In October 2010 General Conference, in his opening remarks on Saturday morning, President Monson spoke to the members of the church regarding missionary service. I was feeling quite comfortable that he was speaking to others until he said the following:
"And now to you mature brothers and sisters: we need many, many more senior couples. To the faithful couples now serving or who have served in the past, we thank you for your faith and devotion to the gospel of Jesus Christ. You serve willingly and well and accomplish great good.
To those of you who are not yet to the season of life when you might serve a couples mission, I urge you to prepare now for the day when you and your spouse might do so. As your circumstances allow, as you are eligible for retirement, and as your health permits, make yourselves available to leave home and give full-time missionary service. There are few times in your lives when you will enjoy the sweet spirit and satisfaction that come from giving full-time service together in the work of the Master."
Those words hit me with a forceful impact and I felt the desire to respond to his call. Lorraine had been away during the remarks and so when she returned I replayed them to her and she felt the same way. We made an appointment to see the bishop the following Wednesday and started the process to leave our home and give full-time missionary service.
