THIS IS A MISSION CALL!
SCOTT SUCCESSFULLY READ:
Dear Elder Allen:
You are hereby called to serve as a missionary of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. You are assigned to labor in the Russia Rostov-na-Donu Mission. It is anticipated that you will serve for a period of 24 months.
You should report to the Provo Missionary Training Center on Wednesday, August 29, 2012. You will prepare to preach the gospel in the Russian language...
Sincerely, Thomas S. Monson
The opening of a mission call is unique for each and every missionary. We have been talking about this one in our family for months! The call was "in process" for 19 days. It arrived in Mesa, Arizona. Scott still resided in Provo Utah. What to do?
There were many options given. The one decided upon was to have Jay's secretary--a reliable, honest source--to scan the call WITHOUT LOOKING, and e-mail it, WITHOUT LOOKING, to Amy's roommate and dear friend--another reliable and honest source--to print it, WITHOUT LOOKING, and seal it in an envelope, WITHOUT LOOKING, and deliver it to Scott's apartment at 9:00 pm, Utah time.
We got Scott on Skype at 8:50 pm, Utah time (7:50 pm, Arizona time). Gathered in our family room was Jay, Lori, Amy, Jason, Grandma and Grandpa Andreasen, Hunter and Jordan. Taralynn, Kory and Bowen were on another computer in the room, listening in.
Abby delivered the envelope--she did her job perfect and got to stay and witness this--and take the picture above! Scott's buddies Kevin and Jake were also there in the downstairs Activities Room of Heritage Halls, building 25, with Scott!
We saw the sealed envelope.
He opened it quickly.
He began to read.
His eyes scanned down a bit.
He looked up and chuckled.
And then proceeded to say RUSSIA!
WHAT?! Crazy! Exciting! The room was filled with pure JOY!
We chatted with Scott for another 10-15 minutes. So fun!
He was excited! I think he was overwhelmed, but truly happy.
I hated to say goodbye, but we did.
Jason was the only one around that I could hug and feel like I was hugging Scott!
The reaction from those in the room?
Jay: Would have never guessed it...though it doesn't surprise me at all!
Amy: I'm so proud right now!
Taralynn: If you had come to Idaho for school, you would have been more prepared for the cold.
Kory: That is a long ways away!
Jason: You're gonna be a great missionary in Russia! I think I'll learn some Russian on line while he's gone...
We talked and laughed and googled and texted and called and answered the door for the next couple hours. D-backs were winning in the background! Jordan spoke a little Russian for us. The only thing that would have made it better would have been to have SCOTT WITH US!
Most of the comments went something like this: "Scott will do great there." "Doesn't surprise me." "So exciting!" "I can already see him there in my mind!" "They only call the most sturdy, hardworking elders to Russia!" "That's a perfect mission for him!" "How is Scott feeling about it?" Dave and Tami commented that his report date is so close to Tanner's birthday! Aunt Heather commented that his report date IS HER birthday!
After everyone left and I was cleaning up the kitchen, I couldn't help but think of how our home was filled with love that evening. There was a great spirit in our home, for which I was truly grateful.
At the end of the night, I sent this text to Scott: How are you feeling now?
His Text back: It's crazy. Too many emotions in my head at once. How am I supposed to study now!?
I was a proud Mom when I went to bed, still trying to say the name of the mission to sound right! As Jay and I lay in bed talking, before falling asleep, the picture that kept coming to my mind was Scott's picture on a large computer screen and this talk given in 2010 by Elder Rasband...
Elder Eyring was assigning missionaries to their fields of labor, and as part of my training, I was invited to observe.
I joined Elder Eyring early one morning in a room where several large computer screens had been prepared for the session. There was also a staff member from the Missionary Department who had been assigned to assist us that day.
First, we knelt together in prayer. I remember Elder Eyring using very sincere words, asking the Lord to bless him to know “perfectly” where the missionaries should be assigned. The word “perfectly” said much about the faith that Elder Eyring exhibited that day.
As the process began, a picture of the missionary to be assigned would come up on one of the computer screens. As each picture appeared, to me it was as if the missionary were in the room with us. Elder Eyring would then greet the missionary with his kind and endearing voice: “Good morning, Elder Reier or Sister Yang. How are you today?”
He told me that in his own mind he liked to think of where the missionaries would conclude their mission. This would aid him to know where they were to be assigned. Elder Eyring would then study the comments from the bishops and stake presidents, medical notes, and other issues relating to each missionary.
He then referred to another screen which displayed areas and missions across the world. Finally, as he was prompted by the Spirit, he would assign the missionary to his or her field of labor.
From others of the Twelve, I have learned that this general method is typical each week as Apostles of the Lord assign scores of missionaries to serve throughout the world.
Having served as a missionary in my own country in the Eastern States Mission a number of years ago, I was deeply moved by this experience. Also, having served as a mission president, I was grateful for a further witness in my heart that the missionaries I had received in New York City were sent to me by revelation.
to read the entire talk go to http://www.lds.org/general-conference/2010/04/the-divine-call-of-a-missionary?lang=eng
I could go on and on, but will save all the rest of my thoughts for another day! This was one of those monumental moments that mothers look forward to from the day they become a mother!
Scott posted on Facebook: "Life all comes down to a few moments. This is one of them." I don't know if that is a quote from a movie or what, but it does express the feeling! Russia! It's the country that when I was a teenager we prayed their doors would open to the missionaries. Today, my son will serve as one of those missionaries--in one of the EIGHT missions currently in Russia! He will learn and grow as he teaches and testifies. He will bless the lives of others as his life is blessed.
Scott's mission call says,
The Lord will reward you for the goodness of your life. Greater blessings and more happiness than you have yet experienced await you as you humbly and prayerfully serve the Lord in this labor of love among His children.
More about the rest of my family soon! I am proud of them all!
love,
Lori
