For our 2016-2017 Asia Area mission, we have moved to
TheFlyingNormanos.WordPress.com
Wednesday, June 15, 2016
Monday, May 30, 2016
The Envelope, Please!
As all prospective missionaries know, waiting for that big white envelope from Church Headquarters can make each day feel a week long! Craig and I had it a little easier this time, since we received an email from an Asia Area office senior missionary, and a follow-up email from one of the Asia Area presidency, asking us for details about our upcoming mission there. So, we concluded we knew where we were going, just not when.
Our official call letter states that we will be member and leader support missionaries in the Asia Area, reporting to the MTC in Provo on September 12th, 2016. However, what we understood was that the presidency could use us sooner, so Craig checked with Elder Funk and Elder Wong, who directed us to work with the Missionary Department to have us arrive mid-July. That's 6 weeks from now, which is about how long it takes for visas to Hong Kong, and to make travel arrangements. Six weeks!!!
Our official call letter states that we will be member and leader support missionaries in the Asia Area, reporting to the MTC in Provo on September 12th, 2016. However, what we understood was that the presidency could use us sooner, so Craig checked with Elder Funk and Elder Wong, who directed us to work with the Missionary Department to have us arrive mid-July. That's 6 weeks from now, which is about how long it takes for visas to Hong Kong, and to make travel arrangements. Six weeks!!!
Tuesday, April 26, 2016
Today our mission application was submitted! It's a relief to be able to talk about our mission plans, finally! Out of concern for undue speculation about who might replace Craig in the stake presidency, our stake president asked that we keep these plans confidential--and it was tough!
At the last League City Texas Stake conference, in November 2015, the visiting authority, Elder Lawrence Corbridge, had asked why the Normans had not returned to their mission in Hong Kong, since Sister Norman was enjoying good health. That was the green light we had been waiting for. Craig had not wanted to disrupt the stake presidency, knowing that it doesn't matter where one serves, and he didn't want to tell the Lord what to do, so instead he served faithfully as President Reeves' 1st counselor, having unforgettable experiences along the way.
We were able to videoconference with the Asia Area presidency, Presidents Funk, Wong, and Pon, 12 January 2016, determining that they did need our willing service, as soon as possible. Accordingly, we completed all of the required medical and dental appointments and all of the applications, and. . . when Craig hit "submit," he got the red screen of denial. At some point since we did this in 2010, a new requirement had been put in place that the applicants could not currently be in a leadership position.
So here we are, over 3 months later, officially submitting our mission application!
At the last League City Texas Stake conference, in November 2015, the visiting authority, Elder Lawrence Corbridge, had asked why the Normans had not returned to their mission in Hong Kong, since Sister Norman was enjoying good health. That was the green light we had been waiting for. Craig had not wanted to disrupt the stake presidency, knowing that it doesn't matter where one serves, and he didn't want to tell the Lord what to do, so instead he served faithfully as President Reeves' 1st counselor, having unforgettable experiences along the way.
We were able to videoconference with the Asia Area presidency, Presidents Funk, Wong, and Pon, 12 January 2016, determining that they did need our willing service, as soon as possible. Accordingly, we completed all of the required medical and dental appointments and all of the applications, and. . . when Craig hit "submit," he got the red screen of denial. At some point since we did this in 2010, a new requirement had been put in place that the applicants could not currently be in a leadership position.
So here we are, over 3 months later, officially submitting our mission application!
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