The Missionary Journal of Susan Elaine Olsen Part 2

 I finished reading the 200 page journal with an additional 44 pages of notes from conferences and meetings, and my autograph album. What a joy to reflect back on so many wonderful people. How I survived two months in the LTM, sixteen months in Guatemala, the earthquake and aftershocks, sleeping in the streets, amoebas, gamboo, gripe, monthly shots for whatever was required, etc. is a puzzle to me. We had two mission presidents and I am not sure how they survived me. Our first President Arnold was so amazing. It felt like he truly understood me. The second President O'Donnell was more business oriented. It was hard serving under two very different people. 

Calendars and Journals

Yesterday I finished reading the last of my mother's calendars and journals. Thirty-two years of her life are documented in her own handwriting, from the ages of 46 to 78. The journals cover from 1980-1983 and 2000-2013, while the calendars fill in for the years 1986-1999 and 2006-2011. The main difference is the calendars are in small squares with more detailed information, while the journals share more of her feelings about the events in her life. Sometimes she would go on for pages about some days, while other days she would not write anything.