Thailand Letter
November 3, 1997
Bangkok, Thailand
Dearest Family,
I wrote in my last message that we didn't know what to expect this morning - it turned out very nice but wasn't what we had been told. I'll write about it at the end of my letter.
Bob - thank you SO very much again for all the WONDERFUL NEWS!!! It's like having a Utah newspaper delivered at our front door. We are beginning to feel like we are a part of the world again. We appreciate it SO VERY MUCH.
I thought it was interesting that very soon there would be baptized the 10 millionth member of the church but no one will ever know who it is - the article said it could be a person in any of the 160 lands where the church is a presence. That is such a milestone I would think they would make it a big deal.
We were THRILLED to finally know exactly what is being planned for the Relief Society and Priesthood lessons starting in January - we have heard bits and pieces but now we have it from the "horse's mouth" - Ha!!! I believe our little branch will have the Phase 2 plan -Pakkret is growing and there are enough members according to different ages for the classes. You in Utah will have the Phase 3 plan and it will be very interesting to see how successful it will be. Like every other new thing it will take a little while for it to catch on. It will be a big job for the Presidency - especially to keep control of the discussions on the first Sunday. The current issues that will be discussed on the fourth Sunday will also be hard to control - I think!!! Claire - you are just perfect for the calling. I hope they can stick to the "Don't go beyond the scriptures and other correlation approved materials" plan. I will LOVE studying about President Brigham Young's teachings - I hope I can get the personal study guide in English here.
The 12 year old boy from Beaver, Utah riding a lawn mower 3,116 miles with his father following him in a truck was exciting to read. He made it to Washington D. C. where he mowed part of the U. S. Capitol's West front lawn. He did it to earn money to help defray the cost of a liver transplant for a 4 month old girl in his ward - he has already earned $10,000.
I'm glad they didn't ask me to work on a scrapbook of the articles about the Pioneer Trek commemorating the 150 year arrival in the Salt Lake Valley by the pioneers - that would be a tremendous job. The people doing it are using acid free paper and spraying the articles with de-acidifying spray - WOW. They want to preserve all this for when they celebrate the 200 year - that's vision!!!
It was interesting to read the church humanitarian efforts in Taiwan; Taipei; York, England; Chile; Columbus, Ohio; and especially to read about the "Sorts Center" in Salt Lake - I have seen the fruits of that place.
I'm glad Pres. Monson received the Exemplary Manhood Award at BYU. He has remained constant all his life - a very special man. The tuition at Rick's College is being raised to $1,500 per year - boy, that is small compared to most colleges. I also loved reading about Dr. Haasan and his opthamology humanitarian work in Nigeria, West Africa. I think of you Bob going to Mexico.
THE MONTANA TEMPLE NEWS. I am SO happy about the decision to go ahead with that building - they have had lots and lots of controversy about that. I know exactly where that will be built and it will be in a gorgeous spot. It is SO fun to read about people I remember - Ed Jorden, and Richard Larsen - John, do you remember them? I am surprised there are 6,000 members in Billings. The temple will be for members in Montana, North Dakota, West part of South Dakota, and the Northeast part of Wyoming. I am definitely going to Billings for the dedication in a couple years - John, will you take me?
I thought Pres. Hinckley's advice to the students at Utah State was classic. He advised them to choose vocations in which they would be happy - you don't have to be a millionaire in order to be happy. He also said, "Competition is terrible but it must be faced so get prepared for it". Give your family your constant and complete support, be fiercely loyal to your spouse, and let the church be your dear friend. The church is the great reservoir of eternal truth - embrace it and hold fast to it. Take time to meditate and ponder - people are watching too much television - take time for reading and meditation.
SARAH - Thank you SO much for your sweet letter. I would SO love to see your hairstyle for the Nutcracker - three ringlets on both sides and "TONS" of curls in back - that is a perfect style for you. I'm proud of you for enjoying your New York trip so much and to highlight the important things like the play "Beauty and the Beast", Joseph Smith's Home, the Sacred Grove, & Hill Cumorah.
ANNIE - I received your WONDERFUL letter. Ron said it took you 45 minutes to type it and he worried that it was lost - these computers are amazing things. Thank you so much for sending me a "Care Christmas Package" - if you didn't send it to the Mission Office I don't know if I will get it but I will let you know. Bob's presentation must have been as fabulous as you said it was because I have heard that from all of you who saw it now. I'm SO happy you went to San Francisco with Ron - you need to do that whenever you can. The trip to Alcatraz and the Gunne Sax outlet sound like trips to fairyland to me.
The Woolleys' ward has a tradition of a "Trunk and Treat" party for Halloween and they did it again this year. They park their cars in the church parking lot and fill their trunks with treats for the children to go to. I'm glad you dressed up as a wicked witch. I don't know how you could get it all together after your trip to California.
My dream house of "Versailles" has been sold - I'll have to settle for a condo now I guess!!! This huge mansion in the River Bottoms has been vacant for a long time - the builders went into bankruptcy - and a family from California has bought it. Russell went to a football team party there. I would love to see it sometime.
Thank you SO MUCH for calling Cheryl. I wrote to them last night. I am thrilled that the operation was such a huge success - I have been worried that he would be left a vegetable or something terrible. When I tried to pick up cashew nuts with chop sticks the other night I decided I needed that operation.
We are having beautiful weather here and the neighbors all say it is too cold!!! We actually slept with a sheet on last night and turned off the fan early this morning - we are LOVING IT.
Pra Pa from Sai Mai school picked us up at 8 o'clock this morning. First we went to the school and had little freshly baked banana muffins and juice. Then we went to the brides' parents' home. You should have seen it. It was a bridal brunch and it was just gorgeous. The bride is a beautiful young woman and her husband is equally handsome and Miss Sallee's home is just lovely. (She is married but everyone calls her Miss Sallee). They had it in the garden with flowers blooming everywhere and a buffet catered with all kinds of delicious Thai food - curried everything, shrimp, chicken, delicious soups, papaya salads, coconut desserts and juices. I believe they were married at the Grand Palace by the Crown Prince this afternoon - we never have been able to get that straight. We will go to the wedding cocktail reception tomorrow night - I said it was at the Grand Palace but I believe it is in a hotel close by the Grand Palace.
Then we went back to Sai Mai for our preparation time. We mostly visited with the teachers and about 2 o'clock they brought us Chinese Noodles. They brought us home about 3 p.m.
We start in a new district tomorrow and as usual I am nervous. We have heard that this district is quite demanding and want us to work until about 7 p.m. I hope we get finished in time for the reception tomorrow night.
Julianna - I hope you are feeling better by now. I'm anxious to hear about your Halloween and especially about Tar!!! John - I will let you know the outcome of the "money thing" - thank you SO much for helping me.
Brett - I'm proud of you for coming up with your own costume - a two-headed person - I would have given you lots of treats.
I love you all so very, very much. PLEASE BE VERY, VERY CAREFUL. Grandma B