July 7, 1986

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

Johnny!!! We were so thrilled to receive your letter telling us you have been transferred - We thought sure you would stay in Chimbarongo until after until after the new Mission President got settled in. You sound super happy and it must be great to be in a place where the gospel is being accepted quicker than in Chimbarongo!! We're so proud that you are training a new "Gringo" missionary - that's the greatest calling in the field because when missionaries are trained right everything goes right and vice versa. I was getting concerned when we didn't hear from you but both Ann & Jean said they had received letters so I didn't worry anymore - we really do understand when you don't have time to write - we think you have done marvelous to write the way you have!!! We're so anxious to receive a tape from you - we have forgotten what you sound like! Johnny has given us a new address that he says will get his mail to him more quickly - Casilla 158 - San Bernardo - Chile. He also says the old address will also get to him but just takes a little longer.

Roy & Patrice - we tried to call you yesterday and your line kept being busy - we finally decided you had taken it off the hook so you could study or sleep. We're wondering how school is coming Patrice and also your work Roy. We thought about you as we watched the 4th of July celebration in New York harbor and wondered if by chance you were able to go to it - it's still quite a long way for you to go but you were closer than any of us - I would have loved to be right in the middle of all of it - I'm sure it brought a lot of attention to the Statue of Liberty than there ever has been before. (Johnny - it was the 100th birthday for the Statue and it had been completely refinished and it looked gorgeous).

Claire - it was good to talk to you for a few minutes last night and it was fun for Ricky & Barji to talk to Michael. We're proud of you Claire for all the work you're doing on your ward - I know the young people must really love you and you are a great example for them. (Claire was having the Bishops Youth Council meeting in their home when we called.) Bob - how is your work coming? We know you keep mighty busy with a new baby, Michael & Laura and everything else you're doing but that's when you are the happiest.

Ann & Jean and their families came for a little while yesterday afternoon. And we had such a good time sitting out on the patio that Daddy has just finished. It was so much fun to have little Sarah take her first real steps from Jeanie to PaPa - she has grown into such a doll with a darling little personality. The children all play so well together and it's neat to have a huge lawn for them to play on. Annie looks like she is about to pop and of course we're all excited for the baby to come - Susanna kept telling everyone yesterday that "it might come this week".

Daddy & I walked home with Susanna & Jessie yesterday afternoon and had a taste of Ron's homemade ice cream - we think he should go into the business!!!! He used his Grandmother's old fashioned recipe and you wouldn't believe how good it was - he made a custard using eggs, milk etc. and then used all whipping cream. We could all very easily be "blimps" if he made it often but it is wonderful.

We're having such a good time with Chris & Wayne and as usual Daddy & Wayne are working most of the time. Wayne has helped Daddy "sheetrock" Johnny's closet downstairs - do you all remember that it was unfinished? That sheetrock is so hard to handle and it is wonderful for Wayne to help the ways he always does. Daddy is going to have all his Winter's projects finished if isn't careful. He still has a lot to do in the backyard but the things he has done have greatly improved the whole yard. HE has promised me that he will only work till noon today and then we're going to Brigham City & Logan - we haven't been to see the folks since Roy & Patrice went with us and that's been two weeks!!!

Last Tuesday night we had a "Little Rock" party. Barbara Andrews and her Mom who lives in Provo came, Barbara & Kevin Sondrup and their children and also Barbara's parents who live in Provo came, Sandy and Gene Jones came and Frances James & her granddaughter - it was wonderful to see everyone and we had such a good time visiting with them all. Wayne made his famous gumbo (they had bought crab, shrimp, etc. from the coast) and then we had bar-b-cue brisket, turkey, ham & cheese, watermelon, cantaloupe, grapes, etc. and a vegetable tray with dips and then rolls & brownies. It was a hot night but the patio was comfortable. Barb Andrews said that Tommy & David are working in L.R. and living at home - Mickey and her husband live in Texas and Rosemary is in the Army in Wash. D.C. I guess Kevin is doing great with UPS - their children have really grown and are really cute. Sandy & Gene haven't changed a bit - they're thinking of selling their huge home in Provo - Michele is going to Weber State for a year because they think BYU is just too big! Frances is still the same - she ahs had a hard time the past few years with so much illness and Virgil passing away. They all asked about all of you and said to tell you hello.

Wednesday morning Chris & Wayne and daddy & I went to tour Bryce & Zion in the Southern part of the State. It was hot but the scenery is absolutely gorgeous - Roy & Patrice, you must plan to go there sometime when the weather is cooler. We stayed in St. George on Wednesday night - we didn't see anything there that we couldn't live without but I'm sure it is the time of the year. We did find the home of Joe & Ava Milne (he was Mission President in Montana just before Daddy) and it is beautiful but has a For Sale sign on it. We came home by way of Cedar Breaks and we decided that was the prettiest part of our trip - we went to an elevation of over 10,000ft. and it was really cool. We stopped in Circleville to look up the Elder who had brought us the 50 lbs. of potatoes (Elder Dalton) and found he was ill and in the hospital so we visited with his Mom who works in local bank there - it was really a fun trip!

Thursday was the 4th of July but Daddy & Wayne worked all day. The Smiths went over to Springville that evening to an "Alabama" party with some friends of theirs and then they went up into the canyon to spend the night. We tried to talk them out of it but they insisted they wanted to do it. They came back on Saturday night. I believe the weather here on the Fourth was the worst I have ever seen in Utah - it was hot and humid and the wind blew dust all day long - about ten o'clock that night a cold front moved in and it has been wonderful ever since. They were worried that the wind would ruin the parades and also the big fireworks displays but they carried on with them - lightning did strike in the Cougar stadium and $10,000 worth of fireworks were set off prematurely but that was all that happened. Daddy & I were content to just stay home and watch the big celebration on TV - that's OLD AGE!!!

I believe that's all the news!!! We love each one of you so very much - PLEASE BE CAREFUL IN EVERYTHING YOU DO - Let us know how we can help you!!!

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