Getting Set Apart as Missionaries for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints

Today was a day we couldn't ever have imagined.  Jeff was set apart as the President of the

best mission on earth- the Australia Adelaide Mission- by Jeffrey R. Holland of the 

Quorum of the Twelve Apostles.  Lisa was set apart as a missionary of the Church 

of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints by Lynn G. Robbins, a member of the Presidency

of the Seventy.  An experience never to forget.  We are blessed to have many family 

members with us. 

The day has arrived!  Entering The MTC in Provo, Utah.  It's a beautiful day and we

feel privileged to be here.

Receiving our missionary name tags.  A very humbling and sobering moment.

We can't believe this is really happening.  Many emotions running through our 

minds, but we are filled with excitement and are honored to be here.  

Standing by the ever popular map of the world where thousands of missionaries 

have taken a similar picture pointing to the place where they will serve the 

Lord and invite others to come unto Christ. 

Three Allred cousins have been called to serve for the next 3 years.  Besides

the Parkers in Australia, Chriss and Jerry Allred are called to preside over the newly 

created Logan, Utah Mission and Allen and Denise Alexander are called to the 

North Carolina, Charlotte Mission.  Incredible experience to share together.  We are so 

grateful for the heritage we've been blessed with.  We love you and are praying

for all of you.

These few days have been an experience of a lifetime.  We have been taught 

and tutored by Apostles of the Lord.  We have felt their love for us, the 

missionaries, and for our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.  Words cannot express 

our gratitude for the privilege of being here.  We will treasure up in our minds

and hearts the things we have been taught and anxiously share them with the

best missionaries ever!

We hold dear the friendships we make through service in the Lord's Kingdom.

Elder Craig and Jan Zwick have made a great impact on our lives.  We express our 

deepest gratitude for their counsel, their example, their friendship, and their love.

Elder Zwick was the one who called President Parker to preside over the 

Redrock Stake in Las Vegas, Nevada in Nov. 2007.

Elder Teh- we love you.  We have such a tender place for you in our hearts.  

Thank you for the time you have spent with us, your kindness, and your love.

We honor and sustain you.  (Elder Teh was the one who released President Parker

as Stake President of the Redrock Stake in Las Vegas, Nevada in Nov. 2014.)

Four couples called to serve in the Pacific Area. Besides the Parkers, The Fifes are called 

to serve in Perth, Australia, The Grangers are called to serve in Vanauatu, and the

Checkettes are going to Sydney, Australia North.  We became fast friends and look 

forward to seeing these couples in Sydney at the end of August. 

Our new friends, The Larsons, from Arizona are called to preside over the Lima, Peru

Central Mission.  Quite a contrast from our vast mission.  Their whole mission area is 

9 miles by 9 miles.  6 million people and a new language!  They will do a fabulous job

and the people of Peru will love them as we do.

Couples called to serve from the great state of Nevada.  We will be friends forever.

These are the New Mission Presidents and wives pictures that will hang in the MTC

for the next 3 years.  And this is us!  We have had an unforgettable experience

here.  It has changed us.  We will go forward with great faith after being filled

each day with the doctrine of Christ that we know will change the world.