December 14, 2011 - Wednesday

I promised Thayne I would post a message today, so here goes.
I feel since we received our mission call a month ago, we now have mission responsibilities and need to use our time wisely between now and the time we leave (May 28) to be well-prepared.  We have received a large packet of things to do and read.  We have been getting up early each morning and reading the book "Pure Religion," a book on the Church Welfare Program we were given.  It was written by Dad's former mission president, Glen Rudd.  There have had many tender moments reading this book; it is touching the good the Church does in caring for the less fortunate.
Some of the things we have checked off our do-to list is apply for our visas, and attend a two-day Humanitarian Workshop at the Deseret Industries in Provo - a workshop to help people find work.  It was very informative and we felt the Church's love and concern for people who want to provide for themselves and their families.
We received a phone call from the Pederson's, the missionary couple we will be replacing in June.  We talked for about a half hour and they told us many things to help us prepare.  We also had lunch with a couple from American Fork - the Loosli's - who returned from their mission to Turkey two and a half years ago.  We thoroughly enjoyed all they had to tell us.
We are very excited, and are trying to do all we have been asked to at the point.  The next five months will pass quickly, and so we need to stay focused.  We have also been advised to read some history books on Turkey, which will make our stay there much more meaningful.  We have lots to do and are loving doing it.
We should all start learning a Turkish word each week.  When we blog again, I will include a word to learn.
All our love,
Dad and Mom

Our mission call

Hi Everyone,
This is my first time at this, so we'll see what happens.
We received our mission call a week ago, and wanted to share this information with all of you.  Our call letter states:  "You are assigned to labor in Turkey.  Your primary assignment is to labor in the Turkey Humanitarian Country office as a welfare specialist.  We will be reporting to the MTC May 28 and fly out on June 7.  We are to receive a packet soon to inform us of our duties and responsibilities there; so as of now, we are still in the dark on most of this.
We were told that of as three weeks ago, the Church is now recognized in Turkey.  And it is because of the humanitarian efforts of the Church in Turkey that this has happened.
We are very excited.  We will pass on information as we receive it.
Love to all,
Dad and Mom (Grandpa and Grandma)
This picture is a little big, but I don't know how to reduce it.  Sorry.