(Previous installment)

Tuesday, Junio 1, 1926

Buenos Aires – Spent most of the day writing letters. Wrote May, Rolfe, Elder Haymore, Bp. Pierce and Bernice Turley. These letters leave day after tomorrow, and I cannot send out any more letters till June 17. I read considerable Church History from Vol. 4. I also gave Spanish lesson to Elder Ballard.

Wednesday, Junio 2, 1926

Buenos Aires – I wrote a poem today and called it “My Choice ’Twixt Sin and Death.” I also read considerable Church History. In the evening we went to Friedrichs where we held a splendid cottage meeting with 30 people present. There was good attention and I enjoyed a good spirit in speaking to them. Mailed letters home, boat leaves tomorrow.

Thursday, Junio 3, 1926

Buenos Aires – I did the family wash. Today is the day our letters go North. I read a great deal of Church History and finished Vol. 4. Today has been a great Catholic Holiday and all business was suspended. Great parades and processions filled the streets. All shows the great power and influence wielded in this country by that great Church.

Friday, Junio 4, 1926

Buenos Aires – I cleaned up kitchen etc. preparatory for coming of Missionaries. We held cottage Meeting at 4 pm at home of Mrs Molares and had about 20 present, and a most excellent spirit. I spoke with great freedom. Several that were present are showing increased interest. Recd a letter from Pilar Paez, of Mexican Mission.

Saturday, Junio 5, 1926

Buenos Aires – I received letters from Nena, Elder Huish and Gaskell Romney. Nena writes me the Dr says result of x-ray they took of her show she must have an operation and that her and her mother expected to leave for Salt Lake in a few days to have it done. She wrote May 3 1926. It gives me a great deal of worry as I know nothing of what the results have been. I hope for the best. It is just a year today since I received the word by wire of my son Carl’s illness in Chapinas. Brings sad memories. We expected missionaries at 7.30 pm and went to boat landing, waiting till 10.30 pm, but they did not get in. Boat held out on account of fog.

Sunday, Junio 6, 1926

Buenos Aires – Bro Ballard went to Darcena Norte to meet missionaries. Did not reach house till 4.45 pm although expected in at 7 am. I held good meeting and S.S. at Friedrichs at 10 a.m. Had 40 in attendance. Had German meeting at 5. People greatly pleased with arrival of Bro [Reinhold] and Sister [Martha] Stoof, German speaking. At 7.40 pm held Spanish meeting in the Hall. Not many present but good meeting. Bro [James Vernon] Sharp spoke well, and I followed.

Just a year today since my boy died. I got the word on the train at Ahumada, by wire. Today has been a sad day for me.

Monday, Junio 7, 1926

Buenos Aires – I got breakfast and then turned kitchen and cooking over to Sister Stoof. I went with Elders and got their trunks from Customs House. Day is still dark and damp and stormy, and somewhat cooler than yesterday. Sister Stoof had a very good vegetable dinner. I received a letter from Elder Haymore saying May and Rolfe and Nena started for Salt Lake May 6, 1926, to have Nena operated on. I have not received definite word what her trouble is and I am very worried.

Tuesday, Junio 8, 1926

Buenos Aires – I studied Church History. Bro Ballard bought more rugs and furniture for the mission home. In evening we went to home of Bro Kullick and held a cottage meeting. Just the family and three Spanish speaking ladies present. Meeting was in Spanish and I did the speaking. It was 12 p.m. when we got back to our rooms, but a very good spirit was felt at the meeting. It is a year today since I got to Mexico City when I went there for Carl’s body. The day has brought me terribly sad memories. The year has been one of varied happenings and great sorrow to me.

Wednesday, Junio 9, 1926

Buenos Aires – I read and studied in the forenoon. Went to Dentist’s at 2 pm to have tooth put on my bridge, but the gum had so overgrown that I had to have a piece burned off with an electric needle. In evening went to Fredericks and held cottage meeting. 48 present, and there were more adults than we have ever had in that meeting. Brother Sharp spoke well for a short time, and then I spoke for 40 minutes. After this meeting at 7.30 pm we held a German meeting and Bro and Sister Stoof occupied the time. There were 4 German investigators present. Memories of this day last year have been with me all day, as it was the day I went to Texcoco and Chapingo and found the body of my dear boy Carl. It was in an old convent. I wonder if I will ever get over it.

Thursday, Junio 10, 1926

Buenos Aires – Studied in the forenoon. Went to Biebersdorf in Dock Sud and held a German Cottage meeting at 7.30 pm. Bro and Sister Stoof did the speaking. We returned home late and the day had been damp and cold, some rain having fallen.

Friday, Junio 11, 1926

Buenos Aires – I went to Dentist’s again this morning but my gum was too sore to have tooth put in yet. Went to Mrs. Molares at 3 pm and held meeting with 40 people. They were very interested and paid good attention. Bro Sharp spoke a short time and then I spoke about an hour on Revelation and Prophecy. Had chocolate with Mrs. Molares. Mrs. Sifuentes stayed and after supper said that she had decided to come into the church by baptism. Said she had prayed to the Lord about it and had a feeling in her heart that it was the right thing to do. I received letters from May and Rolfe telling of Nena’s successful operation in Salt Lake on May 14. I have been very anxious and was very glad to get the word. Finished Vol. 5 C. History.

Saturday, Junio 12, 1926

Buenos Aires – I wrote letters to Pilar Paez, Elder Haymore and Elder Huish. Went to see Sec of Y.M.C.A. to try to get pool for baptizing, but could do nothing on account of narrowness on his part. One year today since I arrived in El Paso with the body of my dear boy Carl. These are sad days for me.

Sunday, Junio 13, 1926

Buenos Aires – Held Sunday School and Bible class at Friedrichs. About 30 present. Mrs Sifuentes who had on Friday applied for baptism and whom we expected to be there, was not present, for some cause. Weather was very wet and bad. Perhaps that was the reason. German meeting in Hall at 5 pm. A German man from Herbingham present. This is twice in succession he has been out. He seems very interested. Spanish meeting at 7.30 pm, better turn out than last Sunday. Bro Sharp made a good talk. I followed. Seven months tomorrow since I left New York for South America.

Monday, Junio 14, 1926

Buenos Aires – I spent forenoon giving Spanish class to Missionaries, and in visiting Mrs. Sifuentes. Found that the reason she was not at our meeting yesterday was owing to a misunderstanding. However she was ready for baptism and we arranged to have it attended to next day. Were to leave our place at 9 am for the La Plata River where we performed the first baptisms in So America. I also visited Mrs. Molares who was anxious to attend the baptism. Most of the afternoon I spent at the dentist’s having my teeth treated. I had to have my gum burned again. I wrote a number of letters.

Tuesday, Junio 15, 1926

Buenos Aires – We went to place agreed fore baptism, where at 12.30 pm I baptized Sister Eladia Sifuentes. This is our first convert among Spanish speaking people in South America, and the first convert made by we Elders here in South America. Right after the baptism Bro Ballard confirmed her a member. Did it in English, I translating. Sister Sifuentes is a very fine woman and is very happy in receiving the Gospel. She was born in Spain. After the baptism we went to Lamis and held meeting at night at home of Bro Kullick. There were about 8 Spanish speaking people present and 10 German speaking. Bro Stoof and myself did speaking. One year today since we buried Carl.