Sunday, 22 March 2020
A couple of days ago I thought I would be posting my last entry. I received a phone call from my mission president, advising me that all senior missionaries were being released and sent home. I had heard the night before that some of the senior missionaries were being released, but thought it didn't apply to the ROC missionaries. I cried and prayed. I didn't want to be released early; I felt I needed to remain here so I could continue to grow in ways I needed and wanted to.
I called Scott and talked with him, just wanting someone to help me grasp what this meant and what I needed to do next. His response was to take a deep breath and assurance that I would figure it out.
Within a short time I received a text from Elder and Sister Biggs, asking the other 4 full-time missionaries to meet at the ROC to hand in our fobs (keys to the ROC) and to gather any personal items we may have there. That turned out to be a healing time for each of us. None of us wanted to leave our mission early. We cried, laughed and shared experiences and talked about what we would be doing now. Each of us had family members living in our homes.
I felt sad for Rachel & Travis. I had loved having them in my home and hated telling them I was coming home. I gave them 1 May as the day I would return so they had a little time to find someplace else.
I was kind in a fog all day Thursday. I made some phone calls, and took care of some business things. Finally, that evening, I got focused and began pulling things out of cupboard and drawers and packing them up as best I could. Scott & Julie offered to bring boxes and come to help me get moved to their home where I planned to stay until Rachel & Travis found a place to rent.
Friday morning, I did some more packing. Scott & Julie arrived with boxes and began getting things boxed and moved to my car and Scott's truck. We arrived at their home, unloaded everything into their upstairs guest room and I set to work putting things away, organizing things. Scott & Julie had determined that they could set up a folding table in the bedroom to give me a place to work and study. That was so thoughtful of them and a huge help form to realize I had a place I could work without interfering with their lives.
I had an appointment with President Andrews for my exit interview, on Saturday at 11:30. The other full-time ROC missionaries were there (except for Sister Tolman who was already packed up by her kids and headed home). It was good to see them once more. President Andrews was very kind and offered a prayer with me. I tearfully drove to the casita to pick up a few more things, and then to Scott & Julie's to await the 1:00 phone call from President Holt to release me.
President Holt had just received an email from the FH Senior Missionary Coordinator, asking him to offer a couple of options. Depending on my decision he would release me or not release me. I couldn't compute what was being said. He gave me the name and phone number of the sister who had emailed him and suggested I could call her and get more information and could pray about my decision. He said to take my time.
I had been disappointed and sad to think I was being released, but had accepted it and began looking at the blessings of going home, seeing my family and friends, enjoying my home and yard, including raspberries, blackberries, etc. And, now, I was being told I could continue my mission, working from home (Scott & Julie's for now) and, when the ROC reopens, continue serving there.
It was a roller coaster of emotions. I talked with Scott & Julie and I prayed. An hour or two later, I told Scott & Julie that I wanted to fast and pray about the decision. She and I went grocery shopping, more talking with Scott, realizing that I was fighting against what I was supposed to do. I knelt to pray and the Spirit let me know that I needed to stay and finish my mission in whatever way was needed. The peace that came over me was so comforting. And that was the end of the turmoil.
So, I will continue to post blogs from time to time until about 14 June 2021. I am excited but know that things will be different. I will be the only one of the 6 of us full-time missionaries. I assume others will be called once this COVID-19 pandemic has ended.
Sunday, March 22, 2020
Sunday, March 1, 2020
Sunday, 1 March 2020
It looks like I completely missed posting anything in February. I would like to post once a month but I get so busy with other things, I forget.
Today marks 7 1/2 months since I entered the MTC, which means I have 15 1/2 months to go. The time is going quickly and I know 14 June 2021 will be here before I know it.
11 February I celebrated my 83rd birthday! That seems sooo old, but I am greatly blessed with good health and energy and I am thankful the Lord has given me this opportunity to serve. I feel His love each day and marvel at that. Scott & Julie invited me for dinner and then bowling, followed by Coldstone ice cream, to celebrate. I have always enjoyed bowling but found that the arthritis in my thumb and fingers was a hindrance. Since that is the only thing that is a problem, I certainly can't complain. Sad, though, to think that will be the last time I go bowling. Although Scott did offer to get me the thing they use for little kids to just put the ball on it and rolls down it and the alley.
My iPhone died in February so Scott & Julie helped me buy an iPhone 11 and figure out how to sync it to my car. Otherwise, it isn't really different than my old one. I have learned how to use Alexa to add to my shopping list and then follow it at the store.
A trip to the dentist for my semi-annual cleaning brought some not-so-good news. I have some periodontal disease in my gums which the dentist expects will be taken care of with a deep, thorough cleaning every 3 months for a year. The x-rays also showed the need for another root canal in a front tooth. That is scheduled for this Wednesday. I'm told there is only one canal with the front tooth, as opposed to the 3 with the molar I had done earlier. I'm thankful for dental insurance and thankful to have found a good dentist. The hygienist gave me the most thorough cleaning I've ever had.
I finalized the history of Jacob Raymond and Sophie or Sophia Marie Geissler Klundt this week, had copies made and have them in envelopes to mail to their grandchildren and great grandchildren. After having now written the history of my parents and my in-laws, I realize how important it is for each person to write their own history. Trying to do it after the main people had passed away, and with no written records by any of them, it is really difficult to be able to write a complete history.
I am in the process of writing Art's history and mine. Mine will, obviously be more complete.
There are seasons in Arizona! I am seeing the light green leaves on the deciduous trees and some wildflowers blooming. We had one day in February when the thermometer reached 80! I have enjoyed the mild winter here. There was only one day that I wore my warm winter coat. I layer tops for work and, if it's a little colder or raining, I wear my raincoat. I don't look forward to the heat of summer.
I invited Scott and Julie for dinner today. I am losing confidence in my cooking skills, such as they ever were. I made some pecan pie bars and had to laugh at a couple of things I did. I had picked up pecans and shelled them, from the trees in the yard, but needed more so bought some at the store yesterday. When I opened them to use in the bars, they were praline pecans. I couldn't believe I hadn't noticed that at the store. So, broke up the pieces and used them, anyway. As though pecan pie needs more sugar. The other thing I did upsets me. The recipe called for 1 3/4 C of butter for the crust. I just read it wrong and put only 3/4 C. so, the crust is really just flour. Made me think of the pioneers who lived on flour and water as they crossed the plains. My admiration for them has increased.
One of the great blessings of this mission is the association with the other missionaries and watching the young Elders and Sisters as they grow. It is such a loving and supportive community of missionaries that they feel accepted and safe. One young Elder this week gave the best devotional thought he's ever done. He downloaded a talk and a short video on his phone and then connected it to the laptop which puts it on a screen for all to see. It's difficult for him to speak so he can be understood, but he tries and I feel that everyone is just praying for him.
I think I've learned how to do the book scanning. The scanning and auditing are not difficult, but there are rules about what can and cannot be scanned and little details to learn. There is much to do at the ROC. This week we had 48 indexing projects. We had 28 the week before and that was an all-time high number. We have projects in Spanish, Portuguese, French, American Samoan, and projects from Africa, Australia, U.K., and several states in the U.S. It's challenging but with the help of Google translate and with some figuring things out, it's rewarding. The projects vary in size, some are finished quickly and others, like one we just finished last month, take months. We had worked on that one ever since we arrived. It's nice to have variety from which to choose.
One more February thing: Sister Tolman and I hosted the senior missionary monthly Family Home Evening. All that involved was providing the dessert (we did a decorated Costco cake) and the program. For that, we chose to have a sing-a-long of old love songs (for Valentine's Day). It turned out well and was enjoyable to hear everyone enjoying the old songs. That should be the only one we have to do, as there are enough couples to spread the joy around for the next 15 months.
It looks like I completely missed posting anything in February. I would like to post once a month but I get so busy with other things, I forget.
Today marks 7 1/2 months since I entered the MTC, which means I have 15 1/2 months to go. The time is going quickly and I know 14 June 2021 will be here before I know it.
11 February I celebrated my 83rd birthday! That seems sooo old, but I am greatly blessed with good health and energy and I am thankful the Lord has given me this opportunity to serve. I feel His love each day and marvel at that. Scott & Julie invited me for dinner and then bowling, followed by Coldstone ice cream, to celebrate. I have always enjoyed bowling but found that the arthritis in my thumb and fingers was a hindrance. Since that is the only thing that is a problem, I certainly can't complain. Sad, though, to think that will be the last time I go bowling. Although Scott did offer to get me the thing they use for little kids to just put the ball on it and rolls down it and the alley.
My iPhone died in February so Scott & Julie helped me buy an iPhone 11 and figure out how to sync it to my car. Otherwise, it isn't really different than my old one. I have learned how to use Alexa to add to my shopping list and then follow it at the store.
A trip to the dentist for my semi-annual cleaning brought some not-so-good news. I have some periodontal disease in my gums which the dentist expects will be taken care of with a deep, thorough cleaning every 3 months for a year. The x-rays also showed the need for another root canal in a front tooth. That is scheduled for this Wednesday. I'm told there is only one canal with the front tooth, as opposed to the 3 with the molar I had done earlier. I'm thankful for dental insurance and thankful to have found a good dentist. The hygienist gave me the most thorough cleaning I've ever had.
I finalized the history of Jacob Raymond and Sophie or Sophia Marie Geissler Klundt this week, had copies made and have them in envelopes to mail to their grandchildren and great grandchildren. After having now written the history of my parents and my in-laws, I realize how important it is for each person to write their own history. Trying to do it after the main people had passed away, and with no written records by any of them, it is really difficult to be able to write a complete history.
I am in the process of writing Art's history and mine. Mine will, obviously be more complete.
There are seasons in Arizona! I am seeing the light green leaves on the deciduous trees and some wildflowers blooming. We had one day in February when the thermometer reached 80! I have enjoyed the mild winter here. There was only one day that I wore my warm winter coat. I layer tops for work and, if it's a little colder or raining, I wear my raincoat. I don't look forward to the heat of summer.
I invited Scott and Julie for dinner today. I am losing confidence in my cooking skills, such as they ever were. I made some pecan pie bars and had to laugh at a couple of things I did. I had picked up pecans and shelled them, from the trees in the yard, but needed more so bought some at the store yesterday. When I opened them to use in the bars, they were praline pecans. I couldn't believe I hadn't noticed that at the store. So, broke up the pieces and used them, anyway. As though pecan pie needs more sugar. The other thing I did upsets me. The recipe called for 1 3/4 C of butter for the crust. I just read it wrong and put only 3/4 C. so, the crust is really just flour. Made me think of the pioneers who lived on flour and water as they crossed the plains. My admiration for them has increased.
One of the great blessings of this mission is the association with the other missionaries and watching the young Elders and Sisters as they grow. It is such a loving and supportive community of missionaries that they feel accepted and safe. One young Elder this week gave the best devotional thought he's ever done. He downloaded a talk and a short video on his phone and then connected it to the laptop which puts it on a screen for all to see. It's difficult for him to speak so he can be understood, but he tries and I feel that everyone is just praying for him.
I think I've learned how to do the book scanning. The scanning and auditing are not difficult, but there are rules about what can and cannot be scanned and little details to learn. There is much to do at the ROC. This week we had 48 indexing projects. We had 28 the week before and that was an all-time high number. We have projects in Spanish, Portuguese, French, American Samoan, and projects from Africa, Australia, U.K., and several states in the U.S. It's challenging but with the help of Google translate and with some figuring things out, it's rewarding. The projects vary in size, some are finished quickly and others, like one we just finished last month, take months. We had worked on that one ever since we arrived. It's nice to have variety from which to choose.
One more February thing: Sister Tolman and I hosted the senior missionary monthly Family Home Evening. All that involved was providing the dessert (we did a decorated Costco cake) and the program. For that, we chose to have a sing-a-long of old love songs (for Valentine's Day). It turned out well and was enjoyable to hear everyone enjoying the old songs. That should be the only one we have to do, as there are enough couples to spread the joy around for the next 15 months.
Subscribe to:
Comments (Atom)