March 22, 1987

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

It's Sunday afternoon and Daddy & I just finished lunch - we went to our church services this morning and then left right after teaching our class to go to Lehi for the Missionary Farewell of Rose & Harvard Hinton. They are going to a little Island just off the coast of Africa for 18 months and of our old Lehi friends again. The people who bought our home over there are having plumbing problems with the old bathroom - they haven't been able to use the bathroom just off the kitchen for quite awhile. Daddy told them where the sewer line ran so now maybe they'll be able to get it fixed - they had thought it ran under the house. I am so glad to be out of that house - it needs "tender loving care" 24 hours a day!!!!

Johnny - what a wonderful letter!!!! I always feel bad that I get upset with you for not writing when we get a letter like that. Thank you for your thoughts about Grandmother Forrest. I talked to Elder Taylor yesterday (he came by to visit) and he was very familiar with the missionary guide lessons you have been translating - he said they are still all in English and he could understand how much time it must take to translate them. We are really, really proud of you John for being able to do that - what a great experience for you!!! We know you must be going twenty four hours a day and we never expect long letters but a note means so much to us. When Elder Sterling was an Assistant to daddy his father called one night and complained that daddy was putting too much pressure on him - I was upset at the time but I am more understanding now - I think Mission Presidents expect the moon from their assistants - HANG IN THERE!!!!

Claire - thanks so much for those wonderful pictures and your long letter. We cold just look at the pictures of little Michael and see that he is trying so hard to conform to the rules of his kindergarten class. It sounds to me like you have an outstanding school system and even though it's hard for the kids they will be much better off starting first grade than if they had had a very lenient kindergarten teacher. We think you have taken your "release" in great stride - we both know many, many people who would have quit the church if that had happened to them (Claire had to take Brett to the emergency room of the hospital last Sunday because he had hurt his foot and while she was away from church they released her as Young Women's President). I'll bet that by now you have found they made a mistake but I kinda' hope not - you have your hands full enough without big church responsibilities. Bob - what do you think of this new method of diet control by acupuncture in the ears? It sounds ridiculous to me!!!

Roy & Patrice - I should probably call you to see if it's alright for me to announce your Air Force assignment. I always hesitate to call you because when I get the "answering service", I feel like you feel as if you have to call back. If it isn't okay, I am going to be in the dog house!!! (They called last week while I was gone and told Daddy they will be going to San Antonio, Texas for the next three years.) it won't be definite until Roy gets his orders but from all indications, that is where they will be going. We are thrilled for you!!! Everyone who has ever lived there that we have known, just loves it. It will be such a welcome change for you to get into a warmer climate and an entirely different culture from Boston and best of all you will be closer to us. We get so excited for you when we think of the fun things you will be doing this Summer and you will be relatively free from the stress you have been under for so long.

Annie & Ron and their little family came over for a little while last night "just to visit" and we loved it so much. Susanna & Jessie brought some of their school work to show us and then Russell & LeeAnna each sang some sons. It was so cute - when they cam in Ann announced "Each one of the children gets a turn to tell you something so they won't all try to tell you at the same time". Ann has had the flu bug this past week and I didn't know it until she was all better - she said she became ill in the night and Ron got the children all organized and she slept until 10:30 a.m. and when she got up the laundry was all done and the kitchen cleaned up and Susanna & Jessie "were in charge" - they had Friday off from school because of teacher conferences. She went back to bed and stayed until later in the afternoon - Ron came home periodically to check on things. With a family their size it is wonderful to have that much cooperation!!!!

Jeannie & Rick are doing fine - we stopped in to see them on Friday night and visited for a little while. Ricky was thrilled because he had just received his "Wolf" scouting book and they were studying it together - it doesn't seem possible that he is just about old enough for that - he'll go into that program when he turns 8 in July. He was also excited because he will start soccer practice this next week - SPRING IS IN THE AIR!!! I had to remind Rick & Jean to be sure to watch little Sarah - there was an accident at a church building in Bountiful last week where a little two year old girl was suffocated between those folding doors separating the chapel form the multi-purpose room - they folded the doors not knowing she was there. It is hard to be a Grandparent without giving all this advice so you kids will just have to bear with us!!!

Chris Jordin called yesterday morning and it was so good to talk to her. She said that Pete Wiggins Sr. had passed away about two weeks ago - I guess he had been in the hospital for quite awhile. Other Little Rock news: Linda Green ? went to the Dallas Temple to take out her endowments and she is serious with a Randy ? who used to be a missionary in Little Rock; Skylar came to LORD. when Karen Hatch's husband was baptized and she looks great; their Relief Society had Cissy & Charles Beyers as guest speakers for their Birthday celebration and they were really good - talked about the importance of self-esteem; all the red bud trees are in full bloom as well as dogwood, daffodil, etc. and the azaleas are just coming on. This is the prettiest time of the year for Arkansas.

We also had a letter and picture from Dorothy Woods - their family is beautiful and especially Carol. Carol is still planning on getting married and Dorothy is pleased because her fiancé' has a job in LORD. working for Channel 4. Dorothy said that the Daniels have a buyer for our former home there but it is contingent on them selling their home. She said one of the Luten boys is living with Betty until he can get his problems straightened out - that must be Randy. The Woods really are happy to have John Robert and his family close by.

We had our Relief Society birthday dinner last Tuesday night - I was on the food committee!!! They do things so differently here - I had passed a paper around at church asking for help with the dinner and had 40 women sign up to bring salads only to find out I couldn't do that!!! The committee was supposed to furnish all the food and we didn't know it. I made 6 salads and so did others on the committee and it turned out good but not as good as if we had had others on involved. The lady in charge of decorations had each table (there were 13 tables) all decorated for different seasons of the year - it was just spectacular!!! I'm glad my turn is over for the year.

Daddy & I went to Brigham City on Friday to visit with Grandpa Forrest for a little while. It is sadder for me to go there now than it was when Mother was with him. He is tied to his wheel chair and just sits slumped over and it just kills me I put my arm around him and kissed him and said, "Do you know who I am" "I'm Barbara Jean" and he said, "I know, Barbara Jean Forrest". I guess he realizes much more that we think he does - the nurse told me that she sees him crying every once in awhile. He is in a dark room with another man - Oh, I hope I don't live that long!!!!! We stopped in Salt Lake on our way home and went to a wedding reception for the son of one of my high school friends.

Daddy went rabbit hunting with his friend Ray yesterday - actually they just go riding on their four-wheelers but they have fun. He is getting anxious to do some more brick work on our yard - he's going to enlarge our patio and then put a wall around it, and also brick in the flower beds in the front yard.

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