I would like to share a very special experience that I encounter in the year of 1979.As mentioned earlier I had been really wondering what I was supposed to be doing with my life. I tried many things, but most of them had to do with just me. I moved back into my parents home on Garfield and started to ask questions to my Bishop. He challenged me to start thinking about submitting my Missionary papers to Serve a Full time Mission for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. That took me by surprise. I had never thought about that before. After listening to him I was really interested in the service part of being a full time Missionary.
Only two problems that I was worried about,,,leaving my music and giving up the thing that I loved most,,,and not enough money. I went back to playing in nightclubs throughout the valley with the band when I returned from California. It was what I knew how to do to earn money.
MESA ARIZONA TEMPLE
He asked me to go to the Temple grounds in Mesa and just walk around and contemplate the feelings that I would be having there. So one evening I went all by myself and enjoyed the beautiful grounds. I stopped at one of the reflecting pools there and just started staring at the temple which was so beautiful. I remember just standing there and I heard a quiet voice in my ear that told me to "Go Home and See your Bishop" I just ignored it,, then it came again and was a little louder. "Go Home and See your Bishop" So I remember running to my car and driving back to Phoenix to my Bishops house.
"This is something hard for me to put into words, but I want each of you to know that it really happened."Continuing on with the story, I arrived at the Bishops house and I remember it was pretty late. I knocked on the door, he answered and asked me to come in. As I entered in, I explained what had happened at the Temple. He paused and pointed to the little desk by the entrance of the door. He explained that while he was praying a little earlier in the evening. He had a very strong prompting come over him that he was to Sign the Mission papers for me to get the process started for me to get approved. I remember standing there with him reaching over and picking the application up and handing it to me. With tears in my eyes I could not believe the feelings that I was having. Without a shadow of a doubt, I had the Spirit testify to me that I needed to Serve a Full Time Mission for the Church. From that point on I never doubted my decision.
COMMITMENT to SERVE
Started to save as much money as I could. I talked with my parents and they did not understand why? I put away all of my earnings from construction and playing 6 nights a week at the Wagon Yard in Phoenix.
Then I was called in to talk with the Bishop again. He had explained to me that I needed to have a series of Interview to make sure I was worthy to serve. I did everything I was asked to do. I had an interview with one of the General Authorities from our Church when he was here attending a Stake Conference. I remember His loving arms and understanding heart as I asked to be forgiven of all of the past transgressions that I had committed. It was like looking into the eyes of the Savior. He asked me to Council with my Stake President and prepare to Serve. It was a very humbling time in my life, But I felt as if the past was in the past and I was getting my life ready to be a worthy full time missionary.
Then came the big request from my Stake President which hit me pretty hard. He requested that I stop participating in the BAR SCENE(playing music). It was not a place where the Spirit resided so I needed to find other ways of saving my money.
It came to the point where I sold my equipment to my Brother in Law and even sold my car. I earned as much money as I could. I was told from my parents that I was on my own and they could not send money. I told them I understood. The Bishop explained that when the time came for me to go, there were some great people living in my Ward that would help support my Mission. My commitment was real and things started to fall into place.
During this time I received a calling to be the Young Adult Leader for the Ward. I would plan and hold
activities. We would hold Family home evenings for each of us to participate in. The time came for me to submit my application. I was ready, filled in the papers and sent them off to Salt Lake City, Utah to see where My Father in Heaven wanted to me SERVE. What happened next caught me totally by surprise. I met SOMEONE!!!! not supposed to happen to me at this point,,I guess it was another challenge for me to see if I would be able to make the proper choice."I met Renae Sorenson"
......to be continued
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