Saturday, February 18, 2012

We Have Our Mission Assignment!! We are going to . . .


We finally received our mission assignment!! After being called to serve as a mission president (Wes) and companion (me) four and a half months ago, we have been very eagerly waiting to hear where we would be going the end of June.

We were sent a list by the church with 30 possibilities and so we spent the past several months studying each place, (love google earth!) and making guesses as to where we will live the next three years of our lives. In fact we even put up a map and had family and friends submit their guesses, the winner getting dinner at a restaurant that serves the cuisine of that country.

And we have a winner . . . . our friends Jenny and Cory, who, along with Wes, chose . . . (drum roll . . . )

Guadalajara Mexico!!!



Okay, truth be told, I was a little disappointed initially. I have lived in Mexico and was hoping for a new adventure (as you might be able to tell by the look on my face.:-)


But after checking out the city and the mission boundaries--which include Puerto Vallarta!, my feelings have changed.

Did you know that Guadalajara boasts the largest market in the western hemisphere?!

It is the birthplace of both Mariachi music and the Mexican Hat Dance :-)

It has perfect weather--no heating or air conditioning is necessary.

It supposedly has some of the country's best food.

And besides beautiful architecture in the downtown area, and wonderful parks all through the city, it is also just a short drive from a huge lake and a canyon that is supposed to be filled with waterfalls and great hiking trails.

It almost makes me wish we were going there on vacation instead of to work as missionaries. :-)

Viva Mexico!!!


20 comments:

Shannon said...

Congratulations! Sounds awesome. You guys will do great- and have fun!

Jenny-Jenny said...

Wow wow wow. What an exciting journey this will be!!!

CB said...

That is super exciting! I know it is weird, but I have chills for you. I think it will be such a wonderful experience and you and your husband will be amazing!!

Congratulations!

Julie said...

Congratulations! What a wonderful adventure ahead.

Lisa @ Pulsipher Page said...

Hooray! So happy for you! Be prepared for visiting vacationers from Arizona!

Amber said...

That makes me a little homesick, I lived there from when I was 7 til I was 11 and then again when I was 13. I got to go back periodically 'til my dad's business failed and I miss it. It is beautiful and the people are wonderful. One of the houses we lived in was just up the street from the mission home, and if it's the same it's very nice and the church building was built new when I was there and that's where I was baptized. We stayed in some of the most beautiful hotels on the most beautiful beaches around Matzaclan, Acapulco and Puerto Vallarta. I haven't heard much about Guadalajara for a long time-- just a lot of bad things about the cartels taking over and the anarchy that reigns in some of the villages especially near the US border because of the drug cartels. I look forward to reading your blog if you keep it up on your adventures there. I'm sure some of the same families are still around that were there when I was there. I would go back in a heartbeat. Congratulations!

Susan Anderson said...

Guadalajara is going to be wonderful, and you are going to do wonderful things there!

=)

Momza said...

God things in store for you guys--did I understand that Wes guessed it beforehand too? No wonder he's being called as the MP there. Those missionaries will LOVE you two!

LeAnn said...

Congratulations this is awesome. I loved visiting this area many years a go. I love the ocean side. The water is so beautiful. I am sure ou are very excited about it all. Keep a good mission blog; I would love to follow you!

Unknown said...

Congratulations! What an awesome time you will have!

Handsfullmom said...

Wonderful news! I'm so thrilled for you.

Meredith said...

Aunt Lori your expression in that picture is just too funny! congratulations!

Meredith said...

PS I think Uncle Wes stole his outfit from my dad

DianeSS said...

It sounds perfect, congratulations! I hope your mission responsibilities will allow you the time for an occasional update on your blog. I am sure I speak for all your blog followers when I say we would love to share a little of this journey with you!

Welcome to the Garden of Egan said...

CONGRATULATIONS!!!!!!
I think it sounds like the perfect assignment!

Terri said...

So excited for you. I can't wait to hear about all the work. Just tell Wes to PACE himself! Wish we could be there to say goodbye!

alpinekleins said...

That is such great news! Having been to Guadalajara (it is such a beautiful and classical city!) I am so thrilled for you all. What an amazing opportunity for you all - so envious!

((hugs))

Kristin

Marilyn said...

Hi Lori! I have wanted to comment for SO long but just haven't gotten around to it---sorry. :( I am SO SO excited for you! What a great opportunity and how fantastic that the weather is perfect. I am kind of worried that when we finally turn our papers in...who knows when right now....that we will go to a place that is hotter than.... well you know..because I don't do well in the heat. I also wanted to reassure you on your Spanish. I am sure by now that it is coming along GREAT! From my own experience, I KNOW that the Lord will bless you to be able to communicate and understand. The people are so wonderful and loving, they will help you along and just love you for trying to speak their language. And after all, you have served a Spanish speaking mission and lived in a Spanish speaking country. Sorry this is so long and rambling but I am so excited for you (maybe a little jealous) and I hope that you will have time to update your blog so us folks here stateside will be able to follow your adventures.

Connie said...

YES!!! How very exciting!

Yvonne said...

Thanks so much for visiting my blog and commenting on the post about my son's birthday.

How exciting for you and your husband to have the opportunity to serve a mission in Mexico. You will be great. I have such love and respect for Mission Presidents and their wives. (My husband is SP here and we have the opportunity to spend a lot of time with ours.) I know how much my boys love their MP and their MP's wives (that sounds like they have more than one--you know what I mean ; )

Good luck. You will be blessed. Just know that the families of those young men and young women (as well as the senior missionaries will all be praying for you. You will feel those prayers.