Weekly Email - 11/22/21

Hello Elder Salsa-

I've realized that 2 out of the 3 weeks that you've been in Mexicali, you've had a baptism.  That is pretty special and must be wonderful to witness these people embracing the Gospel of Jesus Christ.  I hope you are working well with the members and that the baptisms continue into lifetime conversions.  What a wonderful time you must be having.

We are getting ready to head to Utah this week.  We're leaving on Tuesday to drive to Elk Ridge and have Thanksgiving with Brej/Sterling and Aubri/Heston.  I am excited to get to see them again, even though I am not looking forward to the drive.  We are toying with swinging down to southern Utah to see Grandpa and Grandma J on the way home, but still undecided for now.

It is also test time at school and both JJ and Zerrick are getting things wrapped up so they can enjoy the time off.

At my work, it is end of year evaluation time.  That means I had 10 papers to write – one for each of my employees about their individual contributions for the year and it is a little overwhelming sometimes.  I feel like I am doing a good job and that my system is good, but I also feel like it takes a long time.  I am looking forward to being done as I end up staying up each night until around 2AM working on them.

Mom has delivered yet again.  She was in charge of YM/YW activity last Tuesday and led us in Bunco.  I think we'll play at Thanksgiving and hope that we have just as much fun there as we did at the church.  She also got out her Christmas legos and set them up on TWO tables this year … yep, she is expanding her kingdom.  I am glad she likes to do these things as it makes her happy and brings some fun to other's lives when they visit.  I was upstairs working on an eval when a sister from the ward came over to work with Jenelle in YW.  I heard her come in and then some chit chat followed by "Wow!", "Oh that is so cool!", "Oh my gosh! There is another table of them here!"  Too fun!

This week at church was our primary program.  The children, teachers and leaders all did a great job.  The theme was How I Hear Him and each child said something about how they can hear the Savior.  Each class led with a question or prompt that is instructive for us each to think about.  I was asked to provide some closing remarks and had a hymn I was going to read from as well as a scripture, but at the end of the day, I just went to the pulpit and struggled with my emotions to say something coherent.

I hear him when I listen to Primary songs or when I hear the Primary children sing.  I think I got more out of this primary program because I was paying attention to different things this year.  There wasn't a program last year and so this is my first as a Bishop – yep, if this calling was a 2-year mission, I'd be home – it really has been two years.  Anyhow, I focused on the message that the children had just taught us via song and the spoken word.  If we listen, if we are in tune, the Lord can teach us wonderful things via the Spirit through children.  If you think about it, how many families have come back to church at the prompting of their children?  There are many lessons they learn in primary that get brought home and asked about.

We just had a baptism, and I was told that the child had repeatedly told her grandmother that she needed to quit drinking coffee and alcohol.  I have heard several stories about children attending church or an activity with a friend and then go home and ask why we don't go to church.

Asher Battrick is in Primary now and he was powering out the last song.  He had a little bravado in his voice, and it was pretty funny to watch.  Zerrick leaned over (I was sitting with the family) and said, "He is his father's son."

The last thing I want to talk about is priorities.  This has come up with several people I have been talking with and so I want to share it with you – even if I have already done so.  When I was called to the Bishopric with Dave Beer, President Weber told me the priorities that needed to guide my life – he cautioned me that when he had his priorities out of line when he was a Bishop, he had some big problems.  Those ordered priorities are:

1.       Your relationship with the Lord

2.       Your relationship with your Spouse – you don't have one yet, and I don't know that it is appropriate to sub your companion in here

3.       Your relationship with your Family

4.       Your relationship with your Employer

5.       Your relationship with your Calling

He was telling me that if I put my calling as a Bishopric member in front of my wife, I was going to have a big problem.  I tell you this, and your siblings, because it is an important life lesson.  I have seen some things go awry when these priorities get fouled up.

Well, I love you and want you to know that we pray for you each day – for your safety and for your success.  I am happy and proud to see how well you are doing and know that as you are obedient and as you work hard and dedicate yourself to the service of the Lord, he will bless you Temporally, Physically, and Spriritually.

Have a great week and we'll talk soon.

Love, Dad