Richard's Farewell

We know they're not really called farewells anymore, but we don't know what else to call it. Richard spoke in sacrament meeting on March 16th prior to going into the MTC on April 2nd. He spoke along with his friend Erik Van Otten and former Young Men's President Dan Tongish. The three each spoke on different aspects of the atonement and Richard also discussed Joseph Smith's relationship with the Savior and how that helped bring a greater focus to the blessings of the atonement.

We had an informal gathering at our home afterwards where many of Richard's friends came and visited. It was impressive to see his friends, great young men and women, many returned missionaries themselves, interact. It reminded me of something Ezra Taft Benson was quoted as saying; 'you can tell a lot about a man by the books he reads and the friends he keeps'. As Becca would say, 'true story'!

Becca and Justin came down for the day and we spent a great afternoon together - we missed Jessica, Brandon and Kendall of course. We'll all be together for Easter though and we're looking forward to it. Just days later Richard will go into the MTC and it will be at least two years before we're all together again. Joy and sadness!

Pictured are Richard Haskell Jr. with friends Josh Hicken and Erik Van Otten - Josh has been called to serve in the Czeck Republic Mission and enters the MTC in late May.