March 20th Letter

Dear Family,

Today marks one month since we arrived in San Diego. A new couple, the Robinson’s arrive tomorrow. It has been a great month and we are certainly enjoying ourselves.

This week was punctuated by two things: the visits of Matt and Uncle Ward and Aunt Janet; and the completion of a successful golf tournament. Uncle Ward and Aunt Janet arrived on Friday evening and visited us while we were serving at MBHS. Matt came in on Saturday afternoon. He said he came early enough to go to the beach and swim, but he forgot his suit and birthday suits are not allowed so the swimming was a bust. It really wasn’t that warm anyway so I think he saved himself some frostbite. We all went to dinner at Guadalajara’s that evening (Cassie you name comes up everytime we go there.) We attended sacrament meeting together and then Mom and me went to MBHS for the afternoon. That evening we had a delicious dinner that Mom fixed with some help from Aunt Janet and Erin and Sarah and Hazel came (Erin brought rolls.) We sat around the dining room table for the first time and had a delightful visit together. I was a little preoccupied with the last minute details of the golf outing but even I enjoyed the time together. We missed being with all of you on Sunday for Crew’s blessing; glad you gathered together with the Mellor’s. And yes Adam I probably would have stressed some over a large circle. Just me trying to follow counsel.

The golf tournament turned out great. There were a few snags , etc but over all it was delightful. The weather cooperated greatly and thanks primarily to Matt our team (Uncle Ward, Forest, Matt, and me) didn’t do too badly. There will be lots of followup and revisions over the next few months but grateful to have that big event over.

Uncle Ward and Aunt Janet and Matt all left fairly early Tuesday morning. A new one was being born around noon to Amanda (turns out a little girl).

As I have stated in the past, Tuesdays the senior couples man the MBHS until 5 when the sisters come on. We are starting to get more school tours and Tuesday is a favorite day so besides the tour we get to talk about wells, and bricks, and gold panning, and how to fire a musket, etc. I understand sometimes we will take them out in the parking lot and teach them about marching. They have been changing out the cameras in the tour rooms. We saw the results of one of the rooms yesterday and it was amazing what a difference it made. We look forward to the makeover. And we had another famous person sighting. The person who plays Brigham Young in the videos brought him family for a visit. He prefers anonymity so I would never had known if one of the sisters hadn’t said something.

While Uncle Ward and Forest were riding together during the golf tournament they obviously visited about lots of things, but one of them you might find interesting. Here is what I recorded in my journal. “Ward reported a conversation he had with Forest. Ward ask if Forest had ever felt the presence of his dad. He said he had one time. That was when he was praying after our mom died and he said he saw in his mind Gramp and Nana, his dad, Uncle Thern, Aunt Hazel, Aunt Edris, and Clark all standing in a group waiting for Mom to come (and she apparently did while he was looking.)” I spoke with Forest (when he and Pinch came to MBHS for a tour) later about this and he confirmed what I had written. Pinch said that when she and Forest went to the temple to do the temple work for Uncle Orville and Mom and Aunt Edith accompanied them, that in the celestial room she felt Uncle Orville’s hand on her shoulder and heard his giggle. How many people in the world really understand all of that? It is amazing.

Cassie, I noticed a facebook post that said you were teaching the gospel with Elder Kenneth Johnson to a girl in Pakistan. Would you explain that a little more to us please. How did it come about? Why were you and Elder Johnson on at the same time, etc. Remember I can’t be there to pump you with question so please fill in ALL of the blanks.

Today is P day and holds two events. Mom has gone to get her hair done for the first time since we have been here. She is actually quite nervous. The lady in Utah has cut her hair for the last 27 years. And we are going to Hodad’s (a famous hamburger shop) for lunch.

Hope this finds you all well. We love you lots.

Mom and Dad


PS. Dave and Viola, one of the sisters here is from the islands of Micronesia and knows very well where Chuuk is.