Called to Serve

Jaret received his mission call in the mail on Wednesday, March 9.  The Young Women's president in our ward works at the post office, so she called us here at home at 7:30 am and said there was a special envelope addressed to Elder Jaret Boyd Wilson, and did we want to have it delivered or come get it ourselves.  Jesse quickly hopped out of the shower, dried off, and got dressed, and drove down to the post office to pick up the envelope.

And then we just stared at the envelope all day Wednesday and all day Thursday.  I had several tips from friends saying that if I put the envelope in the freezer, the glue would dry and we would be able to open it without ripping the envelope.  Of course, we knew this was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity, so we waited (not so patiently) for Jaret to arrive at midnight on Thursday from his spring break trip to Fort Lauderdale, Florida (where he was visiting his recently-returned missionary cousin and family!).

So, for those of you who don't know where Jaret is going, I guess I better quit being long-winded and get to the punch line...

Peru Lima North Mission!

Elder Wilson is VERY excited!  He prayed before he opened the envelope, and we could all feel the Spirit testify that Peru is where he is needed.  He is scheduled for phased training, and will enter the Provo MTC on August 3, 2011, for three weeks of training.  Following that, he will train for six weeks at the Peru MTC in Lima.

For the last few months, I have been reviewing and reading a book by V-Ann W. Ludlow titled Making the Most of Your Missionary's Mission (Ideas for Preparing and Supporting Your Missionary).  She quotes President Henry B. Eyring (then Elder) as saying:  In a world so large, the Creator...somehow not only knows you but loves you enough to ensure that your call is where He needs you to go to teach the children of our Heavenly Father (New Era, March 2007, 17).

She also says to remember that he is called not for who he is, but for who he will become.  Like many before him, he has been "called," and his service will determine if he is "chosen" (D&C 121:40).  We are so excited to support and encourage Elder Wilson in his service!

The first thing Jaret had to do was write an acceptance letter to the First Presidency in Salt Lake City.  Second, he will apply for a US Passport tomorrow, and a Visa next week.  Most missionaries called to Peru are given about a 4-5 month wait period to obtain necessary visa and passport documents.  He also has to get two new immunizations:  typhoid and yellow fever.  It will be a long wait, but I'm sure we'll have lots to prepare during the wait.

The climate in Peru, I understand, is mild but humid.  Most of the time the humidity is 70%, but it gets up to 90% during some seasons.  Maybe Jaret's Florida trip will help him understand a little of what he will experience, humidity-wise, in Peru.  Because of the climate as well as the area in general, he has an interesting list of items to bring on his mission:

• Suits (1 or 2)
• White shirts (8-10: 2 long-sleeved, 8 short-sleeved)
• Ties (6-8)
• Slacks (3-5)
• Belts (1-2)
• Shoes (2)
• Shower sandals
• Water-resistant boots (it gets VERY muddy during the rainy season)
• Socks (10-12)
• Exercise clothing
• Preparation day clothes
• Raincoat with zip-out liner for warmth
• Sweaters (1-2)
• Baptismal clothing
• Umbrella
• Bedding (1 set of sheets, 2 pillowcases, 1 blanket)
• Towels
• Small first aid kit (including sun screen and lip balm with 30% SPF and insect repellant with 30% deet; no Imodium-AD - it just masks stomach problems)
• A variety of miscellaneous items, such as sewing kit, shoe-shine kit, battery alarm clock, and 5 packages of moleskin for blisters (sounds like he'll be doing A LOT of walking)
• US postage stamps (to send mail in the pouch)
• Driver's license and driving record

In addition, I've read on several blogs that it would be useful to send 4 flea collars to put on the bed posts and a Dog Dazer (to scare off wild dogs).  In my research the past few days, I have found several blogs that are quite useful and informative.  If you're interested in learning more about Peru, the Peruvian people, the missions, missionaries, missionary families, etc., feel free to peruse the following blogs:

perumissionmoms.blogspot.com (you can see a map of Peru and the mission divisions, as well as links to mission websites and missionary blogs)

lpblunck.blogspot.com (President Blunck will be Jaret's mission president for most of his mission; this is a blog that his wife keeps where she posts amazing pictures and descriptions of Peru, the Peruvian people, and the missionaries and their activities in the North mission)