January 17, 2016
Re: Letter 58 of 3
Dear Riley:
I never got seriously involved in track and field so I’m not exactly sure what I was observing thirty years ago, or if this training methodology is still employed today. After all, it did seem to dance on the fringes of better judgment and safety. I remember watching as a vehicle drove around the track with bars sticking out from either side 6 to 8 feet. Individuals would hold on to the bars and use them to stay upright while the vehicle moved at speeds which pushed the limits of human endurance and ability. I remember wondering what happened when an individual reached the limit, or momentarily got tripped up. Did they plunge headlong into the cinder covered surface or hang on for dear life with their legs dragging uselessly behind until the vehicle came to a stop??
I can sort of relate to those runners in training right now. I’m fairly flying; moving at a speed impossible to maintain indefinitely, my stride is enormous and my legs pumping furiously. I’m weary; my heart is pounding in my head; I keep reminding myself to breathe properly, but If I let go… I’ll fall. This is at the end of a relatively low stress week. I guess what I’m seeing are several substantial hurdles just around the corner approaching at a furious pace, then another and another….Ironically, I’m also feeling invigorated and supremely satisfied; almost like the runner’s high I’ve heard athletes speak of, almost like living and moving in a dream.
It’s hard to believe January is nearly over. I find my thoughts turned increasingly to pruning, dormant oil spray, garden prep, yard maintenance, bees etc. The birthday onslaught is upon us. This weekend is also Youth Conference and Ward Conference. Throw in work, family, a few domestic projects, Bishopric home visits, conference home visits, temple attendance, Bishopric training, youth fireside, and it’s a packed week. Our theme for Ward Conference is found in 2nd Nephi 32:3.
Angels speak by the power of the Holy Ghost; wherefore, they speak the words of Christ. Wherefore, I said unto you,feastupon thewordsof Christ; for behold, the words of Christ willtellyou all things what ye should do.
I’m still gathering my thoughts for my conference address to the Ward, and think I have things pretty well down in my mind. I’m feeling a little perplexed by good members who profess a desire to believe and know. For the most part they are good individuals trying to live the gospel standards, but just can’t seem to find a burning testimony or conviction. Invariably not one is truly feasting on the Word, but most seem content to nibble at the sample plates. I feel there is so much more I myself could and should be doing, but the small and simple things I manage to do, still build my faith and testimony and help me feel complete in the gospel. So far, I don’t feel I’ve been very effective at moving anyone from their state of apathy and disbelief and wish I could have a stroke of inspiration which would break people out of this mindset. I know you deal with this every day, and as you say, it’s all part of the game.
We really enjoyed your last letter and recent wave of pictures. Your area is breathtakingly beautiful and it’s good to hear that your efforts and slight change of focus in the work seems to be paying off. Keep up the effort and positive outlook. Like you said, 10 months doesn’t seem very long.
This has been a winter with considerable more precipitation and snow than in recent years. It was raining when we went to bed last night, but I woke up to a few new inches of very heavy snow on the walks and driveway. I’m just working up the gumption to go out and shovel before heading over to church. There was an enormous blizzard forecast back east which was supposed to drop upwards of three feet in DC and NY this weekend. All this, of course, is concrete evidence of global warming. Ignore the fact that the predictions of so called “Experts” have been all wrong, their reasoning and theorizing change as frequently as the weather, they stretch this way and that; they fabricate data, go back and change historical data, get caught and then do it again. The one constant is the claim that we are somehow responsible and need to pay someone for it. (It’s enough to drive a clear headed individual a little crazy.) I’m just grateful for the moisture which replenishes our reservoirs and restores our snow packs and as long as I’m warm and dry, I’ll even tolerate a little shoveling.
I’m not sure what you hear about US politics in Thailand, but on my mission nearly everyone had an opinion. It appears that both parties are in upheaval. The two front runners of the Republican Party favored to win the nomination are absolutely despised by the party establishment. The democrats are losing their front runner in a process that looks more like death by a thousand cuts. There’s speculation that Hillary Clinton may be indicted in coming weeks. Her leading opponent is an unabashed communist. One thing seems apparent; people are sick and tired of the status quo. I’m not terribly enthused by any of the prospects, though the Utah primary is enough behind other key states so as to be nearly meaningless in the entire process. Whatever the outcome, it promises to be memorable and very likely historic. I guess we pay heed to those these things we truly can affect and leave the rest alone since worrying about it won’t change the outcome anyway.
Well, I’m just about heading out the door so I need to wrap up. Sometimes I start to wonder if I’m doing any good at all and then I get a small sign that something I did, some inspiration I acted on, was instrumental in someone’s course correction even if only by few degrees; a few degrees which in the long run will lead to an entirely different destination. I have one such instance I’d like to share with you but time doesn’t allow me to do it justice. I’ll try to share it next week. At any rate, don’t get discouraged by apparent lack of progress in the work. God is at the helm and He sees everything from beginning to end. I’m confident that at some future point, we’ll understand and wonder at his simple approach to what we consider complex issues. Love you! Miss you. Till next week…
Love,
Dad
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