Grandma and Grandpa Will Soon Say "Orevwa"

Well, by now most of you know we have been called to serve as Perpetual Education Fund specialists for 18-months (the above pictures aren't that great, but they will give you the general feel of the country). We feel like we have prepared our entire lifetime and are giddy about our assignment - not to Jamaica where we were called by letter from President Thomas S. Monson - but to the West Indies, according to a phone call on Monday from the church's missionary department! It will be hard to leave behind our six children, (nearly)13 grandchildren and one adorable little "great" when we say that heartwrenching goodbye on Monday, December 27 in the parking lot of the MTC in Provo.

The church in the West Indies is still small after being officially recognized in 1976. There are less than 3000 members in only 11 wards and branches in the entire mission located in the southern Caribbean, northeast of the South American country of Venezuela.

The country where we will serve is about 1,980 square miles on two main islands, Trinidad and Tobago. Trinidad, where the mission headquarters are located, is the larger and more populated of the islands. The entire population is estimated at about 1.5 million; and for those who have expressed concern, the nation lies outside the hurricane belt.

Back in the earliest days of the church, Brigham Young established the Perpetual Emigration Fund to provide the means for new converts from all over the world - most of them impoverished - to obtain a small, low-interest loan to purchase wagons, horses or oxen and supplies needed to cross the American frontier as part of the second largest exodus in the history of the world.

In 2001, President Gordon B. Hinckley introduced a modern version of the PEF in the form of the Perpetual Education Fund which provides loans to members - mostly young adults in impoverished 3rd world countries - seeking additional education, mainly through vocational school and technical training. Career training options include school teacher, network administrator, computer science, systems analyst, human resource specialist, flight attendant, managerial, clinical lab technician, computer support technician, university faculty, political analyst, physician's assistant, physical and corrective therapy assistant, lawyer and judge.

In its first 8 years, more than 40,000 students in 40 countries have improved their position in life through PEF loans for education to increase their career options. These loans have resulted in an average increase in wages - after their schooling - from $179 a month to $756 a month, an increase of 320%

We still need to get more shots (ugh) and I will change my blog name, where our friends and family can join us on this spiritual journey in the West Indies.

Saying Goodbye

Ed estimated more than 300 people showed up for my open house today to say goodbye and to wish me well. All three county commissioners, the sheriff, the mayor, U.S. Congressman Jim Matheson's aide, several agency heads and lots and lots of my wonderful volunteers came for hugs!

My boss, Ken Sizemore was complimentary, stating: Linda has dedicated significant time, talent and dedication in fostering a wide-ranging network of volunteers who donate thousands of hours in bettering the lives of those residents and visitors to southwestern Utah. This network is one of the largest in the western United States and is widely recognized as a leader in volunteer management. Linda has displayed superb motivational and organizational skills in leading programs which reach out to all age groups, income levels and interests. All will miss her excitement, energy and enthusiasm in building a successful and vibrant volunteer network.

My bosses at the Corporation for National and Community Service (Utah State Office) were also complimentary, noting:

You will be greatly missed by the National Service community in Utah. For many years you have been one who "get's things done." Your creativity and innovation is second-to-none (Jake Murakami, State Director)

You have been such a great example of an innovative leader. You have helped so many of us as new RSVP project directors (Jane Quist, Program Specialist)

Many gave me cards - some with money and some with little loving gifts - with sweet messages, such as:

I will really, really miss you (Lynn Espinoza)

It has been a real joy to know you and to work with you in the volunteer program (Crane and Shanna Simmons)

Michelle Hill from Habitat for Humanity of Southwest Utah wrote, "you have been such a delight to work with and so convenient (down the hall from my office). This affiliate was thinking about shutting down last summer but you were determined to keep us going . . . and look at us now! Thanks, Linda, for pushing us forward and keeping Habitat in our community."

Thank you for all you have done for the Senior Companion Program. Your concern, knowledge and compassion have taught me a lot (Adele Burbridge)

I will always cherish our association over the ten years I've been a Senior Companion and I will miss you. You have so much talent and I know you will be a great missionary (Delaine Anderson)

I can't make it to your farewell party because I will be tending grandchildren butI wanted to at least email you and let you know how much I admire you and your many talents. You have done a great job. You probably know all the volunteers by name, because you know mine and I don't even volunteer that often anymore. Besides that, I think you are too young to be retiring, hopefully that means you will be doing some things that you have wanted to do and haven't had the time. Good luck in whatever you will be doing. You will be missed. (Nadine Adams)

You are one-of-a-kind. Thank you for all you have done to make our community what it is today! You have inspired me to always look for the good and keep a positive attitude come-what-may. YOU are a unique and wonderful woman and I am so blessed to have known you (Karyn Wright)

Thank you for your tremendous contributions over the years to life in southern Utah (Dian Robinson and Janeen Holt)

Thank you for your friendship through the years. You have done a wonderful job and helped many of us in many, many ways. You will be missed. (Ila Mae Julian)

It's not going to be the same without you. Thank you so much for helping me find a way to stay busy after I lost my husband. You saved my life. Thank you for being an important part of my life (Granetta Breeze)

Bud and I have so appreciated all of our contacts with you. You have been such a help to so many people for many years (Bud and Shirley Brown)

Thank you for your sweet friendship to Ken and me. It has been a genuine pleasure knowing you (JoAnne Parkes)

It was a bittersweet experience to hug those I have loved and served with over the past 16 years. My final day at the office will be October 31 when I step down from my position. I will so very much miss these people who have served as my volunteers while also becoming my friends.

Is This a Case of Identity Theft?

Carol Hollowell might well be trying to steal my identity. This bright, energetic wife and mother of four big sons (Jordan, Baron, Montana and Bronco) is the "new Linda," hired from a field of 37 applicants to replace me as the Director of the Volunteer Center of Washington County. Then in a casual conversation at the office, she mentioned she and her family were going to have to move from their rental home - which is up for sale - and really wanted to remain in the Bloomington 7th Ward. I suggested we might be interested in renting our house for 18-months while we served a mission. She jumped at the chance! When she came by the house, she asked who was going to take care of Sophie while we are gone then offered to take on the responsibility because she loves dogs!

Now, all we need is that mission call!!!

We've Been Called to Serve

We received our long-awaited mission call letter last week.  Ed was out-of-town when the letter came.  I offered to wait until he was back home before I opened it, but neither of us could wait, considering it had already been six weeks since we hit “submit” on the online application.

We were soooooo excited when we read we had been called to serve as PEF missionaries in Jamaica!   I cried when reading the letter to my soon-to-be missionary companion.  We began telling everyone …. we’re going to Jamaica, but I wasn’t feeling the confirmation of the Spirit it was exactly where the Lord wanted us to serve.

THEN, today - four days later - Ed called me at work, asking, “so, are you sitting down?”  A thousand things went through my mind in a matter of seconds, trying to understand what he was going to say.  His news, it turns out, was that, after all, we weren’t going to Jamaica, but will serve in PEF in Guyana, South America.  Seems someone in the Missionary Department made a mistake.  We’ve never heard of Guyana (other than the whole Jim Jones thing), so the first order of business is to get on the internet and do some research.  Whew!  So exciting.  We report to the MTC on December 27.  Lots to do in 93 days but I can’t wait!

September 16 . . . a Red Letter Day

After 35 years as a member of the Exchange Club, Ed made the decision to step down a couple of months ago, so I had no reason to question his invitation to attend the meeting of the St. George Exchange Club on Thursday, September 16 when, he told me, they were going to honor him for his years of service. Turns out, I was the one being honored as the recipient of the Book of Golden Deeds, the most prestigious award given by the Exchange Club to a special person - member or non-member - for dedicating time and efforts to strengthening the community. Needless to say, I was left absolutely speechless with the award - and was quite concerned Ed was not being treated fairly! I was honored for my efforts to build the Volunteer Center network in Southwest Utah and for other programs in which I have been involved over the past 25 years. It was very nice - and completely unexpected - but felt like a funeral.

Also on September 16, my replacement started at our office. Her name is Carol Hollowell (see more about her and her family on my ward blog at http://bloomington7thword.blogspot.com/). She is darling, energetic and excited about this opportunity. As for me, it seems a little strange to have someone else doing what I have been doing for the past 16 years.

And, finally on September 16, I received an e-mail from our bishop indicating he had been notified our mission papers are ready to mail. We should have them in our hands by the middle of next week. All-in-all . . . it was quite a day!!!

Retirement Party Planned

I am promised in all the Utah state paperwork I have filled out. . ."Retirement is the beginning of a new stage of life. Work is only part of what you do as a person. When you retire from working, whether fully or partially, you'll have more time for the other interests in your life." I hope this rosy definition is accurate, because today was a bit surreal as I interviewed the short list of candidates for my position and my staff designed, printed and addressed about 1,000 invitations to a retirement party in my honor. The cards are being mailed to volunteers and those with whom I have worked for more than 15 years inviting them to an open house on September 27.

Those who already know, say nice things, like, "no one will ever be able to take your place," "you are irreplaceable," "whoever takes your place will certainly have big shoes to fill," "this community will never be the same without you." Of course, I learned a long time ago (back in my hospital days) no one is indispensible!!! There will be a day when volunteers in Washington County will say, "Linda who?"

I am looking forward to the years ahead in which I plan to complete everything on my "bucket list." I accept the fact that it is time to move on, but I will miss the day-to-day interaction of volunteers I have come to love . . . and my wonderful staff who make everyday I spend in the office a joy.

And speaking of surreal, the official day I fly away on my broomstick is now Halloween!