Bonnie returned from her walk and said she had a "vision" or just a strong feeling. She said that my parents were in the Spirit World preaching to people who were excited about the gospel, and we were going to a place to help convert someone to do the genealogy work for them.
It started my mind running, like it always does when I have a challenge, or a new idea. I guess as we get our call, and as we are finally permitted to be missionaries, then we can work with my mom and dad in bringing to pass the Eternal Life to many souls, whether here or not! That adds a new light on the missionary work we will be doing. I would propose that there may be many, many ways we will be working with those already on the other side. Maybe Bonnie's parents, her sister, my brother, and a myriad of other Spiritual Beings are feverishly working to find souls.
I went to a blog of another dear friend, Brenda Benedict, and saw her blog. Stan and Brenda are on their second mission. I looked at some of their pictures and got excited. It showed Stan walking down the dusty roads, showed it teaching in a large group of people, showed that he is much younger than me since I have the gray hair, and his is still dark, he must dye it. It showed me what a mission is like for them. I am excited again. I can't wait. But another day goes by and still no call. Is it fantasy, or is it real?
This is day TWO. That means in a couple of days, we will be celebrating our anniversary, and hopefully have our call in our hands. But based on past lessons in patience, based on everything that is trying to teach me patience. I would assume it will not come for a while.
Today we leave town for a couple. We are holding our annual WNP reunion, or our kids reunion. I believe Bonnie has it worked out that the mailbox will scream, send messages, put up a flying airplane, send a telegram if our call comes while we are in the mountains. We shall see.
Don't know if I will come down the mountain to post tomorrow, but I may. Day one, that is one that we have sought for a long time, that is tomorrow.
Thursday, June 7, 2012
Wednesday, June 6, 2012
DAY 3 -- Another Waiting Period Coming - Isn't That A Cookie
Three days until M day. Yes, I believe we are going to make it. At least we will make it to that day to celebrate 40 years. But whether we will have our call by then, who knows.
Slowly, this "mission thing" is becoming a dream again, a concept that is starting to seem surreal. My enthusiasm has waned, elevated, dropped, risen, etc. I remember deciding one year ago that we would be going on a mission. I remember submitting our papers by pushing the button about 10 weeks ago. I remember getting physicals to verify our well-being so we could go. I remember many times talking with our bishop about the possibilities. I remember most recently discussing this mission with our stake president, seeing him "push the button" and know that the papers were in Salt Lake with the authorities.
Then Bonnie and I felt an increase of excitement, knowing that we were only days away from knowing where and when we would go on our mission.
Now, as things sort of feel like they are falling apart, I get further and further away from that excitement of going on a mission. Things are "rocky" at work. My computer was given an added period of time to live before it dies for good. My eyes seem to be losing focus, as is my mind. The University of Utah hasn't won a football game for many months. I question if we will ever get a call. I am getting deafer and deafer. Huh?
If I pause to consider why I am losing our vision of a mission, I can come up with many reasons. I try to combat that feeling of depression with positive events getting us closer to our mission. But there doesn't seem to be any.
I asked myself last night before I dropped off to sleep, "Is this really real, are we really going to go on a mission? Will our call come someday?" I guess it is another lesson of patience, not losing hope, and believing in the process which is happening in SLC. Or the process I believe is happening in SLC.
If I borrow the Psalm of Nephi, "Awake my soul. No longer droop in questions. Don't let those thoughts so easily eliminate the visions of being Called To Serve. Replace the negative with the strength of God and smile, go forward with faith, hope and charity. Etc. -- and Patience."
It is sure interesting to go through this process. We are not through it yet. We still wait. And when we get that special envelope from Headquarters, we will start another waiting period, I am sure. Will that one be different? Guess we will find out. Hurry up and learn Patience!
Last night Bonnie and I dreamed. I dreamed we are going to Cameroon. (Isn't that a cookie?) Bonnie dreamed we are going to the North Countries. Don't know what that means either. Perhaps North Cameroon, or North Brigham? Or it was all just a bit of undigested potato?
Slowly, this "mission thing" is becoming a dream again, a concept that is starting to seem surreal. My enthusiasm has waned, elevated, dropped, risen, etc. I remember deciding one year ago that we would be going on a mission. I remember submitting our papers by pushing the button about 10 weeks ago. I remember getting physicals to verify our well-being so we could go. I remember many times talking with our bishop about the possibilities. I remember most recently discussing this mission with our stake president, seeing him "push the button" and know that the papers were in Salt Lake with the authorities.
Then Bonnie and I felt an increase of excitement, knowing that we were only days away from knowing where and when we would go on our mission.
Now, as things sort of feel like they are falling apart, I get further and further away from that excitement of going on a mission. Things are "rocky" at work. My computer was given an added period of time to live before it dies for good. My eyes seem to be losing focus, as is my mind. The University of Utah hasn't won a football game for many months. I question if we will ever get a call. I am getting deafer and deafer. Huh?
If I pause to consider why I am losing our vision of a mission, I can come up with many reasons. I try to combat that feeling of depression with positive events getting us closer to our mission. But there doesn't seem to be any.
I asked myself last night before I dropped off to sleep, "Is this really real, are we really going to go on a mission? Will our call come someday?" I guess it is another lesson of patience, not losing hope, and believing in the process which is happening in SLC. Or the process I believe is happening in SLC.
If I borrow the Psalm of Nephi, "Awake my soul. No longer droop in questions. Don't let those thoughts so easily eliminate the visions of being Called To Serve. Replace the negative with the strength of God and smile, go forward with faith, hope and charity. Etc. -- and Patience."
It is sure interesting to go through this process. We are not through it yet. We still wait. And when we get that special envelope from Headquarters, we will start another waiting period, I am sure. Will that one be different? Guess we will find out. Hurry up and learn Patience!
Last night Bonnie and I dreamed. I dreamed we are going to Cameroon. (Isn't that a cookie?) Bonnie dreamed we are going to the North Countries. Don't know what that means either. Perhaps North Cameroon, or North Brigham? Or it was all just a bit of undigested potato?
Tuesday, June 5, 2012
DAY 4 -- Thousands of Senior Couple Missionaries
Can you even begin to feel the excitement that Bonnie and I feel knowing that within a few days, we will receive our mission call that we have been waiting for, for about forty years? When we were married, I had been home from my mission for about 18 months. I shared with Bonnie then that one day we needed to serve a mission together. It hasn't been talked about for many years. It hasn't been real for about thirty years.
Try to imagine how much excitement it would be to know that soon you would be receiving a mission call to serve with your best friend for eighteen months. Bonnie has always believed that the planning and preparing for an event is much more exciting than the actual event itself. I must admit that the discussions, the dreaming together, the talking about possible locations, and the organizing has been thoroughly enjoyable. I don't know if I will ever say that the preparations are more enjoyable than the actual doing however. I don't believe Bonnie will admit after we get out there that the preparation was as enjoyable as the mission. But we shall see.
Once again, as I admitted in an earlier blog, I am humbled to realize that our future eighteen months is being determined, perhaps even today. It is not that it is being determined, it is the fact that it is being influenced by Father in Heaven and Jesus Christ. An apostle is going to receive that revelation directing us where we shall be serving in the Kingdom. Though it is hard to continue waiting until we know that decision, it is awe inspiring where it comes from and where it originated from.
As we get closer to our mission, I can't help but remember the many miracles that have happened in our life to get us to this point. In talking with other senior couples, those preparing and those who are already out serving, I know that Father is performing many miracles for those who desire to serve.
Once again I recognize that Prophet Thomas Monson declared that the church needs thousands of more senior missionaries. Because of that call from our prophet, I am sure that many other senior couples are experiencing miracles to pave the way so they too, can serve. No unhallowed hand can stop this work....
Nothing can stop the work, and He needs "our hands" to further the work. I am so grateful to offer these two arthritic hands to use any way he wants.
Try to imagine how much excitement it would be to know that soon you would be receiving a mission call to serve with your best friend for eighteen months. Bonnie has always believed that the planning and preparing for an event is much more exciting than the actual event itself. I must admit that the discussions, the dreaming together, the talking about possible locations, and the organizing has been thoroughly enjoyable. I don't know if I will ever say that the preparations are more enjoyable than the actual doing however. I don't believe Bonnie will admit after we get out there that the preparation was as enjoyable as the mission. But we shall see.
Once again, as I admitted in an earlier blog, I am humbled to realize that our future eighteen months is being determined, perhaps even today. It is not that it is being determined, it is the fact that it is being influenced by Father in Heaven and Jesus Christ. An apostle is going to receive that revelation directing us where we shall be serving in the Kingdom. Though it is hard to continue waiting until we know that decision, it is awe inspiring where it comes from and where it originated from.
As we get closer to our mission, I can't help but remember the many miracles that have happened in our life to get us to this point. In talking with other senior couples, those preparing and those who are already out serving, I know that Father is performing many miracles for those who desire to serve.
Once again I recognize that Prophet Thomas Monson declared that the church needs thousands of more senior missionaries. Because of that call from our prophet, I am sure that many other senior couples are experiencing miracles to pave the way so they too, can serve. No unhallowed hand can stop this work....
Nothing can stop the work, and He needs "our hands" to further the work. I am so grateful to offer these two arthritic hands to use any way he wants.
Monday, June 4, 2012
DAY 5 -- Will It Come This Week?
My computer at home is beginning to die a un-natural death. It boots up after a long time, then it just dies, with no reason. I sent it through a few scans, but it continues to die in the middle of the scan. Is it just tired, or objecting to what I am writing here? I tried three times to write the blog for today, Monday and it just killed in the middle of it. Is it is sign?
As I drove to work today, I felt sad. Every morning for the last four months, I have listened to a practice CD helping me learn my part for the concerts. Our concerts finished last Saturday. So today, I went through withdrawals. No more concerts. No more practicing from that CD. Now I will have to listen to the crazy things they have on the radio. Not too excited about that.
It has been almost a year since I started this blog. When I started it, I felt that one whole year was going to take a millennium to pass. But I guess looking back it wasn't so long. But some of you will remember many days when I lamented that it was a very long time...
Five days until our anniversary. It would be appropriate if we receive our call this week. This Thursday we are going to have a reunion with our kids and grand kids. We are not going far, but we are going away from terminally ill computers that don't let me post anyway.
We are hoping to open our call with all family around, perhaps on our reunion. But that all depends upon the headquarters in SLC when they send it to us. But all our kids are excited, as we are.
In church yesterday there was so many opinions where we would end up going. It will be nice to stop all that guessing, laughing, asking why, and such from members of our ward, even family members. All are interested. Soon, our future will not be in so much question.
As I drove to work today, I felt sad. Every morning for the last four months, I have listened to a practice CD helping me learn my part for the concerts. Our concerts finished last Saturday. So today, I went through withdrawals. No more concerts. No more practicing from that CD. Now I will have to listen to the crazy things they have on the radio. Not too excited about that.
It has been almost a year since I started this blog. When I started it, I felt that one whole year was going to take a millennium to pass. But I guess looking back it wasn't so long. But some of you will remember many days when I lamented that it was a very long time...
Five days until our anniversary. It would be appropriate if we receive our call this week. This Thursday we are going to have a reunion with our kids and grand kids. We are not going far, but we are going away from terminally ill computers that don't let me post anyway.
We are hoping to open our call with all family around, perhaps on our reunion. But that all depends upon the headquarters in SLC when they send it to us. But all our kids are excited, as we are.
In church yesterday there was so many opinions where we would end up going. It will be nice to stop all that guessing, laughing, asking why, and such from members of our ward, even family members. All are interested. Soon, our future will not be in so much question.
Sunday, June 3, 2012
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.
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.
Saturday, June 2, 2012
DAY 7 -- One Week
I can't believe it. Only seven days until we celebrate our 40th anniversary. I remember the day like it was yesterday. We went to the SL Temple and had Robert L. Simpson seal us. He was a friend of the family. It was joyous. Forty years later, we are waiting for our mission call. We may celebrate our anniversary with our mission call.
Yesterday, Friday, June 1 I went to work and felt a feeling of total peace. I felt comfortable, peaceful, and excited. Nothing seemed to bother me. I felt like Father was walking with me throughout the whole day. Perhaps it was my earthly father or mother. I just felt peaceful as we await our call. It was as if someone was telling me, to my soul within, that all is going as He planned it and I should just be glad that He was taking charge of things.
Friday night we presented one of our concerts in SLC. It was a joy to sing with Sally, our director. We sang all kinds of songs. I loved it. Tonight, we shall sing our last concert for the next couple of years at the Libby Gardner Concert Hall on the U campus. It is a wonderful hall and one we feel privileged to sing at.
My daughter in law, Tessa presented me with a medal, or a metal coin which has imprinted on it, Super Patient. Now where it came from, or why it was, who knows. But Tessa said that I deserve the Super Patient award. She complimented me at being patient, a super patient.
Yesterday, Friday, I felt patient, peaceful and happy. Perhaps because she gave me that award, that metal, or medal of patience. I am patient.
I know things are moving forward in SLC. I don't know when we shall know the outcome. But I know they are progressing toward giving us our assignment where we can serve.
Today I get to see one of my grand kids baptised. Enjoyable. We will miss things like this, but we will be serving and enjoying baptisms of other dear ones.
Yesterday, Friday, June 1 I went to work and felt a feeling of total peace. I felt comfortable, peaceful, and excited. Nothing seemed to bother me. I felt like Father was walking with me throughout the whole day. Perhaps it was my earthly father or mother. I just felt peaceful as we await our call. It was as if someone was telling me, to my soul within, that all is going as He planned it and I should just be glad that He was taking charge of things.
Friday night we presented one of our concerts in SLC. It was a joy to sing with Sally, our director. We sang all kinds of songs. I loved it. Tonight, we shall sing our last concert for the next couple of years at the Libby Gardner Concert Hall on the U campus. It is a wonderful hall and one we feel privileged to sing at.
My daughter in law, Tessa presented me with a medal, or a metal coin which has imprinted on it, Super Patient. Now where it came from, or why it was, who knows. But Tessa said that I deserve the Super Patient award. She complimented me at being patient, a super patient.
Yesterday, Friday, I felt patient, peaceful and happy. Perhaps because she gave me that award, that metal, or medal of patience. I am patient.
I know things are moving forward in SLC. I don't know when we shall know the outcome. But I know they are progressing toward giving us our assignment where we can serve.
Today I get to see one of my grand kids baptised. Enjoyable. We will miss things like this, but we will be serving and enjoying baptisms of other dear ones.
Friday, June 1, 2012
DAY 8 -- What Is Happening Right Now?
It continues to amaze me that the number that started out at 365 is now down to 8! It has been a long year, yet a short year. We have seen many miracles, and continue to see miracles. Father has been good to us. Elder Holland has inspired us to dream dreams and see visions. There have been setbacks and successes. There have been and continue to be the "why's" and "when's" of this dream. But we are nearing the finish line which will be the starting line of another phase of our life in mortality. (I wonder if every finish line is really a starting line???)
As I sit here and ponder and realize that we are being considered by the Church Headquarters, as I realize that they are trying to figure out where Father/Christ would have us serve, how They would have us serve, I am humbled. My faith and knowledge is we shall receive our call and we shall receive that confirmation that we will be going and doing what THEY want us to do in helping in the work of the Kingdom.
At times I wish I was a fly on the wall and could witness what exactly is the process in deciding where to send us. It would be a joy to see inspiration and revelation happening in our behalf. I wonder if they negotiate about the Partridges? I wonder if it is a committee that decides? I wonder if there are many places we could go, but they need to find the "right" one.
In reality, I know that the Apostle will look at our papers, our desires, our application and he will state the will of Father, no questions, no committee decisions, he will be the final say. There will be no vote and not majority rules. They will be no filibusters, no debate, just pure revelation. That humbles me. It makes me pause and remember that Father knows me, knows Bonnie, knows our years of preparation for this call, and knows where would be best to send us.
It is hard to work knowing what is going on with our future. It is hard to focus knowing that they are considering our future, our opportunity of service and growth. It is hard knowing that within a few days (whatever few means) we shall know our destination.
Few times in mortality does a person go through what Bon and I are going through right now. We are waiting on our Eternal Father in Heaven to dictate to a fellow mortal where He would have us serve to assist in His work. That fact can't help but give me pause, humility, and such gratitude for the knowledge I have and testimony I have. We will go, and we will do.
As I sit here and ponder and realize that we are being considered by the Church Headquarters, as I realize that they are trying to figure out where Father/Christ would have us serve, how They would have us serve, I am humbled. My faith and knowledge is we shall receive our call and we shall receive that confirmation that we will be going and doing what THEY want us to do in helping in the work of the Kingdom.
At times I wish I was a fly on the wall and could witness what exactly is the process in deciding where to send us. It would be a joy to see inspiration and revelation happening in our behalf. I wonder if they negotiate about the Partridges? I wonder if it is a committee that decides? I wonder if there are many places we could go, but they need to find the "right" one.
In reality, I know that the Apostle will look at our papers, our desires, our application and he will state the will of Father, no questions, no committee decisions, he will be the final say. There will be no vote and not majority rules. They will be no filibusters, no debate, just pure revelation. That humbles me. It makes me pause and remember that Father knows me, knows Bonnie, knows our years of preparation for this call, and knows where would be best to send us.
It is hard to work knowing what is going on with our future. It is hard to focus knowing that they are considering our future, our opportunity of service and growth. It is hard knowing that within a few days (whatever few means) we shall know our destination.
Few times in mortality does a person go through what Bon and I are going through right now. We are waiting on our Eternal Father in Heaven to dictate to a fellow mortal where He would have us serve to assist in His work. That fact can't help but give me pause, humility, and such gratitude for the knowledge I have and testimony I have. We will go, and we will do.
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