Missionary WORK!

I think we have made it clear that we love our mission. We associate with the best people with whom we share a common purpose. Working in the mission office has really opened my eyes to how much WORK there is in missionary work. Supporting the efforts of over 150 missionaries is a daunting task to say the least. Housing, transportation, medical needs, emotional challenges, bills to pay, meetings to coordinate, training and more... all this goes on 365 days a year. Add to that the fact our mission includes parts of 4 states - well I think you get the picture.

We have taken on the management of the fleet of mission vehicles as an additional duty. It has been challenging but rewarding also. To give you a little feel for what we have been doing pay special attention to the desk in the before and after pictures below.

This picture was taken at the entrance to the MTC. The young lady in the picture was our trainer/teacher for our Preach My Gospel lessons. All the teachers were young returned missionaries. Sister Pinegar served her mission in Italy. She was full of energy and enthusiasm. I can still hear her sweet voice saying..."Elders and Sisters, you are amazing." or "Well done, Elders and Sisters." We were all old enough to be her... well maybe her grandparents. We grew quite attached to her. She acted as if we were her best class ever. Of course I am sure another class of senior couples will begin their training tomorrow and will soon here Sister Pinegar saying.... you are amazing.

Missionary Experience

During our MTC training we had the opportunity to answer the phones in the call center. This is where people call to get free videos, books and other church materials. I tried to think of any reasonable excuse to avoid this "opportunity". On the otherhand, Elder Fairhurst was pretty jazzed about it. We had a brief training, which basically consisted of "put the headset on and if the phone rings push this button and talk". About a dozen from our group were together in one of the call rooms. I sat next to Fred. I could see him intently staring at his phone, trying to make it ring. At the same time I was sending a silent plea to the switchboard - PLEASE don't let my phone ring. Guess whose phone rang. Mine of course. I adjusted the headset and pushed the button, feeling just a little like Lily Tomlin... "one ringy dingy"! Then I spent the next five minutes talking to a man in Texas and his neighbor. Such nice people. They just wanted a copy of the Book of Mormon. I took their info and shared my joy in reading this blessed book of scripture. When I hung up, I turned around to see that everyone was watching me and cheering me on. I did it! What's more I actually enjoyed it. A couple of minutes later Fred's phone rang. He was so excited. Unfortunately it was someone who only spoke Spanish so he had to give the phone to one of our trainers. A young man who just happened to have served a Spanish speaking mission in Colorado Springs of all places. I have a feeling this won't be the last time I have to step out of my comfort zone while we serve this mission. Maybe I will get used to it eventually.

51 New Friends

This is our MTC class. Good looking group- wouldn't you say? What wonderful people! I might be the one hiding behind the plant!

We so enjoyed getting to know them during our first week of training. In this group are couples going to Iceland, France, Mexico, Australia, Marshall Islands, India, Czech Republic, Canada, Switzerland, Kenya, Korea, Ukraine, Germany and Albania. Not to mention... New York, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, Florida, Texas, Montana, Colorado, Illinois and Arkansas.

These missionaries will perform specific duties in their assigned locations. Such duties as: helping to preserve historic documents, managing humanitarian aid, assisting military families, directing tours of historic sites, managing the perpetual education funds, working with the church education programs and more. They will all be serving others and teaching the word of God. Could there be a finer group with which to associate?

Fifteen missionary couples from our group stayed with us as we received CES training the first three days of the second week. I can only belive there could be few groups like this in the entire world!

These 16 Senior Missionary Couples represent some amazing Stats, especially in today's world. Together they had a combined... 669 years of marriage, 94 children, 261 grandchildren. The missionaries average age? Well no one was telling. But for ONCE the Fairhursts were among the youngsters.

We will ever remember our MTC experiences and will share more in future posts.

The last of the farewell torture tour.

We were able to spend quite a bit of time with DJ and family while we were in Utah. On Sunday, Sept 28th we went to church with them. Afterwards we took a quick picture, hugged everyone and said the last goodbyes of this torture tour. I am quite sure that Kleenex stock is in good shape despite the current economy!

We know that we are blessed for sacrifices we make in service. Elder Fairhurst and I often comment on how little sacrifice we are making. We love living in this cherished family home. We love Colorado. We love our Mission President and his wife. But in the end, the real sacrifice we make is being separated from our family and friends. From Boise, to Forest Grove, to Spokane Valley, to Great Falls, to Orem and Billings... we have left that which we cherish most of all. When our Stake President set me apart as a missionary, he blessed me that the Lord would watch over my family. I trust that to be true. So, though we do miss you all... we feel very close to you as we serve our Savior's children here in CO. We love the phone calls and emails. The pictures and Blog posts. The updates on MyFamily.com. So keep them coming- and come see us when you can.

At Home in Colorado

Sister and Elder have been busy packing. As for us... we spent weeks packing and loading boxes into our new trailer. Then on Tuesday, Sept 9th our mission adventure began.We survived one more leg of the "farewell torture tour" as we said goodbye to Jake's family and the Smiths. Then we had a fun couple of days with the Pearsons before the next round of tears. The good news is... just one more leg and this torture tour is over. Well, for a few months until we begin saying goodbye to everyone here. Thus is life when you are a "SENIOR" couple. We arrived in Colorado Springs Friday the 12th... "F-Squad Adventures" van in tow. (watch for a picture in the near future). We have had a blast setting up house here- our home away from home. Not only that, but we have had so much fun re-connecting with friends and meeting other missionaries. We just know this is going to be a wonderful experience.
Right now we are awaiting the arrival of Mom and our family friend, Barbara Lee. They are enjoying their own travel adventures. We are so happy to have them come - our FIRST overnight visitors- hopefully the first of MANY!!!

On a Serious note...

We have been having such fun with this blog, but we feel impressed to take a moment to share some sincere feelings with you.

Today we were set apart as full time missionaries for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and as ambassadors of our Lord Jesus Christ. Why are we voluntarily leaving our home and family for 18 months or more? Why would we decide to commit to missionary labors so soon after retiring from full time employment?

The answer is so very simple- because of love. We are so blessed and so grateful to our Heavenly Father and our Savior for the blessings in our life. We stand in awe over the richness of the blessings we have received through the gospel of Jesus Christ. We love Him with all our hearts. We owe Him everything. Sharing this joy with others is the desire of our hearts and we are thrilled to have the opportunity to do so. He will watch over our loved ones. He will open the doors for us so we can bless his children. He will inspire us with the words we need to share and comfort us if we grow weary. Even in our service to Him -He ever serves us. For we know He lives and loves us. We know the church is true. We love the Scriptures and the words of the Prophets and find in them joy, solice, direction and peace.

So I think the question really is ... Why wouldn't we want to share these things with the people we meet? Why wouldn't we want to show our Father and His Son how much we love them? It really seems like such a smalll token of gratitude. We are delighted to have this opportunity.

That Christ lives is our testimony. To bring souls unto Christ is our purpose.
Elder and Sister Fairhurst