JEAN LOVES THE TULIPS AT THE MTC

Why am I so brown, and Jean is the one who is always in the sun.  This morning we went to the temple, because we are all done with our classes.  The walk is all uphill, and by the time we got to the Temple we were pretty well warmed up. Today is just a get ready day.  We now know that our kids are coming down to see us off.  Hope they drive safe.  Most of the Missionaries from our group have left, and the dorm is pretty empty.  We did laundry last night, and got all the shirts ironed today.  We are going to try to buy one more suitcase for none essentials (you know, like peanut butter, and mayonnaise) that's an inside joke.  Connie sent us an e-mail about a missionary from Texas and a quarter overpayment on the bus, it was great.  Today is just like all the rest, overcast, but no rain yet.  Met an Elder Nick Hansen that served in Zim, and he filled us in at lunch, lots of good info.  He was a sharp guy.  He has already been back, he loved it there.

One more day of class and we are done.  Mixed emotions about that statement because we have made so many friends here at the MTC.  Elder and Sister Gunderson have been super to us, and Sister Welsh is one of the neatest people around.  Tonight at the dinner table we were talking about trying to get everyone together in 2 years and have everyone talk about their experience.  That would be neat.  We have received e-mails from the Mason's (Chili) and the Wright's (Malaysia) who are already in field. 

Jean and I went for a walk tonight around the temple, and we were stopped 3 different times by mutual kids who were on scavenger hunts, they had to take a picture and report on where we were going and when they heard Zimbabwe they all gasped and couldn't believe Zimbabwe.  Good times

It was a good day today, except for the weather, because it went so fast.  Still doing office and secretary stuff.  Learning a lot, but it is really intense.  Jean has really gotten into it, and her comment was, where has the time gone, it went so fast.  I guess, when you're having fun, time does fly.  We were stopped today by a couple missionaries that were going to Italy, and they wanted to practice their Italian on us.  They bore their testimony, and even though I couldn't understand them, they had a wonderful spirit.  One from Mexico, and one from Utah.  Good looking Elders. 

Tonight we had a Devotional, and thay won't tell you who the speaker is.  So we were setting there in the front, and in walked Elder Russell Nelson of the 12.  Man, everyone stood up, and wouldn't set down till he did.  Same thing when he left, everyone remained standing until he went out the door. What great respect.  Both he and his wife gave fantastic talks.  He even talked about a a safari that he and his wife went on while they were in Africa.  Time at the MTC is winding down.

Our Family

This picture was taken on Easter Sunday, just a few weeks before we left.

Today was the first day of our office training and classes started at 8 am and finished up at 5pm, computers, computers, computers.  We thought we knew quite a bit about them, but we knew nothing compared to what we learned today.  It was excellent training, and it goes for the next 3 days, so we should be pretty well ingrained by the time we get through this.  We are enjoying it.  Jean will get stuck, and all of a sudden she will blurt out, "hey what's going on here", or something like that and everyone will laugh and look around at her.

We have been walking around the Temple ground to try to get rid of some of this food that we have been eating.  They have us eating 3 big meals a day, and we're not use to it.  We're back on salad!  In stead of walking of the plane in Zim, we are probably going to roll off!

It's almost 9 o'clock and we are just getting back to our apartment.  Man, it has been a long day, but great.  Our Sacrament meeting started at 8 am this morning, and it was so good, we had an Elder speak who said he was ready to go home after the first week, because he just didn't feel like he was as worthy as the other missionaries, so he deceided to pray about it, and the Lord told him to get to work and get with the program, and he is going to be leaving tomorrow for his assignment, New York, and he is jacked and ready to go.  He will be a great Elder.  After Sacrament we went to the Spoken Word and it was wonderful, then off to Priesthood, and we were with Elders that were going to to the Phillipin's.  The were pulling out tomorrow, and they looked like they were ready to go.

This afternoon we were invited to Dave and Lori Bridges for dinner.  Man!! you should see their home, we're so lucky to be related to them.  It is very very nice, and we are so happy for them.  I would love to live in an area like that.  They were so good to us, and the food was so good.  Thanks

Tonight was a fireside and the director of the missionary program spoke to us.  It was super.  He taught us out of the B of M about how we can serve the Lord and listen to his promptings.  Tomorrow we start of office training, and it is intense. 

MTC EXPERIENCE

WOW! This has been one heck of a week, nothing like we expected. Up and going by 6 am, and studying every night, but ask me if it has been worth it. We have learned so much here in such a short time. The other Elders and Sisters have just been so good to us, and we have made so many new friends. We have already received a letter from Elder and Sister Winters who left for Malasia yesterday, and they are there and going to church tomorrow. Today is our day off and we have been doing things to get ready for next week. Rented a car and went to Doug and Krista's home and visited them. They are doing so well, and the twin have really grown. Lori sent us a message, and we are going to their home tomorrow for dinner, and it will be good to visit with them. Scott called us yesterday, and filled us in on what was going on in Caldwell, and it sounds like they are all busy. It was so good to hear from him.

Kay called Jean early this morning, so she is set for the rest of the day. Kay gets her all pumped up and ready to go. (I really think Kay would like to go along in one of the suit cases so she could share the experience.