MAY STAR

Wendy and her kids returned to Oregon and now live at 727 Wilderville Lane, Wilderville, Oregon 97527-9533. Wilderville is just outside Grants Pass. She has returned to school to learn to manage computer networks.

Jeff is working as a finish carpenter, while working toward a degree in Art History which he wants to teach. His significant other, Debbie, has her degree from SJSU and is teaching English at a high school in San Jose. John, Kathy, Jeff and Debbie plan to go to LA in March to see the Van Gogh exhibit.

The Navy has young John working at the Naval Station, San Diego, where he is the night Master at Arms for the transit barracks. He describes the job as a hotel clerk in uniform. He is living just outside San Diego with his girlfriend.

John traveled up to Everett to visit Belva and Bob. He worked at the computer all day, sometimes not even taking a break to eat, when no one was around to remind him. He went through Belva’s extensive collection of genealogy and family history books and put information on his lap top He would have stayed longer, but he lost a contact lens. He found it broken into two pieces. Since he has eye disease and has had a corneal transplant, he had to go home to his own doctor to get it replaced.

While in Everett, he took Belva, Bob and Barbara out to dinner at a lovely restaurant with a view of Silver Lake.

JUDY & FAMILY:

In the Bell household, it was mechanical things breaking down that caused many problems, and at one point a car breakdown probably saved a life. Judy’s car broke down 3 times, so her friend Tom came from California to Arizona to help her. Her son, Michael Paul also came for a visit and his car broke down along the way also. When Michael Paul went to see his dad, his car broke down again and he was stranded at his dad’s. This turned out to be very fortunate, because his dad needed to be rushed to the hospital. In the past, Mike Bell has had a kidney removed and heart surgery.

It was decided that Mike should move to Santa Rosa where two of his children and their families reside. The crew of movers included Shelley and Teresa and others. A conference was held with his doctor and he was released from the hospital with transfer of his records set for the following day.

As they were driving down the road Mike’s bandage fell off his leg, exposing a large vein that looked nasty. "Is it supposed to look like that?" his daughter asked. "Nope", replied Mike. Spotting a California Highway Patrol officer she came up behind him and flashed her lights and honked her horn to ask for help.

This continued for several moments at speeds of up to 95 mph. Finally, when he did stop, with tears streaming down her face, she asked the officer, "Don’t you know you are supposed to arrest people for speeding? My father could be dying and we need a hospital and don’t know where to go." Fortunately by that time several other patrol cars had arrived and they escorted her to help. Sad update to this story. Mike’s body was septic and doctors had to amputate his legs. He died Sunday afternoon, March 7.

They are all very proud of Wayne. He received Soldier of the Year award.

JOE & KAY STARK:

Joe Stark was diagnosed last fall as having cancer and went through a course of chemotherapy. Everything seemed to be going better, then he began experiencing headaches, difficulty in vision and memory loss. The doctor confirmed that the cancer had spread to his brain and wanted to operate as quickly as possible. Duane gave him a Priesthood blessing and contacted Belva, who called everyone to pray for him. We were pleased to hear that Joe’s surgery had gone well, and vision and other problems were resolved, but the chemo had been ineffective and the cancer has spread throughout his body, including his liver. They decided not to do the radiation right now as the cancer in the brain is so small that they think the chemo will work on it okay and the radiation won’t work on the ones by the liver. Joe had gone back to work, but the doctors increased Joe’s level of chemotherapy and he missed work because he was too dizzy to go. Unfortunately, has one of those jobs that if you don’t work, you don’t get paid. He is now working steadily and Kay works full time. They say they feel it is the prayers of so many that have lifted him up and strengthened him.

Kay says he parents are on their second mission. Her dad does repairs on missionaries' apartments and her mom does re-upholstering for them and the Oakland Temple. Jacob(15) and Matt (13) just got back from a winter campout where they stayed in an igloo.

DUANE & RONDA STARK:

Congratulations to Desi! She had her baby, 6 lbs. and 14 oz with lots of light brown hair. She named him Thomas Wayne and he is a cutie.

The entire family met at the Pizza Place to celebrate Delsa’s 50th birthday. Ronda says it was great fun and great to see Sherry again. Delsa looks good for her age.

Duane works at the Ramsay school and really likes it there. The only drawback is it is an afternoon shift and the kids and Ronda don’t see him except on the weekends. He gets up early in the morning to say good-bye to everyone.

Ronda is doing house cleaning 3 days a week. She says they just celebrated Kelsey’s 7th birthday and "it is hard to believe that my baby is that old. We always have a big family birthday on Sunday evenings, but Duane had the flu and we didn’t want to expose Joe or my aunt who is just getting over pneumonia, so we will aim for next Sunday. My little grandson, Jonas, has been really sick with the flu and he is losing weight that he doesn’t have to lose."

Denver and Samantha got their own place. They lived with their parents for 3 months, which gave Grandma and Grandpa the chance to have fun with the little boys (Colton age 2-1/2 and Jonas (8 months.) Brian is working hard at 2 jobs. He has a Ranger super cab pickup and really likes it. He has been working on the basement of their home with the help of his dad. Desi works in Rocker. Sara was sick the first few months of school and has been doing homeschooling since, but they are going to put her back into school. She works at The Stage (a clothing store). Steven loves computers. He cracked his rib playing basketball.

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