Called In

      Have you ever been called into the Principal's Office?  If so, you know the feeling.   I got a text asking me to meet with the Stake President.  I said yes, but I thought, "This can't be good."   Well, I didn't really expect it to be a disciplinary meeting.  That would have been my Bishop, I am pretty sure.  So, a calling?  I could not think of a calling from the Stake that I would hope for.  I would  almost certainly accept, but I was not happy thinking about it.  Right now, I am Brighton Ward Relief Society Secretary.  It can take a good amount of time and certainly has a fair amount of stress and  frustration, but it's not a bad calling and I get to associate closely with some remarkable women.  I was a bit anxious.

     President Langford was, of course gracious and welcoming.  And he showed me a video.  That's different.  A video about Living History.   I was asked if I would be willing to serve on a California Living History Mission. Pretend to be a Pioneer.   Wow!  I was so relieved!  I hardly thought.   He did not extend the call, he passed the word.  A few days later I got an email instructiong me to go to the church website and fill out an interest in volunteering form.   A few days after that I got an email that included the message that my name tags were being made!  Still later, I recieved an official call letter in the mail.  After that, I got an email with attachments with training information, clothing information, roster of other Living History missionaries.  I've got a lot of reading to do!  

     And I need to be set apart.  And trained.  A lot of training is a lot of reading.  Now and as long as I serve.  And working with other Living History Service missionaires. 

     Even before the emails and letters, I had a big concern.  Clothing!  I have done NO sewing for years and never did much or well.  I am pretty sure I know where my sewing machine is buried.  But if I am to sew myself authentic pioneer clothing, I not only will pass my release date, I will probably die before I have it made.  I am going to have to find a seamstress and purchase my clothing. And make sure it is authentic.  or authentic enough

     A mission!  I have never seriously thought I would serve a mission.  Miriam is disabled and lives with me.  I can't be gone too far too long.  What about my pets?  Could I afford it?  I don't think there is an age limit on sister mssionaries,  but wouldn't an old lady really slow down and handicap a young sister? Besides maybe making them crazy.  Is my health good enough for a full-time mission? umm, not too sure.   Serving a regular mission just didn't seem likely.  

     But a service mission?  Much more flexible.  I will live at home and serve in my geographic area (it may be a large geographic area).  I was told that I needed to be able to serve 8 hours a week.  Looking at the training materials, I see it says a minimum of 8 hours a week, and talking to some other service missionaires, it sounds like 2 of 3 or 4  times that and maybe more.  Well, we shall see.  For  some of these missionaires, it is what they do, their hobby, passion, vocation.   I  will be able to work with the scheduler and say when i can work and what assignments I accept.  I am pretty sure. 

     In time, I will probably maybe choose or be assigned or somehow acquire a real woman to portray.  Dick Williams has multiple characters that he represents - depending on location?  event?  mood?  I am not sure.  In the meantime, I can be a random pioneer woman sharing skills (me?), helping with activities, doing demonstrations, and maybe telling stories.   Acting.   I never fancied myself an actress, although I have particpated in small ward plays.  Well, at least one.  And I have a children who have been in church plays and several grandchildren who enjoy doing theater.  I can dress up (if I can get the clothes) and play pretend.  Should be fun.

     Especially as after a day of pretending to live in the mid 1800s, I get to go home to plumbing!  electricity!  refrigeration! appliances!  a real bed!  Modern communication!

     As a Living History Specialist, I will do NO proselyting.  In fact, we have to be very careful in what we  say.  We cannot, cannot, cannot proselyte and must be very careful about answering questions.  We will be at state parks and in schools.  If we are thought to be pushing our religion at all, we will be shut down.  We are to build bridges of friendship and trust, and let the lives and faith of the pioneers speak for themselves.  

     The black name tag with the church name on it is for wearing to church and church events.  The brown tag that says Living History Specialist is for wearing to events and demonstrations - where they allow them.  I was at Marshall Gold Discovery Park Gold Rush Live Friday to look around and talk to my soon to be co-workers.  No name tags allowed there. 

    I am friends with a master seamstress - head stitcher for Broadway at Music Circus here in Sacramento.  She is amazing.  She is also always extremely busy.  I don't know if there is any hope. 

     The call is for 2 years.  At least 1 year.  Or possibly forever, at least this functioning life.