November 23, 1986 Orem, Utah

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

CONGRATULATIONS AGAIN JOHNNY!!! Johnny has just been made an AP (Assistant to the President) and that is simply wonderful. For those of you might not know - the Mission President chooses two missionaries from his entire mission and in Johnny's case there are close to 200 missionaries, to serve as his assistants - kinda' like the Bishop and his two counselors or the Stake President and his two counselors. I had planned to help Annie with their children on Friday because Russell had his tonsils taken out so I was up and dressed early (usually I'm not presentable until about 9 a.m.) and was startled when the doorbell rang about 8:30. I was even more startled when I answered the door and it was a postal clerk with an express letter from Johnny. I hurried and opened it and this was the first sentence. "I have some bad news. I'm not a zone leader anymore." My heart actually stopped and my first thought was that he was being sent home. I read on and the next sentence said, " I have some good news. I'm an AP". I was so thrilled!!!! He had sent the letter express mail because he needs an International Driving Permit - being an AP he can drive a Mission car but he needs that permit and until he gets it he has to travel by bus. He had sent all the things I needed but trying to find the Triple A office took me awhile. I felt bad after I had mailed it air - mail because I could have sent it International Express mail but the post office people spent so much time trying to find out a fast way to send it and after I had written out the last check I had with me they found the International Express - that would have cost $23 but I would have done it. There is no sure way to get it to Chile - fast or slow - but I will be relieved to hear that you have received it Johnny and I hope it is soon.

Johnny - the letter you had written on November 5th arrived Nov. 20th. We loved hearing about your conference with Elder Oaks - I can just imagine how special it would be to hear him and his wife speak. He is such an intelligent man and still very spiritual. Those world wide missionary programs using T. V. and radio to get referrals and the world wide study guide are all news to us - the church is growing so fast it is unbelievable. We're wondering how you came out with your baptismal goal of 90 - that would have been outstanding for our entire mission. It's great that you and your companion get along so well. I hope you will write and tell us where the other assistant is from. It's hard to believe that you are having Summer but it sounds as though you really like it - we're so happy your ankle is not giving you problem.

I'm writing my letter on Sunday afternoon. Daddy left on Thursday to go deer hunting - it's that special hunt where he went into Colorado and then back into Southern Utah in a remote area. He went with three other men in a camper pulling a trailer with their four - wheelers on it. I kinda' expected him to be home this afternoon - he said he thought they would get their deer Saturday some time and then head for home - it's either farther than he though or they didn't get their deer as soon as he thought they would. We have had beautiful weather while he has been gone so I'm hoping he has had nice weather too - he was really excited and relieved that he wasn't under any pressure to get back home at any special time - I might not see him until Spring!!!!

Little Russell has his tonsils out Friday about noon and he has done so well I can't believe it. Ann & I had planned to go to a candy class yesterday morning but when Ann found out about the tonsillectomy (the doctor had said either Friday or next Tuesday) she wasn't sure she should leave Ron with all the children and one recuperating from that. She called me Saturday morning and said he had slept all night and was up eating breakfast so she could go - of course, she had to take Jimmy so she could feed him we got finished with the class about 2 o'clock and we both wanted to go to a new discount store that has just opened in Draper (on the freeway) so she went home to check on everything and Ron had everything under control and wanted us to go so we went again and didn't get home until about 5:30. I called again this morning and he had eaten a good breakfast and was up playing. I have worried about them going to Jerome for Thanksgiving but I think he'll be completely well by then.

Bob & Claire - we just loved those adorable pictures - Michael and Laura would take prizes in those Halloween costumes - Claire you could go in the costume making business - Ha! I'm sure they took hours and hours to make but I'll bet they will get a lot of fun out of wearing them for a long time. Michael looked so proud of his "dinosaur" costume and Laura makes a beautiful little "Bo Peep". We couldn't believe how much Brett looks like Michael - they are both blonde like Bob was and that little Laura looks so much like her Mom! Claire - I can understand why you are not on a diet - you look so good but you are thin - it was great to get a picture of you! We hope the skies are clear when you come so Michael & Laura will be able to see out of the plane - will you travel both times during the day? We can hardly wait!!!

Roy & Patrice - you have had some really Wintry weather - the snow in Boston was on all the news. We are having avalanche time again - a worker at one of the resorts went out skiing all alone during the night and died in an avalanche. Ann talked to the anesthesiologist who administered to Russell and he and his wife are the directors of the surgical clinic where he was operated on. We're so thrilled you are coming for Christmas!!!

I talked to Jeannie on Friday night about 7 o' clock and she and Rick had just come home from their different jobs. Jeannie only works on Fridays and she was so frustrated because she has more people who want to see her than she can fit into her schedule and she doesn't want to work more than one day a week. Rick has been working so much overtime with his new job they hardly ever see each other. She admits they would prefer the problem they have of being too busy than not being busy enough. Daddy and I are going to their home for Thanksgiving and we are looking forward to that - we'll probably go to Brigham City to see Grandmother & Grandpa too.

We had a returned missionary in our ward today who had served in the Little Rock Arkansas Mission. It was really fun to visit with her and hear about some of our friends - it's amazing though how many people she mentioned that I had never heard of. She served in Little Rock, Searcy, Russellville, Pine Bluff and Memphis. She said that Susan Keller sent her love - she was a good friend of yours Claire wasn't she? I had a long letter from Dianne Power and she asked about all of you - they have a beautiful home in Indianapolis and really like it there. Garic is home from his mission and I guess he is very, very good in the computer business and has been working in that since he has been home. He has accepted a job at Signetics here in Orem and will start Dec. 1st and then will work part time when he starts school for the Winter Semester - Brick is here at the Y and will go home for Thanksgiving and then they will drive out here. I have a feeling I have told you all this before. There twin girls are six years old - doesn't seem possible!!!

That's all the news I can think of - I'll add more if Daddy gets home tonight. We love each one of you very, very much. PLEASE BE VERY CAREFUL IN EVERYTHING YOU DO. Let us know how we can help you and have a very Happy Thanksgiving - the things we are most thankful for is our wonderful family!

P.S. Daddy just called from Price so he'll be home about 10:00 p.m. He said he had had a marvelous time and they had their deer!!!!

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