Dearest Family, Sunday, May 10, 1998

HAPPY MOTHER'S DAY TO THE WONDERFUL MOTHERS IN MY FAMILY!!! I hope you all had a very happy day. They celebrate Mother's Day in Thailand but they do it on the Queen's Birthday so I didn't realize it was Mother's Day until I got home from Lopburi tonight and read Bob and Anns' messages. I am SO proud of my family and I love you very much and I love being your mother!!!

BOB AND ANN - THANK YOU VERY MUCH FOR YOUR LETTERS. This is the longest I have gone since we got e-mail without hearing from any of you and I was getting worried so it is a relief to have some mail. I don't know if you are noticing that Virginia's name is on the sender's place now and we have no idea how it got there. Helen's daughters thought we had changed our user name so they sent her letters to that name and they went back to them - I thought maybe that was what had happened to your letters.

You all sound SO busy and happy and that makes me happy too. I keep thinking of things I want to ask about and then I decide I'll just wait until Bob, Claire and Michael get here. Every time I pass the Marriott Hotel I get so excited knowing it won't be long until you come. It will probably rain while you are here but even that will be fun because it doesn't just sprinkle - I believe Sukhumvit Road gets flooded quite often. It would be a good idea for you to bring some thongs to wear - everyone wears them and Claire it is almost impossible to get them long enough here for you and me - Ha!!! I want to hear all about the condominiums by Jean and also any of the other places you are looking at.

Ann - I can't believe I got mixed up on the trip we had planned together. I remember now that it was with Lee Anna and not Jessie - OH ME!!! My Thai friend who went to the MTC came over on Friday to visit with us and tell us about her trip. She brought her itinerary with her and on Thursday, April 9 she met with Joyce Cohler - is that the Joyce you work with? She said she didn't dare use the phone to call you - I'll have to tell you all about it. They were quite intimidated by our Director, Marc Hall. I was SO happy to hear some news about John and Julianna (they had hamburgers together at Ann's) - I'm sorry there is so much yard work at my home - maybe they can simplify it.

I am going on a trip tomorrow and I REALLY DO NOT WANT TO GO!!! I am going because I want to be a good sport but I have seen so many ruins and the only ones I want to see again are when I am with my family when they come. This is a three day trip and it will cost 3,800 bahts and it will be hot, hot, hot and I have already been to some of the places.

We finished up our 10 week class yesterday in Ayutthaya and they had a very nice graduation ceremony and presented us with lovely gifts. We went to Lopburi by train and Nurack's daughter met us and took us to their home for dinner and to spend the night. This morning they had a WONDERFUL breakfast for us and while Helen went outside I explained to Nurack that this would be the last time we would probably stay with them because Helen's health would not permit her to make the trips again. He felt really bad and I did too. I can't go without her and she says she won't go. I am going to try to go early on Sunday morning and just attend their church services and then come home - Janet and Darlene say they will take turns going with me. Aw (Nurack's daughter) brought us home in her very nice new Mitsubishi car - she is a college student and I want so much for Jessie to meet her - she is darling but very, very spoiled. Oat (Nurack's son) is recuperating from surgery and his girlfriend is with him. Their other daughter, Air, will come home in two weeks from Japan where she has spent the last year. I really love that family. I told them I wanted my son and daughter in law and grandson to meet them and Winada (Nurack's wife) said, “You are invited to stay with us”. I told her we wouldn't do that but I wanted you to go to Lopburi by train and meet them and then come back to Bangkok. I want you to see places that have been important to me while I have been here.

I must quit and pack. We are going to leave here by taxi at 5:30 in the a.m.

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