The Call

Preparation Phase

The purpose of this blog is to allow all of our family and dear friends follow our progress as we serve an 18-month mission for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints in the New Zealand Hamilton Mission. 


This is our mission application photo ...

Here is Sister Baxter's Mission Call  ...
Tim's is identical (except the name has changed).

February 12, 2019
Sister Ruth Ann Baxter
100 Hawthorne Drive
Nicholasville, KY 40356

Dear Sister Baxter:
You are hereby called to serve as a missionary of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
You are assigned to labor in the New Zealand Hamilton Mission. Your primary assignment is to
labor as a member and leader support missionary. It is anticipated that you will serve for a period of
18 months.
You should report to the Provo Missionary Training Center on Monday, May 20, 2019. Your
assignment may be modified according to the needs of the mission president.
You have been recommended as one worthy to represent the Lord as a minister of the restored gospel.
You will be an official representative of the Church. As such, you will be expected to maintain the
highest standards of conduct and appearance by keeping the commandments, living mission rules,
and following the counsel of your mission president. As you devote your time and attention to
serving the Lord, leaving behind all other personal affairs, the Lord will bless you with increased
knowledge and testimony of the Restoration and of the truths of the gospel of Jesus Christ.
Your purpose will be to invite others to come unto Christ by helping them receive the restored gospel
through faith in Jesus Christ and His Atonement, repentance, baptism, receiving the gift of the Holy
Ghost, and enduring to the end. As you serve with all your heart, might, and strength, the Lord will
lead you to those who are prepared to be baptized.
The Lord will reward you for the goodness of your life. Greater blessings and more happiness than
you have yet experienced await you as you humbly and prayerfully serve the Lord in this labor of
love among His children. We place our confidence in you and pray that the Lord will help you
become an effective missionary.
You will be set apart as a missionary by your stake president.
Sincerely,
President Russell M. Nelson



12 May 2019

T minus 6 (Days) and Counting ...
All bags are packed and within weight restrictions (so far). We will need to use our full allotment of 6 bags at 50 pounds each.

We were attending the Louisville, KY temple on Friday. After the session we came out to the truck and found a voice message waiting from our Stake President Krebs. He informed us that the Missionary Department informed him that our New Zealand visa's are not yet approved. Until we know more, we will stick to the original plan of leaving Lexington on 17 May and travel to Salt Lake City, UT but expect some change.  We will keep you posted.