A very important concept was impressed upon my mind in Aldo’s home evening last night. The lesson was on the necessity of opposition in all things, the point being made that unless we felt sadness we could never know happiness. Now I appreciate why I felt so lonely and so disanimated and so very low after Elder Blackham left. The reason was because for three or four weeks we had been so consistently high and animated and together. Never before have I felt so bad in my whole life as last week. But never had I felt so good than with those last precious weeks with Elder Blackham.
Elders Milton Brinton and Ronald Ferrin arrived today to spend two days with us. Following lunch (we ate at noon today), we held another leadership training session under Elder Ferrin’s direction. I worked in the afternoon with Elder Brinton and this evening with Elder Ferrin. Relief Society fell through on us this afternoon. We checked by Adolfina’s, and she had gone, but we missed her at the church. Tonight we visited Apolinário and Idelta. He has been pretty sick lately but was up tonight.
Wednesday, September 29, 2010
Tuesday, September 28, 2010
Monday, September 28, 1970
Yesterday’s meetings were good. The monthly branch presidents meeting in Recife was canceled, and I did not have to go this weekend. Edmilson still taught the priesthood lesson, however. The subject was the Word of Wisdom, and he did a fine job. I am so proud of him and his growth. Youth fireside was at the chapel this afternoon. We previously ate at Aldo’s house and helped Adriano celebrate his eighth birthday, which was Sunday. The choir sang “Meu Testemunho” ["My Testimony"]in sacrament meeting. The new elders both spoke briefly. It was a good day.
Today we did not play volleyball because Elder Knecht had a sore back. We talked of going to the beach but never did make it there. I wrote a lengthy letter to Elder Blackham, in which I filled him in on everything that has been happening and how everybody reacted to his leaving and how I felt about it all. Tonight’s district meeting was mostly planning and orientation for the two new members of the district. Elder Hendrickson and I directed home evening at Aldo’s place.
Tomorrow is Mom’s birthday. Number 55, I believe. I wanted to radio to her, but it did not work out.
Today we did not play volleyball because Elder Knecht had a sore back. We talked of going to the beach but never did make it there. I wrote a lengthy letter to Elder Blackham, in which I filled him in on everything that has been happening and how everybody reacted to his leaving and how I felt about it all. Tonight’s district meeting was mostly planning and orientation for the two new members of the district. Elder Hendrickson and I directed home evening at Aldo’s place.
Tomorrow is Mom’s birthday. Number 55, I believe. I wanted to radio to her, but it did not work out.
Sunday, September 26, 2010
Saturday, September 26, 1970
About 11:30 last night I was awakened by a knock at the door. I stumbled out of bed and found the keys and opened up the door to find two elders standing there. Our companions had finally arrived! Elders Scott Knecht and John Hendrickson came together from João Pessoa. Elder Hendrickson, my new companion, traveled together with me as we were transferred north from Rio. When I came to Maceió, he had gone to João Pessoa.
A postcard arrived from Elder Blackham. He will be working now in Jardim Botânico in Rio. I enjoyed that branch while I was there, and I pray he will also. But he made the biggest change possible within this mission. Jardim Botânico is about as different from Maceió as you can find. His companion now is Elder Terry Christiansen, the North zone leader before Elder Brinton. He is fortunate on that count.
We played volleyball this afternoon. We missed Elder Blackham on the field. As Primary showed last night and MIA this evening, and I think the choir even more tomorrow, we miss Elder Blackham’s musical abilities also. I enjoyed Elder Smith’s lesson in MIA.
A postcard arrived from Elder Blackham. He will be working now in Jardim Botânico in Rio. I enjoyed that branch while I was there, and I pray he will also. But he made the biggest change possible within this mission. Jardim Botânico is about as different from Maceió as you can find. His companion now is Elder Terry Christiansen, the North zone leader before Elder Brinton. He is fortunate on that count.
We played volleyball this afternoon. We missed Elder Blackham on the field. As Primary showed last night and MIA this evening, and I think the choir even more tomorrow, we miss Elder Blackham’s musical abilities also. I enjoyed Elder Smith’s lesson in MIA.
Friday, September 24, 2010
Thursday, September 24, 1970
A surprise came today by way of telegram. Elder Christensen is transferred to João Pessoa! As soon as we received the telegram at the post office, we went to inform Virginia and the kids. Inez didn’t believe he was going too, thinking the telegram was just a hoax. (On April Fool’s Day two years ago, Elder Cottrell made a fake telegram and transferred Elder Swingler out.)
While Elder Christensen packed, Elder Smith and I bought his ticket for 4:00. The three of us dropped by to tell Vitória. She cried her poor heart out all over again. Then we went to Aldo’s for a farewell dinner, the second one this week. Elder Christensen returned home to finish packing while Elder Smith and I went to tell Edmilson that he was going. Dona Creuza, still mourning the loss of Elder Blackham, cried again. I seriously think this softened her sadness though.
We saw him off, together with Virginia and Alexandre and Edmilson. Elder Christensen was not too sad when he left, unlike Elder Blackham, who probably felt he had died inside.
Tonight Elder Smith and I went to teach a first lesson to Helder Vasconcellos. He had had to travel. We visited Dona Creuza to cheer her up.
Still no word on any new companions for us.
While Elder Christensen packed, Elder Smith and I bought his ticket for 4:00. The three of us dropped by to tell Vitória. She cried her poor heart out all over again. Then we went to Aldo’s for a farewell dinner, the second one this week. Elder Christensen returned home to finish packing while Elder Smith and I went to tell Edmilson that he was going. Dona Creuza, still mourning the loss of Elder Blackham, cried again. I seriously think this softened her sadness though.
We saw him off, together with Virginia and Alexandre and Edmilson. Elder Christensen was not too sad when he left, unlike Elder Blackham, who probably felt he had died inside.
Tonight Elder Smith and I went to teach a first lesson to Helder Vasconcellos. He had had to travel. We visited Dona Creuza to cheer her up.
Still no word on any new companions for us.
Wednesday, September 22, 2010
Tuesday, September 22, 1970
Today a heavy quietness hung in the air and a restless lonely feeling in the heart. Elder Blackham’s leaving has really left the house empty. Dona Creuza, who arrived this morning still crying, said that it seems like we are faulting ten people. She said that the departure of all earlier elders had been sad, but this was no comparison. Once today I tried to comfort her and ended up bawling together with her.
Working in threes, we visited Adolfina at her house. Later we ended up at Aldo’s house, where Elder Smith worked on a Primary poster, Elder Christensen typed Apolinário’s membership record, and I worked on various delinquent reports. Elder Smith had planned on going home teaching with Aldo this evening, but Aldo had to work late. We decided to leave Elder Christensen with Alexandre to work on a chart he’s doing for Edmilson. Alexandre wasn’t home. The three of us went to home evening at Apolinário’s.
Working in threes, we visited Adolfina at her house. Later we ended up at Aldo’s house, where Elder Smith worked on a Primary poster, Elder Christensen typed Apolinário’s membership record, and I worked on various delinquent reports. Elder Smith had planned on going home teaching with Aldo this evening, but Aldo had to work late. We decided to leave Elder Christensen with Alexandre to work on a chart he’s doing for Edmilson. Alexandre wasn’t home. The three of us went to home evening at Apolinário’s.
Tuesday, September 21, 2010
Monday, September 21, 1970
Today has been one of the saddest days of my life. This evening my beloved brother and companion, Elder Blackham, left for Rio on transfer. The short four and a half months we shared together came to an abrupt end yesterday afternoon when he received a telegram informing him of the change. He elected not to tell anybody until in sacrament meeting, in which he became the last speaker.
He passed the afternoon in complete external calmness, both during our youth fireside at Aldo’s house and at choir practice. Aldo took an entire hour for his sacrament meeting talk. Elder Christensen was the second scheduled speaker but did not speak. The choir sang “Abide with Me, ‘Tis Eventide” (Elder Blackham’s favorite hymn), and he and Vitória sang the second verse as a duet. Then he spoke. He expressed his overflowing love for the Brazilian Saints and especially his closeness to the members in Maceió. Tears were streaming down his face before he could announce his departure. Nearly everybody was crying before he finished. We closed the meeting with “God Be with You ‘Till We Meet Again.”
For the first time in Brazil I cried openly in public, moved to tears by the emotion of the moment. In it I could see a preview of my own departure.
Following sacrament meeting nearly everybody sat around crying for more than an hour. I’ve never seen anything quite like it before. It’s nothing anybody could really understand without having served among the precious children of our Heavenly Father in this city. Their love is profound. Their respect for the elders is nearly worship. Their hearts are warm and open. The best way to describe it is as a funeral at the death of a beloved friend or relative. Most likely these members will never see Elder Blackham again in this life, a sobering thought.
When we finally did make it home, Elder Blackham and I were up until about 2:30 or 3:00 packing, evaluating, talking. The other elders were in bed by midnight.
One of the choicest moments of my mission and my life was our testimony meeting we held with each other before we knelt together for the last time for companion prayer. At that moment our souls were knit together, our hearts one, as we expressed our love and gratitude for each other and bore by the Spirit our witnesses concerning the truthfulness and beauty of the gospel of Jesus Christ.
Just a few nights ago I had shared with Elder Blackham my patriarchal blessing, honoring him as the fourth person ever to read it outside my immediate family. Others have been Bob Russell, Elder Monte Stewart, and Elder Ronald Axtell. While packing, he showed me some pictures from before his mission that he has never showed another living soul during his mission.
Today we played volleyball at the SESC for the last time. Elder Blackham had played on the BYU volleyball team.
About 10:30 Elders Ferrin and Greenhalgh arrived to hold the second leadership training session with us, which we held about 3:00. Elder Blackham and I went to visit Aldo’s family, and Hévia and Nádia and Vitória were there. For about an hour we went down to visit Sônia and Simone, then came back for a farewell dinner for Elder Blackham.
Dona Creuza took his departure really hard. I felt particularly sorry for her. As she left for the evening, they cried on each other’s shoulders.
The two elders from Recife returned on the 6:00 bus. Elder Blackham left at 7:00. Many members were at the bus station to see him off and to cry some more. Since my arrival here in Maceió I have seen four elders off, and none of this had happened before. A great compliment was paid him by someone comparing it to the departure of Elder Eric (Clarence E. Ott), a beloved early elder in Maceió.
Elder Blackham is gone now. My new companion will not be here until Wednesday or later. We work in threes until then. Tonight I felt lonely, like I had just lost my right arm. Elder Blackham had been such a help to me in my responsibilities as district leader and branch president. His support was loyal and complete. He was serving as branch clerk, branch music director, Sunday School teacher, home teacher, choir member (as lead voice), district historian, my unofficial counselor, my companion, friend, and brother. As I reflect upon it all, I suspect that I have never been closer in my 21 years of experience to another human being than I was to Elder Blackham.
He passed the afternoon in complete external calmness, both during our youth fireside at Aldo’s house and at choir practice. Aldo took an entire hour for his sacrament meeting talk. Elder Christensen was the second scheduled speaker but did not speak. The choir sang “Abide with Me, ‘Tis Eventide” (Elder Blackham’s favorite hymn), and he and Vitória sang the second verse as a duet. Then he spoke. He expressed his overflowing love for the Brazilian Saints and especially his closeness to the members in Maceió. Tears were streaming down his face before he could announce his departure. Nearly everybody was crying before he finished. We closed the meeting with “God Be with You ‘Till We Meet Again.”
For the first time in Brazil I cried openly in public, moved to tears by the emotion of the moment. In it I could see a preview of my own departure.
Following sacrament meeting nearly everybody sat around crying for more than an hour. I’ve never seen anything quite like it before. It’s nothing anybody could really understand without having served among the precious children of our Heavenly Father in this city. Their love is profound. Their respect for the elders is nearly worship. Their hearts are warm and open. The best way to describe it is as a funeral at the death of a beloved friend or relative. Most likely these members will never see Elder Blackham again in this life, a sobering thought.
When we finally did make it home, Elder Blackham and I were up until about 2:30 or 3:00 packing, evaluating, talking. The other elders were in bed by midnight.
One of the choicest moments of my mission and my life was our testimony meeting we held with each other before we knelt together for the last time for companion prayer. At that moment our souls were knit together, our hearts one, as we expressed our love and gratitude for each other and bore by the Spirit our witnesses concerning the truthfulness and beauty of the gospel of Jesus Christ.
Just a few nights ago I had shared with Elder Blackham my patriarchal blessing, honoring him as the fourth person ever to read it outside my immediate family. Others have been Bob Russell, Elder Monte Stewart, and Elder Ronald Axtell. While packing, he showed me some pictures from before his mission that he has never showed another living soul during his mission.
Today we played volleyball at the SESC for the last time. Elder Blackham had played on the BYU volleyball team.
About 10:30 Elders Ferrin and Greenhalgh arrived to hold the second leadership training session with us, which we held about 3:00. Elder Blackham and I went to visit Aldo’s family, and Hévia and Nádia and Vitória were there. For about an hour we went down to visit Sônia and Simone, then came back for a farewell dinner for Elder Blackham.
Dona Creuza took his departure really hard. I felt particularly sorry for her. As she left for the evening, they cried on each other’s shoulders.
The two elders from Recife returned on the 6:00 bus. Elder Blackham left at 7:00. Many members were at the bus station to see him off and to cry some more. Since my arrival here in Maceió I have seen four elders off, and none of this had happened before. A great compliment was paid him by someone comparing it to the departure of Elder Eric (Clarence E. Ott), a beloved early elder in Maceió.
Elder Blackham is gone now. My new companion will not be here until Wednesday or later. We work in threes until then. Tonight I felt lonely, like I had just lost my right arm. Elder Blackham had been such a help to me in my responsibilities as district leader and branch president. His support was loyal and complete. He was serving as branch clerk, branch music director, Sunday School teacher, home teacher, choir member (as lead voice), district historian, my unofficial counselor, my companion, friend, and brother. As I reflect upon it all, I suspect that I have never been closer in my 21 years of experience to another human being than I was to Elder Blackham.
Sunday, September 19, 2010
Saturday, September 19, 1970
In all my life I don’t think I have ever been so consistently happy during so long as I have been during the past three or four weeks. I owe that to Elder Blackham’s companionship.
We all are starting to heal from our recent sunburns. Yesterday I was still pretty sore, especially on the legs and feet and on the back of my neck.
This afternoon we played volleyball again at the church. My sunburn was fairly healed as to allow playing. I am really learning to love the sport and even learning somewhat how to play it right. I am grateful to both Elder Smith and Elder Blackham for their constant encouragement and help.
Tonight in MIA Elder Smith’s lesson on dress and grooming standards created widespread interest. Everybody listened. Paulo Santos agreed to cut his hair, and Inez promised to lengthen her skirts.
We all are starting to heal from our recent sunburns. Yesterday I was still pretty sore, especially on the legs and feet and on the back of my neck.
This afternoon we played volleyball again at the church. My sunburn was fairly healed as to allow playing. I am really learning to love the sport and even learning somewhat how to play it right. I am grateful to both Elder Smith and Elder Blackham for their constant encouragement and help.
Tonight in MIA Elder Smith’s lesson on dress and grooming standards created widespread interest. Everybody listened. Paulo Santos agreed to cut his hair, and Inez promised to lengthen her skirts.
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