June 10, 1984

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

Well - the big news for this week is Johnny's graduation!!!! We were really proud of him! It was Tuesday night and he got ready in his cap and gown and we took lots of pictures and if they're good we'll have them duplicated for our next letter. I'm sure you all remember in the Little Rock graduation exercises they had those in the National Honor Society wear a different color tassel in their caps. Well - here they had them wear long white cords around their necks and they were very impressive next to their black gowns. I think for the very first time Johnny really realized how important it is to have this achievements - he had just kinda' taken it for granted, I think. There were 600 in his graduating class and there were very few who wore the long white cords so he felt special. Johnny and Daddy and I went out to dinner before the graduation and we went to a really nice place (of John's choosing) and he had crab legs, Daddy had crab soufflé and I had scallops - everything was delicious!!! The Shriners here in Billings had a big party for the three High Schools' graduating seniors and Johnny said it was really far. They served breakfast at midnight and then John went to a party at one of his friend's homes and spent the night - we worried about him all night but I guess that's part of graduation. He has been to a million parties all week and tonight he has gone to another one - a barbecue!!! The weather was just absolutely gorgeous the night of his graduation - they held it in the big Metra center here and it was packed. One of the highlights of the graduation was when young girl who is confined to a wheelchair and has been since she was a child because of a nerve disorder walked across the podium to get her diploma - she used some special crutches and it was a very emotional experience for everyone watching her. The people in the Metra all stood up as well as all her classmates and clapped and then there was dead silence for a little while. They have had some featured articles in the paper about her and I guess she has been exercising all year in order to get strong enough to do that and all her doctors cautioned her against it. Johnny really appreciated hearing from each one of you - that meant so much to him - when he got Roy & Patrices' telegram he said, "Oh, I'd like to go visit them" and then when he got Bob & Claire's card he said, "Oh, I'd like to go visit them". We know he had kinda' planned to go see both of you during this two week break between graduation and college but we really didn't want him to go right now - we wanted him to wind down around here!!! we think it will be better for him to plan a trip next year after he finishes the year at the "Y" just before his mission.

We received only one missionary from the MTC this month and it was a beautiful young lady. She came in on Wednesday, John's birthday, and we had a special dinner for all the missionaries in the home and Johnny - we had a birthday cake for him along with some presents that were all useful for college - an iron, a robe, two new pair of jeans, and some socks. Johnny helped me prepare the dinner - we had enchiladas and I'll include the recipe because they are really good - one of the Elders out in the field sent it to me - he is as big as a barn and is known throughout the mission for these enchiladas. This missionary's name is Sister Bradbury and her Aunt, Bea Hansen, lives in Brigham City and is a friend of Grandmother Forrests. I fixed those hot tuna cheese sandwiches for lunch and I won't do that again - nobody really liked them!!!

Thursday we had four missionaries who had completed their missions come in for their de-orientation and testimony meeting - three sisters and one Elders. I fixed ham roll, twice baked potatoes, that layered vegetables salad, carrot and pineapple congealed salad and a chocolate desserts. They had composed a special poem for us had had it caligraphied and gave it to us.

I didn't go to the District Missionary meetings last week - really it isn't in the plan for Daddy and I to go to them - usually the assistants take care of them but we started going to try to motivate them more. Anyway, so many of the missionaries thought I was sick and came by to check on me and it would have been easier to go.

Friday, Daddy and Johnny got up really early and started to work on this big yard. They spent most of the day along with some of the Elders and really got it in shape again - the grass and weeds grow so fast and it makes constant care. It really looks nice now. I spent the day in the house cleaning so the inside looks good too. There is always so much laundry when we have missionaries in and out!!!

We went to Glasgow early Saturday morning - actually we stopped in Miles City on our way for a District Missionary Meeting. The Elders up there are discouraged because they're not getting much support from the members. They have had some national rodeos up there for the last month and with all that activity, missionary work kinda' suffers. We had the Glasgow District Conference today - Daddy is in charge of the three districts in the Mission. The conference was really good and I guess the highlight was when two Indian young men spoke about their missions - one just returned from Japan and the other one returned about a year ago from Norway. Their names are Mason & Anthony Runs Through and they're really fine young men but their family situations are said. Their sister, Phyllis, gave a talk on "How to be in the world but now of the world" and she has three children and has never been married. The Indians just have a very different culture in Montana.

It is the Indian culture to give someone something if that person admires it. Well, the last time we were in Wolfpoint, Daddy admired a belt buckle worn by one of the ward members and he quickly took it off and handed it to Daddy. Daddy wouldn't take it and it really offended this man but today in the meeting Daddy called on him to speak extemporaneously and when he came to the podium he handed Daddy a belt buckle he had had made to him. It was really a neat experience and the buckle is just beautiful - his wife gave me a jewelry case made by the Sioux Indians and also a beautiful pin - she is Sioux. They are really special people.

We were so thrilled to come home tonight and find a lovely letter from Patrice waiting for us. Patrice - your new job sounds great (she will be a photo researcher at "Stock Boston" which is a stock photograph agency). It really sounds interesting and we're so happy you will be doing something more to your liking. We always love the stationery you choose - good taste!!! It's hard to believe Ty is married - I'll bet he graduated from Med school this year - did he? And Keith is getting married soon!!! We will never forget when we went to Roy's graduation from Brown and met all his friends - they made us feel so much at home in that big house where they all lived and the turkey dinner they prepared was so special. Please give them our congratulations and love. It's wonderful to hear some news about what you are doing and we appreciated your letter so much. We're glad you haven't suffered any flooding.

Bob - we really loved your long letter and hearing about your new car - it sounds just beautiful and we're so thrilled you finally have a dependable car. I hope yours has the adjustable seats - our new one doesn't and we have complained to the Elder in charge of the care so he called Salt Lake the other day and told them it was really uncomfortable for us so they are going to give us one of the General Authority's cars and sell this one - How about that!!! We're sorry Michael & Laura have been sick but isn't it wonderful that you can help them - it is such a helpless feeling to have your child cry and not know what to do for him. We're really grateful that Claire is able to stay home full time and care for them - when we hear about all the abuse that is going on in the day care centers it makes us sick!!!!

Jeannie - we really loved those gorgeous pictures (we'll try to duplicate them). I'll bet Barbara Jean's Easter dress is one of those very special ones and yours like that too! We loved the pictures of your home and the snow and everything - deer nibbling on your trees - how fun!!! Daddy and John went out to find a place to take Ricky fishing and they came back with ten beautiful trout so I guess they found it - Daddy can hardly wait for him to come and I will love it too with Barji and Mary Ann. Guess who we heard about the other day - a man came into the Mission Home who used to work with Neil Randall in Logan at an upholstery shop. I guess Neil was his boss and it has been quite recent because Neil knew we were in Montana and told this man to come tell us hello for him - I was so busy in the kitchen I hardly took time to visit with him. He said Neil spoke highly of us so I guess there are no hard feelings!!!

Annie - we really loved talking to you and hope Russell is over his ear infection by now. I just can't even imagine how hectic your lives must be but we hope you'll be able to find time to come see us - I'll try to send you our schedule with this letter. There are some dates that we have no control over - it will be great if Ron could arrange a trip and come drop you off but we really want him to see this place if Ron could arrange a trip and come drop you off but we really want him to see this place too because I'm sure we'll talk about it for the rest of our lives and he will be in the dark if he doesn't see it (that goes for Claire & Patrice too. We liked what you wrote for the Mark & Joany family letter - I admire people who do that but right now that is low on my priority list!!!! I laughed about what you said about Joan Doxey - I think it's neat to know someone so well who is in the Relief Society General Presidency, don't you? She will be wonderful - so talented! We love you all so very much and really miss you! PLEASE BE CAREFUL IN EVERYTHING YOU DO - let us know how we can help you!!!









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