January 27, 1997
Hi Everyone!
Now that the holidays are over, the year end accounting is done, and kids are back in school, maybe i’ll have time to write a letter to friends and loved ones.
Don’t let the date above fool you. That’s the date I started this letter, I doubt that I’ll finish it on the same day, but I’ll never finish if I don’t start.
Just to catch you up on what’s been going on in my life the past few years I’ll give you a quick recap.
Our oldest son, Noel, went on a mission for the LDS church about four years ago. He served for two years in Sao Paulo, Brasil. No. I didn’t misspell it. In brasil, they use an ?s: rather than a ?z?. Aftr Noel had been on his mission for about a year, his brothr, Jared, went to Frankfurt Germany for his two year mission. In April of ?95 Vicki and I went to Brasil to meet Noel at the end of his mission. We had a wonderful week, getting to know some of the people in Sao Paulo and touring the world’s largest waterfalls, the largest hydroelectric dam, one of the most beautiful jungles, and a veritable paradise ata the border of Brasil, Paraguay, and Argentina. I got to practice my Spanish a little (it didn’t help much in portuguese speaking Brasil).
Last July jared returned from Germany. We weren’t able to meet him in Germany?not that we didn’t want to. Things were just too busy and money was a little too tight. Both Noel and Jared really enjoyed their missions. They grew from fine young men into very mature young adults. Now if they’ll just find wives and give us some grand children..
Jared returned to BYU where he had spent a year before his mission. Noel and Chrisy are both at Ricks College in Rexburg, Idaho. Benjamin is a fifteen year old sophomore in high school here in Great Falls. Sometimes it seems almost lonely in our house with just one of our four kids at home. Ben keeps us entertained with all his antics and zest for life. He, like his siblings, is a drama enthusiast. He also skis, climbs rocks, plays racquetball, and other wise keeps himself busy.
All three of the boys are eagle scouts and have attended scout leadership training. All three of them served on staff at the scout leadership training camp. Vicki and I are probably more proud that we should be of all four of out kids.
Christy has always worked well with children. She was a sought-after baby sitter while in high school. It makes sense that she should be majoring in education at college.
Noel is majoring in Electrial Engineering Technology and has a good prospect of a job with Intel. Jared spent some time majoring in drama but recently switched to Manufacturing Engineering Technology.
Vicki and I are both computer nerds. She is the Asst. Vice President for Information Services at Easter Seals/Goodwill for Montana, Wyoming, and Idaho. I’m a government employee with the USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service. I’m the system administrator for 17 Unix Computer systems in north central Montana. I spend a lot of time on the road or working over the phone lines to fix problems in other offices. I’m usually at home at night, though, so it isn’t too bad.
About 3 ? years ago I was asked to be the bishop of one of the local LDS congregations in Great Falls. This has given me an opportunity to really get to know a lot of people in a very personal way. I have spent many hours counseling couples, teens, single adults, poor people, etc. I has been a real eye opening experience. There have been some difficult times, but there have been a lot of rewards as well. I especially enjoy working with the youth. I was always afraid of having to work with teenagers until my own kids reached that age. Then I found out how much fun they can be.
Most of you know that my father passed away about a year ago. Great Falls is about 2000 miles from San Antonio, and I didn’t get to see Dad very often, so I didn’t think I would miss him as much as I do. He was always an example to me, and I think his example is one of the main reasons I have as happy a marriage as I have. I wish we were closer to Carolyn. Maybe we can move a little closer after retirement.
Well I did it! I finished this letter in one sitting. At least you know that we’re thinking about you, and gives you an idea of what we’re up to. Life never seems to slow down much. I guess we would not want it to anyway.