April 21, 2014 - Clark

Monday, April 21, 2014

First day of our mission here at the MTC.  I knew after tax season and the final preparations at home, that the pace here would be a welcomed slower cadence.  It has been very pleasant today and we have already met some wonderful people coming from all over the world to serve throughout the world.  

Someone mentioned it was like sending us off to our first day of kindergarten and it has many similarities.  We started the day as complete strangers and had several friends by the end of the day.  We have heard several conversion stories and stories of sacrifice.  One couple from Woods Cross who is Tongan, Elder and Sister Levulo were called in by their stake president and asked to serve in New Guinea as member, leader support missionaries for 18 months.  They had no save or prepared to serve and when the stake president said they would need $1,400 per month for housing, their response was ,”we can sell our business to pay for our mission”  The Stake President asked them to pray about it but the wife said without hesitation, we will accept.  This was in November, her grandmother had served 7 missions and her mother said you can go and the Lord will prepare a way.  Her mother died 3 months later and Sister Levulo had 3 insurance polies on her mother, who is now paying for the mission.  

There is a companionship of 2 sisters who are sisters’ in-law.  They are assigned to Washington D.C.  They are both single mothers who have 10 and 9 children respectively.  Sister Hawkes is from Layton and her husband was a doctor in the military who died in 1992.  Sister Robinson is from Houston and was the wife of a mission president who served in Washington D.C.  They are divorced and she is returning to their old mission with her sister in-law to work in women auxiliary support.  Basically they will be helping other single mothers cope with the issues they have faced as single mothers.  Their call and companionship assignment was arranged through the missionary department.

It is inspiring to see others who have made significant sacrifices to make themselves available for missionary service.  

Tonight we have been studying Preach My Gospel and French for a couple of hours and then writing our thoughts of the day.  No distractions like gardening, sports, Castle or Dancing with the Stars.   The quiet is driving us crazy.  We loved staying up late and having our music and singing time together.  We love you all and have to stay in the moment so our letters are upbeat and positive.  Goodnight,

Love, Dad

Boyd K. Packer promised that “As you look after the Lord’s children, He will look after yours”