February 9, 1986 Lehi, Utah

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

It is a beautiful Sunday afternoon - cold but bright and sunny. We went to Brigham City on Wednesday for the funeral so we have decided to not go up again today - Daddy said that to not have to go up there today is like having a little vacation. That is getting more difficult all the time because we don't get much response from the folks and Dee tells us that two minutes after we have been there they don't remember it. It's something we have to do though and as Jeannie said last week, the fact they are living this song is really a test for all of us and not for them!!!!

Johnny - we were so thrilled and relieved when we received your letter this week! When it doesn't come on Monday or Tuesday I begin to think of all kinds of things - I was sure you had been transferred to the outer boundaries of the Mission where there were no post offices or even civilization - it finally came on Friday and since you hadn't been transferred or anything I'll bet you put it in your backpack again and forgot it. I am beginning to have all kinds of sympathy with the Mothers of Missionaries in our mission who would call frequently because they hadn't heard from their sons. Your letter was worth waiting for though and I'm going to quote a little of it - "After three months of grinding teeth this Mission has gotten to the fun. We finished out this week w/17 basic charlas, 10 investigators at church and a baptism. My companion and I get along great and he helps me a lot w/my Spanish. I guess you can't ask for more than being a missionary, having success and having a great time"!!!! The only way a Mission could be this way is if the missionary makes it this way and we're mighty proud of you. It's wonderful that you were asked to speak in church too - and you should speak about missionary work - that's your calling right now!!!! I'll bet you did a really good job. Elder Taylor called last night for your address - we have a lot of Missionaries call to get it and then we wonder if they ever write to you - they are all interested in you and isn't that a great feeling!!!!! I had a call from Judy McCleod one afternoon last week - I was so surprised - she said Brent was doing really good and she wanted to know all about you. I didn't want to talk very long because she had called at Prime time so I said I would write to her - I have owned her a letter for a long time. She is in the Stake Relief Society Presidency and she was worried about their Stake Relief Society Meetings this weekend but they were all happy because Elder & Sister Hartman Rector were going to be in Billings and said they would speak - they were just there to visit with their friends, the Carpenters. We're anxious to hear about your trip in to Santiago and we hope you were able to get a wonderful dinner at a good restaurant.

We stopped in to see Jeannie and the children on our way home from Brigham on Wednesday and they're doing fine. I'll have to tell you something funny that little Mary Ann did - I hope they won't care but we have laughed and laughed about it and I'm sure it isn't one bit funny to them. I wouldn't relate it here if Mary Ann could read but by the time she will be able to read it will be funny to her. Jeannie had explained to Mary Ann how important it was to be careful with the amount of toothpaste the children used because it was wasteful for them to spill it all over the counter, etc. Right after that, Jeannie went into the bathroom and found that Mary Ann had completely squeezed out an entire new tube of toothpaste all over the bathroom - Jeannie didn't tell us what she did to her - Ha! This is so normal for a child in Mary Ann's position with a new little baby sister who gets a lot of attention but it's so hard for the parents. Mary Ann is just a little doll and so independent and probably More so than either Ricky or Barji were at that age. Ricky & Barji came home from school while we were there and they were so excited about their school work and they had friends come and it was such a wholesome and happy atmosphere!!!!

The Woolleys are find and I keep forgetting to mention in my letter how fit and trim Ron looks - he has lost about twenty pounds and looks great (I have never thought he looked overweight but he decided he was and struck to his diet until he took it off). Annie and the children were over on Friday for a little while and of course we really enjoyed that - Jessie gave us her Primary talk to practice and she didn't miss a word - she was to give it this morning and we'll call later to see how she did! Susanna has a great part in their school presentation on the tooth fairy this coming Wednesday night and she brought an invitation to us - we're excited to go and we're so happy to live close enough to see things like that. Susanna has lot her two front teeth just within a month and she looks so cute I kinda' hate to see the other ones grow in. They played "hop scotch" out on the driveway and little Russell stuck with it until he could do it as well as the girls- he is really a "chunky" little boy and not quite as agile - Ha!

We just talked to Patrice and she said Roy is coming for sure this Friday - we are so excited for him and his friend to come and relived that they have hard more snow on the ski slopes. Patrice - it was so good to talk to you even though our connection was bad - I have had experiences like that before on this line and it reminds me of when I was a little girl and would come to Lehi and we had to count the number of rings because of the party lines here and then we could always hear other peoples' voices while we were talking. Maybe it's still like that here!!!! Patrice said you had written us a letter Roy giving us the time of your arrival and all - you're welcome to have a car at the airport if you need it and let us know how we can help you.

Bob & Claire - we hope you're going fine - we can just imagine how busy you are. Whenever we see young Mothers with the children about the same ages as yours are we think about you and kinda' understand what you're going through - it's worth it as you well know even though it's might hard!!!!

Daddy gave the most wonderful talk in church this morning. The meeting was on Missionary work and they had Pres. Worlton who was Mission President in Switzerland several years ago and then Daddy speak and of course Daddy did great!!! He also taught his class on the Old Testament and he just makes that come alive - Johnny I wish you could attend so you wouldn't think that was so boring (many of the class members have said they had always thought it was boring too and so have I). Daddy has finished with most of his projects and now I guess he will start working on the trailer - he says he can put our little portable electric heater out there and it won't be too uncomfortable. The home is really comfortable and pretty now and I give Daddy all the credit - I would have given up the first week we were here but he has really put all his heart into working and fixing it up regardless of now uncomfortable it has been for his working conditions. You can't imagine how nice it is to have places to put things for a change - out kitchen is neat!!!! He missed his "Four Wheeler Trip" with his friends - Ray came over last night to report on it and said they had a great time - I really believe four days would have been too long for Daddy anyway but I hope he can go the next time they go.

The funeral for Aunt Lucille was really nice and Grandmother & Grandpa Forrest came - Judy had gone over to the resthome and helped them get dressed and they looked so nice - Grandmother had her hair fixed and she looked so pretty. Billy Smith (Aunt Lucile's only child) and his wife and children were on the program and then Uncle Dee spoke and did a good job. I saw many cousin that I hadn't seen in about forty years and that was special and then my friend, LaRaine Petersen and her husband own the mortuary so I got to visit with them - it was a nice experience for me but quite boring for Daddy I'm afraid.

The people in Brigham City are all really worried about losing their jobs with Thiokol - I guess there is a strong impression that the solid fuel rockets that Thiokol makes were the cause of the explosion of "The Challenger" space shuttle. That would have a devastating affect on the economy of Brigham City - they employ about 2400 people and most of them live there.

I went to a Homemaking meeting at the church last Wednesday and the speaker was a Dr. Richards who is an OB GYN Specialist at the American Fork hospital. He had a beard and long hair and gives the wrong impression - he is just a wonderful doctor and everyone loves him and he won his "all women" audience right quick. I told him about you, Bob & Roy, and he said he would love to show you around the hospital when you come. He said they only have on ENT doctor and only one MD Anesthesiologist who has six assistants - I really enjoyed hearing him speak and answer questions.
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