From Dad February 28, 2016

Sunday, February 28, 2016

Re: Letter 63 of 3

Dear Riley:

Another week just clocked by and we’re finely out of the birthday months. Parker turned 18 yesterday but the whole event was somewhat anticlimactic. He wanted an experience for his birthday so chose Tucanos for lunch on Friday. Leadelle, Parker, Josie, and I had a great time and ate a hair past the comfort zone. Later that evening Parker was complaining about not feeling well. He had a fever and sore throat and basically felt like garbage all day Saturday. On account of this, the birthday celebration was spread over two days. We had Goldenrod Eggs on sourdough English muffins for Saturday breakfast, and Shrimp Scampi, Asparagus, and sourdough bread for dinner tonight. Your mother took Parker in for a strep culture which came back positive, so now he’s on antibiotic. At least we know what we’re dealing with.

The weather has been simply beautiful and crocuses are up in the flowerbeds. The bees are out and I feel a little bad knowing mine would be out too if they had been able to survive another 3 ½ weeks. The buds on the fruit trees are swelling and I’m already feeling driven by pruning, dormant oil spray, and early planting. There’s always more to be done than can reasonably be accomplished, but my outdoor goals this summer include a window well and fill dirt for the hole in front, drip irrigation for the front flower beds, installing solar powered landscape lighting in the garden, and installing at least one more cement planter box.

We had another special Ward Council today on some follow up Sabbath Day observance training. This was under the direction of the First Presidency and went nearly two hours. Accordingly we held in the Schroeder’s home because it provided a better setting for an extended meeting. The training and discussion throughout brought a wonderful spirit and made me so grateful for the gospel and the good members within my auxiliaries; truly some of the finest people I know. Before getting into the training, we covered a few items of concern in the Ward. Among these was concern for the widows and widowers. I mentioned that one recent widow had expressed gratitude for the outpourings of love in her behalf, but brought attention to something perhaps only the lonely can truly appreciate. When well intentioned people bring by food, it can also be a reminder to the recipient that they are alone as they eat it by themselves. Many would much rather be invited to eat in a home filled with friends and family. One individual present was a widower who just broke down as the truth of this statement struck home. My heart went out to this good brother as I realized just how lonely so many of the members are, and felt a little bad that some of my efforts in their behalf were potentially making the loneliness more difficult to bear. I’ve resolved to do things a little differently in the future.

Your mother gave a missionary report today in sacrament meeting and did a fine job. I think the last time she reported on your progress you had only been in Thailand for a couple months. I thought back on all the experiences you’ve shared and all the progress you’ve made and considered how remarkable a mission truly is. We pray for the family you’re teaching to stay the course and make it to the waters of baptism. Your mother recently read a sweet story of a mission president who was baptized by the grandfather of one of his missionaries. Every member of his family had eventually joined the church and stayed active. He and his brother served missions, his boys went on to serve missions and now he was influencing many other missionaries as a mission president. The missionary’s grandfather had always felt a little bad that he had only baptized two people on his mission, but the impact of just one of these conversions was immeasurable.

We’re planning an epic picture for tomorrow. I can’t tell you what it is, but the creative process involved was pretty enjoyable. I’ve got to get up early for work to free up some extra time later in the evening so this won’t be a very long letter. At any rate, we love you so much, are so pleased with your work, and hope you never forget how the hand of the Lord was manifest time and again throughout your mission.

Love,
Dad