We are All Enlisted

We are All Enlisted

From every man, young and old, who bears the priesthood, I ask for a stronger and more devoted voice, … a voice for good, a voice for the gospel, a voice for God.  Jeffery R. Holland

Elder Holland: Brethren, when that happens (You receive a call to serve), tell your wives that if you can leave your recliner and the remote control for a few short months, they can leave the grandchildren. Those little darlings will be just fine, and I promise you will do things for them in the service of the Lord that, worlds without end, you could never do if you stayed home to hover over them. What greater gift could grandparents give their posterity than to say by deed as well as word, “In this family we serve missions!”

We are all enlisted in this journey to perfect ourselves and those around us.  My parents are setting a beautiful example of full enlistment! Of course it is never easy to say good-bye!! Yet this is a super exciting good-bye!  Last night we literally met my parents at their door as they walked in from the M.T.C., ate one last family dinner together, and said our good-byes!  

We love you!  Thank you for marking the path, as Elder Holland taught, "In this family we serve missions!" 

Who will be taller in one year?  Hunter or Grandpa? 

Kendal or Grandma?  Only one year will tell! 

Official Missionaries for The Church of Jesus Christ of Later Day Saints

Official Missionaries for The Church of Jesus Christ of Later Day Saints

Being Set Apart

“The setting apart is an established practice in the Church and men and women are ‘set apart’ to special responsibility, in ecclesiastical, quorum, and auxiliary positions. …

“To some folk the setting apart seems a perfunctory act while others anticipate it eagerly, absorb every word of it, and let their lives be lifted thereby.

“The setting apart may be taken literally; it is a setting apart from sin, apart from the carnal; apart from everything which is crude, low, vicious, cheap, or vulgar;set apart from the world to a higher [plane] of thought and activity. The blessing is conditional upon faithful performance.”

President Spencer W. Kimball (1895–1985), The Teachings of Spencer W. Kimball, ed. Edward L. Kimball (1982), 478.

Elder and Sister Dattage are Set-Apart as Missionaries

As children and grandchildren we  gathered with my parent's at their Church Building along with their Ecclesiastical Leaders 

for this special meeting. 

Beautiful promises were given to both of them as special prayers were given on each of their behalf’s.  Love, joy, happiness, blessings to us at home, and blessings to the people of New Mexico were extended to them.  We all felt the joy, peace, and closeness that come with righteous decisions.  As children and grandchildren we feel blessed to witness  incredible examples of sacrifice and service.

A New Home

A New Home

I think my parents knew they were in for something special when they received a phone call from the Church of Jesus Christ's missionary office asking them if they would pull and live "in a house trailor" for the duration of their missionary service.  Well that checked Los Angeles and Chicago off the list of possible places to serve. 

Indeed when the call came that they would be serving in the Four Corners Region they knew the idea of living in a house trailor had just become a reality.   A google search of Pueblo Zuni brings up exactly 0 houses or apartments for rent.  

My parents were invited to address their local congreation in preparation for their departure.My dad began his remarks with  "You know what people say about living in trailors?  Every day they get one foot smaller."  Lucky for them they were able to purchase a beautiful and spcaious trailor. 

The Diet Coke is in the fridge. 

Fireplace included!  

Awesome bedroom! 

Elden requested the offical "Missionary Potty Picture"! 

Elder and Sister Dattage are ready to serve! 

Called To Serve

Called To Serve

Click on Video to watch as they open their call for missionary service.