ALOHA...

As long as I can remember my parents have talked about serving a mission for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. They were converted as adults and never had the opportunity when they were young to serve. When they learned they could serve when they retired they made the decision to serve right then and there. They started their new journey yesterday.

It has already been a long hard journey. They have had so many trials leading up to this. In the summer/fall of 2005, while they were getting medical papers together, filling out the mission papers, and tying up loose ends my grandmother died. They had to drive out to Arizona, take care of the estate, fix up, clean up, pack up, and sale my grandmother’s house. It took several months and a lot of hard work. So they started the process of the mission again. Then I was scheduled for surgery January 2006, I had a growth the size of a large grapefruit that needed to be removed and checked for cancer. That came out okay…but my parents came to take care of me and my family for several weeks. After helping us out they started the mission process again. A few months later, my mom had a mammogram and they found a lump. The process to remove this lump took another several months and was so trying on my entire family especially my mom. She had been cancer free for 10 years and this lump was not something we were ready for. She went through surgery with flying colors and is still cancer free. Several days later you’ll never believe what happened…an RV ran into their home! Yet another trial… They went ahead and turn in their mission papers, but found out that everything had turned from paper to computer. So they had a few more hoops to jump. Then finally the papers were turned in. Eureka! On August 25, 2006, they received their call to the Honolulu Hawaii Mission where they will serve a service mission at the Polynesian Cultural Center. They were given one month to get everything together for their mission, tie up loose ends, and finish the reconstruction of their home. Yet another trial… As I stated before they made it through it all! They are now enjoying the spirit of the Mission Training Center (MTC), in Provo, Utah. Soon they will be on their way to Laie, Hawaii.

I am so proud of them, of the decision they made to serve and the way they have handle sooo many trials. I can’t believe it will be 18 months until we will all be together as a whole family again…it’s such a bittersweet thought. I know my parents will be two great assets to the mission and two wonderful examples to many out in the field. Many will benefit from their experiences and wisdom just as we have as their children and grandchildren.