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!