Letter #22

Letter 22

June 3, 1918

My Dear Sweetheart,

I have just come in from drilling. It is 8:10 pm, so you see I have one hour to write and I have five letters to answer. But yours, dear, must be answered first without fail, though it is a short one. I received your letters of May 30^th and 31^st yesterday and today. They surely were welcomed, for a letter from my dear sweetheart is surely read with a lover’s mind and heart.

The letters you wrote on Thursday, on Decoration Day, got here on Sunday, which to me is the best letter of the week, for Sunday seems so long. Yesterday did not seem so long, for we had one of the grandest church meetings in the afternoon that I had ever attended. It being Fast Sunday, I did my duty and fasted till noon. In the morning, Brother Hammond, who is very friendly with me, asked me to read in 1 Corinthians 11:24-30, and then give the Sacrament Gem: I did it. After the Sacrament was passed, we heard the clerk of the Denver Mission speak about 15 minutes, then the meeting was open to those who wished to bear their testimony. There were only about 5 or 7 who had a chance, but those who did surely talked with the spirit in their whole soul. After hearing those; war has begun to be appealing in a different manner. I do not fear it as much as I used to, for now I am putting my entire trust in God and in you at home.

Now back to the meeting. I was tempted to get up and bear my testimony, but I felt there was something left for me to do. At the close, Brother Hammond, who was in charge, turned to me and asked if I would dismiss the meeting. Then is when I bore my testimony, for never in my life did I seem to be filled with words to express my thoughts and love for the Gospel of Christ. That is another time I could thank my parents for teaching me how to pray. Next Sunday, we are to have President Herrie of the Denver Mission present. After the meeting, George and I went to the Y and wrote until 5:10 pm, then to the mess. From there we went down to the post office to mail my letters. I wrote to Mrs. Mortensen, Mr. Patterson, Gladys, and to Elina.

Now dear, I feel guilty in not writing to you yesterday, for I am sure you were writing to me when I was in my dreams. That reminds me. The other night I had a dream in which I was to your place, and you can imagine my feelings. But, when I awoke, you were gone. But, I got a letter that day, which made me feel much better. Hazel asked if it was cooler in the daytime here than there. Well, it gets hot in the middle of the day, but the remaining time is very pleasant. You spoke about sharing your bed clothing with me if you were nearer. Well, since I have been sent downstairs onto the main floor, it has not been so cold. So, you need not worry about me, for I will take care of myself.

Say, if you haven’t got anything to do now, do this in your spare time, for this is something I want to be done by you, in which I can look at and say you did it. It is to make me brown “hug me tight” sweater. Now, don’t think I am asking you too much. The reason for this is because most of the boys have them here. If this is too much, dear, just leave it.

I’ve been working at the rock crusher today.
It surely was tiresome. I did not have time to read all of my mail at noon, so I took a rest and went to the shade, and finished reading. Now, dear, that does not mean for you to stop writing as much as you do, but just keep on as you have been, for they surely mean a lot to me. I will not be able to write anymore. For a gentleman was here tonight and he began to talk. I tried to write, but it was impossible, so I must make it short dear. I will tell you the rest. Tell your father I surely I appreciated his letter, and tell him to write again. If something is not done here in camp, I will be compelled to stop writing to some of my friends.

Well, dear, it is nearly taps, so I will close wishing you God’s blessings at all times. Good night sweetheart, and one good, big X. lj/o;o;lj