Mission Preparations

Karen and I have planned on another Mission for years, but were very busy with fixing up the duplex to sell it, then finding a home, then finishing up the home with Fencing, concrete patio, extra driveway for parking building the basement from scratch, adding a porch, planting flower beds and bushes and trees, putting in an effective watering system for all of the above, then our sweet Krista asked if I would help her with a bathroom and bedroom in her basement.  Her and I did that, and quite nicely I think.  By then, Karen was getting more and more involved with the Riverton Family History library and she decided to get all of the certifications so she could volunteer there.  She said that that would take about a year.  I was volunteering at the Prison and fell in love with that service and the fine men that are there.  I told Karen that by the time she was finished with her training that I may not be able to do another mission.  Old age, you know, it just keeps on taking away whatever abilities you have left.  She said that we then should go now, and she would be able to finish her training when we return home.

We began immediately making our plans.  That was in April.  There are soo many things that have to be addressed and settled before you can leave the country for two years.   We were able to get the interviews done, the application and medical tests and dental exams finished because of our lovely sons, and we finally got our application in about the first week in June.  Well, the letter never arrived and we then learned that the Brethren all take July off and spend time with their families and vacation, so our application did not get looked at until the end of July.

We did receive our call letter at the end of July.  We wanted to start the mission oct. 1st, but due to the delay, we were called to begin 28 Oct.  and our location is Waterford, Ireland for at least the first part of the mission.

We have spent 3 months trying to get our ducks in a row, and there have been some big hurdles that we have cleared, perhaps some we have not discovered yet.

We have been able to visit Joseph and Tanna in Las Vegas,  Nevada; Andrew and Sandi in Canyon, Texas; Ammon and Terie in Borger, Texas; Ben and Ana in West Hartford, Connecticut: and our good friends in Sterling, Colorado; and of course Janice and Tracey Collins here in the Valley, as well as Matthew and Mindi here, and Allison and Bonnie as well.

Sarah & Jason Morgan - Aren't they cute in their hats

After our son Adam's death in May, the wonderful Morgans felt the need to come here to visit us and it was the most wonderful visit.  I walk into the house and fully expect to see them in our Living Room and be able to chat with them and laugh so much as we loved doing for two weeks.

We are now done with the travel visiting and we are trying to say goodbye to the wonderful people of our Ward.  It will be hard to leave them.  I am being released from my calling as High Priest Group leader on Sunday and need to get the new guy up to speed.  I need to finish my Home Teaching for the last time before the Mission, make bread and chili cook-off tomorrow night, visit the Shamo's, and a whole list of other things, including getting two roommates for Allison.

We leave in one week now, and I shall reblog just before we go.  Love you all. - gary