[Huntington Beach]

Really hit the books on Portuguese. Other assorted stuff--house still showing--etc. A down day.

[Huntington Beach]

We got our shots at the county immunization clinic in Santa Ana. This will hurt! Also called President Martin Kempton in Chandler to set us apart for our missions, since we will leave actually from Arizona. He agreed to do it.

Went to the north part of metro L.A. to see Grant and Ruth Mulleneary there visiting her sisters. On the way we went by UCLA and bought tapes to really learn Portuguese. That should help a lot. Good visit with our friends.

[Huntington Beach]

The days are filled now with errands, preparations, talking of preparations, language sessions, showing the house, etc. Took Donna to the Doctor today to verify and finalize that virus infection that got her to the emergency room Saturday. She's fine. I called Frank Bradshaw, told him of the call to Porto. He of course was surprised. Said he'd check with the missionary committee. Called back later and said they had called us to a leadership mission, and it might really be Porto! But he's calling Elder Asay in Germany to get the straight of it.

[Huntington Beach]

Stake Conference. Elder (Bishop) Glen Pace was the visitor. He gave a very fine address, telling us mostly about our Prophet, President Benson. The other talks were good, too. We went on a long rive in the afternoon, for the realtor wanted us out. In the evening we composed our letters to the First Presidency, then took them to Bishop Wallace for endorsement and sending to SLC.

[Huntington Beach]

It came! And what a surprise! We were expecting a call to the Portugal Lisbon Mission. The call is to Portugal Porto Mission!! (I'll call Monday and verify that) What joy, relief, thankfulness. First, it is sobering to receive a call from the Prophet to serve in such an important calling. But, I know that behind it is a call from the Lord. This is His Church. His work. I know that as well as I know that I'm alive. To represent Him is more than sobering. Try humbling. Try inadequate. Try I'm-not-ready-for-this, and probably never could be really. I'm His son, I'm His servant, I'm His hireling, even. But I can never really represent Him. But with the call will be my best try. And I know I can do His work if I have His help. So with that assurance, I will go forth.

Marian is equally scared. We'll be a great team, just as we always have.

The condo is being shown intensively now. We have to keep it ready to be seen at any time, and when people are here, we are asked to become scarce. It was a little tough this morning. Donna had a sever abdomen pain—had it all night and yesterday. We took her to the emergency room. Looks like a virus, not appendicitis or worse. That's a blessing.

[Huntington Beach-San Juan Capistrano-Huntington Beach]

This week has been a blur—and I've not been motivated to write. Our call was expected each day, but did not come. We are studying Portuguese as well as we can. We are apprehensive, a little discouraged, anxious—It's not a great week—On Wednesday we visited Reed and his family San Juan Capistrano. Such a nice family! Karen had bought a pie special. We asked Reed to have our power of attorney to get our house finalized. The sale process will surely be longer than our stay.

[Huntington Beach]

Sundays are always special—I love them! The meetings were fine—it’s a good ward. This is Superbowl Sunday, but I think everyone was pretty well there. (Since our block is in the afternoon, there could be a conflict.) Brother Spencer Hatch and his son, Jimmy, came home teaching. A real nice pair of people. Brother Hatch is a Patriarch and it shows.

[Huntington Beach]

This was a day largely of resting up! And I was tired! We did some errands and other good stuff, but largely caught up with ourselves.

[Tucson-Huntington Beach]

I went looking for storage places on Tucson’s Westside. I think I found a suitable place on Limberlost just off Oracle. Lunch at Mary Ellen’s, then we went to see Mary Ellen’s house which is about finished—far Northwest side of Tucson. It will be nice for them. We left from there to return home, coming by way of Yuma and San Diego. Again a little farther, but new and a different trip—the other way gets so boring! We got home before midnight. All was well here. Lots of mail, but no mission call. It will more probably come mid-week. We’re real anxious to receive it!! Got our passports!

[Mesa-Coolidge-Tucson]

Stopped to get income tax started with Joe Palmer. Then to Coolidge. Couple hours with Sue and on to Tucson. Dr. Leavitt looked at our teeth. Evening with Mary Ellen (John’s coming back from a business trip to Fresno about Midnight) and over to David’s without Marian. Spent a super 3 hours visiting with Dave and Peggy before bedtime. (I slept on their couch.) What a very nice visit.

[Mesa-Coolidge-Mesa]

Business day. We got our wills changed (Dan Morris, Attorney), powers-of-attorney for Mike and Sue. Triples engraved for kids who’ll be getting baptized while we’re gone. Etc. Afternoon we went to Coolidge—Mike’s birthday. Later in the evening we visited John and his family.

[Huntington Beach-Mesa]

This was a travel day. I finally took the trip from California to Mesa that I said I would! Down PCH (Pacific Coast Highway) to San Clemente and Oceanside—oh, what lovely ocean scenes. The day was perfect. Leaving I-5 at Oceanside, we went inland and upland on Route 76, then 79 through Bonsall, Warner Springs, Julian and down to its intersection with I-8. What a neat, nice country! Lakes and meadows and forests of both low altitude live oak and higher altitude pine and little nice valleys. We stopped at Julian for cider and goodies. A little snow on the hills there. A nice cool breeze, but not cold. Then on to Yuma, up through Maricopa to Mesa. The trip took an extra 100 miles and 2 ½ hours, but was well worth it! We spent the night at Mom’s by the temple.

[Huntington Beach]

Another day of study and try to get all ready for the call—we’re doing all we can do without knowing exactly when or how we’re going to Portugal. Got directions from the Health Insurance people—DMBA—on getting our prescriptions there. Marian had an appointment with Dr. Cryon—arthritis—probably her last. Then went by Cerritos Institute and picked up a couple of things.

[Huntington Beach]

A real quiet day. Read, snoozed, studied, etc. Called Mom and Gwen at night. They are fine in Sequim.

[Huntington Beach]

Put away the Christmas stuff—what little we had out. Went to the nursery and got plants to finish the patio. It’s complete now. Mike called and talked awhile—just wanted to know what’s happening. Melvin called—said he’d had his back injured in an auto accident, but he’s getting over it. All’s well at his home.

[Huntington Beach]

Portuguese, Portuguese, Portuguese! That’s most of what today’s been, and I think it’s coming along a little better. Marian’s seeming to feel a little more comfortable with it, but she’s scared—and should be! Mack Bowen, from the Central Office, called and asked did we want a statue or a clock for retirement? I chose the statue—on Marian’s recommendation. Time today for some thinking. This thing—this mission—is kinda gutsy isn’t it? Well I think life is gutsy and nobody ever promised me a rose garden.

[Huntington Beach]

Turned the home over to Gary Fuller to sell, if he can—he’ll check. Studied and read off and on all day ‘til our appointment with Bishop Wallace. We had a nice sit-down with him as he formally interviewed us, put our paperwork together, issued temple recommends. A very nice young man, but very nervous. Later at night we got interviewed by President Borquist. That was a nice experience. He told us this was his most unusual missionary interview in his 12 years in the stake presidency. He asked us again if we knew Elder Asay. He was very complimentary to us. Made us feel good (That’s what that interview is all about, isn’t it?). The rest of the evening with the Tombstone Epitaph and Portuguese.

I have some feelings building up. When I first heard of this, I wasn’t all that excited—prior to this I wasn’t serious at all about going on a mission. But as the days go by, and as the language starts coming back, and as the reality of it all starts to sink in, I’m getting excited! And I do hope fervently that nothing stages our going, nor our effectiveness while serving. I love the Lord and I love His church, and I do so much want to do this. I am now regularly praying that nothing stops this Great Moment.

[Huntington Beach]

Again most of the morning and afternoon at the Cerritos Institute buckling up my stuff. Three boxes are ready to ship to Portugal. We’ll add a fourth box from home; the rest of our stuff will need to go in a trunk and suitcases. Travel light!! I’m all done at Cerritos.

Bishop Wallace called, said my medical report was there, and we could have an appointment tomorrow night. I spent the evening working on Portuguese.

[Huntington Beach]

Spent part of the day at the office cleaning it out and transferring my stuff to the empty one. A little sad. I helped Jeri with the inventory for a while. Called the Central Office and learned that the curriculum in Portugal is New Testament this year! This, after I had packed and loaded for D&C and Church History. Tomorrow I’ll get to come back to re-do much of what I did today. Called the Doctor’s office to check on my medical. “Tomorrow”! We’ve heard that before!!

[Huntington Beach]

Spent some time studying Portuguese with Marian. She’s coming along real well. She’s doing particularly well at vocabulary. We got our passports applied for at the H.B. Post Office. At noon I went down to Cerritos Institute and began the task of clearing out my office. First, I talked to Frank Bradshaw for some help on what I should take. He said Doctrine & Covenants and Church History for next year. Jeri Toyer was at the office and we had a short talk. It’s kind of sad clearing out again, and so soon after the last time. Evening reading, TV, planning, etc. We called Susan to correlate some matters. Always great to talk to Sue.