Of missionaries and sacrifice

Terri's sister Kim Griesemer received a mission call to serve in Quito, Ecuador for two years. She will first go to a missionary training center in Provo, Utah, where she will begin to learn the language and learn other cultural and religious lessons to help her succeed as a missionary. As an extended family, we are extremely proud of her and the sacrifice she will be making in leaving her home and family to serve the people of Ecuador.

Kim is an accomplished woman and leader that will have a dynamic impact on the lives of those she meets. For years she has been a coporate executive, heading a multi-national company. After her husband died a few years ago she decided to move in a different direction--graduating college, serving the community, and working as a volunteer in a local Temple. Now she will continue to expand on that theme of service by leaving everything, just like the disciples of old, to serve God in a foreign land. She is truly a woman to be admired and God is sure to bless Kim and her family for this sacrifice!

Speaking of missionaries, I recently was visited by two Jehovah's Witnessess at our apartment in Tinian. One of the men was a missionary from England. He and his wife had come to serve in this area for an undetermined length of time. He was a wonderful, sincere man who had a strong belief in Jesus Christ and a desire to help others. I told him how much I admired he and his wife for their willingness to become missionaries. I know that God will bless him also for the service he provides the congregations in this area of the world.

I too, like many young men of the Mormon faith, have served a full-time mission. I was sent to Pennsylvania (where I first met my wife, Terri). It was a wonderful two years spent in religious service. There is nothing more fullfilling than being able to change people's lives for the better.

Sometime in the future, Terri and I will have the blessing of serving a full-time mission together as a couple. For now, we feel as though we have been 'called' to Tinian--Terri to fulfill a lifelong dream of medical service, and I to continue to fulfill my desires to write. But I have no doubt that the day will come when we are moved to serve as missionaries somewhere in the world. Because of that desire, we both have a hint of jealousy when thinking about Kim's mission to Ecuador--we know all too well the wonderful adventure and many blessings that await her there!

Terri and I send our prayers and blessings to Kim as she heads out on this great adventure. She leaves in about two weeks--not much time, but Kim has been preparing for this day for a long time. It will be difficult, but with the love and support of her extended family, and with her natural and God-given talents, well...lets just say the rose is about to bloom!