January 22, 2015

Letters from Grandma Lil

January 22, 2015

Dear Cassi and Liza:

My two granddaughter missionaries out serving the Lord and suffering in His name.  I am proud of you and you both bring me much joy.

I have been working on writing my wife's life history.    Here are excerpts from two of her letters to me, the first when she first received her mission call to North Germany.   And the second after she had been a missionary for about 7 months. 

Colleen's letter dated April, 1962 read:  "My darling, My darling:  Please send the German Plan and find a new way to tease me when I come home to you.   I am going to a German speaking mission, the North German Mission in fact.  I can't believe it---can you?  It's even more amazing when you realize Alma Sonne (General Authority interview) had no idea I'm even taking a class in German.  The only thing mentioned about it was:  "How long have you studied?  (On my form it said I had studied a little on my own.)  I had to be truthful and answer "Not very long at all."  Then Brother Sonne seemed so impressed to hear that my father was born in England that I thought if I went overseas at all it would be there.  Well, are you glad or what?  I hope you are happy.  I am so happy and I want you to be also.  I know now that the Lord must direct his prophets in where to send missionaries.    Only the Lord and you and I knew of my desire to serve a mission.  I feel the Lord must want me there---after you wrote me saying you'd rather have me stay in the states I kept thinking and praying "But someone must go to these people, and I am willing to go."  I also told my Heavenly Father that he alone knew of all my assets and liabilities and only He could decide where would be the very best place for me to go.   This is the most important reason I'm happy.  Another important reason I'm happy is---now we have another experience to share and bring us closer---another shared experience and another bond between us.  We'll have to help each other keep our German after our missions.  So, darling, be happy and please help me.    And John---a two year mission!  What could be better?  It will be better for you---because---as much as you deny it a girl right in the middle of the school year is not a  help but a hindrance.   Better for me because I'll have six more months to serve the Lord, six months I might just waste.   Amazing to think that from now on you will be waiting for me.  I do love you so very, very much---more than you realize I'm sure.  I love you, John---more than you imagine I think. There are no doubt in my mind about you and my love for you.  This separation has taught me to have complete trust and faith in you---and I do.   All my love always, Colleen."   

Colleen's letter to John dated January 15, 1963:  This has been a wonderful

week for me.   I have had so many different experiences and so many

wonderful evidences of the Lord answering my prayers.  I had prayed for

such a long time that when I saw you again I'd know for sure if we were

right for each other.  I was so tired of wondering and doubting and never

knowing for sure.   And then you came and my prayers were answered and

there isn't a doubt in my mind.  I've read the article you sent with your

accompanying letters.  I have thought over the content of both.  We had a

discussion tonight at MIA over whether or not a boy or girl should marry

outside the Church.   As the discussion developed, I had opportunity to

bring several of Brother Kimball's ideas forth---and even some of the ideas

we have together.   I truly see the wisdom in what he says---there is no

other way to have a sacred and holy and truly successful marriage.  The

past is the past my darling.  You have my complete loyalty and devotion

that I have withheld until I was absolutely sure.  As far as I am concerned,

only the Lord can change anything between us.  I am so thankful for this

mission.   Never have I been so aware of the beauty of my role in life---as a

wife and a mother in Zion.  Never have I had such respect for the

priesthood, so much love for the gospel and the Lord and his children.  And

the beauty and peace and quiet power one finds in earnest prayer---are

such blessings.  Thank you darling for this mission.  If you had said no when

I wrote for your opinion---I'd have stayed home and missed all the joys and

sorrows, ups and downs and all the hundreds of experiences one has on a

mission.  I would have never fully realized what it means to be a woman in

Israel.  So many things are so much clearer and more beautiful to me now. 

You are surely right when you say "no one can gain the wisdom and

understanding a mission brings without experiencing a mission personally."

These two letters will give you a glimpse into the heart of your grandmother.

I love you both.

Grandpa Liljenquist