The Adventure Begins

We are about to embark on a new adventure. We have been home for about three months since we left our last mission last November. However, we have been very busy preparing for our new mission to Auckland, New Zealand. Here is a brief recap of the last three months.

Since we didn’t want to boot out our granddaughter, Laila and her husband, from our home as they are living there while we serve our missions, MyLiege and Sean graciously made us a cozy little home in their very spacious basement. We have been quite comfortable. We had our own space for all our studies and yet we were able to join the family for meals, family home evening, and any other time we just wanted to enjoy their company. We have been very blessed. Thank you, thank you, thank you.

Shortly after we got home, we headed to Seattle to see a “Panel Doctor” so we could get our VISAs for New Zealand. There are only about a dozen “panel doctors” in the entire country and New Zealand requires that you see one to get your VISA. We had already done this four years ago before our first mission, since we thought we were going to New Zealand then. The visit went well, and we had a nice day traveling. When we got home, we filled out our VISA application, sent it off and waited. New Zealand is VERY strict on their VISAs so we were praying everything would be all right. Near the end of December, we received a request from the NZ VISA office requesting some additional clarification on some medical findings in our application. We contacted our doctor in Utah, and she immediately sent the required information. We went into waiting mode again. We were just a little more apprehensive. A week or two later, we got another request for more detailed information. Again, we contacted our Utah doctor. She added the additional information and sent it off again. Near the end of January, we got another email saying they were still waiting for our additional information! At that point we were beginning to panic. Our doctor reassured us that she did indeed send the information and said she would send it again. She copied us on that email with all the information, so we also sent it to the NZ VISA office. I asked to be notified that they did indeed receive the information. We heard nothing! At this point re recognized that there was a very real possibility that we would not get our VISAS and would be reassigned. We prayed about that and felt peace that it would all work out as it should, even if we were to be reassigned. We knew we would go where we are supposed to go, just as we were supposed to go to the SLC Headquarters mission the first time. On January 30^th, we received the email WITH our VISAs. We are going to New Zealand!!!

We spent much of the time between our missions studying and preparing for our next mission. We did take opportunities to visit family and friends, but we did not travel very far. We have very much enjoyed our time home but are feeling anxious to begin our new adventure.

On February 8^th, our family gathered together at Sean and MyLiege’s house so we could be set apart for our new mission. President Pederson came to take care of that blessing. He talked with our family before the setting apart and shared how originally all missionaries were set apart by the President of the Church. Of course, with a worldwide Church, that is impossible now. President Nelson gives a one-time authorization to the Stake President to pronounce the setting apart. The Stake President can also give a one-time authorization to one of his counselors if needed. So, President Pederson was acting under the authority of President Nelson and President Leptich, which he stated in the blessings. He shared other interesting things that I didn’t not know. Then it was time for our blessings. I wish we could have recorded them, but that is not appropriate. I wrote down as much as I could remember in my journal. He pronounced the blessings and counsel the Lord has for us. It was very personal and very sacred for both of us. We are going out to serve the people of New Zealand, armed with all we will need to be an instrument in the hands of the Lord to do His work to build up the Kingdom of God. We are very excited.

Let the Adventure Begin!!!

All our Love and Prayers,
Mom and Dad
Grandma and Grandpa
Great Grandma and Great Grandpa
Steve and Leslee
Elder and Sister Wilcox

Final phase of packing.
We leave in 2 days!