Week 37: Hearts Turned to Our Fathers

Plenty we could report about our week. It was a Transfer Week and the days are full at the office. We enjoyed a delightful excursion on Preparation Day. More on that later. Today, however, our thoughts are turned to our fathers. Wish we could say these things to our fathers in person, but ... in a coming day. Perhaps they'll get the message via heavenly fiber optics!

What my father taught me came more from the way he lived than from what he said. Family was important to him.  He was a good provider. Once home from work, his family was his focus. He gave us his time. He played catch with us, took us for rides, fixed our bikes. He taught me to fish—including tying my own hooks on, baiting my own hook, cleaning my own fish.  Some of my best memories are times spent with Dad on the shores of Wanship Reservoir or along the banks of several small streams near our home.

Fishing in the High Uintahs

Dad loved the mountains and being outdoors; he loved and respected nature.  He opened my eyes to the many beauties around us – those around our mountain home, the beauties of the desert, and wherever we traveled; he would look for and point out the many marvelous things God has created.  I continue to be awed by this beautiful world and reverence the God that created it. Thanks Dad for planting those seeds.

A "Wilde" family -- Wendy, Dad, Dale, Susan, Mom

Though my father’s formal education ended after high school and one year of college, he was an example of continual learning. He liked to read the National Geographic, the newspaper, books about rocks, and the “lost Rhodes mines!”  And when we traveled, we stopped at a lot of museums and historical sites. He didn’t just rush through, but read the signs and information with each exhibit. 

 My father lived simply, but fully. He didn’t need a lot of “things” to make him happy. He took care of what he did have. He could be the poster child for “Fix it up, wear it out, make it do, or do without.” He lived within his means and was an example of also putting a little aside for the future. He encouraged us to be conservative and wise in the use of our resources. He was a good steward over resources and responsibilities given him – whether it was money earned, God’s creations, or his family.   

Dad showed genuine interest in and love for others. He was a friend to many. He served others in our community, church, and extended family. I think of him often; I miss him. Today as we honor our fathers, I have some especially tender feelings as I reflect on the goodness of my wonderful father.  Thanks to you and Mom for a very happy, secure, and memorable childhood. 

Van's tribute to his father, LeGrande Hadlock:

Sunshine

My Dad didn’t go to church very often when I was young, but he expected and taught his boys good values and morals. You gave a man a good day’s work for an agreeable wage. You don’t get anything for nothing. Man was meant to make his living by the sweat of his brow.

He loved the game of basketball. He and his brother Curtis were an integral part of the Uintah High School basketball team that took State in 1939. Their nicknames were Sunshine and Shadow. Dad taught us to love the game as well, and he continued to be a fan throughout his life.

Another "fishing father!"

 We were taught to give our all to whatever we did – work hard, play hard, fish hard, hunt hard!  He was very supportive of our activities. He would go to work early so he could get his work done in order to get off early to come watch us.  His free time was spent with his family.

My Dad was an old World War II Marine Corps Sergeant. He expected his boys to be obedient and to “mind your elders.” Even if it seemed that he was quite mean, obedience to our parents taught us some very important truths and values about life and spiritual things. He taught us to honor and respect our mother. He was an unselfish, loyal man. He was devoted to his God, family, and country. 

Now finally, we give honor and reverence to our Heavenly Father. Obviously, because we've never seen him, we cannot post any photos of Him. But we have certainly felt of His love and watchful care. He is real.

God, our Father, is a family man. We knew Him in our pre-earth life. He knows us better than we know ourselves. He knows our strengths, weaknesses, and potential. He is aware of our needs. His work and focus is to bring us back home to live with Him again. We can trust Him, but we must also trust in His timing. He is all-powerful, all-knowing, and all-wise. We've heard President Weaver say: "God doesn’t help us because we are good. He helps us because He is good." He certainly has been good to us.

We are especially grateful that God loves us so much that "He sent His Only Begotten Son, that whoso believeth in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life." 

We love, honor, and revere our Fathers.