March Ides

Mom and I attended the baptism of Jacob and Hunter yesterday (March 1st) in Satatoga Springs, Utah at 9:00 in the a.m. Both were dressed in cute new suits and how fun to see these grandchildren baptized. We then gathered with a bunch of Moons and Don for a little brunch.

Year to Retire: I have put in my final papers for retirement on the 30th of June this year. You never think that time will come - but it is almost here. I have to teach Spring Term, but we are going to New Zealand, Samoa, and Tahiti for much of that time. A lot of firsts are taking place - taught my last night class at BYU, my last Doctrines of the Gospel at BYU after this semester, and no more Februaries, January, etc.. I teach 2 marriage classes Spring Term and it is all over. We do have a few trips planned and hope they all come off: Holler if you want to go on any of them:
Alaska (with Susan Black) in August
Israel in October/early November
Cruise to Tahiti in Dece (9th - 19th) with Roy and Carol
We have wrestled with the idea of just putting papers in versus applying to BYU Hawaii for a semester or telling Apostle Quintin Cook that we are available come the 1st of January next year. The only point there is if we were to do a Visitor's Center somewhere - they would need to know that this sumer. Usually those assignments begin in January.
Anyway, it is has been a fun ride at the Y. I'm glad that Mandy and Drew were willing to move from Ogden so easily - that made the decision easier. We are now in our home until we either 'don't recognize each other or they haul us out.'
We have been blessed here in Provo. I ended up writing/editing/co-authoring 10 more books than the one I wrote while we were in Ogden. I have a new older SINGLES book coming out this spring, a revision of Between Husband and Wife April 1st or thereabouts. I'm present working on a book with Guy Dorius about the first 2-3 years of marriage. and my Magnum Opus - if that is what it is - is Doctrinal Therapy - mostly written but I'm not sure where it all is.
It is obvious that Mom and I are getting older. The old bones creak a little more in the morning, my kidneys are not where they should be, my diverticulosis could erupt any day and be a problem - but other than that and losing hair faster than ever - we are doing great. Mom got past her cancer and back operations - and we are still, on most days, doing well. We still walk Monday-Friday mornings fora little exercise.
I want my children to know how much I love each one of you and your families. If we can get Drew married to a sweetheart - then all are launched in the gospel plan and doing well. You have all married over your heads and it is my hope that you will have great marriages and rear kids who want to serve missions and marry in the temple - just to get them off to a good start.
All my boys and Mandy served full time missions and I hope that your mission was an important foundation for the rest of your life. We anticipate Darin and Parker to step up to the plate and take their turn. Over the years, I am more grateful for my mission and what it did for ME than any other thing in life. I believe that 'every young man' these days has been foreordained to serve as a missionary (D&C 63:37; 133:8) - and it is the great maturational factor for young men.
Let's make 2008 a great year to be LDS
Love Dad