A new blog begins. A new mission begins. A new learning begins. I can't help but to stepping back into 1995. Our oldest son, our first missionary, Joel, received his missionary envelope announcing his place of service. We all sat around him with great anticipation as he opened the "golden ticket" for Latter Day Saints! He read it first with a huge smile on his face. I asked, "Well, Joey, where are you going?" He replied, "Mom, I'm going to the Mother Land!" We were all still a bit confused but he quickly clarified, "I'm going to the Utah Ogden Mission!".
When our mission application began in July, Brian regularly scoped out the Sr. Couples Opportunities Bulletin. A few months down the road and an email or two to Brother Bushi in India resulted in the Family History Department calling asking if we would consider a Family History Mission in Thailand. That seemed to be it.... kind of! The natural course of missionary applications continued with medical exams. They proved to have a bit of a snag! I had a minor medical problem with a new diagnosis of Type 2 Diabetes. I saw no reason to panic because I knew that I had eaten my way into that problem and I, therefore, could eat my way out of it!!! But Thailand now seemed to be an assignment for another day, so we had to bow out of that beautiful fantasy of another mission in Southeast Asia.
The Opportunity Bulletins were back in play. One day Brian was so excited with what he had found..... Interpretation/Translation Coordinators in Salt Lake City. This seemed to be the one! We called the phone numbers attached and Brother Stewart Bridge answered most of our questions. This is what we have found out so far.....
First, a translator works with the written word where the interpreters deal with the spoken word. There are around 300 projects per year. We will serve as a host and hostess, organizers and overseers, financial clerks, and general "fire-putter-outers"! We never have to do the translating or interpreting which is a good thing since I only know English and Oklahoman! And there is not much demand for the latter!
Secondly, we will get to work with some pretty amazing people who readily give up their time and talents on a regular basis. Not only am I anxious to see how the Saints work in Salt Lake City but I am also very anxious to see how the Lord works in and throughout the workings of the Church. Hence, this is why I have named this missionary blog, "Unfolding Mysteries".
When Ammon was brought out of the prison and into the king's court, King Limhi surprised Ammon with a question that he was not anticipating. King Limhi explained, one day he had decided to send forty-three (43) of his best men to try to find Zarahemla to plead for help for his oppressed people. Instead of finding Zarahemla they found a city of ruins with the scattered bones of "a people who were as numerous as the hosts of Israel" and twenty-four gold plates that no one could read. The king's question to Ammon was, "Canst thou translate?"
Ammon explained that "no" he could not translate the plates but he knew someone who could. (Therein lies our new mission!) Ammon with great joy gave thanks to God and said, "Doubless a great mystery is contained within these plates, and these interpreters were doubtless prepared for the purpose of unfolding all such mysteries to the children of men". (Mosiah 8:19, italics added)
I believe that God's truth for Ammon in 121 BC is exactly the same truth for today when Ammon taught King Limhi, "Thus God has provided a means that man, through faith, might work mighty miracles; therefore he becometh a great benefit to his fellow beings." (Mosiah 8:18)
I look forward to meeting these mighty men and women of faith that will be the translators and interpreters. I look forward to being in the "Mother Land".
