August 11, 2010
We received information that we would be receiving Christopher's mission call today, Wednesday, August 11th.
Steph left for work at about 9:30 then at 10:AM Bobby dropped Haley off for a Bear Lake trip. Bobby paid Kevin, our Postmaster a visit. Kevin said, "these calls never get here as soon as people expect them. Let's see what we've got." He yelled back to Sister Kirk who was sorting mail. "Do you have a mission call for Driessen?" "Yep! Its right here!, she called back"
Bobby thanked the nice postal people and headed home.
The plan was to wait until 6PM when I was home from work, Haley was home from Bear Lake, Chandler was home from Providence, Kjersty was out of Soccer practice, and Grandma & Grandpa Driessen and Grandma Duerden arrived. Then we'd have a few close friends come over and we'd get our California family, Grandpa Harry & Grandma MaryAnn on speaker phone so they could share in the moment with us.
By 2:30PM Christopher had waited long enough. I rushed home from work, we got Haley on speaker phone from Bear Lake, Chandler on speaker phone from Providence, Papa Butch (Grandpa Harry) at work in downtown LA on speaker phone, Mimi (Grandma MaryAnn), Uncle Tony and Aunt Michele on speaker phone from California and Mema & Papa Ted (Grandma & Grandpa Driessen) also on the phone in Idaho.
We made sure all could hear Christopher speak. Then he began opening his call.
He began reading. "Dear Elder Driessen: You are hereby called to serve as a... " After reading about 8 words he had to pause. This was HUGE! Something he has prepared for, dreamt about, and looked forward to since he was a toddler. Half of his friends are already serving in the mission field, and the others are either preparing to go... or not.
Through joyous tears, he continues "...as a missionary of The Church of Jesus Christ" another pause and lots more emotion. "of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. You are assigned..." Wow, this is tough. So much emotion; excitement, anxiety, relief, thrill, comfort and JOY, 'is this really happening?'.
He continues: "You are assigned to labor in the
Peru' Lima West Mission."
WOW! Did he just say PERU?! Awesome!!!
Oh my GOSH!!!
"You should report to the Provo Missionary Training Center on Wednesday, January 5, 2011. You will prepare to preach the gospel in the Spanish language. Your assignment may be modified according to the needs of the mission president."
This beautiful letter signed by the president of the Church, Thomas S. Monson, goes on the say that Christopher has been "recommended as one worthy to represent the Lord as a minister of the restored gospel." He will be an "official representative of the Church." He is expected to "maintain the highest standards of conduct and appearance by keeping the commandments, living mission rules and following the counsel" of his mission president. He is counseled that as he devotes his "time and attention to serving the Lord, leaving behind all other personal affairs, the Lord will bless you with increased knowledge and testimony of the Restoration and of the truths of the gospel of Jesus Christ."
His purpose is explained as to invite others to come unto Christ by helping them receive the restored gospel through faith in Jesus Christ and His Atonement, repentance, baptism, receiving the gift of the Holy Ghost and enduring to the end. He is promised that as he serves "with all you heart, might and strength, the Lord will lead you to those who are prepared to be baptized."
He is promised "the Lord will reward you for the goodness of your life.
"Greater blessings and more happiness than you have yet experienced await you as you humbly and prayerfully serve the Lord in this labor of love among His children." "We place in you our confidence and pray that the Lord will help you become an effective missionary."
He then is asked to send in his written acceptance promptly, endorsed by his bishop.
The letter ends with Sincerely, Thomas S. Monson, President
(Signed by our beloved prophet)
This has been a day of pure joy and excitement. We are so VERY proud of our boy.
Elder Driessen will be a fine missionary, a true representative of our
Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.
We thank our family and loved ones. There are others too. We thank you, we love you dearly. We are so privileged to be loved and cared for by so many amazing people.
We appreciate your example of goodness.
Thank you for joining us as we begin this journey and carry on through the next 2 1/2 years of Elder Christopher Driessen's mission.
