DAY 175 -- It Is Starting

Last night we were singing in one of our Christmas Concerts and Bonnie started crying.  Of course the Spirit was there and we were singing of  special things, but she was crying because after we sing next week in the Assembly Hall, it may be the last concert we get to sing in.  Of course we will sing in the May concerts, but we won't sing in next year's Christmas Concerts. 

It is such a joy and privilege to sing in these concerts under such a talented director, and it will be something we will miss.  And it may be the last one.  Who knows what will happen in the next few months, or years. 

It is starting.  We are starting to realize that when we go on a mission next June, there will be things that we won't be around to do next year, next Christmas Season.  We won't be around next Thanksgiving either.

Bonnie was telling me that there was a sister she was talking to about that sisters mother.  She and her father had served 7 mission and were never home for almost any momentous occasion of her kids.  She commented that it was like her parents were dead since they were always gone. She had me promise her that one of our daughters would never be able to say that.

I would love to go on a seven year mission.  It would be shorter than the Sons of Mosiah who served fourteen years.  That does not calm Bonnie.  But I also see the need she will have to be with our children and grand children through the years. 

So, as we continue to count down the days until we feel we want to be out serving our Lord in the mission field, more and more of these days will come.  Every birthday, every anniversary, every other occasion will be the last one for a few years.  I guess that is preparing for our mission, realizing that we will indeed miss certain family events. 

Even realizing that we will miss certain things, we are still anxious to go, one of us more than the other one.  Our kids want us to go.  They will support us and encourage us, though we will be far away for a time. 

This is just another mental goal, preparation that needs to be done before anyone goes on a mission.  If we do it now, we will be more prepared when we are ready to fly away.  It is starting.