Good Bye Mom and Dad

I know it has been a while since my last post.  Our lives have changed drastically since my last post, and we are now in San Antonio Texas.  I will need to find time to post a blog about our move and experiences so far, but I honestly don't have any time at all right now.   I am forcing the time to make this post as a tribute to my parents, and to take a little but of time to mourn the distance between our lives.   One last chance to offer my love and strength to them before they leave to serve the Lord.

I am sure most of you know, but my father is my best friend and one of my life long heroes.   When I was growing up I always valued the time that I had with my father.  I have so many pleasant memories of spending time in the garage learning from you.   I think I learned to enjoy this time in part because of my father's experiences growing up, I love the stories he tells of spending time with his father and grandfather working together.  Now that I am grown I love the time that I have working on projects with my father even more.  I am very capable myself when it comes to working on projects, so now when my father and I spend time together I love being able to plan and plot projects together.  Each of us bringing our own styles and experiences into projects that bless our lives.   I will always value the time we have spent together working on things.  I am the handyman I am today, because I learned it from my father.

When it comes to my mother, what can I say.  I don't know another person as infuriatingly passionate or caring about her children.   You can always tell how important something is to my mother, by the number of times and different ways she finds to tell you about it.  This trait has always proven to me how much she loves me.  My mother has always been my source of consistentency and my filter to see things clearly, when my emotions get in the way of making good choices.  Somehow whenever I talk to her, I can see the gospel more clearly and she has taught me to evaluate my life through the teaching of the Savior.

I am taking this time to reflect, for 2 reasons.  First I now live far enough away that I won't get to see them anywhere near as much as I am used to, and that was still much less than I would have liked to see them.  Secondly because next week they leave on their mission, and the
1500 miles between us, will become an ocean.  This move has brought me much closer to understand the plan of salvation, and I feel that the veil is much thinner to me now than it has been in the past.  As I mourn not being able to have time with my parents (I don't have much in my garage that doesn't remind of my father.) I have come to realize that this mission that keeps us apart as we both serve where we are needed, is not that different than serving where we needed through death.  Just as we can talk on the phone now and help each other grow, the loved ones who have passed on can share in our lives when we need it most.  To me death is not is end or even a pause in the plan of salvation, it is simply a continuation of us serving the Lord where we are needed most.  I have no doubt that my parents are going where they are needed (perhaps with a little more choice than death.)   I am so honored to have you as my parents.  The blessings that I was able to give you, have let me see into your hearts and I know the greatness you carry there.   You have always said that you knew that your children were some of the choice souls of the Lord.  While I tell you that you are the choice ones, the ones given responsibility to lead a rebellious and slightly crazy (<--April, Trina and Benjamin) souls of God back to him.  I am so grateful for your guidance and wisdom in my life.  My return to the church is a result of your prayers and actions.   My return is no less miraculous than that of Alma the Younger, your prayers and the anvil of trials have brought me back.   I am so grateful that you never let me push you away from me.  You are my dearest friends.

As I think about where you are going I keep thinking about history.   I am not quite sure why, but I have been thinking about the Christians that died in the Roman gladiator rings.  They were torn from their families because of their beliefs and their open faith in Christ.  They were true martyrs.  As you embark into the arena of Hong Kong I salute you as the crowds saluted the martyrs.  You are giving your lives to Christ by choice, and as a result you can see the fruits of your work.  It is an honor knowing and witnessing the strength you both have.  I love you as parents, friends, and eternal children of God.  

"To those about the serve, I salute you"