He really is such an incredible man! There is no one I look up to more than him. He is such a loving, HAPPY, kind and humble person! No matter how tired he might be from countless meetings and travels around the world...He is always so happy to see you and always makes you feel like you are the most important person in the world! ...I joke with my family that I REALLY AM the favorite! But I know it is just because he and my mom love us all so much!!
Brady came home after talking with Dad one night and said, "I love your Dad! He is who I am striving to be!"
Dad, I love you! You have been the most amazing General Young Men's President ever! You are so great with the Youth! I know they have also grown to love you! We still have Young Men in our ward that talk about sitting on Santa's lap at the Ward Christmas party...(when you got to come help as Santa's helper!!) Santa would ask them, "How are you coming on your Eagle?" I think most of them were taken back, but LOVED it!
Here is a favorite article of my Dad's that is from the October 2008 issue of the Liahona.... I think applies to EVERYONE!
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"Above the Clouds"
By Charles W. Dahlquist II Young Men General President
Charles W. Dahlquist II, “Agency and Accountability: Above the Clouds,” Liahona, Oct. 2008, 26
Not long ago I had the opportunity to fly in a small plane. As we were preparing to board, one of the passengers asked the pilot at what altitude we would be flying. He indicated that we would be flying at 9,500 feet (2,900 m). He said, “That will get us just above the clouds.” Then he explained, “If we fly below the clouds, the ride will be fairly rocky. However, if we can get through the clouds and up on top, we will have a much smoother ride.”
It was a concept that proved prophetic. For us in that airplane, it took a little bit more effort, a little bit more fuel, and a little turbulence to get through the clouds. However, once we were above the turbulence, the ride was, for the most part, smooth sailing. Although there was some brief turbulence and the need for the pilot to always be mindful of the flight conditions, the flight was much more comfortable.
Later I thought about the pilot’s words: “If we can get through the clouds and up on top, we will have a much smoother ride.” I thought about how much that applies to life itself. As we live in a mortal existence, there is much of the ugly and the base and the evil that we have to move above if we are to live the life of a Latter-day Saint. Then we can have the Spirit with us and feel the peace that is there for us to enjoy. It takes effort, it takes willpower, it takes courage, and it takes making correct choices for us to get above the turbulence around us. That turbulence includes the filth that surrounds us in the media. It includes discouragement, despair, and all the challenges of the “natural man” (Mosiah 3:19).
However, if we exercise our agency appropriately, if we live the standards given to us by the First Presidency in For the Strength of Youth, and if we make conscious efforts day by day to rise above the things of the world, our ride in this life will be much more pleasant. We will be able to feel peace along the way, and we will be able to arrive safely at our journey’s end.
It is not that the ride will be uneventful and completely peaceful. That was never promised, for there will be challenges along the way, and there will be a need for continued vigilance and alertness all along the way. However, by choosing to be on the Lord’s side, we can rise above the temptations of our mortal existence, and that will guarantee us peace and happiness in this life as well as in the life to come.
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Dad, you definitely magnified your calling to it's fullest! ...and FAR BEYOND! Thanks for your constant example to me and for being the greatest Dad ever!
President Thomas S. Monson and Charles W. Dahlquist II
Charles W. Dahlquist II, "Who's on the Lord's side, Who?" Talk given in General Conference, April 2007.
General Young Men's Leaders past and present. February 2009
Charles W. Dahlquist II signs off a Duty to God music requirement for a young pianist in Mexico.
Charles W. Dahlquist II, Recipient of Silver Buffalo award...Dad has a HUGE love for Scouting! We grew up loving Scouting as well...even though we were a family of ALL girls!
Thanks Dad, for your love and example not only to me, but to everyone around you!
12 comments:
I love your dad too! He IS a great guy and a good example. I remember in High School hearing about them and the things you did in your home and always admired your parents!
Julie i don't know him, but i love him too. He's so darn precious in those pictures. I'm grateful for his service too!!! that kinda made me cry because i know how amazing those men are who serve and are so happy to do it. Its so funny because there was a book i wanted to buy chance at deseret book and i saw on the back of it that your dad had recommended it so thats why i bought it. ha ha so silly huh! we were joking the other night about what if Julie's dad gets put in as the new apostle? ha ha julie we just love you guys, and you can so tell you were raised by amazing parents. you're a really cool person!
Julie, that was an amazing tribute to your Dad!! YOU have such a great family and I think it all start with the Dad & Mom!! BTW, where exactly are you moving? Did you find a house?
I can't wait to read the article! I'm going to wait till my head is more clear ;) Nice tribute & isn't it the best to feel like u have the best dad in the whole world?! He sounds like an incredible man :)
What a cool tribute to your dad. He did a great job!!!
Oh my goodness! I never realized President Dahlquist was your dad! I guess I never put two and two together. I loved him! His talk Who's on the Lord's Side, Who is one of my very favorite talks ever! It was the inspiration to many home evenings. We all learned the song together, and talked about it a lot. We were actually in the conference center when he gave that talk and Brek and I both looked at eachother and commented about how great the talk was. What an amazing man he is! I am grateful for him, and for you and all his family. I know it must be a huge sacrifice for the family of any general authority. In fact, today as I watched conference I just felt so much love for all of those men serving and their families. I am so grateful for their service and sacrifice. What a great tribute you gave him!
He's such a great man. Fabulous tribute to him.
You know how wonderful I think you are, so that can only mean your parents are just as fantastic!
What a blessing you have had in your life to have such a great Dad. I think that is so neat that you have had a Dad in the GP. What a great example he is to your kids and your entire family.
You're so lucky to have such a wonderful father that has made the gospel such a central part of your family's lives. What a nice tribute and what amazing pictures!!
I didn't even realize that your dad was the general young mens president, that is so neat! Sounds like a great guy, and what a great example to have for you and your family.
Your dad is an amazing man! What a beautiful tribute to your dad. I love all of his talks. I especially loved the talk about "who's on the lord's side who?" I printed that one up along with a couple others for Derek last week because he had to speak at a fireside. Thanks for sharing your amazing Dad with the world.
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