Two missions for the price of one!

We went to our temple assignment as usual on Saturday and left at the end of the shift with a new assignment to serve in the Ecuador Guayaquil South Mission as a member and leadership support couple. Our first assignment is in on Santa Cruz in the Galapagos Islands beginning as soon as they get us a ticket. 

The back story is that a couple of months ago another senior couple was visiting here in the building where we live. They come once a month or so when they have meetings in Guayaquil. The husband has been serving in the Guayaquil South Mission Presidency. He was telling us that the mission president would like to send a couple to the Galapagos Islands but he doesn't have one to send. Grandpa said, "Send us. We would like to go!" You know how well he likes change and new adventures. I like nice safe routines and comfortable ruts, but it did sound exciting (even though the only people we know who have been there have told us how hot and dry and HOT it is). Nothing ever came of it.

A week ago President Groberg called us in and said that President Torres of the South Mission had talked with him and President Groberg felt that his need was greater than the temple's need. But it had to be approved by the Area Presidency and the SLC Temple Committee and would depend on what had been written on our original missionary application. So it still seemed like a very long shot. I figured that we couldn't lose. I loved being here in the temple and appreciated our lovely apartment and fast internet connection. President Torres didn't even know who we were. But, if for some reason they made a change - more variety in our duties and meeting more people and seeing more of this beautiful country would be a good thing.

So Saturday we went to work as usual and before the end of the day President Torres was there and asked to talk with us. He was in a hurry because he had just finished a session and a sealing and had a meeting to attend. He asked us to tell a little bit about our church experiences and bear our testimonies. We did so very briefly and he invited us to make the change. He asked if we had specific plans for after our mission. We said that we anticipated some weddings but had no dates at this moment. He said that he wanted a couple to live in the Galapagos Islands on Santa Cruz and assist the branch there. They do have a very nice chapel and the branch is large with about 150 in attendance at Sacrament Meeting. The president would like to divide it soon. He said they primarily need help with MLS, help in getting their family history center authorized and functioning and help with many prospective Elders. He anticipates that we will only be there for 2-3 months. There is a house that is currently occupied by the sisters. It has three bedrooms but no internet. (Can I survive?) He said that next he would like us to move to Loja and assist in getting that district ready to become a stake this year.  He said we should come to a Zone Conference at 8:00 AM Monday morning and he would get tickets to the Galapagos as soon as he could. He said he would tell us more on Monday.

We left the temple two hours later feeling a bit sad because we had just finished our experience as Guayaquil Temple Missionaries and we were wondering what the weight limits are for missionary luggage in-country. The new adventure begins. We get two missions for the price of one!

Stay tuned for more exciting details as they become available. I expect more exciting photo opportunities in our future. We will be a bit harder to reach with uncertain internet. Send us emails and we will respond when we can get them. I hope we will not be actually leaving for at least another two days.  We were anticipating a two week vacation. I guess we get the "vacation" of a lifetime instead.

Love to all of you, Grandma and Grandpa Pettingill in Ecuador