Thanks to Generous and Thoughtful Souls!

Mom has encouraged me several times to write something on her blog. Up until now I have declined saying that I am recording my history day by day in my journal and you will all have that to read someday when I am gone. Following your kind and thoughtful and wonderfully generous Christmas gift, however, I feel compelled to write you all in this open letter to express my deep gratitude and awe for your love and generosity as well as your thoughtfulness. When we first heard the announcement of the Rome Temple, Mom and I both commented that we should go but later as we contemplated the cost, we felt we should forego the opportunity in favor of more important things. It's not that we didn't want to go! I can't tell you how many times I have had the urge to go back to my beloved Italia--but it just seemed so out of reach that I just had to put it out of my mind. But your gift to us--truly a gift from the heart--rekindled our desire and our belief that we could possibly go. And now for the rest of my life, it will be a gift never to be forgotten--just to contemplate that you wanted us to have this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity together is the sweetest feeling a father could ever experience.

I love you all with all of my heart and soul. I pray constantly that Heavenly Father will continue to bless and protect each of you and your beautiful children. Your marriages are such an example to Mom and me--we learn things we should do whenever we visit your homes. Please accept my deepest love and gratitude for your kindness and thoughtfulness.

Love,
Dad

Attending General Conference in the Conference Center- What a Perk!

I pinch myself everytime we sit in the Conference Center for General Conference! What an amazing blessing, one we hope to take advantage of until Greg is released! What an inspirational two days of vertical learning whether you enjoyed from TV, via the internet, satellite broadcast, or in person! We had tickets for the Saturday morning and Sunday morning sessions and watched the Saturday afternoon session in our room at the Crystal Inn. We listened to the Sunday pm session on our way home from Salt Lake. Greg also had a ticket to the Priesthood Session which he attended with Ron Mumford, Scott Jefferies and Scott's brother.

Some of my favorite moments:

1. Elder Joseph Wirthlin's mother's counsel to him as a young man: "Come What May and Love It! ..... How can we love days that are filled with sorrow? We can't--at least not in the moment. I don't think my mother was suggesting that we suppress discouragement or deny the reality of pain. I don't think she was suggesting that we smother unpleasant truths beneath a cloak of pretended happiness. But I do believe that the way we react to adversity can be a major factor in how happy and successful we can be in life."


2. Elder Neil L. Anderson: "You Don't Know Everything...but You Know Enough!"


3. Pres Dieter Uchtdorf: "And to all who feel discouraged, worried, or lonely, I say with love and deep concern for you, Never give in, Never surrender! Never allow despair to overcome your spirit. Embrace and rely upon 'The Hope of Israel'!"


4. Pres. Thomas S. Monson: "Remember that this work is not yours and mine alone. It is the Lord's work, and when we are on the Lord's errand, we are entitled to the Lord's help. Remember the Lord will shape the back to bear the burden placed upon it."


5. Pres. Boyd K. Packer: "We will stay on course. We will anchor ourselves as families and as a church to these principles and ordinances. Whatever tests be ahead, and they will be many, we must remain faithful and true!"


6. Sister Elaine Dalton: "In the strength of the Lord, I can do ALL things."


7. Elder Todd Christopherson: "The Lord calls upon us to be beacons of righteousness to guide those who seek the safety and blessings of Zion."


8. Pres. Thomas S. Monson: "Let us relish life as we live it, find joy in the journey, and share our love with friends and family. One day each or us will run out of tomorrows!"


9. Last, but by no means least, was the announcement of a temple to be built in Rome! What a thrill for all those who have worked so hard to build the church there all these years, both missionaries and members alike. But it is especially moving for those first called to proselyte there 40 years ago. I know Greg was not the only one of those original missionaries to shed a tear that day. I now know how my dad felt when the first temple was built in Brazil! What a marvelous blessing! We were so glad to be in the session when it was announced. There are 22,000 saints in Italy now and as I looked around, I realized that is how many people the Conference Center seats!
   

I have enjoyed reading some of the talks on the internet while waiting for our November issue of the Ensign. We certainly have plenty to ponder on and put into practice in the coming months, that is for sure! Anyway, Dad and I had a wonderful time together and look forward to taking Regan with us next April and Todd next November!