President Esplin presided and asked for me to choose someone to offer an opening prayer. I asked Lynn to do this. I feel strongly about the power of the home teacher to bless our home. He then was asked to give a short message and he spoke about his relation with our family and that we would have many experiences. Bishop Pletsch spoke and commented on our work in the ward. He said he felt we could do anything we were asked to do. He also mentioned that he felt strongly that by not tying Father’s hand we had opened our selves up for maximum blessings. President Esplin spoke and also mentioned that he had found that those who left it up to the Lord as to where they were called were usually the best missionaries.

Mary was set apart first. The president told her that she was set apart from the cares of the world. Also that she would need to speak out and preach the gospel.

Then I was set apart. I tried hard to remember the things that he said but most of them were quickly lost. The one point he made – and he said it in some form or another was that besides whatever else I was asked to do by those in authority, I was to teach the gospel. About the third time he said this, I felt the spirit confirm his blessing.

He blessed both of us with the gift of tongues so that we could do all that the Lord had for us to do. He promised us that we would touch the lives of many people and that we would not know all the good we did. He blessed us with health and protection of angels while we served. He mentioned that our family would be blessed – our children and grandchildren. He said something along the line that our success would grow as our relationship grew.

After we were set apart president Esplin asked for comments about the blessings. Shane said that we were an example to him. Brian seems to have been touched by the spirit and had tears in his eyes. I think Bob did also – at least when his mother was set apart.

All in all it was a spiritual experience but the true significance has not yet set in for me. I do not feel any difference. But that is not unusual – I can not remember feeling different after any setting apart. Only that I have been given rights and responsibilities that I did not have before. I find the Lord’s yoke always easy to put on, even if later I find the burden rather heavy.

I am just very glad that Bob and his family could make it. I really wish Cindy could have been here and that Jim and Tom’s could have heard what was said. But that is OK because we felt all their spirits here with us.