50 years ago ...
As Chris took slides and had them scanned to digital files, he's been attempting to label and place the pictures in the correct chronological placement in Dropbox and including the information for photos uploaded to Family Search. As part of the process, he would forward a photo to Dad and ask for his memories. For missionary photos, Dad would often turn to his mission journal. Here's his response ...
I found other photos in my missionary journal, with the same sister. On page 142-376. That means journal page number 142, and day 376 of my mission. The date was 30 Aug 1958. This was the first baptism I had on my mission. I had labored in The Hague, 26 May to August 11, when I was transferred to Ijmuiden. I was in the missionary choir, and we practiced in The Hague many Saturdays. I returned to The Hague for a missionary choir practice, and while there, we did the baptism. Here is the excerpt from my journal for that day:
Saturday, We got up early and caught a train for Den Haag (The Hague) – arrived ½ hour late. We practiced (9:30-12:00), ate lunch together (hot dogs, lemonade) and practiced 1:30. Elder de Vries informed me that I was to baptize someone that afternoon and to be ready. The baptismal service was at 3:30, and four people were to be baptized. (Sister Touw; her son, Rien; a daughter of an American couple, a son of a member in Den Haag, Indonesian). I baptized Rien and Elder de Vries baptized Zr Touw, in very little, very warm, water. After we had changed clothes, we confirmed the new members. I confirmed Zr Touw, and E. de Vries confirmed Rien. The meeting was very nice and inspirational – 5 other investigators were present. Four of us Elders practiced a bit (quartet), E. Smith, E. Allen and I talked, rolled out our sleeping bags, and sacked out for the nite.
The photo in my journal was that of Sister Touw and her three sons.
She sent it to me, with a nice note on the back, all written in Dutch, of course.
