From Dad July 19, 2015

July 19, 2015

Re: Letter 33 of 3

Dear Riley:

Just yesterday I was commenting to your mother that it seemed like we hadn't done anything as a family this summer.  She responded that it seems like that because we haven't done anything as a family.  So...we're now deciding what we're going to do for a family vacation.  Maybe backpacking  in the Uintas or a trip up the Washington Oregon coast...  Whatever we decide it will likely be the first or second week in August.  It's hard to believe summer is two thirds over and we haven't even gone fishing...yet, it's been extremely busy.

It was good to hear from you and we hope things are going well with your new companion.  DM gave his report today and did a fine job.  I'm always impressed by the level of growth that takes place in the lives of Elders and Sisters who serve missions.  There's just a spirit and confidence far beyond what you might expect for 18  or 24 month period.  They leave as youth and return as Men and Women.  It's clear that anyone on the Lord's errand qualifies for the Lord’s pay.   Sister M follows your letters on the blog and was just telling me today how impressed she was by your comments and insights into life and gospel principles.  She feels you have already been blessed with wisdom beyond your years.

A while back I mentioned that establishing a stable bee hive was a lot more challenging than I ever imagined.  Since the get go, I have been struggling to get a viable queen.  Week after week I was checking for eggs and brood but found nothing.  Several months, two queens, and no success...  I think Bro. P saved the day by giving me two frames with eggs and brood.  I checked a month ago and the bees had created five emergency queen cells on the frames.  Three weeks ago there was no more capped brood or eggs so I was worried again.  However, yesterday I found capped brood generated within the hive for the first time!  So, I finally have an egg-laying queen and a chance of hive survival through the winter.  I know I mentioned not taking any honey for the first season, but boy can they pack it away!!  I think I'll be putting a honey super on for extra storage before long.  They sure work hard.

Something sort of interesting about late season planting.  I built a frame covered with shade cloth which stands over one of my planting boxes.  It's doing well with the heat sensitive seeds of carrots, beets, and lettuce.  I planted peas and bush beans in another box but didn't provide shade.  I thought they would be ok, but they just composted in the intense heat and moisture.  Something to be said about times and seasons or the need for a seed to be rooted well enough to withstand the full heat of the summer sun.  At any rate, I'll be replanting in artificial shade this week.  I suppose a life lesson could be drawn regarding new members and young testimonies.  New members are a wonderful blessing, but they need to be nurtured and cared for.  Simply throwing them into the full meat and intensity of the gospel without special attention can stifle or overwhelm them.  I'm glad to hear your new President is focused on retention.  It's only through retention that we achieve the multi-generational families which form the foundation for Church strength and future growth.

Well, I finally got with it and finished the limb tip repair on the recurve bow I purchased awhile ago.  I also purchased a dozen of the proper arrows for the bow's draw weight and draw length.  A quiver, shooting glove, and arm guard, complete the setup and Parker and I should be having a good time shooting.  The older Scouts are planning on getting into archery and with the help of Brother S and other leaders will be building crossbows for a summer project.  We got together a couple weeks ago and let them shoot several different styles of bows.  They seemed to have a good time and I think every single Scout was engaged in the activity.

The home remodel project is on hold for a couple months on account of scheduling conflicts.  However, we are moving forward on the design and and planning stages.  What's cool is that they have technology which allows you to easily render your dream in 3D and move around in virtual space to see the effect before you ever make a cut.  We're excited and looking forward to the creative process on the future improvements.

Well, things are going fine with business, family, and Church.  We're being extremely blessed and consider God's hand and goodness daily.  Keep up the good work.  No regrets!  We look forward to your letter.

Love,

Dad