Saturday, July 7, 2012

Two Days To Go

Here it is Saturday evening.  Just two days until we enter the MTC for training.  We will be set apart by the Stake President tomorrow evening.  We have been communicating with new friends in Nigeria, Elder and Sister Baker.  They have a wonderful sense of humor.  I only hope they still have a great sense of humor when they are done training me.  A few weeks ago they asked us to give them our travel agenda so they could pick us up at the airport.  We told them we fly into Nigeria on July 24th.  Pioneer Day!  It is so symbolic to me.  They told us they would meet us with handcarts. 
A couple of days ago they assured us they would meet us at the airport, take us to our new home, for the next 18 months, help us get settled in, feed us dinner and try to keep us awake until 8:30.  They threatened us if we fell asleep (I think fall off our chairs in sleep) they would take pictures of us and send the pictures home to our families! 
So, our bags are packed, weighed, and I am sure will be changed once again, for our departure.  We have separate bags packed for the MTC. 
To our family of  20. We love you so much!  You are the pride and joy of our lives.  We will miss you more than you can imagine.  We can't talk about missing you because our bladder is attached to our eyes.  I just keep reminding myself, "It's only 18 months!"  We are going on a mission for many reasons.  #1...because we KNOW our Heavenly Father and Savior want us to go, and go now.
#2...because we want to show obedience and love because we have been given need to repay in a small way.  It really is a small sacrifice.  #3...We have felt incredible peace while in our preparation.  #4 We have always had a goal to serve a mission together. #5...Service always brings us closer to our Heavenly Father and Savior and to each other.  #6...It's the right thing to do!

And to all our family and friends...You have supported us so well.  We can literally feel your love and support.  You have been so excited for us and we have needed this more than you could ever know.  We have been hugged, kissed, and told "I love you" from so many.  Thank-you!!!!!

3 comments:

Sara and Andrew said...

You two are going to be amazing missionaries! We will miss you a lot but can't wait to get to hear all the stories from your experience in Nigeria! Thank you for all that you do for us and we know that you are doing the right thing and will be blessed for your decision! All your kids and grandkids will be blessed too! Today in primary we talked about saying "thank you". While talking about who we wanted to say thank you to, a few of the kids said they wanted to say thank you to their grandparents because they served/are serving a mission! You are setting a great example for all of us! We love you!

Flora Lee said...

Bob and I have thought about you today and the great adventure you will start tomorrow. It is so exciting and a little scary too. Thank you so much for the special spirit you brought to the Bishops' Storehouse. We miss you but know you are going on to greater heights.
Take care.

cheryl said...

You both just glow!! You can tell that you are missionaries, and so ready to go and serve the Lord. You will do such a great job, and although you will be missed, we know you are needed in Africa at this time in your lives. You'll be in our prayers. Love, John and Cheryl