The Power of Testimony

I’ve been thinking about why I’ve been so desperate to
sign up. I guess it’s partly because everyone else is pitching
in to do their part, but there’s more to it than that. Ever
since war broke out, I’ve been thinking a lot about Aunt
Jo, remembering when she’d come back from Argentina full
of stories about her life there. For so long I wanted to be a
missionary just like her. I didn’t tell you this part, but I was
sure I wanted to go to Alaska or Africa or somewhere else
far away and do something that would help people. And I
believed that was something God wanted me to do too.
I’ve also learned a lot from both of you about doing hard
things when necessary. I know it wasn’t easy when I was
growing up and money was tight. Remember how I had one
dress and one pair of shoes, and how in winter whenever my
feet got wet you’d add another strip of cardboard into them?
You didn’t complain about being poor; you just did what you
had to do. I think I’ve learned some of that from you. I feel
like there’s a need in the world that I can do my part to help
with. It doesn’t feel like a sacrifice, and it doesn’t feel like a
risk. It’s just something I have to do.
I think that’s why I was so mad when the Navy turned me
down. I felt as though this dream I’d had was being thrown in
the trash. I should have trusted God though. He had a plan
for me, and I know He’s placed me in the Army for a reason.
Today during breakfast we were talking about which
theater we’ll end up serving in. We all want to go to Europe,
and I’m sure that’s because the news of what the boys have
experienced over there has touched us all. But when it comes
down to it, I just want to go where God wants me.
I’m going to end now. We have to get our drills perfect
tomorrow, and I need to be alert or I might turn right when I
mean to turn left!
Say hi to the boys and give them a hug from me. I know you’ll
remember me in your prayers, just as I remember you in mine.
Love,
Betty
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