Letters and Manuscripts — Volume 8 (1893)

Lt 147, 1893

Olsen, O. A.

Wellington, New Zealand

July 12, 1893

Previously unpublished.

Dear Brother Olsen:

I write at this time to excuse my not writing you ere this, and I am not able to write you a letter now as I much desire to do. I have just one week ago today had all my teeth extracted, and I am of course suffering considerable with my gums. They are inflamed and painful. Eight were extracted at one sitting, and now the last root is out of my head, and I rejoice much that the disagreeable job is ended. I endured the process without once wincing or groaning. I had committed my case to the Lord, and the Lord graciously helped me. I would not take anything to stupefy me, but the Lord gave me courage, and I have slept very well every night since. 8LtMs, Lt 147, 1893, par. 1

I am of good courage in the Lord, and I have so much to be thankful for. The Lord is my helper; in Him do I trust. My health is improving. I am able now to kneel down when I pray; have not been able to kneel for over one year. I am thankful for this, and I have my reason for this. I will praise the Lord. When I shall recover from this last operation on my teeth, I shall try to write to you. 8LtMs, Lt 147, 1893, par. 2

When our brethren return from Norway, will you please have someone purchase for me a fur shoulder cape, the largest size they can find, in imitation of seal skin, reaching about to the bottom of waist; also a fur collar for the neck, of the same material? I find, since having the rheumatism, it is almost impossible to keep my shoulders warm. I arise at three and four in the morning. If there is black or brown plush, such material as I purchased when in Christiana, Norway, if you can interest anyone to find remnants of one yard and a half, or a couple of yards or more, fine material of course, but not silk, but worsted plush, it would accommodate me. If there is a trifle more or less, it will answer my purpose. Make it into a lap robe—these two yards—and I shall be so glad. If it could be purchased here, I would get it, but it cannot be purchased here. If black cannot be had, gray-brown will answer. I do not care to have the most expensive material. We cannot get these goods in America, neither can we get them here. But if you cannot get them without considerable trouble, I will be satisfied anyway to do nothing about them. 8LtMs, Lt 147, 1893, par. 3

I thought that when our brethren returned, they could bring something of this kind, serving their purpose as a lap robe. I do not want this done if it is not entirely the thing to do, and perfectly right. Do as you think best. I have tried to get a fur shoulder cape and collar, which I have needed almost constantly in this country, but there is nothing I would wear but those that are so expensive I cannot reach them. Marion purchased her fur in Grimsby—imitation of seal—and I purchased one for Mary White in Grimsby, but I had better offers in Christiana, Norway. 8LtMs, Lt 147, 1893, par. 4

I have endured the winter here in Wellington much better than in Melbourne. There is something about Melbourne very harsh and unpleasant. I am not troubled with rheumatism as in Melbourne. 8LtMs, Lt 147, 1893, par. 5

Elder Israel has been troubled several weeks, unable to stand straight. He is improving. 8LtMs, Lt 147, 1893, par. 6

Willie is in Melbourne, expects to leave for Sydney soon. He is disgusted with Melbourne climate. He says it is rainy and cold and damp, and he is troubled with rheumatic pains. I hope he will get away from Melbourne. I am grateful to my heavenly Father constantly for my reason. I shall send this to Europe, by the way of San Francisco. Hope you will get it all right. I leave it to you to get these things to me as soon as a messenger can bring them, or they might be put in a box or something that shall come this way. 8LtMs, Lt 147, 1893, par. 7