Today's the Day!

These two just left for a five week trip through Europe! They are staying in 10 different cities and visiting many more! To save money they are staying with friends, LDS church members, at hostels, in a B&B, couch surfing and a couple of places TBD. Some of those options make me nervous, but I know they will have an amazing adventure together!

And yes, that backpack and small suitcase contain everything they packed for 5 weeks!

Grandma Would Be Proud

This afternoon we celebrated Labor Day by swimming with my sister's family. All of my kids and grandkids were there. I love it when that happens!

Dinner was easy because we got In N Out. Well, it wasn't so easy for John who had to keep track of all those orders, and of course everyone had a special order. What a picky bunch!

After I got Lavender to bed tonight, my middle kids and I played a game of Scrabble. We had a great time and we used all the letters except for the "J".

We played on my Mom's old turntable board and we reminisced about games of Scrabble with her. My kids have fond memories of playing board and card games with their grandma. I am grateful they are blessed with such fun memories of time spent laughing and playing together. I hope I can leave a similar legacy for my grandchildren.

Life Goes On - Part 6 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, Part 2, Part 3, Part 4, Part 5

I can't imagine what it must have been like for Grandma Phillips (who was nothing like a grandma at age 22!) to lose her husband during their mission. Although her journal doesn't mention it, family tradition says that she chose to stay and continue serving as a missionary rather than taking the next boat home. I imagine that their mission calls were for three years as was common back then. She certainly didn't stay that long, but I admire her for continuing to work and serve even though her her heart must have been broken.

Dec 25th – Sister Madsen and I cooked Christmas dinner. Leisle got a rattle in her stocking. Received $10 from the Sunday School for Christmas.

1902

Jan 15th – Made some oyster soup for Bro Davis.  He had his teeth pulled and he was sick from the effects.

Jan 16 - Bro Davis’ teeth are no better.  Put warm cloths on his face and rubbed it with linement.

Jan 19 - Did what I could for Bro. Davis and after my work was done at the house Bros. Smedley and Miner took Sister Madson and I to see “Kaliu-waa” the water fall.  We had a fine ride for about three miles and then started to walk up a gulch.  It was very rocky and wet to it was hard climbing but the beautiful scenery was beyond description. We got some lovely ferns and saw the waterfall. We started back home [illegible] carried Leisle all the time. We got some nice guavas.  Sister Madson fell off a floom and bruised her hip and shoulder. When we hitched up the horse she would not go. She balked and so we had to walk for a long way to the road. Bro. Minor, Sister Madson and I got in the Kaa and Bro. Smedley took Leisle on the hoke with him.  After we went a short distance the horse quieted down and we came home safe and sound.  After supper I put hot flannels on Bro. Davises face and then went to bed.

Jan 18 - Went to meeting. Sister Madson and I sang a hymn and bore our testimony in native.  Made a bunch of guava jelly.

Jan 19th -  Went to Sunday School meeting and wore my black holoku for the first time.

Jan 20th – Bro. Bush started back to his field of labor on Hawaii where he was laboring before Bro. Phillips took sick.

Feb 2nd – It is fast day. Have been to three meetings. Sister Madson, Lahela and Miliama and I sang a song in Mutual. Bro. Read played the organ for us.

Feb 3rd - Went to Primary.  Sister Sears and Bro. Spilsberry went and spoke to the children a short time.  Came back and talked to Bro.Musser.

Feb 5th - The chinamen of Pufat’s plantation gave us a fine dinner at our mission home.  They furnished every thing and sent a cook to cook it. It was enjoyed by all.

Feb 8th – Held officers meeting in the meetinghouse. I had to read an essay.  After meeting we all went down to a chinaman’s house for supper.  It was China New Year.  We had a good time.

Feb 9th - The natives had a fine entertainment here for the Samoan missionaries that were visiting here.  I did not go downstairs to hear it.

Feb 22nd - Leisle starting to cough with hooping cough.

Mar 4th – LeIsle is one year old to-day. Bro. Musser gave her a silk bonnet.  Ethel Woolley five cents, Sister Woolley a little dress and a silk handkerchief.

Mar 10  - Released from house duties so I can sew and prepare to go home.

Without Walter - Part 5 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, Part 2, Part 3, Part 4

Nov 1st 1901 - Worked in the kitchen and went to primary.  Gave out the program for next week.

Nov 10th – Gave the lesson in Mutual today in Native.  Got along very well.

Nov 8th - Made 8 boxes of soap.  Sister Madsen and I. It is very good soap.

Nov 9 - Was put in as Tres[urer] of the Releaf Society.

Nov 17th - Went visiting and inviting the natives to Sunday School.

Nov 19th – Was combing my hair and found  big louse in my head.

I'm not sure when this picture was taken, but it shows that Annie had very long hair as a young woman.
Fortunately, I do not have a picture of the lice.

Nov 28 - Went to an entertainment in the morning given by the school.  Had a Thanksgiving dinner at the mission house, the first one ever held here.  Sisters Wooley and Madson and myself prepared the dinner.  There were twenty seated at the table at three o’clock.

Dec 4th – LeIsle is 9 months old today.  Sister Madson and I are still in the kitchen. Have had most of the kitchen work to do since Erin left last April.

Dec 5th - Sister Madson and I fixed some medicine for a Japanese women to rub her side where she had been kicked by a horse. It was badly swollen and Sister Madson rubbed it for her out in the wash house.

Dec 9th - Sister Woolley is very sick.  A Japanese woman has come to help us.  Sister Madson and I were very busy all day doing the work and went to Primary in the afternoon.

Dec 10th - I received two little dresses from Nettie and Thomasina Hansen for Leisle, one silk, the other lawn: white.  Also a strand of coral beads.  Sister Woolley is still very sick.

Dec 11th - We all fasted from six one evening until six the next evening.  Before supper we went to Sister Woolley’s room had prayer and the Elders administered to her.  We are happy to say that she is better this evening than she was this morning  Bro. Minor was mouth in prayer, Bro. George Davis administered the oil and Bro. Woolley sealed the annointing. They also administered to Roney Woolley.

Dec 17th  - About 5 o’clock, Bro. Waddoups telephoned out to Br. Woolley that the sad news of the death of my darling husband had reached Honolulu.  He died at 10 o’clock Saturday night Dec 14, 1901 with pneumonia.

We heard nothing more until today, Dec 21st.  Br. Bush arrived here from Hawaii where Bro. Phillips died.  The body could not be shipped.  It was buried at Waimea in a beautiful little spot.  The natives brought flowers of all kinds for him. He died easy and brave. The Lord has greatly blessed me and prepared me for the worst.  All the Bros. and sisters are so kind to me, I can never repay them.  Sister Madson has done everything in her power to comfort and help me.  She and Bro. Silver have done my work, ironed my clothes and everything.

Today Br. Minor took me out for a ride and told me that I could not see  my husband for he had to be buried at Waimea, Hawaii.   We went to see the pump, the reservoir and saw a crowd of Jap[anese] planting cane.

When I got back, all the sisters of the Releaf Society were gathered in my room to see me and show their aloha for us. They had pule and bid me have courage and faith.  Br. Davis gave me a calabash  and a native basket half full of shells. Lahela gave me a calabash and some Koa seeds. Br. Silver gave me a number of leis, lots of seeds and his picture.

Dec 22nd - Raining so hard we can not hold meetings to day. Sister Madson brought me Bro. Phillips clothes and I opened his bundle. My heart was nearly broken with grief. Bros. Davis and Musser made some candy.

Dec 23 - Got me a black dress and started to make it.  Lahela helped me.  The weather is very stormy.  Everything looks dark and dreary.  All nature seems to weep with me.

Walter Freeman Phillips, age 22
2 or 3 years before he died

Good News/Bad News

Last Friday was a busy day.  Here are just a few of the ups and downs.

Good News:  We got a big bag of hand-me-downs from Molly. Lavender was thrilled to wear her nieces' clothing and was especially excited about these kitty-cat shoes.

Bad News: The kitty shoes are just a tad too small.  Lavender learns the hard lesson that the cutest shoes are usually the most uncomfortable.

Good News:  She also inherited a pair of sparkly, gold sandals that were perfect with her red fur coat.  Obviously the right outfit for a morning walk in July!

Good News:  Evan was prepping for a trip to Palmyra, NY where he would attend EFY (a church youth conference) with his cousin Alec. 

More Good News: He got to go for a bike ride in the hills with his friend Jacob.

Bad News:  During the downhill portion of the bike ride, Evan crashed and flew over the handlebars.

Good News:  We were able to get a doctor's appointment within 45 minutes.

Bad News:  The doctor suspects that one (or two!!) of his arms is broken.  I tell her that his flight leaves Sunday morning. She informs us that in order to get a cast (or two) in time, we will need to head to Children's Hospital and camp out in the ER.

Good News:  The x-rays show that Evan's arms are not broken!

Bad News: Evan landed on his hands with his arms outstretched so the bones are compacted (not a medical term) and his elbows are very swollen and will take a week to 10 days to heal.

Good News: With Evan safely resting at home (playing on the computer while icing his arms and taking Advil) and no need for a trip to the ER, John and I head to the beach for a walk, a game of frisbee and a beautiful sunset.

Hope your weekend had more ups than downs!

Busy Season - Part 4 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, Part 2, Part 3

For many years I told my family that the late spring was my "busy season."  We were wrapping up the school year and I had so many things to take care of: Shakespeare plays, recitals, end of the year activities, training new mentors, planning for the upcoming year etc.  I think this post shows the busy season of Annie's mission. She is really in the thick of things now. She is living in a strange land far from her family.  She has a baby, many household responsibilities, teaching and administrative responsibilities and her husband is gone most of the time. Don't forget that she is only 21 years old. Keep reading to learn more and see a cute picture of my great grandma.

April 6th - Went to one meeting. Bro. Phillips stayed home with baby.

April 13th – Mission fast day. Held meeting in the Pule room.  All bore honest, faithful, good testimonies of the truthfulness of the Gospel and the goodness of God to us all.

April 15 - Bro. Phillips, along with others left for Honolulu ready to take the boat for Hawaii for six months.

April 17 - The natives came to the mission home to have a farewell entertainment before our Brothers and Sisters left.  The evening was spent in singing and music.

April 20 - Sister Madsen very sick.  Gave birth to a baby boy at six months.  I tried to work and do all I could for Sister Madsen.

June 4th - A  9 ½ pound boy born to Bro and Sister Cole. All well.

June 28th – Went to a feast given by the school as it is the last day.  Let my baby fall out of bed at 5 o’clock this morning. Sister Madsen and I have been doing the work in the kitchen this week.

July 24 - Sister Madsen and I are the only sisters at Lani Huli this week.  Left with all the work.  Washed and mended bed ticks for all the beds.

Aug 1st – One year since we arrived in Hon[olulu]. Went out to Waikiki with Bro Beliston and Sisters Madsen and Cole to visit the Releaf Society.  All bore our testimonies in native. After meeting rode around the Kapiolani Park, by the Moana Hotel and around the city.

Aug 2nd - Bro. and Sister Cole went back to Laie. My baby is quite sick.  Bro. Beliston administered to her twice.  She is much better at 10 o’clock.

Aug 4th - Fast day. Witnessed a baptism. Went to Sunday school. Baby not better yet so could not go to meeting.

Aug 8 - Went down to the wharf to see the elders off. Went through the Ship Searrea.  Saw a woman whose husband had jumped overboard between San Francisco and Honolulu.

Aug 9 - Finished the house cleaning.

Sept 5th – Sister Madsen and I went out visiting the natives.  Saw a native woman 101 years old. Went to see Nalia the old blind woman who has been to Utah and through the temple.

Sept 15 - Had the pleasure of meeting the Hawaiian ex-Queen.  She visited the mission house.

Sept 16 - Helped to quilt a quilt for the primary.

Sept 23 - Bro. Phillips arrived at our mission home in safety. Went to the ocean with Bro. & Sister Madsen & Bro. Phillips for a bath. Left Leisle with Bro. Musser.

Oct 4th – Our conference opened this morning by the choir singing a native hymn. Prayer by Bro. Kekanoha. Choir sang again. Bro Woolley gave an address of welcome to the saints that had assembled for conference.  He also stated that there had been more tithing and more baptisms than any other one term. Other elders took up the time. General Meeting in the afternoon.  Mutual Improvement in the evening. I sang with Hattie & Ivy Kekuku, Jenny George and Poi Kekanoha & Bro George Davis “Utah, We Love Thee.”

Oct 5 - Opened meetings for the day with exercises from the Releaf Society. I was called upon to speak. Sunday schools of all the branches in the afternoon. Laie Sunday School at night.  My class gave an exercise.

Oct 6th - General meeting.  Bro. Belliston was first to speak Bro. Phillips second.  The time was taken up by others of the elders.  Sunday afternoon and evening: General Meeting. We all met in the Pule room after supper for our appointments.  Bro. Phillips goes out to North Hawaii as president of the conference with a native companion.

Oct 7th - Held meeting for all the Releaf Society Officers on the Islands.

Oct 8th - Held meeting in the Pule room and received many good instructions from those who spoke to us. All were filled with the Spirit from Heaven which makes us very happy.

Oct 14th - Bro. Phillips left our mission home for his field of labor.  Spent the day in working and in the evening Bro. Bush came in and talked a while.  He spoke very well of Bro. Phillips. It made my heart bound with joy.

Oct 15th – Sick all day. Very lonely without my sweetheart. Very sick at night.

Oct 16 - Better to day.  Helped with the washing.  Made some cream pies.  Sister Madsen came back from Honolulu and brought me some candy from my sweetheart.

Oct 17 - Made six quarts of Guava jelly and some preserves.

Oct 20th – My birthday, am 22 years old.  Went to Sunday School and Meeting and then to mutual.  Did the work in the kitchen with Sister Madsen.  Held meeting in the Pule room.

Oct 28 - Left Laie at 9:00 o’clock to go to Honolulu. Arrived here about 4:30.  Had a very pleasant trip. Went down town and had Leisle’s picture taken.  Came back bought me a hand bag.  Met Mrs. Lucas, went in and had dinner and spent the afternoon with her.

Oct 31 - Left Honolulu at 9 o’clock and arrived at Laie safely at 6 o’clock.  Found every body well. Two letters from home and one from Bro. Phillips waiting for me.

Island Baby - Part 3 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, Part 2

Since the last post ended with Annie making baby clothes, I'm sure you can guess where this post will end. I have been doing a bit of research online to learn about some of the people and places Annie mentions. I found several pictures of the Mission Home (the Lanihuli house seen below) in Laie, Hawaii where Annie lived during her mission. I also learned that Samuel E. Woolley (who Annie argued with) was the mission president for 24 years from 1895 to 1919! His wife Alice is often referred to by Annie. She was a midwife and I'm sure Annie was grateful for her skill.

Oct 22nd - Walter went to Honolulu ready to take the boat Tuesday. Anointed my two boils with oil and pray that they might stop right there and go away.  One went away but the other one is still sore.

Nov 2nd - Received news of Grandma Rasband’s death. Died Oct 15, 1900.

Nov 10th - Bro and Sister David H. Madsen arrived at Laie.  Called as missionaries from Provo.

Nov 18th - Sister Mattie Bush arrived at Laie.  Come to accompany her husband home.

Nov 25th - Held sisters meeting in Sister Woolley’s room.  Sister Bush said she never in her life met sisters that seemed more united and humble.

Dec 1900

9th - Bro. Phillips and Bro Pendleton walked from Honolulu to Laie.  It rained all day. They arrived here at 12 o’clock at night.

12th – Jubilee begins. It is the 50th anniversary of the landing of the first L.D.S. missionaries on the Hawaiian Islands. Pres. George Q. Cannon, Bro. W.W. Cluff and wives were present. The Jubilee was held at Honolulu. Bro. and Sister Pendleton, Bro and Sister Madson, Bro. Phillips and myself stayed at Laie.  We had a good time.

19th – Bro. Phillips left me again to go to his field of labour. Early in the evening, Bros. Cannon, Cluff and wives arrived at Laie.

21st - Received a Christmas present from the Park City Sunday School. $10.

22nd – Bro. Woolley and I had some pretty hot words, but they ended in peace.

24th - Went to a feast prepared by the natives for Br. Cannon.  All sat on the floor cross legged and ate chicken, fish and poi.

25th - Christmas day.  Never felt quite so slighted and down hearted in my life.  Had a fine dinner.  Bid Bros. Cannon and Cluff good-by.  Made candy in the evening and had a fine time. Received $1.00 from uncle Joe Rasband.

31st – We sisters made pies for the natives.  Over 250 were made.

Jan 1st 1901

1st - Had fine exercises in the meeting house in the morning.  Went down to the dancehall where the sports took place.  In the evening went to the meeting house to see the views Bro. Beesley had. A pie was given to every one present.  Also an apple.

15th – Had sisters’ meeting.  I had a lecture on Jerusalem of the Eastern Hemisphere.

23rd – Washed and anointed by the sisters.  Sister Cole and Eldredge performing the ordinance.

Feb 21st - A fine dinner was given at the mission house by Poi Fat’s company who lease some of the mission ground.

March 4th – Br Phillips arrived at Laie at 2 o’clock in the afternoon.  At 10 o’clock at night a darling little baby girl weighing 7 ½ lbs came to brighten our lives.  All well and happy.

March 12th – Br. S.E. Woolley blessed the baby giving her the name of Anna Leisle Phillips.