Lisa's going on a Mission!

About a year ago, Elder Richard G. Scott came to our mission and spoke with the missionaries. Our children skipped school that day so they could come and listen. It was such a blessing to have him here.

At that time, our 18-year-old daughter, Lisa, had put her schooling and scholarship at BYU on hold because President Faust had encouraged us to take her with us. She was here as a service missionary, volunteering at the children's school three days a week, helping the children with homework, and helping me run the mission home. (We sure miss her this year!) When Elder Scott spoke, Lisa had some very strong feelings that she was to go on a mission. While she wasn't sure what the next year would bring, she started studying her scriptures and "Preach My Gospel" with new eyes as she prepared herself to be a missionary. As in any young person's life, there are many things to take into consideration when making a decision to take 18 months out of your life and serve the Lord and Lisa was no different, wrestling with the decision as to whether she should go or not. She met with her bishop to ask for help and advice and he said, "If you decide to go, just make sure you really want to go."

Lisa fasted and prayed about this decision and had some special experiences in which she had confirmation that she should serve a full-time mission. Within a week, her papers were in and she received her call two weeks later. Even though she had spent 10 months here, learned a bit of Italian, was in an accelerated Italian class, had a sister serving in the Italy Milan Mission, and parents and siblings in Rome, Lisa was called to serve in the Japan Tokyo Mission!

We were all surprised, but very excited. She realizes that if she was called to that mission with everyone expecting her to serve somewhere in Italy, she was really needed there. I told her that she is so smart that Heavenly Father knew she could learn the language and that she will touch people's lives there in a way that no one else can. She is such a sweet and caring personality and loves tradition and we think the people of Japan will love her as much as she will grow to love them.

Lisa leaves for the Missionary Training Center on February 11th where she will spend two months learning the language and how to preach the gospel. She will then leave for the Japan Tokyo Mission. We're so excited for her as she walks with faith into the great unknown and helps bring others to Christ.


Here are some pictures my sister Ellen took as she opened her mission call amidst family and friends. We were watching over the webcam and Scott was on the phone from Aviano where he was playing in a volleyball tournament.