A Missionary Widow

During the time of the draft imposed after the Korean War, Pete and Suzanne met each other and fell in love. Pete wanted to serve a mission for his church before marriage but couldn’t apply because the government’s quota had already been met in the local congregation. The couple decided to get married before Pete went off to boot camp. A week before the marriage, an unexpected offer to serve a mission came. The couple counseled with church leaders and then under their guidance proceeded with their wedding. After several other twists, Pete received a call to the North Central States mission a few weeks after they were married. Pete left for a two-year mission just two and one half months later. Suzanne was left at home to go to college, work to support Pete, and plan for her own mission call to come.  That mission call never came because of her age; rather she volunteered in multiple capacities to help in her community. This book uses Pete’s journal and personal history along with Suzanne’s long letters to chronicle the amazing story of how the couple deepened their love and commitment to each other while serving and helping others at an incredible pace. Pete witnessed miracles including the healing of a baby from dangerous seizures, finding a woman who was praying for a minister to come right after her husband died, being healed from poisoning, having a dream of how to butcher a pig for a family whose father had just died, and other inexplicable 'coincidences.'  He had chances to play his trombone, participate in an Indian horsetail dance, use his theatrical talents, and think of creative and fun ways to share the missionary message. He also became gravely ill, warded off evil spirits, almost lost his eyesight, survived a dog attack, and recovered from a serious reaction to penicillin. The challenges and triumphs built friendships, facilitated his missionary work, and strengthened his commitment to Suzanne. While he was gone, Suzanne stayed extremely busy directing youth theatre programs, dancing, singing, and going to school. She wrote to her favorite aunt, 'Now that Pete’s gone, I’m going to take dancing and music lessons again, along with participating in plays. I shall keep on working and going to school. I’m going to try to go to the temple every other week. If I do all this, I won’t have much time to think about missing Pete.' Her aunt complimented her for having the wisdom of the ages which would help her be all the more 'charming wife' when he came back. Suzanne’s growth and maturity through service and her desire to support her husband in every way possible are evident in her letters. Since phone calls were very expensive her sometimes 20-page handwritten letters gave important historical insights of the culture and world at the time. She discussed the essence of opposition, revelation, raising children, and spiritual realizations in her letters. Suzanne took her supportive role seriously. She could tell when Pete was down and wrote to cheer him up. 'Hey, get your chin up off the ground and look around. You’d be surprised how brightly the sun is shining.'Most importantly this story explores love, and nurturing love during separation.  'A few letters ago you asked me what my definition of love was. Simply, I could say it is a great affection and desire to be with and near the person who is loved. On scientific theory I would say it is a form of magnetic attraction. On a religious level, I would say it is one of God’s greatest gifts to men, designed to make men brothers, bring about peace in the world, and combine the purposes of man and woman in order to bring souls into this world to prove themselves. Man is that he might have joy and God’s greatest instrument to provide joy is love. When I think of Pete Black, I feel and know love.'