With All His Love

My dear Porter and Sons + Family,

It is Monday morning, and I want you to know that I love you.
I'm glad that we get to speak to Tanner, Anne Marie, Nora and Hunter through face time. Think at times about the pioneers, whether within the church or out of the church, who traveled into the wilderness to create a new life. I am grateful for our ancestors who made that choice, especially to come to America. The sad parts are thoughts that they never ever heard from their families again (which is good if your family is horrible, but still sad as they never had a chance [in this life] to repair those relationships.)

I thought about your letter last week (Porter) when you mentioned about being homesick. On my mission, I cannot recall ever being homesick. Perhaps it was because I did not care about being home. If you're homesick, I'm kind of glad, we love having you at home. I'm also very glad that you are working and that you are safe. I'm grateful to hear that you have the opportunity to train a new missionary.

People within the ward and stake, seem to have so many questions about the "Ministering Program." It kind of drives me nuts because it seems so simple. I mentioned it a number of times in Ward Council, priesthood and individual meetings. What does ministering mean to me? It means to follow the Savior by "going about doing good, continually," and to follow the scout slogan by "doing a good turn daily."

Perhaps people have a hard time with this, because in so many aspects o,f their lives they are expecting someone to tell them what to do when to do it, how to do it, etc. My other thought that I share a relationship to ministering and other aspects of the church 's Doctrine and Covenants 58:26. "It is not meet that I should command in all things for he that is compelled in all things, the same is a slothful and not a wise servant."

Each of you have talents to do so much good. They are different talents. One is not better than another. They are all useful to bring joy and to help others.

I enjoy hearing of Hunter's dating. There are a number of fun stories. Please don't be pressured, just go about doing good at trying to be good.

There are number of things I would like to write about and need to. But I will send this off today. Have to get back to working on my tenure package which is due on Friday. I hope the committees are pleased. I will not leave agian from a tenured place unless I am granted tenure to come.

Have a great day.

Love Dad

A