Twin's Call

The Thread of Heavenly Guidance

Sometimes it is difficult for an outsider to piece together dissimilar events into a cohesive string of circumstances that eventually arrive at a significant outcome. The miracle that is contained within this account is just such a thing. I will endeavor to present this string of seemingly disparate outcomes in order to reveal our Heavenly Father’s hand in ‘bringing to pass’ my call to a mission - under substantially difficult conditions. The miracle that I will speak of began many years prior to its actual occurrence. That is to say, we had moved from Great Falls, Montana to Auburn, Washington several years prior to the immediate details of the event.  The developments surrounding that relocation have a significant bearing on the resulting miracle. 

Move from Great Falls, Montana to Auburn, Washington

We had only been in Great Falls for approximately one year when my father completed the work, he had been doing there in the missile field. He was then to be relocated to the Seattle area, and we as a family would certainly go with him. Thus, we boys loaded up the U-Haul truck; and, along with our own vehicles, made the trek from Great Falls to Seattle. Upon arriving there, we went immediately to a rental my father had arranged to inhabit in Lynwood, Washington. Unfortunately, the man who had contracted to rent Dad the home, undermined him; and disregarded the contract by renting the property just days prior to our arrival. I remember my father dejectedly walking away from the man at his front door; and informing us in the car that we were now in a relatively destitute circumstance - because we’d been betrayed and were now trying to locate a rental home in the area. This was a particularly challenging thing to do inasmuch as the Seattle area was in an economic boom due to Boeing’s resurgence in employment. There were fewer and fewer properties available to rent throughout the entire Seattle area! And they were growing fewer by the day! The man’s betrayal of Dad’s trust may have seemed a slight inconvenience at the time to the potential landlord.  But that same betrayal resulted in a severe anxiety for the seven members of our family! 

Distress

Nevertheless, because our family was in desperate need of shelter, we spent very little time brooding over the betrayal. The immediacy of our need brought a great deal of focus to our dilemma. The next several days would prove to be an anxious (but faith promoting) experience for us all. Over the next several days my mother and father searched throughout the Seattle locale (an area of about 70 miles in length and 40 miles in width); endeavoring to find an affordable place in which we could live. (Affordable because we were endeavoring to support Hugh on his mission at that time - in addition to our own financial needs!) Such was not a small undertaking; inasmuch as there was very little opportunity to rent; and even less that we could genuinely afford.  My brother Hugh’s mission in New York, had invoked the need to support him; and had taxed our family finances somewhat. Thus, we could not quite afford a home that we might’ve otherwise rented.  Amidst this endeavor, the challenge of 5 teenage children (ages 17 down to 12) undoubtedly troubled my parents also.

Patient Apprehension

In order to occupy ourselves and avert (as best we could) undue anxiety, my siblings and I would wait patiently (yet apprehensively) in a small dirt parking area across the runway from the site of Boeing’s final preparation of a plane; prior to its departure from the Renton Airport and subsequent delivery at its purchaser’s destination. Such tedious watching of unrelated activities rendered such hours as fraught with worry and apprehension as my parents combed the surrounding cities. Seemingly shielded from the anxieties of potential destitution, our teenage minds were nevertheless extremely fearful of potential outcomes. The elder of us were constantly aware of the futility of our circumstance; and distress permeated the very air of the vehicles we inhabited! Yet, there was little else for us to do but stew in the discomforts of our own anguishes until my parent’s car would roll up at the conclusion of a long day (for all) with a foreboding declaration of failure to locate a house where we could live. As the days drew on, we (who waited) grew further and further despondent as a day’s search concluded no closer to resolution than the day before!

Youthful Angst

With myself and Jay being the eldest (acting) sons, we were particularly concerned with the family’s recent homelessness; and a reasonable place to live. We were to be seniors in our new (as yet undetermined) high school. We knew the social pressures accompanying our final year of ‘youthdom’ were significant; and we both knew that we would be subject to significant ridicule from peers (youths can be particularly ruthless) if we were not able to secure a reasonable home in which to live out our final year of high school. Enrolling in a new school with- unknown peers; unfamiliar surroundings; distinctly local practices; and unexperienced community customs - would invoke enough stress to unnerve any displaced senior. Being easily recognized twins (a uniqueness and displayable oddity we did not welcome) summoned extra attention that we did not need. Adding to this string of anxieties, we were to experience a foreign ward where we would attend church; conferring a further dimensional newness to our lives.  (We were significantly ensconced in our ward in Great Falls; and knew that the comradery of a new ward would be necessary and substantial.) To enlarge this abundance of stresses already incurred, the financial strains burdening our parents (which we could not completely ignore); and distinct stresses impacting our fellow siblings (which we could not completely ignore either) activated added dimensions to the meaningful imbalances our family unit was already experiencing. So, it is easy to see how the anxieties of all were deeply stretched; as my mother and father diligently searched in vain for a place where we might live. These unspoken anxieties resided with us in those cars as we waited day after day beside the Renton Airport runway.

Awareness

Following a full day of waiting at the airport, I remember being particularly distraught as dusk enveloped us and my parents had not returned to the obscure parking space overseeing the Renton runway.  I realized then that we had no means of communicating with them; and they’d been gone the entire day.  I became very worried that my parents may’ve been injured or somehow been made unavailable (perhaps a car wreck)! And we, their children, would not know of their whereabouts or condition! My mind began to race with the unknow possibilities that could beset us children in an unknown city, a destitute circumstance; and an obscure dirt parking area beside the Renton Airport - recently relocated from Great Falls, Montana!  I became very aware and anxious of the responsibility Jay and I had as the eldest children.  Thankfully, my parents arrived later that evening and my anxieties were temporarily allayed.  Nevertheless, I’d become aware and would remain so for long, long thereafter!

Failed Encampment

I remember a particular day amidst our endeavors to locate a home that stretched our collective patience and dampened our collective resolve. Because the costs of renting a motel each night became rather costly, my parents decided to inhabit a camp site at a nearby beachside recreation area. Following a long day of searching for a rental, we arrived at a nearby camp site at a beach adjoining Puget Sound. Inasmuch as night was fast approaching, we began to get out a tarp and our large tents to set up for a night of rest. Because we were new to the area; we had not, as yet, lit a light nor conjured the warmth of a campfire. As we spread the tarp and unloaded the tent, my mother walked across the tarp thinking things were just fine. In the gathering darkness, small spots of what appeared to be clumps of mud had gathered on the tarp and my mother inadvertently stepped on one of these clumps. Shrieking at the squirming mass beneath her foot, she exclaimed that it was alive! My brother reached down; and unknowingly picked up a writhing mass in his fingers - which he immediately discarded as it writhed in his hand. We had stumbled into an area that was sufficiently moist so as to attract slugs. Coming from the western regions, we knew nothing of slugs; and we're particularly disturbed by their look and manner. Because my father was unwilling to require his family to sleep amidst these slugs; we quickly gathered all the camping equipment into our station wagon and headed for a nearby motel. There we spent the night, stretched out on the floor surrounding my parent’s bed - sleeping inside, away from unknown beach inhabitants. I remember the night as being somewhat disturbing because I knew we couldn't really afford it. Nevertheless, it appeared to be a wise decision on the part of my parents. 

Faith Promotion

Because my parents were displaying signs of distress and anxiety; we, as a family, were beginning to become distressed also. We were all struggling to remain positive and hopeful as each day brought renewed disappointment and letdown regarding the hope we faithfully summoned each morning. With the commotion of moving, my father had inadvertently overlooked paying a portion of tithing prior to our harried departure from Great Falls. Amidst U-Haul loading and chaotic last-minute details, he’d overlooked performing this simple task and determined he’d pay the tithing as soon as we settled in Lynwood. As circumstances intensified and to his faith and credit, Dad determined that that he would pay that tithing ‘come heck or highwater’. Thus, as we traveled about the following morning, we arrived in an unknown town (to us) entitled Auburn. There my father located a local Bishop (in the phone book) and drove to his home in order to pay his tithing. We arrived in our two cars in front of Bishop Zollinger’s home. Walking to the front door, Dad rang the doorbell. Bishop Zollinger came to the door and questioned Dad regarding his purpose there. Without explanation, Dad declared he wanted to pay his tithing to him. Taken back by this demonstrative event, Bishop Zollinger inquired regarding my father's circumstance. In response, my father explained our family’s condition and his determination to pay his tithing to any Bishop he could locate. To this, Bishop Zollinger received the tithing and explained that he knew of a home that might meet our needs. As my parents accompanied Bishop Zollinger to examine the possible rental, we were particularly encouraged by such an unforeseen development. Unfortunately, upon arriving back, we learned that the property would not meet our needs; and, we slumped with discouragement. Our hope had been bolstered by the faith-promoting possibility that our situation would be resolved with a providence we felt we had warranted.   With this our hopes dashed; we drove away down Harvey road - leaving the community. As we passed the only LDS Church, we continued out of town approximately 1/4 mile beyond - along Harvey Road. Suddenly, we observed the first “For Rent” sign in the window of a home. Such a sign was of particular significance because we had not seen a “For Rent” sign anywhere throughout all the days we'd been searching. Additionally, we’d not been watching for such a sign; but all of us happened to see the sign in the window of a garage we happened to be passing. It was not a particularly obvious color nor of significant size; nevertheless, we had all observed the sign! (Perhaps indication that all of us had exercised faith in arriving as such a place!) Driving the second car, I immediately began honking the horn to alert my father driving the lead car. To my delight those of his car had also seen the sign; and he was already turning around to approach the house! Pulling alongside the garage, we observed a man and a woman doing yardwork in the accompanying yard. As my father approached the man and woman, he offered to rent the home - then and there! Such an impulsive action was uncustomary! Normally, Dad would’ve wanted to know how much the home would cost and would’ve sought a walkthrough of the rental. Such was not to be the case at this time. The landlord expressed surprise at my father's abrupt offer; declaring the sign had only been in the window for about 1/2 an hour. (This would have equated to the time my parents and Bishop Zollinger were visiting his suggested rental and a delay permitting our observance shortly thereafter) Interestingly, as my father and the landlord were finalizing Dad’s offer; another potential renter walked up and offered to rent the property outright. To this the landlord replied that my father had already rented the property and his offer would be honored. It’s interesting to note that expediency had accompanied my father’s offer; and had been sufficiently entertained to thwart the subsequent offer that would’ve rendered our offer null and void.  Within minutes of paying Dad’s tithing, we had all been blessed to personally observe an atypical rent sign; posted only 30 minutes previously, as Dad had paid such tithing. We’d also experienced a very short window of time being directed to secure said housing prior to its acquisition by a competing renter (That window of opportunity had been a matter of minutes). Finally, to our delight, the house was but a ¼ mile from the Church! At the time, we all recognized this occurrence as a genuine blessing of having paid tithing and exercising faith!  As I will explain later, the blessing of this occurrence would reveal itself as an even greater blessing!

Additional Upheaval

Subsequent to this faith promoting development, we moved into the home on Harvey Rd and commenced living in Auburn, Washington. Naturally, we experienced some adjustment as we began our lives in Washington. Of particular note, I took it upon myself to walk throughout the entire city one day to determine whether I could find work or not. As it turned out, I located work as a fry cook at a hamburger stand entitled Leroys. It was a hamburger restaurant within waling distance of our home and later my high school. I was rather pleased with myself as I had worked the entire day to see if I could obtain work. Within a week or two, having proven myself as a fry cook; I was able to help Jay obtain a job there as a fry cook also. Eventually Rick worked there, part time. sweeping the parking lot. Being too young, he did not qualify for more permanent work. I ended up working there for approximately 2 years! At the same time, as school approached and got underway; Jay, I and Rick began to attend early morning seminary at the church. Additionally, because Jay and I were seniors and Rick was a sophomore, we enrolled in and commenced school in Auburn high school. This would prove to be extremely fortuitous as events unfolded thereafter!

Continued Blessing

As we spent approximately 3 months living in the home on Harvey Rd, we realized that we couldn't sustain the cost of living there and still support Hugh on his mission. Thus. it became necessary for us to relocate to another place. Fortuitously. a family we had come to know within the ward (the Crabtrees) had access to a home in the forested area about 5 miles beyond the opposite side of town. My parents visited the home and recognized that it barely provided the necessities needed for a large family such as ours. Regardless of the property’s condition and shortcomings, we relocated to the home at Lake Tapps and set up living there.  After having lived there for a short time, we became aware that the home we lived in was ~500 feet beyond the border of our ward. It was also ~500 feet beyond the border of the school district we attended. This was a surprise to all of us; but, having already attended both church and school in Auburn; we did not want to undergo unnecessary change. So, for a few weeks, Jay, Rick and I walked the ~500 feet to catch the school bus that transported a few other students to school. (The entire area was rather sparsely populated.) Because we did so, it was assumed by observers that we lived in the school district and suspicion was avoided. Having attended at Auburn High School for several months by then, our relocation had been deemed just that; and qualification to attend church and school was never questioned!   Unfortunately, such a situation would not allow Jay, Rick and I to attend early morning seminary! So, shortly thereafter, Jay and I opted to use what money we had earned at Leroy’s Drive-In to purchase a 1954 Chevrolet sedan in order to transport all of us (that is myself, Jay, and Rick) to early morning seminary and then to and from school! In hindsight, we’d been led to a unique circumstance; where we could continue our lives and befriend the Crabtree’s over a short period such that we could be distinctly located for developments that would soon be revealed!

Hard Winters

Though we lived in the northwest, it was not uncommon for the home to become cold and uncomfortable as winter set in. The furnace had only one outlet - a wall hole far from the living area. At the far end of the living room was a fairly large fireplace that we used to help warm the home. In the midst of cold months, we boys would walk across the street into a forested area and chop down a 50-foot tree. We would then shoulder it home, saw it up, and split it to provide warmth for the next few days. Because the wood we provided was green, it was difficult to start in the fireplace.  So, we began to obtain coal oil; which would last long enough to eventually get a log started in the fireplace. In order to endure the cold in our bedroom, we would fill mason jars with hot water and curl ourselves around them until we (and our beds) would gradually warm. Because water was particularly scarce from the well, we could not count on that water being available for showers and washing. Therefore, we boys began to stay late one night a week in Auburn to take advantage of the opportunity to play basketball at the church’s cultural hall and thereafter avail ourselves of the showers in the men's room. We would shower ourselves from grime that would occur as we performed our chores. This way we would be able to take advantage of the water there and leave what home water available to the remaining members of our family. Thus, us three boys - Jay, me and Rick were able to assure ourselves some cleanliness during our high school years. Clearly, one can see that living conditions were certainly not easy during our teenage years in Lake Tapps. Nevertheless, we were grateful for the shelter and to support Hugh!

Threatening Discouragement

Amidst my senior year at Auburn high, I became aware of the escalation of the Vietnam War! I remember sitting in the car waiting for my mother; and hearing the radio announce the number of advisors had escalated rather dramatically. I realized then that there was likely to be a more expanded war in Vietnam; and the draft was now significant in the lives of young men my age! Coincident with this development was the requirement imposed by the government that only two young men could leave from an LDS ward for a mission within a given year! (one every 6 months!) As one might imagine, this came as a significant shock to me; because I was approaching the age where I might be drafted into the Vietnam War! It would be extremely unlikely that Jay and I both would be able to leave for a mission from our ward - to have two young men of the same family leave from a single ward would absorb both opportunities. Such a circumstance would not be fair to any other boys of age! Thus, it appeared that only one of us would be afforded (at best) the opportunity to serve a mission. This represented a significant development in my life! There were approximately 4 eligible young men in the Auburn ward (Bryant Holt, Jay, Me and another) that would qualify for the two available opportunities! That Jay and I would consume the two available mission opportunities was indeed not very likely!

Miraculous Development

Fortunately, (I suppose), this escalation of the Vietnam War took place throughout my high school senior year and thereafter - as I attended Green River Community College. Jay and I both registered at the Community College; so we could continue our education for the year following our high school graduation. Of course, we continued to care for the family through our chores and home responsibilities. I continued to work at LeRoy's Drive-in; as the time drew near that we would either be drafted or serve a mission. Recognizing the limitation placed on mission calls, it appeared that either Jay or I would be called up to serve in Vietnam! The number of young men vying for the two mission deferments had not changed and anxieties rose amongst all of us young men! As the time drew very near, a very significant event took place. The Auburn ward was divided.  Two of the 4 young men lived in town! That is, within the ward boundaries of the existing ward.  Jay and I, being the other two Priests, lived in the newly formed Auburn II ward! Being the only priesthood young men available to utilize the deferments from the new ward, we marveled at the development and rushed to capitalize on our recently available opportunities.

Heavenly Father’s Protection

We could not have known that we would be the only Priests in the ward that would take place as we had 2 years earlier moved from our Harvey Road miracle to an obscure, ramshackle dwelling just barely within the confines of what would become the Auburn II Ward! Thus, we had been held in abeyance just long enough to allow the home on Harvey Road to become available.  We had lived there long enough to become established in the ward and schools in Auburn.  Consequently, we were considered Auburn residents though we lived just beyond their borders.  Continuing to fortify such considerations; we boys sustained participation in the activities of the ward and community – via our car.  Though experiencing the difficulties of life in Lake Tapps, we were in exactly the right place at exactly the right time to receive the advantage of two deferments and two mission calls.  Jay was called during the 1st six months of the available year to the Toronto Mission in Canada.  I was called during the 2nd six months of the available year to the England South Mission, leaving in August.

Revealed Timing

To further reveal the miraculous nature of my call, my family moved from our Lake Tapps home to Everett, Washington (~60 miles north) the day after I left from SeaTac airport for my mission.  We had been brought to Lake Tapps to avail twin boys of a mission (otherwise virtually impossible) under circumstances that had not existed when the developments began.  We were there just long enough for my life to be blessed.  Once the blessing was realized, the circumstance vanished and the developments were only available in the memories of its participants.  A miracle indeed! 

Faithful Demeanor

Such a development would not describe the miracle entirely however! As the time of Jay’s and my mission calls and/or our Vietnam service approached, I had an experience with my father one Saturday that I deem significant and telling. My father and I spent an entire Saturday arguing over whether or not I would serve a mission. My father sat next to the fireplace throughout our lengthy exchange. I was across the living room opposite him.  I don’t remember how the discussion began.  I only remember that we were discussing the possibility whether or not I would serve a mission. Prior to that time, I had not necessarily determined that I would serve a mission. Rather, I believed that I would continue my education towards a PhD. I considered education to be a serious matter and thought a missionary experience might only be an option. Conversely my father calmly advocated that I serve a mission. What is of particular note to me is that he remained rather calm and displayed a very controlled demeanor.  I had been more familiar with a disputatious, overbearing personality. His poised countenance throughout the event seemed out of character to me even as our exchange progressed. We discussed our opposing viewpoints for the entire day as he repeatedly, calmly affirmed that I would serve a mission. I was somewhat contrary to this declaration and stubbornly stated that an education was not necessarily a poor choice and more to my liking! Much later I would learn the reason for his calm demeanor. A week or so later, as I was contemplating (by myself) what I would do, I arrived at the conclusion that my father was smarter than I. Thus, I submitted my papers to serve a mission shortly thereafter.

Dad’s Covenant

Several months into my mission however, I learned that my father had entered into a personal covenant with God. As a young Lieutenant in the Army Air Corp, he was tasked with freighting supplies (gasoline, munitions, etc.) to the allied armies in Europe (resulting from the D-day invasion) and returning with wounded soldiers.  Such a task took place almost daily as he flew C-47’s to and from English airports across the English Channel to French airports near the European theater of operations. As he flew back from France late one afternoon, the dusk of the evening (along with a familiar mist common to the British countryside) was quickly gathering.  They were allotted (as was usual) enough fuel to transport the wounded (but little excess was provided in order to minimize weight and allow for a maximum of wounded soldiers). As their plane approached their assigned airport in the countryside of southern England. he and his fellow pilot were very aware of their diminishing fuel reserve; and knew that they’d need to land quickly so as to avoid the undue risk of empty fuel tanks – and a most unfortunate conclusion to the flight!

Black Out

To their dismay, as they approached the final glide of their patterned airport arrival; the lights illuminating their obscured and now darkened runway went out! As they were to realize later, a ‘black out’ had been called for; and the airport operator had complied – even with a C-47 in the pattern and on final approach.  Under normal circumstances, they would be safely on the runway apron in a matter of seconds. But this was not to be a normal landing! As the runway lights extinguished and their plane was enveloped in absolute darkness, landing became impossible. To further their precariousness, they knew that ‘going around’ for another attempt would possibly empty the fuel tanks and incur an extremely serious crash; rendering their wounded soldiers even more injured! As their dilemma took place, my young (to be) father covenanted (in a split second) that if God would deliver him from this situation; he’d make sure that all his sons would serve a mission! Then, amidst the subsequent second or so, the young man, who would become my father, shouted out – TURN THOSE LIGHTS BACK ON! Quickly he realized (in his alarm) he’d not activated the radio he was holding. He’d simply shouted out his order within the cockpit of his perilous plane. To his relief and surprise, the runway lights simply turned on and the plane continued its final glide to a safe landing! Then, they once again extinguished; and the plane slowly taxied to awaiting hangars and available care for wounded soldiers.

Investigative Understanding

Later, as my father investigated the occurrence, the young female airport administrator had simply plunged the airport into darkness as she responded to the ‘black out’ notice. She was obviously unaware of any planes in the airport’s pattern. As she threw the switch in the hanger - well away from office radio’s - she heard clearly in the darkness a voice demanding that she ‘Turn those lights back on!’ Reacting to such a demand, she automatically restored the switch and runway lights. Immediately thereafter; she became aware of Dad’s plane landing on the airport’s nearby runway. As the plane touched down and began taxiing, she once again ‘blacked out’ the airport – as directed by her prior notification. I should note here that the young man (who would become my father) was only recently married prior to his arriving in Europe and had no children.  Nor could he anticipate that he’d have sons! Yet, time proceeded and he had 5 sons following the war!

Remembered Covenant

On that day as he ‘verbally wrestled’ with his willful son (me), he was remembering (as only he could) that promise to God decades earlier in the cockpit of a C-47 over a darkened English airport. Calmed by his remembrance of a devout covenant, my father maintained a serene composure throughout that long discussion; as he reflected on his promise to God and his subsequent miraculous preservation through the event!  Thus, the miracle that was unfolding had begun with my father long before my birth!  All of his sons would serve a full mission for the Lord!  Several through the development of miracles!

The Thread

  1. During WW II Lieutenant Donald Davis experiences dire ‘black out’ as he attempts landing at southern England airport. Lights are turned back on inexplicably until he can land with plane load of wounded soldiers. Amidst the tumult, he covenants with God - that if he is spared what appears to be certain death; he’ll assure that all his sons will perform missions. He had only been recently married; he and his wife had not conceived prior to his shipping out to England; and he knew nothing of what would be his offspring at the time! He is spared death and miraculously lands on an illuminated runway.
  2. Upon arriving home following the war, he begins to have offspring. The 1st five of his children are boys!
  3. As time passes and his eldest son, Hugh, begins to approach mission age, a significant dispute occurs wherein his eldest threatens to leave his parentage and ‘strike out’ on his own. As a witness of this intense quarrel, I silently prayed that Hugh would swallow his youthful pride and postpone any departure he may have contemplated. Fortunately, he did and our family remained united despite frictions between father and eldest son. Following our relocation to Great Falls, we discovered education for Hugh (a college freshman) could not be had there. He would have to fall under Grandma Davis’s guardianship and reside with her in Ogden; attending Weber State College. After Grandma Davis grew overwhelmed by Hugh’s active and irrepressible nature; Hugh resided with Mom’s only sister, Marzetta, in Layton. Both guardians would find exasperation in attempting to guide Hugh through extremely tenuous times. Hugh very nearly voided his college deferment via horrendous grades; and was nearly drafted into Vietnam service. Fortunately, he lasted long enough to be called on a mission to the New England States mission in New York and New Jersey. We all drew a collective breath knowing Hugh would be watched over for at least two years. Keeping his covenant concerning willful sons was not exactly easy for Dad – the now aging former Army pilot!
  4. Having located to Great Falls, Montana; Dad was given a reprieve as his next twin sons were not yet of mission age. Experiencing the normal struggles of a growing family certainly taxed my parents - but did not overtax them.
  5. The reprieve only lasted about a year and we were to relocate to the Seattle area. Traveling to the Lynwood home that Dad had contracted; allowed for a somewhat stable anticipation. And we relaxed despite our traveling struggles.
  6. As the Lynwood rental was jerked from our grasp; we found ourselves in a desperate situation. Amidst tumultuous circumstances and disquieting possibilities, we strove to solve troubles in harmony with our Heavenly Father’s will. Following challenging days and nights, we found ourselves at an Auburn Bishop’s home paying tithing we’d overlooked. Within minutes of that resolution, we’d secured housing under miraculous occurrences. Little did we know that such occurrences would lead to challenges and resolutions yet to come! (such challenges were as yet unknowable to us)
  7. Residing but 3 months at the Harvey Road rental permitted us sons to: 1. Establish ourselves in the school and church we’d embrace throughout our time in Auburn. 2. Develop friendships that would lead us to an obscure location (Lake Tapps) beyond dispute of borders or finances. 3. Set us up to experience the keeping of a covenant promised long ago. We could not have known the limitations placed upon twin boys that had not as yet been born.
  8. Residing thereafter in Lake Tapps, we knew nothing of a technical border 500 feet away; technically separating us from residence in the Auburn Ward. We were thankfully still enrolled in the Auburn school district and attended there. In fact, however, my younger brother (Reed) and sister (Tamra) were enrolled in the Sumner school district and attended there. Our necessities were being provided for despite ramshackle living conditions and daily struggles. Little did we comprehend that living there afforded our family (and especially us twins) deeply significant opportunities that would’ve not occurred otherwise. To be sure, our Heavenly Father was leading the Davis Family into unique circumstances that would fulfill the covenant He’d made with our father decades (even a lifetime) earlier in a foreign land!
  9. As the time drew near that Ray and Jay would either fulfill a mission or serve in Vietnam; the Auburn Ward was divided! And Ray and Jay found themselves to be the only active Priests of Mission age in their newly formed Auburn 2nd Having been afforded such opportunity, Jay left for his mission to Toronto, Canada during the initial 6 months of the year. Ray would leave for his British South Mission to England during August of the last 6 months of the year.
  10. To accentuate and render divine timing visible to all, our family left our Lake Tapps inspired residence - our hallowed habitat - the day following my mission departure. Moving ~60 miles north (north of Seattle) to Everett, Washington they continued their endeavor to fulfill God’s promises. Thus, as I went about fulfilling Dad’s covenant (and mine); they were embracing the challenges that would try their faith and endurance. As my mission departure finalized the episode surrounding Dad’s twin son’s missions; the episode regarding his 4th son’s mission was beginning to unfold.
  11. Just 22 months later, the miraculous calling of my brother, Rick to a mission would occur. The episode leading to that miracle was just beginning as God lead our family under the leadership of genuinely devoted parents. I’ll leave the delineation of that episode to Rick’s own testimony!
  12. While I am not privy to circumstances surrounding Reed’s mission; I believe there are unique characteristics surrounding its unfolding.
  13. The thread of Divine Guidance continues to guide footsteps to this very day! Spiritual sensitivity will permit the righteous to observe God’s hand in directing the affairs of His children amidst life’s events. I count myself extremely blessed to have been provided with devout parentage and diligent siblings!!