September 2005

Saturday, September 03, 2005

Dear Journal,

Landon and an exceptional game against Evanston Friday (last) night.  He had a couple unassisted tackles, one of which was sacking the quarterback.  He ran a touchdown in. (His FIRST varsity) and had a  BUNCH of assisted tackles.  He felt good about the game!

Saturday was a good day.  First off !!  A little “tender mercy” coming our way !!  My mom and dad called from Cambodia !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!   It was soooooooooooooooo good to hear their voices, and after we were assured that everything was alright, it was so good to talk to them !!  They sound just the same !! even that many miles away.  Yesterday we also worked up at Round Valley for a little while (me, Mark, Zac)  went to the Labor Day Softball Classic, where Landon played and umped.  Went to Dallin and Devin’s football games, cleaned the house, did the wash, made the yard look soooooooooo good, and really really really (me and Zac and CJ) cleaned the garage.  It is so nice to get that done !!!  We took a load to the dump.  And then last night again, another call !!!! from mom an dad.   I need to check into out Skype  then we can talk computer to computer.

Sunday, September 04, 2005

Dear mom and dad

It was sure good to hear your voices yesterday !!  It made my WHOLE day.  I was just like Christmas !!

I hope you got a hold of Mark either on his cell or at home this morning.   

Manda and Camryn are still in Phoenix, and I miss them.  I'm glad you told me stop watering the tomatoes dad, although I watered the heck out of them just before I talked to you.  I'll stop now, and see what happens.  My garage sure looks good !!

Zac is such a hard worker, and we worked and CJ sat and watched the mice try and escape our cleaning. There were about 6 in the garage.  I guess we need a cat.  CJ is feeling pretty good, just big and pregnant.  Actually she's not that big, but she feels like it you know?  Her first Shower is this coming Saturday.  Our  shower for her isn't until Oct 1st.  

I've got meeting starting at 7:30 this morning, so I better go and get ready.

Love ya !!  Keep on working hard, you are the best parents anyone could have.  We are so proud of you both!! LOVE GWEN

September 10, 2005 - Letter from MOM and Dad on their mission

Dear Family and Friends,

I can't believe we are just getting around to sending you our journal for the last part of August and here it will soon be the middle of September.  We hope this finds all of you well and excited about life.  How thankful we should all be that we are not in New Orleans and the area around there.  I only wish they would tell of some of the good things that people are doing to help one another instead of so much of the negative news.  This afternoon we are going to the District Center to watch  President Hinckley's 95th Birthday.  President Towers received the DVD a couple of weeks ago.

The pictures we have included this time are:

2017 - Socheata and Rama, our Khmae teachers for the last Employment Workshop.

2060 - Students in the workshop that received their Certificates of Completion.

004 - Elder Johnson took this picture of Lee at Spider Town (Skun) on our way back from Siem Reap.  I chickened out.

Will sign off for now.  We send our love and our prayers.

Love, Elder and Sister Dickson  

Landon:

Good morning young man.  I thank you for the note last week.  Things are going good here but I sure did miss coaching this summer.  I’m glad to see that you are very proactive in your college search.  I hope that you can get a great opportunity to continue playing ball in college if this is what you choose to pursue.  I met one of the coaches at UVSC a few years ago and if I find his business card I will get that info to you.

Your football team is playing some pretty good ball right now.  Are you the stud linebacker?  I hope the winning ways continue as that would be pretty neat to have the Trojans rough a few of the bigger schools up a little bit.

I will get you a letter written up over the next week or so and I thank you for thinking of me.  Please send my best to your Mom and Dad and have a great week.

Forrest McNabb (Landon's old baseball coach from St. Joseph's)

Sunday night - or I guess EARLY 12:11 a.m. Monday morning, September 12, 2005

I'm keeping all of my notes to you in my journal, so I need to write things that have probably been spoken about in our phone conversation, but that's okay.  

Roger, Zac and Landon have reinforced our corrals so that we can put a couple of steers in there in a couple of weeks.  We traded them for our Oat Hay with Randy Sessions and Kurt Stapley.  The pipes were full of wasps, and Landon got stung 3 times.  I'm glad I wasn't out there. 

Camryn got her 16 month shots on Saturday, and she had been horribly onry every since.  I hope she gets feeling better soon.  

CJ's shower at the property turned out nice.  It was a little cold, but she got a lot of nice things.  Zac had to put them all away, and clean the house, and go grocery shopping because she isn't supposed to get up off the couch.  I have a feeling this is going to be a lonnnnnnnnnnnnnnnggg 6 weeks remaining.  Please remember her in your prayers.  We are planning on having a shower for her on Oct 1, but HE may get here sooner than that.  Oh well.  

Landon went to Joe Reyna (Shelly Lofgreen's son's) homecoming today.  It is so nice to have someone in my family care about going to church besides myself.  He is pretty whooped on Brigette Mellott, and I wish he wasn't, not that she's not a nice girl, but I don't want him to get serious, and she's so young (even though she is really mature for her age) She's not even 16 yet, and yet her mom doesn't seem to mind if she dates.........  I guess I should put my foot down and tell Landon he can't date her, but we are getting along so well, I don't want to rock the boat, and he's such a good kid........... excuses excuses..... I know......................  I guess they are going to the Homecoming Dance which is coming up in a few weeks.  Landon says he needs a suit - not a tux.  I guess we'll be buying him his FIRST SUIT - I wonder if he could wear it on his mission too?  I bought him some white dockers the other day $9.99 at Meier and Frank, and told him they were for his mission.  He's trying to talk me into letting him wear them to church !!  Also, he says he needs a WHITE tie for this Homecoming Dance, so I guess we can save that for his mission too.  We are working on getting things (paperwork, video, etc.) out there to different colleges so that he can hopefully get a baseball scholarship.............  Have to see how it works out........  Rog is soooooooooooooooo hyped about this, and him playing college ball.  He will have a year to go to school before his mission, and me and Rog haven't even talked about how THAT will fit into plans.............. you know me, don't want to ROCK THE BOAT !!!   Landon keep assuring me his EDNET Chemistry and Writing classes are doing fine........  hope he's not feeding me a line.  

I have Board of Equalization on Tuesday morning, then Volleyball in the afternoon (Karly Prescott is a Freshman, and gets some playing time on Varsity!!) Then pick up Camryn from Diane's then go to YW and we are doing a service project at Barclay and Denise Earl's home.  Wednesday I am cancelling a doctor's appointment so we can have a YW meeting to plan the Evening of Excellence night that will be in November.  Landon is on the Scholarship Board (1 of 3 students chosen) and has a meeting Tuesday morning.  He won't be able to go to his National Honor Society meeting on Thursday night because of Baseball practice.  We leave for Grand Junction Colorado on Friday night after his football practice.  Zac is trying to sell the little Toyota Camry.  It is just a money pit.  He's driving your white car now.  I think his hole is supposed to be dug this week for the detached garage.  Bret Kendell is going to do his foundation for him.  I am going to miss seeing your picture at Stake Conference this week, along with all of the meetings..............  I wish it was a different weekend (Grand Junction)  because I REALLY like Stake Conference.  

I picked 6 more tomatoes today (2 are pretty ripe, and 4 are kinda ripe)  I covered them last night, but didn't need to.  I didn't cover them tonight, an watch - they'll freeze !!!  Not really, it is a lot warmer tonight that it was yesterday/night.  Still you can feel the chill in the air and know the seasons are changing.  Manda is liking her job really well, and will probably be thrilled to get to work and away from an onry baby tomorrow.  Hopefully she is feeling better so Diane can take her, if not, I'll be taking the day off work - I can, but Manda can't, it being a new job, etc.  

Zac has started back up at DATC for plumbing school.  It's his third year this time.  Can't think of anything else to tell you, haven't I rambled on enough???  Love you both, and I like hearing your voices !!!  It will be nice to have you home in 8 1/2 months, and then you can do a nice temple square mission or something, huh?? 

Take care, love GWEN and family

September 15, 2005 - Letter from Mom and Dad on their mission

Dear Family and Friends,

Once again we are behind schedule but we are still here and doing fine.  We thought the days and weeks were flying by, but now it seems to be the months.  We thought we would send you some pictures of the things we see everyday.

2025 - a cute little bright colored van - it reminds us of the miniture outfits we saw in Japan when we picked Mark up from his mission.

2026 - these are the typical water tanks used on buildings for water storage.  Norris, we wish we could bring one home for you in the Uintahs.

2035 - don't know what they are going to use these plants for but we don't think it is a salad.

2038 - a little shop or vendor on the side of the street.  Does anyone need a cap?  All the moto taxi drivers wear them.

Hope the frost hasn't done too much damage to the gardens back home.  It is still quite warm here but has cooled a little so we don't have to use our air conditioning as much, just the fans.  Right now (11:30 a.m.) it is 86 degrees outside. 

We wish all of you the very best.  Love, Elder and Sister Dickson

September 18, 2005  Letter from Mom and Dad on their mission

Dear Family and Friends,

Well, here we are again and a little more caught up with things.  Each day comes and goes quickly and seems to always be filled to the brim.  It would be great to see the leaves changing back home, but will have to settle for green leaves and flowering trees.  We are losing another senior couple tomorrow.  It doesn't seem possible that only two more couples will leave before it will be our turn.  As usual, we are really enjoying our mission and would encourage everyone who possibly can to seriously think about going on a mission.  It's a great experience and one you will never regret. 

We send our love and prayers, Elder and Sister Dickson

The pictures we are sending this time are as follows:

2061 - Elder Garry and Sister Sharron Davis at the airport just before leaving Cambodia.  They are the ones we have been working closely with in Employment.

2075 - Sister Joyce Larsen (left) and Sister Phyllis Gunderson (right) also leaving, pictured with Edwin Loh and some of his family.

0023 - The foyer as you enter the District Center.  Classrooms, District offices, Family History Center, and baptismal font on this floor. 

0038 -  District Center - taken from back of cultural hall looking into the chapel.  The kitchen and CES classrooms and offices are behind cultural hall.  This is the second floor of the District Center.

0048 - Taken during the District Center's open house of some missionaries, young women and leaders.  Typical clothing (dark skirts and light blouses) when they dress up but not as fancy as at weddings.  They seldom dress like this for church as they usually wear slacks or pants.

September 20, 2005 Letter to Mom and Dad on their mission

Well we are back from Grand Junction.  It was okay, there are four catchers on the team and so Landon only got to catch one full game, and then part of another.  Got to bat only another game.  We are just used to seeing him play all the time, and so it was kind of disappointing.  He sure has his plate full with all of the studying he's "supposed" to be doing.  He keeps telling me that everything is okay, and I've quit harping on him, because he is under alot of pressure.  Mark came over last night and we worked on a brochure for his WBBA for the Buy-A-Brick program.  He was impressed with my "computer" skills on Microsoft Publisher.   Me and Manda also went over to Zac and CJ's last night a saw all of the stuff they have gotten from the baby showers so far.  They are getting excited !!  CJ is still not working, and just supposed to be laying down.  That gets old fast.  Roland Haslam of course, didn't start on digging Zac's hole last week, and then we heard he went to Hawaii from Friday to yesterday.................  It seems like these contractors are really good about putting you off, and you KNOW how patient Zac is...............  Roger took this week off work.  He got the south side of the little white garage painted yesterday - it looks good.  Also Dee Waldron got our third crop alfalfa cut and off the field.  He does not want the second cutting of oats and young hay so I guess we'll have to do something with that.  Well I hope all if going okay with you two.  We love reading your journals.  Take care.

LOVE GWEN and family.

September 21, 2004  Letter from Mom and Dad on their mission

Dear Gwen, Roger, Landon and Family,

Sorry we missed talking to you Tuesday evening, Gwen.  We just happened to be at the Family History Center Wednesday morning, since I didn't have anything else pressing  to do, and decided to call.  It was good to talk to Roger and Landon.  They both sounded great and filled us in on a few things.

Last night I went through some of the e-mails you have sent, re-reading them and looking at the pictures.  I love the pictures of our good-looking Landon and the one of he and Camryn is darling.  The picture of your Laurels all dressed in their beautiful formals was nice and they were all very modest.  Tell them for me how lovely they looked.  The members have a challenge here as all the fancy formals usually worn to weddings and receptions are strapless, unless they have one specially made and then that is expensive.  It is surprising because in their everyday clothing they are very modest and usually have even their arms covered.  You very seldom see even young children (girls) not fully dressed.  The boys are different, and the little ones most often wear only a shirt or nothing at all.

What ever happened to the Church project on East Canyon creek?  Was anything done this summer on it? 

Never heard anything more about it.  Dee planted, where it WOULD NOT be in corn, and left where it WOULD BE in something else, grain I think.  But nothing has happened.

Have you heard how Stephen and Jean Dickson are doing in Bangalore, India? 

Paul Dickson said they get there fresh milk from a Big White Cow, straight from the teats !!  that walks around town and stops at houses.  I don't know if he was pulling my leg or not.  There has been some problems with the Richville Cemetery concerning Dee Waldron and some land he took down underneath the hill for a building site.  Paul and others are upset.  You might want to ask Aunt Barbara what she knows about it.....

 I'm glad we are here in Cambodia and not there.  In fact, talking to other senior missionaries and the reports they get from some of their friends in other parts of the world, we are in the very best place.

Are you covering your tomatoes or are they far enough gone that it doesn't matter if they freeze? 

I haven't been covering them.  I need to be more dutiful on this.  There are still quite a few tomatoes, but I'm lazy, and the porch warms up during the day with the sun, and I think this helps as they are right against it. 

 We're anxious to see your yard now that you have redone it, especially the berm.  Did the grass come up good? 

So- So.  It will look alot better next spring I suppose. 

Another question for you.  How did Zac's watering go this summer?  Did he do his watering or did his neighbors do it for him most of the time?

Zac has done both watering this summer, more of the sprinkling I think.  After getting all that nice back yard in, he then sprayed in with round-up where the garage is going to be.  His plan is to fill in the back ditch, and do total sprinkling out there.  He HATES mowing around the ditch. 

Dad and I are doing fine.  Our ASPECA English class was cancelled today because of a holiday and the students are celebrating or doing something at a pagoda.  I do have an appointment with President Sophon (South District President) about some Family History questions.  I sure hope he gives me the answers I want.  If he does, I will be able to have the temple work done for about eighteen people.  I am really enjoying this part of our mission even though it is very difficult at times trying to figure out just who is who and what to do.

We hope things work out with the baseball scholarships Landon is applying for.  We are excited for Zac and CJ and are looking forward to their little one getting here safe and sound.  Tell Amanda we are glad she likes her job and to give Camryn a big hug and kiss for us.  You and Roger need to slow down a little or you'll end up all worn out like Dad and I.  He keeps telling me that he is falling apart and won't be able to do a thing when he gets home.  He is anxious for these next eight months to go by so he can be home and nearer good medical help.  I sure hope something can be done to give him some relief.  Maybe he just needs Morgan air and some outside activity.

Well guess I had better close and get ready for my appointment.  We love you and think about you often.  Take care of things.

Love,

Mom and Dad

PS  There, will be a fairly large check coming in the mail ($30000.00 +).  Deposit it in our checking account.  Tithing needs to be paid so I will arrange for a donation slip when we find out just what the amount is.  Thanks for your help.  Love Dad

September 22, 2005

 Gwen,  thanks for the PhotoShow.  We really enjoyed watching it again and again and again.  It looks like you all had a great time.  Keep making those memories for you family.  You are the greatest daughter and mother (and grandmother).

Love, Mom

September 25, 2005

Dear Family and Friends,

Just a quick note to let you know we are fine and keeping busy.  The pictures are of different places, people and things that Elder Johnson took and has labeled all of them Siem Reap even though none of them are from that area.  Hope you enjoy them. 

Love, Elder and Sister Dickson

005 - Can you believe this!  They put everything they can on and in these vans to travel to other cities or places.

006 - These are live chickens going to market to be sold.

010 - These huts or community homes are in the mountains in Mondulkiri where the quilt distribution took place.  They are different than the average hut or home you find in the country and out by the rice fields.

011 - Inside a hut in Mondulkiri.  Elder Johnson said they were dark and dingy (no windows) and smoky from the little fire (no chimney or hole for the smoke).

012 - Some of the little children in Mondulkiri.

085 - Two senior missionaries (guess who?).  The floating village we went through is in the background.  We are on the Tonle Sap Lake.

Sept 27, 2005 - Letter to Mom and Dad on their mission

Well I'm up figuring out my check book on the computer. And going over YW stuff.  Quickly, here are some things to ask you.

Do you want me to pay your $20 DUP dues mom?  or just let them go since you won't be there for a year and half.  Let me know.

Also - Robert and Pauline Capener had a 50th anniversary celebration at Maddox and you were invited.  I'm so sorry I didn't let you know earlier.  I don't know if you correspond by email or not with them. 

Landon had another great game against Park City Last Friday - they won 27 to 0.  We travel to Uintah (Vernal) this Friday........yuck.

CJ's shower is on Saturday, and we hope she is still around.  She went to the doctor yesterday and her blood pressure is up again, and they almost kept her !!  She goes back on Wednesday (Zac's birthday) so we'll see what happens.  If she lasts over the weekend, they'll probably start her on Monday when her doctor gets back in town from Germany.

Zac got his hole dug for the detached garage.  I've attached a picture

Manda and Camryn are doing great.  Camryn is a little busy body, running around everywhere.  She keeps everyone on their toes.

Take care - love Gwen and all

September 28, 2005

Our son Zac is 24 years old today !!  I can remember when he was born, he was a blonde ball of fur……….  I wonder what he little boy will look like?  I wonder if he’ll be born today?  Probably not, but that would be a nice birthday present.

Last night, I went down to SLC to listen to the Young Women General Presidency speak.  I went with Penny Smith and Gayla Durrant. The meetings were in the Assembly Hall on Temple Square. It is such a wonderful peaceful place down there.  Their messages filled me we hope and inspiration, and wanting to do my best and more in my calling as YW president.  I need to become more spiritually in tune with my Heavenly Father, seeking the companionship of the Holy Ghost at all times.   Every night I pray to my Heavenly Father that a miracle will occur, and that Manda will somehow, someway experience a change in heart and come to love the gospel once more, like she did when she was a little girl.  Zac is going to church (CJ can’t because she’s supposed to stay down) so that he can stand in the circle when the baby is blessed.  I wish he could bless his little one.  He would have to be an Elder for that, and I think he could be made one, but they would have to pay their tithing and I don’t think they are doing that right now.  I don’t know for sure.  I hate to pry and seem overbearing to them.  I wish Landon was old enough to bless the baby (having been ordained an Elder).  Dad is in Cambodia, Roger can’t, Ben can’t, so I guess either Jim Wilkerson or my brother Mark Dickson will do it. 

9/28/05 evening

Well, when CJ went to the doctor today, her blood pressure was still too high, and so they said - over to the hospital you go !!  Any way, they are there and they broke her water and started her on Pitocin at about 7 p.m. September 28th.  Zac probably won't get a baby boy on his birthday though, because it will probably go into tomorrow.  It is about 9:15 p.m. and we are headed down to check on them.

I'll let you know what happens !

LOVE GWEN 

It's 5:30 a.m. Sept 29th - No baby yet !  Zac just called, and after being in Labor for almost 10 hours, CJ is only to a 2 !  She's feeling sick (pukey) and they've got her on oxygen, I guess because her oxygen is low.  (I remember that from Landon in the hospital, they get breathing so shallow, that they don't pull enough oxygen into their blood.  Zac didn't get any sleep last night on the uncomfortable coach.  Shirlee and McKenzie went home during the night also, I hope McKenzie gets back over there, because she's a labor and delivery tech, and knows what is what. I suppose I'll head down when I hear more- they will keep me updated and I'll keep you updated !!

LOVE GWEN

Well she's been in labor 18 hours now, and still no bambino !!  Zac just called (1:30 p.m. Sept 29) , and she is about a 4-5 dilation, and they are going to increase the Pitocin, and hopefully in a few more hours we'll get the new little one.  She is pretty miserable, throwing up, headache, etc.  It seems nothing ever goes easy with her, darn it !!

LOVE GWEN

Little Treyson  Lee Rich was born at 8:04 p.m., September 29, 2005.  He weighed 7 pounds, 4 ounces and was 20 inches long.  He is not blonde like his daddy was.  He has brown hair, not as dark or long as Camryn's was.  He has tiny petite features.  After 27 hours of labor, and no progress, he was taken Cesarean section.  Mom is worn out and in a lot of pain.  Dad is tired but so happy with his baby.  The grandma's left the hospital at 11:25 p.m. (It's now 11:55 p.m.)  I'll write more later.   Love Gwen

September 30, 2005  Letter from Mom and Dad on their mission

Congratulations Dad Zac, and Grandma Gwen and Grandpa Roger,

Sorry we haven't responded to what was happening more closely the past 24 hours, but we were out of town for a day and didn't have access to the e-mail.  Thank heaven we live in a day when the doctors can help when there is difficulty with a delivery.  We are glad the little guy is here and feel confident that CJ will be feeling better soon.  It's hard to keep our minds on what we are doing when these kinds of things are happening at home and we want so much to be there.  You were all in our prayers (especially CJ and the baby) and we knew things would work out well.  We're so happy our little

great-grandson has come into a family where he will be loved very much by everyone.  Grandpa Dickson was tickled to think that he has the middle name of Lee.

It sounds like he was a good size baby but sorry CJ had to go through 27 hours of labor.  Thank goodness mothers soon forget about the pain and are able to just enjoy their little new babies.  Thanks for keeping us posted and up to date.

Love, Grandma and Grandpa Dickson

Letter to Mom and Dad on their mission

Friday, September 30, we traveled to Uintah High School in Vernal to watch Landon play football.  They won 27 to 21.  Landon got an interception on the 15-20 yard line and ran it back for a touch down !!!  Also, he was instrumental in two other of the touchdowns, throwing key blocks to allow the runners to score!!    Saturday Night (October 1) or should I say early morning Sunday I was sick with the flu or food poisoning I don’t know what and was throwing up all night, I laid around sick all day Sunday (General Conf.) except when I went and helped Zac clean his house, then had a pretty good night Sunday night, but have been sitting on the pot all day today October 3^rd  with diarrhea.  

Note – Zipper our dog of about 10 years was hit and killed by a car sometime early Sunday morning.   It has been one year since Manda called us to come and get her from Arizona.  It has been a good year, busy and hectic, but good to have her and little Camryn home.