The Lord's Emissaries (part 2)

...jsf

The Lord's Emissaries (part 1)

Elders and Sister recovering from variety of illnesses at the MRC

It is a privilege to serve a mission. As written in previous posts there are many areas of service that senior couples are involved in. This post isn't about senior missionaries. It is about the younger missionaries- the ones people normally associated with when asked what a Mormon missionary is.

Elders at Provo, MTC heading to the Philippines

Some background. Young men who grow up in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints are expected to take two years of their life and serve a full time mission for the Church somewhere around the world. Anytime after the age of 19 is when a young man can submit his request to serve a mission for the Church. When they submit their paperwork they have no idea where or when they will leave for this mission. Why 19? What makes that the marker for a young man? The easiest way to respond to that, and perhaps the most correct, is that is the age, through revelation, in which the Lord has made known to the leaders of the Church.

Young women also serve missions for the Church. Their age requirement is a little higher beginning at 21. One major difference between the young men and the young women serving is that their isn't the same emphasis or expectation of young women to serve missions as there is on young men.


Currently there are over 50,000 missionaries from all over the world serving in 350 missions. The pictures that are shown are ones that I have taken over the last few months...jsf

Monsoon/Typhoon rain displaced Sisters waiting to help
create food kits, clothing and hygiene kits

Elders and Sisters from Mongolia on last day at Manila,
MTC before there return to Mongolia

Family

Kas in her kitchen

Just a quick note to say hello and farewell to SLC. It has been great to be back for a short period of time but I miss my gorgeous bride and can't wait to get back to her. In the mean time I have been blessed to have spent four wonderful days with our children in Taylorsville. It is always exciting to see how they are doing and how they are growing.

Josh relaxing at Kasi's

Bri in Kas's kitchen

Bri and WIlliam

Josh and Kas at Kasi's

Remember this is a personal blog so thus I will indulge and share some pictures of the kids. Tomorrow at 8:30 SLC time I'm on my way to Detroit and then back to Manila...jsf

In Salt Lake

Just a quick note and an apology. Last week Marcia and were very busy in one of the missions on Luzon Island. We knew prior to our going on our mission that there may be occasions in which such things might happen. We also knew ahead of time that at some point we might have to travel back to another country for a medical reasons not of our own. On Wednesday morning- Manila time- I boarded a plane to head back to Salt Lake City, Utah. An apology because of how busy we have been we haven't been current on our blog. I will try and keep it updated as best as I can. This time around, unfortunately, was unforeseeable.

I had a very safe flight and am currently staying at my daughter's home. It will be a busy few days as I came with an empty suitcase to fill- it is Christmas season already in the Philippines (time for another blog). The other reason is that there is no Walmart in the Philippines. Marcia continues to stay busy in Manila and I will be leaving on Monday morning to join her again...jsf