No subject...😏

Dear Caleb and Jacob,

I hope you're getting used to short letters because I'm really stretching myself to find new things to write about. We'll be getting into some new projects here soon but it's just been so cold and wet lately that we haven't been able to stand working outside much. This week promises to be a lot warmer though so I'm rubbing my gloved hands together, itchin' to get out there. We did follow through on an inside project that's been on hold for about 4 months. We put up our fabric window treatments in the great room and the dining room yesterday. I'm so happy! It looks pretty awesome, like the frosting on the cake. These rooms actually almost look finished now!

Funny fact: I guess when you get old, it's harder to hold in your air and we've been getting some frequent chuckles while being with Baxter because he's been caught passing gas on several occasions recently. They having really smelled bad, like when a dog eats chocolate, but they are loud and human sounding!

Well, here's to another successful week! We're so proud of you!

Love you much!
Mom

Ps:
Jacob, we went to Josh Dixon's mission report this morning. He did an excellent job. He's such a good kid (man)!

Letter 4 30 2017 (2nd Letter)

I hope you've had a great week this last week. And so May begins...

I think I was born to always be moving. For a few years as I've
ridden my bike with Paul Richins and other friends, the comment has
been made that we need more trails in Northern Utah. The trails in
Park City, Draper, Cedar City, and Ogden are awesome and there really
is no reason why we shouldn't have great trails close to home. So,
sometime in February I had a notion that I should create a non-profit
for the benefit of maintaining the trails in Northern Utah.

Originally I named it Northern Utah Trails Alliance and Paul Richins
and I invited a few people to attend some meetings. Amazingly, the
USFS and the invitees all attended. It's a group of really good
people who have been interested in the same idea for a long time. The
group has voted to change the name to Cache Trails Alliance.

We now have several trails adopted and a lot of energy for what we're
doing. Yesterday I took Adam and we walked up Green together and
cleared out some deadfall that was across the trail. He didn't want
to go... he really wanted to stay home and play the WII. Luckily he
is such an easygoing kid he quickly agreed. We opened up the trail
and had ourselves a nice walk. One thing about Adam is that he
doesn't say much... most of our hike was in silence.

I know you'll be busy when you get home from your missions but I hope
you'll take time to get to know your younger siblings again. They
have grown and developed in your absence but they pray for you every
day.

Keep the faith. Focus. Remember. I love you,

Dad

Letter 4 30 2017

Caleb and Jacob:

I love you both so much. I've been listening to short five minute
thoughts on various subjects from Prager University. the last one was
on the opening statement of the Ten Commandments and the thoughts
contained therein are very good.

Exodus 20:2 reads -
I am the Lord thy God, which have brought thee out of the land of
Egypt, out of the house of bondage.

From this statement we learn two things:
1) God is giving the commandments, not Moses or another human,
2) It was God that delivered the Children of Israel out of slavery,
again, not Moses or someone or something else,

Since it is God who is the giver, we now get the "therefore"...

Intellectuals call this the beginning of "Ethical Monotheism", which means that
1) God is the source of ethics and morality which means that these
transcend human opinion, and
2) what God most wants from us is that we respect and worship him and
that we treat others morally.

We also learn the importance that God places on freedom. God could've
said that he created the world but instead, he focused on the facts
that he had given them their freedom. Furthermore, the way to remain
free is to live the commandments.... or to exercise moral
self-control.

From an intellectual standpoint, it's pretty profound stuff.

Finally, the Lord revealed the following to Joseph Smith in D&C 58:27-33 -

Verily I say, men should be anxiously engaged in a good cause, and do
many things of their own free will, and bring to pass much
righteousness;

For the power is in them, wherein they are agents unto themselves. And
inasmuch as men do good they shall in nowise lose their reward.

But he that doeth not anything until he is commanded, and receiveth a
commandment with doubtful heart, and keepeth it with slothfulness, the
same is damned.

Who am I that made man, saith the Lord, that will hold him guiltless
that obeys not my commandments?

Who am I, saith the Lord, that have promised and have not fulfilled?

I command and men obey not; I revoke and they receive not the blessing.

Then they say in their hearts: This is not the work of the Lord, for
his promises are not fulfilled. But wo unto such, for their reward
lurketh beneath, and not from above.

You lives are ahead of you. Learn, think, and then act and you will
have a wonderful go of it.

I wish you a great week. I love you,

Dad

More rain...☁️🌧🌨

Dear Caleb and Jacob,

Happy Monday! Hmm, I'm trying to think about what to write about...it was a hard week for me last week because I got some kind of a bug that gave me an achy body, chills and other flu-like symptoms for days. I think I'm in the clear now.

Another ward challenged our youth to a karaoke night last Tuesday and all I heard about it on Sunday was how Samantha got up on stage and rocked it! TWICE!! I wish I could have seen her. She must really love that kind of thing!

Sydney went to the Junior Prom on Saturday with a friend named Ian. She had a lot of fun with him and the group she was with.

Dad finished up tax season Tuesday night and even before midnight! We celebrated our 22nd wedding anniversary on Friday...we ate at our favorite Indian restaurant.

I'm sorry that this letter is so short. Let me know if you guys need anything. I love you both and hope you have another awesome week!!

Love,
Mom

Weekly pictures

Two of these pictures were taken about 300 yards past the fence in Green. The other one is from the parking lot at the mouth of the canyon

Letter 04 24 2017

Ah... Another week. Jacob says the following as he concludes his
record, "...I conclude this record, declaring that I have written
according to the best of my knowledge, by saying that the time passed
away with us, and also our lives passed away like as it were unto us a
dream..."

Your missions are like that, I almost can't believe that we're
approaching Jacob's one-year mark and that Caleb only has 7 months
left on his mission. As you look at your missions, it should become
clear that the decisions you've made throughout your mission have
charted the course of your mission. Furthermore, I'm sure in moments
of reflection, you recognize that your attitude is the largest single
determinant of your happiness.

In some aspects, your missions are a type of your life. When you are
my age you will be able to look back over the course of your life and,
in your quiet moments, realize there are things that you could've done
and can do much better than you're doing.

I hope this week is positive for you. Have a good one. I love you both.

Dad

Letter 4 15 17 Easter

Today is Easter Sunday.  In August of 2015, there was a USU rape case reported in the Utah newspapers.  The story went that in the fall of 2014 a frat boy had been studying with a girl and during the course of the evening had raped her.  It was a graphic story and I remember feeling sad for the girl and thinking that it would forever change her life.

In August of 2015 our bishopric was starting our second year of service.  We'd had a great year and I was excited to meet the new group of students.  Time passed and we met most of the kids.  However, there was an apartment of girls that was mostly inactive.  Bishop requested an interview with them.  Come to find out, they were really nice girls.  During the course of meeting them, one of them opened up to him that she was the girl who had been raped.  She felt like nothing she could do would help her overcome the feelings she was having and the fact that her parents were upset with the direction of her life, and as such, she'd quit coming to church.  Bishop asked her to continue to meet with him and she agreed.  She has been proactively dealing with her issues and with him for the entire balance of time we've been in the bishopric.

Two months ago, she had her appendix out and afterwards texted Bro. Goodrich that she wanted to speak in church.  We agreed and set a date.  Today was that day.  As she spoke, emotions were close to the surface as she described how she had made changes in her life such that she was able to feel the atoning love of the Savior.  I have to say, she is a beautiful person; she glows; she's happy; all of the "stuff" you'd expect from a true follower of Jesus Christ.  She might even have it to a greater degree of light because of her deep and abiding testimony of the atonement.

As you teach, and as you deal with the challenges of the modern world, keep in mind that there is only one person who understands all of the wickedness and the associated feelings that come along with such behavior.  Not only does he understand, he has personal experience with those feelings and knows how to return from the depths those feelings cause.  He is Christ the Redeemer.  He has set-at-one the family of man with God.  All of life's challenges can be overcome through him.

This is a hopeful message you are called to preach in your respective missions.  Lift where you stand.  God bless you as you endeavor to do so.  Be strong as missionaries of our Lord. 

You're such good young men and I love you,

Dad

Spring Break!🌤

Dear Elders Caleb and Jacob,

     We hope you had a great week again!  Spring is finally here and things are looking bright!  We just got back from beautiful St. George yesterday.  It was the kind of vacation where we woke up, put on our swimming suits and swam, ate, played beach volleyball, basketball, swam, ate, played frizbee, went hiking, swam, went hot tubbing, played games, ate and watched movies.  We even celebrated a birthday and had a baby shower. Swimming went on right until bedtime every night.  We'd love to do that again every Spring Break but the Winkel Utah Valley families are getting so big and the Hunters are moving to Australia so these days may never be repeated.  Who knows...maybe it's a tradition that we can start on our own when you guys have kids.  We just missed you two and Dad.  This was pretty much it for our week.  We're glad that the dogs didn't run away.

We love you so much!  Can't wait to hear how your week was.  This is still my favorite day! 🤗

Love you dearly!

Mom

Letter 4 9 2017

My sons:

Yesterday was a great day for everyone who attended Sawyer's baptism.  Arla and kiddos weren't able to make the event because they were out of town.  Because they weren't there, I had time to myself to engage in one of my favorite activities of people watching.  Here are some of my observations:

• Jodi is an elegant looking 50 year old lady.  I admire the grace of her life.
• I was impressed with Tanner and Colton.   Both equally impressive young men and are already and yet will be fantastic missionaries.
• For Halloween Andrew should eat some black frosting, pull some gray panty hose over his head, and go as Lord Voltemort (sp?).
• Sara should see if she can have Corbin model youth clothes.  He is one of the cutest little boys I've ever seen.
• Danie is doing a great job managing a difficult situation.  I was so impressed with Sawyer and his confident, clear responses to the bishop yesterday.
• I really like Ryland.  Telisha is making a great decision for her spouse.
• Emily and Brindi have a special relationship.  They are so cute together and with their parents.
• David looks good with a shaved head.
• Alexis has a the cutest smile ever.
• If cooking doesn't work out for Alyssa, she should go into the business of happy.  She is a happy person.
• I can't blame Laurie and Josh for getting their game on again and going for number 7.  If I had kids as cute as their kids I'd be going for broke...
• Finally, it's apparent that Danie's kids love Ryon.  I think this is a further tribute to Danie.  I respect and admire her grace.

Last week I had an engagement in Provo and spent the night with Jodi and Dan.  It was so nice to be with them for a minute before we went to bed.  In the early morning hours I heard Dan moving about upstairs and so I thought I'd go say hello.  I started up the stairs and my eyes caught sight of Dan, all alone and praying over his bagel.  I was mesmerized and moved.  I don't pray over a snack and Dan taught me a great lesson that morning.

Well, there you are, happenings and thoughts for your week.  I love you very much,

Dad

Pictures for your week

Letter 4 2 2017 General Conference

I supect that you're both sitting in meetinghouses in your respective missions, hopefully with investigators.  I hope you're having a spiritual time of it.

A few weeks ago, Matt Robinson returned from his bike tour to New Zealand.  He went with Corey Jones and they toured throughout the continent (is New Zealand a continent or a coujple of large islands?) together.  Although they saw some cool things, there was a schism created because Corey no longer affiliates with the church and is trying to persuade those within his influence to his way of thinking.

One thing we confided in Matt was that he intends to convince Jake Lyman that the church isn;t true when they are in Jackson working this summer.  When I heard that, it was game on...  Jake really respects Brady Jardine and looks to him as a mentor.  On Wednesday at lunch I saw Brady.  He was working with a client but I asked him to join me at my table when he was done.  I informed him of Corey's stated intent and we both agreed to make sure that Jake was prepared before he went to Jackson.

Brady went with Jake to Priesthood last night and afterwards talked with him.  Jake immediately texted me and came over last night.  We had a great conversation with him.  He asked if I thought he should avoid Corey.  I told him that I deal with people all the time that have lost their testimonies and that I was not encouraging him to forsake a friendship.  Rather, I wanted him to know that we loved him and that if he ever had concerns, we would be there to help if he wanted.  At this point in my life, my testimony can be reduced to the fact that Mom and I are trying to live the Plan of Happiness which can be described as trying to be good and raise kids that are good.  I know that this is the right way of living.

As time passed, kids showed up and soon we had Jake, Malia, Josh Dixon, Vanessa Jeppsen, and Danilo at our place.  

Early this week, one of my associates came into my office and shut the door.  Any time this happens, it's a signal that something heavy is coming.  About three years ago, his wife decided the church wasn't true and he has spent the last few years trying hold him little family together.  She now has decided that they don't relate to each other and that they should separate.  This is heartbreaking.  He was trying to figure out how to get her some money so that she could move forward with her life as an independent person.

Hindsight is 20/20.  I hope as you go through your daily routine that you consider the importance of making great decisions, especially as you enter a period of your life where your decisions will have critical impact on our future happiness.  I trust that you will make great decisions becuase you are both great young men.

Mom and I are so proud of you.  We love you more than we can say.  I love you.  Have a great week.

Dad