Tomatoes, tacos and tears

Hi Jessie,

It's been a good day today, with a few tears as we prepare for Mark's departure in the morning.  We'll probably have lots more tears tomorrow.

I hope to be able to join the video chat with you tomorrow afternoon.  I've got a couple meetings in the afternoon, but should be able to break away for at least some of it.  I'll watch for your Hangouts message when you will be available.

We all love you lots, are proud of you, and thankful for your service.

Love,

Dad

Tuesday, August 11, 2020
9:40 pm

Mark's big day is almost here.  Tonight he was set apart (again) by Pres. Brinkerhoff as a missionary.  Tomorrow morning we will all drive to the airport to drop him off for his flight to Austin, Texas.  Although his MTC experience was unusual and not what he planned on, it was delightful having him complete his missionary training in our basement.  And the last six or seven weeks since he was released have just been wonderful.

One item from Mark's setting apart caught my attention.  He was blessed with the gift of prophecy and revelation.  That is an exact phrase from my patriarchal blessing.  Other things I remember:

·       He will have experiences that he will recognize as the reason why he is serving in Texas.

·       He will continue to repent and draw closer to the Savior.

·       He will build a good relationship with his companions.

·       His tongue will be loosed and he will be able to speak to others about the Savior.

There was lots more, but that is all I can recall at the moment.

Lunch today was amazing.  I had a small serving of the zucchini chicken that Abbie made on Sunday afternoon, along with two delicious pieces of toast with fresh tomato from the garden.  As I finished I thought about how great my lunch was.  I am so fortunate to have good food each day.

Speaking of good food, after Mark's setting apart, those family members who could came to the house for dinner and dessert.  The tacos were fabulous – no surprise there.  Then we got out ice cream with a variety of toppings and enjoyed an ice cream bar.  We went through almost an entire gallon.  We enjoyed visiting with each other for a while.  Kyle brought Sophia and I really enjoyed visiting with him.  He is not currently actively participating in Church and did not stand in the circle while Mark was set apart, but visiting with him was very nice. 

It's interesting how we all grow and change.  Ten years ago Kyle was a teenager and we didn't have as much in common.  Now he's an adult.  He's a father.  He's working on a career and providing for his family.  In so many ways we are similar (although I can't grow a moustache that looks as good as his!)  It was fun to just spend time with him and enjoy a more peer-relationship.  I appreciate that that same type of growth and maturity can develop in my relationship with my children.  As they grow and develop, we don't lose the relationship with our little children; it becomes more enriched as their understanding and capacity increases.  I suspect this is an essential part of and reason for God's plan of salvation.

Okay, enough philosophy for tonight.

Thankful: Everything mentioned above.

Ministering: I talked to Mike a bit on my way home from work today.  And I just tried to be a good person and kind to everyone I interacted with.

More later…

A second missionary!

Just a small sampling of the people present tonight for Mark's setting apart.

Family photo day

Hi Jessie,

This afternoon we took family photos. There were some real gems!  I'll let mom curate and send you some of the best.  I hope you had a great sabbath today and look forward to visiting later this week!

Love,

Dad

Sunday, August 9, 2020
10:05 pm

It was a good day today.  I started with High Council meeting.  Matt Williams was released from the High Council today and called as the new Bishop of the 2^nd ward.  He was called to the High Council after I was, and almost immediately everything was messed up by COVID so we never had much of a chance to work together.  I feel a little cheated by that.  He has a great spirit about him and I would like to get to know him better and work with him.

I attended sacrament meeting with the Fourth ward today.  It was nice.  Talks were on remaining centered in Christ.  One of the ideas that will help us do that included choosing good friends.  I am grateful that I am able to surround myself with good people.  I count my children among my friends, and am grateful that they also choose to surround themselves with good people.

We had the sacrament at home today, then I went to a Self-Reliance Committee meeting.  We are really trying to figure out how to make this program a blessing to the members of our Stake.  I really appreciated the perspectives and ideas shared by the other members of the committee.  They are good Christlike people.

Before dinner we went to BYU to find a grassy, shady place to take family pictures before Mark leaves for Texas on Wednesday.  It took about 90 minutes, but I think we were able to get at least one good group photo as well as individual shots of each of the kids.

Looking at the calendar, my week is really filling up fast.  I'd better get to sleep soon so I can be ready to go tomorrow morning.

Thankful: I'm thankful for fasting.  My fast today felt good.

Ministering: I sent an email to Bishop Williams thanking him for his service and expressing my confidence in him.

Spencer was totally exhausted when we were done with our photos!

   

Love a clean house

Dear Jessie,

Today was really nice. I hope your day was too.  We saw Robin Escotto tonight at a wedding reception.  She looked up your Facebook page and was really impressed with your beautiful artwork.  I love you!

Love,

Dad

Saturday, August 8, 2020
9:27 pm

Saturday's go so fast!  We did quite a lot of work – weeded the garden, helped Abbie trim goat hooves, chores around the house – and still ran out of day before we ran out of projects.  I cleaned the porch lights and they look much better.  I think they're kind of ugly and would like to replace them, but I'm not sure it's worth the expense.  Maybe they'll break…

Tonight we went to Alvin Larsen's wedding reception.  He married Victoria Roper who lived in our last ward.  Small world.  We got there about five minutes before it "ended," and Alvin and Victoria were just getting ready to leave.  We visited with the Escottos from the SF 17^th Ward.  We seem to see them at many receptions.

Thankful: I'm thankful we can clean our house.  It takes a lot of consistent work, but is so worth it.

Ministering: I texted Scott to arrange to help him lay sod in his back yard on Monday.

More later…

Playing Quirkle last night.  Abbie won.

Polishing shoes with Mark.

Helping Abbie tend to her goats.  My job was to feed them weeds and keep them happy while she trimmed hooves.

Still sore

Dear Jessie,

I hope your day was nice.  My soreness from the hike has moved from hips and shoulders to my right calf.  Strange.  In another day or two I expect to be back to normal.

Much love,

Dad

Friday, August 7, 2020
9:25 pm

Ugh, it took me until noon today to get caught up on the emails etc. that built up in just three days out of the office.  I think I got through everything and either finished it or scheduled it. 

After dinner Mark, Abbie and I went to the high school to watch Spencer's marching band show off what they have accomplished during this week of band camp.  They did a nice job and it was fun to watch them.  Several students who knew Mark were super excited to see him.  It is so weird having a celebrity for a son! 😊

Thankful: I am grateful that having purpose feels good.  The first part of today was less rewarding as I felt like I was slogging through lots of emails and items that were busy and possibly urgent, but not necessarily important.  The afternoon felt lots better.

Ministering: I sent a happy birthday text to Scott Dunn today.

More later… 

Did I share this photo of Emma after she lost a tooth last week?

God watches over us

This vacation has been a series of mishaps. Fortunately all is well thanks to the goodness of God. More details to come. Photos not in order.

I (don't) heart commercials

Dear Jessie,

I'm afraid there's not much to tell today.  Tomorrow we leave for a three-day trip to Escalante for some more hiking.  I probably won't have full journal entries for a couple days.  And depending on where we are Wednesday afternoon, we may have a hard time chatting on Hangouts.  But please give us a try!  With any luck we'll be able to talk.

Much love,

Dad

Monday, August 3, 2020

9:58 pm

I started the day at the dentist.  No cavities.  I had to shake my head in disbelief – they were streaming I Heart Radio.  They should rename that service I Heart Commercials.  I am not exaggerating – they played one song as they started cleaning my teeth.  Then they went to commercials for ten full minutes.  They finally got to a second song and the hygienist finished flossing my teeth before it ended.  Unbelievable.  

  

I had toast and tomato for lunch, and it was amazing.  I took Neil to soccer practice tonight, and Spencer had his first 12-hour day of band camp.  FHE tonight included playing tag in the front yard.  Now we are prepping for our trip to Escalante tomorrow.

Thankful: I'm thankful for the new sheets that Julie put on our bed.  Few things are as nice as fresh, clean sheets.

Ministering: Ouch.

More later…

I didn't take any photos today, so here is a favorite from the archives. I look forward to attending the temple again with you!

Project Saturday

Hi Jesse, no journal entry tonight just some photos of our busy day. I love you!

We started the morning splitting and stacking the last of the wood.