Lets take a look at Pauls' Mission to the North of the England for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. We had talked previously about his 'call' so we won't go over that part in this 'part'. When he received his letter from the Mission President he was told not to buy any clothing before he came to England. We lived in the desert and there would be nothing he could buy in town, or elsewhere in the State that would be suitable where he would be spending his time. This made packing great, but even in the Mission Home, he had problems. With only one suit, what do you do when it needs to be cleaned? You borrow what ever you can from whom ever you find something to fit. You must remember this was way back when. The Mission home was, at that time, on a lot that is now part of the Conference Center. An old building that had lots of bedrooms on the second floor and lots of space for the Missionaries to attend classes during the day time. Back then all the language was learned after you got to where you were going if it wasn't English. Which took another 6 months time. This didn't effect Paul.
I only incert this here, as it shows how much the Church has grown, and how the Missionaries are trained now.
Maybe I should stop here and go over Pauls arrival in Salt Lake City. I am not sure if I have already covered this in another 'part' or not. Well,
in any event, it won't hurt to run by it now. I had notified the Missionaries who had converted me years before that Paul was coming. They were on the spot when his plane arrived at the Salt Lake City Airport. Not knowing what Paul looked like, they had to take a guess when the passendgers came into the Terminal. I guess a young man carrying his Scriptures was as good a clue as any. The two Men walked up to Paul reached out their hands for a good hearty shake with: Elder Rosenberg?
They gathered up Pauls meager baggage and took him into Salt Lake and securely placed him in the Mission Home. While there, they asked if it might be possible to claim the Elder when his two weeks were up and escort him back to the Airport and see him off to his Mission. Permission was granted.
Mother and I went up to be present at the Missionary Farewell at the end of the two week training sessions. There were over 300 Missionaries leaving and the Meeting was held in the Tabernacle on Temple Square. What a thrill that was. I think what has remained vibrant in my memory was when those Missionaries stood and sang "Let There Be Peace On Earth". Goose bumps all around when they, with gusto performed that piece. I have never heard it sung better, or with more deep hearted feeling.
We were able to spend the evening with Paul at the Lowell Taylor home in Kaysville, Utah. We enjoyed a family dinner and helped Paul pack for his flight the following day. We said good-bye at the Taylor Home and the two Returned Missionaries took Paul and his baggage and headed to the Airport. They, as previous arranged, were to send Paul off to his Mission.
I believe it was a very special treat for them. They had converted me when Paul was only about 5 years old. Now, 14 years later, they were part of seeing fruit of their labor carry on what they had been able to accomplish.
When Paul arrived in England, he was picked up at the Leeds Airport and taken to the Mission Home where he was housed for two weeks while he had a complete outfit of clothing tailor made for him. This consisted of two suits, a top coat, shoes and hats. Yes, one of the Mission rules was that every Missionary had to wear a hat. It is cold in the North British Mission. That was when Paul started collecting hats. He came home with an assortment that I don't believe he ever wore when he got back to the States. Well, he never lived where he needed one.
Pauls Mission Presidents' name was I believe Robinson. They had a working relationship. Paul appreciated the President and the President delt with Pauls unusualy personality. One of the first problems seemed to be the Passport. It was Mission Rules they were left in the Mission Home.
I don't know how that all got worked out. Paul was reluctant to give up his Passport and wonder around in a foreign country without it. He was given his Missionary Identification Card that was what he needed, but he
was not sure that was enough. Well whatever, as you may well imagine, he and the Mission President got very well aquainted right off.
Paul always had a quick temper - he wasn't easily provoked, but when he was, take cover. A time or two he had to make a call to the President to settle things with his companion. I guess that wasn't uncommon for a number of the Missionaries, but with Paul it didn't seem as if it was something that should go with the work. Having a good relationship with his President was something that Paul talked about many times. I believe he learned a great deal from this relationship and gleaned personal growth that stayed with him the rest of his life.
Paul had trained with a Chef during one of his part time jobs before the family moved to Taft. Because of this training, he became the cook for the Mission. His Companions benefited by his ability to handle pots and pans and the Mission President called upon him to plan and prepare a Thanksgiving Dinner for all the Missionaries in the North British Mission and those serving in the Scottish Mission. I guess it turned out to be a great affair for everyone.
Speaking of food, Paul use to laugh and tell about the time they were working in town and the YW/YM were having a social and had invited the Elders to attend, and have 'refreshments'. Now you can imagine what the Missionaries were expecting - that was where things took a sudden change. When it came time for the 'refreshments' everyone of the 'Brits'
were excited to have BAKED POTATOES; it wasn't as exciting for the American Missionaries. I believe Paul did more cooking than he might have because of the difference in the food in England. He was use to spices in his food, the food he said in England was rather bland. In one
case he prepared a pot of Chili Beans from the things we had sent him from home. His land lady came to their door and asked what Paul was cooking is smelled so good. He explained to her and after the pot was ready, he took some down for her to sample. The next day when they saw her, he inquired how she had liked them. Her reply: "they were good, but the do give a bit of wind don't they?" (Ya, beans can do that!)
Paul said one of his favorite things was to get 'fish and chips' from a vendor on the street. They were cooked so good and placed in a cone made from newspaper - which absorbed the grease. Best 'fish and chips' he ever ate. Well the fish was fresh and potatoes were pretty special in England. He said they ate a lot of Chinese food while they were there. I guess resturants were not as common as they are in the US.
On a certain 'P' day the Missionaries were playing soccer when Paul went to kick the ball. Another Missionary did the same, only he kicked Paul on the bottom of his foot, just below the big toe. He walked with a cane for a long time after this, experiencing a great deal of pain. When he returned home, we took him to a foot specialist to have it checked out. He was outfitted with orthodics to stabelize his feet. It appears Paul had hip structure problems which caused shortened hamstring muscles. He should not have been doing a great deal of walking without these supports. Soooo? Who knew, and he had spent 2 years in a cold climate walking and riding bikes. This will be another thing to concider when we talk further about his time in the Service - nothing more on it at this writting however!
In England, the country had been very tract out over the years so Paul was like the other Elders not expected to have a great many baptisms. He did, as I believe I have explained elsewhere, able to get 1. When it came time for him to return home, he was surprised to learn they were going to send him early. One Elder was leavning, and there was no one to leave with him. Paul was the next Elder to be released so they called him to be his Companion. I will relate now just how the Lord keeps families in tune. Jay and I were going to bed, it was the first part of February and Paul was not due home until the first of March. As I pulled back the covers to get into bed, I had the impression that Paul was coming home.
Early the next morning the phone rang and Paul announced he was in the Mission Home and was being sent home early to accompany this other Missionary.
This along with the financial education I received let me know that the Church is certainly true. When Paul left, I took a job as dispatcher for Hartman Redi-Mix in Taft. I became their weigh-master as well. It was for the purpose of supporting Paul on his Mission. Then we had to deposit $650.00 per month here which was transferred to Barleys Bank in England and changed into 'pound sterling'. It wasn't long until I learned that every change in my paycheck ment something. One time it was Paul need extra funds for something, another time he requested extra to assist a family to get to the Temple for their family to receive their blessings for eternity. It never failed when I had overtime, it was the amount I would learn Paul needed.
We had a great overhead with the payments on the house in Taft, Jay bought a new car, and of course we had the hugh Truck payments each month. We never missed a payment or were short for family needs, no matter how large or small for those two years. When Paul came home I had day dreams of new carpets and a number of other things, but when Paul came home, there was never one dime extra. We still had all we needed, but not one cent more. How does that work? I cannot tell you, but work it does and it has ever been a testimony to me that when you are engaged in the work of the LORD, HE provides the way to accomplish that thing you are called to do.
Paul told me any number of times he felt he had learned more about human nature on his Mission than he could have learned from 4 years in school. I am sure he ment as much about himself as he learned about others. No matter, he continued on where ever he was, or with whomever he might be in a most acceptable manner. He kept his indivduality, and quick wit and temper, but he was ever ready to help, share and assist any one he felt was in need. A more generous individual I do not believe I have ever met. Paul was ever quick to compliment, to help and encourage. There are many a mother who has been brought to tears by Paul for the praise he expressed to her for the talents of her children. He encouraged those in the Scouting program, and if he learned a young man was leaving for the Service to his Country Paul was there to give him support, and good council for his time in training and service.
Many will one day clasp his hand and give thanks for that which they received from Paul. I believe I will be at the head of that line myself.
Written this 8th day of March 2011
by: Eileen Rosenberg
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