A Much Happier Day

Sweet Katy's birthday. How I love her! Off to Aveiro to district conference. We went down the old road, so saw some new towns. The conference was nice—a small turn-out. I spoke, and did better than before. I also could understand better than before. A real answer to fasting and and prayer, because I have been very discouraged at not being able to comprehend and communicate. It was much better. We drove home down the auto-estrada (highway), and got home quickly. A little nap, a lot of study, and off to the 5:00 pm meeting at the branch. First time to a branch meeting there (Next Sunday we can go to the morning meetings). Just a handful of people—it was a make-up sacrament-taking meeting. But it's good to meet with the members anytime in any numbers. Back home and dinner and the evening. We studied some, sang songs, wrote in journals, and went to bed. A much happier day! I received a blessing! I'm full of gratitude.

[Tucson]

A beautiful, cool Arizona Sabbath day, and Mother's Day. Marian looked beautiful, complete with her missionary name-plate. Mary Ellen looked gorgeous. Sundays and Mother's days seem to do a lot for our dear companions. Special days! Special ladies!!

We attended church at Mary Ellen and John's 25th Ward. A nice meal followed. At 3:00 we went to David and Peggy's for a couple or 3 hours. The kids put on a program for us, were so cute and loving. A present for Marian. Peggy is a really wonderful daughter-in-law. Very special to me. I love her for herself as well as all the wonderful work she's done on her family. They show it. It was hard to leave because now we know this is the last one, for a long time. We leave this family in good hands with David. He keeps a special part of my love with him. I owe him so much, and love him so dearly. I'm immensely proud of my son. He played his banjo a little for us, and was so gracious all the while. Then home to Mary Ellen's, and a really nice evening with John and her. I love her equally—and john the same. The Campbells have been so gracious to us—the room, and all the love and attention we could hold. I am so very proud of this little family. This attitude toward things that matter most is good and solid. They are prospering greatly—new house, new cars, swimming pool going in, landscaping rocks coming tomorrow, etc.—I think they'll handle it well. They truly love us, and it is great to be with them.

[Mesa]

Another nice day in Tucson. We enjoyed the kids a lot and it's always neat to be around Mary Ellen. Saw several groups of model home—just thinking ahead to when we get back. Saw a couple of really nice ones, which may not be within our reach. Evening we went over to Dave and Peggy's—to see their home addition and to enjoy their family. John was working, so Mary Ellen and the kids went too. Nice evening.

[Mesa]

Some more stuff around Mom's home. We shopped some. Met the Vanderpools at the drugstore. Mom's trying to trying to run us and showing her forgetfulness in the process. I've determined that it's probably not safe for her to be alone, but she's too stubborn to have it otherwise. After noon Marian and I went to Coolidge where we enjoyed Donna again and Susan's family. Shortly Dave, Mary Ellen and Mike and their families arrived. A nice dinner and enjoy-one-another time (There was an altercation, but I'm not going to expand on that—just try to help resolve it. This is part of the give-and-take of family life.). At the conclusion, we drove back to Mesa, to bring Mom Gibson home, spent the night in Mesa.

[Provo]

A full day, a hard day. All morning we worked on discussion--no language training. Part of the afternoon we worked on Portuguese, then evening no language--only a diatribe on goal setting. It was the Sister at her best--condescending and full of her own "cutesies". By the time the day was over, we had about had it! We would have traded the MTC in for almost anything!

Bright spot of the day was a super letter from Russy. He wrote the most grown-up, well-composed, good-penmanship letter I've seen--4 pages. He had been in a Portuguese book and gave us a menu for a meal and other good stuff! Made my day!

The day finished, I'm pained to say, on such a negative note that I couldn't even pray. I resolved to fast until this matter, or this feeling, is resolved. The matter = we are getting larger and larger doses of proselyting stuff and less and less of language training. Our education mission seems to be getting shoved aside. My feeling is that the directors here don't understand our needs. They want to push everyone into the same box. I've got problems I need to work out.

[Provo]

We got a letter from David and all the family (the main one was Peggy) and also one from Mom and Gwen. They're all fine. So GOOD TO GET MAIL! Katy's letter was a riot. Willie's really cute. Heather wrote a super letter--such a lovely grown-up girl! Peggy told the news and David sort of told us he loved us. So neat! I know all the kids and grandkids love us, but an expression sure helps a lot. Classes all day today and branch meetings at night. Ater the meetings, the Chapman's and we slipped off to the 31 flavor place. They're a fun pair to be with.

[Thatcher-Tucson]

We returned to Tucson, enjoyed some time with David and family, then they followed us to Mary Ellen's to see where they live. They haven't been there before. A nice evening there was spent. Marian, the little girls, and Mary Ellen went shopping while I stayed home with the cats. Very productive. I studied Portuguese as intensely as I've been able to, learned a lot. My statue of a teacher went on her (Mary Ellen's) shelf. For 18 months!

[Tucson-Thatcher]

A leisurely trip in the morning, then a shopping trip on the way through Tucson--shoes and shirts for me, a jacket and blouse for Marian. We visited with David awhile, then on to Thatcher. This is retirement day. We checked into the motel, then soon went to Thatcher Stake Center where the banquet and evening-with-a-General-Authority-telelecture would be, plus a short awards session. It was so great to meet with old friends--so many familiar faces--so wonderful to see them and hug them again. (Haven't been set apart yet!) Needless to elaborate, or name names. no way! So many and so happy.

The banquet was the standard banquet. I ended up with my slice of roast beef covered in cole slaw--yukk! The company was great. the telelecture was President Howard W. Hunter, and he sat and gave priceless instruction. It was memorable. (So was the specter of Sam Peterson sleeping beside him!)

Following the telelecture the physical fitness awards were presented, 20-year awards to a couple of men and wives, 30-year awards to 3--Halls, Andersens and Davidsons. Then Charlie Beckert had Marian and me come up to the stand. He said a bunch of nice things, then had Marian speak, then me. She did great. She told of her appreciation, told of our mission call, told of her testimony. I was reeal proud of her. I fumbled and said something. Then a flood of well-wishes after, and back to the motel. We had several visits there, too.

OH--our retirement gift is a 48 pound bronze statue of a teacher teaching. It's beautiful. My appreciation to the CES is only increased in this retirement! We will lose income for the rest of our lives, but we will be all right. And, the Lord wants us to serve there now. So what is the sacrifice?

[Mesa-Coolidge-Tucson]

Stopped to get income tax started with Joe Palmer. Then to Coolidge. Couple hours with Sue and on to Tucson. Dr. Leavitt looked at our teeth. Evening with Mary Ellen (John’s coming back from a business trip to Fresno about Midnight) and over to David’s without Marian. Spent a super 3 hours visiting with Dave and Peggy before bedtime. (I slept on their couch.) What a very nice visit.

[Mesa-Tucson-Mesa]

Went to the area office and visited with Charlie Beckert for an hour. So good to be back at the old haunt. Good to chat with old associates. I saw Joleen Mason, our secretary, too. She’s a good friend. Then return to Marian and leave for Tucson. A good ride down there, with a little construction delay by Casa Grande for repaving. I took Donna to her dental appointment with Dr. Lew Leavitt in the afternoon, while Marian, the little girls, and Mary Ellen went shopping. Donna had her teeth cleaned and the upper left wisdom tooth pulled. It needed to come out because of all the soreness and pain it’s been giving her. Now she’s got a real sore mouth. We hurried over late afternoon to see the new home John and Mary Ellen are buying in NW Tucson. Looks great! Evening and Dinner with David and Peggy and their family. That’s such a neat little family—so loving and so fun. Peggy’s a great young woman and I love her. It was late when we started home but we were in no hurry.

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