[Mesa]

Up early packing etc. Said our goodbyes this morning to Mary Ellen, John, Amy, Cassie. Tough, but the dissipation and desire to serve made it possible, and we went up afternoon to Coolidge, then Mesa. The difficulty with leaving the Campbells is just that the heavy bonding, built up for twenty eight and a half years, makes it all the more difficult. Marian and I have talked of how there is no more love there—the love is the same all over. All our kids, their spouses, and children are loved most surely and completely but for the reasons well-known, the special bonding is a factor—me to Mary Ellen and Marian to Amy. It makes it tough to leave. The Campbells will be just fine in our absence. The new house is adequate (The pool and landscaping are going in right now). John's job is going really well—I'm proud of him for his industry and ability. Also grateful to him for loving and caring for Mary Ellen so much. Also the ward has accepted the family just the way you always hoped they would everyone. They're busy, happy and successful. I love them, but I really want to get to Porto—so no tears!

On to Coolidge! First Mike's house. By the time we got there, the kids where all home from school, or arriving. Mike came home from work special to see us off. Such a lovely family!! This is such a loving bunch—full of hugs and kisses. Something about a grandchild's hug and kiss that's extra special. Some business matters to discuss. More hugs and kisses—this was a short visit, so it was mostly hugs and kisses. This family is close and doing fine (it will do better when Mike finishes school and can get on with his real life's work. They're all pulling for that!). Also hard to leave!!!

On to Sue's. This was the toughest. Our Donna clinged to us like she'd never let us go. She doesn't understand. And we'll just have to leave it up to the Heavenly Father to help her through this. Most of the kids where there—all but Jan. We hugged and kissed some more—I don't know how many of those are available on any one day, but this day was surely loaded! We told everyone goodbye, then another hard parting from Donna. I kept a smile glued on, tho. On the way down the street we saw Jan walking. It was a difficult moment leaving her, and driving away. Love that special girl!

On to Mesa, awhile getting set apart at Mom's, then a time with John's family. All there. All loving and squeezing. Since we'll see John in the morning, it diffused this departing a little. Hugs and kisses and hugs and kisses. It's extra hard to leave John and his family because of the unsettled conditions there. The pregnancy, the job insufficiencies, all else still unsettled. But here, again, we'll just have to leave it all in the Lord's hands. He knows us and our families, and our needs, and He still said "go to Portugal," so we go! I pray that the Lord will bless and prosper our families in things spiritual.

Back to Mom's for the night. I called Gwen, Shirley and Carol. Marian called Frank and K. We went to bed sad but ready—.

[Tucson]

A beautiful, cool Arizona Sabbath day, and Mother's Day. Marian looked beautiful, complete with her missionary name-plate. Mary Ellen looked gorgeous. Sundays and Mother's days seem to do a lot for our dear companions. Special days! Special ladies!!

We attended church at Mary Ellen and John's 25th Ward. A nice meal followed. At 3:00 we went to David and Peggy's for a couple or 3 hours. The kids put on a program for us, were so cute and loving. A present for Marian. Peggy is a really wonderful daughter-in-law. Very special to me. I love her for herself as well as all the wonderful work she's done on her family. They show it. It was hard to leave because now we know this is the last one, for a long time. We leave this family in good hands with David. He keeps a special part of my love with him. I owe him so much, and love him so dearly. I'm immensely proud of my son. He played his banjo a little for us, and was so gracious all the while. Then home to Mary Ellen's, and a really nice evening with John and her. I love her equally—and john the same. The Campbells have been so gracious to us—the room, and all the love and attention we could hold. I am so very proud of this little family. This attitude toward things that matter most is good and solid. They are prospering greatly—new house, new cars, swimming pool going in, landscaping rocks coming tomorrow, etc.—I think they'll handle it well. They truly love us, and it is great to be with them.

[Coolidge]

Errands and such around Tucson a.m. Afternoon late we went with John and Mary Ellen—their car—to Coolidge for Mckay's baptism. A nice family time! I spoke on baptism. Just us from Tucson and the Coolidge family were there, and a lot of Hansens and Brooks. Had a nice visit afterward with Susan, Jan and Lindsay and Taylor. The rest went to Spencer's ballgame. Back to Tucson real late.

[Tucson]

Back to Tucson. Donna an appointment with Dr. Leavitt to fill her tooth again, Lindsay's B-Day and dinner, back to Tucson to stay with Mary Ellen. This is not a mission. The events are not missionary events. Waiting for a visa at home is the pits. Since this journal is supposed to be a missionary journal, I'm putting it aside until the mission starts up again. So—until further notice!!! Lindsay's B-Day.

[Mesa]

Marian and Mary Ellen took Cassie and went to a showroom for jewelry. I stayed with Amy and took her to school. That was nice to have a couple of hours with Amy. We left for Coolidge about 3:00, went to Susan's and McKay's B-Day. Also dinner and Family Home Evening. About 8:00 we came on to Mesa. Mom had already retired, so we quietly entered, settled in and turned in. McKay's B-Day.

[Tucson]

Slow start-up. Marian and I missed Sunday School and Priesthood/Relief Society and caught up on journals and talked quietly. It seemed to be a good time for it. Sacrament Meeting here in the Tucson 25th Ward was good. Best part of the program (after the Sacrament) was the talks given by Mary Ellen and John. They each spoke, each very well, each humbly and with testimony, and I was so proud I could have popped all my buttons. Mary Ellen spoke on prayer, John on missionary work. I'm more grateful than I could say, that this little family is getting along so well. They seem to be prospering in all departments—spiritually, financially, maritally, etc. They understand each other, make allowances, are complementary one to another. Evening we played a couple of games and it was nice to be together.

[Tucson]

Spent part of the day at the storage place, putting in some extra furniture from Mary Ellen and John's. Afternoon we went to the Arizona Sonora Desert Museum and had a great time! Evening was quiet—reading, TV, etc.

[Tucson]

Pumped up the tires on Daddy's car, then bid Mom goodbye again and went to Coolidge. Visited Jerri and Susan, dropped off Donna, came to Tucson, where Amy was involved in a little play at school. Runaway Rabbits! Cute!! Nice to be with Mary Ellen's family.

[Mesa]

Another nice day in Tucson. We enjoyed the kids a lot and it's always neat to be around Mary Ellen. Saw several groups of model home—just thinking ahead to when we get back. Saw a couple of really nice ones, which may not be within our reach. Evening we went over to Dave and Peggy's—to see their home addition and to enjoy their family. John was working, so Mary Ellen and the kids went too. Nice evening.

[Tucson]

Early start, down to Tucson by 8 am and Sunday Meetings with Mary Ellen's family. Nice ward. Nice people. The Campbells have made a good move to Tucson's Northwest side. Saw a few people I know—Bishop Craig Cook, he and Kathy were in my student branch; Anthony and Pierce Goodman. A lazy day with the kids, snoozing, etc. Some gospel study, a little language.

[Mesa]

Some more stuff around Mom's home. We shopped some. Met the Vanderpools at the drugstore. Mom's trying to trying to run us and showing her forgetfulness in the process. I've determined that it's probably not safe for her to be alone, but she's too stubborn to have it otherwise. After noon Marian and I went to Coolidge where we enjoyed Donna again and Susan's family. Shortly Dave, Mary Ellen and Mike and their families arrived. A nice dinner and enjoy-one-another time (There was an altercation, but I'm not going to expand on that—just try to help resolve it. This is part of the give-and-take of family life.). At the conclusion, we drove back to Mesa, to bring Mom Gibson home, spent the night in Mesa.

[Springfield, MO]

John Campbell's B-Day. Springfield 2nd Ward meetings this morning. We were well received! We got more "hellos" and introductions in one morning from sincere, well-wishing people than we did in 6 months in Huntington Beach. It seems like a very nice ward and I could enjoy these people very much. We went to dinner at Anderson's—a real nice Sunday dinner fixed by Shirley. Called Gary Fuller about the house—he's got a sale and it looks good!! We found a Western Union office and wired approval to him (cost $63 for 2 wires—him and his colleague). A lazy afternoon in the apartment—a little snooze, diary catch-up, map consulting and 4 Nephi preparation. Stayed home in the evening and went to be early—zonked.

[Provo]

Temple time again. The Chapman's went with us, and it was good, and this time a serious, time. A good session (actually, there was no bad sessions). A curious thing happened, though. Marian has been putting a name in the Temple for the prayer circles each time she goes. This day she took the card, and wrote her own name! She says she tried to write the other name, but her hand was guided to write her own name! It startled her, then she took another card and wrote the name she had intended. I don't know what specific blessing she needs additional faith-and-prayer help on, but it's neat that she'll get it. Even though she never sought it. I went to the BYU bookstore for grammar and other books for Portugal, then took Marian to get her hair done. Back at the MTC we took the Chapman's to the shopping mall for some shopping. After dinner, our teacher didn't show up, so we had the evening. We spent most of it studying and reading our assignment in the New Testament. We called the kids, who are all together tonight at Mary Ellen's house for the first of their get-togethers while we're gone. It was great talking to each one. It made us both home-sick, but "what else is new?"

[Provo]

The day was fairly ordinary and Marian got two new teachers—Elder Jensen and Sister Bradbury. Now she can move at her own pace, for it is 1 on 1 teaching. In the evening we had a cultural event after the regular evening session with Sister Bezas. Elders Lucero and Davis brought their slides and some stuff from Portugal. It was nice. Elder Lucero brought his wife, as did Elder Mcleod (the Parker's teacher) and the Parkers were there and we had a good time with refreshments. Cassie's B-Day!!!

[Provo]

First thing I called Stan Peterson at CES—Associate Commissioner—for an appointment. He said to come right up. I also got an appointment with Eugene Hill, director of training here at the MTC. We went to Salt Lake City, and to the 9th floor of the Church Office Building. Stan was waiting for us. He gave us a good audience, and pledged to get things to happen—check on our visas, get us with Corey Bangerter (who has been CES in Portugal a few years ago), see that we got to a home study setting for an experience, and see what else he could do to have the experiences of a CES missionary couple learning a foreign language to be a good one. He told us we are the first ever to do this particular assignment—go on a foreign-language education mission. We are "guinea-pigs" (his words). As Frank Bradshaw previously put it, we are writing the book.

The difference between us and previous education missionaries is the language. No one before has had to learn one—all went to English-language missions. They were called, spent a week at the MTC for "flavor" (his words again), then off to work on Seminaries and Institutes somewhere. It was felt that we needed full time at the MTC for the language. So, that's why we're sent here on a full-shot basis. I felt that's where the misunderstanding has come in. Here we've been slotted with all other missionaries who were called for leadership and for proselyting.

So, back to MTC and the appointment with Brother Hill. He said frankly, "we haven't known what to do with you." But he is anxious to meet our needs and to schedule help in whatever way is helpful. We'll get with Elder Slezak (our zone leader) tomorrow to set up a better program. It looks as though our struggling and discomfort will finally pay off.

We got a letter from Mary Ellen today in the mail, also a card from her and John from Hawaii. They are there on an Equitable vacation. Also got the stuff to sign for the escrow on the house sale. We signed everything tonight to get it right back and finalized.

[Mesa-Flagstaff]

Got up and went to Church at Chandler 7^th Ward. A real nice homecoming! It was like a real farewell. We saw so many old friends there. I wished I had never gone. We left reluctant after Sacrament Meeting. Then a little later to Pioneer Park for lunch with the family. They were all there. Melvin sent his apologies that he couldn’t come because Marilyn has pneumonia. She’s had it for some time now, and that’s a concern!

The food was great, the company was great, and we had a joyous time (even on Sunday!). Then we all had our family picture taken. Dale Welker did it. That was a real max effort. We stood by the steps of the temple. It was like herding sheep alone, without a sheepdog, but we got it done!

Then a little family time at Mom’s, and on to the setting apart at the Chandler Stake Center. President Kempton was at his best! He had Mary Ellen speak, Kay and Mike pray, and he set us both apart.

Mary Ellen’s talk was extemporaneous, of course. I was so proud of her, and it took so much for her to do it. She bore a sweet testimony and told of her love for us. Frank and Bev and Kay and Joy were all there. It was a love feast. The entire day was a love feast! It was worth a thousand lifetimes of trial and endeavor to enjoy that one sweet day. I know a little better the joys of heaven—the joy of the Saints that has been spoken of by the prophets. It seemed that every shining, bright, smiling face was writing itself forever in my heart. I don’t need to take pictures to Portugal. I just need those treasured faces in my memory. I love every single one. I pray four times daily for every single one. I pray that there might be no empty chairs in time nor in eternity. No empty chairs. If faith and prayers and any example I might set, together with faith and works and best effort on the part of all my descendants and their spouses count for anything, I pray that this prayer might be answered.

After the royal send-off, Marian and I, alone and together, pointed our faces to Salt Lake City. We stopped at Mom’s, emptied garbage, vacuumed the floor, tidied up and locked up. Drove as far as Flagstaff. It snowed some on us—real cold. We stayed the night at the Pony Soldier Motel. We’re on our way to Portugal!!!!

[Mesa]

Marian and Amy went shopping while I picked grapefruit. Studied Portuguese awhile. Amy and I took a long walk around the Temple. That's a real wonderful thing. She loved all of the flowers and petrified wood. She had to look at the statue of Christ. We talked of the inside of the Temple. It was a neat time--one I shall not forget. At night Mel and Mildred Rogers took us out to a nice dinner. I liked that! Mel's a good friend and Mildred has always been close, too.

[Tucson-Coolidge-Mesa]

The movers were to be back at 6:00-6:30 am. No way! 7:45! The excuse--the motel didn't give them a wake-up! Pokey all day. I died 1,000 deaths. While they were loading I got a physical for a $100,000 life insurance policy--on the hood of a pick-up truck--blood sample, blood pressure and all (the urine sample was in the restroom.) John came by with the paperwork, and I got all signed up! I hope it goes through. It's for my retirement! The movers took 'til 6:30 pm to finish unloading all our furniture into the storage vaults. Then I snaked them through the hills and streets in that big van to Mary Ellen's where they unloaded her portion. It was 8:00 pm! I got Amy and headed for Coolidge. I fixed Susan's hanging lamp, got Marian and the 3 of us went back to Mesa, late.

[Mesa-Coolidge-Tucson]

Down to Coolidge first thing to meet the moving van at 8 or 8:30. We had a nice visit with Sue and the little kids 'til 10:30 when it finally arrived. Two men again. They put off Donna's stuff and some stuff for Susan, and loaded the piano. Then they left for Tucson. Marian stayed at Susan's to help get Donna settled, then I left for Tucson. I arrived at the storage building 1 1/2 hours before the van arrived, and loafed! I don't know what they did on the way. Two guys unloading--went real slow. By 6:00 pm they hadn't done much. I stayed the night at Mary Ellen's. That was nice!

[Tucson-Huntington Beach]

Sorry to report, we set out for Huntington Beach when the Campbell's left for Church. So much to do! Went by way of Gila Bend and Blythe. Same old trip. When we got home we worked 'til midnight getting stuff ready to pack.