January 31, 1994 Orem, Utah

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

My Mother used to say that she was busier than a "one handed paper hanger" - I am getting to that point!!! I'm sure this calling will get easier as I learn what to worry about and what not to. We had our visiting teaching interviews on Saturday and it was very successful - they sign up for a 10 minute period between the hours of 8 a.m. and noon and we have juice, milk and breakfast cookies or rolls for them. Many of them forgot but we still had about 65. The only hard thing is that they don't just want 10 minutes - some of the sisters I visited with stayed for over an hour. I was worn out when I got home and then our Stake Relief Society President called as soon as I got home and asked me to help her take dinner into a man whose wife had to leave in an emergency to go to Hawaii. I hurried and made a raspberry fruit salad and put some left over cookies from the interviews in a zip lok bag and took them to her to take to the man.

This sister who had to leave in an emergency has a daughter and son-in-law living in Hawaii and he has been teaching at BYU Hawaii. He died of an aneurism Saturday morning - he was only 38 years old and has three little children. I have been calling this morning to see if people want to go in on some flowers to be wired over there - everyone thought they would come here for the funeral but she wants to stay there and live. I guess they have been there about 4 years and just love it.

We had our presidency meeting this morning and there are lots of things planned for next week but so far this week doesn't seem too busy - I hope it stays that way.

Laura - it was SO good to hear your voice on the answering machine. I haven't talked to you for SO long. I loved hearing you too Brett and I was sorry I didn't answer it when it rang. My Home Teachers were here and the phone had rung twice during their visit so I decided to not answer it that time - if I had known it was you I would have loved talking to you.

Emily & Timothy - THANK YOU for your darling pictures - I have put them on my refrigerator. I'll bet you guys are in for some wonderful Spring weather soon - it will be so beautiful in your area with all the azaleas, dogwood and blooming trees. The gardeners in my area are out trimming bushes this morning - it is really cold but the sky is bright and beautiful.

I dropped by to visit the Woolleys the other day. They are having their downstairs painted and carpeted - the paint on the walls is that marbleized paint and it is beautiful and the carpet will match. Ron is better but he has REALLY had a hard time.

Ann, Susanna, Jessie and LeeAnna came over last night for Family Home Evening. Ron and the boys stayed home to watch the Super Bowl (that was kinda' sad - I believe most people wanted the Bills to win). We had a fun time watching the video of "Joseph in Egypt". Jessie is going to be in a school play this weekend of "Joseph, the Amazing ------" - I have forgotten the title but I plan to go see it. They took a picture of the choir that performed last week and it was on the front page of the Church Section of the Deseret News - Russell was in it and I hope someone gets a copy of it so I can see it.

I talked to Bob last night and he said that the Weinerts' ward was divided and they have a new Bishop - it is Bro. Simmons who lives right in front of them - he is the anesthesiologist that you met Roy. Bob said you were all doing good. The last time I talked to you, Mary Ann's class had gone to Salt Lake to visit special church places and had seen where Pres. Benson's apartment was - I think it is so neat for them to have the opportunity to do things like that. Sometimes I get the feeling that our ward is really lacking!!!!!!!

I was thrilled with the map of West Canyon that you sent Bob - I believe I could even drive to our property now. He has the exact miles to the different places where we are to turn off, etc. I would like to drive to Scofield - if any of you would like to go with me let me know.

I went to my luncheon club last week. Afton Christensen had it in her home and it was delicious - she had Kentucky Fried Chicken and all the trimmings - kinda' different for a ladies luncheon but it was fun. Afton's husband, Dean, has a beautiful singing voice and he entertained for us. He sang about a dozen old songs and his daughter accompanied him. He is a remarkable man - he will soon be 81 and is very active. He is very fond of Dean but at his age I guess I can overlook that. He has been in the State Legislature, a distinguished alumni of BYU and Snow College, Director of the Hawaiian visitor's center, etc., etc. and he retired as Dean of one of the schools at BYU.

I am going to the Orem Women's Club Winter Social this Wednesday - it will be at Sil's Restaurant. I'm also going to Family Home Evening at Helen's home tonight. I may have to give up some of my social activities. I hope you are all doing fun things. John comes by quite often but I haven't seen Julianna since Christmas. I think John is losing too much weight - he says he isn't dieting but he is losing it with that "Nordic Trak" exercise program. He looks good but I like him a little heavier.

I have ordered a Jane Fonda treadmill exercise machine. I was impressed with it because it looks like something that could be folded up and put in a closet. It has a 30 day returnable plan so if I don't like it, I will send it back!!!

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