I started this blog, or whatever you call it when we had one year to wait for our mission. Better said, we had 365 days until we were going to celebrate our 40th wedding anniversary. We both figured that we would love to celebrate our anniversary as we went on a mission.
We have talked about going on a mission for many years. I wanted to go quite a while ago, and every time we sang "Called to Serve" or "I'll Go Where You Want Me To Go" and other songs, my heart hurt for our inability to go. There were many things in the way It was hard to realize that I was old enough yet not prepared to go. I saw friends from our ward go and enjoy themselves serving our Savior. It was hard being patient to wait.
Well a few years ago, I left my business in Brigham City and had to take with me about $15,000 debt largely because of the economy. Then, we were blessed to sell our home with only about $15,000 shortage on it.
I found out that the Church won't let anyone go on a mission if they are in debt. So I was unemployed, homeless, moneyless, and still wanting to go on a mission. As we looked into our affairs, we decided that since we had such wonderful kids, and they would sacrifice and let us live with them (taking care of the homeless problem) we would move in with them. In the past two to three years, three different children have let us live with them.
The moneyless challenge was another obstacle in front of us. So, after I had looked for 18 months to find an income, I found a job that the boss was willing to hire me even though I was older than he is. He pays me peanuts, or perhaps rather than peanuts, he pays me the peanuts shells, not even the peanuts. Bonnie continued driving the bus, carrying handicapped kids. With those two incomes, we put together a plan to be out of debt by M day, in June. With a few tender mercies, we will be out of debt and have a way to support us on our mission. Miracles do happen.
So, we are now putting together our papers to be able to serve our Savior wherever we are called. I don't mean to say that all is well and in place, but it is getting there. With just 117 days, we hope to be going away to be full time in His service.
I remember when I returned from Mexico, I remember saying to myself as well as my family that I would love to serve Him full time the rest of my life. I came home in December of 1970. Forty two and one half years later, I hope to take my companion with me and go and do. Elder Holland, thanks for the encouragement through the statement on the front page of this blog. I know that soon, we will be able to realize this dream.
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