From Dad March 29, 2015

March 29, 2015

Re: Letter 17 of 3

Dear Riley:

Well, another jam packed week has passed.  I’m really looking forward to General Conference and the spiritual uplift it provides.  I hope you will get to participate in all sessions.  

I've been pondering the parable of the 10 virgins.  What we experience through the Spirit and tender mercies of God perhaps can be shared verbally, but we can’t open anyone’s head and pour in what we see and feel spiritually.  This type of spiritual oil is only acquired through proper exercise of one’s agency and careful application of the fundamentals upon which faith and testimony are built.   

This week I plan on getting my bee package.  I’m excited to get started, but have a few items I need to get before I feel confident in thrusting myself into a hive teaming with upwards of 9,000 bees.  A smoker and bee suit which at least covers my upper torso seem a good investment.  With a little luck they’ll be pollinating my apples.  By the way, we’re getting a crop of Golden Delicious in addition to the Red delicious.  Given their usual biannual fruiting habit and the tremendous harvest last year, I expected little by way of the Golden Delicious this year.  So, we’ll keep the dried apples coming your way.

I was so happy to read about the baptisms you had.  Of course there would still be blessings from your service even without any conversions, but the joy that comes from witnessing the transformation in people’s lives and recognizing how God used you as an instrument in His hands is quite rewarding.  My suggestion is to collect contact information for the important people of your mission or take several different measures to maintain contact with them after your mission.  The time will come when you wonder what became of them.  Social networking probably makes this less of a concern, but consider a little advice from someone who regrets not having done this.

Well, it’s late and I’m tired.  Sorry if this seems a little short.  I hadn’t coordinated earlier letters with your Mom and realized you were getting some of the same information from both of us.  We love your pictures and letters.  Keep up the hard work.   

Love,

 Dad