Dual Mission Calls
20 more days till Kristjana enters the MTC!

Kristjana has been called to the Toronto Canada mission and is to be in the MTC July 1. (She had jury duty last week and when defense lawyer asked if she could stick to her gut feeling if everyone were voting opposite her. She replied yes...unless you take too long and then I just might vote with everyone else to get it over with. She was immediately dismissed but not before the judge, a friend of mine got a good chuckle.)

Dalen is to be in the MTC August 19 and is going to Oaxaca, (Wha-hock-a) Mexico. (He too has been called to jury duty and is in the 2nd week of picking the jury. He travels to Calexico each day. He has been asked by the judge to call his leaders and postpone his mission if need be. His is a trial that no 19 year old should have to listen too.)

I have been called to a month long jury duty over in San Diego to begin in August. So...Every moment is spent in preparation. We begin each morning with family prayer and then have missionary prayer to help us understand our reading of 1 chapter of Jesus the Christ together. Now that school is out and I don't have seminary to teach we can read beginning at 6am instead of 7:15 am. Then we have exercise time with Dale. He leaves work to walk a mile or two with us. The last 2 days I have stayed home to have quiet knee time where I have received moments of peace.

Everything has been purchased. Not all has arrived but it has been purchased. A couple of things for Kristjana, like sub zero dress boots, must be purchased in the mission. Dalen's clothes have been easy. His Delayed Passport, 1 typhoid shot requiring another trip for doctors approval, and his dental work hurdles are all almost behind us.

Kristjana's clothes have been the challenge. We went to many stores to find nothing fit sooooo when Dale's aunt died we stopped by my mom's. She wears jackets and skirts so we thought we hit every sister missionaries clothing needs jackpot! Mom was so gracious. (When we got home I measured the skirts she'd given her and all but 1 was 2 inches short of calf length.) A mom's kindness and many prayers encouraged me to keep looking.

Missionarymall.com had 3 skirts that we could cut 3 inches off in length. Penney's had 1, Burlington Coat factory had 1 petite suit that had 3/4 inch sleeves. It fit to her wrists perfect and that skirt was perfect. And so it has gone.... Jackets have been taylored with 4 inches cut off the sleeves. Will the thermal garments fit? Her arms are so short! When we stand her biggest suitcase up with the 2nd on top they are almost her height. She'll have a third, so thank goodness for carts. We have a few more sleeves to be adjusted. It can be done!

(Ye elders of Israel please help her carry her bags when she gets there!) No family is being allowed in the MTC due to some sickness there. If it can go wrong as you prepare your children for missions it will. But this adversity means they are going to have wonderful missions. Right?

Shana is home from her last day of High School in a half hour she'll be bringing 2 girls to swim, have a bonfire, movie, and a sleepover. Jake is home today. He too wants a sleepover. His last day was yesterday. Someday soon it will be all over! Shana enters school as a Junior in High School on Aug 24 and Jake (our last of 7) will be in 8th grade.

Embracing time...I'm hanging on for dear life!
Karen