The senior missionary application journey began 6 days after Kacey's twin girls were born Nov. 15, 2013, and we were sure they were healthy and mom and babies were home and fine.
After notifying bishop Murray that we were ready to proceed, he initiated the online application and we were off and running. There were health exams, dental exams, eye exams, shots, and some computer time to answer questions to help identify our talents, skills, education, church and career experience. There was a section for us as a couple, and we each had individual sections to indicate preferences about location, climate, type of service, $$ per month we could spend, etc.
Once the questionnaires were completed, the Bishop attached his recommendation and we met with the stake president, after which he " turns in our papers" electronically. Then the waiting begins!!
We were told it would be 4-6 weeks before we should expect to see our "call" in the mail.
Lee called me on Thursday, February 28, as I was at the mall shopping to tell me our letter had arrived! We had tentatively planned to celebrate Shelby's birthday as a large group on Friday night, March 1, so since that get-together was already scheduled, we waited to open our letter until the whole family was assembled and Fred and Patty and Aunt Debbie were on the phone with us, ( ahhhh the blessing of modern technology!!)
At our family Christmas celebration, we had all secretly written down our destination prediction and before opening the letter, we read them aloud. Carter guessed it right on and was pretty happy! You too can experience the excitement of the moment by watching the LETTER OPENING VIDEO where we found out we were called to be member and leader support missionaries and we were going to serve in the Australia Adelaide Mission.
In the envelope were further instructions about reporting to the missionary training center in Provo on July 8, and we began to work on the missionary travel packet that arrived a week later. Requirements to get a Visa are many but we did it, a day at a time a step at a time. Thankfully we already have passports. The Visa paperwork was mailed to the church travel office Apr 23. Whew, it was a relief to finish that part of the process !
The Adelaide Australia mission president is Brad Carter from Salt Lake City Utah. He and his wife, Donalynn, are serving for three years beginning July of 2012. We have spoken to both President and Sister Carter by phone, most recently the evening of June 8, when he asked us to change our assignment to office couple at the mission home. We had indicated on our application that we would prefer to be out working with people, but our business and office skills make the mission office a perfect fit. Of course, we are happy to serve where we are needed and both Lee and I feel excited about the change. We will receive different training at the MTC with this new assignment.
In preparation for our missionary service, we were asked to update our temple recommends, read the scriptures, particularly the Book of Mormon, watch online training, study Preach my Gospel, and more. We've also been shopping till we drop for clothing, shoes, coats, etc and taking care of details for our house, insurances, cars, banking, medications, filing taxes, and on and on.
After notifying bishop Murray that we were ready to proceed, he initiated the online application and we were off and running. There were health exams, dental exams, eye exams, shots, and some computer time to answer questions to help identify our talents, skills, education, church and career experience. There was a section for us as a couple, and we each had individual sections to indicate preferences about location, climate, type of service, $$ per month we could spend, etc.
Once the questionnaires were completed, the Bishop attached his recommendation and we met with the stake president, after which he " turns in our papers" electronically. Then the waiting begins!!
We were told it would be 4-6 weeks before we should expect to see our "call" in the mail.
Lee called me on Thursday, February 28, as I was at the mall shopping to tell me our letter had arrived! We had tentatively planned to celebrate Shelby's birthday as a large group on Friday night, March 1, so since that get-together was already scheduled, we waited to open our letter until the whole family was assembled and Fred and Patty and Aunt Debbie were on the phone with us, ( ahhhh the blessing of modern technology!!)
At our family Christmas celebration, we had all secretly written down our destination prediction and before opening the letter, we read them aloud. Carter guessed it right on and was pretty happy! You too can experience the excitement of the moment by watching the LETTER OPENING VIDEO where we found out we were called to be member and leader support missionaries and we were going to serve in the Australia Adelaide Mission.
In the envelope were further instructions about reporting to the missionary training center in Provo on July 8, and we began to work on the missionary travel packet that arrived a week later. Requirements to get a Visa are many but we did it, a day at a time a step at a time. Thankfully we already have passports. The Visa paperwork was mailed to the church travel office Apr 23. Whew, it was a relief to finish that part of the process !
The Adelaide Australia mission president is Brad Carter from Salt Lake City Utah. He and his wife, Donalynn, are serving for three years beginning July of 2012. We have spoken to both President and Sister Carter by phone, most recently the evening of June 8, when he asked us to change our assignment to office couple at the mission home. We had indicated on our application that we would prefer to be out working with people, but our business and office skills make the mission office a perfect fit. Of course, we are happy to serve where we are needed and both Lee and I feel excited about the change. We will receive different training at the MTC with this new assignment.
In preparation for our missionary service, we were asked to update our temple recommends, read the scriptures, particularly the Book of Mormon, watch online training, study Preach my Gospel, and more. We've also been shopping till we drop for clothing, shoes, coats, etc and taking care of details for our house, insurances, cars, banking, medications, filing taxes, and on and on.
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