Getting used to the idea

It's no secret to anyone who knows us well that Chicago is about the last place we would have chosen to serve.  We had been assured and reassured by our Stake President and the President of the Palmyra Mission that we would get to serve in Rochester, New York.  Then when we opened the call, we were stunned.  We didn't speak for several minutes.

Our granddaughter, who was there, said, "You guys don't look very happy."  That was the understatement of the year.  Not happy?  How about very, very upset?  Not only that, but it was going to cost the maximum amount we had said we could afford, PLUS about $200 for a monthly storage shed for our furniture, PLUS my Kaiser insurance would not be good in Illinois and they wanted me to spend another $180 a month for insurance that had a $2000 deductible.  We decided on Sunday to call the Stake President and ask for a change of assignment, due to financial restraints.  We were told this was acceptable.  Our Stake President was shocked.  Chicago?  No, that's wrong.  You are to go to New York.  The are waiting for you in New York.

The next day we received a text that said something to the effect:  I talked to President Francis in Palmyra.  He said he did everything in his power to get you assigned to his mission.  But an Apostle of the Lord said you are needed in Chicago.  How do you argue with that?

Things began to work out.  I called my school district and they said it would be no problem to switch over my insurance.  I called the housing sister in Illinois and she was so nice and said over and over how excited they were that we were coming.  People we knew told us how much they love Chicago.

I will admit that the only thing I know about Chicago is what I've seen in movies and on TV - none of it very nice.  Then again, I know what I've seen about Los Angeles on TV and I know that the drama, crime and danger is just a very small percentage of what happens here.  Of course, it didn't help to know that the chapel in Chicago is surrounded by wrought iron gates that have to be locked at night and the windows are made of bullet-proof glass.  Sheesh.

After spending the day in the temple on Wednesday, we began to feel much better about our assignment.  There are two comments I have thought a lot about.
My brother, Michael:  So happy for you.  Somewhere in Illinois, a Stake President is praying for the Lord to send him some strong leaders to help him direct the saints in his stake.  You will be an answer to many prayers as you "go to the rescue" to help members, especially prospective Elers, become active and help build the church.  Hurrah for Israel?
At church yesterday, "There are many, many talented people in Palmyra and Nauvoo.  You are not needed there."

Meanwhile, we are packing, packing and praying that we will be able to rent out our house to help defray our mission expenses.  Fingers crossed.