Lois Gorden, Monday, January 4, 1971

Winter wonderland outside.  Donald & Edward busy scooping snow--for us & Weeds and Gerdes's.  Loel got car moved so the snow clearance was good on both sides of the house.  All the children got out for a little while and so we kept busy drying out mittens and warming up toes.  Worked on clothes and daily dozens.  Debbie baked a loaf of pumpkin bread and we snacked on that as we watched Mr. Nixon chatting with reporters.  He is a skillful politician--Lord guide him as he leads our country.  Help me to be a responsible citizen and a more intelligent voter.  Be with the leaders of all nations, Lord.  What a glorious day we look forward to when the whole world praises Thee.  Amen.  Thank you, Lord, for saving my soul.

Lois, January 3, 1971

Choir practiced at 9 a.m.  Everyone was there by 9:30 and we had a good work out.  The snow is really blowing and took my breath away as I ran home to care for Dwight while the family went to Sunday school and church.  Debbie said the sermon was on being good--Be Ye Perfect--and the fact that goodness came from God.  Football explosive in the afternoon.  Phil lost one--won one.  Snowed and blew all day and everyone was glad when school was called off.  Thank you Lord, for the snug home we are living in--help us somehow to be able to help those who don't have our blessings.  Amen.  (Marginal note-- "Choir sang 'He's Everything to me.  236 as opening.  God Love You as closing.")

Lois's diary January 2, 1971

More football games.  I felt punk so spent most of the day working on Travis Gale's afghan--got it finished and put embroidery on Deanne's new bonnet.  Deanne to Stephanie's party in the afternoon.  Keith and Dwight have colds in their eyes--eye drops from 1969 in use.  Becky Jo baked 2 loaves of regular bread.  Debbie baked 2 loaves of pumpkin bread.  Lord, my mind is so on how to work better with the choir.  Guide me, Lord, and work with my weakness.  Help the young people to know the Joy of serving Thee--and keep us all in the right path.  Amen.

Lois Gorden in 1971; introduction and January 1

This is my mother's diary from 1971, when our family lived in Wall Lake, Iowa.  Our family was gathered in Minnesota on the weekend of August 18, 2012, for our dad's eightieth birthday when we noticed the diary, which had been returned by one of the granddaughters.  I promised to make copies of the diary for siblings to read.  I thought I'd do this as a blog so that we could add memories and comments as we went along.  Mom wrote fairly faithfully.  She ended the notes for each day with a prayer.   I will try to write faithfully, too, putting a few entries a day on the blog.

Parades, football games--not much accomplished.  Stephanie and Sue Fredrichs here until after dinner.  Sue G. left for Nebraska in the a.m.  I took Sue home after dinner and visited with Evelyn and brought Debbie back home with us.  Loel had soup on when we got home and we had a quiet evening at home.  Be with Evelyn and Don, Lord, as they try to serve Thee.  Give them the guidance they need and the peace of mind to relieve the tensions that come into their lives.  Guide us all--as we seek to be better stewards of the blessings you give us.  Amen.  (Noted in the side margin--"Stephanie Cook's birthday!")