What a Surprise!

Last Thursday evening (May 23, 2013), Alan and I had an appointment to meet with the Stake President. Unfortunately, his flight got delayed so he was not able to be there, but we were able to meet with his two counselors - President Silva and President Swindlehurst. It is always unnerving to know that you are going to be interviewed by a member of the Stake Presidency. Just two weeks prior to this, Alan and I had also been asked to meet with President Silva, but found out after the interview started that it wasn't anything to be scared about.  He asked if we could be "mission president & wife" for our Stake's upcoming Youth Conference. Although it would have been a wonderful experience to participate in that, we had to decline because it was going to be the same week as our Burton Reunion, of which I am in charge. There was no way we could fulfill that assignment. So this second trip to meet with the Stake President really had us baffled. What could it be for? We went through many scenarios in our minds, but nothing could have prepared us for what took place that night.  Alan and I were called to serve a two-year mission as Church Service Missionaries in the Pathway Program out of BYU Idaho.  We had never even heard of the Pathway Program, but since being called to serve, we have come to find out a lot about it. It is an on-line education program for adults who have never had, or never thought they would have, a chance to obtain a college degree. Alan and I will be working with students who are over 31 years of age. Another couple in our bordering Stake, the Birds, will be working with students 30 and under.  Our main responsibilities will be to recruit students, facilitate weekly Pathway gatherings, monitor student academic success, and help students become self-reliant by offering encouragement. We are very excited about being able to move forward with this new calling.  I have never been able to fill a mission before, so I am extremely honored to be able to do so now and be able to wear a missionary badge. I am so happy to be able to represent the Lord in this capacity. One good thing about this mission is that we don't have to sell our house or even pack any bags since we will be serving from home and Alan can keep his job as a dentist. Life is good and it looks like it can only get better from here. It was sad to get released from the Relief Society presidency last Sunday, but I am happy to serve a mission!

Celebrating Mothers and Miracles

A couple of day ago we once again celebrated Mother's Day.  This gave me an opportunity to reflect on my own mother, her life, her accomplishments, her character, and her impact on others.  As Nephi of old, I was born of goodly parents. My mother was a very nurturing mother.  By the time Jane and I arrived, she was already an accomplished mother to three other children - Neal (6); Kent (5); and Janice (2).  Having twins must have really impacted her emotional and physical well-being, especially since she expected only one new baby and got two. Two years later Gayle arrived and four years after that Phil completed the family.  

My mother was not supposed to be able to have children.  When she was a young woman, she had her appendix removed.  At that time the surgeon noticed that her ovaries had not formed properly so she would not be able to bear children.   Her mother, my grandmother, decided not to tell my mother about that because my mother's patriarchal  blessing (given to her by her own father) stated that she would be a mother.  Grandma decided to leave it in the Lord's hands.  When my parents met and married, they both wanted to have a large family.  Not knowing of mom's physical limitations to having children, they were none the wiser that their desire might not be realized.  However, according to my dad, during the first three months of their marriage, my mom experienced a lot of abdominal pain.  God works in mysterious ways, because on their first anniversary she gave birth to a beautiful baby boy.  My dad feels that the abdominal pain my mother was experiencing was her ovaries developing correctly in order for her to bear children thus allowing the fulfillment of her patriarchal blessing.  I am so thankful that my parents were able to have 7 children and that I was counted among them.  I grew up healthy and happy blanketed in the love of two perfect parents.

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Mother's Day for me was very special. I must admit, having Cheryl around really adds to the joy of celebrating birthdays and holidays. She is much more into celebrating than Alan is.  Besides the orchids, chocolate/caramel apple, and card she gave me, she planned and prepared most of our evening meal consisting of pork roast, potatoes, carrots, jello, and chocolate caramel cake.  This was much appreciated!

Cheryl - putting on the final touches to the cake.

I am very grateful to be the mother of Ryan, Eric, Jared, Cheryl, and Kyle. It was such a joy to be able to talk with each of my children on Mother's Day.  Although our children are scattered in 5 different states, it is comforting to know that they are always just a phone call away.  I am also grateful to be a grandmother to Ethan, Ella, Olivia, and Milo. They are a joy to my life.  I will be able to spend time with each of them during the month of June.  I'm loving June already!