July 5, 1987 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 a beautiful Sunday afternoon - perfect weather!!!! We hope you all had a Happy Fourth of July yesterday. We have been back in Utah for two years now and we continue to be so impressed with the patriotism displayed here. I'm sure it has been this strong in the other places we have lived too but we haven't been involved. Yesterday morning our day started at 6:30 with a Boy Scout Flag raising ceremony just four houses from ours at the Stake President's front yard - they have a big circular driveway and a permanent flag pole. It was so neat to hear "taps" played and watch all the activity (Daddy and I were too lazy to get dressed and be a part of it - Ha!). The Boy Scouts started serving a pancake breakfast right after the ceremony and had sold tickets to families promising they would serve as long as people came to eat. We got there about 7:45 and it was just wonderful to eat breakfast with the other ward members in such a beautiful setting. There was a big parade in Provo with Miss America, President Benson etc. also a balloon race and there were activities all day. The Woolleys came over about 6 p.m. with their famous homemade ice cream and we cooked hot dogs on our patio and just visited and had so much fun. The children "put on parades for us" with the dressups from the play room and I thought we would die laughing - I took some pictures of them and if they're good we'll send you some. They got their ideas from the Provo parade. The "Osmonds" always put on a big fireworks spectacular in the stadium at BYU and last night they had Bob Hope, Kelly Cash (Miss America) and others. They Woolleys went to a place where they could see the fireworks that were sent up high but Daddy & I stayed home and we were glad we did. Our neighbors really put on a fancy fireworks display and we just sat on our porch and watched. It was just a wonderful day. The Weinerts went to Bear Lake with their neighbors for the weekend - their neighbors have a condominium there and they have gone before.
Johnny - we didn't hear from you last week!!!! Daddy and I were talking a few minutes ago and this could be the last letter you will receive from home before you leave your mission. I'll send you the one I write next week but it's possible you won't get it. We are really, really excited for you to get home and I put myself in your position and that puts a whole lot of stress on you because there is nothing harder than for a missionary to leave his mission, especially when you have given it your all like you have. It's doubly hard for you because you don't have any close friends here - you will make so many friends fast and especially when school starts. You will just have to plan to have the month of August to be your "adjusting" month and we will all understand - I promise!!!! Do you remember Elder Troy Cox from our mission? He was an assistant serving with Greg Madsen. He always used to tuck his tie in his shirt when he ate because he ate with such vengeance that he as worried it would get spilled on - Ha! He came to see us this afternoon with his girlfriend and another couple who were friends. It was really good to see him and we had such fun reminiscing (sp.?) He is training for some sort of a medical technician and lives in Las Vegas, We appreciate the many missionaries who keep up with us in one way or another - he asked all about you and said to say "Hi".
Roy & Patrice - you are in your very own home and it was wonderful to talk to you!!!!! (Their furniture hasn't arrived yet so they were sleeping on an air mattress and trying to keep cool in their 95 degree temperature). Roy, we hope you will write and tell us all about your military training (he goes to Wichita Falls from July 8th until the 22nd). I don't believe I could stand it if you were going in under any other circumstances than as an officer and in the medical services. Did we tell you that our neighbor who is a neo-natal physician did the same thing you are doing and he was in San Antonio for three years - they have an absolutely gorgeous home and five children and they are very young. They loved San Antonio!!!! Patrice - we hope your neighbors will be friendly and helpful to you while Roy is gone. We love looking at our wedding pictures and thinking back on what very special weekend - we hope your Mom has recuperated by now Patrice - she worked so hard as all of you did!!!
Bob & Claire - Roy said they loved being with you, Claire and the children, for a couple of days on their way to San Antonio - it's too bad you were working Bob, but then they had visited with you at the wedding. We keep thing of all of you in the Southern Heat - we survived and I'm sure you will too but it is surely uncomfortable. We found the only way to cope was to "not do anything you didn't have to do" - that's easier said than done for a family with three children.
Daddy's treatments are coming along just fine - he is more tired with each one and the doctors say that is all normal. He doesn't sleep without interruptions (having to go to the bathroom) and that makes him tired, I think. There is a lady in our ward who recommended fresh vegetables juice (her husband has the same thing Daddy has only his was much worse when they found it) and he is doing great! Anyway, we bought a really nice "juicer" and I make the most delicious carrot juice and then I drink it I Daddy just about throws up when he tries to drink it and I love it. We'll enjoy it for apple juice, etc. and maybe he'll like that better.
Daddy and I went to our Bishop this afternoon for temple recommend interviews and he told Daddy they are requesting all kinds of
information about him because they want him to be a Bishop on the BYU campus - I hope that calling won't come for a few months when Daddy has had time to get his strength back.
My space is gone - We love each one of you so very much and we're so proud of you. PLEASE BE VERY, VERY CAREFUL IN EVERYTHING YOU DO!!! Let us know how we can help you.
P.S. I forgot to tell you - we had a letter from
the Orem City Beautification Committee wanting them to judge Daddy's
landscaping for an award. He won't let them do it because he is too
modest and also he doesn't want to have to get it in tip top shape for the
judging - I don't blame him.
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