Family Ties Feb.25 - Mar. 4, 2007

Dear Family,

This past week has had both good and bad news. The bad news is that our friend Lowell Sorensen's health has deteriorated and he and June feel like they can no longer live in their cabin. On Friday February 23rd wanted to follow us down the hill since it had snowed about eight inches and the Timberlakes plow had not been up to clear Marigold. It was difficult to see and instead of following in our tracks he veered off into a snow bank, which required considerable effort to get him out but we were able to pull him back on the road. We did not realize it at the time but this was so dramatic to Lowell that it caused him a great deal of stress. This condition of his Parkinson desease has been getting worse even more than we had observed and in a family meeting it was decided, since June doesn't drive, that they ought not to spend any more time at thier cabin. Their tentative plans are to put the cabin up for sell and use it's proceeds to buy a condominium in the valley close to the Jordan River temple. Time will only tell the final outcome but we shall miss them.

We have had more snow in recent weeks and it has piled so high it is difficult find places to move it. Though cold much of this time, every few days spring like weather holds hope for an early spring. Our automobile has performed remarkably well as it was assisted with studded snow tires and we have never felt the threat of being snowed in.

Other good news Susan came to visist this past Thursday, Friday, Saturday and leaving for home Sunday morning. Her coming also encouraged Janessa to come and she brought her friend T. Wade, a young man we were quite impressed with. He is preparing to graduate from BYU in a year and pursueing studies in Law. He comes from an excellent family...parents of whom had been caled to preside over the Paraguy mission for the next three years. He has five brother, two of whom including himself who have served missions, one presently headed this week for Quatamala on his mission and three younger ones who will go with their parents.
He is a fine looking young man who has been a friend of Jeff for some years and they played basketball together. They met us at the temple following our assignment Saturday and brought them to the cabin where they stayed over night.

One of Susan's purposes coming this week was attending the cousins party at Joe and Mary Ellen's. She reported what a good time they had and those in attendance were Dan & Ann, Christine Hanks, Mary & Steve Bartlett, Roger & Melonie Cook, and of course, Joe & Mary Ellen giving a representation of every family. This attendance gave the opportunity of future planning for the next big Mary O. Cook reunion. This reunion is to be held about the 14th of August 2008 where they will try and obtain the Heber Valley Camp (Girls Camp).

It was a joy to have Susan and these young people for these few days and we were happy they returned home safely Sunday.