What led to your decision to serve a mission now?
I have been looking for a missionary fit for Jacob for a long time, and when I heard of the opportunity for me to serve as a sewing missionary in Nauvoo, I thought there would be ample opportunity for him to serve there as well. The timing depended on when they had a sewing position open up , which was in July of this year.
What was the process like getting ready to serve?
Finding the right people to contact about serving was challenging. I kept getting answering machines and received no calls back on messages I left, but I finally connected with someone from senior missionary services who had the information for the people I needed to contact. Once we got to that point, things went along well. I did the normal missionary paperwork and interviews and received my call in January. Then we did all the work to get Jacob attached to me in the Illinois Historic Sites Mission, and that was completed in March. Bishop Redford and President Mayne were wonderful at fielding all the different and extra things that went into our being called.
What are you more anxious about for your mission?Â
I have a little anxiety about Jacob meshing with companions, but I know that the Lord has orchestrated this whole adventure for us, and He will be there, placing the right people with Jacob.
What are you most excited about with your coming missionary service?Â
I’m so happy that Jacob will finally fulfill a lifelong dream to serve the Lord as a full-time missionary. I am also thrilled to be serving in Nauvoo and contributing to the authentic look of the sites by helping with costuming. We have family members who were a part of the Nauvoo era, and that makes it even more significant for us.
How have you seen the Lord opening doors and making it possible for you to serve?
The Lord has been in this process from the very beginning. I would be prompted to check websites, call numbers, talk to people when I wasn’t making progress, and get new ideas about where to go. He always blessed me with peace to just keep moving forward and be patient. At one point, I thought maybe we should shift gears and work on getting Jacob endowed and serving a temple mission together. As soon as we started the process for him to receive his endowment, I got a call back with the information I needed to continue. I guess we just needed to make sure his endowment was in place so we would be ready. We have had so much encouragement and support from family and friends, and know that our home will be well cared for in our absence.
How has your testimony grown about Missionary work as you have prepared to serve?
My testimony has greatly expanded in the knowledge that missionary work is more than simply proselyting. Service is a very real part of opening doors and softening hearts. Missionary work of every kind is all about love, and that is something that Jacob specializes in. I know that this will give him an opportunity to touch many lives with God’s love.