Helped Alice in the house all day. Went to Riekas for supper, then

back home for a meeting.

Helped with farm duties and sawing fire wood. Went to Riekas in the

evening.

In the house all day. Mr. C. O. Bowen arrived. Mr. Bowen and I shared a bedroom.

He talked about his war experience until 5:00 am when I fell asleep finally.

Went hunting in the morning. Helped Alice in the house.

Went to Bonstroms with Alice and Rieka, then to Hannas in the evening. I am very

tired. Went to bed early.

In the house all day. Went to Henrys in the evening. Listened to the radio in the

evening.

There as no room for me in a car to Edmonton, so will go tomorrow. Helped Alice.

Went to Riekas in the evening. Sat up most of the night.

Left Neerlandia for Edmonton. Travelled by bus to Calgary. Arrived in Calgary at

8:00 pm. Went to the Army Barracks. My disembarkation leave is over.

At Francis’ all day. Cashed pound notes for $91.00 and deposited this in a bank.

Wrote a letter to Alice.

In camp. Tried to get my discharge but not granted. Was at Francis in the evening.

In camp in the morning. Left for Lethbridge in the evening. Arrived in Lethbridge at

midnight. Walked from the city bus to Annies.

I am at Annies. We talked all day. Received money and bonds that Annie saved for

me, $580.00. Deposited this in a Calgary bank.

At Lethbridge, attended church with the family in the morning. Left for Calgary in

the afternoon at 7:30 pm. Arrived in Calgary at midnight.

Back at Mawata Army depot all day. Received pictures. Repaired my pen. At

Francis in the evening.

Warned for a draft. Had clothing parade for winter clothes. Missed pay parade.

Visited Francis, Vic and the children in the evening. Received a letter from Alice.

T

Prepare to leave to Medicine Hat for guard duty at a prisoner of war camp. Left

Calgary by train at 8:15 pm, arrived in Medicine Hat the following morning at 8:00 am.

Looks like a very dismal place.

I am at Medicine Hat prisoner of war camp – really a prison. Waited for orders.

Wrote letters to Francis and Harry.

At #26 Company. Was on station patrol. Wrote letters to Annie and Alice. Met a

Christian soldier. Received a Salvation Army parcel.

On duty guarding prisoners doing painting in one of the buildings. They are good

painters but I don’t speak their language. Went into Medicine Hat to a Salvation Army

church service. No mail.

I have a day off duty – a time to rest. Prepare for guard duty tomorrow. Attended a

Salvation Army Service in the evening.

I am on the guard towers for 24 hours. I don’t like this job at all. Snowed during the

night. Why am I guarding these people when I have fought them overseas? Are there no

soldiers around who have not been over and endured the war front as I, and many others

have? I was informed that my points aren’t high enough. Never heard of such a thing!

I am off duty today with time to catch up on some sleep. Went downtown and mailed

some pictures. Received letters from Lindy, Francis, and Alice. Wrote letters to them all.

On duty for twenty four hours. It is very mild day.

Off duty and time to rest. Visited a dentist in Medicine Hat. Did off jobs. Wrote

letters. Went for a walk in the evening.

Am on duty all day. Visited the dentist in the morning. It is very cold today.

Received news that the points have dropped to 70 from the previous number.

Off duty today. Visited the dentist. Had a tooth filled. Four more to fill. I think the

dentist made the holes. Applied for a discharge again. Stayed in barracks in the evening.

I am on duty all day. I’m very tired today.

On night duty. I don’t like this job one bit. Slept all day.

On night guard duty. Slept all day. Received a letter from Alice.

On guard duty all day. Received my pay, $62.00. Had tooth filled. Very tired. No

mail today.

Came off duty in the morning. Went into Medicine Hat. Banked $40.00. Sent parcel

to Alice. Wrote letters. Received a letter from Alice.

On guard duty at the main gates. Received news that I will be leaving here for

Calgary for my discharge. Received a letter from Mr. L. E. Maxwell of P.B.I.

Came off duty at 9:30 am. Turned in all my equipment. Preparing to leave for

Calgary on Monday.

Stayed in barracks in the morning. Went to a church service in the evening. It is very

cold.

Prepare to leave for Calgary. Arrived in Calgary at 10:00 pm. Received a letter from

Alice.

I am at Mawata barracks. Haven’t started discharge yet. Visited the Latimers. There

was some mail for me at their house.

Started on my discharge proceedings. Had a medical and the required items. Went to

the Latimers in the evening. Wrote a letter to Alice.

Received my discharge documents. Received my pay. Went to the Latimers. My

great coat is being dyed brown. Ordered a suit of clothes and had shoes repaired.

Went downtown Calgary. Purchased a number of personal items. Purchased Victors

suit case. Will not need my kit bag anymore.

Went downtown Calgary. Met Harold Wilson, a former P.B.I student and now a

graduate. Went to his place for dinner. He gave me a haircut. Received my suit today.

Went to church services with the Latimers, morning and evening. Wrote a letter to

Alice. Very cold today.

Went downtown Calgary. Had dinner in a café. Visited the Department of Veterans

Affairs. No results yet. Made some purchases. Had money transferred.

At Latimers. Built cupboard in the basement of their house. Wrote letters to Mr. &

Mrs. Walters. Wrote Alice a letter.

Working on basement cupboards. Went for a walk for an hour.

Visited the Department of Veterans Affairs. Was given an interview. It looks

encouraging.

Prepared to travel north. Tried on my new suit. Took suitcase to the bus depot.

Left Calgary at 1:00 pm, arrived in Barrhead in the evening. Hitch hiked to

Neerlandia. John and Alice went to Barrhead to pick me up but they were a little late. I

wonder what they were thinking now?

In Neerlandia where there is lots of snow. Attended meetings today. It is nice to be

on a visit with the Lievers family and to share time with Alice even though she is very busy

with house work, preparing meals, and washing clothes.

Remained indoors all day. Am enjoying this time. The Bible is read following every

meal and Mr. Lievers leads the family in prayer at the close. Mrs. Lievers makes me very

welcome – and tells me to make myself at home – which I am.

Helped with chores around the house and yard. Bill, Henry and Mr. Lievers went to

Edmonton and brought Mr. C. O. Bowen back with them.

Remained indoors most of the day.

Helped Alice with work around the house. Went to Henrys to visit. Jean gave me a

haircut.

Stayed indoors all day. Mr. Bowen, Bill, John, and Mr. Lievers went to a camp

meeting, as well as an auction sale. Today is mail day at Neerlandia.

Helped Henry clean some grain. Went to Bonstroms in the afternoon and brought

Rieka home.

Attended a meeting in the morning. In the house in the afternoon. Attended a gospel

meeting in Vega Community Hall.

Various chores in the morning. Went to Barrhead in the afternoon. Snowed today

about 2 inches. Attended an evening meeting.

At home all day. Received some mail in the evening. Received a letter from Nick,

and a letter from Axel Swanson with two dollars in it. Swanson related that Peace died by

drowning.

Around the house all day. Mr. Bowen went out for dinner. As he was backing the car

out of the driveway he backed right into a power pole. Attended a gospel meeting at

Glendale in the evening.

Preparing to trap muskrats on the lake. Attended another gospel meeting. Attended

to muskrat traps at 10:30 pm and stayed out all night.

We attended to the traps on the lake. Went to bed at 3:30 am.

Out, checked the traps on the lake. Thirty two animals were trapped. The boys are

busy with skinning the animals. Received some mail.

Attended the morning meeting. Stayed indoors in the afternoon and evening.

Went to Barrhead with Ben to do some business.

Various farm chores during the day. Received some mail. Received one dollar in the

mail from mother.

Doing work outside. Checked the traps on the lake. Alice and I visited Jean in the

evening.

Went to an auction sale at Rossington. Mr. Bill Fairholm came back with us for

prayer meeting night.

Helped with sawing firewood all day. Received mail from D.V.A. (Department of

Veterans Affairs) with my will papers and registration card, and a cheque for $29.32.

Remained indoors in the morning. Visited the trap line on the lake with John. Six

rats in the traps today. Typed some material in copy form at Alices suggestion.

Attended the morning meeting. Went with Rieka to one of her Sunday School

classes. Attended a meeting at the Vega community Hall taken by Mr. Fairholm.

Helped saw firewood all day. It is a mild day with some snow.

Helped with outside chores. Visited the trap line on the lake. Went for a walk in the

afternoon with Alice to Riekas place.

Helped John at repairs to a granary. Visited the traps on the lake. Went to help with

the store building to be moved to Neerlandia.

Visited the traps on the lake. Alice came along for the ride on the stone boat. John

went to move the store from Vega.

I depart from Neerlandia. My vacation is over. Alice and Bill took me to the bus in

Barrhead. Arrived in Calgary at 8:00 pm. Stayed at the Latimers.

In Calgary, visited the D.V.A. offices. My schooling has been approved by the board.

Withdrew $200.00 from the bank. Went looking for a used car.

Attended morning service at the Prophetic Bible Institute to hear Mr. Manning.

Attended services at the Church of the Nazarene with the Latimers.

Went shopping for some work clothes. Purchased a Ford V8 for $425.00

Made ownership transfers for the car, purchased license plates. Prepare to leave for

Lethbridge.

Leave for Lethbridge in the morning. It is a nice day and enjoyed the drive to

Lethbridge. Arrived at 2:00 pm. Surprised the Demeniuk family. Stayed with them.

Visited with Annie all day. Worked on my car at maintenance.

Departed for Skiff in the morning. Stopped to visit Bill and his family, then went to

Nicks. Nick is very ill. Helped line up a fence. Attended a meeting at the Skiff church.

Helped Nick with rock digging and some fencing. I’m very tired.

Attended services at the Skiff church. Asked to give my testimony of War

experiences. Went to Harrys and Margarets place for the remainder of the day.

Picked rock all day, 9:00 am to 6:00 pm. Disked the garden to 7:30 pm. Reading

Hebrews Chapter 2.

Picked rock on east quarter – 80 acres. Went to Skiff for the mail. Received a letter

from Alice. This is Carols birthday.

Picked rock on the north east 40 acres. Looks like rain or snow. Russia refused to

discuss World War problem.

Picked rock in the morning. Finished fencing today. Looks like snow today.

Picked rock on Hansons quarter. Attended a prayer meeting at the Skiff church.

Wrote a letter to Alice.

Received mail from Alice. Saw Bill in Skiff. Went to Lethbridge. Lindy is in

Lethbridge. Lindy, Dorothy, George, and I go downtown in the afternoon.

Attended services in the morning and Sunday School. Lindy came with me to Skiff in

the afternoon. Snow in Skiff.

Cleaned grain in the morning. Did repairs and maintenance to drill press. Picked

rock in the afternoon. Did some repairs to the car.

During the months of April, May, and June, work on the farm was done on a seasonal

basis. When cultivating was done, the seeding of grain could be completed Then the garden

was prepared and planted, then weeded as needed. Then came summerfallow, building

improvements, and cement work, hauling gravel (loaded and unloaded by hand) – a back

breaking job.

Sunday was a day of rest. Prayer meetings were attended faithfully. Sunday School

Lethbridge, on a vacation and business. Stayed at Annies overnight.

Left for Calgary in the morning. Arrived at 12:00 noon. Visited the St. Georges

Island Park in the evening.

Placed my car in a garage for repairs. Checked into a hospital to have my tonsils

removed.

Had the operation at 8:00 am, sitting in a chair.

In hospital after the operation. I seem to sleep day and night.

Recovering in hospital, on a liquid diet and ice cream. Vic came to see me. Brought

a letter from Alice for me.

Recovering from the operation.

Still recovering from the operation. Received a pass for the evening to attend a

church service at the Nazarene church.

This is Stampede Parade day. I was discharged from hospital. Picked the car up from

the garage. Received letters from Annie and Alice. Stayed at the Latimers.

Did odd jobs in the morning. Left for Edmonton in the afternoon.

Annie is traveling with me to Edmonton to visit one of our aunts. We located the

aunt, then traveled to Bethel Bible Camp, where Alice was working in the kitchen.

Spent the days at Bethel Bible Camp helping as I was able.

At Neerlandia and helped doing construction work on the farm.

Went to Lac La Nonne to do some fishing. Fishing was very good. Took time for a

swim.

Went to Lac La Nonne. Some went fishing. Alice and I with friends went berry

picking.

On the farm with regular chores.

Went picking berries today.

Attended the meeting in the morning. Alice and I spent time together the rest of the

day.

Went to Bonstroms for some homemade ice cream. Drove down to the river. Gave

Mr. Fairholm some patching material for tubs. We were to Henrys for supper.

Went berry picking. Almost drove the car into an abandoned water well. Attended an

evening meeting with Mr. Savage as the speaker.

Left Neerlandia at 8:00 am. Alice came with me to Edmonton. Had dinner at my

aunts. Left for Calgary at 2:00 pm. Annie came with me. Arrived in Calgary at 7:00 pm.

Stayed at the Latimers.

Departed from Calgary at 10:00 am, arrived in Lethbridge at 1:30 pm. Serviced the

car. Took George to Bill’s in Skiff. Arrived at Nicks, then went to Harrys.

Brought Margaret and Bertha from Harrys to visit Nick. Field work on new breaking.

Attended prayer meeting in the evening.

Disked the new braking field. Margaret and Bertha went to Bills with my car.

Attended church service. Went to Bills for dinner. Took Margaret and Bertha to

Harrys in the evening.

Out doing disking until a front wheel broke on the tractor. Worked at repairs to grain

bins.

Worked on repairing grain bins. Worked at maintenance on truck.

Finished disking. Worked on servicing the combine. Moved a grain bin in to a new

location. Received mail from Alice.

Started to do the harvesting today. Combined all day.

Combined all day.

Combined all day. We had a breakdown.

Took Margaret and Bertha to Annies in Lethbridge. Attended church in Lethbridge.

Combined all day.

Combined flax today. Rain in the evening.

Combined flax in the morning. Started on Hansons in the afternoon.

Combined all day.

No combining today. Went to Lethbridge to arrange appointment with dentist.

Appointment made for August 29. Received letter and pictures from Alice.

Finished combining on Hansons.

Attended church service today. Rested at home.

Combined all day. Received mail from Alice and Margaret and Gus Fredland.

Combined all day.

Went in the morning. Picked up cement. Combined in the afternoon.

Combined all day.

Threshed oats in the morning. Worked on repairs to the hen house after dinner.

Received a letter from Alice.

Worked on repairs to the hen house.

Went to church services. Collins family is up for a visit in the afternoon.

Hauled straw into storage in the yard.

Hauled straw until it rained.

Hauled rock and cemented garage floor.

Went to Lethbridge to have dental work done. Bought a wrist watch in the morning.

Dorothy came with me to Skiff.

Fenced straw pile in. Picked Dorothy up from Bills. Received a letter from Alice.

Removed part of the fence from around the house. Finished fall wheat. Receive my

wages: $387.00.

Attended church service. Went to visit Harry but he was not home. Dorothy to stay

at Nicks.

Went to Annies, took Dorothy home. Fixed horn on my car. Nick left for Calgary.

Went to Lethbridge for another dental appointment. The work is now completed.

From Lethbridge, I left for Calgary in the afternoon, arriving at 6:00 pm. Received

mail from Alice.

In Calgary, did some shopping. Received another gratuity cheque.

Stayed home alone with the children. Francis is in hospital with a new baby.

Nick left for Lethbridge. Vic and I are home. It rained all day.

Attended church services at the Nazarene Church. Visited Francis in the hospital with

the new baby. His name is Norman.

Home alone with the children. Did some washing. Eatons parcel arrived. Dry

cleaning arrived.

Looked around downtown Calgary. Obtained ration books. Left for P.B.I. at Three

Hills. Arrived at 2:00 pm.

Was assigned to a job of pipefitting. Mr. Muddle got married today. Wrote a letter to

Alice.

Helped with pipe fitting. Helped with cement work.

Received my Thompson Chain Reference Bible. Worked at moving earth around.

Hauled sand. Disked on the farm in the afternoon. Went to a street meeting at

Trochu in the evening.

Attended church services today. Went visiting in homes this afternoon. Wrote a

letter to Lindy.

Worked on the farm in the morning. Dug ditches in the afternoon.

Digging ditches all day. Received a letter from Alice.

Worked at digging ditches.

Finished the ditch from the vegetable room, now I am in the farm doing digging.

Received a letter from Alice.

Still digging ditches.

Digging ditches alone. Storm came up in the afternoon. Milked cows in the evening.

Went to meeting in the evening.

Went to services as usual. Wrote a letter to Annie.

Finished digging trench at the barn. Started digging cesspool at the barn. Received a

letter from Alice.

This was an all day of prayer at P.B.I.

Worked at excavating the cesspool. Had repairs done to my car.

Worked at excavating cesspool at the barn. Prepare to leave Three Hills for

Neerlandia.

Travelled to Neerlandia. Arrived there at 7:30 pm. Alice is at home.

Visited in the morning. Went out for a ride and to visit the Bonstroms.

Attended a meeting in the morning. Attended a church service in Barrhead in the

afternoon.

Travelled back to Three Hills. Had the generator repaired $7:50. Arrived at Three

Hills at 5:45 pm.

Went to Calgary. Had dinner with Victor. Arrived at Three Hills late.

Rained today and worked outside in the morning. Stayed in, in the afternoon.

Students began arriving at the school.

Worked outside all day. No mail.

Registration day for new Bible School year. Arranged our room to suit our needs.

Assembled at 10:00 am. Mr. Maxwell was the speaker. Received assignments.

Purchased text books. Out working on the mystery crew in the evening. Studied in the

evening.

Attended all Services today. Mr. Maxwell’s message: "Above Only And Not

Beneath". Went out for supper.

Went out threshing in the morning. Studied in the afternoon. Received a letter from

Alice.

In classes and studies all day. Went for a walk in the evening.

In classes all day. Wrote letters.

In class all day. My gratis work is harvesting the potato crop at the schools garden.

Received a letter from Alice.

In classes all day. Gratis work is picking potatos. Attend Friday night Young Peoples

meeting.

One half day gratis work as per assignment. Attended a Sunday School preparation

class at 4:00 pm. Studied in the evening.

Attended Services. Took a Sunday School class. Went outside the School for a

meeting in the evening.

At classes and studies all day. Received a letter from Alice.

At classes and studies all day.

At classes and studies all day.

Studies and classes all day. Worked at digging cesspool for gratis work. Received

letters from Margaret and Alice.

In classes all day. Placed on night guard duty. Prepare to leave for Brooks in the

morning.

We are up at 3:30 am for breakfast, then travel to Brooks to pick potatoes donated to

the school by a farmer. We had two flat tires on the truck, and a leaking oil pan. Arrived at

the school 1:00 am Sunday.

Excused from church service attendance. Slept most of the day. Wrote letters.

In classes and studies all day. Excused from gratis work today. No mail

In classes and studies. Testimony meeting after supper. Went to bed early.

In classes and studies as usual. Wrote Alice a letter.

In classes and studies as usual. Received a letter from Alice.

In classes in the morning. Had a school picture taken in the afternoon. Travelled to

Brooks for more potatoes. Had a little snow. Returned home very late.

Did a one half day gratis work. Studies the remainder of the day.

This is Prayer Sunday. At breakfast we prepare a light lunch to be had in our rooms.

Supper would be an hour sooner at 4:00 pm.

In classes and studies as usual. Received a letter from Alice.

In classes as usual. Was selected to travel by truck to Wetaskawin to pick up cement

bags for school projects. Charles Nethercot was also with us. Just three men.

Still in Wetaskawin. We had oil trouble with the truck. Arrived at the school at 2:30

pm.

This is the beginning of the fall Rally at the school. My duties are waiter in the

dinning room. Receive a letter from Alice.

Second day of Rally. Received mail from Dan and Alice.

In meetings throughout the day.

Rally Services all day. Met Phil Geotz whom I haven’t seen sicne Basic Training in

Camrose.

Rally Services all day. There seems to be a positive movement of the Holy Spirit

among us.

Revival meeting continues all day.

Rally Services all day. Went to bed at 10:30 pm.

This ends entries in my diary for this year!

The Fall Conference ended on a spiritual high note. Students seemed refreshed and

renewed in their purpose and pursuit. The winter of 1946 was cold, with heavy blowing

snow creating high drifts. At Christmas time students could leave for holiday to various

destinations. About half of the students were from the United States, so a large number

stayed on campus during this time. I intended to go to Edmonton, but that did not work out.