The "PAIN OF IT ALL" or in other words, the application process

We went to Utah again at the beginning of October for General Conference and to see Guy run the St George Marathon again. It was a fun trip including a trip to the pumpkin patch with all the grandchildren in the Utah area and Guys boys. When we returned home we were surprised to find that Bishop Kent Ipsom wanted to meet with us. Guy had just recently been released from the High Counsel and called to be the High Priest groupleader for Powell Valley ward and so we thought maybe it was a call for me or could it possibly be the Temple? It was exciting to meet with him in the evening on Oct 9, 2011 and have him tell us that he had been contacted by the Stake President and told that we had been asked to submit our appliction to serve in Nauvoo!We were really humbled that we were selected and found out later that President Childs h ad a big say in that coming to pass. This was Bishop Ipsoms first senior missionary couple leaving his ward and he was as excited about the process as we were. He got online and got us set up to begin the submission of the application process. This process includes a very complete history of past callings and experiences and also a very thorough physical. The Bishop told us that we had until December 15 to complete the process. I thought we would have it completed in 2 weeks time. Little did I know! The next 2 months were filled with doctor and dentist appointments almost every day. We have had every shot and test available, or close to it, that can be run on "people over 50". I was beginning to dread the trip to Kiaser and the dentist and still at this time have to return for 2 final vaccinations before we leave. One of the funniest experiences with all of the application requirements happened in connection with the photo as a couple that we had to submit. It had specific requirements and said that it was to be done in portrait style. Thus Guy and I decided to have our photo done at a portrait studio. We dressed up in our Mission attire and went to the studio. We had a wonderful photographer and discussed our mission with her as she took the photos. The day before we were to leave for a 3 week vacation to Florida to see Guys new baby and go on a cruise, also a new experience for us, we were to meet for the last time with the Stake President for our final interview before he submitted the paperwork to the Missionary Department. All that was left of the paperwork was for me to turn in one final test result and to download our photo to the website.We told the Stake President that we would finish that up before we left on our trip the next morning. I was able to pick up the test result without any delay and put it in the mail to the Stake President, the photo had come in the night before and we picked it up and I came home and tried to download it. That should have taken what 2 seconds....but it wouldnt download...too many pizels! I am so not a computer person and had no idea what to do. Finally I read the small print on the site and it said that we could submit it as it was and that the Church would fix it for us! Yea! We were done with the submission process and on our way to spend time with the kids and to see Tulum and the Kolomoki mounds! Life is hectic but wonderful.

IT'S HERE!

We stopped the mail when we went on our cruise and so as soon as we arrived back in Portland on December 4th we both waited for the mailman to arrive. I was so sure that our call would be waiting in the box when we returned. NO call was there though...it wasn't a big deal but one thing President Hansen said to us in our last interview with him had been pestering me at the back of my mind the whole time we were away. He had said that people are not always given the call that they ask for. These calls are given by the First Presidency and sometimes they need people in other places. I just needed to feel secure in Nauvoo for this first call and I was a a bit concerned about that thought.Therefore, it was with A LOT of JOY and what, a sigh of relief, that on December 13, 2011 the call arrived and YES, it was to Nauvoo! Guy and I both took the book and read it cover to cover. The thing about it that most touched me was that there were individual letters written to both Guy and Me that called us to serve together, but individually. It was so humbling to know that we were being called because we were found worthy to serve. Its funny, when President Condie called to talk with us the first time he said that we had finally made it. He commented that passing all the interviews and application stuff was like being interviewed by the FBI and KGB together and coming up clear! Its a joke but at times the process was pretty intense. But, WE ARE CALLED TO SERVE IN NAUVOO! Its our call, all of us together...I don't think that we will ever be alone anywhere in eternity now cause we are sealed together. Here we go everybody!

Nauvoo Illinois Mission Call

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.

Stanley G. Ellis visiting General Authority!

Last week we had a full house, this week only Mandy and Leanne came to visit!
Last week we had Stake Conference with a visiting General Authority, Stanley G. Ellis. Because all the family was here, Cathy stayed to entertain the family whole I went to the Adult Session on Saturday evening. Elder Ellis spoke of the baton that is used in a relay race and how we need to take that baton and our righteous family "passing the baton" to future generation. This does not automatically happen, but we must work on this! What will you do to care forward that righteous family? That is the question...
Here are a few scriptures Elder Ellis gave to fight the evil one, even Satan... and overcome Satan, thus carrying your righeous family on to the next gneration:

1 Nephi 22:26 righteousness of this people

DC 10:5 pray always

Matthew 17:21 prayer and fasting

Helaman 3: 29-30 Study the scriptures

DC 121: 4-6 Follow the Prophet

James 4:5 Resist the devil

JS 1:16-17 Excert all power calling upon God

Alma 37: 33 Faith on the Lord Jesus Christ

Helaman 5: 12 Built upon the rock of our Redeemer

DC 19:3 Winning Team

These were Elder Ellis' scripture chain of righteousness to fight the adversary.

The day after the conference, I gave Guy a father's blessing and challenged him to take a few comments of Elder Ellis to act upon (DC 43:10) the secret of Stake conference. He told me I better write some note of the conference... so here they are... a week late, but here nontheless!
Enjoy!
Dad

Can't Wait to See you All!

So Jen and JP and Family are up here for the weekend. They run a race this Saturday at Lake Hag some 30 + mile. Can you believe that?
They say that this Course so... muddy and they are still eager to run...crazy.
Last weekend, we went to Klamath Falls to watch Josh play in his chess tournament. He won two of his matches. Not bad for a guy who just started the sport!
As soon as the Richards family entered the door we were singing happy birthday to McKenzie . She says: "she doesn't feel different!" Grandma is taking her out to get her gift tomorrow. Girls love to shop! My little friend, Csow C ...with a little round one like this (Chase is trying to spell his name). He says my name is really hard! We are watching videos and partying tonight. They will be here a couple day and we are enjoying them!
Next week, the whole troop will be home together We can't wait!
Love you all till them!
Dad

Oh That GUY

Hey ya all, I'm doing the hen peck thing so we'll see how long this turns out to be.As you can tell from the previou posts...daddy is the man! He fusses around and over me a ton. In fact he runs the vacumn and does the dishes before he heads off to work.....and bless the man...he drags himself off to work now...all the harder cause retirement is now a reailty and I am usually still snug in bed. I cant imagine me cleaning,cooking and taking care of someone who gets to lay around doing pretty much nothing for a month and not ending up resenting it......but not my sweet eternal companion. He writes me sweet cards and leaves them for me to find during the day....amazing huh. When I was searching for him as a kid, I thought that I had a pretty demanding list of who I thought he needed to be. He has filled all my dreams and then been so much more...all I ever never knew that I needed. I laugh when people warn me that
I will go crazy having him home with me all of the time...getting in the way. Thats never been a problem for us...and I honestly count the days like a kid till we can be like that...what concerns me more is who I need need to be, as a young girl I knew in my prideful little heart that Iwas clean and pure and Deserved that boy I was looking for...but now, after all of these years of living with this wonderful man, I am alot more insecure about who I am as a worthy companion for him. Its interesting the lessons lifes experiences teach us. I am so thankful for that careful choice I made all those years ago that has brought me such happiness and gotten me to this wonderful stage of life...pray for me that i can hang tight to DADDYS COAT TAILS as he zips us through these retirement years! In my eyes he is SUPER MAN....cant you see us flying!

Dreams!

So get this! Mom and I woke up this morning dicussing out dreams. She was flying a hot pink Barbie car, or at least that colot. I was cleaning the frig. She leans over and say: "You don't have to clean the frig, why do you get up!" You can imagine where we wanted to go with those dreams, huh?

I got my substitute today so I can take mom in on Wednesday for her doctor's appointment. I can't keep mom cooped up, either! She went out shopping today, after bring my gradebook to school. I had a District Meeting tonight after school and stopped to shop for her on the way home. Getting my domestic skills down, real well!

Hope you are not dreaming like we are!
Love you all,
Dad