The "envelope" had come in the mail much earlier in the day. But the seal was not broken. And finally at 10:15 PM, when all family members were available....the moment had arrived!!
With the help of a conference call, all ten of the kids, and all the in-laws, were able to chat together from seven locations, in three different states. Everyone listened together as Sam read aloud, "You are hereby called to serve in the........
Adriatic South Mission!!!!!!!!!
There were not the expected whoops and cheers. But there were a lot of "where?" and "pull out the atlas". And some were Googling it before others could even repeat the name of the country. Maps were pulled out and connections were made. Italy.....OK, we all know right where that it. Just west across the Adriatic sea from Italy.......is Albania. Places were flying around the conversation. Places like Tirane, Macedonia, Greece, Bosnia.....as well as city after city that none of us can pronounce. We all realized very quickly, that "The Parents" were going to be a long, long way from home!!
Incredibly exciting!!
Extremely rare!!
Not a one of us guessed anywhere near Albania.
How very, very blessed that mission is to get Brother and Sister Jones. How very, very blessed are the people they will come in contact with, who will be served by these two who have already spent a lifetime serving others. How very, very blessed are the children, in-laws, and grandchildren of this new senior couple missionary. How very, very blessed are the ones who call them Mom....Dad....Grandma....and Grandpa. I am sure we cannot know what blessings will come to our family while our parents serve The Lord. Maybe we can all recommit to do our own part here at home.
