Daylight was just peeking through the clouds this morning as we awoke to a loud whooshing sound coming down our street. It took a moment for it to register that we were home in our own warm bedroom, since we had just arrived home from a wonderful week at Dave and Adrianne's in Bend with Grandma and Grandpa Hill the night before, and that the loud noise was a street cleaner when the phone rang. Guy answered and motioned to me to listen in. President Spencer J. Condie, the Nauvoo Temple President, was on the phone and wanted to talk to us both. He said that he'd like to spend some time this morning getting to know us. We talked about how long we had served in the Temple and what talents we had. Could we sing in the choir? Guy laughingly told him that He could sing and I loved to sing but couldn't carry a tune...so true. Also that Guy spoke Spanish and that He would probably use Guy to help translate during the Pageants! He discussed the financial needs and we pleasantly found out that it will only cost us $500 a month for the apartment unit that we will be staying in and that covered everything except food and clothing and transportation. He asked us about our plans for our house here and we told him that we had a sweet couple coming to stay in our home. (Cameron and Emily Nelson, we loved meeting them during the Christmas break and know that the house will be well cared for). The units that we will be staying in are completely furnished with bedding and dishes etc. The only items we will need to bring are our personal favorite possessions. As a side thought, Cindy made us a wonderful metal board with magnets of all the grandchildren's picture that attach to it. I was wondering how I was going to get All of my Grandchildren and family to be able to surround me there each morning. We will discuss that whole issue soon, but back to Brother Condie's conversation. He told us about the very limited shopping in the area and that we will be able to walk to the Temple each day. Then he asked if we would be willing to stay for 18 months! 18 months! We are very excited. Imagine the thoughts and emotions that that brought on after we got off the phone. I couldn't even think. I needed to talk to someone so I went to the bathroom, only private place in the house right, and prayed, called Patti and talked it out, and knew, this time with faith and no doubt that it is that right thing. We would never ever turn down a call from the Lord, there was never a question about that, but the Comfort of the Spirit came and the Faith required to be able to walk away from all the stuff of the world for 18 months. It shouldn't be that hard, but there are so many things we worry about. Now there is NO WORRY only calm. The Lord will bless us all for our sacrifices and it will all work out. Guy and I went into the den and did a sort of realistic plan of what we will do to prepare. It is interesting that yesterday after the drive home from Bend that we ate lunch with Grandma and Grandpa Hill at a Buffet and when we had finished eating they talked to us about our mission. One of our biggest concerns about leaving at this time is their health. Grandpa has been having heart issues and Grandma is limited in what she is can do. This being understood, they said they wanted us to go for that amount of time and not the worry about them.... the Lord will provide. Their encouragement means so much. Their faith and love in letting us go is such an example. It is because our children and their spouses are so supportive that we are free to go. We also know you will all be on board with this mission call and invite you all to come and meet us in Nauvoo sometime in the next 18 months. We are so excited and have much to do before going.
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