Is Hong Kong Near Sweden?

On March 25, 2009, we received a summons to gather at Carrie Ann and Todd's home at 7:30 p.m. for the beginning of a new chapter in our family's adventures. My parents had finally received their mission call!

It was a truly magical moment! Mo and Papa, Grandma and Grandpa Green, Chip and ML's family, Carrie and Todd, and my little brood all gathered together around that large white envelope sitting on the ottoman and tried to imagine where this next chapter would take my sweet parents. We quickly had the Giles family on Skype and Emily, Abby and Spencer all on various cell phones sitting next to the "envelope". My whole family was gathered. All of us were present. Even though I couldn't see all the faces of these people I love and adore above anything on this planet, I can't tell you how strong their presence was felt.

The first order of business was to have everyone write down their mission call predictions. (We were secretly testing the mind reading powers and ability to predict the future talents of all family members. When all was said and done, Sho and Jacob are the real talent in this family. They both nailed it! ) Even Sarah held up a poster with their family's predictions...although James won in my book. He guessed Lebanon.

Finally the moment arrived. And I'll let you see for yourself how it all unfolded. (I taped these 2 segments with my digital camera and our headphones are broken so I don't even know if this will work. I'm not the family member with the tech savvy know-how!)

A strange hush fell over the room when they read the words "Hong Kong, China". We are deeply entrenched in our past experiences in Sweden. Consciously admitted or not, I think many of us thought they were headed back to the homeland. So truly it took some of us a moment to figure out if there was a "Hong Kong" in Sweden?!

My parents are so excited...and so prepared. There is an enormous legacy of missionary service that runs in the veins of the people around me. I have felt that legacy connect us from generation to generation as I read the accounts of my ancestors and watch the events unfold in my current family. My parents would have gone anywhere and done absolutely anything. They live and breathe the words to the hymn "I will go where you want me to go dear Lord". I have watched them serve in every calling in the church from mission president to seminary teacher to stake president, bishop, primary, young women's, washing dishes at the temple, etc. with equal zeal, enthusiasm and gratitude for the opportunity to serve the Lord. And so begins a new chapter in their lives and consequently, in my life. I have a feeling that China is about to take a very central place in our lives. I have a feeling that there are lives about to be changed because Paul and Bonnie Oscarson are headed for China. I know already that my life is changing because of what I am witnessing and feeling in watching them prepare and accept this new call. It is with joy and gratitude and a deep testimony rooted in the gospel of Jesus Christ that I rejoice in the call to serve that my parents have received. I will miss them...I will cry sometimes because they will be far away...but I will be forever grateful for the ways they are touching and blessing the lives of my family...especially my children.

If I knew how to speak even one word in Chinese, I would insert it right here.

Let the adventure begin!!!