The Winning Mugshot

The Call

Having been released so that we could submit our papers for a mission we started to prepare.  We felt that the Lord would know where he wanted us so left it open as to where and what. Two weeks after submitting the papers a call showed up.  We gathered as a family to open the call some by face time and others by phone.  Justin and family, Paula were in attendance.  Marsha open the call and read the letter out loud to all.  When she read Lagos Nigeria there was some audible gasps and it took a few minutes to sink in that we were going to Africa. Well we thought that we would have a few months to get ready and we did something like 77 days and leave on the 30 of December.  As we talked with people from Salt Lake they wanted to over lap with the Jennings whom we will be replacing.  So we started to plan a week in the MTC and then PEF training in Salt Lake prior to the 30th so that we could overlap.  As we were negotiating times they and us decided that we would start earlier and then we cut the prep time in half.  So we enter the MTC on December 2.  As we looked at the calendar we have started to panic.

After the Call

If the last few weeks are any indication as to what we are up against then this is going to be a great  experience!!!  Time has been flying by and we are just a week away from the MTC. Are we ready? No!!! Will we be ready? No!!! But we have no chose, the date is coming up.  It's funny every time somebody ask where are you going?  We say Nigeria!!   The response is Wow!! And then a funny look comes on their face.  Oh that will be interesting!! Yes it will we respond.
I have thought often of Elder Scott's statement "To reach a goal you have never before attained, you must do thing you have never before done.".  This is surely something that we have never done and the goal was to serve the Lord where ever he wanted us.  I have always known that the Lord has a sence of humor and now I know that He has. Heat is not a thing I tolerate well, but I will have to learn.  Elder Whirthlin's talk "Come What May, and Love It" comes to mind and that is what I expect to do.  We are greatful for the call and hope that we can accomplish the thing the Lord want us to accomplish.

So Much to do so little time to do It

The time has gone oooh so fast and tomorrow we enter the MTC.  This has been a great time, family has been here, fun has been had by all, except Tyler who could not join us because of work. Many tears have been shed as we have bid one another farewell.  We think that the most difficult for us has been the anticipation that good byes were eminent and not looked forward to.  We are still not through with the good byes.  John who is a big world traveler and says that there is still plenty of  Utah left to explore is wondering what he has got himself into.  But willing to serve where every!!!

We actually was able to squeeze in a family photo shoot. Which we will share.  Marsha finished all here jammies for the families Christmas and we opened then on Thanksgiving.  They are so cute (pictures later). 

Spoke in Church Sunday the 24 and was glad to have that behind us.  Taught the last lesson in Gospel Doctrine today 1 December and we are waiting to go to the Stake center to be set apart tonight for our missions.  That kind of makes it official!!! Then in the morning off to the MTC to report in.  Looks like we spend a week in the Provo MTC learning Preach My Gospel and then the following week Monday and Tuesday in Salt Lake to learn about the PEF program. Tentatively we leave on Wednesday and arrive in Akeja on Friday evening - 18 hours in the air I believe.  So stay tuned for the experience we will share!!!!

The Family

 

Paula, Dad, Mom

 



 

Andrew, Emma, Michelle, Jeff, Ashley

Anna, Eli, Eva



Taylor, Justin, Liz , Christian

Camo, Ellie, Paige, Brooke

 



 

Tricia, Makell, Matt

Madi, Travor, (Missing Tyler)