5/2/06
Dear Family and Friends,
Time is getting short and we will soon be back where we can
talk to you face to face. That will surely be nice. We are busy,
busy, busy - getting things all pulled together and in place. We
hate to leave anything undone but we are sure whomever comes after will do a
terrific job. We all like to think that we can't be
replaced but life just seems to go on without us. All each of
us can do is "our best" and we will have no regrets. May
the Lord bless each and everyone of you as you serve in His Kingdom here on
earth. This is the only way we can be truly happy.
Love, Elder and Sister Dickson
Email from Aunt Dawna,
Hi, how are you and your family doing? We are fine and busy
as ever.
Just a short note to be updated on your parents arrival in Salt Lake
Airport on May
13th. Just wondering is the schedule you sent me around the first of
April, still the time schedule that Lee & Veloy are arriving in SLC, see
below.
Arrive SLC 9:28pm on
Delta flight 3758
We are planning on being there to greet them with the
family. If you are doing anything special for them later, family &
friends get together or anything like that, if I/we can help in any way please
let us know. Also, please let us know when they will be having their
Homecoming talk in sacrament meeting because we want to be there also.
Remember, if we can be of help in anyway just let us know. Thank
you.
Love, Dawna
May 4, 2006
Hi Dawna
As far as I know, that is the time, and it hasn't changed. I
was going to talk to mom and dad, and have them call when they get into Los
Angelos at 3:20 pm (which would be 4:20 pm our time), just to let us know if
everything is on schedule from that point on. There is no sense in going
to the airport, if somehow their 11 hour flight from Taipei was delayed getting
to Los Angelos, which would put them getting home even later that 9:28 pm our
time. I sure hope everything goes as planned.
Either Zac or our family will be driving their truck (mom and
dad's) down to the airport to pick them and their luggage up. I know all of us
will be going in our other various cars too, and probably fighting to see who
gets to ride home with whom. hehe:)....... On Sunday, (Mother's Day)
their church starts at 9am, don't know if they'll be up to going to all of
their meetings, but assume they will want to hit sacrament, which will end at noon.
I was thinking (and I haven't talked to mom yet, but I'm sending her a copy of
this email) that we could all meet up at the property in the afternoon (if the
weather is warm) for a barbeque/hot dogs, potluck, etc. I figure we can
just put a note on their front door, and say "Come on up to the
Property!"............... so that whoever wants to see them can come up
and enjoy the afternoon. I hope they will be up to it, and not too
tired. I just think that would be easier than at their home, where everything
is still basically in boxes. We have put all of the furniture back, and
have their bed set up, and I am going to have their fridge stocked with basics,
and paper plates, & utensils in the cupboards, but I have no idea where she
packed everything away, and they will have to unpack themselves (with our help)
, as I'm sure they will want to put everything where they want it. It is
Camryn's birthday on Friday the 12th, so we will be celebrating her birthday
and their homecoming on the 14th. And I hope everyone on both sides of the
family will feel welcome to come and see them. Just bring some meat
to grill, and a potluck !! I am so very excited to see them.....it almost
will be like when we get to see Ambure and Tonya and Lance and the Grandma's
and Grandpa's again...............I can hardly wait !! As far as the
homecoming talk............... I have no idea, but we'll be sure to let you
know !!
Love Gwen
PS here is a picture of my cute grandkids
5/5/06
Dear
Gwen,
Thanks
so much for the photo show. We sat and watched it 4 or 5 times in a
row. Is there any way to slow it down or pause so that the pictures can
be studied more carefully? Zac is sure learning to do a lot of things and
he's learning them by diving in and doing it, just like I did.
Would
you please make an appointment for us with President Porter as he is the one
who will release us from our mission. Anytime Sunday morning would be
great if possible so as not to intrude on our family get together.
Thanks
so much for all you have done for us this last 18 months. See you soon.
Love,
Mom and Dad
5/7/06
Dear Family and Friends,
It looks like we will be saying goodbye to each of you, as
this will be the last time we will be sending our journal. We will be
unhooking our Internet this Thursday and will be staying at the Mission
Home for a couple of nights while we move things out of the
apartment. Lee and I will bid the friends we have made
here and the beautiful country of Cambodia
goodbye on Saturday as our plane leaves at 12:30 p.m, but will be
greeting our family Saturday night when our plane arrives at 9:30 p.m.
in Salt Lake. Hopefully, we will see
most of you during the week that follows and what a wonderful sight you
will be. This has been a special eighteen months for the both of us and
something we will never forget. What an exciting experience it has
been. We only wish more people would realize just what they are missing
and how much help they could be to the newly converted members of
the Church. We have a testimony of the Gospel and of our Lord
and Savior, Jesus Christ. We know the Church is true. May the Lord
bless each of you and your families as you live the principles of the
Gospel. See you soon. Love, Elder and Sister Dickson
100_3911 - a display of an ox cart in a natural area outside
the Lucky Grocery Store.
100_3916 - food and women at Open House
100_3917 - food at the Open House, black dots on the noodles
are flies not raisins.
100_3918 - notice the bright pink paint, the woman in yellow top is the one we
refer to as the movie star and Sister Le.
100_3930 - English class waving goodbye as we leave ASPECA for the last time.
May 7, 2006
Well, it's winding down I guess. We are busy here getting prepared for you to
come home, just like you are there, preparing to COME home. Are there some other missionaries that will
be taking your apartment?? What do you
do with all of the furnishings?? Have
you sent stuff home via snail mail, as opposed to packing it in your
bags?? I get teary eyed reading about
all of your lasts there..............I bet it is really hard to leave the
members there and the girls at Pela's knowing that you might never see them
again. Maybe Landon will get called to Cambodia, and
when he gets done, we can all go over and pick him up??
We got our new Bishop
today, and it is Elwin Birt, with counselors of Steve Wilson and John
Paige. Steve is Larry's son, and John is
Shelly Paige's husband. Shelly is the
mom of Johnny Barrett, the missionary who was killed in the Ivory Coast mission. John is a convert, I think??? since Johnny
died. They will be great, and we are
behind them 100%.
Manda and Camryn have
been in Arizona
for the past few days, and will be getting home tomorrow (Monday). Landon is in bed sleeping now, in preparation
for his milk run tonight. We just got
back from the property. Roger mowed it
for the first time today, and it looks good.
We used our mower, because yours/Marks is out of order. I guess he took it to Ron to get serviced,
and Ron changed the wheel, or did something with the wheel, and Mark picked it
up, brought it home to mow his lawn, and the wheel fell off. I'm not sure where it's at - as far as
getting fixed, so we just hauled our riding lawn mower over and got it
done. I hope you are not too disappointed
that we haven't kept it up as well as you would have........... It's not a total mess or anything, but we
just don't have the time to spend there everyday and night. It will be presentable for a picnic/barbeque
for Mother's Day though, I just hope the weather cooperates.
Landon's baseball team is in a "wait and
see" mode. They have to see if
Judge Memorial beats Park
City tomorrow, before
knowing just what is up for them as far as the playoffs this week. There will be a 3-way tie for 3rd place
(Morgan, Judge, Union) if Judge wins
tomorrow. If this happens, we have NO
IDEA...........how they will decide who goes 3,4, and out. A flip??
Playoff games?? We already have a
game scheduled for Tuesday with Grantsville, for Senior night (last home game),
but if we need a playoff game, that might be bumped. Hopefully we will go in at 4th place, and
will play two games at Delta on Saturday, and be able to drive back to SLC to
see you at 9:30.
What if your plane
gets delayed?? How will we know?? I'm
guessing that you will call us from Los Angelos right?? I guess you have all of our cells, so you can
get a hold of us, or at least ONE of us, then we can pass the word along. If Zac drives your truck down, will that be
enough room to put your luggage in the shell in the back?? - I guess we can
throw some in the trunks, etc. I have
yet to make contact with George Hopkin (Stake Exec. Sec) - but I will tonight
for sure, to get you scheduled for your release. Which me and Landon want to attend for sure. I'm not going to church next week, I just
want to spend the day with you, and getting ready for the property, etc.
etc.
Well, write back and let me in on any details that we need
to clear up this last few days. I love
you both, and am so proud of both of you.
You are such an example to me, and I am just bursting at the seams with
pride, with you as my parents !!
Love, Gwen
PS I just got a hold of George, and since it’s Mother’s Day
next week, they are keeping the meetings
of the Stake Presidency to a minimum, so your releasing will not interfere, or
have to be worked around any meetings. I
told them maybe 9 am?? And they will
come to your home and release you there, and I asked if Landon and I could be
there too, and he said that would be fine.
Of course, if there is a problem with your flight being delayed, then we
can back this time up if necessary.
Also, George wanted to know if you would be bringing your
“release” papers with you, as the Stake President has not received them as of
today. He said the if the papers weren’t
there on Sunday, and you didn’t have them, that it WOULD NOT be a problem, and
they would still proceed with the releasing. (Dad my grammar check said that I
should use precede in place of proceed……….is this right??- I thought I was
right….I can hardly wait to get you back and we can do the word thing in the
Reader’s Digest – do you remember, Ubiquitous???? Hehe::)
Note to extended family
I know that with Mother's Day and all that most of you will
be busy on Sunday the 14th - but
I wanted to let you all know that we (Lee and Veloy and kids
and grandkids) are planning on being up to the "property" in
the afternoon,
probably 1 or 2 to 4 or 5?? If the weather
cooperates. We are just going to put a note on mom
and dad's door, that says come on up to the property!!
And hope that any of you that want to
see them on that day, feel free to come up and visit.
We will be having hamburgers, and hotdogs,
and potluck, so I just wanted to let you all know that you
are all welcome !! I know they would love to see you !!!
Dear Gwen,
Just received your parents' final e-mail and are excited for
you all to be able to be together again. We hope to be able to come to
the meeting they give their mission report in. Will you e-mail us to let
us know what day and the time that will take place? It has been such a
wonderful experience to read about their mission activities. We know what
a great asset they have been to the Church in Cambodia. Hope that all is
well with you and your family. I'm sure they are growing so fast as our
family members are. Time just slips by without even realizing it.
Hope to be seeing all of you again when your mom and dad get
home. It's hard to realize it's already been 18 months since we were to
their going away meeting. (We don't call them farewells any more.)
Thanks for letting us share their mission with us. It
has meant alot to both of us.
Love,
Lorin and Lillis Our
e-mail lorintonks@yahoo.com
Dear Gwen, here are a few answers to your questions.
Are there some other missionaries that will be taking your
apartment?? No!
What do you do with all of the furnishings?? Those that we don't give away the mission will store until
someone needs them.
Have you sent stuff home via snail mail, as opposed to
packing it in your bags? No, we are making
everything fit into our luggage.
Also, George wanted to know if you would be bringing your
“release” papers with you, as the Stake President has not received them as of
today. We will be bringing them with us.
Dad my grammar check said that I should use precede in place
of proceed……….is this right??- I thought I was right. You are right. Ubiquitous, what's that??
I'm guessing that you will call us from Los Angeles right??
Right.
If Zac drives your truck down, will that be enough room to
put your luggage in the shell in the back??
Yes, it will fit easily. We
have 4 suitcases, two carry-ons, the laptop and Mom's purse.
See you soon!!
May 9, 2006 - Tuesday
Dear
Gwen and Family,
Thanks
for keeping us posted on everything. Your new bishopric will do a great
job. I am familiar with John Paige as they used to live in our ward (I
believe it was the 1st Ward) years ago when Johnny was just a teenager.
Before out mission I worked with John on the Emergency Preparedness
Committee and he is a great guy. Don't get too stressed out with Mother's
Day, everything will work out fine. I know you want it to be nice and I'm
sure it will. Just being home with everyone will be wonderful.
That was
sure a priceless picture of Landon and Bishop Fisher. We can
hardly wait to see how much taller Landon is.
Here
is a list of the cell phone numbers that we have.
Gwen
and Roger - 801-821-0669
Zac
and CJ - 801-791-9573
Mark
and Carrie - 801-554-7725
Erika
and Aaron - 801-916-3971
We
will call you when we get in Los
Angeles - LAX.
See
you soon,
Love,
Mom and Dad
May 9, 2006
Just a note or two:
Do you happen to remember where your sheets for your bed in
your bedroom would be? I don't even begin to know where to look. It
is all set up, but you may have to sleep on the bed downstairs that is made
unless I can find the sheets. I guess that wouldn't matter for one
night. Also, Aunt Pam said that she and Uncle Norris have gotten you some
onions from Paul Dickson to plant, and not to worry about it. Mark told
Roger last night that they won't be able to come down to the airport because of
ball games, so don't bother calling him on his cell. Zac and CJ and Manda
and Camryn will be coming from Morgan, and Roger, me and Landon will be coming
from Delta, because that is where we will be on Saturday. The baseball
team is going to the playoffs in at 4th place for sure, and we play two
games in Delta on Saturday, and it will work out really well, with us just
coming back to SLC to get you !! wooo hoo !! Erika and family
will be coming from Salt
Lake.
Here is another picture of Landon which I inadvertently
omitted from the last email. This is him in "cowboy" mode.
only a few more days......................
Love Gwen
May 9, 2006
Gwen:
I'm assuming Roger told you that we won't be able to make it
to the airport on Saturday as we have games at 6:30 and 8 pm. We'll talk
to you on your cell and coordinate with you on the timing of your arrival in
Morgan. There is a chance that we might drive to Delta to watch the early
game at 10 am. Is that the correct time, and if so, what time is the
second game?
What can we do to help with this Sunday or with Dad &
Mom's return? What can we help with on Sunday? Is there a key
hidden somewhere so I can set up their bed, or have you already had Zac or
Roger do it? The lawnmower is still out of service and I've been hiring
Ben Wiscombe to mow our lawn, and he had mowed the property once already.
It looks like you guys mowed on Sunday...would you like us to use your mower
and mow it again on Friday or have Ben mow it?
Let me know what we can do. Thanks.
Mark
May 10, 2006
Yes, the first game is at 10 with Delta - if we lose we play
at 3 pm, and if we win we play at 5 pm. If the 5 pm game goes long
(Hopefully we're in this game) , I will drive back alone to the airport and Rog
and Landon will ride the bus. I'm getting hamburgers and hot dogs to barbeque at
the property. Rog is getting buns from his work. Erika is making a
brownie cake and bringing drinks, I'm making a "plain - Rich man"
macaroni salad, CJ and Zac will do chips, etc. Maybe Carrie could do
baked beans, olives, or anything else you can think of that we might need or
like. Maybe if you could get the barbeque grills down to the property,
set up and ready to go. Also, the only cleanup down there that would be
necessary at this point, would be the liter pop bottles, cups and trash that is
around the fire pit area. Roger put the bed together the other night when
we were at moms. I'll ask Roger what he wants to do about the mower -
would the small trailer be available on Friday to haul it on? It's probably a
time issue - our mower takes quite awhile to mow it compared to yours or having
Ben do it. Let me know.
Thanks
Gwen
Mark’s reply
Gwen:
Carrie will bring something on Sunday, and it will be nice
I'm sure. We'll get the lawn mowed, whether it's with your mower (I'll
call and coordinate with you) or with Ben, or with our mower if Ron has it done
(we won't be going back their any more). I'll get the gas grills down
there and have propane in them.
Mark
PS I hope nobody is upset, frustrated, or even
mildly annoyed with me that I'm not making it to the airport. I'm
the head coach and we only have 10 players, so Devin and Dallin missing takes
us down to just 8.
May 10, 2006
Do you ever not want to write something, because it just
about kills you……….. and you don’t want to think about it, but it’s all you can
think about, and it is sooooooo depressing, that you are just in one big funk,
thinking about it?
My brother called me today at work. He took exception to my reply to his email
above. He thought I was being snide with
my remarks about cleaning the property, and the trailer. As I was writing it, I was trying to be
soooooooo careful in how I worded it, because he seems to take such offense at
things I say. Just like last week, when
I wanted to move mom’s bed from his house back to theirs. He was so short and abrupt, and made me feel
like I was asking him to cut off his right arm.
We are just so different. Well, Mark proceeds to drop a bombshell on
me. He no longer believes the church is
true…..and his wife, Carrie is right there with him, and they are going to
raise their three boys with that same belief.
I have so many confusing thoughts and feelings about this. My first in unbelief?!?!? HOW HOW HOW can he go from being a
missionary, and a stalwart member? Elder’s quorum president, etc. to this !!?!?!?! Apparently a few years ago, Carrie’s brother
Dee, went off the deep end, and got into this stuff that was anti-Mormon, and
Mark said that in attempting to HELP?? Dee see the light, Mark was convinced
also, that our church is a hoax, a scam, a business………that Joseph Smith DID NOT
see what he said he saw, and that the Book of Mormon is FULL of
errors……………. I am just crushed, that my
brother, who I have always looked up to, has been duped by the devil. I never would have believed it. It scares me.
Will I have the strength to hold strong to my testimony?? I pray that I do. I cannot refute Mark’s different arguments,
because I do not have the “knowledge” of supposedly “learned” men. But I do have my testimony, and I have my
faith, and I will go forward and follow Gordon B. Hinckley, whom I believe is a
living prophet, receiving revelation from Heavenly Father. I will follow men like my former Bishop,
Craig Fisher, and President John Porter, and my dad and mom. When I got my patriarchal blessing, Brother
Little asked me what I wanted more than anything, and I told him that I wanted
to remain strong in the gospel, and keep my testimony for the rest of my mortal
life, not faltering ever again. How How
How could my brother have let himself get to this point? Could it happen to me?? Could it happen to
Landon??? This will just devastate my
parents when they finally find out, and I don’t know when that will
be……..apparently there are rumors going around Morgan concerning my brother,
and the church, and him turning against it.
He doesn’t know how they got started, because President Porter and
myself are the only ones who know at this point. He tells me THREE days before my mom and dad
get home, and I’m supposed to put on a “happy” face !?!?!?! My joy at seeing my
parents return, is so dampened, knowing of their disappointment when they hear
or find out what is going on with Mark and his family. How could Carrie stand by him?? How did Aunt Jolene stand by Ray??? Wake up !!!
Part of me wishes that Mark had not told me anything. I was just sure that he had been offended by
someone, or was being prideful, and letting his social life be put before the
church – basically being a “lazy” Mormon.
But to hear him go on and on about his new “realization” and how it has
“liberated” him, and how he and Carrie have never been happier, how he feels
like Truman, in the Truman show, who finally grabbed a clue.………………How mom and
dad are wrong, and Aunt Jolene and Uncle Ray are the RIGHT ones…………… How all of
us who believe are basically being led around with a ring in our noses, like
some dumb blind oxen. (He didn’t say this outright, but that is what he is
thinking, based on what he told me) He
had called me when I was at work, and I couldn’t talk much, except to utter yes,
uh-huh, and so I think he just felt comfortable that I was not FREAKING OUT
(which I was inside) so he kept talking and talking (not trying to convince me,
but just explaining his new-found knowledge)
and I just kept getting sicker and sicker inside. Marsha and Spencer, Carrie’s mom and dad now
have two of their five children who have seen the “light” – so to speak, as
Mark puts it, and they only know about ONE of them. Mark said that about a year ago, Marsha said
to Carrie, “I would rather have my husband commit adultery, that to deny the
prophet and his testimony and this church”.
She must have had some inkling of what has been building. Mark said that this has been going on for the
past two years, and they finally stopped going to church last October. This also explains why they were not at Zac’s
baby’s blessing……….why they ditched us, and were “out of town”. Yea, what a story, he just didn’t have the
courage to say, “You know what? I’m not
worthy to stand in the circle!” My mom
and dad are going to be so disappointed.
I wish I could take this away from them.
I believe that my dad will truly be more devastated than when Tonya and
Ambure died. I know he would think it
would have been better that Mark would have died on his mission, firm in his
testimony………….that to have reached this point, where his eternal salvation is
in jeopardy. I wonder if I sound like a
sanctimonious pompous ass ! I don’t mean
to. You know of all the things that I
have written in my journal over the past 30 years, this is probably going to be
the hardest for someone to read in the future.
I love my brother – I told him this yesterday. I guess that is why it hurts so badly.
I can’t talk about this any more. Another subject. Landon received a $1000 scholarship last
night, from the Ray Wiscombe Memorial Scholarship Fund. This will certainly help with college. Only a couple more weeks of school for him,
then it’s graduation, work, college, mission………………..
May 11, 2006
Dear
Family,
This
is the last email. We are just getting ready to close out the apartment
and turn off the computer. We leave Cambodia at 12:30 PM.
tomorrow. See you soon.
Love,
Mom and Dad (Grandma and Grandpa)
All of the times below are OUR times
Mom and Dad will leave Phnom Pehn at 11:30 pm Friday
night (we are in Delta, awaiting
baseball games tomorrow)
They will get to Taipai at 3 am Saturday morning. (in bed
sleeping in Delta)
They will leave Taipai at 4:40 am Saturday morning (in bed sleeping in Delta)
They will get to LA at 4:20 pm Saturday afternoon (Driving home from Delta)
They will leave LA at 7:40 pm Saturday evening (meeting Landon in SLC, to pick him up from
the baseball bus, to go to the airport)
They will arrive at SLC at 9:28 pm Saturday night (Their plane actually got in early 9:08 pm)
Sunday, May 14, 2006
Well, mom and dad are home.
What a wonderful thing to say.
Last night we met at the airport at 9:08 (their EARLY arrival
time). It was so wonderful to hold them
in a big hug once more. Mom looks great
– maybe a little thinner, but not much.
Dad has aged quite a bit. He
really has. He looks closer to 80 than
to 70 I think. He said it was “scary” to
experience such a decline in health, and increase in aging in such a short
time. Me and Landon and Jaden went over
to their home this morning, and President John Porter met with us there to
officially “release” them from their mission.
They will report to the High Council next Sunday morning at 7:30 am. Don’t know when their “homecoming” is for
sure yet. It was a nice meeting this
morning, and I was invited to bear my testimony. I told mom and dad that I had faith that that
gospel was true, and Joseph Smith was a true and living prophet who translated
the Book of Mormon, and that we had a living prophet on the earth today, in
Gordon B. Hinckley. I got pretty
emotional, and I told them that my testimony was very important to me, and that
I would always hope to endure to the end with my testimony intact, and that no
matter what, I would hold true to this.
I was in part, “prepping” them for what they must soon face with my
brother’s revelation of his new found “enlightening”………….I also was letting
President Porter know, of my feelings, so I think he must know that I “know”
what Mark is believing now. I also wanted
Jaden to hear this, and to KNOW my feelings, and hopefully be able to combat
his dad’s misguided notions. I don’t
know how much of this will help, but I’m glad I got the chance to speak, and I
know the Holy Spirit prompted me the previous night, because I was thinking
that I would like to say these things, and had thought about what I wanted to
say prior to going over to mom and dad's.
Landon and Jaden were also invited to say a few words, and also mom and
dad bore their testimonies. It was a
special time, where I felt the spirit very strongly. I pray that Landon will stay strong in his
testimony as he goes away to school this next year, and faces new temptations
and challenges. We had an enjoyable day
at the property this afternoon, having a hamburger/hotdog barbeque, and
visiting, and just relaxing. Camryn
celebrated her birthday with everyone, and all seemed to have a great
time. Later we went back to mom's for a
short time, and my goodness what gifts they came bearing. I got a moo moo, a silk robe, a silk purse, a
pair of Birkenstocks, a bracelet, chopsticks, wooden frog, bookmark, coin
purse, mirror, air freshener for the car……….my mom really took the time to get
each person a few things that are very much appreciated.
I am so grateful they are back, and that they can get back
in the swing of things, and that my dad’s health hopefully can be somewhat
restored, and that he doesn’t work himself too hard in the garden and yard and
property…………makes me tired just thinking about it.
May 14, 2006
Here are the play by plays for the last two games on
Saturday - not very pretty overall, but there were a couple of great moments - Way to go Chase
Woodard, on that Grand Slam !!
I've also attached the final stats for the year - If you
would like INDIVIDUAL stats - let me know and I'll get them sent off to you !
We will wait to hear from Stan Rees concerning the
baseball/retirement banquet/barbeque/party that will be held.
I'll pass info along concerning this.
Thanks for all of your help and support - Thanks to Kathy
Markham for the great articles that ran in the Morgan County News. I'm working on getting a book put together
with all of the articles and ALL of the play by plays (for each game) and also
a bunch of cool pics. I'm checking on a
price for this, and if you would all like a copy - I'll let you know the cost,
and we'll see if we can swing it !!
Thanks for the great ride boys and coaches - Roger and I
have enjoyed EVERY minute of the last four years, and it's really really hard
to see it come to and end :(..........
Luv ya !!
Gwen
Gwen,
Thanks for much for all you’ve done to keep us informed during all
of these years and these many seasons of ball with our boys. We’ve
absolutely loved you and Roger and feel lucky to know you. We sure hope
to continue to see you two often. You’re the greatest! On to
Operation Graduation I guess. Thanks again for everything, especially the
fun personality you have and especially for how wonderful you two have been to Brandon. He really
does love you and Roger.
Greg (Mead – Brandon’s
dad)
Gwen,
Thank you so much for your work.
I am sad to see Landon graduate.
He is a great kid from a great family.
Good luck and thanks again for all your help in baseball.
Darin Murdock
Hey thanks for the stats Gwen and thanks for all you have done the
last few years be sure to tell Rog thanks for me too. thanks
Derrick (Roskelley)
Did you HAPPEN TO TAKE FAMILY PICTURES AT THE PROPERTY YESTERDAY? CJ WANTED TO HAVE TO DO THIS AND I JUST WANTED TO KNOW IF YOU DID, IF YOU WOULD FORWARD ONE OR TWO TO ME OF ZAC, CJ AND TREYSON THANKS ARE YOU GLAD TO HAVE
MOM AND DAD HOME? THEY LOOK GOOD.
Shirlee Wilkerson
Yes I did take their family photo, and I'll forward them to
you. Yes, I'm glad mom and dad are home, it was so good to go over to their home
today at noon, and the front door was open................ and I just walk
in and they are there !! Dad was
working in the garden, and mom was trying to get her house put back together.
May 19, 2006
Hi Everyone,
We arrived home safe and sound with all our luggage. We did have some anxious moments in Los Angeles though when
we couldn’t find one of our suitcases but it eventually showed up on a
different baggage turntable than the others.
The flight on the Eva Evergreen upgrade was great but didn’t start until
we reached Taipei. We were assigned seats 35A and 35C, which
were the first seats in the section with plenty of legroom. The meals were very good and our individual
TVs turned out to be handy since we didn’t sleep much. I don’t know where I got the idea that it
would be light all the way but when we reached Taipei it was and raining and by the time we
left it was dark. My sweater came in
handy here and I’m glad it was close by as I wore it most of the time from that
point on. In Taipei
we met another missionary couple, Elder and Sister Ernstrom from Logan, Utah. They had just completed a 20-month
(originally 18-month) mission as the office couple in the Philippines. The layovers in Taipei
and Los Angeles
did not seem long as it took a while just to get from one gate to another. Our carry-on suitcases were never weighed but
we were reminded several times that they shouldn’t be overweight. In fact, just before we went up the
escalators in Phnom Penh
one of the airport personnel lifted each carry on. He said we were only allowed 7 kilos and that
one of them was 10 kilos, but let it go.
We were lucky with customs in Los
Angeles and didn’t have to be stopped but were just
waved on with our suitcases. It was
necessary to then take our luggage up a long ramp and deliver it to another
baggage handler to be sent to Salt
Lake. Upon reaching the United States we did experience
“sticker shock” when Lee purchased a Slurpie which cost $5.80. Our Delta flight was a smaller airplane and
the two carry on suitcases were tagged as we entered the plane and placed with
the other baggage, as the overhead compartments were too small to handle
them. The Vietnamese hat that I carried
was awkward but it surely did catch the eye of several different people who
then asked a lot of questions about where we had been and what we had been
doing.
It was great to reach Salt Lake
and be greeted by our children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, etc. I kept my watch on Cambodian time for a
couple of days just to keep track of what all of you were doing (getting up,
eating lunch, going to bed, etc.).
We miss you all very much but it seems so good to be home
with our family. The Stake President
came to our home Sunday morning at 9 a.m. to release us and so we were only
able to attend our Ward’s Sacrament meeting.
Because we arrived home so late the night before, it was a surprise to
everyone when we showed up at church.
We had a great get together with our family on Sunday
afternoon but we have been very busy ever since. Our garden is finally all planted and we have
managed to unpack, move a few of the essentials back into our home, attend
baseball games with the grandchildren and do a little visiting.
We are looking forward to seeing most of you this fall if
not sooner.
May 21, 2006
Stan just let me know that he would like to have the banquet
THIS Wednesday night - YES - THIS WEDNESDAY night the 24th at 6:30.
We are going to have it at my parents property - located on Highway 66 (1280 S. Hwy 66) behind my brother's home down next to East Canyon Creek. There is water, electricity, gas barbeque grills, fire pit, Porta John, tables. 16 boys, and their parents (not entire families) 3 coaches/wives are invited.
He is planning on grilling marinated turkey breasts on the grill. He will get these, and get them ready to go. We would probably need a couple of dads to help grill. He has asked that we get
salads, desserts, and baked potatoes and drinks assigned out. (He has two cases of Coke that he will be bringing, so whatever else anybody would like to drink.
I will call Larry at the chicken inn to do the potatoes. He washes, foil wraps and bakes for a very reasonable price. (we just have to pick them up in a cooler to keep them warm), I'll get the paper products/utensils, etc. , and also balloons to put on the pole at the entrance to the property. As far as gifts?? I can have
8x10's pics of the seniors group pic printed out and ready to be put in 11x14 frames, that are matted (in white) to 8x10 - this way all the boys can sign in the matting area. Judy has said that she can pick up the frames - I know for wrestling that we got black frames with white matting for very reasonable price $3-4 at Walmart. The 8x10 prints are a dollar something at Sams - so we are looking at maybe $5-10 for each boy. If anyone else has a great idea that we can do in a short time - speak up !!
Listed below are the boys/parents names and phone numbers They will need to be contacted by tonight or tomorrow at the latest to let them know about the banquet and their food assignment - I'm sending out a mass email tonight, but I"m not sure who all reads their emails religiously.
Judy - Pam - Karen - Kathy - we need to get salads, desserts, drinks assigned out.
How many salads - what kind? Drinks? (remember Stan is bringing 2 cases of coke
Desserts - how many and what kind?
butter and sour cream for potatoes........... anything else??
Let me know if you have any questions, have we forgotten anything??
May 23, 2006
Stan
We will plan to collect the baseball uniforms tomorrow
night. Don't forget to bring those big tubs. For the All-star game this Sat -
what uniform are Derick and Landon and Al wearing? They'll need to keep
these obviously, and turn them in later.
Everything is set to go for the banquet - it should be great
!! Bob Bell is going to get those booklets printed up - one for each boy
and coach. I told him to forgo the "color" on the inside pages,
and so it will only come to about $80 something dollars, I hope this is okay.
Thanks ! If you need any help with anything give us a call -
otherwise we'll plan to be at the property at about 5:30 in order get tables
wiped off, etc. - see you there !
Gwen
May 25, 2006
Gwen and Roger,
One of the reasons that this has been an enjoyable season for my
family is because of the effort you two made to make things special. I
cannot believe all the work and effort you put into this season. The
pictures, the stats, the book for the boys is way beyond the call of duty. I feel privileged to know you and your son. Alan will
have a lifetime of memories because of you.
Thanks again
Kevin
Gwen, I'm so sorry that both Troy and I had to miss the banquet. I was out of town with my 5 sisters and my mom and Katelyn was
sick. The pictures turned out great and the books are awesome! What do I owe you for the books? Let me
know and I will send you a check. Thanks
for everything!
Kathy Markham
Stan is paying for the books out of the baseball budget !
The banquet turned out great - I'm sorry you both had to
miss it. I know boys don't say much, but
every boy was there, and 3/4 of the parents, and the food was great, and the
company was great, and I think the boys really liked the pictures/frames, and
everyone liked signing them, and Stan had some great things to say about each
boy. He particularly mentioned how he was impressed with the way the Chase and
Zach got along. He said he had coached a
couple of other brothers on his teams of the past 10 years, and sometimes
things got pretty ugly. Anyway, he said
he really enjoyed watching your two great boys interact in a good way !! I got a picture of Chase and Zach with Stan
but I think they turned out pretty dark - but I'll send them to you anyway. I
guess it's all over ...............Hopefully we'll see you and Troy sometime -
these last few years have been great, and we have enjoyed your company !! Take care.
Gwen
May 27, 2006
Dear Family and Friends,
Well we have been home now for two weeks and I have been
told that I had to complete our journal about our mission in Cambodia.
We hope you have enjoyed reading about our experiences and the wonderful time
we had serving in that part of the world. We hated
leaving these special people because we will never see most of
them again, unlike when we bid goodbye eighteen months ago to our
family and friends here in Utah
when we left on our mission. No one will ever know what a choice
experience a mission is until they serve one themselves. We are glad to
be home with our growing family and once again see our friends. For
those of you who have inquired, we will be speaking in church on
Sunday, June 11th. Sacrament meeting starts at 10:50 a.m.
Thanks to all of you for keeping in touch and letting us know what was going on
the past eighteen months. May the Lord continue to bless each of you.
Love, Lee and Veloy
(we don't feel completely dressed without our name tags - we
sure do miss them.)
