May 22, 1983 Billings, Montana

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

This has been a busy day - we went down to Worland, Wyoming yesterday for their Stake Conference and church Dedication and hurried home today so we could be here for a youth fireside in the Mission home. Some of the young people are still downstairs - they had their Stake Patriarch come to speak to them and he was really good - Patriarch Leckie. The conference in Worland was special - their General Authority was Carlos Asay and he is such a good speaker - they had all kinds of dignitaries there and he asked for Daddy and I go to speak. Daddy always does such a good job but I was scared to death this time - there looked like a million people in the audience. We all went in for a prayer meeting and an older lady who had been asked to give the closing prayer come over to visit with me - I asked her if she lived in Worland and she said she and her husband had raised their family there and has lived there for forty years but when they retired they moved to a little town in Utah - Lehi. We had fun talking about people we both knew Alvin Schow.

Most of the time I feel like we're on a merry-go-round that never stops so we can get off. Last Monday after I had done the laundry and grocery shopping for the week I started making cheese cakes - I took the last out at midnight. Tuesday we spent getting things ready for the couples' conference diner - we had to use tables from the church - we set places for 36. I found some really nice cards made from wild flowers found here in Montana to give each couple - they had everyone sing them so they could keep them for souvenirs - I also used them for place cards. The tables looked so pretty - we have a lilac bush out in back so we had little vases of lilacs all over. We served Ann's Mexican Delight, corn, hot rolls and the cheese cake. We had the missionaries in this area put on a musical program for them and it really turned out good. They left about 9 p.m.- then the next morning we met at 8:30 a.m. at the Institute Building for our couples zone conference. I thought it was just excellent. Three of our couples are leaving within the next month and they are really ready - we kinda' get the idea they resent us because we have a beautiful home to live in - they're sweet but we just get that feeling. Many couples on missions never even get invited to the Mission Home - they didn't ever have anything like this here before we came and we may decide to stop it. Carol and Elly were really upset at their Mission President because they were never invited to the home or given special attention so we have tried to be better but they don't seem to appreciate it. We had fresh strawberries for the cheese cake and I don't believe one person commented on it - course, I have to remember they live in trailers on the Indian Reservations and this must seem like the Celestial Kingdom by comparison.

Thursday, Daddy and I spent all morning out in the garden planting seeds - we have planted everything. I asked him if I could help him and he said "yes" so I got dressed in an old skirt and blouse and old shoes - when I went to the garden he made me come back and put on some of his "coveralls" - well, I looked ridiculous but I did it and the missionaries loved it - they took a million pictures!!!!!! I have been so stiff I could hardly walk and I worry what it's going to be like before the Summer is over - a garden that big is a lot of work and Daddy doesn't have the time and I don't have the know-now!!! The Elders do a wonderful job of the yard and I 'm sure they'll help me if I ask them.

We love talking to you Jeannie - it about scared me to piece though because I thought it was a few minutes before 5 - our clock was slow!!! We are so grateful that Ricky wasn't hurt any maybe it will be a blessing in disguise because I'm sure it scared him. (Ricky fell into neighbors Jacuzzi pool and an older boy was passing by and saw him and pulled him out) I can't imagine them having something like that without having fence around it. I really feel for you because I can remember our boys when they were Ricky's age - especially Bob - there was absolutely no way I could keep him confined!!! The biggest thing in my favor was our neighborhood - everyone watched out for "Little Bobby" - I could write a book about his escapades and you all remember how we tied him up to the swing set. We have been convinced a long time ago that he had a guardian angel watching over him too!!! Please, please let your housework go and spend your time watching your children - you Ann and Claire - it seems like an eternity until they are old enough to depend on but you will have many years to do housework and other things you can't do now.

I shouldn't start another page - I don't have any more news.

We haven't heard from the Woolleys or the Bob Mellors this week. We loved your phone call last Sunday night too Roy - we hope you'll be able to come see us. I worry about it being worth it for you but we would surely love to have you. (Roy said maybe he would come to Billings this week and drive to Kalispell with us and see Glacier National Park and then go by bus to Utah and stay with Jeannie until he could get a flight back East from Hill Field. He said he had an interview in Boston on the 31st and I worry about him getting everything in.

Johnny is excited about his trip to Little Rock - I hope it's as much fun as he thinks it's going to be. Things are never the same when you do back after moving away. He called David Bass yesterday just a couple hours before his wedding - I talked to him too and it was really good to hear his voice. He said all his relatives were in the house and that really brought back memories - we used to have so many times together.

Everything is going really well here - we will have an entirely new office staff by the end of this week from when we first came here and it is going to be different. The Elders are all so good and will be wonderful when they get trained.

We love each one of you so very much and really miss you - please let us know how we can help you and BE CAREFUL IN EVERYTHING YOU DO!!!
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