PREPARATION TIME

 PREPARATION TIME

The time flew by from the moment of receiving our call to the time of actually leaving.  It felt like our mission started that day because of so many outreachings of mission prep!  The missionary portal site was fun with its countdown of how many days were left.  Within the portal were all kinds of checklists to give attention to, from packing lists, to medical attention, to safety videos, to passport/visa info, etc.  Whew!  Enough to put us into the mode of “full speed ahead!”  

One opportunity given was language tutoring through the MTC teachers.  We are called as English speaking missionaries, but this is a chance to increase our abilities.  We had  SISTER KLORA THUESON, whom I have grown to absolutely adore. She has a gentle, focused way of teaching, and she is a “dealer of hope!”  She gave us a great beginning point to learn Khmer fundamentals. We will resume tutoring sessions with her once we are more settled in Cambodian life. The language is really like a jigsaw puzzle, trying to make sense of where to put the pieces.  I love the challenge of it!  It is not an easy language, with its 133-letter alphabet and Indian/Sanskrit-based writing!

(We were able to meet Sis. Thueson in person at the MTC!)

Another big pre-MTC focus was zoom MLS training with the Elder Paul and Sister Shauna Strong (member leader support).  We had a group of about eight couples, all going to different areas of the world.  This training was over 4 weeks and covered what some of our responsibilities might be and how we can apply MLS principles in the four areas of the church focus.  It was a replacement for what formerly has been the 2nd week of training at the MTC.  

The possibilities are inspiring!

On the home front, soooo much to do!  Every day we looked at “THE LIST” and tried to prioritize the most important things.  We definitely had more to do than could possibly fit in.  And adding language study on top was also very important. "The list" included things like getting the right items together (especially clothing and shoes), having our home organized well for those living there and for us to return to, coordinating with Mom on possible end-of-life preparations, having any financial doings in order, going to the temple for as many family history names as we could reasonably do from my reservations, transitioning with Jon/Em and Spence/Kyla with home care details, getting the RAV ready to sell (which is my little baby!), finishing up various group/calling things, etc.

Just a word on my car, my little red Toyota RAV 4. We decided it was the right time to make this change and will get a new car when we return. BUT, this car has been my world!! Funny to be attached to something so temporal! I have had it for 12 years, originally replacing our family van. I had my own little world inside this car! It was my quiet place; it was my thinking place; it was my podcast place; it was my music place; it was my audible books place. IT WAS MY PLACE. Ahhhhh. Not only missed, but marks, with nostalgia, an era of my life.

The biggest thing of all was Jim closing up business. He decided to sell his insurance book to Dan Sorensen's son, Christian. This was a HUGE decision, ending a business lifetime shared with Dan, Amy, and LaVelle. In addition, many business doings needed to be turned over with the Forrest Company (family business). Jim has been a major player in its success. Jon has become invaluable with this transition. We simply could not have made things work without him. They were inspired to move here now. This was crucial in Jim not only serving a mission, but being able to retire (and even prepare for elderly stages/death). No one believed he could EVER do it!!