Delayed in Utah

As we finished up at the MTC on Friday afternoon, we still hadn't gotten any word about our visas for the Republic of Kiribati.
We were told not to worry we still had the week end.

Chad drove up to the front door where Dee was standing with the luggage. Together they loaded our "winter" bags so we could go over to his place to prepare for an evening at the Jordan River Temple doing sealings with Tom/Niki & Chad/Amy.

The next day we spent time at Suzy's home playing with g-kids & decorating their Christmas tree.

In the evening Tom, Jeff, Chad and Dan's families joined Dee & me at Jeff's ward house to celebrate each other with pizza, treats, dramatic stage play, and games in the gym.

Then the silly old g-ma (me) forgets that she is getting old and ran around with the young uns. At least for a little while...then....kplunk...down I went.

Ouch!! A good lesson to learn at the start of a mission: act your age!!

We were disappointed to hear that we would be delayed for a week. The good thing is that we have family here in Utah. We stayed at Tom, Jeff and Chad's homes off and on during this Utah portion of our mission.

We attended the Mt. Timpanogos Temple twice and shared family times with each family. Jeff has been working really hard on my computer to up grade, streamline and correct it. A blessing to be here. It has also been good to have the extra time in Utah so the bruising on my face could fade a bit.

this is the Empty Sea (MTC)

Here we are, all ready for our boys to drive us to the MTC. We are so excited....we have been working towards this for such a long time. Five times we have taken our sons on this drive....now it is our turn.

I don't know where to begin to describe our experience here. I'll just say: the buildings, our 'apartment', the instructors, the teachers, the missionaries, the lessons, the organization, the food, the love, the spirit, the friendships, the knowledge, EVERYTHING, is more than I could have ever imagined. The week we shared here in the MTC will continue to inspire me through out my life.

The wonderful friends we made within our 'district' were really great. Each of these senior couples were eager and willing to serve the Lord with heart and soul. We taught each other the gospel in this setting inspired of the Lord. Each of us grew in so many ways. This has been such a spiritual week.

We worked with the Hatchs as ordnance workers in the Mesa Arizona Temple for the past year. They are such a wonderful couple. We were so happy to have shared some time with them during the days.

One of the events we enjoyed together while here for training was

the MTC Devotional meeting on Tuesday night. Over a thousand missionaries gathered to hear the word of the Lord. We were instructed in how we could not only preach the Gospel but help by following up and showing our continual love for the new members. I was nearly over come with emotion as the songs were sung by this amazing gathering.

I can't leave this blog without telling of one of the miracles we experienced there. Shortly after we got here on our first day, we were walking down a very crowded hall when a large group of young Elders intercepted us at a junction. We heard our names called out. As we turned, we saw Elder Alldredge, a young man from our Arizona ward. I spontaneously gave him a huge as he told us this was his last day at the MTC, that he would be leaving later that day. In the early evening as I looked out our apartment window, I saw a group of young missionaries loading into one of the buses preparing to drive off to the Salt Lake airport. I adjusted the view on my camera and there was Elder Alldredge standing next to the bus door. What was the miracle, you may ask, seeing him there among the more than 2,500 missionaries that swarm the halls all day long.

Did I mention that we LOVED the MTC!!??

THIS CHURCH IS TRUE, JESUS CHRIST IS THE SON OF GOD

ENJOYING THE FAMILY IN UTAH

We had a few days in Utah before we could check into the MTC so we filled the time visiting with the family.

Family.....that's what it is all about.

DRIVING UP TO UTAH

Finally we are on our way..... our daughter, Shelly, drove us north.....

The three of us left Phoenix fairly early Wed morning.

We met Jeff and Chris' families in St. George, Utah (there for a

soccer tournament). Lots of fun and visiting at their hotel, then

we went to dinner at the Golden Corral where we spent at least 2 more hours (mostly more visiting)We found Mark's 'vacation' home there in St. Geo

rge where we spent the night before continuing on to Salt Lake City, Utah where we enjoyed Thanksgiving with Dan, Chad, Tom and Doug's families. Yummy!!

THIS IS A TEASER.....ACTUALLY MUCH MORE TO FOLLOW

With the help of my wonderful (computer) son, Jeff, I now have access to the pictures that I have been taking over the past couple of weeks. I will put together several blogs so ......keep in touch.

SET APART THIS MORNING

This morning we met with Pres Rolf and Pres Ritman at the Surprise Arizona North Stake Center where we were set apart as full time senior missionaries for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. So very spiritual with these good men sharing our joy at our calling.
We missed the family but will see all of them during this next week.
Shelly came to our ward during Sacrament meeting where she supported us as we gave talks about missionary work.
We are now official missionaries and preparing to head out to serve the Lord.

ALMOST READY

We have been so busy packing, getting the house ready and writing our talks for Sacrament meeting this next Sunday (2 days from now).

The fellow who was going to rent our home backed out the other night. It looks like we will just close it up instead, allowing our children access to it whenever they drive to Arizona. The weather is very nice in the winter (during this 'cold spell', it is in the 60s early this Nov morning).

The packing is interesting because we will need warm clothes while we are in Utah for 2 weeks, then cool clothes while we are on the island for 18 months (high 70s to high 80s year round). We are packing one suite case for Utah (to be left in Utah) and the rest for Christmas Island.

I have been down loading all my pictures to a 'safe place in the clouds'. It has taken quite a while but it is a relief to have it done. We bought a new little Sony camcorder/camera to take with us. It is compact, portable and takes great pictures. I just don't know how to use it yet. I will try to get current pictures of Arizona before we leave, then I can update this blog entry.