LETTERS FROM SUMATRA

Dearest Friends,

I must have written hundreds of letters home during our time overseas -- long, newsy letters intended to give our friends and families a glimpse into our world, and to keep our parents from feeling like they had completely missed out on seeing our kids grow up.  Most of them ended up in the trash, I suppose, but we did find this one precious bundle of them, stashed away in my mother-in-law's desk, after she passed away.  I am forever indebted to her for saving those few, and will share them with you now and again, whenever the time is appropriate.  Following is one from those very early days.

Thursday, Oct. 10, 1991

Dear George & Theda,

Just got your letter yesterday.  Guess it took right at 2 weeks to get here. Munchkin is doing just fine, although she suffered a little from jet lag at first.

Miss Munchkin

The kids are getting excited about the school play (Elephant Child) -- next Wednesday is the big day.  I still can't get over the wonderful costumes I was able to have made, for less than $15 each, including fabric!  They turned out great.

That's Austin, 2nd from right.  Can't find any photos of Lexi's python outfit.  She probably hid them because  the costume "wasn't pretty!"

As we had anticipated, the social life here is wonderful.  There's always something going on.  This Monday we went to a big Cajun-style shrimp boil to celebrate a friend's 40th, and on Saturday we have a plant tour to go on, then a tea that afternoon, and a dinner that night!

Brad's Birthday Boil

The dinner is being put on by the "Hash" group, and they will have skits, etc. I'm really surprised at how much we have all enjoyed going on the hash each Sunday, even Austin (who always hated walking!).  

Last week was especially fun because the walk ended up at the elephant training grounds, and we all got to see them do tricks and go for rides.

They also had a baby bear cub there, and the kids got to hold it!

Don't laugh!  It's a lot harder to climb up on one of those things than you'd expect!

In December the Canadians here will be hosting "Trappers' Day" festivities, complete with dog sled and snow-shoe races.  John quit shaving on October first, so he could participate in their beard-growing contest.  I think it all sounds like a lot of fun.

Peggy Reeh is due home today, finally.  She's been in the states since we got here.  Both her mother and her father passed away, just one week apart, from cancer.  I can't even imagine what she's been through.

One of the families here brought their college-age goddaughter over to stay for a while, and she just happens to be an expert swimming instructor.  I signed Austin up to take private lessons with her twice a week, and he is just loving it!  She said he is already at "level 3", whereas the average six year old is still at level 1.

Our original, screened-in porch.

The workers are in the process of enclosing our patio room right now, and Alexis is making plans for redecorating her bedroom.  We are letting her choose the color to paint it, and thought we might order her some wicker furniture.  It can go in our guest room when we move back home.

An "after" photo of our glassed-in porch.  It's like night and day, isn't it? (teehee)

Well, guess that's all for now.  Take care, and write soon.

Love, Becky

P.S. If you ever feel like calling, the best time to be sure of catching us all in is 8-10 a.m. Sunday morning, your time.  If you keep getting busy signals, try dialing VERY S-L-O-W-L-Y.  Apparently their telephone system here can't keep up with you if you dial too quickly, so you just get a busy signal.