Dear Family,
With my son preparing to leave on his mission in 3 weeks, I have been thinking about my mission farewell given in sacrament meeting some 30 years ago. I cannot remember a single thing about my farewell except my grandfather speaking and mother speaking. I cannot remember a single thing my grandfather spoke but after some thinking I can recall what mother had spoken about. She started her talk by saying that,” her 19 year old son when he wakes up in the morning will turn on the bedroom light. From there he will turn on the hall light and proceed to the bathroom and turn on that light. From there he goes to the kitchen and turns on that light. 5 minutes after he has woken up all the lights are turned on in the house.” Then mother made her point to this talk given at my farewell, she said, “ Now Steven when you are your mission you are to continue doing exactly what you do at home, leave your light on, let your light shine forth and set the good example.” This is pretty much all that I can remember her saying to me as she spoke at my farewell. Today in church was Christopher’s farewell and like mother I reiterated this story to the ward but directed towards my son. I also included this scripture taken from 3rd Nep. 12 : 14 – 16 “verily, verily I say unto you, I give unto you to be the light of this people. A city that is set on a hill cannot be hid. Behold do men light a candle and put it in a bushel? Nay, but on a candle stick, and it giveth light to all that are in the house. Therefore let your light so shine before this people, that they may see your good works and glorify your father who is in heaven.” I think mother also quoted this verse at my farewell the more I think on it. Anyway this is my thought to you guys this month to remember to always let your light shine forth.
I could get used to not having any kids around real easy. 2 weeks ago Diane and drove down to the great smoky mountains national park and camped there for 3 days without children around. It was very beautiful with the fall colors coming on. All we did drive around and see the scenery at our leisure. The outside temp was a comfortable 60 degrees with night temps around down in the 40’s. It wasn’t like Yellowstone where it was real cold. I am a lucky guy to have a wife that loves to sleep outdoors in a tent that is made up to be real comfortable. We loved it so much that this past week we took another trip and camped at Gettysburg PA to tour the old civil war battle ground. What a fascinating place that is. That is if your into the history part of this country. You can spend 2 full days there to get it all in. We camped there for a few days and I couldn’t help but think that maybe someday this would be a good place for family get together. What saddens me is that I am done with my camping trips for the year. Yes I could get used to not having kids around and just get up and go and see something.
This Friday Christopher will be meeting with the stake president to get his temple recommend. We are planning on going to the Washington DC temple on November 6th which just happens to be the date that Diane and I were sealed and she received her own temple endowment that day. This makes it even more special for her. He enters the MTC in Provo on November 17th. There he will begin his mission for 3 weeks than off to the Salt Lake City Mission to finish out. I have to say that when we found out where he was going that I was really disheartened and sad. I couldn’t help but think that a mission should be part adventure, and here he was going home. To me, Utah, was home. My son was going home for his mission and what a waste of an adventure and opportunity. I had hoped that he would have gone to some strange land, but it is not to be. It than began to dawn on me that even though Utah was home for me that to him it wasn’t. He has lived in the east all of his life and for him this will be a good thing. Even though I did not get what I wanted, I at least think that for him it will still be an adventure. So with these thoughts I guess I am ok with it.
So, my dear family take care of yourselves and I will see you later. You can expect family reunion stuff coming early next year. Still don’t know what to do so feel free to send me ideas. Steve
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