Monday, 8 December 1969

Up about 9:00, had breakfast, tried to get to work, but was very lethargic, so progress was slow. Late (?) in the morning I took several pictures of Debbie in her rocking chair. I did some phoning re: Methodist Men program for December. Landon Lindsay will be our speaker. After a late lunch I got back to Hebrew, and worked at it all afternoon. Bonnie was at work, Debbie slept most of the time—she was still tuckered out after playing with Ezra last night. A Xmas package arrived from Bob + Lea—and I just mailed the card telling them not to send anything! I fixed supper, watched CBS news, got Debbie fed. We ate when Bonnie got home; took pictures of Debbie after her bath, in the “bounce-chair” with flute. And I took a photo of Bonnie with cats when she got home from Community chorus rehearsal. Even[ing] spent on Hebrew after playing with Debbie. Bathed c. 11:00; OB to read; 12:40.

Tuesday, 9 December 1969

Up about 9:00. Shaved after breakfast, then got to work translating Deut. 34. After finishing this, went on errands; went to bank for more nickels, for Xeroxing tomorrow, to church to change wayside pulpit. We had lunch when I got home. My main concern for the afternoon was again Deuteronomy—read articles, then got to work typing translation. Finished most of it by supper time. After supper I played with Debbie. About 8:30, Bonnie went to Sally Spooner’s home to make items to hang in windows—out of glass and plastic chips. She didn’t get home until after 11:00, but brought back a box-full of her handiwork. I finally finished my Hebrew about 9:15, and then turned to Aramaic—and this was my concern for over 3 hours—preparing tomorrow’s translation. Bathed about 12:30. OB, LO 1:30.

Wednesday, 10 December 1969

Couldn’t get to sleep last night—was still awake—and up—at 3:30. So when I had to get up at 8:00, I didn’t feel so good. Had breakfast, shaved, caught the 9:20 train. When I got to Boston, to went to Cokesbury, then to Paperback Booksmith, then to BU. Had lunch with Wally Aufrecht. Then I Xeroxed Frost’s book: OT Apocalyptic. Then 2:00–3:00 had Aramaic. 3:00–4:00 had conference with Beck. 4:00-5:45 had seminar. Beck might want me to do more for 3 hours of DS—for which so far I have produced translation of Deut. 1-22, 26, 34. Caught the 6:40 train from Boston, arrived home about 8:00. After we had supper, about 9:00 we went down to Patriquins for “mug-ups”. I had a headache. We came home about 10:30. Relaxed, then prepared for bed; bathed; Θ, LO 11:45.

Thursday, 11 December 1969

Up about 9:30. After breakfast I directed my attention to the Christmas tree. We had planned to go to a Xmas tree farm, but the weather was lousy, and we won’t be able to go again for several days. So I got a tree here in town. I spent some time anchoring the tree-holder to a piece of wood—then we decorated. Bonnie also made more of her plastic + glass decorations. After lunch I went down to the library to check in Books in Print—deciding what to order from Cokesbury + Blackwells. When I got home stretched out briefly—didn’t really nap. After Bonnie went to work I prepared my Bible lesson for this evening—and spliced together my Qumran map for photographing. Fixed supper. We ate when Bonnie got home from work—Bible class from 8:00–9:30. 7 came. Then Bonnie + I baked cookies (I had made the dough at supper time). Then prepared for bed; bathed, OB to read, LO 11:47.

Friday, 12 December 1969

Up shortly before 8:00. Had breakfast, shaved, then about 9:15 left town; drove to the New Aldersgate United Methodist Church in N. Reading for “Bishops’s day on the N.S. District.” The meeting consisted of a question and answer session with the bishops, then about 12:30 we had a luncheon; I sat next to Don McGaw, and we had a nice visit. Then after the luncheon, Bishop Mathews, Dr. Uhlinger and I had a chance to sit down privately and discuss my conference status. We were able to get the matter clarified—the Bishop will write a letter to Bishop Mueller, requesting that my transfer be recognized as official as of Jan 1, 1970. I left for home about 2:15—arrived here ill—found Bonnie in bed too—we both had fevers + diarrhea. Bonnie had a small supper, I had none—Debbie is as happy as can be; evening spent in bed with the TV. Went to bed shortly after 11 with temp of 101.2°.

Saturday, 13 December 1969

Today was spent recuperating. Didn’t get up til around 10:00. Got a phone call from mother—she and dad are planning to drive out to visit us for about a week between Christmas and New Year. Late in the morning Jim Bussey came over to borrow my notes on a BU course. Shortly before noon I had two poached eggs + toast. Early afternoon I napped. Mid-afternoon I had a big bowl of soup. Late in the afternoon I finally turned to working on the sermon. We had supper about 6:00. Bonnie was feeling well enough to go to Community Chorus rehearsal. I spent the evening work[ing] on the sermon. Finished shortly after 10:00. Then I did the bulletin. Then I s[p]ent a brief time working on the service, then bathed. OBLO, 12:00 /Θ/ had trouble sleeping, up for a snack at 2:00 AM.

Sunday, 14 December 1969

Up shortly after 8:00; shaved, had breakfast. Practiced sermon before my “class” arrived. Again this week only Billy showed up. Left for church about 10:40. Preached on “Hope versus Fear”—home by 12:30. Had lunch, relaxed—but didn’t nap. Spent the afternoon writing letters and notes. Then late in the afternoon I went down to the church and got the red carpet that used to be here at the parsonage. Then Bonnie + I put it down in the dining room. Before supper I wrote more letters. After supper fixed the FM antenna in the living room. Took our old carpet piece to the church. Took Debbie to Barbara + Hazel Lord; went to community Chorus. Took 3 or 4 pictures. Sat with Jerry + Carol Lewis. After the concert visited with B + H. Had snack, slowly got ready for bed; bathed. OBLO 12:20.

©2017 copyright owned and transcribed by David Madison and Deborah Sweeney
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