I Hope They Call Me on a Third Mission

My parents have received their third mission call.  After two stints in France, they felt they had another mission in them so they prepared themselves and submitted their papers (we still call it that, but everything is done electronically nowadays J).  As with their previous two submittals, they decided to not request a specific area (senior missionaries can do that if they choose).  The big envelope from Salt Lake City was waiting for them when they returned from a trip to Texas to visit my sister Jaime’s family.  With the anticipated third letter now open and read, we now know that for this mission they are on their way to … France.  Yep; three missions, three trips to France. J

It’s a bit anti-climactic in a way, I suppose, but there is also a logical kind of symmetry to it.  Obviously, the Lord feels they have more to accomplish with the French people.  Besides Mom needs to be able to come out of this with a working knowledge of the language after a third go at it. J  As I consider their first two stints, I am reminded that during their first mission, Mom and Dad became a great strength to the branch in Angouleme—with Dad being called as the branch president for about a year.  In their second mission, they were a big support to the young adults in Lille and then had the opportunity to transfer to the mission office in Paris to tackle the assignment of preparing the mission for the influx of missionaries after the age requirements were lowered.  They scoured the areas finding apartments, renovating apartments, and furnishing apartments.

While I don’t know what is fully in store for my parents this time as they serve in an entirely new area of France, I can’t help but wonder about the Paris France Temple presently being built.  With the target for completion set at a time when they will still be in the country, I can see how they could have an impact of helping the Church members and those not of our faith to prepare for the great blessing the temple will be to that country and its citizens.  Whatever is in store for them, I know (because of the way they have fulfilled their previous missions), that my parents will do whatever the Lord asks of them.  I am so grateful for my parents.  I love them and am thankful for their example. J