Several months ago Jim Jones listened to Greg Vaughn speak about a rusty tackle box Vaughn found when his dad died. Hearing how Vaughn had nothing more than a tackle box to remember his dad changed Jones' life. Jones decided to start a program at First Baptist Church in Bryan called Letters From Dad. The course follows the teachings of a book written by Vaughn. Jones said he wanted to connect with his eight children by writing letters to let them know how much they were appreciated.

"I cried my way through those letters as I began to just remember the things I wanted to say to each of those kids. It probably looked pretty silly at the time, but boy was it worth it," said Jones.

Jones said he was on an airplane the first time he wrote letters to his children. Last year, about 25 men participated in the Letters from Dad course, this year members are offering the free course to anyone who wishes to participate.

"I think we all have people we know, something happened to them unexpectedly. They were killed or passed away and we all have things that we wished we would've said, and that's what got me interested in it," said a participant in the course, Pete Lair.

Jones said once a month participants will meet at the church to write letters. At the end of the course all participants would have written four letters: one to their wives, their children, a tribute to their parents, and a legacy letter to be opened after they pass away. Jones said the course will offer participants the encouragement and support they need to express their feelings.

"Some dad's are separated from their children by emotional difficulties, and these letters try to bridge those types of gaps," said Jones.

Anyone wishing to participate in Letters From Dad can attend a barbeque and informational at First Baptist Church in Bryan. The February 6 event will begin at 11:30 a.m.at the church located at 3100 Cambridge Drive.