From Dad 3/23

Hi everyone,

This morning we looked out to large snow flakes coming down. The nice thing about snow in March is by nightfall it is gone again. How fun it is to have all this time with mom. She keeps our days lively and is not willing to let the dust settle any more than needs be. She loves early and late appointments and as many in the middle as possible. We have 4 for tomorrow.

The less active sister we gave a priesthood blessing to yesterday is back home from the hospital tonight and she and her husband called us and said, “We thought we didn’t need anyone else in our lives. Then finding myself in a hospital behind locked doors all of a sudden I felt all alone. When you walked around the corner to see me, I knew we needed other people in our lives”.

We talked to a father of three this morning. The mother is very suspicious of what our intentions are with their family. The father talked on the phone with us for 45 minutes and shared a lot of feelings especially recognizing his need for the influence of his Father in Heaven and the Church in his life. He will talk with his friend, the mother of his children, about our coming back into the home again. The mother, Ursula, did not have very happy feelings or experiences with church or religion when she was young and also wants to kind of just make their way in life on their own. The boys are 13, 9, and 5 and a lot of fun to be around.

Temptations are around us every waking moment. The only decision required is not to give into them. Once that bridge is crossed on almost a daily basis, the Spirit comes back and confirms the purpose for the temptation and the blessing for not giving heed to the tempter’s snare. Because this life is a test I am not sure the test questions will soon disappear from before our eyes and our minds. The confirmation of the Spirit afterwards that you are still on the path is worth the struggle wading daily through the many and varied temptations. Life is a great experience.

The next moment of reality for Zach comes when his mom goes out one door and he and some 200+ other missionaries go out another door in the MTC one day in May. Then the letters start. Then the fun and the work begin in earnest! Love that first companion Zach and you will be amazed how much easier it will be to like the next one too.

Every day we realize family is a living, breathing group that is constantly in flux. There is no standing still. There is no, ho hum. Watching and hearing about the events in 35 and 1/3 lives is pure joy along with many other less exciting descriptive words. We wouldn’t trade any member of the family with or for anyone. We love who we are and the challenges we individually and together face. Life is good.

Have a great week.

Love always,

Dad