Here is a little family history that may be interesting to you.As children we loved to hear of dad talking of his experiences in Tahiti. His mission was extended and before returning home he had been gone 4 1/2 years, but he instilled in me a great desire to serve a mission. When I was drafted into the army and sent to Korea, both of my older brothers were away from home; Donald in the Air Force and Russell in the Navy. By the time I returned home Donald was married and Russell was on his mission in New England. Because the family didn't have much money, I waited until Russell returned, hoping then to serve a mission. I waited and waited, but Bishop Rushforth never talked to me about a mission. I was now 21 years old and I told my mother and she said go talk to the Bishop, so I walked over to his house one evening. He met me at the door and invited me in. I told him I wanted to serve a mission. He was surprised because he thought we didn't have enough money to send me. I told him I had saved my money while in the Army and had saved enough money to keep me out for 2 years. This surprised him. It was August 1948. I received my call in September to serve in the Southern States Mission and was to leave for the MTC the 1st of December. I arrived in Mississippi 2 days before Christmas. I served in Mississippi 11 months and then central Florida 13 months as a supervising Elder without a companion! My mission changed my life. What I am or ever hoped to be, came from my mission. I am grateful we are a missionary family.
Paul Nofear Davis
