March 2005

March 1, 2005 - Letter to Mom and Dad on their mission in Cambodia

Haven't heard from you in awhile?    Is everything okay?  Are you sick?? or just busy??

I guess it's the Grandma Dickson in me...........  Please send a email soon.

We are all doing fine.  Landon is trying out for baseball team.  I guess we shouldn't worry about him making it, because Stan sent home about $250 in brand new catching gear  last night, and the tryouts don't end until tonight !!

Manda has a BIG test tonight at school.  She's doing so well, and getting excellent grades, etc.  She' just like chips off the old blocks........... She seems to do well in whatever she set her mind to.

Zac sold his truck to Jim and Shirlee, and is proceeding with plans for a detached garage. CJ is working also, and studying to take the final little State test for pharmaceutical tech. She already passed the BIG one.

Roger still in not liking his work very much, but what can you do?  Me, I'm pretty much buried with work, and Young Womens, and watching Camryn, and keeping up a house and fixing meals, etc. 

I've been reading the Book of Mormon steadily since mid-January, and am already to 3rd Nephi.  I've been taking really good notes, trying to outline and follow the transition of the plates, and the timeline, and keep everything in perspective.  It is going really well.  I could always quote you the story of Nephi and Lehi, but after Jacob got the plates, and Enos, and then King Benjamin, I sort of got lost as to who, where, why, etc.  So Hopefully I'll be better able to put in all in place when I'm done (this time).  Then I want to go back through it and fine tune my notes, putting them on a spread sheet with the timeline on the Y (vertical?) axis, and the people, events, etc. on the X (horizontal) axis.

March 2, 2005 - Letter from Mom and Dad on their mission in Cambodia

Sorry we have not written more often.  Just busy.  I commented to Mom that we check the e-mail here everyday hoping for word from home and forget that the same thing is happening there.  We are fine but very busy with school, zone conferences, lost sheep project, etc.  Mom will write more soon.  Love Dad

March 2, 2005

I weighed yesterday, and lost 6 pounds !?!?!  I broke the 190 barrier, and am at 187.5 pounds.  Since August 10 of last year, I have now lost 39.5 pounds !!  I feel good, and the only complaint I have is in my hip sockets.  Don’t know what the problem is, but they catch and pinch when I get up from a sitting position, or when I straighten up from bending straight over, or sometimes when I’m walking.  Wish it would go away, but maybe I’m just getting old.  My mom has the same problem too.

YW went good last night.  We tied a quilt for Karli Rich.  Tonight is the wrestling banquet.  Hope we can show the slideshow presentation I put together.  The auditorium might not be available, and if not, I don’t know where we would show it.  Last night Landon tried to clean up the MESS in his room, and plugged the vacuum hose up.  What a mess !!  Tana Myers had answered him for the Junior Prom, and had put confetti, and Easter grass, and crepe paper ALL over the place.  What a mess !!

March 3, 2005

Worked today – it seems I don’t get much done, and time is running out on my May 22^nd deadline.  Went to a baseball meeting tonight.  It’ s always good to change seasons, but I don’t feel as connected to these baseball boys as I do the wrestlers.  I think I forgot to mention this !!  as I would not be writing it in a letter to my mom and dad, at least not yet !!  Zac and CJ are pregnant !!  They told us last Saturday night, the 26^th of Feb.  Her first doctor’s appointment isn’t until next Thursday.  She will be due approximately the middle of October.  She hasn’t been feeling all that well, with the nausea and such. We are very happy for them.  They will have a cute little family I’m sure.  Zac is still working on his detached garage, at least he is making plans for it.  We are planning on going snowmobiling on Saturday.  We were going to go up to Logan area with the Judds, but have decided to go to Woodland with the Kimbal’s instead.  Manda and Camryn leave early in the morning for a visit to Phoenix.  I sure hope all goes well there with Jim and his family.  

March 6, 2005 Letter from Mom and Dad on their mission in Cambodia

So sorry it has taken so long to get back to you.  We really enjoy your e-mails and you have been so faithful to write no matter how busy your schedule is.  I guess now that wrestling is over it is time to start thinking about baseball.  Landon will be, and is a very good catcher.  Stan knows what he is doing, but $250 worth of equipment.  He is really spoiling Landon but we know he is worth it. 

We are glad Amanda is doing so well in school and hope she aces her big test.  She is one sharp gal, as all your kids are.  Sure wish we could give Camryn a few kisses and hugs.  I was showing off our pictures at the Learning Center the other day and it made me so home sick.  I mentioned that when we get home she won't even recognize us and probably won't come to us.  It sure made me feel bad to think that this will happen.

It sounds like Zac and CJ are keeping really busy too.  Thanks for typing his e-mail, we enjoyed hearing from him.  Dad can't get over how quick Zac can do things.  He just shakes his head and says, "while I'm thinking about how to do something, Zac has it done."  He's a great guy!!

We are sorry that Roger isn't enjoying his work but a new snowmobile should surely lift his spirits.  Has he had a chance to use it much?

Gwen, we are so proud of what you are doing in studying the Book of Mormon.  I wish I had as much determination and get up and go as you do.  I mentioned in one of my journal entries about the book I have been reading by Russel M. Ballard - "Our Search for Happiness."  I would like you to get that book (it is a paperback) and pay for it with a check.  If you can would you have Amanda read it for me.  I know she doesn't want anything to do with the church but maybe it will help her understand why the church is so important to us.  I feel just like our Father in Heaven must feel and want so bad for us all to be together in the eternities.

Just so you won't worry about Dad when you read the journal entries, he is okay, nothing serious.  We have both lost weight but part of it is because we don't have all the goodies and fast foods around to indulge in.  He was sick though when we first got here and lost extra weight then.  He is still having problems with burning in his upper legs and groin and no matter what we try or the doctors suggest it doesn't seem to get any better.  We have referred to it as a rash for a better way of saying, it but it is not a rash.  It is wearing on him and he worries a lot (you know, Grandma Dickson).  Anyway, things are going fine but it is hard for him to keep his mind on his work. Don't send this last paragraph to anyone as he doesn't want people to know.

Thanks again for your support and the e-mails.  We love you all and miss you terribly.

All our love, Mom and Dad

Monday, March 7, 2005  Letter to Mom and Dad on their mission in Cambodia

Manda and Camryn got back yesterday (Sunday) from a weekend in Phoenix.  It went very well, and Jim was on his best behavior.  Camryn took to Pam (Jim's mom) and to Jim without too much trouble at all.   She was (is) such a sweet baby, and was a good as gold down there.  Manda said everyone in the airport she would smile at and say HI, and EVERYONE commented on what a cute baby she was.  I guess she really got into showing off, and laughing, and pretty much had everyone wrapped around her little finger.

Don't get too sad about not seeing her, or her not knowing you, because I'm sure she'll warm right up. 

Well it's back to the grind this week again.  I've got a lot to do at work, and it seems with everything in Young Womens and all that I don't get alot done here at home.  I come home and tend Camryn everyday at 4 p.m., and you don't get much done with a baby around, that's for sure. 

The wrestling banquet last week went very well, and everyone was really impressed with my yearly slideshow.  Landon has his first baseball game day after tomorrow.  Hope all goes well. 

Thought I'd let you in on a little exciting news.........................  Zac and CJ are expecting a baby !!  She hasn't been to the doctor yet, she goes on Thursday, but they figure the baby will be born in the middle of October !!  They are excited, and we are excited for them.  I guess Zac will get started on the project of doing the upstairs bedrooms now.

Amanda aced her test (of course).  She is doing really well.   I'll get that book you wanted me to get her and hopefully she'll read it.

Better go for now - got a lot to do before I go to work.  I hope dad gets feeling better. We pray for you everyday.  Do good.

Love Gwen

March 11, 2005  Letter to Mom and Dad on their mission in Cambodia

Well it's Friday - thank goodness !  Although I've got so much work to do at work that I should wish for longer days and longer weeks. it seems it's like this every year at this time. 

Did I tell you that the Varsity baseball team won their first game?  Landon did well defensively as catcher, but could use some work at bat.  He catches all of Varsity, and a couple of innings of JV - Stan doesn't want to get him hurt, because then the team would be up a creek without a paddle.  I am working on a Baseball poster, similar to the wrestling poster I did.  We put these in all of the local businesses, advertising the schedule, etc.  Our Stake Conference is this Sunday, and we found out the Elder Packer will NOT be coming.  It is a disappointment, but oh well.  We are pouring cement at Zac's tomorrow (the walls between the headgate boxes he poured last year.  Dad you would be proud to see how he has formed it up, and tied the rebar in.  It looks so good, and he has done it JUST LIKE YOU - as far as making sure it is all tied in.  It will be there for the millennium, just like my front porch on the house on the hill !!!  Amanda is still doing well in school - and looking forward to getting a job where she can put her skills to work.  Her goal is to be out on her own in an apartment by a year from July.  I think this is a realistic goal.  We are trying to talk her into leaving Camryn with us HAHAHAHA.  It will be hard to see them leave.  I'm glad it's not for awhile yet. One of Landon's coaches (Burtenshaw) dad died, and we will take Landon to the viewing tonight.  He was the coach at Ben Lomond (the dad) and his son, Coach Brad Burtenshaw, coaches football at Morgan.  Landon sure likes him.  I can't remember if anyone else you know has died - have you been checking Walker Mortuary website??  That might be something you want to do periodically.  Haven't heard if Kimberly had her baby or not.  Maybe Dawna knows?????   Landon reffed wrestling (sp?) at a  recreational league  tournament last night.  He does so well Roger says - I stayed home with Camryn who has a little cold.  Roger said there was this teeny little guy about 2 feet high, who went out there to wrestle, took the other little boy down to his back, and slapped the mat 1-2-3, said, "you're pinned!", and got up and ran off to his mom and dad on the sidelines..........  Landon just stood there shaking his head and laughing along with everyone else !!  It was pretty cute I guess !!  Jaden is trying his hand at wrestling also !!  It would be neat if he could get into a sport - I know that Mark would be REALLY excited !!   I guess Mark is league director?  for the Morgan WBBA (I think)  Anyway, he is head of the board or something.  He will be busy busy this summer with that I guess.  Zac and CJ went to the doctor yesterday, and everything looks great.  She is about 8 weeks along now.  Well I better get going getting ready for work.  Love you both, and miss you too.  Hope everything is going good.  Keep up the good work, and remember we are praying for you !! 

LOVE GWEN

March 13, 2005 - Letter from Mom and Dad on their mission in Cambodia

Just a quick note to let you know how much we enjoyed your last e-mails.  It sounds like you are all very, very busy.  This week is going to be a busy week for us too with final exams and "lost sheep" training for the District (stake) Presidencies.  But we are going to end the week with an excursion to Sihanoukville on Saturday.  It is about a four hour drive south and east of Phnom Penh and is a beach resort on the ocean.  It should be a full day as we are leaving at 5 a.m.  We are doing fine and just trying to keep up with everything.  Love and miss all of you a lot.

Love, Mom and Dad (Grandma and Grandpa)

March 13, 2005 - Letter to Mom and Dad on their mission in Cambodia

We had Stake Conference today.  It was very good.  They released John Wilkinson, and moved Bohman up to 1st counselor, and called Larry Wilson to 2nd counselor.  No mention was made on why this was done, but we were basically told not to speculate, and not to gossip, and to keep out of other people's business.  President Bott, John Wilkinson, and Bohman talked, and also general authorities, Brenchley?? and Monte Brough.  Brenchley talked about Senior missionary couples, and I was again, so proud of you two.  They said that you are sooooooooooo needed, and how much the missionaries look to you for examples, not just on church matters, but on how you treat each other as husband and wife.  Brenchely talked about how he was a mission president in Australia, and how over 75% of his missionaries came from single parent homes, and how they really looked to the senior missionary couples for direction in how to relate as an eternal couple.  Elder Brough talked on mothers, and he was entertaining.  He has a slight speach problem?  or maybe he just mumbles, but he was very nice.  Janene Walker said that his daughter lives in Morgan, but I don't know who she is. (Lynette Butterfield)

Roger and I have been working on a new computer program we got to keep baseball stats.  We got this from Mark.  We also got us a PDA, sort of a palm pilot to do this at the games.   I go to Price on Thursday for assessor meetings, and then we head to St. George on Friday and Sat. for baseball.  We are staying in Mark and Janene's condo.

We poured cement out in front of Zac's yesterday (Sat.) and both Zac and I commented that YOU BOTH were sorely !! missed.  It really kicked our butts, and took us longer to do.  Boy we sure miss your help !!  But it turned out beautifully !! I have sent some pictures with the credit cards (mailed Monday morning early) so you can see the fine work. 

The weather has been beautiful, but now it is getting cold for a few days.  Hope it warms up by this weekend in St. George. Landon has a game on Tuesday too, and I hope the weather cooperates. 

I fixed his baseball jacket/coat, that he had burnt a hole or two in.  I was able to unpick the seams, and put in a few new pieces (used contrasted black material because I could not get any maroon to match) and sewed it back up again, and it looks wonderful !! I'm so glad I can sew when I have to.  Thanks MOM !!

Had to get a new garage door opener.  The old one finally broke.  Seems like it's always something !!

Mark and Carrie came over tonight for a little while.  They said their kids were driving them crazy !.  They went to Pocatello over the Friday/Sat. to watch their two youngest in a basketball tournament.

Well, it's 9:32 p.m., and I"m getting tired, so I guess I"ll head to bed.

  Love you both, take care, and do good !!

LOVE GWEN

March 16th -  Letter to Mom and Dad on their mission in Cambodia

How are things going?  We are all fine. Life is going on as usual.  Work, ball games, Young Women, over and over it seems.

I'll be glad to head to St. George for a break this weekend (Friday & Sat).  The weather is a little bit colder, but we didn't get

the snow and rain (at least not yet) like the weather man said.  It will probably wait until tomorrow when I have to drive to Price and

back in one day................

Well, I better go for now - a lot to do !!

LOVE GWEN

March 17, 2005 

Well I’m driving to Price in about 45 minutes.  Need to get my butt in gear.  Hope it will only take me 3 hours so I can be there at 8:30 a.m.  Hope the meetings are productive, and not a waste.  Landon had a busy day yesterday.  He went to school, then baseball practice, came home grabbed a bite to eat, then went over and weight lifted, then home, and ran to Ogden with Tana Myers to get some fabric for her home-ec class.  Then home, packed for St. George, then over to Leisa’s to get his hair cut and colored, then he was going up to Jamo’s to sleep over (tradition) the night before St. George, then he’ll head to school from there tomorrow morning, do school, then head to St. George with the team on a bus.  We won’t see him until Friday morning when we get to St. George.  We are leaving in the morning about 5:30 a.m.  Kind of makes your head spin doesn’t it ??

The weather doesn’t look too bad outside, so hopefully it won’t snow on my today as I go over Soldier Summit.  I just hear Rog getting in the shower – darn !!  I haven’t gotten in yet, and I’ve got to leave in 40 minutes !!  I am a slacker !! 

Young Womens is going good.  It’s settling down now, and I’m not so stressed.  I need to keep up with the spiritual aspects of my life though, and not get into a rut.  Need to keep up with the Book of Mormon. I’m in Ether, and it’s so confusing as I’m trying to diagram all of the people, and the generations are sooooooooooo messy.  I asked Landon yesterday, if something ever happened to me, what did he think I would want most for him to do.  He hit the nail right on the head.  Number 1 thing – for him to go on a mission.  Number 2 thing – for him to be married in the temple.  I love my family so much, and only want for us to be together in the eternities.  I keep reflecting back to my patriarchal blessing, where Patriarch Little said that through my journals, that my family would be blessed, as it would be a “road-map” to help them to know the way back to our Heavenly Father.  I hope this is so with all of my heart. 

March 18, 2005 -  Letter to Mom and Dad on their mission in Cambodia

My trip yesterday to Price was uneventful.  It only takes 2 1/2 hours from Morgan, and is about 161 miles. 

It's now 4:22 a.m. on Friday morning, and we are going to be leaving for St. George within the hour.  We need to be

there by 1 p.m. for a game at Pineview HS.  The weather is cooler than last week, and we'll probably get rained on before it's over. 

It tried to snow a little bit last night. 

Have you taken many pictures?

Can you burn a disk and send us some?  Do you have access to the pouch mail, or do you have to send it regular?

Did you get your credit cards yet?  I sent them Monday. 

Well better go for now, won't be able to check email until Sunday afternoon when we get back.  Hope there is something

there for us to read !!

Love Gwen

March 20, 2005 – Sunday  Letter to Mom and Dad on their mission in Cambodia

Dear Mom and Dad

Hi - we are back from St. George.

The team did well.  They played 4 games (the JV got rained out)

and won two and lost two.  Landon played especially well in the game against Skyview

and Hurricane (the ones we won).

He had a BUNCH of put outs at second base (beautiful throws) and a couple at home, and

caught a pop up fly, and had 2 RBI's and also a triple.

Maurell and Betty Brown asked about you, they think of you both often, and Maurell says you are his favorite person mom !!

We enjoy reading your journals so much.  It looks like you got in a little recreational time, huh?  That is good.

Here is a question for you - People always ask about you two and how you are doing.  I tell them you are fine, and then they ask, "Do they like it?"  Well - do you?  is "like" the right word?  I'm not sure how to answer them on that one. 

So now mom, are you going to be working with this lady, and the girls?  What is dad going to do?

We love you both very much - take care, we pray for you daily.

Love Gwen

March 23, 2005 - Letter to Mom and Dad on their mission in Cambodia

Good morning !! - but you are probably reading this in the evening maybe.....

We have been keeping busy here a usual.  Landon had a baseball game here

yesterday, and it got rained out in the 6th inning.  We were ahead 7-1, so

that's okay I guess. 

Then I had YW at the church.  We had a getting to know you night, and it was

really fun.  The girls had filled out questionnaires, and we compared interests, i.e.

favorite color, subject in school, temples, scriptures, likes, dislikes, etc.

Zac finished up at Shirlee and Jim's (doing their bathroom) and they bought him a nail gun

as part of the payment.  He's excited about that.   CJ is working as usual.  She is

feeling the "sick" effects of pregnancy.

Manda took her test last Saturday, and thinks she did well on it.  She is a good mom,

and loves Camryn very much.  But that is not hard to do, she is such a sweet baby.

Zac comes up to the house more often, just to see HER !!!

Landon and I are reading scriptures about our Savior's resurrection this week, to

get us in the spirit for Easter.  I guess we are going up to Luann's on Sunday afternoon

to eat with all of the clan. 

Erika and her family and Mark and his family will be coming over to our house on April 9th

(Manda's birthday) to eat pizza.

Well, better go and get ready for work !!

LOVE YOU BOTH, and hope all is going well.

Write when you can.

LOVE GWEN

03/23/2005

Email to Mark – Wed. night

The game was cancelled today (Wed), but should be played tomorrow at 2pm unless

it's cancelled again !!  I told Roger that I wish the info below was a little more precise.

What is listed in red concerns Landon - HE was the interference (he reached to snag

the ball to quick)  and also,  Landon got Allen's BUNT, and turned around and on his

belly, tagged the base to get the guy out coming home from third, then he JUMPED up

and threw the kid that was coming from second to third, and who had over run third

out - it was so cool.  As I'm writing this to clarify for YOU, what exactly happened,

Roger is sitting here laughing at ME, because he said that he BETS a MILLION dollars

that you already read between the lines (which I was unable to do..................) and

already know what a STUD Lando is.. HAHAHAHA

> > Morgan Varsity 010511880
> > Top of 1st - Parkcity
> > Jamo Rees pitching:
> > -- .Anderson: Ball, Ball, Ball, Strike, Strike, .Anderson struck
> out
> > swinging.
> > -- Sanchez: Ball, Ball, Ball, Sanchez walked.
> > -- Meister: Meister singled, Sanchez to second.
> > -- Artsistas: Foul, Artsistas awarded base due to interference,
> Sanchez to
> > third, Meister to second.
> > -- Allen: Allen on base by fielder's choice, Sanchez forced out at
> home,
> > Meister to third, Meister tagged out going home.
> > End of Inning (0 Runs, 1 Hits, 0 Errors)
> > Bottom of 1st - Morgan Varsity
> > .Anderson pitching:

See you later :)
Gwen

On Wed, 23 Mar 2005 17:24:45 +0000 "amanda rich" <arich0409@hotmail.com> writes:

Hi mom

I just wanted to write to you to let you know how I have been feeling.  I am really not good at talking face to face because you usually get mad at me and walk away or give me that look.

I luv you guys so much and thank you so much for basically rescuing me and Camryn.  You will never know how much I appreciate all that you have done for us.  I hope that I can eventually repay you back someday.

I just am kinda having a hard time right now.  Living here is driving me crazy, I just get so frustrated and its nobody's fault.  You just get used to having things a certain way, and when its not and there is nothing you can do about it, its hard.

So if I am kinda ornery I am sorry, but I just can't imagine being here for another year even though I know that its what is best for me and Camryn,  You probably can't imagine it either

If I am feeling this way you are probably too, huh?

Oh well

Luv Amanda

Dear Manda,

Please be patient with me. I know I drive you crazy.  I worry that I am losing my mind sometimes, but

I think that I just have so much going on in my life, with home, and work, and YW, and everything that

I can't keep things straight.  I'm sorry that you feel bad when I walk away and look at you wrong.  If

you will remember, there was a time that I would yell and scream, and I don't do that anymore, so I just

walk away so I won't way something I'll regret.  I'll try and have the kitchen cleaned up better, and I

thank you for vacuuming today for me.  I just get so tired sometimes at night that I can't get up the energy

to get anything done.  It will be alright, we'll all work together to make it okay, and honestly, I am looking

forward to having you and Camryn here - if you can put up with us (me).

Love Mom.

Night – March 24^th

Dear Mom and Dad

> Just checking to see if all is well - I know you are busy.

> It snowed off and on yesterday and today - didn't stick

> too much, but the mountains go hammered.

> I love you both - take care

> See you later :)

> Gwen

Reply back

Dear Gwen

We received the pictures and credit cards (I e-mailed Vickie Anderson at the

credit union and she is supposed to activate them for us).  We cannot

believe how much Camryn has grown.  Was Landon's hair color temporary or

does it have to grow out?  Looks like a good cement job, we really feel bad

that we missed the fun.   Mom has a lot to write you about but she hasn't

time right now and I don't type.  Thanks for all you do for us.

Love, Dad

March 25, 2005  Letter from Mom and Dad on their mission in Cambodia

Now don’t worry, but Dad is still having problems and we have decided to see a Dr. Singh at the hospital in Bangkok, Thailand.  We leave this coming Monday morning as Dad has an appointment at 1 p.m. in the afternoon.  The country director, Elder and Sister Johnson, are going with us and we are planning to spend several days there so that we can see some of the local sights and provide time for any tests that may need to be done.  He seems to be in very good health except for this burning that he can’t get any relief from.

April is going to be an unusual month for us.  The week following our trip to Bangkok we will be taking an Employment Training Workshop (April 4 – 8).  We are going to be working with Employment (mostly Dad) to replace the time spent in teaching English.  He and Brother Som will be helping the Employment Director.  Saturday we leave for Sihanoukville (April 9-18) for a week at the beach.  Doesn’t that sound awful?  It is the Khmae New Year and everything shuts down here in Phnom Penh.  Seven of the senior missionary couples are touring Vietnam but since we have been asked to go to Hong Kong (April 25 – 30) to escort nine missionaries to the Temple we decided to save our money for that trip.  Yes, we have an exceptional mission but we get a lot accomplished too.

Now to answer your questions.  You can tell everyone we are really enjoying our mission and like it here very much.  We are adjusting more and more each day but do miss our family and seeing the grandchildren and our sweet little great-granddaughter.  The weather is starting to get warmer and this afternoon it was 102 degrees.  Brother Som said April and May both will be hot.  Thank goodness for air conditioning. 

I will be teaching at Pela's Shelter.  Pela does not live at the Shelter, but has house mother's there.  She has decided to go back to Finland but has arranged for the Shelter to continue while she is gone.  Dad has been going with me but he will probably be working with the Employment Director.  We are both set up to teach at ASPECA (you can read about it in our journal) as there will be two classes.  Until we get into it I don't know if I will teach both - one at 1 p.m. and one at 2 p.m. or if we will both teach a class at 1 p.m.

We're glad you are all getting together for Amanda's birthday.  Sure wish we could be with you.  Dad talks about your pizza often.  It is so much better than what we have here but then we really haven't tried too many pizza places.  I'm sure yours is much better anyway.

We enjoyed hearing about the ballgames in St. George.  The narrative on the baseball stats was something else.  I'll bet it took a long time to get it all typed in.  Is this the program you talked about getting from Mark.  The slide show of the game was great.  I was able to count twenty times seeing Landon.  Of course that was when I recognized his number.  There were probably more times but we couldn't tell for sure who they all were.

Thanks for the e-mail addresses.  I was going to ask you to get me Aunt Jane's.  As for the disk of pictures, we are working on it. 

We are really proud of you and Landon and your scripture studying.  It will help him a lot on his mission.  I can't remember if I told you or not about memorizing D&C 4.  All the missionaries have it memorized over here.  I don't know if they had to learn it in the MTC or what.

We can't believe how much Camyrn has grown.  Give her a big kiss for us.

Better get an e-mail off to Mark and Erika.  I will try to send you our journal before we leave Monday morning.

Tell all your family "Hello" for us.  We miss you all!!!!!

Love, Mom and Dad

March 27, 2005 - Letter to Mom and Dad on their mission in Cambodia

Please let us know ASAP what you find out about Dad.  I hope you took your computer with you to Bangkok  and find an internet hookup.  I wasn't too worried, but both Mark and Erika have called, and we are all concerned.  We know you are both very private about things, but please let us know.  Mark is worried that it's skin cancer?!?!?   So now I'm upset and worried too.  Please let us know.

Love Gwen

You know we are praying very hard for you....................

How are you going to watch general conf.?  Do you go to a Stake Center, or on your own TV, or do you have to

wait till later and get tapes??

March 28, 2005

Today I got up early and read and studied the Book of Mormon.  I am in Ether, and this is a very confusing story as far as the genealogy and who begat who.  The basic story is of the destruction of a people, who forgot our Heavenly Father and rejected the prophets.  Kind of like the book of Mormon as a whole, but without all of the wonderful faith inspiring stories.  Basically it just goes on about who begat who, and who conquered who, and back and forth and back and forth.  The basic theme, is the same as the Book of Mormon, and Moroni does interject with some choice tidbits here and there.  I may not understand the need for the “back and forth”  part, but I feel good when I read it, and I like picking out little things that pertain to me and underline them.  When I look at my scriptures I feel they are truly mine, because they are so marked up – just for me !!  I want to start again with full purpose on my Personal Progress.  I have finished my Faith value, except for my “slideshow” presentation on my testimony, which I am working on.  I have completely finished Divine Nature, and am working on Individual Worth.  This is what I want to write about today in my journal. 

I have been noticing each persons individual worth, and remembering that we are each a child of our Heavenly Father.  I went down with the Young Women a couple of nights ago to the YW General Broadcast at the Conference Center.  I just LOVE it !! I really would like to go down to General Conference this weekend with Landon.  Sometimes it’s a chore getting there, but it is definitely worth it!!  I hope it works out for us……As I looked at all of the YW there the other night, it just amazes me how many there are, and how many love our Heavenly Father, and how we are each His child, and how HE knows each one of us individually.  I do not doubt this. Sometimes when I am frustrated, and feel anger or disapproval to other, I tell myself, that they are a child of God too, and that He loves them.  It helps me when I remember this.  I have tried to share my love with others, I really really love the women I work with.  I talk to them, and we share each others lives, and our frustrations with our families, and we probably talk more together with each other than we do our own families sometimes.   I wrote a letter the other day to Sister Hansen in our ward.  I told her how much I enjoyed her Sunday School classes that she teaches.  She is awesome.  She has a son who is Zac’s age, and who went on a mission, and then has returned and has fallen away from the church.  I know her heart aches for this, and I wish there was something I could do to ease her pain.

I also wanted to tell you about YW and when we sang in church last week.  We sang, “In This Holy Place”, which is about the temple.  It is SUCH a beautiful song, and the girls sing like angels.  Holy Temple, hallowed walls, creations grand design, where the spirit whispers peace and testifies of Christ.  There within that holy place, our hearts are joined as one, united by the hands of peace in pure eternal love.  House of beauty house of strength, house of peace and prayer, …………………..we’ll find his presence there.  I will stand, with heart and hand, kept clean and pure each day. Worthy of the blessings found, in that holy place.   There were many wet eyes in the audience.

Also – yesterday on Easter Sunday, Effie Rich and Otis Rose spoke in Sacrament.  Effie spoke so wonderfully on her knowledge of the Resurrection, and her knowledge that she will one day feel her mother’s hands in hers, and her father giving her a kiss on her forehead, and Kent’s arms around her, and her knealing at her Savior’s feet.  It was absolutely beautiful, and I’m sitting here crying again as I type this.  Then Otis Rose spoke on the Savior’s last hours before being crucified.  He quoted scripture from memory and it was a joy to listen to him.  I was almost sobbing I felt the spirit so strongly.  I love my Heavenly Father and Savior sooooooooooooo much.  I am so grateful for the gospel in my life.  I love to feel the Spirit with me, and am so grateful that I have the Holy Ghost to testify to me, and bear witness, and comfort me, and bring things to my remembrance.  I am so blessed.  I want so badly to do my best and endure to the end so I can feel my Savior’s arms around me as I am welcomed home

March 30 Letter from Mom and Dad on their mission in Cambodia

We got back two days early.  Monday, Dad was poked and prodded by three doctors no less.  The urologist gave him a prescription for some anti-inflammatory medication as he feels it's related to his long-standing prostate infection.  Blood tests and physical examinations indicate that he is absolutely healthy - skin, kidneys, liver, white count, blood pressure, temperature, everything okay.  Tuesday, he saw a neurologist who thought there might be a possibility that there is a problem with the nerves coming from the lower spine down into the pelvic area and he prescribed some medication that should help if that is the case.  If everything responds as they hope it will the pain will go away and everything will be fine.  The main thing is that there appears to be nothing seriously wrong.  So stop worrying. 

We have had a long tiring day and need to get unpacked and to bed.  We will write again soon.

Love, Mom and Dad

March 31, 2005  Letter to Mom and Dad on their mission in Cambodia

Glad to hear everything was okay...............  at least mostly okay.

Tell dad I'll get a check to Paul Dickson for the Richville Cemetery

Also I talked to Daren Rasmussen with the Division of Water Rights the other day

and he didn't know much about this project that the church wants to do, but said he would check it out.

His email is darenrasmussen@utah.gov.  I conveyed dad's concerns, and I have talked to Dee Waldron

and he has some major concerns also.  Dee's email is lwilde@qwest.net, if you want to get a hold of him

and I talked to Marie Heiner, and am going to give her a copy of the Stream Alteration paperwork tommorrow. 

She is very concerned also.  Her address at Morgan City's email is -  morgancity@qwest.net

Landon had a game on Tues and Today with Grantsville and Ben Lomond.  Lost both of them by only

a run or two, were ahead both times, and the other teams came from behind on our errors.

Camryn is getting cuter everyday.  I bought her a little fuzzy "chick" today, and she says quack quack when she sees it.  She walks around furniture quite a bit, but no steps alone yet.  She sure likes her Grandpa and has said, papa.  She sure like Zac too, and gets sooooooooooo excited when He comes up to see her, which he often does - just to see her !!

Chip Covil quit Richard Brown plumbing, and Zac is pretty bummed about this.  Richard is now working with Zac, and he drives Zac crazy !! 

Manda is getting along okay. She gets stressed easily, and I feel like I'm walking on egg shells sometimes.  She does not like living here, and wants her own place, but realizes that this is not possible at this time. 

My work is crazy........... so much to do, with deadlines looming.  It's like this every year !! I'll get through it !!

I am looking forward to General Conference this weekend.  How will you watch it??  I'd like to try and go down and stand in the standby line on Sunday afternoon.  We'll see how that goes.

Take Care - we love you                 

PS  Did you feel the last quake???

Love Gwen

February 2005

2/1/05 - Letter from Mom and Dad on their mission in Cambodia

What is this, a test or something to see how many things I have failed in?  All kidding aside, we're glad CJ is doing so well and is back home.  With it being a scope she won't have a big incision to worry about. 

An ideal mother has to have many attributes, and charity should head that list because it encompasses so many of the good qualities that she should have or try to develop.  There are two good scriptures that explains what charity is (I Corinthians 13:4-7 and Moroni 7:45-47).

In simple terms, I always think of love, patience, forgiveness, understanding, selflessness and being a good example.  These are qualities and attributes that you have and I think you are a much better mother than I am.

Keep up your good work, Dad and I are so proud of you.

Love, Mom 

The reason I asked my mom about “attributes of a mother” is to fulfill a requirement for my Personal Progress, under the Divine Nature experience.  I think the world of my mom, and I think it is funny that she would write that I’m a much better mom than her, when I think exactly the opposite!  I think that might be the way most moms and daughters feel.  I love my mother VERY much, and wish I could be more like her.  I suppose we all have faults, but my mom has very few and I would do well to pattern my life after her.  Her dependability is LEGENDARY, along with her way of NOT SPEAKING ILL of anyone !!  I REALLY REALLY could do better in THAT department!   It is interesting that she would mention “Charity”, and say that it should HEAD the list, because the scripture I have chosen to memorize as part of my Personal Progess experience #6 (Divine Nature) was “Charity”.  This is a quality I have been wanting to improve on, and it is this:  Charity is the PURE LOVE OF CHRIST.  Just think, if we could all have this love, what the world would be like.  Thinking about this lately, has caused me to perceive and try an understand people better.  For instance this past few days at Region Wrestles, I have had the occasion to JUDGE people (other wrestlers, who wrestle against Landon).  In times past I have had really hard feelings against them, and this time I didn’t.  I said (several times) to myself, that THEY are children of our Heavenly Father, and he loves them as much as me, and I tried to think of good qualities they might have, and put myself in their shoes………..  Just typing this I think it sounds kind of infantile…………..  but my emotions get sooooooooooo  strong sometimes, and I just have to take a step back and realize what REALLY matters.  I have tried and usually succeeded to have “Charity” towards them and everyone I come in contact with.  

This is the scripture I have memorized to go along with Charity.

And Charity suffereth long

And is kind

And envieth not

And is not puffed up

Seeketh not her own

Isn’t easily provoked

Thinketh no evil

Rejoiceth not in iniquity

But rejoiceth in truth

Beareth all things

Believeth all things

Hopeth all things

Endureth all things

For Charity is the pure love of Christ, and endureth forever.  And whoso is found possessed of it at the last day, it shall be well with him.   Moroni 7:  45, 47

Feb 2, 2005 - Letter from Mom and Dad on their mission in Cambodia

Dear Family,

For some reason I have been thinking a lot about home today and how much I miss all that is there, especially each one of you.  We are usually very busy which keeps my mind off of home, but with this being Sunday we have the afternoon free which gives me more thinking time. 

We both seem to be well which is a real blessing.  You don’t realize how blessed you are until your health is not perfect.  I trust all is well with each one of you.  Take care of yourselves.

If nothing else, this mission has taught me how important my family is to me.  Please be kind and understanding of each other, especially any family member that is struggling with anything.  I know if I did it over again I would probably make the same mistakes but I like to think that I would be more patient and kind.  Saying hurtful things in anger and with a raised voice is not what we should do, even when we are frustrated beyond belief.  Don’t do anything that will drive any member of your family away from you.

Well, enough preaching.  Keep writing us, the first thing we do when we get up in the morning and the last thing we do before we go to bed is check our e-mail.  Any word from home is wonderful: weather, local news, wrestling, basketball, the leaky shower and how the repair is coming, etc., etc., etc.  Nothing lengthy, just a word or two. 

You are always in our prayers.

Love, Dad

February 6, 2005

Well, Landon will go in at 2nd at Region again this year.  Another heart breaker loss

against another guy from Ogden - Todd "Stall" azar as I will call him.  Cocky little bugger. Landon came from behind to make it 5 to 4 with 20 seconds to go, but the kid got an escape, and it went into OT, first one to get the take down wins, and  he took Landon down..........  Oh well, life goes on and Landon bounces back quickly.  We are looking forward to STATE at UVSC next week.  We are taking 15 wrestlers to STATE this year, including Tyler Carrigan, so the Dicksons are happy about this !! 

Manda and I are going shopping today, and Zac and Roger are working on your shower.

The weather is BEAUTIFUL here, so spring like.................

Landon is going to the Valentines Girl’s Dance with Emily “Margaret” Carter.  Today they got together

Landon and Margaret

Conner Shaw and Aubree Durrant

Chase Kimbal and Kara Kilmer

Alex Clemens (A-rod) and Bobbie Brown

And went on a video scavenger hunt.  They separated into boys and girls teams, and they filmed each other completing a whole list of CRAZY things !!

Such as………….

Singing “I don’t want to miss a thing” from Aerosmith at Jubilee

Asking a cop to let them see his handcuffs, and handcuffing one of them.

Washing car windows at Day Bear for 5 cents each

Giving a cashier at Jubilee a back-rub

Getting an “older” couple to make out for 10 minutes (they got Frankie and Sally Little)
Painting a boys fingernails with PINK fingernail polish

Having one of the boys paint his lips with lipstick and kiss another boy on the cheek and leave a mark.

Finding some “road-kill” and giving a eulogy for it

Finding a rock that weighs as much as a human head

Pretending to search for a lost retainer in a garbage can at Steph’s drive-in while it was way crowded full of people

And a bunch more ………..

Then they went back to the girls houses and watched the videos to see whose were best !!

Have you ever heard of anything so crazy !?!?!?

Tonight before going to the dance at the high school, they were going down to Walmart, and separating into groups, and each couple could spend only $5.00, and they had to get dinner for all of them.  Landon and Margaret were in charge of dessert.  I’m not sure WHERE they were going to EAT the food, but it sounds like fun !!

2/7/05 - Letter from Mom and Dad on their mission in Cambodia

Hi Everyone,

Things are moving right along here in Cambodia and we hope things are going well for you also.  Thanks for your e-mails.  It seems to make us not quite so far away when we can keep in touch.  With it being the Chinese New Year we are off school for the rest of the week but will be going to an orphanage today for a Health Fair presentation with puppets.  It seems like their is always something to do. 

 It looks like we will be closing the Learning Center where Lee and I have been teaching, as it no longer meets the purpose for which it was established.  The money that is used to run the center can be put to better use on digging wells that produce good water out in the villages, training dentists and eye doctors, and training doctors or midwives how to resuscitate newborn babies so they will not die.  We have really enjoyed teaching at the Learning Center and becoming acquainted with the students.  They are special.  Whenever they see us they never fail to say, “Hello, teacher.”  In fact one of Lee’s students even gave him a krama (pronounced gramah - a rectangle scarf they wrap around their face or head for protection from the dust and pollution or for a cushion on their heads to carry things).  Elder and Sister Poulson, the other couple who came to Cambodia the same time we did, will move to Kampong Cham (about a three hour drive away) where they will teach.  Lee and I will be given teaching assignments somewhere else in Phnom Penh through other organizations helped by the Church. 

We will also be involved in the “Lost Sheep” project.  This is a program being initiated in the Asia Area to help find members whose addresses are unknown.  People move around so much from one part of the city to another, or even move out into the country and the church loses track of them.  This project will hopefully find some of them and also give the missionaries new contacts.  It is a big job trying to get all the information translated into Cambodian and Vietnamese, and then get everyone trained who will be involved. 

Our last two American sister missionaries will be returning home this month leaving us with all native sister missionaries (27).  We just passed the half way mark a week ago (57 natives and 57 Americans) and from now on we will have more full-time missionaries from here in Cambodia that we do American missionaries.  This is going to make it even harder to communicate with the branch leaders and be shadow leaders, but we’re sure the Lord has taken this all into account.

The weather is still bearable, not too hot and for sure not too cold.  We seldom use the air conditioners in our apartment but do keep the fans running.  The one in the bedroom runs all night though.

Lee and I have both had haircuts and they turned out very nice.  His cost 75 cents from a local barber and mine was $4 at a beauty salon.  We were sure worried when we heard that one of the missionaries had told the barber to cut off just a little and ended up with just a little left over his entire head.  I have also been able to find a curling iron that works really well, although my hair gets pretty droopy by the end of the day from the heat. 

We had our own personal experience of driving on the wrong side of the road and against traffic as we left the Mission Home the other day and drove to Pencil’s department store.  It was located just one block away but instead of our substitute driver (Buntah) making two left turns and crossing through traffic twice.  He made a left turn and drove up the wrong side of the road facing the oncoming traffic until he reached the next block where he made another left turn.  Lee and I just looked at each other and shook our heads.

Being involved with the Vietnamese Branch, we were invited to help them (the three Vietnamese Branches) celebrate the Chinese New Year which started yesterday and lasts for five days.  Just before it started one of the Young Adults approached me and asked if I could play the piano.  All I could think of was D&C 60:2-3, and so I told her, “Yes, but only with one hand.”  Things went just fine and I ended up accompanying the congregation for two hymns, both had four verses with two sharps each.  I have never been so nervous in all my life as I have never played in front of anyone before.  I sure wish I had practiced more the one year I took piano. 

Keep in touch

Love, Elder and Sister Dickson  

Feb 8, 2005 - Letter to Mom and Dad on their mission in Cambodia

It’s always good to get emails from you !!  We love you and are so proud of you.  Zac got your shower fixed last night.  There were $108 in materials, and I paid him $100 in labor.  He worked of it for approx. 6+ hours total.   I hope that amount is okay. I told him he sure is a Dickson, because when you plan on a couple of hours, it always turns into more.  I think he enjoyed doing it.  Something to keep him busy.  He’s also working on Jim and Shirlee’s home, making a bathroom in their back room. Last night, Leisa Wilson and myself and CJ got all of the wrestlers going to State, and dyed their hair maroon !!  It was their idea (the boys) of course !  They were pretty pleased.  I’m taking a picture today for the paper on Friday.  We also got some “squishy” pillows (the new rage around here) and had tags made at the Sports Spot that say, 2005 State Qualifier, their placing, and their weight.  I REALLY think they will be excited about these.  I was supposed to go to Tooele for meetings yesterday and today, but we woke up to 8 inches of snow yesterday morning, and it snowed all day and laid down another 2-3 inches. And this morning there is no snow, but it is VERY cold, and listening to the news, the roads are covered in black ice, and the fog is very bad.  So I’m not going today either.  I feel bad about this, as I paid $500 of the counties money to register for this class, but I’m not going to drive 2 hours each way (going slow) and put my life on the line.  I have to be back by 4 to watch Camryn, so that means I’d leave at 6:30 a.m. to get there at 8:30 a.m., and have to leave at 2 p.m., to get home by 4. So it just wasn’t worth it to me………..  We will leave for State wrestles at UVSC on Thursday morning (early).  We are hoping Manda and Zac and CJ can come down sometime on Friday or Saturday.  We are hoping so badly that he will be able to wrestle his best so he can medal this year.  Some of the kids going in at 4^th place are going to have a REALLY REALLY tough time.  

Young Women’s is going well, although it is very stressful, or I guess I should say it takes up A LOT of my thinking time.  It seems I am always worrying and wondering, and stewing about something to do with an activity, lesson, the girls, etc.  I’m enjoying it though.  We are tying a quilt for Breanne Wilson tonight.  We are going to try and tie ONE a month, so that all of the girls get a quilt done for them.  They buy the material, etc., and all the girls work on it to tie it. We will have 15+ girls by the end of the year…………….. Yikes  (This is just in the Laurel class).

Well, I better go for now and get ready for work.  Take care

Love Gwen

February 13, 2005 - Letter from Mom and Dad on their mission in Cambodia

Hurrah, the dress made it here okay.  It arrived at the Mission Home on Friday.  Thanks for sending it.  I hope you wrote a check out for the postage.

It sounds like Landon and his friends really have some good times.  Who does Emily “Margaret” Carter belong to?  What kind of dessert did they get for $5?  Sorry to hear about State but at least the team had their squishy pillows and maroon hair.  Now I can see where Landon gets some of his crazy ideas.  You must lay awake nights dreaming up things to make others feel special.  Did the rest of the family (Amanda, Camryn, Zac and CJ) make it to the wrestles?

It sounds like Zac is keeping himself very busy as usual.  How is the car working out for him or has it quit?  Is he having mice problems at the building like Mark is having at his place?  Are the quilt frames working out okay?  You sure have a lot of quilts to tie.  I don’t know how you keep up with everything.  I’m glad you decided against going to Tooele.  I don’t know what all of us would do if anything happened to you!!!

The weather here is starting to get a little warmer and we have had to put the air conditioner on a couple of times just to cool it off a little. 

We have finally finished all the paper work for the "lost sheep" project and are sending it to the translation department on Monday.  With this week being the Chinese New Year, school was cancelled and so we have spent all of our spare time getting things done on this project.  The AP's have really been a big help as they are familiar with what the missionaries do here in Cambodia and the problems they encounter. 

We are still working with the branches and trying to get things going the correct way.  We would like to teach some of the ladies in Relief Society some of the Primary songs so they can sing them at home but they have not been translated into Vietnamese or Khmae (Cambodian).  I didn't think it would be that hard but it was explained that a song like "I love to see the temple,” the word temple in Khmae is preahvihia barisot.  In order to make the music work with the words the next line has to be omitted and therefore the meaning of the song is lost.  You ought to try singing some of the hymns in Khmae and Vietnamese, it is something else

I tried making chocolate chip cookies in our little oven last night.  It’s a wonder they turned out.  I used bread flour instead of regular flour, butter in place of the shortening, and all white sugar as I didn’t have any brown sugar.  I guess it was the expensive vanilla I used.  One pint cost $5.80 and it was imitation vanilla at that.  Some of the things here are really expensive when it is not local stuff.  I finally got Dad to drink some milk.  I bought some Hersey’s chocolate syrup ($4) so he could fix himself some chocolate milk. 

If you get a chance with your busy schedule would you send me my recipes for Mazetti and my chocolate chip cookies.  Also, if you have a box of tapioca could you let me know how to make it and the quantities.  We bought some tapioca, it is the size of small bee bees, and all the instructions are in Khmae.  I’ve tried making it a couple of times but my brain can’t conjure up the right things to do.

Keep the e-mails coming when you have time.  We think of all of you often.  Tell everyone  “hello” for us.  We love you all and appreciate you.

February 13, 2005  - Letter to Mom and Dad on their mission in Cambodia

Glad the dress made it.  I sent in on Jan 24th and it cost about 7-8$ to send.  I did write a check out for it.  Emily Margaret Carter belongs to Craig and Lisa.  She used to work at curves, and he used to work for the school district. 

State Wrestling is over now, and it was a disappointment.  We thought for sure that Landon would medal, and the kid he beat at Region (Brad Gustafson from Tooele) , and the kid he went into overtime and lost to at Region (Todd "Stall" a zar) took 3rd and 4th, but Landon was beat out.  He just needs to wrestle more consistent.  He won a match (Ben Turner, Wasatch JV) , then lost a match (to Dustin Howa, eventual state champion), then won a match (Anthony Carter, Union), then lost a match (Nick Neumann, Pine View).  That last match he wrestled, was the one he NEEDED to win to put him into a medal round.  He didn't wrestle the best in that match. 

As for the other wrestlers.......... We took 15 to state, and Josh Wilson took 1st !!   Mike Clunas - 3rd,  Brett Hendershot 4th, and Zac Taylor 5th. The rest were beat out.

Manda and Camryn and Zac and CJ came down and watched Landon's 2nd two matches on Friday.   

Zac hasn't been driving the car at all that I know of, at least not yet.   I don't think he is having any mice problems, as he hasn't mentioned any.  He is working on the fencing in his yard now.  The quilting frames worked out okay, and we got one quilt tied the other night.  Only 18 more to go !!!

We got a baby shower invitation for Kimberly Smith (Moe's wife) for next Saturday, and we are going.  I'm sure Erika will be there too, although I haven't asked her about it yet. 

Also, Sara Adams wedding is next week.  I guess you got an invitation, she called for your address. 

Today is Youth Exchange at church, where the youth take over all of the jobs for one week.  Landon is up to a meeting right now (6:30 a.m.)  He is the Ward Clerk, and also has to teach the Elder's quorum lesson, which he is NOT very excited about.  With State Wrestles and all he had not had adequate time to prepare, and so he's stressed out about this.

Hope the Lost Sheep program goes well for you.  Knowing you, I'm sure you will have it organized the VERY VERY best, and you will get people accounted for, and shipped into shape !!  I know you like organizing stuff like that, and you are very good at it.

We pray for you every day, and love you and miss you very much!

Monday, February 14, 2005

Well, again I’m feeling pretty overwhelmed.  This YW President job is mentally draining to me.  I know it’s making me a better person, but I worry and fret and stew over everything, because I know the buck stops here.  My house is a pigsty, and I wish so badly I didn’t have to work, but I know the money that I bring in is a much needed necessity.  Then to top it off last night Jim Wiscombe calls and asks if the YW Presidency will speak in sacrament meeting on Sunday !!  On Preparing for the temple, and keeping temple covenants no less !!  I’m feeling very pressured right now.  But my Heavenly Father comforts me, and the Holy Ghost helps me through this.  I got up at 4 a.m. and read the Book of Mormon for an hour, and then went to the gym for a half and hour, and now am writing in my journal.  I need to  keep this up, feeding my body both spiritually and physically.  Hopefully the rest will take care of itself.

February 16, 2005

All about Me (as of today)

1. What time did you get up this morning? 4 a.m.      

2. Diamonds or pearls? Diamonds

3. What was the last film you saw at the cinama? 1/2 of National Treasure ( I took Camryn out)

4. What is your favorite TV Show?  Law and Order or Medium

5. What did you have for breakfast?  Yogurt and granola bar

6. What is your middle name? I don't have one!

7. What is your favorite restaurant?  Maple Garden

8. What foods do you dislike? cooked carrots (all by themselves)

9. What is your favorite chip flavor? Baked Lays Original

10.  What is your favorite thing to do to relax?  Sleep !!

11. What kind of car do you drive? Saturn

12. Favorite sandwich? Subway roasted chicken TOASTED wheat bread with spinach leaves and tomato and NO mayo

13. What characteristics do you despise? A Thief

14. Favorite item of clothing?  Levis

15. If you could go anywhere in the world where would you go? Hawaii

16. What color is your bathroom?  burgundy and green

17.  Favorite brand of clothing? Clearance items at Meier and Frank

18. Where would you retire to? Morgan

19. Who do you want to retire with? Roger D.

20. What was your most memorable birthday?  40 of course!

21.  Flossing – yes or no?  I’m trying !!

22. Favorite sport to watch? wrestling, baseball, football, depends on the season

23. Person you expect to send it back first? Stephanie

24. Who do you least expect to send this back to you? (?)

25. What fabric detergent do you use? TIDE (somebody tell me where to find the H E detergents!?!?!)

26. Coke or Pepsi?   DIET (I know, I know, wrinkles on the brain) COKE Caffeine FREE !!!!!!!!!!!!!

27. Are you a morning person or a night owl?  morning

28. What is your shoe size? 8 1/2

29. Do you have any pets?  Zipper the dog

30. Any new and exciting news you'd like to share with your family and friends?  I've lost 36 pounds since August !

31. What did you want to be when you were little? ballerina, brain surgeon, member of MOtab

32. What are you doing today?  Enjoying being a GRANDMA !!

February 16, 2005 - Letter to Mom and Dad on their mission in Cambodia

Dear Mom and Dad,

Are you both well?

How is the Lost Sheep program coming along?

Are you upset about the learning center closing?

I wanted to tell you about Landon's experience teaching the Elder's quorum. 

I had told him (the prior Sunday and Monday) that he ought to read over the lesson, and get preparing,

and then put it all away on Wednesday and concentrate on State Wrestles, then on Sunday morning he could

get up early and polish it up.  Well, like mother like son, he likes to procrastinate !!  He read just 1-2 pages

on Monday night, and then didn't look at it again until Sunday morning at 9 a.m.  Our church is at 11 a.m., and priesthood

meeting is FIRST !!  He had to get up early (6:30 a.m.) for a bishopric meeting (he was the ward clerk also)  We thought he would be gone about an hour, and then be able to come home and work on the lesson with my help.  Well, at 9 am he still wasn't home, and I had to go to MY meetings...........  I met him in the parking lot at the church, and he WAS NOT a happy camper !!!  I told him I didn't know what to tell him, but to go home and look at the lesson, and then get on his knees and start praying !!!   I worried about it all during YW, and said many silent prayers for him.  My first comment I heard was in Sunday School, and by the time I got to Sacrament meeting, all I was hearing was HOW WONDERFUL A JOB he had done in the Elder's quorum lesson !!!  I am so proud of him.  I told Shane Preece, who was telling me how impressed he was, that I wish the "I" could be a fly on the wall, and get to see all of these neat things that Landon does for myself.  I KNOW he's a great kid, but a lot of the time, I miss out on times that he really shines..........  I think he must get the "teaching" ability from you grandparents !!  Although I must say I do a pretty good job of it too, most of the time, when the Spirit is with me.  As the clerk he had to walk around in sacrament and get a head count too.  He's awesome.

Thought you'd like to hear about that !!

Take care, we love you and pray for you every day.

LOVE GWEN

February 19, 2005 - Letter to Mom and Dad on their mission in Cambodia

Dear Mom and Dad

Amanda and I went down to Centerville to Laurie's (my Smith cousin) home clear up on the hill !! about as far as you can go.

They had an open house from 2-5 with food to eat.  We got to visit with everyone, they were all there

We saw Susan and her two girls

and Candy and her two girls

and Laurie

And Kim (Russell's wife)

and Danny's wife and girls

and David's wife

Kimberly is due in two weeks and is having a girl.

We also got to see Aunt Jolene, and also Moe and David and Danny and Russell were there towards the end.

We didn't get there till 4 and stayed almost till 5

They all asked about you, and how you were doing.  They said to tell you hi from all of them.

I'm talking in sacrament meeting tomorrow.  Wish me luck !!

LOVE GWEN

Here’s my talk

My Baptismal Covenants

Talk given in Morgan 6^th Ward Sacrament Meeting

February 20, 2005

My dear brothers and sisters.  The Bishop has asked me to talk to you today concerning our baptismal covenants.  As I have studied and searched the scriptures this past week, I have learned so much, and preparing for this talk has been of a great benefit to me.  I hope you will bear with me as I share some of the truths that I have learned.  I have asked the Spirit to be with me today, that your hearts might be touched as mine has been touched by these simple gospel truths.

We need to be baptized in order to return and live with our Heavenly Father, but just being baptized is not enough.  We begin a new way of life at baptism.

Alma, who had been one of wicked King Noah’s priests, and who had believed Abinadi’s words and repented of his sins, taught and baptized the people who also believed in God, at the waters of Mormon.  He asked his people after they were baptized:  “Have ye spiritually been born of God?  Have he received his image in your countenances?  Have ye experienced this mighty change in your hearts?” 

Baptism is the beginning of the “mighty change” – this new way of life.  We can have “a might change” take place in our hearts, that we will have not more disposition to do evil, but to do good continually.

Do you remember the day you were baptized?  I’m sure we all do.  I remember that I went home and got a piece of brown construction paper, and cut out a leaf.  On it I wrote, “I’m turning over a new leaf”.  Elder Henry B. Eyring of the quorum of the twelve apostles remembers that on the way home in the car after he was baptized, he thought to himself, “Uh – oh, the free ride is over”.  I think each ONE of us realized that this was a VERY important event in our lives.  That things would be different from now on.

When we are baptized we make a covenant with our Heavenly Father.  I want to go over these covenants today and talk about them a little bit.  A covenant is a two-way promise, it is a sacred agreement we make with Heavenly Father.  If we keep our covenants, he will fulfill his part of the agreement.  If we don’t keep up our end, then he will not be able give us the wonderful blessings that he would love to be able to give us.  That is the most important thing I feel He would want you to know, is that he LOVES you – and he wants so much to give you every good blessing that is his.  He wants to share his blessings with you, and have you return to live with him again.

One of the first covenants we make is to come into the kingdom of God, or to be a member of his church on this earth. 

Have you heard the phrase, “to be IN the world, but not OF the world”? 

Elder Robert D. Hales of the quorum of the twelve apostles states that, “the ordinance of baptism and receiving the gift of the Holy Ghost takes us OUT of this world, and INTO the kingdom of God.  When we are baptized by immersion, by one with property priesthood authority and choose to follow our Savior, then we are IN his kingdom, and OF his kingdom.    We make a covenant we our Heavenly Father that we are willing to come INTO his kingdom, and keep his commandments, even though we still live in this world.

By choosing the be IN HIS KINGDOM, we separate (not isolate) ourselves from the world.  Our dress will be modest, our thoughts pure, our language clean.  The movies and television we watch, the music we listen to, the books, magazine, and newspapers we read will be uplifting.  We will choose friends who will encourage us in our eternal goals.  We will follow the example of the Savior in the way we treat others.

Another covenant we make at baptism is to be called a son or daughter of God and to take upon us the name of Christ.

What does this mean to you?  To take upon you the name of Jesus Christ.    I want to retell a story which I know you have all heard before.  If is about President George Albert Smith, who was the 8^th president of our church.  One time he was very ill, and had lost consciousness, and thought he has passed through the veil to the other side.  He found himself walking along a path through a beautiful forest.  He saw a man in the distance, walking towards him, and as he got closer he saw it was his grandfather who had died previously, and who he had been named after.  He hurried to greet him, and as they approached each other, his grand father stopped a little ways away, and looked at him very earnestly and said, “I would like to know what you have done with my name?”  As he said these words, President Smith thought back and saw his life passing before him and though it were on a movie screen.  He was able to say to his grandfather that he had never done anything with his name of which he would be ashamed.  His grandfather embraced him, and President Smith awoke, to find tears coursing down his cheeks.  He was so thankful that he could answer his grandfather the way he did.

My brother and sisters, we too will have that chance one day, as we stand before our Savior, and he will ask us, what have you done with my name?  Have we honored it?  When we take upon us the name of our Savior, do we think to ourselves, “What would Jesus do?” 

I find this had helped me in my life.  As I go about my day I sometimes find myself in situations at work and at home and in the community, at ball games, and wrestling matches, at the store, in crowded parking lots, with crying babies, with too much to do and too little time it seems, and I find that it helps so much to ask myself, and believe me it happens FREQUENTLY, what would Jesus do?  Or remind myself, that another person with whom I may have a problem with is a child of God just the same as me.  Is this taking the name of Jesus upon me?  I don’t know, but I’d like to think so.  When I pray to my Heavenly Father, I ask him to help me, and to let the Holy Ghost be with me, so that when I’m faced with certain situations, and all of us are every day….  That I will remember these words, “What would Jesus do”, and try and act accordingly.  Most of the time it works….., however there are time it doesn’t, and I am so very grateful for the atonement, so that I can repent and try again when I have failed.

Another Covenant we make at baptism is to bear others’ burdens that they may be light; mourn with those that mourn; and comfort those that stand in need of comfort.  

I don’t think there is a person here, who wouldn’t help another in need.  We all know that when we serve others, we feel so good inside when were are done, even though we may not have felt like it was the thing we wanted to do at the time.  Service to others can bring great blessings into our lives, but I think  that for a lot of us we are so caught up in our own daily business, that even though we would help someone in need, we might not know when someone needs the help.  We need to pray to our Heavenly Father that he will help us to know where we can help.  Help us and give us inspiration, that we might know when to make a phone call or a visit, and even just to give a kind word of praise or a hello in the store.  Show our love to others always.  Take the time.  There are so many good examples of this in our ward.  Some people it seems just have the knack for it.  We cannot excuse ourselves, by saying that someone else will take care of it, or we don’t have the time.  We need to ask our Heavenly Father to inspire us to show us where the need is, and then follow through with any feelings we might have.

Another baptismal covenant we make is to stand as a witness of God at all times and in all things and in all places.  This is my favorite !!  It reminds me of Young Womens, and we say this in our theme every week.  We can all be good examples.  Some times we fall short of this.  I remember a few weeks ago at a wrestling match, shortly after I was put in as Young Women’s President.  The match was a close one, Landon was struggling to hold onto the lead in the closing seconds of the match, and at the end when the whistle blew, he relaxed his position, and the other wrestler threw him in an illegal move that could have hurt Landon very badly.  This same wrestler had done the same thing last year, and almost broke Landon’s neck.  Things got out of hand really fast, and there was yelling and shouting going on.  Both sides of the crowd reacted, and it got really heated. After things had calmed down, I remember thinking that I hadn’t acted in a very Christlike manner.  Our bishop was sitting across the gym, and also a lot of my young women were in the audience,  and I remember thinking that I hoped they hadn’t been watching me lose my temper.  This taught me a good lesson, and I’ve found that I need to control my emotions and not get so involved in certain situations.  We are all standing as witness of God at all times and in all things and in all places.  I pray every night that I might be a good example to my family and to the young women in this ward.   We need to all remember that our Heavenly Father is there for us at all times and in all things and in all places, always always there.  And he loves us so much, and he wants us to do good and return to him, and if we will get down on our knees and ask him to help US to stand up for HIM, he will let the Holy Ghost be there to help us, to remind us that we are standing as a witness for our Heavenly Father.

And finally the last baptismal covenant we make is to serve God, and keep his commandments.  That is a BIG one in itself.  Our Bishop has said before that we can give nothing to our Heavenly Father that he doesn’t already have, except our will.  Our will to serve him by keeping all of the commandments he has set before us.  There are many.  Some we have a harder time with than others.  What commandment may be really easy for you to keep, may be a stumbling block for me. 

President Spencer W. Kimball said:  “The way to perfection seems to be a changing of one’s life—to substitute the good for the evil in every case. Changes can come best if we take one item at a time. … For if one pays one-tenth of his income annually, he is perfect in that respect.   It is not difficult to become perfect in avoiding a swearing habit, for if one locks his mouth against all words of cursing, he is en route to perfection in that matter. If one studies the scriptures with all reasonable devotion, he has approached perfection in that matter also”.

We just need to keep trying and pressing forward, always remembering our Heavenly Father’s love for each one of us.   He wants us to succeed, He wants us to return to Him again.

Now remember I said the a covenant was a TWO way promise.  We’ve talked about the promises WE have made.  Now I want to address what our Heavenly Father has covenanted or promised us in return.

He has promised to forgive our sins.  What more could we ask of him.  We who are so imperfect, who are were put here on this earth, and have become a “natural” man, challenged by Satan it seems at every turn.  Thank goodness our Father sent his Son to atone for all of our sins, so that through Him we can repent and be forgiven.  What greater gift could we receive from our Heavenly Father?

Well let me tell you !!

Heavenly Father has also covenanted with us, that He will pour His spirit more abundantly upon us. That he will give us the gift of the Holy Ghost. The Holy Ghost gives us the ability to choose between right and wrong.  He gives us the strength and courage to conduct our lives that way that our Savior and Heavenly Father would have us do.  He is the source of our testimony, and when we obey, we will have him with us continually !!  Each week as we take the sacrament, we renew our baptismal covenants with Him.  We promise to remember the sacrifice that our Savior made for us.  We promise to do as the Savior did, to be obedient to the commandments of Heavenly Father.  And the blessings we receive in return is to always have His Spirit to be with us.   We need to have this constant companionship.  Everyday we (and especially our youth) are bombarded with the ugly things of this world.  We need this help in our lives, so that we can resist this evil, and when necessary, repent and return to the “strait path”.   Having the gift of the Holy Ghost helps us make right choices that will allow us to return to our Heavenly Father and our brother Jesus Christ, and live with Them eternally.

Finally, our Heavenly Father has covenanted with us, that we will be permitted to have eternal life – His life, to enter the celestial kingdom to live with him and our elder brother Jesus Christ. The Lord has promised us eternal life with Him as we show our love by obeying Him and keeping our baptismal covenants.  True happiness on earth, and eternal joy hereafter come from living the covenants we make with the Lord.

I want to testify to you this day,  that I know God lives, and that He loves each one of us.  I know that our Savior loves us too, He died for us, and took upon Him our sins.  He pleads our cause with Heavenly Father.   He has promised us that he will not forget us, because He has “graven us upon the palms of His hands”.

I challenge each of you to study more about your baptismal covenants.  They are not to be taken lightly.  I hope that as we partake of the sacrament each week and renew these sacred covenants, that we will try live our lives so that the Holy Ghost can be with us –always.

February 22, 2005 - Letter to Mom and Dad on their mission in Cambodia

We enjoy your journal so much !!  I know you are busy busy busy and probably really tired too.

Let me tell you a little bit about what is going on here at home.

Roger and Landon spent an enjoyable day snowmobiling yesterday (President's Day) with Bret and Gaylene and Chase Kimbal.

I stayed home and got a lot done.  Wash all done, house cleaned, front room rearranged.  Manda got her taxes done, and she's getting $4,500 back and is so happy.  This will allow her to stay home and not have to work while she finishes school.  We also took a walk on the walking path.  They weather is quite nice.  We plan on walking everyday at 1 p.m. (I'll take my lunch then)

We get our taxes done today.  Kevin has your taxes done also, and I told him to direct deposit it in your checking account.  I need to go over and pick them up and sign some papers.  He said something about a $14,000 refund !!

I guess you have probably heard from Erika and Aaron, but there van has gone kapoot !  And here they are leaving for California on Friday............. Well, I guess they got them a new van yesterday, and they are really really excited !!  It is a 2004 Ford Sea Breeze, or something like that.

CJ and Shirlee went back to Minnesota to see Ashely Richins (Norris and Karen's daughter) get married (or go to her reception I should say).  She is working at the Mayo Clinic, and met a guy back there and they got married in the St. Louis temple.

Zac got your shower all fixed, and it is going good.  He noticed that you have a leak at the shop.  In the front corner where the heater vents out.  We have had quite a bit of rain/snow, and a couple of days ago, when he went over and cleaned the shop up so good (you won't recognize it !) there was quite a puddle in that corner.  The snow has melted off now, and no rain, so not to worry, but he wanted me to ask your opinion on what to do?  He thought that maybe if he took down a couple of sheets of plywood on the ceiling, he could tell where it was coming from.  Do you want us to get Bill Covill involved?  Please let us know your recommendation, but don't worry about it, because we WILL get it taken care of as soon as possible.

Mary Smith died (Kent and Lyle's mom).  Bill Jones too (a few weeks ago)  Also, Kelly Strong's dad (who lives by the river)

You might want to periodically check on Walker Mortuary's website, in case I can't remember to let you know who all has died !!

Elder Boyd K. Packer is going to visit for our Stake Conference !!  Landon and I are going to get there early, in hopes of meeting him and shaking his hand.  Also, my talk went well on Sunday (did I tell you that?)  Also, Landon is scheduled for his Patriarchal blessing on April 10.

Well, I can't think of anything else to tell you now !!

Take care, we pray for you everyday.

This is what Veloy said in her reply:

1. What time did you get up this morning? 6:00 a.m.

2. Diamonds or pearls? Diamonds

3. What was the last film you saw at the cinema? "The Work and the Glory"

4. What is your favorite TV Show? Jag

5. What did you have for breakfast? Raisin Bran Flakes

6. What is your middle name? Tonks (maiden name)

7. What is your favorite cuisine? Chinese

8. What foods do you dislike? Raw onions

9. What is your favorite chip flavor? Sour cream and onion

11. What kind of car do you drive? I don't, I have a driver

12. Favorite sandwich? Tuna on toast

13. What characteristics do you despise? Undependability

14. Favorite item of clothing?  Used to be jeans, now it is skirts and dresses

15. If you could go anywhere in the world where would you go?  Morgan

16. What color is your bathroom?  Light green.                               

17.  Favorite brand of clothing? Chhay Mom (I now have mine made for this climate)

18. Where would you retire to? Morgan - summer, somewhere warmer in the winter

19. Who do you want to retire with? Lee

20. What was your most memorable birthday?  19

22. Favorite sport to watch? Whatever the grandkids are in at the time      

23. Person you expect to send it back first? Arlene

24. Who do you least expect to send this back to you? Mark

25. What fabric detergent do you use? Cheapest

26. Coke or Pepsi? Pepsi was

27. Are you a morning person or a night owl? Neither, I'm always tired

28. What is your shoe size? 8 but 8-1/2 feels better sometimes

29. Do you have any pets?  No

30. Any new and exciting news you'd like to share with your family and friends? We are enjoying our mission but miss you all

31. What did you want to be when you were little? A movie star

32. What are you meant to be doing today? A Missionary Grandma

      

February 22, 2005 - Letter from Mom and Dad on their mission in Cambodia

Dear Gwen,

Relative to the leak, I suspect that it is around the pipe where the heater vents out of the roof.  I don’t think that taking off interior sheeting will help.   The solution is probably to get up on the roof and put some kind of sealant in that area.  It wouldn’t hurt to talk to Bill Covill about it and get his opinion, I seem to remember that he had some concerns about how water-tight that vent would be.  Be really careful if you do get up there.  There is an attachment for my extension ladder that goes at the top to hold the ladder away from the wall, which you may want to use.  I see no hurry; if you wait till I get home it will be ok.

Concerning the taxes, you will have to wait until the federal refund gets back to pay the state taxes.  So just hold the state return till then.  Also you might want to make sure Kevin has the correct copies of the tax notices attached to the returns.  If I remember correctly, he had them mixed up last year.  Thanks, Dad

Thanks for keeping us so informed of the things that are happening in the community and with the family.  We can always depend on you, and you are so busy too.  We really enjoyed your talk.  It amazes me how well you can put things together, so much better than I could.  It was just like reading a talk in the Ensign or from one of the General Authorities.  No kidding!!!  The ward is very fortunate to have you a part of it.  Wish we could be home for Stake Conference.  I hope you get to meet Elder Packer that would be great. 

I hope the map book on California wasn’t too hard to find.  Oh, did I mention before – thanks for the recipes.  Also, the photo show of Camryn was special.  We really like seeing what she does and how she is growing.  Erika mentioned in her last letter about seeing you, Amanda and Camryn at Kim’s shower, and how much Camryn has grown.  I hate to think how much we are missing of her growing up.  I didn’t realize that Kim was due so soon, and it’s a little girl.  I hope Moe isn’t too disappointed.  He was sure it would be a boy.  We did get Sara’s invitation.  Her fiancé looks like he is dark like Joan’s side of the family. 

Tell Landon to keep up the good work.  He’s a regular chip off the old block.  Most kids seem to inherit their parent’s bad habits or ways, but he seems to have inherited his parent’s good habits and ways.  We are proud of the things he is doing and think he is awesome.  Of course we feel the same way about the other kids too.  They all have exceptional abilities.

We hate to see the Learning Center close because we have enjoyed the students so much and are really getting acquainted with them.  The scary thing is not knowing what we will be doing next or where or whom we will be teaching.  I’m sure things will work out okay.

We have pretty well finished compiling the Lost Sheep program and they (the AP’s) have started training the missionaries.  This week should finish up the translation and in a couple of week we will train the District Presidents and Branch Presidents.  I guess there will be a waiting period for us then until the records start coming back in and we do the tracking of them – and reports to Hong Kong.

We are both okay, only a few little aches and pains but nothing we can’t handle.  Take good care of your family and everything back home.  We love you all.

Mom and Dad

   

February 24, 2005 = Letter to Mom and Dad on their mission in Cambodia

Dear Grandma and Grandpa,

In case you were wondering, this is Zac.  Just thought I would email while I was up to my mom's house so she could type for me.  Things have been going good.  The weather is good.  It's been up in the 50's lately.  Your car is doing good.  I replaced the terminals on the battery.  I wanted to ask you about the roof.  My mom told me what you said about fixing it. I was just worried because the last rain storm it was leaking pretty bad.  I will get up there when it gets a little bit warmer weather and put some tar around it.  I've taken over grandma's job about cleaning the shop.  I mopped it the other day. It took me 3 1/2 hours!!  But boy does it look good !!  I even scrubbed the toilet !!  We got a fence up around our yard.  Chain link.  I'm in the process of getting some more stuff poured out front.  Another sidewalk going from the original side walk to the wall we poured, and then a wall between the irrigation boxes out front.   I also finished the wood fence to the road.  Also in the process of starting to build the garage out back.  It's going to be 28 x 40, a wood frame, still getting bids on who to have do everything.  Hopefully it will be done by the time you guys get back.  CJ is doing good.  She passed her pharmacy technician test, and has been applying to several places.    Snowmobiling has been kind of slow, but we still try to go every now and then.  Dad got him a new sled, (a new sled to him)  It is a 1998 -  700 , just like his other one.  My work is going good, been getting the hours in .  I got another raise, so it made it a little bit easier to pay the bills.  Your shower turned out good.  I put a single handle valve in, and a piece of marble to cover the hole, about 15 x 13, white to match the tile.  If I do say so myself, it turned out pretty good.  I was going to re tile it, but there was nothing to connect the tile to, and I thought it would be better to put a piece of marble on the outside.   I've been working over to Shirlee and Jim's on their bathroom,  Had to put a new floor in ( the subfloor was rotted), frame walls, sheetrocked, and going to tile ( hope you don't mind I'm going to use your tile saw again.)  And of course, did all of the plumbing !!  They hired out the electrical (her nephew) and the taping of the sheetrock, and they'll paint it, but I've basically done everything else.   Thinking about selling my truck to help pay for the new garage.  We had to use your live trap to catch a cat in my dad's garage.  It worked like a charm !!

How's the weather there??  Hope it's not too rainy or humid for you.  I heard that you've got your first haircuts.  Did they just put a bowl on your head and cut around it ?? I hope Grandpa gets feeling better with all of the problems he's been having.  Are you keeping busy with church stuff, or do you do volunteer work or what? 

Well, hope everything is going great for you.  And I will try to write, or have my mom write, another letter soon.

Love Zac and CJ