Annie and Walter - Part 2 of Ann Phillips' Mission Journal

This series shares excerpts from the missionary journal of my great, great grandmother Ann Elizabeth Rasband Phillips who served in Laie, Hawaii 1900-1902. Click to read previous posts:  Part 1

The last post ended on a sad note with the death of Annie's father.  In contrast, this entry begins with the happiest day of her life and ends with an exciting announcement.  In between, there is illness, thievery and even a foreshadowing of tragedy.

According to Annie's journal, she wasn't just accompanying her husband on his mission. She too was called and set apart as a missionary. This wasn't common practice at the turn of the century, but the Hawaiian mission seemed to be ahead of the times.  In the mid to late 1800's sisters were called and set apart with and without husbands to serve in Laie.  See this article and this one for more information about sister missionaries in Hawaii.

Now that you have a little background, let's get started with the first official entries in Annie's journal.

On June 9, 1900 my sweetheart [Walter Freeman Phillips] and I received a letter from box B.  We were called on a mission to the Sandwich Islands.

June 11, we went to Salt Lake City and on the 13^th we were married.  My name is now Anna Phillips.  The day we were made husband and wife was the happiest day of my life.

Annie and Walter around the time of their marriage.

July 5^th, left home in company with Mamma, Sister Phillips and Bro Allen, for Salt Lake to be set apart for our missions.  Were set apart on July 6^th by Pres. Kimbell and Wells.

July 9^th – Left Salt Lake for San Francisco

July 11^th – Arrived in San Francisco.  Should have taken the boat on the 12^th for Honolulu but thru some mistake could not. Stayed in San Francisco two weeks. Walter was very sick while in S.F.

July 25^th – Boarded the steam ship Australia for Honolulu.  Sea sick all the way over.

August 1^st – Arrived in Honolulu.  Received at the Mission house by Br. William Waddoups.

Aug 11^th – Left Honolulu for Laie.  Met all the sisters and a number of the elders all well.

August 26^th – Walter left for his field of labour.  Was called to labour on the Island of Qahwat Kaalaiia and Kahana.

Sept. 8^th – Sister Pendleton made some current pies to send to Bros Phillips and Pendeton.  In the evening we put up a lunch to send to them and when they got it the pies had been taken out by some one but we don’t know who.

Sept. 27^th – Washed and ironed.  My dear husband helped me. Got letters and good news from home.  Was so happy had a good cry. Throat very sore.

Oct 8^th – Had a lovely meeting in the Pule room for the Releaf Society Sisters.  Walt went to Goat Island with the other bros. Had a very bad dream about Walt.

Oct 17^th – Started to make baby clothes.