December 19, 1982 Billings, Montana

Dearest Roy, Bob, Claire & Michael, Rick, Jean, Ricky, Barbara Jean & Mary Ann, Ron, Ann, Susanna, Jessie & Russell,

We just came home from Wyoming - we left early yesterday morning and drove to Lander to visit with our missionary couple there and also to see our elders and the truck they wrecked. The missionary couple had dinner ready for us and it was so nice to visit with them and here about Fort Washakie and their work with the Indians there - Elder and Sister Terry. The truck the elders wrecked was a brand new one and it has $3100.00 worth of damage done to it - it was really a miracle they weren't hurt - one of them ruined his suit and his head went backwards through the back window but all he had was a scratch on his bottom and his arm - the other one was driving and didn't get hurt at all. After we visited with them for a little while we drove back to Worland for their Stake Conference - it was really a wonderful conference and the Worland people are something special. After the conference today we were invited to Pres. and Sister Horsley's home for dinner - he is a doctor in Worland and they have a country home with horses all around and it is beautiful. The Stake President, Bro. Asay, is a veterinarian and he is a super person. We were with the regional representative, Bro. Tyler Woolley whom we knew in Fort Collins and that was fun.

We got home about 8 tonight and Johnny was already in bed but we got him up. He left early yesterday morning to go with a friend duck hunting and they hunted all day - he shot two ducks and some other birds that he wants to mount (I can't remember the names of them). Johnny is really loving this country and he has found a friend who likes to hunt and fish as well as he does - this friend has access to a lot of hunting country through family and friends that isn't open to the public and that makes it a little safer. Jeannie bought a new duck caller (his other one is packed in Lehi) and he said he brought a lot of ducks "in" with it - his friend had never seen anyone do that before so that was neat for Johnny.

Annie and Ron - what a beautiful family you are!!!! We received your "reject" pictures and just love them and then we received your Christmas card and love that one too. I talked to Chris Jordin and Marc interrupted our conversation to tell us what beautiful grandchildren we have - I had sent them a picture of Jeannie and their children while they were here with us and then they had received your card Annie and of course they see little Michael all the time - we agree, we really are proud of our grandchildren!!!! We have thought about you for the past three or four days and hope you have had a good visit with Roy - we're anxious for him to get here so he can tell us all about it.

Bob and Claire- it was wonderful visiting with you Saturday morning and hearing about all your plans. We really are pleased to hear about your internship in Memphis Bob - what a wonderful opportunity - he has been accepted in their general surgery program there and will move to Memphis to start the first of July. I know how hard it is going to be to have to sell your Little Rock home and if it helps I can really sympathize with you your very first home and it so beautiful. In years to come you will look back on this as a stepping stone to what you really want but right now it is hard. We surely hope you will be able to find as nice a home in Memphis. When Brenda came to billings she had a friend ride out with her and she lives in Memphis - she really is a lovely woman and I know she would help you in any way she could - if you want her name and address let me know. She is a member of the church and has lived in Memphis most of her life.

Jeannie and Rick - we have been so happy to hear about the good weather in Utah because we know they must really be moving ahead with your home - we surely hope so. The Horsley's daughter was home in Worland for the holidays - she is going to Weber State - we had a good visit and I told her about you working at the hospital Jeannie. She has a friend who is a nurse there and she got your name so you may be "looked up". This girl is overweight and when I asked her where she lived in Ogden she said, "Right by Marie Calendars".

Roy - I was so worried that Barney Clark (the man who just received the first artificial heart implant) would die the day you were at the University Hospital for your interview - he was having some problems but now he is doing great. We're so anxious to hear about all your interviews and what you think of the hospitals compared to those in the East. Johnny says the skiing in red lodge is really good and he wants to go skiing the day after you get here. (It's kinda' dumb to include you in this letter because you will read it home but this way everyone else will know what's going on).

We won't have to leave town now until January 2nd when we go to Sydney, Montana where Daddy will dedicate their new chapel there. I will be so happy to stay home for the next two weeks - we have some speaking engagements but Daddy does most of that so I can relax. This next week will be bedlam but I'm sure everything will work out okay.

We are getting in the Christmas spirit - we have received quite a few cards from old friends - some who didn't know we have moved and their cards have been forwarded. The Jarvis's from Phoenix sent a family picture and it was fun to try to figure out who was who!!! Billings is really decorated - many of the homes by the mission home are really pretty. The house elders designed and printed really clever Christmas cards and I waited for them to get done because they said they would make enough for us to send to our personal friends but they didn't so now I am going to be late with cards and will have to buy regular ones. Daddy and I wrote personal notes on more than two hundred cards - one to each of our missionaries and then one to their families - I thought we would never get finished.

Chris and Wayne Smith called the other night from Alabama - it was so cute - we were having a youth fireside here and I was in the kitchen when the phone rang. I knew the elders weren't here so I answered it and Wayne said, "Hello, this is Kris Kringle and I just wanted to know what you wanted for Christmas". I think that's the first time since we have been here that I have answered the phone and it's been for me. We loved visiting with them and they promised they would come see us next summer - Daddy has said a million times, "I've got to show Wayne this". They were on their way from Alabama to Little Rock for the holidays. Johnny came in from work while they were still on the phone and he "squawked his duck call for him".

I can't think of any more news - we surely do love each one of you. We hope you will have a wonderful Christmas - we'll be thinking of you and wishing we could be together at least for dinner. We'll have many years for that - we feel so blessed to have healthy and happy families and we're grateful that we can be serving in this wonderful mission. Please be really careful in
everything you do!!!!!
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