Week of Wonder

This was a fantastic week.  While I was sink nearly all the week, I still had a great time and we had wonderful events.  Skjelse's wedding was a very nice couple of days.  Well planned and done by all.  The reception was very nice and the wedding breakfast etc. was just really nice.  We really appreciated them not having alcohol at all and it made a big impression on us.  

The wedding ceremony was nice but empty in my heart.  But it is still a great beginning for them.  Your words of advice to your parents were not only timely, but truly an answer to additional prayers.  Your insight was welcomed and I am so proud that you have the spirit so close that you can receive revelation to share with us.  We re-wrote the Preach My Gospel portion you referred to and substituted parents and children for missionaries and investigators.  It was very soothing.  Thank you for all you are and are becoming.  We know that the covenants we have made will one day be in force and we just need to maintain faith and keep the door to our home and our hearts open.

It was really nice as well as fun to have Mckay and family here, and Dave and Carol and family.  We had a wonderful time for all events including new years eve.  We laughed a lot, played the draw then write a sentence "telephone" game and had a riot.  Then everyone went outside and banged pots and pans in true Smith fashion.  

On new years day and the next I helped Gavin and Ty put in a tile back splash for a family in the ward.  I donated my time so they could earn for their mission funds.  It looks so good.  They both a talents in doing very high quality work.  Then they went on a camp out to caves in Kentucky and Mom, Lysi and I went to Heather and Darrin's and we started putting in their kitchen tile floor.  I "made" Darrin stay up until 11:30 at night to get more done, which should be of no surprise to you.  I just believe in getting the job done.  Then Saturday we laid more, dry fit around their island so we could adjust for any issues, and when we left, he had nearly 80% of the floor laid.  It looked really good.  My back does not like that work, but it does recover.  The miracle of the body is truly a gift from God.  It heals itself in most forms and is just amazing.

I really felt the comfort of the spirit this week.  From direct answers to prayers, to friends providing support, to family giving advice and peace, to children teaching me the ways of the spirit, it has been all around me.  The more I look, the more I see His hand in my life.  To more I put Him first, the happier I get, the more life comes into true focus and the joy I have is a lasting one, that continues from day to day, week to week, and year to year.  Even until eternity because I know what the plan is, and how it all ends.  It is a peace that truly only He can give.

Love you forever.

3 John 1:4

Dad