It's Here!!!!

Our mission call arrived today!  It has been 3 weeks since our application was submitted to Salt Lake City.  I dreamed last night that I opened our mission call. We checked the mailbox earlier today only to find it empty. But several hours later we decided to check it one more time just in case the mail was very late today – and behold – there it was!  Our call!

We saved it for several more agonizing hours until we could gather as many of our children as possible via skype and phone.  

Then the big moment came – the opening!  We each get our own personalized letter.  Here’s how it goes:

Elder (or Sister) Coffey,

“You are hereby called to serve as a missionary of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.  You are assigned to labor in the Vietnam Hanoi Mission.  Your primary assignment is to labor as a member and leader support missionary. It is anticipated that you will serve for a period of 18 months.”

So awesome!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!  We report to the Missionary Training Center in Provo, Utah on August 29.

We are so excited!!  I lived in Saigon, Vietnam when I was a little girl, from 1968 till 1972.  I have wonderful memories of those years. We are so excited to return!

CLICK HERE to see a video of us opening our call.  

Our Second Mission Application - for the Second Time

Our first full-time mission experience forever changed us.  We are no longer the same as we were.  Others might see us as the same, and maybe we behave the same and look the same, but inside we are forever changed.  It is something we can’t fully describe, but it was delicious.  It was sweet. It was exquisite. The experience taught us about new vistas and heightened views. And we long to serve again.

In a previous blog post, we described having to wait six months to have a repeat medical test before we could submit our papers for our second full-time mission. That test is now complete and it confirms that we are perfectly healthy and able to serve in any capacity with no restrictions.

So today we submitted our mission papers, again, to request serving a full-time mission.  And now the 4-6 week wait begins before we find out where the Lord will have us serve this time.  We are happy to serve anywhere and do anything.
 

"Congratulations! Your missionary recommendation forms have been submitted...."

One of the changes we experienced from our first mission came about by watching others live fully consecrated lives. These incredible men and women had learned to put aside their own wills and humbly submit to the will of the Lord in all things.  We watched their lives unfold as they discovered that when you “seek … first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, all … things (are) added unto you.”  (Matthew 6:33)

I had not particularly wanted to serve an office mission, but having done so, and having been so completely changed by the experience, I am eternally grateful to the Lord for allowing us that most precious opportunity.

Going on a mission is not about us.  It’s not about what we want to do.  Some may be concerned about serving a mission because they don’t want to serve in an office, or don’t want to go overseas, or don’t want to stay in the United States, or don’t want to be where it is cold, or where it is hot, or where it is crowded, or where it is hard.  Or they don’t want to do a temple mission or don’t want to do a family history mission, or only want to do a temple mission, etc.

As hard as the Brethren try to be accommodating to senior couples requests, a mission call is not about us.  It is not for us.  It is about learning that very doctrine of consecration and putting words and promises into lives and action. It is for the Lord and the call is from the Lord.

Yes, our service may look to some simply like free labor for the Church. Or, when seen through the perspective of covenants and promises, the service that missionaries provide can unfold into pure discipleship and unwavering dedication to the Lord Jesus Christ, who never once asked what was in it for Him.

We are so excited for our call we can hardly stand it.  While we are happy to serve anywhere, we requested Asia, and to serve as Member Leadership Support missionaries (MLS). So, once again - where do YOU think we'll be called?

Courtesy of flickr.com/Travis

Missions Between Missions

Not all mission calls begin with “You are hereby called to serve as a missionary…” Some calls for those in their senior years, beckoned by the Holy Ghost, lead them to care for elderly parents, disabled family members needing particular assistance, or loved ones going through serious medical challenges.  Wherever their call takes them, it is sweetened by the power of the Spirit, knowing that they are serving as the Lord’s hands and feet in the care of loved ones or those in need. Before we started that "mission", we were blessed to be able to visit a number of our children and grandchildren.

The Oklahoma crew.

The Oklahoma crew.

The New York crew.

The New York crew.

Since coming home from our mission to the Asia Area office, some 7 weeks ago, we have been privileged to travel around to see many of our children and grandchildren scattered throughout the US.  We have a family reunion planned later in the summer and hope to have all 9 of our children and their families with us. We’ve held grandbabies, played games, gone on hikes, decorated Easter eggs, helped with homework, made Chinese paper fish lanterns, painted nails and much more as we’ve enjoyed spending time with so many members of our family.  Can’t wait to see the rest of them soon! We are looking forward to our reunion in June!

The Colorado crew.

The Idaho crew.

The Oregon crew.

Currently, we are helping Greg’s mom get her house in Oregon ready for sale in order to help her move later this summer.  We’ve been busy painting, trimming, fixing, organizing, packing, hauling, dumping, cleaning, and spending time with her. We especially enjoy being in the temple with her and going on walks together. 

It’s our mission between missions. And we are grateful for the opportunity.