An Elect Lady

Dorthy Kidman on a mission?  Yes!  Yes!  Yes!... No

YES!
Last Wednesday, in the temple, President Sherwood asked us how Dorthy was doing.  We responded she was doing very well and was enjoying life.  He suddenly suggested, why doesn't she come out here on a mission.  As we talked about it we and he saw the great potential of that opportunity.  He felt there was a low probability of her being accepted through the Church missionary application because of her age.  He did feel that he could call her as a local temple missionary if her records were sent out to Palmyra.  Wel left excited with the prospect.
YES!
We went home, prayed about it and called Bishop Neff the next morning.  he is ours and Dorthy's Bishop.  We asked him if he thought we were crazy or if this was a good idea.  He also became excited about the prospect of Dorthy being able to go on a mission.
YES!
Sunday he talked to her and she became very excited and accepted the call.  All of us as a family got excited about the possibilities.  She began planning how soon she could come out and how to make the details work.
NO!
Monday evening, President Sherwood recognized that a recent directive from the temple department changed the policy and a temple president could not longer call a local member to a temple mission.  All temple mission calls needed to come through the mission department.  We then needed to call home and let mom know that it couldn't work the way we thought.  That was one of the hardest calls we have made in our lives.  It felt so cruel.  We as humans had made a mistake and let her down.

Our family has gone from the highest of highs to the depths of lows in 5 days.   But we have learned something about Dorthy.  She is an Elect Lady.  She accepted the call with her whole heart and soul.  She was willing to do whatever it took to fullfill her responsibility.  Her first act after hearing from the Bishop was to find her Preach My Gospel book so she could begin studying.  What an example of being willing to do what the Lord asks.

When we called with the bad news, she graciously accepted the explanation with a great deal of disappointment but no hard feelings against anyone.  She said "At least the Lord knows I was willing".  What an example of humility, trust, and faith.
Abraham 3
25.  And we will aprove them herewith, to see if they will do all things whatsoever the Lord their God shall command them;

Was this all just a test?  If so it seemed like a very cruel test.  But as we thought that, another thought immediately came to mind.  Abraham's test was a cruel test as well.  He passed his test with flying colors and so did Mom.  Not only her willingness to serve, but her meekness in not being able to serve.  She passed them both. 


We all receive calls.  Do we accept them with our whole hearts like she did and go forth immediately to serve?  We need to.  We all receive disappointments in our lives, some of which are very hard to take.  Are we willing to accept whatevery the Lord asks of us, humbly and meekly, and continue on, trusting that it is for our good.  Knowing that the Lord loves us and is preparing us to come home to Him. 

Thank you Mom for your wonderful example.  We desire to grow up just like you.