My son asked me to day if I liked my first day of retirement. I laughed. I went and received a shot in the arm. I presented a copy of our call to our bank. We started to clean out our closet, dejunking, DI-ing, and throwing away many things. Filling boxes and sacks, etc.
We sort of have to imagine what will happen when we get off the plane in 18 months. Will we need suits, dresses, sofas, beds, washer and dryer, or what. We won't have a home. We won't have a car. We will have our kids search for a place for us to live when we arrive. But we need to consider what things we need so we don't throw them away.
After imagining what we will do when we arrive home in eighteen months, we will have to envision what we will use, what we will need to assure we will be able to start living like a normal, retired couple.
We are checking out the challenge of getting an international drivers license, for we will have to drive all around Santiago visiting institutes and seminaries. We also need to check out phone providers, cell or otherwise.
We need to find out about the electricity. Is it 110 or 220? Of course we are interested in what kind of food we will eat, and not eat. We are interested in many things, but we need to prepare in the next month or so to be ready to leave. There is much to do.
Of course, in my retirement, I will have to get all those things done after I do all the priorities that all retired people do. Retired people take a few naps each day, don't they? And they spend lots of time deciding what they will be doing the rest of the day, week, month, and the rest of their life. Am I really retired?
Tuesday, July 31, 2012
Monday, July 30, 2012
** DAY 35 -- RETIREMENT
Well, it is finally dawning on me that I am not working now. Someone asked me yesterday if I was retired. To me retired means you are sitting in front of the TV, watching the Olympics, holding a can of "something" in your hand. Or it could mean sitting and enjoying the scenery while waiting for the fish to bite.
Retirement means a lot of things. I guess it could mean that we are busy, running around to get ready to leave the country for 18 months being missionaries. We don't have time to breath, but must keep running to be ready. Am I retired? I guess so.
Then that person said when I return and go to work for someone, I can just say I have come out of retirement. I wonder if those senior missionaries are working twenty four seven, enjoying their retirement in all the countries of the world. I guess retirement could just mean not working for someone else. If that is the case I start my retirement today.
I told someone, and I fully believe it today, I will never retire. I have too many dreams and visions to work on until the day I die. Retirement is not in my vocabulary, and I will not indulge in it.
We listed yesterday what we want to do today, the first day of my retirement. The list is so long I doubt we will be able to do half of it. If so, we should have gotten out of bed about 3, and be running until midnight. Well, we shall see, for we can divide and conquer, right. I am retired I guess. But I fear there will be no TV and no fishing, no can of something in my hand, and no retirement, just -tirement.
Retirement means a lot of things. I guess it could mean that we are busy, running around to get ready to leave the country for 18 months being missionaries. We don't have time to breath, but must keep running to be ready. Am I retired? I guess so.
Then that person said when I return and go to work for someone, I can just say I have come out of retirement. I wonder if those senior missionaries are working twenty four seven, enjoying their retirement in all the countries of the world. I guess retirement could just mean not working for someone else. If that is the case I start my retirement today.
I told someone, and I fully believe it today, I will never retire. I have too many dreams and visions to work on until the day I die. Retirement is not in my vocabulary, and I will not indulge in it.
We listed yesterday what we want to do today, the first day of my retirement. The list is so long I doubt we will be able to do half of it. If so, we should have gotten out of bed about 3, and be running until midnight. Well, we shall see, for we can divide and conquer, right. I am retired I guess. But I fear there will be no TV and no fishing, no can of something in my hand, and no retirement, just -tirement.
Sunday, July 29, 2012
** DAY 36 -- Blessings of Prayer
I am in Perry Utah right now waiting for the privilege of speaking in our old ward. No they are not old people, but we lived her a few years ago and we get to speak as our "leaving speech" before our mission.
The subject is prayer. As I have pondered about this subject I cannot speak on prayer without bearing witness that Father has certainly been good to me, answering prayers, giving direction, giving comfort when I had to go through difficult times. He has been good to me, as well as Bonnie. If you were to view the many times He has blessed us through the past mortal years, you would agree also.
It is His work and glory to bring to pass the Eternal Life of Bonnie and me. There are many things that He is doing, has done, and will continue to do to prepare us for all He wants to give us. I take great comfort in that fact, that He is close, knows what we need more than we do, and is carefully directing things to come into our lives to teach us.
What a blessing to have such a caring, loving Father in control of our lives. He sees all, knows all, and loves us. Thanks.
The subject is prayer. As I have pondered about this subject I cannot speak on prayer without bearing witness that Father has certainly been good to me, answering prayers, giving direction, giving comfort when I had to go through difficult times. He has been good to me, as well as Bonnie. If you were to view the many times He has blessed us through the past mortal years, you would agree also.
It is His work and glory to bring to pass the Eternal Life of Bonnie and me. There are many things that He is doing, has done, and will continue to do to prepare us for all He wants to give us. I take great comfort in that fact, that He is close, knows what we need more than we do, and is carefully directing things to come into our lives to teach us.
What a blessing to have such a caring, loving Father in control of our lives. He sees all, knows all, and loves us. Thanks.
Saturday, July 28, 2012
** DAY 37 -- Speaking in Sacrament Meeting
It is over. I am unemployed. It is hard to process that. I have been working there for about 18 months and it is a part of me. I think, ponder, dream, and plan about my PREVIOUS duties. All of a sudden, it is over. I need to replace those dreams, thinking, pondering and planning to involve our mission. The clock is ticking to when we will enter the MTC. There is so much to do, but we shall have it all done.
Tomorrow we will be privileged to speak in our old ward in Perry, UT. We lived up there for five years and developed many beloved friends, and thus our Bishop Peterson is permitting us to come and speak in Sacrament Meeting. We are excited to see special ones and associates. We are also excited to share testimony with loved ones.
Bonnie is doing so well learning Spanish. She talks with a tutor from the MTC three times a week. She is progressing faster than I thought possible, but she has the desire, spends hours practicing, doing her homework and is really excited. I am sure Father has, and WILL bless her with the gift of tongues. I just hope my Spanish comes back into my mind as I read the BOM in Spanish.
We walked to our special place today and prayed to Father, a prayer of gratitude and direction for the upcoming 37 days. There will be much to do and we need to sit and plan a schedule what, when, and how to accomplish what needs to be done. I believe the "pace" of our life is going to be shifted from second gear to overdrive, or at least fifth gear. Will report on that later.
Tomorrow we will be privileged to speak in our old ward in Perry, UT. We lived up there for five years and developed many beloved friends, and thus our Bishop Peterson is permitting us to come and speak in Sacrament Meeting. We are excited to see special ones and associates. We are also excited to share testimony with loved ones.
Bonnie is doing so well learning Spanish. She talks with a tutor from the MTC three times a week. She is progressing faster than I thought possible, but she has the desire, spends hours practicing, doing her homework and is really excited. I am sure Father has, and WILL bless her with the gift of tongues. I just hope my Spanish comes back into my mind as I read the BOM in Spanish.
We walked to our special place today and prayed to Father, a prayer of gratitude and direction for the upcoming 37 days. There will be much to do and we need to sit and plan a schedule what, when, and how to accomplish what needs to be done. I believe the "pace" of our life is going to be shifted from second gear to overdrive, or at least fifth gear. Will report on that later.
Friday, July 27, 2012
** DAY 38 -- Last Day
Well, today is a day I have waited for, for a long time. I am going to work today and not returning. I am still helping with the Chinese students that are here for a couple of days. I am still training a couple of new employees to fill in when I don't return. I am finally, when I leave, concentrating on our mission and not much else.
My boss has repeatedly told me that with me leaving, it is like putting my hand in a bucket, and the amount I will be missed will be how big a hole is left when I withdraw my hand. He got along without me before he met me and they will get along, probably better when I leave.
It has been a big blessing for Bonnie and me to have that income for the last 18 months. It has helped us rid ourselves of our debt and prepare for our mission. I have learned many lessons working there. I have created "friends" from different parts of the world. I have learned many things about people, attitudes, relationships, and so on.
Today our lives will change, a new chapter. We have a bit more than one months to prepare for our upcoming mission. The days coming will be filled with joy, fulfillment of dreams, and anticipation much more than the days previous to this one.
Sunday, we are traveling to Perry, UT to speak in our old ward. We lived up there for five years and made many beloved friends, so the bishop invited us to come and share our enthusiasm for our mission with those friends and his ward. We are excited to enter this new chapter of our life. Less than only forty days, we will be full time missionaries WAHOO. (How long has it been since you went wahoo?)
My boss has repeatedly told me that with me leaving, it is like putting my hand in a bucket, and the amount I will be missed will be how big a hole is left when I withdraw my hand. He got along without me before he met me and they will get along, probably better when I leave.
It has been a big blessing for Bonnie and me to have that income for the last 18 months. It has helped us rid ourselves of our debt and prepare for our mission. I have learned many lessons working there. I have created "friends" from different parts of the world. I have learned many things about people, attitudes, relationships, and so on.
Today our lives will change, a new chapter. We have a bit more than one months to prepare for our upcoming mission. The days coming will be filled with joy, fulfillment of dreams, and anticipation much more than the days previous to this one.
Sunday, we are traveling to Perry, UT to speak in our old ward. We lived up there for five years and made many beloved friends, so the bishop invited us to come and share our enthusiasm for our mission with those friends and his ward. We are excited to enter this new chapter of our life. Less than only forty days, we will be full time missionaries WAHOO. (How long has it been since you went wahoo?)
Thursday, July 26, 2012
** DAY 39 -- One More Day!!!
We just received word that on Thursday the 13th of September, we will be spending one full day at the Headquarters of the Church being trained in the PEF. (Perpetual Education Fund) It seems that those who are called to CES also get to work in the PEF of the church, thus we are spending one day there. After we have become experts in the PEF rules and regulations, we will be free until the morning of the 17th when we fly out to our mission.
I talked with the Church Headquarters today how the money works to support us. It is interesting. As of about one year ago, the church decided sort of standardize the cost of housing in Senior Missions. No senior couple would have to pay more than $1400 for housing, utilities, and housing expenses. The church would pay whatever housing cost beyond the $1400. I know when my parents served in Martha's Vineyard, it cost much more than $1400 per month for housing. Many places would cost more, many less. I don't know what they are going to cost in Dominican Republic. I know that they are finding and furnishing a new apartment for Bonnie and me.
Yes, I am still at work. I have tried to bring foreign groups of students to the US to learn English and to enjoy America. This week, my first group is here, 14 kids from China. We are taking them around to the sights, letting them eat American Food, and enjoy the US for a bit. They are all living with American Families. So, last night I went with them to an OWLS game. They have never seen a baseball game. Since most of them didn't understand baseball, they played on their ipods, some slept, and a few watched the game. It was LONG and was boring for some of them. But asked if they wanted to leave early, they said NO and wanted to remain after the ninth inning when it was over. Fun.
So this is my last week before I quit Nomen Global. Yes, I am excited and it is hard to remain on task at work when I know that right around the corner, I will be free from here and be able to just concentrate on our mission to DR.
I talked with the Church Headquarters today how the money works to support us. It is interesting. As of about one year ago, the church decided sort of standardize the cost of housing in Senior Missions. No senior couple would have to pay more than $1400 for housing, utilities, and housing expenses. The church would pay whatever housing cost beyond the $1400. I know when my parents served in Martha's Vineyard, it cost much more than $1400 per month for housing. Many places would cost more, many less. I don't know what they are going to cost in Dominican Republic. I know that they are finding and furnishing a new apartment for Bonnie and me.
Yes, I am still at work. I have tried to bring foreign groups of students to the US to learn English and to enjoy America. This week, my first group is here, 14 kids from China. We are taking them around to the sights, letting them eat American Food, and enjoy the US for a bit. They are all living with American Families. So, last night I went with them to an OWLS game. They have never seen a baseball game. Since most of them didn't understand baseball, they played on their ipods, some slept, and a few watched the game. It was LONG and was boring for some of them. But asked if they wanted to leave early, they said NO and wanted to remain after the ninth inning when it was over. Fun.
So this is my last week before I quit Nomen Global. Yes, I am excited and it is hard to remain on task at work when I know that right around the corner, I will be free from here and be able to just concentrate on our mission to DR.
Wednesday, July 25, 2012
** DAY 40 -- Change of Stewardship
Only forty days until we start being missionaries. The count down is going slowly, but it is going rapidly. It is going slowly as I consider we have that long to wait until we can serve full time. It is going rapidly since there are so many things to do that I wonder if we will get them all done before forty days have expired.
When I get boggled down with "things" and "stuff" I pause and think of that glorious different existence we will enjoy in more than 40 days. That will be a time when we won't have to worry about bills, getting things done, making sure that we are available for kids and grand kids and church assignments, family and other. It will be a time when the "stuff" of this life will be put on the back burner and we will be privileged to have our main, our only goal is furthering the Kingdom.
Yes I know, we are still parents and grand parents. Yes we will still be interested in the happenings that happen in our family, extended family, and even dearly beloved associates, but our main focus will change from what it is today to what our Father and His Son desire of us. We will be concerned about our stewardship.
I guess that is the main difference. Our stewardship will change. That is what I have desired since that day over forty years ago when I climbed off that plane in Texas, wishing I could return to be full time doing Father's work. It will be glorious.
Miracles continue to happen. Father is a Father of miracles and His work will go on, whether we notice His miracles or not. I am grateful for that, for often He blesses with miracles that we didn't even know we desired. I offer gratitude to Him for His tender mercies, His ever watchful care, and His taking care of us, whether we agree with His timing, His methods, or His miracles.
When I get boggled down with "things" and "stuff" I pause and think of that glorious different existence we will enjoy in more than 40 days. That will be a time when we won't have to worry about bills, getting things done, making sure that we are available for kids and grand kids and church assignments, family and other. It will be a time when the "stuff" of this life will be put on the back burner and we will be privileged to have our main, our only goal is furthering the Kingdom.
Yes I know, we are still parents and grand parents. Yes we will still be interested in the happenings that happen in our family, extended family, and even dearly beloved associates, but our main focus will change from what it is today to what our Father and His Son desire of us. We will be concerned about our stewardship.
I guess that is the main difference. Our stewardship will change. That is what I have desired since that day over forty years ago when I climbed off that plane in Texas, wishing I could return to be full time doing Father's work. It will be glorious.
Miracles continue to happen. Father is a Father of miracles and His work will go on, whether we notice His miracles or not. I am grateful for that, for often He blesses with miracles that we didn't even know we desired. I offer gratitude to Him for His tender mercies, His ever watchful care, and His taking care of us, whether we agree with His timing, His methods, or His miracles.
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