Niece number Six

Mother and Baby Girl
Originally uploaded by Munzerr.

Happy News - Today Cara Louise Munzer was born. Daughter of my sister Helen and her husband Andy. She already has her own blog.

The Munzer Family.

My Exam Results - December 2006

My results for the CIPFA exams I took in December were published today.

Subject	Marks	Result
Finance & Performance Reporting (FPR)	45	Fail
Governance & Public Policy (GPP)	57	Pass

I am very happy that I passed GPP. It is a more discursive subject and my weakness in the past has been to wander off-topic, covering valid points but not what the question asked for. In June I achieved 39% so I am more than happy with 57.

I would have loved to have passed FPR, but I have found that the biggest challenge for me in this subject is the time constraints. When I first took the exam in June I spent too long on the first two questions meaning that I ran out of time on the remaining three. All 5 questions are worth 20 marks each, this I feel is the main reason I only got 33% last time. In December I was very strict on myself. I allocated each question the same amount of time and then forced myself to move on when that had expired. I still ran out of time, but at least I had given each question a good go.

What next? Well I plan to resit FPR and also take one new course. As I have two more to do from the Diploma level I will leave the more technical paper 'Accounting for Decision Making' (ADM) for later and take the two half papers 'Public Finance & Taxation' (PF&T) in June. Courses for these will start in February.

Improving Gospel Teaching

I've really been enjoying a series of posts over at Millennial Star about Improving Gospel Teaching. Today the post (Part 5) was about "How to Be Great". In addition to being really inspiring and giving me lots to think about, I also felt impressed to add a comment giving the quote from Elder Bednar's talk last year to CES Educators, that I remembered was available on-line in the teacher's section of LDSCES.org

I'm looking forward to the World-wide Leadership Training Broadcast next month which is going to be focused on the subject of Gospel Teaching and Learning. Maybe it's just me, but this is a subject that I have found keeps raising its head recently.

The Church's Technology Website

I was interested to hear about the LDSTech Web Site (currently in beta) which was announced at the first LDS Tech Talk, very interested.

Two Conference Issues

I wonder how long before this subscription plan is made available over here in the UK? I'm sure there are many families who would willingly pay the extra to get an additional copy of the conference edition.

Scripture Power

I had a speaking assignment today. This time it came from the stake presidency, to speak in Weymouth Branch on the topic of "Increasing our faith in the Lord through diligent study and pondering of the scriptures".

I started out be relating an experience from the early life of Spencer W. Kimball. Explaining how this account had inspired me to read all the scriptures from cover to cover. I also quoted from a couple of Children's Songs.

"Search, Ponder, and Pray", Children’s Songbook, 109
Search, ponder, and pray
Are the things that I must do.
The Spirit will guide, and, deep inside,
I’ll know the scriptures are true.

and

"Scripture Power", Friend, Oct. 1987, 10–11
Because I want to be like the Savior, and I can,
I’m reading His instructions, I’m following His plan.
Because I want the power His word will give to me,
I’m changing how I live, I’m changing what I’ll be.

I’ll find the sword of truth in each scripture that I learn.
I’ll take the shield of faith from these pages that I turn.
I’ll wear each vital part of the armor of the Lord,
And fight my daily battles, and win a great reward.

[Chorus]
Scripture power keeps me safe from sin.
Scripture power is the power to win.
Scripture power! Ev’ryday I need
The power that I get each time I read.

I concluded by presenting the five basic principles that Elder Bednar has suggested would help us to make our personal scripture study become more edifying and effective.

1. Pray for understanding, and invite the help of the Holy Ghost
2. Work
3. Be consistent
4. Ponder
5. Write down impressions, thoughts, and feelings

Nan & Grampi's Diamond Wedding

Originally uploaded by Munzerr.

Last week on January 4th, my grandparents marked their 60th Wedding Anniversary. On Saturday (6th) most of their family (children, grandchildren & great-grandchildren), plus a few friends got together in Bournemouth to celebrate this event.

Kylie Showgirl Homecoming

P1030368
Originally uploaded by ~.Rick.~.

Last night I went to Wembley Arena to enjoy Kylie Minogue at her last night in London on her current tour. Wikipedians have written an article including the set list.

Kylie included songs from all phases of her career, from "I Should Be So Lucky" and a reworked "Locomotion" to her latest hits like "Red Blooded Woman" and "Chocolate".

She also threw in a brief cover of "Vogue" and went all "Dr. Who" when the dancers came in dressed as Cybermen for the first encore.