Dearest Family, July 14, 1998

HAPPY, HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO RICKY ON THURSDAY, THE 16TH. This has been a birthday you will never forget with your farewell and preparations for your mission - WE ARE ALL SO VERY PROUD OF YOU!!! I hope you have a wonderful birthday!!!

BOB - THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR THE MATERIAL ON THE DISPENSATIONS - I have just finished copying it and it was SO good for me to read. WE WILL ALSO USE THAT FOR OUR ROOMMATES' SCRIPTURE STUDY FOR THE NEXT COUPLE WEEKS - WHAT WONDERFUL INFORMATION. Now I won't have to worry and worry about the lesson I will give. I asked Ann to do it because you have already done way too much for me.

I have been at the computer for about 5 hours so I had better “hang up”.

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

Dearest Family, July 14, 1998

JEANNIE - HOW SWEET FOR YOU TO TAKE TIME TO WRITE ABOUT RICKY'S FAREWELL!!! It sounded like a “perfect” day and both Ann and Bob wrote about the talks that were given and how each one had a gospel message - I think that is SO important. Your entire family is greatly loved and I am SO proud of you - Bob wrote that “Wow, Mary Ann can really play the violin”. I am SO glad you taped it so I can hear it “sometime”. We don't have a tape player so I will hear it when I get home. I'm SO happy that Ellen Mae and Mel and Don and Cheryl supported you also - they are dear people!!! I can't imagine feeding 250 people afterwards at your home after a day of giving talks, etc. - you are VERY capable and I also know how very helpful Rick is and also your children!!!

ANNIE - THANK YOU FOR YOUR SCHEDULE. You have a strange time of arrival but it is good - 2:45 in the afternoon - everyone else has arrived about midnight or in the morning. I am disappointed that you won't be able to attend church with me but most of the members of this branch are gone to America anyway so it's okay. I will make plans for lots and lots of fun crammed into a few days - IT WILL BE WONDERFUL!!!

BOB - THANK YOU FOR YOUR LETTER TOO. I can't imagine anyone any busier than planning for Scout Camp and Lake Powell - I love the trips after all the planning and preparations are done but the “before” is hard. The movies sound so foreign to me - I have only been to one movie “Titanic” since I have been here and since we never watch television either I am really out of it. I am SO happy you and Michael are golfing together - a WONDERFUL Father and Son activity. Is Andrew Bench the young man who lives across the street from Ellen Mae and Mel? That Brett - completing so many merit badges - that doesn't surprise me.

There are messages for Helen and Janet so I will close now so they can access them. THANK YOU ALL SO VERY MUCH FOR KEEPING ME INFORMED - I AM SO PROUD OF MY FAMILY AND LOVE YOU ALL VERY MUCH. PLEASE, PLEASE BE CAREFUL AT LAKE POWELL AND THE ROYS AS THEY TRAVEL. Grandma B