Author: Sagacity

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Colleen Mary Andra’s Journal

This is the work of several hours of typing.  An hour here, an hour there, adding to a cumulative of about 10 hours over the past year.  I am happy to report, I have finally completed this task.
I never knew my Grandmother kept a journal until my Sister mentioned it to me in 2003.  I was finally able to snag it from my Aunt Jackie on the promise I would return it.  To uphold that promise and to ensure it is not lost with it going back into her hands (you would have to know the situation to understand) I have typed the entire thing up.  The same like I did with my Great Grandmother’s (Lillian Coley Jonas 1898-1987) journals.
To preserve these journals for posterity, I will place them all up here (Lillians’ will be up shortly).
This journal starts in mid 1944 and ends fall 1946.  It is her high school years and covers several noteworthy dates.  She records V-E and V-J day.  She comments about the passing and birthday of siblings.  While her entries are typically short, they do flesh out years I knew nothing of previously.  There are many sites mentioned which do not appear to be still present and even in asking older people, they do not know them either.  White City is the main location nobody seems to remember.  I assume the saw mill is the Temple Saw Mill site up Logan Canyon.  Logana was a swimming hole in Logan.  Another issue is that many people are mentioned by their first name only, and even then many by nickname.  I do not assume Dutch, Chick, and other names are actual names.  Hence my difficulty.  I fear only those closest to the situation would know who these people really where, and most of those closest don’t remember or are no longer available for asking.
There are also cultural things which have changed.  Going to a movie or swimming on Sunday is now taboo in LDS culture where they were much more common place then.  The separated meeting schedule is apparent with Sunday School and night church (Sacrament) being defined as separate meetings.  Most of us would not even make mention to the fact that we listened to the radio where it was made special mention of in this journal.  The putting up of the hair is another phrase which is not heard anymore.  Other phrases in the journal have a completely different connotation in today’s world and hopefully they will not be understood in that light.
Colleen Mary Andra was born 27 May 1928 in Preston, Franklin, Idaho.  As the journal shows, the main location of most events is Preston, Idaho.  She married Wilburn Norwood Jonas 27 Sep 1946 in Elko, Elko, Nevada as is obvious in the journal.  I have written more about them at this link:  Jonas-Andra Wedding.
There are interesting things to note of the Jonas family as well.  The marriage of Evan and Lona, the death of Irwin Jonas, and more are to be found.  The journal definitely focuses on the Andra side in its short entries.  Norwood would die tragically in 1975.  Colleen would remarry twice more before she would pass away suddenly in 1999 from an operation.
I hope for those who read this and can add anything more, I would appreciate hearing from you.  Defining more of these people and places involved would be great help and very appreciated.  Please feel free to download a copy (by clicking on the link below) for your reading pleasure.  I beg of you for your input and recollections!

Colleen’s Journal 1944-1946
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Philadelphia

I have just added nearly 70 more pictures to the newest album.  It is the 2008 album and has been appropriately named.  As we continue through the year, I will do like I did with the Virginia Living album and put the most recent photos at the front.
The pictures all come from our most recent trip to Washington, D.C. and Philadelphia.  There are photographs from the U.S. Capitol, Washington Cathedral, Independence Hall, Congress Hall, Carpenter’s Hall, and other sites in Philadelphia.  Amanda and I drove up Thursday evening to Kensington, Maryland and stayed with my Uncle Donald and Aunt Lolane Andra.  We worked in the Washington D.C. Temple Friday morning and then went to visit the Capitol and Cathedral.  Saturday morning we arose early and drove to Philadelphia by way of Delaware and New Jersey.  Philadelphia for the most part was a beautiful day.  It was a bit brisk at moments but they were not long lasting.
We were fortunate to not have any long lines for us to wait.  We entered most of the buildings very quickly and in some instances had the building almost to ourselves.
It was a great little get away weekend.  This coming weekend we are headed off to Williamsburg.  What will be in store for us there?
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Photo Album for Thanksgiving 2007

The photo album that I just placed up a few hours ago are all photos Lolane Andra took.  She and Donald came down after Thanksgiving and spent a couple of days with us.  We went around and saw a bunch of the sites.  So you will see a pretty good variety of locations.  Lewis Ginter Botanical Gardens, Jamestown, Monticello, Confederate White House, Hollywood Cemetery, and who knows what else.  I put most of the pictures up.  Enjoy!  You may recognize a couple of the photos as very common to other photos in other albums that we took.
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Mom’s 2007 Christmas Letter

This credit bureaus paper is what I was given here.  I am not sure if all these phone numbers are toll free or not.  Will you see if you can check out my credit rating and make sure that no one has gotten a hold of my SSN and used it.  I owe no one.  I had everyone of my bills paid off.  You would know better than me if you can get this by the internet.  My name and everything would all be under Sandy Jonas.  Nothing is under the other name.  You might check under my married name, too.  You never know what was changed and what was not, OK.
I found this little tidbit that maybe you could check on too.  Everything that is for public knowledge is it on the internet too?  If so, then you could maybe look on the net for this.  Probably under some gov’t site.  At county courthouses at the hall of records, wills are filed.  You can pay a fee for a certified copy of death certificates which lists the cause of death.  Like I said, I would like to know what the death certificates of Dad, Mom, and the one who got herself dead with me.  I know the cause of death but I would like to know what the death certificates say.  If you come up with anything will you let me know?
As far as what is happening with me I did get lucky and Crabtree was appointed my case.  Dunlap says that most of the time the judges do not want to deal with post convictions so they go to the appellate which usually kick them back down to district for a hearing on what evidence you have to support your claims.  I am hoping that Crabtree will look over the petition and let me have a hearing first.  All I can do is keep my fingers crossed.
I got a card from Jackie the middle of Nov.  It really surprised me.  It had been over 2 1/2 years since I heard from her.  Maybe she had a straight moment and remembered she had a sister.  She said May was expecting in Jan.  I hope she raises her kid better than Jackie did her.  But then I guess it ain’t none of my business.  I probably will not here from her for another couple of years.  I guess I should feel lucky.  I laugh every time I think about what you quoted Doug saying about communicating and yet the chicken shit caint get off his ass and write me back.  I guess that is none of my business either.  I guess if they both want to go around with their heads up their butts that is their problems.  It just gripes my ass and the bull shit about blood being thicker than water is not true as far as my siblings goes.  It is just hard to write and write and never get a response.  It hurts too.  But I guess that is life and life is not always easy especially when you live in a shit hole incubator that breeds a lot of nasty filthy sick perverted sexual warped son of a bitches that I have to live with.  You would not believe how sick the human species is Paul.
Anyway, I hope you two have a good holidays.  There is no snow here.  It comes and goes.  One day you need a coat and it is bitter the next day you do not.  It can be cold but the damn wind that always blows make it bad.  Well anyway take care and I hope to hear from you.
Love you,
Mom
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What it is not

I stumbled upon this quote by Theodore Burton in his book, Meaning of Repentance, pg 96.  I thought I would share it.  I have thought some about it lately and how to more perfect my life.  It is hard to nail down exactly how to do it, much of it really does seem like a God-given gift through faith.  The thoughts made me think.
“Just what is repentance?  Actually it is easier for me to tell what repentance is not than to tell you what repentance is.”

“My present assignment as a General Authority is to assist the First Presidency.  I prepare information for them to use in considering applications to readmit transgressors into the Church and to restore priesthood and/or temple blessings.  Many times a bishop will write: “I feel he has suffered enough!”  But suffering is not repentance.  Suffering comes from lack of complete repentance.  A stake president will write: “I feel he has been punished enough!”  But punishment is not repentance.  Punishment follows disobedience and precedes repentance.  A husband will write: “My wife has confessed everything!”  But confession is not repentance.  Confession is an admission of guilt that occurs as repentance begins.  A wife will write: ” My husband is filled with remorse!”  But remorse is not repentance.  Remorse and sorrow continue because a person has not yet fully repented.  But if suffering, punishment, confession, remorse, and sorrow are not repentance, what is repentance?”

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Jorgensen and Christensen

Robert Mathis shared with me this copy of a short history written by Amanda Emilie Jorgensen.  It is a history of her parents, my fourth Great Grandparents.  It also has a reference to Hanna’s parents.  This was written around 1933.
History of my Parents

My father Olaves Jorgensen was born in Drammen Norway 19 November 1830.

When he was twelve years old he started working in a saw mill for Mr Kjer.

My mother Hannah Mathea Christensen was born in Drammen Norway fourteen November 1831. She was a dressmaker when she was old enough to work. They were married fourth november 1855 in Drammen Norway. Two girls were born there. Constanse and Olga. Then Mr. Kjer transferred Father to Fredrikstad Norway to another saw mill and he worked there until he came to America in 1896.

Mother was very religious and always went to some kind of church but never felt satisfied. She lived in an apartment house and was talking to a lady named Mrs. Ask that lived across the hall. Religion was mentioned and mother said she wanted to find a religion that baptised people like Jesus was baptised.

Mrs. Ask asked her if she had ever heard about the Mormon people and mother said no. Mrs. Ask said to be ready Sunday afternoon and she would take her to hear the Mormon Elders.

As soon as mother heard the Elders preach she knew it was the true church. The Priest and other people tried to tell her it was wrong but she wouldn’t listen. The Elders had to take her to the ocean to be baptised after dark as they would be arrested and put in jaail if they were seen baptising people.

Mother was a very faithful member and the missionaries were always welcome in their home. She was President of the Relief Society for years.

Father wanted to join but didn’t dare to because he knew he would lose his job. Father was baptised just before he and mother came to Utah.

They went directly to Richmond Utah in Cache Valley to be near their daughter Othelia. They were here four years and had never had the opportunity to go to the temple when mother died in November, 1900. Father and Othelia and Constanse came to Logan and did the work for mother and she was sealed to Father. Father died in November 1904 and they were both buried in Richmond Utah.

Mother told me that the pastor of the Luteran Church said her parents Christen Hansen and Marie Evensen were the most beautiful couple he had ever married while he was a pastor.

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Sin to understand?

I have always been a bit irritated with the idea that we have to sin to understand evil.  I understand that the fall of Adam and Eve were something that were part of a plan and that God made provision for the fall.  However, in our day and age it seems there is a line of reasoning that one has to venture into hell to understand it.  It always really bothered me and seems to go against what the gospel would have us do with our lives, meaning avoid and repel temptation.  I remember the old man in England telling me the more we went out of our way to sin the more we would see the Saviour’s atonement in our lives and that we are encouraged to do so to witness the miracle of redemption.  Well, I found a quote that seemed to utter to some degree what I have struggled to find.  While I am not a Lewis fan for the fact that his fans appear to like the nicety of language rather than his intent, I have to share this quote.  Forgive me for using two Lewis quotes in the last three entries!
It is from Mere Christianity,  “No man knows how bad he is till he has tried very hard to be good.  A silly idea is current that good people do not know what temptation means.  This is an obvious lie.  Only those who try to resist temptation know how strong it is; after all, you find out the strength of the German army by fighting against it, not by giving in.  You find out the strength of a wind by trying to walk against it, not by lying down.  A man who gives into temptation after five minutes simply does not know what it would have been like an hour later. 

That is why bad people in one sense know very little about badness.  They’ve always lived a sheltered life by always giving in.  We never find out the strength of the evil impulse inside us until we try to fight it: and Christ, because he was the only man who never yielded to temptation, is also the only man who knows to the full what temptation means-the only complete realist.”

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Sister Delivered

Here is a picture of the newest addition to the family.  Daniel Neil Constable.  That is my sister in the picture, the proud mother.  Both mother and baby are doing very well.  Little Daniel is slated to be given up for adoption.  However, I have heard this may not be the case.  Without more information, I won’t write anything more.
Andra and baby Daniel