Re: Letter 31 of 3
Dear Riley:
Well, July 4th is over. For the most part it was fairly low key. We went to see the hot air balloon launch on Friday morning and the Candy Bomber drop later in the afternoon. Lots of people in both places. The candy bomber drop was something. Initially I was thinking we might be over ground zero. Then I found myself hoping that nothing would fall on our location because being trampled in the resulting tsunami of bodies which would follow was a serious possibility. Saturday, we got off to a late start. I think we ate breakfast after 10:00 AM. The remainder of the day was spent doing some yard work and planting late seson crops (ie. peas, bush beans, beets, and carrots). The evening was passed finishing up a movie and watching the neighborhood fireworks. With the bigger fireworks now legal for home use, it was quite a spectacular show in surround. The show was good enough that we didn't feel compelled to fight the traffic for the Stadium of Fire. We went to bed around 11:30 with the city still sounding like a war zone.
On Friday Parker had his wisdom teeth removed. All told it went without incident, and he's recovering well. The kids had a good time engaging him while he was coming out of it and under the influence of some heavy narcotics. Pretty FUNNY! He's been trying to get through this with minimal pain medication. He was in so much pain at church, that I needed to take him home following priesthood opening exercises. He was in tears when I dropped him off, but doing considerably better when I came back home a few hours later. For the time being, it's soft and liquified foods. Last night we had hamburgers. Parker liquified his in the food processor. (Not recommended!) a single sip and he was done. Your Mother's reasoning of "That's what your teeth do anywhay." notwithstanding...
With Parker at work, he has gotten some hands on experience with large equipment. There is something beautiful about well engineered equipment working as intended, breaking things down and putting them back together repaired or better suited for a given function, or applying engineering concepts to achieve a desired outcome. Apparently this has inspired him and he wants to go into this field of study. Either mechanical, electrical, or process engineer. He's quite smart enough to do this, but will need to get a good handle on math. Anyway, good for him...
Sacrament meeting was good today. We had some tender testimonies borne and I felt great appreciation for this blessed country and its origins. I'm particularly thankful for the gospel and in spite of recent decisions by the Supreme Court which give me great cause for alarm, I felt that a handfull of just men and women willing to act in the face of fearful odds have the capacity to change the world. If the world, why not the country and the direction it's headed? This is the time to be counted among the ranks of the noble and great ones and I'm satisfied that while we may see disturbing things played out in society, we are also going to see some remarkable things. I believe amazing growth in the Church is just aroung the corner. I also believe we're headed for persecution unlike any we've seen in our lifetimes. Thus continues the giant sifting process which will ultimately compel every soul to choose either God or the adversary. I thought of my missionary and how the preaching of the word has greater effect upon the souls of men than the sword or anything else. When you couple this with the elements which build testimony, invite the spirit of prophecy and revelation, and allow a servant of God to teach with power and authority. How can we ultimately fail?
Well, I'm gettting calls to dinner. I sure do love you and look forward to your letters and pictures with great anticipation. Keep up the good work! The time will fly by. (DM will be reporting home this week.)
Love,
Dad
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