December 8, 1985 Lehi, Utah

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

Wow!!!! This has really been a snowy day! When I got up this morning about 8:15(I know that's shameful) I couldn't find Daddy anyplace in the house. I hadn't even looked outside but when I did, I realized where he was. We must have had at least six inches of snow during the night and he was out shoveling the driveway - I went out to help for a little while and decided this could get really old before the Winter is over! Our driveway is twice the size of most driveways and we have to carry the snow shovel over to the side to dump it and I guess that's the hardest part. Daddy has talked me into a "four-wheeler" with a snow plow attachment!

Johnny - I had the funniest experience on Tuesday. We usually get your letters on Monday but if they don't come then, I just know we'll get one on Tuesday. Well - it didn't come on Monday so when I brought the mail in on Tuesday I hurried to open the letter I thought was from you because it was obviously from a foreign country and I was shocked to see an address on the back of the envelope - it kinda' scared me because I thought you had been transferred to another mission because the address was unfamiliar and you had told us you would have the same address throughout your entire mission. Well - the letter was from Brent McCleod in Brazil and your letter didn't come until Wednesday. He wrote the sweetest letter and told us about the people in the area where he is serving - I guess they are really poor and yet will help the missionaries - he said his mission has already helped him appreciate the life and family he has. We are so thrilled that you are so busy - that's exactly the way you should be. It must have been a neat experience to baptize three people in a little pool in back of the chapel (Johnny said he felt like John The Baptist baptizing in the wilderness). One of the reasons you are where you are Johnny is to help your companions and Lamanite members become more organized and develop leadership qualities - you are a natural leader and part of being a good leader is to be patient with those you are teaching!!! We're so proud of you and know the great example you are to the members as well as the other missionaries. We loved the postcard you sent of the "Santa Lucia Hill" with the giant statue of the Virgin Mary watching over the city - it kinda' reminded us of the Virgin Mary Statue that was being built in Butte, Montana and it was supposed to be put up on the mountain there (I wonder if it ever got completed). It's hard for us to believe you are having hot weather - do you have any kind of air conditioner? What about bugs? I'll bet you have a lot of them. The Ninth Ward here lost the article and picture I sent in for the monthly newsletter - I told them I didn't care about the article but I wanted the picture back - it was the one with you and your companions when you first got there. I'll send you the missionary page and also the article about Daddy & I and I promise I will have an article about you in the next one. We'll also send you the letter from Bishop Anderson from Billings - it is so nice for them to send you a check - be sure to write and thank them. It would be fun for you to go back to Billings when you get home and see some of the people you would remember - maybe we'll go back with you!!! That fourth ward is the best ward we have ever lived in - they had 37 baptisms this year and that is really good. Elders Taylor & James went to Bozeman for Thanksgiving and they called Daddy the other day and want to come over and tell him about their visit with the missionaries.

Claire - thanks for your wonderful letter and those darling pictures. I just wish it could have come while Roy & Patrice were still here so they could have seen them. We loved the "good" one of the four of you on the couch and think it would make a great Christmas card - Bob looks so healthy in your pictures. The ones that were taken while we were with you turned out really good too. Your Thanksgiving sounded like just the kind you all needed (they had planned to spend it with friends but Laura became sick so they took salad & dessert to them and they contributed turkey & dressing and they ate at their own homes). I can't believe that you are planting trees in the last month of your pregnancy!!!! We thought your yard was beautiful but I'm sure it is a constant thing to replace shrubbery & trees that "don't make it".

Patrice, we thought about you this morning as we shoveled snow (Patrice helped Daddy shovel while they were with us). We have decided that you, Patrice & Roy, aren't very good "refrigerator cleaner outers" - would you believe I have not cooked one single meal this past week until today. I have thought so often all week about how Roy used to say "Oh, turkey!" after I had served it every day for a week following Thanksgiving! We kinda' alternated it with other left overs but I honestly don't believe you, kids ate anything - I finally decided enough was enough and threw away the last of the turkey and dressing and sweet potatoes yesterday. We have really missed you - you were such a joy and help!!! We hope you are back in the swing of things and that you are keeping warm! The ski resorts got a lot more snow yesterday and today and they are expecting more tomorrow so we should have plenty for February (Patrice, see if you can come too).

We'll send you the pictures Johnny of our Thanksgiving week and then have some reprints Bob & Roy. They really turned out good - I don't know what I would do without pictures because when our family leaves a vacation it is quite lonesome! Johnny - did you ever get the pictures I sent of our trip with Chris & Wayne - I really wouldn't be surprised if they got lost in the mail - I didn't put them in a "mailer" like I should have done. We also sent you the tape Roy had made for you and we hope you get that.

Annie and Jeannie and their families are doing fine. We always stop into see the Weinerts after we visit Grandmother & Grandpa in Brigham City - little Ricky was busy building a "fort" by the side of their home - he really has a big enough place to spread his wings and that is good for little boys - Barji & Mary Ann were so proud to snow us their Christmas tree and little Sarah is just a doll and never cries. Jeannie had just come from work and had picked up her children - I'm constantly amazed at how well managed their home is. Annie & I went to a theatre play at BYU - it was Cinderella and was just wonderful with gorgeous costumes! Annie gave me a permanent Thursday morning and I just love it - Jessie has been sick off and on all week - she played her violin for us while we were there and she is unbelievable good. Susanna called to invite us to go to her school for an hour on Grandparent's Day next week and we'll love that. Daddy & I look little LeeAnna into Salt Lake to the Mall last Tuesday afternoon and we had so much fun - we tried to get Russell to go but he wouldn't.

Friday night was our Ward's Christmas Party and it was really, really nice. They assign about twenty hosts & Hostesses and they are responsible for setting up their own tables with their own china, centerpieces, etc. and then they are given the names of the people to be seated at their tables. We were given 8 names and one of them couldn't come so we invited Mamie Hansen to go with us and would you believe she did!!! They gave us all windows so Daddy got everyone a beautiful carnation corsage - the Sisters were so thrilled and they all wore them to church this morning. It seemed like we spent most of the day over there decorating - we took our red Christmas tablecloth and all our nicest things and then we took our little Santa Clause and Mrs. Santa Clause dolls and mice dolls along with a red wooden sleigh filled with suckers for them. It really turned out cute - the dinner was wonderful and they had a special musical group put on the program

We have looked at a lot of homes for sale in Provo, Orem, American Fork & Pleasant Grove and we just can't find what we want - either that or we just don't want to move. At the party the other night I had three people come up to me and say, "When you decide to sell your home, please give us first chance". The man who has come by several times to look at it called us this morning and said he definitely wanted it and the two lots! Daddy told him we hadn't been able to find anything we wanted so he would just have to wait. I get absolutely sick when I think of selling it and I know that when it is right for us to sell it we will feel good about it. Daddy & I looked at the "swimming pool" house Roy & Patrice. We loved the kitchen and living areas but it smells like a gymnasium - I'm sure part of that is because it hasn't been lived in for over a year. It is really a beautiful home and would be fun but not very homey. Daddy has decorated the outside of our home with lots of lights on the front and also the fence - the inside is cute too. We moved that long end table (coffee table) and put it under the TV - sounds corny but it looks okay and gives us more room and better viewing. I'm our of room!!!

We love each one of you very much - PLEASE BE CAREFUL IN EVERYTHING YOU DO - let us know how we can help you!!!!
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