January 8th, Friday
We held one cottage meeting in the morning with Mev. De Laat - old investigator - niets. We had no success in the afternoon and that evening we held one cottage meeting - Vrijzinnig Hervormde - absolutely useless - 9:30.
January 9th, Saturday
We worked in the morning and met with one heathen. My companion got another migraine and we had to return home. I went alone to the scheduled testimony meetings in the North. There were 18 missionaries present. It was a very nice meeting. After the meeting it started snowing a little and I returned home to study and prepare my talk for Sunday. It really turned cold that morning and started to freeze during the day (good heus for ijs-schatzen).
January 10th, Sunday
We attended Priesthood meetings and Sunday School, and returned home to study and to eat lunch. It was really cold and everything was frozen up - everyone was on their way to the old ice skating place. We caught the 3:30 train for Vlaardingen, changed trains in Rotterdam North and got there at 4:03. We spoke in the 5:00 meeting; good branch, nice building; we returned home, 7:30, ate supper and wrote in our journals, wrote letters, studied, etc.
January 11th, Monday
We held 2 cottage meetings in the morning, one fairly good, no success that afternoon and in the evening, we held 2 more cottage meetings; both appointments had fallen through and 2 call-backs paid off - one fair; one poor - getting colder all the time; some scattered snowfall. I went to the Dentist after lunch and had two cavities filled (one broken tooth - $18). My companion also went to an eye specialist for new glasses (his headaches were caused by his old glasses.
January 12th, Tuesday
We held a very good cottage meeting in the morning with Mev. V.D. Hoeven, lesson 2 and 3, reading good in the Book of Mormon. We held one other cottage meeting - fair. That afternoon in Zuidwijk we held 2 cottage meetings - one former Jehovah’s Witness - one Catholic - that evening we had one poor cottage meeting - visited with family Brierse, and fietzed out to Zuidwijk with a cold wind and snow to family Kryjer’s - from Elder Soper - review and discussion was good
January 23rd, Saturday
We packed our trunks in the morning and got a sak-fiets to take them over to our new cost-huis in the Heidestraat. It took two trips, and my companion lost his wallet and contents on the 1st trip over with the sak-fiets. It was really hard work packing those heavy trunks down two flights of stairs here and up four flights of stairs in our new cost-huis. We returned home and ate, changed clothes, reported the case of the missing wallet to the police and fietzed over to North for a district class - late. Elder Workman gave us some Book of Mormon ideas. We returned home, studied, wrote letters and went out to have a banana split to celebrate my companions 21st birthday. The icecream isn't as good as it is back home - hit the sack about 11:45.
January 24th, Sunday
We attended Priesthood and Sunday School meetings. We tracted for a while on the way home, ate dinner and brought some more books over to our new cost-huis. We went to church, 5:00 (nice meeting - 54 present). We ate supper and then attended a fireside evening at the house of Zr. Van Der Wel. Showed slides and books - 10:00. We returned home, studied, wrote in journals, etc. -
January 25th, Monday
We packed the rest of our things and moved over to the Hiediste in the morning. We fietzed over to the North to check in with the police and housing consulate (missing passport). We recovered the wallet that afternoon - zonder geld. We tracted for 2 cottage meetings (one poor and one fair), a real R.K Area. That evening we held two nice cottage meetings - family Mimsel - lesson 4 - good, he gave a nice prayer - family Van Zon - review on lesson 6, good questions - very nice meetings till 11:45.
January 26th, Tuesday
We visited Mev. Van Der Hoeven and daughter in the morning - coming. That afternoon we held two cottage meetings - both worthless. In the evening we also held two more - not too much better - family Van Der Vlucht - Catholic - Godhead discussion - useless - niets. The weather was very warm for the time of year - zonder long-johus yet!
January 27th, Wednesday
We held 2 cottage meetings in the morning - Catholic lady, Pinkster lady (fair cottage meeting appointment). After a good lunch, macaroni, we held 3 cottage meetings on the same street Glosmeweld #17, 19, 29. Jehovah Getuigen Dollie- good Book of Mormon appointment - Hervormede man, appointment - Catholic lady, Mev. Minker - lesson 4 appointment - nice intelligent lady - surprise for a Catholic. After a good dinner one appointment fell through and we held 2 others - Book of Mormon lesson - fair - Book of Mormon - fairly good, nice lady (De slinge) - 10:00. We returned home against the strong wind and finished off Elder De Harts birthday pound cake - heerlijk!!
January 28th, Thursday
We held one cottage meeting in the morning with Mev. V Bruggen and family. She didn’t have to go to the mental hospital and she was feeling much better after the anointing. In the afternoon we held a good cottage meeting with family Koopman (last half of lesson 6 - good acceptance) , stamps, cars, etc. In the evening we held two cottage meetings - family Krijgen - discussion on the importance of faith; family Roks - in bed - Book of Mormon - discussion - fair - home early.
January 29th, Friday
We tracted in the morning and afternoon and finally held one cottage meeting - worthless (catholic man). We ate a mij dinner and then rode over to the church in North for the baptismal (8 baptized - 5 from Dordrecht - 3 from North). We had 4 investigators present. It was a very nice meeting - President Sperry spoke a few words. We fietzed home - 10:30. It had rained almost the whole day - a steady drizzle - we got drowned wherever we went.
January 30th, Saturday
We fietzed out in a driving rain to Zwidwyk and tracted for two cottage meetings (both fair). We just about swam back, ate lunch, and did a lot of ironing, sewing, shoe polishing, errands, etc. It continued raining the whole day long and we stayed in - I took a shower in the evening - 11:45.
January 31st, Sunday
We attended the Priesthood meeting and Sunday School (76 present) in Rotterdam-Zuid. We held one cottage meeting after taking the pardons home. We ate a few sandwiches and fietzed to the station to catch the 2:00 train for Den Haag. We arrived there at 2:37 and caught a bus to the church. We visited with members and investigators and attended the conference meeting at 3:30. I met my cousin Janet before the meeting (She had arrived in Holland just a few days before). It was a very nice meeting; and we heard from the President and Zr. Volkens and also from President and Zr. Sperry. The hall was right full with members coming from all over Holland. We talked after the meeting and I gave Janet a lot of my old books - most of them were Jerry’s. The Rotterdam Elders left together by bus and train. We took Elders Eastman and Pombratz (new elders in our district) to their new cost-huis, by family Briare. We returned home, ate a little supper - sandwiches and fruit cake; wrote in journal, hit the sack (I saw family Toew - Begmans - Rupees - Meeuws, etc.)
February 1st, Monday
We held 2 cottage meetings all day tracting; one nice family, one crazy lady in Ijsselmonde. That evening we held 2 cottage meetings - family Velthorne - short lesson 4 review, niets veel; family Van Son - questions, Zetuigans lesson - 11:30.
February 2nd, Tuesday
We worked with the two new Elders in the district; Elders Eastman and Pankratz. Elder Pankratz was from Mores Lake, Washington - short, here in Holland just three weeks (very good missionary prospect). We worked together in the morning and held 2 cottage meetings. Mev. Van Der Hoeven - review, discussion - very good. Frau De Groot - Catholic. After lunch Elder Eastman and I went to one nice meeting with a lady from the Theosofie - Book of Mormon discussion - she bought a book from us - quite interested. We held one more cottage meeting - niets. That evening we held 2 cottage meetings; Elder De Hart and I. Family Van Eekelen - coming.
February 3rd, Wednesday
We caught the 8:08 train for Dordrecht and Elder Workman and I held one cottage meeting - lesson 4 - niets. Elder Tesch and I held 3 cottage meetings - one nice one. We were a little late for Dinner - missed our train. That evening was a special D.O.V. (M.I.A.) evening at the church. We began investigators class Wednesday evening at the church, and invited everyone out. We had 5 investigators present - Mev. Van Der Hoeven en daughter; familie Koopman; Van Eekelen Schoondochter. The meeting went very nice under the leadership of Elder Allen (Appointment lesson and discussion). There was punch and cookies geon and an English lesson was given afterwards (7:30-10:15)
February 4th, Thursday
We met with Mev. Van Bruggen in the morning; showed her Mormon Story - doop review coming. We held one fair cottage meeting in the afternoon; and that evening we met with family Krijgen - discussion on Jehovah’s Witnesses teachings - Book of Mormon. We met with family Koopmans afterwards and gave them copies of D&C and Pearl of Great Price. We had a good meeting and they were trying to stop smoking, coffee, tea, etc. They have gained a good testimony and are really eager to learn more - 11:30.
February 5th, Friday
We worked with Elder Allen and Beede that day. Elder Allen and I visited Zr. Felkin, going to be baptized next baptismal - lesson on genealogy. Then we went to visit Zr. Van Der VLies, also going to stop smoking - she wasn’t home. We talked to her husband - 2 sons, daughter - Troedie. After lunch Elder Beede and I held 3 cottage meetings in his area (2 very nice contacts, and one fair). Elder De Hart and I held 2 cottage meetings that evening - both dropped - Catholic - Lutheran - arguments.
February 6th, Saturday
We tracted in the morning without success. We checked on a few things, got ready, and after lunch; fietzed over to the church in North with Elders Eastman and Pankratz. We held a district class at 2:00 under my leadership. Elder Brewster gave one lesson (Book of Mormon appointment); I gave a regular appointment; and my companion gave a quiz - 100 points (Elder Brewster won the prize with 90 points) - tie (dutch). We talked there in the church for a while, and then returned home. We studied that evening, wrote in our journals - still raining almost every day - weather very warm for this time of year.
February 7th, Sunday
We attended Priesthood meetings, and Sunday School and testimony meetings. We had a dinner of soup after fasting and then we held a cottage meeting out in Zuidwijk with a group of “Ernstige Bybel Onderevekers” (Interesting meeting - Book of Mormon discussion - good). We missed the church meeting;and after dinner we held 2 cottage meetings - one short one, niets; and one with family Koopman. We showed them “The Mormon Story”. They’re coming along very well; trying to love the Word of Wisdom - late naar bed!
February 8th, Monday
We held 5 cottage meetings during the day; 2 in the morning - niets, one s middags, old man and wife - niet veel; 's avonds in IJsselmonde - 2; Man. Kenae, Book of Mormon half read discussion - good prospect (daughter also there??) The last meeting was with family Wondergem, he was an Elder in the Hervormde kick - lesson 4 and lesson 5 - good - he was honest - we left a Book of Mormon for her to read. Good spirit, he knew was wrong on baptism, etc.
February 9th, Tuesday
We met with Mev. Van Der Hoeven in the morning - lesson 1 - Word of Wisdom - intro to lesson 6. Good meeting; she is coming along very well - good attendance at O.O.V meetings. We held 3 cottage meetings that afternoon - Men. De Graaf - orije Evangeliste - lesson 4 wouldn’t investigate further. We also held 2 cottage meetings in Pendrecht - niets bijzonders. That evening we met with family Van Ekelen - Gelled 1st principles (still as drunk as ever) - we fietzed out to Pendrecht again - 2 appointments fell through. I wasn't feeling too well, I had been sick the night before - too many pecans -so we returned home early - i’m hungry.
February 10th, Wednesday
I caught a train for Den Haag and met Elder Brewster on the way. We had to go to Den Haag for a meeting of district Presidents. Our companions worked together. We arrived a little late for the meeting in the office at teh Laan van Port 292. The meetings were very nice - we all had to speak about different subjects. I met Janet again - she played piano accompaniment to two vocal solos. We had a nice bread meal together and held a second meeting; 2:00. We discussed just about everything in the mission. We ate a good dinner there at the mission - home, and then all got interviewed by President Voekers. (We ate cream-potatoes, ham, and tart by Zr. Voekers). Elder Van Boerum took us down to the train station and we caught a train for Rotterdam - home about 10:45, mined the O.O.V Avond - 3 investigators of ours were present.
February 11, Thursday
We held 2 cottage meetings in the morning - one green card - call to repentance - no good. Zr. Van Bruggen, review, baptism etc. - had a strong testimony. We held 2 cottage meetings out in Zuidwijk in the afternoon - Catholic lady - scotch lady - both Catholic - We met with family Krujger - short - and held a nice meeting - family Johannes - lesson 4 appointment Indonesian family - Hervormde - good prospect.
February 12th, Friday
We looked up green cards and held one cottage meeting in the morning - Gereformeerde - niets. One in the afternoon - family Beighuin - crazy family - almost baptized at me time (5 daughters - 1 son) - poor neighborhood. We tracted the rest of the afternoon with no more success. We held 2 cottage meetings that evening - family Johanne - Book of Mormon review - good. 7th Day adventist - Book of Mormon appointment - they were interested in a little but refused to investigate further - late.
February 13th, Saturday
We tracted without success in the morning, shopped a little at the market close by our cost-huis, and then after lunch (spaghetti) we caught a train for Den Haag to attend their district class and to play basketball afterwards. We listened to a Dominee from the Gereformeerde kerk in the class, and then our district played the Hague district in a game of basketball. After a hard game we came out winners 43-44 - only made 4 points - De Bry and Van Olsen were stars for Rotterdam. We saw a show that evening in Den Haag, 14 of us - “South Pacific” with Mitze Gayman. We caught a train for Rotterdam about 11:30 and hit the sack late and tired.
February 14th, Sunday - 29 MONTHS - ONE SHORT MONTH TO GO -
The time is going by so fast that I can hardly keep up with it. I’ve been getting boat reservations, stickers for trunks, etc. We got up late and got ready and attended the Priesthood meeting and Sunday School in Rotterdam Zuid. We ate soup for lunch - a lot of it - and caught the 3:30 train - we changed trains in South Rotterdam and continued on to Gonder to speak there in the 5:00 meeting. We had to organize the meeting and take charge; there were only 6 members there. It was still a nice meeting. We returned home, grabbed a sandwich and fietzed out to Zuidwijk for a cottage meeting with family Koopmans - Tiende, Avondmaal, etc. (They accepted everything fully - were trying to live the Word of Wisdom) - 11:45.
February 15th, Monday
We worked with Elders Eastman and Pankratsz that day (cost-huis dicht by). Elder Pankratz and I held one cottage meeting - he gave his 2nd Godhead lesson - coming along well. After lunch Elder Eastman and I visited the family Berghuis - we showed them “The Mormon Story”, a good prospect - kind of rowdy though. We held one more cottage meeting - worthless (De Man). Elder De Hart and I held 2 cottage meetings in the evening - in Ijsselmonde - family Kease - lesson 5 - he had read all of the Book of Mormon - good acceptance of 1st principle lesson - no church attendance (Elder De Hart gave the lesson). Then we went to visit family Van Son - Book of Mormon lesson - waste of time - late.
February 16th, Tuesday
We held a class in the morning as usual and had a good cottage meeting with Mev. Van Der Hoeven. Ist half of lesson 6 - complete acceptance - coming along very well (still having troubles with the Word of Wisdom). We tracted the whole afternoon with one short cottage meeting -niets. That evening we visited family Van Ekelen - 1st principles again -still dumb, no memory at all. We visited two other investigators and returned home early for once (young man - family Van Goch, Beorgamijed church) too busy.
February 17th, Wednesday
We held 4 cottage meetings during the day - one real promising lady in the morning - 2 fair in the afternoon. That evening we attended the o.o.v. meeting - we had 4 investigators again (2x Van Der Hoeven - 2x Koopman). Elder Allen gave a slow lesson on the Godhead and openbarign - slow english lesson - 10:00.
February 18th, Thursday
We fietzed out to Noorden Island, Tussen De Bruggen, to visit the great aunt of Elder De Hart. She was a spry old lady of 75 - a member of the chuch. Our appointment with Mev. Van Bruggen fell through - sick again. We held a good cottage meeting with family Berghuis - approach - they knew just about everything - coming good. No more success in tracting. One appointment fell through - Krijgen - not home. We tracted without luck and then held a very good cottage meeting with family Koopman (lesson on Celestial marriage - review on Plan of Salvation). Coming along - still working on Word of Wisdom but having trouble with it.
February 19th, Friday
We held a short class, wrote in journals, etc. We went out to work with Elders Allen and Beede. Elder Beede and I held 2 cottage meetings; one very good one with Mev. Van Der Hoeven - revelation - her mother, a Jehovahs Witness was there - no trouble though. Coming very good. Our other afternoon was fair was fair - old couple - is a humanist - Book of Mormon. The other Elders had other business that afternoon so Elder De Hart and I worked together, 2 cottage meetings - useless - R.K. - Gereformeered - niets. We held two more cottage meetings in the evening - family De Graff - promising, lesson 4, very interested. Family Johannes - fair - appointment - he was form the Armenian church.
February 20th, Saturday
We fietzed over to the church in North for a 9:30 testimony meeting. 26 missionaries and president and Zr. Volkens were present. The meeting was very nice an inspirational - 12:30. We all had a lunch of soup and sandwiches after which we had another meeting - advice from Elder. Van Boerum and President Volkens. We waited and talked and Elder De Hart and I left for home in a driving wind and rain. We arrived home, soaked to the skin. We ate a bread meal, studied, and played a game of “krikkertjes”. I won 18 from him. We went out for a ijo, studied some more, pressed pants, etc. and went to bed.
February 21st, Sunday - DISTRICT CONFERENCE -
We fietzden over to the church in North for the Priesthood meeting at 9:00 and at 10:00 the first session of the district conference. The meeting was very good - under the direction of Elder Brewster, D.P. (6 speakers - Brewster, Stoove, Jongkees - tegeur immgiater. Four of us caught a train to eat a good Indonesian meal. At the 3:30 session of the conference I had to speak. After the meeting we fietzden home and held a good cottage meeting with family Koopman. He had been sick - lesson on Jehovah, questions, eng. Coming very good except for a little trouble with smoking still.
February 22nd, Monday
We visited Mev. Van Bruggen - a little better - relatives still there. We held one cottage meeting in the afternoon - family Berghuis - lesson 4 - visite ook. (not so good). In the evening we met with Mev. Kense (lesson 6 begin) fair - other call-backs fell through - home early.
February 23rd, Tuesday
We visited Mev. V.A. Hoeven - lesson 6 - 2nd half - coming along good, stil a little trouble with smoking. We held one more cottage meeting that morning - family Rotmans - humanist (old couple - bought a Book of Mormon)(no prospect). All 2 of our afternoons appointments fell through so we tracted and held 2 cottage meetings - both fair. In the evening we held 2 short meetings - Polueman - Mev. Kapitein, son a member in Provo. Our appointment fell through again home early.
February 24th, Wednesday
We caught the 8:19 train for Dordrecht but the Elders there were still in bed with the flu. We caught a train back and stopped off in Barendrecht to work. We held 2 cottage meetings in the morning - ate lunch, milk, fruit - and held 3 more cottage meetings that afternoon (3 family nice people - 2 stiff kkop Gereformeerd). We went to the O.O.V meeting in the evening; I gave the lesson - first principles - there were only 3 investigators present. (English lesson by Elder Beede - his companion was sick with the flu).
February 25th, Thursday
We held 2 cottage meetings in the morning; waste of time. We visited Mev. Van Bruggen (lesson 4 Godhead, recall to repentance revelating - coming). We held one more cottage meeting - old catholic lady - lousy drizzling rain the whole day. We held 2 cottage meetings that evening - family Roks; lesson appointment planning on immigrating to California - Book of Mormon terug. We held a cottage meeting with family Koopman - lesson on Openbaring - good. They have a stong testimony - still can’t quit smoking.
February 26th, Friday
We caught the 8:30 train for Gouda and arrived there at 9:00, Elder Sorenson and Durrant met us at the train station and Elder Sorenson and I took the fietzen and fietzden out to Woddenxveen, a dorp 5.5 kilometers from Gouda. We went there to meet the mayor - Van Der Floopt, whose brother is a member in Utah, Mr. Vanderschooft (sells janitorial supplies to dad). We also held a cottage meeting appointment lesson with a nice Hervormeerd lady - visited one Jehovahs Witness - niets); vis. Br Kerbeck, Gem. President of Den Haag. We went back to Gouda, ate lunch in their cost-huis, and Elder Durrant and I worked together in the afternoon - we worked the whole day - finally one cottage meeting - dumb lady, appointment lesson. We rushed back to the station to catch the 5:04 train. We barely caught the train and arrived home at 5:45. After dinner my companion went to bed with the flu (not serious). I fietzed over to North for the baptismal; 8:00. Five persons were baptized; 3 Allen and Beede - Mev. Feison, Mev. Van Der Vies and dtr. Tuady (8 years old); 2 Butlin and De Bry from Sohiedam. The meeting was very nice but we had no investigators present. (alle maal sick). I fietzed back with Elder Eastman and Pankratz and Marion; dtr. of cost-vrouw - collega toch een beetje ieck - evrsey naan bed, 11:00.
February 27th, Saturday
We went out in the morning - appointment fell trough - strong winds. Vellega vik - naar-huis. I went to the market and bought buttons, pearls, a sweater, fruit, etc. We ate lunch and fruit and I worked on the proselyting map. We stayed in the rest of the day, studied, wrote in our journals, etc. - took inventory, began to pack our belongings together. My companion was down with a slight case of the Asiatci Flu - many investigators also have the flu - vroeg naar bed, 11:15.
February 28th, Sunday
We got up early, ate a brood maaltijd and walked up to catch the train. We changed trains at Central Station and continued on to Schiedam where I was to speak. We attended Priesthood meetings and Sunday School (9:00-11:45) and we returned home on the trains. After dinner - soup - we held one cottage meeting in Zuidwijk, short. We attended the meeting where brother Kochein was the speaker (40 present). After the meeting we got a list of all members and worked on them that night, to visit all members - aprallije.
February 29th, Monday
We went over to the cost-huis of Elders Eastman and Pankratz to work with them. Elder Pankratz and I held one cottage meeting - a useless Catholic lady (Pankratz - 3rd Godhead lesson). We also talked to a member - atr. - “God” - argument - member good. Elder Eastman and I held one cottage meeting in Barendrecht (Gereformeerde man - niet te veel aan). Elder De Hart and I worked together in the evening and visited Zr. Van Ekelen and some members in that area - hopeless!
March 1st, Tuesday
We visited with Mev. Van Der Hoever in the morning (lesson 5 revelation for daughter). Very good, almost ready for baptism. We held 2 cottage meetings in the afternoon - good. Mev. Meis, nice Indonesian lady - revelation appointment lesson. Mev. Pols + 6 kids - appointment lesson - good, nice lady. After dinner we visited Mev. Krijger, useless. We held one cottage meeting with family Treis - Hervormeerde, talk, appointment lesson - vroeg thuis - Allega still bothered by the flu.
March 2nd, Wednesday
We held one cottage meeting in the morning - nice lady - Hervormed. In the middag we met with a member - Zr. Van Goch. We attended the O.O.V. meeting in the evening and Elders Allen and Beede were sick so I had to take over all the lessons. I gave a 6th lesson and the English lesson - patat-frites and croquettes.
March 3rd, Thursday
We held a nice cottage meeting with Mev. Van Bruggen - revelation of appointment lesson. In the afternoon we met with Mev. Van Donk - gleen cards - (brain disease). We held a nice cottage meeting in the evening with family Koopmans, pushed the doop - review, etc. - played records - 11:45.
March 4th, Friday
We held 2 cottage meetings in the morning - Pinkster lady, nice - appointment lesson. The other was with a useless Gereformeerde lady. In the afternoon we met with family Bruijs in Rendrecht and Gereformeerde family - good appointment lesson - nice lady and daughter. After dinner - spaghetti - we met with Mev. Van Der Hoever and daughter - revelation of Godhead, appointment lesson, etc. The Mev. went very well - is ready for the baptismal. The daughter wants to wait a while longer. (L&V) - Mev. prayed very well.
March 5th, Saturday
We fietzed over to North in the morning and looked up some Geneology (we tried anyway), signed out; shopped around, and bought some lunch at the market (fruit, gebakjes, milk). We attended the V.O.O. district class in the North - 4:00. We played ping-pong - Durrant, Butler, Greef, Van Olden, and Waltman (winner). We stayed in North, took photos, showered and took in the 7:00 show “Operation Petticoat” with Tony Curtis, Clark Gable. It was very funny - evening returned home late - hit the sack. 1:15.
March 6th, Sunday
We attended Priesthood meetings, Sunday School, and Fast and Testimony meeting (9:00-1:15). A good crowd was present. We studied, ate a dinner of soup and dry bread, and caught a train for Arnhem (missed one). We arrived at 6:00 just in time to catch the end of their meeting and we talked with the people there. It was nice to see all of the old members in Arnhem again, after working there 2 years ago. We got our baptismal clothes and talked some more, also wth the people from Zwolle who were to be baptized. We walked together over to the swimming pool for the baptismal, changed clothes, and the meeting started. Elder Barlow from Zwolle spoke and then Elder Allen baptized two people from Apeldorn; I helped him there and then I baptized Brother Lugten from Zwolle. Elder Barlow baptized Zr. Van Der Horst and Bowoke Pot and then we changed clothed again and walked over to the church in Arnhem, The confirmation service was aslo very nice - there was a very good crowd present. (Winnie, Beppie, etc were all there). I confirmed Zr. Van Der Horst and ELders Barlow and Dalenout confirmed the other two members of the church. It was really good to see some success come from Zwolle. THe new members were really humble people - noth from Indonesia. After the meeting we talked some more and caught the 10:00 train home - we arrived in Rotterdam about 11:45 (traveling companions on the train to Utracht - Elders Dalebout and Van Katijk from Haarlem). We fixed us some sandwiches (pinda-kaas and stroop). We hit the sack about 12:30 - tired.
March 7th, Monday
We went out to Ijsselmonde and retrieved two Book of Mormons, tracted - no successes. That afternoon we held two cottage meetings - family Meis, Book of Mormon lesson - good - Knook, theosofie - dropped. In the evening we visited the family Kense, my companion gave them a 6th lesson. Then we met with Mev. Van Son - talk - useless.
March 8th, Tuesday
Elder Brewster, the District President, and his companion came over to interview for baptism. We interviewed Zr. Van Der Hoeven and gave her the rest of lesson 6 and tiende. She will be baptized on the 18th. We also held a cottage meeting with family Koopmans - short, he had been sick. In the afternoon Elder De Hart and I held 2 cottage meetings, Mev. Pols - lesson 5 simple; heathen family on Oldegaarde. We visited the family Briare, had some soup - ate dinner, and visited Zr. Van Der Ekelen - short. Filling out a sheet (Name? - Church?) - we visited some more members also. The weather was very cold - below freezing - home early.
March 9th, Wednesday
We caught a train for Dordrecht and worked with the Elders there. Elder Odle and I held 3 cottage meetings in the morning (2 fair - one poor). Elder Warmack and I held 4 cottage meetings in the afternoon (1 good - 1 poor - 2 indifferent). We returned to Rotterdam and attended the O.O.V meeting - Elder Allen gave a 6th lesson - no Engelse lesson - vroeg theen - we took Zr. Van Der Vlies home.
March 10th, Thursday
Elder Brewster came over again to interview Zr. Van Bruggen for baptism - good, her sister was also there, we also held one cottage meeting with a Hieden man. In the afternoon we went downtown to do some shopping (I bought: plastic; hummelware, blompen, spenning - reel) and I got an international drivers license. We visited family Koopmans in the evening - genealogy lesson - coming along very well - still having trouble with the Word of Wisdom - late, 11:30.
March 11th, Friday
I packed my trunks and we dragged them downstairs. I bought some rope and tied them all up and sent them off. We held 2 cottage meetings in the afternoon - both were nice meetings - Mev. Daalhof - questions, lesson 4 - Mev Muis - lesson 5 good - she is thinking seriously about the church. We held 2 cottage meetings in the evneing - family De Una, daughter of Br. Layton van Zwolle, fairly good. Family Trees didn't want to investigate further. The weather is turning warmer - home early - studying, talks, etc.
March 12th, Saturday
We studied in the morning and then fietzden out to Kinderdijk to take some pictures. We got there after 45 minutes of fietzing - across a ferry boat - maas river. We saw about 20 windmills and took pictures of all of them. We bought some gebakjes and fruit for lunch and started back on the other side of the maas. We continued to Rotterdam North and went to the church. We fietzed around North awhile and took some more pictures - downtown, Byenkorf, central station - we were dressed up in our old clothes - my companion - sweatshirt, pet op, levis - shopping right there with the fancy dressed shoppers. We returned to the church to pick up my sleeping bag. We fietzed back to South and it started to rain halfway back - we really got drowned before arriving home. We stayed in and I studied my talk, wrote in my journal, etc.
March 13th, Sunday
Elder Van Katwyk arrived the night before - we talked till 1:00 - up in the morning about 7:00. We got ready and went to priesthood meetings and Sunday School - no onderwekeis aanwezig. We ate some soup - got Elder Van Katwyk feits, I took some pictures and we all went to family Van Der Hoeven - showed them the “Mormon Story”. We went from there to the church in the South where I had to speak. A lady fainted in the middle of my talk. We had 7 investigators present - 2x Koopmans, 2x Pols, 2x Van Der Hoeven, 1x Bruggen. After the meeting we went to a fireside where I had to speak - lesson on World Religions - we returned home and hit the sack - 12:00.
March 14th, Monday - 2 ½ YEARS - DAY OF RELEASE -
I had slept in my sleeping bag the last 2 nights here in the cost-huis. I went out to take some pictures in the morning and waited for Elder Allen to arrive in the Volkswagen. He came about 2:00 and we went out for a while for driving lessons. The Volkswagen was a light cream one with a convertible top and many accessories. Elder Whiting and I got in the car and left Rotterdam about 4:00. We went through Amersvoort, 5:30 and arrived in Zwolle about 6:45. We visited the old cost-vrouw, Mev. Van Zonand ate lunch there. We talked to the Elders and we went out to visit some old investigators and members. We visited the family Pot - 2 sons. And brother Lugten and his wife. They were all doing very well. We returned to the cost-huis and slept there that evening. (lekker geslapen).
March 15th, Tuesday
We left early in the morning after breakfast to take apcheufs from Zr. Van Der Hart (Not home) and Mev. Eckelboom. Then we continued on to Assen and Groningen, arriving there about 10:45. I did a little genealogy work in the Archives and we walked over to the Elders cost-huis to see the Elders Kruyer and Van Drimmelen. We ate lunch with them and I returned in the afternoon and in the evening to do some more genealogy work. I was able to find quite a few names I didn't have before. Elder Whiting visited old members and investigators in that time. We slept there in Groningen at the cost-hui - Schooksta 31 (Sleeping bag).
March 16th, Wednesday
I did more work in the morning and a little in the afternoon. We left Groningen about 3:30 for Leeuwarden. We went through a lot of old dorpjes where the De Haans cam from - Faan, Nickeck, Oldekerk, Opende. We went on to Leewwarden and arrived there at 6:00. We talked with the Elders there (Hoyte and Eckensell), and went out to an Indonesian dinner- heerlijk bami. We returned to the church; saw an O.O.V. gezellige avond, dance. I copied some genealogy over, talked and went to bed. 12:45.
March 17th, Thursday
I went to the archives in Leeuwarden close to the church and worked there in the morning and afternoon. I found quite a few names there, and then in the evening I straightened out the records a little better vroeg naar bed 11:00.
March 18th, Friday
We left in the car early to take some black and white pictures of the dorpje in Groningen. I bought a Japanese camera for $79.50. We took pictures of the church in Opende (kerk and plaque - 4th great grandfather - Ejbert Lykele Dehaan - #80 - kerk built in 1748). Church and gravestones in Oldekerk, Nickeck Schaldebaren, and Grandmother's old house in Kaan. We stopped by the gemeente-huis and got some information and then we went searching for the house where grandma used to live and where her father was born - a large farmhouse close to faan - we rode around a long time before finding it. I talked to Man. Horinga, who was living there; he was a cousin of Grandma. An old boer out working in his fields. I took some pictures and we started back to Leeuwarden. We picked up Elder Van Drimmelen and the two Elders from Leeuwarden. I got sick before leaving and Elder Whiting drove all the way to Amsterdam. We left Elder Van Drimmelen there and I picked up my air mattress there at the church. We drove through the busy city just before rush hour 5:00. We continued on to Rotterdam and arrived in the church in the North about 6:00. We unpacked the car and Elder Whiting drove it over to Elder Allens place. I took a shower and got ready for the baptismal. The Baptismal service was very nice - 2 investigators of ours were baptized - Zr. Van Der Hoeven and Zr. Van Bruggen. 3 other investigators were present. There was a good crowd present as well. I was still woozy, I hadn’t eaten anything all day - sick to my stomach. Talked, worked on genealogy - naar bed. (ate ice cream).
March 19th, Saturday
We slept in late and talked and studied and ate breakfast. I finally got some food down. I worked on genealogy the whole day and wrote in my journal - naar bed.
March 20th, Sunday
I packed my suitcases in the morning and waited around for Elder Allen and Beede to arrive in the Volkswagen. They took me to the station in Delft and I caught the train for Den Haag. I saw a lot of friends there after Sunday School. We went out and bought an Indonesian meal and then I visited some investigators (Bamberg - Battermans). I returned to the church and I spoke there at 5:00, along with Elder Greeff and Brother Paunman. Elder Schafer and I went out to eat at Zr. Jongejans lekker eten: veel, potatoes, cauliflower, peas, and pudding. We were about ready to burst. We got loaded up with fruit and goodies before we left. We also visited Zr. Walli but we had no more room for food. Naar Bed.
March 21st, Monday
I caught a train for Amsterdam and stopped by on the way in Ijmiuden. I visited the family Spek and ate lunch there. Brother Speck was 1st counselor in the Haarlem Sunday-School and Zr. Van Der Heide was 2nd counselor in the Z.H.V. (Relief Society). I also visited family Bes after lunch. I caught the train for Haarlem to visit Zr. Kolk, and went on to Amsterdam to purchase a diamond from Mr. Schippers in de Kalverstraat. I bought a diamond - 54 points for $191.80. I also bought some little klompjes. I caught a train for Leeuwarden and arrived there at about 9:45… I got into the church and studied and worked on geneology.
March 22nd, Tuesday
I worked in the archives in Leeuwarden the whole day and that night I arranged the material on cards.
March 23rd, Wednesday
I caught the bus to Fransker, planning on catching another bus to Achlum, the place of Grandpa’s ancestry. I found out that the next bus didn’t leave for 3 hours; so I went to the Gemente Archives and looked up some more genealogy for a while. I had a photocopy made of Grandpa Westra’s birth certificate. I then caught the 11:50 bus to Arnhem. I looked around awhile at the gravestones in the cemetery. I took some pictures of the little town, a really picturesque little town - one church, canals, farms, etc. I caught the 1:35 bus back to Francha and then I caught another bus back to Leeuwarden. I did some more genealogy work and then I studied some more that evening.
March 24th, Thursday
We got up early, Elder Krugen and Van Drimmels were also there. I worked in Leeuwarden the whole day and caught the 6:28 train back to Den Haag. I arrived in Den Haag about 10:20 and went to stay in the church in the Leersum Straat.
March 25th, Friday
I took a train down to the train station to pick up my fiets, and then I visited the family Herumarden (sister in bed), family Kuepen, family Santa, and the family Touw. I ate lunch there and continued on to the church. I showered, and fietzed out to visit a relative. I met janet at the home of the family Westra (Annie - Raltje and Tina). We visited there with Tina. We also visited one other Westra (useless Gereformeerde), I returned to the church and then I went over to the laan van poot for my “Afscheids dini” (farewell dinner). The five of us were there (Allen - Dalebout - Whiting - Van Katwijk and I). We had a heerlijk chicken dinner, mashed potatoes, peas, cake and ice cream. We talked to the President afterwards. We went to the baptismal that evening in Den Haag; 12 people were baptized and the two Westra sisters were there that we had visited that day. The baptismal was very nice and the Westra sisters (Annie and Tina) enjoyed it.
March 26th, Saturday
Elder Chattecken, a new Elder and I caught the 9:30 train for Amsterdam. I went there to pay Mr. Schoppein for my diamond. I took some pictures of Amsterdam and then headed back to Den Haag on the train. Elder Schaffer and I went to Zr. Wallis’ for a heerlijk Indonesian dinner (nassi - chop ijen - “sate” - vies - en fruit). We were really full. I went to visit some old investigators - family Harting, family Fockens, and I picked up 2 Books of Mormon. I returned to the church and then went out again and picked up 5 more Books of Mormon. I also visited family V. Hement, planning on immigrating to America next month. I returned to the church and saw the dance evening at the church (gezellig) - we had a good time. I wrote in my journal and Elder Van Dam and Elder Van Mondfrans sang songs all night with the guitar.
March 27th, Sunday
I worked on genealogy in the morning and attended Sunday-School. I went after the meeting to visit the Westra sisters (Annie and Tina). Janet and her companion, Zr. Lineman were also there and we talked and ate a heerlijk dinner (roast beef - potatoes - witlox, peas and carrots and yogurt with pears). I took some pictures and got some more photos and letters (really valuable). I attended a sacrament meeting and I wrote letters that evening. I got everything ready to leave the next morning. Elder Allen called and said he would be by to pick me up the next morning -
March 28th, Monday
I arose early, got everything packed in; ate breakfast and showered - I waited for Elder Allen to arrive (weather report - cloudy and threatening rain). Elder Allen arrived and we went over to the mission home to pick up things and to get a temple recommend. We left for Rotterdam to get Benzine-bonen, travel information, etc. We picked up Henk Vermeij, and shopped for gas and food. We started out from Rotterdam about 1:30 and traveled through Dordrecht, Breda, Ewidhoven and Roermond (all in South Holland) and then crossed the German border. We bought gas in Holland (much cheaper than in Germany). We went on through Germany (Monchengladbach, Dusseldorf, and down the Rhine River). The weather was overcast. We found a good camping place out in a farmers field along the Rhine River and set up our tent. We tried to cook a meal on Heachs little stove and our stove but the fuel ran out in both of them. We ate bread and jam and threw most of our raw rice (alasi?) away. We had a little lukewarm soup also. It was very cold that evening - not a good night's sleep.
March 29th, Tuesday
We went on through Bonn (Beethoven's House) and along the Rhine, further to Koblenz. We saw man pretty castles on both sides of the Rhine and drove up to a few of them to take a look (for a price). We went on to the little town of St. Joan and took a side road up in the mountains to find a camping place. We set up the tent and returned for a meal in a restaurant there in St. Joan (soup-polettes, salad, wout). We also went through a castle at night looking for spooks (Burg Rheinfels). It was a really spooky castle but we couldn’t find any spooks.
March 30th, Wednesday
I got up early and washed and took a hike up in the mountains close by our campsite. I saw many beautiful mountains, valleys, and about 5 deer. We packed up after I got back and we continued driving along the Rhine looking at old German castles. The weather was still overcast but no rain fell. No weather for pictures though. We drove on through to Mainz, and saw many of the ruins of the war. We saw a little of Frankfort and kept going until we reached the little town of Rothenburg, about 9:00 that night. We found a campsite close by the city and returned to have a meal in a cafe (½ chicken, fries, etc). It was a really quaint old walled city with 2 huge trenches. We camped out right in the middle of a field; close to a nice river. It rained a little that night but it didn’t bother us at all.
March 31st, Thursday
We got up and packed the car and did a little more sight-seeing around Rothenburg. We headed southwards to the Danube River and Hank Veroney left us there. He headed for Switzerland (Thimburg), and we headed for Munich, Germany. We saw a huge castle in Munich and saw a little of the city. We ate Worst and cheese and headed south again. We turned off on a little road to see the quaint little town of Oberammergau; famous for the pageant put on there every 10 years. They were practicing for the play they planned to present about May. Many of the people in the town had grown beards and long hair for the play (The Crucifixion of Christ). We went further on to find a camping place, late at night. (Very dark) We managed to find a very good camping place after searching for a long while.
April 1st, Friday
We found out we had been camping by a beautiful lake. We ate some breakfast - cooked over an open fire and headed for Fussen to change some more money. We saw two castles close by there (neuswanstani and Kings Castle) and we went on a tour of one of them. We headed back to Oberammergau and stopped at Weas to see the beautifully decorated church there (paintings all over the walls and ceiling). We viewed the town of Oberammergau some more and went through the pageant play-house to see the costumes, etc. We saw the houses with paintings on the outside. We saw another castle at Landehof and headed for Garmich-partinkerchen. We crossed the border into Austria and camped that night at Innsbruck, at a camping place behind a restaurant. We ate at the restaurant then hit the sack.
April 2nd, Saturday
We looked at Innsbruck in the morning and headed for Italy, across the Brenner Pass. We crossed the border into Italy and got a car checkup and oil change at Trents. We drove across the mountains, through all the little villages and arrived in Mesche, a city just outside of Venice. That evening we found a camping place and found some friends from America. We borrowed their stove and cooked us a lekker nasi-goreng meal. We hit the sack early; 10:00.
April 3rd, Sunday
I shaved for the first time on the trip and we took a shower (in the house) in the camping place. We had our car washed (500 lire), and headed for Venice. We parked the car and walked through the narrow streets along the canals. We stopped for a spaghetti meal in the afternoon and took a few boats to interesting places. We took a boat to the San Marco square, the center of Venice, and saw the old church, the palace, etc. and the pigeons. The weather was really terrific and we took a lot of pictures. We ate at a restaurant; soup-fishes (whole), salad, and apples. We caught a boat over to Lido, the beach of Venice; and walked around for a while. We returned to the same camping place that evening.
April 4th, Monday
We left Mesdre and headed across the Italian mountains towards Florence (through Padona, Ferara, Bologna, etc). We had to pay for toll roads and parking. We ate pizza in Florence. We saw quite a bit of FLorence - huge R.K. churches, museums, etc. We found a camping place - Ostella - where we could shave and eat dinner. Rain that evening.
April 5th, Tuesday
We saw some more of Florence and went through some museums to see some of Michelangelo's statues. I bought 2 beautiful sweaters in Italy for $5 and $6. We continued on towards Pisa (auto strada) and saw the leaning tower. We walked up to the top and took pictures (lovely weather). We drove along the Italian Roulera, through the mountains to Genoa. We ate along the way. We tried to find a camping place but the hillside along the way was too steep and too densely populated with houses. We were almost out of gas. 11:30, and managed to get some, and find a place to camp - right in the middle of Genoa, on the lawn of a hospital. 12:00.
April 6th, Wednesday
We arose early and packed everything in before they hauled us off to jail for vagrancy. We had a look around Genoa and headed for Milan. We saw the house of Columbus in Genoa. In Milan we saw a great church, really ornate. We drove over the Swiss border and along a beautiful lake to the little city of Locarno (on lake Maggiore). We found a camping place there and were able to sleep indoors. No tent needed. We saw a fire in Locarno the next morning, at the town's small University. We ate some good solid food that evening (Wienerschnitzel).
April 7th, Thursday
We headed through the mountains to Passo Del San Gottardo (2109 meters). We couldn’t make it with the car because the roads were still blocked by snow. We had to put our car on the train and it went through a tunnel in the mountain (the longest tunnel in Europe). It was pitch black in there and we sat in the car all the way (17 minutes). We drove on to Lucerne and took a ski lift from Engelbong, a skiing resort there. We took some pictures and saw many skiers. We headed to Bern from there. We stopped in a little place for a good meal and finally found a god camping place at about 12:00. (in a beautiful grove of trees).
April 8th, Friday
We headed into Bern and then on to see the temple at Zollikofen, 10 minutes from Bern. We talked to the missionaries there and saw the temple from the outside (It was the most beautiful that we’d seen on our trip). We couldn’t go through a session. We got hair cuts? In Bern and we got all cleaned up. We saw a little of Bern (the old clock) and then we headed towards France. We stopped in Neuchatil for gas and dinner - changed money, allen - 9 lanes - bre - havi brush. We continued on ast the French border and on through Dijon to Troyer. We ate some patat-fruites and waited for the missionaries to arrive. Frank Willerden had written me, inviting me to stop by and visit him along the way. The Elders arrived about 11:00 but Frank had been transferred the week before. Eldes Dahl and Mitchell still invited us in and gave us a roof over our heads, food, bath, etc. To bed late - 12:30.
April 9th, Saturday
We got all cleaned up and got the car washed and headed for the big city - Paris. We arrived there in the afternoon and drove through the city to the place where Yvonne Kooremans was staying (a friend of Elder Allens). We talked to her for a while and went out to see the city - beautiful weather - Eiffel Tower, ARch of Triumph, etc. We ate a snack at Yvonnes and her girlfriend, Juliette, was there. We all went out to see the city at night - all lit up. We took a stroll past the Follies; Moulin Rouge, etc, and then we took the girls home and went to our hotel (1065 Frances/ Night) - 2:00 naar bed.
April 10th, Sunday
We went to a Priesthood meeting and Sunday School in the Paris branch - English speaking classes. There were quite a few Americans present - army personnel, etc. After the meeting they took us to the Army Px and we got a good American meal - roast chicken, corn, hamburgers, etc. (for american money). We met the girls later and took a ride out to Versailles to see the palace gardens there. We returned for the English speaking service in Paris at 7:00. Elder Allen and I spoke along with one oher man and President Brossard. After the meeting Brother Change, one of the members there, took us to a nice chinese restaurant for a good meal. There were about 10 of us there. We had a really good time. We were offered a place to stay that night at the apartment of Phil Affleck, a doctor in the Army (rich bachelor) - home late.
April 11th, Monday
We slept in in the morning and fixed up a good meal when wer finally got up. We went to see Yvonne and a little more of the city. That evening we were planning on going dancing (Allen/Yvonne - Phil/Sharon - girl from Ogden in the American Consulate - Me/Juliette). We picked up Yvonne after getting ready ourselves at Phils. Then we picked up Juliette and returned to Phils. We were supposed to pick him up at 8:30 but we didn’t arrive till 9:30, we got lost. He had also arrived late so we all got ready and headed to Sharons place. We got there over 1.5 hours late and went searching for a suitable place to dance. We rode around for a long time and finally decided on a little place - The Cave. It was really quaint and underground. It was so crowded we could’nt hardly get any dancing in. We tried it a few times. The orchestra was very good. We left there at 12:00 and looked for a certain place to eat. We found it after searching for a long time. We ate onion soup, cheese covering, and we also tried oysters. Then we took Juliette and Sharon home and on the way to Yvonnes place we ran out of gas - at 4:00 in the morning. Phil and I walked a couple of blocks to an all night gas station and we were on the way again. We arrived home almost 5:30 in the morning.
April 12th, Tuesday
We slept in until 10:30 and got up and fixed us some breakfast, We went out at about noon and saw some more sights in Paris. We took the elevator to the top of the Eiffel Tower (500 fn/stuk), and we took a lot of pictures of Paris from there. We rode around some more; Moulin Rouge, Sacre Coeur church, etc. We came home about 5:00 and met Phil and took two hours fixing us a lekker meal (nasi-goreng - peas - soup - all mixed up together - goulash). We sat around afterward and talked and went to bed, 11:30.
April 13th, Wednesday
We went to the Louvre and saw Venus De Milo - Mona Lisa, etc. We took a few more pictures of Paris and picked up Yvonne about 7:00 after saying goodbye to Phil at the hospital. We drove through Paris and found the road to Holland and Elder Allen, Yvonne and I took turns driving. We crossed into Belgium and late into Holland; we arrived in Deventer, Yvonne's home, about 7:00 the next morning. I got a little sleep in the car along the way.
April 14th, Thursday
After arriving in Deventer we ate breakfast, fixed by Yvonne's mother and we unpacked Yvonne's things out of the car. Elder Allen and I drove to Ammersvont where the car had to be checked before sailing; and I caught a train from there to Den Haag with all my bags. I arrived at the church about 12:00, ate lunch, and left again for Rotterdam to see the Floriada (Flower Demonstration). I took the elevator to the top of the Eun-mast and took some good photos of Rotterdam - very windy. I returned to the Hague and met Elder Van Katwijk. We went downtown to an Indonesian restaurant and enjoyed a good meal. We returned and slept in the church that night.
April 15th, Friday
We got up in the morning and took a train to Rotterdam ( Elder Van Katwijk and I). We went to the church in the North and met Elder Whiting; then started baking a cake for dinner. We went out visiting relatives of Elder Van Katwijk, one of them, and after that I went shopping (2x hummelware). We returned to the Hague, church, and I rode my fiets over to the office with my baggage - explanation of writing, written about the S.S. United States, April 23rd - in a gale - Three of us; Van Katwijk, Whiting and I met at the office, so planned at 8:00; but there was no one there to meet us. We took a stroll along the beach and wrote our names in the sand. At 9:00 Elder Warner and Elder Hiatt came to pick us up and take us down to the Hook of Holland. We caught the night-boat there and slept on the way over to England. We left about 12:00 that night.
April 16th, Saturday
We docked about 6:30 and caught the 7:40 train from Harivich to London. We arrived there about 9:00 and checked in our baggage. We saw a little of the town and went to the church offices for more information. We arranged for a hotel (very expensive), and saw some more of the city. We went to Picadilly Circus to eat some hamburgers for dinner; and to see the nightlife of London. Home in bed 12:00. - shower (heerlijk).
April 17th, Sunday - EASTER -
We walked to the Hyde Park branch, close to our hotel, and attended Sunday-school (11:00-12:30). We returned to the hotel and went to eat at a restaurant - very good. We took a walk through a museum (about Victoria), and through Hyde Park, Piccadilly Circus, etc. We attended the 6:00 meeting (very good). We ate a snack and went to bed early - for once.
April 18th, Monday - EASTER MONDAY -
We packed our bags and took them all down to another train station. We caught the subway from there to Buckingham palace, just in time to see the changing of the guards (quite a show). We got a lot of pictures and then we caught a bus out to Newchapel to see the temple, about 30 miles from London (1.5 hours by bus). We saw the temple and got some pictures and talked to 2 Elders and the caretaker. We caught a bus back and looked up a better place to stay - Mrs. Milson, 90 south side, Clapham. We ate a meal, close by, in a restaurant, and hit the sack early.
April 19th, Tuesday
We went down to one of the many train stations to meet a missionary friend of Elder Van Katwijk, but he never showed up. We waited until 12:30 and then we went out and saw some sights - house of Parliament, 10 Downing Street (where the prime minister lives), Scotland Yard, Westminster Abbey, London Bridge and London Tower. We took another walk through Hyde Park, Buckingham Palace, etc. (speakers of Hyde Park - communist - burglar - religious fanatics, etc). We moved our luggage to the right train station in preparation for our departure the next morning on the 9:43 train.
April 20th, Wednesday
We got up early and packed and then ate a heerlijk meal. We met Elder Dalebout at the subway station and went to the train station from there. We found out then that the boat we thought was leaving at 7:00 pm was really leaving at 1:00 pm. We caught the last train and sat in the baggage car for 1.5 hours to South Compton. We went through customs and boarded the ship and watched it pull away at 1:00 sharp. We were sure Elder Allen would miss the boat because he thought it was to leave at 7:00 pm; but he barely made it (last passenger on board). We all got together at lunch - delicious meals (anything you wanted, and we could order as much as we liked). We were given two rooms; Elder Dalebout and I in one and the 3 others in the other room. We walked around the ship and waited for the evening meal. I ordered roast chicken, mashed potatoes, peas, rolls, tomato salad, pineapple, sundae, peaches and milk. We really filled up after going hungry the whole trip. We arrived in Le Havre about 6:30 and left at 12:00 - We went to the dance that night and to the show - Elami over India (naar bed 12:00).
April 21st, Thursday
We got up and got ready for the 8:00 breakfast call - orange juice, strawberries, rice krispies, pancakes, rolls, milk. We played a few deck games - golf - ping-pong - shuffleboard. We ate lunch at 12:30, fruit salad, mushroom soup, eggs and mushrooms, spaghetti and ice cream. We went to the show - Porgy and Bess, and played some more games. For dinner at 6:30 we had potage (soup), roast beef, mashed potatoes, peas, ice cream - we went to the dance that night. We had been swimming in the afternoon - small pool inside - and had met a nice girl, Janet Claycomb. I met her at the dance and had a few dances with her. She was a student in Radio-TV from Kansas, studied for 9 months in Paris, traveling with her parents. We talked quite a bit about the church; she had heard all about us. We also went down to the tourist class lounge to see what was up. We turned our own watches back 75 minutes for more sleep in the morning. I did some washing that evening, also.
April 22nd, Friday
For breakfast we had fresh pineapple, orange juice, corn flakes, farmer eggs, toast and milk. We played deck games; I won the golf tournament with a score of 34 for 9 holes. Me and an older man tied at 34 for 9 holes and the next hole I got a hole in one (lucky shot) to win the tournament. In the ping-pong tournament I won two matches - Elder Allen and Mr. Van Wie. After lunch we played shuffleboard. The weather had been nice the whole trip - moderate swells - a little rain that night. There was no one exciting to dance with in the cabin class lounge, so we went touring - tourist class, ook niets, first class - too ritzy. I went to bed early.
April 23rd, Saturday
We had another good meal in the morning and I played ping-pong and got beat by Mr. Parami, a man from India - nice man - Roman Catholic; we talked gospel to him a little - very intelligent. He ended up the winner of the tournament. We had a moderate lunch, saving room for the Gala dinner in the evening. I went swimming in the afternoon and we hit a little storm. The water in the pool was splashing from one side to the other - real fun (salt water). We played some more ping-pong and got all dressed up for the big dance. I had fruit cocktails, orange juice, sirloin steak, corn on the cob, jumbo shrimp cocktail, sweet potatoes, a little chicken on the side - traded with Elder Allen for some steak - apple pie a la mode, mixed nuts, and milk. It was really good. We had hats, balloons, and flags for the evening. Elder Van Katwijk got seasick and couldn’t eat very much after that. We saw them play bingo in the lounge (the night before it was horse racing). After that we went slumming again to the tourist class and found some nice girls to dance with. Two girls from England (Helen and Margaret, twins, from London). Elder Allen and I danced with them quite a bit. I also danced with Sue, from New Jersey. We turned our watches back another 75 minutes - more dancing, and went to bed at 12:45.
April 24th, Sunday
We got up for the 8:00 breakfast - 3 of us, and after that we got ready for church. We were to hold our meeting in the cabin class library at 10:00. We had 5 missionaries and 2 members present (Brother Schippers from Holland, Brother Mahoney from Wales, immigrating to SLC) We had the sacrament, and talks by Brother Mahoney and myself. There were also 4 investigators present (3 men - 1 woman) - 11:10. We went out afterwards to take some pictures and I wrote in my journal (I received a nice pen for winning the golf tournament). We had a really good dinner at 12:30; pineapple juice, rolls, chicken fricassee, (breaded veal - traded with Van Katwijk), peas, rice, apple pie a la mode, and milk. We were really stuffed. After dinner I packed my suitcases and studied genealogy. We walked around the ship, the ocean was as smooth as glass and we saw a few porpoises following us. For supper we had maryland turkey, lobster salad, hashed brown potatoes, corn on the cob, orange juice, ice cream, and milk. Elder Allen and I went down to see the twins, Helen and Margaret. We talked for a while and then we came back to the cabin class and I talked gospel with a man from India - believes in predestination. We went to bed early at 11:30 (clocks back 75 minutes).
April 25th, Monday
We got up early in the morning and ate breakfast at 6:00, the last meal of the voyage. We began to see other boats through the fog and we finally docked in New York at 8:45. We went through customs and waited for our bags. We all got through okay but we discovered that the cars wouldn’t be coming for a few days more. We had to stay in New York and wait for them, so we contacted the YMCA and arranged to stay there three days. We went up to the Empire State Building and then we went to a show in Radio City music hall; David Nuven and Doris Day in “Please Don't eat the Daisies”. The stage show was very good - The Rockettes show from Holland. We walked around TImes Square and then home again. Weather: very warm and humid; it rained very hard for a while. We returned to the YMCA, showered, and went to bed, 11:15.
APril 26th, Tuesday
Van Katwijk, Whiting and I took a subway to Coney Island after eating a good breakfast at the YMCA. The season wasn’t open yet at Coney Island. We caught a subway back - 40 minute ride and couldn;t find our other 2 companions (seeing about their cars). We went to the Yankee Stadium (via subway) and saw the game (2:00-5:00). The Boston Red Sox beat the Yankees 7-5, a really good game. Yogi Berra and Herb Skowren both hit home runs for the Yanks - and one was hit for Boston. We had a chow-mein dinner, YMCA, and took a tour of ChinaTown. After we got out of the taxi it started to pour and we got drowned in between stops. We saw a Chinese temple in ChinaTown and after the tour we saw the night courts; night trails of vandals, drunks, bums, shoplifters, etc. (one judge, no jury - they really give them the works - $50 and 30 days, etc).
April 27th, Wednesday
We took a taxi to the United Nations building after breakfast. We took a tour through the building and then caught a bus and a Ferry to the Statue of Liberty. We climbed clear up to the crown - crowded with school children, hot, and stuffy. It was overcast so we couldn’t get good pictures. We caught the ferry and the subway back home - after 3 transfers, and ate dinner (turkey sticks, potatoes, carrots, milk). We went to ChinaTown, Times Square and Elder Whiting and I went to see Greenwich Village while the others went to the show. Home, 10:30 - shower, played checkers with Whiting - bed 1:00.
APril 28th, Thursday
We got up and got packed and Dave and Michael went down to the docks to get their cars out. We took a subway and took some pictures of Greenwich Village, downtown New York, etc. We returned to the YMCA and waited for the other two, who arrived about 2:00. We got all gassed up and started on our way through the Lincoln Tunnel towards Washington, D.C.. We got on the New Jersey Turnpike and went all the way through New Jersey and through Baltimore to Washington. We paid tolls all along the way through New Jersey, Delaware, Marlyalnd and the District of Columbia. We went to the YMCA there and also got in touch with the parents of Elder Beede. They offered two of us a place to stay that night while the others stayed at YMCA. Mike and I stayed at Beedes house - midnight snack, good beds, showers, washing done - they lived right across the border in Alexandria Virginia.
April 29th, We got up early and had a good breakfast and went to pick the others up at the YMCA. We all set out in one car to see Washington DC. We saw the Lincoln Memorial, the Washington monument (walked up to the top), the capitol building (took a tour; the senate was in season). We went to Mrs. Beede’s to eat a chicken dinner, potato chips, rolls, ice cream, etc. We really had a good meal. After that we drove out to see Mount Vernon and returned to see the White House, Grove of Unknown Soldiers, Marine Memorial, etc.
We stayed that evening at Beedes and 2 others stayed at the home of another member there in Washington. I slept in my sleeping bag.
April 30th, Saturday
We got up later than planned and ate a quick breakfast. We all got together and set out for the west, 7:45. We went through Virginia, District of Columbia, Maryland, Pennsylvania, and Ohio. We traveled all day and arrived in Dayton, Ohio about 8:00 after turning our watches back an hour. We had heavy rain storms all through Ohio. We bought some supplies and had a privy in Harold and Franz house. They went to a party and came home about 9:30. It was good to see the whole family. We all slept there that evening after having a hamburger. I stayed up and talked to Harold and Franz that evening - in bed at 12:30.
May 1st, Sunday
We all got up and attended the Priesthood meeting, Sunday School and Fast meeting. We all had to say a few words in Priesthood, I had to talk to the genealogy class (Harold was the teacher), and we bore our testimonies in a fast meeting. After the meeting we returned to a really nice dinner at Harold and Franz’ (salad, potato chips, rolls, meat and delicious cake). We got packed up and prepared to head west again. AFter an oil change we headed west; 5:30. We drove straight through; Ohio, Indiana, Illinois, Etc. We kept shifting and drove west all night. I slept in the backseat much of the way and drove the rest of the way.
May 2nd, Monday
We kept on driving through Missouri, Kansas, and Colorado (we drove across the Mississippi river and the Missouri). We finally pulled into Denver about 8:00 and got a motel to stay that night ($2.00 a piece). We ate a good meal of chicken, and went to bed, 10:30. We were really tired.
May 3rd, Tuesday
We left Denver about 8:00 and headed west again. We stopped for gas and for malts and hamburgers for breakfast. We went across highway 40 through the mountains. We went across the continental divide at Berthoud Pass and ran into a mild snow storm in the mountains. We kept going through Colorado and hit Utah (Vernal, Roosevelt, etc). Familiar territory. We traveled on to Salt Lake City, arriving in the valley at about 10:15. It was a great sight to see the Valley and all the lights after more than 2.5 years. We went on to my home and Mom and Dad were surprised to see us arrive - 10:30. It was really nice to see everyone again - The whole family was at home; Mom, Dad, Sharon, Diana, Steve, and Janice. We talked for a while and Dave and James went to stay at James’ house. We three stayed here; I slept downstairs. We had a bowl of ice cream before hitting the sack; really tired again.
May 4th, Wednesday
We got up at 8:00 and ate breakfast. We all went down to the church offices and met President Sperry. We got our travel money refunded $92.35 - New York to Salt Lake. James and I went down to get a haircut ($1.50), and there we caught the bus to James’ house - rain, hail, snow, etc. We took his car and went up to Fort Douglas after eating lunch (chicken). We inquired around about the chance of getting a 6 month reserve unit. The chances were pretty dire. We returned to my home and I got a phone call from Richard and went over to talk to him. I returned for a really good meal - Texas cut, potatoes, peas, carrots, pie, really lekker. Dad and I and Richard all went down to the new National Guard building in Fort Douglas to see about getting in the hospital unit there. I took a physical and passed it and went through a lot of other details to see if I would join up. We didn’t accomplish too much - I might have a chance to join if I'm lucky - home - writing in a journal - bed - 11:30.
May 5th, Thursday
I went up to check on the National Guard again, and accomplished nothing, again. I went over to the institute and met all the gang. I attended a class there - Dr. Bennion, courtship and marriage. We all ate lunch (me - a hamburger and malt), and I went up to O.S.H. to talk to Dr. Hepworth, the military advisor at the University. I returned home - coin collection - Randy. Our family all went out to dinner at Clarks, a new restaurant (Steak, potatoes, peas, etc). Coins - journal - bed 12:00.
May 6th, Friday
I went up to the University again to check about the summer quarter - draft board, letter, etc. I came home and James Van Katwijk and I went out to check on his national guard unit - niets. I worked on the Erskwe - Cushing genealogy (found lots of records in the basement of Grandma) I got ready and Kent Condie came to pick me up for a dance. We went over to Crystal-Heights ward to pick up Mary Ann Clyde (singing at a wedding there). We picked up Kents’ girl at her place of work and met Don and Vickie at the tabernacle (youth concert). We drove out to Lagoon in kents’ car and went to the dance there (The Brothers Four). It was the University Days Dance. Others there - Jim P., Elaine Lewis, Richard V.W., Mary Beth Cook, Kent L., Lucilles, Bob Torento - date, Marilyn Bjock - husband. It was a really nice dance - a little chilly. We returned everyone home who needed it, I got home at about 2:30. Diana and Janice were also at the dance and Diana and I had a late midnight snack together.
May 7th, Saturday
Slept in - I went down to Sharon's house and she and I cleaned up a little around her yard. Raking leaves, sticks, fences, etc. We returned and ate lunch and I worked in our yard in the afternoon. Cut lawn, dug dandelions. I got ready and Richard V.W. picked me up at 5:45 for the “Date Party”. We went out to pick up Sharon Brinkly - Richard's date in Holliday, and then we picked up Jean Gardiner (my second blind date in 2 days). We then picked up Kent Condie and his date Marilyn Woodland (in Rose Park). We then went to the Hotel Newhouse for the dinner dance. It was a very nice dance - and dinner (roast chicken, potatoes, peas, salad, apple pie (2 slices)). The dance was very nice - young rockstar, very good. We wandered around the hotel a little (Richard, cleaned and pressed - seal). Others there; Jenni P, Barbara Woodbury, Barry Sac, Jenna Van Katwijk and her blind date. Jean, my blind date, and Sue played a piano duet at intermission. We returned home - via Granger, Jean's home - home 1:30 - Jean was a very nice girl, with a nice personality and from a family of 10 children.
May 8th, Sunday
Priesthood meeting, 9:30 - I had to speak in the Aaronic Priesthood meeting. Sunday School 11:00 - Mothers Day. We had a really good dinner - Turkey, dressing, potatoes, corn, ice cream. We visited the cemetery in the city - Grandma Erskwes grave. I worked on genealogy and then attended a sacrament meeting 6:00-7:15.
May 9th, Monday
University - check with Dr. Hepworth - shopping in Sugarhouse - genealogy.
May 10th, Tuesday
Jerry Stucki picked me up and we went driving to Fort Douglas to take one pre-induction physical for the Army (7:15-2:00) mental and physical. I walked down to the University after that - Institute. I rode home with Jean P., Richard, and Dennis Meade, a return missionary from Norway - genealogy.
May 11th, Wednesday
I went down to Hygiene to talk to Colonel Ray Frie about the army - instructions, etc. Genealogy, cut lawn, water lawn - genealogy, study lesson for Elders Quorum.
May 12th, I was a little sick in the morning so I did genealogy - washed windows after lunch. Went down to the Genealogical Society and looked through their records - (packtech) - after dinner - genealogy, drawing porter,
May 13th, Friday
I wrote in my journal in the morning and went down to get my trunk in the afternoon. The whole family went to the ward dinner - Italy - after the dinner we went bowling - Kent Condie - Rich V. Wagen - Jean Petersen. I bowled 182-146, Jean 201-192. After that Kent, Richard and I went down to the Institute and met some of the girls at the Alpha Polygamy Party. We joined 2 girls and decorated the cars of the Alphas - just married, etc.
May 14th, Saturday
I went down to work at memory grove in the morning from 9:00-11:00. I came home, got ready, and waited for the others to come - 6 couples to go on a picnic - Barry, Garth, Jean, Richard, Kent and I and dates. We went in 2 cars up to Little Cottonwood Canyon and ate lunch - prepared by the girls. I took Jean Gardiner - we all started off on a hike after first making a bridge across the river. We all crossed our make-shift bridge and up to a waterfall (breaking snow bridges, etc). We came down - riding glaciers. We returned home - got ready again and went to a party at the Jute - Service Party - square dancing, etc. Home early.
May 15th, Sunday
I attended a Priesthood meeting, Sunday School (gave a lesson in Priesthood and spoke in Sunday School). I prepped my talk in the afternoon and gave my homecoming talk at 6:00 in Grandview Second Ward. Kent, Jean, and I went to the worship service after the meeting at the Jute. We went to Jeans house to share malts and root beers. - home early -
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