From Dad 3/8
Hi everyone,
While Zach is waiting on pins and needles we will talk a little bit about diamonds. Most of you know the story of the man who had a prosperous farm and grew tired of the day to day boring job of repeating over and over again the same tasks in spite of his being quite successful. He kept hearing how only a few days journey from where he lived and worked they were discovering great fields of diamonds. In time he couldn’t resist the urge any longer. He sold his farm and equipment and launched into the exciting world of looking for diamonds. Years passed with no fruits for his labor. With little money left he returned to where life was once good to him. As he approached the area where his farm once was he saw large pieces of equipment working and many buildings. He inquired only to learn that one of the world’s largest diamond minds had been discovered on what was once his farm.
Mom has been at my side for 44 ½ years. She has quietly gone about her business of raising our family and extending a hand to grandchildren and other people far and wide. She has consistently over the years received many heavy leadership assignments in the ward, stake, and in the temple. She has friends with whom she has kept in contact and still retains close ties beginning with her high school days and stretching over the many areas where we have lived. No one has ever misunderstood where they stand with her or where she stands on any given issue. She allows those who have the responsibility to lead to lead. She loves life almost as much as she loves people. She knows how and when to counsel. In short I have discovered my acres of diamonds without having sold the farm. How blessed we all are that mom continues to love each one of us. I don’t think she will ever give up on any of us (were it otherwise, she would have left me in the dust years and years ago - and with just cause).
Is finding and retaining something good in life worth the fight? You can judge. I encourage each priesthood holder in the family to consider and reconsider priorities and how you will now proceed. I know now I will proceed differently today, tomorrow, and hopefully each day thereafter that is given to me in this life with how I will respect and conduct myself with my greatest asset and your greatest gift in your youth. May each of us discover the goodness and greatness that comes from knowing and sharing our life with such a person as mom.
Darrell Brooks who introduced Petra Kempe to the Church will be released from the military in two weeks. He has accepted a good job back in Utah. He asked Petra to leave Germany and move to Utah and live with him. Petra told him when he has a temple recommend in his hand she would love to consider that option. Now Darrell must choose the hard road of much and difficult work needed to bring his life back into harmony with living the principles of the gospel or watching the person he has loved most in his life keep her distance and in time search for another companion with whom she can share her life. Life is simple but not always easy.
Thanks Zach for taking this next step in your life. Work hard to listen to those who are over you and to love your sometimes almost impossible companions. I was one of those once and will always be grateful for one Elder Moody, who, as blessings in life come just finished another mission with his wife in Germany, will be a lifelong friend. Thanks to all the rest of you for the work you do each day to make life better for your families. It is a privilege to know and to work with each of you.
Love always,
Dad and Grandpa
While Zach is waiting on pins and needles we will talk a little bit about diamonds. Most of you know the story of the man who had a prosperous farm and grew tired of the day to day boring job of repeating over and over again the same tasks in spite of his being quite successful. He kept hearing how only a few days journey from where he lived and worked they were discovering great fields of diamonds. In time he couldn’t resist the urge any longer. He sold his farm and equipment and launched into the exciting world of looking for diamonds. Years passed with no fruits for his labor. With little money left he returned to where life was once good to him. As he approached the area where his farm once was he saw large pieces of equipment working and many buildings. He inquired only to learn that one of the world’s largest diamond minds had been discovered on what was once his farm.
Mom has been at my side for 44 ½ years. She has quietly gone about her business of raising our family and extending a hand to grandchildren and other people far and wide. She has consistently over the years received many heavy leadership assignments in the ward, stake, and in the temple. She has friends with whom she has kept in contact and still retains close ties beginning with her high school days and stretching over the many areas where we have lived. No one has ever misunderstood where they stand with her or where she stands on any given issue. She allows those who have the responsibility to lead to lead. She loves life almost as much as she loves people. She knows how and when to counsel. In short I have discovered my acres of diamonds without having sold the farm. How blessed we all are that mom continues to love each one of us. I don’t think she will ever give up on any of us (were it otherwise, she would have left me in the dust years and years ago - and with just cause).
Is finding and retaining something good in life worth the fight? You can judge. I encourage each priesthood holder in the family to consider and reconsider priorities and how you will now proceed. I know now I will proceed differently today, tomorrow, and hopefully each day thereafter that is given to me in this life with how I will respect and conduct myself with my greatest asset and your greatest gift in your youth. May each of us discover the goodness and greatness that comes from knowing and sharing our life with such a person as mom.
Darrell Brooks who introduced Petra Kempe to the Church will be released from the military in two weeks. He has accepted a good job back in Utah. He asked Petra to leave Germany and move to Utah and live with him. Petra told him when he has a temple recommend in his hand she would love to consider that option. Now Darrell must choose the hard road of much and difficult work needed to bring his life back into harmony with living the principles of the gospel or watching the person he has loved most in his life keep her distance and in time search for another companion with whom she can share her life. Life is simple but not always easy.
Thanks Zach for taking this next step in your life. Work hard to listen to those who are over you and to love your sometimes almost impossible companions. I was one of those once and will always be grateful for one Elder Moody, who, as blessings in life come just finished another mission with his wife in Germany, will be a lifelong friend. Thanks to all the rest of you for the work you do each day to make life better for your families. It is a privilege to know and to work with each of you.
Love always,
Dad and Grandpa
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