Our First Letter from Home

Got our first letter round trip to São João da Madeira. It was from Jerri, Reina and Jacob. How great! They sounded so good. Now we know the timing better on mail—we'll see about about 10 days Portugal-Arizona and 7 days Arizona-Portugal. That's the program! 2½ week turn-around for questions and answers! I worked all day on my presentation to Stake and District Presidents and Marian helped a lot. It looks good! At night I wrote 4 letters to two bishops and 2 stake presidents—Chandler and Huntington  Beach. Marian turned out a big wash in the bathtub and garment washer.

[Mesa]

Up early packing etc. Said our goodbyes this morning to Mary Ellen, John, Amy, Cassie. Tough, but the dissipation and desire to serve made it possible, and we went up afternoon to Coolidge, then Mesa. The difficulty with leaving the Campbells is just that the heavy bonding, built up for twenty eight and a half years, makes it all the more difficult. Marian and I have talked of how there is no more love there—the love is the same all over. All our kids, their spouses, and children are loved most surely and completely but for the reasons well-known, the special bonding is a factor—me to Mary Ellen and Marian to Amy. It makes it tough to leave. The Campbells will be just fine in our absence. The new house is adequate (The pool and landscaping are going in right now). John's job is going really well—I'm proud of him for his industry and ability. Also grateful to him for loving and caring for Mary Ellen so much. Also the ward has accepted the family just the way you always hoped they would everyone. They're busy, happy and successful. I love them, but I really want to get to Porto—so no tears!

On to Coolidge! First Mike's house. By the time we got there, the kids where all home from school, or arriving. Mike came home from work special to see us off. Such a lovely family!! This is such a loving bunch—full of hugs and kisses. Something about a grandchild's hug and kiss that's extra special. Some business matters to discuss. More hugs and kisses—this was a short visit, so it was mostly hugs and kisses. This family is close and doing fine (it will do better when Mike finishes school and can get on with his real life's work. They're all pulling for that!). Also hard to leave!!!

On to Sue's. This was the toughest. Our Donna clinged to us like she'd never let us go. She doesn't understand. And we'll just have to leave it up to the Heavenly Father to help her through this. Most of the kids where there—all but Jan. We hugged and kissed some more—I don't know how many of those are available on any one day, but this day was surely loaded! We told everyone goodbye, then another hard parting from Donna. I kept a smile glued on, tho. On the way down the street we saw Jan walking. It was a difficult moment leaving her, and driving away. Love that special girl!

On to Mesa, awhile getting set apart at Mom's, then a time with John's family. All there. All loving and squeezing. Since we'll see John in the morning, it diffused this departing a little. Hugs and kisses and hugs and kisses. It's extra hard to leave John and his family because of the unsettled conditions there. The pregnancy, the job insufficiencies, all else still unsettled. But here, again, we'll just have to leave it all in the Lord's hands. He knows us and our families, and our needs, and He still said "go to Portugal," so we go! I pray that the Lord will bless and prosper our families in things spiritual.

Back to Mom's for the night. I called Gwen, Shirley and Carol. Marian called Frank and K. We went to bed sad but ready—.

[Mesa]

Reina's B-Day—#16!

[Tucson]

Pumped up the tires on Daddy's car, then bid Mom goodbye again and went to Coolidge. Visited Jerri and Susan, dropped off Donna, came to Tucson, where Amy was involved in a little play at school. Runaway Rabbits! Cute!! Nice to be with Mary Ellen's family.

[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]

Well, all isn't peachy-creamy yet! Elder Slezak didn't get with us, but sent Elder Flores to see if we wanted new teachers. Missed communication!! I'll give it another day!! Called again on the medicine we've been trying to get. Maybe it will come in right this time. Mailed off the escrow stuff. The only different part of the day was the fireside tonight. Elder Hugh Pinnock was speaker. Subject: Obedience. Later we visited with Elder and Sister (Jota and Enid) Wilson in their room. Nice to have friends close.

Just a further comment about this companion I have. Best one I ever had. Marian is coming along so well in the language and discussions. I'm more than proud of her; I more than love her. She's branching out and becoming an inspiration to those about her. She's better at the discussions than I am, and a lot of her Portuguese pronunciation is better than mine. She's had two teachers from Portugal. My Brazilian teachers are neat people, but I don't get Portugal dialect and pronunciation. But that's only an observation—not to detract from Marian's accomplishments. She's doing great, and I'm more than proud. Melissa's B-Day today.

[Mesa-Flagstaff]

Got up and went to Church at Chandler 7^th Ward. A real nice homecoming! It was like a real farewell. We saw so many old friends there. I wished I had never gone. We left reluctant after Sacrament Meeting. Then a little later to Pioneer Park for lunch with the family. They were all there. Melvin sent his apologies that he couldn’t come because Marilyn has pneumonia. She’s had it for some time now, and that’s a concern!

The food was great, the company was great, and we had a joyous time (even on Sunday!). Then we all had our family picture taken. Dale Welker did it. That was a real max effort. We stood by the steps of the temple. It was like herding sheep alone, without a sheepdog, but we got it done!

Then a little family time at Mom’s, and on to the setting apart at the Chandler Stake Center. President Kempton was at his best! He had Mary Ellen speak, Kay and Mike pray, and he set us both apart.

Mary Ellen’s talk was extemporaneous, of course. I was so proud of her, and it took so much for her to do it. She bore a sweet testimony and told of her love for us. Frank and Bev and Kay and Joy were all there. It was a love feast. The entire day was a love feast! It was worth a thousand lifetimes of trial and endeavor to enjoy that one sweet day. I know a little better the joys of heaven—the joy of the Saints that has been spoken of by the prophets. It seemed that every shining, bright, smiling face was writing itself forever in my heart. I don’t need to take pictures to Portugal. I just need those treasured faces in my memory. I love every single one. I pray four times daily for every single one. I pray that there might be no empty chairs in time nor in eternity. No empty chairs. If faith and prayers and any example I might set, together with faith and works and best effort on the part of all my descendants and their spouses count for anything, I pray that this prayer might be answered.

After the royal send-off, Marian and I, alone and together, pointed our faces to Salt Lake City. We stopped at Mom’s, emptied garbage, vacuumed the floor, tidied up and locked up. Drove as far as Flagstaff. It snowed some on us—real cold. We stayed the night at the Pony Soldier Motel. We’re on our way to Portugal!!!!

[Mesa-Coolidge-Mesa]

Had a good night's sleep. That's a good bed. Got Donna's social security changed. Opened a checking account at First Interstate Bank in Chandler for Mike and Sue to use. Took Donna to Coolidge with all her stuff and got her settled, then the car title changed at Florence. We need Arizona licenses on the '87 Century, and Mike's name is on it. A big day!!

[Mesa-Coolidge-Mesa]

Business day. We got our wills changed (Dan Morris, Attorney), powers-of-attorney for Mike and Sue. Triples engraved for kids who’ll be getting baptized while we’re gone. Etc. Afternoon we went to Coolidge—Mike’s birthday. Later in the evening we visited John and his family.

[Huntington Beach]

Put away the Christmas stuff—what little we had out. Went to the nursery and got plants to finish the patio. It’s complete now. Mike called and talked awhile—just wanted to know what’s happening. Melvin called—said he’d had his back injured in an auto accident, but he’s getting over it. All’s well at his home.

[Huntington Beach]

Another beautiful day. We fixed a picnic and went with Mike’s family to Laguna Beach. What a day! What a time! We relaxed and played at water’s edge for a couple of hours then came home and they packed up and left for home. A very nice visit but it couldn’t last forever. We had a good time watching the Rose Parade before the picnic. They arrived home real late and called us to reassure us. That was thoughtful. Church and Gospel and Family. Beyond those, there isn’t much more of substance. And I do love those very much. I started to fast this evening. I need a blessing and concurrence from the Spirit on the rightness of our course: whether to sell the home here or rent it out. I have to know what’s the right course. Today was Amy’s birthday. We called.

[Huntington Beach]

A beautiful day. Too bad yesterday couldn’t have been this nice! Start up the day with Mike and Jerri’s family—breakfast, lazing around. I read Book of Mormon, Alma 34, 35 and studied them. Our new Sunday block schedule has our ward meeting at 12:30. Sunday School/Primary is first. Then Priesthood/Relief Society/YW, last Sacrament Meeting. The Bishopric is making a mistake on this schedule, but they didn’t ask for opinions. Problem is so many will cut Sunday School, just come for Priesthood, Sacrament Meeting. Today was a missionary farewell, local boy. The Stake President was there and spoke a few words at the end. He announced that he had interviewed the Gibsons for a mission. Now the word is out, and we haven’t even put in our paperwork yet! Oh well, standard Mormon procedure; the Church is true anyway. Had a real nice evening with Mike and Jerri’s family. A lot of real nice kids. Reina is a neat young lady, and Jake is getting real mature—and strong! I don’t think I’ll tease him anymore! Joe is growing. Emily is developing into a real beautiful girl. Robbie, Sarah, Melissa are coming along fine. And Joshua is an active body—keeps them all hopping. I’m real proud of my son and his family—they have their priorities where it matters most. The Church and Gospel are uppermost in their lives.

[Huntington Beach]

A great day with Mike and Jerri and family. We went and drove around bay beach, ate lunch at Norm’s, looked around South Coast Plaza and rode the carousel. It rained all day—definitely not a great day for the beach. Evening we ushered in the New Year by watching TV, munching on stuff, visiting, playing with kids and going to bed at 11:00!

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[Huntington Beach]

Got a couple more obstacles removed from our list to get ready for a mission. We got our passport pictures taken (mine was pretty bad) and went to the garment-buying place to stock up on that important item. I fasted today—from last evening to this evening. The purpose was increase of awareness and spirituality, which I suddenly feel are not up to par! Also I need a blessing on my feet (ankles) and the language has me some worried. Oh! I hope we can receive this call, and respond properly. Now my great concern is that I won’t measure up.

Mike and Jerri and kids are on their way here this afternoon. We always worry when our family is on the road. They left shortly after noon. We get a call about 6:30 that they were on their way, but had to stop for a steering problem. We worried. They finally arrived at 12:30 am. We were so grateful to see them here safe.


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[Mesa-Coolidge-Mesa]

With my sad ankles, and being far from our Sacrament meeting, we just didn't bring church clothes, hence we stayed home. Reading, writing and listening to Christmas music. We opened personal gifts and Santa had a couple of things for Donna. We left at 11:00 to go to Coolidge—Mike and Jerri’s place first. We saw their gifts and it’s always neat to talk with Jerri and Mike. On to Susan’s at 1:00 and enjoy their family and Christmas. Soon all the families began arriving and finally at 4:00 we all ate. Great food, as always. Every one of our family was present—all 40 of us. Before we opened the presents—each family drew the name of another family—we all sat down and I made our grand announcement. “It appears we will receive a call to a mission in Portugal.” Looks of wonderment, joy, surprise, shock, etc!! But, everyone positive, all supportive. We explained the care of Donna and asked all for their support of Susan and Larry in that project. No problem!! We told how the notice had come, and that a call still was not official. Then we all opened presents. I got some nice stuff, but as always, the joy that came to me was in seeing my family together, watching their faces, and enjoying their company. Christmas is 90% children’s faces. I reserve my adoration of the savior for another time. Our family has the best children’s faces anyplace. The classic comment of the day came from Lindsay, when she turned to me and said, “But who will tend us?” (Until these last 4 months, Marian has always been available when the kids got sick, and our Chandler place was always a drop-off point for the family when Moms and Parents went shopping or to meetings; hence Lindsay’s memory of a cozy and secure backup system.) When we left finally for home at Mesa (my Mom’s), we left with real torn feelings. It seems something is started now that will not stop. With the completion of this family meeting, the “ifs” and “what-ifs” are over. If the Lord will have us, our faces are now set for His call to Portugal. Lots remains to be done, but our response to a call now can be 100% “I’ll Go where…” Our family is with us. That was the only hurdle we felt needed clearing. (What other hurdle could there be? All others are secondary. With the Lord’s help now, we can accomplish whatever He asks.)

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[Mesa-Coolidge-Mesa]

Still at Mom’s, a slow morning. Some shopping with Marian. Afternoon I went to Dr. Al Fulkerson and had the skin cancers removed from my face. He burns them off with liquid nitrogen. Then down to Coolidge to Taylor’s birthday party. Nice bunch there. All the kids seemed glad to see us, Susan was at her usual best. When Larry got home later we all had stuffed cabbage for dinner—Taylor’s choice—and cherry cheesecake for dessert—also his choice.

We sat Larry and Susan down and asked them if they’d take charge of Donna for 18 months. It was a lot to ask, but of course they said “yes”. They talked of how they had been thinking of adding a 3^rd bathroom anyway. Also at Coolidge is Mike and Jerry’s family for more support and “resting off” times. John and Barb 45 minutes away, John and Mary Ellen 1 hour away, Peggy and David 1 hour and a quarter away. They think it’ll work out fine. I do, too, although it’s hard asking even then to take the burden which Marian and I have always assumed was ours alone. Donna has always been one of the most important stewardships we've had—maybe the most important! We never questioned why the Lord chose us for this challenging, humbling, wonderful experience. It’s often been hard. It’s sometimes been a thing you just grit your teeth and do your best. But it’s always been an honor!! And now, we must ask someone else to share this with us. Well, there is no one better to ask than Susan and Larry, although we know there are 4 other families able and willing, and could do equally well. I thank the Lord for them all!

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