From Dad 4/19
Hi to all the men in our lives,
Zach is truly on the countdown. Next month will be a great opportunity to set a new course in his life. Interestingly enough each of us in some way experiences the same challenges. What a great trip life is.
We have been working with a family where the mother has remained true and faithful for 30 years. Her two sons and husband struggle. The one son lives in England and has a good wife and 4 children and feels he has outgrown the gospel. I have been working on a letter. We hope to give it to his mom next week for her and her husband to read and if they want, to give it to their son. It has been an amazing trip through the scriptures. He is into science and feels one cannot be true to science and to God. All I know is as the pages (yes, it is long) have been added to the letter and looking at what we know from revelation about eternity, I see only harmony and support. It has also been interesting to get a better handle on what the Lord has done, is now doing, and will yet do and how we can become involved. What an awesome story seeing how our lives unfold. Faith is something we exercise that can grow into full spiritual knowledge where all doubts have melted and left our mind and our heart forever. The first stop will be for mom to read it. She is a great source to know exactly where you stand and almost without exception she is right on target. Don’t be afraid to take counsel from your better half.
When we met with the couple Monday where he has been a member for 43 years, mom bore her testimony and had me translate. The Spirit was so strong there was no way to doubt or question anything mom said. Sister Meyer (we call her that because she is in every way except still needing baptism) is very clear in her acceptance that Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ appeared to Joseph Smith. This gives us a great foundation. We feel in time, the Lord’s time, she will be baptized. For now, we are only doing our part and leaving it up to her and the Lord to work out the details.
While mom was busy teaching the young military wife yesterday, my job was to keep busy and entertain a 2 and a 6 year old. They are good kids and it wasn’t hard at all. It was fun to look at turtles, fish, missing teeth, and doing tricks. Sometimes just knowing people are aware of how complicated your life is when your husband is gone for months at a time is what matters most.
Sister Frank who has been a member (currently less active and we are unsure for how long) for about 20 years told us before we left this week that she is an alcoholic. At present she is a recovering alcoholic. She admitted to herself two years ago she had a drinking problem and needed to tell others as well. At first she could not go to the grocery store and for a time asked her husband to take the house keys with him (No home in Germany can be entered without a key) because she didn’t trust herself and what she would do. Today temptations still come and rationalization comes suggesting how could “one little drink” do any harm. She is unsure whether God lives. This knowledge is only available through the Holy Ghost. We have access to this knowledge only when we are honestly seeking to keep all the commandments. Then we can know with no doubts lingering the truth, that God does live and yes, we will stand before Him one day to give an accounting of our lives, ready or not. Everyday it is important for me to remember this.
More each day mom and I realize we don’t do many things in life that are spectacular. It is all pretty much ordinary. There was a time when that was not enough for me. Today I am thankful each day we get from one end to the other doing ordinary things, keeping our eyes on the goal and not getting lost along the way. I am thankful no one is keeping score how many times I have had to get back on course gain. Life is a great trip. Being family is the best.
Have a great week.
Love always,
Dad and Grandpa
Zach is truly on the countdown. Next month will be a great opportunity to set a new course in his life. Interestingly enough each of us in some way experiences the same challenges. What a great trip life is.
We have been working with a family where the mother has remained true and faithful for 30 years. Her two sons and husband struggle. The one son lives in England and has a good wife and 4 children and feels he has outgrown the gospel. I have been working on a letter. We hope to give it to his mom next week for her and her husband to read and if they want, to give it to their son. It has been an amazing trip through the scriptures. He is into science and feels one cannot be true to science and to God. All I know is as the pages (yes, it is long) have been added to the letter and looking at what we know from revelation about eternity, I see only harmony and support. It has also been interesting to get a better handle on what the Lord has done, is now doing, and will yet do and how we can become involved. What an awesome story seeing how our lives unfold. Faith is something we exercise that can grow into full spiritual knowledge where all doubts have melted and left our mind and our heart forever. The first stop will be for mom to read it. She is a great source to know exactly where you stand and almost without exception she is right on target. Don’t be afraid to take counsel from your better half.
When we met with the couple Monday where he has been a member for 43 years, mom bore her testimony and had me translate. The Spirit was so strong there was no way to doubt or question anything mom said. Sister Meyer (we call her that because she is in every way except still needing baptism) is very clear in her acceptance that Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ appeared to Joseph Smith. This gives us a great foundation. We feel in time, the Lord’s time, she will be baptized. For now, we are only doing our part and leaving it up to her and the Lord to work out the details.
While mom was busy teaching the young military wife yesterday, my job was to keep busy and entertain a 2 and a 6 year old. They are good kids and it wasn’t hard at all. It was fun to look at turtles, fish, missing teeth, and doing tricks. Sometimes just knowing people are aware of how complicated your life is when your husband is gone for months at a time is what matters most.
Sister Frank who has been a member (currently less active and we are unsure for how long) for about 20 years told us before we left this week that she is an alcoholic. At present she is a recovering alcoholic. She admitted to herself two years ago she had a drinking problem and needed to tell others as well. At first she could not go to the grocery store and for a time asked her husband to take the house keys with him (No home in Germany can be entered without a key) because she didn’t trust herself and what she would do. Today temptations still come and rationalization comes suggesting how could “one little drink” do any harm. She is unsure whether God lives. This knowledge is only available through the Holy Ghost. We have access to this knowledge only when we are honestly seeking to keep all the commandments. Then we can know with no doubts lingering the truth, that God does live and yes, we will stand before Him one day to give an accounting of our lives, ready or not. Everyday it is important for me to remember this.
More each day mom and I realize we don’t do many things in life that are spectacular. It is all pretty much ordinary. There was a time when that was not enough for me. Today I am thankful each day we get from one end to the other doing ordinary things, keeping our eyes on the goal and not getting lost along the way. I am thankful no one is keeping score how many times I have had to get back on course gain. Life is a great trip. Being family is the best.
Have a great week.
Love always,
Dad and Grandpa
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