Somehow, our google password got screwed up and so we couldn't get back in to post. Finally, got it reset tonite, and wouldn't you know it--it didn't ask for a password this time!
Anyway, last Sunday, our bishop told me that our papers had gone in. Imagine our surprise when we got a phone call Monday night from the Director of the Salt Lake Innercity Project. I thought, Wow, that's fast! He called to tell us that we would be in training on Sat and Sun, Feb 7 and 8 and gave Max the details--where and when. He said that we would be getting a letter confirming our call. We already knew that the letter would be sent to our Stake Pres who would then forward it to our Bishop, who would then arrange to set us apart. Bro. Hodson said that we needed to be set apart before the training on the 7th.
In the meantime, our neighbors/friends/home teachers, the Pankratz', received their mission call. They have been called to serve in the Belgium Brussels Netherlands Mission. They are very excited as Vern served his mission in the Netherlands as a young man. He was our Bishop when we first moved here and is the one that called me to be RS President. They are friends of our friends from Cove Fort, Steve and Belva Gae Pratt. Vern went to high school with Pratt's in Moses Lake, Washington; joined the church a few years later; served a mission; and started writing to the sister of one of his companions. When he got home, he married her and they have raised 11 kids in a strong LDS family. We are excited for them. They enter the MTC in June.
Back to us: last night we got a call about 6pm from the Asst. Director of our "mission" (He referred to it today as the Salt Lake Innercity Project). Since we live in Tooele, he asked us if we would be interested in being assigned to a Tooele church unit. The unit is the Tooele 9th Branch, which is our local Spanish branch. We were taken aback a bit since we don't speak Spanish. I got dad on the phone also and we both spoke to him at some length. Finally, the decision was that we would think about it; attend their Sac. Mtg. tda; meet the Branch President and see how we felt. He did not think the language issue would be a problem.
We talked to Doug about it as he knows this branch. When it was first formed a few years ago, he was asked to teach the Gospel Doctrine class for a few weeks until they got organized. Now, he is the Stake YM Secretary, and so works with all the units in his Stake. He didn't think that the language would be an issue, but offered to meet us there and go to Sac. Mtg with us.
So, we went. Got there kind of early to try to meet Pres. Gonzalez ahead of time. No such luck. We sat on the back bench near a door so that Doug could sit with us whenever he got there. The chapel gradually filled up. We were greeted by one brother who we later figured out was the 2nd Coun. 2 or 3 others came and greeted us, but mostly we were left alone. I was beginning to feel sort of "outcast". We had a program and I was relieved to see that one of the speakers was an "anglo" so I hoped figured that we would understand at least one talk.
It was strange but fun to sing the hymns in Spanish. We couldn't figure out which hymns they were ahead of time, but as soon an the intros started, of course we recognized them. Sang them in stumbling Spanish. The meeting was conducted by the 1st Coun., Bro. Beesley or Beagley--in fluent Spanish, of course. There were several other "anglos" in the congregation, but they all sat in an attentive manner and seemed to understand what was being said. After the opening prayer, the anglo speaker got up and conducted some business in Spanish. I heard the names of English wards, and he was apparently presented Stake business, because after he read a bunch of stuff, everyone raised their hands to sustain. Doug confirmed that it was high council Sunday, but this brother was the one i thought would prob. speak in English. Doug told us that the other speaker was the Stake Patriarch. So, we didn't understand anything that was said. We heard the word "testimonio" at the end of both talks, so we knew they were closing with their testimonies, but only caught a word or two that we recognized.
At the end of the meeting, we made a point to introduce ourselves to Pres. Gonzalez and told him that we would be his new missionaries. We told him we were apprehensive about the language, but he doesn't seem to think it will be an issue, as he estimates that 85% of his branch speaks English and the other 15% generally have someone who can interpret for them. We spoke with him just briefly about our schedule and arranged that as soon as we were set apart and trained, we would contact him for an appt to meet and talk about what he needs us to do. He did say that he would like us to come to Ward Council mtg.
So, my sister Tina's prediction came true! When we got up this morning to a snow storm, it confirmed that this was a good decision. We are glad that we won't be having to drive into Salt Lake City in bad weather.
We went to our home ward afterwards. Talked to our Bishop--he hasn't seen our call yet, but announced to the congregation that we had received a call for a service mission for 2 yrs and that Pankratz' had received their mission call. I had several people congratulate us and tell us that they would miss me/us while we served. So I hope that means that we have made an impact in this ward.
We're quilting like mad to try to get this quilt done before we start our mission. We have about 15-16 inches left, but that is more that it may sound like since there is so much quilting. We didn't quilt tda-Dad's fingers are really hashed and mine are close behind. We'll hit it again tmo and hope we can get it far enough along that I don't have to quilt so much on Wed and Fri when Logan comes to our house.
She's been pretty good about entertaining herself. She plays on the recumbent bike next to the quilt frames while she snacks and watches TV and talks to us in bits and pieces. Everytime she comes, she wants Mac and Cheese and hot dogs for lunch. I asked her Friday what she has to eat at Gramma Peg's. Her answer? Brocolli. She says that Gramma Peg gives her brocolli every time she's there. Mellie says that brocolli is Logan's favorite food. Funny how she never asks for it here. I think I'll offer it sometime and see what she says.
Love to all. Today was a bit exhausting. Came home from our church at 4; ate dinner and fell asleep until 830 ish.
Sunday, January 25, 2009
Thursday, January 15, 2009
We're under way- - -
We met with our Stake Pres. on Tuesday night. Apparently we were supposed to have our paper application filled out before that appt., but didn't know that. So, as he said, we'd do this backwards, interview first, paperwork last.
He started by asking if we had current Temple recommends and if we were still worthy to have them. He asked if we spoke Spanish. Then, he asked if there was anything in our past that, if it became public knowledge, would embarrass us or the Church if it became known while we were serving as missionaries. Mostly He just talked to us for awhile. He dug out the recommend forms; copied them and sent us on our way. He said that when we completed the forms, to give them to our Bishop who would sign them; give them back to him for signature; and he would then submit them. The actual call/assignment would come to him in a letter, which he would be required to sign. He would them forward it to our Bishop who would then issue the formal call to us and set up apart as missionaries.
So, we went home and filled out the form that night. The next day we both decided that we needed to redo them a bit neater. Dad downloaded the forms from the computer and we went to work. When I got to the box that asked for your membership number, I went to get my recommend out of my wallet and it wasn't there. I looked in my temple bag, altho the last time I used it was for a sealing only and didn't need/take my bag. Looked thru my wallet again; looked thru the purse that I sometimes use. Couldn't find it.
So last night I went to the church during the ward recommend time to report a lost recommend and start a new one. Our bishopric arranges for one of them to be available on Wed. nite from 7-8 pm for interviews--no appt needed. I got there at the same time another couple from the ward arrived--just at 7 pm. No counselor in sight. A few minutes later, one of my visiting teaching sisters came in also for a recommend. Still no counselor around. About 7:15, Aaron knocked on the Bishop's door. He was there, but in an interview. So we all waited. About 7:30 the couple went home to put kids to bed. Jen and I just waited it out. Finally, about 7:50 the Bishop came out, very apologetic. I went in; told him my plight; gave him our forms; and went thru the drill to get a new recommend. We talked for a few minutes about the mission. He is excited for us and gave me some counsel. He is good about followup so i am sure that the President will have our papers very promptly.
We have no idea at this point how long it will take for the call to be processed. We suspect that they go thru pretty quickly as the need is apparently high, and the prospects and low, or at least lower than the need. So we will just wait and see. We are still pumped about this and are anxious to proceed. We are quilting nearly every minute we can to try to get this quilt done.
He started by asking if we had current Temple recommends and if we were still worthy to have them. He asked if we spoke Spanish. Then, he asked if there was anything in our past that, if it became public knowledge, would embarrass us or the Church if it became known while we were serving as missionaries. Mostly He just talked to us for awhile. He dug out the recommend forms; copied them and sent us on our way. He said that when we completed the forms, to give them to our Bishop who would sign them; give them back to him for signature; and he would then submit them. The actual call/assignment would come to him in a letter, which he would be required to sign. He would them forward it to our Bishop who would then issue the formal call to us and set up apart as missionaries.
So, we went home and filled out the form that night. The next day we both decided that we needed to redo them a bit neater. Dad downloaded the forms from the computer and we went to work. When I got to the box that asked for your membership number, I went to get my recommend out of my wallet and it wasn't there. I looked in my temple bag, altho the last time I used it was for a sealing only and didn't need/take my bag. Looked thru my wallet again; looked thru the purse that I sometimes use. Couldn't find it.
So last night I went to the church during the ward recommend time to report a lost recommend and start a new one. Our bishopric arranges for one of them to be available on Wed. nite from 7-8 pm for interviews--no appt needed. I got there at the same time another couple from the ward arrived--just at 7 pm. No counselor in sight. A few minutes later, one of my visiting teaching sisters came in also for a recommend. Still no counselor around. About 7:15, Aaron knocked on the Bishop's door. He was there, but in an interview. So we all waited. About 7:30 the couple went home to put kids to bed. Jen and I just waited it out. Finally, about 7:50 the Bishop came out, very apologetic. I went in; told him my plight; gave him our forms; and went thru the drill to get a new recommend. We talked for a few minutes about the mission. He is excited for us and gave me some counsel. He is good about followup so i am sure that the President will have our papers very promptly.
We have no idea at this point how long it will take for the call to be processed. We suspect that they go thru pretty quickly as the need is apparently high, and the prospects and low, or at least lower than the need. So we will just wait and see. We are still pumped about this and are anxious to proceed. We are quilting nearly every minute we can to try to get this quilt done.
Tuesday, January 13, 2009
Wow! You can teach old dogs new tricks.
I have thought for several months that Max and I should set up a blog since I enjoy the ones we read so much. We expected that our sweet daughter-in-law Linnae would have to do it for us. So I was very surprised when I got up this morning to find that Max had figured it out and built one for us. We think this will be a good way for us to keep our family, and perhaps friends, up to date on what we will be doing the next while.
We have just accepted a call from our Bishop to serve as service missionaries in the Salt Lake inner-city area. This will be an ideal arrangement for us as we get to come home every night and sleep in our own bed! An added plus is that it means that no significant arrangements have to be made for Cynthia, and this is a mission we can easily handle financially. Tonight we meet with the Stake President and then we will have a bit more info hopefully as to what will be involved. We do know that the mission is 24 months and that we will not be attending our home ward on Sundays during that time. We understand that we will be assigned to a specific ward/stake and will likely spend our entire mission in that ward. It appears that we will report to the local Bishop/Stake President rather than the Mission President, but expect to learn more during the training that will be provided.
We are excited to serve a mission and are pleased that our kids are excited for us also. We think that we can help however we are asked.
We have heard anecdotal reports from some of our kids who have known persons who have served this type of mission. Doug says that we likely will see things we had never seen before, esp poverty. But all other reports are that the missionaries really enjoyed their service.
Our main challenge at this time to get ready to serve, is to finish quilting the quilt we are doing for a local lady and fixing the floor in the hall bathroom. We may have to finish the quilt to finance the floor.
The quilt is beautiful, but much harder to quilt that we had anticipated. She gave us a cotton batt which is very thin (maybe 1/4") so we expected it to quilt like "butter". Not so. The fabrics she used are broadcloth but heavier in weight as is the backing. We are struggling to quilt it but it will be beautiful when finished. We are about half way through. Max quilted alone all thru Dec, but once the Christmas stuff was done, I started helping, so it is moving a bit faster.
The bathroom floor is something else. We had to pull up the carpet as Coco, our cat, kind of ruined it during her last few days. The linoleum underneath is a mess and the subflooring looks kind of iffy in a few places. Hopefully the boys will be able to come help once we figure out what needs to be done.
We have had Logan with us on Wed and Fri morning while Melanie works. She is such a delight and we hope that we will be able to continue this even after the mission call starts. We enjoy being in the same town as Melanie and Doug since we get to see their kids often. We only wish that we had the same contact with Sean, Josh, Steve and Kathy's kids. We had hoped to go to Florida again this year, but may not be able to do so--not sure yet how this type of mission works.
We have 3 granddaughters to be baptized this year. Hopefully, we can attend the baptisms since they will be 2 in the SLC area and 1 in Tooele. We are a bit concerned about whether we will be allowed to go to Mapleton to hear Ryan speak in Sacrament Mtg. before leaving on his mission this summer. We know that it will all work out for the best and if we have to miss a few of these events, it will be OK.
We have just accepted a call from our Bishop to serve as service missionaries in the Salt Lake inner-city area. This will be an ideal arrangement for us as we get to come home every night and sleep in our own bed! An added plus is that it means that no significant arrangements have to be made for Cynthia, and this is a mission we can easily handle financially. Tonight we meet with the Stake President and then we will have a bit more info hopefully as to what will be involved. We do know that the mission is 24 months and that we will not be attending our home ward on Sundays during that time. We understand that we will be assigned to a specific ward/stake and will likely spend our entire mission in that ward. It appears that we will report to the local Bishop/Stake President rather than the Mission President, but expect to learn more during the training that will be provided.
We are excited to serve a mission and are pleased that our kids are excited for us also. We think that we can help however we are asked.
We have heard anecdotal reports from some of our kids who have known persons who have served this type of mission. Doug says that we likely will see things we had never seen before, esp poverty. But all other reports are that the missionaries really enjoyed their service.
Our main challenge at this time to get ready to serve, is to finish quilting the quilt we are doing for a local lady and fixing the floor in the hall bathroom. We may have to finish the quilt to finance the floor.
The quilt is beautiful, but much harder to quilt that we had anticipated. She gave us a cotton batt which is very thin (maybe 1/4") so we expected it to quilt like "butter". Not so. The fabrics she used are broadcloth but heavier in weight as is the backing. We are struggling to quilt it but it will be beautiful when finished. We are about half way through. Max quilted alone all thru Dec, but once the Christmas stuff was done, I started helping, so it is moving a bit faster.
The bathroom floor is something else. We had to pull up the carpet as Coco, our cat, kind of ruined it during her last few days. The linoleum underneath is a mess and the subflooring looks kind of iffy in a few places. Hopefully the boys will be able to come help once we figure out what needs to be done.
We have had Logan with us on Wed and Fri morning while Melanie works. She is such a delight and we hope that we will be able to continue this even after the mission call starts. We enjoy being in the same town as Melanie and Doug since we get to see their kids often. We only wish that we had the same contact with Sean, Josh, Steve and Kathy's kids. We had hoped to go to Florida again this year, but may not be able to do so--not sure yet how this type of mission works.
We have 3 granddaughters to be baptized this year. Hopefully, we can attend the baptisms since they will be 2 in the SLC area and 1 in Tooele. We are a bit concerned about whether we will be allowed to go to Mapleton to hear Ryan speak in Sacrament Mtg. before leaving on his mission this summer. We know that it will all work out for the best and if we have to miss a few of these events, it will be OK.
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