Advancement, Operas, and Lonliness

From Jim's Journal, Tues. February 15, 1938:

"This morning I received a letter from Pres. Brown appointing me the Supervising Elder of the Newcastle District, and suddenly I realize how incapable I am."

From Jim's Letter to Gwen, March 8, 1938:

"My Sweetheart,

Try as I have, I have never been able to fully realize how fortunate a man I really am, until your last letter came to me last Saturday. Any man can attain worldly fame and wealth, gain many friends in life. But, how many men can really say they have found real genuine devoted love given to them by a real fine, and sincere, woman? I believe after reading your last two letters over, at least half a dozen times, darling, that I can say that I am one of those fortunate few. Each line on line seemed to bring a very personal message, meant for only me. . .

"Say, while I have it on my mind, let me thank you for the pictures. The one taken in the garden of you in the brides maids attire is a beauty, and I can see you haven't changed any at all. In fact you seem to be even nicer than when I saw you last. And say, was that a ring on your finger that I could make out? . . .

(Picture: Gwen's engagement ring from Jim)

"Last Sunday, we held our convention in M'bro, for the branches of the south end of the district. Gee, it was a thrill to see our hall filled to capacity with Saints and friends. It was the largest congregation that I have ever spoken to, and I was not as scared as I should have been. We had one for the north end in Sunderland, but because of the flu I was in bed and unable to be there. . .And there I stayed for three days. But, under the kind care of Kearl and Dunn, I'm A 1 again. Sis. Fudge had a dream that I would be ill, and in her dream she was told to take care of me by a lady with dark hair. I was showing her some snaps, and she saw the lady again. And who do you suppose it was? Well, surprise of surprises, it was your Mother. Feature that. . .


(Picture: Gwen's parents, Ray and Vere Wagstaff)

"So, you have met my old pals, Robison and Cameron, have you? Well, they are two swell fellows. . .Bro. Robison is real and genuine. Bro. Cameron has a heart like his body, and we had some tall times together up here in So. Shields and Sunderland. The inference made by my friend Irene was of course, "A.C.& R." (after Cameron and Robison left) and "B.K." (before Kearl), so my head refuses to swell.

". . .Gee one night last week Bro. Kearl and I were thrilled beyond expectation. We were in Newcastle to see the play "The Desert Song" and gee darling, it was wonderful. . . I tell you over here we are [too] fortunate. We are able to see the operas and all these famous stage plays, and in Salt Lake they only have them once a year. Gee, if you can, some time go and see the Desert Song, you'll love it.

"Well I am surprised to hear that a returned missionary is better than he was before he went away. I wonder to what he attributes his success. Maybe it is the fact that for two years he does not go out with a lady, and in that time he learns to appreciate their company and their affections. I know I certainly have learned a greater love and devotion for you, than I seemed to have before. My love goes beyond merely the physical aspects and down into the spiritual, soul satisfying love. . .I'm lonely for you Gwen. I want to lay with you under a pine tree, to watch the squirrel in the tree, to listen to the water fall over rocks in the stream bed, see the birds fly about and feel your hand in mine. . .I want to talk with you, confide in you, tell you my souls desires, and have you tell me yours.

". . .I wonder if you see and know that we only have another year to be away from each other. Only another year. Boy oh boy. . .

"My love to you my sweetheart, from your sweetheart,

Jim

XXXOOO
(may I?)"

Conference in Bradford & Gwen's 22nd Birthday

From Jim's Journal, Wed. Feb. 9, 1938, Bradford:

"After we had our breakfast, Bro. Walker showed us through the mill and then we went via tram to the meeting. . . We had a very beautiful meeting in the evening, one I shall never forget, and one in which (65) sixty five persons bore testimony. Pres. Brown spoke to us, and I'm sure that in him anyone finds the acme of the personality. Immediately after, we spent the time chatting and then said 'good-bye' till we meet in June."

From Gwen's Letter, Feb. 13 & 14, 1938:

"My Dearest Sweetheart,

Darling, I'm about the luckiest girl there ever was and yet sometimes when I get blue I don't realize it but after a day like yesterday I know that we have cloudy days just to make the sunny ones seem brighter. Kid, I was so thrilled first with that lovely valentine you sent me. It just about made me cry--the verse was so grand . . .and then Saturday your picture and the birthday card came and they were just what I needed to really bring me out of the dark cloud and into the light again. I don't know of anything I'd rather have had, kid, than that picture of you because a picture is the nearest thing I have to really seeing you and now I have four framed pictures of you in our front room so when any of the girls from the office visit me they really see you in every corner of the room. Thanks so much, kid, your love means everything to me. . .

"My birthday was swell and would have been perfect if I had had you here. Your folks tried to make up for your absence by giving a party for Max, Mary, Mom, Dad, & I in honor of their wedding anniversary and my birthday. They're swell to me and I love them for it. Your mother even gave me a present which I really didn't expect her to do. It is a lovely pair of Japanese pajamas to run competition to your cossacks. You wait and seen them. For dinner we had Julie and the kids, and Janiel and Mont had a great time blowing out the candles on the cake. They wanted to eat the whole cake in about two minutes to find the hidden fortunes. Janiel got the button, but Mont just couldn't find the penny or the wedding ring.

(Picture: Gwen between her parents and with family)

". . .The Bishop talked to me last week about you and he told me you meant three yeas when you asked if you could stay another year. I guess I misunderstood but, kid, if that's what you want to do most of all, I won't stand in your way. . .It really would be grand for you to be able to stay over there three years because I know you must enjoy it plenty. Maybe it'll be March, 1940, huh?

". . .Now, honey, I must wish you a happy Valentine Day and stop before the clock strikes half past bed time. Goodnight, kid, and I promise to be a better letter writer . . .

"Loving you sincerely. Your Sweetheart,

Gwen

(XXXOO)"

Jim's Second Year in the Missionfield . . . The Story Continues

From Jim's Letter, Jan. 24, 1938, So. Shields:

"My Dearest Gwen,

"Have I ever told you before that you write the nicest letters of any that come my way? Your letter written on the second was precisely what I needed to start the second year of my mission on. An assurance of your love, and an assurance of your undivided devotion. They mean a lot to me Gwen darling, and do a great deal toward making my work easier.

"Maybe, when we do meet you will be thrilled, and your legs fold up under you, or you'll make that bee-line you refer to. But what about me. I'll probably be so thrilled I'll cry again, and . . .when we are in each others arms again I'll be afraid that it will all be another dream. Boy, I'll say that will be a grand day, and I don't care whether it is rain, snow, cloud, or sunshine, . . .if it is Salt Lake, Evanston, Rock Springs, Omaha, Chicago, New York, Plymouth or Southhampton, if your there and I'm there, it will still be a grand day. I'd certainly like you to come east and meet me, and then we can travel home to-gether, . . . you owe it to yourself, after working for so long, and its your money to spend as you wish. But I leave it entirely up to you to decide for yourself whether or not you choose to do it or not.

" . . .Well I'd better tell you before I bust what I've done. Last week I took some U.S. money and blew it on some table linens for us. One dinner cloth 2 1/2 X 3 1/2 yards and six napkins, with two more to come. It is white damask, and very pretty if I do say so myself. . . the label and guarantee says it is real Irish linen, so I believe the guarantee.

". . .Last night over at Gateshead I was given the honor and privilege of blessing and giving a name to the new son of Bro. Turnbull. The little rascal was fine until I started to speak and then he started to bawl and cry, just like the one at Carlisle did. Oh yes we gave him the name of Arthur Thomas Turnbull. We had a swell meeting over there. We had 21 out for evening meeting and ten for Sunday School. Man alive how those twenty one did sing in the evening session. Boy to hear their lusty voices sing "Come Oh Thou King of Kings" was a treat to my ears. Bro Kearl and I spoke. . .the constant speaking does wonders for any one.

"Say you are getting choosey in who you have to speak in our ward aren't you? Pres. McKay and Elder Ballard. Both fine men, and both near to me, and you, us. Pres. McKay telling me to go. Apostle Ballard setting me apart. Why after having so much talent in the ward, you won't want a mere missionary to contaminate the stand. I'd like to have heard Pres. McKay because to me, he is the acme of masculine beauty, personality, and character. Some day, I want to be like that man.

(Picture: Pres. David O. McKay)

". . .On the eighth of February we are to go to Bradford to a meeting with Pres. Brown, and about forty of the Elders in the north of England. Needless to say, I look forward to this meeting, for I do enjoy being in the company of such fine young men. Pres. Brown, as you already know, is another star in my universe of great characters.

(Picture: Pres. Hugh B. Brown)

"Bro. Hart told us that Apostle Lyman had given the word that we would all be home in less than a year, because of a war that is sure to come. . .The news reels give a sad account of what is taking place, but our English papers tell very little.

". . .Strange that we should be writing about marriage in our letters,. . .I too am glad, thankful Gwen, that the girl I will marry will be worthy of a temple marriage. That that girl will be you. . .I'm going to try to be the kind of husband that no other girl will want, and such that my wife, you, will want no other husband. If I can do that much, I'm sure we will both be happy.

"Listen, honey, I like you to be a 'bachelor girl'. . .and hope you'll stay that way until about March of 1939. . .I'm glad Gwen, that you and I can see the value of truth, and know the worth of faith, in our separation.

". . .And now I must close. sending love and fondest desire, to be always your sweetheart.
I am
Your Sweetheart,
Jim
XX many Os"