On a mission... - Jul 9, 2008 -

Today at 11:30 am, our grandson Zack entered the Missionary Training Center in Provo, Utah. He will be there for 8 weeks learning Spanish and training to be a missionary. He has been assigned to the Sacramento California Spanish speaking mission. He will serve 2 years from today, so we will be expecting him home around Independence Day 2010 :-) We belong to the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints and the missionary program is a major part of our belief. There are missionary opportunities for all members of the Church who want to serve in that manner. Most young men and many young women choose to devote 2 years of their lives serving a mission somewhere in the world. In the past, many missionaries were sent to various parts of the world, but today most missionaries serve in their own countries. The Church has grown to include many other cultures and countries, so those countries have enough young men and women in their own areas to serve. Young men have to be 19 years of age and young women, 21 years. They serve at the discretion of the Church. They go where the Lord wants them to serve. The missionaries are supported financially by their families and friends, however, if a missionary does not have the necessary funds, the Church will provide that support.

Other than letters and phone calls on special dates, we will have no contact with Zack. He will be assigned a companion and they are required to be together at all times. He and his companion will live in the home of members in the mission area where they are serving. His job is to teach the gospel to non-members of the Church. We will miss him, but are grateful he has chosen to serve in this manner. We are proud of his choice and know he will do a good job.

If any of you are in the Sacramento area (or anywhere, for that matter) and see young men dressed in conservative suit and tie with a name tag, please support them. They are usually hungry (they are still teen agers) and a little homesick, even though they would not admit it. They will be enthusiastic and want to share the gospel with you. Please be polite even if you are not interested. And, if you are so inclined, feed them :-) In our travels, we always encounter young missionaries (called Elders)and feed them when we can.

There are opportunities for all members of our church to serve missions. Senior missionaries are "older", usually married members and have very different opportunities. I am looking forward to serving a mission in the Salt Lake Family History Library at some time in my life. There are short term missions of a few months and longer terms of three years. We have friends who have served in foreign countries as mission presidents and worked in our temples. We also have friends who have served missions in the areas where they live and are able to stay in their own homes. There are missions where we could be gardeners at Temple Square in Salt Lake City. We could serve as tour guides at many of the historical sites around the world. We could serve as employment specialists who assist many of our members in obtaining jobs. Basically if there is something that needs done associated with the church, we could serve a mission doing that.

Your prayers and support for our grandson's success and safety will be greatly appreciated.