Greetings all,

Katie and Natalie came to visit us while Steve was home on leave--we were all awesome. Mom, Steve and I had a great General Conference weekend--started out spending Friday night and Saturday with Dave and Wendy in Iowa City, then came home to listen to Sunday sessions with Joe and Bethany and Lucy (she wasn't quite as into it as some) and Bethany's mom, sister and niece who also visited us. It was a good time, with one caveat.

Steve got ahold of some virus that wholloped him with killer headaches, 103-degree fevers, bad sore throat, and now has settled in his esophagus and stomach to the point he can't drink or eat anything. He was given morphine and other pain drugs intravenously, as well as fluids (the only way he can get any fliuds in him), and has been in the hospital here (St John's) since last Thursday. They scoped his gullet last night and found esophagitis and stomach inflamation, all apparently caused by this virus; but at least the fevers, headache and throat problems are gone. We got his name on the temple roll here, but please remember him in your prayers--his unit deploys to Afghanistan in 2 weeks and it looks like he may have to join later in country.

We love you all. Mom has had a great week with Caroline, Emily, Marinda and Ben; but the diet around here will significantly pick up when she comes home--due back tomorrow night and we'll all catch up on the Conference Call (1900). Love, Dad