Dearest Family, February 19, 1998

RON - thank you SO much for your letter and advice on saving my letters in a special way on the computer. I am in “over my head” in more ways than one so I will just have to hope they are saved somewhere.

ANNIE - thank you SO much for your letter too. I get SO excited when I hear about some of you planning to come see me and then I have to realize I have many months to go before that will happen. I would imagine you could do some work over here in the schools and then take the expense off your income tax - would that be possible and honest? I'm sorry it rained while you were in St. George and Russell had to play in the “muck”. I am VERY PROUD of Ryan for planning a mission - I keep hoping that someone I know will come to Thailand - he will be a GREAT missionary. Vicky (our new roommate) went shopping yesterday while we were teaching and she said she ran into the missionaries and had lunch with them at McDonalds - THEY LOVE THAT PLACE!!! They have maids and cooks in their apartments here so it is a fun mission. I'm happy that Russ Sr. is doing well.

BOB - thank you SO much for your letter too. I am SO happy that Katie likes her new school - children have to be motivated to learn!!! I want to cry when I observe some of the teachers in the district where I am now - everything is so regimented - the teachers shout in a very stern voice “SIT DOWN” “STAND UP” and when the children get something right on their papers she will say “VERY GOOD” and they automatically say “THANK YOU”. They do everything in unison and when I try to have them do something individually it scares them to death. I understand that I am very different looking and they don't understand English but I wish they could be loved more. They all come from very poor homes and they are all in uniforms - I want to take ALL of them home with me - they are beautiful children. One of the little girls in my class yesterday was born without ears - they told us that she has some of the inner part but none of the outer part but she is bright and they are helping her to read lips. We live in a very nice area but we pass some of the slums where these children live. It sounds like you are doing well with your surgical center. There are many, many hospitals here but I haven't seen anything like that. Vicky has problems with high blood pressure and one morning last week she was on the phone for at least 30 minutes talking to her doctor. The church uses one hospital so they help the missionaries.

JOHN - thank you SO much for your letter too. I am happy that you have your income taxes all sent in. I hope they get all my “stuff” in time - one of them just barely gets here before the deadline - I have forgotten which one. Has the farm had enough moisture this Winter for good crops of hay? Julianna - the children really love “The Very Hungry Caterpillar” - the Thai word for caterpillar is “Non” and they can relate to the story.

I am going on another trip today. We told them at Ayutthaya and Lopburi that we couldn't come this weekend. A group of adult students (the ones that are taught at the Channel 9 television station) have arranged for us to go along the coast and visit the sea resorts. We will leave this afternoon and spend the night at a Thai Cottage on the sea - we will sleep on the floor and I don't believe there will be air conditioning but it will be fun. We will visit some beautiful gardens, see an elephant show (I have seen a million of them), a tiger farm and we'll be home late Saturday night. They have told us to wear comfortable shoes and bring a hat and umbrella for the sun.

I had a skirt and blouse (just cotton) made by “Gulati” and I can't believe how well they fit so I ordered another one made of nicer material. I would JUST LOVE to have you guys have something made by him - you just pick out the material and he measures you and it is ready in a few days. He says he has worked for four Mission Presidents and yesterday there were missionaries in there getting some clothes made. My roommate, Janet, had a very tailored black suit made (I thought it was for a man) with pants and a skirt - it is made of cashmere and wool and the whole thing cost her 8,000 bahts (less than $200). My skirt and blouse was about $40. He and his son work together and they are Muslim and wear turbans - it is right across the street from the new Marriott Hotel and within walking distance. My companion, Helen, has had 5 long sleeve shirts made to take home with her - I don't know how much they have cost. I am going to clean the apartment now and then I may walk a few blocks to get my hair fixed - she charges 60 bahts (100 bahts is about $2.50) - I always give her 80. The shampoo lady massages your scalp and shampoos it three times (you don't pay her extra). It is hard for me to take advantage of these service people but it isn't fair to my roommates I guess to “ruin a good thing”.

I REALLY miss my village friends - they call me often!! That was such a special experience and I will NEVER forget those people.

I will have more interesting things to write about when I get home from my trip.

I LOVE YOU ALL SO VERY, VERY MUCH. PLEASE BE SO VERY, VERY CAREFUL. Grandma B