Ordinations and a green beard

Dear family,

Sundays bring a mix of peace, service, and worship, combined with sacrifice, challenge and frustration.  I hope you felt much more of the first and less of the second.

Mark, the Simons said to say hello and thank you for your letters.  They love getting them.

And guess what - I just heard a deep, restful sigh coming from the top bunk.  My youngest daughters are finally sleeping.  Whew.

Love to all,

Dad

Sunday, January 3, 2021
10:10 pm

First day of 9 am Church went pretty well.  We had 66 people in attendance, which is about what I expected.  We ordained seven (?) Aaronic priesthood brethren to their new offices in the priesthood, including two new Deacons.  I was glad at one point to have a solid understanding of the doctrines and practices that are allowed.  There was a question whether a Teacher could stand in the circle to ordain his younger brother a Deacon.  I was pretty certain he could not, and I was correct.  It was nice to know the right answer, and know where to find the answer in scripture.

On a great family note, I ordained Spencer a Priest this afternoon, then he administered the sacrament and I passed it at home for our family.  I'm sure his experience is lots more memorable than my first experience blessing the sacrament.  It was a delight to watch him exercise his priesthood.

Last night, Nathaniel was awake far too much.  I wanted to get up and help Julie take care of him, but my 5:15 am alarm was always in the back of my mind, and she was finally able to get him back to sleep after two hours.  When I came home briefly after Ward Council and before Sacrament meeting, she was sleeping with him on the couch, so even that wasn't ideal.  Tonight after Spencer and I got back from visiting a couple people, Emma and Camilla were still awake, and Nathaniel was crying.  It was a trying evening.  I sang to Nathaniel until he finally fell asleep, and am now writing in my journal in the girls' room to reassure them that they are safe.

This evening we read some of Joseph Smith – History and watched an account of the First Vision.  Last night we dealt with fear at bedtime as a result of watching Narnia.  Tonight I paused the video at the "scary part" and took the girls out.  I hoped that would help…

Spencer and I took two cupcakes to Boyce Simons to wish him happy birthday.  They invited us in to visit, and we chatted with them for fifteen minutes or so.  We enjoyed it very much and hope we made a difference for them.  They spoke very highly of each of our children and were so grateful for the letters Mark sends them.  After home teaching them for eight years we've really grown to love them.

Thankful: I am grateful for the priesthood and that Spencer is now a Priest.  I am also grateful and humbled to be the answer to someone else's prayer.  I visited today with someone who is wrestling with some concerns.  As I shared some thoughts, they teared up and said my suggestions were an answer to prayer.  That is a humbling experience.  I hope to be able to serve the members of my ward in a way that always provides the guidance they seek, but never to become proud or think this is me doing the work.  It is not.

Ministering: I am glad we visited with the Simons tonight, and hope I was also able to minister to Julie by taking care of the kids after bedtime.

More later…

Neil and Isaac found a new use for putty.