February 8, 1993 Orem, Utah
Dearest John; Roy, Patrice, Emily & Timothy; Bob, Claire, Michael, Laura, Brett & Katie; Rick, Jean, Ricky, Barbara Jean, Mary Ann & Sarah; and Ron, Ann, Susanna, Jessie, Russell, LeeAnna & Jimmy:
I just came home from my Book of Mormon class - I REALLY am enjoying that and it is forcing me to study. Did you all hear about the commotion at the BYU Marriott Center last night? Bro. Howard W. Hunter was at the podium just beginning his devotional speech when a man came towards him with a suitcase that he said was filled with dynamite - they subdued him and took him away and when they detonated the suitcase they found it didn't contain any dynamite - just a clock or radio and some books. They showed his car they had confiscated and it was an old Volkswagen with a skull and crossbones insignia on it - whatever that means. They haven't disclosed what his motive was but Bro. Hunter very calmly finished his speech which was on adversity. My teacher in class this morning very carefully avoided discussing it - one of the girls in the class had attended the devotional and wanted to tell about it but he went on to something else which is a good thing.
How are all of you??? I have talked to each family this week and I know you are doing good and enduring the wintry weather. Roy & Patrice are the only ones who have any sign of Spring - Patrice said their crocus were coming up. It was fun to talk to Patrice and learn that she is doing some home decorating too and she is apprehensive about some of the colors she is choosing - I wonder if we can ever be absolutely positive that we have made the right decision. I know that the person who is afraid to do anything like that for fear of making a mistake has more problems than the person who goes ahead and makes a few mistakes - maybe I'm rationalizing because of my worry about my drapes - Ha!!! Little Timothy has had a few problems with an "asthma like" condition but Patrice said it is under control now - I remember our John and how he had so many problems like that during the Winter in Little Rock. I hope Timothy is all better by now.
The big news for this letter is that Ron is having back surgery at this very moment. He was having it done at Utah Valley Hospital here in Provo and Ann promised she would call and let me know how everything went. Ron's doctor told him that his particular problem "could be fixed" and he did many operations like that with a 96% chance of success - I don't blame Ron for having it done. He expects to be in the hospital for about three days and "down" for about two weeks. I know Ron and he will be up and about before long and feeling a thousand times better. They all came over last night for Family Home Evening and it was WONDERFUL. The children take turns with the lessons and it was Jessie's turn last night and she did such a good job.
The next big news for this letter is that John is going on a big trip. He left Saturday and went to New York and will be home tomorrow and then next Tuesday he leaves for Europe. I told you in my last letter that he was going last week but they changed their plans. They will be in Monte Carlo for five days, then will go to Milan, Italy, Austria, Switzerland and France. I am SO thrilled for John. He said he would like to use his frequent flier tickets and go to South America for a little visit to his old missionary friends. I want him to get this "out of his system" so he can settle down - Ha!!! He keeps telling me how small the world is - it's still pretty big to me!!!
Congratulations to Mary Ann - she won in their school's Science Fair. I didn't quite understand what her project was but I believe it had something to do with sugar substitutes. I am going to watch television tomorrow night at six o'clock to see if Ricky, Mary Ann and Rick are in a segment that their neighbor, Doug Miller, produced on ice fishing. Jean said he asked them to participate and I hope I get to see them.
Claire - thanks for your phone call the other night. It seems like an eternity since I have heard from you guys but John got me up to date after he had dinner with you at Snowbird. He said you were there for a medical convention of some kind. I know that Bob has been busy with all the flu that has been going around.
I went to the Orem Women's Club meeting last Wednesday and the program was on "quilt making". The lady giving the program had some of her quilts displayed and I have never seen so many quilts in one place in my life - I know there were at least one hundred. They were just gorgeous and showed such a lot of work. I get SO discouraged when I see women like that who accomplish so much. I am determined to get the Oriental rug I have been making for fifteen years finished but it is really hard and no one will ever think it is anything special after I get it done!!!
I picked up my "used to be Aunt" in Lehi on Friday and we went to the Jordan River Temple. Lucile is one of the nicest women I have ever known and it's kinda hard to see her getting old - she has always seemed so young to me but she is showing her age now ªshe is about 81 or 82. She married my Uncle Hugh Rhodes and after he died she married Vern Webb who had four daughters and she raised them. She has been a widow for 25 years. She is a great candy maker and sent some of her Christmas candy home with me and it was delicious. She said the rumor going around in Lehi is that the new Utah County Temple is going to be built in American Fork close by the Training School there. That would be a beautiful spot for it. They were supposed to announce the location about two weeks ago but haven't done it yet.
I am anxious for the snow to melt so I can do some digging and planting - that is such good therapy!!! They tell us that the reservoirs are still way below normal - they say we got the snow in the valleys this year instead of in the mountains.
You're all invited to dinner next Sunday at 5 o'clock!!!