Travel day

Today is the day. Marcia and I knew that it would eventually come. At 9:45 pm (MDT) Marcia and I will be on board a Delta flight beginning our last leg of our journey that began at the beginning of this year. Most of those we trained with during the week of July 16th are, most likely, already at their assignments. As Marcia's assignment was medical in nature we spent this past week in Salt Lake City with other medical types as we received further instruction specifically about physical and mental health. On Friday we were in training with two retired psychologists. They both had experience as Area Mental Health Advisers and shared  experiences and knowledge with us for our last day. It has been great with all the training that we've had....but we are ready to leave.

It is not easy. Marcia and I went into this with our eyes wide open. For those who are not familiar with the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints let me explain just a little about this concept of serving a mission as a couple. First of all Marcia and I are not getting paid for what we will be doing in the Philippines. This is not uncommon for those who serve in the church. It is also not uncommon for those "seniors" who go on missions either rent out their homes or sell them. We met couples in the MTC who did both.

The long and the short of it is is that with the help of family and friends and our bank account we will be supporting ourselves.

We just finished minimizing everything to two suitcases, one carry-on and one personal item. It is amazing what you can shrink yourself down to when one has to!!

The adventure is continuing. The next blog will be done somewhere overseas!!

jsf