DAY 6 -- Changes

I talked to the bishop yesterday at the baptism and he commented that Bonnie and I are experiencing many changes.  He said that there was still a big one coming, our mission call. I said I agreed.  I said change is good.  He said that change is what the church is all about.  Any call in the church has attached to it a release, or another change.

Our mission call will be a change to go and serve.  It will have attached to it a release from being missionaries.  I ponder for a time the changes Joseph Smith  endured.  I ponder the changes that Emma had to endure, always questioning what the next change would be, and there were many in her life being married to the prophet.  Was he preaching to the saints?  Was he in jail again?  Where would they be living next week?

I have known some people who hate change.  They like everything to remain the same all the time.  They avoid change and anything that may create change.  The every day events are comfortable and they do not like to modify anything that would change the norm.

Today marks the beginning of the ninth week since we pushed the button to get our papers into the hands of our leaders.  I would assume it is closer now that it has been.  But we still do not know where or when.

We often mention that perhaps we may get our mission call by Christmas.  Then we wonder if we will be here for my birthday in September?  Will we be here for one of Bonnie's nephew's wedding in August?  Will I get to carve another turkey in November for my family?  Will we miss the fireworks in July?

Bonnie and I finished singing last night in our Chorale.  It was fun, until we sang our last song "God Be With You 'Til We Meet Again."  That was hard knowing that we were saying goodbye to many friends we have created over the years we have sung with them.  I guess we will go through many "hard" experiences similar to that one in the coming weeks, months, etc.

I love my Father in Heaven, and I know He is preparing the field for us to serve.  There is an acreage somewhere in this world where He would have us be and give.  There is no doubt that in that acreage there will be many trials and lessons learned by me, as well as many blessings.  I am still excited, and still trying to learn patience.