This begins the week that was.  Now, a week later, I’m writing about it!  Working all I can at getting the room ready for Mom & Dad Nelson.  Working all I can at the office with my new secretary.  We’re killing rats down at the office.  Today was the PBSW rat.  Jan Babcock is one fine secretary-she really knows how to get things done!  Evening-just getting ready to start painting the bedroom ceiling (this is an activity-type Family Home Evening).  The phone rang.  Jan Babcock needed a priesthood holder to come administer to her little new nephew who was headed for the hospital.  A hepatitis infection.  Belirubin (?) count at 21.  Only 1 week old.  Her family is all non-member, but they agreed to our coming and administering.  I called Lincoln Goodman-he’s about the best partner for that I could think of, then went by to pick him up.  We went to the TMC, waiting an hour to get in to see the baby, met the family, then did the ordinance. What a little, tiny, baby.  Micah John Farrell.  He was all hooked up to machines and tubes.  I felt good about the administration.  (Projecting ahead, the baby’s count cam down to 18 by the time the doctor got there Monday evening, he should have been kept 4 days in the hospital, but only stayed 2.  When the doctor saw him again later in the week he was amazed.  The power of the priesthood is fabulous). Back home, I worked until late on doors, baseboards, furniture, etc.

I love Sundays.  This is a special fast day for the inclement weather conditions that are being felt in our nation.  The West-from the Pacific Ocean to Colorado- is in a draught.  California particularly is hard-pressed.  The Midwest, East & South is having a terrible winter.  “The winds of ‘77” it is called. The Arctic air is being swept down to the Gulf of Mexico in a great arc by blizzards and storms that have paralyzed that part of our nation.  They’ve about run out of natural gas, and fuel is jammed up on the lakes and rivers in barges that are iced in.  the Lord can sure get your attention fast if you’ll just listen!!  So Pres. Kimball has asked the whole church to fast and pray for a return to normal for the weather.  Attended the regular meetings.  I was particularly impressed with Bro. Buehl’s priesthood lesson on “service.”  We enjoyed Susan’s family all day.  In the evening Dave and Peggy brought their kids over and we had a real ball!  About 8:00 Susan and her family left for Coolidge, to return to Winslow tomorrow morning.

A work day.  Getting ready for Marian’s parents in the forenoon.  Also getting the little Datsun ready to sell.  At noon Susan came with her family.  What a joy to have precious children here!  I feel a calmness and a joy above all else when any or all of my children are with us.  Larry is good to talk to.  He’s a good husband and father.  Janalee is so full of vigor and is such a buddy to Marian.  And Taylor is just walking pretty good-so cute!  Stake dinner at the Stake Center in the evening. 

Visited Duncan early-morning.  Max Germain’s class.  He’s been very flakey on reports-haven’t got any in yet! He had his class sing the entire time of class!!!  I couldn’t believe it!!  When I got to Safford Andy Fox was home sick.  I called him & hope we’ll straighten that guy out!  Visited a couple of Russell Packer’s classes.  He seems to have them under pretty good control!  At noon I went to Pima & visited Caruel Allen.  He has a real good rapport with the kids.  We went to see Mr. Hubbard, Pima school superintendent.  I need some statements from high school superintendents who have had experience with released-time to send up to Frank Hirichi in the central office.  Frank is in charge of producing a pamphlet on released-time seminary for the Department.  Mr. Hubbard will be glad to submit a statement.  (Earlier in the day-when I was with Russ Packer-we went to the Safford High School office and requested the same from Mr. Donald Wilson, Safford superintendant.  He indicated his willingness to do so, also.)  Next I visited an hour with Joe Allan, the Thatcher Institute director.  Joe and Caruel are brothers.  Our conversation was far-ranging, as usual.  I can talk well with Joe.  We seem to have an affinity.  My travel home was uneventful, arriving at six p.m.

Started off bright and early on a two-day trip.  Attended early-morning seminary at Sabarita.  Archie Romney’s teaching there.  He does a pretty good job.  I think he’s good for the kids, at least.  I drove on to Nogales.  I had a little time on my hands, so nosed around Tubac-the old presidio & such, then went to see what Pena Blanca Lake looks like-not much!  Visited with Bishop Burr McRae in Nogales.  I encouraged him to let us take care of the kids in his ward who go to school in Patagonia.  Also to let us have the true potential figures.  I hope we made progress.  On to Sierra Vista.  (Beautiful drive over-Nogales, Patagonia, Sonorita, the south whetstones, on to Sierra Vista.)  I met with Mr. Nolan, assistant superintendant.  Mr. Samuelson, superintendent was ill.  I offered further help to them for the coming board meeting. We are hopeful for released-time there.  Then I drove on to St. David.  I got there about 4:00 p.m.  I stopped in to see Bruce, and was with him for the next three hours.  He wanted to talk about recent ills of the community there.  Also his own up-coming shopping, so Vickie made us a sandwich dinner.  It was just nice being with him. At 7:30 I attended the stake seminary faculty meeting.  Reed Richens conducted it.  Only the Evans’ from Sierra Vista attended!  It was pretty much a wash-out.  I excused myself at 8:30, went to Safford & a motel room.  Called my sweet wife & found that all was well, except her folks are doing too well with the 8-hour-a-day live-in lady.  Dad has been feeding Mom candy, sweet-rolls, etc before the lady arrives.  Also during the day he’ll sneak stuff to her.  Got to bed nearly midnight.

Spent the day at the office.  There are so many things that fouled up.  Sister Babcock is very efficient.  She is getting it all changes over so it’s systematic.  Evening was spent with Marian, planning for the taking in of her parents.  They are so “out of it” now.  Very soon we know we’ll need to bring them here to live with us.  Mom Nelson has been in the hospital with her diabetes.  Without constant supervision it can’t be regulated.  Her memory is entirely gone now.  She is unable to take care of her eating and pill taking.  Dad Nelson is not much better off anymore.  He can’t keep track, either.  He forgets & gives her stuff she shouldn’t have.  The family is trying to line up someone to come & live in, but it probably won’t work for long, if at all.  We just need to gear up for it!

A trip to the temple early.  Got in one session, then on to a meeting.  The temple’s crowded right now (winter visitors) and they’re thinking of going to a 30-minute interval on sessions-instead of 45, I missed the people for the meeting-K Crocket & Pr. Palmer of Thatcher-they went early to the industry that builds portable classrooms.  I was on time.  I felt like the wolf with the 2 little pigs!  The portable classrooms look OK for what we need at Ft. Thomas for seminary.  We’ve been meeting all these years in the church-very inadequate.  Now they’re going to remodel the church.  We have a lot across from the school.  We need to get a building quick.  Looked at camper shells at Lumberjack in Phoenix.  Two expensive. Came home.  Went home teaching at John B___ house.

First Weeks of John on His Mission

Another try.  We got John off a week or more ago for his mission.  He entered the Salt Lake mission home 1/15/77.   Talked to the Oregon Portland mission.  He flew up to Portland 1/20.  We haven’t heard from him yet, but it’s a little soon.  The weather is cool, but not down to freezing nightly.  Just finished a rain storm a couple of days ago.  Marian’s feeling pretty good right now-it’s the right time of year for her.  Got a new secretary last week-Jan Babcock.  I think she’ll work out fine. Had a good priesthood meeting lesson yesterday.  It got me looking at D&C 88:81-86. Some very interesting things there.