Category Archives: Obedience

Young Love (#58)

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Day by day, Nate and I were moving closer to the married life we so longed for. Both of us were reading marriage books about how to keep love alive, how to solve conflicts, how to build each other up every day, and how to have a great sex life. One thing that popped up in all the books was that marriage might be challenging in ways we didn’t anticipate. But both of us were eager to get started!

July 12, 1969 – Dearest Meg. I am really looking forward to the talks with Pastor Sweeting. I admire him very much. I read an article he wrote, and it had many keen insights. He’ll be a good spiritual mentor for us. Any time, day or night, will be a convenient time to talk with Pastor Sweeting. I know there is a lot going on up there, far away from Army life here. How is everybody doing – your parents, Tom, Mary and Berv, Aunt Agnes, and your parents? I hope the Lord is keeping them all in good health. And – you too! I love Meg Johnson!

cake-toppersJuly 12, 1969 – Dear Nate. Here are some wedding details. You asked about a cake. It can’t be ordered until we get the guest list to near-accuracy, so we can determine size. Then we can look in a cake catalog. Bakeries are charging $10 for the tiny bride and groom to set on top, which seems like a waste! Maybe we can make them. I would also really like to pay for the material and notions to make all the bridesmaids dresses. There will be 7 girls: my sister, 3 cousins, my best friend from childhood, my college roommate, and the girl who introduced you and me! I’m thinking dark royal blue or maybe deep burgundy for the gowns.

July 13, 1969 – Dearest Meg, my love, my fiancé, my bride. Two weeks from now I will see Meg, and this camp will be over. I love you! I re-read 1 Corinthians 13 tonight – it is short but so spiritually satisfying. I will love you like that forever and forever…

July 12, 1969 – Dear Nate. The church camp is in full swing now at maximum capacity, about 60 campers. I’m driving a few kids up there Sunday night for the next session, so I’ll ask the director if you and I will need to make any preparations for our counseling weeks. When I hear about all the fun they’re having, I can’t wait for us to get there! I’m praying it’ll be a profitable 20 days or so. They’re studying the book of 1 John, so I’m beginning to look it over.

July 12, 1969 – Dearest Meg. I’ve been thinking about all the prayer, Bible study, church life, and witness we’ll be having in our marriage. The Lord has been very good to us. We must never forget him or his commandments. I’m grateful. And I’m also overjoyed that your parents have accepted our engagement, that they like the ring, and that they want to plan and be a part of the wedding. It makes me feel very, very good! And those good feelings for them are strengthening. (Your family is soon to be my family, also!)

propeller-planeJuly 13, 1969 – Dear Nate. I’ve been trying to make arrangements to fly to Manhattan, Kansas, for your graduation on the 25th, but there’s no way, except to wait in the Kansas City airport for 5 night-time hours. So I think I’m coming via Greyhound. Only $19. I’ll be on the bus overnight with a transfer at 6:30 AM. Then I’ll arrive in Manhattan at 10:00 AM. I’ll take a cab from the airport to the base. And if that’s not early enough to watch you graduate, I’ll come the day before and pay for a motel. I don’t want to miss it!

“There is an appointed time for everything.” (Ecclesiastes 3:1)

Young Love (#46)

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Things were heating up on the home front, a little more with each passing day. Nate and I were feeling bad about Mom but most of all were stressed by being separated as the crisis developed.

Meanwhile, I figured out that when Nate was finished with Army camp and came north to spend time with my folks, there would be no place for him to stay. They would have moved from their large home to a small one with only two bedrooms: one for them and one for my brother Tom. I had planned to stay with them, too, as before. But now what would we do?

missing-himJune 29, 1969 – Dear Nate, a beautiful person. Tonight as my thoughts turned to Ft. Riley and to my fiancé and his phone call early this morning, I suddenly realized how very much I love him and need him, and how I’m longing to be married to him. My eyes filled with tears and I was overwhelmed with love for the man I will marry in November. At that moment I wanted you next to me so bad that I got a stomach ache. You are so far away! I NEED to be with you.

 

June 29, 1969 – Dearest Meg. I love you, and have been thinking a wonderful thought – that you will be the mother of our children. Let’s name the first girl Karen Meg. What do you think? Well, after another 17 hours washing pots and pans, I should sleep now. Tomorrow we’re having a big inspection here. Lots of pressure and rushing around. I’m thankful that the July 4th weekend is a sure thing for us. Has the ring arrived yet?

momJune 29, 1969 – Dear Nate. Mary called me tonight, and we talked over an hour, steamrolling right past a planned get-together with my friend Kathy. Mom had called Mary, all upset about our choice to get married in November. She said I never came “home” except to drop things off or get things, and that she wished I would spend more time there. Since I had just been there to talk with them, that hurt… and I started to bawl on the phone to Mary. Oh how I wish you were here to help me through this! It makes me feel like not going home at all, but I know that would only turn into a bigger problem later on. I’ve got to keep trying to get closer to Mom, offering more chances to talk with her. I wish she would have told me this when I was just there, rather than calling Mary instead. But Mary was very encouraging tonight, telling me things will get better once I have the ring. She also said that the final decision about a wedding date is up to us, and the parents will eventually accept it and be positive. I wonder.

June 29, 1969 – Dearest Meg. I am so excited to see you soon and am thinking about you and our wedding non-stop. We have so many delicious things to talk about when you come! Thanks for being patient with this separation. I am going to be a husband worthy of you. I pray for us throughout every day. Our inspection is today, and I suppose the outcome will be based on some Army major’s whim.

June 29, 1969 – Dear Nate. Come August, you and I will have nowhere to stay together. My folks will have moved, and there won’t be room for us. I guess we’ll be homeless. And for me, jobless, too. Ugh.

“As far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone.” (Romans 12:18)

Young Love (#45)

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My mother threw us a curve ball when she told me she didn’t think we should marry in November after all. Nate and I had been progressing as if it was firm, but apparently she’d only been thinking “maybe.” Dad, as the middle man, tried to reason with both of us, but Mom kept bringing up “the way Mary and Bervin did it,” citing their long engagement as the better way.

Part of the problem was that Mom and Dad were about to make a big move, downsizing from their big house in east Wilmette to a small ranch in west Wilmette. Mom didn’t want to move, but Dad, ever practical, insisted it was time. They would move in July, and Mom thought it unwise to be packing, downsizing, redecorating the new house, and planning a wedding all in the same summer. She was right, of course, but two love-struck 20-somethings couldn’t see anything but each other.

marshall-fieldsJune 27, 1969 – Dear Nate. I’m still upset over Mom’s negative attitude about a November wedding. But I have a strategy. I’ll offer to come and help with packing and getting rid of stuff. And in July, when I’m downtown looking for silver and china for the Marshall Field’s wedding registry, I’ll walk to Dad’s office and take him out to lunch. We’ll have a good conversation, and then he can convince Mom. I love him very much and am only beginning to appreciate him.

June 28, 1969 – Dearest Meg. There is some logic behind our choosing November, too. It will save double rent for a greater part of the school year as I continue in law school and you teach in Champaign. A November wedding also won’t conflict with law finals as a January wedding would, and the Thanksgiving holiday makes it easier for relatives and friends to be there. What sayest thou on all this, my love?

June 28, 1969 – Dear Nate. I say a November wedding, no matter what. I do realize our 4 parents have done a lot for us. They’ve put up with a lot, too. At least mine have. But once we’re married, we’ll invite both sets of them down to Champaign to show our appreciation. We will honor them as special guests.

June 28, 1969 – Dearest Meg. Remember, we have two sets of good parents, and we’ll love all 4 of them and eventually will convince them of our love, respect, and devotion for each other. I have the highest respect and love for your mother and father, and for mine. I know it’ll all work out in the end. I wish I could be there with you to help convince them. But this old Army = a deferment = law school = responsibility and ambition. We’ll talk deeply into this when you come.

June 28, 1969 – Dear Nate. Did I tell you I went to court on the Corvette? The two thieves got a month’s continuance on their case, although I won’t have to reappear. But both of them are out on bond, and I’m really upset that they might return to my street to do havoc on my car… or maybe on me! I’ll be glad when they get convicted and locked up! Gee, I’m scared. It was hard to look at them. The two policemen told me not to worry, but how do they know? One of the guys was charged with battery before, and drugs.

June 29, 1969 – Dearest Meg. It was wonderful to talk with you on the phone last night. You musn’t worry about those two guys. They wouldn’t dare repeat their crime.

loving-comfort

You can be absolutely sure of my complete attention, understanding, and love. I know you realize this now. Nothing could ever convince me I don’t love you, and my love and patience will always be there… to comfort you. I love you, Meg.

“The Spirit helps us in our weakness.” (Romans 8:26)