How we got to the Maryland Baltimore Mission

On October 30, 2014 Dad (Grandpa/Randy) received a phone call while on his way to lunch with Jason.  A very pleasant woman on the other end invited Brother Randy Christiansen and his wife to come to Salt Lake to the church office building the following Tuesday, November 4th,  to visit with Elder L. Tom Perry. The visit was wonderful! Elder Perry informed us immediately that this was just an interview for a possible call as a mission president.  No call would be extended at this time, or possibly ever. We felt it such an honor just to have the opportunity to visit with this amazing apostle. At the end of the interview he informed us that we would possibly receive a call from the office of the First Presidency.  If we did not hear back by the end of December we were "off the hook".

On November 13th I was downstairs cleaning late at night. Several times that evening the distinct impression had come that we were going to be called to serve.  When Dad came home he was discouraged and uneasy.  I told him of my impressions.  I think he believed me - but when the phone rang the next morning at 8:10 am and an invitation to come visit with President Henry B. Eyring on December 1st at 10:30am was extended we both were filled with mixed emotions.

As a family we have seen a string of tender mercies, but an early one we count as extra sweet was that we had planned several months earlier a family vacation for Disneyland from November 19 through the 25th.  We had the most wonderful time - as usual!!!

On December 1, 2014, we arrived early for our visit with President Henry B. Eyring.  The next hour was one of the most memorable of our lives.  Before extending the call he said we all like to know where we stand before the Lord.  He told us that men, even the prophet, does not know everything about us, but the Lord does know everything there is to know about each of us and that he approves of our lives  - that the Atonement has had the effect it should have in our lives. He emphasized this worthiness before extending the calls in this way:
To Dad - "Will you accept a call to serve as a President over a mission for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints wherever you may be called?"
Dad's answer - "Yes President, I would be happy to."
To Mom - "Now will you accept a call to serve as a full-time missionary for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints for the period of 3 years beginning July 1, 2015?"
Mom's answer - "Yes, Yes!"
President Eyring - "Well then the call and acceptance is completed.  It will be English speaking, the call will come from the First Presidency, and then much more will come from the Missionary department."

President Eyring then counseled us for the next hour.  It was sweet and comforting and amazing!

On December 3rd Trey asked Maranda to marry him!  Of course she said YES!

The following day, December 4th, Juliett's graduation day, (no coincidence) an envelope arrived in the mail.  It looked pretty official. A family gathering at Brick Oven had already been planned in honor of Juliett and the package joined us.

The call to serve was made official and could now be shared with the family and friends!

We had been told the assignment to a mission would probably happen between January and March.  So on December 15th when another official looking package arrived we were totally shocked.  It was ceremoniously opened in front of the Utah Valley Regional Medical Center where I was working that morning.  We had Camille and Anna ditching school and the rest of the family joining us on facetime. MARYLAND BALTIMORE MISSION!!! It immediately felt right!!!

Now the real countdown started. As promised we were immediately contacted by the missionary department.  They started giving us all kinds of assignments to help us prepare....

.....but we had several wonderful family events to look forward to as well!!!

On January 22nd our handsome little Brady Bonham Palmer arrived safely!!!

 Wedding plans were in full swing, as was preparing for trainings at the Missionary Training Center and trying to pack up the house. We also began excusing ourselves from our several volunteer board assignments, and mom quit work with the pediatric sedation team.

Thanks to the Collins family we were able to enjoy a memorable weekend as a family in St George  in March.

On April 10, 2015 Camille received her own endowments at the Provo Temple!

On May 8, 2015 Moe and Trey had a beautiful reception at the Sleepyridge Reception Center and..
on May 9th David Dwight Sexton and Maranda Juliann Christiansen were sealed for time and all eternity in the Salt Lake Temple by Trey's Grandpa Barber.  It was more than a perfect day!!!

A few days later we began a beautiful drive across the country to Tennessee to join in the celebration Open House hosted by Trey's family.  It was perfect as well and wonderful to meet more of Trey's family and friends.

The day after the open house we headed to Oak Island, North Carolina with the Sexton and Palmer families.  It was the most wonderful vacation...and just what we needed!

After we returned May was coming to a close and Camille graduated from East Bay Post High School, Anna from 6th grade and Emery from pre-school...and Crew broke his arm!

One last wild family fling at the Wildwood Cabin....

Early in the morning June 11th movers came and boxed up the belongings to move to Maryland.

On June 14th we spoke in church about Missionary Work! It was all starting to feel a lot more real.