SETTING THE STAGE

SETTING THE STAGE

This is an adventure that has been in the making for more than 40 years.   In 1966 Bob made the decision to go into the Peace Corp.  This good man I married planted the seeds long ago.  As our relationship developed, he made it very clear that he intended to go back to Africa some day to live for a while.  He sought a commitment that I would be willing to do that.  Little did I understand that the adventurous spirit of a younger version of me would differ a bit from my age 60ish version of my spirit of adventure.

WHICH WOULD BE BOB?

In the early Sixties, I had an experience that clearly was a mark in my conversion to the gospel of Jesus Christ.  I had always gone to church (often not the church of my family heritage), I was not from a church attending family.  I had always been encouraged to attend church , but the true example of Christian life came from my mother.  She was the epitome of goodness to others.  She was often found attending to those who had terminal illnesses or who had any other need.  Others frequently sought her out when they were troubled or stressed.  She taught that humanity is an eternal family and we are all linked to one another.  When we were younger there were maybe 5 African American families in our town. They lived way up the top of our town at the mouth of the canyon.  One gentleman named Ben Fermin was out of work.  He had been tap dancer in earlier years.  My mom talked him into starting dancing classes. He finally did in an old school in upper Sunnyside.  She packed us all up every week in the big black Buick and drove us up to Ben Fermin's dancing class. It was a bit nerve wracking.  She even made my teen age brother go....at his protests.  But, we loved it!  Ben Fermin danced for us for an hour and a half every week.  We got tap shoes and tried some of it ourselves.  We didn't learn much about dancing, but learned a lot about diversity and we learned to really like Ben.  He finally went back to work and had to stop the dance class.  It was a sad day! I often wonder what both my parent would think of this journey.  I can kinda hear them express their concerns and support.

Just after high school graduation and in my early years in college I took religion seriously and started looking at various teachings.  I eventually, became totally converted to the religious teachings of my ancestors.  The plan of salvation it taught made the most sense to me and there was a conversion of the spirit.  I made a commitment to serve diligently all of my earthly brothers and sisters.  

Another   event that led to the fulfillment of this journey was sitting with two of my “besties”, crying uncontrollably in the movie, “Out of Africa”.  I am sure they were mourning the tragic loss of the romantic interest, Robert Redford-everyone’s heart throb at that time (now he is old and wrinkled like the rest of us) and the sad noteworthy heroine.  But, I was crying for another reason.  As a young mother with four young children and no life of my own, I was crying for the loss of the spirit of adventure.  Today I would not trade one aspect of my life, even some of the very sad times.  I have been blessed in life with a wonderful spouse that has treated me well, beautiful children, awesome children of my heart that our children have married,  they have enriched our family, and really wonderful grandchildren.  But, I do remember back then thinking one day we will do something adventurous when we go on a mission

I guess now is the time for that adventure (although, as the time came I did do some foot dragging). It was hard to reconcile leaving home and our beautiful fast, growing grandchildren.

As for Bob, he is always ready for an adventure and has always wanted to serve a mission in Africa.  He was not sure that would happen because of a few bumps along the way as we were getting making our plans.  But,  you have to trust that the Lord knows what is best.

It Happened

We made the decision, despite our concerns about Bob’s mom (now 103 years old) to start the process.  That was in February 2012.  In the physical there were some health discoveries that postponed it for a while. We got the call to Joberg, South Africa in September.  Friends and family joined us in opening it.  Everyone took a guess.  They had us going all over the place.

Now in February 2013 we are going to be leaving.  We had fun get together with family and friends before leaving.

 

I didn’t get the camera out soon enough. Missed in pictures was my friend Paula (from high school) Kim K, Kettle’s, Blodgett’s, and many of our ward friends and neighbors. It was fun for us. Many people we love came to church but were unable to stay.  Thanks for all the support.