1848 Rimrock Road Billings, Montana
July 1, 1984

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

This will be a really short letter! It's about 11 p.m. and we just got back from a weekend in Wyoming. We left about 6 a.m. on Saturday to drive to Casper for our zone conference and after that we drove to Riverton last night - we figured it out and we had driven over 500 miles and had a seven hour meeting all in one day!!!! We drove to Fort Wahakie from Riverton this morning to attend church services on the Reservation and they lasted until about three this afternoon and then we drove home. Our missionary couple down there, Elder & Sister Atkinson were so happy to have us come - they are doing a great job in activating the Indians but they aren't baptizing anyone yet!!! We were surprised to find out that there are a lot of white people who belong to that Branch - they have ranches close by so they attend church there - in fact, the Branch President is white.

We came back by way of Cody and Johnny, we talked about how it was two years ago today that we came that way to come into Billings - we still remember how scared we were and we had no idea of what to expect - do you remember the fog and drizzly rain as we drove through Red Lodge and we had expected that to be such a beautiful place??? Well - there has been a lot of water go under the bridge since then and Daddy & I are grateful for the wonderful support you have been during this past two years and it has been so much harder for you that it has been for us. We have all received a million more blessings that hardship and we know this is the way it was supposed to be. We really loved your phone call the other day - you just can't imagine how much we all miss you!!! You sound so happy and all settled in and we're thrilled to hear the positive things you said about the food and your classes and just everything - I am so convinced that it is those who think and act positively who are the happiest and the most successful!!! We hope you get to go to the Osmond 4th of July presentation - do they still have that? We have heard so much about that but have never seen it. As we pass all the fireworks stores around Montana & Wyoming we think about the fun you always had on Leawood on the 4th!!! We hope you are adjusting to your roommate okay (Johnny's roommate is from Mexico and doesn't speak a word of English and he isn't a member of the church). We just couldn't believe that I'll have to admit I was quite a little bit upset - I'm sure he needed a strong roommate!!

Last Sunday we spoke in the College Ward and then raced home to get ready to drive to Anaconda for a Fireside that started at 7 p.m. We also had to pack to stay three days in that part of the State. Just as we were leaving the Elders came up to the apartment with three big packages of sirloin steaks that someone had given them and they wanted me to cook them for them in our apartment stove because the stoves downstairs don't have broiler ovens in them. The worst thing was that they were solidly frozen. Needless to say, we were late in leaving the late for the fireside!!! The house Elders have a lot to learn about food - tonight when I came in they said they were going to start buying all their food together and wanted me to help them plan it. I hesitate to do that so we'll have to wait and see.

We were in Butte o Monday, then Kalispell on Tuesday and then to Great Falls on Wednesday. We got home late Wednesday night and we were home on Thursday and then went to Dunmore on Friday. Daddy had planned this series of zone conference first and he has his interviews after - this way they can have longer interviews if they want to and it makes it better for the missionaries but much harder on Daddy. We spend anywhere from to six to eight hours a day for the conference. We were with Elder & Sister Wright from Brigham City up in Dunmore and they told me that Dee Glen Smith isn't doing well at all - she said they have given him two months at the very most to live. The Wrights are sweet people!!!

You wouldn't believe what has been going on at the Mission Home. One night someone came by about midnight and threw eggs all over the cars and in the doorways out in back and then spilled oil on the driveway. The Elders cleaned them up off the cars but I spent most of Thursday cleaning dried up eggs off the entrance floor - it's concrete and some still wouldn't come off. Then they did it again on Thursday night only they just hit the cars. Daddy called the police and they said they would patrol. Last night the Elders slept outside and they heard someone about midnight and they were trying to break into the shed out in back - it is just filled with supplies for the cars like oil filters, oil, etc. They got dressed and tried to catch them but they got away - they did see the truck though and it is a brand new one from one of the auto dealers here in town and it didn't have a license plate on it. They called the police and they came out about 1 in the morning and will try to find out tomorrow from the auto dealer who just bought a truck with that description. If e had been her last night I don't believe Daddy would have let them sleep outside. There have also been a lot of obscene phone calls her at the Mission Home and also at the missionaries' apartments here in Billings and their apartments have also eggs thrown at them. There is a lot going on her right now with that "Godmaker" film and we wondering if that has anything to do with it. Are you familiar with that film? It is written and produced by a man who has been excommunicated from the church and we heard him on the radio the other day as he was interviewed and we just couldn't believe some of the things he said about the church - really sad!!! Things like this don't upset Daddy but they do me - I can't understand people like that!

I have moved the typewriter from our bedroom over to the yellow bedroom clear across the house but it still sounds so loud because the rest of the house is quiet!!! I had better quit!

I have talked to Ann & Jean this week but we haven't heard from Bob or Roy. Annie has been helping Johnny get adjusted and settled into school and since he doesn't have a phone it has been wonderful to talk to her. I know Johnny really appreciate having them close by - he has been at their home jumping on the trampoline with Susanna & Jessie. When we talked to John the other afternoon he said, "Ann gave me some really nice towels to use". It is so funny when I think of the things I helped him get ready and then all the things I forgot to help him with. We hope you have the things you need by now Johnny and we appreciate the Woolleys so much!!!

When we got home tonight the Elders said that Rick and called and they left tonight to start on their way to Billings. He was going to work on the way so they will probably be her some time tomorrow evening. I don't know if this means they are going to spend Tuesday with us or if they are going right back but we're anxious to have them come. This week is really going to be busy but after Friday we will be able to relax and play with the children. We will have twenty-two for dinner on Wednesday night and for lunch that day and then on Thursday we will have twenty for dinner. There will be so many missionaries coming though the home the children will think they're at the park or somewhere. Friday we go to Miles City and we will wither take the children with us to have a baby sister and then on Saturday we have hour zone conference here Billings. The missionaries are good to play with children but sometimes they're more hindrance that help!!!

Johnny - Daddy and I really enjoyed the spotting scope on our trip this week. You just wouldn't believe the things you can see with that - today I watched a buffalo from quite a ways away and I could see flies on is nose - it is so neat and Daddy loved it!!! We had a cute thank you note from Dave Gormley. You got a package from the Powers - I'll send it back with Jean & Rick - I hope they will be able to take your stereo - Daddy has it all packed.

Our car is ready to be traded in for the one with adjustable seats - they are going to give us one of the General Authorities' cars and give ours to another Mission President who doesn't travel so much. Rick & Jean will probably drive it up for us when they come back for their children on the 12th. You could bring it up Johnny except we don't want you to miss any school.

Daddy just came in and said he couldn't sleep until I came to bed so I'll quit for sure.

One more thing - we designed and had made a really nice Mission Memento for gifts - it is a picture of the Mission Home with the Mission Song under it and then the Eagle which is the mission emblem on it - then we had it put on a brass plate. It's beautiful - we just sent fifteen of them for wedding gifts. Every day we receive another wedding gifts. Every day we receive another wedding announcement from one of our missionaries. All the missionaries in the Mission Field went in together and thy bought Daddy the most beautiful porcelain Eagle - he is really proud of it!!!

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