Dearest Family, June 26, 1998

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO MICHAEL!!! You are a mighty fine seventeen year old Michael and I hope you have a very special day!!! I am thrilled to pieces to hear that you are going to give a talk in Sacrament Meeting about your trip to Thailand. I would love to hear it!!! I MISS YOU VERY MUCH!!! I have been riding the motorcycles ever since you left and I can't believe I haven't done it before. Yesterday when I came up to the gate on one, Dubey opened the gate and threw his hands up in the air and shouted something - I think it was “GOOD FOR YOU”.

BOB - I just finished copying the material you sent about Harold B. Lee. It has taken me three days but it was worth it because it was a spiritual feast!!! Now I have to sort through it and decide what to use. I accessed his picture and the information about when he was ordained as President of the Church. I thought he visited us in Little Rock when he was President but after reading that I believe it must have been before that time. I had forgotten that he was the prophet who was very special to the youth of the church - that will be so good for my talk. THANK YOU JUST MILLIONS!!! Janet has to give a talk too and she is very jealous - she never did tell me which prophet she was going to talk about so I couldn't ask you anything about it.

RICKY - THANK YOU SO VERY MUCH FOR YOU SWEET, SWEET LETTER!!! That is one I have printed and will save. I am SO proud of you for going through the temple. I laughed about the BVDs being cast aside - Ha!!! The temple garments are such a challenge for the young people in the church when they first go through but after awhile they learn to love them. I know you will find the best kind to get for El Salvador - most of my roommates have cotton ones but I bought the mesh. They dry so quickly and mine are just like new - many of the other ones are worn out - our washing machine is hard on them and yours will be too.

It is SO funny that while I have been here in Thailand and have become acquainted with all the traditions and special requirements that different religions have it has made me more aware of how “funny and different” some of ours are. Our gate guard “chants” every morning while I am swimming - about 5:30 and waves something - he is very, very sincere in his belief and I admire him. Our landlady has very, very long hair that she has never cut because of her religion - just like Gulati and his son. This has been such a good experience for me!!! I am much more tolerant.

JOHN - THANK YOU FOR YOUR LETTER TOO. I would like to see the trampoline being air lifted to the Woolleys - Ha!!! Have you been to the cabin lately? I need to write and invite Chris and Wayne to come use it - I just haven't had time. They will call you I'm sure if they are able to come to Utah and Byrd could show them around in Scofield so don't worry about them - I don't know where the key is. I'm SO happy that Julianna is having a rest from teaching - I can just see her all curled up with her tole painting - Ha!!!

I had a permanent this morning - a much needed one. The hair dresser left the solution on for 2 hours - I hope it works. My hair is very grey. My roommates tell me they like it - who knows??? It is hard to get used to. While I was there a young couple from Glendale came in - he had his hair cut and she had her nails polished. They are tourists visiting friends here and they are having a WONDERFUL time. They have been to most of the places Bob, Claire, Michael and I went to - we didn't go to Shangri La and they said that was a very excellent place to eat - maybe I will scout that out for when Ann, Jessie and Barji come.

Janet and Darlene are teaching today - Helen is visiting a deaf and blind school and I am here alone until the two students I teach come. I am also having two teachers come to help us with our Resource Center material. THAT IS A VERY BIG JOB!!!

I have a little bit more “taping” to do - I sound like a very old woman on the tape but they have asked for it. I dread going into the schools and hearing the tape being played.

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