Thursday 5-09-57

Dearest Sweetheart,

How good it was to talk to you last night — and so much excitement. The folks came in just as we were working on supper. Danny fortunately turned the oven off, or the chuck roast would have been done and we would have eaten before they came. As it was, we hadn’t eaten and Mother had brought some steaks from Howe – delicious – which we broiled; along with some fresh beans, we had a delicious supper. Set the table in the dining room, and Danny wondered what was up! Not Sunday. And now my supper is all cooked for tonight!

They left about 10 this a.m. Wolcotts came over to see if they could help get the car carrier on top and so we visited somewhat longer, but it was good fellowship. Mother dug a bag of dandelions to take home for their supper. [what?!!]

Danny seems to be back to normal this morning. So good to have him that way. He really loved his granddaddy.

How I would love to come for the banquet and I would feel so proud to be beside you. I was thinking this morning about how I could manage it, but anyway you look at it, it would mean a lot of maneuvering, unless there was someone to just come in and take over.

Mother said to tell you to call Wayne Sorenson about the house, and if it is what we want, to inquire about renting it until we could get a payment ready. They want to sell, and talk like they would just dispose of their things. Mother says that there is an apartment upstairs in that house that the Rogers stayed in when they were home. The folks need a place to call home base, and we seem the likely ones to provide that. I’d love to. They would like to just give us the things from their house that we could use. Perhaps the Lord is going to work this all out so that when they can sell, we can have a place to move to and take their things. Norwood meeting [a Plymouth Brethren chapel in suburb of Chicago] would be nice to attend, although I believe it would be good for us to be in a smaller place that needs building up, i.e. La Grange.

Of course, Daddy reminds us of the high cost of living there, taxes, etc. and told me that Harlowe’s house is for sale as it is costing them too much to maintain it – taxes being raised in Wheaton again this year. Said we might get it!

While the folks would be glad to use money from the sale of their house for a down payment, I believe it would be better if we would ask the Lord to help us meet that ourselves. [GO MOM!] Perhaps that is pride and wanting independence, but I would feel that it would be a clearer leading of the Lord that this is the place for us.

You are tired now and the thought of camp seems too much, but if this house deal doesn’t develop, it seems to me that we should plan to go up to help, if they still need us. I believe it could be worked out so that you could get as much studying done there as you could here at this house.

While the folks are willing to sell out in order to be more free to serve the Lord, I don’t believe that will be necessary. As long as the children are little I’ll be home bound and would love to help out in their ministry by keeping a place for them and doing what I can for them to lighten their load. While it may be cheaper to live the way we are now – that is only figured in dollars and cents and not in cost of the need of the family or your physical strength being used to come back and forth.

Now I must close — lunch time. The boys were in a little while ago with an apple to eat. Guess they had inside information that it was near noon! I love you, Sweetheart, and we are surely praying for you these closing weeks of school. Get as much rest as you can. The work will go faster when you do get to it then. Cut down on the exams — the students are tired, too! Ahem!

All our love,
Nellie