This was a letter sent to Jason as he is serving in Sorriso Brazil. He left in July 2009 for Brazil.

Well it has been a wonderful Easter. I loved having conference and Easter on the same Sunday. It is always a lighter day on a General Conference Sunday. I loved the messages and the inspiration that I felt from the various talks. I loved the messages about our families and loving and teaching in our home. Your mom has a wonderful way of nurturing and teaching our family. I feel like a bull in a china closet sometimes compared with your mom.

We shared some of the things that we learned from conference as a family and here are your brothers and sisters comments.

Dad, I loved the prayer that we would have Jesus Christ reaffirmed in our hearts as the Savior. Brethren spoke of Christ and our responsibility to teach it as parents to our children. Elder Andersen then taught us to “Teach me the stories of Jesus” and then the blessings and joy that would be ours if we build great testimonies of faith. The example of the family that fell away for 4 plus generations because of the tragic death of a newborn and the opposite response if faith is observed. I know our Savior lives and I am grateful that you have the wonderful opportunity to be a witness of Him. May you love and enjoy your service to him who died that we might live.

Nathan, told the story of Jason who was sick in the hospital and his older brother Kyle who received a mission call. They were both able to serve a mission on different sides of the veil.

Eric, told about the man who tried to heard the calves back to the corral that had stopped to cool off in the shade. They would not go until their mothers were let out and came back for them. We have to help guide and encourage and love everyone.

Melissa told about the man who was killed in a traffic accident 10 years ago. She talked about having faith in Jesus Christ and believing in Him.

Brian told of the story of Simon Ryder and how he took offense at the spelling of his name and how we need to be forgiving and not take offense.

Kyle talked about how the conference had focused on the family and how he had the desire to help Mom and Dad with the things that are really important and to be to meals and other family activities.

Mom talked about the focus on Christ and that of the family and of parents responsibilities to teach their children. I will let mom tell more.

I went to my mission reunion on Friday and my mission president spoke who has been the temple president for the past three years in the new Helsinki Finland temple. It told of some great experiences and I love the way he teaches and the humility of his wife. The told of the work that was required over the past three years in putting the temple into operation. The temple district is the largest geographically in the whole church. It covers 7 of the 8 missions of Russia. They had 9 different languages going in one session in the temple recently. They have headphone channels to do 8 languages and they also had someone signing in Russian.

The gospel requires sacrifice and overcoming the natural man. We had a parenting class for Relief Society this week and we talked about how to be a better parent. We had several parents on a panel and they gave some wonderful tips and advice

I have learned a great deal over the years and I wish I would have done several things differently. The saddest words ever penned are “It might have been.” I hope parents can continue to build faith in their children and to teach them of our Savior. I have made many mistakes, but we don’t look back we look to the future and to today. What would the Lord have me do today. In Finland they used a word called Sisu. It means the determination, strength, and inner desire to do and endure. Individuals with sisu endure to the end and change and become along the way. I have had Grandpa Crooks statement ring in my ears many times. Come home with no regrets. Give it your all.

I was touched by President Eyring’s talk in conference. How do we serve when we are tired and want to take a break. He taught us to look to the Savior and to model his example. What did the Lord do in the last hours of his earthly ministry. He did not rest, but he pressed forward always teaching, healing and lifting. He pleaded for others to help sustain Him, but he persevered alone and accomplished all that the Father sent him to do.

I hope you have a wonderful week. You are awesome Jason

Love,

Dad