Tuesday, July 4th, 1922 – Toka Wahine and dear children. This is some 4th of July. I need not tell you that my thoughts have been with you nearly every minute this long day. This morning before going tracting I went in Elder Hunsaker’s room to ask him to come into my room for prayer before going out. I had been blue all morning anyway, and him and I got to talking of our loved ones, because the thoughts of both of us were along that line. But anyway, we two together had a good, long cry. Oh Joy (his wife), this is so hard once in a while I can hardly stand it. I do long for you so much. As I am sitting here writing this I can hardly see to write. Oh, how I love you. May God give me strength to stand up under my load, and in the end return to you in honor. I know I shouldn’t write and feel this way, Joy, but I am so lonesome and blue tonight. So excuse me, won’t you?

Well, we finally went tracting, and I visited 15 homes, leaving 75 tracts. Had two good talks. I thank God that there are a few honest souls in this world. Then this afternoon we have all laid off. Been taking some pictures—if they are good will send you some. Made some ice cream, too, to help celebrate. Then tonight have been to a show. But during it all I have thought of nothing but you loved ones at home. Oh, I need you and the blessings of God so much. Do love me, Joy, and teach our children to, won’t you, dear? I know you will. Now I must get to bed. Good night. I love you so.

July 5th, 1922 – Have tracted all day today. Visited 23 homes, leaving 115 tracts. Sold another Book of Mormon and left a Durant. Spent nearly all afternoon with the man where I sold the Book. Was still blue and lonesome this morning, but after having prayer and getting out to work, I felt a little better. I am trying so hard not to be lonesome. I have been thinking of you all day, as today here has been your 4th at home. I hope you have had a nice time. I have been to Mutual tonight and now must go to bed. Good night. I love and long for you more each day.

Friday, July 7th, 1922 – Day of days the best—home mail day. How thankful I am for the good news and words of cheer and comfort that this day has brought to me. How thankful I am that you are all well and fine. I do need your love and letters so much; your letter was dated June 7 and had some sweet little rose buds in. Oh, how I love them. I also received letters from Ella, Vera, Ila, Montez, Brother Lundgreen, and Arthur Lundgreen and also another check of $45 from the H.P.Q. [High Priests Quorum]. Oh, Joy, I am surely blessed. I wonder if I can ever repay you, Darling, for all you do for me. I am afraid I can’t.

Was tracting this forenoon. Visited 11 homes, leaving 55 tracts. Then this afternoon Elder Ottley and I have been out to Sister Carr’s at Otahuhu [New Zealand]. Had a nice visit with them. I was glad because you were all alright. They are sure good to us. It seems that the saints here do take such an interest in us. There were four new Elders came today, too. I haven’t seen them yet. Everyone was to bed now when we came back. Good night, loved ones. I do love you so.

Tuesday, July 11, 1922 – Tracted this forenoon, and visited homes, leaving tracts. This was a very enjoyable forenoon’s tracting. For once all the people with whom I met were real nice to me. I talked for a long while with one lady, and she believed everything I said. And she said she would come to Church. This afternoon we have been making recalls. Had a good afternoon—was down in Sister Kewene’s neighborhood, and she had us come in and have bread and butter and coco. I enjoy eating somewhere else once in a while where they give us something hot to drink, as we never have it here at headquarters. Tonight have been writing out notes of removal, etc. And now I am to bed again. One more day nearer the time. Good night all of you—I love you so. I do. I do.

Wednesday, July 12, 1922 – Tracted as usual this forenoon—visited 11 homes, leaving 55 tracts. I met some real nice people and some very bad ones this morning. The days are so different. This day I was laughed at and sneered at and humiliated very much. There was a woman and a grown girl and a young man, her son and daughter, I guess. And I sure did tell them what I thought of them, too. And also what the gospel taught regarding that. And when I left I asked God to bless them and show them the error of their ways. Things like this only serve to make me stronger in the work, and the more I know it is God’s work.

Made a few recalls this afternoon. And Mutual tonight. And now bed again. God bless and help us all to do His will. I love you so much.

Saturday, July 15, 1922 – Have been busy all day and done nothing. Spent this forenoon cleaning our room and pressing clothes, and also helping with the general housecleaning. Sister King left last Thursday, and President requested two elders to help clean. This afternoon Elder Ottley and I spent with Brother Spencer and tonight I am reading and trying to study. But it is so hard for me to quit thinking of you loved ones at home. Oh Nita, every day that goes I love you more. The better I try to be, the dearer you become. Now good night. Another day and another week.

Thursday, July 20, 1922 – Same thing. All we have to do is go out and tell them “how it happened.” Had a good forenoon tracting. Visited 5 homes, leaving 25 tracks, had three nice talks, and am going to visit two of them. We are always glad to get a recall. Then after dinner we went to the hospital again to see Brother Spencer; he was operated on this forenoon for his rupture, and when we were there he had some pain. We gave him a blessing, and in just a minute or two, he was asleep. Oh Joy, my testimony has been strengthened many times in the past few months. I know for a surety that God does hear and answer our prayers.

After that we went and made some recalls. Called again at the lady’s place where I received those newspaper clippings. She treated us fine. She has read some in the book on the Salt Lake Temple, “The Lord’s House,” and she is reading now “The Story of Mormonism.” Tonight I am going to a cottage meeting at Brother Kewene’s (Maori) so will finish when I come back. “Kia Ora” till then.

Have been to meeting and am ready to go to bed again. But before I do I must tell you that I am almost happy tonight—in fact I am real happy in a way. You remember the lady I told you about whose husband hadn’t talked to her for three years? Well, she has been coming to Church since I tracted her and her daughter. Well, they were to Brother Kewene’s tonight, and she told me that since that day when I called there her life has been different. She says that she and her daughter are enjoying their first real happiness, and so for this I am very thankful to our Father in Heaven, and may He continue to bless them and increase their faith and testimony each day. I give unto Him the honor and glory and thanks for leading me there. Now I must get to bed. Good night, my loved ones; I love you so much. I need you so much. Love me, won’t you?

August 1, (Tuesday), 1922 – I have indeed suffered this day, since reading your dear letter telling me about Dear Grandma. After reading your letter of the 15th of June I was feeling so good, and I am yet regarding you and our children. Thank God that you are all right. Poor Grandma. I have tried to write you a few lines today that I will send you next mail. Since going down in the basement and pouring out my soul to God, I feel better. Oh. Joy. Let’s trust in God. You are so noble and true. Dear Heart. And God will bless you and our children. I know. I cannot find words to express my thoughts to you.

I haven’t been tracking today. I stayed in this morning to fix up my tithing and turn it in. I was nearly through with that when I received your letters (June 15, 23, 29, July 1), also the dear ones from Elaine. Oh, they mean so much to me.

This afternoon finished my tithing report and went out to the Haigs to invite them to the farewell tonight and arranged for a cottage meeting out there next Monday. And tonight has been the farewell for Elders Doxey and Madsen. It was a huge success in every way. A large crowd was out. Our little church was jammed. I spent the night as usher, as I didn’t feel like I could sit still. I also helped serve refreshments. But through it all, my thoughts, my heart, my prayers have been with you, my loved ones. Oh Joy, how helpless I am now when you need me so much. Twice tonight I have been in the basement and poured out my soul to God. And since doing that I have felt much better. And so now, at the close of this day, this day that has been so hard, so full of anguish, I dedicate you and our children and all of us into God’s care and keeping, praying Him to bless and keep us all. And I do it by virtue of the Priesthood and in the name of Jesus Christ, Amen. Good night, I do love you so much.