Sunday, May 30, 1982
The weather here is so nice! There are beautiful trees and flowers all over, ones I have never seen before. Ed has two boys. One is named Eddie, age 18, and the other is Robbie, age 14. They go to a huge ward, and there are lots of young adults my age. I love it here already!
Monday, May 31, 1982
Beth and I are staying in Robbie’s room. While we are here, Eddie shares a room with Robbie. Mom has a room of her own.
Today, Eddie and Robbie, along with some other members from the ward, took Beth and me to see Knott’s Berry Farm. We had a lot of fun!
Wednesday, June 2, 1982
Eddie is a high school senior. He asked me to go to school with him today so I could tell his class about Denmark. The students had many questions and asked me to speak Danish to them. I felt like a celebrity.
Sunday, June 6, 1982
While we were at church today, Eddie and I talked to the bishop about filling out papers to go on a mission. The bishop said that Eddie can go. But I have to wait because I don’t have permanent residency here. Once I get that in order, I can fill out my papers, too.
Friday, June 11, 1982
We have been living with Ed and his boys for two weeks now. While we have been here, I have been passing the time by helping the boys mend their clothes, weeding the garden, cleaning out their drawers, and doing other chores. They all take turns cooking. I can’t believe what a good cook Robbie is, especially for only being 14.
We have family prayer every morning and every evening. I love having prayers with them. It’s so different from when we had family prayer with Bent Matteson.
Mom and Ed aren’t sure when they can get married, since Mom is still married to Bent. This morning, after we had family prayer, Mom and Ed went to Mexico to see if she could get a divorce from Bent. While they were they got a paper saying she was divorced from Bent. I’m pretty sure it’s not legal and that Denmark wouldn’t approve it. At least the paper looks legit, so that they can get married.
A few days ago, Mom and I found an apartment that we will be moving into because Robbie wants his room back. This morning, Beth and I went to the apartment we will be moving into, where we have to clean and paint it. The apartment is pretty gross; there is a lot of work to be done before we can move in.
Monday, June 14, 1982
Mom, Beth, and I moved into the apartment. We still need to finish painting, but at least we have a place to stay. Some members of our ward brought over some beds we can borrow, so we have something to sleep on until we get our own.
Mom is not sure if she still wants to get married. For now, the wedding is called off. I hope that we get a permit so that we can work here. We are living on the money we brought, and I am not sure how long it will last.
Monday, June 21, 1982
Even though the wedding is off, we were still invited to come over and have Family Home Evening with the Laws.
Tuesday, June 22, 1982
I finished painting the room Beth and I sleep in. I got it done just in time: the boxes I mailed from Denmark have arrived. Now we can unpack them and feel more settled here.
Thursday, July 1, 1982
Mom went out on a date with Ed tonight. He still wants to marry her, but Mom isn’t sure that is what she wants. I wonder what the future will bring and where we will end up living. Everything seems so uncertain.
Saturday, July 3, 1982
This evening, Ed came over and talked to Mom. It looks like they are going to get married after all. Oh, I sure hope everything will work out!
Monday, July 5, 1982
We had some workers in our apartment last week to fix the floor. Tonight, when we got home from the Laws, these same two guys tried to get into our apartment. They wanted us to let them in because the police were after them. We don’t have a phone yet, so we couldn’t call the police to let them know they were right outside our door.
We looked out the window and saw helicopters circling with searchlights, and police cars everywhere, searching for them. Then we heard the police say over their loudspeaker to keep all doors and windows locked because there are some dangerous criminals on the loose. Finally, the police saw them outside our apartment door and caught them. Wow! To think we had these two guys in our apartment, and here they were asking us to let them in again. Living in L.A. is definitely not like living in a small town.
Wednesday, July 7, 1982
The Laws invited us over for dinner tonight since I turned 21 today. Eddie had invited a few people from our ward to give me a surprise party. They had made a beautiful cake, and their home was decorated with balloons. When I walked in, everyone yelled, “Surprise!” It was so sweet of them. Then Eddie opened his envelope and said he had been waiting to tell me he had received his mission call. He has been called to serve in Rome, Italy, and is leaving on September 2. I was happy for him. It made me realize that I would have had my call, too, if my papers to remain in the country had been in order.
Then Robbie came over and whispered in my ear, “I love you!” The Laws have gone to a lot of trouble to make this birthday special for me. I am glad we will be part of their family. For now, the wedding date is set for next month on August 31st.
Friday, July 9, 1982
I have been asked out on a date by the cutest guy in our ward. His name is Jace. He took me to a dance for Mormon single adults. Wow, I don’t think I have ever seen so many Mormons in one spot before! It was nothing like the dances I had been to in Denmark, where there are a ton of girls and only a few boys. When I saw how many returned missionaries were at this dance, I realized there were plenty of guys available. You just have to know where to look.
I had so much fun this evening! Jace said, ” I will take you to more dances if you would like.” I told him I would love it.
Saturday, July 10, 1982
Mom went out and bought a couch and a loveseat. Now our apartment is starting to look more like a home. Then Mom told me she had decided not to marry Ed after all. She said they are just too different, and she doesn’t think their marriage will work. I worry about our money running out. Oh, I wish I knew what was going to happen to us.
Wednesday, July 14, 1982
I enjoy being here. Beth and I spend our days at the beach or lying outside by the pool that comes with our apartment. Since I worry so much about money, it’s hard for me to enjoy myself. I am ready to go to work as soon as I can.
Ed came over this evening to tell Mom that since they have broken up, they should not see each other anymore. After he left, Mom was all in tears. I don’t get her! When he wants her, she doesn’t want him, but now that he doesn’t want her, she wants him back. I really wish I knew how this was all going to end!
Thursday, July 15, 1982
When Ed came home from work today, Mom went to his house to see if they could patch things up. Then Mom came back and told us we were invited to dinner with the Laws. I don’t know if the wedding is on or off. I don’t care anymore. I just wish I knew what would happen to us.
Saturday, July 17, 1982
On the way home from the store, a lady in our ward stopped to ask Mom how things were going with her and Ed. I guess people are beginning to wonder what is going on with them. Mom told her that she and Ed needed more time to get to know each other.
When we got home, Mom asked me what I thought about moving to Canada. I didn’t know what to say, but I guess she’s been thinking about Canada, since it would be easy for us to obtain permanent residency, since we have already lived there for so many years.
Sunday, July 18, 1982
At church today a boy named Randy who is 17, asked me if I would marry him. I looked at him and laughed. Then he said, “No, I am serious! I heard you guys are having a hard time trying to find out how you are going to stay, and my mom says if you get married, you can stay.” Randy is a sweet guy. I thanked him for the offer and told him I was sure that if we were meant to be in this country, the Lord would open up a way. Randy seemed disappointed that I did not accept his offer.
After church, Randy’s mom and dad came over to our apartment because they had been worried about us. They told us they would see what they could do to help us work here. Then Randy’s mom said she liked me and that I was more than welcome to marry her son. I told her Randy had already proposed to me, and I thanked her for the offer. Randy’s Mom and Dad stayed for almost 3 hours and talked to us. They seemed to understand the mess we are in. After they left, I felt a lot better about everything.
Monday, July 19, 1982
Joanne, the next-door neighbor, came over with food for us. She is a single lady in her fifties who came to the United States from Germany years ago. She worries about us and is always asking us over to eat with her or bringing us food. She is such a nice lady! After she left, the Laws came over for Family home evening. When it was time to go home, Ed said he had been thinking about taking a break from Family Home Evening with us for a while. Mom was hurt. I guess this means the wedding is off again.
At 10:00 p.m., Joanne came over again to bring us ice cream and cake. We are really blessed to have her as our neighbor.
Tuesday, July 27, 1982
We are running out of money, so Mom got a food order from the Bishop. The bishop told Mom we had to clean the church in exchange for food. Mom told him that it would be no problem.
Saturday, July 31, 1982
The Bishop called to tell Mom that we needed to come clean the church today. I had assumed Mom and I would do it together. But Mom doesn’t want to. She told me it was my job.
When I met the Bishop at church, he showed me everything I had to do. Then he left. I worked as fast as I could because I wanted to be done since it was hot inside the building. It was also very scary being inside that big building by myself. I wanted to go back to pick up Beth so I wouldn’t have to be alone, but then it would take even longer to finish the building. The Bishop says it has to be done by tonight so it’s ready for church tomorrow. Even though I worked as fast as I could, it still took me 7.5 hours to get everything done.
Monday, August 2, 1982
Elder Kalani called to tell me he was home from his mission. I guess now that he is home I should call him by his first name which is Dave. He just got home last night. He said that he had been thinking about me and he wanted to come over and see me today.
Dave came over and had dinner with us. It was strange to see him again, especially in his regular clothes. He asked if we would come to his church this Sunday because he would be giving his homecoming talk. We promised him we would be there.
Sunday, August 8, 1982
I woke up at 3:30 am to a knock at the door. I asked who it was before I opened it. It was Sander. He had driven here with his wife, Trisha, from Canada.
Sander and Trisha went with us to Dave’s homecoming. After church, we were all invited to stay and eat with his family and friends. When Mom, Beth, Trisha, and Sander were ready to go home, Dave asked me to stay. When all the guests had gone home, Dave took me up to a mountain so I could see the lights over his whole neighborhood. He lives in a rich area. It was all very impressive!
When Dave drove me home, he asked me if he could take me out again. He is such a nice guy, so I told him I would look forward to it.
When I got back to the apartment, Mom said that Jace had called me, so I called him back. I have been dating Jace since we first went to the dance. Jace was worried about me going out with Dave, but I assured Jace that Dave is just a good friend to me.
Jace also knew that a boy named Fred in the ward had asked me to go with him to Disneyland. Jace told me that if I called off my date with Fred, then he would take me to Disneyland next week. I told Jace I would call off my date with Fred, and I was looking forward to our next date.
Monday, August 9, 1982
Mom and I got into a big argument. I saw it coming because Mom has been so rude towards me. Mom seems jealous of me when I go out on dates. Now that Sander and his wife are here, it was as if she had to show off for them, so she started yelling at me. I asked Mom not to treat me this way. She doesn’t like to be confronted. Since I had asked her to stop, she exploded! Mom yelled a lot of mean things, and then she added that it was my fault that we are stuck here and that we are in such a mess.
The rest of the day, Mom only visited with Sander and Trisha. I kept to myself. In the evening, I called Jace to tell him I wouldn’t be able to go to Disneyland with him this week because my brother had unexpectedly come from Canada with his wife and would be staying for the week. Jace said that was fine, and we could just go next week.
Friday, August 13, 1982
In the days that Sander and his wife have been here, we have been to many of the amusement parks around here. Mom invited Dave to come with us. I was glad because he is like a big brother to me, the kind of brother I always wished I had.
This morning, Mom and Beth went back to Canada with Sander and his wife. I asked if I could come too, but Mom said that I have to stay behind and pay the rent. I told Mom I was almost out of money and, therefore, couldn’t come up with that kind of money. Mom told me to go see the Bishop to see if he would help because she was almost out of money, too.
Mom and Beth said they will be gone for two weeks. It will be nice to have the apartment all to myself.
Sunday, August 15, 1982
When I got to church, members came up to me and asked questions like, “Where are your mom and sister?” When are you getting a job? What are you and your family going to do next? When they ask me how I am doing, it’s hard to put on a smile and say, “Just fine, thank you!” When in reality I want to have a meltdown and say, “Terrible! I don’t know what is going to happen next!” I know everyone means well because they are all kind and loving. It’s just hard since I don’t know the answer myself.
After church, I asked the Bishop if he would write me a $350.00 check to pay the rent. I felt bad about taking the money, and I did all I could not to cry. When I left his office, I saw some of the youth standing together, talking. It made me wonder why I couldn’t be one of them. They all seemed so happy and carefree.
When I got back to the apartment, Jace came over. He said when he saw me at church today, I didn’t look very happy, and he was worried about me. Then the Law’s called and invited Jace and me over for dinner.
Later that evening, as I was about to go to bed, Johanna came over with some food and sat with me for a while to see how I was doing. I am glad I didn’t have to be alone after church and all evening. I’m grateful to be surrounded by people who care about me.
Wednesday, August 25, 1982
While Mom and Beth have been gone, I have never been alone. I am so overwhelmed with all the love people have shown me. I have even been invited to stay at a family’s house because they didn’t want me here by myself. They have a daughter named Valerie, my age. I have seen her at church, but I have never talked to her. She and I were surprised by how much we are alike. We quickly became good friends. I am glad now I have one more friend in this ward besides Jace.
Thursday, August 26, 1982
Jace has not called me at all this past week. Last Sunday at church, he barely even said hi to me. I was wondering why. Then Eddie told me that he had told Jace I had gone to Disneyland with Dave. Jace was upset about it, so now he is seeing someone else from the ward. Her name is Vanessa. I am hurt that Eddie would go and tell him, especially since Dave was just a friend.
I shouldn’t let it bother me because Jace is 21 and just got his mission call. Jace did tell me he didn’t want a girlfriend right before he left for his mission. I guess it’s all for the best, even though I miss his friendship terribly.
Friday, August 27, 1982
I went with Valerie to a party this evening. Jace was there with Vanessa. I felt out of place and wanted to go home. Jace’s sister, Carley, was there too. Everyone was talking about a beach party that the youth are going to tomorrow evening. Carley asked her brother if he would drive us to the party tomorrow.
Jace seemed uncomfortable because Vanessa was sitting next to him. Jace said he didn’t know whether he would be going. I was uncomfortable too and wanted to go home. Just then, a guy from our ward, Jeff, came over and sat by me. Jeff asked if I needed a ride to the party tomorrow. I told him yes. Jeff said, “Great! I will pick you up at 7:00 pm.”
Everyone knows that Jeff has a steady girlfriend named Rose. I asked Jeff if Rose was coming too. Jeff scooted up real close to me and whispered in my ear, “I don’t have a girlfriend; she is only a friend to me now that I have met you.” Then he added, “See, there is no ring on my finger.”
When Vanessa had gone home, Jace came up to me and said, “I am surprised you are going with Jeff to the party tomorrow. I have room in my car if you want a ride with me.” I answered, “I thought you weren’t sure if you are going tomorrow or if your car would already be full.” Jace responded, “No. My car isn’t full. I am only taking Vanessa. There is room for you, too.” Then his sister responded, “That’s just it, Jace. Your car IS full! It’s full of Vanessa!” Jace got defensive and answered, “Vanessa asked me for a ride!” Then I said, “I didn’t want to interfere.” Jace said, “You won’t interfere.” I told him, “It’s okay, I will see you tomorrow.” I was glad Jeff had asked if I needed a ride; if I had gone with Jace, I would have felt like a third wheel, even if his sister had been in the car with us.
When I was about to leave, Jace assumed he was taking me home because I have no car and he knows I don’t like walking home in the dark. But just as we were about to leave, Jeff grabbed my hand and said, “Let’s go see a movie,” and off we went. Jeff and I had a really nice time together. He was a lot of fun to be with.
Jeff is a returned missionary, and he seems like such a nice guy. I had thought that Jeff was cute, but I had never thought I would be going on a date with him. He and Rose have always seemed so serious about each other, and I never wanted to interfere.
Saturday, August 28, 1982
Jeff came and picked me up as planned. We were seven youths who were gathered. Just then, Jace showed up with his sister and Vanessa. There was a bonfire, and we ate dinner, and later we went in the water. Some of the youth asked Jeff where Rose was. Jeff answered that he didn’t know. We all assumed this meant they weren’t going together anymore.
Sunday, August 29, 1982
Eddie gave his Farewell talk at church today since he is leaving for the M.T.C. this week. After church, we had lunch at Ed’s house so that family and friends could say goodbye to Eddie before he leaves on his mission.
Mom and Beth came back this afternoon. Mom told me all about their trip. It sounds like she doesn’t want to return to Canada after all. Mom was worried because she didn’t know where to settle and start a new life.
Monday, August 30, 1982
Jeff called me this evening to ask if I wanted to go out on a date with him tomorrow night. I was hoping he would call me, so I said yes, and then we talked for a little while.
Tuesday, August 31, 1882
Dave called to tell me that he was home from Hawaii. He had been there to visit his family. He called to ask if he could pick me up so we could spend the evening together. I told him I had already made other plans, but we could go out another night. Dave and I talked for a while. He told me all about his trip to Hawaii. Before we said goodbye, Dave said that he would call me later this week.
I got all ready to go out with Jeff. As I sat there, wondering when Jeff would come, he called to say he’d take me out tomorrow instead of tonight. I was kind of bummed, and I thought it would be awkward to call Dave back to tell him we could go out after all, so I ended up staying home.
Wednesday, September 1, 1982
Jeff came to pick me up at 5:00 pm for our date. As we were about to leave, Dave showed up with two bikes that Mom had bought from him. I didn’t know he was coming, and even though we are just friends, it was kind of awkward standing there with Jeff. I could tell Dave looked disappointed as I left.
Jeff and I had such a nice evening together. Before we parted, he told me he would call me soon. I can’t wait to go out with him again!
Saturday, September 4, 1982
Ever since Mom got back from Canada, she has been seeing Ed again. They have decided to get married in the Los Angeles Temple on September 25, 1982. They want Dave to be one of the witnesses in the temple. It will be interesting to see whether they get married and, if so, whether their marriage will last.
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