June 30, 1997

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, Lee Anna & Jimmy:

This will be my last letter from Orem for probably 18 months. I really don't have any new news but thought this would be a good way to "wind up" my weekly letters after about 25 years. Claire has offered to keep you all informed about my letters - I will write one letter and send it to Bob and Claire and they in turn will either e-mail it to each of you or have it copied and mail it. I have no idea how long it will take to get mail to the U.S from Thailand but I guess we will find out. I may be able to use the e-mail from the mission office and will take Bob's e-mail address in case I can do that.

I am scheduled to leave tomorrow night, July 1st, at 8:05. We were supposed to fly Southwest Airlines from Salt Lake to Los Angeles and then Bangkok International from there but my companion called me on Saturday and left word that we were flying Delta to Los Angeles. I have thought they would call me this morning from Salt Lake but I haven't heard from them and Virginia isn't at home. Our mission has been a difficult thing for them because of the Visa problems and I must have patience. Virginia said she would have my ticket and visa when we meet at the airport tomorrow night.

I went to the cabin on Saturday. It really is the prettiest I have ever seen it at Scofield - the lake is full and everything is so green and they are catching quite a few fish. The person using our dock has a large black box on it - I should have gone down to see what it was but I didn't. It was SO cold - I slept under an electric blanket. It was SO peaceful and I studied and read and just thoroughly enjoyed myself. I went to the little church in Scofield and that always impresses me. I opened the door going under the house with the intent of closing the taps so I could turn on the water but it is just too ugly under there. It was getting dark too and I didn't have a flashlight. I saw our neighbor, Rudy, as I was leaving and told him I didn't know how to turn the water on and he said, "Why didn't you come ask me and I would have done it for you?" I said, "I believe I needed an excuse to not clean" and I really believe that is the truth. I took that three gallon jug full of water and got along just fine but I didn't have enough to clean - Ha!!! It looks just fine and Wayne can turn the water on when he gets there. DON'T WORRY ABOUT IT!!!

I was thrilled to have the Weinerts drop by to see me on Saturday afternoon. It was wonderful to hear from Mary Ann how she had enjoyed her violin workshop at BYU and how much fun she had had. They needed some life jackets to take to the Young \women's Camp this week but I didn't want to loan Johns to them without his permission and they couldn't reach him. They left a message on his phone and right after they left he called and said, "Of course, they can borrow my life jackets". I got in the car and tried to find them but I couldn't - he said he would try to call them on the car phone but I guess he wasn't able to. It is hard for me to make those decisions - I AM SORRY!!!

Ann called me just as I was leaving to go to Scofield. She wanted me to see a condominium she had seen that has just been put on sale. We found another one too and it is beautiful - the only thing is, it has steep stairs going to the upstairs and also downstairs. It has so many pluses that I don't believe the stairs would be a problem. I believe my next big move will be to a condominium and Ann says she will keep her "eyes open" for just the right one. There will be a lot of decisions when I come home but while I am in Thailand I must keep my mind on why I am there -we gave that advice to over 400 missionaries who came to Montana so I must remember that. I was studying the material I have and noticed that they expect to send the next group of teachers to Bangkok in October or November of 1998 so that won't be too long.

It was fun to talk to Patrice on Saturday morning. She said they had had a wonderful trip on their way home and they went to Martin's Cove and the children got to see some handcarts. They had gone there the night before but the people in charge said it was kinda' late and suggested they come back in the morning so they spent the night in Casper and went the next morning. They got to see many of the things most of the people in Utah would like to have seen. I guess the people in charge of the Pioneer Day Parade in Salt Lake on July 24th have relented and will allow the entire wagon train participants to be in it - there has been a lot of controversy about that. That will surely make for a lot of "mess" on the parade route. I think it is wonderful that my family is so interested in history - I need to learn from all of you!!!

I have watched the television coverage of China changing from British Rule over to Communism this morning after 100 years. I don't understand all the implications of that but communism is certainly less than desirable. I will probably be hearing a great deal more about that while I am in Asia - BUT I probably won't be able to understand it then either.

Brett spent last week with Jimmy and they went to Soccer Camp at BYU. Ann says it is a joy to have him and they have fun together. Ann left this morning to go to Camp Shalom (near Scofield) with the Young Women in her ward - she is Young Women's President. She doesn't much like camping so it will be a challenge but she is up to it.

Jeannie left this morning to go to their Young Women's Camp also. It is held up East of Ogden and I have forgotten the name of the place. Jeannie used to be a "camper" but I believe she likes the comforts of life more now. She is in the Stake Young Women's Presidency so she went to support her ward and to be with Mary Ann & Sarah. I can't remember if Barji was going or not.

I have been watering John and Juliannas' tomatoes and cucumbers this morning. It will be interesting to see if they keep them watered so they can have good fresh tomatoes in a month or so. I will never know will I??? There was a big segment about St. John's Wort on 20-20 the other night. They are using it as an herbal remedy for depression and say it will replace Prozac. They had pictures of fields of St. John's Wort and it is beautiful and will be such an asset to my hill if it grows.

The Wilcox family is moving today. They have been in our ward for about 6-7 years and they have been so unhappy. They have let their four boys do anything they want without any discipline and as a result they have had nothing but problems. The grandparents have lived downstairs and haven't spoken to their upstairs' family for at least 3 years. I am kinda' disappointed that I won't be here to see the change in the neighborhood. The people who have bought their home have three children and he is a professor at BYU. Our neighborhood has changed a lot and for the better and with John and Julianna here it will be even better.

Bob - thanks SO much for your phone call. I am doing just great and appreciate all your help more than I can ever say. I have had fun scanning the internet about Thailand. I looked up dermatologists and they only have four listed and they each take turns taking appointments one day a week. I am going to keep out of the sun and keep healthy.

I LOVE EACH ONE OF YOU SO VERY MUCH. PLEASE, PLEASE BE VERY CAREFUL IN EVERYTHING YOU DO. I CAN'T HELP BUT WORRY ABOUT ALL OUR TEENAGE DRIVERS. I WILL WRITE AS SOON AS I CAN. THE CHURCH IS VERY CAREFUL ABOUT THEIR SENIOR MISSIONARIES BUT I WILL BE GLAD WHEN I GET AN ADDRESS.

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