From Dad February 14, 2016

Sunday, February 14, 2016

Re: Letter 61 of 3

Dear Riley:

Happy Valentine’s Day! We just walked inthe door from Stake Conference and I’m enjoying the break from the usual Sunday routine. I slept in, woke up to fresh cinnamon rolls, and had a leisurely breakfast which culminated in a mad dash out the door with the family. The theme was “be ready always to give an answer to every man that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you…” (1 Peter 3:15) One of the things I came away with from this conference was a greater appreciation of how very interconnected faith and hope are. Actually, there is a good reason the three sisters; faith, hope, and charity are frequently mentioned together. I considered how those without faith also live in a state of hopelessness, at least in the sense of those things which matter most, and what a pitiful existence they endure. My own faith brings hope in things which are not seen but are true, and invites a quiet assurance, peace, and happiness which makes my life full and complete. The adult session touched in part on patience and how we deal with those who are unable to find their faith. It gave me food for thought on how I can work with those within my stewardship and family.

The P are in town for a few days and we will be spent a few hours with them this evening at the February birthday bash. They’re just a riot. Tomorrow our family is going skiing with them, which should be a blast. We’ve been so busy with other things, that in spite of substantial snowfall, we haven’t been skiing once this season.

My bees died last week. I’m sad and a little bewildered. I’m certain they were warm enough because I had been monitoring the temperature inside the hive. They had plenty of food, but exhibited some behaviors which indicated starvation. Anyway, I’m not giving up and will be starting a community beekeeping class next week.

I don’t know if your mother mentioned the recent accident with RB, or if you even remember the B who used to live in the Y’s home. R is someone who attacks life head on and is something of an adrenaline junkie. About three weeks ago, he went off a fairly high jump while skiing, landed sitting down, and shattered his C12. He endured an excruciating ambulance ride up from B for several hours followed by several days of agony at the hospital waiting for him to stabilize enough for surgery. They fused five vertebrae in his back and removed fragments of bone which were pinching his spinal cord. Luckily nothing had punctured the spinal cord, but it was sort of like hitting a garden hose with a hammer. Even though it appears fine from the outside, there may be internal damage and it’s still too early to know whether or not he’ll walk again. So far he can feel pressure in some places on his legs but doesn’t have normal feeling. It’s so sad! This family has endured some really hard things over the years.

The Y family got an extra portion of trial added to their already loaded down plate. Last Thursday Sister Y was in Las Vegas for business and got hit by a truck while bicycling. She ended up in the hospital in critical condition with several broken ribs, a collapsed lung, a broken pelvis, compound fracture on her leg from a broken tibia and fibula, broken elbow, a broken fingers, and extensive lacerations over her body. She’s quite fortunate to be alive. The driver who hit her called for help and stayed with her even though he was driving without insurance. It’s possible if he had gotten scared and left the scene of the accident she wouldn’t have made it. So now she’ll be in a Vegas hospital for around a week and not earning money for at least six weeks. Members are rallying to the cause and doing what they can to help. This is just one more reminder of how things in your life can change in the blink of an eye. In the case of RB, sometimes it’s a radical course adjustment with a potentially far reaching impact. What’s interesting is watching how events of this nature shape character and either draw individuals closer to God or drive them farther away. I’m grateful for the gospel and the perspective it provides especially when dealing with difficult things.

Though we haven’t had to personally deal with difficulty of this nature recently, the drive and demand over the past three weeks has been almost more than one can handle. As such, your mother and I missed two weeks in a row of temple attendance. This is something that hasn’t happened in a long while. Even though we were able to attend the Provo Center Temple open house during this period, I found myself missing the peace of temple worship. Thursday morning as I knelt in my morning prayers and placed my burdens before God asking for respite, I had the words come to my mind. “Come to my house, and find rest.” We went to the Temple Thursday evening and did an endowment session. I left feeling renewed, with my burdens lighter and easier to bear, and ready to face the challenges of the coming week. Interestingly, nothing else in my circumstances has changed. I feel sorry for the individuals who can’t tap into this remarkable spiritual fountain of physical renewal. I told your mother that the day I’m released as bishop, I want to be recommended as a temple worker.

Well, we enjoyed the latest report and pray this new companionship will be a great asset to the work in your area. I also pray that you will be able to see God’s hand and recognize how He daily utilizes you as an instrument to build His kingdom. Small and simple, slow and steady is most frequently the way He works. Keep up the good work. We’re so pleased with your efforts and the obvious growth the mission has effected in your life, not to mention the tremendous blessings it has brought to our family. Chin up, shoulders back!

Love,

Dad