The Minnick Family

The Miracle given from the Unknown Honest Mechanic, patience, and persistence

noreply@blogger.com (J. Doug) — Thu, 10 Dec 2009 16:49:00 +0000

December 10, 2009

I hope you all can indulge me for a little bit with this true to life tale and miracle.

At the first of June I lost my job as many know. I came home sat down the family and explained how I lost my job and we just had to pinch every penny as we didn't know how long it would take to find a job and even one we feel comfortable with. My 2000 Maxima was up for emissions and we bypassed registering it because it was an extra expenditure even though at a small cost. We also knew that the 'Check Engine' light had been on for several months and as a faint memory we knew last year we invested about $1500.00 in the car at registration time. So we turned it off and let it sit in the garage. As the four months went by we didn't notice it really. We lived with our van's service and are thankful that we had it to take us from home to school and interview to interview-- juggling time frames and schedules to being a one car family.

As the opportunity with NovaMark came around and I needed to start we tried to take it in for Safety and Emissions Tests. They test came back from the Tim Dahle Nissan dealership stating that we needed over $3000.00 in work. It had 'multiple misfires'. This meant it all of the cylinders needed replacement and also the spark plugs—oh and also some coils and… and… and… I knew this was too costly and out of reason to me. Even if I did take it to another mechanic at a smaller I’d be spending at least $1500.00+. I didn’t want to do this.

Meantime I was offered the job and needed to be able to and from work. NovaMark has three locations I’ve been working with and so it is a requirement of my job to make it to all the locations and stay up on business needs—transportation is a must with this job. Danny, my brother, allowed me to take his car and use it for nearly 2 months. He and Jennifer are very kind to us.

Meanwhile Lizzy said we should call our old mechanic back in Provo. We used him for several repairs and it was work well done at a cheap cost in labor. He hates Nissans and won’t work on them. He referred her to another mechanic in Orem to ask what he thought of the diagnosis. She called and he said basically that the ‘multiple misfires’ were being caused by us pumping bad gas. He said we would to pump in gas from Chevron with Textron in it. Then we would need to burn through 2-3 tanks of gas—which is over 1000 miles in our car. We didn’t have the car registered so Lizzy called the DMV and asked if there is a temporary registration that we could have to drive the car though it hadn’t passed its registration tests. They gave us a 15 Day Temporary Pass. As I returned from NYC and Las Vegas we went and got the temporary pass. I drove the car around until Thanksgiving. We were able to get up to 700 miles, but had 300 more to go. We wanted to make sure we followed the mechanics advise to the letter—so we did.

The temporary pass expired and I just decided that that I would continue to drive it to get the needed 300 miles on the car for the test. It was a risk certainly. I tried to drive it on off beat times and not too much. I realized that I was doing something illegal yet needed to get the extra mileage on it to save the money. I felt comfortable about it as I prayed—it was a reasonable cause. On Saturday December 5th we needed to use both cars use. We tried not driving it on the weekends because we wanted to make sure that we didn’t get a cop mad, but we had to due to the fact we had two baptisms within 30 minutes of each other, one of which Liz was performing at and the other was our nephew Aaron’s which we needed to attend. So we went. We enjoyed. And then caravanned together on the way home with Lizzy following me closely so as to avoid a cop. I pulled into a stop light and the South Jordan Police flashed lights. I was worried about it and then a calm came over me and I felt that I just needed to tell the truth—not making it a saga, but the honest truth. He came and spoke to me asking about the cars registration and such. I told him the tale of the Maxima and what they (mechanics and the DMV) had told us and that we were so close. (I only needed about 75 miles more on the car.) He said that he would check the records with the state in a minute but needed my license. I didn’t have it. He got really annoyed. I said that I had forgot it and that my wife was right behind us in our van. (Thank you Lizzy for following me!) He told me that both offences were sight-able and the car could be impounded. Then he asked why we had such a long time with the car not being registered properly. I told him I was unemployed and how we were simply being watchful of expenses in this tough economy. He understood. He waved me on my way with only a verbal warning on my record.

With a sigh of relief and thanks we headed home. Just Monday the car went over 1000 miles. I pulled off the battery cable to reset it and then started it. The ‘Check Engine’ light went off. I took it in to be tested and due to the reset I needed to drive another 100 miles to reset the computer. I did so nervously as I did have a verbal warning. Today it ticked over 100 miles more and I took it in quickly to have it tested. It passed. I asked if there were any signs of ‘multiple misfires’. They said they couldn’t see anything. I took my passed tests to the DMV this morning and got my registration.

Now this tale lengthy, but I didn’t want to forget it. I’ve been trying to see the step-by-step in the way the Lord blesses me and my family. I know I’ll be able to remember this ‘process’ he gives me to learn in the next life occurrence. Thought nearly 6 month saga what I didn’t say is we paid our tithes, said our prayers, lived truthfully, and took risks. This isn’t anything new, but just a very visible way that the Lord testified to me that through patience and persistence Liz and I weathered another storm and the Lord watched over us. We felt direction and though it took 6 months, several random phone calls, trust in those we don’t know, and a kind police officer He blessed us yet again. I just love Jesus Christ and as His Holy Spirit, the Holy Ghost, warms me- truly I feel that there isn’t ‘room enough’ to ‘receive it’—his simple blessings.

The Gorham Hotel

noreply@blogger.com (J. Doug) — Sat, 07 Nov 2009 18:18:00 +0000

Today I found The Gorham Hotel, now called The Blakely at 136 West 55th Street. Dad used to stay here on his many years on of traveling to NYC. (He also stayed at The Shabby Abby too.)His trips were long- 2 weeks at a time. We missed him greatly. I remember once I tried to hide in the back of the white hatch-back 210 Dautsin when he was getting ready to go to NYC for a trip. I crurled up in a ball thinking that if I hid in there and they made it to the airport that maybe he'd be able to take me with. My plan was foiled as soon as Dad pit his luggage in the trunk.

This week I've thought a lot about Dad and compared me to him. I've thought about his sacrafices he made for me. I've been greatful for his support and concern for me. As I've been here I've certainly felt lonely and can't imagine doing trips like this for 18 years- no show or specator site compensates for your wife and your children. Dad thanks!

-- Posted from my iPhone

Central Park

noreply@blogger.com (J. Doug) — Fri, 06 Nov 2009 05:36:00 +0000

Cats!

noreply@blogger.com (J. Doug) — Wed, 04 Nov 2009 03:35:00 +0000

Thanks!

noreply@blogger.com (J. Doug) — Wed, 04 Nov 2009 03:28:00 +0000

Big Girl Hope

noreply@blogger.com (J. Doug) — Wed, 04 Nov 2009 03:19:00 +0000

Fall Family Picture

noreply@blogger.com (J. Doug) — Sat, 31 Oct 2009 21:34:00 +0000

For the last 5 years we have taken a family picture just after raking up the leaves in our backyard. Now I can't pass up taking a family picture when we rake the leaves. It is fun and we do adore the season. So here is 2009's installment. We're look'in good!

As usual this may end up being our Christmas card picture as well.

Fall Pictures

noreply@blogger.com (Liz) — Mon, 26 Oct 2009 18:26:00 +0000

Well, I haven't been on here in ages, but a few weeks ago my sister Annalyn took some pictures of the girls down at the Engh pumpkin patch, and I thought I would post them. Annalyn takes fabulous pictures, don't you think?

Pumpkin Carving!

noreply@blogger.com (J. Doug) — Sun, 25 Oct 2009 21:58:00 +0000

We did our pumpkin carving a couple days late due to some sickness, but we did hav fun doing it nonetheless. We all were able to carve a pumpkin. (People who don't do a pumpkin a person in the house are BORING!) It was lots of fun. I think that in the end we ended up with some good selections. Anne had been planning her triangle pumpkin face for weeks. Jane wanted something that was 'slightly scary, but not too scary'. Kate wanted something that scared the crap out of you. And Hope didn't really care, but wanted to roll hers around like a ball on the ground and was annoyed that was aginst the rules. Liz did a traditional jack-o-latern. And last but not least I ventured out there and did a letter carving- my first. Boo!

Anne's doesn't have just a top 10

noreply@blogger.com (J. Doug) — Fri, 23 Oct 2009 13:01:00 +0000

October 23, 2009

Dear Ms. Malan’s 2^nd Grade Class,

We are Anne’s Mom and Dad and we’d like to tell you about our favorite gal Anne Minnick. In fact lets review her greatest qualities—a top 10, if you will. We will give them in no particular order:

Number 372-She loves to listen and obey

Number 4,132,321-Anne laughs so hard sometimes she can’t breathe when she is tickled

Number 36-She sings beautifully (especially when she is silly)

Number 9,221-Anne’s nick name is Little Anne

Number 745-She can dance! This girl has got the moves…

Number 3-Anne genuinely loves everyone she meets and will defend you always

Number 1,003,768,021-She LOVES reading good fun books

Number 890-Anne skis

Number 333-She knows how to cook and clean and doesn’t mind doing it

Number 1-Anne is loved so much by her family and we want her to know that she can never be replaced. She is our Anne-girl and we can’t just think of 10 reasons that we love her there are only ‘infinity’!

Love always,

Dad, Mom, Jane, Kate, and Hope Minnick

The Warning & Brooksley Born

noreply@blogger.com (J. Doug) — Wed, 21 Oct 2009 03:59:00 +0000

I just watched this and I feel that it is very well said and laid out. Additionally, Brooksley Born is my new hero.

http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/pages/frontline/warning/

Our favorite autumn tree

noreply@blogger.com (J. Doug) — Tue, 20 Oct 2009 23:48:00 +0000

Fourteen Fundamentals in Following the Prophet

noreply@blogger.com (J. Doug) — Mon, 19 Oct 2009 13:25:00 +0000

Elder Hales, yesterday in our Stake Conference, requested that we all review in our Family Home Evenings this week this talk by President Ezra Taft Benson it is ‘Fourteen Fundamentals in Following the Prophet’. I found it this morning and wanted to pass it along. Enjoy!

http://lds.org/ldsorg/v/index.jsp?hideNav=1&locale=0&sourceId=cc52b4f40c9db010VgnVCM1000004d82620a____&vgnextoid=f318118dd536c010VgnVCM1000004d82620aRCRD

Best regards,

Doug Minnick

1446 Capella Way

Sandy, UT 84093

T. 801-562-8525

C. 801-835-9770

doug@minnickfamily.com

Halloween Phantom

noreply@blogger.com (J. Doug) — Thu, 15 Oct 2009 22:06:00 +0000

Here is yet another example of Lizzy's good cooking. We got the Halloween Phantom and Liz made several plates of these to give out. While delivering them it was funny- we got caught twice trying to doorbell ditch and leave the goodies becuase of deartest Little Kate yelling, "Why are we running?" and, "Why do I need to be quiet?"

Sun Flower Heads

noreply@blogger.com (J. Doug) — Wed, 14 Oct 2009 02:00:00 +0000

Provident Living: Gardening and Pruning Workshop

noreply@blogger.com (J. Doug) — Thu, 08 Oct 2009 21:50:00 +0000

At the begining of this month we had a Provident Living Workshop at our house on Gardening and Pruning. It was nice. We were able to host about 25 people. We did a short tuitorial on gardening--Doug & Liz style. I showed them how we have taken areas that were once just grass and converted them quickly into veggie gardens. It was fun. Then I also so them how I tore out all of the ground cover, myrtle-vinca, out of our herb and rose hedge garden and how we are converting it into a veggie garden in 2010. I tilled the whole thing just for the example to show--it was a lot of work, but I'll be happy it is partically done in spring.

My brother Jimmy came and did a demo on how to prune your fruit trees. He was a gem for doing it. I think that he got about 100 questions and 99 rebuttles from some of the older 'experts' in the crowd. Liz also was able to note all of the things that we've canned. We created a display to show it off and a handout with all of our recepes. It was fun all in all. It got me to work and that was worth it.

We have been blessed. With two periods in the last 4 years being unemployed for 4 months or longer we have certainly realized the value of savings, storage, and being provident.

Hilarious-- Home Teaching Numbers

noreply@blogger.com (J. Doug) — Wed, 07 Oct 2009 18:12:00 +0000

Please watch this:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vGPjI0lB3FE

The Witching Hour - 4 AM

noreply@blogger.com (J. Doug) — Wed, 07 Oct 2009 10:53:00 +0000

Today I am trying to start to do the early wake ups again. I enjoy the 4 AM hour so much. When I am able to wake, read, work out at the gym, shower, and start helping the girls get ready by 6:30 I feel so much better about the day. I've been sleeping in... until 5:15 as of late and then rushing off, yet today I'm trying to start again. By end of day I'm certainly dragging, yet what I am missing- some prime time TV?

The quiet hours have helped me in the past several months process information, digest where I am with God, and understand what I need to achieve all without getting stressed. Sometimes I think that my idea of 'early to rise' is a little too early, but it truly is the hour when it is my own. Then I hit the gym by 5 AM and it is to the grind. I've been enjoying the gym more as of late as I'm not a tromping elephant so much anymore. The 30 lbs I've lost over the summer have been a nice divestiture. Here is to 40 more. :)

I mourn my loss, my tan

noreply@blogger.com (J. Doug) — Tue, 06 Oct 2009 10:46:00 +0000

Yesterday I awoke to get ready for the day and suddenly began realizing my deepest depression in winter... What you ask? The loss of my tan. I love summer and the Vitamin D it provides. Liz and I so enjoyed the summer in the backyard. I certainly had some free lunch time to soak up some sun this year and did so. The girls on Saturdays would play in the pool forever and they needed a watch dog- a service I was totally willing to provide no matter the temperature. I love the heat. Frankly when it is above 100 degrees I feel as if it is an accomplishment to stay out there and soak in the beneficial rays. Yet now the 'sun has set not long ago' and we are back to no ray-days. I would mock a hymn yet I know that I would be eventually damned for this. Not to mention how many people are thinking as they read this "Doug the harmful rays are... so harmful". I know. I'll be wrinkled and blotched in my 40's.

The Rain

noreply@blogger.com (J. Doug) — Sun, 04 Oct 2009 23:06:00 +0000

This morning Lizzy needed a good rest so she slept in. On weekends I always feel that we need to get out of the house. I felt that if I made a quick breakfast the girls would be able to eat it on a walk. I made Mickey and Minnie Cheese Sandwiches. (This is a classic in our house.) We grabbed our rain coats and were out the door. (I thought that for certain we'd be fine. I actually didn't want to take the coats and I had everyone dressed in flip flops. Anne suggested that we grab the girls rain boots. So we did.) We got a street down and it started to hail, then heavy rain. The girls where laughing their heads off and so as it poured we started to play in the rain. It was great for everyone. Hope didn't even cry once. She was fascinated with the whole deal. Kate even fell flat on her face three times and didn't even cry- she got up and continued in the rain. The gutters were the best. Our street has a hill to it so nothing collects there. Also they divert the rain away from our street so we don't even get a big flow of water. We had to go to the bottom of the hill and splash around there. We were all in our pajamas still. Mine were about to fall off- I had to keep on hiking them back up. After a good hour the rain stopped and the drains were 'stealing' our water that we were playing in. We had to go inside. We snapped the picture and went to the bath to freshen up for General Conference.

The speakers were well in tune. I felt so well fed. The last two days have been helpful to me. Certainly some spoke to me and my needs better. I appreciated these talks and want to remember them:

-Elder Scott

-Elder Bednar, 'Consistency and Testimony'

-Elder Uchthdorf, Priesthood Session

-President Monson, Priesthood Session, 'Anger'

-Elder Perry, 'Manti Temple'

-Elder Holland, 'The Book of Mormon'

Saturday and Sundays conference were excellent. Our little family was able to go to the family room and watch all 4 session together. It was delightful. Anne, Jane, and Kate were able to involve themselves in the Conference through an activity packet and Liz and I were able to just listen. Hope, most remarkably, was happy and just crawled around. All in all it was a delight to be able to know that we weren't torturing our children and they had an enjoyable time. Anne every time someone mentioned baptism or the Gift of the Holy Ghost would light up like you wouldn't believe as she is preparing for her baptism in August 2010.

Saturday night it was nice to go with my brothers to the Priesthood Session. It was good to have their company with their boys to. It is amazing my nephews are almost all grown. I can't believe it. They are hilarious boys. Their antics and personalities are so funny and pleasant. Each one is a great kid. I also got to sit next to Dad for most of the night which was great. I appreciate seeing and hearing him. He is so genuinely concerned for so many people he doesn't know where to start with his help- he gets overwhelmed easily and I love that about him. Danny was started shaking much worse than normal- he missed a dose of his medication. It isn't getting better and they are doubling and tripling his medication. Frankly it is hard to see, yet he deals with it so patiently. They are saying now that it may be a seizure in which he is conscious when he convulses like that. Thankfully I was able to drive him and his two oldest, Santiago and Corbin, home. We had a good talk. He is constantly in my prayers.

Day by day I feel that I am more thankful for that which I have. Really and truly I see my blessings and my trials and I'm fine with them. I'm thankful for this perspective and pray I keep it. I also hope I can help others better.

'Singing in the rain....'

noreply@blogger.com (J. Doug) — Fri, 02 Oct 2009 21:44:00 +0000

Just before Conference started we went on a walk. Liz was taking a nap and I figured I'd treat her to a longer one. We got out and about and the rain came down! We couldn't believe it. It was hailing.... Soon after it stopped but the rain sure didn't. We started to play in the gutters which was simply amazing. Anne, Jane, and Kate were troopers- they just kept on going through them. We were muddy and dirty and it felt wonderful. Hope just laughed at us and wanted to play in the water. (Much to some peoples shigrin I let her.) We ran up and down the streets of our whole neighborhood. It was PRICELESS!

The Ice Cream Trucks Last Visit

noreply@blogger.com (J. Doug) — Thu, 01 Oct 2009 10:11:00 +0000

Its official (I hope, kind of) that summer is over. The Ice Cream Truck came for its last visit on our streets. Liz and I heard the music and couldn't resist letting the girls get one last treat- even though it was like 50 degrees. They enjoyed them. Frankly I was looking at the selection and thought for the first time in my life that there wasn't a thing that I wanted from the Ice Cream Man. (I've hit old age officially!)

Cabin

noreply@blogger.com (J. Doug) — Sun, 20 Sep 2009 10:41:00 +0000

We went to the cabin with Dad and Lauradean. It was a nice short trip. We had fun sleeping in, walking to Shoulder Creek, and just hanging out with the family. It was easy going. The girls feel in love with the mules in the back and enjoyed just bee-bopping around.

Grandma Nelson's Chili Sauce

noreply@blogger.com (J. Doug) — Sun, 13 Sep 2009 17:45:00 +0000

This is my Grandma Nelson's Chili Sauce recipe. Chili Sauce is really yummy on top of a roast (dry or moist). I just would cook the roast and then allow people to spoon some on cold. I've never mixed it into the sauce to marinate it with it. I'm going to be trying this in Meat Loaf in a week or so (when we've got enough hamburger). It is a really yummy sauce that my Mom and I used to make every year along side with salsa. I've modified the recipe so that it stays chunky. Typically it gets really watery when it is pressured cooked too much. You can do whatever canning method you prefer but I prefer pressure cooking. Remember being generous= Chunky sauce.

Grandma Nelson's Chili Sauce
4 qts tomatoes
2 cups chopped onion (be generous)
1 cup chopped sweet red pepper (be generous)
1-2 cups chopped green peppers (be very generous)
2 Tsb. salt
2-3 hot peppers (Serrano, Jalapenos, Fresnos. I've used all three!)
1 cup sugar

1 tsp. Cinnamon
1 tsp. All Spice (I don't add this)
1/2 tsp. ground cloves
2 1/2 cups vinegar

Cook thoroughly onions, peppers, and hot peppers in fry pan. Core tomatoes and slice into quarters. In pan combine all ingredients. (You can cook all of the ingredients at this point, but as I use a pressure cooker and have pre-cooked the onions, peppers, and hot peppers I don't cook it as a mixture.) Pack bottles. If using a pressure cooker cook under 15 lbs pressure for 10 minutes.

Use on top of roasts, meat loaf, or as a sweet marinate for other meat dishes.

-Doug (Nelson) Minnick

Friday Night Babysitting

noreply@blogger.com (J. Doug) — Fri, 11 Sep 2009 16:52:00 +0000

On Friday night we had a the Beesley kids over. We used to trade baby-sitting back and forth and we are starting it once again. It is a really nice time for the kids to play together. It can get crazy, but never out of control. We like to have them over. Friday night consisted of playing games in the backyard, pizza for everyone, and also watching 102 Dalmatians. It was a good time. There wasn't even any crying if I'm remembering correctly. Anne, Jane, and Kate sure love being with their cousins. It was a god time by all.