August 25, 2015

 

We have been called to serve in the Utah Provo Mission as Office Couple for the next 23 months. We will be full time missionaries serving in the Mission office from 8-5 Monday through Friday and any other assignments President Hodgeman may have for us on the weekends.

Heavenly Father knows that he needs to prepare me whenever some big change comes into my life.  My experience started at Education Week on Thursday as I was attending Sister Susan Easton Black's lecture on Sacrifice of the Early Missionaries. She explained that she and her husband were leaving on their third mission, second to Nauvoo on Tuesday (today). She highly recommended that everyone that can, should serve a mission. I sat there nodding my head thinking "Yah, I loved my mission to New York, everyone should have that experience". I sat there feeling pretty smug that I had already sacrificed and that the message didn't apply to me. 

When I arrived home Thursday, Joel said that he had received an interesting phone call from the Provo Mission Office wanting to set up an interview with us. Dad said, "I'm confused, what is this about?". The secretary was surprised that no one had called us about a possibility of a calling. After checking with me, Joel called back and set up the appointment to meet with the President on Monday (yesterday).

President Hodgeman welcomed us into his office and asked..."So tell me how you came to apply for this position?"  We looked at him and said... "President, we don't know why we are here, or why we were called into  your office for this interview. We did not apply for anything and are totally in the dark."  He was a little embarrassed and told us that he was holding interviews all this week (some 60 had applied)  for two couples to serve in the office as full time missionaries. We assured him that we were willing to serve wherever we are needed for we have covenanted to do that. At the end of our "interview" we assured him that what ever he decided would be right and that we were happy to be serving in the temple and our Ward callings.

As we passed through the door we said "hi" to the next couple entering for their interview. We had to laugh as we left, thinking how presumptuous it was of us to think we were needed here, compared to the mission field where they are begging for senior couples. We came back home and simply dismissed the whole thing, grateful to have visited with President Hodgeman. At least Heavenly Father knew of our willingness.

Just a few minutes ago Dad called to tell me he had just gotten off the phone with President Hodgeman and that he would like us to serve in the Utah, Provo Mission as Financial Missionary and  Secretary to the President.  Wow! How humbling. Dad said ..."but I thought we were being considered as Vehicle Coordinator and Referral Secretary, we already know how to do those callings".  President Hodgeman said..."Heavenly Father wants you to stretch."  Then he said, "I want Sister Barlow there to greet the missionaries and to love the Sister missionaries."  I can do that!

I can't express to you how humbling this is for us. At the same time we know that we have a loving, supportive family and that Heavenly Father is aware of our weaknesses and shortcomings. We know who the Lord calls, he qualifies and so we will humbly submit.  

How we love my Heavenly Father. We testify that this is His work, that this is His Church. How glorious it is.