Journal of Mary Phyllis Fisher - Thomas Davies

Father bought a new car and we took Lloyd to the mission home. We visited Jack and stayed
with Mary and Lawrence overnight.
On December 22, Father and I left Bow Island and went to Edmonton. It was warm. A Chinook
wind was blowing making the snow soft and muddy but was wonderful after the 2 weeks of cold
weather, 32 below, we have been having. We had a wonderful Christmas. Anne is such a good
housekeeper. The children are so sweet. They have a lovely home. A beautiful tree and a
lovely Christmas dinner made our stay enjoyable. Lynda and Noel gave us their bed to sleep in
and they slept in sleeping bags in the bunk bed. Davy is such a little man now and Harold has
such a sweet smile. Ada invited us all, Anne and family, Tom, Father and me, on the 26th to her
house for a turkey supper. Barbara and Billy and their father were there. Barbara is 18 and has
a job. Billy plays basketball in the church.
On Friday Father and I went to Tom’s apartment and visited him. I cooked supper for them.
Tom took us to see the place where he is doing research for the Canada Chemical Co. He has
been doing research work on rayon. He seems to be enjoying his work. That is, he says it is the
easiest job he has ever had. He is worried about his hair receding. He works in the Stake MIA
as recreation councilor and as Priest teacher in his ward.
Erva and Ron came up to see us for an evening. On Sunday we went to church with them.
On Monday we left for Calgary. We visited Ivan, Ren’s brother. It was the first time we had
seen him since his operation. He looked pretty good. Then we went to Nanton and had a nice
visit with Lore and Barbara.
On New Year’s Sara and Ellen and families, and Tom came. Barbara had prepared a lovely
turkey dinner for us. She had a lovely table, beautifully set. There were 22 of us who sat down
to dinner. We had such a great Christmas holiday.
When we returned home we found letters from Lloyd and Frank. Such wonderful letters full of
missionary spirit. Frank said he had had a wonderful Christmas and had received some
Christmas cards and letters, “from people I have seen come into the church. It is so rewarding to
hear from them and once again feel of their wonderful spirits. It is really a Christmas joy and I
love every one of these people. We have had real good success this month and this has been a
real blessing and joy. I received your package of candy and cake and card with your money gift
in it. That is the best kind. Frank”
Lloyd’s letters were full of interesting things about the people. He is working hard to learn the
lessons and has given some of them. They have been working with the young people and one
boy wants to join the church if only they can get the consent of the parents. He said “Pray for
me that I will be a good missionary.” He is working in the branch and doing missionary work
with the indifferent members. I do pray for his success. He sent us such a beautiful Christmas
card.
In September 1963 the branch was made into a ward. Ren was released as councilor and I was
released as the Relief Society President. Edyth Wilson was made the President and I was asked
to be the literature teacher in R.S. I also teach the 6 and 7 year old in Sunday school. 10
Children: Franklin, Brian Pratt, LaVern and Donna Southerton, Denna and Karen Still, J Clark,
Cheryl Allen, Terri Fleckinger, Mar Atwood. I also teach a Beehive class, Louise Crawford, her
little friend, Brenda and Carol Southerton. Donna Malenski was in the class but she moved with
her family to Grassy Lake. I am also a R.S. visiting teacher. So I have all that I can do. It keeps
me busy studying. I enjoy teaching only it seems hard for me to remember things now. It was
hard for Ren to take me to do my Relief Society work in the spring and fall when he was trying
to do the farming so I know it was right to have a change. It has put new life into the branch.
Brother Taylor and Carol Southerton are the councilors to the bishop.
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