provo (a Brazilian Grill).

Here's a funny clip of Jack blowing out his birthday candle. He was very anxious to blow it out as shown in the clip. The kids thought it was pretty funny as did Jack.

Easter is always a fun time of year. Especially when it gives Tami a chance to buy new Sunday outfits for the kids.

Other than that we're all doing well. Life is full of surprises and exciting changes. We're thankful for good friends and supportive family.