January
1987
13
- home teach
15
- Zac finds out he needs glasses
24
- Zac gets glasses
28
- Zac to postoffice (preschool)
(Approximately
first part of January 1987) - Letter from Linda in Okinawa
Dear
Rog, Gwen and kids, Thanks for the great video film. We had a ball watching
it. We did get a little homesick
though. You're a good movie producer
Rog. So how was your Christmas? Ours was
fine, lonely though. We missed you
guys! All the family looked great. Roger's skinny butt and belly has sure filled
out! But it looks good. Mandy and Zac were cute too. So what did everyone get for Christmas? We got our video camera out and boy do we
have a good time with it. We want to
record the boys football games and then we'll send it home and then it will be
your turn to laugh at us. Anyway, you'll
be surprised, the boys both play terrific football. Darrin was so stiff Sunday, he couldn't even
walk. Poor baby, huh? Your house looks terrific. I sure envy you! Anyway, I hope you are enjoying it. I love your kitchen and bathroom! What are you guys doing for New Years
Eve? I guess we'll stay home and feed
our faces. Make sure you let us know how
Zac's eyes are. Also, Gwen we sent you a
birthday gift, so I hope you'll like it, and it's on time. It sounds like you are having a dry winter.
One thing, you'll know how much wood to get for next year. The weather over here is in the 70's one day
and cool and rainy the next. It's kind
of like fall at home. Most days we enjoy
it. Seems like it rains when there is a
football game. Well, have a Happy New
Year, and take care, We love and miss
you. Love, Linda
January
4, 1987
Well,
another year has come and gone.
Hopefully I can finish this journal this year. We had a really nice Christmas. I got a new outfit, and 2 books and some
thermal underwear from Rog and the kids.
Roger got some new boots and some scriptures and leather gloves. The kids were happy with their haul
also. It's funny how one day I can be
happy and at peace, and the next I feel as though my world is falling
apart. I KNOW I'm at my best and feel
good and comforted when I stay close to my Heavenly Father. I'm learning new concepts and feelings an
understanding all the time. I know my
Heavenly Father loves me and wants me to become more Christlike so I can return
and live with Him. He must feel so bad
when His children are disobedient. I
want to teach my children about God and His love for us. I find myself struggling so much
sometimes. It's so discouraging. It doesn't matter. I'll go on always, and I'll always be
trying. My hopes and dreams help
me. I would like our family to be happy
forever. I want Roger to know of, and
accept my love for him. Some things, I
don't know how to explain. I love him
and I don't mean to hurt him I know I
have much to change and improve. I feel
so worthless and I don't make people happy.
I need to love myself before I can
truly be happy. What will happen to
me? I'll go on. It's okay.
January
5, 1987 - letter from Terri in Okinawa
Dear
Roger and Gwen, Hello, how are you guys doing? Things are just fine here. It has rained for the past three days. I am
SICK of rain. I would almost rather have
snow than rain, but oh well, huh? We
really enjoyed the tape you sent us for Christmas. Boy, Mandy and Zac sure are cute on it. Boy they sure grow and change allot when you
don't see them for a long time. We are
sending a Video tape of us on Christmas, New Year, and Darrin and Todd's
football games home to Grandma for everyone to watch. It's really funny to watch yourself on
television. Hope you like it. How are the kids doing in school? Do they
like it? Brenda, Darrin and Todd like it
allot better now than they did when they started. Boy, I'm glad I am out of high school. Now if I could just land a job I would be in
business. Maybe I will just come home
and find one. I don't know what to do
yet. Well, I've got about 50 more
letters to write, so I will close for now.
Love ya lots! Terri
January
5, 1987
Well,
back to work today. I'll be working full
time from now on I guess. I hope to
improve my working relationship with my co-worker, and get along with her better. I didn't get up as early, or do my exercises
as I would have liked to, but I did read a chapter in the Book of Mormon. It's 3rd Nephi. I can't really believe that I have almost
finished the book. I've never done that
before. It makes me feel good
inside. I can hardly wait to go back and
start over again with my family and go through the study program myself. Well,
I'd better get going.
January
7, 1987 - Letter from Dawna
Dear
Gwen and family, I want to thank you again for the lovely book you gave me at
Christmas, you really didn't need to, but thanks anyway. And thanks for showing me such a good time
while I was there. I sure think I have
some grand nieces and their families too.
Those two little tykes of yours, I could just steal them and bring them
home with me. The weather hasn't been
too good since I got back to Florida. I
finally had to turn on my heater for the first time this winter and didn't know
how to, so I had to have a friend come over and do it for me, and I've been
using it since. I still haven't got my
Christmas stuff put away. Either I'm too
busy or too lazy - I don't know which.
My Second councilor in the Bishopric has asked me to give a talk in
church on January 25th on "Need for Scripture Study" I don't know if he is trying to tell me
something or not. This is when I wish I
was in Utah, so Grandma (mom) or Veloy could help me, but I guess it is just up
to me and my Heavenly Father. I know
with His help I can do it. (But wish me
good luck anyway) On January 30th the
Young Women are going to put on a play, it is an excerpt from "My Turn On
Earth", and guess who gets to be one of the mothers in the play. Yup, your right, me - and of course I get to
be the lucky one that is pregnant and 2 weeks over due. (I'm the mother that the last girl in Heaven
comes to) As you can see, I'm still
keeping busy and on top of all this I
still have my Young Women's lesson to prepare and give and I'm also still the
magazine representative. And this month
I conduct in opening exercises in the Young Women's class. And I have to write an article for the
Liahona by the third Sunday of this month.
I don't see how the women do it, that have families to fit in there
someplace too. Well, I had better close
for now and get to bed. It is already 12:45 at night and I have to get up and
6:15 in the morning for work. Hope you
have (or had) a wonderful birthday. Did
you do anything exciting to celebrate it?
Thanks again, and boy am I glad you're a part of my family. Take care
and write when you get a chance. I
framed your family picture you gave me and it is sitting on the coffee table,
right where I can see it all the time.
HI MANDY HI ZAC SURE MISS YOU Love Dawna
January
11, 1987
Well,
one year older (26). I'm sure out of
shape compared to last year and probably 15-20 pounds heavier. One of these days I'll have to get going and
lose some weight. I need some incentive. Sometimes I feel so great and happy and full
of hope, and other times I feel so low and sad and so out of patience with my
kids. I'm coming to know my Savior and
appreciate what Jesus did for me, and understand about His love for me.
January
13, 1987 - letter from Linda
Dear
Rog, Gwen and kids,
So
how is everyone at the Rich residence?
How are the kids? Has the cold
bug hit there? We are all fine, the kids
all have colds now, but they aren't too bad.
Winter is here now, that wind off the ocean is really cold and it blows
just like a typhoon. But it's not
anywhere near as cold as home. But we
did have to go buy Darrin a coat today.
Because when they leave in the morning at 6:30, it's pretty cold. It's hard to believe we've been here almost 7
months. The time seems to be passing
pretty fast now. Pretty soon mom and
Joni will be here and our trip will be half way over with. Between now and June we have to go to Korea
and the P.I. So we'll have a lot to keep
us busy between now and June. We're
hoping the 3 oldest will be able to gets summer jobs and that would keep them
busy this summer. So, how is the weather
there now? Is your stove working any
better? Does it keep your house warm day
and night? I'm glad everyone liked their
Christmas gift. There is so much to
choose from here. Joni and mom will go
wild. There is a lot of history here,
but I think the older you are, the more you appreciate it. So, how is work going for both of you? Ours is okay.
I know one thing, I'll never work at a school when I come home. How is
your road holding up? Does your car go
up and down the hill alright? We don't hear
from Layne and Lynette too often, is everything good with them? Guess I'll close for now. I've got lots of wash to do for these bums
around here! Miss and Love ya, Linda
January
1987 - letter from Linda
Dear
Rog, Gwen and kids, So how are all of you doing? Sounds like it's pretty cold and lots of snow
there. Mom said your pipes were
frozen. Are they alright now? I miss the snow, but not the bitter cold and
the blizzard part. But it's pretty cool
here now, we've had to wear coats once in awhile. I think the coldest it's been was 55 degrees,
but the wind and humidity make it seem colder.
The kids have all had bad colds.
But they are getting over them now.
It's bad, because one day we need a coat and the next we can wear
shorts. I'm glad you guys liked the
video. We're really not grouches on it,
me and Brenda and Todd are just bashful (ha ha)
I know it will be hard getting Zac to wear glasses, but once he's used
to them, he won't want to leave them off.
It's a good thing you took him to the doctor now, instead of putting it
off. Think of it this way, he could have
something a lot worse. And if he needs
them when he gets older, he can get contacts.
Those were sure neat pictures you sent us. I think that Rog is really filling out in his
old age and the kids are really growing.
We won't recognize them when we come home. Rog, did you hear anything about your
job? Sure hope you get it. We can't wait till Mom and Joni, and Uncle
Don get here. Lately, I've really wanted
to come home. (Baby, huh?) The boys are
still playing football. Roger, you'd
sure be proud of them. They are tough guys!
The environment is so different here for the kids. On Darrin's team,
counting him, only 3 of them don't smoke or drink. I worry about that. Todd's team has only lost 1 game too! The boys have changed. The kids all have finals this next week, then
1/2 of the school year will be over.
It's hard to believe. So what
have your 2 little kids been up to lately?
Have they been sick? Does Rog get
sick now that his tonsils are gone?
Well, guess I'll go for now. Give
Everyone a kiss for me, Love ya, Linda
January
1987 - Letter from Darrin
Dear
Mandy and Zac, How are you two doing? Me
and everyone else are doing okay here.
How was your Christmas? Did Santa
Clause bring you what you wanted? I
didn't think Santa would fly clear over here to leave us Christmas presents,
but guess what?, he did. He left me and
Brenda a camera and he left Todd a remote control car and he left Terri some
China. What did you and Zac get from
Santa? You and Zac and everyone else
looked real good on that video you sent us for Christmas. Tell your mom and dad thanks for me,
okay? You guys might see Terri after
Grandma comes over, cause she's thinking of coming home. Love, Darrin
P.S. Write soon.
January
1987 - Letter from Linda
Dear
Zac, I was so glad to get your letter.
We sure miss you guys. How is the
weather? I heard that you are now
wearing glasses. I bet you look really
cute in them. I wear them too. They help me see really good, so I like to
wear them. So you be careful with them
and wear them like the doctor said to.
Send us a picture of you with them on.
Please tell Amanda Hi, and we also miss and love her. Tell your mom and dad Hi. Well, see you later. We love and miss you,
Love Linda
January
18, 1987
Well,
another week gone by. I still am not
doing what I should Wonder if I'll ever
get out of this dump I'm in? I need to
come to terms with myself. Sometimes
it's too hopeless. BUT I'LL GO ON. I WANT TO.
I NEED TO. We found out that Zac
has to have glasses. He is VERY far
sighted. The doctor says his poor little
eyes are working overtime. Oh well, I
guess we'll order them tomorrow. He's not too upset. I hope the kids his age don't tease him.
(*Note - written years later. I had taken Zac to a pre-Kindergarten amblyopia clinic. The P.T.A. volunteers tested him, and came
and told me that he was not seeing what he should be. I thought they were just a bunch of dumb
mother's who didn't know how to give an eye exam. We had to take him to an eye doctor to get
clearance before he could start school in the fall. We took him, and Dr. Brodstein kept asking if
we had ever noticed Zac crossing his eyes. Apparently he was terribly
far-sighted, and his little eyes really had to work extra hard to bring things
into focus. We felt bad that we hadn't
noticed anything earlier. Now Zac puts
his glasses on first thing when he gets out of bed in the morning, and they are
the last things he takes off at night. I
have to pry them off of him to wash them.
At first Zac went though allot of glasses. Just being a normal rowdy kid, allot got
broken, and it seemed we were going to the repair place often. Now that he's older its not bad at all, maybe
1-2 adjustments a year to straighten them out.
The kids have not teased him too much, at least he hasn't mentioned a
problem to us. He has said that if they
call him 4 eyes, he tells them, 4 eyes are better than 2 ! )
January
26, 1987
Well,
I just looked back in this journal to see what I wrote on this day last year. I was so happy and bubbly. It's funny how years will pass and my
feelings will be up or down. Happy, sad,
upset, discouraged, optimistic, content, hopeful. But some things never change, ever. I just need to get my feelings and emotions
sorted out and in the right place. We
got Zac's new glasses Saturday. They
look really nice. He doesn't really mind
wearing them. They help him allot. He is so sweet. He has so much love in him. I must always treat him and Amanda with
respect, love and honor, as they really are Heavenly Father's spirits entrusted
to me for a short time. Sometimes I
forget. I started exercising this morning. Boy am I outta shape!!!! I've gotta stick
with it though.
January
27, 1987
Well
two mornings in a row! I am working
full time now. I like it okay. It's been really warm
these past 2-3 days. Today it might
reach record temperatures in the 50's. I
can't think of anything new to say. Dean
and Sue Ghizzone's little boy Tony died yesterday. He has been a vegetable since his drowning
accident 1 1/2 years ago. It is a
blessing. Also, Kirk and Mitzi Ralphs'
baby boy died last week. He was
premature. Amanda is learning about
Alaska, the Northpole, Eskimos, etc. in school.
They will put on a play about the weather soon. Zachary is going to the post office with his
preschool class tomorrow. Well, better
get reading the Book of Mormon.
