February 18, 1945
My Beloved Darling:
This has really been a very full day, I have been on the go since before dawn this morning. I am very tired tonight but I feel a deep sense of joy in my heart tonight because I know I have given the best that I could. In brief, I sought to be worthy of the Master’s use. The highlight of the day was the arrival of your letter for the 10th. Captain Wilson received two letters from his wife at the same time. Darling, I wish I could make you realize just how much I love you and how that I will ever only want to be yours. Be it forever known unto you that no one will ever be able to take your place. I love you unreservedly and I mean my love for you once and for all. All of the expressions I can think of seem inadequate when it comes to describing what is deep down in my heart concerning my feelings for you. Darling, thank you for being such a wonderful Christian wife and sweetheart to me.
Chaplain Lee of the hospital took very ill suddenly, so I was asked to take care of his service which he has at 9 o’clock. It is about 8 miles to the hospital so you can see you I really had my hands full. There were 46 men at the hospital service. I finished with the service at about 9:50 so you see you we had to really hurry to get back in time for my 10 o’clock service. We arrived here at the Regiment at about 10:15. The men very patiently waited; for one of the men informed them about the service which we had at the hospital. Well Dear, I’m glad to say that the number at our service climbed again this morning. There was a total attendance of 84. And when I gave the invitation a sergeant came forward to accept Christ. Thank you for your prayer Dear, I felt absolute freedom and I know that there was power there other than anything in me. I would like to tell you a few things, but after all the things that some said were not to my credit, but to our glorious Lord for all that we are together in Him we owe to Him.
I am enclosing this Sunday’s bulletin with this letter. I thought you might like to look at it. You’ll know that it is just the same as last weeks. Being out in the field as we were, we didn’t have enough time to make new ones so we used the same outside over again. Don, my assistant, in typing the order of our service forgot to type in the Scripture so I wrote it in with ink. You will also note that there is a little writing about, “Something to think about.” Last Sunday the soldier whose name is at the bottom went back to his tent and wrote what you see on the bulletin after hearing the sermon which I preached last week. He is a fine fellow and he said he wanted to see if he could write something worthwhile after hearing the message. He happened to show it to me this last week and I thought it was so very good that it deserved a place on our program. You will note that I preached on, “So take care how you listen.” I developed the message along the lines that there is a difference between hearing and listening. And only those who listen will receive the full fruition of the salvation we know in Christ. I may hear something, but listening carries with it in addition to hearing APPLICATION. I also brought out the point that you can hear a thunderstorm, but a mother’s love calls for listening. And I also applied Psalm 46:10.

This afternoon I spent most of the afternoon talking to two men who came to my tent to talk about some religious problems. I talked to them for almost 2 hours. I certainly enjoy trying to help encourage men in the Christian life.
By the way, I forgot to tell you that Chaplain Wells came over to my quarters just before noon, so Captain Wilson, Captain Mason, Major Elliott, Paul and I had dinner together. We had a very nice time.
After the two men left, I studied for the rest of the time on my sermon for tonight. I preached on, “What difference does it make?” I used the outline which you sent me. I studied the whole book of I Thessalonians so I would have a clear picture. It was such a blessing to me that I skipped the evening meal and spent some time in meditation and prayer. After that, I went to Chaplain Kern’s 6 o’clock service. There were seven in attendance counting my assistant and I, and also his assistant. I am enclosing his service for this Sunday. You will note that he changed his evening service somewhat but he preached another five minute sermon and he shot at nothing and that is just what he hit. It is hard to do anything about his case because he is conceited and always half apologizes for the gospel. He said to me tonight that he changed the program a little because he thought that might develop interest. He talks about living up to certain ideals and to be good, but he hesitates to ask men to stand out firm and true for Christ. He came in the Army two months before I did and because he outranks me, he certainly lets it be known. Don’t think I’m complaining Dear, but that is just one of the unpleasant things I have to put up with. You would think with a fellow in such work you could have fellowship with but he is so two-faced that I do not care to be around him anymore than necessary. Please don’t worry about it Dear, because I will go ahead and do my best under all circumstances and I will preach Christ under any and all circumstances, for when I was ordained I excepted that vow and I mean to do it with all that I am. Darling, I am learning many things, this is very unpleasant at times, but I intend on having all the services I can for these men.
At our evening service Chaplain Wells led the singing which was very good. And I preached the sermon I told you about above. You’ll probably be interested to know that two men came forward tonight. Oh yes, we had 58 in attendance also, that was better then we have had thus far. You will remember they were having no evening services whatsoever when I arrived here. Several things were said to me after the service. I only wish you could have heard them. Chaplain Wells was also very kind in one of his statements.
After the evening service, Captain Mason and Captain Wilson walked to my tent with me and we had a good visit. I wanted to write this letter but he had some things they wanted to tell me. Darling, it is so very late that I must close. God bless you in all things, and remember, I love you more than ever I have before.
Always and forever just yours
In the love of Christ Jesus,
Willis
Colossians 3:3