Our Call From the Lord

Getting ready to go on a mission has been a busy and interesting experience.  We started the process months ago with the idea in our heads that we would fill out our papers, wait a few weeks and would soon be opening a mission call!  WRONG!!!  The paper work was the easy part.  It was gathering all the medical info that older couples have built over the years that took most of the time but it did get submitted and the wait began.

Wednesday, Dec. 21, we finally received our call.  Actually, Ken went down to the post office and picked it up.  Then, we waited all day wondering what was in it.  It is kind of funny how you don't dare think about where you might go.  We did not "ask" for a specific place as many told us we should.  We wanted to go where the Lord really wanted us to go and there is not a place on the whole application that says anything about "please tell us where you want to go" although many who have never filled out papers insisted there is.  We both had thoughts about what might be "ideal" like Hawaii or Tahiti or New Zealand I'm sure.  Then your head gets running with ideas about what you would really not be thrilled to do, places that are too cold or too hot or too remote etc. Then you start to get ideas of where you wouldn't dare possibly think you could go like Hawaii, Tahiti and New Zealand. LOL! It's a little bizarre the thoughts going through your head.

We called our family and set up a time to meet either in person or by Video Phone.  We didn't invite the whole world because we wanted this to be a family thing.  When I opened the envelope, it seemed like an awful lot of papers came out but somehow Ken grabbed the right one.  As he caught a look at only where we were called, he sank back in the chair, said "Oh wow!" and began to cry while the rest of us were saying, "Where, where?"  I can't remember if it was me or him that said, "New Zealand Wellington Mission."  I was so excited because it was one of those places I didn't dare think of.

We had both decided independently that it didn't really matter where we went but to have it be some place we both had dreamed of going was almost beyond belief.  Sometimes when you put it in the hands of the Lord, He really does surprise you with something sooooo amazing that you didn't dare to dream.  I sure hope we live up to His trust in us and our dreams.  We really do want to be good and faithful, profitable servants.  I can't wait to become a "kiwi" and start working in a beautiful place with more of God's wonderful family.

The Meaning of Family

Here we are ready to begin a new adventure and so many thoughts.

We had our family Christmas party last night and it was as Heather said, "bitter sweet".  We had our traditional chicken soup and a birthday cake for all those with December birthdays including Kenny, Benson, Jenny, Joseph Smith and especially Jesus.  We also had a visit from Santa who didn't want to be seen so turned the honors over to grandpa who read a story and then handed out gifts.  We missed Micah, Sarah and their kids who were in Albuquerque with Sarah's family and also Codie who had to work.  The kids and adults were very generous in including those who were missing by "donating" gifts to them.  It is questionable however whether some of the gifts were really sacrifices.

Our last party before our mission was highlighted as usual by a video made by Jen which included the entire family.  She is getting better and better at this and it was a very fun and touching production.  Of course I could watch it again and again, a fact to which Ken can attest.  I really wanted to focus on the Savior this year and we had several nativities out as well as having ornaments that carried out this idea.  We had a family testimony meeting and it gave many a chance to express their feelings about past and coming events.  There were many tears and several heartfelt comments about various things.  I think it was a good, safe place for our family to express those feelings and hopefully after everyone has time to think them all over, there will be more understanding among us.  I have long believed the best way to deal with things is "head on".

After the party, Ken and I sat down for a "breather" and all we could talk about was how grateful we were to have such a wonderful family.  We feel so blessed to have all of these wonderful people in our lives.  Things are changing rapidly in our lives, marriages, babies born, graduations, mission calls and so on but we are all good as long as we stick together.  As Jenny put in the movie "No society is as precious as that of one's own family."  That quote is from Thomas Jefferson and expresses my thoughts exactly.  There in absolutely nothing that is more important to Ken and I than our family.  No matter how many join us, that will always be true.  Each one is precious and important and we are forever grateful that they are ours.

Our mission call is due soon and circumstances may change but wherever we are, our family will be foremost in our thoughts and hearts because they are part of us along with the gospel we love and in our minds, it is all inseparable!

Being Thankful

Certainly need to correct that last post. I was feeling awfully confused at the time but not any more. I did some work on thankfulness and it has changed those feelings a bunch, that and getting all our mission papers in. Now it is just waiting time and spending more time in gratitude for all I have. Heavenly Father has gotten me to a place where I am seeing more clearly and I'm really grateful for that. It seems that turning in those mission papers has changed my perspective big time.

Oh sure, I am still concerned about my family and myself and the missing one another and the homesickness or whatever.  I also know that it is the right thing on many levels.  It is a way to show my kids and grandkids that I will do the right thing even when it is hard.  It shows them what is really important to me and that I will do what is right no matter what.  I know it will be hard for them as well but they have helped one another so well through all our trials this year that I know they will be fine "on their own".  Imagine that, kids who have kids being okay without mom and dad!

I am sooooo grateful that my family is full of mature adults now who take care of their own children,
my grandchildren in such a way that I do not have to worry about them.  I have wonderful children and am so thankful that Heavenly Father sent them to me and through them has brought 18 other new lives into my life.  This is what means everything to me.

Several experiences recently have fully convinced me that all the distraction and noise of the world mean nothing if you don't have a family to share it with.  I have so much peace in my life because I know my family is involved in the right things at the right times and are doing their best to serve their fellow men and their Savior.  I don't think I have been this happy for a very long time.  Better enjoy every moment of it!

I often wonder how I became so blessed but one thing I know, I am truly thankful.