I Want to be a Missionary Now!

We are taking lessons (from our growing Sunbeam)

And here is our song:

"I want to be a Missionary Now!
I don't want to wait until I'm grown
I want to share the gospel while I'm young
For I have a testimony of my own!"

We have heard a few young friends sing "I hope they call me on a mission, when I have grown a foot or two!" Well, we both have two feet  (and Val is six feet--two)...

But, since Val can still feel his feet (and his Dad could not, as he got further along) a idea arose--if we put in application papers for a new mission early this time, we might have more time next time than the 10 days between call and departure that we had last May.

Hermana y Elder Gallo 

To avoid waiting to our mission end, October 26, for more appointments, we heard we could use our doctor evaluations from 2013--good for a full year--the race was on!  Who can fill out our part of the 62 pages fastest? Well, Val won.  I was putting on final touches,  when laptop A began to act veeeeeeeerrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrryyyyyyyyyy
sssssssssssssssssssllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllloooooooooooooooowww
(translate=very slow.)    It has since been put into an induced coma, awaiting resurrection by our resident
(computer expert, overworked bishop) Elder Gallo, temple secretary.

Brother Brighton--to help
us all become geeks in training!

Val, meantime, is sharing.  But his computer has been acting unruly lately.  Yesterday I tried cleanup and filtering tips from our friend and computer assistant Greg:   His assignment has been to assist neighborhood families in filtering for child/youth friendly content; his profession is to manage Weber State University computers.  Val's computer is currently cooperating. Its owners are content and hopeful for more consistent communications.  (Because it helped me, I am linking  the FAQ from his website..(including "why is my computer so slow" and his favorite links...  Suggestions for child safety might interest young families.)

Speaking of children and communicating, we have two children who decided to celebrate birthdays.
 And it seemed the time to organize files. (How fast does 52 years of sorting take place at your house?  Another grand personal race!) Speaking of races a friend who has weathered the triathlon type

 (while raising feet in the air teaching "core" exercises) taught us to ponder something we are perfect at--you know, like brushing teeth or making the bed.  Something that you do every day that could aptly extend to other parts of your life.   Well, we are brushing our teeth.  The bed's made.  But, the rest...well, we are praying for patience to match balance and diligence...

The mission papers, however, are submitted.  When we first opened our application, the message on the screen was "Get comfortable--this may take awhile."  The goal (now) is to get comfortable...it really might take awhile.  Val's estimate is the second week of April, third day, second minute, along with a little baby boy Archuleta--also scheduled to arrive.  (Kristen is making motions for early an arrival, if anyone will second the motion.)  Should friends or neighbors choose to stalk the postal carrier, show up on the porch any upcoming Wednesday (or be ready on Google Hangout) to join us in the grand opening, you are invited.

Meantime, here is a quote that impelled us here:
Yes, men and women who turn their lives over to God will discover that He can make a lot more out of their lives than they can. He will deepen their joys, expand their vision, quicken their minds, strengthen their muscles, lift their spirits, multiply their blessings, increase their opportunities, comfort their souls, raise up friends, and pour out peace. Whoever will lose his life in the service of God will find eternal life. ( Ezra Taft Benson, Ensign, December 1988) 

So, here are some of the friends:  

Read from left to right like a book:

1. Our mission enfermeras (nurses) who lost their husbands and put in papers to serve together

2. Hna Barrientos, our Saturday leader, mother to Melissa, director of our regional choir

3. Hno Barrientos, largest smile on record, proud grandpa this week; (with Hna Berrios y             

            Hna Gladis Zuniga, temple missionary, full of zest and vigor)

4. Hna Carlotta Pavon, after her husband was killed, raised a family, temple missionary, 3 nietos on missions

5. Hna Lucila and Hno Angel Valle, (with Hna. Pavon) a sealer here, previous stake president-aptly named

6. Hna Mirian Morazán--lost her husband, brings her son Hno. Rivera every Tuesday, who gets around better than we do, without being able to see 

7. Hna Rosalinda Casteñeda,  worked at University, retired, now comes 4 days every week with husband--loves to sing, her words paint a story like a song

8. Hna. Luisa Rodriguez, wife of previous bishop, mom to one of our office workers--practical, kind

9. Hna Clayda Mendoza and friend Ivannia Centeno, journeyed 8+ hours from Nicaragua to visit the temple for the first time

10. Sister Clark and Sister Wagner--sisters who hosted Maria and just gave us a BOX of Books of Mormon  

      (Sister Wagner is the granddaughter of Val's mission president, Milton Smith, youngest son to President Joseph Fielding Smith)

11. Sister and Brother Duarte, previous area leaders in Nicaragua, parents to Gloria

12. Soto family--Mario, now in Peru, his mom, here, a sister serving in Guatemala, (and missing a sister Irina, I love, who teaches 4 to 8 year old children in Primary)

13. Hna y Hno Cruz, our guest house helpers.  Sister Cruz amiably tolerates vigorous song leading lessons in the laundry

14. Hna y Pres. Amado, Sister Amado teaches an amazing "doblar" or fold job with anything white, and Presidente is sought after with the best calligraphy around

15.  Hno y Hna Clark and Carole Bassett, fellow missionaries. I have a clearer picture, but looking at this makes me laugh!

16. Hna y Hno Peterson, my duet partner for recital numero dos, and resident retired dentist/exercise enthusiast from ID

17. Pres y Hna. Ocampo, beating us at Quiddler

18. Hno y Hna Martinez, Friday leaders

19. Hna Berrios, raised three daughters alone, faithful, gentle

20. Hna Corrales, mom to Ivy, young adult sister learning music with me on Thursdays

Thank you, for being among the friends he has raised up.  (Family nuclear, extended, and adopted.)  It is like climbing the stairs for a high dive, especially when the water is deep and you are not an Olympic swimmer. Kind eyes looking up (or down), friendly hands on the sidelines looking on with interest, faith, and encouragement make it easier to prepare for takeoff.  Blessings to you...thank you for helping us feel brave.  Thank you for allowing us to be part of your lives.  Thank you for your personal examples of leading out, for trying hard things.  Awaiting upcoming deliveries!  

Love, Laurene and Val