Football on a horrible day - Cumoram Desmond

Football on a horrible day.

On Saturday July 1st I had my football game against Coolbinia bombers it was the top two teams playing against each other our team were first and Coolbinia were second on the ladder it was supposed to be a rainy day and we could already tell that it was going to be a wet and rainy day. In the first quarter our team was winning but by the second quarter we were down by just a few points and it was raining really bad, In the third quarter it got a bit worse and we could feel a bit of hail but we still played on when that quarter finished we were so cold we couldn't fell our fingers but we still played on In the forth quarter It was raining so bad and there was a strong and cold wind blowing the umpires were about to call it off but the coachers said It was the top two teams where not going to pull the game off, It was a relief to hear that siren go at the end of the fourth quarter our team won by nine points. THE END.  

My 10th Birthday - Cumoram Desmond

My 10^th birthday

On the 28^th of February 2015 it was my birthday and we went cliff jumping I invited a few of my friends from school but mostly cousins and friends that I knew outside of school. We went cliff jumping at Blackwall reach near the city. Our family got there about half an hour early then all the others, when we were waiting for them to to come our family and a few other family’s that we did not know were jumping off the big cliff, at first I was sceptical and when mum and dad had both jumped twice I finally jumped off, I felt like I was flying for like ten seconds but I was only in the air for about one to two seconds I had closed my eyes and hit the water when I finally came up out of the water I felt this joy in my chest I felt like I could do anything if I really tried. When all of our friends and family finally came we all jumped off, it was the best birthday party ever. After we had gone cliff jumping we went to this beach and it had this really long island that went as far as you could see from the actual beach it took a long time to get all the way out to the end of this really long island, we started walking out to the island just before the meat was put on the BBQ and by the time we got back most of the food had already gone which was really unfortunate because we didn’t have lunch because we were jumping off the cliff, it was an awesome experience that all my family and friends had together it was the best birthday ever.

shooting a gun for the first time - Jairom Desmond

This is Jairom. I am going to tell some stories about travelling to America. I went shooting with my Dad's missionary companion and his family. They own lots of guns. I got to shoot a .22 rifle. I shot the target that was set up at the outdoor range. I got it right in the middle.
After shooting we went to dinner at Pizza Pie Cafe, which is a really cool all you can eat pizza place. I sat with the kids and we had a lot of fun. It was nice meeting American kids.

I felt really good and had lots of fun. I have never shot a gun before and it was pretty cool. I know guns are dangerous and we learned about gun safety before we could shoot them. Guns can be used for safety and for fun. We were just using them for fun. In Australia a lot less people have guns than in America.

The big move - Jairom Desmond

This week we are preparing for a big house move. Our little house is lovely but we are outgrowing it fast. I share a bedroom with Kembry. Although we love each other and have lots of fun together, its time for me to get my own room. Plus Kembry is growing up and needs her own space.

I will really miss my cubby house. It is near our chicken coop and a big climbing tree. After Dad built the cubby house, we painted it with some paint and brushes we got for Christmas. I will also miss the sandpit where I play with my cars and diggers.

Our Bishop lives in our new house but he is moving out so we can move in. The new house is a 2 storey house. It is really big with room for everything we have. I will like the new garage at our new house.

When it rains it pours and thats what keeps the garden growing.

AFL Football is probably my favourite sport. As a kid, I was totally smitten with every aspect of the game. My dream, like many other kids, was to become an AFL player for my favourite team the West Coast Eagles. Although I never reached the lofty heights, I did have a reputation of being a pretty decent player with much potential. Our eldest son Cumoram is developing into a sports star in his own right. Already he has had much success in Basketball and Football, along with wonderful performances in athletics. This year alone he has made it through several phases of the state schoolboy team selections for both Football and Basketball. A few years ago he also made the state cross country squad.

This past week has been huge on his sporting radar. On Monday night he played in a Grand Final for the under 13s div 1 boys competition in Kalamunda District. He went head to head against his cousin Malachi who played on the favoured team to win, who virtually went through the season undefeated. It was an amazing game and the 2 cousins played so hard, yet very respectfully on each other. Cumorams team surprised many with a gritty win against the odds. Cumoram played exceptionally and was named MVP of the game.

Thursday night was the under 15s div grand final in the same district competition. This time, however, he and Malachi were playing together on the same team. This game was an absolute heart-stopper with the game literally going down to the wire. Malachi was named MVP for the game after making an early adjustment to his attitude and was so important to us in claiming the win. Cumoram played another superb game, this time more mature thanMondayy nights effort. He was able to drop 4 big important 3 pointers that kept us in the game when it looked to be slipping away. He made a huge defensive play inside the last 20 seconds of the game and with scores locked up. His hustle forced a turnover and subsequent jump ball. Copping a knee to the head in the process, he had to come off for the final 10 seconds. With a possible overtime looming, one of the boys from our team was able to get away a last second shot, that bounced in after the siren had sounded giving us the win. It was as good as finish as I have been involved in for a junior basketball game.

Saturday was the scene of a huge midseason football game for Cumoram and his team. Playing against a strong West Perth-Coolbinia side with whom they had their only loss to in the first round of the season and after a flat performance last week that ended in a draw, the team responded well to the early pressure. The tussle became real during the second half as the drizzling annoying rain turned into howling winds, freezing temperatures and pelting rain, almost as if it was hailing.

Cumoram is regularly his sides strongest performer and tough in every contest. Today I witnessed something different. As the 3 quarter time siren sounded and after running through the midfield the entire game, Cumoram came to the bench. His body absolutely frozen as if with hyperthermia. His fingers were badly swollen as a result of putting his body fully on the line for a goal-saving smother. Tears ran from his face, the conditions seemingly beating his willpower to continue playing. His bruised and battered body shelling his broken spirit. He was determined that he was done for the day and I almost begged him to find the will power to go back on as his team needed him. We raced for the canteen where I filled up a cup of hot water and had him dip his fingers into thawing them out. As the siren sounded for the start of the last quarter, the coach looked over to see if Cumoram would still be up for one last 15-minute effort. Many of the other kids had pulled the pin on the match and were sheltering in the changerooms. Still, in agony and with tears still streaming from his face, Cumoram bravely took to the field.

The last quarter was by no means a spectacle of pretty football and Cumoram looked nothing like the aggressive ball-winning player that he normally is. It was his bravery and the effort under the extreme conditions to stay on the ground and compete in order to help his team win the game that will forever be etched in my mind. Against the elements and trailing by 2 points, the team clawed their way back into the lead and then held off the final few minutes for the gutsiest win I have seen them play in. As the final siren sounded I ran onto the field to embrace my boy, still severely suffering from the torrential condidtions. It was a super proud Dad moment.

Cumorams Baptism

What a special Occasion!! I'm talking about the amazing day we had on Sunday the 21st of July.. A day that will we will cherish forever as a family. Not only that, I will personally cherish this day and the magical moments I celebrated as a father on that day. Our son Cumoram, our first born, our big boy, had his Baptism. He is now 8 years old after his Birthday in February and has been waiting anxiously to be baptized ever since. We have held off for a while as we were waiting for a time when all the family could be together to celebrate with him and with us, and this weekend proved to be the perfect opportunity.
In the past few months, Guy Jackson and I have been teaching Cumoram from 'Preach my Gospel' to prepare him for his Baptism, and we have seen him grow and become ready.
In the lead up to the day, we made invitations to our friends and family and also to Cumoram's friends and family to come along. The Chapel was packed with around 120 people attending the Baptism, it was an amazing turnout. We had all the family, and many of our non member friends, plus many of our favourite old friends and their families attend, plus our ward really got behind us too. I had spent many an hour designing a personal Baptism book for Cumoram to present to him for his Baptism, and left spaces for people to write in it.
The day was a little hectic, we left early that morning for Church, with Cumorams friend and neighbour Brady coming along with us. We tried saving seats as we expected family to join us, and several of them did. After sacrament meeting I assisted Mesha with Primary as again she had teachers missing. I helped her by presenting music time and sharing time, and we had a great time with the kids. We had a practice of the song "If the Saviour stood beside me", which they would sing during the Baptism.

After Church finished, we made sure the font was filled and that there was enough programs to hand around. Then just before the service was to start we got the news that some of the family was running late. That was ok, we could wait a little, as Cumoram had also seemed to disappear. He and his cousin Elai had a disagreement about who was using the iPad and Cumoram went into hiding for a sulk. We just could not find him at all. A search party of concerned family and friends began scouting the chapel, while the rest of the people patiently waited in the chapel for the Baptism to start. I drove down the road thinking he might have gone for a walk to cool off, but he was no where to be found. On returning to the chapel I was notified that Cumoram had been found and was still a little upset. When I found Cumoram, he was with Uncle Tim who had a down a good job to calm him down. After a few little chats and helping him wipe away his tears, Cumoram and I got changed into our white clothes and got ready for the Baptism. We had a little family photo together, but you could still see the tears in his eyes. We began the Baptism service and I could really feel the spirit present in the chapel. Everyone who had waited so patiently sang so beautifully and the prayers and talks really helped set the mood. Cumoram was now starting to really become comfortable and relaxed and forget the little iPad incident. Aunty Candice spoke on Baptism and the Gift of the Holy Ghost and share a little example with a shoebox about how the Holy Ghost will guide. In her illustrative example she placed a milky way and a mousetrap in a shoebox and ask Cumoram if he would be comfortable in placing his hand in with the lid closed to reach for the milky way. He said no, and she invited him to ask someone he loved and trusted to look and tell him which side was the safe side to reach in. He asked me and I gave him the correct information, but then he laughed and thought it was a joke, as did the whole congregation, so for safe backup he asked Mesha to verify the information. After the wonderful talks we moved into the baptismal font, but before going in, Cumoram and I had a special little moment in the bathroom. I told him that I loved him very much and was so proud of what he had chosen to do. The spirit touched both our hearts and there were tears of joy in both our eyes. We hugged and embraced and then I led him to the font. The water was warm and the room was full. I took my time thinking clearly and carefully about this sacred ordinance. I felt so overwhelmingly proud to be Baptising my boy, and so proud of the decision he made, and the amazing life he has led so far. Tears again came to my eyes as the Holy Spirit descended upon us. I knew right there and then, that while we performed that ordinance in the Lords house and in front of his priesthood bearing witnesses and our family and friends that the Lord Jesus Christ nodded and approved this righteous decision and opened his arms of love toward us. I also knew that our Heavenly Father watched proudly and sent the Holy Ghost to testify to each of us there of the wonderful blessings he would pour out on Cumoram and to us all if we followed his Son and our Saviour.

Meeting an Apostle

This past year we have had some incredibly powerful experiences. Both on a personal and family note. I wish I had been a little more diligent in recording them. It was about 12 months ago that we were in the USA and doing a big road trip, while I had booked to photograph a Wedding over there. Although the Wedding was in the San Francisco area of California, we spend much of our time in other states and in particular in Utah.
In Salt Lake City, we had a marvellous opportunity as a family to meet personally with Apostle Neal Andersen. We met with him in his office. He was a lovely man and I felt his spirit as a true witness of the Saviour. He testimony was powerful and yet so humble. He made us feel special with his Christlike approach. His message was simple and direct. He counselled us to be strong and stay committed to living the gospel even during our hardships. He especially paid attention and gave counsel to our children, encouraging them to be leaders in everything we do. In one special moment, he pulled Cumoram aside and manifested to him that he was a special young man and that he had great responsibilities ahead. I felt the spirit so strongly as he did this, and I know it was a very special moment for Cumoram.
Another special experience we had on the trip was meeting the Tuck family in Salt Lake temple and then a very special blessing I received from Alma, the father of the home as we stayed with them in Clifton Idaho. Although I'm unsure of some of the things that lay in store for me, I had a very special spiritual manifestation, that I was a chosen leader of the Lord to fulfil his work in the days to come.

I am grateful for my testimony of the gospel and the atonement of Christ that enables me to be saved from that which I have done wrong. It's not an easy path and I know it's not just a free handout. I know that I must continue to progress and grow, making improvement each day so that I might fully accept this gift from my Lord and Saviour.