Elder Call's Dad Reminisces

21 March 2010

Dear Elder Call:

Wonderful news from the Brumbles: They finally will have their visas and will be leaving for their missions next month. Bless their hearts. I think their original date was back in November or December, so their delay has been a long one. But as I told Brother Brumble, the Lord knows what He is doing and I am confident they are going when the Lord needs them there.

Speaking of missionaries, the stake website has on its front page a list of all missionaries currently serving from the Rockford Stake:

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Taft Gearhart - Baltic Mission - November 18, 2008
Robert Call - Idaho Pocatello Mission - February 18, 2009
Cody Weiland - Utah Ogden Mission - March 25, 2009
Dan Abbot - Mexico Torreon Mission - March 25, 2009
Jordan Johnson - Florida Tampa Mission - May 6, 2009
Kathryn Abbot - Argentina Buenos Aires Mission - May 20, 2009
Dan Merrill - Nevada Las Vegas Mission - May 20, 2009
Nelson Walker - Arizona Tempe Mission - May 27, 2009
Tyler Evans - El Salvador San Salvador East Mission - June 3, 2009
JB Gustafson - Paraguay Asunción Mission - June 10, 2009
Devin Hansen - Colorado Denver North Mission – Spanish speaking - June 17, 2009
Travis Williams - Uruguay Montevideo Mission - July 23, 2009
Lonnie Robertson - Riverside California Mission August 19, 2009
Jacob Ensign - Australia Melbourne East Mission, Mandarin Chinese speaking - November 11, 2009
Joseph Ziemann - Guatemala City North Mission - November 18, 2009
Jaclyn Howze – Dominican Republic Santiago Mission – December 16, 2009
Mary Ellen Stocks - Lima Peru South Mission - January 13, 2010
Wesley Jeffrey - California San Fernando Mission - Spanish speaking - February 3, 2010
Jake Spencer - California San Jose Spanish speaking - February 10, 2010

Missionary Calls:
William and Rosalia Brumble - Chile Santiago North Mission

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Isn't it amazing how many missionaries we have? And to think that you were among the first of this large group to embark on your mission. You are an example to so many, Elder, and you have greatly influenced more people than you could possible ever imagine.

We are so thrilled to hear of your successes. It is truly a blessing to our family to know you are serving the Lord and that He is guiding you and directing your efforts. It seems like every week you have new prospects and new opportunities, new and exciting progress being made among the investigators and converts. We love to read your letters and we draw strength from them.

This coming week is spring break here in Illinois. I think that for the rest of my life, when spring break comes I will think of our youth trips to Nauvoo, Missouri, and Kirtland. It's amazing to think that the Nauvoo trip was so long ago. . .2006! That was a fun trip. I don't remember a lot of what we did, but I do remember the fieside meetings. Then there was Missouri. . .wow. You did such a great job helping to organize that trip--I don't know what I would have done without your help. That was absolutely awesome. And then, the most memorable of all: Kirtland. Remember how you and I got up early to go find Cyril Call's property? That was great. But of course the testimony meeting in the Kirtland Temple was the highlight. I'm grateful the Lord has given us the capacity to remember.

Enough reminiscing, though. It sounds like St. Anthony has been a blessing in your life, and that you have been a blessing to St. Anthony. It would be great if you and Elder Walker are there another transfer. In my mission, I ended up being in an area called Tseun Wan for 8 months. . .first, I was there for two months as a junior companion, then I was transferred out to two other areas (three months in Aberdeen, one month in Central), then I was sent back to Tsuen Wan for six months as a zone leader. I loved Tsuen Wan. There were two wards there, three or four missionary districts, and one zone. I was transferred out of Tsuen Wan on 28 March 1980--30 years ago this week--and it still brings back fond memories to me. St. Anthony will be the same for you, as will each of the areas where you serve. I am a bit jealous of you, however. You will be able to return to your mission and visit and remember much easier than I've been able to return to mine!

This week we will be spending time cleaning up the house and yard, and we hope to list it for sale by the end of the week. This is an emotional and difficult event for us, but at this point we don't see any other option. Being away from the family 50 percent of the time just is not meant to be, for any family.

We love you, Elder Call, and we are so proud of you. We pray for you every day. We know the Lord is with you.

Love,
Dad