September 27, 1999 Farmington, Utah

CONGRATULATIONS TO RICK!!! Jeannie called me yesterday afternoon and invited me to go to their church meetings last night - they were making three wards out of two and Rick has been called in the new ward's bishopric. It was a very interesting meeting and I have never been to one like that - they had a big screen where they showed the people involved and the boundaries that made up the three wards. Their new ward will be called "Shepard View". I loved being involved and going to the "setting him apart" prayer meeting (do you remember how Daddy used to call that "setting aside"?) It was an emotional meeting because when wards are divided like that it also divides people meeting together and no matter what they say, it is hard on friendships. Pete and Nell Wiggins refused to go to their new ward when they were divided out of the Little Rock 1st ward so Daddy finally said they could go wherever they wanted to - Ha!!! Jeannie was released from her Relief Society calling because she was put in a new ward - it will be interesting to see what happens - it is better if they both don't have big callings. Annie is still Young Women's President though even now that Ron is in their Bishopric.

PATRICE - I loved your letter and reading about the interest little Jesse has in his genealogy. I can just hear him questioning his "great, greats" and I'm proud that Roy would take the time to draw it out for him. I AM DETERMINED TO DO MORE ON THE FORREST LINE SO TIMOTHY AND JOHN WILL BE ABLE TO UNDERSTAND THE GREAT, GREATS ON THE FORREST SIDE SINCE THEY HAVE THE FORREST IN THEIR NAMES. I would like to have a t-shirt with my family genealogy pictures on it too. Emily - what is a time line?

ANNIE - I loved your letter too and it makes me very happy that you are getting knowledgeable about your computer - what makes it so complicated? I waited up on Friday night to hear the high school football scores but they never did give the results of the Timpview-Provo game. I was thrilled to receive the paper on Saturday morning and read that Timpview had won - I REALLY would have liked to see that game. I'm pulling for your team to win the championship Russell.

BOB - Thank you SO much for coming to fix my toilet. Wednesday was a nightmare at work with the ZCMI Anniversary Sale and when I came home I went directly upstairs to go to bed and didn't even see your note on the table until the next morning. I appreciate your help SO VERY MUCH!!! I tried to fix it but it just kept running no matter what I did. CLAIRE - I hope you and KATIE had a wonderful time in California and that you are back home safely now.

JOHN - I AM SO EXCITED ABOUT YOUR PLANNED TRIP TO LITTLE ROCK!!! I absolutely cannot believe that it has been 17 years since you have been to Arkansas - time has just passed me by!!! John has been able to route a business trip so he can stop in Little Rock the weekend of Oct. 8, 9 and 10. It is too bad that Roy and Patrice will not be there though - they have a planned trip to Dallas to attend an anesthesiology conference that weekend. I am assuming that Suzie will be taking care of the children and WHAT A TREAT FOR JOHN TO BE ABLE TO MEET HER. I talked to John last night and then I thought about this all night long - John wasn't here when Roy and Patrice married and therefore he has missed out on a lot of family things that I just assumed he had been involved in. The last 17 years have been kind of a "black out" for me - at least the last 12. If I could have a dream come true it would be for our ENTIRE family to go on a weekend campout in Arkansas where we used to go with our trailer to fish. I MISS MY ARKANSAS FAMILY SO MUCH!!! I will get the church schedules for you, John - I know the first ward's meetings are in the morning but you would probably know more people who go to the stake center in Otter Creek. The Littlefields are still there and Chris Jordin and Joy Geisler will be in the first ward and I'll try to think of others. Please go by to see Dorothy and Dan - I have hurt their feelings. I answered a letter they wrote to me by writing to Dana and I haven't heard from them since.

We are having beautiful Fall weather. It is quite cold here this morning and I guess if I had little children I would have to turn my furnace on. I am enjoying my work and I am glad the BIG SALE is over although I guess Christmas shopping will be busy too. I worked 25 hours last week and I told them that was too many for me - this week I will only work 19.