Here we are at our Mission Christmas party. Along with about 200 Elders and Sisters. Fun day.

At today's all-day Christmas party for all 200+ missionaries in the Washington Tacoma Mission, the dozen senior missionaries sang this song. All the young missionaries jumped to their feet at the end of the first chorus and gave a rhythmatic clap throughout the rest of the song and then gave us a near never-ending applause.

The song is to the tune of “Called To Serve” which, of course, is the mission’s theme song and sung at every missionary meeting. It's done incredibly fast and loud, staccato-style, with the first two beginning lines being done acapella. And we punch the air with our right fist when the chorus sings “For.”

We the Seniors who are getting older

Left our canes and rocking chairs behind,

New responsibilities to shoulder

Challenges of every kind.

(chorus)

Seniors make a difference

in the world right here and now.

Seniors make a difference

and we're here to show you how.

For decades we have labored

and we've shed blood, sweat, and tears.

Youth of Zion rise, pay homage

to the wisdom of our years!

We the Seniors of a royal army

Called to serve in lands both far and near,

Leaving homes and all our friends and family

And a comfort zone so dear.

(chorus)

We the Seniors of a noble birthright

Here to represent our Lord and King,

As we labor with our heart and might

Precious souls to Him we bring.

(chorus)

Nine months ago today, my eternal companion and I entered the Missionary Training Center and began our incredible mission adventure--what a wonderful experience!!!

Sister Center and I testify:  "Behold, we are disciples of Christ, the Son of God, and have been called of Him to declare His word among all people, that they might have everlasting life."

 

                                       
          ON OUR 16TH WEDDING ANNIVERSARY AS THE "ETERNITY 
                MIRRORS TESTIFY:  "THROUGHOUT ALL ETERNITY!"

We celebrated our 8 month mission anniversary by going to a "sandlot" league football game that a number of our Institute kids were playing in.  We really enjoyed it and not even the 40 degree temperatures and the fact that we barely lost could dampen our spirits.  Speaking of which, the constant drizzling rain of the last 6 weeks was kind and took a night off.  Go Juggernauts!

In a recent lesson, we were asked to think of something that we don't ordinarily associate with being thankful for.  After a bit of thought, I replied:  "I'm thankful that chocolate isn't part of the Word of Wisdom!"   (Do you think I'm getting "trunky?")

This was voted the funniest joke in the mission over the last twelve months:

A non-denominational church was about to begin their services when the devil suddenly appeared in his vilest form screeching obscenities and threatening the very souls of the parishioners.  Everyone in the congregation fled leaving the chapel empty except for one elderly man sitting in the  front pew.  The devil cussed and harassed the old guy but to no avail--he just calmly sat there with a nearly amused look on his face.  Finally, the devil said, "Do you know who I am?"  "Yep."  "Then why aren't you afraid of me?"  The old fellow looked at Satan and grinned victoriously, "Cause I've been married to your sister for forty-four years!"

                                    Such a pretty site--and so is Mt. Ranier!!!

Loralee Center at Middle of Lake Washington

Hubby surprised me with a romantic brunch cruise on Lake Washington and Lake Union. It was wonderful and we saw so many beautiful homes, floating homes, University of Washington, and the food was delicious and the company was pretty good too! Thanks hon.

Well, we almost did it.  We just about bought a house up here.  It was one of Bill Gates' 64 homes that he has around the world.  A fantastic home on beautiful Lake Washington about fifty miles from us.  We were satisfied with the 30 car garage, the $157 million asking price, and bringing Hawaiian sand in every week for his beach, but the total floor space is only 60,000 square foot--a little cramped for our needs!  (It took 7 years to build and because he knew there would be lots of construction noise, he paid off all the mortgages of any nearby home owners as a goodwill gesture!)

I learned some very interesting and surprising facts today about this area of the state.  For example, Seattle doesn't really get that much rain averaging only about 39 inches annually.  It does get a lot of light rain which combined with the ocean's winds causes cloudy, gloomy weather conditions.  It only has about 70 days of sun whereas Denver has about 300!

Now Mt. Ranier on the other hand, is the snowiest place in the entire world averaging 680' a year. It also holds the record for one 24-hour period—10 feet!!!

Sister Center used the neatest quote in her lesson today.  From Elder Neal Maxwell:  "Studying the Church...through the eyes of its defectors is like interviewing Judas to understand Jesus."

That rustling sound you hear is not autumn leaves falling but is the minutes of our mission dwindling away.  (We've been out seven months today.)

She's like Glinda--a good witch.  (We celebrate Halloween even in the mission field.)

As I've mentioned before, every other week or so our name tag (and "church" attire) "invites" someone to come up and talk to us--probably 2/3rds are members and the others just nice and/or curious folks.  However, today was a first.  We were having lunch in a diner and when we went to pay the waitress told us someone had already paid our bill.  We asked who and she nodded towards a table where two women were sitting.  We went over and thanked them, and as we talked it was obvious that they weren't members--just nice people who knew we were doing the Lord's work--don't even know if they knew what church we were representing.  Just another pleasant "serving a mission" memory.

I loved being a professor.  When I retired, I seemed to be just as busy as before I retired but still loved it.  Now on a mission, I'm busier than ever--and loving it even more.

The Church has made some significant changes to their Institute of Religions Program.  One is the development of four new core curriculum classes that all students must take.  They have just released the first two and Sister Center and I feel honored and excited about being chosen to teach them--one now and one in the Spring.  This Fall's course is "Foundations of the Restoration."  The following is a little blurb we put out to whet our students' appetite:

 Do you know???

-what led Joseph to James 1:5?
-at the the 1st vision, did the Father and the Son appear & leave at the same time?
-how do the 8 different verified accounts of the first vision differ and why?

These & other inspirational topics will be examined at Thursday night's “Foundations of the Restoration” Institute class.   7-8:30   Instructors:  Elder & Sister Center

Six months ago today, we entered the MTC--doesn't seem possible. (Half-way through our mission already--say it ain't so, Joe.)  [Only baseball historians will understand the latter phrase.]

Don Center

12 hrs · NBC News

 

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The wind just about knocked Sister Center off her feet while walking down the sidewalk!
(Serves her right for loosing all that weight and is so beautifully slender now.)

High Winds Causes Power Outages, Downs Trees in Seattle - NBC News

 

Gusts to 60 mph batters Western Washington, downing trees and leaving thousands of Seattle residents without Power.

In case you can't read them--the shirts say: "I'm called "PAPA"  (NANA) because I'm way too cool to be called "Grandfather" (grandmother)!!!

What a rough life we're leading--hanging out on the Pacific Ocean Beach with the YSA'S!!!

THIS IS HOW YOU KNOW YOU'VE BEEN ACCEPTED AS PART OF THE GROUP!!!

The Church has developed four new core classes for their required curriculum.  They are releasing two this fall and Sister Center and I are so excited to have been chosen to teach them at the Institute:  "Jesus Christ and the Everlasting Gospel" and "Foundations of the Restoration."

Being a convert, I guess I'm just not a good Mormon example:  don't like root beer, homemade ice cream, or jello--and smores are just a way to waste good chocolate candy!!!

It seems to me that every missionary I ever knew said essentially                       
the same things:  time flies while your serving in the mission field
and I wish my mission would never end.  I always thought that
they were simply putting a positive spin on their time and efforts,      
but now I understand.  It's been exactly 5 months since our 
mission began--and time is flying bye and as much as I miss the
kids, grandkids, etc., I believe I could stay here and serve forever. 
What a special adventure it is.

Just returned from our singles ward's third baptism in three weeks.  And these new members are so enthusiastic, they bear their testimonies spontaneously right there after their baptism.  How inspirational.

Amazing grace                                                           
How sweet the sound
That saved a wretch like me
I once was lost, but now I'm found
Was blind, but now I see

My chains are gone
I've been set free
My God, my Savior has ransomed me
And like a flood His mercy reigns
Unending love, amazing grace

I’ve mentioned how pleasant it is to be stopped on the street or in a store and be recognized as LDS missionaries.  Of course, 80% of them are Mormons, though I am surprised as to how many are less active, and all want to know where we’re from, etc.  What is even more intriguing is the 20% non-members.  Usually, we’re engaged in business with them, e.g. they might be check-out clerks, waitresses, bank cashiers, and the like.  My barber is typical of these types.  He happens to be an old-time traditional Catholic (e.g. goes to Latin mass, etc.).  Anyway, once they discover that we are not proselytizing missionaries (of course, that’s part of every missionary assignment), and that we work as mentors, teachers, counselors, and grandparents for YSA be they college, military, or whatever, they are very receptive, even pleased that we’re there to help these young people through their daunting problems.  Such persons really seem to admire and respect us.

At the beginning of the Priesthood lesson today, which was on marriage, our Elders’ Q. President/instructor Ben began by saying: “This morning in ward council, Sara, the RS President, leaned over and poked me saying ‘Isn’t that adorable!’ as she covertly nodded towards Elder and Sister Center.  I looked over and they were holding hands—in a morning ward council meeting!  That’s the sign of a special relationship.”

And he’s right—we do have a wonderful relationship.

This reminds me of what the mission president told us in our entrance interview.  After going over this and that, he said, “The most important thing you can do for these kids is to show them what a happy marriage is like.”    Guess we’ve done that!