Golda's Mission Call!

All of Ptolemy's waiting finally paid off, and he had the time of his life at Josh D's Reptile Birthday Party.

Also, Golda got her mission call!  She had submitted her papers to serve an 18-month mission for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints on February 28, wrapping up weeks of preparation on Golda's part to gather all the forms and information, and to prayerfully consider what she would write on the application.  She felt peaceful about everything she wrote and included, and about how the interviews went with her bishop and stake president.  She had a strong desire to go French-speaking, and included that information in her papers.  She had also included a sentence about having a Chinese sister and feeling a connection to her culture, but she took that part out.  I was disappointed that she hadn't included it, but Golda said, "Mom, it doesn't matter.  I'll go where I'm supposed to go."  She was willing to go anywhere, from Wyoming to Madagascar, but she secretly hoped for the opportunity to perfect her French.  She thought the fact that her bishop spoke French and that his wife is Swiss, was a good omen for French-speaking.  It's proof that, as sound and worthy as our plans are, the Lord's plans are much bigger.

Last Sunday, Golda's bishop let her know that her call's status was "Ready to be Assigned."  Tuesday, my friend's son got word that his call had been assigned.  Her son submitted his papers the day after Golda, so Golda asked her bishop and he said that, indeed, Golda's call had been assigned that Tuesday!  The die was cast!  It was thrilling.  By pestering our mail carrier, I learned that most calls have been arriving in our neighborhood on Fridays or Saturdays.  Naturally, I was anxious on Thursday, thinking maybe the call would be an overachiever, like Golda, and arrive early.  No call.

We had a plan in place for Friday, and I set up my lawn chair in view of the mailbox to wait.  I got word from my friend Eloina that her son's call hadn't come, so we thought Golda's probably wouldn't either, but we still couldn't help but hope.  By the time the mail truck came into view, Scott, Ruby and I were standing out on the street.  The mail woman shouted, "I don't have it!  I don't have it!"  Darn!  So much for our Friday night opening party.  We immediately set our sights on Saturday and invited everyone over at 2 o'clock to see where and when Golda would go.  I was pretty confident that the call would come on Saturday, even though the mail carrier said she'd seen "stragglers" arrive on Monday.  I couldn't go there mentally, so we all crossed our fingers and held our breath that it would arrive.

Saturday morning, I was driving down Crestwood Road to pick up Xanthe from dance when I saw our mail lady driving up toward our neighborhood.  I had a feeling she would go to our house first.  I envisioned Ptolemy opening the door, grabbing the envelope and ripping it open.  I pictured us picking up pieces of the letter and taping it together to see where Golda was going.  I cringed.  Fortunately, it didn't go down like that, but sure enough, the mail lady was on her way to our house when I saw her.  Ruby sent a voice note 5 minutes later.  "I HAVE GOLDA'S MISSION CALL IN MY HANDS!!  AAAAAAAHHHHHHAAAA!"  Later, our wonderful mail carrier told me that she wished I'd been there, or Golda, so she could hand it to us, but I think it was perfect that Ruby got to be the one to accept it.

At this time, Golda just happened to be stuck in traffic behind an accident, coming home from Orem.  And, she had her roommate's costume in her car that Gentry had forgotten and needed for a competition.  Gentry was calling and texting, and the rest of us were calling and texting, and Golda couldn't do a thing about it!  Finally, the traffic came to a complete standstill and Golda called me.  I said, "Your mission call is here!"  Silence.

Then, "OK, I can't even think about that right now!"  At last, she pulled into the driveway, handed off the competition pants to Gentry's parents, and went inside.  She wouldn't look at our touch her mission call.  I said, "Go make friends with your call!  Hold it!"  She was so nervous!

We were all set up for the big reveal.  We passed the next three hours pacing, taking pictures, picking up kids and buying balloons.  Scott got home from orchestra and paced with us.  He'd been at the store buying more cake for the party.  We were all just trying to stay busy.  And then suddenly it was time!!  I picked up Araceli and Emma from ballet and came home to a house full of expectant people.  The air of anticipation was wonderful and overwhelming.

Everyone's guesses were displayed on the map.  I had guessed Congo, because I really wanted her to go there, and Perth, Australia, just for fun.  Scott guessed Scotland/Ireland.  Freestone was firm on Texas.  He just was sure she was going there!

This look of Golda's is exactly like my mom and Aunt Pat.  They both used to smile at me all the time, just like this.  I can still picture Aunt Pat doing this.  I miss her.

This is the magic wand that we joked was the reason Golda's call finally came.

Lauren, Becca and Jess, Dance Company friends

Luke, representing the wardies, and Emily Major from Dance Company

Shelter Michelle and her giant son, Matthew!

Beautiful Mic and beautiful Coco

Taylor, Ruby's friend

Tricia and Jim

Michelle and Nikki, Grandma and Grandpa.

Ok, as I said, it was FINALLY TIME!  In the most unbelievable act of foreshadowing, Golda asked Xanthe, our beautiful link to China, to sing a song for everyone right before she opened the call.  Xanthe has been practicing for a play audition, and she wanted a little sliver of the spotlight.  Here she is!  (click)  Isn't she adorable with that British accent?  Even the British accent was foreshadowing for Hong Kong, which was a British colony for 99 years.  

And then Golda opened the envelope and read the sacred words, "Dear Sister Dopp."  Those three words carried a wind of divinity, as if they brought upon us the full weight of Golda's calling and responsibility for the next year and a half.  Those three words ushered in the whole thing.  It began.

 HERE IS THE VIDEO!

And then she continued reading, "You are hereby called to serve as a missionary for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints."  As she said the word "saints," she saw where she was going.  Her breath caught, and she took a step back before continuing, "You are assigned to labor in the China Hong Kong Mission."  A roar went up from the crowd.  After all the waiting and speculating, the hoping and praying, the conjecturing, this is the call that we all knew was perfect beyond our understanding.

She leaves June 29, the first possible day she could leave, after her availability date.  She is going to learn Cantonese.  Cantonese!  It has nine tones!  I can scarcely believe that Golda will be able to understand and speak such a difficult language.  It's said to be second only to Navajo in difficulty.  I know Golda can do it.  If anyone can, it's Golda.  I'm overwhelmed by her faith and humility, and grateful beyond measure for the example she sets for all of us, especially her younger siblings.  I can't imagine anything more faith-promoting than to be in the room for the feeling of a call like this.  Thank you, Golda, for bringing this happiness into our lives.  We are so proud of you, you can't even imagine.  

We just sat around for the rest of the day, basking, just basking in the spirit that pervaded our home, and the light and joy that we felt, the wonder at the reality of Golda moving to Hong Kong!

Nikki, Scott's sister, had guessed correctly.  I still remember it, too.  I asked her what her guess was and she said, "China.  Are there missionaries in China?"  I said, "Yes, in Hong Kong and Taiwan."  She said that that's what her guess would be, then.  Nikki, you must be the most in-tune one of us!  ;)

Emily Abel is the best friend ever.  She was driving home from southern Utah when we opened the call.  Her sister Amy was at our house for the party, even, and she made her swear not to tell.  She uninstalled Instagram so she wouldn't be tempted to check!  She came over at 7 that night and had Golda read the call to her, so that she could be surprised and celebrate with Golda.  That's true friendship.

Mission president Lan and his wife!

Hong Kong has to be the most exhilarating place in all the world.  Whenever we talk about what we'd do if we won the lottery, my first answer is always, "Go back to Hong Kong.  Take all the kids." (We were there in 2006.) Now this unique and remarkable place has entered our lives in a big way, and we couldn't be more grateful or overjoyed.