January 1987 - from my journal

January 1987

13 - home teach

15 - Zac finds out he needs glasses

24 - Zac gets glasses

28 - Zac to postoffice (preschool)
 

(Approximately first part of January 1987) - Letter from Linda in Okinawa

Dear Rog, Gwen and kids, Thanks for the great video film. We had a ball watching it.  We did get a little homesick though.  You're a good movie producer Rog.  So how was your Christmas? Ours was fine, lonely though.  We missed you guys!  All the family looked great.  Roger's skinny butt and belly has sure filled out!  But it looks good.  Mandy and Zac were cute too.  So what did everyone get for Christmas?  We got our video camera out and boy do we have a good time with it.  We want to record the boys football games and then we'll send it home and then it will be your turn to laugh at us.  Anyway, you'll be surprised, the boys both play terrific football.  Darrin was so stiff Sunday, he couldn't even walk.  Poor baby, huh?  Your house looks terrific.  I sure envy you!  Anyway, I hope you are enjoying it.  I love your kitchen and bathroom!  What are you guys doing for New Years Eve?  I guess we'll stay home and feed our faces.  Make sure you let us know how Zac's eyes are.  Also, Gwen we sent you a birthday gift, so I hope you'll like it, and it's on time.  It sounds like you are having a dry winter. One thing, you'll know how much wood to get for next year.  The weather over here is in the 70's one day and cool and rainy the next.  It's kind of like fall at home.  Most days we enjoy it.  Seems like it rains when there is a football game.  Well, have a Happy New Year, and take care,  We love and miss you.  Love, Linda

January 4, 1987

Well, another year has come and gone.  Hopefully I can finish this journal this year.  We had a really nice Christmas.  I got a new outfit, and 2 books and some thermal underwear from Rog and the kids.  Roger got some new boots and some scriptures and leather gloves.  The kids were happy with their haul also.  It's funny how one day I can be happy and at peace, and the next I feel as though my world is falling apart.  I KNOW I'm at my best and feel good and comforted when I stay close to my Heavenly Father.  I'm learning new concepts and feelings an understanding all the time.  I know my Heavenly Father loves me and wants me to become more Christlike so I can return and live with Him.  He must feel so bad when His children are disobedient.  I want to teach my children about God and His love for us.  I find myself struggling so much sometimes.  It's so discouraging.  It doesn't matter.  I'll go on always, and I'll always be trying.  My hopes and dreams help me.  I would like our family to be happy forever.  I want Roger to know of, and accept my love for him.  Some things, I don't know how to explain.  I love him and I don't mean to hurt him  I know I have much to change and improve.  I feel so worthless and I don't make people happy.   I need to love myself before I can truly be happy.  What will happen to me?  I'll go on.  It's okay.

January 5, 1987 - letter from Terri in Okinawa

Dear Roger and Gwen, Hello, how are you guys doing?  Things are just fine here.  It has rained for the past three days. I am SICK of rain.  I would almost rather have snow than rain, but oh well, huh?  We really enjoyed the tape you sent us for Christmas.  Boy, Mandy and Zac sure are cute on it.  Boy they sure grow and change allot when you don't see them for a long time.  We are sending a Video tape of us on Christmas, New Year, and Darrin and Todd's football games home to Grandma for everyone to watch.  It's really funny to watch yourself on television.  Hope you like it.  How are the kids doing in school? Do they like it?  Brenda, Darrin and Todd like it allot better now than they did when they started.  Boy, I'm glad I am out of high school.  Now if I could just land a job I would be in business.  Maybe I will just come home and find one.  I don't know what to do yet.  Well, I've got about 50 more letters to write, so I will close for now.  Love ya lots! Terri

January 5, 1987

Well, back to work today.  I'll be working full time from now on I guess.  I hope to improve my working relationship with my co-worker, and get along with her better.  I didn't get up as early, or do my exercises as I would have liked to, but I did read a chapter in the Book of Mormon.  It's 3rd Nephi.  I can't really believe that I have almost finished the book.  I've never done that before.  It makes me feel good inside.  I can hardly wait to go back and start over again with my family and go through the study program myself. Well, I'd better get going.

January 7, 1987 - Letter from Dawna

Dear Gwen and family, I want to thank you again for the lovely book you gave me at Christmas, you really didn't need to, but thanks anyway.  And thanks for showing me such a good time while I was there.  I sure think I have some grand nieces and their families too.  Those two little tykes of yours, I could just steal them and bring them home with me.    The weather hasn't been too good since I got back to Florida.  I finally had to turn on my heater for the first time this winter and didn't know how to, so I had to have a friend come over and do it for me, and I've been using it since.  I still haven't got my Christmas stuff put away.  Either I'm too busy or too lazy - I don't know which.  My Second councilor in the Bishopric has asked me to give a talk in church on January 25th on "Need for Scripture Study"  I don't know if he is trying to tell me something or not.  This is when I wish I was in Utah, so Grandma (mom) or Veloy could help me, but I guess it is just up to me and my Heavenly Father.  I know with His help I can do it.  (But wish me good luck anyway)  On January 30th the Young Women are going to put on a play, it is an excerpt from "My Turn On Earth", and guess who gets to be one of the mothers in the play.  Yup, your right, me - and of course I get to be the lucky one that is pregnant and 2 weeks over due.  (I'm the mother that the last girl in Heaven comes to)  As you can see, I'm still keeping busy and  on top of all this I still have my Young Women's lesson to prepare and give and I'm also still the magazine representative.  And this month I conduct in opening exercises in the Young Women's class.  And I have to write an article for the Liahona by the third Sunday of this month.  I don't see how the women do it, that have families to fit in there someplace too.  Well, I had better close for now and get to bed. It is already 12:45 at night and I have to get up and 6:15 in the morning for work.  Hope you have (or had) a wonderful birthday.  Did you do anything exciting to celebrate it?  Thanks again, and boy am I glad you're a part of my family. Take care and write when you get a chance.  I framed your family picture you gave me and it is sitting on the coffee table, right where I can see it all the time.  HI MANDY  HI ZAC   SURE MISS YOU  Love Dawna

January 11, 1987

Well, one year older (26).  I'm sure out of shape compared to last year and probably 15-20 pounds heavier.  One of these days I'll have to get going and lose some weight.  I need some incentive.  Sometimes I feel so great and happy and full of hope, and other times I feel so low and sad and so out of patience with my kids.  I'm coming to know my Savior and appreciate what Jesus did for me, and understand about His love for me.

January 13, 1987 - letter from Linda

Dear Rog, Gwen and kids,

So how is everyone at the Rich residence?  How are the kids?  Has the cold bug hit there?  We are all fine, the kids all have colds now, but they aren't too bad.  Winter is here now, that wind off the ocean is really cold and it blows just like a typhoon.  But it's not anywhere near as cold as home.  But we did have to go buy Darrin a coat today.  Because when they leave in the morning at 6:30, it's pretty cold.  It's hard to believe we've been here almost 7 months.  The time seems to be passing pretty fast now.  Pretty soon mom and Joni will be here and our trip will be half way over with.  Between now and June we have to go to Korea and the P.I.  So we'll have a lot to keep us busy between now and June.  We're hoping the 3 oldest will be able to gets summer jobs and that would keep them busy this summer.  So, how is the weather there now?  Is your stove working any better?  Does it keep your house warm day and night?  I'm glad everyone liked their Christmas gift.  There is so much to choose from here.  Joni and mom will go wild.  There is a lot of history here, but I think the older you are, the more you appreciate it.  So, how is work going for both of you?  Ours is okay.  I know one thing, I'll never work at a school when I come home. How is your road holding up?  Does your car go up and down the hill alright?  We don't hear from Layne and Lynette too often, is everything good with them?  Guess I'll close for now.  I've got lots of wash to do for these bums around here!  Miss and Love ya, Linda

January 1987 - letter from Linda

Dear Rog, Gwen and kids, So how are all of you doing?  Sounds like it's pretty cold and lots of snow there.  Mom said your pipes were frozen.  Are they alright now?  I miss the snow, but not the bitter cold and the blizzard part.  But it's pretty cool here now, we've had to wear coats once in awhile.  I think the coldest it's been was 55 degrees, but the wind and humidity make it seem colder.  The kids have all had bad colds.  But they are getting over them now.  It's bad, because one day we need a coat and the next we can wear shorts.  I'm glad you guys liked the video.  We're really not grouches on it, me and Brenda and Todd are just bashful (ha ha)  I know it will be hard getting Zac to wear glasses, but once he's used to them, he won't want to leave them off.  It's a good thing you took him to the doctor now, instead of putting it off.  Think of it this way, he could have something a lot worse.  And if he needs them when he gets older, he can get contacts.  Those were sure neat pictures you sent us.  I think that Rog is really filling out in his old age and the kids are really growing.  We won't recognize them when we come home.  Rog, did you hear anything about your job?  Sure hope you get it.  We can't wait till Mom and Joni, and Uncle Don get here.  Lately, I've really wanted to come home. (Baby, huh?)  The boys are still playing football.  Roger, you'd sure be proud of them. They are tough guys!  The environment is so different here for the kids. On Darrin's team, counting him, only 3 of them don't smoke or drink.  I worry about that.  Todd's team has only lost 1 game too!  The boys have changed.  The kids all have finals this next week, then 1/2 of the school year will be over.  It's hard to believe.  So what have your 2 little kids been up to lately?  Have they been sick?  Does Rog get sick now that his tonsils are gone?  Well, guess I'll go for now.  Give Everyone a kiss for me, Love ya, Linda

January 1987 - Letter from Darrin

Dear Mandy and Zac, How are you two doing?  Me and everyone else are doing okay here.  How was your Christmas?  Did Santa Clause bring you what you wanted?  I didn't think Santa would fly clear over here to leave us Christmas presents, but guess what?, he did.  He left me and Brenda a camera and he left Todd a remote control car and he left Terri some China.  What did you and Zac get from Santa?  You and Zac and everyone else looked real good on that video you sent us for Christmas.  Tell your mom and dad thanks for me, okay?  You guys might see Terri after Grandma comes over, cause she's thinking of coming home.  Love, Darrin  P.S. Write soon.

January 1987 - Letter from Linda

Dear Zac, I was so glad to get your letter.  We sure miss you guys.  How is the weather?  I heard that you are now wearing glasses.  I bet you look really cute in them.  I wear them too.  They help me see really good, so I like to wear them.  So you be careful with them and wear them like the doctor said to.  Send us a picture of you with them on.  Please tell Amanda Hi, and we also miss and love her.  Tell your mom and dad Hi.  Well, see you later. We love and miss you, Love Linda

January 18, 1987

Well, another week gone by.  I still am not doing what I should  Wonder if I'll ever get out of this dump I'm in?  I need to come to terms with myself.  Sometimes it's too hopeless.  BUT I'LL GO ON.  I WANT TO.  I NEED TO.  We found out that Zac has to have glasses.  He is VERY far sighted.  The doctor says his poor little eyes are working overtime.  Oh well, I guess we'll order them tomorrow.  He's not too upset.  I hope the kids his age don't tease him. 

(*Note - written years later.  I had taken Zac to a pre-Kindergarten amblyopia clinic.  The P.T.A. volunteers tested him, and came and told me that he was not seeing what he should be.  I thought they were just a bunch of dumb mother's who didn't know how to give an eye exam.  We had to take him to an eye doctor to get clearance before he could start school in the fall.  We took him, and Dr. Brodstein kept asking if we had ever noticed Zac crossing his eyes. Apparently he was terribly far-sighted, and his little eyes really had to work extra hard to bring things into focus.  We felt bad that we hadn't noticed anything earlier.  Now Zac puts his glasses on first thing when he gets out of bed in the morning, and they are the last things he takes off at night.  I have to pry them off of him to wash them.  At first Zac went though allot of glasses.  Just being a normal rowdy kid, allot got broken, and it seemed we were going to the repair place often.  Now that he's older its not bad at all, maybe 1-2 adjustments a year to straighten them out.  The kids have not teased him too much, at least he hasn't mentioned a problem to us.  He has said that if they call him 4 eyes, he tells them, 4 eyes are better than 2 ! )

January 26, 1987

Well, I just looked back in this journal to see what I  wrote on this day last year.  I was so happy and bubbly.  It's funny how years will pass and my feelings will be up or down.  Happy, sad, upset, discouraged, optimistic, content, hopeful.  But some things never change, ever.  I just need to get my feelings and emotions sorted out and in the right place.  We got Zac's new glasses Saturday.  They look really nice.  He doesn't really mind wearing them.  They help him allot.  He is so sweet.  He has so much love in him.  I must always treat him and Amanda with respect, love and honor, as they really are Heavenly Father's spirits entrusted to me for a short time.  Sometimes I forget.  I started exercising this morning.  Boy am I outta shape!!!! I've gotta stick with it though.

January 27, 1987

Well two mornings in a row!  I am working full time now.  I like it okay. It's been really warm these past 2-3 days.  Today it might reach record temperatures in the 50's.  I can't think of anything new to say.  Dean and Sue Ghizzone's little boy Tony died yesterday.  He has been a vegetable since his drowning accident 1 1/2 years ago.  It is a blessing.  Also, Kirk and Mitzi Ralphs' baby boy died last week.  He was premature.  Amanda is learning about Alaska, the Northpole, Eskimos, etc. in school.  They will put on a play about the weather soon.  Zachary is going to the post office with his preschool class tomorrow.  Well, better get reading the Book of Mormon.