Anchorage July 25, 1983

Dear Family,
All last winter I made it without catching anyone's cold and just last week I managed to come though and catch one, like Elder Hannig would say, "Nice catch." It couldn't have happened at a more inconvenient time. We had one of the zone leaders living here with us to see how things were going and h was really concerned that i what and how we act all the time.  But I just couldn't get right up and out. I'm feeling a lot better now and the week wasn't as bad as I thought it would be.
We had quite a few discussions and one baptism with another on the way. Rodger Graves we just started teaching him and challenged him on the 2nd discussion is doing great. I haven't had to tel him to do anything, he just does it! Before I told him he had to get rid of all booze he had already dumped it all out, taken down all his pictures, getting rid of the girl that is renting a room from him, has already told me who he wants to do the baptism, confirmation etc.,comes to church all the time and has even gone out and bought himself a suit! What was a pleasant surprise was that he asked me to baptize him so I am really excited about that! He is excited about it also. He has been the most 'golden' person I have ever taught.
I was just looking over your last letter and thinking, "Boy how things have changed, I probably won't be able to recognize anyone!"
Last week I also had to go see a doctor. Now don't get all worried mom, all I had done was had m left eye checked out. It was really hurting me, causing headaches and blurred vision. I had to get it checked out because Sis Papa wanted me to. It has been giving me problems for the last 6-7 months, I first thought I had something in it so I had it checked out up there in Kotz. and the doc told me I had a scratched cornea and that he couldn't see anything in there.  He gave me some eye drops and sent me on my way but they didn't seem to help.  But it wasn't bothering me bad enough to go back so I just tried to forget about it. But the last couple weeks it has been driving me crazy so I had a doc check it out here and he told me that I have a piece of gravel in my eye and that he would have to send me to an eye doc. So Tues. I will get it out and everything will be peachy kink. It's going to feel a lot better! and everything is fine.
So how was Lorin's game? Make sure I am filled in on it. Does he have a chance to get any scholarship from it?
Well I better go. Take care. I love you, Daren
5 more times!