Remember Mercy

Oct. 16, Sat. 1943 My beloved:

              Just a line to let you know I am thinking of you altho’ there is little happening of interest to write about. I certainly was pleased with the cards you sent. The one of the midnite sun and the rest, too, I’m afraid I am too selfish to give away. The one of the road with the truck setting in the foreground I have a newspaper clipping just like it, much larger, that I cut out shortly after you left. As for your sisters thinking you were brave to go up there I think you were, too. You said you and I know why and so forth but that wasn’t the easy way. There were other things you could have done. Take doing nothing for instance. But you went in to the unknown as far as you were concerned. With the belief that it would be worse than it really is, I expect. But you were not afraid. You went. Because you believe in certain things. Like your debt or duty to your country as well as the personal benefits to be derived. I am proud of a man that has convictions and then does something about it.  When you decide to stand up for the cause of Jesus Christ, our Lord, what a wonderful influence for good you can have. I pray He won’t be as slow standing up for us on Judgement Day as we have been for him. It is for some one brave and strong like you to live a good [p.2]life we weaker ones may gain strength by seeing it can be done. The Church is still the Divine institution it was intended to be. It is the local congregation which is at fault and by whom non-Christians judge it. For this reason we of the local congregations should do our best to live up to its teachings and make others want to join our rank by our example.

              That’s what I see for us in the future. A completely old fashion Christian home out on our farm where we could really be close to God.

              Jim asks more often for the story of Daddy getting on the aeroplane and flying to Ind’p’ls and getting in a taxi and coming to 2020 Langley Ave and opening the door and [tear, word missing] ‘cause this is where he lives and grabbing Jimmy and squeezing him so tight he almost breaks his ribs and won’t let him go. And so forth. It starts way back before you pack your clothes and get in the truck to go the airport. It’s quite a long story. It has preference over Uncle Bob and his filling station.

              Goodby my own sweet daddy write as often as you can. We feel so much better after getting your nice letters.

                                      I love you                     Helen & Children