So You're Thinking About Serving a Mission?

When we first started out to get ready for our first mission, we had so many questions!  Unanswered questions about little things became unsettling concerns until they were resolved.  For example: What kind of shoes should I bring? Can we buy things we are used to buying? Will they have hot water or will I be taking cold showers for two years? Do they have air conditioning? Will I ever see chocolate chips again?  Ha!

For us at least, these “little” questions felt pretty big.  Yes, even the chocolate chip question!

So we started this blog – a blog to help people who are thinking about serving an LDS senior mission – to take the journey with us as we discover the answers many are wanting to know. 

Here are some of the questions that burn in people's hearts...

Can we communicate home easily? Absolutely - modern communication methods are in vogue....

Flickr.com - Courtesy of Wonderlane

Flickr.com - Courtesy of Richard Vignola

Can I get my own medicine for my needs?   Yes, but “medicine” is relative…

Chinese Medicine Shop - Flickr.com - Courtesy of Charlyn Wee

Can I drink the water? Yes, if you seriously want to... 

Flickr.com -  Courtesy of Clive Reld

Can I eat “regular” food?  Yes, but “regular” is also relative…

Octopus Pizza - Hong Kong

Will my house be fine while I am gone? Wait - you have an actual house????

Emergency Housing in Nepal with 5 families living inside.

Can I get money out?  Yes!  Worldwide. They always want your money.

Flickr.com - Courtesy of Jessica Paterson

Seriously though, the thing to remember is this.  Whether you serve a domestic or international mission, tens of thousands of seniors have gone on missions.  If they can do it, you probably can too. Everyone has had these same questions and resolved them in various ways. Here are some tips that may help as you prepare for a mission:

• The Church puts senior missionaries in safe, clean, modern housing.  All of the senior housing we visited in Asian countries were of very high standard and were comfortable for each couple.

• You will usually be replacing another couple who has already been there. They and your mission president are your #1 source for specific answers to your particular mission. Once you receive your call, you will be given contact information of who you can email to get detailed information.

• Other senior missionaries who have gone before you have already found all the stores, markets, shops, ATM's, and transportation tid-bits.  You probably won't have to re-invent the wheel. 

• There are phone numbers you can call about insurance, medical and mission-type questions. If you have questions about senior missions, you can call 801-240-0897, or email: seniormission@ldschurch.org.

• You are welcome to email us anytime too!  We'd love to hear from you and answer any mission-related questions that we can.  You can email us at: coffey58@gmail.com.

• If you have questions about different types of missions that are available, check out THIS LINK.  It has email links to senior missionaries whose mission it is to answer your questions. Operators are standing by!  

Ultimately, when we walk in the footsteps of the Savior, we put our trust and faith in Him. Serving a mission is a true act of faith. When we feel the call of the Savior moving us to serve a mission, may we have the courage and faith to, like Peter and Andrew, drop all and follow Him. The rest of the journey will be priceless.

Best wishes on your exciting mission.

Elder and Sister Coffey

Directing the Blur in our Lives

I learned a new word the other day. I’ve been experimenting with my camera, and I’ve learned about the background blur in quality photos which gives a sharp, clear emphasis on the main subject of a photo. I just never knew it had a name.

Bokeh – (BOH-kay). It’s a Japanese word that means, appropriately, “blur”. It’s the attractive quality of the blur that is produced in the out-of-focus part of a photograph.

Our aspen tree after a snow fall

By focusing on the foreground image in the photo, the background images tend to soften, even seemingly disappear. Oh, they’re still there, but because we are so absorbed in the intensity of our point of focus, the bokeh effect blots out the unnecessary distractions in the background, often even making them beautiful and aesthetic.

It really got me thinking about focal points in life. Many times we try to focus all at once on everything going on in our busy lives– with lots of dizzying distractions derailing us from those things which are most eternally significant.  While in the photograph as well as in life, bokeh can have its rightful place as it becomes our best course of action to focus on Jesus Christ and let the bokeh effect blot out or soften the myriad of distractions around us.  

President Russell M. Nelson invited us to always keep our focus on the Savior. He said, “Our focus must be riveted on the Savior and His gospel. It is mentally rigorous to strive to look unto Him in every thought. But when we do, our doubts and fears flee.” He added, “Faith in Jesus Christ propels us to do things we otherwise would not do.” Drawing the Power of Jesus Christ into Our Lives, Ensign ,May 2017.

I like that – “riveted on the Savior…”

For some, going on a senior mission can be a fearful thing.  Fears, doubts, distractions, and just plain “life” get in the way and take center stage.  I like President Nelson’s promise, “When we focus on the Savior, our doubts and fears flee.”

With permission I share an email from a family member written recently to my husband.

“I have been wanting to say thank you for a while.  I hope you know you were a huge influence in getting (my wife) and (I) on a mission and it has been an amazing and transforming experience!

When you came to visit us after you got back from Viet Nam, we were thinking about going, but stuck in all the reasons why it would be hard to do.  You told us, ‘You just make the commitment to go and the Lord works things out.’

That was what I needed to hear and that is exactly what happened.  None of the problems in our family have gone away, but a door opened whenever we really needed one.

Thank you!!

We are happier now than we can ever remember and feel like we are where the Lord needs us!

We will think of you tonight when we are teaching English to a room of Chinese immigrants in Flushing!”

However we serve, and in whatever capacity, we have the promise that focusing on Christ will cause our doubts and fears to flee.  What great power we can have in our lives through Jesus Christ!

Bokeh.  I like the sound of it! 

(We have nine weeks left before our mission to Taiwan!)