When we lived in California, I didn’t know the purpose of my decision to leave the PhD program and just complete the Masters Degree, despite the numerous hurdles that needed to be overcome to actually finish the degree with an additional 28 or so credits on top of what other masters students needed to complete because LLU wants you to feel obligated to then finish out the PhD. My initial desire was to save the financial cost that I would garner if I stayed and finished. I am glad that our Heavenly Father knows us and what is best for us if we will follow and listen to his counsel. I have come to more fully believe the scripture found in Jacob 4: 10.

10 Wherefore, brethren, seek not to counsel the Lord, but to take counsel from his hand. For behold, ye yourselves know that he counseleth in wisdom, and in justice, and in great mercy, over all his works.

We need to seek to fulfill his will and he will take care of us as is stated in both the Bible and the Book of Mormon. Matthew 5: 33 and 3 Nephi 3: 33.

33 But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.

Now I am so grateful that we moved back to Utah so that our family ties were closer with my family. Our kids know my family, especially Grandma and Grandpa Scoville. Now that things have come to light that he is ill and that they’ve estimated a short time for the disease to attack his body and ravage his body during the remaining days of his earthly experience. I know the Lord has his hand in our lives and many times when we don’t know or understand particularly why things happen the way they do.

Oscar and Lily have been so blessed by the fact that we’ve moved back to Utah. They constantly ask if Grandma or Grandpa Scoville or if Grandma and Grandpa Schaefer are coming to visit or if we are going to visit them.

As my internship comes to start and I’ll be staying here I can honestly say that things are great and that I am content to let the Lord guide and direct us as we go. I am excited to work in the wilderness again this summer.

What prompted this post was the fact that I read a post by Marlene a few days ago and another by her friend Liz Campbell talking about the life of a lady who passed away in our ward, Rozann Dean. I marvel at the amazing lives that go on around us that we never know or see within the tiny, narrow, scope of our vision of people. We are often so narrow-minded and concerned about what “I” need and less about “others” needs. Life is an amazing gift that is given to us to explore and develop and become like unto our father in heaven. I’ve always believed that my father was an example for me to follow. Now I know that we all make mistakes and don’t do things perfectly but I have always known that my father and mother cared for me, even during my mistakes and struggles. I am grateful to know that my father is an example for me to follow to try to be more like our father in heaven.

I am also grateful for the example of the Savior who through his sacrifice and lived-life became perfect like unto the father. As we read in Matthew 5: 48 and then in 3 Nephi 12: 48. You see what Christ says prior to his death and post-resurrection that he was different and perfected through the resurrection. He was perfect so he didn’t personally need the atonement but he did that for us.

Matthew 5: 48

48 Be ye therefore perfect, even as your Father which is in heaven is perfect.

3 Nephi 12: 48 from the Beattitudes while Christ was teaching the Sermon on the Mount.

48 Therefore I would that ye should be perfect even as I, or your Father who is in heaven is perfect.

I have fond memories of my childhood with my father. I remember many Delta City Fire Departments out at the Res (swimming, eating BBQ, skiing, and riding wave-runners). I even remember getting in some crazy accidents on them but we had a great time. Although now in my old age I’m not quite so fearless and adventurous as maybe I once was. (I did have a good time going downhill in Moab a few weeks ago.)

I also remember the time he sat me down to talk to me about stealing $3 from the office while I cleaned the office. I thought I needed the money and that he wouldn’t miss it, but I am grateful that he tried to guide and teach me to do what was right. I must have been 10 years old. I can’t remember.

I shouldn’t forget the “unforgettable” and “infamous” walking vacuum cleaner that I had taken from me when I was carrying it home from the office. I left it by my bike at “the store” or Thriftway in Delta and then when I came out it was gone. It was no where to be found; however, later that night my dad said he saw someone walking down the street with a vacuum cleaner that looked like ours but assumed that ours was safe with me. I remember working to pay that off.

I remember paying off the money owed for the windshield that I broke while throwing snowballs at cars after church at a friend’s farewell. Tim Nielson’s little old 80’s style mustang. Dad did all the work to have it replaced and then I payed him back for the windshield.

I remember the swim meets and water polo games he came to with my mom. I have always appreciated his involvement in my life.

I remember deer hunting with Uncle Stewart and Dad and Jim. We rarely ever got anything but I got to hike around and when I was older got to carry around my own gun and got to sit and watch for deer and do my best to see if I couldn’t find and shoot a deer. I was always scared to shoot because I didn’t want to hit anyone else that might have been crouched down and hunting like myself. I was always so bored and cold.

Thanks for the many great memories, Dad. Let’s keep making them.