Sunday, November 18, 2012

IT'S OFFICIAL

I have been called to serve a mission for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints.
As a Service Missionary.

I was contacted by the Pocatello Idaho Mission President and his wife.
They were given my name as one who may be willing to serve in the capacity of a nurse.
Perhaps you've seen those missionaries with their name badges.
Or maybe you've seen people wearing the yellow "helping hands" T-shirts
assisting clean up efforts after hurricanes, tornados or floods.
There are countless ways that the church allows us to serve.

The necessary paperwork was filled out.
I've had a couple of meetings with them and away I go.
I am one of four nurses in the Pocatello Idaho Mission serving in this capacity.

I actually won't go anywhere.
I will continue my regular life with the exception of taking phone calls from missionaries
 (those with the last name between L-O will be my responsibility).
 I will do a "phone triage" or
if necessary I will go visit to determine if they need to seek further medical care.
It's a bit more involved than all that, but I am excited to serve.

I always thought I'd have to be old and retired to serve a mission.
Well, I'm not retired!

I expressed to the Mission President's wife my uncertainty of knowing if one of the missionaries needed further attention.
She smiled and told me to relax.
 "Just treat them as you would your own children", she said.
I told her that my third child suffered from a broken hand for 3 days before I decided maybe it really was broken.
His hand was the size of a watermelon.
She smiled and told me I would do just fine.

In today's past political climate,
it would be impossible to not know at least a little bit about LDS people and the church.
Regardless of political leaning, it would be impossible not to admire the dedication of Mitt Romney,
his generosity with his inheritance and the fact that he didn't take a paycheck as Govenor of Massachussetts.
He has lived an stellar life.
He's got an amazing wife and family.
The LDS Church was definitely under a microscope.
Hopefully, we were able to be an example of good.
If you want to learn more about the church I know that there are missionairies worldwide that would love to meet you.
I would also be thrilled to send you a Book of Mormon.
Seriously, I would.

43 comments:

gigi said...

Good Job, Sister Egan! You are gonna be GREAT! I think it is wonderful that you can serve in this way. My SIL's parents went to Boston and She did paper work and He kept all the Mission Cars in tip top shape as a mechanic. There are 100 of ways to serve. I'm proud of you.
Loves ya!

mCat said...

Oh my heck! I am so excited for you! I didn't even know they had these types of missionary opportunities, but lookie here! You will be wonderful and your family blessed!

lesa said...

Did you see me smiling as I read this post? I am so excited for you. Awesome news!!

Elisa said...

Congrats! That's totally awesome!!

Ann Marie said...

SQUEEEEEEEEEEE!!!!!

I wish I could hug you in real life!

And how lucky will those missionaries be to get you on the other end of the phone line.

Lucky peeps.

Your a good example to me Sister Egan. Love ya.♥

Liz Mays said...

I'm so glad your heart is so open and willing to take this on!

Kirsten said...

WOOHOO!! You'll make an amazing missionary Tauna! That's a really exciting thing to do! Is Howard going to try to do something local too?

jen said...

CONGRATS!!!!!! So excited to hear this!!

Yvonne said...

Your comment about your son's broken hand made me LAUGH OUT LOUD.

Congratulations. And to think you would have been serving in my son's mission, if it had just been a few months ago. (Of course, we would have had to change his last name to have had you be his nurse--I'd have seriously considered doing that!!!

You'll be so great!!!!

Brenda said...

Congratulations! I'm happy for you! I'm sure you will be great! The missionaries will love you!

Debbie Jones said...

Congratulations! That is so wonderful for you and your family! My husband and I have started praying every day that we will be blessed with the health and finances to serve as senior missionaries in a few years...actually only 10 to 12 years from now when we retire. When hubby told me he wanted to start praying for this it took me by surprise because a few years back he told me that he had already served his mission and wanted to relax and enjoy himself when he retired. He changed his mind without telling me and I am excited even though it is still a few years away. Thanks for serving. You are a great example!

wendy said...

ha ha...LOVE YOU. No sense in over reacting. Swollen HAnd, painful, complaining, DOES. NOT. necessarily constitute a visit to the ER.
phssst.
whatever.
get over it.
You will show some Tuff Love. ha ha ha
plus. just the fact that you are awesome, and they'll be calling up up with fake illnesses just to "hang with ya"

Anonymous said...

What awesome news, Tauna. Such a great way to serve and I am so proud of you.

" Hit It......." said...

Congratulations! I thought you had to be old and retired too. (Btw - you are neither).

I think this will be an incredible experience for you. I am so proud of you.

Saimi said...

Holy Cow you rock Sister!! Congratulations, you are going to be AMAZING!!!!!

YAY!!!

Lisa said...

Awesome, Sister! Congratulations and I wish my children were lucky enough to serve in your area...next time put in for Uganda, okay? :)

Debby@Just Breathe said...

Congratulations! You must feel very honored. I voted for Romney!
I have had many LDS neighbors and got close to several during my years on the PTA. I even went to a mother/daughter function with one of my friends. I do admire the dedication to family.

Connie said...

Sister Egan, you will be the bestest missionary around! What an honor! What a responsibility! What a blessing you will be to those young missionaries!

Julia said...

Congratulations on your new mission. I'm sure that you will be perfect for the job.
JB

~Wyatt~Brittney~Brecken~Oliver~ said...

WAHOOO!!!!!

Sherrie said...

Very exciting news! Congratulations!! I am very happy for you. You will do great!

Lisa @ Pulsipher Page said...

That is so exciting! You will be an awesome missionary. It was so fun to see you at the hospital with Lauren. You are more lovely and beautiful in person!

Ginger said...

Wonderful news! You are going to be wonderful!

Joy For Your Journey said...

Congratulations! That is awesome. And I am a bit jealous. I don't have even one nurse in our mission so I have to handle all the calls. The first couple months it stressed me so much, but I am getting better. Most of the calls are just elders with colds or sick to their stomachs, but we did have one elder with appendicitis who I thought had just another tummy ache and told him to take pepto bismol and call me in the morning .Luckily he went to the hospital instead. He had his appendix out that night. So--my point is you will be great! Or at least you could not be worse than I have been. :-)

Joy For Your Journey said...

Congratulations! That is awesome. And I am a bit jealous. I don't have even one nurse in our mission so I have to handle all the calls. The first couple months it stressed me so much, but I am getting better. Most of the calls are just elders with colds or sick to their stomachs, but we did have one elder with appendicitis who I thought had just another tummy ache and told him to take pepto bismol and call me in the morning .Luckily he went to the hospital instead. He had his appendix out that night. So--my point is you will be great! Or at least you could not be worse than I have been. :-)

just call me jo said...

That is so exciting. I'm glad it's you. But think of all the blessings you'll be getting. I can't think of a more deserving person. Love to you.

Barbaloot said...

You're amazing!! My dad did the same thing a few years ago in SLC and loved it. Thanks for being willing to serve.

Lene said...

Congratulations!

You will do amazing!

StitchinByTheLake said...

How wonderfully exciting for you - congratulations and best wishes. :) Is this post very far from where you live? As you probably know I served at a Methodist mission the last three summers in south Louisiana, about 400 miles from where I live. We won't be going back there this next summer but we're hoping for next winter! blessings, marlene
P.S. I voted for Romney and I'm very sorry he didn't win. :(

Unknown said...

I can't think of a better person to have this calling. You've been this 'phone triage / mom-in-need' gal for my own child for two years now!

Heather said...

Congrats to you! How exciting! I love seeing your name badge! You will be a great missionary! I love that it is in your profession!

Nancy Face said...

Congratulations, so excited for you!

tammy said...

I didn't know there were these type of missionary callings either. You will be perfect for this! You will help calm their worries and make them laugh. That is the perfect combination.

Just Mags said...

Congratulations! You will be a tremendous blessing. Hugs

life in red shoes said...

Bless you ! What a blessing to have such a gift and to be willing to share it with those in need.
Answered prayers and tender mercies :)
Best of luck.

Mikki said...

Congratulations Tauna! This is so aweesome. I was wondering what the details were. Should have thought to visit sooner!

RoeH said...

Ditto to all. And congrats. I did one about six years ago. And I wasn't OLD. Nobody is old now. It's a whole different world out there. :))

Unknown said...

Ahhh! What a fun calling! I think you'll be GREAT! You're so fun, and caring, and obviously capable! It will be an awesome experience! Good luck, Sister Egan!

Valerie said...

I saw this photo you posted on FB, but it's great to have the details. What a special experience it is sure to be!

Doran & Jody said...

Congratulations!!
I hope they call ME on a mission...when I have grown a foot or two!!

Jenny Lynn said...

Congratulations on your call to serve. It is so wonderful of you to use your talents to help the missionaries. I see many great blessings coming your way!

Emmy said...

Congrats!! And you will be wonderful I have no doubt

Renée said...

Wow, I'm amazed as I see all of the fantastic CSMs in my area and all they are doing. We have 26 that serve the Boise Idaho Mission. You may find that you have little time to blog or do anything else! How grateful I am for skilled saints like you who serve each week. You will be a marvelous blessing to all of your missionaries. Congratulations!