December 8, 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:

It's Monday morning and Daddy is out building a birdhouse - we have quite a few birds and he loves to watch them so he is hoping if he feeds them we will attract more. We have had such a warm Fall that the birds haven't flown South yet. He built a manger for our nativity set and it is great - our nativity set is larger than most and it has been hard to find one to fit it,

Johnny - we haven't heard from you for so long and then on Saturday we received two letters and they were WONDERFUL!!! The Aerogram one was written on Nov. 22 and the other one Nov. 17 so most of the time they really do get here faster. I am really concerned about your driver's permit so I hope to hear that you have received it soon - it was mailed on Nov. 21. I have really agonized about not sending that express mail - also, I am working with a lady at the temple who is related in some way to your former Mission Pres. (Taylor) and her husband has spent a lot of time in Santiago - she told me last week that there is a mail pouch that leaves the church offices in Salt Lake to go to Santiago every Friday and it arrives there the next Monday. I'm sure it has to be official church business but surely a driver's permit for an A.P. would be considered official church business - Ha! We loved hearing about all your new experiences and I'm kinda' happy that you have to cook, wash and iron - I KNOW that you know how to do all that but the hard part is finding the time to do it and that's where organization comes in. It IS vitally important that you took as good or better than any missionaries in your mission so we're happy you have bought some new clothes. You have plenty of money in your bank account according to your last bank statement but we don't think the checks you had written out for your medical bills were included in that - we think you have done wonderful with your financial affairs - we'll keep on top of it and put in extra. I became concerned about a month ago because of your medical bills and w surely didn't want you to be overdrawn - I called the Lehi Bank and they were so nice and said you had $300 credit to stop an overdraft (does that make sense). It is foolish for us send you a Christmas box so let your new clothes be your Christmas and then hopefully I'll be able to send something with Dan's folks - we haven't heard any more from him. PLEASE don't put your Million Pres. on the spot to pay for any of your meals - that really got old!!! We think you are having a fabulous experience in dealing with two Mission Presidents (one from yours and then Vina Del mar) - each one will have different talents - Daddy was more business - like than soft (at least towards the end of our mission) and I guess that's the most effective way. If I could offer some ideas about motivation for your missionaries - they all love those certificates for certain achievements - they can send them home and keep them and it's really worth working for. We went to the 50th Wedding Anniversary of one of our couples and they had a display of their life's achievements and for their mission they had one of their certificates framed and in a prominent place. There are all kinds of things you can give those certificates for and they aren't costly - they are signed by the mission President and mean a lot. We had problems with some of our APs being like the Gestapo and I'm sure you know who I'm talking about - that did a lot of harm to our mission and Daddy changed them as soon as he found out about it. Keep confidences and gain the trust of your missionaries and they will love you and work their hearts out - enough of that!!!

Annie had a birthday last week and it was so much fun to go over to their home and sing Happy Birthday and have a piece of the delicious cake they had made. Ron had given her a beautiful piece of "Lladro" (is that right?) and she was so thrilled. Each of the children had picked out something special for her and they were all so excited. They were on their way to choose their Christmas tree and they had all their ornaments ready - it is a candy tree - we haven't seen it but I'm sure it's darling. Ann says Jimmy doesn't sleep very long at night whenever I'm around him all he does is smile and "coo" - he just fits right into their family like he has always been there.

Roy & Patrice - it was so fun to talk to you last night - we had felt bad because Garic didn't tell us you had called earlier in the week until several days after you had called. You really give us a lift when you call because you are always "up" - we try to be that way too but we associate a lot with people with are not that way. We are so thrilled about your trip out at Christmas time and I have worried that you wouldn't get here until the wee hours of the morning. (They are scheduled to arrive at 8:46 Christmas Eve). I know there is always the possibility that you will be delayed but we'll leave a car so it won't matter to us if you are except that you will be so tired - let me warn you Roy - there are patrolmen every mile from here to Salt Lake and we see them stop every young man they can

Jeannie - I loved our visit on the phone last night - Daddy said, "You didn't even let me say Hi" - I know we talked too long. (Rick had to go to Minnesota yesterday). Bob - Jeannie called to tell me they are considering getting an ENT doctor in the clinic where she is working and they want to visit with you when you come out for the holidays (would it be a good idea to bring a suit?) That sounds like a mother doesn't it - I'm sure you will do what's right. Jeannie is going to the clinic Christmas party tomorrow night and she was disappointed because Rick has to be out of town - Rick, you need to be two people at this time of year - Ha!!!

Bob & Claire - we know you are busy and also having fun with your Mom there, Claire. We can hardly wait for you to come. We have put our Christmas tree up downstairs - we thought Michael & Laura & Brett would feel like that part of the house was more homey with it down there. That's really the largest room we have too so when we're all together it will probably be down there. I have used all the ornaments we have had for years and years on it, including the ones you and Carol painted Johnny and I love to look at it and remember the people who have given them to us.

We had our Lehi party on Saturday night and it was really fun. Those people over there are very special and we love them. I cooked too much food as usual (I can't seem to get over cooking as though I am feeding missionaries) but I have frozen it and it won't go to waste. After we ate, we made four batches of mints and they all helped stretch and cut and it was fun - we sent boxes of mints home with each of them. The Hintons have received their mission call and are going to the Eastern part of Africa on a very remote Island but it has a million people on it - I'm glad it's them going and not us.

The Culwells came over last night - we talked about everyone we had ever known in Little Rock and it was absolutely wonderful - they know about everyone. Do any of you remember Sue McDaniels? She had two daughters and one son and they have married and live here in Utah - she was here on Thanksgiving with them. She was killed last Friday in L.R. - she was stopped at a stop sign and someone speeding hit her - sad!!! Allen Culwell and his wife have five little children and they are just starting law school (it's only three years though) - they sold their home in Oregon to finance it. Let me just mention a few things you might be interested in: Larry Shaw is divorced, Pete Wiggins is on his third marriage the new HUGE stake center only has one bathroom and it is clear across the building from the Primary room, Eldean Godwin has Alzheimer's disease (she's my age) Pete Sr. doesn't get out anymore - there were really a lot of wonderful things too and I guess the church is really growing there.

Daddy & I went to Ramona's for a family dinner party with the Pinegars, Earl Millers and it was really, really nice. Ramona does things so beautifully and we all had so much fun laughing. I made that dessert but won't make it again.

I'm out of paper. We love each one of you so very much - PLEASE BE VERY CAREFUL IN EVERYTHING YOU DO * Let us know how we can help you!
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