August 3,2003

August 3, 2003
Dear Family and Friends,
We have had an enjoyable week here in the Mission. It looks like the rainy season is finally over. Now we are experiencing unbearable humidity and heat. Mother used to say how much she enjoyed the seasons. I think weather-wise she thought she would get tired of one season all the time, and we feel like that too.
You have probably heard that Marie and Chris’ baby was born in Utah Valley Hospital on July 29. It weighed 6 lb.. and 4 oz. They sent us pictures of it and its really cute -dark hair, dark eyes and very healthy looking. They are naming her Alyssa Christine. As soon as Marie left the hospital, Chris took her and the baby to Cedar and they are now living in our house. We hope that Jen and Vanessa are hanging in with their expectant babies (and anyone else that we haven’t heard about).
You may also have heard that Marlene had some bad luck when she went down to Springville to get Spencer and Jocelyn on Tuesday. She accidentally rear-ended the car in head of her after she had turned her head to answer Jocelyn’s question. Luckily no one was hurt but Mar felt really bad about it. It happened near Lehi and her in-laws got her and the kids and took them to Ogden. She called Andrew at work to come home and help her settle her nerves. On the way home he got in an accident. Someone rear-ended him and pushed him into the car ahead. That just about did it for Marlene! Since they have no transportation now, Chris went to Cedar and got our car for them to use until they get theirs fixed. The insurance has totaled out the car Marlene was driving and they are waiting to see what the insurance plans to do with the other. Luckily, no one even got a scratch in either accident. If it wasn’t so serious it would almost be laughable. Marlene says neither her nor Andrew have had a wreck in 25 some years. I guess its time. We appreciate so much Marlene and Elaine helping with the kids and Sherry taking care of our fianances and house. Matt, we hope you and Jen continue to hang in there with school and work, we know it’s not easy starting in a new school, job and surroundings. Mike and Ness, we love your pictures and letters (especially Bo’s). Without everyones help we would be unable to serve this mission.Last Monday, Dr. Smith (Andrew’s uncle) and Dr. Johnson and their wives came to the mission to talk to all the missionaries about taking care of their health. They are medical missionaries with headquarters in Tokyo, and serve all the missions in Japan. Pres. Banks scheduled them for a day each in three areas of the mission and arranged for all the missionaries to come to those places. On Tues. they were here in Hiroshima and talked to the Missionaries in the morning. In the afternoon Pres. Banks asked Mom and I to take the Drs. and their wives over to the Peace Park and show them the exhibits of the Atomic Bomb. It rained hard all day, but we had an enjoyable afternoon. In the evening Pres. Banks took us out to dinner. I taught school with Dr. Smith’s first wife, JoAnn, when we lived in Lehi. She died of cancer a few years back and he remarried Sharon who is also a mental health specialist. The other Dr. is from Idaho Falls. They are really good people and we had an interesting time with them.
Tuesday we are having 6 new missionaries coming in the mission and Friday we will have 9 missionaries who have finished their missions and are returning home. It seems like that rolls around often, it’s a big week for the office staff but we enjoy seeing all the missionaries, saying goodby to the returning one’s and greeting the new one’s.
It has been fun to hear from most of you and what a great success the family reunion at Alan and Lori’s was. I think that was remarkable that so many of the family were able to attend. ‘Hats off’ to Alan and Lori for hosting such an enjoyable event and thanks to them for making all their facilities available at such a reasonable cost. We would love to have been there to see all of you but we’ll save up for next time.
Lots of love, The Ropers