DAY 135 -- All The Difference

It is really getting interesting.  I mean the first hundred or so days counting down to our mission, even two hundred days, I paused before writing this blog, thinking about goals, dreams, things I should do to prepare myself for the upcoming mission.  Maybe it started in the meeting with the bishop.  Maybe it started when we felt we needed to talk with each of our kids about our mission.  Maybe it is getting more "real" when the bishop says that we will submit papers in March.

I don't know, but I find that my sweet companion and I are often, almost constantly talking about our mission, where we will go, are we going to be ready, will those doctors find ugly things when they check us out, and a myriad of subjects.  Will they postpone our planned departure?

We find ourselves taking more and more time thinking of our kids and grand kids, knowing a few months we will be leaving for a time.  We are planning on what to do with our few personal items.  We are thinking what we will do and what will happen to our traditions when we leave.  Will our kids carry them on, or will they fall apart, not the kids, they will celebrate, but the traditions.

With only 135 days left, I am re-thinking those goals I set early on in this road we are travelling.  I can see that some things are much more important than others.  I can see the importance of setting priorities based upon what is most important.

I sort of feel like I am getting ready to die.  I guess in a way we will be leaving, prevented of being with the family which is one of our joys of life.  We will be leaving birthdays, celebrations, baby blessings, and other things behind. 

Tis a challenge, but then if I don't think along that line, rather I think of the joy of serving our Savior, being influential in the lives of others, when I think of helping others see the beauties of the gospel, having the opportunity of bearing witness of the truth, the things I hold so dear, those dreams must replace, or at least compensate for the loss of being with family. 

Now I know what seniors feel when they consider leaving family, security, comfort, etc, and many choose they cannot go.  I am excited and continue to see mercies from Father to allow us to go.  He wants us to go, and that is all the difference. Mind is mixed these day...