Monday, May 1, 2006

May 2006

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.)

 


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