Dearest Family, May 15, 1998

BOB, CLAIRE AND ANN - Thank you SO much for your letters!!!

CLAIRE - I received a message that was meant for your friend, “Ana”. It was just a short note and I read it and you mentioned a Karen White - I have a young friend by that name so at first I thought it was for me. I thought you would want to know so you could send her another one.

MICHAEL - PLEASE HAVE AT LEAST ONE SHOT FOR HEPATITIS (the one you need when you eat at fast food places)!!! Whenever I pass some of the food the vendors are cooking on the street I get hungry and I know you will too - the shot would help you from getting sick. It will also help you when you get back home. It is too bad you are so frightened of getting shots because they are not one bit hard!!!

BOB - My roommate, Darlene, told me she had seen some articles in the newspapers about the problems in Indonesia but I don't know anything about them. I'll try to get a paper today and if there is anything I think you need to know I'll tell you. Helen told me the people of Indonesia don't like their leader so it sounds like it could be a civil problem. I find it so very typical of the Thai people to not get that upset with their leaders - they have every reason to be upset because of their economic conditions but it isn't in their nature. I'm so glad you and Claire have had your shots - I hope your arms aren't sore any more and that you were able to do your surgery. ROOT BEER - I hope you have the recipe all figured out by the time I get home. We went “all out” in Little Rock and even got one of those hand bottle cappers but we gave that to Good Will or D.I. I believe Chris Crawford still makes that - or someone in the Crawford family.

ANN - When can I write about your experiences in Jerome? You had told me to not mention it so I haven't. I can't imagine having 58 student teachers to supervise along with everything else you are doing - take care of yourself. Susanna - I hope you had a fun time with Ryan and his Mom in California - he will be a great missionary and it is very difficult to have to wait for visas. You will be such a help to him when he gets in Brazil because letters are so very important - I AM SO PROUD OF YOU!!! I hope you have a fabulous time in Jerusalem for your semester abroad. I want you to be in touch with some neighbors of mine - the McBrides - Liesel is her name and she was my first visiting teacher when I moved to Orem. She is a very dynamic woman and you will love her. They have just been assigned to go to Jerusalem - they have been on another assignment in California for the last 3 years.

You all mention LOTS OF RAIN!!! There are many places in Thailand that are experiencing a drought - when it rains, it doesn't just sprinkle, so they will catch up when it finally starts. I hope so much that it won't rain while Bob, Claire and Michael are here but it probably will. They talk about the monsoons starting and that means that some of the streets will flood. Claire - before I forget, I have some thongs so don't bring me any. (I mentioned to Claire that she would have problems finding thongs here.) I got mine shortly after we moved here and they have been good.

We went to a meeting with our District Supervisor yesterday afternoon and he took us and four of his staff members to lunch and we went to the SIZZLER. He speaks a little bit of English but none of his staff members do - you can't imagine the struggle I have in making conversation with them. They always nod their heads and say “yes” even when they mean “no” so I know they are not understanding me. They understand Helen better.

I miss going to Ayutthaya today and then to Lopburi but I have a lot to do so I will keep busy.

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