DAD

I SURE LOVE MY DAD!!!!  He's the cute little guy on the left. (His brother, Dan, is on the right)

I, Lynne Ripplinger Smith, "having been born of goodly parents, therefore I was taught somewhat in all the learning of my father" (1 Nephi 1:1).  

And "knowing my father that he was a just man---for he taught me in his language, and also the nurture and admonition of the Lord---and blessed be the name of my God for it..." (Enos: 1:1)

Can I talk about my incredible father for a minute?  Like Nephi and Enos, my father (and mother) taught me the most important things that shaped me into the person I am today.  My faith, work ethic, love, desire to do good and make correct choices all came from the example and teaching of a righteous father (and mother).

Let me paint a picture, for you, of my dad.  He took the role as the patriarch in our home very seriously.  He provided for 7 young children and our mother by earning a meager school teacher's salary, then teaching piano lessons after school, traveling to the homes of his students because our home was kind of a rat-race (as he would call it) with so many children and so much noise.  After the piano lessons, he took night classes at the University of Utah to earn his Master's degree in music and a PhD in School Administration. All of this he did to make sure his family was comfortable.  We were never rich, as to the things of this world, but we were wealthy beyond compare with the things that matter most...... love of God and family!
He ALWAYS had time to eat dinner and have family prayer with us.  This was important for our unity as a family!  Some of my fondest memories have to do with what happened around the dining room table and when we were on our knees praying together.

On the classroom blackboard in his choir room at Skyline High School, dad penned the words "TRUE DISCIPLINE: the ordering of the self by the self."  As a kid, I always wondered what he meant by that and why it was important for his students.  I found out that it wasn't just for his students, but that he was teaching his children at home how to be disciplined, as well.  Since music was important to our father, he wanted each of us, as his children, to learn to discipline ourselves through playing a musical instrument.  This discipline came through hours of practicing.  Since we had a great respect, honor and love for dad, when he set the ground rules for playing an instrument, we heeded his instructions, thus, our behavior showed a willingness to obey. This carried forth through all aspects of our lives.  Discipline.

 Meaningful "Desire" was something else that dad strived to instill in us. He had a knack for helping others want more from themselves...whether it was in their music, studies, work or even pulling weeds.  He had a way of helping people give or do more because they had a deep desire to do so.   

My father became who he is because of his parents.  He would never do anything that would dishonor or tarnish their good name.  Never!  My dad loves cars. When he was growing up, the family car broke down and there was no money to fix it.  My Grandpa Ripplinger sent my dad to the mechanic shop to see if they would give him the part that was needed to fix the car without paying for it until later, when they had the money.  The mechanic said he would ask the shop owner if he would be willing to do this transaction on a "promise to pay."  The owner asked the name of the person who needed the part.  The mechanic told him my grandfather's name, "Henry Ripplinger."  The owner replied "Henry Ripplinger!  He's good as gold!!!  You give him whatever he needs.  If he says he'll pay me back, he'll pay me back!!"  My grandfather was rock solid to the core, and so is my dad!  They know where their blessings come from and they are willing to keep the commandments so that they may be blessed.

I remember my dad saying this to us: "I let you guys make your own decisions.  If you make the wrong one, then I'll make the right one for you."  Hahaha, dad!  He would say this in a very "tongue in cheek" way because my father was a true believer in our God-given agency, no matter how painful it was to sit back and watch us make mistake after big mistake.  We learn from our mistakes and the consequences that go along with them.  Some of us still carry the scars from those battle wounds, yet we were taught repentance and relied on our loving  Savior because our mom and dad taught us about the Atonement.  

I have some funny stories about my use of agency and the consequences that go with my mistakes.  Most of my stories have to do with dating and the rules my dad set forth in our home.  As a teenager, I knew WAY more than my silly, backward parents  They, after all, had one foot in the grave.  When dad told me that my curfew was 11:00 p.m., I bawked at it and whined "Come on!!!! how about midnight?"  He said "OK, 10:00."  I whined some more and ended up with a 9:00 curfew.  Way to go dad.  At least that kept me out of trouble.  Smart guy!  Sometimes after a date, my friend and I would be out in the driveway sitting in the car.  Curfew time was inching closer and closer.  Pretty soon the front porch light began blinking off and on several times.  OK, OK, I'm coming dad!  Once my date and I were sitting in the car and the porch light had apparently burned out, so there was no blinking going on.  However, something more embarassing happened.  Dad came outside wearing his stripped night shirt, carrying a step ladder and changed the lightbulb on the front porch.  I was so mortified that I hurried out of the car so that my date would quickly leave.  My dad's a genius!  You see, in his own way, he was helping us make the right choices.

So much of my life was centered around music because of dad.  I used to think that dad never relaxed, but while analyzing this, I discovered that he relaxed, but that  much of his relaxation involved music and his love of cars and driving.  We would often pile into the "woody" station wagon  and go for a Sunday drive to our Grandparent's or an Aunt and Uncle's home.  While driving, (which dad loved to do), we would sing songs.  We learned a lot of goofy, yet really fun songs that involved snorting and whistling and hand movements.  That was relaxing and enjoyable for my dad...and for us, as well.  Not only were we spending valuable time together as a family, we were learning how to visit those who needed comfort and cheer.  Once we went to visit Naomi Randall, the woman who wrote the well beloved song, "I Am A Child of God".  My father knew her and also knew that she wasn't well, so he took us to her home to sing to her.  Beautiful memories! 

My dad knows how to serve!  Learning to serve, even in the smallest way, is a Godly attribute, and my dad is a master of it!  Let me tell you a story about a small service he did that meant the world to those he helped.  My dad served as the Associate Conductor to the Mormon Tabernacle Choir for 21 years.  During that time, he went on many tours throughout the world with the choir.  On this particular occasion, the choir was performing in Vienna, Austria, outside, on a sweltering, hot day.  The women were wearing very unfortunate, long dresses that were heavy fabric, high necks, and long sleeves.  The heat was unbearable.  The women began to unzip the dresses around their neck to try and get a bit of air circulating.  My dad could see a need and so he slipped into the washroom, grabbed enough folded, brown paper towels for about 175 women, got the paper towels soaking wet and then took them outside and placed them gently, one by one, on the back of the necks of the women in the choir.  It may have seemed an insignificant thing for him to do, but for the grateful recipients, it meant the world.  A simple, loving service to those in need.

My dad has not been feeling very well for the past couple of weeks.  My brother, who is a doctor, had him get into the office for some tests.  We found out on Tuesday that dad has cancer.  Even in his weakened condition, he is in high spirits and continues to go about his daily tasks, never shirking his responsibility or feeling sorry for himself.  He serves as the Senior High Councilman in his Stake in  Utah.  He will serve there until the day he dies or is incompacitated!  (His Stake President actually told me that, himself)  Dad has always given more than 100% to any calling or job that he was ever given.  Doing something second rate was never his gig.  He knows how richly he has been blessed by the Lord, and he recognizes His hand in his life.  He makes a covenant every single week as he partakes of the Sacrament to always remember the Savior....and dad doesn't take that covenant and his Temple covenants lightly.  I am so grateful for the loving example and steadiness of my father.

I began this Father's Day blog with scriptural passages from the first words of Nephi and Enos.  Now, I would like to end with the closing statements from their accounts.  "For thus the Lord commanded me, and I must obey" (2 Nephi 33:15)  The Savior will say "Come unto me, ye blessed, there is a place prepared for you in the mansions of my Father.  Amen." (Enos1:27)

How grateful I am for a father who has lived a life of honor, integrity and respect, faith and trust, repentance and service, diligence and obedience.  He, like Nephi, has said "I must obey" and as is written in Enos, I know there is a place prepared for my dad in the mansions of our Heavenly Father because he has been a faithful servant.

HAPPY FATHER'S DAY

I LOVE YOU!!

HERE'S THE REST OF OUR WEEK

Elder Smith and Loewen (peeking around the corner) at the church "group" apartment in Grenville

Sisters Grigg and Smith applying for their police reports at the Millenium building

As missionaries, one of the rules we must obey is "backing up" our driver whenever we have to reverse drive.  Sister Smith is "backing up" Sister Grigg out of a tight spot

On Wednesday, the Sisters invited us to a cottage meeting at Roger and Jemin's home.  We had 2 investigators attend.  We are roasting marshmallows after the lesson.  Fun evening!

Saturday we had a baptism in Grenville.  This is the outside of the church.

Elders Hill, Strong, Smith and Bro. Branch

Elders Loewen and Smith at the "group" church apartment in Grenville

Bro. James,  Jasian Downes and her girls and the missionaries hanging out on the porch before the baptismal services

Elders Hill, Smith and Ramdhanie

Elders Loewen and Smith with Emma Rennie

At the baptism

Emma

Elder Wilson

Elder Ramdhanie

All the folks who attended

Elders Ramdhanie and Strong with Roger Courtney

Jelita (an investigator) with Elders Smith and Hill

After the baptism we headed back to St. Georges for an "Open House/Exhibition" at the church that afternoon.

Saturday evening we had a little operation on one of Elder Strong's toenails (for the 4th time!!!!).  The poor guy! The steep hills in Grenada have been murder on his toenails.  He is being transferred to Guyana next week, so hopefully, he won't have any more toenail problems.  They don't have hills where he is going.  Just nice flat surfaces to walk on.  Wow, we are going to miss him.  It's like losing one of our own children!  He has been in Grenada his entire mission....just 2 weeks short of a year!

 Sunday, Elder Strong wore plastic bags over his feet because of the toenail surgery and the rain that was falling.

Elder and Sister Bateman came to Grenada for a quick trip this week

 We got so much done while they were here!!!  Might as well do what we have to do on the bed in the air conditioned room.......

 Then go out for lobster in the evening.  Sheesh, we love living here!

These are pictures of some of the "Open house/Exhibition" at the church on Saturday

 Celine Alexander

 Alisha George

 Simone, Heston, Diamond and Jasmine Cummings

 Brendalee Stephen's sisters

 Petra Smith

 Roger Courtney

To finish off our week, we will post a picture of our terrific Grenada Zone.  Our Zone will change next week as we lose Elders Hill and Strong, then receive 2 new Elders from Trinidad.  Stay tuned!

HAPPY FATHER'S DAY