August 12, 2022
Dear Sister Burton,
The Lord is good to me. I am blessed each day to perform my labors in providing for the family.
What a blessing and honor to be part of an amazing family and for me personally; my children, allowing me to be "Pops".
All glory to Him. All credit and our very breathe
be it cause of Him. I could cry out Hosanna's unto Him. I could wear out my shoes walking where He says to go. Temporally poor unto the ways and pride of the world yet spiritually rich through the Atonement of Him who is mighty to save. Yes one can brag of themselves and the status earned, taken, or given in this life but I prefer to boast of my God and the goodness therein; fore Gussy, is it not written that in Him we can do all things?
Be one that can respond to other's questions about how you're doing or how's your day going by simply saying, "I'm livin' the dream!"
One may say that line when they're in the thick of struggling, trying to make sense of their day or particular activity. Usually it can be referenced as a type of sarcasm remark. Other times it's said genuinely about one having a great day!
[Where do I fit in is most often asked when we have no dream.]
Always have a dream. We're dead without a dream. We're lost and wanderers without a dream. We loose focus and sticktuitivness without a dream. It is the dream first then births the goals second; not the other way around.
We're motivated and moved to go forward because of our dream(s). We can envision ourselves accomplishing our goals because we have a dream. The dream is an anchor.
The dream is the force that sustains us during droughts in our lives. The dream brings much needed nourishment to the soul. Long lasting ideas and successes in this life are the direct results of dreams that were brought into fruition and founded in the beginnings, the place of birth in the microcassim's of our minds and upon the vast frontiers of creativity. Dreams help us to work through the manaughtany, mundane, and status quo of the regulars out there in life. Rise above. Do better. Work harder & smarter. A dreamer has passion in that you love what you do. Passion to see it through to the end. Passion gives way for the architecture in each of us to design our paths.
May your's my daughter be straight.
Though narrow at times I bless you with the vision to see the purpose of your objectives that you will be able to accomplish the goals and realize the dream........... your dreams!
"Purpose Given Me"
{Working hard to do as The Lord would do is a worthy endeavor.
Finding lost souls is the mission.
Teaching other's to make and keep covenants is your reward.
Seeing the light in their eyes, testimonies given, and courage to endure to the end is life eternal.}
Remember Sister Burton-
Rest renews. Rest rebuilds.
Rest allows contemplation. Rest allows focus.
In rest we listen and see angels.
Resting allows the ancestor's words to be heard.
It's not the act of resting that slows us down but rather what we do when we rest!
I found it best after working hard, completing
a task, and finishing up on commitments that
I rest. I say to self, "We must rest self to reflect on our works and receive strength and direction for the work isn't done."
When our labors are equal to the effort we are complete.
Labors are the task(s) and effort is the ability(ies) to which Gussy complete is to make whole. Being whole were prepared to be blessed, receiving through the windows of heaven that reward which is our's being equal to the total sum of our effort completing the performed labor.
Resting is part of the work. Not possible to separate. So I have said, rest each day while
you work. Take the time during the day to pause.
Take time to think of you. It's ok. It's proper.
One will always miss the mark when working
is all they know. They didn't develop their talents evenly. They didn't rest.
When resting I say you must stand still!
I stood on a lower pass of the
Great Desatoya Mtns. After hiking up through a draw through the "tombs of the trees", I marveled at their lives and saw in them the ages of time.
Much was said but I share with you this Gussy, the creation was real. The living was brought to life through Him who said, "It is good!"
I gave thanks of all the creation as I paused on that pass and rested. I felt the breeze through
my hair. I was alone to the likeness of not having a companion beside me yet standing among the ancient Piñon Pines and Juniper, I beheld time.
I felt time. I saw time. I understood time.
I separated and measured time. I became part of time not in minutes or days even unto years, but in the eternities as in foreverness.
I'm livin' the dream!!
You are special. You are completing your story as a missionary. You mustn't allow any doubt to enter your soul as to your calling as you have days that are highs as mtn tops and lows as to the valleys below. All this is for your good.
All this gives experience. All this prepares you for future assignments to serve in His kingdom.
Love you as only I can. A dad's love is strong.
It's enduring. It's unwavering. It's true and pure, yea, it's heaven sent upon the spirit so as to feel and comfort you. Do you know this Gussy?
Do you know I miss you and pray for you and the people you teach and those that serve with you.
Love you Gussy, forever and ever!
Pops
YOU ARE READING
Letters From Pops
Non-FictionEmails that my dad sent me while I was serving my mission. The first chapter is the last email. I did it backwards. Enjoy if you decide to give it a read. A lot of wisdom that helped me get through my mission!
