May 13, 1985 Billings, Montana

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

The big news this week is that we don't have the big news from the Weinert family yet! When Jeannie went to check into the hospital on Thursday they checked her and decided she should carry the baby another week to ten days - so if all goes well the baby won't be born until a week from today. We think that is so wonderful - Jeannie & Rick won't know what to do with a full term baby and we're so thrilled for them. We were in a meeting when Jeannie called on Thursday night so she gave the message to one of the Elders - after the meeting I tried to cal them and they weren't home so I hope I have the story right!!!

We will really have some more big news soon - Johnny put his mission papers in last Thursday!!!! We are so proud of him and so excited to hear where he will be serving for the next two years - after being here on our mission for the last three years I am far more concerned about him than I was when Bob left. I'm sure I am like a lot of other people and just take missions for granted but when I have seen the struggles our missionaries go through and the places they live and the food they eat I will worry much more about him. I would like for to serve in the States but most young people want foreign assignments - we have no idea when he will know - some get their callings within a week and others have to wait two and three weeks. The Elders in the home are as excited as he is I believe. I thought maybe (Ha) that he would have his letter sent here but he said, "No Way" we're concerned about your leg, Johnny and we're really thrilled that Roy has kept on top of it and helped your doctors get you more help - I worry about your taking so many pain pills. We're proud of you too for getting the Lincoln all licensed and everything - we'll keep our fingers crossed that you will be able to sell your car soon - but it's no big deal if you don't - we'll have all summer to do that!

Bob & Claire - it was so good to hear from you - especially for you to mention that you wouldn't "hang up your shingle" close to family and see what happens. That is so smart!!! We know there will always be room for a good ear, nose & throat doctor wherever you choose to live. You should so happy - that little Laura must have her Grandma B's disposition - Ha! Bob calls her "The little love box" because she is so sweet. You say she is small for her age - I'll bet she is a little doll and I'm sure she and Michael will always be so close - he'll be her protector for life!! Have you planted any vegetables in your yard?

Annie & Ron - it was so good to talk to you - I was so frustrated because no one could find Lynn and the Elders kept coming up to the apartment and I was still in my robe and I had promised the District President in one of our Districts that I would have him call him within 5 or 10 minutes. I really never have figured out how to work the inter-com system in this house and they show me how but invariably I disconnect the parties. I finally discovered that Daddy had gone to get me a Mother's Day present (a wonderful new hot pad). Anyway, we're so glad that Russell has recuperated from his head would and I have laughed and laughed when I think of what Ron said to the doctors when he got to the hospital - Ann said he turned to them and said, "How can we keep this from happening?" - of course, they said, "You could keep him in a cage". Little boys are going to get banged up if they live a normal life and you just have to project them as much as possible and then try to not worry too much about them. We're excited about your plans to buy a lot and maybe start building your dream home in a year or two we think the home you're in is a dream home!!!

Roy - I was sick that I missed your phone call last night because it has been a long time since we have talked or heard from you - we have heard indirectly through Johnny and Ann but not "from the horse's mouth". Patrice - I was so thrilled to received your recipe for carrot cake - it's funny because the Elders in the home have asked for a carrot cake and I made them one that I didn't think was all that good so I'm really anxious to try your recipe. I am also anxious to respond to the recipe "chain letter" - I really love to try new recipes and I'm in a perfect position to do this because missionaries will eat anything - Ha! Thank you for thinking of me. We know you are getting exited about your trip to Nova Scotia - will you go the first part of June? How far will you travel - I'm not familiar with that area at all!!!

Jeannie & Rick - we love the pictures you sent. We had a lot of activity in the Mission Home last week so I made a big poster with the picture (pregnant of Jeannie with the children and wrote under it, "Pres. & Sister Mellor's 11th grandchild is due Friday, May 10th" - so we were all anxiously waiting - and we still are!! I'm so happy you liked the baby shawl - please don't take it out in public where people can see all the mistakes!!!

I am writing this on Monday morning - Daddy and I left Saturday about noon and drove Stevensville, Montana to attend their Stake Conference. We drove a thousand miles in two days and didn't get home last night until almost 11 p.m. Thank you all so very much for remembering me on Mother's Day - there is no greater joy in all my life is to live closer to al of you so we could help you when you need us.

We took the long way to Stevensville so we could see some of the places we hadn't been before. We went through Virginia City where they are having that trial for the Mountain Men. That is really a "country town" - in fact, it is almost a ghost town and right by Nevada City which is a ghost town - there used to be a lot of gold mining in that area most of the people have moved out now and the court house there is about the only substantial building in the entire area. Are you following the trial? That is such an interesting thing to us because we travel in that area really often - we are hoping they let the young man go free. We also went through Ennis, Montana (it's right by Virginia City) and took the time to visit some of sour friends who live there - Bob & Jerry Nelson. I went all through school with Bob and Jerry is a distant cousin of mine from Brigham City. They have an old home that is way up a lane in Ennis and it is just a gorgeous spot - at least it could be if they were to spend some time and money on it. they are ranchers and right now they have 85 cows - it's so fun for me to see some of my old friends like this - Bob Nelson being a rancher is a far cry from what I thought he would be when we were in school together. When we came back from April Conference we stopped in Dubois, Idaho to look up another old friend of mine from college days - Laura Lee Lundahl from Logan. She & her husband live on a sheep ranch out in the "boondocks" and that is a far cry from what I thought she would be doing.

We got four new missionaries in last Wednesday - two from Utah, one from California and one from Missouri. I fixed Chicken Tettrazini, fruit & vegetable salads, hot rolls and cake & ice cream. Thursday we only had one going home and Daddy tried to talk me into just taking him out to dinner but the house Elders look forward to these dinners so much that we finally decided to have another hamburger, potato salad, & baked beans dinner out on the patio and the all loved it - I made Annie's recipe for brownies for that and they were really a hit.

They are tearing up the balcony that goes all around this house and we are in such a big mess. I guess this had been scheduled for last Fall and they are just now getting around to doing it - the surface on it had torn and when it rained or snowed on it would leak down through the wood. They started last Monday and they told us this morning they are about half through - they have to give it so many coasts of a finish and let them dry so long in between. I really need to get organized in my cleaning and something like this really throws me. I washed twenty-six blankets last week - I took them off all the beds in the guest rooms upstairs. I don't believe I am going to do the ones in the Elders' dorm when they move out - I will just air them good and then put them away. We are going to shampoo the carpets in our apartment this week and Daddy is taking all the light fixtures down today and cleaning them. We are going to have to hire some help the last week to put on the final touches - we could hire all the help we want but it's hard to get them to do the kind of work you wart! Daddy also bought a lot of seeds last week - peas, beans, onions, kohlrabi, peppers, carrots, radishes, etc. - he's going to plant them sometime this week. Its still a little too early to put out flowers so that will have to be done in June. I talked to a man in Stevensville yesterday morning and he was so sad - he said all the fruit on his trees had frozen the night before - it had been 270 - on our way to the conference we had noticed that where the sprinklers had been on - the water was all frozen. I surely hope the Utah fruit didn't freeze this year!

we love each one of you so very much! PLEASE BE CAREFUL IN EVERYTHING YOU DO * let us know how we can help you. It won't be long until we'll be home and living a normal life - what a choice experience this has been and what a choice experience it will be to be home and closer to some of you - we are so blessed and we know it!


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