January 9, 1995 Orem, Utah

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

know of all the work involved in achieving that and I'm SO proud of you. Rick, in talking about it last night, told Bob how much they appreciated him helping Ricky with his service project. He and Bob worked together to get the medical supplies necessary for Bob's humanitarian medical work in Mexico and Ricky did all the calling and collecting of it.

We just finished our presidency meeting - one of the counselors couldn't come because she is making preparations for her grand mother's funeral - she was 95 so it isn't sad!!!

I have had such a wonderful weekend!!! Saturday afternoon LeeAnna called to invite me to her birthday party that night - one of her friends couldn't come at the last minute and they had an extra ticket for a show they were going to. I am SO glad they invited me because I have NEVER been to a show like that. They took three cars and sixteen people to go into Salt Lake to see a "hypnotist" show and it was absolutely fascinating. The hypnotist was probably in his 50's and he was a real showman - he worked so hard I worried that he might have a heart attack. He hypnotized about 20 young men and women (you had to be at least 18 years old or some of the Woolleys or their friends would have volunteered-Ha!). You could tell by the looks on their faces that they were in a trance but I spent all Saturday night in bed trying to "figure it out". I have always heard about hypnotism but I visualized it being done to one person at a time - he did it to this large group and it was really something.

Yesterday, Sunday, we all gathered at the Weinert's home to honor Ricky. We had a delicious chili dinner with fabulous freshly made bread sticks and tossed green salad. I marveled at how all the children could handle their bowls of chili and not get any on their Sunday dress clothes but they did!!! It was SO fun to be with everyone again. John couldn't come because he was in Las Vegas for his work (at a huge electronic trade show) but we were VERY proud of Julianna - she couldn't come for dinner but she drove by herself to come for the Eagle Scout Court of Honor.

We all went to the church about 6:30 - I just love where they live - they can walk to their church quicker than they can drive. I couldn't believe it - THERE WERE 16 YOUNG MEN RECEIVING THEIR EAGLE SCOUT AWARDS FROM THEIR WARD. They have an outstanding ward!!! They had a slide presentation of each young man that was just wonderful. We were all VERY PROUD of Ricky and he looked so handsome. They served cake and slush afterwards and Jeannie was in charge of the slush. It was getting kinda' late so most of us left while she and Rick were in slush up to their elbows - I hope they didn't have to stay very late and clean up but I know they did. Jeannie is a "natural" in the kitchen and she gets involved in everything they have that concerns food in their ward - I worry about that!!!

I don't know if any of you remember the Coulter family who used to live in our ward in Little Rock. They joined the church while Daddy was Branch President and decided to move to Utah where the church was stronger - we were amazed at that because all their family lived in Arkansas. Their daughter was married last week and they invited me to it - I couldn't go but I wanted to take a gift to her so I decided to go to Farmington early yesterday to find their home (they have lived in Farmington for about 20 years). I drove around for about half an hour trying to find their house - I have been there several times. I finally gave up and went to see if Rick could tell me where it was - he knows them and took me right to it and I couldn't believe it - they don't live very far from the Weinerts. It was good to see them again - they have a darling family.

Patrice - it was SO good to talk to you yesterday - thank you for calling me. It is fun for me to hear the children in the background but I know how hard it is for you to carry on a conversation when you're worried about them (while we were talking little Jesse spilled a pitcher of water on the floor). When my children were their ages, they always took advantage of me when I was on the phone and did things they would never do otherwise. I'm anxious to hear how Roy's soup turned out in the dehydrator - I'll bet it didn't work. The secretary of the Relief Society who was here this morning dries EVERYTHING but she said she had never tried to dry bean soup. She dries everything they grow in their garden - onions, celery, squash, etc. besides all the fruit there is available here. John brought me over some jerky he had dried and it was WONDERFUL - I didn't ask him what cut of meat he used but he had marinated it first. They use Patrice's marinade recipe.

I was with Bob a lot last night and yet I forgot to ask him about his fishing trip. When John dropped by for his mail one day last week I asked if he had heard from him and he had talked to him that day. He told me Bob said they had a WONDERFUL time and I believe they are planning another trip.

I rode to Salt Lake with Ron on Saturday night and he told me a little about the building he is having built for his business. It is in North Provo and he and some other men are going in together but Ron will have one entire section that is his own. It sounds WONDERFUL and it is something that Ron has always wanted. I am excited for him.

They are building like crazy around my home. Roy - they are putting in an REI store right across from where I go to church along with "Eagle" and other stores.

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