End of the season

 Oh hi kid,

That was a tough game yesterday, you saw the best part. It was so fun seeing your face and reactions to the game. My sappy self felt like you were with us, and I loved it. My worrying self thought that this may be a distraction for you, so I worried.

We sure love the Utes, but more times than not the last game of the year is a loss. For a few months now I’ll kinda be glad the season is over and try not to think about it. I’m back to listening to Audible books instead of sports talk. It’s actually quiet refreshing. Then Spring ball will come up and that little fire will stir. I have a hot and cold outlook on next season, mostly super excited to share it with you but also sad that Joe will not be part of it. 

As I think about football season, it reminds me of the seasons of life. All you hope for is to do your best in each stage of life to get you ready for the next. Some seasons are harder than others, some are longer than others. My childhood seemed long, as did my mission. College seemed short, but the time being single seemed long until I found your mom. Your guys childhood seems the shortest of all, I’m still coming to terms with how fast that has passed. I’m rambling a little because while some of these seasons of my life were happier than others, they all have made up a pretty awesome life that I’m sure I’m not grateful enough for. When I reflect I feel my blessings tower over me like I’m a spec and can’t have done anything to deserve them. As each season ends though I can see the blessing imparted by them, challenges and all.

Your starting the 4th quarter of your mission. You feel like the game isn’t going maybe as you planned. But there is no score for what you are doing. I think you will only be judged by your intent and your effort. Lessons, baptisms, etc are not stats that God keeps for missionaries, those are his. The spiritual muscles you develop are the only things you get to bring home, and you’ll need them to get your life restarted. Work hard to keep those muscles developed and strong for these next six months Jacob. Workouts and exercise is not meant to be fun, it’s meant to make you strong. You are strong, stay strong, come home strong.

I love you kid, believe in yourself, I do, mom does, your mission president does, and Heavenly Father Does.

Pops