Visas.......at last!

It is kind of a weird feeling.  We have waited so long that we almost decided that maybe we really weren't going to New Zealand.  Then in a few short moments on the phone, all the waiting is over and someone is telling us that our visas are in Salt Lake and we will be leaving soon.   It took a little longer to contact our Mission President and the Missionary Dept. and work out all the details for the travel.  We are leaving on Wednesday, June 6 at 4:55 pm.  It is a week away now after almost 6 months of waiting and for me it almost doesn't seem real.  Ken, on the other hand, having been on one mission says it seems much too real.

Interesting what our perspective shows about us.  He has had this experience once before.  I have only dreamed about it.  We are at once excited yet apprehensive.  We have few qualms about going but many about leaving.  We are nervous about leaving our beautiful family not because we don't think they can take care of themselves, for years they have shown us they can, but for ourselves and the things we will miss.

If we didn't know absolutely that we were doing the right thing, we would never leave them.  We have a strong desire for them to understand that grandpa and grandma, dad and mom, can and will do hard things because they know it is right.  We want them to see the example of parents and grandparents choosing to do hard stuff even if it means missing some of the good stuff.  There are things we will miss but at this time in the world, we can still be part of so much. 

When Ken's grandfather went in 1890, he committed for an indefinite period of time to leave a wife and 8 children.  He did not know when or if he would hear from them.  He only knew that he had been called and he answered.  He didn't even ask for the call and only had two weeks to prepare.  He sailed on a steamer and when he arrived, he depended on others for everything because he had nothing.  Nothing but his faith and his love of the Lord and the gospel.  We are so fortunate to have so much more at our disposal. 

Now it is our turn to depend on our faith and our love of the Lord and the gospel.  I hope we will make you all proud!