Here We Go Again!

California, here we come! Right back where we started from. We're happy to now be on our way.  Usually we go to California for a vacation break. This trip will be different -- much longer, and more rewarding. 

We enjoyed our week at the MTC. It is a beautiful campus with over 2000 earnest young men and women and about 100 senior missionaries during any given week. We learned so much in such a short time, and we grew to love the wonderful young returned missionaries who taught us how to listen to, love and serve others -- something that has the potential to change the world. There is such a great spirit there -- powerful motivation to learn, grow, and serve.

The Missionary Training Center

Provo, Utah   

My cousin who is a member of the Seventy, Elder Matthew Carpenter, and his wife Michelle, spoke at the MTC devotional while we were there, counseling all missionaries to nurture their companions and be united in their service.  This is great counsel to both the young missionaries and to senior couples. Pat and I have learned that the Spirit can only be present when we are united. This is a goal we will be working on during our mission and for the rest of our lives.

As we leave this weekend, one word keeps coming to mind, and that word is "sacrifice." It's not that I think we are making a great sacrifice to serve. After all, we know the territory pretty well, and we won't be gone that long. But I do know that focus, dedication, and sacrifice are required if we want to serve well. I like the following quotes on this topic:

There can be no true worship without sacrifice, and there can be no true sacrifice without a cause. The cause that earns our love and priority is the cause of Jesus Christ.   -- Pres. Russell M. Nelson

If we are to walk in the steps of the Savior, we cannot do it without personal sacrifice and sincere involvement.  It is rarely convenient; but love extends beyond  convenience for those who have conditioned themselves to look for opportunities to serve.    --  J. Richard Clarke

We have loved our full-time missionary service before, and we welcome new and invigorating opportunities to lift others and help them feel the love of the Savior. We are not just heading south for the winter. We want to make a difference in peoples' lives.

We have traveled a lot and enjoyed seeing much of the world. We love to meet people.  But honestly, we prefer to meet new people and see the world through the eyes of missionary service.  We are ready to trade our frequent vacation trips to LA in search of "pixie dust" for a longer stay, so that we can seek to bring people to Christ.  I am happy to give up my easy chair and remote and put CNN, Fox, and the ups and downs of the market -- as well those of the Cougars, Utes, and Jazz -- on hold, in exchange for the inner peace and joy that comes from serving the Lord and building His kingdom.  We don't know yet why we have been called to serve in Anaheim, but we expect to find out.  We feel very blessed and are thankful for the opportunity to put service to others ahead of other interests for the next several months.   

    - Don -