February 22, 1987

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

It's a beautiful Sunday afternoon and Annie & her family just left - we invited them to come have a bowl of a soup with us after their church - Ron is in Detroit this week!!! One of Jeannie's friends brought her some soup while she was recuperating and Jeannie duplicated the recipe - Daddy and I had some while we were with Jeannie one day last week and it was so good I have made it twice since - it has all kinds of fresh vegetables in it with a lean hamburger stock so it is practically "calorie free" - Ha! I don't believe the little children were all that crazy about it but they were good sports and tried a little of it.

Johnny - we haven't heard from you this week but we know it's because you are super busy. One of the young men in our ward announced his mission call in church this morning - he's going to the Dominican Republic - he'll go into the MTC May 1st. I told him you had a good friend serving there now - that is where Grant is, isn't it??? I get the West Indies and all those places mixed up. Daddy and I were in the Mall one day last week and commented that we are really happy you are at this stage of your Mission instead of just starting out like so many of the young men we saw at the Mall. One of the young men in our class was an Assistant to the Mission President - he gave the lesson this morning and it was just excellent. He said in their mission they always tried to have one prefect day a week - by that he meant living perfectly the way the Lord wanted them to. He brought out some very good points - he said they were challenged often to do this by their Mission President - you might try this!!!! Elder Stucki called the other day - he wanted a recommendation from Daddy for some position he is applying for - he asked all about you and said to tell you "hello". He and his wife are living in Salt Lake and I believe Elder Stucki is getting an advanced degree in his field this June. That's the first question all our missionaries ask us when they come to see us - "How is John doing???"

Bob - thanks so much for calling the other night. We are so proud that you are capable of being in surgery 9 hours but that must be really tough (he said he couldn't even leave to get anything to eat). Will the man you performed the surgery on be fairly normal - you said you had to remove the voice box. I'll bet it is really hard to see so much suffering every single day for both you and Roy. Claire - it won't be long until you will have really nice weather and I'm sure you are looking forward to that so the children can be outside. Have you been able to do any Spring sewing? I was in the fabric store looking for some material to cover our pillows downstairs and I would love to sew again - they have such exciting things on display - if only, I could make things look like that!!!!!

Roy & Patrice - every time the phone rings Daddy will say, "I'll bet that's Roy telling us where they are being sent" - Ha! We hope you are keeping warm!!! Heather Steel gave her "missionary report" in the church this morning and she told about Worcester, Mass. being one of the largest cities in Mass. She is very happy to be home - she brought us some fudge one day last week and she didn't want to say anything negative about her missionary activities but we could tell she was glad to be finished - she was only gone a little over 4 months. Patrice - do you have time to do any sewing - I know you had a lot planned to do!!!

Daddy and I went to Farmington last Wednesday to "check on" Jeannie - she is doing pretty good but she still doesn't have her strength back yet. We have to go to Brigham City tomorrow and will stop at their home on our way back and see if we can bring back the two little ones for a few days. We think Jeannie needs a little more time to rest.

Ron's Aunt Phyllis passed away in Jerome, Idaho and they had her funeral on Saturday morning. Ann & Ron and all the children left Friday afternoon and drove up so they could be with their family for it - Phyllis was Ron's mother's sister. I don't know if any of you remember her but she and her husband served a mission in Southern Missouri and Northern Arkansas a few years ago. Ann said the spelling bee that she was so involved in was a success but she's glad it is over. I sometimes think that family is "over-programmed" - at least, I can't keep up with them.

Daddy and I went to a super elite wedding reception in Salt Lake on Friday night. Do you all remember Marian and Malcolm Jeppson? Malcolm is a physician in Salt Lake and Marian and I grew up together in Brigham City. They have been good friends for a long, long time. Their daughter was married and her reception was at the Colonial House - it is reserved for medical people and it was really special. They served scones and honey butter and then some fresh fruit and ginger ale - kinda' different but good. The groom is from Washington D.C. and a recent convert to the church - his family is from South Caroline and some of them came for the reception and it was fun to meet them.

Daddy is still refinished furniture. I don't know if any of you remember an old, old table (kitchen size) that was in the garage in Lehi. I remember seeing it stacked up against the wall covered with dirt and cobwebs for a hundred years (at least). Anyway he scraped all the old paint off and sanded it and it's a beautiful sold oak table with the most interesting legs. I believe it will go in your room Johnny to serve as a computer desk for when you get a computer. He's just about finished with all his Winter projects so I'm happy it will be Spring soon and he will be able to get out and do some gardening.

That's all the news and all the space. We love each one of you so very much and we're so proud of you. PLEASE BE CAREFUL IN EVERYTHING YOU DO - let us know how we can help you!!!
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