February 2006

 

 Letter sent to mom and dad – Monday, Feb 6, 2006

Just wanted to let you know that Landon took 2nd in Region 10, the toughest Region in the State of Utah in 3A division.  He wrestled so good, and his elbow held up really well.  He's wrestling better than he ever has before, and he beat Cale Cook from Union, who had previously beat him (Landon) two times. Once in the championship round at Evanston Tournament, and once at the Friday Night Duals.  We knew he could get him, and he took him down 4 times, and escaped once for a final score of

 9-3.  Yea!!!!!  We now head to State at UVSC on Thurs, Fri, Sat.  He will have a kid from Pine View first, then the dreaded Todd "Stall" azar (the kid who beat him last year in the championship round in Region at Ogden High, and also beat Landon this year in a dual meet in December) - we'll get him this time !!!, then Tyson Church ( a tough kid from down south),  and if he makes it through these 3 rounds, then he's in the Championship round, probably meeting up again with Jared Ruppe, who beat him for the championship of Region 10.  Landon likes him really well, and could possibly beat him if he wrestled his very best !!!  We'll keep you updated !!  We are all well !!  LOVE YOU See you later :) Gwen

 Letter from Mom

What great news.  We are so proud of Landon and we wish him the very best at State!!!!  We are so glad his elbow didn't give him any trouble.  Tell him  we'll be cheering for him way over here in Cambodia.  Gwen when you get a chance would you send me the recipe for my easy fudge.  It is the one that Roger and I had to eat with spoons.  I believe it is Aunt Dixie's recipe.  Anyway I am craving something good, sweet and fattening.  Thanks again for all your help.

 Love, Mom and Dad

 2/8/06

Letter to Mom and Dad

Can we store a piano in  your living room (it is now empty of furniture)  This is Ryan Pace’s grand piano that DOES NOT need to be set up, only stored on it’s side w/o legs.  In a place that does not freeze. They will be in their home by the end of March, first of April (building in Mtn. Green)  So it would be out by then.  This has been in Mildred Williams home, but it has sold.  Joan Pace asked if they could possibly store it in your home.  I told them I thought this wouldn’t be a problem,  But they wanted me to check with you for sure. Please let me know and I’ll let her know  LOVE GWEN

 PS  Please pray for Landon to do his best at State –he is so looking forward to this, and hoping that he can do his best and that his arm will be okay, and that all will go well

 They have him listed today in the Standard Examiner at 6^th   IN the state in 3A at 160 pounds

 

1^st  Tyson Church from N. Sanpete  (Jared Rupe beat him in the Tournament of Champions)  Landon will meet him in the Semi’s if all goes well.

2^nd  Jared Rupe  (This is the kid from Uintah who beat Landon in the championship round at Region)  Landon really likes him, and would only meet him in the State championship finals  (Keep your fingers crossed)

3^rd  Todd STALLazar  (The ONE WE WANT TO BEAT)  Landon will meet him in the second round on Thursday afternoon, he has beaten Landon 2 times previously  WE WANT THIS ONE !!!

4^th  Sams kid from Cedar City (He’s in the other bracket- Rupe will probably beat him)

5^th  Tyson Johnson from Pineview (This kid took second in his Region –he’s the Varsity and Landon wouldn’t meet him until the Semi’s IF Church beats this kid – Landon wrestles the JV Pineview kid first round)

6^th  Landon  Rich (OUR BOY !)  He has a JV kid from Pineview who took 3^rd in his region, who is a sophomore the first round

                                              He will meet Todd STALLazar (senior) most likely in the 2^nd round

                                              He will meet Tyson Church (senior)  most likely in the Semi’s

                                              He will meet Jared Rupe (senior) again most likely in the finals………………..

 Yes, it is okay to store the piano at our house.  We pray for Landon everyday as we do all of you, and will continue praying for him that he will do his very best these next few days.  Have a good time.

 Love, Mom and Dad

 

 2/8/06

Dear Landon,

Just wanted to tell you how much we love you, and how proud we are of you.  You are the light of our lives, and we have enjoyed having you for a son so very much.  You know we are all excited for this week, and we are all praying that you will be able to compete at your very best.  Don’t you forget to pray also, and ask Heavenly Father to be with you, not to help or make you win, but to help you to do your very best.  You have worked so hard, and put in the time, and now you will be put to the test.  I’m not telling you anything you don’t already know, but take each match one at a time, and go out there and work hard, and be smart, and remember we are up in the stands cheering you on, and bursting with pride in the way you handle yourself both on and off the mat.  We will always be here for you.  We love you. 

 Love Mom and Dad

 

Mom and Dad,

Thanks for all the support you guys have given me throughout my high school sports; for all the money you have loaned me and especially for all the love you guys have given me.  This weekend will be a fun and memorable one that’s for sure.  I will do my best and I know that no matter where I finish you guys will be proud.  Unfortunately I will not be satisfied with anything less than first.  I love you guys so much and am grateful to have you a  my parents.  Thanks again for everything

Your son Landon

 

February 10, 2006

Dear Family and Friends,

Another week has passed by quickly.  We are keeping busy and it is starting to get warmer.  We are not looking forward to April which is suppose to be the HOTTEST month but know it will also pass quickly.  We have heard many rumors about the new Mission President but nothing is definite yet and probably won't be until after April Conference.  We have lost two couples recently and will be loosing seven more in the next few months.  Elder and Sister Butters will finish up their mission the first part of March, with Lee and I and the Poulson's leaving the end of May.  Then the first of July three more couples leave, Pres. and Sister Towers, Elder and Sister Kemp, and Elder and Sister Miller.  The last of July Elder and Sister Tobler will head for home.  It just doesn't seem possible that all of us have been here in Cambodia that long.  We are really going to miss each other and the wonderful Cambodian and Vietnamese people.  If the older couples in the Church only realized what they are missing by not going on a mission.  We often hear how much a young man or woman benefit from their missions and it is the same with older couples, but in a different way.  The knowledge, help and service we render along with gaining a stronger testimony of our Savior is wonderful.  If you want to travel and experience other cultures, places or people and enjoy yourself while doing it, a mission is the only way to go.   

We send our love to all of you and look forward to hearing from you.  Elder and Sister Dickson

 100_3041 - Can you believe what cyclos haul?  If they can get it strapped on they haul it.

100_3044 - People start work very early and you see this quite often in the middle of the day.
100_3066 - We are learning line dancing at the Reunion for all Cambodian return missionaries.  It was fun along with everything else.
100_3094 - Flowering bushes at ASPECA.
100_3098 - Flowering bushes at ASPECA from classroom window.

 Sunday, February 12, 2006

Well, it’s all over…………. Boy, what a rollercoaster ride it was…………..  I think that is what I like most about wrestling…..   The losses, the disappointments, etc. make the wins that much more satisfying and special.  Landon came into this tournament as 2^nd seed in Region 10.  First round he was up against a JV kid from Pineview, who WAS BUILT!!  He was only a Freshman or Sophomore, but he was built like a bull, and Landon, who had taped his arm up (too tight it turned out), did not wrestle his best.  He won the kid, just barely, and we were all pretty disappointed in the way he wrestled.  As he went out to meet Stall a zar in the second round (with arm un-taped this time) we were hoping for the best, and were sorely disappointed.  Landon wrestled great and the score at the end of first period was zero/zero.  Stallazar got an escape and got one point during the 2^nd round.  Then the third round, Landon escaped and it was 1 to 1.  Then Landon got another point because Stallazar was stalling as usual.  And with 12 seconds left in the 3^rd round, Landon shot, but Stallazar blocked him and took him down, so it was 3 to 2 with 9 seconds left.  When all of this happened, they hit heads, and Landon’s brow popped opened, and was bleeding, and he had to have it taped up. Then, Landon was on bottom, and he escaped and got 1 point, and it was tied 3 to 3. When the match ended, so they went into the first overtime, and no one scored, so it went into the 2^nd overtime, and because Stallazar had got the first points in the match (from his original escape) then he got to choose, did he want bottom or top.  He chose bottom, and Landon’s mission was to keep him down for 30 seconds, and then Landon would win.  This was not possible, and he broke free and Landon lost, and was put down into the consolation bracket, while Stallazar went on to the semi finals.  We had to take Landon to a “Now Care” and he got 9 stitches in his brow.  We were all very very sad and disappointed, and Roger and I spent a sleepless night.  Landon seemed to take it better than his parents.  He is such an optimistic kid, and has a great attitude. 

Well, back to the matches.  On Friday, Landon had to win TWO matches or he would be out.  He won his first match easily with a Nielsen kid from Delta.  Then he was up against Tyson Church from North Sanpete.  This kid was ranked number one in the state going into the State tournament.  He was first in his region, but amazingly enough, Cale Cook (who Landon smeared on the mat at Region with 4 take downs) had beaten him in the 2^nd round of this State tournament.  This kid was massive.  He made Josh Wilson look like a weakling.   Landon’s plan was to take him down, then cut him lose, because if he locked up with him, this guy was known for his head throws, and Landon could get caught and pinned if he didn’t wrestle right.  Landon did exactly as he had planned, and won the match !!  6 to 3 -  3 take-downs, and 3 releases.  Coach Allen heard the kid complaining to his coach after the match, saying that Landon was “chicken” and wouldn’t wrestle him !!  Church’s coach told him that if he (Church) would WRESTLE, instead of always looking for that ONE move (head throw) then he would have won.  He said that Landon actually WRESTLED him, and beat him fair and square.  I don’t know that I’ve ever been happier than after that match !!!   Our boy was now guaranteed a medal at STATE !!! After qualifying for FOUR YEARS, and going to state and coming away empty handed, he would now get a medal – either 3,4,5,6 .  

This was to be determined the NEXT DAY – Saturday.    Saturday, Landon was up against Travis Sams, from Cedar City who had placed first in their region.  This kid and Landon were pretty evenly matched.  If Landon won this match, he would then wrestle for 3^rd and 4^th, instead of 5 or 6^th.   Landon wrestled great, and won this match 7 to 1 (his dad thinks this was the score).  Well guess what??!?!?!?!?   Our dreaded enemy, Todd STALL azar, who had gone onto meet Cale Cook in the semi’s was BEATEN BY COOK in a very close match.  So Stallazar had dropped down into the consolation bracket, and low and behold, we MET HIM AGAIN !!!!  He and Landon would wrestle for 3^rd and 4^th place !.  A little history here at this point.  Landon and Stallazar had met 4 previous times.  Once in a dual match at Morgan, Landon’s Junior year.  They went into overtime and Stallazar won.  Then again in the Region championship match (Junior Year)  Stallazar won again, in overtime.  Then in a dual match at Ogden this year.  Match went into over time – Stallazar won !!   Then here at State in the 2^nd round.  Stallazar won in double over time.  Now here we are again!!!!  I would like to tell you that Landon finally won this time, but it was not to be !!!  They went into overtime again, and he took Landon down for the win.  It was a pretty disappointing way to end a wrestling career – as this was Landon’s very last match that he would ever wrestle……..   Oh well, it has been a great ride, and Landon Rich, who was on nobody’s radar (but his mom and dad’s) came in to 2006 State Tournament, and is 4^th in state in the 160 pound weight class in 3A.  Todd "Stall" azar wouldn't even stand on the podium because he was not satisfied with 3rd place.  *He was killed in a car accident in June of 2010 with 5 of his friends, up Ogden Canyon. As a side note, Cale Cook met up with Jared Ruppe (who beat Landon for the Region championship) and BEAT HIM !!!    Apparently Ruppe had been hurt this past week after region (breaking some ribs)  So the kid that Landon smeared all over the match at Region  - takes state !!  The wrestling “Gods” were with Cook for sure…………. And if but for 12 seconds in Landon’s second round, he could have been there…….     We are so proud of him.  His coaches said we would be millionaires if we could bottle and sell his DNA.  He is one special kid, and we are so lucky to be his parents.     He looks like HELL – with stitches in his brow, and black eye, and blood in the eyeball, and a “burst” Bursa (sack under the kneecap).   But he’s okay and we’re okay, and guess what??  Baseball starts up next week !!!! Gotta love it baby !!!!

 Dear Gwen, Roger and LANDON,

 It was great getting your Email.  We are so proud of Landon and all that he is doing.  We see what you mean when you said he looked bad, but we also noticed that he could still smile after all he had been through.  Thanks so much for your blow by blow description of what happened.  Reading it made us feel just like we were there.  At least we will be able to see him play baseball when we get home.  Keep up the good work Landon.  We love you.  

 All our love,  Grandma and Grandpa Dickson

 Note from my friend Amy Jo:

Congratulations to the Mom of the 4th place finisher in the 160 lb weight class. That is awesome. Tell Landon congrats, too! I bet it was sooo exciting. Have fun and I'll talk to you later. Again, CONGRATULATIONS!

Amy Jo Garren-Clark

 

Note from Erika

I have been dealing with a mad parent at school, my knee "popped out" on me again in front of parents and students (and I crashed to the ground), getting ready for a student teacher, just life in general.  I am very tired of "busting my butt" for people everywhere I go, and it doesn't to ever seem good enough.  (I'm just having a 'pity party' I guess!)  Yesterday, and today have been much better!  I am so proud of Landon!  I wish I could have been there, but it would have probably grossed me out!

 Love Ya,  Erika

  

A little about me:

1. Legal First name?   Gwen

2. Were you named after anyone?   Someone mom worked with at Hill??

3. Do you wish on stars? No

4. When did you last cry?  When Landon won Tyson Church at State wrestling 2 days ago, and we knew he would get a medal at State.

5. What is your favorite lunch meat?  Ham

6. What is your birth date?  January 9, 1961

7. What is your most embarrassing CD?  Probably an old BeeGees

8. If you were another person, would YOU be friends with you? Yes.

9. Do you use sarcasm a lot?  Only with those I love (haha)

10. What are your nicknames?  None

11. Would you bungee jump?   Yes, and I’m planning of skydiving this summer with Landon on his 18^th birthday.  (Never happened)

12. Do you untie your shoes when you take them off?  No.

13. Do you think that you are strong?  Mentally yes – physically no

14. What is your favorite ice cream flavor?  Burnt Almond Fudge

15. Shoe Size? 8

16. What is your favorite color Red or pink?  Red (leaning towards maroon)

17. What is your least favorite thing about yourself?  My weight

18. Who do you miss most?  Mom and Dad in Cambodia

19. Do you want everyone you send this to send it back?  Yes

20. What color pants/skirt and shoes are you wearing?  I'm barefoot, and in my blue nightgown. 

21. What are you listening to right now? The TV in the background – Rog is watching his usual Sunday night PBR bulls.

22. What did you eat for breakfast? I can’t remember – nothing exciting  guess.
23. If you were a crayon, what color would you be?  Blue

24. What is the weather like right now? Cold !!

25. Last person you talked to on the phone? Sherrie Mecham Rich, to leave a message for Janessa about  YW opening exercises this morning.

26. What is the first thing you notice about the opposite sex? Their age

27. Do you like the person who sent this to you?  Yes!   - I love my sister !!

28. Favorite Drink? Diet Coke Caffeine Free or 100% Grape Juice

29. Hair Color? Colored Gray

31. Favorite Food? Pizza

32. Last Movie You Watched? The Sting with Robert Redford and Paul Newman

34. Scary Movies or Happy Endings?  Happy endings

36. Hugs OR Kisses? Both

37. What Is Your Favorite Dessert?  Something Chocolate

38. Who Is Most Likely To Respond? Erika

39. Who Is Least Likely To Respond?  I don’t know.

40. Living Arrangements? A small nice home in Richville with Me, Roger, Landon, Manda, and Camryn (grandbaby) – we all seem to get along pretty well – probably a year from now it will just be me and Rog, HOW BORING !! haha

41. What Books Are You Reading?  Book of Mormon

42. What's On Your Mouse Pad?  “Morgan County Employees are Great!”

43. What Did You Watch on TV last night?  Nothing – we didn’t get home from UVSC till late.  Oh wait, I think I fell asleep watching the news………………zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz

44. Favorite Smells? Good food cooking

45. Favorite junk food?   Peanut M&M’s

46. Rolling Stones or Beatles? Beatles – definitely

47. What's the farthest you've been from home?  Illinois – summer of 73?  I think.

February 2006

Landon cares about my feelings.  Sometimes (quite a bit actually) I worry, and ask who, what, where, why, etc., and I can also be a nag about Ednet, reading the Book of Mormon, college preparation, etc.  But Landon is always kind and respectful to me, and never raises his voice or talks back to me.  He is always willing to do chores or whatever is asked of him.  He is always there for me, and I know he always will be.  I never have to nag him about going to church, and it is so nice to know he will be there by me and his Grandma Rich every Sunday.   In my patriarchal blessing, he was also given a special blessing, and I know he will always be there to take care of me.  I love him very much.  He is the light of my life.

 

February 16, 2006

Dear Family and Friends,

We are doing great and are finding out there are not enough hours in the day to accomplish everything.  The young missionaries are going strong and are so special to all of us senior couples.  It is so easy to get attached to them and to the members of the Church here in Cambodia.  Elder Loomis will leave tomorrow for home (Weiser, Idaho - near Boise) and will be missed by the Vietnamese Branches and their members.  Lee and I are really going to miss him as we have worked so closely with him in the 6th Branch.  We received this good advice the other day and thought we would pass it along.  "Obey like Nephi, pray like Enos, preach like Alma and endure like Abinadi."  May the Lord be with each of you and continue to bless your lives.

We send our love, Elder and Sister Dickson

100_3102 - North District Young Single Adult Fashion Show - there was a good crowd.

100_3114 - Recreation or party attire.  This young lady just passed the Michigan Test and will be going to BYU Hawaii soon.
100_3115 - Recreation or party attire.  This is a great young man and helps with the puppet show.  Cool shades he has on.
100_3136 - One of the inappropriate dresses but this is what most Khmae girls wear when they dress up.

 

February 18, 2006

Kevin Tucker just called, and said you are getting $12,000 back from the federal, and have to pay the state approx. $3300.  He is going to efile them, and then I'll just send a check to the state on or about April 15th.  How does that sound?? It's snowing here today................. and it has been very very cold.  Today Landon is doing a Valentines Day Dance.  He is taking Natalie Fairchild.  He is going with a bunch of boys from the wrestling team.  Josh, Skyler, Matt, etc.  They got the girls up early to go eat Breakfast at Denny's and then went sleigh riding on Clarks, and then down to the Olive Garden to eat, and then to the basketball game, and then there is a couples dance that they will go to later.  Landon and his date are going as two of the three blind mice................  I had the costume already.  Zac still hasn't got his shingling done yet.  It keeps snowing.  He is now toying with the idea of putting a bathroom upstairs..............  always something !?!?!?!  They will have there home reappraised in another month, to see if they can get rid of the PMI (mortage ins.)  They paid $116,000 and have it paid down to approx $110,000, and with all of there fix ups, and the garage, and Vern Noland's home sold for $155,000 - I would not be surprised to see it appraise for $170,000 !!!!! Just think - 60K equity in 2 years !?!?!?!?  How about that??? 

Manda and Camryn went to lunch today in Ogden with one of her friends from work.  She's fixing supper right now.  She gets a bunch back from her taxes too  ($4400)  she's excited.  She just had to get new tires on her car - they were poor.  

Here are a few pictures..............we are all okay - even though we are coming down with colds.............. take care, we love you - ONLY 3 MORE MONTHS !!!!!

Yahoo!!!!!!!!!!!

Love Gwen

February 21, 2006

Dear Family and Friends,

Another exciting and full week has come and gone as you can tell from our journal, and this next week looks like it is going to be the same.  We are both well and hope all of you back home are doing great.  We are still trying to adjust to the hot weather and are using our air conditioning in our apartment a lot more.  It is 10 a.m. and the temperature outside in the shade is 89 degrees.  I wish we could send a little your way.  We send our love and think of all you you often.  We are so grateful to be serving a mission and having the wonderful experiences that are associated with it.  May the Lord continue to bless each of you as you make choices and decisions in your life.  Love, Elder and Sister Dickson

 

100_3155 - Valentine's Day flowers
100_3171 - Breakfast items missionaries choosing from on way to Kirirom Park
100_3197 - Kirirom Park and all the missionaries that work with the Vietnamese Branches
100_3215 - Sisters Vo and Frisby
100_3234 - One of the platforms built out on the lake at Kirirom Park
100_3257 - Kang Sok Cham Roeun and his sister Kang Sok Linna (he teaches the Khmae Employment class and she was a student in the last class)

                     This is the young Elder Sister Towers told about.                  
100_3266 - At the Boat Noodle Restaurant

February 22, 2006

Well, we just got back from Part 1 of our Youth Conference with the Young Men and Young Women.  It was very very nice.  We got on a chartered bus “Le Bus” at the Porterville church, and traveled to the Joseph Smith building in SLC.  There we watched the new movie, “Joseph Smith, Prophet of the Restoration”.  What a powerful and moving representation of the prophet.  There were many special parts that affected me personally.  They portrayed the scene where little Joseph had the bone removed from his leg.  I had heard the story tons of times, but never seen it done like that.  Didn’t imagine that Joseph Sr. would be holding Joseph, sobbing himself, or that Joseph’s older brother Alvin would be there, a teenager at the time, holding his little leg, also crying at the pain his little brother was going through.  It was really hard to watch…..  The love of the Smith family, towards each other was very special, and I’m glad they brought this out in the movie.  Landon said a part that bothered him was when Joseph and his friends were in the Richmond, Missouri jail, and the men (animals) holding them were boasting of their evil deeds.  Landon said he wanted to just jump into the movie and start throwing fists at them.  Another touching scene was when Joseph and Hyrum were leaving Nauvoo by horseback, going to Carthage.  As they rode through the town, different individuals, who had their lives touched, changed, healed, helped, etc. by the prophet, watched sadly as they rode out of town.  Then the martyrdom at Carthage……….  It was done in a way that was very special.  The look in Joseph’s eyes, as he was looking at his beloved brother as they were barring the door, and his sorrow as Hyrum was hit by a bullet.  Then to the window, with the sun streaming through it.  The cinematographers did it in such a way that it is hard to describe………….. and out the window into the heavens, bright light, Joseph saying, My Lord, My God, and then just knowing that Heavenly Father was welcoming him home.  It was very very moving.  After this movie, we walked to the Lion House, and had a wonderful meal in the upstairs room, and then Brother and Sister Smith spoke to us.  Eldredge Smith (great great grandson of Hyrum Smith) is a former Patriarch for the church.  They had the clothing that Hyrum was wearing when he was murdered, with blood stains on them.  Also the old pocket watch that was in his vest pocket, that was ruined by a bullet.  The only blood stains on the clothing were on the top part of his shirt and vest, and came from his head wound.  There were four other bullet holes in the clothing with no blood, as his heart had already stopped beating when he was subsequently shot four more times.  Also on display was the footstool belonging to Lucy Mack Smith, and the dinner bell that was used by the Smith family.  Also, a wooden chest that Hyrum had lent to Joseph, and where Joseph had temporarily stored the golden plates, and breast plate and Urim and Thummin (sp?).  The Smith’s bore sweet testimonies of the gospel.  It was very enjoyable.  On the bus trip home, I had videotaped several individuals (11) in our ward as they bore their testimonies.  Kristine Shaw Nelson had put them together on a DVD, along with pictures of the prophet Joseph Smith, and appropriate music.  This lasted approx. 35 minutes, and was a fitting end to a wonderful evening.  Our Bishop is a very special man, and this was initially his idea (the entire Youth Conference).  I’m glad Landon and I could be a part of it. 

Dear Gwen,

Thanks so much for sharing a part of your Youth Conference with us.  It must have been a wonderful experience and you wrote it so well.  I even got choked up and tears in my eyes when I read through it, as the spirit bore witness to me that Joseph Smith was truely a Prophet.  I am so glad your Bishop is giving the youth (and you) these opportunities to learn about and appreciate the Church and its leaders more and more.  We both love and are so thankful for all that you do for us.  What a blessing you are in our lives.  Keep up the good work.  Love, Mom and Dad

Dear Gwen,

Way to go!  What a neat Youth Conference!  We saw the movie on December 17 (the first day it was 'released' the first showing), and we went again on Monday, February 20 as a family.  We all love it --- Aaron and I liked it even better the second time.  Several people we know from "Savior" and "The King and I" are in it. We saw the clothes Hyrum was wearing at Carthage about 2 years ago at a special Relief Society Enrichment night.  I asked for "special" permission for our two oldest children to attend, since we have such a connection to Nauvoo.  Then, at the very end, I pulled Brian and Colton out of the R.S. Nursery so they could see them, too!  It is definitely a life-changing experience.  I am glad you and Landon got a chance to see these things together.  What special memories you'll be able to share.

 Love Always, Erika

 

February 23, 2006

 Dear Family,

 Just a note to let you know we leave tomorrow (Friday) for Vietnam and won't be back until Tuesday late afternoon.  We had hoped we would get a chance to go to Vietnam before coming home and it looks like it will happen.  We will be flying into Ho Chin Minh City (Saigon) and attend a branch of the Church there on Sunday.  President and Sister Towers and Elder and Sister Miller are also going.  Miller's and us are both working with the Vietnamese Branches here in Cambodia so that is the reason we will be going.  Will write to you when we get home and let you know all about our trip. 

 We love you all and are looking forward to seeing you again.

 Love, Mom and Dad, Grandma and Grandpa Dickson

  

Feb 28, 2006 (morning Morgan time)

Dear Family,  we arrived back in Phnom Penh this afternoon after a really nice trip to Vietnam.  I will write more tomorrow about our trip and the things we did.  Hope all is well.

 Love,  Mom and Dad (Grandma and Grandpa)

 Feb 28, 2006 (afternoon, before I read the preceding email)

Well, how was your trip to Vietnam??  It is now Tuesday evening here, about 4pm.  So I guess you are back by now.

Some news from home....................  Morgan has been flooding today !!  It has been so warm Sat, Sun, Mon (was wonderful!)  but now we are paying for it, all of the usual places are flooding.  Those poor homes at the "Y" are in the middle of one HUGE lake.  I'm sure the basements HAVE to be flooded.  Also, it's coming out of Vern Wiggill’s (across the street from our home) horribly, so I came home from work, and Roger came home, just in case we needed to divert water, but it looks like it's going the other way, and won't change course.  Stan and Lorna's place is under water, and Vern had to divert it from going out on his back lawn (and in the basement) to just out on the field.  Steve's out there now with the tractor.  Dave Durrant's house/yard is having problems, too, but hopefully it didn't get in the house.  Mom, I don't know if you heard, but Ila Cottrell died.  I saved the obit for you. She was 86.

 Well, hope you had a nice time - let us know !!

 LOVE GWEN