And away we go ...! I can't believe what it takes to prepare to serve a mission for TWO years. It's certainly different preparing for a mission when you're 70 years compared when you're 21 years.

We received our call to the Africa Southeast Area on March 26th, 2019 and we don't enter the Missionary Training Center until November 11, 2019. EIGHT long months of waiting. We thought we would leave in June. Now I can see the wisdom in the long wait. We were going to have family members move into our home while we were gone. That fell through. Then we decided to rent it to strangers. That didn't sound too appealing. Now we've decided to sell our home that we've lived in for over 20 years. This is the 'family compound' and the property has been in the family since General Grant's era. I feel like I'm almost letting my mother down, who's long since passed, but made me promise that I would never sell the property to someone who didn't belong to the family. Who know's? Perhaps a distant relative will buy.

Anyhoo ... it's been ups and downs as we've been preparing but we can see the Lord's hand in our preparation as we put our trust in him that all will be well. As we were contemplating what we should do with our home, we were attending Lynn's 50th class reunion in Logan, Utah. Two of his classmates shared with us their faith promoting experiences of asking the Lord what they should do when contemplating a move. They simply put their faith in Him, asked, and said, "What would you have us do?" One of his classmates wives had just retired from the Tabernacle Choir and was feeling sad that she wasn't using her musical talents. Out of the blue she received a call from a musician in southern Utah telling her that they needed her talents as a Choir Director in their valley. They put their home up for sale and the very next day they had a bidding war on their home and received MORE than the asking price for their home. They went to Southern Utah, found a home within a day, bought it and made the move. Miracles do happen and are led by the Lord. She's now using her musical talents which the Lord blessed her with.

After hearing of the two 'miracles', we came home from the reunion and I told Lynn, "We need to sell our home and have a miracle." We called our youngest daughter and asked her if her offer was still good for us to come live with them. She jumped for joy and said it certainly was. Within a day they were here helping pack up the garage and haul things to the local charity, Deseret Industries, and dump. Another daughter has been here helping us de-junk and haul things away.

Several months ago I bought a storage shed which hasn't been put together yet. We've been waiting for cement to be poured, which was supposed to happen this past week. After deciding to move, we called the cement guy and asked if the cement had been ordered, which he replied no. We asked if he could pour in Spanish Fork, instead and he said that wouldn't be a problem. With a few phone calls a trailer was arranged, with helping hands, and the storage shed will be delivered on-site to the new location waiting for the cement pad to be poured. Another miracle!

At church today I mentioned to a neighbor that we were going to sell both properties, our home and our parent's home, next door. The neighbor told me not to list and that his brother, an investor was interested in property in our neighborhood and would be contacting me within 24-48 hours. Another miracle!

Of course it's going to be hard leaving my marvelous family. They are so dear to us. So loving and kind. We have to much fun when we get together. I've made them all promise to save their dollars to they can come visit us in South Africa. They ALL will try to make the trip if they can afford it. The flight is quite spendy, but once there they can stay with us in our one bedroom flat. We'll make room!

They surprised me with a 70th birthday party. Our daughter Natalie and 4 of her children drove from Salem, Oregon to celebrate with us. Now, that was HUGE surprise. Didn't know we were going to have company. The house was a mess with moving boxes and no food for company. It was a good excuse for not having a clean home. We made 'do' and had a ball with them camping out on the floor and scrounging to find bedding and towels. I had given my excess away to D.I.

As much as I love my children and grands, this is the little guy I'm going to miss the most! Our little Dieter who has lived with us for the past 11 years. Our little schnauzer who is the BEST fur baby. He really is the sweetest and best companion. Our granddaughter is going to take care of him for us in our absence. I have a crying session, most every day, looking at him and wondering how I'm going to get along without him.

Most of our grands. Sarah, Spencer, Ethan, and our missionary Logan are missing. We have (28) grands who will be praying for us day and night!

Before we were married, Lynn and I served as single missionaries in the Gulf States Mission. At the end of my mission I had the privilege of serving as the Mission President's personal secretary and Lynn was the Publication Manager. We both lived in the Mission Home with the Mission President and his wife, Golden K. Driggs. I knew what a great missionary he was while living in the home. Now I get to have him as my constant missionary companion 24/7. I can't wait!

This is our current missionary, Logan, serving in the Scotland, Ireland mission. He's been out 9 months. When we return it will be 3 years since we're seen him. A long wait!

A LOT has happened since my last post. Another grandson, Spencer, returned from his mission to Ecuador and has since married his eternal sweetheart, Fernanda from Columbia.

And another grandson, Bryant, returned from his mission to Spokane, Washington and has since married his eternal companion Josie and they are expecting my first great granddaughter in December. We will have to Skype her arrival!

We've had births, baptisms, employment layoffs, but through it all life is more than great. It's wonderful because of the knowledge that Jesus Christ lives and he loves us. He has a plan for us. There's a purpose for us here on earth, to gain a body, to keep his commandments, to be baptized, receive the Gift of the Holy Ghost, and receive the eternal ordinances of the temple to once again live with Him. I love life. I can't wait to share our experiences through this blog. Sorry for the long ramble, but it HAS been years to catch up!