Abiding in Their Community

(5/8) This evening at supper the teachers asked me if sometime while they are travelling in Colorado if they could come to visit us. They surely love to talk about what farm-life is really like. This evening they said for me to be very careful when I am out gathering eggs so that I don’t reach in the nest and touch a snake. There aren’t very many snakes on your place usually, are there? … This morning for part of my prayer service I sang the song “I Need Thee Every Hour” and substituted the pronoun we for me. It worked out very well. Shall we use that song at each of our Sunday morning mutual prayer hour? It does express so much and then we can easily memorize it. When we get together next summer we can say it together? That hymn could be our theme song.

(5/12) “And the night following the Lord stood by him, and said, Be of good cheer; for as thou hast testified concerning me at Jerusalem, so must thou bear witness also at Rome” (Acts, 23:11). I have often wondered at Paul’s calm unconcern, in all persecution and affliction. He some time before this had made plans to go to Rome. Now he was a prisoner and hard set upon, by his enemies. Later he was shipwrecked upon an island, snake bitten and many other obstacles came in his way. Yet he never wavered in his purpose to go to Rome, nor lost faith in God’s leading. … Thank you for the letters I received. One on Monday and one on Wed. I will answer some parts that should be directly answered. First we’ll discuss snakes some. Tell those who tease you, that 99 out of every 100 snake stories are exaggerated to the point where they cannot be believed. Just plain baloney! One could be bitten by any snake found in the U. S. and not die if he cared for it at all properly. I think most deaths from snakes are the result of fright. There are not many snakes in the irrigated country of Colorado. I have never seen one in the chicken house. Besides the chickens will or would tell you. They would raise an awful racket if such an intruder came in the nest. … I do not know whether I can or will do much singing altho I surely do love the song “I Need Thee Every Hour,” I hum, whistle and half sing a good part of my time. Perhaps that is no good for I never completely learn any song and often I do not know the name of the song or tune I have in mind. I believe you can help me and I hope I will be a good pupil. I shall try. I shall even try to memorize this song.

(5/17) Last Saturday I received your letter telling of how Paul withstood all but was firm to the end in working for His Savior. His faith grew and deepened in Christ with each trial. Paul is a strong example to have before one when one has a trial. … Last night Mrs. Thorson invited me to come to visit with her mother as I had told her I wanted to hear more about her travels in Europe. Not very long after here came all the teachers singing “Here comes the bride.” Was I surprised? We spent the time talking; then, lunch was served which was maple nut ice cream and a birthday cake with the candles spelling out the initial “W”. Then they turned the cake around and they spelled or formed the initial “M”. They asked me a lot of questions about you and gave me much advice about what to do on a farm and so forth. Mr. Thorson presented me with a booklet that contained little expressions from each teacher and Mrs. Thorson. Then Mr. Thorson took me downstairs to a bedroom and there on the bed was a blanklet all dressed up as a baby. I carried it up and when I got up they told me to shake the baby. Then I heard some music from inside; I reached in my hand and pulled out a music baby rattler. The blanket is all-wool and it was decorated with wooden spoons, measuring spoons, chore boy, and vegetable brush. I certainly am happy about it all. Then after I came home there were two packages on the dresser from a junior sophomore girl who works for Jefferis. They contained salt and pepper shakers and a knife holder box. You’ll get to see all these things in action sometime, God willing.

(5/17) Mrs. Jefferis was up this evening. She told me last night about what hard financial difficulties they were in for about four years of their first years of marriage. She said she was glad that they hadn’t waited to be married. Walter, I haven’t told her anything about finances except last spring when you wrote that you were coming. I told her of your plans and then I received word that you couldn’t, so I had to tell her that your plans didn’t materialize because your stock hadn’t sold as you had anticipated. I think that Mrs. Jefferis sees how the farmers are faring up here and so I told her how your farm was equipped and the house wired and had running water. She was surprised.

(5/20) After senior choir practice Mrs. Handy suggested that we go down to the basement to practice through the hymn which we sing down there every Sunday morning. We all went down and what did I see? The basement decorated and a long table set. It was a shower for me. … After eating lunch they gave me a handkerchief shower. Walter, I have never in all my lifetime had so many beautiful handkerchiefs. I am not going to use them now. I want you to see them first because even though they are a lady’s handkerchiefs you have part ownership. I have not mentioned that one handkerchief was a large dark red one on the greeting card were printed these words, “This for the bull.”

(6/4) The funeral of one of my former pupils is to be held this afternoon in Eagle Bend. This boy, Clarence Peterson, was such a gifted boy in scholastics and was a well-behaved pupil. I can hardly realize that he is not living any longer. About a month ago he became ill while working in the field. He was given medical aid immediately and the doctor diagnosed it to be spinal-meningitis. He had been so healthy and just all of a sudden he became ill. “We know not what awaits us. God kindly veils our eyes but every step of our onward way He makes new scenes arise and every joy He brings us comes a sweet and great surprise.” I hope he was saved. I am to take the star route to Eagle bend at noon because I am to sing the song “He Knows.” I quoted a few words of the song in this paragraph. … Walter, whenever I think of our wedding I get thrilled clear thru but then I get a little afraid too. I hope that mother will sew my dress. I want the dress to be white in color. I wonder what time, in the morning after services, in the late afternoon, or in the evening the ceremony should be held. I rather like the second one. I don’t think we should have a dinner after the wedding; a lunch would be better. There are so many to choose from to perform the ceremony, John, Reuben, or Philip. I would like to have mother give me to you. Since it will be hard for Bernard to break away, I don’t believe he would be able to come. I haven’t decided who is to be maid of honor either Ebba or Ruth. I would like to have Irene [Walter’s oldest sister] be one of the bridesmaids. I don’t believe we will have more than one bridesmaid. Adin would make a pretty good ring-bearer. The three little girls, Rhoda, Katherine, and Anna, would make sweet little flower girls. I wonder who you want for best-man and usher. It will be fun to discuss the wedding when you are here. May God be our helper in making our plans.

(7/6) Wednesday night. John told me, just before he was to leave for Eagle Bend this evening, that I could probably go to Mount Carmel for next week’s session of Bible study. The Eagle Bend & Clarissa Leagues have rented housekeeping cabins and there is room for at least one more girl. I was at L.B.I. [Lutheran Bible Institute] camp two summers ago and I surely received much benefit, spiritual and physical.

(7/13) Walter, there is a young married couple that are spending a while here at camp. They live about 180 miles from here. They are farmers. I had quite a talk with her but not for as long a time as I should have liked. She said that she just loved to live on the farm. They left their one and a half year old boy at her mother’s place. I was thinking sometime maybe you and I could attend a Bible Camp. That is a wonderful vacation and rest at the same time that one can receive spiritual nourishment. Ida just arose and is busy peeling potatoes. She said that I should continue writing. It seems whenever I have something extra to do I always get help. Last night three of us girls from Eagle Bend and Clarissa sang the trio “Drifting” and the night before I sang “Under His Wings” at the evening services. The girls helped me to get ready.

(7/16) Walter, my heart is brimming over with joy. I just reached home and here I found a letter from you waiting for me. I had felt sort of sad, too, that I had been at camp all week and hadn’t received a single line from you. I told mother that I couldn’t understand why I hadn’t received a letter from you the whole time that I was at Mt. Carmel. She said I had gotten two letters and that she had sent one letter to me in the tennis shoes which she sent. I didn’t wear my shoes a single time so that is why I didn’t get to read a line that you had written. Thank you so much for [the] registered letter containing the check and the pictures. … I don’t know when I shall start on the journey to you but I shall let you know.

(8/15) Today you are to cut your bean crop. … I wish that I could bring you lunch with Bernice and Mrs. Johnson. Soon I can bring you some all by myself just so Tom [one of the workhorses] doesn’t scare me away. Greet your folks. I will be looking for some of them up in Minnesota in a few weeks. Did you get to speak to Mr. Brown about putting in places to plug in lamps etc. I presume some work has been done in the house that will soon be our home, god willing.

(8/16) Good morning, Walter. I hope that [you] slept as well as I did. When I awakened this morning, it was 5:30. Several [people] told me that I had certainly slept for a long time. The bus driver said that I awakened one time and asked “Was that Fairmont?” He surely liked to tease me about it. … There is a little boy on the bus who is travelling from Calif. to Eveleth, Minn. all alone. He has his name and address on a piece of paper that is sewed on to his suit coat. The driver of the bus had charge of his money & sees to it that he gets along fine. He calls him “cow puncher.” St. Peter, Minnesota. Now I am here at Aunt Mary’s. She was certainly surprised to see me. Lillie and she have had new electrical fixtures put in. They have bought a Monarch wood, coal, & electric combination range. It is a beautiful stove & takes very little fuel.

(8/18) Soon you are home again, very likely tonight. Then to work. Say; I wonder if yellow curtains for the kitchen would help to brighten it especially with very few red spots.I scrubbed the front room and dining room this evening and tomorrow the floor of these two rooms is to be varnished. The painter will probably be thru Sat so I suppose I can begin cleaning it up then. That Walltex certainly looks nice in the kitchen. So does the wood work. I wish you could see it and the other rooms. I have not asked for any wall plugs. Mr. Brown is on another drunk so that it is hard to talk to him. … Right now I do not care to ask for too much.

(8/19) Walter, Ruby just showed me her wedding ring. It has hers & John’s initials engraved in it such as R.M.M. to J.N.L. then the date, then Song of Solomon 8:6. All this was abbreviated. John has the same except the reverse order with regard to the initials. Papa and mama had the same in their wedding rings. I was wondering if we could also. Maybe it would cost too much tho I wish that I could talk to you right now. I didn’t know that I would miss you so much. … I stopped off in Minneapolis to enquire about bridal apparel. Everything seemed so high but I didn’t go to the cheaper stores for information. Maybe it will be that I can sew my dress with about 96% mother’s help and many good suggestions from the girls but if mother’s strength does not seem to be able to endure it I am sure that if I try with less help of hers and more from the girls and then do as much as I can I will have a pretty nice dress that would cost only $5.00. … Walter, while on my trip home I have been thinking about our house. I am very well satisfied with it all except for that dark brown oil cloth ? that looked like wood in the kitchen. I have thought it best, if by any means possible, to change that to a very light blue or green or ivory. I am quite sure that large border on the walls from the mop board up to about four feet will make the rooms look darker than we should like when we live in the rooms. May be that you have thought the very same thing. No doubt your mother and sisters have also. Would there be any possibility to change the color? If I remember rightly, we didn’t send for the Armstrong rugs so that we can easily change that to another color. I do like ivory colored walls for the kitchen. What do you think we can do about it. I am sorry that I didn’t realize it while I was down at the Moffat shop. If it can’t be changed by any means without causing ill feeling, it will be all right. I have been thinking about my being in the kitchen when the furnishing[s] are darker and it makes me feel like wishing it changed. Walter, I have so many things to tell you now and I can’t understand why I didn’t think of them while I was with you. I wish that I could see the nicely painted bedroom. I hope to start sewing or making curtains. Did you succeed in getting new plugs for putting in lamps and so forth. If we get a very good kitchen set that is durable and nice looking, a good range and a comfortable bed that looks nice too and a piano I’ll tell you we should live like a king and a queen, don’t you think.

(8/22) The house is finished except for a few jobs that I will do, so there is now no chance for any changes You will be surprised how well the kitchen colors blend and how bright it is. Light curtains and Linoleum will make it very pleasant. I was going to order the linoleums yesterday but when I saw the ones for the kitchen I could not make up my mind. The one for the dining room I could not get in the size we wanted so we will have to pick another. I was going to let it go until you came but today I decided I better get at least the ones for the kitchen so that I could put it down and have the stove up (Browns stove). I believe now I will ask God’s help and direction and get them for both rooms for we will have plenty to do any way. I think it will all work out all right don’t you. I shall pick colors that will light up the rooms and harmonize pretty well with the new decorations. Then we would only have to pick out a rug for the front room, a throw rug for the bedroom and the dining and front room furniture. When you come we can decide about the bedroom. We are welcome to Browns bed for a while if we want it.

(8/22) This morning I received you[r] letter. Thank you. I am glad to hear that the painter has succeeded so well. So the walltex looks very nice! I am glad it does because I have thought it over and the more I think of it the more I am in favor of having the kitchen and dining rooms combined. That kitchen is large enough to have it serve very nicely as a dining room. We could have a large enough front room then. It would be nice to have that smaller room be as a bed-room. The walltex which is somewhat darker than that should be for a kitchen will add to making it seem like a very well-suited room for dining in. …Do you recall the time we had an evening dinner with a couple who had been married a short time before Christmas? Mother happened to sit beside her, Mrs. Swanberg, at the dinner. She asked mother if I was planning to get married on the 11th of next month. “O no,” Mother said “it is to be on the 18th.” So now it has been told. I don’t see why we should keep it secret any longer up here, do you? I am so glad about the fact that the day is soon drawing near. …Next week Ruth and I are planning to go to Minneapolis to buy my wedding dress and that which I will need for the great day.

(8/23) I just finished dinner and just before dinner we finished our little house. That is the painting and varnishing. I shall wash the windows and screens whenever I have time. Then after I thresh and get some money I will get the dishes, utensils and linoleums also. I wish you could see the house. The kitchen is actually beautiful, so are the other rooms for that matter. I have to put one more coat of varnish in the bedroom and one more coat of paint on the kitchen floor. … I went up to Browns to do the chores, so I took another peek at our little house and it certainly looks clean and bright now. I believe you must have a good sense of taste and of color combinations for the colors certainly blend and harmonize.

(8/29) Last Saturday Beatrice Strand gave me a shower. Two years ago I sang the solos “Because” & “O Happy Home” at her wedding. At the shower she read mother-goose rhymes from which I should be able to get a clue where each gift was hid.… I was surely surprised about getting the shower. Ebba and I went to mail some letters and on our way back we said “Hello” to Beatrice. She invited us to stop in for a minute and just as I stepped in the ladies said, “Surprise!”… P.S. It will be impossible for me to go to Minneapolis this week . . . the following week Ruth and I are planning to go. I have seen a few pictures of girls who were married in street dresses and I don’t like them. I just believe I shall get a white long dress instead. Ruth claims she can buy a dress on sale and then we can change the dress so that it will look nice. She is very gifted in designing dresses. Walter, I can hardly wait to see you. May “He who guideth every star” be our guide always.

(8/31) Everything is moving forward nicely and I am beginning to look forward to my journey to Minn. which I hope to start on soon. I plan to leave on the Thurs before the 18th or if the work goes well on Wed. eve. If the date is to be the 25th I shall leave a week or less later. I ordered the rugs or linoleums for the kitchen and will lay them this week. I plan to get a few old chairs from home and then use the little table I have (it is Browns) until we get our own. I will put the bed into the room we have planned for our bedroom and also the old chiffonier. … We can discuss this more when I see you and as we are on our way home. It is fun to write on practical things, but they will all come out all right and now I cannot help expressing a desire to see you and pray with you and hold you and talk to you. I have so much to be thankful for and I love you, so much. … Now to my Darling, I say; Be always of good cheer, for we can do all things in him that strengthens us. Never be blue (at least no longer than it takes to come to him in prayer) but rejoice always in Christ Jesus.

(9/2) I received your letter this morning that mentions your plans of starting on Thursday for Minnesota and of getting some chairs from your folks. Walter, I am so glad that your folks live so near us. I know that your mother will help me a lot. … Frank Lunn can’t be along at our wedding. Bernard wrote that he can’t; this morning we received a letter from Evodia saying that they can’t either. What will we do about all these disappointments. I haven’t made any definite plans regarding the wedding yet. Next week I plan to work them out and then I can let you know. … Last night I felt so disgusted with myself. You see I looked inward and I saw only failures and short-comings but as soon as I emptied my heart of sin on Christ and looked up to Him I found joy, love, light, perfect peace and I knew that all my hopes would someday be fulfilled. This morning I have had a very happy morning and then I received your letter telling me not to feel blue “at least no longer than it takes to come to him in prayer.” I surely need you Walter because you direct me to Christ. That’s the only kind of husband I want.

(9/2) I am glad that you decided to keep the 18th of Sept as the date for I am sure that will be much better for us. Under present plans I will arrive sometime Friday afternoon.… We had a beautiful rain yesterday and last night. It delays the bean threshing but it is certainly a boon to the potatoes. They surely look fine and I believe there is good prospect to sell them at a fair price. … Today we will lay down the kitchen linoleum and put up the stove and move the bed and dresser into the bedroom… shall have the kitchen and be[d]room furnished (except the curtains) in a livable way. … Well next Sunday and the one following will be the last I will walk through alone (except neither of us are ever alone). The time draws nigh and I grow happier at every thot of it. I do not understand it, I only know I love you until it almost hurts when you are not near. Even my work does not keep my thoughts occupied now. Especially when working around the house. I keep thinking how much fun it will be to plan and work together and share our little worries together and best of all, take them to God together.

(9/4) Let us therefore draw near with boldness unto the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy, and may find grace to help us in time of need.” Hebrews 4:16. Isn’t this verse a real call to prayer? … Tonight I am to sing for the wedding which I have already written about. This week I will have to make definite plans regarding ours. I wish that you could speak with me about the wonderful occasions. . . . Last Saturday the ladies of the congregation gave me a surprise shower.… Mother ent me down to church to get our dishpan. I was so surprised to see ladies gathered in the church parlors waiting for me. … Yesterday I saw three wedding ceremonies. The weddings were just beautiful. Each of the brides wore long white dresses. They did look beautiful in them. When John came home he said, “Margaret just has to be married in a long white dress.” Ruth came home this noon. She had bought a white dress that she thought I could use but when we noticed the figures on it not any of us thought it suitable so instead she is going to wear it and mother is going to sew one after the same pattern. Mother is going to cut the pattern this afternoon. She plans to sew it tomorrow and Wednesday. … When can your folks come? We would like to know just about when to expect them. I surely am glad that some can come. Evodia says that they don’t really expect to come. I was wondering if some way could be arranged so that one of them could ride with you and maybe one with your folks. It wouldn’t cost Reuben so much to ride on the train but it would be nice if they could both ride one way. I know that one of the reasons they are hesitant about coming is because of finances. It would be nice to have Reuben sing “Beloved” and to help John in the ceremony. Philip is to give a sermonette, John to play a flute solo “Til Friden’s Hem” [“To Home in Heaven”] and be one of the ones who are to officiate at the ceremony, Ruth to be maid of honor. I plan to ask Evodia to play the piano & Ebba, the organ for the marches, Ebba to accompany John & Evodia, Reuben in their solos and Bernice [to] be bridesmaid. This wedding will be much different than I had planned but we have prayed about it and thought & planned so I believe it is best to have it this way.

(9/8) “Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on Thee, because he trusteth in Thee.” Isaiah 26: 3. This morning we read the twenty-sixth chapter for devotions. The above verse is the one that was outstanding to us. Mother and I both marked it in our Bibles. It is a wonderful verse with a great promise. I am very glad to hear that Robert can come. I know that you think a lot of him. I have written a letter to Bernice asking her to be our bride’s maid. I am so sorry that I didn’t think of it before. I hope that she can be along in the procession. … Ruth and Ebba are in Minneapolis picking out a wedding dress for me. Whatever they pick out will fit me fine and will look better on me than if I spent days in Minneapolis looking for one. I can pick out everyday dresses easily but something nice I just can’t do well.

(9/11) Monday. “Count your many blessings / Name them one by one.” Dear Walter, I have just returned from Long Prairie. Now our license has been bought. It is to come on the Saturday noon mail. I had to swear to the statements I made for you and me. Walter may god bless us during our marriage and always. … Mother is busy sewing my dress. .…Edna sent me her veil to wear. Ruth has planned how it is to be worn. … Evodia wrote that if they come you will ride in Reubens car and then after the wedding they are to take the train back to Greeley. I am sure that there is so much for you to do so you can’t come on Thursday but whenever you come I’ll be waiting for you. Walter, I am afraid that you don’t like the preparations that are being made for the wedding. I am sorry but it seems my folks didn’t like to think of us just getting married after services. The people here have done so much for the folks so that is the reason they wanted to have a bigger wedding than just after services. You still love me tho, don’t you? … Yours in Christ, Margaret.