Dear Lady

I am sorry for frustrating days. I'm especially sorry for days that frustrate you. I'm glad you had a happy workout last night and a good breakfast this morning. It is always my sincere prayer that you will have a good day today. There must be something truly applicable in the scripture that it is only the works of men that are frustrated. Perhaps when we are truly in the Lord's service we feel frustrated much less for His work is never frustrated.
I'm fasting through lunch today (couldn't bring myself to fast through those smoothie's). I think I need to fast more often—short one meal fasts. If anyone needs guidance and communion from the Lord, it's you and I. I went and read that talk by Elder Groberg. It was incredible. Landmark. I'd like for everyone to hear that talk, and to listen to it. I also read a scripture that reminded me that we are here in this probationary time to repent (or become like Jesus Christ) and serve God. Perhaps we all spend too little time serving the Lord. He has asked us to pray over all our labors that they be consecrated unto him and for our good. I have rarely done this outside my church calling. Were this more of a habit I think we would be guided much more clearly, don't you?
This morning I made a point of praying for missionary opportunities and today I got to talk briefly with a woman about the book I'm reading—History of Joseph Smith. The Lord doesn't expect a lot from us before blessing us, but he does expect sincerity and a little effort...then miracles.
Finally, I think that ever since we have moved out here we have kind of been waiting. Waiting for thins to improve. Waiting for a better job. Our own house. Do you feel the same? Paul said he had learned to be happy and content in any situation because he knew he was doing the Lord's work. I think we ought to work harder to know we're fulfilling our ministries in his eyes. If we do that we'll be blessed with prosperity, a better job, a home, and everything one could want, but it won't be the source of our happiness, it will be the result of our happiness. Let's do what we need to to serve the Lord and be happy. I know he'll bless us.
I love all of you.
.Patrick


- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

Dear Boy,

Today has been frustrating.  The boys watched youtube.  I finished John Adams.  None of us got dressed until 11:30.  I've been doing laundry.  The boys are not taking a nap.  My right eye is killing me again.  I'm going to be out of contacts before December at this rate.  I had hoped to exercise and take a shower, but neither are looking plausible.  So I feel grubby dirty, I can't stop rubbing my eye, I've yelled when I should have been patient, my attempt to feast on the word of God was fruitless, the kitchen is a mess, I can't stand the way these pants fit, and I have a mountain of clean clothes behind me.  I guess none of that is a big enough deal for me to be feeling the way I do, but I want the day and the week to be over.  Maybe it's really just my eye.

Dear Boy,

Maybe we should struggle our whole lives to know surely that we are doing all the Lord expects of us.  Perhaps that is the best way to stay humble and introspective.  If you feel like you aren't doing everything He expects, then maybe you really aren't.  Maybe it is a simple change like increasing in love, changing an attitude, casting out something that doesn't belong.  Or maybe it is more complicated (in my opinion) like using your talents to do something more, becoming involved in an organization for the benefit of God's children, or even organizing something from scratch.  Whatever it is, I think we do have a responsibility to figure it out.  If you feel agitated about your prayer's answer, maybe you really should feel agitated.  If you were humble enough to receive that answer, continue on in the same spirit of humility until you know what you should do.  I found this speech from Elder Groberg given at BYU in 1979.  It's long and old, but I think still applicable.  Here's a quote from it:


What does the Lord mean when he tells us that we cannot be saved in ignorance and that we must gain knowledge in order to be saved? Knowledge of what? (You are here to study something, I hope.) Knowledge of the gospel? Of course, but even more than that, I think. I believe that the knowledge he is talking about--the knowledge that saves and that he requests us to seek--is the knowledge or assurance that we are fulfilling our mission, that we are doing his will, and that he is pleased with our efforts.  (John H. Groberg)


I love you and admire the service you render in the Lord's name.  You give me an example to follow in so many ways.  I cannot help feeling that I married above myself.  Sometimes I can't keep from feeling a little sorry for you.  I think it should be that way though.  I know my own weaknesses so intimately and simultaneously notice innumerable strengths and admirable qualities in you.  Thank you for sticking with me.  Thank you for treating me so kindly.  Thank you for being patient.  I love you.   


-Your Lady Forever   

Dear Boy,

The Tick Twister is an instrument capable of miracles, namely removing ticks --even very small ones-- smoothly, seamlessly, efficiently.  I watched my mom, "Nurse Grandma", remove a miniscule parasite of the sort from Gerret's chest this afternoon.  I wouldn't have found it if Nolan hadn't removed all of his clothes and started filling the bathtub (with cold water) after I had already said, "Later" to a bath.  Thankfully, my children rarely listen to me and the two of them enjoyed a bath together when it should have been nap time.  It was after the bath when I was drying The Pook off that I noticed the small black spot.  Where these ticks come from and why they seem to gravitate toward pookerily things, I can only venture to guess, but I do know that I'd like a Tick Twister for our new home.  Maybe for Christmas.  That's not a joke.

It was due to these bathing and twisting activities that I probably missed your call today.  I haven't seen my phone in 24 hours.  I hope you are having a nice gray day and I look forward to seeing you (however briefly) tonight.

from your lady

P.S. I just learned last night that John Adams named the property and home he acquired just before his Vice Presidency.  Peacefield.  We could name our home Cinderhaven.  That's a joke, but I still am interested in naming our home.

Dear Boy,

That's okay.  I'm sorry that I haven't learned a better way to respond to crappy days than to act crappy.  I think the thing I cherish about my life is that I can still make it better.

-me

Dear Lady,
I am so very sorry for turning you away last night when you wanted to help with the dishes. You had a hard day and the boys were finally in bed and it was just me and you and I sent you away. I only intended for you to be able to do something besides housework—to have some free time to yourself—but instead I fear I may have unintentionally hurt you and I'm sorry. I love you so much and I should have leapt at any opportunity to pass time with you, but that part of me that always wants to fix everything myself got in the way. You deserve every good thing, and if sometimes that's doing the dishes with me, just let me know—I will never turn you away again.
I hope today is better for you. You're always in my thoughts and prayers, and I'll be sure to say some extra prayers today.
I cherish every instant of your life.

.a boy


- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

Dear Boy,

Towards the end of our visit to the library today, none other than Julie and Ruby Wright sauntered through the back door.  I spoke to Julie.  She is very excited about us buying her house.  She called it a "haven" for our boys.  She told me about the property, updated me on the reparations (the pipes under the sink were fixed yesterday and the roof guy is coming tomorrow), asked if we'd like her to leave the washer and dryer for $100 (I don't know if that's for both or $100 each... I told her we had some), and said they recently bought a used riding lawn mower that we could buy.  She really wants things to go as quickly as possible.  The closing on their new home on Salo Dr. was supposed to be tomorrow, but the current owners aren't ready to get out yet.  She's a little upset about a lost weekend to move.  They have everything in boxes and are ready to get out.  She actually started the conversation by asking if we were packing.  That caught me off-guard and a little laugh escaped.  So... hopefully things work out and work out fast.  I am excited for it to work.  Maybe we should name our home.  Does that sound weird?  Well I'm a weirdo and I think it would be nice if our house had a name.

In other news, I just kicked out our caterpillar collection.  We found four fuzzy caterpillars earlier and they were crawling on the kitchen table, but I could only find three.  I decided it was time for them to leave before we lost another one.

In even other news, CJane (my best friend) is sponsoring another rooftop concert tonight in Provo.  It makes me wish I was in Provo.  Anyway, the group is called "Lower Lights".  It's a ton of very talented musicians who just got together and made music.  Here's a video about them.


Not so much something I thought I'd be interested in, but their entire album is free to listen to on their site, so I thought I'd try them out and I love it.  I love music, especially lots of harmonies and layers and instruments.  This group has all of that.  The boys danced.  I sang (loudly, shamelessly) and danced.

I can't wait to see you in just two hours.  I can't wait for a whole weekend with you.
-Your Lady